Crib Chatter

We’ve chattered about this unique 3-bedroom unit in a former storefront at 1530 N. Paulina in Wicker Park several times since it first came on the market in July 2008.

See our original July 2008 chatter and pictures here.

This was the duplex down with the secret staircase in the floor (seen in the 2008 pictures.)

It has recently come back on the market as a short sale and is now listed $80,100 under the 2006 purchase price.

At 2700 square feet, the first floor former storefront has as much square footage as many single family homes or townhouses.

It has a private entrance, a garage space and a private rooftop deck.

The third bedroom and a full bath are in the lower level, along with a media/recreation room.

The kitchen has white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

Is this a deal for the square footage and location?

Deborah Hess at Conlon: A Real Estate Company now has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #F: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2700 square feet

• Sold in December 2006 for $630,000
• Was listed in July 2008 for $675,000 (parking included)
• Withdrawn
• Originally listed in May 2010 for $650,000
• Was listed in August 2010 for $660,000 (looks like the parking was again included)
• Withdrawn
• Re-listed as a “short sale” for $549,900 (parking included)
• Assessments of $454 a month (includes cable)
• Taxes of $9446
• Central Air
• Private deck
• Bedroom #1: 17×12 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 17×10 (main level)
• Bedroom #3: 13×11 (lower level)

This 2-bedroom concrete loft at 1516 S. Wabash in the South Loop has been on the market since May 2010.

It has been reduced several times and is now listed $62,000 under the 2006 purchase price (if you include the parking spot.)

It has 2-bedrooms but only 1 bathroom in 1114 square feet.

The loft has concrete ceilings, which are most prized for sound proofing reasons by loft buyers, as well as exposed duct work and hardwood floors.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances.

There are large windows with views of most of the the South Loop.

The loft also has central air, in-unit washer/dryer and deed parking available.

Will this loft ultimately sell for the 2000 purchase price?

Joseph Held at Re/Max Signature has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #606: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1114 square feet

• Sold in February 2000 for $217,500
• Sold in April 2004 for $273,000
• Sold in April 2006 for $310,000
• Originally listed in May 2010 for $275,000
• Reduced several times
• Listed in October 2010 for $219,000 (plus $29,000 for parking)
• Currently still listed at $219,000 (plus $29,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $424 a month (includes cable)
• Taxes of $3580
• Central Air
• In-Unit Washer/Dryer
• FHA approved building
• Bedroom #1: 13×11
• Bedroom 32: 13×11

Many homebuyers in both Ukranian Village and Wicker Park cite proximity to the restaurants and retail scene on Division as a reason to buy in the neighborhood.

This 2-bedroom at 1714 W. Division recently came back on the market after being on and off the market since June 2008.

The listing says it is a Fannie Mae Homepath property and can be purchased for just 3% down.

This was a new construction building in 2006 so it has all the finishes of the new construction buildings including stainless steel appliances in the kitchen and granite countertops.

The baths are marble.

There are 2 balconies and 1-car garage.

The unit is now listed for $171,000 under the June 2008 list.

What will it take to finally sell this property?

Joseph Pav at Pav Realtors has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1251 square feet

• The records are messed up so I can’t decipher the prior price
• Originally listed in June 2008 for $495,900
• Reduced numerous times
• Was listed in August 2010 for $329,700
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $324,900
• Assessments of $250 a month
• Taxes of $5841
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 10×10

This 2-flat at 1335 W. Newport, just steps from Southport and the Brown Line El stop in Lakeview, has been on and off the market since August 2009.

Yes, that is the El line running directly behind the property.

Built in 1908 on a 30×120 lot, this 2-flat brownstone has the following units:

1. Unit #1: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, dining room, rented for $1800 a month (including 1-garage parking space)
2. Unit #2: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, dining room, rented for $1850 a month (including 1-garage parking space)

Each unit has its own gas, heat and central air.

The kitchens have been upgraded with Unit #2 sporting white cabinets and stainless steel appliances. The listing also says the bathrooms have been updated.

The 2-flat has maintined some of its vintage features such as the hardwood floors throughout and the original woodwork.

At what price do these multi-units make investment sense?

Joaquin Calle at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

1335 W. Newport: 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, multi-unit

• Sold in June 1987 for $100,378
• Sold in July 1993 for $285,000
• Sold in May 2001 for $599,000
• Sold in March 2004 for $617,500
• Originally listed in August 2009 for $749,000
• Reduced several times
• Listed in October 2010 for $650,000
• Currently still listed for $650,000
• Taxes of $10,535
• Rental income: $47,400
• Individual gas/heat/Central Air

We last chattered about this 4-bedroom single family home at 2746 N. Racine listed for $724,000 on the border of Lincoln Park and Lakeview in October 2010.

See our prior chatter here.

Just after our discussion, the house went under contract.

Some of you thought it was a deal at that price while some thought it would sell just under $700,000.

 The listing said it had a “chef’s kitchen”.

3 out of the 4 bedrooms were on the second floor. It also had two decks and a garage.

Mario Greco at Prudential Rubloff had the listing.

2746 N. Racine: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2 car garage, no square footage listed

• Sold in August 1995 for $390,000
• Sold in August 1998 for $530,000
• Sold in September 1999 for $619,000
• Sold in April 2001 for $747,000
• Originally listed in January 2010 for $849,000
• Reduced and withdrawn in July 2010
• Was listed in October 2010 for $724,500
• Sold on November 30, 2010 for $708,000
• Taxes of $11363
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 15×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 16×12 (lower level)

This 1-bedroom unit in the high rise Parkview Tower at 2740 N. Pine Grove just south of Diversey in Lincoln Park just came back on the market for $35,000.

(Sorry for the yucky picture but the weather was nasty. It was so cold/rainy I couldn’t get a good shot so I gave up after 10 tries. But you get the idea.)

It is a short sale.

How low is that price?

It is listed $26,000 under even the 1992 purchase price.

Before you rush to get your checkbook, the listing lays out some hefty assessments that must be paid by the new owner including: “buyer responsible for building’s special assessment ($20,000) & delinquent monthly assessment, legal charges, late fees, etc.”

There is also a tenant in place.

The listing acknowledges that the unit needs some updating. It has carpet and an older kitchen.

The unit has no central air (only wall units), no in-unit washer/dryer and rental parking is available on a first come, first served basis.

Is this a true deal?

Or was this listed artifically low to incite a bidding war?

Christine Placek at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the listing here (no interior pictures).

To see what the units in the building look like, Unit #17G is also on the market and has carpeting. But it is listed for $200,000.

See the pictures here.

Unit #9B: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 800 square feet

• Sold in June 1992 for $61,000
• Sold in June 2002 for $165,000
• Originally listed in August 2008 for $195,000
• Lis pendens filed in December 2008
• Reduced in May 2009 to $165,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in November 2009
• Currently listed at $35,000 (plus all the assessments talked about in the listing)
• Assessments of $233 a month (includes doorman)
• Taxes of $3042
• No central air- wall units
• No in-unit washer/dryer
• No deeded parking- rental only at $115 to $145 a month
• Tenant in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 12×11

We’ve chattered about this top floor 2-bedroom unit in this Renaissance inspired mid-rise at 2042 N. Clark in East Lincoln Park twice before.

The first time was in April 2008.

See our April 2008 chatter and pictures here.

A few of you thought it wasn’t priced badly but it never did sell (and one of you later recanted on your belief that it was priced to sell.)

We chattered about it again in March 2009 when it came back on the market for $1,000 more than the prior list price.

See our March 2009 chatter here.

At that point Bob observed:

“This thing doesn’t sell for more than 440k is my guess. Given the stubbornness of the seller it will take a few years.”

It has now returned back to the market 21 months later and has been reduced $50,000. The parking is also now included in the listing (whereas before it was always extra.)

The listing says there is a “chef’s kitchen” with Subzero and Bosch appliances.

It also has 2 outdoor spaces including a 28×5 east facing deck and a 16×8 west facing one.

There are only 2 units per floor.

Will the third time be the charm for this unit?

John Lopez at Keller Williams Lincoln Square now has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #6N: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in June 2002 for $582,500
• Was listed in April 2008 for $529,000 plus $70,000 for tandem parking
• Withdrawn
• Was listed in March 2009 for $550,000 plus $50,000 for tandem parking
• Withdrawn
• Currently listed for $549,900 (2-car tandem parking included)
• Assessments at $443 a month
• Taxes of $6975
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×13
• Bedroom #2: 14×11

This 1-bedroom unit at 2343 N. Greenview in Lincoln Park has been on and off the market since September 2009.

It has been reduced $110,900 in that time.

The unit is now listed $11,000 below the 2005 purchase price.

It has the amenities buyers look for such as central air, a washer/dryer hook-up in the unit and a deeded parking space, which is right in front of the unit.

The listing says the unit has a new kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and 42 inch cabinets.

It has loft-like tall ceilings with 12 foot windows.

Is this a deal for a starter 1-bedroom condo?

Emily Phair at Koenig & Strey Real Living has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #107: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 850 square feet

• Sold in July 1990 for $105,500
• Sold in November 1992 for $138,000
• Sold in April 1996 for $143,000
• Sold in April 1998 for $156,000
• Sold in July 2003 for $243,000
• Sold in April 2005 for $250,000
• Originally listed in September 2009 for $349,900
• Withdrawn
• Re-listed in November 2010 for $239,000
• Currrently still listed at $239,000 (includes the parking space)
• Assessments of $152 a month (includes snow removal)
• Taxes of $1818
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer hookup in the unit
• Bedroom: 10×13

This 3-bedroom single family home at 2012 W. Crystal in Wicker Park just came on the market for $274,900.

Yes, it is bank owned.

Built in 1878 on a 25×125 lot, the 2-story house has a 2-car garage.

2 of the 3 bedrooms are on the second level and the third is in the basement.

It does not have central air and the listing mentions gas heating and space heaters.

Is this a deal for the location?

Jason Reiner at Solid Source Realty has the listing. See the pictures here (plenty of interior shots).

2012 W. Crystal: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, no square footage listed

• Sold in September 1997 (no price listed)
• Lis pendens in February 2009
• Bank owned in August 2010
• Currently listed for $274,900
• Taxes of $6946
• No central air
• Bedroom #1: 11×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 9×6 (basement)
• Living room: 12×13
• Kitchen: 11×19

This 2-bedroom historic carriage townhouse at 29 W. Chestnut in the Gold Coast has been on the market since June 2010.

In that time it has been reduced $150,000.

The carriage townhouse is three levels with the kitchen and dining room on the main level, the living room on the second floor and the two bedrooms on the top level.

It also has a unique, almost New Orleans style, secret courtyard.

It has central air but parking is leased nearby. The listing doesn’t say anything about a washer/dryer in the unit, but I’m assuming it has it.

The kitchen counter tops are soapstone, there are stainless steel appliances and a wine fridge.

It also has skylights.

Shannon Harrigan at Dream Town Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in April 1989 for $225,000
• Sold in October 1997 for $276,500
• Sold in September 2002 for $450,000
• Originally listed in June 2010 for $649,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed for $499,000
• Assessments of $121 a month (includes water and snow removal)
• Taxes of $5908
• Central Air
• I am assuming washer/dryer in the unit even though it’s not listed
• No parking- leased nearby
• Bedroom #1: 14×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×10 (third floor)