Crib Chatter

We’ve chattered about a lot of units built in former churches and synagogues over the years.

This 2-bedroom duplex up in a former church at 3101 N. Seminary in Lakeview still has some of the original church features such as the cathedral ceilings in the living room and the huge church windows.

The unit also has exposed brick and a balcony.

The two bedrooms are on the main floor along with a family room. A lofted den is on the second floor.

The listing says there is a “chef’s kitchen” with white cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

There is a spa style master bath.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and attached garage parking.

Is this property a good single family home alternative?

Linda Christon at D’Aprile Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #D: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2400 square feet, 1 car  parking

• Sold in April 2002 for $684,000
• Sold in October 2004 for $224,500 (typo in the public record? Maybe $724,500?)
• Originally listed in October 2012 for $850,000
• Currently still listed at $850,000
• Assessments of $632 a month
• Taxes of $12,282
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 16×11 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 15×10 (main level)
• Family room: 21×14 (main level)
• Loft: 16×12 (second level)

This 5-bedroom new construction single family home at 1244 W. George in Lakeview came on the market at the end of November 2012 (although it appears to have been temporarily removed from the MLS.)

Built on a 24x123x25x123 lot (per the prior listing), the house is in the contemporary style.

It has an open floor plan with a modern staircase.

The kitchen has luxury finishes such as SubZero and Wolf appliances.

There’s also a wine cellar and a roof deck along with 2 car parking.

While we’ve seen new construction homes in Lakeview listed for $1.799 million before, this house doesn’t appear to be in one of the “B” school districts (Burley, Blaine or Bell.)

Is the new entry point for a new single family home in Lakeview over $1.5 million?

Serigo & Banks has the listing. You can still see the pictures here (interiors are from a similar property since the house is still under construction.)

1244 W. George: 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage

• Previous building sold in August 2012 for $365,000
• Originally listed in November 2012 for $1.799 million
• Temporarily off the market
• Taxes are “new”
• Bedroom #1: 17×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×10 (third floor)
• Bedroom #5: 13×12 (fourth floor)

This 2-bedroom at 78 E. Elm in the Gold Coast just came on the market listed at $125,000.

Yes, it is bank owned and being sold “as-is.”

And yes, it is a garden apartment. The listing says the master bedroom leads to a patio.

There are only a couple of pictures with the listing. The kitchen appears to be intact, with white cabinets, counter tops and appliances.

I know you’re thinking “Sabrina, who wants to live in a garden apartment?”

But apparently 2 other buyers have since 1988.

It is now listed $52,000 under the 1988 price.

Yes- 1988.

Is this a steal?

Alexander Chaparro at Dream Town has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet, garden apartment

• Sold in March 1988 for $177,000
• Sold in October 1997 for $255,500
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in August 2010
• Currently listed “as-is” for $125,000
• Assessments aren’t listed
• Taxes of $4385
• Listing says no central air
• No mention of washer/dryer either in the unit or the building
• No mention of parking
• Bedroom #1: 17×15
• Bedroom #2: 15×11

We’ve chattered about rowhouses on historic Alta Vista in Lakeview many times on Crib Chatter. This is the block long street with 40 rowhouses made to resemble London rowhouses. It is a landmark block.

This 4-bedroom rowhouse at 3837 N. Alta Vista has been on the market since May 2012.

Built in 1901, it is on a 25×50 lot.

The listing doesn’t mention parking. Some on this block have parking (or room for it) in the backyard- and some do not.

On this block, it can be hit or miss with some rowhouses completely renovated and others not at all.

The listing says this rowhouse has wood floors and extensive woodwork. That appears to be the original tile surround on the fireplace.

The listing also says the kitchen has “newer” white cabinets.

This property was just reduced $50,000 to $450,000.

It is a short sale. A lis pendens foreclosure was filed against it in early November but the banks have been trying to sell properties through the short sale process where they are getting higher prices- rather than take the property back.

Will this sell as a short sale before it ever goes back to the bank?

And is this a deal for this block?

(By the way- of interest- the Coldwell Banker web site says this property had been viewed nearly 1600 times since May- and still no one has bought it.)

Pete Rodgriguez at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

3837 N. Alta Vista: 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in March 2006 for $529,000
• Originally listed in May 2012 for $500,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in November 2012
• Reduced
• Currently listed as a “short sale” at $450,000
• Taxes of $9658
• Central Air
• No parking listed
• Bedroom #1: 15×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 10×10 (second floor)
• Listing also mentions a 5th bedroom in the basement with finished bath

This 2-bedroom in the midrise tudor courtyard building at 2112 W. North Avenue in Bucktown came on the market in October 2012.

At just 850 square feet, it still manages to pack more punch than many 2-bedrooms double its size, including having a separate eating area.

There are hardwood floors throughout and a covered balcony.

The unit has a gas brick fireplace.

The kitchen has white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

There is central air but no in-unit washer/dryer. Nor is there deeded parking but rental parking is available for $75 a month just steps away.

But there’s no need to have a car because this building is located just a block away from the Damen blue line stop and is right in the heart of all the shops and restaurants of both Bucktown and Wicker Park.

If you’re thinking “these were converted to condos during the housing boom so they should go back to being rental apartments” you would be wrong. Built in 1906, they’ve been condo units going back to at least 1997.

Are these starter condos still in demand?

Eric Marcus at Eric Marcus Real Estate Group has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2E: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 850 square feet

• Sold in May 1997 for $106,000
• Sold in October 2002 for $185,000
• Sold in November 2004 for $245,000
• Sold in May 2009 for $220,000
• Originally listed in October 2012 for $219,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $210,000
• Assessments of $218 a month
• Taxes of $2507
• Central Air
• No washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking- but rental available nearby for $75 a month
• Bedroom #1: 13×10
• Bedroom #2: 11×9

This 4-bedroom vintage single family home at 113 W. Elm in the Gold Coast just came on the market.

It’s currently being used as a 4-room bed and breakfast.

Built in 1896 (or was it 1873???) on a 18.7×71.9 lot, it has 2 deeded parking spaces at 1122 N. Clark.

Each room has its own bathroom.

There is a 20 foot wall of windows in the living room that overlooks a back garden.

The house has a “newer” galley kitchen with stainless steel appliances.

There’s no central air-  only window units.

Rooms range from $129 to $229 a night.

Check out the Gold Coast Guesthouse B&B’s website here.

Is this a deal for a rowhouse in this location?

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

113 W. Elm: 4 bedrooms, 5 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in September 1994 for $205,000
• Currently listed for $949,000
• Taxes of $16,730
• No central air- window units
• 2 car deeded parking behind the building at 1122 N. Clark
• Bedroom #1: 18×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 18×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 18×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 9×14 (main floor)

This modern 2-bedroom at 1750 N. Clybourn in Lincoln Park recently came on the market.

We’ve chattered about this building in the past.

The 7-unit building was built in 2006 by Ranquist Development which specializes in modern and contemporary architecture.

This unit has 10 foot ceilings and stained hardwood floors.

The finishes are upscale. the kitchen has white Arclinea cabainetry with SubZero and Miele appliances.

The bathroom has an oversized shower.

There’s central air, washer/dryer in the unit and heated garage parking.

The unit is priced at the 2006 price.

Is this property priced to sell?

Karen Biazar at North Clybourn Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or you can see it in person at the Open House on Sunday December 9 from 11 to 12:30.

Unit #201: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in December 2006 for $449,000
• Currently listed for $449,000
• Assessments of $241 a month
• Taxes of $7025
• Parking included
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×12
• Bedroom #2: 12×10

This 2-bedroom loft in the Union Square Lofts at 333 W. Hubbard in River North just came on the market.

This is a unit in the front part of the building which was the newer constructed annex.

These units don’t have exposed brick, timber ceilings or exposed beams. They DO have high lofty ceilings and exposed piping and ductwork.

The listing says this unit has a “new kitchen” with quartz counter tops, a carrera marble backsplash and stainless steel appliances.

The master bath has a new carrera marble vanity.

The unit has amazing staging, including the appropriate “in” paint colors (grays/blues).

The unit has central air, in-unit washer/dryer and parking is $30,000 extra.

Will this move-in ready loft sell quickly because of the presentation?

Ian Schwartz at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

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

• Sold in September 1999 for $254,500 (no parking included)
• Sold in November 2002 for $324,000 (no parking included)
• Currently listed for $349,000 (parking is $30,000 extra)
• Assessments of $644 a month (includes cable, c/a, gas, doorman)
• Taxes of $4951
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×11
• Bedroom #2: 13×11

We last chattered about this 2-bedroom single family home at 1438 W. Henderson in the Southport neighborhood of Lakeview in September 2012.

See our previous chatter here.

The listing calls it a “doll house” as it’s only 1550 square feet.

In September, many of you thought the price of $625,000 was crazy for a 2-bedroom home and that it was likely going to be a tear down anyway.

However, no one has taken a bite since then. It’s still on the market and now listed $10,000 higher at $635,000.

If you recall, while the house has 2 bedrooms, it doesn’t have 2 full baths. It has a half bath in the semi-finished lower level, a half bath on the main level and a full bathroom on the second floor or 1.75 baths.

The house is built on a standard Chicago lot of 25×125 and has a 2-car garage.

It has a brick paver backyard with a deck and a hot tub.

There is a family room adjacent to the kitchen which has black appliances and black granite counter tops.

There are arched doors in the living and dining room.

It does have central air and a 2 car garage.

Will this house finally sell in 2013?

And for what price?

Christy Starks at Property Consultants Realty still has the listing. See the pictures here.

1438 W. Henderson: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 2 half baths, 1550 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in February 2004 for $560,000
• Sold in June 2007 for $707,000
• Originally listed in April 2012
• Was listed in August 2012 for $645,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in September 2012 at $625,000
• Currently listed at $635,000
• Taxes of $9961
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 15×14 (second level)
• Bedroom #2: 12×12 (second level)
• Family room: 12×21 (main level)

This 2-bedroom at 1148 W. Roscoe in Lakeview just came on the market.

We’ve chattered about 1 and 2 bedroom units in this group of buildings on Roscoe before.

They all face south- away from the El tracks.

The buildings were built in 2005 and the unit has the finishes of that era.

The kitchen has granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and a stone backsplash.

There is crown molding in the main living areas.

The master bath has a marble double vanity.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking.

The unit has come on the market $5,000 above the 2009 price at $385,000.

Unit #2W, just below it, is also on the market with similar finishes for $379,900.

Will either of these sellers be able to get out near $380,000?

Janine Vainisi at Keller Williams Success Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3W: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in June 2005 for $400,500
• Sold in May 2009 for $380,000
• Currently listed for $385,000
• Assessments of $235 a month (includes cable)
• Taxes of $5727
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 20×14
• Bedroom #2: 13×12