French Provincial Cottage Under $250k in Morgan Park: 10837 S. Wood
This French Provincial cottage at 10837 S. Wood in Morgan Park was built in 1926.
While it’s not big, at 1344 square feet, it has a nice sized backyard with a gazebo, a full finished basement and a detached 1.5 car garage.
It’s also only a few blocks from the 107th street Metra stop.
The listing says “seller wants an offer.”
Amie Wharff at Prudential Biros Real Estate has the listing. See more pictures here.
10837 S. Wood: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1344 square feet, 1.5 car garage
- Sold in April 1991 for $68,000
- Sold in June 1998 for $113,000
- Originally listed in March 2009 for $259,900
- Reduced
- Currently listed at $239,900
- Taxes of $2095
- No central air
- Bedroom #1: 18×11
- Bedroom #2: 10×9
- Living room: 19×12
- Dining room: 12×11
- Kitchen: 11×8
- Family room: 12×10
Very nice place. I know nothing about Morgan Park. What is the area like?
Delurking, parts of morgan park are pretty nice. Right there is a great location because its right off Longwood drive, which is a very nice area. A lot of cops and fireman live there. Very, very popular area with city workers. As you start traveling east of there it gets a little rough. But that part right there is nice. Pretty good price for that house though. You go two blocks to the west and houses are in the 500K range.
I bet an Egyptian will buy this place…
Beautiful small home… makes me hanker after a SF house. I believe I will roll down to MP and check it out. I haven’t seen many small homes so attractive, with such nice architecture, but this little place shows the potential of a small place. It’s just right for a single or childless couple.
And I rather like that kitchen.
But I have to question the price. It seems cheap compared to the north side, but I can’t believe ANYTHING is worth 3X what it was in 1998. What would this place rent for?
It’s a cute little house, but that kitchen is brutally small. And it doesn’t look like there’s really space to add on behind the house w/o cutting down trees–the lot is only 80′ deep, and the rear of the house is already 45’+ from the front lotline.
HGTV Designed to Sell premium? I think not. $199k. It’s a v. nice condo alternative, but the 2d bedroom is too small–in a green zone condo, we’d all assert that this was really a 1BR + Den.
YOu could prob get about $1200 for it laura. the reason its cheap is bc its in morgan park 8075 area. If this was 8074 mt greenwood, it would prob be going for 289K. (2-3blocks west) I showed a house to a client down the street from there yesterday and its a good location. Longwood dr is a very prestigous road over there. All the houses on that street are very expensive. And its cheaper than the north side bc everything on the southside is cheaper.
The southside is cheaper because the cops and fireman who live on the south side make less money than their counterparts on the north side. I cannot think of any other reason why it’s so much less expensive.
“And its cheaper than the north side bc everything on the southside is cheaper.”
Thanks, steele.
Laura, I wondered what the condition was when it sold in ’98.
“I cannot think of any other reason why it’s so much less expensive. ”
The north side attracts the nomads from all over the midwest and the rest of the country, generally, pushing up demand for north side real estate. They rarely if ever goto the south side and the equate the entire area with the worst areas they hear about in the news. They have no idea that the south side is geographically huge.
The bubble has done away with some of the discount in the nicer hoods on the southside (Beverly, Bridgeport). Go look you can find listed entry level condos for 180-250k in Bridgeport now too, at the same PPSF as LP, LV, etc.
“the cops and fireman who live on the south side make less money than their counterparts on the north side”
Cops and firemen get paid more or less based on where they live? Why does the union put up with that?
I was a Mt. Greenwood resident for many years. I’d take MGWood over Morgan Park but Beverly over either of them in a second. This street is practically Beverly – 2 blocks from my favorite street on the south side, Longwood Drive.
It’s a generally safe neighborhood, but it gets sketchy quickly when heading East. Nice old homes, though, and pretty solid neighbors.
As far as price goes, throw in a 3rd bedroom and central air and I’m writing a check today!
Hahahaha.
“Cops and firemen get paid more or less based on where they live? Why does the union put up with that?”
“As far as price goes, throw in a 3rd bedroom and central air and I’m writing a check today!”
Well, yeah. And with the 2-flat on Leland, convert it to a SFH with a finished basement and everyone would think that $650k was a fine price. $15k(+, just for my friend JohnnyU) for CAC and $25k for the 3d BR, leaves you at $199k. Which would get this place sold quickly.
I was in this area yesterday morning doing a collateral inspection for a rehab draw for one of our borrowers. It was pretty sketchy. The GC won’t even install the AC unit until closing because they tend to disappear…
This was at approximately 1400 West 115th, so admittedly it was across 57 from this property.
I also love how people say “Lower the price to XXX” and I’d buy 3, which people love to say in exaggeration but isn’t actually true because who’s got that kind of cash. during the bubble you could actually buy 3 properties with little or no money down and look where that got us.
While I do like the architectural details and the lot, those bedrooms are very small and awkward. Check out the listing photos, if you haven’t already.
*This was at approximately 1400 West 115th, so admittedly it was across 57 from this property.*
There is no comparison to where you were and where this house is.
If I was married, I’d go for this place. Beverly rocks, this is pretty much Beverly. The train is right there and takes maybe 25 minutes to get downtown.
Beverly would be pretty boring for a single guy though.
“I also love how people say “Lower the price to XXX” and I’d buy 3, which people love to say in exaggeration but isn’t actually true because who’s got that kind of cash.”
If you offered me 4 two-flats just like the Leland 2-flat as a package deal for $1.2mm, I’d find the cash and the financing. It would be a total no-brainer, as far as I’m concerned.
Plenty of people have that kind of cash (or cash equivalents), HD. It’s
I’m sure they do but how many of them want to actively invest and maintain real estate? I prefer my dayjob
“Plenty of people have that kind of cash (or cash equivalents), HD. “
I get to watch from the sidelines and fix deals that went bad; so I still get to participate but I don’t have to take any of the risk.
“I still get to participate but I don’t have to take any of the risk”
And very little of the reward.
“I’m sure they do but how many of them want to actively invest and maintain real estate? I prefer my dayjob”
Based solely on the posters’ personae here, at one time or another, nearly all of those who have “that kind of money”–i.e., enough to do it, but not enough to rely solely on muni bond interest. A couple more years of earning, plus a further decrease in Price:Rent ratios, I’ll probably join in. Two-flats at 107x monthly rent, in ‘hoods where I could walk to to do maintenance, could get me going now.
The BRs are tiny! I don’t believe the 18×11 for the MBR – shouldn’t a bed fit into that without turning it in awkward ways?
“Two-flats at 107x monthly rent, in ‘hoods where I could walk to to do maintenance, could get me going now.”
I’ve given up on trying to do the two flat thing on the northside, barring a total collapse of the RE market–the valuations are just insane compared to the south side.
Definitely makes sense to me on the south side if I wanted to deal with the hassle of landlord for one tenant, but just not enough going on in these ‘hoods for a (relatively) young single guy like me.
You would think multis would be properly priced for investors, but this is not the case on the northside…at all.
Have friends who lives very near this house. Street crime is increasing in Morgan Park; their young son was mugged in front of their house by teenagers with a gun. Yes, Morgan Park/South Beverly has some beautiful homes, but neighborhood dynamic is in transition. Gang activity east, south, and north beyond Beverly is an everpresent issue; even Morgan Park’s library has had gang-related problems. Other Morgan Park listings are in poor repair and likely foreclosures. Nearby retail and entertainment venues may be a concern if you’re a middle-class person used to strolling about without serious attention to your immediate environment.
(Read “Secondcitycop” blog to hear what CPD cops say about Chicago, increasing crime, and low morale. Crime is increasing all over Chicago, and that increased crime will cause renewed scrutiny of all Chicago neighborhoods’ perceived safety and degree of gang-related activity.)
Home prices in Morgan Park seem like a bargain compared to north-side at first glance, however there are far fewer neighborhood amenities, including a very limited number of stores, movie theatres, restaurants, grocery options, etc. Not a neighborhood for someone wanting trendy “Time-Out”-quality restaurants, stores, cafes, etc. Factor in a fair amount of driving. Distance-wise, this is like living in Skokie in relation to downtown commute. House itself is cute, but room sizes are very small, hampering eventual resale – as the current owner has discovered.
“Cops and firemen get paid more or less based on where they live? Why does the union put up with that?”
While I’m not a cop, I do know a great many and I do not think this is true. Cops in general are on a pay scale that is determined by rank and postition rather than geographic living area. The reason you’ll find a lot of cops in MG, etc., is because it is cheaper for them to live IN the city (as cops are mandated to live in the city of Chicago), and can therefore get more bang for their smallish buck. As they rise through the ranks and make more money, they may seem to migrate more north, but there is no disparity in pay based solely upon which zip code they happen to live.
“You would think multis would be properly priced for investors, but this is not the case on the northside…at all.”
The disconnect is mostly b/c of (1) the empty low/conversion-to-SFH potential vlaue and (2) assumption of owner-occupancy, which prices at a comp to a similar-sized, but actually updated, condo (overpriced) and then 2x for the rental (which exacerbates the overpriciness).
That is interesting, Architect. My husband and I have been talking about downsizing, and moving to the south side or south suburbs would make the most sense, but reports I heard a few years ago that many neighborhoods were in transition because of the city tearing down housing projects and pushing former residents south and out of the city have kept us on the fence.
I work in health care, and about three years, I met with county administration who confirmed the clinics were completely overtaxed with this new population. Colleagues I have that live and work in these areas say much the same thing.
And I agree with your assessment of neighborhood amenities. Chicago Reporter did an in-depth look at how few stores are located on the south side. It’s worth a read for those interested in the issue.
“Read “Secondcitycop” blog to hear what CPD cops say about Chicago, increasing crime, and low morale.”
Lots of real malcontents there–I get sick of the “we’ll show weis and daley by letting the citizens suffer” attitude of a few (or more) of the commenters. Gives a black eye to the 90%+ of the force who care and do a good job for us–and they’re all expected to stand up for the mooks, or they’re being “disloyal”.
Applause for use of the term “mook.”
I agree with anon – 100% – of his assessment of the SCC blog. The number of cops I do know always shake their head in embarassment when I ask them if they’re aware of that blog, usually followed by, “only the crazies take that thing seriously.” On the other hand, I read it b/c I like to know what’s going on ‘behind the scenes’ so to speak. Cops get a raw deal in Chicago.
Ah, don’t you mean the 90% who are out busting heads and causing ruckus are making the 10% good police look bad?
“90%+ of the force who care and do a good job for us–”
The cops and police have a well deserved reputation in this city; They earn their universal despise. Nobody’s bitching about the Aurora Police or the Naperville Police.
Wow, that’s way off topic, sorry folks. I’m going out of town for business so I won’t be posting, although I might check up once in a while from the mobile phone.
“Nobody’s bitching about the Aurora Police or the Naperville Police.”
HAHAHAHAHAHA. None of the white-folk-you-personally-know are bitching about the Naper & Aurora police. Dig a little deeper, man.
“the 90% who are out busting heads”
90% of the time, that’s doing a good job. Unfortunately, 1% of the time it costs the city a million bucks.
WBEZ recently did a piece on the Cook County Courts serving the southside and south suburban areas, noting that its juvenile court system was overwhelmed by the enormous increase in crimes commit by teenagers, with cases backlogged for months.
Regarding “secondcitycop” blog, I see beyond the reactionary comments and note the repeated comments about acute patrolmen shortage (force is short 1000 officers, and training is 1/12th the retirement rate), equipment equipment and vehicle shortages and disrepair (radios, cars, vests, holsters, etc.), and poor morale due to endemic patronage discretionary promotions of incompetent officers with political clout, lack of active contract, pension fund mismanagement, etc., and the sheer number of desk-job staff bloating the payroll without performing or enhancing police operations. The blog exposes the impact of political corruption on a vital city service. And I’m not a FOP relative either.
“90% of the time, that’s doing a good job. Unfortunately, 1% of the time it costs the city a million bucks.”
Nailed.It.
The majority I know and have the pleasure of working with are truly salt of the earth, hard working men & women doing the best they can in a city that doesn’t help them out re: training, equipment, personnel, non-clout leadership, respect, etc. I like people like homedelete who b*tch about them, yet have no real clue why they “hate” them so much. It’s okay HD, not everyone can be a big man like you, but some can; they’re called cops. Oh, and women too: like my grandmother. Man, she was an awesome cop.
This is a lovely little house, and from my limited experience with that general vicinity it appears to be a pretty good deal – hell the taxes are only $2095!
Delurking – perhaps you should look in Forest Park or Berwyn. Both have deflated nicely, but the general environment is still pretty nice. (Not knowing your price point) Go for north or central Forest Park (north of 290) Great access to Blue or Green Line, Madison stretch in Forest Park is nice, and you are walking distance to Downtown Oak Park on Lake St.
No one else buy this place before I can!! Who wants to buy my studio in the Gold Coast?? Only 179,000. Remember me? It is just me and my daughter and to be able to live in a single family home in such an area is beyond my wildest dreams.
Thanks, ME. I am familiar with Berwyn but not so much with Forest Park. It seemed like a few years ago a lot of artistic types were heading to Berwyn. I wonder if that tempered the culture a little.
I know of at least one gay couple who moved to Berwyn, I don’t think they like it all that much. This place is more unique at least than the bungalows you’d get there.
Sorry Dollface, but good luck getting some of the renters here to buy an overpriced studio with your quote “ridiculous assessments”.
Why did you buy a studio anyways? Especially if you have a kid
Naperville police are a bunch of pansies. They should have to do a tour of duty in a city ‘hood before they can earn a badge.
“The cops and police have a well deserved reputation in this city; They earn their universal despise. Nobody’s bitching about the Aurora Police or the Naperville Police.”
You per usual don’t know what you are talking about.
The problem with this area is the money you save on the house and taxes you will spend on a private school. I’m in this area often and in the last 2 years I’ve been losing hope that it’s going to hold out. Then again my parents said the same thing about Beverly in 1970.
Sonies,
Are you really always this self-righteous and sanctimonious? I bought the studio YEARS before I had a kid. Pound dirt.
“Then again my parents said the same thing about Beverly in 1970.”
…and they were right.
Dollface, you have owned it for “YEARS+” so lack of equity shouldn’t be the problem.
Just drop the price enough and it will sell.
“Sonies,
Are you really always this self-righteous and sanctimonious? I bought the studio YEARS before I had a kid. Pound dirt.”
So did you save enough money for a down payment on a new house on your own? Or is your studio priced so high so you can have money for a down payment on a new house?
Diversify your assets. Going 100% long real estate was probably a bad idea. And like G said, drop the price and it will sell.
Hey I don’t find people in studios trying to sell as nearly contemptible as those who bought 450k 2/2 condos. And Dollface might get lucky and find a buyer to pick up her unit with 3.5% down via the FHA.
People in 250k+ places are in a tighter bind as the FHA only insures properties up to 230k.
You howlers buying a studio doesn’t scream inconspicuous consumption to me.
Two people caught random bullets meant for someone else just yesterday in Morgan Park…. I talked about it with southside friends and they said, yes, this neighborhood is deteriorating rapidly.
Cute house, but it’s in the wrong location, too bad.
And location is everything.
Many of the commenters on this thread don’t understand the neighborhood at all. Because of this their assessment of the value of the property is meaningless.
First of all, saying that Morgan Park is dangerous is about as meaningful as saying Chicago is dangerous. It totally depends on which part of Morgan Park, and MP in particular comprises at least two completely unrelated regions — one is pure ghetto, the other is an extension of Beverly and is very nice. It is very clear where these dividing lines are. I can draw them for you if you would like.
This house is in a fine area. It is not as opulent or prestigious as the area starting one block to the west (central beverly), but the area is quite stable and basically free of violent crime. Many families, lots of young kids, etc. In any case, whatever one’s perception of the area and tolerance for some degree of urban issues (and there is more opportunistic crime than in a comparably priced far out suburb), lumping it with general Morgan Park statistics is very misleading. Many people with money and lots of other options choose to buy in this area. It’s not for everyone but has strong appeal.
Secondly, about the idea of Morgan Park and Beverly deteriorating. This is in many ways the opposite of the truth. Its deterioration peaked in the 70s and early 80s. Since then a steady wave of buyers (many of whom are not cops and fireman but work in finance, higher education, doctors, lawyers, etc.) have kept the residential districts very strong and property values relatively high (for the south side). Just west of that house homes have sold recently for over 1M. Homes priced 700K and over are routine. People don’t spend this kind of money without considering the situation. Obviously there is an occasional element of sketchiness passing through that is absent from most middle-class suburbs further out. But Architect’s claim that it is in some downward spiral is totally misinformed.
I consider this house pretty well priced, though not necessarily a steal. Large yards are the norm in this area so there is a lot of competition. Probably could get a bit more space for the money.