Crib Chatter

This 4-bedroom single family home at 2240 W. Barry in North Center came on the market in April 2012.

It has a rare feature for a city home: 4 car parking.

Apparently, the garage is huge and can fit 4 cars (with two being tandem.)

The house was built in 1891 on a standard 25×125 lot so the garage probably doesn’t leave much of a backyard.

However, there is a deck off the back of the house.

There are hardwood floors throughout except in the lower level.

The kitchen has granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The bathrooms are “stone.”

The finished lower level has a custom bar.

Two of the bedrooms are on the second level, the third on the main floor and the fourth in the lower level.

Originally listed for $25,000 over the 2005 purchase price, it has now been reduced to just under.

Will this house take a particular buyer (with a lot of cars)?

Or is it a townhouse substitute?

Anthony Madonia at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

2240 W. Barry: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, no square footage listed, 4 car parking

• Sold in August 2002 for $460,000
• Sold in November 2005 for $590,000
• Originally listed in April 2012 for $615,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $574,900
• Taxes of $7520
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×9 (main floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×11 (lower level)
• Family room: 22×9 (lower level)

This 2-bedroom townhouse at 1130 W. Cornelia in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Lakeview is on the market as a short sale.

The listing calls this a townhouse. I guess that’s because it has it’s own entrance into the courtyard.

It has a 2-story living room with an open kitchen that has maple cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The master bedroom is on the second floor and has a massive skylight but it’s also, apparently, open to the living room below (see the comments by the Redfin agent if you are registered on Redfin.)

The second bedroom is on the second floor behind the master bedroom but it apparently doesn’t have any windows (also see the Redfin agent’s comments.)

There is a bonus den on the main level.

It has central air and a parking space.

Listed in April 2012, it has been reduced $50,000 to $325,000.

That is just $16,000 above the 2000 purchase price.

How low will this go?

Joe Green at Keller Williams has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #G: 2 bedrooms, den, 2 baths, 1500 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in June 1989 for $182,500
• Sold in July 1993 for $197,500
• Sold in April 1997 for $214,500
• Sold in May 2000 for $309,000
• Sold in April 2005 for $410,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in January 2012
• Originally listed in April 2012 for $375,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $325,000 (parking included)
• Assessments of $257 a month
• Taxes of $4756
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 17×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 17×10 (second floor)
• Den: 15×10 (main)

This large 2-bedroom at 2715 N. Pine Grove in East Lincoln Park came on the market in August 2011.

The building was built in 1997 and has 6 units.  

This unit has the coveted modern amenities that buyers look for but which normally aren’t found in East Lincoln Park. These are central air, in-unit washer/dryer and garage parking.

It also has 10 foot ceilings and at 1600 square feet is larger than many 3-bedrooms in the area.

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

The unit has one private back deck and also a second larger deck that is shared with one other unit.

Since last August, it has been reduced $5,100 to $489,900.

This unit last sold 14 years ago.

What price will it take to sell the unit this time around?

Leigh Marcus at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

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

• Sold in August 1998 for $390,000
• Originally listed in August 2011 for $495,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $489,900 (parking included)
• Assessments of $145 a month
• Taxes of $6706
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 15×14

This 3-bedroom single family home at 2544 W. Huron directly across the street from Smith Park in West Town recently came on the market. (If you’re looking at the map of it on Redfin- that isn’t correct. It literally IS right across from the park.)

Built in 1997 on a 22×125 lot, it has the features homebuyers are looking for including a 2-car garage and central air.

All three bedrooms are on the second floor and the master suite has cathedral ceilings with skylights.

The kitchen has white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and a marble subway tile backsplash.

There’s a back deck and a bricked patio.

The house is listed $35,000 under the 2004 price.

Is this a deal?

Ivona Kutermankiewicz at Koenig & Strey Real Living has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or you can also see it in person at the Open House, Sunday, June 10 from 1-3 pm.

2544 W. Huron: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage

• Sold in November 2004 for $535,000
• Originally listed in May 2012 for $500,000
• Currently still listed at $500,000
• Taxes of $6033
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 17×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×17 (second floor)
• Recreation room: 16×35 (lower level)

This 2-bedroom authentic loft in the Bank Note Place building at 1910 S. Indiana came on the market in April 2012.

For loft lovers and those looking for unique properties, this building holds a special place in their heart because many of the units, such as this one, have the terra cotta tile ceilings. That is a unique feature in this building.

It also has other authentic loft features such as exposed brick and ductwork.

However, you get some privacy, which is rare in a loft, as the listing says the master suite is entirely enclosed.

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

With the parking included, it is listed $21,000 under the 2003 purchase price.

Is this loft a deal?

Christina Delgreco at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #423: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in September 2003 for $311,000 (included the parking)
• Originally listed in April 2012 for $279,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $265,000 (plus $25,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $337 a month
• Taxes of $3865
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 18×11
• Bedroom #2: 10×9

This 1-bedroom at 2626 N. Lakeview in Lincoln Park just came on the market.

Formerly bank owned, it has been rehabbed.

The listing says there is a new kitchen. It has stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

The listing also says there’s a new bath.

It has new hardwood floors and new paint.

There is central air but no in-unit washer/dryer. Parking is rental in the building.

This is a prime location across from Lincoln Park. The building is full service with a doorman and swimming pool.

Are there still buyers for the Lincoln Park 1-bedrooms?

Michael Gerhardt at Re/Max Edge has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2309: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 800 square feet

• Sold in 2000? (no price given)
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in November 2009
• Bank owned in May 2011
• Sold in February 2012 for $134,000
• Currently listed for $230,000
• Assessments of $423 a month (includes doorman, cable, pool)
• Taxes of $2184
• Central Air
• Rental parking
• No washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 16×11

This 4-bedroom farmhouse  at 2421 N. Campbell in Logan Square just came on the market.

Built in 1889 on a standard Chicago lot of 25×125, it was previously a 6 bedroom, 2 bath 2-flat.

The former 2011 listing simply said:  “Old beat-up two flat needs TLC. Borderline tear-down.”

Bought in February 2011, the property was restored into a 4 bedroom 3.5 bath single family home with a 2 car garage.

The house has hardwood floors throughout the main level.

The kitchen has white cabinets, a large kitchen island and stainless steel appliances including a Viking range.

 I’ve been told the countertops are Carrera marble but the top of the island is a reclaimed section of a bowling alley lane.

It has two family rooms including one on the main level and one on the lower level.

Three of the four bedrooms are on the second level, including the master, and there’s also a master bath.

Buyers love “new.”

Will this house be under contract by tomorrow?

Craig Faust at @Properties has the listing. See more pictures here.

2421 N. Campbell: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage

• I couldn’t find any prior sale in the public records
• Sold in February 2011 for $135,000
• Currently listed for $599,000
• Taxes of $5683
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 13×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 9×11 (main floor)
• Family room: 13×15 (main floor)
• Family room #2: 13×18 (lower level)

On a comment to a recent post about the most expensive condos to ever be listed in Chicago, Looking to buy said the following about properties in Lincoln Park:

“Probably because you can’t buy a SFH in LP for 500k.”

But as Bob pointed out, you were able to buy for under $500,000 in the past and actually you are able to right now.  (Did you think I wouldn’t look???)

This 3-bedroom single family home at 610 W. Kemper in Lincoln Park has been on the market at $499,900 since February 2012.

Built on a 50×21 lot, it has a large front patio and a rooftop deck.

All three bedrooms are on the second floor.

The master bathroom has a skylight.

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

While the house does have central air it doesn’t have attached parking. Apparently, a space is available to rent nearby.

It is directly across from the Lincoln school.

What will this house ultimately sell for?

Nancy Hearon at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

610 W. Kemper: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in 1993? (no price)
• Originally listed in February 2012 for $499,900
• Currently still listed for $499,900
• Taxes of $6477
• Central Air
• No parking- but rental in the neighborhood
• Bedroom #1: 11×22 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 8×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 8×11 (second floor)

We’ve been chattering about this 2-bedroom loft at 1528 S. Wabash in the South Loop for years.

We watched it go from a “normal” listing, to a short sale, then to a bank owned listing.

Guess what- it’s back!

In our last chatter in December 2011, the bank had dramatically reduced it to $169,900 (and that included parking.)

See our prior chatter and interior picture of the kitchen here.

It finally sold in March 2012 for $155,000 (including the parking.)

The new listing says it has “new stone (quartz) counter tops.” From the pictures, it appears those were replaced in the kitchen and  the bathrooms.

There also appears to be a new tile backsplash in the kitchen.

But otherwise, there doesn’t appear to be any big renovations done to this unit. The kitchen and baths were intact when it was a bank owned unit. The prior listing even had stainless steel appliances.

The 1200 square foot unit with exposed brick has come back on the market just 3 months later for $94,900 more than the previous sale.

Is the market hot enough that this unit can be flipped for a big profit?

Buyers love “new”.

Scott Fey has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit#608: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1200 square feet

• Sold in January 2004 for $268,000
• Originally listed in October 2008 for $299,900 (parking is extra)
• Reduced
• Was listed in February 2009 for $284,900 (parking was $34,000 extra)
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in May 2009 for $261,900 (parking was $28,000 extra)
• Withdrawn
• Listed in April 2010 for $289,900
• Reduced
• Was listed as a “short sale” for $214,900 (plus $25,000 for parking)
• Withdrawn
• Bank owned
• Originally listed in October 2011 for $229,000 (included the parking)
• Reduced
• Was listed in December 2011 for $169,900 (included the parking)
• Sold in March 2012 for $155,000 (included the parking)
• Re-listed for $249,900 (includes the parking)
• Assessments of $433 a month (includes heat, gas and cable)
• Taxes are now $4032 (were $3656)
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 14×12
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Living room: 14×18
• Kitchen: 14×9

This 8-bedroom single family home at 2556 N. Kimball in Logan Square has been on the market since October 2011.

The listing says it is the Spencer S. Kimball Mansion which was built in 1905. But after some digging around, it seems that the listing agent got the name wrong of the original owner- as did the city of Chicago when naming the street- because it was Kimbell with an “e” – not an “a”.

The street was named after the family later- but the city messed up the spelling and that’s how it ended up with an “a.”

The house is at the corner of Kimball and Fullerton and used to make up an area called Kimbell Farm. Here’s what I found out on the all-knowing Google:

“However, for historical reference and as a point of amusement, the original Kimbell Farm extended from Kimbell/Kimball Avenue (spelling “was flubbed” in the City’s 1909 re-naming) to a street name that escapes me, just a few blocks west of Central Park, and from Fullerton to just past Wrightwood.

Wrightwood Avenue was a gift to the City in 1895 by Martin Kimbell’s family, west of Kimball/Kimbell and allowed for its extension to Crawford (now Pulaski Road).

The Kimbell Farm supplied the early Town and City of Chicago with produce
and hay for horses in the late 1830’s, via an old Indian Trail, developed in part by Kimbell and others into Northwest Plank Toll Road. That street is now known as Milwaukee Avenue.”

The house is on an oversized lot measuring 81×125 and has a 2-car garage.

The listing says the interior has been restored. There are still many of the original vintage features including pocket doors, beamed ceilings, and stained glass.

The kitchen has white cabinets and some white and stainless appliances (there is a stainless steel stove.)

6 of the 8 bedrooms are somehow on the second floor with the 2 remaining bedrooms and a library on the third level.

The house has been reduced $201,223 since October. It is now listed $152,223 below the 2005 purchase price.

What price will it take to sell this property?

Ismael Perez at Exit Real Estate has the listing. See the pictures here.

2556 N. Kimball: 8 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 5170 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in June 1997 for $345,000
• Sold in December 2005 for $1.2 million
• Originally listed in October 2011 for $1.249 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1,047,777
• Taxes of $13,109
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 28×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 20×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 15×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #6: 14×18 (second floor)
• Bedroom #7: 14×18 (third floor)
• Bedroom #8: 12×15 (third floor)
• Library: 12×14 (third floor)