Crib Chatter

I missed the closing in the spring on this 3-bedroom cottage at 4947 W. Pensacola in Portage Park.

We chattered about it several times. See our November 2010 chatter here.

It was an estate sale.

Most of you thought- just from looking at the pictures- that it would need extensive renovation.

At least one of you thought it would sell between $125,000 and $135,000. Some of you thought it would sell for much less.

The house sold in March 2011 for $117,500.

The house had good bones, incluging a wood burning fireplace and built-ins along with other vintage features such as beamed ceilings and the original glass door knobs.

Marti Corcoran at Century 21 McMillen had the listing.

4947 W. Pensacola: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage, 1094 square feet

• Sold prior to the 1990s
• Was listed in September 2010 as an estate sale for $199,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in November 2010 for $175,000
• Sold in March 2011 for $117,500
• Taxes of $652 (senior exemption)
• No central air- window units
• Bedroom #1: 13×11
• Bedroom #2: 10×9
• Bedroom #3: 9×8

This 2-bedroom at Harbor Point, at 155 N. Harbor Drive, in the Loop (next door to Lakeshore East) has never ending views of Millennium Park, Grant Park, Monroe Harbor and the city skyline from its Southwest facing windows.

Harbor Point is unmistakable, given its prominent location near Lake Shore Drive.

Built in 1974, it is a full-service building with around 740 units.

This unit was last sold in 2008 but it was sold as a fixer upper with the listing telling buyers to bring their contractors.

Since then, the property has had a “complete rehab” including new hardwood floors and a new kitchen and baths.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops and is open to the living space.

The unit has an in-unit washer/dryer and wall units for air conditioning.

There is rental parking available in the building.

Given the views and the location (and that the unit is move-in ready) would this make a good in town?

Anthony Bertani at Realty Executives has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3102: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1200 square feet

• Sold in July 2008 for $475,000
• Originally listed in March 2011 for $574,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $559,900
• Assessments of $755 a month (includes pool, doorman)
• Taxes of $4950
• Parking is rental between $185 and $210 a month
• Wall unit air conditioning
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 16×11
• Bedroom #2: 14×11

This 3-bedroom loft in the Regal Lofts at 1735 W. Diversey in Lincoln Park has been on the market since May 2011.

It was recently reduced $5,000.

The listing says it has 10.5 foot beamed ceilings and columns made from 100-year old Wisconsin timber.

It appears to be the only loft currently on the market in the building with the beamed ceilings still intact.

This northeast corner unit also has plenty of exposed brick.

Those who love lofts but hate 3/4th wall heights on many of the bedrooms can rejoice because the listing says there are full ceilings heights on the bedrooms.

The loft has an open kitchen with white appliances and what look like stone counter tops of some kind.

It has the amenities buyers are looking for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and an added bonus of a 2-car tandem parking space included in the price.

The loft is listed just $10,000 above the 2003 purchase price.

Is this a deal for a 3-bedroom in West Lincoln Park?

Terry Philips at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #321: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1533 square feet

• Sold in January 2000 for $280,500
• Sold in November 2003 for $379,000
• Originally listed in May 2011 for $394,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $389,000
• Assessments of $409 a month
• Taxes of $5435
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• 2 car outdoor tandem parking included
• Bedroom #1: 12×15
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Bedroom #3: 10×13

This 3-bedroom single family home at 5455 S. Ridgewood Court in Hyde Park came on the market in May 2011.

The listing says it was built in 1865.

Wouldn’t that make it one of Chicago’s oldest houses?

Built on an oversized 50×76 lot, it also has a rare side driveway with a 1-car garage. Other homes on this street don’t even have parking and/or garages.

Given the age of the home, it is also surprising to find it has central air.

All 3-bedrooms are on the second floor.

There is an office on the main level and apparently an unfinished basement.

Keep in mind when looking at the pictures, that it hasn’t been on the market in 26 years.

Given its location and amenities, is this a deal?

Jeanne Spurlock at Century 21 Kennedy Ryan has the listing. You can watch the YouTube video here (warning- music!)

5455 S. Ridgewood Ct.: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 1900 square feet, 1 car garage

• Sold in 1985 (can’t determine a price)
• Originally listed in May 2011 for $489,000
• Currently still listed at $489,000
• Taxes of $5721
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 19×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 9×12 (second floor)
• Office: 13×14 (main floor)
• Unfinished basement

We last chattered about this 3-bedroom Victorian worker’s cottage at 1848 W. Cortland in Bucktown in May 2011.

See our May chatter here.

While that was a rousing discussion about yuppies and CPS, with the Groove amazed that anyone would pay $500,000 for an older frame house in Bucktown, at least one of you got it right (congrats ChiBuilder) when you guessed the ultimate sales price (give or take $2,000).

Listed in May at $485,000, the house sold in June for $452,000 or $53,000 under the 2004 purchase price.

 If you recall, it had 11 foot ceilings on the first floor along with a separate dining room.

The kitchen had maple cabinets, granite counter tops and black appliances and also has an 11×9 breakfast room.

All 3 bedrooms were on the second floor.

Built on a 26.5×118 lot, it had both a front and a back deck along with a 2-car garage.

The house also had central air.

At this price- isn’t this property basically a townhouse alternative?

Randie Shapiro at Koenig & Strey Real Living had the listing. You can still see the interior pictures here.

1848 W. Cortland: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, no square footage listed

• Sold in May 1988 for $86,000
• Sold in January 1991 for $95,000
• Sold in March 1995 for $215,000
• Sold in August 1999 for $318,000
• Sold in February 2004 for $505,000
• Originally listed in November 2010 for $625,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in April 2011 for $535,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in May 2011 for $485,000
• Sold in June 2011 for $452,000
• Taxes of $8300
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 12×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×12 (second floor)
• Living room: 14×13
• Dining room: 13×12
• Kitchen: 13×13
• Breakfast room: 11×9
• Office: 13×7

We last chattered about this top floor duplex up 3-bedroom at 1955 W. Cortland in Bucktown in August 2010.

See our prior chatter here.

Then listed at $849,900, many of you thought a buyer would just buy a single family home in the neighborhood for the same price (or cheaper) instead.

The listing was withdrawn from the market in September 2010 and re-listed in May 2011 at the reduced price of $799,000.

It is now under contract.

If you recall, the building was new construction in 2006.

Unit #3E has 20 foot high ceilings in the living room and 3 outdoor spaces, including one deck measuring 20×18.

The kitchen, according to the listing, has custom Italian cabinetry along with Viking appliances and Grohe and Duravit fixtures.

There is also a separate laundry room with a much coveted side-by-side washer/dryer.

In the Redfin listing for the property, the Redfin agent remarked: “Association is doing some preventative work on capstones with special. Sealed in October. ”

Jude Ellis at @Properties still has the listing. You can see the pictures here.

Unit #3E: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2800 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in June 2006 for $855,000
• Originally listed in April 2010 for $959,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in August 2010 for $849,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $799,000
• Under Contract
• Assessments of $283 a month
• Taxes of $12,172
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×11 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×16 (main floor)
• Den: 17×10 (second floor)

But don’t despair if you really wanted this property- because its twin, Unit #3W, is also on the market and now also listed at $799,000 but it’s a short sale.

It also has 20 foot high ceilings and luxury finishes.

The unit has an Arcliena kitchen in teak and stainless steel with a built-in dining room table.

There are 8 foot custom teak doors in the bedroom.

The baths also have extensive tile work and it has 3 outdoor spaces.

Will someone eventually get a deal on Unit #3W because it’s a distressed property?

Maria Casciaro at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3W: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2800 square feet

• Sold in April 2006 but I can’t find a sales price anywhere
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in October 2009
• Originally listed in April 2011 for $879,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $799,000
• Assessments of $233 a month
• Taxes of $10,989
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×15 (second level)
• Bedroom #2: 12×11 (main level)
• Bedroom #3: 13×16 (main level)

We last chattered about this 2-bedroom duplex up at 1654 W. Berwyn in Andersonville in March 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

At that time, it was listed just $2,000 under the 2007 purchase price- at $399,000.

Even with the Andersonville housing market still considered to be “hot”, most of you thought this would be a more attractive property priced around $350,000.

It has since been reduced $53,100 and is now listed at $345,900.

That’s $1600 under the 2004 purchase price.

If you recall, it has a split floor plan with the first floor consisting of the living room, dining room, kitchen and power room.

The second floor, or the duplex up, has the 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths.

The listing says the unit has 3 exposures, north, south and west, and 27 windows in which to soak up the sunshine.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

It also has a 6×5 laundry room, central air and heated garage parking.

Is this now priced to sell?

George Just at @Properties still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1WA: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1600 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in January 2000 for $269,000
• Sold in March 2004 for $347,500
• Sold in December 2007 for $401,000
• Originally listed in February 2011 for $399,000
• Was still listed in March 2011 for $399,000 (parking included)
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $345,900
• Assessments of $200 a month
• Taxes of $4336
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 18×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×11 (second floor)
• Laundry room: 6×5

This 4-bedroom vintage unit at 2440 N. Lakeview directly across from Lincoln Park has been on the market since February 2011.

In that time, it has been reduced $50,000.

The listing says the unit “needs complete updating.”

At 2800 square feet, it good bones with 10 foot ceilings, crown molding and oak floors throughout.

There are barrel vaulted ceilings in the entryway.

The listing says that in-unit washer/dryers are allowed.

It already has space pak air conditioning.

Parking is apparently available for rent in a garage behind the building (that, according to one of the comments from the Redfin agent who toured the unit- has been bought by the building.)

Now listed for $600,000, that is half the asking price of Unit #15A- which has already been renovated and is now under contract at $1.2 million.

Unit #10A, another renovated unit, is also under contract. It is listed at $1.095 million.

Given the list prices of the other A-tier renovated units in the building- is Unit 7A a deal for someone who has the cash to customize?

The listing says the building allows 80% financing.

Hilary Pender at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures and a floorplan here.

Unit #7A: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2850 square feet

• I couldn’t find a prior sales price as it’s a co-op
• Originally listed in February 2011 for $650,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $600,000
• Assessments of $1840 a month (includes heat, gas, cable, doorman- not sure about the taxes)
• Taxes of $7199
• Space pak air conditioning
• No in-unit washer/dryer (but it’s allowed)
• Parking available
• No dogs
• Bedroom #1: 11×15
• Bedroom #2: 14×16
• Bedroom #3: 8×11
• Bedroom #4: 8×11

We last chattered about this 5-bedroom “Wicker Park Historic Landmark Greystone” at 2155 W. Caton in  Bucktown in March 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

At that time, the “rarely available” house was listed at $1.15 million, or well over the 2009 purchase price of $881,500.

Many of you thought, given the pictures and nearby competition from fully renovated vintage homes, that it would be lucky to sell for around $850,000.

Some of you also thought too close of proximity to the El tracks would also be a problem.

The house recently sold for $920,000, or $38,500 over the 2009 purchase price.

If you recall, it still had many of its vintage interior features including doorknobs, hardwood floors with inlay and a large stained glass window above the wood staircase.

Built on a 50×77 lot, it had a 1-car side garage.

The house, however, had no central air.

4 of the bedrooms are on the second floor with the 5th in the third, or attic, level where there is also space for a family room.

There were no pictures of the bathrooms and the only picture of the kitchen showed a double stove and a refrigerator and that was it.

Catherine Caravette at Catherine Caravette & Associates had the listing. You can still see interior pictures here.

2155 W. Caton: 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3500 square feet, 1 car detached garage

• Sold in October 2009 for $881,500
• Originally listed in January 2011 for $1.15 million
• Was still listed in March 2011 for $1.15 million
• Sold in June 2011 for $920,000
• Taxes of $9878
• No central air
• Bedroom #1: 14×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 10×7 (third floor)

This 3-bedroom “newer” construction duplex down at 3723 N. Wilton in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Lakeview has been on the market since March 2011.

In that time, it has been reduced about $100,000 and is now a short sale.

This unit would seem to make a perfect home for a buyer with several roommates as it has 3 bedrooms plus 3 baths.

It is also just up the street from Wrigley Field and the listing says it is NOT on the El side of the street.

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

There is also a lower level family room.

The unit has the finishes of 2005-era construction including Brazilian cherry floors and crown molding.

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

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 1-car garage parking.

The unit is now listed about $175,001 under the 2005 purchase price.

The listing says “Yes this price is correct, looking for a quick sale!!”

Is this unit even a deal at this price?

Kieran Conlon at Conlon Real Estate has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in August 2005 for $575,000
• Originally listed in March 2011 for $499,900
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $399,999
• Assessments of $300 a month
• Taxes of $8314
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Parking included
• Bedroom #1: 15×11 (first floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×11 (first floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×11 (lower level)
• Family room: 18×14 (lower level)