Crib Chatter

You all have been chattering about this 3-bedroom single family home at 3134 N. Oakley in North Center in some of the comments of other threads.

It was previously a bank owned home that sold in late June or early July for $285,000.

Just weeks later it returned to the market listed for $134,000 more than the previous sale at $419,000.

It has since been reduced $20,000 to $399,000.

We have chattered about many homes that were bank owned, rehabbed and then re-listed for much more.

Only the listing on this home doesn’t say it was rehabbed.

It just says: “Fresh paint throughout. Refinished hardwood flooring.”

The kitchen has the same cherry cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops as when it was bank owned.

The living room curtains even appear to be the same ones from when the house was previously on the market.

The house was built in 1902 on a 26×120 lot (per the prior listing.)

It has central air but only a one car garage.

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

The sign in the window of the home that you can see in the picture above reads something like “security camera in use.”

What will this house ultimately re-sell for?

You can see the prior pictures when it was bank owned here.

Tom Witt of Executive Realty Consultants has the listing. See the current pictures here.

3134 N. Oakley: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1861 square feet

• Sold in June 2001 for $220,000
• Sold in March 2003 for $390,500
• Sold in April 2006 for $583,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in January 2010
• Bank owned in March 2011
• Listed in June 2011 for $245,000
• Sold in June/July 2011 for $285,000 (I can’t tell which month for sure it sold in)
• Re-listed on Aug 2, 2011 for $419,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $399,000
• Taxes of $6767
• Central Air
• 1-car garage
• Bedroom #1: 13×12 (second level)
• Bedroom #2: 13×12 (second level)
• Bedroom #3: 12×10 (main level)
• Living room: 15×12
• Dining room: 19×15
• Kitchen: 13×12
• Family room: 20×15 (lower level)

We last chattered about this 5-bedroom single family home at 5692 N. New Hampshire in the Old Norwood Park neighborhood in October 2010.

See our prior chatter here.

Since then, the house has been reduced another $100,000.

On and off the market since February 2009, it has now been reduced $596,000.

Located in the Old Norwood Park circle, it has all the finishes of new construction but is set amidst an established neighborhood.

Built in 2007, the house has 12-foot ceilings and 5 fireplaces.

There are Brazilian walnut wood floors throughout as well as a 12 seat home theater complete with leather reclining seats.

The kitchen has unique stone work, custom cabinets and onyx counter tops.

Built on an oversized 50×200 lot, it has a rare city 4-car garage with a 600 square foot attic.

Is the lack of a sale on this home signaling that the days of million dollar homes in Old Norwood Park over?

JoAnn Casali at Koenig & Strey Real Living now has the listing. See the pictures here.

5692 N. New Hampshire: 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, 4 car garage, no square footage listed

• Sold in September 1994 for $240,000
• Built in 2007
• Originally listed in February 2009 for $1.895 million
• Reduced
• Was listed in October 2010 at $1,399,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1.299 million
• Taxes of $5540
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 24×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 18×12 (lower level)

This 4-bedroom duplex up at 4530 N. Magnolia in Uptown recently came on the market.

It is listed 22% under the 2007 purchase price.

At 2500 square feet, it is bigger than many city single family homes.

Two of the bedrooms are on the main floor with 2 on the top floor along with a lofty family room.

The kitchen has maple cabinets, granite counter tops and black appliances.

The living room has 19-foot ceilings.

There are skylights and a large deck off the back of the unit.

The listing says that seller financing is available.

And I’ve been told that the agent is offering a free cruise to the Bahamas to the buyer as well.

Is this a deal for the square footage?

Steve Acoba at Keller Williams Lincoln Park has the listing. See more pictures and the floorplan here.

Unit #3N: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2500 square feet

• Sold in February 1999 for $259,000
• Sold in March 2001 for $330,000
• Sold in February 2007 for $485,000
• Currently listed for $379,000 (includes the parking)
• Assessments of $193 a month
• Taxes of $6029
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×14 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 19×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 9×12 (main floor)
• Family room: 19×13 (second floor)

We last chattered about this 3-bedroom vintage rowhouse at 535 W. Arlington in July 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

Many of you liked the property at the listed price point, which was $5,000 under the 2007 price.

I asked if it was priced for a quick sell and apparently the answer was “yes” as this rowhouse sold in just 2 months for $75,000 under the 2007 price.

If you recall it was somewhat unique in that it was on a very long lot measuring 20×175 which allowed not only for a large front yard but also one in the back.

The backyard had been landscaped and bricked.

The rowhouse had two other outdoor spaces as well, including a deck off the back of the house and a rooftop deck.

At 3100 square feet, all 3 bedrooms were on the second floor.

The kitchen had white cabinets and at least some white appliances.

It also still had some of its vintage features intact, including ceiling medalions, stained glass and 3 wood burning fireplaces, including one in the master bedroom.

The house had space pak air conditioning and a 1.5 car garage.

The listing also indicated it was in the Lincoln school district.

Michael Kennelly at Draper & Kramer Residential had the listing. You can still see the interior pictures here.

535 W. Arlington: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 3100 square feet

• Sold in July 1991 for $690,000
• Sold in August 1993 for $911,250
• Sold in July 2007 for $1.2 million
• Originally listed in October 2008 for $1.295 million
• Withdrawn in October 2009 listed at $1.295 million
• Then re-listed in June 2011 for $1.195 million
• Sold in August 2011 for $1.125 million
• Taxes of $17,070
• Space pak cooling
• 3 wood burning fireplaces
• 1.5 car garage
• Bedroom #1: 18×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 18×14 (second floor)
• Recreation Room: 25×19 (lower level)

This 4-bedroom vintage single family home at 3109 N. Sawyer in Avondale has been on the market since July 2011.

It was recently reduced $10,000 to $289,900.

It is just one block east of another house we’ve chattered about at 3122 N. Spaulding which had been a bank owned 2-bedroom and then was rehabbed into a 4-bedroom, 3 bath and is listed at $399,000.

That house recently went under contract.

See the chatter on 3122 N. Spaulding here.

Built 2 years after the Spaulding house, in 1890, 3109 N. Sawyer is also a 4 bedroom home but it hasn’t been completely gutted as the Spaulding house.

However, the listing says it has all new doors and windows, a newer garage and updated electric.

It house also has an “updated” kitchen with 42 inch cabinets, corian counters and white appliances.

3 of the 4 bedrooms are on the second level with the fourth on the main floor.

Built on a 25×125 lot, the house has central air.

If a property isn’t “new”- how does it compete with the rehabs?

Holly Bergren at Conlon: A Real Estate Company has the listing. See the pictures here.

3109 N. Sawyer: 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage

• Sold in February 1997 for $99,000
• Bank owned in October 1998
• Sold in March 1999 for $78,000
• Sold in December 1999 for $189,000 (via redfin) or $29,000 (via public records- but it looks like there is a typo.)
• Originally listed in July 2011 for $299,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $289,900
• Taxes of $4296
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 12×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 11×8 (main floor)

We last chattered about this 3-bedroom in Contemporaine at 201 W. Grand in River North in March 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

At that time, it was a short sale and was listed at $899,000 or $181,000 under the 2005 price.

In that time, it has been reduced another $149,000 and is now listed $239,500 under even the 2004 purchase price of $989,500.

If you recall, the 2221 square foot unit has floor to ceiling windows, hardwood floors throughout and concrete ceilings.

There are 3 balconies and the unit has south, west and north exposures.

It has a modern kitchen with Subzero, Viking and Miele appliances and a huge island with granite counter tops.

The bathrooms are travertine and limestone.

2 car tandem parking is included.

Given the price of similar modern units in 600 N. Fairbanks and 110 W. Superior, among other buildings, is this now a steal?

Salvatore Manzella at @Properties still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #803: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2221 square feet, 2 car tandem parking included

• Sold in February 2004 for $989,500
• Sold in April 2005 for $1.085 million
• Originally listed in April 2008 at $1.235 million
• Reduced
• Withdrawn in June 2010 at $1.15 million
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in January 2011
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $899,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed at $750,000
• Assessments of $982 a month (includes cable)
• Taxes of $12,780
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×17
• Bedroom #2: 11×13
• Bedroom #3: 12×12

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

See our prior chatter here.

There was much discussion about what renovations were done when to the house but most of you thought it was also overpriced for the neighborhood.

It has since been reduced $25,000.

Built in 1878, the house has some of its vintage features and it also sports a newer kitchen and baths.

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

All 3 bedrooms are on the second floor.

The master bedroom, which was an addition, has a fireplace and built-in bookcases.

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

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

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

Some of the Bucktown houses appear to linger more than other neighborhoods.

Has Bucktown lost some of its luster?

Gregory Desmond at Prudential Rubloff still has the listing. See more pictures and a virtual tour here.

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
• Currently listed at $650,000
• 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

We last chattered about this vintage 3-bedroom single family home at 1320 W. Grace in the Southport neighborhood of Lakeview in March 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

Back then, the house was listed at $759,000 when it last sold in 2008 for $636,000.

Most of you thought it was way overpriced given that it didn’t have a garage (parking pad only) and it had no back yard (looming  condo building behind the house instead).

But the house was just a few doors down from the Dairy Queen and within shouting distance of the coveted Blaine school.

For those of you who guessed the ultimate sales price in our prior chatter, it ranged from $625k to $675k.

After a price reduction in May to $719,000 the house recently sold for $35,000 above the 2008 price at $671,000.

If you recall, the house was built in 1892.

The listing said it had been “gutted to perfection.”

It had a custom designed kitchen with white cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances along with an eat-in breakfast area and wine fridge.

All 3 bedrooms were on the second floor.

The basement was finished with a family room and storage.

Built on an irregular 41.5×47.3 lot, it had 2 car parking (but no garage) on the driveway and central air.

Jena Radnay at @Properties had the listing. You can still see the interior pictures here.

Want to see what it looked like before being “gutted to perfection”? Check out the 2008 listing here.

1320 W. Grace: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in September 1992 for $178,000
• Sold in September 1995 for $244,000
• Sold in February 1999 for $257,000
• Sold in March 2002 for $522,500
• Sold in May 2008 for $636,000
• Originally listed in February 2011 for $759,000
• Was still listed for $759,000 in March 2011
• Reduced in May 2011 to $719,000
• Sold in August 2011 for $671,000
• Taxes of $9516
• Central Air
• 2-car parking on the driveway
• Bedroom #1: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×11 (second floor)
• Recreation room: 16×14 (lower level)

There aren’t many townhouses in the East Village/Ukranian Village neighborhood of West Town.

This 3-bedroom at 1101 N. Wolcott has been on and off the market since July 2010.

Originally listed at $640,000, it has since been reduced to $525,000 and is now listed as a “short sale.”

It is a southwest corner unit which means 3 light exposures.

The kitchen has maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a large island which is open to the dining space.

2 out of the 3 bedrooms are on the third floor with the last bedroom on the main level.

Unlike most townhouse layouts, the family room is actually on the top floor, which is the fourth floor (and not in the lower level).

It opens to a 20×7 private deck.

The townhouse has 2 full bathrooms and 2 half baths along with a 2-car attached garage.

Now listed $27,000 under the 2004 purchase price, what will this ultimately sell for?

Michael Schenfeld at Koenig & Strey Real Living has the listing. See the pictures here.

1101 N. Wolcott #1: 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 2 half baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage

• Sold in August 2004 for $552,000
• Originally listed in July 2010 for $640,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in August 2010
• Withdrawn
• Reduced
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $525,000
• No assessments listed. Fee simple?
• Taxes of $6956
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 15×13 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×10 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×11 (main floor)
• Living room: 19×14 (second floor)
• Dining room: 19×10 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 16×11 (second floor)
• Family room: 17×16 (fourth floor)
• Private deck off family room: 20×7

This 3-bedroom vintage Victorian at 1736 W. Berwyn in Andersonville just came on the market (so I don’t yet have a picture).

It is listed as a short sale for $106,000 under the 2006 purchase price of $605,000- at $499,000.

Built in 1891 on a 26×124 lot, it has some of its vintage features intact including a formal dining room with a coffered ceiling, built-ins and french doors.

There are hardwood floors throughout the first floor.

The kitchen has maple cabinets and a stainless steel refrigerator but a white stove.

The house has the preferred layout with all 3 bedrooms on the second floor along with a bath.

There is a family room in the lower level along with the laundry room and a full bath.

Homedelete will be pleased to know there appears to be a half bath on the main level.

The house has central air and a 2-car garage.

Is this a deal?

Randie Shapiro at Koenig & Strey Real Living has the listing. See the pictures here.

1736 W. Berwyn: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage

• Sold in April 1992 for $200,000
• Sold in November 1998 for $312,500
• Sold in October 2006 for $605,000
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $499,000
• Taxes of $6808
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 15×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×9 (second floor)
• Family room: 12×26 (lower level)