Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom at 4729 N. Paulina in Ravenswood came on the market in January 2024. I don’t have a picture but I wanted to crib on this so enjoy the statute instead.

4729 N. Paulina is a classic Chicago courtyard building. Built in 1927, it has 24 units and gated parking.

The building is professionally managed and has an exercise and party room. The listing says it’s on a quiet 1-way street.

The listing also calls this a “vintage lover’s dream.”

This unit has many of its vintage features including the layout, which has a generous foyer and a heated sunroom/office space with built-in bookcases, hardwood floors throughout, and crown molding.

It has north and south exposures.

The unit has a wood burning fireplace in the living room and a formal dining room which the listing says could seat up to 12.

The eat-in kitchen is “updated” with white cabinets, what look like stone counter tops and white appliances.

The unit has a split floor plan with both bedrooms big enough to fit a king-sized bed.

There is just one bath and it has the original tile. However, the unit does have a unique feature of a “overnight sink” in the second bedroom.

The listing says it has a ton of storage and charm, including a walk-in-closet and a linen closet.

This unit has some of the features that buyers look for, and which are relatively rare in vintage units, including washer/dryer in the unit and gated parking. It doesn’t have central air, however. It has 2 window units.

This building is near the Ravenswood Metra stop, the Damen Brown line stop and the shops and restaurants of Ravenswood and Lincoln Square.

Listed at $385,000, that’s $59,000 above the 2017 sale of $326,000.

Will this sell by Sunday?

Scott Curcio at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Or you can see it at the open house on Saturday, January 20, 2024, from 12:30 to 2:30 PM.

Unit #3: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square footage listed but the floor plan says it’s 1357 square feet

• Sold in July 1992 for $128,000
• Sold in June 2005 for $288,000
• Sold in October 2006 for $307,000
• Sold in March 2017 for $326,000
• Currently listed at $385,000
• Assessments of $443 a month (includes heat, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, exercise room, party room)
• Taxes of $6581
• No central air. 2 window units.
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Gated parking included
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 18×14
• Foyer: 13×7
• Living room: 17×18
• Dining room: 18×12
• Sunroom: 7×5
• Walk-in-closet: 5×5
• Deck: 12×7 (no pictures- and not clear it’s usable)

This 4-bedroom penthouse in 707 W. Junior Terrace in Buena Park neighborhood of Uptown came on the market in November 2023. (I don’t have my own picture of this building yet. Sorry.)

Built in 1929, 707 W. Junior Terrace has just 15 units. There doesn’t appear to be any amenities or door staff.

This is a 2-story full floor penthouse.

The listing says it has 360 degree views of Montrose Harbor, Lake Michigan, sunsets and Lincoln Park through arched windows.

It has hardwood floors throughout and 12 foot ceilings.

The main floor has coffered wood ceilings in the living and dining rooms.

There’s a chef’s kitchen with black cabinets and a La Cornuce range.

The listing says the bathrooms are “updated.”

Three of the bedrooms are on the main level, including the primary bedroom.

The fourth bedroom is on the second floor along with a 1500 square foot private roof terrace.

This unit has the features buyers look for, and which are sometimes rare with vintage units, including washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking.

There’s shops and restaurants nearby in Buena Park, including a Dollop Coffee. The building is also near the Peace Garden.

Listed in November 2023 for $1,749,000, it is still listed at $1,749,000.

At 4,000 square feet, is this a single family home replacement?

Michael O’Connor at Dream Town Real Estate has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #PH-12: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 4000 square feet, duplex penthouse

• Sold in January 1979 for $34,500
• Sold in July 1992 for $360,000
• Sold in February 2003 for $765,000
• Listed in November 2023 for $1.749 million
• Currently still listed at $1.749 million
• Assessments of $2950 a month (includes heat, gas, parking, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $11,685
• Central Air/Space Pac
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking included (in the building???)
• There’s a fireplace in the living room but not sure if it’s operating
• Bedroom #1: 22×14 (main floor)
• Bedroom #2: 23×20 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×11 (main floor)
• Bedroom #4: 34×23 (second floor)
• Living room: 28×27 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 17×27 (main floor)
• Laundry room: 4×3 (main floor)
• Deck: 30×50 (second floor)

This 3-bedroom penthouse in 550 N. St Clair in Streeterville came on the market in July 2023.

Built in 2008, just as the Great Recession and housing bust hit, 550 N. St Clair is a modern building with floor-to-ceiling windows and exposed concrete ceilings with 111 units and a parking garage.

It has 24/7 door staff, an exercise room and indoor pool.

This penthouse has “sophisticated style” with east, south and west views along with 13-foot concrete ceilings.

The listing says “every room has a stunning view.”

There are hardwood floors throughout.

The main living area has an open floor plan with the living room, dining room and kitchen. There’s also a 48 foot balcony that runs the length of the living/dining room.

The unit has a “gourmet chef’s kitchen” with Alno black cabinetery, a giant oversized center island with a breakfast bar that seats four, a Thermador high-end refrigerator/freezer, a built-in oven and microwave, a Bosch paneled dishwasher, a five-burner gas stove, beverage cooler and 2 sinks.

The primary suite has a private balcony, walk-in-closet, and a marble and travertine double full primary bathroom with soaking tub and 2 separate showers.

The other two bedrooms are both en suite.

The unit has the features buyers look for including central air, a built-in laundry center with a side-by-side washer/dryer and 2 garage parking spaces.

This unit has Hunter Douglas custom dual solar and light filtering motorized shades.

It’s also a smart home.

This building is near the Mag Mile, the shops and restaurants of Streeterville, the Whole Foods, the Riverwalk and numerous bus lines.

Listed in July 2023 for $1.875 million, it has been on, and off, the market, and now has been reduced to $1.695 million.

This is under both the the 2021 sales price of $1.776 million and the 2009 sales price of $1.81 million. 

Is this a deal?

Jeanine McShea and Erin McShea of @properties Christie’s have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #2602: 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3200 square feet, penthouse

• Sold in April 2009 for $1.81 million
• Sold in April 2021 for $1.776 million
• Originally listed in July 2023 for $1.875 million
• Removed and Re-listed
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1.695 million
• Assessments of $1866 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $24,527
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 2 car garage parking
• Bedroom #1: 18×20
• Bedroom #2: 18×13
• Bedroom #3: 13×13
• Living room: 21×28
• Kitchen: 10×20
• Dining room: 15×20
• Foyer: 5×28
• Walk-in-closet: 11×4
• Laundry center: 14×7
• Terrace: 5×48
• Balcony: 8×3

This 5-bedroom at 2124 N. Lincoln Park West in East Lincoln Park came on the market in January 2024.

Built in 2002, this single family home is part of a 2-unit complex which appears to share the garage area. It’s on a 20×60 lot and has a 2-car street-facing garage.

This home has interior stairs as well as a custom elevator.

The listing says it was owned and designed by an AD100 designer and has “timeless luxury and distinctive character.”

The main level has views out to the park with a living room, family room, breakfast/dining room and kitchen along with a powder room.

The kitchen is a “high end” Baltaup kitchen with white and wood modern cabinets, white marble countertops, an island, top of the line appliances and an oversized polished nickel bespoke pot rack.

The family room has floor-to-ceiling bookshelves which can be a formal dining room.

There’s a professionally landscaped rear terrace that has a pergola.

It has a wood burning fireplace, wet bar and a terrace with “enchanting” park views.

The house has a grand staircase to the third floor which has 3 bedrooms.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet and a marble bath with heated flooring.

There are also two other 2 bedroom suites but one has been turned into a walk-in-closet with a powder room. There’s also a laundry center on this floor.

The top floor has 2 more bedrooms, a spa-like bath, a workout room and office with a Lincoln Park facing terrace.

This home has central air.

It’s across from the Lincoln Park Zoo with lake and park views. You also have all the shops and restaurants of East Lincoln Park and Old Town nearby.

Listed at $3.995 million, is this the perfect location for Lincoln Park lovers?

Emily Sachs Wong at @properties Christie’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

2124 N. Lincoln Park West: 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, 4500 square feet, single family home

• Sold in November 2003 for $1,004,000 (records seem confusing)
• Currently listed at $3.995 million
• Assessments of $400 a month (includes parking)
• Taxes of $51,850
• Central Air
• 2-car attached garage
• Wood burning fireplace
• 3 outdoor spaces
• Bedroom #1: 15×24 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×14 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×13 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×15 (fourth floor)
• Bedroom #5: 11×8 (fourth floor)
• Living room: 17×22 (second floor)
• Dining room: 17×16 (second floor)
• Family room: 13×15 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 12×17 (second floor)
• Workout room: 12×12 (fourth floor)
• Office: 25×13 (fourth floor)

Due to a family emergency, there won’t be any Crib Chatter this week.

Hug the ones you love.

See you next week-

Sabrina

This 2-bedroom in the City Centre Club at 212 W. Washington in the Loop came on the market in January 2024.

Built in 1913, this building was originally the home of the Illinois Bell Telephone Company.

In 2000, it was converted into 183 units and has an attached parking garage. It has a 24/7 door staff, a fitness center, roof deck and dog run.

This unit is a corner unit that the listing says was “meticulously renovated” by acclaimed designer Rae Duncan.

The listing says it “epitomizes luxury and sophistication.”

In addition to new bathrooms and kitchen, the seller replaced fixtures, appliances and the “entire AC system.”

There is “opulence at every turn.”

There are dark hardwood floors throughout and the listing says they are the original wood floors.

The chef’s kitchen has “bespoke craftsmanship” with light wood and white cabinets, an island that seats three, stone counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

There’s a gas fireplace in the living room.

The primary suite has custom designed California closets and an en suite bathroom with a walk-in-shower and a double vanity.

It’s a split floor plan and both bedrooms have windows but it appears that the second bedroom may not have full walls (???).

The bathrooms have RH sinks.

The unit has a private balcony overlooking the treetops on the roof deck (facing west?).

This unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is available for $35,000.

This building is in the middle of the loop, near shops and restaurants such as Beatrix and Beatnik on the River, Catalog which is the Willis Tower food hall, and the French Market. There are dozens of buses and the subway nearby.

Listed at $470,000, that’s $160,000 above the 2021 price of $310,000 which appears to have included the parking.

Buyers love new.

Is this a perfect loop home?

Matt Laricy at Americorp has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Or see it in person at the Open House on Sunday, Jan 7, 2024 from 10:30 to 12 PM.

Unit #704C: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1253 square feet

• Sold in October 1999 for $251,000
• Sold in May 2002 for $315,000
• Sold in September 2012 for $309,000
• Sold in October 2021 for $310,000
• Currently listed at $470,000 (plus $35,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $963 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $8133
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×13
• Bedroom #2: 11×11
• Living room: 15×14
• Dining room: 11×9
• Kitchen: 12×8
• Walk-in-closet: 6×5
• Foyer: 16×4
• Balcony

This 2-bedroom duplex in Park Place at 600 N. Kingsbury in River North came on the market in January 2024.

Built in 2002, Park Place has 176 units and attached garage parking.

The building has 24-hour door staff, an outdoor pool, an exercise room, a jacuzzi, sundeck and barbecue area.

The listing says this duplex has been renovated.

It has river views through 20 foot windows which have electronic blinds.

There are hardwood floors throughout, including in both bedrooms.

The first floor has the living and dining rooms, the kitchen, the laundry room and a half bath.

The kitchen has light wood cabinets, a tile backsplash, an island with seating for 3, quartz counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The second floor has two bedrooms, in a split plan, and two full bathrooms.

The primary suite is lofted and has 2 closets, including a walk-in-closet.

The second bedroom has a den/office space and a private balcony that overlooks the Chicago River.

This unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit, with storage, and there is deeded parking for an additional $35,000.

This building is near Ward Park, the riverwalk, the shops and restaurants of west River North and Peet’s Coffee.

Listed at $625,000 that’s $40,000 above the 2016 sales price of $585,000 (but that included the parking). With the parking, it’s listed $75,000 above the 2016 sale.

Buyers love “new.”

Will the renovations make the sale?

Matt Laricy at Americorp has the listing. See the pictures here (no floor plan but there is a 3D walkthrough).

Unit #502: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1500 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in November 2003 for $440,000 (included the parking)
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in October 2010
• Sold in April 2016 in judicial sale for $408,000 (included the parking)
• Sold in September 2016 for $585,000 (included the parking)
• Currently listed for $625,000 (plus $35,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $1086 a month (includes heat, A/C, gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $11,400
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Electric fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 17×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×11 (second floor)
• Living room: 15×14 (main floor)
• Dining room: 9×15 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 12×8 (main floor)
• Laundry room: 8×5 (main floor)
• Office: 11×7 (second floor)
• Walk-in-closet: 7×5 (second floor)
• Foyer: 9×7 (main floor)
• Balcony: 9×5 (second floor)

This 2-bedroom duplex up penthouse at 3516 N. Sheffield in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Lakeview came on the market in January 2024.

I don’t know when this building was built, it looks like a former church, but it was converted into condos in 1997. It has 12 units and heated garage parking.

This unit has windows on both sides and hardwood floors throughout.

The main level has the living room, a dining room, a west facing balcony and the kitchen.

The listing says the kitchen is “new” in 2021 with white Shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, tiled backsplash, stainless steel appliances (with a new fridge in 2021), a built-in wine fridge, and a peninsula with seating.

The kitchen also has an east facing window.

The dining room has 2 deep window seats.

Both bedrooms are on the second floor along with two full bathrooms.

The primary bedroom has decorative windows (church windows?) and an en suite bath.

The second bedroom, which is currently being used as the primary, has a large closet and a “recently renovated” bathroom with a double vanity and a large soaking tub.

This unit has the features that buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and one heated garage parking space is included.

This building is in the heart of Wrigleyville, near Wrigley Field, the Alamo Drafthouse movie theater, and the shops and restaurants of the neighborhood. It’s also near several bus lines and the Red line stop at Addison.

Listed at $525,000, that is $100,000 more than the 2021 purchase price of $425,000.

With inventory at record lows, will they get their asking price?

Stephanie Cutter at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #3FS: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, duplex up, penthouse

• Sold in November 1997 for $241,500
• Sold in November 2000 for $307,500
• Sold in March 2018 for $380,000
• Sold in February 2021 for $425,000
• Currently listed at $525,000
• Assessments of $461 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger)
• Taxes of $8538
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Heated garage parking included
• Gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 18×13 (second floor)
• Living room: 24×14 (main floor)
• Dining room: 14×12 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 14×7 (main floor)
• Foyer: 5×5 (main floor)
• Balcony: 7×3 (main floor)
• Laundry room: 3×3 (second floor)

This 4-bedroom townhouse at 4048 N. Clark in Lakeview came on the market in December 2023.

This townhouse complex was built in 1998 and has 22 units. Each of the townhouses has an attached 2-car garage, which is rare for Lakeview townhouse complexes.

It’s directly across the street from Graceland Cemetery.

The listing says this is the largest unit in the complex at 2600 square feet.

It has a private entrance and lives like a single family home.

The townhouse has hardwood floors throughout.

The listing says it was “remodeled from top to bottom in 2018.”

The townhouse has an “updated” kitchen and bathrooms, and a “newer” high efficiency HVAC, and “newer” hot water heater and sump pump.

The main floor is the 2-car garage, a full bath, the laundry room and a den.

The second floor is an open concept living room, dining room and kitchen with french doors that lead to a bonus room.

The kitchen has blue lower cabinets and open shelving on the upper along with stone counter tops, a breakfast bar with seating for 2 and stainless steel appliances.

There’s no bathroom on the second floor.

The third floor is three bedrooms and two full bathrooms.

The primary suite has vaulted ceilings, a walk-in-closet and a bathroom with walk-in-shower and bathtub.

The fourth bedroom is in a lofted space on the fourth floor and leads to a private rooftop deck.

The townhouse has two other outdoor spaces, both on the second floor, including a balcony off the kitchen and a private terrace off the bonus room.

There is also a basement, which the listing says could be used for storage or finished for more living space.

The townhouse has central air and, of course, the 2-car attached parking.

The listing says this property is in the Blaine School District. It’s also near the shops and restaurants of Southport and Wrigleyville.

It has come on the market at $725,000. There are only 141 properties listed in all of Lakeview and just 2 still for sale priced between $700,000 and $750,000, including this one. The other property is a house being sold for the land.

With inventory so low, will this sell quickly to start 2024?

Mariah Dell at Compass has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #E: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2600 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in December 1998 for $334,500
• Sold in June 2005 for $535,000
• Sold in April 2012 for $450,500
• Sold in June 2018 for $667,000
• Listed in December 2023 for $725,000
• Assessments of $190 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $12,957
• Central Air
• 2-car garage parking
• Bedroom #1: 18×13 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×11 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×9 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 16×6 (fourth floor)
• Den: 16×10 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 11×10 (second floor)
• Living room: 22×20 (second floor)
• Dining room: 12×9 (second floor)
• Bonus room: 11×8 (second floor)
• Deck: 23×9 (fourth floor)
• Balcony: 4×22 (second floor)
• Balcony: 13×13 (second floor)

The Illinois Association of Realtors is out with the November sales data.

Inventory continues to decline in Chicago, the Chicago metro, and statewide. As inventory declines, sales have as well. But in November, sales didn’t quite sink to 2010 lows.

The city of Chicago saw a 10.2 percent year-over-year home sales decrease in November 2023 with 1,399 sales, down from 1,558 in November 2022. The median price of a home in the city of Chicago in November 2023 was $322,500, up 5.0 percent in November 2022 when it was $307,250.

Here is the November sales data for the last 15 years (thanks to G for some of the data):

• 2007: 1859 sales and median price of $290,000
• 2008: 1093 sales and median price of $222,500 (16% short/REO sales)
• 2009: 1905 sales and median price of $215,000 (29% short/REO sales)
• 2010: 1144 sales and median price of $182,500 (39% short/REO sales)
• 2011: 1429 sales and median price of $157,000 (43% short/REO sales)
• 2012: 1750 sales and median price of $180,000
• 2013: 1844 sales and median price of $200,000
• 2014: 1638 sales and median price of $230,000
• 2015: 1661 sales and median price of $233,500
• 2016: 1937 sales and median price of $260,000
• 2017: 1959 sales and median price of $256,000
• 2018: 1852 sales and median price of $261.745
• 2019: 1671 sales and median price of $270,000
• 2020: 2018 sales and median price of $295,000
• 2021: 2396 sales and median price of $327,000
• 2022: 1558 sales and median price of $307,250
• 2023: 1399 sales and median price of $322,500

“The housing market is continuing its long-running trend of low sales and relatively high prices,” said Dr. Daniel McMillen, professor of real estate and associate dean for faculty affairs at the University of Illinois-Chicago College of Business Administration. “The trend toward low sales should continue through the winter, which always is a slow time for housing sales in Illinois. However, the recent trends toward lower inflation rates, interest rates, and unemployment rates can be expected to lead to a rebound in the market if the trends continue.”

Statewide inventory fell 22.2%. Here’s what the last few years have looked like in November:

• 2023: 20,568
• 2022: 24,279
• 2021: 27,692

The average number of days on the market statewide was 27 days versus 31 last year.

In Chicago, there is a similar trend. Inventory fell 25.1%.

• 2023: 5226
• 2022: 6978
• 2021: 7837

Average number of days on the market also fell to 33 days from 35 days.

“In November, steady median sales prices combined with slowing closed sales were symptoms of continued inventory shortages,” said Drussy Hernandez, president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and vice president of brokerage services for Coldwell Banker Realty in Chicago. “Also, the decrease in single family home sales in comparison to condo sales showed that buyers were finding more success, and inventory, in the condo market.”

In Chicago, single family homes sales fell 14.2% to 584. Condo sales fell 7.1% to 815.

Condo median price was up 6.2% to $345,000 while single family home median price rose 4.7% to $302,450.

Average 30-year fixed rate mortgage was 7.46% in the month, down from 7.62% in October but up from 6.81% in November 2022.

Number of days on the market is falling in Chicago and statewide. It’s a triple combination of low inventory, rising prices and lots of competition for new properties.

Is the spring buying season, which normally starts after the Super Bowl, going to start on January 2 this year?

A lack of available housing for sale hampered November home sales in Illinois [Crain’s Chicago Business, Press Release, by Bill Kozar, December 20, 2023]