Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom at City Center Lofts at 212 W. Washington in the Loop just came on the market.

Built in 1913, this unit was converted into condos in 2000. It’s a full service building with 183 units and deeded garage parking.

This building was sold as “lofts” but other than 10 foot ceilings a large windows, it doesn’t have any other industrial features associated with most lofts such as exposed brick walls or beams.

But this unit is a corner home with north and west views and a private balcony.

The unit has an open kitchen with wood cabinets, granite counter tops, including on a kitchen island, and stainless steel appliances.

There’s a master suite with a “spa caliber” master bath which has a separate shower and corner jet tub.

While the master bedroom has a window, the second bedroom does not appear to have a window in it.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit in its own laundry closet and attached heated parking for two cars for $40,000 extra.

When this building was converted in to condos in 2000, developers had to convince people to live in the Loop.

Now, there are food halls, new apartment buildings, and coffee shops are actually open on the weekends.

Nearly 19 years later, is the Loop now a destination for buyers?

Mario Greco at Berkshire Hathaway Koenig Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2005: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1550 square feet

• Sold in February 2000 for $387,500 (parking included)
• Currently listed at $449,500 (heated parking for 2 cars at $40,000 extra)
• Assessments of $995 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $8293
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 16×13
• Bedroom #2: 11×11
• Laundry room: 6×3
• WIC: 6×5

This 2-bedroom in 400 N. LaSalle in River North just came on the market.

400 N. LaSalle was converted into condominiums during the condo boom in 2005. It has 448 units and an attached rental parking garage.

If you recall from our prior chatter, the sales of units in this building ran into difficulty in the Great Recession and developers bought chunks of the building.

The listing says this unit was completely renovated in 2017.

It has all the popular finishes including wide plank hardwood floors, custom lighting, solid core doors, crown and base moldings.

The kitchen is new and has the modern wood-ish looking cabinets along with quartz counter tops, glass tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances.

The listing says both bathrooms have been gutted and the master bath has porcelain tile.

It has central air and washer/dryer in the unit. You can rent a spot in the attached garage.

This unit is on the 9th floor and the listing says its the largest tier in the building at 1271 square feet.

It sold for the only time in August 2017 for $496,000 and is now listed for $39,000 more at $535,000.

The only other previous sale was one of the group sales of units to a developer for $18 million.

With the West Loop and Logan Square gaining in popularity, is River North still the preferred trendy neighborhood for buyers?

Scot Green at Berkshire Hathaway Koenig Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #902: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1271 square feet

• Sold in August 2017 for $496,000
• Currently listed at $535,000
• Assessments of $836 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, cable, Internet, clubhouse, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Rental parking extra (the listing doesn’t say but probably $200-$300 a month)
• Taxes of $6543
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 17×12
• Bedroom #2: 14×12

This 4-bedroom Greystone row house at 639 W. Surf in East Lakeview came on the market in May 2018.

Built in 1886, it’s an attached brick and stone row house on a 19 x 116 x 39 x 82 lot which still has some of its vintage features such as 10 foot first floor ceilings and pocket doors.

It has two gas fireplaces, one in the living room and one in the master bedroom.

The listing says it has been “extensively renovated.”

We actually chattered about this property back in 2012 when it was bank owned.

Back then, it was a 2-bedroom but already had the finished basement. Ivy covered the outside of the greystone so much of the chatter was about the damage (or lack thereof) which can be caused by ivy.

We also chattered about this being located on the alley and the preponderance of, gulp, rats.

Was it a deal in 2012? See our chatter here.

There’s now an eat-in kitchen with dark wood cabinets, granite counter tops, 48″ Viking double oven with grill and griddle, a Subzero refrigerator and a large pantry.

It has the preferred home layout, with 3 of the 4 bedrooms on the second floor.

That includes the master suite which has an attached bathroom with a walk-in shower as well as a claw foot tub. A second bathroom is shared with the other two bedrooms.

The lower level has a family room, a bathroom, and a guest bedroom, along with a laundry room.

The property has a small one car garage but also a second exterior parking space.

In addition to the front yard, there’s a private roof deck and a rear balcony.

This is a fee simple property.

It has other features buyers look for such as central air.

It’s in the Nettelhorst school district and is surrounded by the shops, restaurants and the cinema of East Lakeview.

Originally listed in May 2018 for $1.195 million, it has been reduced $245,100 to $949,900.

With many new construction duplex downs listing around this price, is this row house a deal?

Mitch Gordon at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

639 W. Surf: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 3400 square feet, row house

• Sold in April 1998 for $570,000
• Sold in August 1999 for $655,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in July 2011
• Bank owned in July 2012
• Sold in December 2012 (when it was listed as a 2-bedroom) for $660,000
• Originally listed in May 2018 for $1,195,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $949,900
• 1-car small garage plus second exterior parking spot
• Taxes of $14,949
• Central Air
• 2 gas fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 18×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×8 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 19×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 16×13 (lower level)
• Family room: 14×13 (lower level
• Laundry room: 16×10 (lower level)

This 2-bedroom on the 68th floor of the John Hancock at 175 E. Delaware in the Gold Coast came on the market in June 2018.

Yes, I’m still calling it the John Hancock until they announce the new name.

Built in 1969, it has 703 units and rental parking. It’s a full service building with a pool, a supermarket and doormen.

This unit has been rehabbed.

It has wide plank dark wood floors.

The kitchen has white cabinets, stainless steel Bosch appliances and a tile backsplash along with a breakfast bar.

It has no central air, but it has wall unit cooling.

While the Hancock now allows washer/dryer in the unit, this unit doesn’t appear to have it. However, the building has laundry on every floor, or every other floor, I believe.

There is an attached rental garage.

This unit has city views as it faces west (see the picture of the view in the listing.)

It came on the market in June 2018 for $599,000 and has been reduced $149,000 to $450,000.

Is the west facing view the reason this hasn’t sold?

Rashauna Scott at Kale Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #6801: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1450 square feet

• Sold in October 2017 for $410,000
• Originally listed in June 2018 for $599,000
• Reduced numerous times
• Currently listed at $450,000
• Assessments of $908 a month (includes doorman, cable, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $6762
• No central air- but it has wall units
• No washer/dryer in the unit
• Parking is rental in the building’s garage
• Bedroom #1: 17×11
• Bedroom #2: 17×10

This 4-bedroom townhouse in Sandburg Village at 1406 N. Sandburg Terrace in the Gold Coast came on the market in October 2018.

The above picture is of some of the townhouses- but I’m not sure if it’s this specific block or not.

It’s in a 12-unit association that shares a 150 foot private park.

The townhouse is a corner unit with all four exposures, a layout you rarely see in townhouse construction.

It has the preferred layout of 3 of the 4 bedrooms on the second floor, along with two bathrooms.

The fourth bedroom is on the main floor and is currently being used as a den. There’s also a full bath on the main level.

There’s a lower level which has a family room/office or exercise room as well as a full size laundry room.

The kitchen has white cabinets and a mix of black and stainless steel appliances.

The townhouse has a walled garden which the listing says won first prize in the North Dearborn Garden Walk.

It has central air and it appears that it has one car parking (covered?).

Listed at $875,000, is this a deal for a 4-bedroom townhouse in this neighborhood?

Matthew Tiegler at Keller Williams Chicago-Lincoln Park has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

1406 N. Sandburg Terrace: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2200 square feet

• Sold in December 1987 but no price listed
• Originally listed in October 2018 for $875,000
• Still listed at $875,000
• Assessments of $383 a month (includes security, cable, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $12,388
• Exterior parking included (?)
• Central Air
• 2 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 14×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 18×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 17×11 (main floor)
• Laundry room: 14×18 (basement)
• Family room: 19×17 (basement)
• Walk-in-closet: 5×4 (second floor)
• Walk-in-closet: 6×5 (second floor)
• Deck: 22×17

This 2-bedroom loft in the Epicenter Lofts at 1000 W. Washington in the West Loop came on the market in September 2018. (Yes, this is an awful picture and I need to get a new one. Sorry! It’s old.)

The Epicenter is a brick industrial building constructed in 1882. It has 178 units, a doorman and a heated parking garage.

This is an authentic brick and timber loft with exposed beams.

The listing says it’s a “complete and cohesive masterful renovation by Twenty9, Inc.”

The loft has new 5″ quarter sawn oak floors in dark walnut.

The kitchen is new with two-tone white and muted gray cabinets, all Viking stainless steel appliances, and Calcutta Goldesque Quartz countertops with gray veining.

Both bedrooms are fully enclosed but neither has windows.

The master bathroom is new with floor to ceiling 18″ x 18″ porcelain, a large shower with finished basin, an Infinity drain, and oversized hexagon tile flooring.

The loft has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and tandem heated garage parking.

The listing says the loft faces Randolph.

The building lives up to its name as the “epicenter” of all things in the West Loop as you can walk to all the shops and restaurants of Fulton Market and the West Loop.

Originally listed at $1,099,000, it has been reduced $24,000 to $1,075,000.

This is still $365,000 above the earlier 2018 sales price of $710,000, which was pre-renovation.

Will this renovation get the premium?

Nicholas Colagiovanni at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #338: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2100 square feet

• Sold in March 2001 for $390,000
• Sold in July 2005 for $488,000
• Sold in April 2007 for $555,000
• Sold in January 2012 for $310,500
• Sold in June 2018 for $710,000
• Originally listed in September 2018 after renovation for $1,099,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1,075,000 (includes tandem heated garage parking)
• Assessments of $924 a month (includes doorman, cable, Internet, exterior maintenance, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes of $10,027
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 18×14
• Bedroom #2: 12×12

This 3-bedroom single family home at 3408 N. Bosworth in Southport just came on the market.

Long time readers, though, will recognize it because we chattered about it numerous times the last time it was on (and off) the market which was between 2010 and 2017.

We last chattered about it in January 2017. You can see our chatter here.

It finally sold in March 2017.

So it was a surprise to see it re-listed just 20 months later.

If you recall, this house was built in 1877. The house still has some of its vintage features including one stained glass window and some original woodwork.

The house is built on a standard 25×125 lot with a 2-car garage and has central air.

The new listing says the current owners have made many updates including a new roof, electric panel and refrigerator and dishwasher.

The rest of the kitchen is the same as the 2017 listing which includes a Viking stove and white cabinets.

It still has an unfinished basement which has a “working toilet” and plumbing and which many of the listings say could be renovated.

The two bedrooms are on the second floor and there’s a third bedroom on the main floor, although a prior listing called it a “den”.

The house is near Southport shops, the big Whole Foods on Ashland/Belmont and is easily walkable to Wrigley Field, all the new restaurants like Shake Shack and the soon-to-open luxury movie theater.

This house finally sold in March 2017 for $458,500. It has come back on the market at $499,900 which is less than most townhouses in the neighborhood.

What’s the catch?

As we have chattered about before, the elevated Brown Line tracks run right next to the house.

Will a buyer take a chance with it priced under $500,000 again?

Michael Hall at Baird & Warner now has the listing. See the pictures here.

3408 N. Bosworth: 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square footage listed, 2 car garage

• Sold in February 1996 for $132,000
• Sold in February 1997 for $170,000
• Sold in June 2002 for $428,000
• Sold in July 2005 for $569,000
• Originally listed in April 2010 for $749,000
• Withdrawn
• Listed as a rental in June 2013
• Re-listed in February 2016 for $500,000
• Withdrawn in August 2016 still listed at $500,000
• Was listed in January 2017 for $475,000
• Sold in March 2017 for $458,500
• Currently listed for $499,900
• Taxes are still $10,358 (they were $10,358 in January 2017 and $8523 in October 2010)
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 15×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×13 (old listing says it was 11×8) (main floor)
• Living room: 23×12
• Dining room: 12×12
• Kitchen: 16×9
• Mudroom: 9×6
• Unfinished basement with a toilet

The Illinois Association of Realtors was out with the October home sales data just before the Thanksgiving holiday.

After a sharp downturn in September, the decline was more seasonal in October.

The city of Chicago saw year-over-year home sales decrease 2.5 percent with 2,056 sales in October, compared to 2,109 a year ago. The median price of a home in the city of Chicago in October was $272,500 up 4.8 percent compared to October 2017 when it was $260,000.

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: 2,056 $272,500

“A stabilization is taking place in many areas of the market – demand and prices are fairly steady, inventory continues to decline, albeit less sharply, and buyers are regaining some power,” said Tommy Choi, president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and broker at Keller Williams Chicago – Lincoln Park. “These metrics are fairly typical as we enter a historically slower time of the year.”

The time it took to sell a home, statewide, fell again to just 51 days, from 53 days in October 2017.

The average 30-year mortgage rate continued to rise. It came in at 4.83% up from 4.63% in September and up from 3.9% in October of last year.

“We saw a significant rebound in home sales in October, signaling that there is still a lot of life in the market,” said Ed Neaves, Illinois REALTORS® president-elect and managing broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Snyder Real Estate in Bloomington. “While homebuyers may be frustrated by a lack of available homes and higher prices in some areas, those dynamics are not enough to overcome a desire to make a purchase as we close in on the holiday season.”

Is the housing market back to “normal” after a scare of it “slowing” in September?

Was September much ado about nothing?

Illinois home sales stabilize in October; median prices show gains[Illinois Association of Realtors, Press Release, November 21, 2018]

This 2-bedroom top floor vintage unit at 1647 N. Sedgwick in Old Town came on the market in July 2018.

We chattered about it then. You can read that chatter here.

If it looks familiar to long time readers, that’s because we also chattered about it in both 2008 and 2014, when it previously sold.

You can read the 2014 chatter here.

If you recall, this is a 3-unit vintage building with garage parking.

This unit has some vintage features including tall ceilings and original wood moldings along with a wood burning fireplace in the living room.

The kitchen is the same one as in 2014, with white cabinets, quartz counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

This unit has two outdoor spaces, a deck off the back and a private rooftop deck with city views. Yes- it’s private, as the last time we chattered about this unit in July 2018, some of you thought it might be a common deck. It’s not.

It has all the other features that buyers look for, including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and rare (at least for Old Town) garage parking.

In 2008, this unit sold in a bidding war with multiple offers. It also sold within 2 months in 2014.

It came back on the market in July 2018 at $475,000 but has now, 5 months later, been reduced $47,500 to $427,500.

Why isn’t this selling quickly this time?

Is it now priced to sell?

Stephanie Poulos at @Properties has the listing. See the latest pictures here.

Unit #3: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in October 1997 for $252,000
• Sold in November 1999 for $300,000
• Listed in June 2008 for $419,900
• Sold in July 2008 after a bidding war for $412,000
• Listed in September 2014 for $425,000
• Reduced to $419,000
• Sold in November 2014 for $416,000
• Originally listed in July 2018 at $475,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $427,500
• Assessments are now $175 a month (they were $173 a month in 2014 and $150 a month in 2008)(includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes are now $8484 (they were $5996 in 2014 and $3916 in 2008)
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Garage parking included
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×9
• Bedroom #2: 12×9
• Private rooftop deck: 27×16 (yes- PRIVATE!)

This 3-bedroom in 320 W. Oakdale in East Lakeview recently came on the market.

On the 19th floor of the 21-story Milton Schwartz mid-century modern high rise, in 2017 this unit was on the market for the first time in 61-years.

It was supposedly the only duplex in the building which has 51 units and parking.

The building is famous in architecture circles. Built in 1956, it was designed to be apartments for the rich.

We’ve also seen some interesting interiors in this building over the years.

This unit was no exception as the unit had 2 kitchens and the living room had leopard carpeting.

You can still see the original pictures in the former Redfin listing here.

We discussed the potential of this unit in our 2017 chatter and some of you expressed your love of this building.

You can read our chatter here.

But now, the unit has come back on the market completely renovated as a 3-bedroom, not a 4-bedroom, and it’s no longer a duplex.

It still has a southeast exposure from floor to ceiling windows.

The entire unit has been remodeled with new light fixtures, hardware, and dark wide plank hardwood floors.

The kitchen has a mix of white cabinets and a light wood finish cabinets on the island, which is the look that is now “in” on the coasts.

It also has extra thick white quartz counter tops and Bosch stainless steel appliances along with a subway tile back splash.

The master bedroom has an en suite bathroom and walk-in closet.

There’s a side-by-side washer/dryer.

It has central air and parking is available for $25,000.

The unit is in the Nettlehorst school district.

Was it smart to split up the units instead of trying to sell the bigger 4-bedroom?

Will fans of this building embrace this remodel?

Collin Wasiak at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #1901: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2000 square feet

• In 2017, first time on the market since 1956
• Originally listed in May 2017 as a 4-bedroom duplex for $799,900
• Sold in August 2018 for $615,000 (for the entire duplex)
• This part of the duplex sold for $307,500
• Currently listed at $620,000 (plus $25,000 extra for parking)
• Assessments are now $1167 a month (they were $2337 a month in 2017 for both units) (includes heat, a/c, cable, Internet, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger and snow removal)
• Taxes are now $6379 (they were $11,885 for both units in 2017)
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×14
• Bedroom 32: 14×11
• Bedroom #3: 14×11
• Laundry room: 8×3
• Walk-in-Closet: 8×5