Crib Chatter

If you love the look of vintage but want contemporary finishes then this 4-bedroom historic home at 2235 W. Homer in Bucktown is for you.

We have chattered about it several times, most recently in November 2010. See our prior chatter here.

Since it was originally listed in June 2010 it has been reduced $50,100.

Built in 1878, 3 of the 4 bedrooms are on the second floor which has cathedral ceilings.

The fourth bedroom and a family room are in the finished walk-out lower level.

Some of the vintage features have been preserved including original stained glass, crown moldings and mahogany inlay in the dining room.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

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

Robert John Anderson at Baird & Warner still has the listing. See more pictures here.

2235 W. Homer: 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2 car garage, no square footage listed

• Sold in June 2001 for $250,000
• Sold in May 2005 for $648,500
• Sold in July 2008 for $831,500
• Was listed in July 2010 for $850,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in November 2010 for $829,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $799,900
• Taxes of $8394
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 19×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×7 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 16×11 (lower level)

This 1-bedroom unit in the Parc Chestnut at 849 N. Franklin in River North has been on the market since September 2010.

In that time, it has been reduced $85,100.

It is now listed $54,600 under the 2006 purchase price.

The Parc Chestnut was a new construction mid rise in 2006.

Some of the listings for other units in this building describe them as “soft lofts” as there are concrete ceilings and exposed duct work.

There are no interior pictures for this unit, but the listing says that management must have 48 hours notice to show the unit which indicates that it is rented.

The listing says the kitchen has granite counter tops and “newer” appliances (probably means black instead of stainless steel.)

There are hardwood floors, central air and a washer/dryer in the unit.

With the parking included, is this now a deal?

Jack Mansour at Re/Max 10 has the listing. See the listing here.

There are no interior pictures, so see the pictures for Unit #1011, listed for $269,900, here.

Unit #719: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 715 square feet

• Sold in September 2006 for $214,500
• Originally listed in September 2010 for $245,000
• Reduced numerous times
• Currently listed for $159,900 (parking included)
• Assessments of $330 a month (includes a/c, cable, doorman)
• Taxes of $2942
• Bedroom: 10×10
• Living room: 16×12
• Kitchen: 12×8

We last chattered about The Coronado at 3900 N. Pine Grove in Lakeview in December 2009 when a 2/2 was on the market for $212,000.

See our December 2009 chatter here.

At that time, the unit, #708, was in short sale. It had a renovated kitchen and hardwood floors.

Some of you thought the price of $212,000 was a deal and that it would sell within a few months.

It finally closed in August 2010 for $202,000.

Currently there is another 2/2 on the market which has been reducing its price frequently in recent weeks so that it is now listed under $125,000.

Unit #201 is a 1000 square foot 2 bedroom, 2 bath with carpeting.

It is a southeast corner unit.

The kitchen has white appliances but is not updated like Unit #708’s was.

There is an in-unit washer/dryer and deeded parking included but no central air- only wall units.

The building was built in 1985 but was converted to condos in 2005. It has 101 units.

There is an indoor swimming pool.

Is this a deal?

Micahel Stark at Keller Williams has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #201: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1000 square feet

• Sold in July 2005 for $258,500
• Was listed in April 2010 for $269,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in October 2010 for $249,900
• Reduced numerous times
• Currently listed for $124,900 (parking included)
• Assessment of $374 a month (includes heat, gas, cable, pool)
• A special assessment is mentioned in some of the other listings in the building
• Taxes of $4500
• No central air- wall units only
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×14
• Bedroom #2: 12×10

We’ve chattered about this large vintage 1-bedroom at 1450 N. Dearborn in the Gold Coast several times before.

See our April 2010 chatter here.

In our last chatter, most of you who commented thought it was still overpriced.

Since that time, it has been reduced another $39,100.

According to the latest listing, it has also been featured in the New York Times “Great Homes & Destinations” section.

The 1877 building has elegant bones with high ceilings, moldings and a fireplace.

The kitchen has been updated to bring it into the modern era with a Fisher Paykel dishwasher and refrigerator and a european style in-unit washer/dryer.

The bathroom has also been renovated with a Jado faucet and Duravit sink.

There is no central air (window units only) and no parking (it is, however, available to rent in the neighborhood.)

What will it take to finally sell this property?

Emily Sachs Wong at Koenig & Strey again has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3A: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1000 square feet

• Sold in April 1989 for $135,000
• Sold in September 1999 for $219,000
• Sold in October 2004 for $300,000
• Was listed in July 2009 for $399,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in April 2010 for $379,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $339,900
• Assessments of $340 a month (includes heat and water)
• Taxes of $5039
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• No central air- window units
• No parking (rental next door for $205 a month)
• Bedroom: 15×15
• Living room: 24×17
• Kitchen: 13×10
• Other: 10×7

We last chattered about this 4-bedroom single family home at 7237 S. South Shore in the South Shore neighborhood in January 2010 (hm…wonder why it always comes up as a post in the dead of winter?).

See our prior chatter and interior pictures here.

Built on a 50×300 lot, the property has 2 PIN numbers, one of which extends the lot all the way to the edge of the lake making it only 1 of just 2 dozen homes in the city limits that has actual private Lake Michigan access.

It has no garage, but has three parking spaces on the side drive. It also has an unfinished basement.

The kitchen has white appliances.

Since we last chattered about it, it has been reduced $110,000.

This home has been listed since June 2009.

What will it take to finally sell this unique property?

Kim Young at Keller Williams Gold Coast now has the listing. There are no interior pictures with the listing now, but see the listing here (see the oldest Crib Chatter post for interior pictures here).

7237 S. South Shore Drive: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2587 square feet, 3 parking spaces

• Sold in 1995 (no sales info available)
• Sold in October 2007 for $1.2 million
• Was listed in June 2009 for $1.5 million
• Was listed in January 2010 for $1.5 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $1.39 million
• Taxes of $7113
• Central Air
• Full unfinished basement
• Bedroom #1: 17×13
• Bedroom #2: 10×10
• Bedroom #3: 12×12
• Bedroom #4: 15×12

Given the blizzard, who isn’t dreaming of the beach right now?

This 2-bedroom townhouse at 5747 N. Sheridan in Edgewater has direct beach and bike trail access.

While the listing says it “needs updating,” the townhouse has skylights, a private roof deck and a 2-car garage.

One bedroom is on the top floor with the second on the second floor.

The townhouse has central air.

It has been reduced $144,000 since it was first listed in July 2008.

The property is now listed $70,999 under the 2001 purchase price.

Is this a deal?

Jennifer Ames at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #E: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1700 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in February 1989 for $106,000
• Sold in May 1990 for $157,000
• Sold in June 1992 for $169,000
• Sold in August 1998 for $250,000
• Sold in August 2001 for $365,999
• Originally listed in July 2008 for $439,000
• Was listed in April 2010 for $349,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $295,000
• Assessments of $556 a month (includes cable)
• Taxes of $4614
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 22×17 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×17 (second floor)
• Family room: 11×17 (second floor)
• Private roof top deck: 16×17

The listing for this 4-bedroom newer construction single family home in the Residences of Old Irving Park at 4507 W. Dakin in Old Irving Park says it “feels like the suburbs without the maintenance.”

The home is part of an association which will do snow removal (they’re getting their money’s worth this week!) and lawn maintenance for a monthly fee of $100.

It is listed as a short sale and is now priced $248,000 under the 2006 purchase price.

3 of the 4 bedrooms are on the second floor with the fourth in the lower level along side the family room.

Built on a 57×98 lot, it has a 2 car garage.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

The house has crown molding and hardwood floors.

On the market 10 months, at what price will this house ultimately sell?

Beth Babcock at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

4507 W. Dakin: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3480 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in December 2006 for $827,000
• Originally listed in April 2010 for $629,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $579,000
• Taxes of $7067
• Assessments of $100 a month (snow removal and lawn maintenance)
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 18×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 19×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 14×10 (lower level)
• Family room: 25×17 (lower level)

This 2-bedroom vintage unit at 1466 W. Warner in the Graceland West neighborhood of Lakeview was first listed for sale in January 2009.

It was then withdrawn in November of 2009 but came back on the market last September at a reduced price.

This top floor condo is now listed $45,000 under the 2005 purchase price.

At 1400 square feet it has a full-sized dining room along with two bathrooms.

The kitchen has a chef’s range and stainless steel appliances.

The unit has space pak cooling, in-unit washer/dryer and parking appears to be included.

Robert Darrow at @Properties has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #3E: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1400 square feet

• Sold in July 2001 for $299,000
• Sold in August 2005 for $380,000
• Originally listed in January 2009 for $399,000
• Listing removed in November 2009 when listed at $360,000
• Re-listed in September 2010 for $335,000
• Currently still listed at $335,000
• Assessments of $315 a month (includes heat)
• Taxes of $5488
• Space pak cooling
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Parking included
• Bedroom #1: 12×11
• Bedroom #2: 10×12
• Dining room: 19×12

There’s been a lot of chatter about the impact on the neighborhood of the new Trader Joe’s expected to open on Diversey in Lakeview.

Now’s your chance to live right across the street in this 2-bedroom unit at 2800 N. Orchard.

This building was built in 1986 and converted into condos in 2002.

This is the most expensive 2/2 currently on the market in the building.

It’s on the Northeast corner and has a split bedroom floorplan.

The kitchen has granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The bathrooms are marble.

It has hardwood floors and in-unit washer/dryer.

There is also a 17×7 covered terrace.

Deeded parking is included and there is central air.

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

Will this building become even more attractive to buyers once the Trader Joe’s opens?

Mark Kloss at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #409: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in February 2003 for $345,000
• Sold in July 2005 for $403,000
• Originally listed in January 2011 for $395,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $379,000 (includes parking)
• Assessments of $455 a month (includes heat and A/C)
• Taxes of $4637
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 16×11
• Bedroom #2: 14×11

This 5-bedroom new construction single family home at 1513 W. Huron has been on and off the market since July 2007.

It now appears to be bank owned.

Since July 2007, it has been reduced $625,000.

From the pictures and the listing, it appears the kitchen is intact with stainless steel appliances and stone counter tops.

There are dark hardwood floors throughout.

The listing also says there is an elevator and it has a finished basement.

Built on a 25×125 lot, the property has a 2 car garage with a rooftop deck on top of it.

Is this house finally priced to sell?

Petro Escobar at Interstate Team Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

1513 W. Huron: 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 2 car garage, 4197 square feet

• Sold in January 2005 for $360,000 (prior house)
• Originally listed in July 2007 for $1.6 million
• Was listed in July 2010 for $999,900
• Withdrawn
• Currently listed “as-is” for $975,000 (public records do not yet show that it is bank owned however)
• Taxes of $13607
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 17×15 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 19×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 14×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 18×12 (third floor)
• Finished basement