Crib Chatter

We last chattered about this 5-bedroom full floor vintage unit at 2344 N. Lincoln Park West across from Lincoln Park in March 2012.

See our prior chatter here.

It came on the market just in time for the peak buying season but 7 months later it remains on the market.

Originally listed at $2.8 million, it has been reduced $200,000.

Back in March, many of you liked it but thought it was overpriced and should sell for around $2 million. You also thought the kitchen didn’t match the rest of the unit.

Built in 1916, the listing describes it as a “Beaux Arts Beauty.”

It commands the entire floor of a 6-unit building with 4 exposures, including Lincoln Park and the lake front.

The building has an elevator and there is rare 2 car parking with the unit.

It has the features you would expect from construction in this era including crown molding and wainscotting.

The unit has a 35 foot foyer and a formal dining room.

It also has space pak cooling and a washer/dryer in the unit.

Are the 200+ new units at 2550 N. Lakeview, a full service building up the street that has views, proving to be competition for units like this one?

Karen Breen Elia at Re/Max has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3: 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, 4250 square feet, 2 car parking

• I couldn’t find a prior sales price
• Was listed in March 2012 for $2.8 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $2.6 million
• Assessments of $1890 a month (includes heat)
• Taxes of $17398
• Space pak cooling
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 19×14
• Bedroom #2: 13×13
• Bedroom #3: 14×11
• Bedroom #4: 16×13
• Bedroom #5: 11×10

This 3-bedroom single floor unit at 955 W. Webster in Lincoln Park came on the market in August 2012.

It had previously been rehabbed in 2006 by developer Melrose Partners.

The 4 unit building was updated with upscale finishes. This unit has extensive millwork, including crown molding, and exposed brick.

There are Waterwork baths and the kitchen has white cabinets, granite counter tops and Wolf, SubZero and Miele appliances.

The unit has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and covered parking.

It sold in January 2010 for $500,000.

It has come back on the market at a 65% premium- at $828,850.

At 2000 square feet, that is $414 per square foot.

Will the seller get the premium on this property?

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

Unit #2: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2000 square feet

• Sold in January 2010 for $500,000
• Originally listed in August 2012 for $829,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $828,850
• Assessments of $165 a month
• Taxes of $8806
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Covered parking included
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 12×10
• Bedroom #3: 15×10

We last chattered about this 3-bedroom townhouse at 3847 N. Fremont in Lakeview in August 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

Back in August 2011 it was priced at $399,900 but some of you seemed to think it would take a $350,000 price to sell. You were also concerned about the school district as this property is apparently in Greeley (which is not one of the “B” districts, obviously.)

The townhouse is still available 14 months later and still listed at $399,000.

If you recall, the main living/dining/kitchen space is on the second floor, with 2 bedrooms on the third floor and the third bedroom (or family room) on the top floor.

The townhouse has a front patio but also a private rooftop deck off the third bedroom/family room.

There is an attached garage and central air.

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

The baths are marble.

The townhouse is still listed $6,000 under the 2004 purchase price.

What price will finally move this property?

Pam Rueve at Coldwell Banker now has the listing. See the pictures here.

3847 N. Fremont: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1800 square feet, attached garage

• Sold in March 1989 for $210,000
• Sold in June 1992 for $215,000
• Sold in July 1997 for $226,000
• Sold in June 2000 for $333,000
• Sold in August 2004 for $405,000
• Sold in August 2007 for $432,000
• Originally listed in March 2011 for $449,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in August 2011 for $399,900
• Currently listed for $399,000
• Assessments of $100 a month
• Taxes now $7062 (they were $6833 in August 2011)
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 12×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×10 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 16×11 (fourth floor)
• Rooftop Deck: 12×14

This 2-bedroom at 2029 W. Division in West Town recently came on the market.

It is bank owned.

The listing says that it is a Freddie Mac First Look Initiative property for the first 15 days (meaning owner-occupiers get the first look at it.)

But the listing also says that the building is “all rentals.”

This unit has diagonal cherry wood floors.

The kitchen is mostly intact with stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops although it appears some of the doors to the cabinets may be missing.

From the pictures it also seems that the bathrooms are intact. An older listing said they were stone.

The unit has central air, a parking spot and in-unit washer/dryer.

Back in 2010, the unit was available as a “preforeclosure” for $289,000 but the listing also said it was “cash only.”

There is a top floor unit in this building currently available to rent on Craigslist for $2550 a month (it also has a private rooftop deck). See the Craigslist post here.

Is this an investor’s dream?

[As an aside- the bank has sat on this property for nearly 16 months- before it re-listed it.]

Sally Crachy at Applebrook Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1600 square feet

• Sold in May 2006 for $449,000
• Was there a sale in April 2008?
• Lis pendens filed in February 2009
• Was listed as a “pre-foreclosure” in July 2010 for $289,000
• Withdrawn
• Bank owned in June 2011
• Currently listed for $308,000 (includes the parking)
• Assessments of $140 a month
• Taxes of $6547
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Building is ALL rentals
• Bedroom #1: 14×14
• Bedroom #2: 11×10

We have chattered about this landmarked Terra Cotta Row mansion and coach house at 1048 W. Oakdale in Lakeview several times.

See our January 2012 chatter here.

The house had unique period wallpaper and furniture but many of you thought it was a distraction for future buyers. Recently, the listing agent had posted pictures of the interior with the wallpaper removed so that buyers could see it with a blank canvas.

After being on and off the market for over four years, the house finally sold at about 47% off its original list price.

• Originally listed in May 2008 for $3.9 million
• Sold in September 2012 for $2.053 million

If you recall, this house has a lot of history. Also known as the Henry Rohkam Mansion, it is a rare property in Lakeview as it sits on over 3 city lots.

Built in 1887 for Henry Rohkam, the Vice President of Northwestern Terra Cotta Company, it is part of the landmarked Terra Cotta Row district which consists of 2 single family homes and a 2 multi-flat buildings as well as terra cotta fencing lining the street.

When granting the landmark designation, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks remarked on the terra cotta row’s ornate style:

“The buildings’ lavish, terra cotta decoration suggest their distinction. Such displays of ornament are unusual in neighborhoods of working class origins. They were usually limited to mansion on the lakefront or other affluent areas.”

In the 1880s, Lakeview was a German-American neighborhood. Rohkam and his architect, Theodore Karls, were both of German ancenstry. Karls was born in Berlin and came to Chicago in 1868.

The style of the house reflects both German and Austrian architecture and the gables and facade were similar to the high-style of merchant homes in Germany.

The main house is brick and terra cotta and has a raised basement. The fence is red terra cotta.

The 3-bedroom, 2 bath 3-level coach house was built in 1912 (replacing a wood stable) and is pressed brick and terra cotta.

The house is located on 3 1/2 Chicago lots- measusring 87.5×125.

The gardens consist of a gazebo, winding brick sidewalks and a decorative garden urn which depicts ancient warriors in combat.

The Interior

The main house has been refurbished to reflect its historic heritage.

It has the original stained glass and woodwork.

There are now silk-screened wallpapers, antique lighting and imported tiles.

The kitchen has a Wolf stove and oven, a wine cooler and a Northland refrigerator alongside white cabinets and sandstone counter tops.

The house has central air. There is 2-car garage parking plus 2 extra parking outdoor parking spaces.

Did someone get a deal for a house on 3 city lots with a coach house?

Joanne Nemerovski at Prudential Rubloff had the listing.

1048 W. Oakdale: 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2 half baths in main house (the listing now says 6 bedrooms, 5.2 baths- not sure if this includes the coach house or not)

• Sold in Janury 1996 for $1.195 million
• Originally listed in May 2008 for $3.9 million
• Reduced to $3.15 million by March 2009
• Withdrawn in 2009
• Was listed in August 2011 at $2.75 million
• Reduced
• Was listed in January 2012 at $2.495 million
• Sold in September 2012 for $2.053 million
• Taxes of $12,050
• Central Air
• Coach House has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths on 3 levels
• 2-car garage plus 2 other outdoor parking spots
• Bedroom #1: 20×18 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 21×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 9×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×18 (lower level)
• Family room: 26×16 (main level)

This 2-bedroom single family home at 1438 W. Henderson in the Southport neighborhood of Lakeview is a rare SFH in Southport in that it is listed under $700,000.

It is also listed as a 2/2 but the Redfin agent who saw the house in June commented that it has 1 full bath on the second level, a half bath on the main level and a half bath in the semi-finished basement.

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.

The house is 1550 square feet and both bedrooms are on the second level.

It has central air.

The house is listed $82,000 under the 2007 purchase price at $625,000.

With 2-bedroom townhouses available in the neighborhood for much cheaper, what premium is a buyer willing to pay for a single family home?

Christy Starks at Property Consultants Realty 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
• I can’t find the info on when it was originally listed but it was for sale in June 2012 when the Redfin agent looked at it
• Was listed in August 2012 for $645,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $625,000
• Taxes of $9961
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 15×14 (second level)
• Bedroom #2: 12×12 (second level)
• Family room:

We last chattered about this vintage 5-bedroom rowhouse at 3141 S. Calumet in the Gap neighborhood of Douglas in July 2012.

See our prior chatter here.

Most of you thought the rowhouse, which is a rare Adler & Sullivan designed house, was beautiful but you didn’t know anything about the Gap neighborhood.

Since July, it has been reduced $36,000.

If you recall, according to the designslinger blog, it is the only survivor of more than 2 dozen houses designed by Adler & Sullivan in the Gap neighborhood in the 1880s.

Read more about The Gap neighborhood here.

Built in 1885 on a standard 25×125 lot, it has a lot of its original features intact including the grand staircase and wood wainscotting. The entry way is also marble.

There are 5 fireplaces, including in the master bedroom, pocket doors, original door knobs and a stained glass skylight.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances but you’re not buying this house for the kitchen.

4 of the 5 bedrooms are on the second level with the fifth on the third level.

The listing says it has a rooftop deck.

However, the rowhouse doesn’t have central air and it doesn’t have parking.

Where are all the classic architecture lovers to snatch up this property?

Shirley Amico at Koenig & Strey Real Living has the listing. See the pictures here.

3141 S. Calumet: 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 5000 square feet

• I couldn’t find any prior sales
• Was listed in July 2012 for $625,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $589,000
• Taxes of $6723
• No central air
• No parking
• 5 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 23×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 17×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 15×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 13×12 (third floor)

This 2-bedroom loft in the Bank Note Lofts at 120 E. Cullerton in the South Loop recently came on the market.

In July 2012, it was owned by the bank and sold at $177,500.

You can see the pictures of the bank owned listing here.

The corner loft has since been rehabbed with new hardwood floors throughout and new paint.

There are concrete and stainless steel counters. The kitchen also has new stainless steel appliances (as it looks like there weren’t any appliances in the bank owned listing.)

The master bathroom has been rehabbed with new tile and grohe fixtures. It appears that some of the original tile remains in the second bath.

This is the loft building with the unique terra cotta ceilings.

This unit also has extensive exposed brick walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer.

Now that it has been rehabbed, it is listed for about 42%, or $127,400, more than the July 2012 sale (that includes the parking.)

Will this rehab command the premium?

Elizabeth Lothamer at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. It appears to be agent owned. See the pictures here.

Unit #505: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1338 square feet

• Sold in November 2000 for $290,000
• Sold in April 2002 for $305,000
• Sold in July 2006 for $370,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in March 2011
• Sold in July 2012 for $177,500 (included the parking)
• Currently listed for $279,900 (parking is $25,000 extra)
• Assessments of $394 a month
• Taxes of $3063
• Central Air
• Side-by-side washer/dryer
• Bedroom #1: 15×15
• Bedroom #2: 13×10

We last chattered about this top floor 3-bedroom at 814 W. Roscoe in Lakeview in December 2010.

See our prior chatter here.

Many of you liked this unit which was renovated/remodeled in 2006. Sonies thought it was very “New York-ish”.

It didn’t sell and was withdrawn from the market in 2011. But it has now come back on the market $20,000 cheaper.

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.

The master bathroom is marble with a double vanity.

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

Now reduced under the 2006 price and with the market hotter than in 2010/2011, is this unit priced to sell?

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

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

• Sold in August 2006 for $587,500
• Originally listed in August 2010 for $589,000
• Withdrawn in July 2011
• Currently listed for $569,000
• Assessments still $251 a month
• Taxes now $8559 (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

There are few buildings with the uniqueness and the grandeur of The Manor House at 1021 and 1031 W. Bryn Mawr in Edgewater.

Built in 1908, in the Tudor Revival style, it has 16 units. It’s located in the Bryn Mawr Historic District and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Some of the units, like this 3-bedroom currently on the market at 1021 W. Byrn Mawr, have turret rooms.

This 3-bedroom is the largest and also the most expensive unit currently on the market. The other units are at 1031 W. Bryn Mawr and consist of:

1. Unit #2C: 2 bedrooms/1 bath, 1344 square feet listed at $250,000 plus $25,000 for parking
2. Unit #2A: 2 bedrooms/1 bath, 1430 square feet listed as a “short sale” at $185,000– under contract (and if you want to see what the dark woodwork and beamed ceiling looks like painted white watch the YouTube video here– caution piano music. Those of you who always argue you should NEVER paint the woodwork – what say you now???)

 This 3-bedroom has a bunch of the original features including a marble wood burning fireplace, stained glass windows, the original wood beamed ceiling, hardwood floors and a dining room in the turret.

The kitchen, however, is one of the smallest rooms in the unit at just 10×7.

It also has the modern amenities buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and deeded parking available for $30,000.

The listing says there are new windows.

Originally listed in April 2012, it has been reduced $10,100 to $339,900.

What’s North Side big vintage selling for these days?

Ann Clements at Chicago Real Estate Resources has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2A: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2200 square feet

• I couldn’t find any sales history on the property- it is mysterious
• Originally listed in April 2012 for $350,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $339,900
• Assessments of $388 a month
• Taxes of $5402
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Deeded parking extra $30,000
• Bedroom #1: 19×13
• Bedroom #2: 14×13
• Bedroom #3: 15×13
• Kitchen: 10×7