Crib Chatter

This 4-bedroom traditional style home with its center hall staircase at 6070 N. Forest Glen in Sauganash has been on the market since June 2010.

In that time it has been reduced $200,000.

Built in 1930, it has a distinctive slate tile roof.

It also still has many of its vintage features, including original lead glass bow windows in the living room, built-in cabinets, the original hardwood floors, and a dining room with wood paneling and french doors.

All four bedrooms are on the second floor.

Built on a 124×60 corner lot, it also has a finished basement and a 2-car garage.

There are no pictures of the kitchen or the bathrooms.

However, there IS central air.

What price will get someone to bite on this vintage home?

Eileen Quinn at Koenig & Strey Real Living has the listing. See the pictures here.

6070 N. Forest Glen: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 4400 square feet, 2 car parking

• I couldn’t locate a prior sales price
• Originally listed in June 2010 for $899,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $699,000
• Taxes of $9943
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 22×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 16×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 17×9 (second floor)

We chattered about this 2-bedroom townhouse at 1437 W. Altgeld in Lincoln Park several times including when it was recently reduced in March 2011.

See our March 2011 chatter here.

At that time, some of you thought it would sell quickly given that it was a townhouse, and not a condo, had parking and outdoor space.

Laura thought if it didn’t sell quickly at the then reduced asking price of $409,000 it meant another leg down in the housing market.

The townhouse recently sold for $395,000, or $15,000 above the 2001 purchase price.

If you recall it used to be a 3-bedroom but one of the rooms was opened to create a family room.

That left the bedrooms on the top floor and in the lower level with the family room in between.

It had 12 foot ceilings.

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

There was a small back yard, a third floor deck and a 1-car garage.

Monique Pieron at Prudential Rubloff had the listing.

1437 N. Altgeld: 2 bedrooms, 3 baths, 1 car parking

• Sold in May 1993 for $345,000
• Sold in May 1999 for $325,000
• Sold in August 2001 for $380,000
• Originally listed in September 2010 for $449,000
• Was listed in December 2010 for $449,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in March 2011 for $409,000
• Sold in May 2011 for $395,000
• Assessments of $125 a month
• Taxes of $6417
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 15×15 (third level)
• Bedroom #2: 14×10 (lower level)
• Family room: 18×10 (second floor)

Many of you are fans of this unique 4-bedroom Chicago bungalow at 5501 W. Cullom in Portage Park. We’ve been chattering about Portage Park recently so it makes sense to, once again, chatter about this home.

Originally on the market in July 2009- we last chattered about it in May 2010 after it finally sold.

See our May 2010 chatter here.

Just one year later- it has been re-listed.

After just a few weeks on the market, it was recently reduced $10,000.

Why is this house called the “ultimate” bungalow?

Built on an oversized 36×125 lot, it has french walnut walls, traycery ceilings, carved woodwork and stained glass.

The lower level has a 1950s lounge, a wine cellar, a walk in meat smoker (which apparently still works) and a full shuffleboard court in the basement floor.

According to a tipster, it was built in 1926, allegedly by an attorney to the mob who deeded the house in his girlfriend’s name with the intent to use it as a home “outside” of  the city.

For those of you inclined to figure out appreciation, it apparently cost $12,000 to build when other homes in the neighborhood cost $3500 due to steel I beam construction, all face brick and floor joists every 12” on center.

The kitchen and baths were remodeled in the 1950s in the art deco style, in which they remain today.

The interior picture below was from the last listing, but if you click on the link for the pictures not much has changed in the interior in the last year.

What’s the market like for this house just one year later?

As was pointed out in the prior listing, it remains among the most expensive houses for sale in the Portage Park neighborhood. And as we recently chattered about, not many homes over $500,000 are selling in Portage Park.

Joseph Metzger at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

5501 W. Cullom: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2.5 car garage, 3500 square feet

• Sold in January 1995 for $293,000
• Sold in December 2002 for $525,000
• Was listed in July 2009 for $750,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in September 2009 at $650,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in December 2009 at $635,000
• Sold in April 2010 for $580,000
• Originally listed in May 2011 for $599,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $589,900
• Taxes of $5001
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 14×12
• Bedroom #3: 10×10
• Bedroom #4: 12×9

This 4-bedroom Victorian single family home at 4044 N. Lawler in Portage Park has been on and off the market since December 2007.

In that time, it has been reduced $229,000.

At $485,000, it is still among the 10 most expensive listings in the Portage Park neighborhood.

Built in 1906, the house still has some of its vintage features including stained glass and leaded glass.

The kitchen has hand-crafted Honduran mahogany custom cabinetry and stainless steel appliances along with imported Swedish tile.

Built on an oversized 36.5×125 lot, the porch and veranda were custom built.

3 of the bedrooms are on the second floor with the fourth on the third.

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

What will it take to sell this house?

Thomas Brandt at Keller Williams has the listing. See the pictures here.

4044 N. Lawler: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 car garage

• Sold sometime prior to 1992
• Originally listed in December 2007 for $714,000
• Reduced numerous times
• Was listed in April 2010 for $550,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $485,000
• Taxes of $4361
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 14×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 16×14 (third floor)
• Work room: 19×15 (lower level)

We’ve chattered about other Lincoln Park McCormick Rowhouses, specifically those on Belden, but this 5-bedroom rowhouse at 925 W. Fullerton recently came on the market.

Built in 1890, the brick rowhouse is on a 23×120 lot.

The McCormick Rowhouses have been designated a landmark district by the city.

The listing says it has been “restored”.

The kitchen is eat-in with white cabinets and Viking, Bosch and SubZero appliances. It opens to a great room with built-ins.

The master bedroom is on the second floor with 3 other bedrooms on the third level. The fifth bedroom is on the lower level along with a family room and bathroom.

It has central air and 2-car parking.

Yes, it is only 3 buildings away from the Fullerton El stop.

But it is also listed $183,500 under the 2006 purchase price.

Is this rowhouse a deal?

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

925 W. Fullerton: 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car parking

• Sold in February 2006 for $389,000
• Sold in October 2001 for $850,000
• Sold in June 2006 for $1,082,500
• Originally listed in June 2008 for $1,099,000
• Reduced and was listed in March 2009 for $996,000
• Withdrawn
• Currently listed for $899,000
• Taxes of $14493
• Assessments of $63 a month
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 21×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 21×14 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 16×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 17×11 (third floor)
• Bedroom #5: 11×8 (lower level)

We chattered about this vintage 2-bedroom at 2861 N. Burling in Lakeview several times as the unit was on and off the market since March 2010.

See our February 2011 chatter here.

Back in February, it returned to the market to try again and was further reduced to $299,900

The kitchen was not renovated and had white appliances and did not have granite counter tops.

Many of you wondered if it would make sense to put in stainless steel appliances to try and get a sale.

For those of you who did guess on the price the last time we chattered about it:

• Bob: thought it might go back to the bank BUT since it had parking, who knows?
• JP$: thought it would close close to $290k

The unit recently sold for $89,000 under the 2005 purchase price at $265,000 (including the parking).

The unit had 9 foot ceilings and many of its vintage features including a pier mirror and beamed dining room ceiling.

It had a lot of the features buyers look for including washer/dryer in the unit and heated garage parking.

The only thing it was missing was central air (window units only.)

It was also just steps to the new Trader Joes on Diversey.

Was this a deal?

James Meese at Jameson had the listing.

Unit #2N: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1400 square feet

• Sold in June 1992 for $159,000
• Sold in November 2005 for $354,000 (parking included)
• Originally listed in March 2010 at $369,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in May 2010 at $339,000 (parking included)
• Reduced
• Was listed in September 2010 at $324,900 (parking included)
• De-listed
• Reduced
• Was re-listed in February 2011 at $299,900 (heated garage parking included)
• Sold in May 2011 for $265,000
• Assessments of $367 a month (includes heat, cable)
• Taxes of $4091
• No central air- window units
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 13×11
• Bedroom #2: 13×12

This 2-bedroom in Admiral’s Pointe at 645 N. Kingsbury in River North has been on the market since February 2010.

It is currently listed $24,000 under the 2005 purchase price.

The building was built in 2001/2002.

The unit has hardwood floors in the main living/dining space.

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

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

Parking is available in the building either to rent or to buy.

Is this a good starter condo?

Marcia Badillo at Dream Town Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1004: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in January 2002 for $245,500 (included a parking space)
• Sold in April 2005 for $274,000 (did NOT include a parking space)
• Originally listed in February 2010
• Listed in August 2010 for $275,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $250,000
• Assessments of $459 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable)
• Taxes of $3284
• Parking is available to rent or to buy
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 13×12
• Bedroom #2: 10×9
• Living room: 14×12
• Dining room: 12×12
• Kitchen: 12×9

This 3-bedroom penthouse at 1117 W. Armitage in Lincoln Park has more space than many single family homes in the neighborhood.

It also has two large private decks, including a 45×19 terrace off the master bedroom with a hot tub and a 35×17 deck that is entirely private on the roof with views of downtown and the rest of the city.

The unit takes up the entire top floor of the building and the elevator opens directly into the space.

It has custom built-ins, Brazilian wood floors and skylights.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

The bathrooms are marble and granite.

Originally listed in March 2011, it has been reduced $130,000. 

Is this a deal for someone who doesn’t want the hassles of a single family home but wants the location and square footage?

Kathleen Krist-Krueger at Krist-Krueger Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #4: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3000 square feet

• Sold in February 2001 for $972,500
• Originally listed in March 2011 for $1.269 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $1.139 million (2 car parking is $60,000 extra)
• Assessments of $488 a month
• Taxes of $16084
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 20×19
• Bedroom #2: 15×12
• Bedroom #3: 13×12

For all of you who think you know what properties should sell for, now is your chance to cash in on your expertise.

This 3-bedroom single family house at 1509 N. Paulina in Wicker Park just came on the market.

The listing agent, Evan Kane at Endeavor Realty, is sponsoring a contest, and knowing how eager all of you are to guess the ultimate sales price, he suggested I let you all in on the rules.

(And, in case you’re wondering, no- an agent doesn’t need to have a contest to get their property featured on Crib Chatter. In fact, we have chattered about one of Mr. Kane’s Bucktown properties sans contest in the past.)

Here’s how it works:

“I  am running a contest to see if agents or consumers are better at predicting home sale prices.  I am offer $200 cash to the person who has the closest prediction to the actual sale price.  To enter, your readers must send me an email with their prediction, their name, address and telephone number.  I am not using their contact info for any marketing, only to make sure a person is not submitting more than one entry and so I can announce the winner.

Here are the rules:

Only one entry per person.  Submissions must be sent to evan at endeavorrealty.com and include Full Name, Address and Phone Number.  Submissions must be received before the property is placed under contract.  In the case of two entries with the same estimate only the first submission received will be valid.  Real Estate Agents must provide all broker information and agent ID.  No purchase necessary.  The person with the closest prediction to the actual sale price will win the prize of $200.  The property must close with Weichert, Realtors – Endeavor as the listing broker, otherwise contest is null and void. Official Terms and conditions available upon request.  VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.”

This house last sold 2 years ago and is listed $79,900 over the 2009 purchase price.

From what I can tell from the prior and current listings, there hasn’t been any major renovations on the house.

The house was formerly owned by David Draiman, lead singler for the band Disturbed (hence the “rock and roll” reference in the listing).

It has soaring ceilings in the living room and skylights.

2 out of the 3 bedrooms are on the second floor with the master bedroom on the third level.

The master bathroom is slate, with body sprays and a Japanese soaking tub.

The second bathroom is not without its own luxury, as it has a steam shower with 8 body sprays.

The kitchen has Viking, Bosch and SubZero appliances.

Built on a 25×125 lot, there is a 500 square foot deck with a hot tub over the 2 car garage.

Will this house sell for a premium over the 2009 price?

Evan Kane at Endeavor Realty has the listing. See more pictures here.

1509 N. Paulina: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2435 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in November 1988 for $35,000
• Sold in December 1998 for $320,000
• Sold in September 2005 for $849,000
• Originally listed in June 2008 for $899,000
• Sold in July 2009 for $695,000
• Currently listed for $774,900
• Taxes of $9364
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 18×14 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×10 (second floor)

We last chattered about this 3-bedroom vintage unit in a 3-story walk-up at 34 E. Elm in the Gold Coast in July 2010.

See our prior chatter here.

Listed for $899,000, some of you thought the price was much too high (surprise!) and it should sell around $650,000.

However, westloopelo said it was much too nice of a property to sell for $650k and he would offer $825k and it would be accepted.

Too bad the seller didn’t get such an offer from westloopelo, because the unit recently closed with a sales price of just $715,000.

If you recall, the unit had a private roof deck, which is rare for the gold coast.

There was also a new deeded parking space attached with the building, central air and washer/dryer in the unit.

It had some of its vintage features intact including 10 foot ceilings, a wood burning fireplace, and crown molding.

Apparently, while it was listed as a 3-bedroom, the third bedroom was opened up to make more space in the living room area. The wall could be replaced, however. (The unit was listed as a 2-bedroom in the July 2010 listing.)

The kitchen was a custom-built in-eat kitchen with Dacor and Miele appliances and a SubZero refrigerator.

Did someone get a deal?

Emily Sachs Wong at Koenig & Strey Real Living had the listing at the time of the sale.

Unit #4: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in February 1993 for $220,000
• Sold in March 2000 for $400,000
• Sold in July 2001 for $546,000
• Originally listed in May 2010
• Was listed in July 2010 for $899,000 (included the parking)
• Reduced several times
• Was last listed for $750,000
• Sold in May 2011 for $715,000 (included the parking)
• Assessments of $225 a month
• Taxes of $6233
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 13×10
• Bedroom #3: 12×8
• Living room: 15×15 (was 23×12 under the old listing)
• Dining room: 16×9 (was 17×12 under the old listing) 
• Kitchen: 16×14
• Private rooftop terrace