Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom in the Coronado at 3900 N. Pine Grove in Lakeview is priced at just $239,900.

The building was converted into condos in 2006, at the height of the condo boom.

This particular unit has most of the upgrades that were common in that era including a newer kitchen with cherry cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The bathrooms are marble.

It has hardwood floors in the main living area and berber carpet in the bedrooms.

There is an in-unit washer/dryer but no central air. There are wall units instead.

In addition to the two bedrooms, the unit also has a 13×10 den.

This property is in short sale and is now listed $95,100 under the 2006 price.

Is this a deal for someone looking for space and amenities in Lakeview?

Peter Tortorello at Koenig & Strey Real Living has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #903: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, den, no square footage listed

• Sold in August 2006 for $335,000
• Originally listed in June 2011 for $279,900
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $239,900 (includes the parking)
• Assessments of $518 a month (includes heat and pool)
• Taxes of $5769
• No central air- wall units only
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Bedroom #1: 13×11
• Bedroom #2: 13×11
• Bedroom #3: 13×10

A bunch of the developer owned units in the ParkView at 505 N. McClurg in Streeterville were reduced last week.

This 3-bedroom, Unit #1203, was among them.

Originally listed on the market in February 2009 for $918,500, it has been reduced about 18% to $750,000.

It has a southeast corner view of the park and the city.

The listing says it has a lake view, but that is about to change as construction begins on the new 45-story rental high rise at 500 N. Lake Shore Drive that at one time was going to be the Peshtigo condominiums (which was cancelled during the great recession.)

You can read more about that new building at YoChicago– which has a picture where you can actually see the ParkView behind the new building.

There is a park separating the two buildings, however, so no ParkView units will be directly blocked.

The unit has all the finishes of newer construction with floor to ceiling windows, hardwood floors, and a kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

At 1803 square feet, is this unit a deal for the location?

Corly Fines at MCL Chicago Homes has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1203: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1803 square feet

• New construction
• Originally listed in February 2009 for $918,500
• Reduced numerous times
• Currently listed at $750,000 (parking is $60,000 extra)
• Assessments of $826 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable, pool)
• Taxes are “new”
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer hook-up in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 10×15
• Bedroom #3: 14×12

This 4-bedroom Victorian at 11216 S. Oakley in Morgan Park has been on the market since July.

Built in 1878, it has a massive 100×213 lot (almost half an acre) that includes a gazebo and above ground pool.

The house also has a front porch and a screened side porch.

The kitchen is updated with cherry cabinets, granite and stainless steel appliances.

The full bath has white Italian marble and a rain shower bath.

The listing says that there is updated electric and plumbing.

The house also has an unfinished basement, central air and a 1-car garage.

It is located just a few blocks from Morgan Park Academy, which is a K-12 private school routinely cited as one of the best private schools in the state.

The house is also just a few short blocks to the Morgan Park metra stop for a quick downtown commute.

It hasn’t been on the market in 24 years.

At a listing price of $449,900, is this a deal?

Sandra Bianciotto at Prudential Biros has the listing. See more pictures here.

11216 S. Oakley: 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 2500 square feet, 1 car garage

• Sold in September 1987 (no price given)
• Originally listed in July 2011 for $449,900
• Currently listed for $449,900
• Taxes of $5422
• Central Air
• Above ground pool
• Bedroom #1: 20×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 18×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 15×9 (second floor)

This 1-bedroom in the historic Commodore at 550 W. Surf in East Lakeview has been on the market since July 2011.

It is bank owned.

It has been reduced $17,100 in that time and is now listed $9,100 under the 2000 purchase price of $164,000.

From the listing pictures, it appears that the kitchen is intact but it is also not a renovated kitchen. It has white and black appliances.

The unit, while being a 1 bedroom, does have a full size dining room and hardwood floors.

It also has a lot of the amenities buyers look for, but can’t always find in a vintage unit, including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and parking.

We know buyers want “new” but is this still a deal?

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

Unit #214: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in April 1992 for $96,000
• Sold in May 1996 for $118,500
• Sold in October 2000 for $164,000
• Sold in September 2005 for $245,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in January 2009
• Bank owned in May 2011
• Originally listed in July 2011 for $172,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $154,900
• Assessments of $385 a month (includes cable)
• Taxes of $2967
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 17×16
• Living room: 15×20
• Dining room: 12×10
• Kitchen: 10×9

We last chattered about this 3-bedroom Victorian storefront duplex down at 2075 N. Oakley in Bucktown in June 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

Since June, it has been reduced another $100,000 and is now listed $131,600 under the 2006 price.

Way back in our first chatter on the property in January 2010 when it was first listed for $824,900, several of you predicted it would sell somewhere between $550,000 and $650,000.

But some of you have since gotten more bearish with one of you predicting in the June 2011 chatter that it would sell under $399,000.

If you recall, the unit is located in what was a Victorian storefront and appears to still have the original tin ceiling.

The kitchen has marble counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

2 out of the 3 bedrooms are on the main floor with the third in the lower level.

There is also a lower level family room with marble floors.

The side yard is private to the unit and there is an attached garage.

Is this property now priced to sell?

Jennifer Mills at Koenig & Strey still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or see it at the Open House this Sunday, September 25 from 11 AM to 1 PM.

Unit #1: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2600 square feet, duplex down, 1 car parking

• Sold in April 1999 for $320,000
• Sold in January 2002 for $462,500
• Sold in July 2006 for $731,500
• Was listed in January 2010 for $824,900
• Reduced numerous times
• Was listed in November 2010 for $699,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in June 2011 for $649,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $599,900
• Assessments of $259 a month (includes cable)
• Taxes of $6614
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 11×10 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 18×12 (main level)
• Bedroom #3: 14×11 (lower level)
• Family room: 21×19 (lower level)

This 3-bedroom Victorian single family home at 6105 N. Paulina in Edgewater came on the market in September 2010.

Built in 1898 on a 25×125 lot, the listing says it “needs updating but it is livable.”

Two of the 3 bedrooms are on the second floor with the third on the main level.

There is no central air – it has window units only.

It also doesn’t have a garage but it does have a parking pad.

The bathrooms still have their claw foot tubs and some of the vintage features remain in the living and dining rooms.

First listed in September 2010 for $369,000, it is now a short sale and has been reduced $194,000.

Is this a deal for someone who has vision?

Santiago Valdez at Re/Max Signature has the listing. See more pictures here.

6105 N. Paulina: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1670 square feet

• Sold in July 1988 for $83,000
• Sold in August 1993 for $134,000
• Sold in April 1997 for $142,500
• Sold in June 2000 for $210,000
• Originally listed in September 2010 for $369,000
• Reduced numerous times
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $175,000
• Taxes of $4203
• No central air
• 2 car parking pad
• Bedroom #1: 20×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×7 (main floor)
• Sun room: 7×12

We’ve chattered about a lot of townhomes of all sizes over the years including 1-bedroom townhouses all the way up to 4-bedroom/3 bath townhouses.

But this 4-level townhouse at 2561 N. Greenview in Lincoln Park has 2 bedrooms and just 1.5 baths.

The two bedrooms are on the third floor and it also has a loft den/office on the fourth level.

At 2000 square feet, it has a family room on the main level.

The listing says the kitchen has been “updated”. It has a stainless steel stove but a white dishwasher with cherry cabinets.

Built in 1988, the townhouse has central air and parking.

It has been reduced $39,000 since April 2011 and is now a short sale.

How hard is it to sell a 2-bedroom townhouse that just has 1.5 baths? Or does it not matter to buyers looking for just 2 bedrooms?

Karl Whittenbarger at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

2561 N. Greenview: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 2000 square feet, parking included

• Sold in August 1991 for $132,500
• Sold in September 1996 for $230,000
• Sold in January 1999 for $293,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in February 2009
• Originally listed in April 2011 for $375,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $336,000
• Assessments of $283 a month
• Taxes of $5465
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 16×13 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×10 (third floor)
• Loft/den: 13×10 (fourth floor)
• Family room: 15×14 (main level)

This 2-bedroom duplex at 1128 W. Ardmore in Edgewater has been on the market since July 2011. This building used to be a Com Ed substation and was converted into lofts in 2006. The unit has exposed brick and concrete ceilings. Both bedrooms are in the lower level. The kitchen has all the finishes you would expect from newer construction including stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops. The bathrooms are marble and granite. The unit has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and parking is included. It has been reduced $39,000 since it was first listed and is now priced $20,000 under the 2007 purchase price. There’s nothing like this building in this neighborhood. What price will get this sold? Santiago Moreno at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here. Unit #2:2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, duplex, no square footage listed

• Sold in May 2007 for $370,000
• Originally listed in July 2011 for $389,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $350,000
• Assessments of $299 a month
• Taxes of $5882
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×11 (lower level)
• Bedroom #2: 14×10 (lower level)

This 3-bedroom bungalow at 2248 W. Lunt in West Ridge has been on the market since April 2011.

It has been reduced $50,000 to $349,000 in that time.

Built in 1906 on an extra wide 60×90 lot, it has many of its vintage features including oak box-beam ceilings in the dining room.

The lighting in the dining room also has hand blown Lundberg shades.

The house has some stained glass windows and one of the baths has a claw foot tub.

The kitchen has custom built cabinets and some stainless steel appliances.

2 of the 3 bedrooms are on the main floor with the third on the second level along with a 26×26 recreation room.

While the house has space pak cooling it is missing a garage. There is street parking only.

This is only the 3rd time the house has been on the market in the last 25 years.

Is this bungalow now priced to sell?

Ian Schwartz at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See more pictures here.

2248 W. Lunt: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2150 square feet

• Sold in May 1986 (no price listed)
• Sold in August 1998 for $189,000
• Originally listed in April 2011 for $399,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $349,000
• Taxes of $3724
• Space pak cooling
• No garage or deeded parking
• Bedroom #1: 14×10 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 11×8 (main level)
• Bedroom #3: 19×13 (second level)
• Recreation room: 26×26 (second level)

We last chattered about this 2-bedroom in the Venetian at 222 W. Division in Old Town in August 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

On the market since May 2011, it had been reduced to where it was listed at 40% off the 2004 purchase price at $249,900.

The unit recently sold for $242,000.

If you recall, from the listing pictures, it appeared the kitchen was intact and had stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

It also appeared as though there is only a partial wall height on at least one of the bedrooms (or maybe both of them).

Built in 2004, the unit had central air, in-unit washer/dryer and deeded parking.

Some of you chattered in August about renting this out as an investment.

Did someone get a good deal?

Coya Smith at Smith Partners Associates had the listing. You can still see the pictures here.

Unit #1403: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed (#1303 is listed as 1300 square feet however)

• Sold in May 2004 for $413,000 (included parking)
• Lis pendens filed in February 2010
• Bank owned in January 2011
• Originally listed in May 2011 for $314,400 (parking included)
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in August 2011 for $249,900 (parking included)
• Sold in September 2011 for $242,000
• Assessments of $464 a month (includes heat, doorman)
• Taxes of $4490
• Central Air
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Fannie Mae Homepath property
• Bedroom #1: 14×12
• Bedroom #2: 11×11