Crib Chatter

We last chattered about this 2-bedroom vintage duplex in the Andrew Roberi designed building at 50 W. Schiller in November 2008.

See our 2008 chatter here.

Listed in 2008 for $679,000, some of you thought it would sell for around $550,000.

Since then, it has been reduced $84,000 to $595,000.

Described back then as feeling like Paris in the 1920s, the listing now describes it as “upgraded but not mutilated original vintage.”

Built in 1923, it has 18-foot ceilings and the listing says a Ralph Lauren inspired kitchen with black cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

It has a wood burning fireplace and built-ins.

The unit has space pac cooling and a washer/dryer in the unit.

There is no deeded parking- but it is available next door for rent.

The assessments have gone up sharply since the last listing- but they DO include the taxes since it is a co-op.

Just a reminder, the furniture and artwork will not be there when you move in.

What will it take to finally sell this property?

Helen Beller at Koenig & Strey Real Living now has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2H: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet, duplex

• I couldn’t locate a prior sales price
• Was listed in November 2008 for $679,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed for $595,000
• Assessments of $1711 a month (includes taxes, gas, cable)- they were $1172 a month in the 2008 listing
• Taxes of $6444 (but apparently included in the monthly assessements)
• Space Pac cooling
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 17×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×9 (second floor)

We last chattered about this vintage 2-bedroom at 5203 N. Magnolia in the historic Lakewood Balmoral district of Andersonville in July 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

Most of you thought this was a cute unit in a good location but some questioned the stucco exterior.

I have since been told that it is a “real” stucco exterior.

Since our prior chatter it has been reduced $25,000 to $224,000.

Also in our prior chatter, the agent filled us in on more details of the unit:

There is a new roof, new water service to the street, new common area windows. The W/D is in a common area as is a bike room and storage. This unit has newly redone hardwood floors and a half bath that could be converted to an in unit laundry if someone didn’t want to walk down one flight of stairs. Also, the huge master bedroom used to be two rooms and could easily be changed back if someone wanted a 3 bedroom unit.

If you recall, the building is in the arts and crafts style.

The property still has many of its vintage features including crown moldings and built-ins.

The unit has a unique carved fireplace in the living room as well as stained glass.

The kitchen has a mixture of black and white appliances and 42 inch cabinets.

The unit has central air and we now know there is a washer/dryer in the building.

There is no deeded parking.

Is this unit now priced to sell?

Maureen Murnane at @Properties still has the listing. See more pictures here.

Or you can see it at the Open House on Sunday, September 11 from 1 – 3 PM.

Unit #2N: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1250 square feet

• Sold in March 1993 for $124,000
• Originally listed in June 2011 for $249,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $224,000
• Assessments of $234 a month
• Taxes of $3065
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the building
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 19×10
• Bedroom #2: 10×10
• Sunroom: 9×8

We last chattered about this 3-bedroom single family home at 2030 W. Fletcher in North Center in April 2011.

(Sorry for the bad pic- as I was rushing by and hadn’t noticed how bad it was until I got home! My fault.)

See our prior chatter here.

At the time, it has just reduced its price down to $499,000 so we chattered about buying a single family home in North Center for “under” $500,000.

Many of you said, “why not live in Oak Park instead?”

The house was originally listed in October 2010 for $649,000.

Just about 11 months later it finally sold for $415,000.

If you recall, the house was built in the early 1900s and retained some of its vintage character such as wood moldings and built-ins in the dining room.

The kitchen had white appliances.

Two of the bedrooms were on the main level and the master suite was in the attic with its own master bath.

Built on a 31×125 lot, the house had central air and a 2-car garage.

Compared with larger condos and townhouses in this area, did someone get a deal?

Gordon Munden at Coldwell Banker had the listing. You can still see the interior pictures here.

2030 W. Fletcher: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage

• Sold in December 1992 for $184,000
• Sold in August 1999 for $329,000
• Originally listed in October 2010 for $649,000
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in April 2011 for $499,000
• Sold on August 30, 2011 for $415,000
• Taxes of $7246
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 16×25 (upper level)
• Bedroom #2: 10×12 (main level)
• Bedroom #3: 10×10 (main level)
• Family room: 15×21 (lower level)

This 3-bedroom loft in The Sexton at 360 W. Illinois in River North came on the market in May 2011.

It last sold in the middle of the recession in August of 2009 for $725,000 which was the same price as the prior 2004 sales price.

The listing doesn’t indicate it had any updates (neither kitchen nor baths) since the last sale.

It is now listed for $225,000 more than the 2009 price at $950,000.

The loft is one of the bigger units in the building.

It has exposed brick and high timber ceilings with two outdoor spaces, including a 54 foot long deck.

All 3 bedrooms have windows and there is also a separate family room.

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

The loft has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and comes with 1 car parking (with a second available for $35,000 more.)

Will this unit command a premium to the 2009 price?

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

You can also check out the Youtube video of the 2009 listing here if you want to compare.

Unit #601: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2500 square feet

• Sold in December 1999 for $536,000
• Sold in October 2004 for $725,000
• Sold in August 2009 for $725,000
• Originally listed in May 2011 for $950,000
• Currently still listed for $950,000
• 1 car parking included plus second available for $35,000
• Assessments of $1097 a month (includes doorman)
• Taxes of $12,236
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 19×18
• Bedroom #2: 13×13
• Bedroom #3: 10×15
• Family room: 16×13

This top floor 3-bedroom at 725 W. Sheridan at Lakeview’s northern border came on the market in July 2011.

Since that time, it has been reduced $14,900 and is now listed at $325,000.

It is a rare condo listing at this price point because it has not only 3 bedrooms but also 3 full baths.

It appears from the public records that this was a 2/2 and a 1/1 that was combined into a 3/3 when the building was converted into condos in 1998.

The unit has all the amenities that buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and deeded parking (in this case it is an outdoor spot for $5,000 extra.)

The unit also has a balcony.

The courtyard building was built in 1925, but unfortunately none of the vintage features have survived except for the massive bedroom sizes.

The kitchen has granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The listing says there are concrete floors in between units and it also has a gas fireplace.

Is this a deal for the square footage and amenities?

Marcin Krempa at Re/Max Edge has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #706: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in May 2000 for $184,000
• Sold in February 2002 for $294,000
• Originally listed in July 2011 for $339,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $325,000 (plus $5,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $691 a month (includes heat, gas)
• Taxes of $3847
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 17×12
• Bedroom #2: 17×12
• Bedroom #3: 15×11

This 4-bedroom single family home at 4315 N. Hazel in the Buena Park neighborhood of Uptown has been on the market since February 2011.

In that time, it has been reduced $215,000.

It is now listed $100,000 under the 2006 purchase price of $850,000.

The house is just north of the Hutchinson Historic District but is also surrounded by vintage homes.

Built in 1893 on a 25×119 lot, it has three floors of living space plus, according to the listing, a legal 2-bedroom lower level apartment.

3 out of 4 bedrooms are on the second floor, along with 2 baths, with the fourth on the third floor.

There is also a large recreation room with vaulted ceilings on the fourth floor.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances, stone counters and maple cabinets.

The house has central air.

The listing says there is space for 3 car parking and that the seller is offering a $10,000 credit for a garage.

Is this a deal for the space and that you’ll have a rental apartment to help defray the costs?

Courtney Welsch at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

4315 N. Hazel: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3 car parking, lower level apartment

• Sold in November 1991 for $243,500
• Sold in July 1998 for $260,000
• Sold in January 2006 for $850,000
• Originally listed in February 2011 for $965,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed for $750,000
• Taxes of $12,319
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 20×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 22×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 16×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 11×11 (third floor)
• Recreation room: 25×14 (third floor)

We last chattered about this 3-bedroom townhouse in the modern style at 1380 E. Madison Park in Kenwood in June 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

It’s clear from the comments that most of you have no idea what properties sell for in the Kenwood neighborhood.

Listed in June for $358,000, one of you called the listing price “delusional” and several guessed the low $200,000s.

The townhouse sold in mid-August for $350,000.

If you’ll recall, architect Y.C. Wong was considered a Mies van der Rohe protege.

The townhouse was built in 1961 and had floor to ceiling windows that open onto a private central courtyard.

This townhouse is unique because it is only 1 of 2 in the complex that has a basement.

The townhouse also had central air and one car assigned parking.

Jeanne Spurlock at Century 21 Kennedy Ryan had the listing.

1380 E. Madison Park: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1400 square feet, 1 car parking

• I couldn’t find a prior sales price
• Originally listed in April 2011 for $369,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in June 2011 for $358,000
• Sold in August 2011 for $350,000
• Assessments of $117 a month
• Taxes of $4588
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 15×15
• Bedroom #2: 10×14
• Bedroom #3: 10×11

We’ve chattered about the popular Helmut Jahn designed 600 N. Fairbanks in Streeterville many times over the years.

Late last week, a 1-bedroom unit came on the market as a short sale for $265,000.

It went under contract instantly.

The unit, #1906, last sold in March 2008 for $377,000.

Parking was not included in either transaction.

Another 06 Tier unit, #1306, has been trying to sell for the last 20 months.

That unit is currently listed at $324,900.

It sold in February 2008 for $320,000.

If you recall, this building had upscale finishes including Snaidero kitchen cabinetry, Wolf, Sub-Zero and Meile appliances, and marble or natural stone baths (depending on what you chose).

Is this short sale the beginning of a major re-set in prices for this building- and especially on the 1-bedroom units?

Jennifer Laskov at Prudential Rubloff has the listing for #1906. There are no interior pictures but you can see the listing here.

Unit #1906: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 821 square feet

• Sold in March 2008 for $377,000 (no parking)
• Came on the market listed as a “short sale” on August 31, 2011 at $265,000 (no parking)
• Under Contract instantly
• Assessments of $328 a month
• Taxes of $4666
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 16×12

Yvette DuPree at @Properties has the listing for #1306. See the pictures here.

Unit #1306: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in February 2008 for $320,500 (no parking)
• Originally listed in January 2010 for $389,900
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $324,900 (no parking)
• Assessments of $310 a month (includes a/c, gas, cable, doorman, pool)
• Taxes of $4153
• Bedroom: 16×13

We last chattered about this 2-flat at 5341 W. Berteau in Portage Park in April 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

Back in April, most of you thought the list of $469,000 was way too high for a 2-flat outside of the Greenzone.

It has been reduced just $19,000 since then.

If you recall, it was built in 1918 and has some of its vintage features intact including hardwood floors, stained glass, crown molding and dining room built-ins.

According to the listing, it has also had updates, including skylights, new copper plumbing, new electric and windows.

The units consist of the following:

1. Unit #1: 3 bedrooms/1 bath
2. Unit #2: 5 bedrooms/2 baths duplex up – owners unit with third floor with vaulted ceilings

Yes, I know the listing says it is a 4/3 and not an 8/3.

The listing says the first floor rental unit has a new kitchen and bath.

The basement has 7.5 foot ceilings.

Built on a 33×125 lot, it does not have a garage but the listing says one can be added.

The property is just a few houses east of Portage Park and is across from Portage Park school.

What will it take to sell this property?

Heather Lange at Koenig & Strey Real Living still has the listing. See the pictures here.

5341 W. Berteau: 2-flat, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3000 square feet, no garage

• Sold in November 1991 for $135,000
• Originally listed in March 2011 for $469,000
• Reduced in May 2011 to $450,000
• Currently still listed at $450,000
• Taxes of $5274
• Central Air
• No garage- but apparently one could be built
• 1st floor 3/1
• 2nd floor duplex up 5/2

We last chattered about this 2-bedroom duplex up at 1449 W. Lexington in the Taylor Street neighborhood on the West Side in August 2010.

See our prior chatter here.

Listed at $374,900, the unit had been rehabbed with designer finishes but many of you didn’t think it could command much over the 2008 purchase price of $324,000.

The unit was withdrawn from the market over the winter but came back on in July 2011 at the reduced price of $344,900.

It has since been lowered another $5,000.

The unit has ebony stained hardwood floors throughout and a travertine fireplace.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and a glass tile backsplash.

It also has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is included.

Is this unit now priced to sell?

Nicholas Skidmore at Starting Point Realty still has the listing. The listing is also agent owned. See more pictures and the floor plan here.

Unit #A: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, duplex up, 1400 square feet

• Looks like it sold in 1988
• Sold in August 2008 for $324,000
• Was listed in August 2010 for $374,900 (parking included)
• Withdrawn in January 2011
• Re-listed in July 2011 for $344,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $339,900 (garage space included)
• Assessments of $178 a month
• Taxes of $5285
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×12 (second floor)