Crib Chatter

We have chattered about this 2-bedroom in this courtyard building at 1104 W. Montana in Lincoln Park several times over the years.

See our prior chatter in June 2011 when we discussed Chicago’s shadow inventory here.

Back in June, anonny said this about why the unit, which was in a short sale, wasn’t selling at a list price of $169,000: “essentially: off-campus student housing.”

The unit finally sold for just $100,000 in October 2011.

Someone must have been reading our comments about the quality of the unit, though, because just 3 months later it has come back on the market as a “complete gut” with “million $ finishes for $289k!”

The unit was formerly a 1-bedroom with a dining room. The dining room was closed off and a closet added to make it a 2/1.

The kitchen now has white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a backsplash and honed black granite counter tops. There’s even a winecooler.

There is a marble fireplace, crown molding and walnut floors.

The bathroom has been gutted and now has Toto, Robern, and Grohe finishes.

The unit still doesn’t have central air and there is still no in-unit washer/dryer.

The listing says there’s parking, but there wasn’t before so I don’t think there is deeded parking with this unit (or even the building.) Maybe it is rental in the neighborhood.

Will this sell quickly because it’s “new”?

To get the full extent of the renovation, check out the prior pictures of the unit here.

Eugene Fu at @Properties now has the listing. See the renovated unit here.

Or you can see it in person at the Open House on Saturday January 14 at 12-3 PM.

Unit #2A (was #2 before): now 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square footage listed (was a 1/1 with a dining room)

• Sold in September 1996 for $116,000
• Sold in August 2001 for $177,000
• Sold in July 2006 for $250,000
• Was listed in May 2008 for $256,000
• Lis pendens filed in August 2008
• Reduced
• Was listed in December 2008 for $244,000
• Withdrawn
• Returned to the market as a “short sale” in June 2011 for $174,000
• Reduced
• Was listed as a short sale in June 2011 at $169,900
• Sold in October 2011 for $100,o00
• Recently re-listed for $289,000
• Assessments of $246 a month (includes heat)
• Taxes of $3158
• No central air
• No in-unit washer/dryer (its in the building though)
• Listing now says parking- but the old listing didn’t have it. Maybe rental??? 
• Bedroom: 14×11
• Livingroom: 19 x 11
• Dining room- is now a Bedroom: 10×8

We last chattered about this 6-bedroom vintage Gold Coast mansion at 1538 N. Dearborn Parkway in March 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

10 months ago, it had a broken window in front and was sitting on the market with absolutely no price reductions.

Flash forward to the new year- and it is STILL on the market with no price reductions. (I don’t know about the broken window- as I haven’t walked by in awhile. I’m sure someone can fill us in on that- see last year’s picture below.)

The lis pendens foreclosure was filed 26 months ago. The average time for the bank to take possession in Cook County is about 18 months.

If you recall, the 6000 square foot house had a “historically correct” complete renovation.

Built on a 25×125 lot, it has a 2-car garage and 6 fireplaces.

The master bedroom is on the third floor, 3 bedrooms are on the second floor and 2 are in the lower level.

There are no interior pictures of the house with the listing.

Will the bank finally do something with this property in 2012?

Or will we still be chattering about it listed at $4.99 million in 2013?

Place your bets.

Mary Bennett at Koenig & Strey Real Living still has the listing. See the listing here.

1538 N. Dearborn Parkway: 6 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 6000 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in August 1989
• Sold in April 2006 for $2.7 million
• Originally listed in August 2008 for $5.98 million
• Reduced in October 2009 to $4.99 million
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in November 2009
• Was listed in March 2011 for $4.99 million
• Currently still listed for $4.99 million
• Taxes of $35,314
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 23×23 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 13×10 (lower level)
• Bedroom #6: 14×11 (lower level)
• Family room: 19×16 (main level)

This 7-bedroom Queen Anne at 634 W. Fullerton Parkway in Lincoln Park came on the market in October of 2011.

It seems to have it all.

The listing says it has been “completely rebuilt” so even though it dates back to 1880, it has a modern interior.

The 7 bedrooms are spread out on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the house.

Built on an oversized lot measuring 30×175, the house also has a rare 3-car garage.

There are Brazilian cherry floors throughout. The kitchen is a custom Nuhaus kitchen with white cabinets with an island and great room.

One interesting feature is that there appears to be both a first floor and second floor laundry.

Is this fairly priced for what is basically old on the outside but “new” on the inside?

Nancy Nugent at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

634 W. Fullerton Parkway: 7 bedrooms, 4 baths, 6500 square feet, 3 car garage

• Sold in January 2002 for $2.429 million
• Originally listed in October 2011 for $3.995 million
• Currently still listed for $3.995 million
• Taxes of $21280
• Central Air
• 2 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 14×22 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 9×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×22 (third floor)
• Bedroom #5: 11×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #6: 12×14 (third floor)
• Bedroom #7: 21×14 (third floor)

This vintage 2-flat at 1137 N. Hoyne in the Ukranian Village has been on and off the market for nearly 3 years.

In that time, it has been reduced $600,000.

Built in 1885 on a corner lot measuring 48×104, it has had some of its mechanicals updated including electric.

Many of the vintage features remain including stained glass windows, 2 working fireplaces, original molding, plaster medallions and inlaid hardwood floors.

It has 2 kitchens and a 2-car garage.

The property also has a unique feature of a bridge that connects the house to the studio/attic space of the garage.

The listing implies you could get a gorgeous vintage home if you “do it yourself” (i.e. the renovation).

At what price will someone be willing to take this on?

William Ryerson Jr. at Lake View Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Also see a great 2 minute You Tube video describing the vintage features here.

1137 N. Hoyne: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2-flat, 2 car garage, 3022 square feet

• Last sold sometimes before 1986
• Originally listed in April 2009 for $1.85 million
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed for $1.25 million
• Taxes of $8006
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 13×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×12 (main floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×11 (main floor)

This new construction 3-unit building at 1022 W. Diversey in Lakeview has just put its first unit on the market.

It is on the border of Lakeview and Lincoln Park with the Diversey Brown Line stop just steps away.

The unit has luxury finishes including Viking and Bosch appliances.

It also has marble baths.

Parking is included.

There are big decks out front so that on summer nights you can sit outside and watch the people working out in the Lincoln Park Athletic Club which is directly across the street from this property. (You can’t tell from this picture, but you can see everyone on their treadmill and they can see you.)

This 2/2 is listed for nearly $500,000.

Is there still a market for these expensive, luxury 2/2s in Lakeview?

Patrick Devereux at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

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

• New construction
• Currently listed for $474,900 (parking included)
• Assessments of $148 a month
• Taxes are “new”
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×12
• Bedroom #2: 14×10

This 3-bedroom duplex penthouse in The Farallon at 600 N. Dearborn in River North came on the market in November 2011.

Since then, it has been reduced $36,000 to $799,000.

The Northeast corner unit has 2500 square feet of living space plus 1325 square feet on the private terrace.

The listing says it has new hardwood floors, new appliances and is freshly painted.

The kitchen has cherry cabinets, what looks like granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances including a Sub-Zero refrigerator.

All of the bedrooms are on the main floor. It appears that just the family room is on the duplex up.

The unit comes with 2-car parking included but you can also purchase 2 more spots for just $50,000 which would give you rare 4 car parking in the middle of River North.

I couldn’t find a prior sales price. It’s possible that this is the first sale of this unit (that it’s still owned by the developer.)

For a penthouse unit in this location, is this a deal?

Leila Zammatta at Magellan Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2009: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2500 square feet, 2 car parking

• I couldn’t find a prior sales price
• Originally listed in November 2011 for $835,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $799,000 (includes 2 car parking)
• Assessments of $1943 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable)
• Taxes of $18,724
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• 1325 square foot terrace
• Another 2 car parking is available for $50,000
• Bedroom #1: 15×12 (main floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×13 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×12 (main floor)
• Family room: 18×16 (second floor)

This 2-bedroom townhouse at 6442 N. Oketo in Edison Park came on the market in November 2011.

It is just a short walk to the Metra and the Olympia Park.

Both bedrooms on are on the second floor.

It also has a full, unfinished basement on a 25×125 lot.

The kitchen has white cabinets and white appliances.

There doesn’t appear to be parking included but there is central air.

This is a short sale currently listed $102,000 under the 2005 purchase price.

Its this a good starter property for someone trying to get into the Edison Park neighborhood?

How low will this go?

Regina Zak Tomas at Re/Max City has the listing. See the pictures here.

6442 N. Oketo: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in March 2004 for $120,000
• Sold in December 2005 for $290,000
• Originally listed in November 2011 for $188,000
• Currently still listed as a “short sale” for $188,000
• There appears to be a monthly homeowners fee of some kind
• Taxes of $3552
• Central Air
• No parking (?)
• Bedroom #1: 14×13
• Bedroom #2: 11×11

We last chattered about this brick and timber triplex loft in the Mandel Brothers Lofts at 811 W. Aldine in Lakeview in July 2010.

See our prior chatter here.

That was 18 months ago.

Since then, it has been reduced $58,500 and is now a short sale.

The listing says to “bring all offers.”

If you recall, the living room/kitchen and dining areas are on the main floor. The kitchen has granite counter tops and white appliances.

The two bedrooms are on the second floor.

The third level sports the den and a private terrace.

This loft also has a highly coveted Lakeview feature: not just 1 but 2 deeded parking spaces.

It also has the other features buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit.

After being on and off the market for 3 years, will this loft finally sell in 2012?

Saul Castaneda at Estaneia Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1N: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, den, triplex, 2 car parking, 1940 square feet

• Sold in September 1995 for $245,000
• Sold in August 1997 for $352,500
• Sold in June 2000 for $479,000
• Sold in July 2004 for $528,000
• Originally listed in February 2009
• Withdrawn in June 2009
• Re-listed in May 2010 for $548,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in July 2010 at $497,500 (included 2 car parking)
• Reduced
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $439,000 (includes 2 car parking)
• Assessments of $409 a month (includes cable)
• Taxes of $8823 (was $7250 in 2010)
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×12 (second level)
• Bedroom #2: 14×11 (second level)
• Den: 10×10 (third level)
• Living room: 24×17 (main level)
• Kitchen: 21×8 (main level)

We last chattered about this 4-bedroom Bertrand Goldberg designed mid-century modern ranch at 1310 Brassie in the south suburb of Flossmoor in June 2010.

See our prior chatter here.

Back in 2010, nearly all of you loved this house but either didn’t know where Flossmoor was or wondered how you’d get to the city from the location.

The house is just three blocks from downtown Flossmoor and the Metra.

Designed by famed architect Bertrand Goldberg in 1957 (he designed River City and Marina Towers in Chicago), it has many unique features for fans of the mid-century modern style.

If you recall, the home has stunning vaulted wood truss ceilings and a steel fireplace.

There are walls of thermopane glass throughout.

The kitchen is described as a chef’s kitchen with modern stainless steel appliances and white cabinets.

The house is built on a 149.5×190 lot and has a 2.5 car heated garage.

It has been reduced $50,000 since June 2010.

Will this house finally sell in 2012?

Joe Kunkel at Baird and Warner still has the listing. See more pictures here.

1310 N. Brassie: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2.5 car garage, 2784 square feet

• Sold in July 2002 for $445,000
• Originally listed in August 2007 for $635,000
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in June 2010 for $485,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $435,000
• Taxes of $12,383 (were $11,786 in 2010)
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 16×12
• Bedroom #2: 15×10
• Bedroom #3: 12×11
• Bedroom #4: 11×10

This 4-bedroom single family home at 2244 W. Erie in West Town has been on the market since November 2009.

In that time, it has been reduced $349,900 to $450,000.

Built in 1890 on a 25×125 lot, it has an open first floor floorplan.

All 4 bedrooms are on the second floor and there is a partially finished basement.

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

There is central air and a 2-car garage.

The house is currently listed $50,000 under the 2003 purchase price.

Is this a deal for a single family home (and not a condo or townhouse) in this neighborhood?

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

2244 W. Erie: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage, no square footage listed

• Sold in December 2002 for $290,000
• Sold in December 2003 for $500,000
• Originally listed in November 2009 for $799,900
• Reduced numerous times
• Was listed in November 2011 for $499,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $450,000
• Taxes of $7348
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 19×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×7 (second floor)
• Partially finished basement