Crib Chatter

This 4-bedroom duplex down at 2733 N. Hampden Court in East Lincoln Park recently came on the market.

Usually when we’ve chattered about duplex downs, they are newer construction.

This building was built in 1911.

This unit has many of its original vintage features including wood floors, moldings, pocket doors and 9 1/2 foot ceilings on the main floor.

3 of the 4 bedrooms are on the main floor with the fourth and a family room in the lower level.

The kitchen has white cabinets and luxury appliances including a Wolf range and refrigerator.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 1-car parking is included.

This unit is listed $40,000 more than its 2010 purchase price at just $450,000.

Given the low inventory, will it get the premium?

Steve McEwen at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1B: 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage, duplex down
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• Sold in March 1995 for $175,000
• Sold in June 2003 for $421,000
• Sold in May 2006 for $470,000
• Sold in April 2010 for $410,000
• Currently listed at $450,000
• Assessments of $239 a month
• Taxes of $4872
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Parking included

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We’ve chattered about this 2-bedroom at 1111 N. Winchester in Ukrainian Village in West Town several times over the last few years.

It first went on the market in August 2011.

In the old listing, it said the unit had roof rights and provided architect sketches of what the deck would look like should you choose to build it.

See our 2012 chatter here.

The unit finally sold in February 2013.

But it’s come back on the market and the issue of the roof top deck is back as well.

The listing again says “includes roof rights” and this time, while there are no sketches of the deck, there is a picture depicting the roof and the view you’d have.

If you recall, this was a 2007 conversion.

The unit has a new kitchen with dark cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

It has 3 exposures.

The unit has central air and parking but I’m not sure about the washer/dryer in the unit. In the last listing, there was a private laundry room/storage area in the basement with the unit’s own washer/dryer. In this listing, it appears to include the washer/dryer.

The unit is just minutes away from the shops and restaurants on hopping Division Street.

It sold in February 2013 for $264,000.

The unit came back on the market in August for $289,900 but has been reduced to $274,900.

The property already has a large back deck.

Will the rooftop deck EVER get built?

If not- why advertise it?

Are buyers looking in this price range really concerned about having one if it’s not already there?

Debbie Maue at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3R: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square footage listed
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• Sold in November 2007 for $288,000
• Originally listed in August 2011 for $295,000
• Withdrawn in November 2011
• Was listed in March 2012 at $287,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in August 2012 at $279,999
• Sold in February 2013 for $264,000
• Re-listed in August 2013 for $289,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $274,900
• Assessments now $170 a month (they were $150 a month in 2012)
• Taxes of $2630
• Central Air
• Private laundry room in the basement? Or in the unit?
• Outdoor parking included
• Bedroom #1: now 11×8 (it was 13×7 in the old listing)
• Bedroom #2: now 10×8 (it was 12×7 in the old listing)

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This 3-bedroom duplex up at 600 N. Kingsbury in River North just came on the market.

The listing calls it a “penthouse” because it’s on the top floor of that lower part of the building in the picture.

The unit overlooks the park and has river views.

There is an office/den on the second level which has 2 stories worth of windows.

2 of the 3 bedrooms are on the main floor with the third on the second floor.

The kitchen has stainless steel, granite and white cabinets.

There is central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2 car parking is available for $25,000 each.

Including the 2-car parking (which the other sales, except the 2002 purchase, did include), this unit is priced at the 2006 purchase price.

Is it a positive for the housing market that the bubble has reflated in the River North neighborhood?

Bryan Eugenio at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #509: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, duplex up, 2000 square feet
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• Sold in October 2002 for $666,000 (included 1 parking space)
• Sold in October 2006 for $647,500 (included 2 parking spaces)
• Sold in September 2010 for $525,000 (included 2 parking spaces)
• Currently listed for $600,000 (2 parking spaces are $25,000 each)
• Assessments of $975 a month (includes doorman, cable, gas, pool, heat and air conditioning)
• Taxes of $8478
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 13×11 (main floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×10 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×10 (second floor)
• Den: 16×9 (second floor)

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This 2-bedroom loft at 154 W. Hubbard in River North just came on the market.

Some of you may remember this 18-unit loft building because it was converted by Studio Dwell to lofts just before the bust hit in 2007.

While the building sold out quickly, after the financial crisis the re-sellers had more difficulties.

See our February 2011 chatter on Unit #404 here.

But that was then and this is now.

If you recall, the lofts in this building have exposed brick and timber ceilings.

The kitchen has Italian cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

The master bath has heated floors.

It appears that the second bedroom doesn’t have a window, however.

The loft has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is included.

The listing says it “probably has the lowest assessments in River North.”

The loft is listed $64,900 above the 2008 purchase price at $624,900.

Is $600,000+ the new price point for a luxury River North 2/2 loft?

Duane Shumaker at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #304: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1600 square feet
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• Sold in March 2008 for $560,000
• Currently listed at $624,900
• Assessments of $240 a month (includes snow removal)
• Taxes of $7078
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• 1 car parking included
• Bedroom #1: 15×15
• Bedroom #2: 11×10

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This 2-bedroom triplex loft in the Prairie District Lofts at 1727 S. Indiana in the South Loop just came on the market.

At 2000 square feet, it has the features loft lovers crave with 16 foot timber ceilings, several walls of exposed brick and industrial arched windows.

You don’t have to worry about noise from above because this is a top floor unit with skylights and a private 600 square foot roof deck.

It has a spiral staircase that leads to a lofted den.

The kitchen has cherry cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The bathrooms are slate and marble.

The loft has central air and washer/dryer in the unit. Parking is leased in the building for $130 a month.

It has come on the market $60,000 under the 2009 price.

Is this a deal?

Alex Till at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or you can see it in person at the Open House on Sunday, September 29 from 11- 2 PM.

Unit #401: 2 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2000 square feet, triplex
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• Sold in September 2007 for $360,000
• Sold in August 2009 for $535,000
• Currently listed for $475,000
• Assessments of $493 a month
• Taxes of $4028
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Parking is rental for $130 a month
• Roof deck = 600 square feet
• Bedroom #1: 21×13 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×12 (second floor)
• Den: 17×12 (second floor)

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This 3-bedroom duplex up at 925 N. Wolcott in the East Village neighborhood of West Town came on the market in August 2013.

This group of buildings was originally a Studio Dwell and Ranquist development.

Built in 2004 (could it be almost 10 years already?), there are 9 units.

The  interior of this unit is contemporary with white Arclinea cabinets and marble counter tops along with Subzero and Miele appliances.

Two of the three bedrooms are on the main floor. The third bedroom is on the second floor along with an open loft space.

There is a 27×15 enclosed terrace on the main level, garage parking, washer/dryer in the unit and central air.

Originally listed for $574,900, it has been quickly reduced $35,000.

Is this unit now priced to sell?

Peter Constance at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #102: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, duplex up
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• Sold in April 2004 for $470,000
• Sold in August 2008 for $500,000
• Originally listed in August 2013 for $574,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $539,900
• Assessments of $323 a month
• Taxes of $7417
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Parking included
• Bedroom #1: 15×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×10 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×10 (main floor)
• Loft: 16×11 (second floor)
• Terrace: 27×15 (main level)

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We’ve chattered about this 3-bedroom in a vintage greystone building at 814 W. Roscoe in Lakeview several times over the last few years.

See our May 2013 chatter here.

It has reduced $40,000 since we first chattered about it.

Many of you have liked this unit renovated/rehabbed unit over the years. Sonies originally thought it was very “New York-ish”.

Converted into condos in 2006, the living/dining and kitchen area now sports the popular open layout with what the listing calls a “chef’s kitchen” with stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

It has 14-foot high ceilings, crown molding and a fireplace.

The 3 bedrooms are also larger than what you might normally find in a vintage unit. It’s also unusual to find a vintage unit with 3 bathrooms. They usually just have 2.

The master bathroom is marble with a double vanity.

The property has the amenities buyers are looking for in this price range including central air, washer-dryer in the unit and 1-car parking.

This building appears to be a three-story walk-up.

Why do some GreenZone properties sell within a day or a week and others sit on the market for months? Could the lack of an elevator be the issue?

Brad Lippitz at Prudential Rubloff still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3W: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, no square footage listed
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• Sold in August 2006 for $587,500
• Originally listed in August 2010 for $589,000
• Withdrawn in July 2011
• Was listed in September 2012 for $569,000
• Withdrawn
• Was listed in May 2013 at $549,000
• Still listed at $549,000
• Assessments still $251 a month
• Taxes now $8491 (they were $8044 in August 2010)
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Parking included
• Bedroom #1: 16×14
• Bedroom #2: 11×14
• Bedroom #3: 15×12

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We’ve chattered about this 4-bedroom Victorian at 2029 N. Seminary in Lincoln Park several times over the last few years.

See our September 2012 chatter here.

It came on the market in 2010. Last year, some of you were surprised it hadn’t yet sold.

Built in 1861 on a 25×124 lot, the house pre-dates the Chicago fire (making it among the oldest houses we’ve ever chattered about) and the oldest in West Lincoln Park.

The listing says it was originally a farmhouse.

With 3 fireplaces it still has its antique mantles and leaded glass.

It also has the modern amenities of central air and a 2-car garage.

The extensive listing says it was last renovated in 1992 (when it also last sold.)

The kitchen has white cabinets and black appliances.

It has reduced $45,400 in the last 12 months.

Is this house not selling because buyers want “new”?

Jennifer Ames at Coldwell Banker still has the listing. See the pictures and floorplan here.

2029 N. Seminary: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage
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• Sold in May 1992 for $560,000
• Originally listed in June 2010 for $1,749,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in February 2012 at $1,574,900
• Was still listed in September 2012 at $1,574,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1,529,500
• Taxes now $13,766 (they were $16573 in September 2012)
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 15×19 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×15 (lower level)
• Recreation Room: 19×14 (lower level)

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This 1-bedroom in the Parkview Condominiums at 505 N. McClurg in Streeterville just came on the market.

It doesn’t get any more “middle of the city” than this.

The corner unit has several city views including from its balcony.

At 1053 square feet, this unit is oversized compared to most 1-bedrooms so there is room for a dining room table.

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

It’s a full-service building with an outdoor pool, exercise room and doorman.

The unit has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and parking is available for rent or $50,000 extra.

Santiago Valdez at Re/Max Signature has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or you can see it in person at the Open House on Sunday, September 29 from 1- 3 PM.

Unit #1906: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1053 square feet
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• Sold in July 2008 for $448,000
• Currently listed for $459,900 (parking is $50,000 extra)
• Assessments of $421 a month (includes heat, gas, doorman, cable, pool)
• Taxes of $6202
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 14×12

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This 3-bedroom penthouse duplex-up at 111 S. Morgan in the West Loop recently came on the market.

At 2600 square feet, it has outdoor spaces on both floors.

The kitchen has what look like maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

One bedroom is on the main floor with the other two on the second level.

There is also a 5×6 laundry room on the main floor.

But the real selling point of this penthouse are the FIVE indoor deeded parking spaces that are included in the price.

Are car enthusiasts the target market for this duplex?

Richard Lillie Jr. at Ascend Real Estate has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #906: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2600 square feet, duplex up
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• I couldn’t find an original price
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in October 2009
• Currently listed for $899,000
• Assessments of $1100 a month (includes cable, doorman)
• Taxes of $11,472
• 5 indoor parking spaces included
• Bedroom #1: 18×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×11 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×12 (second floor)
• Laundry room: 5×6 (main floor)

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