3-Bedrooms Under $400,000 in West Town: 1624 W. Ontario

Trying to find space under the conforming loan limit?

This 3-bedroom tri-level unit at 1624 W. Ontario in West Town is listed under $400,000 and that includes an attached parking space.

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It has 2-story windows, stone baths, and two outdoor spaces. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances.

It’s also listed $6,000 under the 2005 purchase price.

Is this priced to sell?

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Robert Safranski at Saffron Realty Group has the listing. See more pictures here.

See the listing here.

Unit #1W: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1 car parking, no square footage listed

  • Sold in June 2005 for $405,000
  • Currently listed for $399,000 (parking included)
  • Assessments of $157 a month
  • Taxes of $5914
  • Central Air
  • Washer/Dryer in the unit
  • Bedroom #1: 14×14
  • Bedroom #2: 11×10
  • Bedroom #3: 10×10

46 Responses to “3-Bedrooms Under $400,000 in West Town: 1624 W. Ontario”

  1. 3/3 with garage parking in West Town for $400M? I’d hit it all day. Just needs a coat of paint to do away with the chronic pastelitis.

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  2. I’m guessing this place isn’t on the market for very long. Nice place.

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  3. “3/3 with garage parking in West Town for $400M? I’d hit it all day.”

    NOTE: 1 garage spot. Why is that acceptable but you can’t deal with a tandem spot – are you gonna stack the vehicles???

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  4. Drab, uninspired design in narrow 3-level won’t be fixed with a new coat of paint. This place is so bleh. Market will likely disagree with me, tho. I predict under contract fairly quickly as well.

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  5. this is a place that a floorplan would definitely help in understanding the layout. I can’t get the video tour to open at work, maybe that would helps.

    This look like a very interesting place, the main drawback is that part of the living space is on ground/ under-grade level. As laid out currently it seems that the living room is on the garden level.

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  6. i dont remember this being a fun or nice place to walk? it may have changed in the past two years but i rememeber alot of chevy vans around there bumpin loud Banda/Ranchero music all times of the day

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  7. “Jon on September 2nd, 2009 at 10:22 am
    NOTE: 1 garage spot. Why is that acceptable but you can’t deal with a tandem spot – are you gonna stack the vehicles???”

    Good point. I didn’t actually mean I’d personally be interested. I’m actually looking for a friend in this price range and thought it might be a good fit for him.

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  8. I will not drink the kool-aid. This unit is $6,000 less than an inflated 2005 price and it’s a deal? if you think there are deals today…

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  9. I like this one a lot better than the one in “West Loop”.

    Two outdoor spaces, 100k cheaper, better hood. I predict it sells at or near ask.

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  10. Seems ok I guess, at that price level though you could get a better place not as large in a nicer hood, not that I think that area is awful, its just kinda grungy and not much do to in the area by foot.

    It is 3 bedrooms, but they are all tiny. The minimum size youd want a bedroom is 12×10 and it has two bedrooms smaller than that.

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  11. It looks really nice, but the location is terrible for transit and that part of Ontario is practically an alley.

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  12. “this is a place that a floorplan would definitely help in understanding the layout. I can’t get the video tour to open at work, maybe that would helps.”

    The video tour is one of those with the photos set to music and moving around for no apparent reason. Pretty useless.

    From the Kitchen photo, it looks like the master is up a half-level from the kitchen/DR, with the other 2BRs in the basement.

    Ontario is basically an alley here–>across the street is garages and the backside of the houses on Ohio; indeed, at eitehr end of the block, Ontario is about 20′ south of the alley b/t Ohio and Erie. The lot is *super* short–about 70′–and the “outdoor space” off the master is right above the garage entrance, directly on the alley.

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  13. “NOTE: 1 garage spot. Why is that acceptable but you can’t deal with a tandem spot – are you gonna stack the vehicles???”

    At least they’re not trying to get an extra $35k for said parking.

    “It looks really nice, but the location is terrible for transit and that part of Ontario is practically an alley.”

    Google streetview’d it, I can already imagine drunk drivers taking off my mirrors late at night on such a narrow street.

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  14. After checking the Google Streetview, I’m not a fan of the half-block effect here. You’re basically living on an alley on both the North and South sides of the property. :-/

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  15. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=1624+W+Ontario+St,+Chicago,+Cook,+Illinois+60622&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.038806,79.013672&ie=UTF8&cd=3&geocode=Fas7fwId3UnG-g&split=0&ll=41.892774,-87.668066&spn=0.007811,0.01929&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.892769,-87.667952&panoid=Ojvh0NjIFLlTdz4kufPxiQ&cbp=12,310.11,,0,-6.41

    Wow, this building and and the one next to it 1620 W. Ontario are really out of place.

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  16. After further review on Google Maps in Satellite view, the building’s on a short lot too. That one block of Ontario does not bisect the block longitudinally symetrically. They put two lots on the North side and one lot on the South side, so you’re really only getting a lot 2/3 the size of a full Chicago lot. It’s not a SFR, but still…

    I think this place is probably a skip.

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  17. I really don’t like it when the marble counter-top extends from the sink over the toilet, to give it a little ‘shelf’.

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  18. don’t forget to rip on it because it is a duplex down.

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  19. At $200,000, given the precarious nature of this block and neighborhood, this would be a deal. $250,000 or $275,000 might be reasonable.

    However, at $400,000, any potential buyer is merely bailing out an FB seller. No thank you. I’ll wait for more reasonable prices in 2010 and if needed 2011 or 2012.

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  20. Most buyers have plenty of time. How long can sellers wait?

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  21. Look at the kitchen picture. I keep seeing more and more where the granite counter on kitchen bars doesn’t extend far enough past the lower wall and still everyone throws up these stools. It drives me nuts. Let’s be honest, the stools are either going to be purely for decoration or for dining amputees. Such a cheap move by the developers.

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  22. “Look at the kitchen picture. I keep seeing more and more where the granite counter on kitchen bars doesn’t extend far enough past the lower wall and still everyone throws up these stools.”

    That’s the staging people… even better with stools in that position you can put your drink right on the stovetop!

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  23. I wouldn’t purchase anywhere near asking for the sole fact of the lot location. You essentially are living off of an ugly alley. I can only imagine the trash, debris and creatures roaming around. If this were on a tree lined street, even in same neighborhood, –it would sell w/in 5-7% of asking imho.
    Interior is okay, though. Hardwood throughout, tall ceilings.

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  24. “Look at the kitchen picture. I keep seeing more and more where the granite counter on kitchen bars doesn’t extend far enough past the lower wall and still everyone throws up these stools.”

    Well, there is plenty of space for two stools at the curved end of the counter, but I think that would lead to a messy looking pic.

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  25. I have an island that does not have an overhang and I have bar stools at it. I didn’t put them there to eat there, they are there so if I have company they can sit and visit while I cook.

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  26. thanks for the streetview link, I have to agree with the recent posts that this block is a total deal breaker. This is a horrible alley to live off of. You know what people keep in the alley: garbage cans. And not just garbage can, but boxes and piles of garbage that is too big to fit in the cans. $400K for a view or garage doors and garbages can from my basement living room- not so much.

    I’m putting my money on a short sale in about 9 months.

    This ‘block’ has numerous vacant lots and the rest are tiny ranches/ frame homes. With the boom years over, there will not be any large scale demolishing and development. I’m sure the belief in 2005 was that the whole block would soon be developed and then they’d be living on a great new block- again, not so much.

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  27. Personally, I’d rather have the dishwasher where the oven is (get rid of that hood and then you have more countertop on the peninsula and put the oven below the microwave. Just a preference (so your guests don’t burn themselves…)

    I didn’t realize how short this property is or the exact neighborhood – – probably a tougher sell than I predicted earlier.

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  28. this type of developement is exactly what lead to the RE bubble. Small lots on a horrible block, rezoned to R4, and then built 4+ stories high over 90% of the land.

    The size and scope of this building should never have been built in this residential neighborhood.

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  29. “nsarch on September 2nd, 2009 at 12:08 pm
    I wouldn’t purchase anywhere near asking for the sole fact of the lot location. You essentially are living off of an ugly alley. I can only imagine the trash, debris and CREATURES roaming around. ”

    Exactly. Don’t accidentally leave that garden patio door open unless you have a pet liger.

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  30. At least we have a diversity of opinions!

    “Jon on September 2nd, 2009 at 10:19 am

    I’m guessing this place isn’t on the market for very long. Nice place.

    “Tom on September 2nd, 2009 at 12:26 pm
    I’m putting my money on a short sale in about 9 months.

    This ‘block’ has numerous vacant lots and the rest are tiny ranches/ frame homes. With the boom years over, there will not be any large scale demolishing and development. I’m sure the belief in 2005 was that the whole block would soon be developed and then they’d be living on a great new block- again, not so much.

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  31. I really hope I am wrong and this thing does become a short sale–I’d be interested around 300k.

    No way this goes down to 200k is my guess. 200k in Chicago still buys shytholes if you’re talking about three bedroom, two baths with multiple outdoor spaces.

    Yeah the balconies aren’t pristine, but again you get what you pay for. Me or someone like me would ‘snap this up’ for 200-275k–I don’t see it happening.

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  32. $200,000, is probably too low, but that’s what I would call that a ‘deal’. $250k is more reasonable price. Even at $300k with 20% down it’s still a monthly nut of $2,000ish. Not that $2,000 is a lot of money, but would you pay $2000 to live HERE? It’s like asking if you’d pay $2,000 to live in Johnsburg but you got a 4 bedroom house. Sometimes it’s just not worth it. But hey, all it takes is one buyer to pay somewhere near $400k.

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  33. “would you pay $2000 to live HERE?”

    Seems like it would be a good rental at ~$2k/month, so … maybe. Probably not at $2500/month, tho.

    Of course, for me, there’s the problem that I would *never* want to share decisions with 5 other owners, but that’s a separate issue.

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  34. Predict – $350K

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  35. I can’t find this property in the assessor’s office or in ccrd. I want to see how it was financed and how much leeway these sellers have. That’ll determine the final selling price.

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  36. The March-02 sale from the developer was for $324k.

    The current owner refi’d in December for $366k, having originally had a 1st for $324k and a $60k 2d. Needs ~$389k to not bring cash to closing.

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  37. “$200,000, is probably too low” that is an insanely low price picked out of an azz then thrown out there isnt it?

    but at the price 300k (more realistic) i still wouldnt give this place a look, just me my opinion, looking at the street view it look like the hood hasnt changed since what i said in my previous post above

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  38. “The March-02 sale from the developer was for $324k.”

    That doesn’t seem right to me; sabrina says there was a June ’05 sale for $405,000. The pictures from street view show the developers sign still in front of the building and I imagine street view isn’t more than a few years old. This is an ’05 building. I bet the entire lot sold for $324,

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  39. Owner is listed as “JL Property Develop”. Technically this is Unit 1W @ 1624 W Ontario which when it sold for $405k in 05 was a 2 bed unit not a 3 bed. 1 bed/1 den below stairs have become 2 beds. Seems to have a $366k lien against it from 08 but the PIN have gotten all jacked up in ccrd. It exists on the tax assessors website though only confirming the old adage about 2 things being certain!

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  40. I think that $405k sale is an internal as the developer split up the units. I don’t think it is a true price point.

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  41. Death and taxes!

    “It exists on the tax assessors website though only confirming the old adage about 2 things being certain!”

    Yes, I made up the $200k figure but it is sort of based on a monthly payment compared vs. rent for simplicity.

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  42. “That doesn’t seem right to me; sabrina says there was a June ‘05 sale for $405,000. The pictures from street view show the developers sign still in front of the building and I imagine street view isn’t more than a few years old. This is an ‘05 building. I bet the entire lot sold for $324,”

    You’re seriously jocking me on following grantor/grantee in ccrd? WTF, dude? Esp given that the $324k was on a PIN ending 1002–>that is, a condo, not a lot. The redfin mistake is using Lot #078, where the deed records are on Lot #076.

    The developer paid $380k for two lots in Sept-00, buying from another LLC who got them by QC in Jul-99, the grantors of which had paid $165k for both of them in Mar-99, that seller having paid $105k in Aug-97, that Seller having acquired the two lots, plus another, for $4,500 (possibly a typo–could be $45k) from a land trust in Nov-90. The Trust having had those 3 parcels–and 63 others–contributed in Dec-88.

    I don’t care what the pics imply, the 02 sale was from the developer to an individual, which individual sold to the current owner (no other deeds from that individual), although it is possible that the intervening individual was a straw buyer, for some reason. Get your clerk to confirm if you like, but I know what the record shows.

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  43. ok anon(tfo) chill man i’m just skeptical by nature. there’s conflicting info about these properties, conflicting bed/den info, weird lot sizes, you know.

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  44. thanks for the clarif. anon. MLS has the PIN wrong too but that is nothing new

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  45. “i’m just skeptical by nature”

    Save it for your clerk; if I’m guessing, I say so.

    I think this would be a good deal for the right buyer at the ’02 price. I bet it moves pretty close to the current mortgage (355-370), assuming that the owner actually wants to sell.

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  46. “MLS has the PIN wrong too”

    Something went badly wrong with the assigning of the PINs; the treasurer’s webby doesn’t show any of the variations I tried (not everyone, cause I already spent too much time getting to know this prop).

    At any price over “free”, that’s something one should insist on having cleared up before closing, so you don’t end up paying someone else’s taxes (and wind up with your unit on the tax sale list, w/o any notice).

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