Crib Chatter

This 3-bedroom duplex down at 2047 N. Leavitt in Bucktown came on the market in April 2011.

 Built in 2006, the unit has more square footage than many nearby single family homes.

It has 14 foot ceilings, 3 decks and 2 fireplaces.

The kitchen has Viking stainless steel appliances and caesarstone counter tops.

The bathrooms are marble.

1 bedroom is on the main floor with 2 in the lower level, along with the family room.

The listing says there is a $20,000 credit for a close before July 15, 2011.

Do these kind of incentive credits make a difference in today’s market?

Scott Berg at Berg Properties has the listing. See more pictures and a floorplan here.

Unit #1N: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2600 square feet

• Sold in July 2007 for $600,000
• Originally listed in April 2011 for $589,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $585,000
• Assessments of $141 a month
• Taxes of $7664
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• $20,000 credit if you close before 7/15/2011
• Bedroom #1: 16×13 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 16×13 (lower level)
• Bedroom #3: 11×10 (lower level)
• Family room: 16×15 (lower level)

I’ll be on vacation next week so that means there will be limited postings but there will be at least one new post every day.

Please try and be on your best behavior in your discussions while I’m away. Play nice!

There’s a lot going on in Chicago housing right now as the spring/summer selling season is in full swing.

Please continue to send me tips on properties. I look at every e-mail you send. 

And for those of you waiting for me to post on your favorite non-GZ neighborhood, look for more of those in the next few weeks. Now that the weather is better, it’s easier for me to get around to more neighborhoods.

Thanks,

Sabrina

This 2-bedroom at 4017 N. Southport in Graceland West (yes- debate the neighborhood name all you want- but that IS the historic name for this area) has been on the market since September 2010.

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

It is now listed $72,000 under the 2007 purchase price but also $11,000 under the 2001 purchase price.

It has all the amenities buyers are looking for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and deeded parking.

The unit has hardwood floors, french doors and a fireplace.

The kitchen has 42 inch cabinets, granite counter tops and black appliances.

Is this a deal as a starter condo?

Stephanie Biderman at Koenig & Strey Real Living has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in April 2001 for $240,000
• Sold in October 2007 for $301,000
• Originally listed in September 2010 for $279,000
• Reduced numerous times
• Currently listed for $229,000 (includes parking)
• Assessments of $256 a month
• Taxes of $3526
• Central Air
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Bedroom #1: 10×11
• Bedroom #2: 10×11
• Living room: 18×11
• Kitchen: 11×11

This 3-bedroom at 1550 N. State Parkway, the Benjamin Marshall designed high rise in the Gold Coast, has been on and off the market since November 2009.

But interestingly, while its address is 1550 N. State Parkway, it actually isn’t located in the high rise portion of the building at all, but in a two unit adjacent building with its own private courtyard facing State Parkway.

The 1800 square foot unit still has many of its vintage features including inlaid hardwood floors and crown and dentil molding.

It has a Christopher Peacock kitchen with granite counter tops and Subzero, Miele and Bosch appliances.

The baths are Waterworks.

It shares the courtyard with one other unit.

The building has a 24-hour doorman, a guest suite, and a wine cellar.

The unit has central air and in-unit washer/dryer but there is no attached parking. It is rental nearby.

Since it was originally listed, it has been reduced $336,000.

It is now listed $66,000 under the 2004 purchase price. 

Is this a deal?

Julie Capps at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #A3: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1800 square feet

• Sold in June 1997 for $335,000
• Sold in April 1999 for $442,000
• Sold in January 2004 for $865,000
• Sold in July 2006 for $950,000
• Originally listed in November 2009 for $1.135 million
• Reduced numerous times
• Currently listed for $799,000
• Assessments of $1947 a month (includes heat, doorman, cable)
• Taxes of $12200
• Central Air
• In-unit washer/dryer
• No parking – rental nearby
• Bedroom #1: 17×14
• Bedroom #2: 14×13
• Bedroom #3: 11×8

This vintage 1-bedroom at 546 W. Brompton in Lakeview recently came on the market.

It has some unique features including a 2-story living room with a beamed ceiling and lofted extra room which could be used as an office, guest room, or den.

The unit also has a separate dining room.

Like a lot of vintage buildings, however, it is lacking central air and an in-unit washer/dryer and it has no deeded parking.

But it does have a fireplace mantel usually found in mansions (the fireplace is decorative only.)

There are no pictures of the kitchen but you can see a white refrigerator and wood cabinets in the kitchen in one of the dining room pictures.

What’s the market for this 1-bedroom?

Bill Mozckierz at Estate Realty has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #3S: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in July 1990 for $105,500
• Sold in June 1993 for $114,500
• Sold in June 1998 for $108,000
• Sold in May 1999 for $140,000
• Originally listed in March 2011 for $229,000
• Currently still listed at $229,000
• Assessments of $331 a month (includes heat, cable)
• Taxes of $2797
• No parking
• No central air
• No in-unit washer/dryer
• Bedroom #1: 14×10
• Loft: 11×11
• Living room: 20×12
• Dining room: 14×12
• Kitchen: 12×7

Less than a month ago, we chattered about whether or not vintage was “out” as this 3-bedroom at 434 W. Oakdale in East Lakeview simply wasn’t selling.

See our April 2011 chatter here.

Since that time, it has been reduced another $75,000.

Yes, it is a short sale.

It also has some new pictures (without any furniture) – as some of you complained about the furniture in one of the prior chatters.

The window treatments (that you also complained about) also look to be gone.

The mint green kitchen cabinets have been painted white.

There are still no pictures of the bathrooms, so I’m assuming those are the same as the original listing (and comments which described them as needing updating.)

Even the agent conceded that the kitchen/bathrooms need updating.

Some of you who said you were in this unit believed it would need $150k-$200k worth of updating.

But the unit has good vintage bones, including a beamed dining room ceiling.  

And the property is still 2300 square feet with central air, washer/dryer in the unit and covered parking in East Lakeview.

At what price will a buyer take a chance on this unit?

Will it sell under the 1996 purchase price?

Anne Laughlin at @Properties still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2300 square feet, covered parking

• Sold in May 1989 for $275,000
• Sold in May 1991
• Sold in September 1996 for $400,000
• Sold in September 2005 for $675,000
• Originally listed in April 2010 for $699,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in March 2011 as a “short sale” for $525,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in April 2011 for $499,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $424,900
• Assessments of $389 a month
• Taxes of $9794
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 13×13
• Bedroom #2: 15×10
• Bedroom #3: 13×13
• Sun room: 18×10

Some of you have already chattered about this 3-bedroom at 2341 N. Commonwealth in East Lincoln Park in some of the other East Lincoln Park threads.

Yes, it’s a short sale.

On the market since October 2009, it has been reduced $195,000 in that time.

It has also been reduced $20,000 since coming on the market in March as a short sale.

The unit is now listed about 20% below the 2002 purchase price.

It has much of the vintage features found in the midrise buildings of that era built near the lake front including crown molding, french doors and big room sizes.

It has a separate dining room.

The kitchen has been updated with 42 inch maple cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

However, the unit does not have an in-unit washer/dryer, central air or deeded parking (it is rental in the neighborhood.)

The listing says it is in the Lincoln school district.

Is this a steal at this price?

Violet Sudler at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

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

• Sold in December 1995 for $205,000
• Sold in January 2002 for $408,000
• Originally listed in October 2009 for $524,900
• Reduced numerous times
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in February 2011
• Re-listed as a “short sale” in March 2011 for $349,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $329,900
• Assessments of $533 a month (includes heat, cable)
• Taxes of $5934
• No central air
• No in-unit washer/dryer
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 14×14
• Bedroom #2: 15×8
• Bedroom #3: 10×7

It’s hard enough to find a 3-bedroom townhouse let alone a 4-bedroom, but they do exist such as this one at 1151 W. George in Lakeview.

At 2800 square feet, it has 3 bedrooms up and 1 on the main level with the family room (the kitchen/living space is on level #2.)

Built in 1995, the listing says this townhouse has an all new kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

It also has a private roof top deck and a 1-car garage.

It was recently reduced $50,000.

Is this townhouse a good single family home alternative?

Joanne Nemerovski at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See more pictures here.

1151 W. George: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2800 square feet, 1 car garage

• Sold in July 1995 for $332,000
• Sold in February 1999 for $475,000
• Sold in December 2004 for $648,000
• Originally listed in March 2011 for $749,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $699,000
• Assessements of $80 a month
• Taxes of $9346
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer
• Bedroom #1: 16×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×10 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×9 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×12 (main floor)

We last chattered about this bank owned 2-bedroom in the historic Brewster building at 2800 N. Pine Grove in Lakeview in February 2011.

See our February 2011 chatter here.

Even at $68,000 under the 2007 purchase price, not many of you thought it was much of a deal given that it was only 650 square feet.

Only Laura thought it would sell for around the list.

And she was right.

It was listed for $129,900 in February and sold for $131,000.

If you remember, it had no central air, no in-unit washer/dryer and no deeded parking.

But the kitchen and bathroom appeared intact.

The kitchen had 42 inch maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

The unit also had an eastern exposure and exposed brick walls.

Gaspar Flores at Su Familia Real Estate had the listing.

Unit #3B: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 650 square feet

• Sold in November 1994 for $80,000
• Sold in July 1997 for $90,000
• Sold in January 2007 for $198,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in December 2009
• Bank owned in October 2010
• Originally listed in December 2010 for $164,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in February 2011 at $129,900
• Sold in May 2011 for $131,000
• Assessments of $339 a month
• Taxes of $1887
• No central air- window units only
• No in-unit washer/dryer
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 13×9
• Bedroom #2: 12×10
• Living room: 15×13
• Kitchen: 11×8

We chattered about this 3-bedroom duplex down at 3251 N. Racine several times in the last year.

See our December 2010 chatter here.

In our last chatter, there really weren’t many guesses as to what this property might sell at- but it was guessed it would be under the last nearby comp on Seminary of $415,000.

The unit just closed at $407,900.

If you recall, the kitchen had 42 inch maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

2 out of the 3 bedrooms were on the main floor, with the third in the lower level.

It had the things buyers look for such as central air, washer/dryer in the unit and deeded parking.

Mark Pasquesi at Prudential Rubloff had the listing.

Unit #1: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2200 square feet

• Sold in August 1995 for $225,000
• Sold in June 1999 for $320,000
• Sold in September 2005 for $485,000
• Originally listed in June 2010 for $459,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in August 2010 for $449,900 (parking included)
• Reduced
• Was listed in December 2010 for $434,900
• Sold in May 2011 for $407,900
• Assessments of $145 a month
• Taxes of $6614
• Central Air
• Side-by-side washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×12 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 13×11 (lower level)
• Bedroom #3: 11×10 (main level)
• Family room: 25×18 (lower level)