Crib Chatter

We last chattered about this 2-bedroom at 1625 W. Ainslie in Ravenswood in May 2010.

See our prior chatter and pictures here.

This building was converted into condos in 2007 and has all the bells and whistles of new construction including stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops in the kitchen.

This unit also has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and parking is available for purchase.

It is listed for $74,000 under the 2007 purchase price.

Is this now a deal?

Joe Green at Keller Williams still has the listing. See the floor plan and more pictures here.

Unit #3W: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1090 square feet

• Sold in March 2007 for $359,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in December 2009
• Was listed in May 2010 as a “short sale” for $300,000 (parking is $20,000 extra)
• Reduced
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $270,000 (parking is now $15,000 extra)
• Assessments of $120 a month
• Taxes of $4310
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×13
• Bedroom #2: 12×10
• Den: 10×9

We’ve chattered about this classic 3-bedroom vintage unit at 2910 N. Pine Grove in East Lakeview several times over the last 18 months.

See our January 2010 chatter here.

It has now been reduced $130,000 since it was first listed in December 2008.

It has a restored limestone fireplace and a domed ceiling foyer.

The listing says the kitchen and baths are “newer” and the kitchen has Viking stainless steel appliances.

While it has in-unit washer/dryer is does not have central air nor deeded parking (it is leased in the neighborhood.)

In the prior chatter, some of you thought this would sell closer to the 2003 price.

Pam Lynch at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2000 square feet

• Sold in March 1995 for $210,000
• Sold in August 2003 for $376,000
• Was listed in December 2008 for $599,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in February 2009 for $574,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in April 2009 for $549,000
• Withdrawn from the market
• Re-listed in December 2009 for $530,000
• Was listed in January 2010 at $530,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $469,000
• Assessments of $523 a month
• Taxes of $5,444
• No central air – window units
• Rental parking nearby

We last chattered about this 2-bedroom penthouse duplex unit at 208 W. Washington in the Loop in March 2010.

See our prior chatter and pictures here.

It was one of a handful of penthouse units in this building which also have large rooftop terraces.

This unit had what looks to be the original kitchen, with black appliances.

It sold in July 2010 for $40,000 under the 2006 purchase price.

Brenda Mauldin at Baird & Warner had the listing.

Unit #2303: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1615 square feet

• Sold in April 2002 for $524,000
• Sold in November 2005 for $455,000
• Sold in February 2006 for $505,000
• Was listed in March 2010 for $460,000 (plus $45,000 extra for tandem parking space)
• Sold in July 2010 for $465,000 (included the parking space)
• Assessments of $885 a month (includes heat, A/C, gas, cable and doorman)
• Taxes of $5840
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Duplex Up
• Bedroom #1: 15×14
• Bedroom #2: 14×12

The nationwide decline in new home sales to record lows in July isn’t stopping some developers in Chicago from trying to sell new construction properties such as this new single family home at 3125 N. Seminary in Lakeview.

It just came on the market in July.

Built on a 25×125 lot, it appears that the old 2-flat formerly on the property was just sold in May 2010 in “as-is” condition.

The 5-bedroom house has 3 of the bedrooms on the second level and 2 in the basement.

The kitchen has all the bells and whistles of new luxury construction including Subzero, Wolf and Bosch appliances.

There is also a heated 2-car garage.

Is there still demand for “new” at this price level?

Patrick Devereaux at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here (though the listing says the interior pics are of another property done by the same developer.)

3125 N. Seminary: 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2 car garage

• 2-flat listed “as-is” in October 2009 for $474,900
• Reduced
• Sold in May 2010 for $327,000
• New single family home listed in July 2010 for $1.295 million
• Currently still listed at $1.295 million
• Taxes are “new”
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 18×14
• Bedroom #2: 18×12
• Bedroom #3: 12×10
• Bedroom #4: 14×13 (lower level)
• Bedroom #5: 14×10 (lower level)

Aqua, at 225 N. Columbus in Streeterville, has won numerous design awards for its exterior.

The building consists of a hotel on the bottom floors (has yet to open), apartments in the middle of the building and 264 condos on the upper floors.

The building, at 82 stories, is among the tallest in the city. It is a “view” building, obviously.

Closings started in late 2009.

Before the financial crisis, the building was sold out. And now there are a couple dozen units currently listed for sale. Some are flips but some are from the developer (and most likely all of the developer’s inventory is not listed.)

This 2-bedroom unit on the 61st floor recently came on the market.  It is a re-sale.

At 1218 square feet, it has the new construction bells and whistles such as stainless steel appliances and granite countertops.

The listing says it has been upgraded with 1.25 inch granite on the breakfast bar and french door refrigerator.

Has this building kept the allure it once had just a few years ago when the units were sold out?

What will happen to the flippers?

Tricia Fox at Keller Williams Gold Coast has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #6106: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1218 square feet

• Sold in May 2010 for $722,500 (usually includes the parking- but I don’t know for sure on this one)
• Currently listed for $750,000 (plus $50,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $652 a month (includes doorman, cable, pool)
• Taxes are “new”
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×12
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Living room: 20×15
• Kitchen: 10×10

We return to West Lakeview again as this 4-bedroom house at 1537 W. Wellington was just re-listed as a short sale.

It is currently listed just about 25% under the 2006 purchase price and also $130,000 under the 2003 purchase price.

The contemporary home was built in 1997.

It has 4 bedrooms, with the master on the second level, two bedrooms on the third and the fourth in the basement.

The listing says the house has a “high end DeGiulio kitchen” which has stainless steel appliances.

There is also a family room on the main level and a basement rec room on a standard 25×125 lot.

Given prices in the neighborhood, is this a deal?

Adam Savick at Jameson has the listing. See the pictures here.

1537 W. Wellington: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2 car garage, no square footage listed

• Sold in December 1997 for $535,000
• Sold in May 2003 for $875,000
• Sold in October 2006 for $1 million
• Originally listed in January 2009
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in October 2009
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $745,000
• Taxes of $12053
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 19×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×13 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 19×17 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 17×14 (lower level)

This 1-bedroom plus den at 1155 W. Madison was built just as the building boom was taking hold in the West Loop neighborhood- in 2002.

It does not come with the now standard granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen but instead has white appliances and greenish counter tops.

It does have a marble bath, however, with side-by-side sinks.

The unit has the other bells and whistles including in-unit washer/dryer, central air and garage parking.

It also has a south facing balcony (the unit doesn’t overlook Madison Street.)

The unit is now listed $21,000 under the 2006 purchase price.

Matthew Shrake at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #510: 1 bedroom, den, 1.5 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in March 2002 for $234,500 (included the parking)
• Sold in July 2004 for $261,000 (included the parking)
• Sold in June 2006 for $286,500 (included the parking)
• Originally listed in March 2010
• Listed in July 2010 for $243,500
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $235,500 (parking $30,000 extra)
• Assessments of $197 a month
• Taxes of $2916
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 16×12
• Den: 9×8
• Living room: 16×16
• Kitchen: 13×11

These two new construction 5-bedroom brick ranch homes at 6201 and 6203 W. Addison came on the market in April 2008- or about 860 days ago.

Over that time period, both houses have been reduced $104,100.

They have the bells and whistles of new construction including stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops in the kitchen and wood floors throughout the main living area.

2 of the 5 bedrooms are on the basement.

The listing also describes two separate entrances in front and back for the basement.

Both are built on similar lots: 29.6×126.

What will it take to finally sell these houses?

Grace Wnuk has the listings. See the pictures of 6201 here and 6203 here.

6201 W. Addison and 6203 W. Addison: 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 car garage, no square footage listed

• No prior sales price- new construction
• Originally listed in April 2008 for $479,000
• Reduced numerous times
• Currently listed for $374,900
• Taxes of $6562
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 16×10
• Bedroom #2: 14×10
• Bedroom #3: 14×10
• Bedroom #4: 14×13 (basement)
• Bedroom #5: 15×8 (basement)

This 3-bedroom top floor duplex up condo at 1955 W. Cortland in Bucktown was built with luxury in mind.

It has 20 foot high ceilings in the living room and 3 outdoor spaces, including one deck measuring 20×18.

There are no cherry cabinets here.

The kitchen, according to the listing, has custom Italian cabinetry along with Viking appliances and Grohe and Duravit fixtures.

There are natural stone baths.

There is also a separate laundry room with a much coveted side-by-side washer/dryer.

At 2800 square feet, it is larger than many homes in the area.

It has also been reduced about $109,000 since April 2010.

Is this condo a good SFH substitute for those who want low maintenance but still want the Bucktown lifestyle?

Jude Ellis at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3E: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2800 square feet, duplex up

• Sold in June 2006 for $855,000
• Originally listed in April 2010 for $959,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $849,900
• Assessments of $283 a month
• Taxes of $12,172
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×11 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×16 (main floor)
• Den: 17×10 (second floor)

This 3-bedroom top floor unit at 3720 N. Lake Shore Drive in Lakeview is a rarity on the Drive as it’s in a small, intimate 4-unit building.

Yet, the unit has many of the amenities of a larger building, including a private elevator.

The vintage unit also has a dramatic staircase that leads to a private roof deck (which can be expanded for your own use.)

But the roof deck isn’t the only outdoor space.  It also has a deck off the kitchen and a private 15×9 deck off the master bedroom.

The unit has some of its vintage features intact including wood floors, curved walls and vintage tiles in two of the bathrooms.

The full-floor unit also has central air and 2-car parking included.

The unit was recently reduced $115,000.

Is this a deal for the square footage and location?

Scott Foster at Re/Max Exclusive Properties has the listing. See the virtual tour here (warning- it has music).

Unit #3: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 car parking, sunroom, no square footage listed

• Sold in August 1992 for $452,500
• Sold in December 2000 for $855,000
• Lis pendens filed in March 2010
• Originally listed in June 2010 for $1.115 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $1 million
• Assessments of $790 a month (includes heat)
• Taxes of $6446
• Central Air
• Not sure about washer/dryer in the unit (the public listing doesn’t mention it.)
• Bedroom #1: 21×15
• Bedroom #2: 15×15
• Bedroom #3: 15×14