Crib Chatter

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

We last chattered about this 2-bedroom at 2911 N. Pine Grove in East Lakeview in September 2012.

See our prior chatter here.

It came on the market for the same price as it sold for about 2 years earlier- in 2009- at $359,900.

Most of you thought the apartment was beautiful and that the seller would be able to get the premium.

But 4 months later, it is still on the market and has been reduced $20,000.

If you recall, the building was constructed in 1917 and the unit has many vintage features from that era including wainscotting, ceiling medallions and crown molding.

The kitchen has white cabinets and a mix of black and stainless appliances.

The listing says the 2 bathrooms have been updated.

There is a washer/dryer in the unit but no central air (window units only.) There is also no deeded parking with the unit but there’s rental parking in the neighborhood.

The price is back to the 2003 level.

Are buyers now conditioned for a “deal” even in a market with low inventory?

Nikki Darin at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet

• Sold in May 1996 for $103,000 (but this sales price appears to be too low for the mortgages at that time- typo???)
• Sold in December 2003 for $339,000
• Sold in July 2010 for $359,000
• Was listed in September 2012 for $359,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $339,900
• Assessments of $424 a month (includes heat)
• Taxes of $6052
• No central air- window units only
• In-unit washer/dryer
• No parking- but rental in the neighborhood
• Bedroom #1: 12×11
• Bedroom #2: 13×12
• Dining room: 22×13

This 3-bedroom single family home at 3250 N. Drake in Avondale just came on the market.

Built in 1897, it has been rehabbed after being bank owned.

It last sold in May 2012 for $95,500.

This is a smaller home than some of the others we’ve seen. It has 1500 square feet and includes a full basement.

The house is on a narrower than normal 20×125 lot and has a 2-car garage.

The first floor has been opened so that the living/dining/kitchen all flow in one space.

There are dark hardwood floors. The kitchen has white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

Two of the three bedrooms are on the second level with the third on the main level.

The house has central air.

The price has been lowered $15,000 since mid-November to $324,900.

Is this a good condo alternative?

Frank Montro at Oak Realty of Chicago has the listing. See the pictures here.

3250 N. Drake: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1500 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in March 2005 for $269,000
• Sold in February 2007 for $340,000
• Lis pendens filed in March 2009
• Bank owned in May 2011
• Sold in May 2012 for $95,500
• Originally listed in November 2012 for $339,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $324,900
• Taxes of $4203
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 17×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 17×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×9 (main floor)

This 5-bedroom single family home at 3828 N. Albany in Irving Park has been on the market since July 2012.

This is a rehab of a bank owned home.

The listing says it is “euro-style.”

Built in 1902, the 2800 square foot home is on a standard 25×125 lot. There’s also a 2.5 car garage.

The kitchen has coffered ceilings, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and a marble backsplash.

There is custom stone work in the showers.

Two bedrooms are on the second floor, two are on the main floor and one is in the lower level, which also has a finished basement.

It also has central air.

Originally listed at $469,000, it has been reduced to $399,900.

Is this the going price for a rehabbed home in this neighborhood?

Anthony Reyes at CG Realty Group has the listing. See the pictures here.

3828 N. Albany: 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2800 square feet, 2.5 car garage

• Sold in April 1997 for $85,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in July 2010
• Sold in October 2011 for $85,000
• Originally listed in July 2012 for $469,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $399,900
• Taxes of $4714
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 14×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×14 (main floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×12 (main floor)
• Bedroom #5: 10×12 (lower level)

This 5-bedroom single family home at 3059 N. Gresham in Avondale recently came on the market.

It is a rehab of a bank owned house.

Built in 1893 on a standard Chicago lot measuring 25×125, it has 2800 square feet and a 2-car garage.

Three of the bedrooms are on the second floor with the other two in the lower level.

It has a first floor family room.

The listing says it has a “high end” kitchen with Bosch appliances, dark cabinets and granite counter tops.

The house has central air and dark hardwood floors.

It is located just a block from the Belmont blue line stop.

Is Homedelete right that Avondale will be the next neighborhood to gentrify?

Does that make this house for $399,900 a deal?

[On a side note- notice how long it took the bank to re-list and sell this house.]

Chadwick Duda at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

3059 N. Gresham: 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2800 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in February 2000 for $185,000
• Sold in November 2001 for $220,000
• Sold in September 2004 for $265,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in July 2009
• Bank owned in November 2010
• Sold in June 2012 for $120,000
• Re-listed for $399,900
• Taxes of $3371
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 18×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 11×11 (lower level)
• Bedroom #5: 11×9 (lower level)
• Family room: 16×13 (main level)

We last chattered about this 1-bedroom in the Grand Ohio at 211 E. Ohio in October 2012.

See our prior chatter here.

Some of you liked the private walled terrace that ran the length of the unit, but others thought this unit was too small for the asking price which was $249,000 plus $30,000 for the parking.

It recently sold for $229,000 – with the parking included.

If you remember, it was just 700 square feet, but several features about this unit made it unique in the building and the neighborhood.

The south facing units on the fifth floor of the Grand Ohio all have brick walled in private terraces. The one for this unit is 400 square feet. That’s enough space to have quite the dinner party.

The units on this floor are also the few in the building that actually have in-unit washer/dryer.

The kitchen had white cabinets and white appliances. The bathroom was also all white.

The bedroom had a Murphy Bed already installed.

There was no central air- but there were wall units.

Did this buyer get a deal?

Brigette Taylor at Baird & Warner had the listing. You can still see interior pictures here.

Unit #517: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 700 square feet

• Sold in June 1999 for $152,000
• Sold in May 2001 for $245,000 (doesn’t look like it included any parking)
• Originally listed in September 2012 for $257,000 (parking $30kextra)
• Reduced
• Was listed in October 2012 at $247,000 (parking $30k extra)
• Sold in November 2012 at $229,000 (parking included)
• Assessments of $455 a month (includes doorman, cable, pool, exercise rooms)
• Taxes of $2261
• No central air- wall units only
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 11×15
• Livingroom: 15×16
• Kitchen: 7×10

This top floor 1-bedroom at 400 N. LaSalle in River North just came on the market.

It is bank owned.

Located on the 45th floor, it has north facing city views.

From the listing pictures, it appears to have hardwood floors in the main living area.

The kitchen seems to have maple cabinets, granite counter tops and white appliances.

The unit has central air and in-unit washer/dryer. Parking is available for rent, or to purchase, in the building.

This is the high rise where an investor bought up over 100 of the unsold units during the Great Recession with the intention of renting them out.

See that chatter here.

This unit is only 853 square feet yet it has come back on the market from the bank at $314,900.

Before you get in a tizzy, you should know that the following units are currently on the market:

1. Unit #4504: also a top floor unit, 861 square feet and listed at $359,000
2. Unit #4404: 850 square feet and listed at $319,000

Are high floor 1-bedrooms without luxury features (and size) still able to command over $300,000 in River North?

Jason Shapiro at Rising Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #4501: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 853 square feet

• Sold in November 2005 for $399,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure in January 2011
• Bank owned in February 2012
• Currently listed at $314,900
• Homepath property- you can buy it with just 3% down
• Assessments of $518 a month (includes c/a and cable)
• Taxes of $3523
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Parking available in the building (rent or buy)
• Bedroom: 10×10

We last chattered about this 2-bedroom loft at 1140 W. Cornelia in Lakeview in June 2012. Back then, it was a 3-bedroom loft (not sure what happened to the third bedroom).

See our prior chatter here.

At the time, it was listed for nearly $25,000 more than the 2008 purchase price.

Many of you thought (surprise, surprise) it was overpriced.

But apparently so did buyers as it is still on the market and has been reduced another $45,000 and is now listed below the 2008 price.

If you recall, like your standard loft, it has exposed brick walls and timber ceilings.

But it also has 3 levels including a family room on the lower level along with one of the two bedrooms and a 5×4 office.

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

There is also a private roof top deck and garage parking.

Is this now priced correctly to make a sale?

And how much does your answer change when it goes from a 3-bedroom to just a 2-bedroom at this price point?

Hunter Andre at Coldwell Banker now has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #A: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2000 square feet, 1 car parking

• Sold in November 2000 for $410,000
• Sold in May 2008 for $575,000
• Originally listed in May 2012 for $625,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in June 2012 for $599,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $530,000
• Assessments of $200 a month
• Taxes of $8572
• Central Air
• Private roof deck: 25×15
• Bedroom #1: 19×13 (second level)
• Bedroom #2: 16×13 (lower level)
• Office: 5×4 (lower level)
• Family room: 16×12 (lower level)

We last chattered about this 5-bedroom single family home at 4443 N. Mozart in Ravenswood Manor in April 2012 (although back then- it was only a 4-bedroom house.)

See our prior chatter here.

Most of you thought it was overpriced at $1.195 million and should sell closer to $1 million.

However, it has only been reduced $51,000 since April.

As you recall, the house was built in 1914.

It is on an extra wide 45×125 lot and has a rare side drive that leads to a 3-car garage.

It last sold in 2007 after having been in the same family for 42 years.

It’s been completely renovated.

The house now has a custom kitchen with Viking and Subzero appliances.

It also has a fully finished basement with an exercise room and now 2 of the five bedrooms.

The other three bedrooms are on the second floor.

With inventory at multi-year lows, what will it take to sell this house?

Chaz Walters at Coldwell Banker now has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or see it at the Open House this Sunday, December 2 from 10:30 to 12:30.

4443 N. Mozart: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3800 square feet, 3 car garage

• Sold in 1965
• Sold in November 2007 for $780,500
• Originally listed in May 2011 for $1.295 million
• Reduced
• Was listed in October 2011 for $1.235 million
• Reduced
• Was listed in April 2012 at $1.195 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1.144 million
• Taxes of $10,506
• Central Air
• 2 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 16×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 16×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 14×10 (lower level)
• Bedroom #5: 14×10 (lower level)
• Exercise room: 20×11 (lower level)