Crib Chatter

This 2-bedroom unit at 401 E. Ontario in Streeterville has been on the market since November 2010.

401 E. Ontario was originally built in 1990 and converted into condos in 1999.

Some units in this building have striking views of the lake and city.

With nearly 400 units, it is a full service building with doorman, an indoor pool, a massive exercise room, a hot tub, two sun decks and a party room.

This unit has a renovated kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

It also has an in-unit washer/dryer (which appears to be allowed in the building but many of the units, especially the 1-bedrooms, don’t have it in the unit.)

While the unit has central air, it does not have hardwood floors but instead has carpet throughout.

Assessments on this 2-bedroom are only $659 a month, and that includes all the full service amenities plus heat, a/c and cable.

Is this unit a value for the space and location?

Mo Morsy at Charles Rutenberg Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1309: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1200 square feet

• Sold in December 1999 for $332,500
• Sold in October 2003 for $385,000
• Originally listed in November 2010 for $439,900
• Currently still listed for $439,900 (plus 39,900 for parking)
• Assessments of $659 a month (includes heat, a/c, cable, doorman, pool, hot tub)
• Taxes of $6171
• Central Air
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Bedroom #1: 14×12
• Bedroom #2: 13×10

This 1-bedroom garden unit at 3659 N. Damen in North Center recently came on the market.

The listing says it is professionally staged and the furniture is included with the property.

The building was renovated into condos in 2006-2007.

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

There is a washer/dryer in the unit but no central air (window units only.)

While the unit is a garden apartment, the listing says it has full-sized windows and is only 2 feet below grade.

Will the staging (and furniture) make this sale?

Edward Schwind at Century 21 S.G.R. has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #G: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• I couldn’t find a prior sales price- I don’t think it ever sold from the developer
• Currently listed for $99,000
• Assessments of $265 a month (includes heat)
• Taxes of $511
• No central air- window units only
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Furniture included
• Bedroom: 9×8
• Living room: 16×14
• Dining room: 10×10
• Kitchen: 10×8

We last chattered about this 2-bedroom bank owned unit in The Palmolive at 159 E. Walton in the Gold Coast in January 2011.

See our prior chatter here.

On the market since December 2010, it had been reduced $45,000 before going under contract.

The unit recently sold for about 35% under the 2006 purchase price.

If you recall, it was a southwest corner unit (so no lake views) and appeared to have the kitchen and baths intact.

Did someone get a deal? Or is it simply a reflection of the price declines in the entire Chicago market since 2006?

Mariola Buchowska at Red Zone Realty Group had the listing.

Unit #14F: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in September 2006 for $1.464 million
• Lis pendens filed in March 2009
• Bank owned in November 2010
• Originally listed in December 2010 for $1.045 million
• Reduced in February 2011 to $999,900
• Sold in March 2011 for $961,000
• Assessments of $1,785 a month (includes the doorman)
• Taxes of $21,666
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Parking available in the building
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 16×12

We last chattered about this big 2-bedroom loft at 3024 N. Lincoln in Lakeview in September 2010.

See our prior chatter here.

It recently sold for just $5,000 over the 1999 purchase price.

That was $125,000 under the 2005 purchase price.

The loft had a lot of authentic loft features including few walls, 17 to 30 foot high ceilings, exposed brick and the original 1-inch maple wood floors.

This unit also had a private 400 square foot roof top terrace and deeded attached parking.

Did someone get a deal?

Alishja Ballard at @Properties had the listing.

Unit #F: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1781 square feet, duplex

• Sold in April 1997 for $255,000
• Sold in May 1999 for $350,000
• Sold in August 2003 for $450,000
• Sold in July 2005 for $480,000
• Was listed in September 2010 for $399,900
• Sold in February 2011 for $355,000
• Assessments of $330 a month
• Taxes of $6715
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 20×17
• Bedroom #2: 14×12
• Rooftop deck: 20×20

We last chattered about this contemporary 2-bedroom at 1750 N. Clybourn in Lincoln Park in November 2009.

See our November 2009 chatter here.

It was originally reduced $50,000 before being withdrawn from the market.

Now 15 months later, it is back and is reduced just $10,200 from the old 2009 listing price. 

The unit has 10 foot ceilings.

The kitchen has the modern euro look with white Arclinea cabinetry and SubZero and Miele appliances.

There is a 6′ Zuma soaking tub and oversized stone shower in the master bathroom.

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

Can this unit command a premium to the 2006 purchase price?

Karen Ranquist at RCR Realty Inc. has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or see it in person at the Open House, Sunday Mar 6 from 1-3 PM.

Unit #202: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, no square footage listed

• Sold in November 2006 for $436,000 (looks like that included the parking)
• Was listed in March 2009 for $525,000 (included the parking)
• Reduced
• Was listed in November 2009 at $475,000 (includes the parking)
• Withdrawn
• Recently re-listed for $464,800 (includes the parking)
• Assessments of $233 a month
• Taxes of $6226
• Central Air
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Bedroom #1: 15×12
• Bedroom #2: 11×10
• Living room: 24×18
• Kitchen: 13×10

We last chattered about this “as-is” 4-bedroom rowhouse at 431 W. Superior in River North in September 2010.

See our September 2010 chatter and pictures here.

At that time, the rowhouse had been on the market a month and had been reduced $275,000.

If you recall, the pictures indicated the kitchen and baths were intact.

Built on a 27×110 lot, the rowhouse had 4 terraces with 7342 square feet.

In September, some of you thought that current list was a deal.

The property sold in February 2011 for $525,000 under the September list price.

Did someone get a steal?

Henry Jones at Jones Realty has the listing.

431 W. Superior: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 7342 square feet, 2 car garage

• I couldn’t locate a prior purchase price
• Originally listed in August 2010 for $2.375 million
• Reduced
• Was listed in September 2010 as “as is” for $2.1 million
• Sold in February 2011 for $1.575 million
• Taxes are “new”
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 17×20 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 22×13 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 18×12 (main floor)

This 2-bedroom townhouse at 3651 W. Cornelia in Avondale recently came on the market.

It is listed for $63,000 under the 2006 purchase price at just $275,000.

At 1650 square feet, the townhouse overlooks the landscaped courtyard and has a 2-car garage.

Both of the bedrooms are on the third floor.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and 42” cabinets.

It is located just 2 blocks to the Addison blue line stop and also near Metra.

Is this a deal?

Dana Gerstenschlager at @properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #C: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1650 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in July 2000 for $225,000
• Sold in October 2002 for $260,000
• Sold in April 2006 for $338,000
• Currently listed for $275,000
• Assessments of $190 a month
• Taxes of $3489
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 14×11 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×10 (third floor)
• Family room: 13×12 (lower level)

We just chattered about this 4-bedroom newer construction duplex down at 2629 N. Southport that had been on and off the market for 17 months.

See our February 2011 chatter here.

In the week since that chatter, the unit was reduced $124,900 to $675,000.

The unit is now listed for $29,000 under the 2005 purchase price.

It is also listed as a short sale.

If you recall, 2 of the bedrooms were on the main floor and 2 were in the lower level.

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

There is also garage parking and central air.

At 2800 square feet, it is bigger than many single family homes for a similar price.

What will this property ultimately sell for?

Is this now a deal?

Nancy Finley at Keller Williams Lincoln Park has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2800 square feet, 1 car garage parking

• Sold in January 2005 for $639,000
• Sold in November 2005 for $704,000
• Originally listed in September 2009 for $869,000
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in February 2011 for $799,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $675,000
• Assessments of $239 a month
• Taxes of $8983
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 17×13 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 10×10 (main level)
• Bedroom #3: 17×12 (lower level)
• Bedroom #4: 12×12 (lower level)
• Family room: 28×17 (lower level)

We’ve chattered about this 3-bedroom unit at 919 W. Wisconsin in Lincoln Park several times over the past 3 years.

See the original chatter from December 2008 and pictures here.

In that time, it has been reduced numerous times.

The property recently came back on the market with a new price.

If you recall, it has a unique outdoor space with multiple decks, a green house and gardens totaling 1144 square feet.

It also has 3356 square feet of living space on two levels, including a lower level recreation room.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances. There are no pictures of the bathrooms.

Built on a 25×73 lot, the property has windows on 3 sides, central air and 1-car garage parking with a parking pad for a second car.

What will it take to finally sell this property?

Jennifer Ames at Coldwell Banker now has the listing. See the pictures and a floor plan here.

919 W. Wisconsin: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 3356 square feet, 1 car garage

• I couldn’t find a prior sales price but looks like it sold before 1989
• Originally listed in October 2007 for $1.25 million
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in December 2008 at $999,970
• Reduced
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in July 2009
• Was listed in December 2009 at $935,000
• Reduced
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in May 2010
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in June 2010
• Currently listed at $900,000
• Assessment of $182 a month
• Taxes of $3655
• Central Air
• Greenhouse
• Multiple decks – including a walkway that leads over the walled in garden
• Bedroom #1: 11×18 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×12 (second floor)
• Family room: 18×15 (lower level)

This 1-bedroom loft at 1601 S. Michigan in the South Loop was recently reduced to $100,000.

It is a short sale.

We’ve seen a bunch of one-bedrooms in the South Loop reduce to $100,000 in just the past few weeks in other buildings.

The list price is now just $7,000 above the 1999 purchase price of $93,000.

The listing says it is a brick and timber loft.

The kitchen has black appliances and what looks to be stainless steel appliances.

Parking is included in that price. The loft also has central air and in-unit washer/dryer.

Is this a deal?

Laurie Foote at Century 21 S.G.R. has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #205: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in May 1999 for $93,000
• Sold in September 2006 for $221,500
• Originally listed in November 2010 for $180,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $100,000 (gated parking included)
• Assessments of $202 a month (includes cable)
• Taxes of $1434
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 12×10
• Living room: 18×14
• Kitchen: 12×5