Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom farmhouse at 2734 N. Marshfield in Lincoln Park just came on the market.

Built in 1870,  it has been transformed into a contemporary loft-like space inside with a floating staircase.

It has floor to ceiling windows in the back of the house which look out onto the 25×127 lot.

The master bedroom is on the second level with the second bedroom on the first level.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and butcher block counter tops. (Is that a small size refrigerator tucked next to the stove?)

It has central air and a 2-car garage.

Who’s the target market for a house like this?

A townhouse buyer?

Emily Sachs Wong at Koenig & Strey Real Living has the listing. See the pictures here.

2734 N. Marshfield: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage
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• Sold in January 1988 for $91,000
• Currently listed for $599,000
• Taxes of $7216
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 19×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 6×15 (main floor)
• Family room: 10×12 (main floor)

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We last chattered about this 1-bedroom authentic loft at 2226 N. Racine in Lincoln Park in June 2013.

See our prior chatter here.

Listed at $320,000, most of you thought this was overpriced.

It was withdrawn and recently re-listed reduced by $10,000 to $310,000.

If you recall, this loft has 14-foot ceilings and an open floor plan with the bedroom on a “second” floor/half floor without full walls.

It has exposed brick walls and timber ceilings and large industrial sized windows.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and butcher block counter tops.

The listing says the bathroom has been rehabbed.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and parking is available for $30,000.

Will the $10,000 reduction make the sale?

Shaun Moskalik at Koenig & Strey Real Living still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #4: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, no square footage listed
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• Sold in March 1993 for $166,500
• Sold in September 1997 for $197,500
• Sold in July 2004 for $315,000
• Sold in June 2007 for $335,000 (no parking included)
• Was listed in June 2013 for $320,000 (parking is $30,000 extra)
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $310,000 (plus $30,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $225 a month
• Taxes of $4776
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 14×10

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We last chattered about this 5-bedroom single family home at 637 W. Schubert in Lincoln Park in July 2013.

See our prior chatter here.

It had been on and off the market at prices above $500,000 before re-listing for $499,000.

Some of you were surprised it hadn’t sold yet.

It’s still available and has reduced another $74,000 to $425,000.

What’s the catch?

If you remember, it was built in 1876 on a smaller than average size lot of 27×52.75.

There’s no room for a garage or parking of any kind.

One side of the house is also on the unusual “street/alley” that is Geneva Terrace which leads to the enclave of million dollar homes that we have chattered about before (see that chatter here.)

It is being sold “as-is” as a teardown (in fact, it is listed both as a house and as a piece of land on the MLS.)

The listing says it has RT4 zoning.

Most of the listing pictures are of the exterior of the house although there are a couple of the interiors.

3 of the 5 bedrooms are on the main floor with two on the second floor.

Will someone take a chance when it gets into the $300,000s?

Maribel Selva at Coldwell Banker still has the listing. See the pictures here.

637 W. Schubert: 5 bedrooms, 2 baths, no garage
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• Sold before 1987
• Originally listed in May 2013 for $575,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in July 2013 “as-is” for $499,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $425,000
• Taxes of $7802
• No central air
• Bedroom #1: 10×10 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 12×10 (main level)
• Bedroom #3: 10×10 (main level)
• Bedroom #4: 10×12 (second level)
• Bedroom #5: 10×10 (second level)

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River North isn’t all high rises. This 3-bedroom townhouse at 419 W. Grand just came on the market.

The listing says there have been some renovations including new windows and new marble baths.

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

Two of the bedrooms are on the second floor with the third on the third floor along with the family room.

The townhouse has several outdoor spaces including a 25×20 roof deck.

It has a 2-car attached heated garage and central air.

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

Is this a good alternative for a family that still wants all the excitement of River North but doesn’t want the high rise?

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

Or see it at the Open House this Sunday, Sep 15 from 11 AM- 1 PM.

Unit #I: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage
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• Sold in May 2000 for $508,500
• Sold in July 2002 for $611,000
• Sold in March 2008 for $817,500 (looks like there’s a typo in the public record)
• Currently listed for $919,000
• Assessments of $524 a month
• Taxes of $13309
• Central Air
• Rooftop deck: 25×20
• Bedroom #1: 20×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×12 (third floor)
• Family room: 20×15 (third floor)

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This 2-bedroom in the Renaissance at 5510 N. Sheridan in Edgewater came on the market in April 2013.

The Renaissance was built in 1927 and has 32 units.

This unit is on the 16th floor and has lake and city views.

At 1875 square feet, it has the expansive feel of the pre-war vintage units along with arched hallways and doors, barrel vaulted ceilings in the foyer, custom millwork and crown molding.

It has built-in bookcases along with 2 fireplaces.

This unit has a living room/dining combo and then a separate family room off the kitchen, which makes me think that family room was probably, at one time, the dining room as they had no concept of a living/dining “combo” back in 1927.

The kitchen has white cabinets, granite counter tops and Subzero, Wolf and Miele appliances.

It also has a very special 1947 O’Keefe & Merritt refurbished stove.

The unit has space pak cooling and 1 parking spot which appears to be leased. It doesn’t have in-unit washer/dryer, however.

Listed at $499,000, is this a deal for the square footage and views?

Marikay Belsanti at Koenig & Strey Real Living has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #16B: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1875 square feet
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• Sold in July 1999 for $179,000
• Sold in October 2001 for $355,000
• Sold in July 2004 for $455,000
• Originally listed in April 2013 for $499,000
• Currently still listed for $499,000
• Assessments of $934 a month (includes heat, gas)
• The other properties on the market talk about a special assessment in their listings.
• Taxes of $486 (?)- listing says it’s a condo but maybe it’s a co-op
• Space pak cooling
• No washer/dryer in the unit
• 1-car parking which appears to be leased in the building
• 2 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 16×11
• Bedroom #2: 11×9
• Family room: 16×13

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This 3-bedroom loft at 1235 W. George in Lakeview came on the market in July 2013.

There aren’t many authentic brick and timber loft developments in Lakeview as you find as you get closer to the loop.

This development has 26 units, some of which are loft-like townhouses.

This loft, however, is all on one floor with a second floor private rooftop deck.

It has tall timber ceilings, exposed ductwork and brick and wide open spaces.

French doors lead to the 3rd bedroom, which also has a skylight.

The kitchen has cherry cabinets, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and subway tiles for the backsplash.

This loft also has rare 2-car garage parking which is underneath the building so you never have to be out in the elements.

It has central air and in-unit washer/dryer.

Originally listed in July for $510,000, it has recently been reduced $10,000.

Is this a loft that will command a half a million dollars?

Michael Shenfeld at Koenig & Strey Real Living has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #214: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage parking
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• Sold in June 2002 for $420,000
• Originally listed in July 2013 for $510,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $500,000
• Assessments of $328 a month
• Taxes of $5736
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Private rooftop deck
• Bedroom #1: 14×12 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 11×11 (main level)
• Bedroom #3: 10×9 (main level)

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This 4-bedroom cottage-style house at 1421 W. Wolfram in Lakeview has been on the market twice this year.

The first time was in April and May but it didn’t sell.

It recently came back on in August.

It seems to have all the features buyers would look for.

3 of the 4 bedrooms are on the second floor with the fourth, and smallest bedroom, in the basement.

It has a large eat in kitchen with custom cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

There is a lower level family room.

The house is on a 24×124 lot and has a 2-car garage.

It also has central air.

Originally listed in August for $1.05 million it has been reduced to $999,000.

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

Move-in ready houses in Lakeview priced under $1 million were selling like hotcakes just a few months ago.

Why isn’t this selling?

Jeanine Wheeler at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or you can go to the Open House this Sunday, Sep 15 from 12-2 PM.

1421 W. Wolfram: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage
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• Sold in January 1988 for $70,000
• Sold in October 1988 for $160,000
• Sold in August 2003 for $735,000
• Sold in March 2007 for $931,000
• Originally listed in April 2013 for $1.05 million
• Withdrawn in May 2013
• Re-listed in August 2013 for $1.05 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $999,000
• Taxes of $10,879
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 19×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 16×8 (lower level)
• Family room: 17×16 (lower level)

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This 4-bedroom pre-war condo at 222 E. Chestnut in the Gold Coast has been on the market about a year.

It has many of its original 1929 features including parquet floors, the original crown molding, picture framing and wainscoting, French doors, a wood burning fireplace and a butler’s pantry.

At 2750 square feet, it also has a full-sized dining room and a grand entrance foyer measuring 24×7.

There are only 2 units per floor in this building and only 46 total units.

The unit has North, South and West views.

It has central air but there’s no parking with the building. There is monthly rental right next door however.

There’s also no in-unit washer/dryer with this unit but some of the others appear to have it which means it is probably allowed.

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

Originally listed in September 2012 for $890,000, it has been reduced $91,000.

Is this a good option for families looking for space in this location?

Mario Greco at Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #12A: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2750 square feet
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• I couldn’t find the last sale but it might have been in 1988
• Originally listed in September 2012 for $890,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $799,000
• Assessments of $1529 a month (includes heat, gas, doorman)
• Taxes of $8306
• Central Air
• No washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking- but rental next door
• Bedroom #1: 17×13
• Bedroom #2: 13×12
• Bedroom #3: 13×9
• Bedroom #4: 21×11

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We last chattered about this 1-bedroom at 2500 N. Lakeview in early August 2013.

See our prior chatter here.

At 900 square feet, it is east facing so it DOES have Lincoln Park views.

A month ago, it was priced at $219,000 and many of you thought that was a deal for the square footage, location and the fact that it had in-unit washer/dryer.

It has now been reduced to $209,900.

The unit has some unique features that you normally don’t find in a 1970s building including teak herringbone cherry floors, crown molding and French doors.

The kitchen has maple cabinets, Corian counter tops and white appliances.

The listing says there are new floor to ceiling windows.

There are 2 wall air conditioning units and it also has in-unit washer/dryer. Parking is available to rent in the building for $155 a month.

This is a full-service building with a doorman, pool and exercise room.

What’s happened to the market in the last 4 weeks?

Have sellers missed their golden opportunity?

Heidie Maslo at Coldwell Banker still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #503: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 900 square feet
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• Sold in June 1997 for $145,000
• Was listed in August 2013 for $219,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $209,900
• Assessments of $594 a month (includes doorman, pool)
• Taxes of $3384
• No central air- wall units instead
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Parking available to rent in the building for $155 a month
• Bedroom: 16×13

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This 3-bedroom vintage townhouse at 621 W. Oakdale in East Lakeview just came on the market.

It’s rare to find a 3-bedroom townhouse in this location because of the age of the properties in East Lakeview.

This townhouse has some of its vintage features intact including crown molding, two fireplaces, French doors, and a secret kitchen staircase that leads to an office or library.

It also has features modern buyers look for including all 3 bedrooms on the second floor and a lower level family room with a bar and a sauna.

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

It has central air and a 1-car garage (which it looks like you have to pull in sideways.)

The house is built on a 23×49 lot. The outdoor space appears to be a second floor deck on top of the garage.

There are no HOAs with this townhouse although there is a row of maybe 5 or 6 of these all connected on this block.

Does that mean you’re left to guilt your next door neighbor into painting his front deck?

A few months ago, this would have sold in a day.

Now’s your chance.

Is this townhouse a good duplex down alternative?

Nancy Finley at Keller Williams Preferred has the listing. See the pictures here.

621 W. Oakdale: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, 1 car garage
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• Sold in February 1991 for $235,000 (though the public record looks messed up so I’m not sure this is correct)
• Currently listed for $585,000
• No assessments
• Taxes of $7658
• Central Air
• 2 fireplaces
• Sauna
• Bedroom #1: 21×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×11 (second floor)
• Family room: 21×16 (lower level)

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