Crib Chatter

This 3-bedroom penthouse at 2408 W. Rice in West Town recently came back on the market.

The modern building at the corner of Rice and Western Avenue, was built in 2008 and has 12 units.

It looks like this penthouse, Unit #404, never originally sold from the developer.

At 1500 square feet, it has a balcony with city views and a private rooftop deck.

The listing says there is an “exotic Wenge kitchen” and “resort caliber baths” with quartz counter tops.

There are hardwood floors throughout.

The unit has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is included.

The unit has been reduced about 39% since February 2009 to $299,000.

Will this lowered price finally lead to a sale?

Karen Biazar at North Clybourn Group has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #404: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet, 1 car garage parking

• New construction in 2008
• Originally listed in November 2008
• Was listed in February 2009 at $489,900
• Reduced many times
• Currently listed at $299,000
• Assessments of $160 a month
• Taxes of $7211
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 17×14
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Bedroom #3: 13×9

We last chattered about this 7-unit vintage building at 448 W. Wrightwood in June 2011 when a first floor unit was being marketed as being like the apartment in the movie “The Break-Up.” (which was actually filmed on a sound stage)

Unit #1, a 3/2 with 2100 square feet sold within 5 months, in June 2011, for $20,000 above the 2007 purchase price at $660,000.

See our prior chatter here.

Now Unit #3E, a top floor 3-bedroom, has come on the market at $699,000.

It also has vintage features including original woodwork, french doors, coffered ceilings, and original built-ins.

It has two outdoor spaces, one overlooking the front of the building and a deck in the back.

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

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

It is listed about 15.5% higher than the 2009 purchase price.

In a market with low inventory, will this unit sell for that much of a premium?

Kris Mork at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

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

• Sold in December 1994 for $332,000
• Sold in August 2000 for $570,000
• Sold in November 2006 for $558,000
• Sold in April 2009 for $590,000
• Currently listed for $699,000
• Assessments of $375 a month
• Taxes of $9339
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 14×10
• Bedroom #3: 11×9
• Family room: 15×14
• Laundry room: 4×4

This 3-bedroom at 990 N. Lake Shore Drive in Streeterville recently came on the market.

Built in 1973 on the corner of Walton and Lake Shore Drive, it is a southeast corner unit with lake and Navy Pier views.

It has a few interesting features including solar panel shades in the living and dining rooms.

The unit also has a step up black soaking tub in what looks like one of the bedrooms.

The eat-in kitchen has black appliances and purple cabinets.

The listing says there are hardwood floors under the carpeting.

It has a washer/dryer in the unit and central air. Parking is leased in the building.

We’ve never chattered about this building before. I don’t even have a picture in my stock photos.

Was the big tub a necessary feature of condo living in the 1970s and 1980s?

Is this a steal for the views and the square footage?

Suzi Landsman at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #19A: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2000 square feet

• Sold prior to 1987
• Currently listed for $650,000
• Assessments of $1483 a month (includes a/c, doorman, cable, pool)
• Taxes of $9219
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Parking is leased for $210 to $250 per month
• Bedroom #1: 18×16
• Bedroom #2: 11×10
• Bedroom #3: 13×14

We last chattered about this 3-bedroom at 6 N. Michigan across from Millennium Park in the Loop in January 2012.

See our prior chatter here.

Back then, many of you were confused by the layout (thinking it was a 2-bedroom with den) and that the finishes weren’t up to other units in the building.

If you recall, this building is in a prime Millennium Park location, directly across from the park.

This unit is in the premier Southeast corner tier with direct views of the park and lake.

It has 10 foot ceilings.

The kitchen has walnut cabinets and SubZero and Bosch appliances.

It is lacking the interior details, like curtains, that other 03 units currently on the market have, but it is also still the cheapest for sale in this tier.

At $854,000 (including one parking space), it is now listed for $210,000 below the 2008 purchase price.

How low will this go?

Kathleen Malone at @Properties still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #603: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1979 square feet

• Sold in November 2008 for $1,075,000 (included one parking spot)
• Originally listed in November 2011 for $950,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in January 2012 at $850,000 (plus $55,000 for parking)
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $799,000 (plus $55,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $1263 a month (includes a/c, doorman)
• Taxes aren’t listed. The building has a historic tax freeze good only for the original buyer.
• Central Air
• Full laundry room
• Bedroom #1: 17×13
• Bedroom #2: 15×12
• Bedroom #3: 12×10

A half a million dollars doesn’t get you much in the prime neighborhoods these days (even after the bust) but you can still get a house with a yard like this 3-bedroom cottage at 1738 W. Newport in Lakeview.

This is far west Lakeview (does North Center start at Ravenswood?) and is NOT on the El side of Newport.

Built in 1886 on a wider than standard lot of 30×125, the listing describes it as a “cottage.”

It is built on the back end of the property making for a long front yard that is fenced in for privacy.

The listing says it has a 1-car garage and central air.

The kitchen has black appliances.

There is a wood burning fireplace and an unfinished basement.

2 of the 3 bedrooms are on the second floor with the third on the main level.

Originally listed in April 2012 for $529,900, it was recently reduced $10,000.

Is this house a good townhouse or duplex down alternative?

Suzanne Gignilliat at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

1738 W. Newport: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, 1 car garage

• Sold in November 1989 for $170,000
• Sold in September 1990 for $176,500
• Originally listed in April 2012 for $529,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $519,900
• Taxes of $7631
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 9×11 (main floor)

This 3-bedroom at 1000 N. Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast recently came on the market.

It is bank owned.

It has some unique features including a large terrace and a bathroom which appears to have a shower curtain as the only thing separating the bathtub from the bedroom.

From the pictures, the kitchen appears intact with granite counter tops, white cabinets and white appliances.

It doesn’t have central air (wall units only) or in-unit washer/dryer.

But it is 1800 square feet with a terrace for under $300,000 in the Gold Coast.

Is this a deal?

Joseph Thouvenell at P.R.S. Associates has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #305: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 1800 square feet

• Sold in January 2002 for $390,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in August 2010
• Bank owned in December 2011
• Currently listed for $289,900
• Assessments of $1393 a month (includes heat, gas, cable)
• Taxes of $4779
• No central air- wall units only
• No in-unit washer/dryer
• Terrace
• Bedroom #1: 19×13
• Bedroom #2: 16×11
• Bedroom #3: 15×12

We last chattered about this 4-bedroom greystone at 1944 W. Farragut in Bowmanville in February 2012.

See our prior chatter here.

Originally listed for $1.349 million in May 2011, you all chimed in as to whether the Bowmanville neighborhood, which is part of Lincoln Square, could command that high of a price.

The consensus was: “no” (or “hell no” as roma put it.)

Most of you thought it wouldn’t sell for over $1 million.

4 months later, the house has been reduced another $150,000 to $1.099 million.

If you recall, the listing indicates it was formerly a two flat that was converted into a single family home.

The house has 3 fireplaces, crown molding and a box ceiling in the living and dining room.

Four of the six bedrooms are on the second level, with the remaining two in the lower level where there is also a recreation room.

The rear of the house has also been updated to have a wall of windows, which the listing indicates is from the basement to the second floor.

There are also $23,000 in custom window treatments included with the house.

It has an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a large island and stone counter tops.

The house is on a 125×29 lot, has a 2-car garage and 2 decks, including one on the roof of the house and one on the roof of the garage.

It is still the most expensive single family home on the market in the immediate neighborhood.

How hard is it to sell the most expensive house in a neighborhood?

Mary Foley at Conlon still has the listing. See the pictures here.

You can also see a video presentation here.

1944 W. Farragut: 6 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 4500 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in March 1995 for $168,000
• Sold in December 2001 for $417,000
• Originally listed in May 2011 for $1.349 million
• Reduced
• Was listed in February 2012 at $1.249 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1.099 million
• Taxes of $9800
• Central Air
• 3 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 14×23 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 9×7 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 13×13 (lower level)
• Bedroom #6: 12×11 (lower level)
• Family room: 23×15 (main level)
• Recreation room: 21×23 (lower level)

Unlike most other neighborhoods, there’s actually quite a lot on the market in the Historic Old Edgebrook neighborhood of Forest Glen.

This 4-bedroom colonial revival at 6270 N. Louise came on the market in April 2012.

Built in 1924, it has many of its original details including a wood burning fireplace, french doors and crown molding.

The house still has the original butler pantry with built-ins.

The kitchen has granite counter tops and what looks like some stainless steel appliances.

Constructed on a non-standard Chicago lot measuring 100x100x127x75, it has central air and a 1-car garage.

Three of the 4 bedrooms are on the second floor with the fourth on the third floor. There is also a main floor family room and an unfinished basement.

The house has been reduced $30,000 since April 2012.

Is this a deal at $719,000 for this neighborhood?

Leonard Benefico at Koenig & Strey Real Living has the listing. (It is agent owned.) See the pictures here.

Or see it in person at the Open House on Sunday, June 10 from 2-4 PM.

6270 N. Louise: 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 3425 square feet, 1 car garage

• I couldn’t find an original purchase price
• Originally listed in April 2012 for $749,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $719,000
• Taxes of $10,857
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 28×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 14×13 (third floor)
• Family room: 18×12 (main level)

We last chattered about this 3-bedroom single family home at 3902 N. Central Park in the Independence Park neighborhood of Irving Park in November 2011.

See our chatter here.

Most of you were shocked at the 2006 sale price of $850,000 and thought the sales history clearly showed the Chicago housing bubble in action.

Since our last chatter it has been reduced another $15,000 to $635,000.

If you recall, the house was built in 1914 and is on a double lot measuring 50×124.

2 of the 3 bedrooms are on the second floor with the third in the lower level along with an office and a great room. The bedrooms also have ensuite baths.

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

The house has central air and a 2-car garage.

How low will this go?

Elizabeth Bleeker at Prudential Rubloff still has the listing. See the pictures here.

3902 N. Central Park: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3370 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in October 1988 for $70,000
• Sold in June 1998 for $222,000
• Sold in December 2006 for $850,000
• Originally listed in September 2009 for $849,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in November 2011 at $650,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $635,000
• Taxes of $5040
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 18×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×9 (lower level)
• Office: 11×11 (lower level)
• Great room: 18×12 (lower level)

We’ve chattered about this 3-bedroom top floor unit at 2817 N. Orchard in Lakeview several times before.

See our March 2012 chatter here.

After the last price reduction to $400,000, some of you thought anywhere from $325k to $375k gets the job done.

It has now been reduced to $389,900.

If you recall, this is a rare 3-bedroom vintage unit that also has 2 full baths (usually they have just 1 bath.)

Some of its vintage features remain including crown molding, an antique fireplace mantle and built-ins in the dining room.

This was a 2007 conversion so it has all the newer finishes. The kitchen has granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances with newer cherry cabinets.

The unit also has central air, washer/dryer in the unit, a balcony and an outdoor parking space.

Is this finally priced to sell?

Craig Easly at @Properties still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or you can watch the YouTube video here (warning- music!)

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

• Sold in May 2007 for $445,000
• Was listed in November 2011 for $429,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in March 2012 at $400,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $389,900
• Assessments of $299 a month
• Taxes of $5613
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Outdoor parking space included
• Bedroom #1: 12×12
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Bedroom #3: 10×9