Crib Chatter

We last chattered about this 1-bedroom at 546 W. Surf in East Lakeview in July 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

It had been a bank owned unit that finally sold for $77,400, which was $7500 over the last list price because there were multiple offers.

A few weeks ago, it came back on the market after a complete renovation listed for $169,900.

We couldn’t tell from the prior listing pictures, but apparently it WAS missing the kitchen.

I’ve been told that the renovation included the following:

-new crown molding in living room, hallway, bedroom

-new baseboards in all rooms

-replaced all drywall in every room (the walls were distroyed)

-removed popcorn ceiling

-installed overhead lighting in bedroom, foyer, and living room (only floor lamps before)

-new light fixtures throughout

-sanded & stained the floors

-expanded bedroom closet

-flipped the layout in the living room (moved a closet from living room into the hallway, and rebuilt a wall)

-new solid core doors throughout

-new hardware throughout

-new bathroom vanity with granite/maple

-new bathroom mirror

-new medicine cabinet

-new Bosch & Kitchen-Aid stainless steel appliances

-new custom Maple cabinetry

-new granite counter-tops, and undermount sinks

-new window A/C unit with remote

-new screen door for rear entrance

It still doesn’t have washer/dryer in the unit, central air or parking.

Since this unit is now, for all intents and purposes, “new”- what will it sell for?

Lance Kirshner at @Properties has the listing. See more pictures here.

If you want to see what it looked like before the renovation (kind of) – look here.

Unit #3N: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 750 square feet

• Sold in March 2006 for $216,000 (looks like there is an error in the data as there are 2 sales recorded in 2006)
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in September 2009
• Bank owned in January 2011
• Originally listed on Apr 12, 2011 for $129,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in April 2011 for $72,500
• Reduced
• Was listed in May 2011 for $69,900
• Sold in July 2011 for $77,400
• Re-listed and currently on the market for $169,900
• Assessments of $202 a month
• Taxes of $3037
• No central air
• No in-unit washer/dryer (looks like its free in the building)
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 14×10
• Living room: 16×13
• Kitchen: 7×13

This penthouse floor 2-bedroom at 41 E. 8th in the South Loop just came on the market.

It is bank owned and listed at $264,900.

That price apparently includes TWO parking spaces.

At 1450 square feet, it has had some upgrades including extensive marble in the bathrooms- including marble floors and several walls.

It has 2 east facing balconies with city and lake views.

The kitchen appears to be intact and has cherry cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The unit also seems to have a double door entry- which normally you only find in luxury buildings or, apparently, on the penthouse floor.

It has central air and washer/dryer in the unit.

At about 55% off the 2003 purchase price, and considering it includes the 2 parking spaces, is this a steal?

Eric Mundy at Key Realty Inc. has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3301: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1450 square feet

• Sold in October 2003 for $594,500
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in June 2009
• Bank owned in June 2011 (included the 2 parking spaces)
• Currently listed for $264,900 (appears to include the 2 parking spaces)
• Assessments of $884 a month
• Taxes of $7608
• Central Air
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Bedroom #1: 16×12
• Bedroom #2: 10×13

This 2-bedroom at 523 N. Racine in the Noble Square neighborhood of West Town recently came on the market as a bank owned property at $169,000.

Prior to that, it was listed for several years as a short sale but never sold.

There have been several other foreclosures and distress sales in the building.

Unit #3, also a 2/2, was sold in September 2010 for $175,000.

The listing said there was a “city violation against the building and association. Loose association in place.”

That “city violation” was apparently against the first floor unit.

That unit, also a 2/2,  Unit #1, recently sold in July 2011 for $80,900.

That listing said, “For commerical use only. City violation against unit requiring commercial use. See court order in information section.”

Apparently, whomever bought Unit #1 will not be able to live in it.

Unit #2, however, has 1500 square feet with the amenities of newer construction.

From the pictures, the kitchen appears intact with cherry cabinets and granite counter tops. The appliances, however, are missing.

It has central air and parking.

The listing doesn’t say anything about in-unit washer/dryer, but construction of this vintage would have had it.

There have been several foreclosures in the neighboring buildings on Racine (not sure if those are part of the same condo association or not- but they look identical to this address.)

This unit is listed $180,000 under the 2004 purchase price.

Is this a deal?

Ayoub Rabah at Great Street Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

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

• Sold in December 2004 for $349,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in November 2009
• Bank owned in May 2011
• Recently listed for $169,000
• Assessments of $257 a month
• Taxes of $4707
• Bedroom #1: 11×16
• Bedroom #2: 11×14

Last April, we chattered about this 4-bedroom single family home at 2164 W. Leland in Lincoln Square and wondered how “hot” the Lincoln Square market was.

See our prior chatter here.

It was a good chatter about who are knifecatchers, what single family homes in Lincoln Square should cost, and the attributes of the house (which many of you liked).

We learned from the listing agent, Eric Rojas, that it has space pak cooling, a mudroom and it is not located on the El side of Leland.

Nearly 6 months later, the house is still available and has been reduced $24,100.

If you recall, this is considered “real” Lincoln Square as it’s just a block and a half to the shops and restaurants on Lincoln and also easy access to several brown line El stops.

The house has had updates including a custom kitchen with concrete counter tops and stainless steel appliances. (However, according to the 2008 listing- those updates had already been done by the time of that sale.)

The upstairs bathroom has a double vanity and skylights along with a claw foot tub.

Built on an oversized 37.5×123 lot, the house has a two car garage and space pak cooling.

The basement is finished and has a half bath and a recreation room and a bedroom.

Last April, the house was listed as a 3-bedroom and is now listed as a 4-bedroom.

There was an “office” in the basement in the prior listing, so I’m assuming that is now bedroom #4.

In April, some of you thought this house would sell quickly.

Has the market cooled in Lincoln Square?

Eric Rojas at Prudential Rubloff still has the listing. See more pictures here.

2164 W. Leland: 3 bedrooms, 2 full and 2 half baths, 2 car garage, no square footage listed

• Sold in August 1995 for $209,000
• Sold in October 1997 for $264,500
• Sold in August 2008 for $805,500
• Originally listed in April 2011 for $799,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $774,900
• Taxes of $7925
• Space Pak Cooling
• Bedroom #1: 12×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 15×15 (lower level)
• Recreation room: 15×27 (lower level)

We last chattered about this 4-bedroom single family home at 1010 W. George in Lakeview in January 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

At that time, it was listed at $3.89 million and I asked, “can you sell a single family home for nearly $4 million in Lakeview?”

Apparently the answer is “No.”

The house recently sold for $2,640,618.

Yes, this is the former home of singer R. Kelly. He was NOT the seller this time around, however.

He sold the house in 2005.

The house is unique as it was originally a 1885 church.

Bought from the bank in 2008 and, according to other media reports, extensively renovated, it had lofted ceilings, a knotty pine spa room, an elevator, a 1500 square foot roof top terrace and an indoor pool.

Not only was it the most expensive home on the block, but when we chattered about it, i was the most expensive completed home currently on the market in Lakeview.

(There were two others listed for more than this one- but both are new construction spec homes- which haven’t yet been built.)

Does this sale set a price ceiling for luxury houses in Lakeview?

Shawn Daly at Coldwell Banker had the listing. You can still see the interior pictures here.

1010 W. George: 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 2 car garage

• Sold in December 2001 for $225,000
• Sold in April 2005 for $2.4 million
• Sold in January 2006 for $3 million
• Lis pendens filed in December 2006
• Bank owned in October 2007
• Sold in October 2008 for $1 million
• Was originally listed in June 2010 for $3.89 million
• Sold in August 2011 for $2,640,618
• Taxes of $44,428
• Spa room
• Indoor pool
• 1500 square foot rooftop deck with outdoor kitchen

We’ve recently been chattering about new construction single family homes but developers have also started (slowly) building new construction condos as well.

This 3-unit building at 2842 N. Racine in Lakeview was built in the last 2 years.

It is all brick construction.

The units appear to have more upscale finishes than you would have found in most new construction in Lakeview in the boom years, including SubZero and Wolf appliances in the kitchen, a tiled backsplash and heated floors in the bathrooms.

There is also crown molding and wainscotting.

The units also have central air, in-unit washer/dryer and garage parking.

The top floor unit, Unit #3, sold in May 2011 for $535,000.

That leaves Unit #1, the 3-bedroom duplex down, and Unit #2, which is a second floor 2/2.

Unit #1 is apparently on the market for $749,000.

Unit #2 is listed for $449,900.

Will buyers flock to new construction condos the same way they flock to new construction single family homes?

(By the way- you can’t really see it in the picture above, but to the south of this building is a hole in the ground and ongoing construction. So something is being built next to this building.)

Jeff Lowe at Prudential Rubloff has the listings. You can see pictures for what looks like a combination of both Units #1 and #2 here.

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

• New construction
• Listed in June 2011 for $449,900
• Assessments of $176 a month
• Taxes are “new”
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the Unit
• Garage Parking appears to be included
• Bedroom #1: 13×10
• Bedroom #2: 13×11
• Living room: 18×17
• Kitchen: 13×10

We last chattered about this 3-bedroom Victorian at 2633 N. Central Park in Logan Square in July 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

This is one of the many properties that had been bank owned, was rehabbed and has now come back on the market.

Many of you thought this was way overpriced compared to other sold comps in the neighborhood (except for the “new” and bullish homedelete who thought it would sell close to ask.)

Originally listed for $489,000 it has since been reduced $40,000.

If you recall, originally the house was bank owned and the listing called it “not habitable.”

The listing said it needed “to be rehabbed and brought back to life.”

It had some of its vintage features including trim, original hardwood floors and built-ins.

But as you can see from the pictures in the bank owned listing- it needed a lot of work. See those pictures here.

The house sold in February 2011.

It came back on the market in June totally rehabbed and now listed as a “once in a lifetime”.

The house was built in 1878 and is on a rare double lot of 50×125.

In addition to the original pine hardwood floors, it has leaded glass windows, oak moldings and an antique fireplace.

The house has a new roof, siding, heat, a/c, electric, plumbing and garage.

The kitchen has white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and what looks like butcher block counter tops (which we rarely see.)

The basement is still unfurnished.

All 3 bedrooms are on the second floor and there is a 13×14 family room on the main level.

Will this be the first rehab we’ve chattered about to undergo a big price reduction in order to sell?

David Bishaf at David Bishaf Real Estate Broker still has the listing. See the current pictures here.

2633 N. Central Park Avenue: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2200 square feet, 2 car garage

• There is no prior sales price
• Originally listed in November 2010 for $99,000
• Bank owned in December 2010
• Sold in February 2011 for $162,500
• Originally listed in June 2011 for $489,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $449,000 
• Taxes of $4692
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 12×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×8 (second floor)
• Family room: 13×14 (main level)

This 3-bedroom single family home at 2722 N. Wilton in Lincoln Park just came on the market listed for $500,000.

Built on a 25×75 lot, the 2800 square foot house has the features buyers are looking for including central air and a 1-car garage.

The kitchen has white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

It has a fully finished basement with a wine fridge.

All 3 bedrooms are on the second floor with a den or office on the main level.

So what’s the catch?

The El runs directly behind the house (hence, no pictures of the backyard in the listing- only the front deck.)

This also provides for an additional 4 car outdoor parking.

The listing says its in Alcott (NOT Lincoln) and Lincoln Park High School.

It is currently listed $25,000 under the 2005 purchase price and I was told the seller put additional money into the house to renovate the basement (among other things).

Is this a good townhouse or condo alternative for Lincoln Park?

John Vossoughi at @Properties has the listing. See more pictures here.

2722 N. Wilton: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2800 square feet, 1 car garage

• Sold in September 1996 for $165,000
• Sold in August 1997 for $330,000
• Sold in June 2005 for $525,000
• Currently listed for $500,000
• Taxes of $9985
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 20×18 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×9 (third floor)
• Den/office: 7×14 (main floor)

Several of you have shown an interest in this 6-bedroom new construction home at 1542 W. Nelson in Lakeview.

On the market since May 2011, it has been reduced $251,000 to $1.999 million.

Built on an oversized 35.8×124 lot, it has 4 bedrooms on the second floor, 1 bedroom on the third floor and 1 bedroom in the lower level.

All bedrooms have ensuite baths.

It has 4 terraces and a 3 car garage.

The kitchen has white cabinets and granite counter tops with stainless steel appliances.

The house has detailed expected at the luxury level including crown molding, built-ins and wainscotting.

There is also a lower level family room and media room.

What price will sell this house?

Dusanka Verschuur at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

1542 W. Nelson: 6 bedrooms, 5 full baths, 2 half baths, no square footage listed, 3 car garage

• Old frame house being sold for the land value originally listed in September 2008 for $745,000
• Reduced numerous times
• Sold in January 2010 for $480,000
• New construction home listed in May 2011 for $2.25 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1.999 million
• Taxes are “new”
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 18×18 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 17×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 21×15 (third floor)
• Bedroom #6: 18×15 (lower level)
• Media room: 15×12 (lower level)
• Recreation room: 28×18 (lower level)

Several of you have mentioned this 5-bedroom Queen Anne at 1935 N. Lincoln Avenue in East Lincoln Park in various threads before.

Off and on the market for 6 years (!) it has been reduced about $1 million from its original 2005 list price of $2.229 million.

The listing says the vintage house has been renovated.

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

It has 12 foot ceilings and a rooftop deck.

3 bedrooms and a den are on the second floor with the master bedroom on the 3rd floor.

The home also has skylights and 2 fireplaces.

Built on a 24×125 lot, it has central air and a 2-car garage.

The listing says it is “positively the best deal” in Lincoln Park/Old Town.

Now listed $555,000 under the 2003 price, is this finally a steal?

Todd Trawinski at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

1935 N. Lincoln Avenue: 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 4000 square feet

• Sold in October 1997 for $520,000
• Sold in April 1999 for $525,000
• Sold in May 2003 for $1.85 million
• Originally listed in August 2005 for $2.299 million
• Reduced several times
• Withdrawn
• Was listed in March 2010 for $1.995 million
• Reduced
• Was listed in May 2011 for $1.395 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1.295 million
• Taxes of $19,660
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 18×14 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 17×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 20×17 (second floor)