Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom townhouse at 344 W. Dickens in Lincoln Park came on the market in early September 2015.

The listing says it has been renovated.

Built in 1963, I’m not going to list everything that has been done but here are some of the things:

1. New walnut stained Brazilian cherry floors on all levels
2. New appliances and mechanicals
3. New kitchen, with a 6-burner cooktop and stainless steel appliances
4. New roof and skylights
5. New 3/4″ glass enclosed spiral stairs
6. California closets
7. New bathrooms

There is also a huge 29×14 outdoor terrace with a remote controlled awning.

Both bedrooms are on the second floor.

There’s a lower level family room and laundry room.

The townhouse has central air and one exterior parking place is included.

It is a fee simple townhouse so the monthly HOA is low and includes garbage and snow removal.

This townhouse went under contract once in September.

Will it go under contract again quickly?

Laura Topp at Berkshire Hathaway Koenig Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or see it at the Open Houses on Saturday, Oct 10 from 2- 4 pm and Sunday, Oct 11 from 2-4 pm.

Unit #5: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in May 2004 for $345,000
• Sold in August 2005 for $400,000
• Originally listed in September 2015 for $599,000
• Under contract
• Re-listed in October 2015 for $594,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $589,000
• Assessments of $40 a month (includes scavenger and snow removal)
• Fee simple
• Taxes of $6305
• Central Air
• Exterior parking space included
• Bedroom #1: 19×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 19×13 (second floor)
• Family room: 25×18 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 14×15 (lower level)

This 1-bedroom at 400 E. Randolph in Lakeshore East came on the market in December 2014.

Built in 1963, this 994-unit building was among the first of the “view” buildings in this neighborhood.

But my how the neighborhood has changed.

Now, the south facing balcony from this unit overlooks the Maggie Daley Park and the award winning Millennium Park in addition to the Lake and the Museum Campus at the south end of Lake Shore Drive.

New high rises have also gone up along the Michigan Avenue wall, including the Legacy condo building, enhancing the night time view. Even more buildings are now proposed to grace the south wall.

The listing says this unit has been “completely remodeled and updated.”

It has an open kitchen with maple cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

There are hardwood floors in the main living area.

While it has central air, there’s no washer/dryer in the unit. There’s also no deeded parking but it’s available to rent for $180 a month.

This is a full service building with a doorman and an indoor pool.

At 825 square feet, it is now listed for $449,500, or $545 per square foot.

Are good views always worth the price?

Walter Stunard at Berkshire Hathaway KoenigRubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3405: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 825 square feet

• Originally listed in December 2014 for $468,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $449,500
• Assessments of $663 a month (includes water, gas, doorman, cable, pool, exterior maintenance, snow removal)
• Taxes of $4031
• Central Air
• No washer/dryer in the unit
• Parking is rental at $180 a month
• Bedroom: 11×17

This 2-bedroom at 1601 S. State in the South Loop came on the market in February 2015.

After numerous price reductions it is now listed as a short sale.

We’ve chattered about the distress sales in this building numerous times over the years so this is not the first. See our 2012 chatter on a bank owned unit here.

This unit is a split layout with hardwood floors but the agents who have seen the unit say the second bedroom has no exterior windows.

The kitchen has dark 42″ cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The master bath has marble floors.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is available in the building.

But one of the problems may be the El line that runs directly next to the building.

The unit has a huge 20×20 private terrace, but you can see the El tracks right next to the patio in the pictures.

Now listed $70,000 below the 2007 price, at $250,000, is this a deal?

J. John Maggio at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

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

• Sold in January 2005 for $335,000
• Sold in September 2007 for $320,000
• Originally listed in February 2015 for $350,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $250,000
• Assessments of $414 a month (includes heat, water, gas, parking, cable, exterior maintenance, scavenger and Internet)
• Taxes of $2987
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Parking is available
• Bedroom #1: 14×11
• Bedroom #2: 12×11

This 3-bedroom arts & crafts single family home at 4524 N. Mozart in Ravenswood Manor came on the market in May 2015.

The listing says it has had a “total 2010 renovation” but it still retains much of its original vintage character, including woodwork, built-ins and crown molding.

The kitchen has been expanded and has custom cabinetry, 2 farmhouse sinks, granite counter tops and stainless steel Bosch appliances.

There are also 2 new bathrooms including the master bath with a stand-up shower.

The house has a second floor deck off the back bedroom and a partially finished basement which also has two more bedrooms and a full bath, along with a laundry room.

Built in 1914, it has a 2-car garage on a 30x122x31x122 lot.

It is just a few blocks from the Francisco brown line stop.

The house has been reduced $149,500 to $875,000 since May.

Has the hot market cooled in Ravenswood Manor?

Susan McKenna at Third Meridian Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

4524 N. Mozart: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2474 square feet

• Sold in November 1991 for $208,000
• Originally listed in May 2015 for $1.025 million
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $875,000
• Taxes of $8784
• Central Air
• 2-car garage
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 10×17 (basement
• Bedroom #5: 10×14 (basement)

This 2-bedroom loft in the Paper Place Lofts at 801 S. Wells in the South Loop came on the market in July 2015.

The Paper Place Lofts were designed by Daniel Burnham in 1915. The building was originally a general office building and supported the businesses using the Central State train depot.

It’s now 108 concrete lofts.

Many of the original features of the building remain including high barrel vaulted terra cotta ceilings although many of the units have painted over the tiles, as this unit has.

This loft also has exposed brick and a wall of west facing windows and one south facing window.

Apparently, there will be development just to the south of this building in a midrise building. This unit is on the 7th floor.

The kitchen has modern wood cabinets, black appliances and a stainless steel kitchen island.

The listing says the kitchen has been “reconfigured” and has stone floors and a separate shower.

The second bedroom has slate floors but no windows.

The loft has the features buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit but there’s no parking with the building. There is apparently rental available in the neighborhood.

Since July, this loft has been reduced $16,000 to $299,000.

With two huge development projects expected to move forward literally almost across the street from this unit, is this the time to get into this exploding neighborhood before the prices skyrocket?

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

Unit #701: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in April 1997 for $158,500
• Sold in June 2004 for $285,000
• Originally listed in July 2015 for $315,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $299,000
• Assessments of $491 a month (includes cable, water, exercise room, exterior maintenance, snow removal and scavenger)
• Taxes of $2937
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• No parking with the building
• Bedroom #1: 17×10
• Bedroom #2: 15×15

This 2-bedroom in The Warwick at 1501 N. State Parkway in the Gold Coast recently came on the market.

The Warwick was built in 1975. It has 55 units with balconies.

It’s a full service and amenity building with a doorman, a parking garage, with guest parking, a sun deck, an indoor pool and a live-in engineer.

This unit is a southeast corner unit with city and lake views.

It has an open kitchen with dark wood cabinets, granite counter tops and a wine fridge.

There’s a master suite with a new spa-like bath.

It has washer/dryer in the unit, central air and parking is included in the assessment.

With all of the new high rises that have been built over the last 15 years, is it hard for the older buildings to compete?

Stacey Grossman at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #11C: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1800 square feet

• Sold in August 2002 for $850,000
• Sold in September 2005 for $885,000
• Currently listed for $990,000
• Assessments of $1558 a month (includes cable and water and all of the amenities listed above in the post)
• Taxes of $11098
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Parking is included in the assessment along with guest parking
• Bedroom #1: 20×14
• Bedroom #2: 14×13

This 2-bedroom in The Green Brier at 559 W. Surf in East Lakeview came on the market in September 2015.

Built in 1903, the building has 78 units, a doorman and parking. Some listings say it is indoor and others say it is outdoors.

This unit on the 7th floor has north and south exposures.

Most of its original features remain, including pocket doors, thick crown molding and window moldings.

It has a decorative fireplace.

The unit also has a very unusual octagonal living room and an office.

It has all the other features buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit. Parking is included in the price.

This unit last sold 12 years ago.

Is this a rare opportunity to own a vintage beauty?

Helen Sobel at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #704: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1500 square feet

• Sold in September 1999 for $233,000
• Sold in September 2003 for $315,000
• Listed in September 2015 for $366,000 (parking included)
• Currently still listed at $366,000
• Assessments of $725 a month (includes water, doorman, cable, exterior maintenance, snow removal, scavenger)
• This building had a special assessment earlier this year. Does anyone know anything?
• Taxes of $5086
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 17×13
• Bedroom #2: 14×14
• Office: 8×6

This 2-bedroom duplex at 2343 N. Greenview in West Lincoln Park came on the market in July 2015.

The listing says it is an “architect designer rehab”.

It has 20 foot ceilings in the living/dining/kitchen with dark espresso wood floors and south city views.

The listing says the kitchen has been “newly remodeled.” It has white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

There is just one bath but it is “newly remodeled” with 2 sinks.

Both bedrooms and a den are on the second floor.

This unit has central air and gated, secured parking is included. But it doesn’t appear to have in-unit laundry.

It has been listed for more than 75 days and been reduced $24,000.

Buyers love move-in ready properties. So why isn’t this selling?

Frank Mitrick at Real Tek Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #212: 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 1400 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in April 1993 for $170,000
• Sold in June 1996 for $177,500
• Originally listed in July 2015 for $359,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $335,000
• Assessments of $255 a month (includes water, security system, exterior maintenance, scavenger, and snow removal)
• Taxes of $4396
• Central Air
• No washer/dryer in the unit
• Gated parking included
• Bedroom #1: 18×18 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×10 (second floor)
• Den: 10×8 (second floor)

This 1-bedroom duplex up loft at 411 W. Ontario in River North came on the market in April 2015.

The listing has dubbed it the “White Palace” because everything in it is white except the timber ceilings.

The kitchen has European style white cabinets with white counter tops and stainless steel appliances (so I guess those are one of the only other things not white.)

The bedroom is on the second floor and you ascend a white staircase to get there.

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

White is “in” as a decorating motif.

But this unit is on the first floor of the building- not the high first floor- but the actual first floor.

It has been reduced $60,000 since April to $339,000.

What will it take to make a sale on this property?

Barbara Sapstein at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #101: 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths, duplex up, no square footage listed

• Sold in June 1995 for $145,000
• Sold in June 1999 for $200,000
• Sold in December 2007 for $285,000
• Originally listed in April 2015 for $399,000
• Was under contract in May 2015
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $339,000 (included garage parking)
• Assessments of $445 a month (includes water, parking, doorman, cable)
• Taxes of $4179
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 18×12 (second floor)

This top floor 2-bedroom at 559 W. Roscoe in East Lakeview just came on the market.

The building was constructed in 1920 and has 6 units.

This unit has many of its original features include crown molding and a butler’s pantry.

The kitchen has white cabinets and counter tops along with stainless steel appliances and a wine refrigerator. It also has an eat-in breakfast nook with a skylight.

There are espresso stained hardwood floors throughout and a gas fireplace.

This unit has a washer/dryer in the unit but no central air.

There also is no private outdoor space with this unit but there is a community patio area.

But what makes this property very unique for East Lakeview is that it comes with its own 2-car tandem private garage.

That is the garage door on the front of the building.

Even 1-car parking is rare for East Lakeview let alone two spots.

Will this sell quickly because of the parking?

Kim Kerbis at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or go to the Open Houses this weekend on Saturday, Oct 3 from 1-3 pm or Sunday, Oct 4 from 1-3 pm.

Unit #3W: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1550 square feet

• Sold in September 1991 for $155,500
• Sold in November 1998 for $270,000
• Sold in May 2001 for $365,000
• Sold in March 2006 for $450,000
• Sold in August 2009 for $460,000
• Sold in August 2013 for $415,000
• Currently listed for $428,000 (includes 2-car tandem garage parking)
• Assessments of $520 a month (includes water, exterior maintenance and scavenger)
• Taxes of $6612
• No central air- window units only
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 16×13
• Bedroom #2: 13×11
• Dining room: 17×12