Crib Chatter

This 3-bedroom penthouse at 225 W. Scott in Old Town came on the market in July 2018.

This midrise building was constructed in 1999. It has 12 units, a parking garage and an elevator.

The listing says this is a “complete renovation” of the unit.

It has refinished oak hardwood floors.

The main level includes the living/dining room, the kitchen and 2 of the 3 bedrooms.

The master suite is on the second floor along with the private rooftop deck.

The master bath has a spa-like bathroom with oversized rain head marble shower.

The kitchen has new white Shaker cabinets, quartz counter tops and quartz backsplash with a waterfall edge. The listing says the island can seat 5.

There doesn’t appear to be a separate dining area as the dining/living room are combined.

It has a wood burning fireplace, garage parking, central air and washer/dryer in the unit.

Originally listed for $743,000 in July, it has been cut to $729,500.

Everyone loves “new” so why isn’t this selling?

Joshua Lipton at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3W: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, duplex

• Sold in September 1999 for $399,000
• Sold in July 2002 for $505,000
• Sold in July 2013 for $485,000
• Originally listed in July 2018 for $743,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $729,500 (includes garage parking)
• Assessments of $332 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $9713
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 17×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×10 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×10 (main floor)
• Living/dining room: 18×12 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 17×9 (main floor)

This 5-bedroom custom built single family home at 1970 N. Burling in Lincoln Park originally came on the market in September 2015.

We chattered about it in November 2015 because it has a lot of unique features. You can read the chatter here.

You might recall, it was built in 2010 on an oversized 45×122.5 lot and sits on the corner of Burling and Armitage.

It has tall brick walls that enclose the property which the listing says has a “secret” urban garden with outdoor seating.

It’s California-like indoor-outdoor living but in Chicago.

This house has a loft-like feel with big industrial windows, metalwork, timber ceilings and exposed brick.

There’s a sauna, a hot tub and a 900 bottle wine cellar.

Check out the pictures of what seems to be the master bathroom with a walk-in shower with multiple shower heads and a door from that shower that appears to lead to an outdoor deck.

There’s a guest suite coach house over the attached garage with a full kitchen.

Even the 3-car garage has amazing details, including a brick floor, which the listing says is like an “old Chicago street.”

Listed at $8.95 million in 2015, it’s still listed at $8.95 million.

Are some custom homes simply too custom to sell quickly?

Emily Sachs Wong at @Properties still has the listing. See the pictures here.

1970 N. Burling: 5 bedrooms, 6 baths, 1 half bath, 7800 square feet

• Built in 2010
• Was listed in September 2015 for $8.95 million
• Currently still listed at $8.95 million
• Taxes are now $66,066 (they were $49,788 in 2015)
• Central Air
• Sauna
• Hot tub
• Guest suite with full size kitchen
• 900 bottle wine cellar
• 3-car garage
• Bedroom #1: 23×18 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 17×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 12×24 (second floor)
• Great room: 22×24

This 4-bedroom duplex penthouse at 3500 N. Lake Shore Drive in Lakeview just came on the market.

This is one of the grand dames of vintage buildings on Lake Shore Drive. Built in 1926, it has 63 units but no parking.

The listing says this penthouse has been remodeled.

It calls it a “penthouse duplex mansion in the sky.”

It has 360 degree views of Lake Michigan, the city and Lincoln Park.

There’s an elevator which opens into the private marble entry.

It has many vintage features that have been updated including 12 to 14 inch moldings, 2 custom antique fireplaces featuring English polished iron and French marble as well as coiffured ceilings.

There’s a sun room with views of the lake, a library and a huge laundry room.

3 of the 4 bedrooms are on the main floor.

The master bath has custom cabinets, mosaic tile and marble finishes.

The listing says there are 3 outdoor spaces but there’s only one actual deck shown in the listing. The other decks are shown clearly in the pictures from the 2015 listing. Did they have to remove the larger decks for some reason? (roof repairs???) The fencing is still visible.

The kitchen is dine-in with custom white lacquer cabinetry, a bowl farm sink, all new appliances and marble countertops and floors.

There’s central air and parking is leased nearby.

This is a co-op building and the assessment includes the taxes, although they are also listed separately in the listing.

Originally listed in January 2018 for $4.4 million, it has been reduced $101,000 to $4.299 million.

Is this the perfect family home in the sky?

Julie Harron at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

#17PH: 4 bedrooms, 5 baths, duplex, 5,196 square feet, co-op

• Sold in June 2015 for $2.3 million
• Originally listed in January 2018 for $4.4 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $4.299 million
• Assessments of $5,933 a month (includes heat, a/c, electric, gas, taxes, doorman, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $13,949
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Parking is rental for $275-$350 a month
• 2 fireplaces (in living room and master bedroom)
• Bedroom #1: 23×14 (main floor)
• Bedroom #2: 17×10 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 17×12 (main floor)
• Bedroom #4: 19×18 (second floor)
• Laundry room: 14×10 (main floor)
• Library: 14×10 (main floor)
• Sun room: 16×14 (main floor)
• Foyer: 17×10 (main floor)
• Family room: 25×16 (main floor)

The Illinois Association of Realtors is out with the July housing numbers.

The city of Chicago saw year-over-year home sales increase 1.1 percent with 2,728 sales in July, compared to 2,698 a year ago. The median price of a home in the city of Chicago in July was $309,000 up 3.0 percent compared to July 2017 when it was $300,000.

Here’s the July data since 1997 (thanks, once again, to G for the historic info):

• 1997: 1,694
• 1998: 2,139
• 1999: 2,186
• 2000: 2,013
• 2001: 2,410
• 2002: 2,661
• 2003: 3,105
• 2004: 3,429
• 2005: 3,487
• 2006: 3,088
• 2007: 2,819
• 2008: 2,200
• 2009: 2,040
• 2010: 1,631
• 2011: 1,666
• 2012: 2,088
• 2013: 2,902
• 2014: 2,725
• 2015: 3,082
• 2016: 2,780
• 2017: 2,698
• 2018: 2,728

“This July outpaced last year’s, with a higher number of closing sales further contributing to the shrinking pool of inventory,” said Rebecca Thomson, principal of Thomson Real Estate Group and president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®. “The summer market has some staying power, and if July’s numbers are any indication, buyers should expect a competitive market with fewer options, limited time to make decisions and steadily increasing prices.”

The average on a 30-year fixed mortgage was 4.53% in July which was considerably higher than the prior two years which saw average rates of 3.97% in 2017 and 3.44% in 2016.

Statewide, market times continued to fall:

• 2016: 53 days
• 2017: 47 days
• 2018: 44 days

“Inventory on the market continues to fall in both Illinois and Chicago while pending sales continue to show strong increases,” said Geoffrey J.D. Hewings, director of the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory at the University of Illinois. “Longer-term consumer sentiment reflects the ongoing uncertainty about the outcome of trade negotiations although shorter-term sentiment continues to be positive.”

This is the second month in a row that they mentioned the trade negotiations.

Is it really that big of a deal to home buyers and sellers?

I realize the farmers are really being impacted, but are they putting off home buying?

Median price for July also continues to rise:

• 2016: $290,000
• 2017: $300,000
• 2018: $309,000

What’s going on with the Chicago market?

It feels like it’s slowing even though there’s still record low inventory and the job market is still great.

Is everyone renting instead?

Illinois home sales inch up in July; listings continue to sell at a quick pace [Illinois Association of Realtors, Press Release, August 22, 2018]

This 2-bedroom in 30 W. Oak in the Gold Coast recently came on the market.

30 W. Oak was built in 2006 and has 44 units and a parking garage.

It was built as a luxury condo building and still has some of the most expensive units in the city.

This corner unit has 11 foot ceilings with floor-to-ceiling windows.

It has a Poggenpohl kitchen with a white quartz island bar, a steel tile backsplash and Subzero, Thermador and Miele appliances.

Forget about the standard wood floors in the living room. There are unique honed Biana white marble floors throughout the living/dining room and kitchen.

The master suite has espresso hardwood floors as well as a massive walk-in-closet and a Calcutta marble master bath.

The powder room has a floating vanity.

This is a corner unit that faces north and west, which is the back of the building. Because it’s on the corner, it has windows in both bedrooms and even in the closet.

But there’s no balcony or other outdoor space. All the units that face the south side of this building have terraces. The north side doesn’t have any.

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

Is outdoor space a “must” for Chicago buyers?

Michael Zuker at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #5E: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1500 square feet

• Sold in October 2006 for $722,500
• Sold in October 2015 for $785,000
• Sold in March 2018 for $850,000
• Currently listed for $899,000 (parking included)
• Assessments of $907 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, parking, doorman, cable, Internet, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $16,825
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 12×7
• Laundry room: 5×5
• Walk-in-closet: 15×12
• Living/dining room: 21×15
• Kitchen: 12×13

This 3-bedroom in The Belvedere at 270 E. Pearson in Streeterville came on the market in May 2018.

The Belvedere was built in 2007 and has just 42 units.

There are just 2 units per floor.

It’s a full amenity building with a doorman, an exercise room and heated garage parking.

This unit is on the 14th floor and has a south facing open floor plan.

It has 2 terraces with park and lake views.

The living/dining area has lighter hardwood floors and the bedrooms have carpeting, but the listing says there are hardwoods underneath.

All three of the bedrooms are en suite, with the master bath sporting a steam shower and heated onyx floors.

The listing says the kitchen is custom with Poggenpohl cabinets, and Subzero and Miele appliances.

It has in-unit washer/dryer, central air and 2 parking spaces are included.

Originally listed for $4.5 million in May, it has been reduced to $4.15 million.

That price would put it in competition with the newly built One Bennett Park just a few blocks away.

But One Bennett Park will have apartments plus condos in the building. The Belvedere is exclusively condos.

Can the old construction hold its own against all the new construction luxury condo units?

Veronika Tomasu at Century 21 Action has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1402: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3940 square feet

• Sold in June 2010 for $2.35 million
• Originally listed in May 2018 for $4.15 million
• Reduced a couple of times
• Currently listed at $4.15 million
• Assessments of $3688 a month
• Taxes of $32,237
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2 parking spaces included
• 2 terraces
• Bedroom #1: 16×32
• Bedroom #2: 12×18
• Bedroom #3: 13×125
• Foyer: 7×18
• Family room: 18×19
• Walk-in-closet: 13×13

This 2-bedroom in the Brixton Lofts at 106 N. Aberdeen in the West Loop came on the market in June 2018.

The Brixton is a 31-unit brick industrial building with “loft-style” condos and garage parking.

This 2-bedroom is a corner unit with exposed brick, exposed timber ceilings and ductwork.

There are hardwood floors throughout.

The kitchen has dark cabinets, “new” stainless steel appliances and what looks like granite counter tops.

The master bedroom has a window and an attached bath.

The unit has all the things buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and parking is available for $20,000 extra.

Originally listed at $475,000 in June, it has been reduced $50,000 to $425,000.

This unit has a unique history, however, as it only just recently sold, with what looks like from the bank, in February for just $372,500. That included the parking.

It’s finishes from the February 2018 sale appear to be the same as what is in the unit today.

If you were thinking of buying this unit to rent, the listing warns (their caps, not mine):

UNITS MAY BE LEASED, BUT THE ASSOCIATION HAS A 30% RENTAL CAP THAT HAS BEEN REACHED. .. THERE IS CURRENTLY A WAIT LIST.

This unit has been listed for 77 days.

The West Loop is one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city.

Is this a sign the Chicago housing market is slowing?

Blake Golden at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #5D: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage (but February listing says it was 1000 square feet)

• Sold in February 2007 for $330,000 (included the parking)
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in May 2010
• Bank owned in September 2014
• Sold in February 2018 for $372,500 (included the parking)
• Originally listed in June 2018 for $475,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $425,000 (plus $20,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $439 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $5604
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 12×10
• Bedroom #2: 9×10
• Living room: 11×22
• Kitchen: 9×13

This 3-bedroom top floor unit at 807 W. Newport in Lakeview came on the market in August 2018.

This building was constructed in 1902 and has 3 units.

This unit has many of its vintage features including high ceilings and thick crown molding in the living room.

Some of the woodwork trim is painted (gasp!) and some is not.

There’s a stained glass window in one of the bathrooms, which also has a claw foot tub.

The second full bath has a modern shower.

There’s an eat-in kitchen with a butcher block island, granite counter tops and a mix of stainless and black appliances.

The kitchen also has a unique feature I don’t think I’ve ever seen on Crib Chatter before: there’s a wood burning fireplace in the kitchen.

There’s also a large private deck.

The listing says there was spot tuck pointing done to the building in 2017.

The unit has central air, radiator heat and in-unit washer/dryer.

There’s no deeded parking but there is rental parking behind the building that is transferrable for $225 a month.

Listed at $429,000, is this a deal for a 3-bedroom in the Nettlehorst school district?

John Huebner at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1400 square feet

• Sold in June 1998 for $215,000
• Sold in August 2003 for $337,500
• Sold in March 2008 for $385,000
• Sold in May 2015 for $379,500
• Originally listed in August 2018 for $429,000
• Currently listed for $429,000
• Assessments of $355 a month (includes heat, gas, exterior maintenance, snow removal)
• Taxes of $6980
• Central Air
• Radiator Heat
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Rental parking behind the building for $225 a month
• Wood burning fireplace
• Deck
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 11×11
• Bedroom #3: 12×9
• Living room: 15×12
• Dining room: 16×13
• Kitchen: 21×11

This 3-bedroom at 644 W. Sheridan in East Lakeview came on the market in August 2018.

Built in 1913, it has 7 units and attached garage parking.

Look at those carvings on the front of the building. They don’t make anything like this anymore.

The unit has some of its vintage features including crown moldings, a fireplace and built-in bookcases.

It also has a formal dining room with barrel vaulted ceilings and a sunroom, which is common in many vintage buildings.

The listing says there is a new kitchen and baths.

The kitchen has dark cabinets, what looks like stone counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

There’s a 12×12 back deck.

This unit also has all the features buyers look for, but which are often rare in vintage buildings of this era, including in-unit washer/dryer, central air and attached garage parking.

Is this a vintage lovers dream?

Andrew Perkins at Compass Real Estate has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #1E: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in July 1991 for $225,000
• Sold in June 2004 for $470,000
• Sold in January 2006 for $505,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in February 2011
• Sold in December 2011 for $363,500
• Originally listed in August 2018 for $749,000
• Currently still listed at $749,000
• Assessments of $475 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8027
• Central Air
• Side-by-side washer/dryer
• Attached garage parking included
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×11
• Bedroom #2: 13×12
• Bedroom #3: 14×10
• Sunroom: 11×10
• Living room: 19×16
• Dining room: 18×14

This 1-bedroom at 2660 N. Halsted in Lincoln Park recently came on the market.

We’ve chattered about this complex in the past.

Converted into condos in 2005, there are 6 residential units and 2 commercial units with parking.

This unit is a duplex with vaulted timber ceilings and the bedroom on the second level.

There are exposed brick walls and a wood burning fireplace.

The kitchen has maple cabinets, granite counter tops, and stainless steel appliances. According to old listing pictures, these were in place at least as far back as 2011.

There is wall air conditioning, an in-unit washer/dryer and a parking space is included with the price.

The listing says it can be an “investment (great monthly return!)”.

In the MLS agent notes, it says the unit is rented for $1800 a month through September 2018.

However, there is also a note that says this building is all cash.

Currently listed for $175,000, is this property a good use of your cash if you’re a real estate investor?

Maggie Ahern at Dream Town Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #6: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, duplex up, no square footage listed

• Sold in April 2005 for $250,000
• Sold in July 2008 for $250,000
• Sold in August 2011 for $120,000
• Sold in August 2017 for $173,000
• Currently listed at $175,000
• Assessments of $274 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $2845
• Currently rented for $1800 a month
• Wall unit air conditioning
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Parking included
• Bedroom: 14×13 (second floor)
• Living room: 20×15
• Kitchen: 7×7