Crib Chatter

This Mediterranean-style brick bungalow with a red clay tile roof at 2530 W. Morse in the Indian Boundary Park neighborhood in West Ridge Manor came on the market in June 2025.

I don’t have a picture of this house but I wanted to crib about it anyway.

Built in 1924, it’s on a larger than normal Chicago lot measuring 37×124 and has a 2 car garage.

The listing says it has been “thoughtfully rehabbed and updated.”

There was a full dormer addition in 2017 which added 2 new full baths to the 2 that were already in the house for a total of 4 full bathrooms.

There are refinished hardwoods on the main level.

The kitchen has been “fully renovated” with gray (light blue?) 42-inch cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island that seats 3.

The kitchen is open to a family room/den which has a fireplace.

There is a decorative fireplace in the living room and a separate dining room.

2 of the bedrooms are on the second floor, one is on the main floor and 2 are in the lower level.

There’s also a recreation room in the lower level, with hardwood floors, along with an exercise room.

The laundry is on the second floor with a brand new washer/dryer.

There are all new windows and doors with lifetime warranties.

Other upgrades include:

• Central Air (2017)
• Steam humidifier (2017)
• New boiler (2017)
• New basement staircase (2017)
• New roof (2017)
• Lower level recreation room (2017)
• New back deck (2017)
• Professional turfed yard (2023)
• Paver patio (2023)

The listing calls the house a “lush, serene outdoor retreat.”

The garage is “newer” with a reinforced roof deck with a pergola.

This house is just a few blocks from the popular Indian Boundary Park and a few blocks from Western Avenue and its buses and some restaurants like McDonald’s and KFC. Warren Park is also nearby.

Listed at $849,000 after the renovation that is $424,000 higher than the 2016 sales price of $425,000.

Will this renovation pay off?

Keith Claunch at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan).

2530 W. Morse: 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2406 square feet, single family home

• Sold in November 2007 for $343,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in March 2011
• Sold in May 2011 for $250,000
• Sold in April 2016 for $425,000
• Currently listed at $849,000
• Taxes of $8584
• Central Air
• 2-car garage
• 37×124 lot
• 2 fireplaces, one decorative
• Bedroom #1: 18×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×18 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×11 (main floor)
• Bedroom #4: 9×13 (lower level)
• Bedroom #5: 11×20 (lower level)
• Family room: 21×16 (lower level)
• Kitchen/den: 25×10 (main floor)
• Mudroom: 6×7 (main floor)
• Laundry: 4×5 (second floor)
• Foyer: 5×11 (main floor)
• Dining room: 11×11 (main floor)
• Walk-in-closet: 9×10 (second floor)
• Living room: 21×18 (main floor)
• Exercise room: 16×20 (lower level)

It’s still a seller’s market in Chicago as inventory remains near record lows.

One of the reasons new posts have been sporadic is because there really isn’t much coming on to talk about.

Statewide, in May, it looks like inventory jumped 15% year-over-year but we’ll see when the IAR puts out the data in a few weeks. The 15% number is coming from some national housing data firms.

In April, inventory had fallen in the city of Chicago again. Nearly every month, just when I think it can’t go any lower, it does.

April is during the spring selling season, when more homes usually come on the market.

In April 2025, inventory declined 12.2% from the prior year.

Here’s the comparison the last few years since I started tracking it:

• April 2021: 8,502
• April 2022: 6,681
• April 2023: 4,964
• April 2024: 4,652
• April 2025: 4,085

Meanwhile, sales also remain low so it’s a double whammy of low inventory and low sales.

Will we see inventory go under 4,000 this summer?

Anyone have any tales from the front lines in terms of how tough it is to actually buy a property right now?

According to Redfin, there are just 194 homes available in Lakeview right now. This is a dense neighborhood. That isn’t even one new apartment building.

What are people doing?

This 2-bedroom townhouse at 1443 W. Wrightwood in Lincoln Park came on the market in June 2025.

Built in 1988, this townhouse development has 29 units, outdoor parking and some guest parking.

There is an HOA for exterior maintenance, garbage and snow removal.

The listing says this townhouse is “rarely available.”

It has 3-levels with the main level being the living room, dining room, kitchen and a half bath.

The kitchen has white/cream wood cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and a breakfast bar.

It’s open concept with the dining room and living room, which has a wood burning fireplace.

The second floor has both bedrooms.

The primary bedroom has vaulted ceilings and a lofted bonus space that the listing says would be ideal for a home office, reading nook or extra storage.

There is no en suite bathroom but just one shared bathroom between the two bedrooms.

The lower level has a family room, the second full bathroom, and the laundry room which has a utility sink and storage.

There are hardwood floors throughout.

The townhouse has central air and one outdoor parking space.

There’s a small patio off the back.

This townhouse does not face Wrightwood but is one of the interior units.

Here’s what the listing says about its location:

Just steps from Wrightwood Park and top-rated Prescott Elementary, it’s also within a few blocks of Costco, Whole Foods, Mariano’s, Jewel-Osco, Target, and an array of shops and restaurants. The home provides easy access to the Brown and Red Lines, multiple bus routes, and is just minutes from the I-90/94 expressway!

Listed in June 2025 for $625,000, it last sold 10 years ago for $420,000.

With just 136 properties available in Lincoln Park (at my last check), will sellers get their asking price?

Oksana Suden at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here. Sorry, no floor plan but the 2015 listing has one.

Unit B: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1650 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in June 1991 for $184,000
• Sold in February 2013 for $380,000
• Sold in January 2015 for $420,000
• Listed in June 2025 for $625,000
• Assessments of $295 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8735
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• One outdoor parking space included
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 15×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×13 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 13×7 (main floor)
• Loft: 13×8 (third floor)
• Living room: 15×15 (main floor)
• Dining room: 13×12 (main floor)
• Family room: 20×15 (lower level)
• Laundry: 13×13 (lower level)

This 2-bedroom in The Heritage at 130 N. Garland in the Loop came on the market in May 2025.

Built in 2004, during the housing bubble, The Heritage is now 21 years old. It has 356 units and attached garage parking. It’s a full amenity building with 24/7 door staff, an exercise room and one of the best indoor pools in the city.

There is also a shared rooftop terrace on the 26th floor, a dog run, a party room, sauna, on-site management, and access to the pedway.

This unit has been “completely remodeled” and it also is one of the 2/2s that has direct Lake, Bean, and Millennium Park views from all windows.

It has a split floor plan.

There are rich, wide plank hardwood floors throughout.

The unit has a modern chef’s kitchen with white cabinetry, quartz countertops with full backsplash, a breakfast bar and stainless steel appliances.

It overlooks the living/dining room which has a access to a private balcony, with lake views.

For those who saw the model home in 2003, set up nearby, this was the 2/2 model they showed you with the lake views.

There is an “enormous” primary suite with a “massive” organized walk-in-closet with a completely remodeled luxurious spa-like bathroom with dual sinks, quartz soaking tub, separate walk-in-shower and heated floors.

The unit also has an oversized second bedroom with a fully renovated bathroom.

This unit has all the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and there are 2 deeded parking spaces available for $50,000 each (or $100,000).

This building is near Millennium Park, various bus and subway lines, the flagship Macy’s and shopping on State Street, various theaters, restaurants and winter ice skating.

The Chicago Cultural Center is in front of the building along Michigan Avenue and it’s on the National Historic Register and is a Chicago landmark building.

Listed in May 2025 for $749,900 plus $100,000 for the parking, that’s still just $104,900 above the 2015 sales price of $745,000.

In 2015, the unit appeared, from listing pictures, to have its original 2004 finishes.

Will the complete remodel sell this unit?

Rubina Bokhari and Azin Amiran at Compass have the listing. See the pictures here. (Sorry, no floor plan.)

Unit #2009: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in February 2005 for $636,500
• Sold in July 2006 for $774,500
• Sold in March 2009 for $725,000
• Sold in May 2015 for $745,000
• Originally listed in May 2025 for $749,900 (plus $100,000 for 2 parking spaces)
• Assessments of $1007 a month (includes a/c, gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavengers, snow removal, Internet)
• Is there a separate assessment for the parking? It’s’ something buyers should check. Someone has to pay for the upkeep.
• Taxes of $12,543
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2 parking spaces available for $50,000 each
• Bedroom #1: 17×13
• Bedroom #2: 14×11
• Living/dining room: 21×15
• Kitchen: 11×9
• Balcony: no size listed

This 2-bedroom at 2149 N. Seminary in Lincoln Park came on the market in May 2025.

2149 N. Seminary is a group of buildings that has 18 vintage units. It has a shared fenced-in backyard which the listing calls a “garden oasis.”

The living room has west facing windows with a built-in alcove and fireplace.

The kitchen has an “updated” Studio41 kitchen with full-height white cabinets, a farmhouse sink, quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances.

The primary bedroom is big enough to have a king bed. It has 2 closets with one being a walk-in-closet.

The second bedroom is off the kitchen and has the washer/dryer.

The bathroom has been “updated” with a deep soaking tube and Kohler appliances.

Recent updates includes:

• Kitchen (2018)
• Windows (2020)
• Bathroom (2020)
• Washer/dryer (2022)

This unit has washer/dryer in the unit, but no central air. It has window units.

There is also no parking with this building.

This unit is in central Lincoln Park. From the listing:

“You’re just steps away from some of Chicago’s best dining and shopping, including Armitage Ale House, Summer House Santa Monica, Butcher and the Burger, Old Pueblo Cantina, Floriole, Sweet Mandy B’s, Marine Layer, Alice and Wonder, Clare V., Aesop, Catbird, Faherty, and Buck Mason.”

Listed at $515,000, that’s $170,000 more than the 2018 purchase price of $345,000.

Is $500,000+ the new price point for 2/1s in Lincoln Park?

Darren Allen at Real Broker LLC has the listing. See the pictures here. Sorry, no floor plan.

Or see it in person at the Open House on Sunday, June 1, 2025, from 11 AM to 2 PM.

Unit #A: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square feet listed

• Sold in October 1984 for $90,000
• Sold in January 1986 for $98,000
• Sold in April 1987 for $118,000
• Sold in September 1988 for $139,500
• Sold in April 1995 for $151,000
• Sold in April 2018 for $345,000
• Currently listed at $515,000
• Assessments of $370 a month (includes heat, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $7065
• No central air, but window units
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 16×12
• Bedroom #2: 14×10
• Living room: 13×12
• Dining room: 7×7
• Kitchen: 12×9
• Deck: 21×10

This 2-bedroom in 1250 N. Dearborn Parkway in the Gold Coast came on the market in April 2025. I thought I had a picture of this building, but apparently I don’t.

1250 N. Dearborn Parkway was built in 1989. It has 100 units and attached valet rental garage parking.

It has 24/7 door staff, an exercise room and a renovated rooftop landscaped terrace with views of the skyline. It has grills, a pergola, tables and lounge chairs.

The listing says this unit has been “completely renovated” and is “transformed to perfection.”

On the 16th floor, it has east facing views from its 15×6 balcony.

The unit has dark hardwood floors throughout and custom crown molding.

It has 2 full size baths, one with a walk-in-shower and the other with a bath.

The kitchen has white cabinets, stone counter tops, a white farmhouse sink, a white tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances.

There’s a separate dining room.

It has a split floor plan.

The primary suite appears to have an en suite bathroom.

The unit has central air, washer/dryer in the unit (the listing says it’s a “rarity” in the building), and garage parking is available. I saw one listing that said it was $325 a month.

Cats and dogs are allowed.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of the Gold Coast including the 3 Arts Cafe at RH, the 3rd Coast Cafe, and Mario’s Table and the Jewel grocery store on Division.

Buses and the subway are a few blocks away.

Listed at $550,000, it last sold in 2021, unrenovated, for $360,000.

Additionally, many of the listings now say “washer/dryer can be added to the unit.” The building never allowed in-unit washers previously.

A larger 2/2 on the 17th floor with corner exposures, Unit #17C, is under contract at $569,900. It also has the washer/dryer in the unit.

See the pictures here.

Is the washer/dryer a gamechanger for the building?

Matthew Druker and Caroline Druker at Baird & Warner have the listing. See the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan).

Unit #16B: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1250 square feet

• Sold in November 1993 for $218,000
• Sold in March 2021 for $360,000
• Originally listed in April 2025 for $550,000
• Currently still listed for $550,000
• Assessments of $1367 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $7027
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking available for rent for $325 a month
• Bedroom #1: 13×19
• Bedroom #2: 13×13
• Living room: 16×20
• Dining room: 11×9
• Kitchen: 8×8
• Balcony: 15×6

This 3-bedroom in 1814 N. Lincoln Park West in the Old Town neighborhood of Lincoln Park came on the market in May 2025.

Built in 1890, the building has 4 units. It has parking spaces behind the building and extra storage.

This building is larger than it looks from the street, as this unit, on the third floor, has 1800 square feet.

It has some of its vintage features including high ceilings, a fireplace, what looks like pocket doors, and crown molding. All of the woodwork has been painted white.

There is a formal entry foyer with a black and white checkered floor.

The listing says this unit was originally a 3-bedroom but is currently configured as a 2-bedroom.

The primary suite has crown molding, a walk-in-closet and a work-from-home nook.

There is no en suite bathroom, however. You have to walk across the hall for the bathroom with a marble vanity and walk-in-shower.

The second bedroom is en suite.

The kitchen has wood beams, high end appliances, white and blue cabinets, a tile floor and designer lighting. It has an island but there is no seating at it.

The unit has a separate dining room.

It also has a massive deck off the kitchen, measuring 36×125.

This unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one car parking.

The listing says this building is on one of the “most treasured and picturesque streets” in Lincoln Park.

It is near Lincoln Park, the Zoo, and the shops and restaurants of Old Town and East Lincoln Park. It’s also near several bus lines.

Listed at $923,186, that is $138,186 above the 2021 sales price of $785,000.

When we last chattered about this building in 2022, some of you mentioned this unit, which had been on the market the year prior.

You can see our chatter about the pros and cons of this building here.

Will this unit get the premium over the hot pandemic sale in 2021?

Kate Gaffey and Cody Feder at Fulton Grace Realty have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #3: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1800 square feet

• Sold in September 2004 for $553,000
• Sold in July 2015 for $685,500
• Sold in August 2018 for $759,000
• Sold in July 2021 for $785,000
• Currently listed at $923,186
• Assessments of $350 a month (looks like they were $350 a month in 2021 as well)
• Taxes of $18,989
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Parking space included
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 20×13
• Bedroom #2: 10×9
• Bedroom #3: 9×9
• Walk-in-closet: 7×10
• Foyer: 10×7
• Living room: 21×13
• Kitchen: 15×12
• Dining room: 15×17
• Deck: 36×125

This 3-bedroom loft in Park 1500 Lofts at 1500 W. Monroe in the West Loop came on the market in May 2025 and went under contract in one day.

I’m not sure when the Park 1500 Lofts was built, but it was converted into 175 loft condos in 2002.

It has an attached garage and door staff.

This building is an authentic loft building with exposed brick walls, exposed duct work, and timber ceilings with industrial windows.

There are no pictures with this duplex unit but there’s this description:

Property is condemned and deemed uninhabitable for the foreseeable future. Extensive water damage from frozen pipe bursts that has caused significant interior damage. The building also has severe structural damage, including a compromised foundation and structure. Entry and access to the entire stack of condominium units is restricted by city of chicago department of buildings. A special assessment is currently active on the HOA dues, and another special assessment is potentially imminent. Property is being sold as-is, with no warranties, repairs, or occupancy permitted. Not suitable for rehab without interior reconstruction or demolition. GC and sub-contractors must be licensed, insured and approved by the association. Buyer to assume all responsibility for inspections, code compliance, and HOA obligations. May require Union contractors.

There’s a one bedroom also currently on the market in the building but that listing says nothing about what is going on with the building.

See that listing here.

This unit last sold in 2018 for $632,500. It came on the market this week at $399,000.

Are you willing to buy in a building with a special assessment and no occupancy?

Jack Michalkiewicz at Redfin has the listing. See the listing here (sorry, no pictures or floor plan.)

Unit #727: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2200 square feet, duplex, loft

• Sold in March 2005 for $445,000
• Sold in June 2018 for $632,500
• Had been listed in 2024
• Listed in May 2025 “as-is” for $399,000 
• Under contract in one day
• Assessments of $991 a month (includes door staff, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $14,773
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• One garage space appears to be included
• Bedroom #1: 18×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×12 (second floor)
• Living/dining room: 32×17 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 13×10 (main floor)
• Foyer: 15×8 (main floor)
• Laundry: 10×7 (main floor)
• Loft space: 3×2 (third floor)
• Balcony: 10×4

This 3-bedroom townhouse at 345 W. Barry in East Lakeview came on the market in May 2025.

Built in 1977, 345 W. Barry has 8 units and 8 single car garages behind the complex.

There is an HOA which covers water, insurance and scavenger.

The listing says this townhouse is “rarely available” and that it has been completely renovated.

But it last sold in 2022 and it was also “completely renovated” in 2022.

This is a front-facing unit which you enter through a patio (on the left in the picture above).

The living room, dining room, kitchen and a powder room are on the main floor and has heated floors.

There’s also a fireplace and a wall of windows in the living/dining room.

The kitchen is a galley style kitchen with white modern cabinets, 2 Subzero refrigerators, a Wolf double oven and a Miele dishwasher.

There’s a large enclosed patio off the dining room that has a television mounted on the wall and space for couch seating.

The second level has two bedrooms, a full bath and the laundry room.

The listing says both bedrooms can fit a king bed.

The primary suite takes up the third floor and has a custom walk-in-closet, a remodeled spa-like bath with floating vanity, walk-in-shower and soaking tub, skylights, and it’s own private roof deck overlooking the street.

The townhouse has features buyers look for including central air and one car garage parking.

The listing says the townhouse is in the Nettlehorst school district. It is near the shops and restaurants on Broadway, Belmont Harbor and the lakefront bike path as well as several bus routes.

Listed in May 2025 at $875,000, that’s $100,000 above the 2022 sales price of $775,000.

With the East Lakeview location, and the garage parking, will this get the premium?

Joshua Wiedow at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #8: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1800 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in May 2004 for $450,000
• Sold in May 2006 for $585,000
• Sold in November 2010 for $595,000
• Sold in September 2022 for $775,000
• Currently listed at $875,000
• Assessments of $233 a month (includes water, insurance, scavenger)
• Taxes of $11,557
• Central Air
• 1 car parking (assuming its in one of the 8 garages behind the complex)
• Skylights
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 21×17 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×12 (second floor)
• Living room: 17×13 (main floor)
• Dining room: 13×13 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 13×12 (main floor)
• Balcony: 13×7 (third floor)
• Enclosed terrace (no square footage provided) (first floor)

This 6-bedroom vintage row home at 2113 N. Clark in Lincoln Park came on the market in April 2025 but it has been on, and off, the market since 2023.

It is not the corner row house but is the second unit from the alley with the taupe-ish color door.

Built in 1891, this row home is on a small lot but does have two exterior parking spaces behind the row house.

The row house has been “thoughtfully redesigned.”

The listing says every element has been expertly upgraded from the foundation to the roof.

It has a brand new roof, new mechanicals, new plumbing and enhanced smart home technology.

This row house doesn’t have any of its original vintage features but the listing says it is a “meticulously crafted masterpiece.”

The first floor is the living room, dining room and kitchen.

There’s no fireplace.

The kitchen has white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a blue tile backsplash.

The second floor is devoted to the primary suite which has an en suite bathroom and walk-in closet. Additionally, there is a “bedroom” on this floor but it appears there is no closet on the floor plan and it’s staged as an office.

There is a deck which is accessed on the second floor from the bedroom/office space which has an outdoor kitchen.

There are three bedrooms on the third floor along with a full bath.

The other two bedrooms are in the lower level which also has a full bathroom and a full kitchenette.

This house has central air.

The listing says this row house is just 2 blocks from North Avenue Beach, and is near Lincoln Park and the shops and restaurants of East Lincoln Park. It’s also on the 22 and 36 bus lines.

Listed originally in June 2023 for $1,799,000, it has been on and off the market since then. It came back on the market in April 2025, reduced, at $1,499,994.

Buyers love “new.”

They also love East Lincoln Park properties with parking.

Why isn’t this row house selling?

Matt Laricy at Americorp has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

2113 N. Clark: 6 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3500 square feet, row house

• Sold in August 1993 for $270,000
• Sold in September 1994 for $280,000
• Sold in February 2018 for $900,000
• Originally listed in June 2023 for $1,799,000
• Reduced
• Withdrawn and Re-listed
• Was also listed for rent in August 2023 at $13,900
• Rent cut in November 2023 to $8,800
• Relisted as a rental in October 2024 at $9,000 a month
• Relisted for sale in April 2025 for $1,499,994
• Taxes of $22,384
• Central Air
• 2-car exterior parking included
• Skylight
• Bedroom #1: 14×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×11 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×13 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 7×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #5: 12×13 (lower level)
• Bedroom #6: 10×14 (lower level)
• Living room: 18×14 (main floor)
• Dining room: 14×13 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 11×13 (main floor)
• Kitchenette: 11×13 (lower level)
• Balcony: 10×10 (second floor)