Crib Chatter

This 4-bedroom single family home at 1652 N. Cleveland in Old Town came on the market in May 2019.

If it looks familiar, that’s because we chattered about it in June 2019.

Back in June, many of you talked about the crime in this part of the neighborhood and that there isn’t a 2-car garage but that it’s a 1-car. The current listing now does say it’s a 1-car.

See our chatter here.

Also, there’s no more mention in the listing of the Treasure Island in the neighborhood (as it closed down in 2018).

If you recall, it was built in 1876, the listing simply says the lot size is less than .25 an acre. It’s unclear if it’s a smaller than average Chicago lot.

Located across from St. Michael’s Church, it has hardwood floors on the first level which includes the kitchen, the living room and the family room.

The laundry can also be found on the first floor.

The kitchen has white cabinets and counter tops along with stainless steel appliances and an island.

There’s a 25×8 deck off the family room but no back yard, per say.

The house has the preferred layout of 3 bedrooms on the second floor including the master bedroom which has skylights.

There’s also two bathrooms on the second level and one has a double vanity.

The lower level includes a recreation room and a fourth room which, the listing says, could be a fourth bedroom.

There’s also space for storage.

It has other features buyers look for including central air and a rare attached 1-car garage (the attached part is rare.)

The listing says its in the Lincoln elementary school district.

Listed for $985,000 in June 2019, it was lowered to $875,000 in July 2019 and has been at that price ever since.

Will it take a price under $800,000 to get this sold?

Anik Zampini at d’aprile properties still has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

1652 N. Cleveland: 4 bedroom, 2.5 baths, 2297 square feet

• Sold in August 1994 for $380,000
• Was listed in June 2019 for $985,000
• Reduced in July 2019 to $875,000
• Currently still listed at $875,000
• Taxes are now $16,556 (they were $14,328 in June 2019)
• Central Air
• 1-car attached garage
• Deck: 25×8
• Bedroom #1: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 16×10 (lower level)
• Living room: 14×13 (main floor)
• Family room: 19×14 (main floor)

This 3-bedroom in Renelle on the River at 403 N. Wabash in River North first came on the market in January 2018.

Renelle on the River is a new construction building with 50 units and garage parking.

Developed by Belgravia, the building has 24-hour door staff and an outdoor terrace with indoor/outdoor kitchens, a yoga room, bike storage, a dog run and an exercise room.

The building is a mid-rise, with 17 floors, that is located between Trump Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the city, and 405 N. Wabash, which is also over 40 stories tall.

This unit is one of the preferred east facing units with views of the Wrigley Building and the River from every window and its 5×14 terrace.

It has a gallery and floor to ceiling windows.

The kitchen has contemporary Snaidero cabinets with Subzero and Wolf appliances along with a large kitchen island with a wine refrigerator.

The unit has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one garage parking space is included.

It is not one of the duplexed units. All 2517 square feet is on the same floor.

The building is finished so buyers can move right in.

Does move-in-ability give it an edge in a crowded million dollar+ condo market?

Elizabeth Brooks at Belgravia Realty Group has the listing. See the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan with the listing although you might be able to find one on the building’s website).

Unit #7B: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2517 square feet

• New construction
• Originally listed in January 2018 for $2,241,900
• Raised
• Currently listed at $2,327,900
• Assessments of $1628 a month (includes gas, doorman, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes are “new”
• 1 garage parking space included
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 16×13
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Bedroom #3: 12×10
• Living room: 17×13
• Dining room: 15×10
• Family room: 15×13
• Gallery: 4×23
• Foyer: 9×7
• Terrace: 5×14

This 2-bedroom townhouse at 205 W. Eugenie in the heart of Old Town came on the market in October 2019.

Built in 1978 on the corner of Wells and Eugenie, there are 11 units and parking.

The main floor has the living and dining rooms along with the kitchen.

The kitchen has wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

There is a spiral staircase that takes you to the second floor, which has the two bedrooms.

The spiral staircase continues to the third floor which the listing says is a family room, den or third bedroom.

There are two outdoor spaces, a deck on the second floor and one on the third.

It has central air and 1 car parking.

Originally listed in October 2019 at $555,000, it has been reduced $30,000 to $525,000.

This complex is right in the middle of the Old Town action, near shops and restaurants.

And it has a rare parking space.

Is this a now a deal at $525,000?

Daniel Merrion at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #I: 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath, 2 half baths, 1800 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in June 1998 for $263,000
• Sold in May 2002 for $410,000
• Sold in April 2010 for $460,000
• Originally listed in October 2019 for $555,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $525,000
• Assessments of $354 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8849
• Central Air
• Parking spot included
• Bedroom #1: 15×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×11 (second floor)
• Living room: 21×17 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 11×11 (main floor)
• Den: 12×12 (third floor)

This 2-bedroom penthouse in 3300 N. Lake Shore Drive in Lakeview just came on the market.

In an old listing, I have that this building was built in 1920 but the current listing says 1926. Either way, it appears it was built before the Great Depression.

It has 84 units but no parking garage.

This unit is a 17th floor penthouse with lake and harbor views.

It has unique vintage features including walnut hardwood floors throughout with a mahogany and maple wood border in the living room.

There’s a wood paneled living room with a decorative marble fireplace.

Like many vintage units, it has a formal dining room and a foyer.

The listing says there is a private elevator to the foyer.

The unit has an upgraded kitchen with white cabinets, stone counter tops and luxury appliances such as a 6-burner Thermador range/oven, a Bosch dishwasher and a double door cabinet-matching refrigerator.

There’s a breakfast nook off the kitchen.

But the feature which really sells the unit is the private 210 square foot east facing terrace with lake views.

This unit has an in-unit washer/dryer but no central air. There are window air units.

There’s also no parking with the building/unit, although it’s available for rent or to buy in the neighborhood.

Listed at $429,000, which is $11,000 under the 2000 selling price of $440,000, is this a deal?

Keith Estrada at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #17C: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1600 square feet

• Sold in May 2000 for $440,000
• Sold in March 2007 for $610,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in July 2009
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in November 2018
• Currently listed for $429,000
• Assessments of $1276 a month (includes heat, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $8,839
• No central air- window units only
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Decorative fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 11×20
• Bedroom #2: 7×12
• Living room: 15×18
• Dining room: 12×18
• Kitchen: 8×21
• Foyer: 5×15
• Terrace: 7×30

The Illinois Association of Realtors is out with the October sales.

As predicted, the Chicago market remains soft.

The city of Chicago saw year-over-year home sales decrease 2.8 percent with 2,048 sales in October, compared to 2,108 a year ago. The median price of a home in the city of Chicago in October was $275,356 up 1.4 percent compared to October 2018 when it was $271,500.

Thanks to G for all the data on October sales going back to 1997:

October Chicago sfh/condo/th sales and median

• 1997 1,731 $129,900
• 1998 1,855 $138,000
• 1999 1,978 $159,500
• 2000 2,106 $174,710
• 2001 2,177 $200,000
• 2002 2,503 $215,000
• 2003 2,996 $236,000
• 2004 2,651 $241,000
• 2005 2,846 $268,500
• 2006 2,630 $278,000
• 2007 2,007 $285,000
• 2008 1,564 $261,000
• 2009 2,068 $215,000
• 2010 1,225 $183,000
• 2011 1,324 $162,000 (44% short/REO sales)
• 2012 2,009 $175,000
• 2013: 2,231 $218,500
• 2014: 2,128 $236,000
• 2015: 2,173 $240,000
• 2016: 2,046 $260,100
• 2017: 2,109 $260,000
• 2018: 2,108 $271,500
• 2019: 2,048 $275,356

“Despite some local political uncertainty, Chicago’s housing market remains active,” said Maurice Hampton, president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and owner of Centered International Realty. “We’re welcoming in a new generation of homebuyers incentivized by rates and sales prices that have grown but remain reasonable. Sellers and buyers alike should be encouraged as we enter the holiday season, and there continues to be opportunities on both ends of the deal. Work with a REALTOR® to price smart and negotiate.”

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate continued to remain low in October at 3.69%, although that was up from 3.61% in September.

It was 4.83% in October 2018.

Except for the housing bubble years, October has never been a gangbuster month for sales.

“Continuing a pattern of the last several months, median prices have increased. Sales declined year-over-year in October,” said Geoffrey J.D. Hewings, director of the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory at the University of Illinois. “Affordable inventory remains a problem even with low interest rates tempting potential buyers back into the market.”

Statewide, market time averaged 53 days, up 1.9% from last year.

Yet inventory DID continue to slide, falling 5.5% year-over-year statewide to 58,561 properties down from 61,992 properties.

Market time had been on the decline nearly every month the last several years. Until now.

Has market time finally bottomed? And what does that mean if market times are going up even as inventory continues to fall?

Illinois median home prices increase in October; sales lower [Illinois Association of Realtors, Press Release, November 21, 2019]

This 2-bedroom at 1351 N. Damen in Wicker Park came on the market in October 2019.

This building was constructed in 1885 and has been renovated into 3 luxury condos.

It also has a 3-car garage.

The listing for the 3-bedroom first floor duplex down says it has great windows as there are no neighboring buildings on either side of the property with an alley on one side and what looks like an empty lot on the other side (but who owns that lot???)

The units have Italian cabinetry and luxury appliances.

The pictures on the listing are from other buildings by this developer who also has done The Hampdens in Lincoln Park and Basecamp in Old Irving.

The first floor 3-bedroom duplex down unit is already under contract at a list price of $774,900.

This second floor 2-bedroom has a large 17×38 deck.

It has central air and washer/dryer in the unit.

From the pictures and listing description, it doesn’t look like any of the vintage features of the building were saved in the renovation.

But this building is in a prime location in Wicker Park, just a few minute walk to the Damen blue line stop, Wicker Park’s farmer market, and the shops/restaurants of Damen/Milwaukee/North and Division Street.

At $649,900, is this the going rate for new construction 2/2s in this hot neighborhood?

Jaclyn Hinton at Center Coast has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1200 square feet

• “New Construction”
• Originally listed in October 2019 at $649,900
• Currently still listed at $649,900
• Assessments of $186 a month
• Taxes are “new”
• Garage parking
• Bedroom #1: 13×14
• Bedroom #2: 12×12
• Living room/dining room: 25×12
• Kitchen: 12×8

This 1-bedroom penthouse in 201 E. Chestnut in Streeterville just came on the market.

This building was constructed in 1966 and has 124 units and a rental parking garage.

If this penthouse looks familiar, that’s because it was last on the market in 2015 with the same finishes.

This is a unique 2-story 1-bedroom unit with, what the listing says, is a “brand new all of windows” which face south.

The unit also has a “brand new 8×10 balcony” as I believe the building replaced the balconies on the entire building. They used to have brick flooring and now it’s just plain concrete.

It has a glass barn door that separates the bedroom from the living/dining room.

The bedroom also has a walk-in-closet.

There’s granite flooring throughout the main floor.

There’s an iron spiral staircase that leads to the second floor lofted den.

The listing says there’s been updated HVAC and other mechanicals.

The kitchen has white cabinets, granite counter tops and Dacor, Miele and Subzero appliances.

The listing says its a pet friendly building with no weight or breed restrictions.

The unit has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and on-site garage parking is $156 a month.

It has listed at $450,000, which is $100,000 over the 2015 selling price of $350,000.

Will it get the premium?

Monica Slivka at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #24F: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1111 square feet

• Sold in December 1996 for $168,500
• Sold in January 2015 for $350,000
• Currently listed at $450,000
• Assessments of $785 a month (includes doorman, cable, exercise room, indoor pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $6644
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• On-site garage parking is $156 a month
• Bedroom #1: 16×11
• Loft: 19×13
• Kitchen: 9×13
• Living/dining: 23×27

This 4-bedroom duplex up new construction condo at 927 N. Damen in Ukrainian Village came on the market in May 2019.

This is a 3-unit new construction building with a 3-car garage built by Halcyon. The 3-unit building next door was built at the same time by the same developer. They appear to have separate HOAs.

At 3,670 square feet, this top floor unit has more square footage than some single family homes.

It has grey hardwood floors throughout with 8 foot solid core doors.

The kitchen, which is on the main floor along with the living and family rooms, has 2-toned cabinets, a planked side island, quartz counter tops and black hardware.

It also has a professional grade appliance package.

The master bathroom has a double shower, heated floors and a heated towel bar.

Two of the bathrooms are on the main floor and two of the bedrooms are on the second floor.

There’s a private rooftop deck with downtown skyline views.

It has the other features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 1-car garage parking.

This is the last unit available in this building.

Originally listed in May 2019 for $1,099,000, it’s currently listed at $1.1 million.

Are million dollar condos the future of Ukrainian Village?

Samantha Porter at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here (no floor plan though).

Unit #3: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3670 square feet, duplex up

• New Construction
• Originally listed in May 2019 for $1,099,000
• Currently listed at $1.1 million
• $30,000 designer credit
• Taxes are “new”
• Assessments of $200 a month (includes exterior maintenance)
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 1-car garage parking
• Bedroom #1: 19×18 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 9×12 (main floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×12 (main floor)

This 2-bedroom in Ten East Delaware at 10 E. Delaware in the Gold Coast came on the market in April 2019.

Ten East Delaware was new construction just as the housing bust hit in 2009.

It has 115 units and a parking garage. It’s a full amenity building with doormen, a pool and exercise room.

This unit is listed as a 2-bedroom but the listing says the “den” can be used as an office, second bedroom or dining room so it’s really a 1-bedroom.

The kitchen has Poggenpohl cabinets with stainless steel luxury appliances by Subzero, Miele and Wolf.

There are also Poggenpohl cabinets in the bathrooms.

The unit has a 14×9 terrace.

It also has the features that buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is actually included in the price.

Originally listed in April 2019 at $849,000, it has been reduced $150,000 to $699,000.

That’s $21,000 under the 2014 sales price of $720,000.

Are prices falling in the GreenZone?

Stephanie Poulakidas at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #23A: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1023 square feet

• Sold in May 2010 for $670,000 (included 1 parking space)
• Sold in May 2014 for $720,000 (included 2 parking spaces)
• Originally listed in April 2019 for $849,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $699,000 (includes the parking space)
• Assessments of $696 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable, clubhouse, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $13,942
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 12×12
• Den: 9×9
• Living room: 16×13
• Kitchen: 11×9
• Terrace: 14×9

This 3-bedroom townhouse at 524 W. Grant in East Lincoln Park came on the market in September 2019.

Built in 1881, it has 3 fee-simple townhomes and garage parking.

We chattered about this townhouse when it first came on the market in September.

See our chatter here (which had a surprised appearance from ze who is still down in Brazil, apparently, and where several of you complained about the taxes).

If you recall, this is the front unit which has a first floor terrace, the second floor front porch and a deck off the third floor.

You walk in on the main ground floor where there is the kitchen, living/dining combo and a half bath.

The kitchen has white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

The second floor also has a living room or family room with a fireplace along with two bedrooms, a bathroom and access to the second floor front porch.

The top floor is the master suite with a master bathroom with dual vanities, a walk-in shower and soaking tub along with a walk-in closet.

It has the features buyers look for including central air and garage parking is included.

It’s rare to find vintage townhomes in East Lincoln Park.

Originally listed at $899,000, it has been reduced $49,100 to $849,900.

Is it now priced to sell?

Craig Isacson at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #A: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed, townhouse

• Nothing shows up in the Cook County Assessor for this building
• Sold in February 2013 for $703,000 (per Redfin)
• Originally listed in September 2019 at $899,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $849,900
• No assessments as it’s fee simple
• Taxes of $8873
• Central Air
• 1 car garage parking included
• 3 gas fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 19×17 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×10 (second floor)
• Laundry room: 6×5 (third floor)
• Living/dining room: 20×13 (main floor)
• Family room/living room: 12×12 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 14×9 (main floor)
• Second floor deck: 20×7