Crib Chatter

We last chattered about this 2-bedroom at 917 W. Webster in Lincoln Park in March 2012.

See our prior chatter here.

Back in the spring, the listing mysteriously was de-listed the day we chattered about it so many of you had a hard time seeing the pictures.

Back then, it was listed for $429,000 but most thought the second bedroom was too small at 9×8 and that it would sell under $400,000.

It has now been reduced to just under $400,000 (and several Redfin agent comments reflect that the second bedroom is very small.)

If you recall, this unit has a private entry with a skylight.

At 1300 square feet, it has the high ceilings characteristic of a vintage unit.

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

There is a south facing private patio, central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking.

(The Redfin agents also comment that the association is considering redoing the back decks to make them bigger.)

Is this unit now priced to sell?

Timothy Sheahan at Conlon now has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3E: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1300 square feet

• Sold in March 1988 for $164,500
• Sold in March 1992 for $181,000
• Sold in April 1993 for $183,000
• sold in March 1995 for $190,000
• Sold in August 2003 for $359,000
• Originally listed in January 2012 for $449,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $429,000 (parking included)
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $399,899 (parking included)
• Asssessments of $175 a month
• Taxes of $5964
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×11
• Bedroom #2: 9×8

This 6-unit building at 1204 W. Cornelia in the Southport neighborhood of Lakeview is still under construction but the units have started coming on the market.

According to several of the listings, 2 of the units, including at least one of the 4-bedroom first floor duplex down units priced at $789,000, are already under contract.

Delivery is expected in November 2012.

Prices on the units are the following (they’ve only listed 3 of the 6 so far):

• Unit #1W: 4 bedrooms/2.5 baths, $789,000
• Unit #2W: 2 bedrooms/2 baths, $489,000
• Unit #3W: 2 bedrooms/2 baths, penthouse with rooftop deck, $575,000

I can’t tell for sure if parking is included, but it looks like it is.

Other than new construction right on Southport itself, I can’t remember the last new construction building in the neighborhood (and one that isn’t directly on the El tracks.)

Yes, it’s in the Blaine school district (which is being marketed heavily).

The units will have upscale finishes such as crown molding, heated floors, concrete soundproofing and Viking appliances.

With 2 out of the 6 condos already sold, it appears demand is strong for “new” in Southport.

Is this one of the few neighborhoods that can still support a 2/2 condo priced at nearly $500,000?

Jeff Lowe at Prudential Rubloff is handling sales. Check out interior pictures (of similar buildings) here.

We’ve seen a few Lakeview houses sell in the past year for over $3 million (most notoriously the house bought by the new Cubs GM in Southport) but there haven’t been many on the market over $3 million in East Lakeview like this new construction house at 550 W. Oakdale.

The 7000 square foot house has a 53 foot atrium center and radiant heat floors.

It has ten foot ceilings and eight foot doors.

The kitchen has the usual upscale appliances like SubZero and Viking.

The house has 4 decks and parking for 4 cars on a 25×140 lot.

And if you’re wondering how you’ll cool it all, the house has 4 HVACs.

Listed at $3.2 million, can a single family home in East Lakeview command a price over $3 million?

Marius Tatarunas has the listing. See the pictures here.

550 W. Oakdale: 6 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3 half baths, 7000 square feet, 4 car parking

• Originally listed in June 2012 for $3.2 million
• Currently still listed for $3.2 million
• Taxes of $37,897
• Central Air
• 4 Decks
• Bedroom #1: 20×15 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×18 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×18 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 10×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #6: 11×22 (basement)

We’ve been following this vintage 3-bedroom at 504 W. Barry in East Lakeview for over a year.

See our February 2012 chatter here.

Back in February when it was priced at $699,900, many of you liked the unit but thought it was overpriced (surprise!) and would sell in the low $600,000s due to the assessment (among other things.)

Looks like the Chatterati might have gotten this one right.

The property was recently reduced to $639,900.

If you recall, the 10-unit building was built in 1927. One of the old listings described it as a “gothic jewel.”

At 2200 square feet, the unit has some of its vintage features intact such as a woodburning fireplace and crown molding.

It also has the modern amenities buyers look for with space pac a/c and side-by-side in-unit washer/dryer.

Parking is a premium in the neighborhood, but the unit comes with parking as well as guest parking, a rare bonus.

The listing describes the kitchen as a “chef’s kitchen”. It has stainless steel appliances.

The property also comes with a large balcony- which is somewhat unusual for this type of vintage building.

With the price now in the low $600,000s, will this find a buyer soon?

Richard Cohn still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3W: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2200 square feet

• Sold in August 2000 for $427,500
• Sold in May 2007 for $750,000
• Was listed in April 2011 for $779,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in February 2012 at $699,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $639,900
• Assessments of $744 a month (includes heat)
• Taxes now $9877 (they were $9295 in prior listings)
• Space Pac A/C
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Parking included (the building also has guest parking- a valuable commodity in East Lakeview)
• Bedroom #1: 17×12
• Bedroom #2: 16×13
• Bedroom #3: 12×12

This 3-bedroom loft in the Signature Lofts at 1750 N. Wolcott in Bucktown has been on the market since May 2012.

It has all the features of an authentic loft including large south facing industrial size windows, exposed brick walls and 18 foot timber ceilings.

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

From the listing pictures, at least 2 of the bedrooms have windows (not sure about the third.)

It also has the rare (and coveted) 2-car garage parking which is included in the price.

The loft has been reduced $20,000 since May.

It is now listed $21,000 under the 2006 purchase price, at $679,000.

Is Bucktown hot enough to command $323 a square foot for this loft?

Susan Kosoglad Packer at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #305: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2100 square feet, 2 car parking

• Sold in April 2001 for $577,500
• Sold in April 2003 for $600,000
• Sold in May 2006 for $700,000
• Originally listed in May 2012 for $699,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $679,000
• Assessments of $535 a month (includes cable)
• Taxes of $9641
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×14
• Bedroom #2: 14×13
• Bedroom #3: 13×9

This 2-bedroom loft at the Fairbanks of Cityfront Plaza at 240 E. Illinois in Streeterville recently came on the market.

It is a short sale.

The listing says it is a 2-bedroom converted to a large 1-bedroom measuring 1314 square feet.

This loft is located in the base of the building and has hardwood floors and concrete ceilings.

Built in 2007, it has all the new construction amenities like in-unit washer/dryer and central air.

There aren’t any pictures of the kitchen (strangely enough) but you can see that it’s there in the reflection in the mirror in the picture of the bar area.

This loft is listed $104,000 under the 2007 purchase price.

But with only one bedroom, will someone even bite with the price of $440,000?

Can buyers “envision” the unit with two bedrooms, if the seller has taken down the walls?

Shai Wolkowicki at Shai Town Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #306: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1314 square feet

• Sold in July 2007 for $544,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in April 2011
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $440,000 (parking included)
• Assessments of $746 a month (includes heat, ac, gas, doorman, pool)
• Taxes of $7593
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 11×14
• Bedroom #2: 14×11

This top floor 3-bedroom at 3967 S. Drexel in the Oakland neighborhood (which is just north of Kenwood) recently came on the market.

It is bank owned.

The building was converted into condos in 2007.

It has hardwood floors but that’s about all we know because there are no pictures of the kitchen or baths.

Parking is available on an unpaved lot.

It has central air but the listing doesn’t mention a washer/dryer (or hook-ups.)

There is no FHA approval.

The unit is listed 70% under the 2007 purchase price.

Is this a steal?

Rosario Terracciano at Resurrecting Real Estate has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #4: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2272 square feet, 1 car parking on unpaved lot

• Sold in March 2007 for $423,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in March 2011
• Bank owned in May 2012
• Currently listed at $124,900
• Assessments of $175 a month
• Taxes of $1662
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer???
• Bedroom #1: 16×13
• Bedroom #2: 13×10
• Bedroom #3: 13×9

We last chattered about this top floor 3-bedroom duplex up at 1348 W. Addison in the Southport neighborhood of Lakeview in December 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

But it has been on the market for a year now with no takers. Back in December, many of you thought it was a cool place for a bachelor but that it was simply priced too high.

It certainly is the perfect property for the person who loves their outdoor space.

The listing says it has 5 outdoor decks including one terrace measuring 20×25 and a private rooftop deck measuring 1400 square feet complete with a jacuzzi and a custom Tikki Bar.

The kitchen has espresso cabinets and upscale stainless steel appliances. It also has 2 inch concrete counter tops (instead of the standard granite counter tops.)

There are 2 master suites and a home theater in the 2400 square feet.

It has all the other features condo buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit. It also comes with a coveted 2-parking spaces which will be helpful given the unit’s location down the street from Wrigley Field.

In the last year, it has been reduced just $20,000 and is still listed $79,000 above the 2007 purchase price. (The Redfin “last sale” price doesn’t look to be correct. I used the sales info from the public records.)

Will this property sell in 2012?

Richard Kasper at Conlon has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3W: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2400 square feet, 2 car parking

• Sold in November 2007 for $800,000
• Originally listed in August 2011 for $899,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in December 2011 at $889,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $879,000
• Assessments of $330 a month
• Taxes of $11,684
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• 1400 square foot rooftop deck
• 5 decks total
• Bedroom #1: 16×13 (third level)
• Bedroom #2: 13×10 (third level)
• Bedroom #3: 16×16 (fourth level)
• Family room: 21×16 (fourth level)

This 3-flat at 1832 W. Addison in Lakeview came on the market in June 2012.

It is located just four buildings to the west of the Addison Brown line stop.

The 3 units have the following:

1. Unit #1: 2/1, rented for $800 a month
2. Unit #2: 2/1, rented for $1200 a month
3. Unit #3: 4/2 duplex up rented for $1400 a month

The 3-flat is on a standard 25×125 lot and has a 2-car garage.

Each of the tenants pays their own utilities. The listing doesn’t say if there is a washer/dryer somewhere in the building.

There is no central air.

The listing says the apartments have “newer kitchens” and that the plumbing and electrical has been updated.

Some of the units have original features such as hardwood floors and wood trim. The fireplaces also look original.

With rents at “record highs” is it a no-brainer to become a landlord by buying this property?

Justin Francek at Dream Town has the listing. See the pictures here.

1832 W. Addison: 3-flat, 8 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2 car garage

• Last sold before 1988
• Originally listed in June 2012 for $529,900
• Currently still listed at $529,900
• Taxes of $7102
• No central air
• Rents total: $3400 a month

We’ve chattered about this 2-bedroom at 1658 W. Belmont in Lakeview several times over the last 2 years.

See our October 2011 chatter here.

Last fall, when it was listed at $289,999, many of you believed it would sell around $250,000.

It has recently been reduced to $275,000.

If you recall, the vintage building appears to have been converted into condos in 2006-2007.

It is a rare vintage 2-bedroom unit which also has a second bathroom as most are 2/1s.

The kitchen has the new construction finishes with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

It also has the features that buyers look for including central air, an in-unit washer/dryer and parking.

Is it finally getting close to a selling price?

And whatever happened to the market being “hot”? (28 months and counting- right in the middle of the GreenZone)

Jeremiah Fisher at Prudential Rubloff still has the listing. See the pictures and floorplan here.

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

• Sold in March 2008 for $315,000
• Originally listed in February 2010 for $324,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in November 2010 for $310,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in October 2011 at $289,999
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $275,000 (parking included)
• Assessments of $185 a month
• Taxes of $4590
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 12×11
• Bedroom #2: 10×9