Crib Chatter

We last chattered about this 3-bedroom Cape Cod at 7640 W. Rascher in the Oriole Park neighborhood of Norwood Park in August 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

Many of you just didn’t know anything about this neighborhood or greatly underestimated what houses sell for in a neighborhood with one of the best public schools in the city.

Comments like this one from Bob were common:

“Well this granny is being awfully slow to compromise considering the size of the pool of buyers for this is about to be cut significantly come 10/1. $13,650 down gets it done now vs 40k+ in October. I think granny might’ve snoozed too long in that chair & this one will be fun to follow.”

On the market just 4 months, it was listed for $389,900 and recently sold for $365,000.

If you recall, it was built in 1954 on an oversized 40×125 lot. It had a finished basement along with a main level family room with custom stone fireplace.

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

The listing said that 2 bedrooms are on the second floor with the third on the main floor along with one of the two bathrooms.

The house had central air, a brick patio and a 2-car garage.

Jelena Zande at Century 21 Elm had the listing.

7640 W. Rascher: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage

• Last sold before 1986
• Originally listed in July 2011 for $389,900
• Was still in August 2011 for $389,900
• Sold in October 2011 for $365,000
• Taxes of $2714
• Central Air
• Custom stone fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×10 (main floor)
• Family room: 17×14 (main floor)
• Recreation room: 20×11 (lower level)

This 2-bedroom in Admiral’s Pointe at 645 N. Kingsbury in River North has had quite a run on the MLS since 2008.

First listed in October 2008, it finally found a buyer after numerous price reductions in August 2010. It sold for $95,000 under the 2006 purchase price.

That buyer, however, put it back on the market just 9 months later.

It is now 15 months after the purchase and it has been reduced $19,000.

It has a south facing balcony with city views.

There are hardwood floors throughout.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and parking is available for $25,000.

This unit is listed $11,000 above the 2010 purchase price.

Will it get a premium to just 15 months ago? Or will this sell for even less?

The building is also FHA approved, for those who don’t have a big downpayment.

Greg Whelan at Redfin has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1902:  2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in March 2002 for $362,500 (included a parking space)
• Sold in March 2006 for $390,000 (no parking)
• Originally listed in October 2008 for $384,999
• Reduced numerous times
• Finally sold in August 2010 for $295,000 (no parking)
• Re-listed again in May 2011 for $325,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $306,000 (plus $25,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $702 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, cable)
• Taxes of $5019
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 13×12
• Bedroom #2: 13×12

This  authentic 1-bedroom loft at 375 W. Erie in River North has been on the market since September 21, 2011.

It is bank owned.

From the pictures it appears that its kitchen is intact with white appliances and maple cabinets.

It has exposed brick walls, timber ceilings and, at 1000 square feet, it has the large authentic loft feel buyers look for.

The loft also has central air and washer/dryer in the unit.

However, there doesn’t appear to be parking included.

The loft is listed just $100 under the 2005 purchase price.

On the market for over 40 days, is it simply not a good enough deal to sell quickly?

How low will this go?

Coya Smith at Smith Partners & Associates has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #417: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1000 square feet

• Sold in January 1998 for $138,500
• Sold in May 2000 for $173,000
• Sold in March 2003 for $215,000
• Sold in May 2005 for $240,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in January 2010
• Bank owned in April 2011
• Originally listed in September 2011 for $239,900
• Currently still listed at $239,900
• Assessments of $250 a month (includes the doorman)
• Taxes of $2844
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Bedroom: 13×11

This 4-bedroom single family home at 4142 N. Maplewood in North Center has been on the market since March 2009.

Last purchased in 1996, the listing says it “requires bank approval.”

I couldn’t find an original listing price but at one point it was listed at just $540,000 (per this virtual tour with music.)

But in September 2011 it was listed at $650,000 and has since been reduced to $579,000.

Built in 1916 on a 29×116 lot, the house has 2 bedrooms on the second level and 2 on the third level although the listing calls those “open.”

It also doesn’t appear to have a garage- although the neighbors have one. It does have central air.

The kitchen has white cabinets, granite counter tops and a mix of white and stainless appliances.

The listing says there is a new master bathroom, which sports a double vanity, and a first floor family room.

What will it take to finally sell this house?

(Yes- it’s west of Western.)

Mark Koehler at D’Aprile Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

4142 N. Maplewood: 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in August 1996 for $125,000
• Lis pendens filed in March 2009
• Originally listed in March 2009
• Was apparently listed at $540,000 some time in the last 2+ years
• Lis pendens filed in September 2011
• Was listed in September 2011 at $650,000
• Reduced
• Currently “requires bank approval” and is listed at $579,000
• Taxes of $9177
• Central Air
• No garage or parking
• Bedroom #1: 17×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×15 (third floor but open)
• Bedroom #4: 14×11 (third floor but open)
• Family room: 21×12 (main floor)
• Den: 21×13 (basement)

We last chattered about this 4-bedroom new construction home at 2628 W. Homer in Logan Square in September 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

Listed at $699,000, many of you wondered who would pay that much west of Western even though you liked the contemporary style of the home.

The house recently sold for $680,000.

Built on a 24×125 lot, the contemporary style home had a wall of glass facing the street.

3 out of the 4 bedrooms were on the second floor with the fourth in the lower level.

The kitchen had dark wood and white modern cabinets with quartz counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

There was also a butler’s pantry.

The listing also said the house came with an intercom/security and camera system.

Melissa Govedarica at Sergio & Banks had the listing. You can still see the interior pictures here.

2628 W. Homer: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3800 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in October 2010 for $135,000
• Originally listed in February 2011 for $799,900
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in September 2011 at $699,900
• Sold in October 2011 for $680,000
• Central Air
• Taxes are “new”
• Bedroom #1: 16×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×12 (lower level)

This vintage 2-bedroom at 257 E. Delaware in the Gold Coast recently came on the market.

It last sold in 2002 for $1.05 million and is now bank owned and listed at just $481,140.

We’ve actually chattered about several units in the building over the years, including at least one other bank owned unit, which is surprising because the building only has 21 units.

Built in 1926, this unit has the vintage features many buyers look for including high ceilings, crown molding, wainscotting, hardwood floors throughout and a wood burning fireplace.

From the pictures, the kitchen appears intact and has white cabinets, granite counter tops and at least some stainless steel appliances.

The pictures also show both bathrooms intact.

The unit has both central air and in-unit washer/dryer – which is somewhat rare for vintage that was built in 1926.

There is no deeded parking but the other listings in the building mention it as rental next door.

The unit was on the market for just over 2 years in 2007-2009 but never sold.

At over 50% off the 2002 price, is this a steal?

Timothy Blomquist at Key Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #7A-B: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, den, 2600 square feet

• Sold in December 1988 for $83,000
• Sold in March 1996 for ? (typo in the public records- but probably over $330,000 which was the mortgage)
• Sold in March 2000 for $635,000
• Sold in October 2002 for $1.05 million
• Originally listed in June 2007
• Was listed in May 2008 for $1.425 million
• De-listed in July 2009 
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in November 2009
• Bank owned in August 2011
• Currently listed for $481,140
• Assessments of $1662 a month (includes heat)
• Taxes of $8516
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• No parking- but rental next door
• Bedroom #1: 20×16
• Bedroom #2: 15×18
• Family room: 10×19
• Laundry room: 4×8

This 2-bedroom contemporary coach house at 337 W. Armitage in Lincoln Park recently came on the market.

It does not have the vintage feel of most coach houses. Instead, it has contemporary features.

The kitchen has modern cabinets, a stainless steel island and luxury appliances by SubZero, Miele and Bosch.

One of the 2 bedrooms is on the second floor with the other in the lower level.

There is a patio and central air but there doesn’t appear to be parking (although the listing says it has it- but then says it doesn’t.)

It is currently listed for $60,000 more than the 2004 purchase price.

Will this 2/2 command a premium over the 2004 price?

Berg Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

337 W. Armitage: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1400 square feet

• Sold in August 1990 for $193,000
• Sold in October 2002 for $145,000
• Sold in June 2004 for $440,000
• Originally listed in 2007/2008- never sold
• Re-listed in June 2011 for $500,000
• Currently listed for $500,000
• Assessments of $145 a month
• Taxes of $2164
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• No parking (?) Pictures don’t seem to indicate that it has it.
• Bedroom #1: 17×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 18×11 (lower level)
• Living/dining combo: 17×9 (main level)
• Kitchen: 17×8 (main level)

We rarely chatter about properties outside the Chicago city limits but this 2-bedroom authentic duplex loft in the New Biscuit Lofts at 601 Linden Place in Evanston caught my eye.

It is a short sale and is now listed about 65% under the 2005 purchase price of $450,000.

First listed in June 2011 for $349,000 it has now been reduced to just $160,000 which is about 29% under the 1995 price of $226,000.

At 1745 square feet, it has 14 foot high ceilings, exposed brick and skylights. The two bedrooms are on the second floor.

The kitchen has cherry cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

There is central air, washer/dryer in the unit and parking included.

For those concerned about the commute, the listing says the purple line El is one block and the Metra is 5 blocks away.

Is this a deal for those already looking on the far north side of Chicago who are willing to go just a little further north for the right  property?

How badly are condos/lofts being hit in Evanston?

Ryan Gossett at @Properties has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #125: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, duplex up, 1745 square feet

• Sold in June 1995 for $226,000
• Sold in September 2001 for $365,000
• Sold in July 2005 for $450,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in September 2010
• Amended lis pendens foreclosure filed in May 2011
• Originally listed as a “short sale” in June 2011 for $349,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $160,000
• Assessments of $522 a month (includes cable)
• Taxes of $8125
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Parking included
• Bedroom #1: 17×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 17×12 (second floor)

Thanks to the tipster who pointed out to me that the 5-bedroom single family home at 3251 N. Lakewood in Lakeview that we chattered about several times, which sold in September, came BACK on the market just weeks later.

You can see our last chatter in July 2011 here.

The house was new construction built in 2009 on a standard 25×125 Chicago lot.

It was on the market for nearly 2 1/2 years before finally selling in early September 2011.

In early October 2011, just weeks later, it was back on the market for nearly $100,000 more than the buyer just paid.

The listing says the buyer “relocated.”

If you recall, 4 bedrooms are on the second floor with the 5th in the lower level.

It has luxury finishes including millwork, moldings and a mahogany library.

The house has a 2-tiered deck and a 2-car garage.

How long will it take to sell the second time around?

Jennifer Ames at Coldwell Banker had the listing before and she has the listing again. See the pictures here.

3251 N. Lakewood: 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 5200 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in March 2006 for $695,000(the prior house which was torn down)
• Originally listed in April 2009 for $2.38 million
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in December 2010 for $2.125 million
• Reduced
• Was  listed in July 2011 for $1.995 million
• Sold in September 2011 for $1.89 million
• Re-listed in October 2011 for $1.995 million
• Taxes of $6040
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 20×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 11×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 11×14 (lower level)

This 2-bedroom at The Waterford at 4170 N. Marine Drive in the Buena Park neighborhood of Uptown has been on the market since July 2011.

It’s biggest selling point is as the listing states: “Views, Views, Views”.

It has both south and east views which includes the lake, the park and some city views.

The Waterford was built in 1973 and is a full service building with a doorman and an indoor pool.

Parking is rental and is available in the building.

The kitchen has white cabinets, granite counter tops and what appears to be black appliances.

There is white stone flooring in the living room and hardwood floors in both bedrooms.

Unlike many buildings of its era, the unit actually does have central air and in-unit washer/dryer.

Since it was listed in July, it has been reduced $40,000 to $275,000.

Before you all start saying that it should sell for $150,000 because it’s in Uptown, the other 2-bedroom units in this tier that have not been renovated have sold pretty quickly in 2011. Here are some examples:

1. Unit #7A: Listed in January 2011 for $339,000 and sold in July 2011 for $310,000
2. Unit #14A: Listed in June 2011 for $299,000 and sold in July 2011 for $299,000

You can see the pictures of Unit #14A here. It’s the same layout as #9A.

Why isn’t this unit selling as the others have? Is this a sign of further slowing in the market? Or is it simply seasonal?

Is this now a deal at $275,000?

Marna Spizz has the listing (she also had #14A). See the pictures here.

Unit #9A: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1410 square feet

• Sold in January 1986 for $105,000
• Originally listed in July 2011 for $315,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $275,000
• Assessments of $723 a month (includes doorman, cable, indoor pool, exercise room)
• Taxes of $3380 (senior exemption)
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Parking is rental for $135 a month
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 12×13