Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom at 1715 W. Bryn Mawr in Andersonville has all the amenities buyers look for in today’s market.

The top floor unit has plenty of light with a row of small windows along the wall of the unit, unusual in many condo buildings of this size, and skylights.

It has cherry floors throughout along with 10 foot ceilings.

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

The building was converted into condos in 2006/2007 so the finishes are what you would expect from that era.

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

Originally listed in July 2010, the unit is now listed $52,100 under the 2007 purchase price.

Is this a deal for the square footage and location?

Thomas McCarey at @Properties has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #3E: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1350 square feet

• Sold in January 2007 for $392,000
• Originally listed in July 2010 (I couldn’t locate an original listing price)
• Was listed in November 2010 at $379,999
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in June 2011 at $349,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $339,900
• Assessments of $193 a month
• Taxes of $5806
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Parking included
• Gas fireplace
• Deck
• Bedroom #1: 15×12
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Sunroom: 12×10

This 4-bedroom single family home at 1218 N. Astor in the Gold Coast has been on and off the market for just over 2 years.

Built in 1900 on a 25x109x25x113 lot, it is located on prestigious Astor Street yet is just steps from the restaurants of Rush Street.

It has a modern eat-in kitchen with upgraded stainless steel appliances and what look like stainless steel counter tops.

The master suite is located on the second level with the other 3 bedrooms on the top floor.

The house has central air, a new deck and a private yard.

But it doesn’t have any parking.

The listing says leased parking is available at 1150 N. Lake Shore Drive for $370 a month.

The house is now listed as a “short sale” at $780,000 under the 2007 purchase price.

Is this a deal?

Or does it have to go much lower to find a buyer without the parking?

Jennifer Ames at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

1218 N. Astor: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in May 2000 for $2.25 million
• Originally listed in April 2007 for $4.3 million
• Sold in November 2007 for $3.45 million
• Re-listed in September 2009 (I couldn’t find an original listing price)
• Was listed in June 2010 for $2.95 million
• Reduced
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in May 2011
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $2.67 million
• Taxes of $31,739
• Central Air
• No parking
• Leased parking available at 1150 N. Lake Shore Drive for $370 a month
• Bedroom #1: 20×28 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×19 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 8×20 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 10×13 (third floor)
• Family room: 14×43 (lower level)

This 5-bedroom single family home at 1620 N. LaSalle in Lincoln Park has been on the market since March 2011.

From the pictures, it is clear that the house is currently being used as offices as there are cubicles in the living room.

Built in 1883, the listing says the house is on a RM-5 Double Lot which measures 45×101.

It has a side driveway with a 2.5 car garage.

But even though the pictures shows cubicles in the living room, much of the vintage features have been preserved including the original stained glass, crown molding, the ornate staircase and hardwood floors.

The house has 12-foot ceilings.

The listing also says it has new windows, roof, tuckpointing and electric.

It has 2 terraces and 5 fireplaces along with zoned HVAC.

The house even has an elevator.

However, the kitchen and the one bathroom shown in the pictures have NOT been updated.

It has been reduced $745,000 since it was first listed in March 2011.

Will a buyer be able to look past that the house is being used as offices?

Jodi Serio at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

1620 N. LaSalle: 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 5400 square feet, 2.5 car garage

• Sold in January 1996 (I couldn’t find a price)
• Sold in July 2000 for $890,000
• Originally listed in March 2011 for $2.395 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1.65 million
• Taxes of $32,745
• Central Air
• Elevator
• 5 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 15×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×10 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×10 (third floor)
• Bedroom #5: 15×13 (third floor)
• Family room: 23×20 (third floor)

This contemporary 4-bedroom single family home at 1819 W. Race in West Town has been on the market since June 2011.

Built in 2006 on a smaller than standard 48×90 lot, it makes up for the small lot with a 2000 square foot roof top deck with a hot tub and skyline views.

The house has bamboo floors and electric shades.

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

At 5647 square feet, 3 of the 4 bedrooms are on the second floor with the fourth in the lower level along with a media room.

Recently reduced $95,500, can this neighborhood command $1.5 million sales prices?

Jennifer Ames at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

1819 W. Race: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 5647 square feet, 2.5 car garage

• Sold in October 2003 for $155,000 (I’m assuming this was the prior house)
• I couldn’t find any other recent sale of the new property
• Originally listed in June 2011 for $1.595 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1,499,500
• Taxes of $14,537
• Central Air
• 2000 square foot rooftop deck with hot tub
• Bedroom #1: 15×26 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 18×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×13 (lower level)
• Media room: 21×17 (lower level)

We chattered about this 3-bedroom brick Victorian at 3656 N. Tripp in Old Irving Park several times over the last 2 years.

See our last chatter, in October of 2010, here.

Originally listed in June 2009 for $499,000, the house was reduced numerous times before it finally found a buyer in August 2011 at $375,000.

Built in 1903 on a corner 34×155 lot, all 3 bedrooms were on the second floor.

It had a finished basement, central air and a 2-car garage.

The kitchen had stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and maple cabinets.

Did someone get a deal for the neighborhood?

Irene Yungerman at Baird & Warner had the listing. You can still see the interior pictures here.

3656 N. Tripp: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1700 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in May 1989 for $170,000
• Sold in May 1999 for $273,000
• Originally listed in June 2009 for $499,000
• Was still listed in August 2009 at $499,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in October 2010 for $449,000
• Sold in August 2011 for $375,000
• Taxes of $6790
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 13×12
• Bedroom #3: 13×11

We last chattered about this 2-bedroom at 200 W. Grand in River North with its own private 1100 square foot terrace in June 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

It’s still available and has been reduced $20,000.

In June, many of you thought it was simply overpriced- terrace or not.

If you recall, the terrace wasn’t a slab of concrete but was actually professinally landscaped and had sprinklers and a soundsystem.

The building was constructed in 2003/2004 so the unit has the other finishes typical for this time period including granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen.

The unit has central air and a full-size stackable washer/dryer.

It is now listed $72,500 under the 2007 purchase price.

Is the $500,000 smaller 2/2 going to be a thing of the past- even in River North?

Scott Berg at Berg Properties still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #603: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1250 square feet, 1100 square foot terrace

• Sold in June 2004 for $486,000 (included the parking)
• Sold in November 2007 for $601,500 (included the parking)
• Originally listed in April 2011 for $559,000 (included the parking)
• Reduced
• Was listed in June 2011 for $549,000 (includes the parking)
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $499,000 (plus $30,000 for parking= $529,000)
• Assessments of $783 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable)
• Taxes of $3693
• Central Air
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Bedroom #1: 13×12
• Bedroom #2: 13×10

This 2-bedroom at 1122 N. Dearborn in the Gold Coast has been on the market since June 2011.

In that time it has been reduced $50,000.

It is now listed $26,000 under the 2007 purchase price.

The 6th floor corner unit has plenty of outdoor space in the form of a 12×36 private terrace that runs the length of the unit.

It also has crown molding and Brazilian wood floors.

The kitchen has granite counter tops and black appliances.

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

How much of a premium do buyers put on a big terrace?

Jeremy Mash has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #6B: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in October 1999 for $285,000
• Sold in July 2007 for $625,000
• Originally listed in June 2011 for $649,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed for $599,000 (includes the parking)
• Assessments of $953 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, cable, doorman)
• Taxes of $7595
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 12×17
• Bedroom #2: 12×12

This 2-flat greystone at 4032 N. Ashland in Lakeview has been on the market since April 2011.

It has an upgraded duplex-down owners unit and an upstairs rental unit with the following features:

• Unit #1: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths duplex down with master suite in the lower level. Also has central air and gas fireplace.
• Unit #2: 3 bedrooms, 1 bath rented for $1500 a month. Window a/c units and non-working fireplace.

The greystone was built in 1906 and is on a 25×155 lot.

The owners unit has an updated kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel and black appliances.

For you wine collectors, there is also a large wine cellar.

The lower level master suite has a spa bath.

Since it was first listed, the 2-flat has been reduced $30,000.

Does it make financial sense to live in one and rent out the other?

Santos Velazquez at Home Owners Realty has the listing. See more pictures here.

4032 N. Ashland: 2-flat, 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 car garage

• Sold in January 1990 for $260,000
• Sold in May 1996 for $205,000
• Sold in April 2002 for $460,000
• Originally listed in April 2011 for $659,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $629,000
• Taxes of $7884
• Unit #2: 3 beds/1 bath rents for $1500 a month

This 2-bedroom 3-story townhouse at 2729 N. Racine in Lincoln Park has been on the market for 12 months.

It is part of a 2-unit building so it only has one common wall.

The bedrooms are split, with one in the lower level and one on the second floor.

The listing says it was rehabbed in 2001.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

There is central air, side-by-side washer/dryer and parking as well as a 11×10 back deck.

The townhouse is currently listed $75,100 under the 2005 purchase price.

Is this a deal?

Jamie Connor at Conlon has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #N: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in October 2001 for $329,000
• Sold in August 2005 for $425,000
• Originally listed in September 2010 for $409,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $349,900
• Assessments of $225 a month
• Taxes of $5452
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer
• Parking
• Bedroom #1: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×13 (lower level)

We chattered about this 2-bedroom at 431 W. Oakdale in East Lakeview in June 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

At that time, it was listed $155,000 under the 2009 purchase price. Some of you wondered how the seller could have paid that price after Lehman Brothers. Others thought that the list price of $299,000 would produce a quick sale.

It has since been reduced further to $259,900.

If you recall, the unit has many of the vintage features found in buildings constructed in 1929 near the lakefront including a barreled gallery, crown and picture molding and a full size dining room.

The kitchen has Subzero and other stainless steel appliances and a butler’s pantry.

However, there is no central air, washer/dryer in the unit or deeded parking.

Strangely enough, the bedroom picture from the “little piece of Paris” property at 3043 N. Lake Shore drive made it into this listing (who can forget that writing desk!- see those pictures again here.)

The price of this property has fallen almost $200,000 in just 2 years.

How low will this go?

Kay Mastandrea at Coldwell Banker still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #6A: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1800 square feet

• Sold in November 1999 for $305,000
• Sold in April 2002 for $347,000
• Sold in August 2009 for $455,000
• Originally listed in May 2010
• Was listed in February 2011 for $319,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in June 2011 for $299,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $259,900
• Assessments of $780 a month (includes heat, gas)
• Taxes of $4788
• No central air (window units)
• No in-unit washer/dryer
• No deeded parking
• Bedroom #1: 17×13
• Bedroom #2: 15×13
• Dining room: 20×13
• Gallery: 6×15