Crib Chatter

This bank owned 2-bedroom in 111 E. Chestnut in the Gold Coast came on the market in late May 2012.

Nearly a month later, it is still available and has been reduced $26,925.

It is one of the larger 2 bedroom floor plans at 1600 square feet.

It has south, east and west views from the 14th floor.

From the pictures, it appears the kitchen and bathrooms are intact.  The kitchen has cherry cabinets, black appliances and granite counter tops.

There are marble floors and marble baths but the main rooms are carpeted.

The unit has in-unit washer/dryer and wall air conditioning units. There’s nothing listed about parking but some of the other units appear to have it.

The building was constructed in 1972 and is massive, with about 444 units. It is full service with a doorman and a pool.

This is the lowest priced of the larger 1600 square foot 2/2s currently listed in the building.

Why aren’t the investors pouncing on this unit?

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

Unit #14K: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1600 square feet

• Sold in May 1997 for $312,500
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in January 2009
• Bank owned in February 2012
• Originally listed in May 2012 for $539,550
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $512,575
• Assessments of $886 a month (includes doorman, cable, pool)
• Taxes of $8003
• No central air- wall units
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Nothing listed about parking (???)
• Bedroom #1: 16×14
• Bedroom #2: 14×14

We’ve chattered about this 4-bedroom full floor penthouse at 247 E. Chestnut in Streeterville before.

See our March 2011 chatter here.

Some of you may also recognize it from 2010 publicity about an auction of the property (as it was owned by an emmy winning soap opera writer.) See that story here.

Back in March 2011, it was a short sale and was listed at just $500,000.

It is now bank owned.

It recently came back on the market at $949,900 and then was reduced within days to $899,900.

 If you recall, at 4700 square feet, it is a full-floor unit with 360 degree views of the Lake and city.

The kitchen was described in the old listing as a “chef’s kitchen” with pear wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

It has central air and washer dryer in the unit.

Parking is rental in the building.

The assessments have actually gone up slightly since we last chattered about it and are now $4152 a month.

Will the assessment be the deal breaker for a sale of this unit anywhere over the former short sale list price?

Steve Meeker at Meeker Real Estate has the listing. See the listing here. (no interior pictures.)

But you can still see what it looks like with the previous listing here.

Unit #2500: 4 bedrooms, 5 baths, 4700 square feet, full floor penthouse

• Sold in August 1986 (but I couldn’t determine the price)
• Was listed in March 2011 as a “short sale” for $500,000
• Withdrawn
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in July 2011
• Bank owned in November 2011
• Originally listed in June 2012 for $949,900
• Reduced within days
• Currently listed at $899,900
• Assessments now are $4152 a month (they were $4035 a month in March 2011)  (includes heat, air conditioning, gas, doorman, cable)
• Taxes now $16,636 (they were $13,032 in 2011)
• Central Air
• 6×9 laundry room
• Rental Parking available
• Bedroom #1: 16×21
• Bedroom #2: 16×22
• Bedroom #3: 12×20
• Bedroom #4: 12×17
• Media room: 12×24

This 4-bedroom single family home at 1943 W. Roscoe in the Roscoe Village neighborhood of North Center recently came on the market.

It was built in 1999 on a standard Chicago lot of 25×125.

It has the features buyers look for including central air and a 2-car garage.

Three of the four bedrooms are on the second floor with the fourth in the lower level along with a family room.

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

The listing says there is a new master bath with oversized steam shower.

This stretch of Roscoe is treecovered and very residential yet it is just down the street from the shops and restaurants of Roscoe Village and also from the Paulina El stop. (When I was on this block there were groups of neighborhood kids running from house to house.)

Is the $800,000 price range the price for the standard 4-bedroom in this neighborhood?

Jeff Lowe at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

1943 W. Roscoe: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage

• Sold in December 1999 for $611,500
• Sold in April 2004 for $835,000
• Currently listed at $899,000
• Taxes of $14,845
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 18×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 17×14 (lower level)

We’ve been chattering about this 3-bedroom single family home at 1911 W. Berenice in North Center since November 2011.

See our last chatter in May 2011 here.

It recently did a drama price reduction of $40,000 and has now been reduced $96,000 to $449,000.

In May, some of you thought this had to go under $400,000 just because of the new beer garden next door at the Big Bricks. One of the Redfin agents said the living room looks directly on the beer garden.

If you recall, the house was built in 1896 on a standard Chicago lot of 25×125.

It has 1704 square feet on two levels. There is apparently an unfinished basement.

All 3 bedrooms are on the second level. The house also has an “updated” kitchen with white cabinets and stainless steel appliances. The listing also says there is a new 2-car garage.

The gate in the picture above is for the property next door.

It’s in the Bell school district.

When will price trump the location for this property?

Kevin Sullivan at Coldwell Banker still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or you can see it in person at the Open House on Saturday June 16 from 11- 1 pm.

1911 W. Berenice: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1704 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold before 1991 (no price listed)
• Sold in December 2004 for $525,500
• Was listed on November 1, 2011 for $545,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in February 2012 at $515,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in May 2012 at $489,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $449,000
• Taxes of $8618
• Space pak air conditioning
• Bedroom #1: 16×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 17×8 (second floor)

This 2-bedroom in The Conservatory at 2314 N. Lincoln Park West in Lincoln Park has been on the market since March 2011.

In those 15 months it has been reduced about 25% to $699,000.

The listing describes it as “totally rehabbed”.

It has floor to ceiling windows and a balcony that overlooks Lincoln Park, the Lake and the Conservatory.

There are only 2 units per floor.

The kitchen has black granite and stainless steel appliances. The bathrooms are granite and marble.

It also has the modern amenities buyers look for with central air, washer/dryer in the unit and parking, which is included.

Is this now a deal for the neighborhood?

Eileen Brennan at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #6N: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1600 square feet

• Sold in January 1998 for $352,000
• Originally listed in March 2011 for $935,000
• Reduced numerous times
• Currently listed for $699,000
• Assessments of $1200 a month (includes heat, a/s, doorman, cable)
• Taxes of $7821
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×14
• Bedroom #2: 11×14

This 2-bedroom duplex down in a Daniel Burnham designed greystone at 4545 S. Drexel in Kenwood was on the market last summer as a distress property.

Originally listed for $119,000 in August 2011, the listing described it “needs some finishing work but an outstanding opportunity, hurry and bring your CASH offer.”

It sold in April 2012 for $50,000.

The unit has an unusual duplex down layout with just the living room on the main floor and all the bedrooms, kitchen and other living spaces on the lower level.

According to the prior listing pictures, the kitchen was intact and it looks the same as what’s in the current listing with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

See the prior listing pictures here.

The unit has all the things that buyers look for including in-unit washer/dryer, central air and secured parking included.

It is now listed $20,000 higher than the bank had it last summer, at $139,000.

Is 2012 the best year ever for investors willing to rehab properties and resell them quickly?

With low inventory this year, will this rehabber get the higher price?

[Unit #1E in the building is also available. It is listed at $199,000 but it has the more traditional duplex down layout with the living/dining/kitchen and one bedroom on the main level and a family room and 2 bedrooms on the lower level.]

Jerry Houlihan at Weichert Realtors has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #1A: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2086 square feet, duplex down, one secured parking space

• I couldn’t find an original sales price
• Was listed in August 2011 for $119,000
• Sold in April 2012 for $50,000 (per Redfin)
• Currently listed for $139,000
• Assessments of $346 a month
• Taxes of $3140
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 12×15 (lower level)
• Bedroom #2: 16×11 (lower level)
• Living room: 16×15 (main level)

This large duplex up 1-bedroom in the historic Fisher Studio Houses at 1209 N. State Parkway in the Gold Coast just came on the market.

Designed by Andrew Rebori and built in 1936, the building was sold as condos in 2000/2001.

Most of the units are smaller duplex 1-bedrooms.

The listing for this unit says it used to be a 2-bedroom. The master bedroom now measures 23×15.

It has the unique features found in the rest of the building including a circular wood staircase, some brick floors and glass block windows.

The listing says it has a new kitchen, which has cherry cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances, and new baths.

There is in-unit washer/dryer but there is no central air (it is window units only) and there is no deeded parking. There is rental parking next door, however.

Would you pay $499,000 for a 1-bedroom or will the seller have to put the wall to the second bedroom back up to sell it?

Meredith Meserow at Koenig & Strey Real Living has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1: 1 bedroom, 2.5 baths, 1400 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in January 2001 for $461,000
• Currently listed for $499,000
• Assessments of $718 a month
• Taxes of $10,590
• No central air- window units
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• No deeded parking- it is available to rent next door
• Bedroom: 23×15 (second floor)
• Office: 4×7 (second floor)

This 3-bedroom in The Pattington at 688 W. Irving Park Road in Uptown has been on the market since May 2012.

The Pattington was built in 1903 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

This unit has cherry bookshelves, oak hardwood floors, original crown molding and a wood burning fireplace.

You know what is missing from most modern condo construction (even in luxury units)?

The entrance foyer.

But this unit has one.

The kitchen has white cabinets, butcher block counter tops and white appliances.

There is a washer/dryer in the unit but no central air. Parking is available to rent for $85 a month.

Originally listed at $301,500, it has been reduced to $289,000.

Is this a deal?

Marko Beric at Koenig & Strey Real Living has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or you can see it in person at the Open House on Sunday June 17 from 11 am- 1 pm.

Unit #D7: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1500 square feet

• Sold in August 1990 for $150,000
• Originally listed in May 2012 for $301,500
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $289,000
• Assessments of $692 a month (includes heat, cable)
• Taxes of $3697
• No central air- window units
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Parking is $85 a month
• Bedroom #1: 10×17
• Bedroom #2: 10×13
• Bedroom #3: 8×10
• Dining room: 12×16

This 4-bedroom Victorian at 4502 N. Kildare in the Mayfair neighborhood of Irving Park just came on the market.

Built in 1906 on an extra wide lot of 45×145, it has a 2.5 car garage.

Many of its vintage features remain including a wood staircase and stained glass window and a built-in hutch in the dining room.

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

All four bedrooms are on the second floor.

There is also what appears to be semi-finished attic space that could be used as an artists studio or playroom.

The house is listed $91,500 under the 2005 purchase price.

Is this a deal for Mayfair?

Donna Nugent at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

4502 N. Kildare: 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2272 square feet, 2.5 garage

• Sold in April 2002 for $330,000
• Sold in April 2005 for $532,500
• Currently listed for $441,000
• Taxes of $7021
• Space pak cooling
• Bedroom #1: 21×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 9×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 9×8 (second floor)
• Office: 9×7 (main floor)
• Attic: 19×16 (third floor)

This 3-bedroom duplex down at 3320 N. Damen in the Roscoe Village neighborhood of North Center has been on the market since April 2012.

It is a short sale. The listing says “close in 60 to 90 days.”

The unit has all the features of newer construction including central air, garage parking and in-unit washer/dryer.

It has crown molding and 2 fireplaces.

Two of the three bedrooms are on the main floor with the third in the lower level along with a family room.

Originally listed for $424,900, it has been lowered to $389,900.

That is $10,100 under the 2003 purchase price.

Is this a deal for the location which is nearly in the heart of Roscoe Village?

How many units are there like this all over the GreenZone that have to go into short sale before this housing bust is over?

Richard Richker at Exit Strategy has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, no square footage listed, duplex down, garage parking

• Sold in February 2003 for $400,000
• Sold in February 2006 for $488,000
• Originally listed in April 2012 for $424,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed as a “short sale” at $389,900
• Assessments of $175 a month
• Taxes of $7384
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 17×11 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 12×10 (main level)
• Bedroom #3: 11×10 (lower level)
• Family room: 22×17 (lower level)