Crib Chatter

This 3-bedroom at 4055 N. Greenview in Graceland West in Lakeview came on the market in August 2016.

This is a vintage 6-flat building across from Lake View High School. This unit is on the second floor.

It has some of its vintage features including a bay window, hardwood floors, moldings and transom windows.

The listing says it is “designer owned.”

There is a master suite with its own bathroom.

The kitchen has wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances. There is a bonus television area off the kitchen.

This unit has garage parking, washer/dryer in the unit and “partial” air conditioning.

The listing says this property is in the Blaine school district, one of the top public schools in the city.

Originally listed in August 2016 for $460,000, it has been reduced $41,000 to $419,000.

Is this a good starter condo in this neighborhood?

Marlene Granacki at Re/Max Exclusive Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2S: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1330 square feet

• Sold in March 1996 for $160,500
• Sold in September 1999 for $264,500
• Sold in August 2004 for $358,000
• Originally listed in August 2016 for $460,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $419,000 (includes garage parking)
• Assessments of $365 a month (includes heat, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $5286
• Partial air???
• Bedroom #1: 16×13
• Bedroom #2: 10×10
• Bedroom #3: 10×9
• Walk-in closet: 10×6

This 2-bedroom vintage row house at 42 E Schiller in the Gold Coast came on the market in October 2016.

It is bank owned.

Built in 1885, the listing says it’s a “Potter Palmer” row house.

Potter Palmer was one of Chicago’s most prominent businessmen. He was involved in the creation of Marshall Fields and built the Palmer House Hotel.  In 1885, he moved from the glitzy Prairie Street neighborhood to the North Side, where he apparently filled in a swamp and created Lake Shore Drive.

He had one of the most opulent houses in the “new” neighborhood which encouraged other wealthy families to move north.

These row houses on Schiller would have been among the early homes built in the Gold Coast.

This row house is fee simple.

While it is vintage on the outside, it no longer has any of its vintage features inside. It actually has a modern interior.

The kitchen is intact with stainless steel appliances, white cabinets and marble counter tops.

Two bedrooms are on the second floor and the listing says there’s a third in the basement but it is listed as only a 2-bedroom row house.

There are three baths, including a master bathroom.

The row house has 3 fireplaces. It’s not clear from the listing if they are wood burning or not.

There are three outdoor spaces including a rooftop deck and a back patio.

It has central air but no parking.

This property has come on the market for $363,000 under the 2001 purchase price, at $1,212,000.

Is this a Gold Coast deal?

Scott Newman at Newman Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

42 E. Schiller: 2 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2997 square feet, row house

• Sold in December 1994 for $760,000
• Sold in May 2001 for $1,575,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in January 2010
• Bank owned in July 2016
• Originally listed in October 2016 for $1,212,000
• Currently still listed at $1,212,000
• No HOA- fee simple
• Taxes of $30692
• Central Air
• No parking
• 3 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 19×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 18×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×19 (basement)
• Family room: 19×16 (second floor)
• Laundry Room: 18×12 (lower level)

This 3-bedroom duplex penthouse at the 13th Street Lofts at 125 E. 13th Street in the South Loop came on the market in October 2016.

Built in 2004, the building has 149 units.

These were considered new construction lofts because they have exposed concrete ceilings and exposed ductwork along with 3/4th walls in some bedrooms.

This unit has hardwood floors and a dry bar with a wine refrigerator.

The listing says there’s a “chef’s kitchen” with double oven and 1.25″ granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

2 of the bedrooms are on the second floor along with the laundry room. The third bedroom is on the main level and doesn’t appear to have windows.

There’s a private 25×10 north facing terrace with gas and water hook-ups.

This unit has central air and one parking space is included, with a second one available for purchase.

I can’t figure out where the stairs are in this unit (even when looking at the 2012 pictures) so if anyone has any ideas, please chatter about it.

With 2000 square feet, which his similar to many townhouses, is the $775,000 price tag a deal for this neighborhood?

Judy Howard at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1405: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2000 square feet, duplex-up

• Sold in July 2012 for $610,000 (included 2 parking spaces)
• Originally listed in October 2016 for $775,000 (includes 1 parking space with a second available for purchase)
• Currently still listed for $775,000
• Assessments of $635 a month (includes heat, gas, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, and snow removal)
• Taxes of $9448
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×11 (main level)
• Laundry room: 6×7 (second floor)
• Terrace: 25×10

The Chicago housing market appears to have slowed in October.

But was it any worse than any other October?

Data from agents about the number of showings on properties says “yes.”

From Crain’s:

Foot traffic through local homes for sale plunged more last month than in any of the previous four Octobers, according to data gleaned from local real estate agents.

That includes October 2012, the last time a presidential campaign was going on.

“You have the election and the World Series distracting buyers, or making them nervous,” said the data provider, Paul Lazarre, a co-founder of Chicago-based real estate site Truepad. The site gathers data from about 25 percent of the region’s real estate agents.

Lazarre gauges demand using data that essentially compares the number of homes on the market to the number of showings buyers’ agents request. In the three weeks that ended Oct. 29 (a popular day for open houses), Chicago-area showings dropped about 30 percent, he said.

In the comparable period in the past four years, the drop was from about 3 percent to about 10 percent, Lazarre said. Data for years before 2012 is available but not quite comparable, he said, because the real estate market was so depressed.

Was everyone so busy watching the Cubs World Series championship run that they didn’t go see any properties for sale?

And does that mean the market will be picking up now that the Cubs are champs and the election is over on Tuesday?

House hunting takes back seat to Cubs, campaign [Crain’s Chicago Business, by Dennis Rodkin, November 2, 2016]

This 3-bedroom penthouse in the Silver Tower at 303 W. Ohio in River North came on the market in October 2016.

It is on the Northeast corner with views of the John Hancock building and the rest of downtown.

The kitchen has dark cabinets, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and a breakfast bar.

There’s a marble bath in the master suite.

The unit has a private 24×6 balcony with city views.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2-car parking is available for $40,000 each.

This unit sold in 2012 with the 2-car parking for $510,000 and has come back on the market, with the parking included, with a price gain of over 100% at $1,029,900.

Will it get the premium?

Gail Spreen at Streeterville Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #4001: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1888 square feet

• Sold in February 2012 for $510,000 (included 2 parking spaces)
• Originally listed in October 2016 for $949,900 (plus $80,000 for 2 parking spaces) = $1,029,900
• Currently still listed at $1,029,900
• Assessments of $914 a month (includes doorman, cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $10,847
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 12×12
• Bedroom #2: 12×9
• Bedroom #3: 12×10
• Balcony: 24×6

This 3-bedroom vintage row house at 1845 N. Halsted in Lincoln Park came on the market in September 2016.

It’s actually the building behind this main building- where the realtor sign is in the picture.

If it looks familiar that’s because we chattered about it when it was last on the market in February 2013. You can see that chatter here.

Back in 2013, this row house was red brick but it has since been painted- is that yellow and green/gray?

It has three levels with two bedrooms on the second floor and one bedroom in the basement.

The basement also has a family room.

The kitchen has 42 inch cabinets, quartz counter tops, stainless steel appliances and a glass subway tile backsplash.

The row house also has an original stain glass window and crown molding.

It has central air and an outdoor parking space.

This is the third sale of this property in the last 5 years. They are asking $650,000, or 14% more than the 2013 selling price of $569,500.

Will they get the premium?

Michael Shenfeld at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #A: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed, 1 parking space

• Sold in September 1988 for $182,000
• Sold in September 1999 for $345,000
• Sold in October 2002 for $407,500
• Sold in December 2007 for $560,000
• Sold in April 2011 for $549,000
• Was listed in February 2013 for $579,000
• Sold in April 2011 for $549,000
• Originally listed in September 2016 for $650,000
• Currently still listed for $650,000
• Assessments are now $286 a month (they were $231 a month in 2013)- includes exterior maintenance, scavenger and snow removal
• Taxes are now $9506 (they were of $7297 in 2013)
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 15×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 17×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×9 (lower level)
• Family room: 16×15 (lower level)

This 5-bedroom Tudor English manor at 6087 N. Kirkwood in Sauganash came on the market in March 2016.

Built in 1937, it has many of its vintage features intact including cove moldings, custom millwork, historical lead glass windows, arched doorways and two wood burning stone fireplaces.

It’s on an oversized corner lot measuring 72×125 which allows for a rare 4-car heated/cooled garage.

There’s an outdoor heated in-ground swimming pool with an outdoor kitchen, a gazebo/cabana and an outdoor stone fireplace.

It has a gourmet kitchen with a wine refrigerator.

The listing says the house is over 6,000 square feet.

Four out of the five bedrooms are on the second floor including the master suite.

There are also plenty of family spaces including a playroom on the third floor and a family room and recreation room in the finished basement.

If you’re not using the pool, or it’s winter, you can always work out in the basement exercise room and hang out in the sauna.

Does this house have it all?

Philip Barone at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

6087 N. Kirkwood: 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, over 6,000 square feet, 4 car heated garage

• Sold in April 1993 for $575,000
• Sold in November 2005 for $925,000
• Originally listed in March 2016 for $1.799 million
• Currently still listed at $1.799 million
• Taxes of $14,496
• Central Air
• Oversized lot of 75×125
• 2 wood burning fireplaces
• Outdoor heated pool
• Outdoor kitchen
• Sauna
• Bedroom #1: 19×20 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 19×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 15×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 15×14 (third floor)
• Exercise room: 14×10 (basement)
• Family room: 15×16 (basement)
• Recreation room: 11×31 (basement)
• Playroom: 26×21 (third floor)

This 3-bedroom townhouse at 1843 S. Prairie in the South Loop came on the market in April 2016.

This development was part of the “Homes of the Commonwealth” built in 2005 to replicate the feel of the old historic Prairie street which was filled with mansions of the elite.

Some of you may remember this townhouse from our 2010 discussion when it was a short sale. See that chatter here.

The listing says it has a gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and a large island.

There’s one bedroom on the second floor with two on the third floor.

There’s a big media room on the 4th floor and a lower level family room.

The townhouse has two decks and a 2-car attached garage.

It’s across the street from the cute Woman’s Made Park.

At 4655 square feet, this is among the larger townhouses in the South Loop.

This development sold for a premium in 2005 when it was new.

Will it still get it 11 years later?

Nadine Ferrata at Coldwell Banker has the listing again. See the pictures here.

1843 S. Prairie: 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2 half baths, 4655 square feet, 2 car attached garage

• Sold in August 2005 for $1,403,500
• Was listed as a “short sale” in October 2010 for $1.395 million
• Sold in November 2010 for $1.15 million
• Originally listed in April 2016 for $1.725 million
• Still listed at $1.725 million
• Assessments of $295 a month (they were $225 a month in 2010)- includes lawn care, scavenger, snow removal
• Taxes of $19,157 (they were $19,117 in 2010)
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 14×19 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×17 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×14 (third floor)
• Family room: 15×25 (lower level)
• Media room: 15×22 (fourth floor)
• Terrace: 15×19

This 3-bedroom loft in Domain at 900 N. Kingsbury in the Gold Coast (what is this neighborhood again???) recently came on the market.

(Sorry- this is the only picture I have of the building- but this is the commercial end of it with Groupon etc. I need a new picture!)

We’ve cribbed about a lot of the west facing, smaller lofts in this building but this unit is one of the east facing lofts with city views.

It has big industrial windows with 12 foot concrete ceilings and concrete columns.

The loft has a 25×24 private terrace.

It also has wide plank white oak floors.

The kitchen has quarter sawn walnut cabinets with Caesarstone counter tops, a Wolf range and double oversn.

There’s a separate family room.

The master suite has a custom-built walk-in closet and a steam shower.

It has Ann Sachs tile.

The loft has the features buyers look for including central air, a laundry room and 2-car garage parking.

This loft sold just 2 years ago after it was on the market just a few weeks.

There doesn’t appear to have been any major renovations. The current listing uses some of the 2014 listing pictures.

It is listed for $379,000 more than the 2014 sales price at $2.179 million.

If it sold quickly 2 years ago, will it sell just as quickly this time?

Katie Freeman at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #746: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3160 square feet

• Sold in October 2002 for $935,000 (included 1-car parking)
• Sold in July 2007 for $1.210 million (included 1-car parking)
• Sold in November 2014 for $1.8 million (included 2-car parking)
• Currently listed for $2.179 million (includes 2-car parking)
• Assessments of $1832 a month (includes heat, air conditioning, gas, doorman, cable, Internet, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, and snow removal)
• Taxes of $14,972
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 16×10
• Bedroom #2: 11×10
• Bedroom #3: 11×12
• Terrace: 25×24
• Walk-in closet: 14×9
• Laundry room: 8×6

This 2-bedroom at 119 W. Chestnut in the Gold Coast came on the market in October 2016.

This brick and limestone building was constructed in 1910 and has 9 units.

The listing doesn’t say anything about an elevator in the building. It does, however, have a rooftop deck for the building with skyline views, tables and grills.

This unit is a large 2-bedroom with 2000 square feet.

It has 11 foot ceilings but, unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to have any of the original vintage features.

It has central air, however, which obviously wasn’t original to the unit.

There are hardwood floors throughout, a fireplace and bay windows.

The listing says the kitchen has been updated with white cabinets, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and a new subway tile backsplash.

The master suite has 2 closets and a master bath with a marble shower.

There are walk-in cedar closets and a laundry room.

There’s no deeded parking but the listing says there’s transferrable garage parking. Is it in one of the nearby high rises?

Chestnut is a “secret” Gold Coast street. It is tree-lined and, at this location, one way going west with many older buildings.

However, there are two new luxury apartment high rises going up within about a block of this building.

At $675,000, is this an affordable option for an up-and-coming part of the Gold Coast?

Cindy Wilson at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2E: 2 bedroom, 2 baths, 2000 square feet

• Sold in February 1997 for $241,000
• Originally listed in October 2016 for $675,000
• Currently still listed at $675,000
• Assessments of $569 a month (includes cable, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $9778
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 23×15
• Bedroom #2: 13×12
• Laundry room: 8×7