Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom at 4737 N. Damen in Lincoln Square/Ravenswood just came on the market.

The building was converted into condos in 2008 and has 8 units along with some exterior deeded parking spaces.

At 1050 square feet, it has exposed brick along with a front balcony that overlooks all the action on Damen.

The listing says it has “updated finishes” which includes a double vanity in the master bathroom.

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

There’s private storage in the building.

The unit has the features most buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and deeded exterior parking.

It is just a block and half to the Damen brown line stop and just 3 blocks to the Ravenswood Metra stop.

It’s surrounded by shops and restaurants on Damen but is just a quick stroll to all the action of Lincoln Square itself.

With really low inventory for 2/2s under $400,000 in this neighborhood, will this property be under contract this week?

Ashley Cox at d’aprile properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2F: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1050 square feet

• Sold in March 2008 for $277,500
• Sold in July 2014 for $275,000 (included the parking)
• Currently listed at $325,000 (includes the parking)
• Assessments of $262 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $5374
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 13×10
• Bedroom #2: 10×9
• Living room: 14×12
• Dining room: 8×6
• Balcony: 4×9

This 1-bedroom at 548 W. Brompton in East Lakeview just came on the market.

Built in 1923, this courtyard building has 61 units.

This unit has south facing windows that face the courtyard with 3-way blinds.

It has high ceilings with crown molding and French doors which open to the kitchen.

The listing calls the kitchen an “eat-in chef’s kitchen” with granite counter tops, white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

There’s a walk-in-closet in the bedroom.

There’s no central air but there’s a window air conditioning unit.

There’s also no parking and no in-unit washer/dryer but the listing says the building has installed new washer/dryers.

In the past, many buyers have started out as owners with starter condos before moving on to other properties.

In 2019, is this still the path many will take towards ownership?

Brady Miller at Chicago Real Estate Artists has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #2E: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in December 1996 for $71,500
• Sold in March 2001 for $160,000
• Sold in September 2003 for $175,000
• Sold in April 2007 for $220,000
• Sold in November 2009 for $195,000
• Sold in July 2018 for $210,000
• Currently listed at $224,900
• Assessments of $290 a month (includes heat, cable, Internet, exterior maintenance, lawn care)
• Taxes of $2867
• No central air- but a window unit
• No in-unit washer/dryer but there are some in the building
• No parking
• Bedroom: 13×9
• Living room: 17×12
• Kitchen: 12×11

This 1-bedroom in Lincoln Park 2550 at 2550 N. Lakeview in Lincoln Park recently came on the market.

Lincoln Park 2550 was constructed in 2010 and has 218 units.

It was the first new high rise built on Lincoln Park in decades.

It’s a full-service building with a parking garage and unique features like a 1.25 acre private park.

This unit is large at 1411 square feet and has a direct east view, including from the 108 square foot terrace, which overlooks the Lake, Park and Harbor.

It has 10’8″ ceilings with both crown and base moldings.

There are 5″ plank oak floors.

The listing says there’s a chef’s kitchen with Snaidero cabinets, granite counter tops, a breakfast bar and luxury appliances by Wolf, Subzero, and Miele.

The bedroom has a marble spa bath.

The unit has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2 deeded parking spots are included.

Listed at $1.19 million, can a 1-bedroom in Lincoln Park command a price over a million dollars?

Barbara Proctor at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #S9-06: 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths, 1411 square feet

• Sold in July 2014 for $900,500 (included 2 parking spaces)
• Currently listed at $1.19 million (includes 2 garage parking spaces)
• Assessments of $945 a month (includes a/c, gas, doorman, cable, clubhouse, exercise room, indoor pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, billiard room, theater, game room.)
• Taxes of $18,701
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 14×13
• Living room: 23×17

This 3-bedroom first floor condo at 1738 N. North Park in the Old Town Triangle neighborhood came on the market in May 2018.

You may remember us chattering about this property because, at the time, it was the most expensive condo in Old Town at $1.4 million.

Several of you thought the price was a typo in the listing or maybe it was for the whole building.

See our chatter here.

The old listing said it was the first time it had been on the market since the building converted to condos 65 years ago.

In June 2018 it was being sold “as-is” and now it’s a “gut rehab.”

This is a 3-unit self-managed condo association with a building that was constructed in 1886 and a side lot that has trees and landscaping. The total lot is a non-standard Chicago lot measuring 42×62.

The listing says the front door is 133 years old.

It has an unfinished full basement, but it’s still not clear from the listing whether the new owner owns that space or not. There’s a washer/dryer in the basement.

There’s no parking for the unit.

There’s no central air conditioning.

Since our last chatter, the price has been reduced $525,000 to $875,000.

What will it take to sell this property in 2019?

Christopher Moran at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1: 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1200 square feet

• There’s no prior sales info. It hasn’t been on the market since the condo conversion of the building 65 years ago.
• Was listed in June 2018 for $1.4 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $875,000
• Assessments are now $175 a month (They were $150 a month in June 2018) (includes water, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes are now $5473 (they were $5268 in June 2018)
• No central air
• Washer/dryer in the basement
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 13×9
• Bedroom #2: 11×9
• Bedroom #3: 11×9

This 3-bedroom in the Lake Park Plaza at 3930 N. Pine Grove in Lakeview just came on the market.

The building was constructed in 1969 and has 448 units.

It’s a full service building with an outdoor pool, tennis courts, party room, exercise room, doormen and an attached rental parking garage.

This unit is on the 30th floor and the listing calls it a penthouse.

It has been renovated with a new floor plan, plumbing, electrical, HVAC and “everything.”

The floors look to be wide plank dark wood.

The kitchen is now open to the living and dining room and has white cabinets and a huge island with stone counter tops.

There’s a Subzero refrigerator and wine refrigerator and a Bosch range, microwave and double oven.

The unit now has California Closets and remote control window treatments.

There’s a master suite with a Carrara marble master bath/spa with deep chroma therapy bubble jet action tub.

Want outdoor space?

It has two 6×8 balconies with views of the lake and city views including Wrigley Field and downtown.

The unit has the other features buyers look for including in-unit washer/dryer, central air and there’s rental parking for between $155 and $180 a month.

Listed at $879,000, is this unit a dream for those who like views?

John Diederich at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3015: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2000 square feet

• Sold in September 1994 for $225,000 (per Zillow)
• Sold in March 2014 for $415,000 (per Zillow)- was a 2-bedroom
• Currently listed at $879,000
• Assessments of $1789 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, cable, Internet, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8175
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Parking is rental in the building from $155 to $180 a month
• Bedroom #1: 13×15
• Bedroom #2: 11×11
• Bedroom #3: 13×15
• Laundry room: 3×7
• 2 balconies: 6×8 each

This 3-bedroom in Superior 110 at 110 W. Superior in River North came on the market in April 2018.

Superior 110 is a boutique high rise built during the height of the boom in 2008.

It has 58 units and a parking garage, along with an exercise room and a doorman.

This is a half-floor unit with newly refinished hardwood floors, Lutron lighting, custom closets and motorized shades on the floor to ceiling windows.

The listing says the unit has had $225,000 in upgrades.

There are new bathrooms which have modern finishes.

The kitchen has modern white and gray cabinets, what looks like stone counter tops and luxury stainless steel appliances.

But what sets this unit apart is that it has not just one, but two large concrete decks that measure 1200 square feet.

One is off the living room and the other is off the master bedroom.

There has been new cedar paneling and cabinets installed as well as an outdoor kitchen and irrigated planters.

The unit has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2 garage parking spaces are included.

Originally listed in April 2018 at $1,525,000, it has been reduced $200,000 to $1,325,000.

It last sold in March 2016 for just $10,000 less at $1,315,000 without the outdoor terrace updates and other upgrades.

Is someone going to get a deal?

Katherine Malkin at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #703: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2290 square feet

• Sold in November 2012 for $990,000 (included the 2 car parking)
• Sold in March 2016 for $1,315,000 (included the 2 car parking)
• Originally listed in April 2018 for $1,525,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1,325,000 (includes 2 car parking)
• Assessments of $1,832 a month (includes doorman, exercise room)
• Taxes of $26,948
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 16×16
• Bedroom #2: 15×12
• Bedroom #3: 16×10
• Terrace: 34×24
• Master bedroom terrace: 30×15

This 3-bedroom townhouse at 1252 W. Oakdale in Lakeview came on the market in April 2018.

This group of townhouses was built in 1992. There are ten units and garage parking.

Architecturally, it’s different than many townhouses as it has a rounded façade.

We last chattered about this townhouse in September 2018.

You can see our chatter here.

If you recall, the townhouse has had some renovations. There are hardwood floors throughout.

There’s also a new custom kitchen with white cabinets, black granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The kitchen has a custom-built pantry with an eat-in marble peninsula where they have hidden the refrigerator, which was moved from the other side of the kitchen (if you look at the 2013 listing pictures you’ll see how they opened it up.)

You can access the backyard patio off the kitchen.

The second floor has 2 bedrooms and a new hall bath.

The master suite is on the third floor with 2 private outdoor areas.

There’s a family room in the lower level with a powder room, a bar and the laundry room.

The townhouse has central air and 1-car garage.

The listing says it’s in the Agassiz school district.

Originally listed for $899,500, it has now been reduced $54,500 to $845,000.

This townhouse has been listed, off and on, for about 9 months.

Will falling mortgage rates help get this sold this spring?

Heather Hillebrand at Dream Town still has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Or see it at the Open House on Saturday, Feb 2 from 11 am to 1 PM.

1252 W. Oakdale: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 3000 square feet

• Sold in March 2004 for $525,000
• Sold in April 2013 for $650,000
• Originally listed in April 2018 for $899,500
• Reduced
• Was listed in September 2018 at $849,500 (includes 1-car garage parking)
• Withdrawn in November
• Re-listed in January 2019 for $845,000 (includes 1-car garage parking)
• Assessments of $333 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, snow removal)
• Taxes are now $12,644 (they were $11,973 in September 2018)
• Central Air
• 3 outdoor spaces
• Bedroom #1: 15×13 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 18×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×12 (second floor)
• Laundry room: 18×16 (lower level)
• Family room: 23×18 (lower level)

This 3-bedroom bungalow at 2133 W. 114th Place in Morgan Park came on the market in September 2018. (Sorry- no picture as I can’t make it to this neighborhood with this weather.)

It was built in 1967 on an oversized 35×125 Chicago lot.

It has some of those mid-century modern vibes including a flat roof.

There are hardwood floors throughout the first floor along with wood paneled walls in several rooms.

The living room has a beamed ceiling and recessed lights.

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

The one main bathroom on the first floor has been “updated” and now has a double sink.

A spiral staircase leads to a finished basement with a newly remodeled half bath.

The house has central air and a front facing 1-car garage with a driveway (yes- they do exist all over the city).

It’s just a few blocks to the 115th Metra station.

The listing also says its within walking distance to Morgan Park Academy.

Since September, it has been reduced $4,900 to $285,000.

The South Side had some of the hottest neighborhoods in the city in 2018.

Is this a deal?

Donna Bishop at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

2133 W. 114th Place: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1510 square feet

• Sold in July 1996 for $150,000
• Sold in January 2001 for $165,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in February 2014
• Originally listed in September 2018 for $289,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $285,000
• Central Air
• 1-car garage
• Bedroom #1: 12×14
• Bedroom #2: 10×12
• Bedroom #3: 12×12
• Sunroom: 12×10
• Finished full basement

This 3-bedroom co-op in 3500 N. Lake Shore Drive in Lakeview came on the market in September 2018.

This building was designed by Robert DeGolyer in 1927 and has 64 units.

It has a doorman and exercise room as well as a common deck.

This 13th floor unit has 3 exposures, South, East and West, which includes Wrigley Field and the Lake.

The listing says this unit has new electric, plumbing and air conditioning, which is space pac.

Two of the bedrooms are en suite.

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

The unit has a full-sized washer/dryer, which can be rare in the older vintage buildings.

However, there doesn’t appear to be any parking, which is quite normal given the construction date. How could they know that everyone would be owners of automobiles?

This property last sold in 2014. The listing described it as a “diamond in the rough” and said to bring your architect and designer.

Apparently, that’s what happened.

At 2500 square feet, is this a single family home alternative for those who want to live up in the sky?

Kelly Mead at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #13A: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2500 square feet

• Co-op
• Sold in September 2014 for $376,000
• Originally listed in September 2018 for $649,900
• Currently still listed at $649,900
• Assessments of $2079 a month (includes heat, gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $6168 (is this included in the assessments? It doesn’t appear to be)
• Space pac cooling
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 18×13
• Bedroom #2: 16×13
• Bedroom #3: 10×11
• Foyer: 20×7

This 2-bedroom duplex up at 1434 N. Astor in the Gold Coast came on the market in November 2018.

It is bank owned.

Built in 1889, it has a 3-unit self-managed association.

The two bedrooms, which appear to have carpeting, are on the second level with the living/dining room and kitchen on the third floor.

The unit has skylights and two fireplaces, although I believe the one in the bedroom is decorative only.

From the pictures, the kitchen appears intact with white cabinets, a stainless steel refrigerator and white oven.

It has in-unit washer/dryer, space pak cooling but no parking.

I’m not sure about those HOAs as it’s bank owned, but you can also see the HOAs from 10 years ago, when it wasn’t bank owned.

Strangely, we actually chattered about this unit the last time it was on the market in 2008. It sold and then came back listed as a rental.

You can read our chatter here.

This is what Gary said about it at the time:

“Sure enough the MLS shows it closing on July 15. So someone bought this. Let’s review the math from another perspective. Rent = 34200, Assessments = 9000, taxes = 10613. Net to owner = 14587 or a 2.1% return on assets. Doesn’t matter how you finance this it’s a bad deal. Some people just really love real estate.”

Originally listed at $474,900, it has been reduced $126,100 to $348,800.

That’s just $46,300 more than the 1988 sales price of $302,500.

Will this property sell for the same price as 31 years ago?

Who’s the buyer for this?

Gasper Flores at Su Familia Real Estate has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1400 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in June 1988 for $302,500
• Sold in July 2008 for $685,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in September 2016
• Bank owned in May 2018
• Originally listed in November 2018 for $474,900
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $348,800
• Assessments are now $2,282 a month (they were $750 a month in 2008)(includes heat, gas, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes are now $19,194 (they were $10,613 in 2008)
• Space pak cooling
• In-unit washer/dryer
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 22×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×16 (second floor)
• Living/dining combo: 29×15 (third floor)
• Terrace: 6×9 (third floor)