Crib Chatter

We last chattered about this 5-bedroom single family home at 2334 W. Diversey in Logan Square in March 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

It had been a 3-bedroom short sale that sold for $138,000 and then was gut rehabbed into 5-bedroom “new” single family house listed at $849,000.

Most of you mocked the price at that location- which is right near the busy Western/Diversey/Elston corner.

It has since been reduced $200,000.

In 2010, the house was a 1915 frame house with  3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths and a new roof put on in 2007.

You can see the exterior of that house here.

Today, it is a 5 bedroom and 3.5 bath house with luxury finishes.

Built on a standard 25×125 Chicago lot, it now has a “stunning chef’s kitchen” with stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

The master bedroom has a spa bath with body sprays.

It also has a great room and a deck over the garage.

Even after the reduction, can this neighborhood support this price point?

These are pictures of the house next door and the view across the street.

Wilfredo Aguilar Jr. at Property Consultants now has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or see it in person at the Open House on Sunday, Oct 9 from 1 – 3 PM.

2334 W. Diversey: 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2 car garage, 4000 square feet

• Sold in April 1993 for $65,147
• Sold in June 1993 for $126,000
• Originally listed in December 2009 for $209,000
• Reduced
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in April 2010
• Sold as a “short sale” in August 2010 for $138,000
• Was listed in March 2011 at $849,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $649,000
• Taxes of $4541
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 20×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 18×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 20×14 (lower level)
• Bedroom #5: 15×12 (lower level)

We last chattered about this rehabbed 4-bedroom vintage home at 3122 N. Spaulding in Avondale in July 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

If you recall, this house was once a 2-bedroom bank owned property that was rehabbed into a “new” 4-bedroom  home.

Many of you thought it would sell close to its list price of $399,000.

It recently sold for $385,000.

The house was built in 1888 on a standard 25×125 lot.

The 2010 listing said it was the “ideal handyman’s special”.

After it was rehabbed it had 3 new baths with granite counter tops and Grohe faucets.

There were skylights in both upstairs bathrooms.

The kitchen had dark custom cabinetry, what look like stone counter tops and GE stainless steel appliances.

Three out of the 4 bedrooms were on the second floor, with the fourth on the main level.

The listing said the house has a new roof, windows, Hardie fiber-cement siding, furnace and a/c.

It is located just a few blocks from the Belmont blue line El stop and is near the Kennedy Expressway for an easy commute.

This is the second most expensive house to sell in the immediate area in the last year.

Is Avondale the next “hot” neighborhood?

Piotr Hadlaw had the listing. You can still see the pictures here.

3122 N. Spaulding: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2700 square feet, 2 car garage

• No history in the public record of prior sales
• Originally listed in October 2010 for $120,000
• Sold in November 2010 for $80,000
• Re-listed in June 2011 for $449,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in July 2011 at $399,999
• Sold in September 2011 for $385,000
• Taxes of $1,838
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 18×16 (second level)
• Bedroom #2: 10×14 (second level)
• Bedroom #3: 10×13 (second level)
• Bedroom #4: 12×8 (main level)
• Family room: 22×18 (lower level)

It suddenly seems that there are 3-bedroom properties in “real” East Lincoln Park for under $400,000 available all over the place.

This 3-bedroom duplex-up at 2131 N. Clark came on the market in mid-September at $389,000 and is already under contract.

All 3 bedrooms are on the second floor, with 2 of them overlooking a unique 2-story heated glass atrium.

It has some exposed brick in the main living area.

The kitchen has white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

Built in 1988, the unit does have central air, an in-unit washer/dryer and an outdoor parking space.

Was this a deal for the location?

Emily Jeffries at Re/Max Exclusive has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed, 1 car outdoor parking

• Sold in the early 1990s (I can’t tell for sure what year- and there is no price listed)
• Originally listed in September 2011 for $389,000
• Under contract within 20 days
• Assessments of $454 a month (includes cable)
• Taxes of $5888
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 11×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×10 (second floor)

This corporate owned 2-bedroom at 5607 N. Clark in Andersonville has been on the market since August 2011.

I don’t yet have a picture of this building because I had no idea it was even condominiums.

It appears that it was converted into condos in 2007/2008.

This particular unit was purchased in January 2008 for $375,000.

It is now being sold “as-is.”

It appears, from the listing pictures, that the kitchen and baths are intact.

The kitchen has white appliances and granite counter tops.

There are hardwood floors throughout.

There doesn’t appear to be central air, parking or a washer/dryer in the unit.

However, Unit #3, also a 2/2 on the market in the building, apparently has a washer/dryer hook-up.

Listed for just $37,000, that listing calls it “uninhabitable” and that the buyer is responsible for liens, violations and litigation, if any.

That unit is also under contract.

The listing for Unit #2 says the HOA is not active.

It is also a “cash only” deal.

Even with a location right in the middle of Andersonville, is this unit even much of a deal?

William Volpe at Parkvue Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1100 square feet

• Sold in January 2008 for $375,000
• Lis pendens filed in February 2008 (?)- but also re-filed in 2010
• Corporate owned in July 2011
• Currently listed “as-is” for $79,000
• Assessment of $200 a month
• Taxes of $5943
• No central air
• Washer/Dryer hook-up? (unknown)
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 13×11
• Bedroom #2: 12×11

This 2-bedroom triplex-up loft at 1000 W. Diversey in Lakeview just came on the market.

It is an authentic “original” loft- converted in the late 1980s.

You don’t see many of these around.

It has 20 foot ceilings, exposed brick and a massive skylight in the living area.

There are also skylights in one of the bathrooms.

The third floor has a large master suite and the private 15×15 rooftop terrace.

The second bedroom is on the second level with the living/dining/kitchen on the main level.

For those of you familiar with the Diversey brown line stop- you can actually see this rooftop terrace quite clearly from the platform (it is in the building that houses the Starbucks at Sheffield and Diversey.)

The kitchen has white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

The master bathroom has a massive soaking tub.

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

At 2200 square feet, is this a steal for the neighborhood?

Andrew Millard at 33 Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3E: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2200 square feet

• Sold in August 1988 for $197,500
• Sold in April 1993 for $290,000
• Currently listed for $449,900
• Assessments of $451 a month
• Taxes of $7653
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 21×15 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×13 (second floor)

We last chattered about this 5-bedroom Queen Anne at 5344 N. Lakewood in the Lakewood Balmoral historic district in May 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

Most of you were fans of this house. In May, it had been on the market for 9 months and was listed at $975,000.

It finally sold in early August 2011 for $900,000, or $300,000 under the 2008 purchase price.

If you recall, the house was apparently featured in Better Homes & Gardens.

It had many of its vintage features, including hardwood floors, wood moldings and fireplaces.

The kitchen was an eat-in kitchen with sitting nook. It had white cabinets and appliances.

There was a bedroom on the third level (along with a family room) and one bedroom was in the lower level.

It had a front sunroom and a back veranda that overlooked an oversized Chicago lot of 37.5×123.

It also had central air and a 2-car garage.

The house was also just a few blocks from the shops/restaurants of Andersonville.

India Tougne at @Properties had the listing. You can still see the pictures here.

5344 N. Lakewood: 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage

• Sold in September 1992 for $320,000
• Sold in September 2008 for $1.2 million
• Originally listed in September 2010 for $1.2 million
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in May 2011 for $975,000
• Sold in August 2011 for $900,000
• Taxes of $18,092
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 18×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×11 (second or third floor?)
• Bedroom #4: 17×10 (lower level)
• Bedroom #5: 11×10 (attic? or third floor?)

If you haven’t already heard, former Governor Blagojevich’s 5-bedroom vintage bungalow at 2934 W. Sunnyside in the Ravenswood Manor neighborhood of Albany Park just “officially” came on the market.

It is listed at $1.07 million. He and his wife bought it in 1999 for $505,000.

You can read more on the house from the Tribune here.

There are no interior pictures up yet with the property- so, to me, it’s actually a pretty boring story.

But what is the competition in the neighborhood at this price point?

Just 2 blocks away is this 4-bedroom recently renovated home at 4443 N. Mozart.

It has been on the market since May 2011.

Built in 1914, it is on an extra wide 45×125 lot and has a rare side drive that leads to a 3-car garage.

It last sold in 2007 after having been in the same family for 42 years.

The original May listing said it was a “total renovation.”

The house now has a custom kitchen with Viking and Subzero appliances.

It also has a fully finished basement with an exercise room and one of the four bedrooms.

The other three bedrooms are on the second floor.

This house is about the same square footage at the former Governor’s house.

It has been reduced $60,000 since May to $1.235 million.

Which will sell first?

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

4443 N. Mozart: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3800 square feet, 3 car garage

• Sold in 1965
• Sold in November 2007 for $780,500
• Originally listed in May 2011 for $1.295 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $1.235 million
• Taxes of $10,506
• Central Air
• 2 fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 16×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 16×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 14×10 (lower level)
• Exercise room: 20×11 (lower level)

We last chattered about this new construction 6-bedroom house at 2038 N. Mohawk in Lincoln Park in June 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

First listed in September 2010, it didn’t have any price reductions until recently, when it was reduced $255,000.

It is now listed under $4 million at $3.995 million.

If you recall, it has all the finishes expected in this price point and neighborhood.

The house is built on a  standard Chicago lot of 25×125 and has a limestone facade.

It also has luxury finishes such as rift sawn white oak floors, 8 foot walnut doors and Ann Sacks tile.

The kitchen has white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

2 bedrooms are on the second floor, 3 are on the third floor and 1 is in the lower level.

There is also a lower level media room.

The garage is heated and attached.

Does being under $4 million open it up to more buyers?

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

2038 N. Mohawk: 6 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 6700 square feet, attached garage

• New Construction
• Originally listed in September 2010 for $4.25 million
• Was still listed in July 2011 at $4.25 million
• Reduced
• Now listed at $3.995 million
• Taxes are “new”
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 19×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 19×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 19×18 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 19×16 (third floor)
• Bedroom #5: 10×14 (third floor)
• Bedroom #6: 16×16 (lower level)
• Media room: 19×17 (lower level)

This 2-bedroom loft in the Haberdasher Lofts at 728 W. Jackson in the West Loop has been on the market since July 2011 (or is this the loop? I never know with the properties west of the river but east of the highway).

The southwest corner unit is a rare loft with windows in both of its bedrooms.

It has 12 foot concrete ceilings (which are often preferred by loft lovers because you hear no noise) and exposed brick.

In authentic loft fashion- the bedrooms do not have full walls and it appears they don’t have doors but it has a split floor plan for some additional privacy.

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

The Haberdasher Lofts is a full service building with a doorman, an exercise room and even a basketball court.

At 1200 square feet, is this a deal?

Christine Hancock at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #414: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1200 square feet

• Sold in January 1996 for $149,500
• Sold in July 1998 for $194,500
• Sold in May 2002 for $283,000
• Sold in December 2004 for $305,000
• Originally listed in July 2011 for $265,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $230,000 (plus $30,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $457 a month (includes heat, a/c, cable, gas, doorman, exercise room)
• Taxes of $2990
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×12
• Bedroom #2: 11×10

We last chattered about this 3-bedroom Shepard’s Cottage at 2233 W. Homer in Bucktown in August 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

At that time, the property had just reduced another $25,000 to $650,000 and then went under contract quickly.

Many of you thought the upper $500,000s would get the deal done.

The house recently sold for $170,000 under the 2008 price at $615,000.

If you recall, the house was built in 1878 and still had some of its vintage features even though it also sported a newer kitchen and baths.

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

All 3 bedrooms were on the second floor.

The master bedroom, which was an addition apparently before the 2008 sale, had a fireplace and built-in bookcases.

It also had a marble master bathroom with a skylight and a walk-in closet.

There was a first floor den off the kitchen and an unfinished basement.

Built on a 24×100 lot, the house had central air, a 2-car garage and a backyard deck.

Gregory Desmond at Prudential Rubloff had the listing.

2233 W. Homer: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage

• Sold in June 1994 for $219,500
• Sold in July 2005 for $599,000
• Sold in June 2008 for $785,000
• Was listed in June 2011 for $675,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in August 2011 at $650,000
• Sold in September 2011 for $615,000
• Taxes of $8098
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 20×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×7 (second floor)
• Den: 10×8 (main floor)
• Unfinished basement