Crib Chatter

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

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 2-car garage (the attached part is rare.)

The listing says its in the Lincoln elementary school district.

With many duplex downs now selling around $1 million, is this house a deal?

Anik Zampini at d’aprile properties 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
• Currently listed for $985,000
• Taxes of $14,328
• Central Air
• 2-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 2-bedroom at 3534 N. Hermitage in Lakeview came on the market in May 2019.

This building has a Hermitage address but fronts both Hermitage and Lincoln. The picture above is of the Lincoln street side of the building.

Built in 2009, it has 8 units and indoor garage parking.

This unit has hardwood floors throughout and millwork.

The kitchen has dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops with what looks like a granite backsplash.

The master suite ahs a steam shower and double sink along with a sliding door that leads to the private deck.

But the unique feature is the 900 square foot, private brick terrace which appears to overlook tree-lined Hermitage.

The listing says it is wired for outdoor speakers, has custom exterior lighting, a built-in island and a fire pit.

The property has the features that buyers look for including central air, side-by-side washer/dryer and deeded garage parking is included.

The listing says its in the Hamilton school district. It’s also near to the Brown line Addison stop and the shops and restaurants of Lincoln.

Now that the weather is heating up, do you dream of having a patio like this to fulfill your summer night entertaining fantasies?

Ashley Leavitt at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #202: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in January 2009 for $489,000
• Sold in November 2015 for $450,000
• Currently listed at $559,900 (includes garage parking)
• Assessments of $394 a month (includes scavenger)
• Taxes of $10,165
• Central Air
• Side-by-side washer/dryer in the unit
• Fire pit
• Outdoor island
• Bedroom #1: 15×15
• Bedroom #2: 13×12
• Living/dining room: 20×18
• Kitchen: 10×9
• Terrace: 31×28

This 3-bedroom top floor duplex unit at 1547 N. Leavitt in Wicker Park just came on the market.

This building is a former church that was converted to condos in 2004. It has 6 units and heated garage parking.

We’ve chattered about this building several times in the past but never about one of the top floor units.

This unit has unique slanted beam ceilings along with exposed brick.

The main level has the living room, dining room, kitchen and family room.

The kitchen has modern white cabinets, quartz counter tops and Bosch and Subzero appliances.

Two of the three bedrooms are also on the main level, including the master suite which has an en suite bathroom with marble tile.

The third bedroom is on the second level, which is accessed by a spiral staircase.

There’s also a full bathroom on the top floor along with a lofted area that is, I believe, the third bedroom but that could be used as an office or workshop etc.

This unit has all the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and heated garage parking is included.

It also has additional storage in the building.

The listing doesn’t say anything about an elevator so presumably there isn’t one.

This is the first sale of this unit since the building was converted in 2004.

Will this church unit be under contract this week?

Kathryn Schrage at Redfin has the listing. See the pictures here.

You can also see it in person at the Open House on Saturday, June 1 from 12-2 PM.

Unit #3S: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2100 square feet

• Sold in February 2004 for $460,500
• Currently listed at $699,900
• Assessments of $345 a month (includes parking and scavenger)
• Taxes of $14,868
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Heated garage parking included
• Bedroom #1: 17×14 (main floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×11 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 19×10 (second floor)
• Living room: 17×13 (main floor)
• Family room: 15×11 (main floor)

This 1-bedroom loft in the Mergenthaler building at 531 S. Plymouth in Printers Row came on the market in May 2019.

Built in 1886, this building has 20 units and a side parking lot which has only a few spots.

It was among the first batch of loft buildings to be converted in this neighborhood as it was converted in the 1980s.

At 1,417 square feet, it has many authentic loft features including exposed brick and 12 foot timber ceilings.

It faces west (although the listing says south. However, the 2007 listing, and unit pictures, indicate it is west facing.)

It has hardwood floors throughout.

The loft has a unique open concept kitchen with white lower level cabinets (and no upper cabinets) along with 20 feet of counter space.

It looks like it has white appliances.

The bedroom doesn’t have a full wall, as was common in the older lofts, but it does have a full wall of closets.

There’s also a 6×16 den with windows.

This loft has features buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit (although there is also a laundry room in the building.)

It doesn’t have parking. That is rental in the neighborhood.

Since 1987, this loft has only changed hands two times. This would be the third sale.

Are truly open, authentic lofts, still in vogue with buyers?

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

Unit #201: 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths, 1417 square feet

• Sold in April 1987 (no price listed)
• Sold in September 1990 for $159,500
• Sold in May 2007 for $315,000
• Currently listed for $350,000
• Assessments of $783 a month (includes heat, cable, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal and Internet)
• Taxes of $6172
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking but rental in the neighborhood from $150 to $250 a month
• Bedroom: 15×20
• Den: 6×16
• Living room: 19×23

This 1-bedroom in 201 E. Chestnut in Streeterville came on the market in May 2019.

This building was constructed in 1967 and has 120 units and valet parking.

It’s a full service building with a doorman, pool and exercise room.

This unit faces south and has a private terrace.

The listing says it has had a “high end renovation by New York designer Danielle Richter.”

It has all new natural white wide plank oak floors, custom doors, millwork and specialty lighting.

There’s a new chef’s kitchen with white and stainless steel cabinets including Italian SCIC stainless steel lower cabinets, a herringbone marble backsplash, a Subzero refrigerator, Gagganau cooktop and oven and a Bosch dishwasher.

The bathroom has Carrara marble with heated floors.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, in-unit washer/dryer and there is valet parking in the building.

This 1-bedroom sold 5 years ago with an “updated kitchen” with white cabinets and black appliances for $220,000. You can see the pictures here if you are a Redfin subscriber.

It’s come on the market for $155,000 more, or $375,000.

These are the finishes that buyers who are renting nearby in luxury apartment buildings would be looking for.

Do full renovations like this pay off?

Keith Wilkey at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #12D: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1050 square feet

• Sold in September 2014 for $220,000
• Currently listed at $375,000
• Assessments of $580 a month (includes doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes are $4182
• Parking is valet rental in the building (not sure how much that costs)
• Bedroom: 11×17
• Living room: 19×18
• Kitchen: 12×11
• Laundry room: 3×3
• Balcony: 11×8

This 3-bedroom greystone at 657 W. Roscoe in East Lakeview just came on the market.

Built in 1901, it’s on a 25×134 lot.

Thanks to Micah for noticing that we chattered about it in 2009.

Back then, it ended up selling for less than the 2002 price. The chatterati comments are interesting as we clearly had no idea what was yet to come with declining prices.

You can see our chatter, and some interior pictures, here.

This single family home still has many of its vintage features including the original wood floors which have been sanded and stained.

The house has original moldings and, on the second floor, the original doors and transom windows.

There’s one gas fireplace.

The house has the layout buyers like, with all three bedrooms on the second floor, including the master suite with a built-in shower.

The chef’s kitchen appears to be the same kitchen as in 2009. It has wood cabinets, what look like stone counter tops and commercial grade stainless appliances including the range, refrigerator, oven and built-in microwave.

The house has a back deck and a large unfinished basement which was also unfinished in 2009. In both listings, it said it could be finished.

There’s central air but there’s no garage or parking.

The listing says this about the parking situation:

“LL unfinished basement could be finished to include attached garage below the home.”

Listed at $1.165 million, which is $265,000 above the 2009 selling price of $900,000, in a much better market and economy, will this sell quickly this time?

Carrie McCormick at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Or see it at the Open House on Saturday, May 25 from 12 to 1:30 pm.

657 W. Roscoe: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in September 2000 for $565,000
• Sold in October 2002 for $925,000
• Was listed in September 2009 for $999,000
• Sold in October 2009 for $900,000
• Currently listed at $1.165 million
• Taxes are now $15,914 (they were $11,297 in 2009)
• Central Air
• No parking
• Living room: 17×12
• Dining room: 16×11
• Family room: 16×12 (main floor)
• Bedroom #1: 15×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×9 (second floor)
• Storage: 33×22 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 22×11 (lower level)

The Illinois Association of Realtors is out with the April sales data.

This was the heart of the spring buying season but in spite of lower mortgage rates compared to a year ago, sales didn’t pick up.

The city of Chicago saw year-over-year home sales decrease 5.4 percent with 2,555 sales in April, compared to 2,700 a year ago. The median price of a home in the city of Chicago in April was $310,000 up 0.8 percent compared to April 2018 when it was $307,500.

Here are the sales statistics for April since 2007:

• 2007: 2419 sales
• 2008: 1886 sales
• 2009: 1407 sales
• 2010: 1984 sales
• 2011: 1466 sales
• 2012: 1816 sales
• 2013: 2392 sales
• 2014: 2256 sales
• 2015:  2435 sales
• 2016: 2706 sales
• 2017: 2647 sales
• 2018: 2700 sales
• 2019: 2555 sales

Here are the median prices:

• 2007: $289,800
• 2008: $300,000
• 2009: $218,000
• 2010: $225,000
• 2011: $169,000
• 2012: $182,000
• 2013: $223,500
• 2014: $250,000
• 2015: $271,325
• 2016: $286,000
• 2017: $297,500
• 2018: $307,500
• 2019: $310,000

“Sales prices rose but were still relatively low in April, incentivizing buyers to act more quickly on homes they’re watching,” said Tommy Choi, president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and broker at Keller Williams Chicago – Lincoln Park. “There continues to be more options as inventory is on the rise. As we get closer to summer, we’ll see a balanced market with benefits for buyers and sellers alike.”

The average 30-year mortgage fell to 4.14% from 4.47% a year ago.

The time it took to sell averaged 54 days. That’s the same time as a year ago.

Statewide inventory dropped by 1.9% to 53,049 from 54,063.

“Prices continue to increase at a modest rate and month-to-month sales have continued to increase, however year-over-year sales are down reflecting the uncertainties in consumer behavior towards house purchases” said Geoffrey J.D. Hewings, director of the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (REAL) at the University of Illinois.

If it seems like home sales are lower nearly every month, you’re not imagining things.

According to Crain’s, Chicago home sales have been lower year-over-year for the last 9 months. That’s the longest such streak since they were down 13 months during the worst of the bust. That streak ended in June 2011.

I’m surprised “uncertainty from the trade war” wasn’t the excuse given for the continually falling home sales.

Chicago has had tight inventories for several years and has never seen a streak like this.

Isn’t it time for a new analysis about what is going on in the Chicago housing market?

Because with a low unemployment rate, a booming city center, a healthy restaurant and entertainment scene, Chicago’s housing market is lackluster, at best.

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

This 4-bedroom single family home at 1219 N. Rockwell in East Humboldt Park came on the market in October 2018.

Built in 2011, it’s on a 24×126 lot and has a backyard and a 2-car garage.

The picture above is not of this actual home. It’s the house at 1214 N. Rockwell, just down the street.

If you recall, developers were building this same house at multiple locations around the West Side of the city, especially in East Humboldt Park, West Bucktown, Humboldt Park, Avondale and Logan Square.

At that time most of the houses were being sold as “affordable” with price tags under $400,000.

These homes were built with an open layout.

The kitchen has modern cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a center island and is open to the living/dining area on the first floor.

Three out of the four bedrooms are on the second floor, including the master suite which has an en suite bath with porcelain tile finishes.

The fourth bedroom is on the main floor.

The house also has a large lower level recreation room, which is carpeted.

It has a floating staircase.

The listing says there is plumbing in place in the basement for another bathroom to be added.

Listed in October 2018 for $659,000, it has reduced $10,000 to $649,000.

But it sold in 2011, brand new, for just $379,000.

If it sells for this premium price, are you kicking yourself for not buying one of these?

Edward Jelinek at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

1219 N. Rockwell: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in September 2010 for $74,000 (was bank owned)
• Sold “new” in May 2011 for $379,000
• Originally listed in October 2018 for $659,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $649,000
• Taxes of $8425
• Central Air
• 2-car garage
• Bedroom #1: 15×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 10×10 (main floor)
• Recreation Room: 44×17 (lower level)

This 2-bedroom duplex up at 1351 W. George in West Lakeview just came on the market.

I’m not sure when the brick building was actually constructed, but it was turned into 4 duplex-up units with garage parking in the 1990s.

This unit has 13 foot cathedral ceilings and custom built-ins.

The first floor has its own entrance off of George with the living and dining rooms along with the kitchen and a half bath.

The kitchen has white and black modern cabinets along with stainless steel appliances and what looks like stone counter tops.

The master bedroom and the second bedroom is on the second floor. Both are en suite.

The master suite has 3 skylights.

The second bedroom has a built-in murphy bed.

Both bedrooms have access to a terrace with built-in planters.

The third floor has a private 26×13 terrace with neighborhood views with interior access.

This duplex has all the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking, which is included.

This property has only been sold twice since 1992.

Will this sell quickly in this hot market?

Jeanine Wheeler at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #C: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1750 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in May 1992 for $227,000
• Sold in September 2007 for $420,000
• Currently listed at $550,000 (garage parking included)
• Assessments of $167 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger)
• Taxes of $7708
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 19×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×15 (second floor)
• Deck: 15×6 (second floor)
• Rooftop deck: 26×13

This 3-bedroom triplex up in 857 N. Dearborn in the Gold Coast just came on the market.

It’s in the middle of the building in the picture above with the black door.

According to the listing, this was a landmark mansion that was built after the Chicago fire by Treat and Foltz Architects.

It has limestone stairs and entry, custom solid walnut entry doors, and the large windows that were the norm in mansions in this area at that time.

This occupies the top floors in a 2-unit building which has three outdoor spaces, including 2 back decks and a private rooftop deck which has interior access (no walking outside to get there.)

The listing describes the back decks as having a “newer steel frame.”

There are two original wood burning fireplaces along with one gas one.

It has vaulted ceilings and skylights in the main staircase at the center of the unit.

The kitchen has wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

The master suite is on the second floor along with a sitting room/family room and the only full bath in the unit.

There’s a half bath on the first floor.

The listing says there is a new furnace and air conditioning. The property also has some of the other features buyers look for including washer/dryer in the unit.

Additionally, the listing says there is parking, which is $40,000 extra. Is there a garage in the back or on the alley or is it in a nearby building? It’s unclear from the listing.

It’s located just steps away from the popular Washington Park and all the restaurants/shops of the Gold Coast and the Mag Mile.

This property last sold in 1996.

Will this unique property go under contract this week?

Elizabeth Amidon at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #2: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1650 square feet

• Sold in December 1989 for $250,000
• Sold in August 1996 for $245,000
• Currently listed for $610,000 (plus $40,000 for parking- not sure where it’s located)
• Assessments of $150 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $10,161
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2 original wood burning fireplaces
• 1 gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 13×10 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×13 (fourth floor)
• Family room/sitting room: 14×13 (second floor)
• Laundry room: 3×3 (second floor)
• Deck: 18×9 (second floor)
• Deck: 18×9 (third floor)
• Private rooftop deck: 18×14 (fourth floor)