Crib Chatter

We’ve chattered about this 3-bedroom Ukranian Village cottage at 953 N. Leavitt several times in the last year.

See our December 2009 chatter and pictures here.

The cottage has many of its vintage features, including built-in bookcases, but it also has a newer kitchen with stainless steel appliances and added great room on the back of the house.

Steven Jurgens at Chicago Home Estates now has the listing. See the pictures here.

953 N. Leavitt: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage, no square footage listed

• Sold in October 2003 for $510,000 
• Originally listed in July 2009 for $749,000
• Was still listed in August 2009 for $749,000
• Reduced
• Was listed in December 2009 for $699,000
• Withdrawn
• Re-listed in April 2010 at $672,500
• Currently listed at $672,500
• Taxes of $5941
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 14×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×8 (second floor)

This 3-bedroom vintage unit at 653 W. Buckingham in East Lakeview was just reduced $25,000 and is now listed $14,000 under the 2001 purchase price.

The listing calls it a “phenomenal deal.”

The building was built in 1916 and the unit still retains much of its vintage charm with beamed ceilings, wood floors and built-in hutch in the dining room.

It has two terraces, including one off the front of the building, and a wood burning fireplace.

The kitchen has white cabinets, white appliances and white counter tops.

No, it doesn’t have central air (window units only) but it does have in-unit washer/dryer and deeded parking.

Is this a deal?

Brad Lippitz at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3W: 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1500 square feet, 1-car parking

• Sold in May 1993 for $152,000
• Sold in June 2001 for $339,000
• Originally listed in March 2009
• Withdrawn
• Re-listed in March 2010 for $355,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $325,000
• Assessments of $267 a month
• Taxes of $3374
• No central air- only window units
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Bedroom #1: 13×12
• Bedroom #2: 13×11
• Bedroom #3: 12×9

This 2-bedroom unit at 1224 N. Dearborn is in a classic vintage building in the Gold Coast but the interior has been rehabbed into a modern space.

The listing says it is architect designed.

The kitchen design in unique with a massive island with Italian marble counter tops and the rest of the stainless steel appliances and cabinets hidden behind sliding doors.

The bathrooms also sport the contemporary design with Duravit and Hansgrohe fittings.

There are ten foot ceilings.

While there is central air and a washer/dryer in the unit. But there is no deeded parking. It is available for rent in the neighborhood.

Peter Angelo at @Properties has the listing. See more pictures here.

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

• Sold in April 1997 for $190,500
• Sold in October 2007 for $390,000
• Currently listed for $549,000
• Assessments of $305 a month
• Taxes of $3441
• Central Air
• In-unit washer/dryer
• No parking
• No pets allowed
• Bedroom #1: 14×12
• Bedroom #2: 13×8
• Living room: 20×14
• Kitchen: 14×11

This 2-bedroom authentic loft at 1619 S. Michigan, in the Studebaker Corner Lofts, in the South Loop has a feature I don’t believe I’ve ever seen before in a Chicago property: a private rooftop deck with a shower.

Unfortunately, there are NO pictures of this shower in the listing (grrrr…) because I’d like to see exactly how that works.

But we’ll take their word for it.

The loft is a massive, 2800 square foot New York-style open layout with 17 foot ceilings, exposed brick walls, and a refurbished tin ceiling.

Since it’s a top floor unit, there are also skylights.

The loft also has another unique feature in the master bedroom: a large walk-in cedar closet.

The kitchen has white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

There is central air, a washer/dryer in the unit, and deeded parking.

Or, if you’d rather just try it out for size, the loft is also available for rent.

Kathryn Anderson at Sudler Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #312: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2800 square feet

• Sold in May 1998 for $294,000
• Currently listed for $638,000 (plus $40,000 for parking)
• OR you can rent it for $3800 a month
• Assessments of $330 a month
• Taxes of $5755
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Private roof top deck with shower

This 2-bedroom English cottage at 6477 N. Ozanam in Edison Park is now under contract after being listed about 2 months.

The listing admits it “needs updating” but it has some good bones including hardwood floors, built-in bookcases and a wood burning fireplace in the living room.

The house was built in 1937 and the kitchen cabinets look original.

The listing indicates the family room and a half bath were added to the house at a later date.

It is built on an irregular Chicago size lot of 50x93x40x114 but does have a 2-car garage.

Both bedrooms are on the second floor.

The house does have central air.

It is located about 3 blocks from the Edison Park Metra Stop.

Was this a deal?

Kathleen Elster at Baird &  Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

6477 N. Ozanam: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage

• Sold sometime before 1988
• Originally listed in June 2010 for $300,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $285,000
• Under contract
• Taxes of $3723
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 16×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 11×9 (second floor)
• Living room: 18×13
• Dining room: 12×11
• Kitchen: 11×10
• Family room: 19×10
• Unfinished basement

This 2-bedroom unit at 3145 N. Cambridge in East Lakeview has been on and off the market since April of 2009.

The vintage building was built in 1920.

The top floor unit has 9 foot ceilings, a wood burning fireplace and a separate dining room.

The kitchen has been updated with 42 inch cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops. The master bathroom has been restored to its vintage character.

There is an in-unit washer/dryer but there is no central air- just window units.

There is also no deeded parking but in this location, who needs a car?

The unit is also now priced $21,000 under the 2007 purchase price.

Helen Jaeger Roth at Koenig & Strey Real Living has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or you can see it in person this Sunday, Aug 1, at the Open House from 1-3 PM.

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

• Sold in March 1992 for $147,000
• Sold in February 2007 for $340,000
• Originally listed in April 2009
• Withdrawn
• Re-listed for $329,000 in February 2010
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $319,000
• Assessments of $397 a month (includes heat)
• Taxes of $3976
• No central air- window units
• In-unit washer/dryer
• No Parking
• Bedroom #1: 14×12
• Bedroom #2: 13×8
• Dining room: 13×17

We chattered about this 1-bedroom duplex unit at 1221 N. Dearborn in the Gold Coast in February 2010.

See our prior chatter here.

It was bank owned and the price had already been reduced several times.

Yet it sat on the market.

It finally recently closed for just $11,900 above the 1998 purchase price.

The building is popular with renters because of its location and its rooftop indoor pool.

The media talks about a lost decade for stocks. But what about for housing?

Rosario Terracciano at Resurrecting Real Estate had the listing.

Unit 1001S: 1 bedroom, 1 bath

• Sold in April 1989 for $62,000
• Sold in June 1993 for $71,500
• Sold in November 1998 for $113,000
• Sold in November 2002 for $175,000
• Sold in July 2005 for $203,000
• Sold in July 2006 for $220,000
• Lis pendens filed in May 2008
• Bank owned in November 2009
• Originally listed in December 2009 for $174,900
• Reduced twice
• Was listed in February 2010 for $154,500
• Reduced
• Sold in July 2010 for $124,900
• Assessments of $350 a month (includes cable, pool, doorman)
• Taxes of $1601
• No central air- wall units
• No in-unit washer/dryer
• Rental parking for $175 to $250 a month
• Living room: 22×13
• Bedroom: 16×13
• Kitchen: 8×6

This 3-bedroom duplex unit at 875 N. Milwaukee in River West is larger than many single family homes in this neighborhood.

At 2200 square feet, it has one bedroom on the main level and two bedrooms on the second floor.

The listing says it faces quieter Racine and has 2 decks.

The kitchen has granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

There is also a unique 22-foot atrium ceiling in the living area and master bedroom.

On and off the market since August 2008, the unit is now a short sale.

It is listed $20,000 under the 2003 purchase price.

Is this a steal?

Janis Northon at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2-3E: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2200 square feet, 1 car parking

• Sold in October 2003 for $395,000
• Originally listed in March 2008
• Withdrawn
• Listed in May 2010 for $474,900
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed as a “short sale” at $375,000
• Assessment of $218 a month
• Taxes of $8197
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 23×12 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 16×12 (second level)
• Bedroom #3: 19×12 (second level)

We last chattered about this stunning 1893 vintage greystone at 562 W. Arlington in Lincoln Park in February 2008 (sorry about the bad picture of the tree and not the property.)

See our February 2008 chatter and pictures here.

Back then, Unit #2 was on the market (which I don’t believe ever sold).

Right now, both Units #3 and #4 are on the market but I’m going to chatter about Unit #4, the penthouse.

This building was an upscale conversion in 2005 with luxury finishes including marble bathrooms.

Unit #4 still has the clawfoot tub in one of the bathrooms.

It also has 2 fireplaces and a rear deck.

The kitchen has the finishes you would expect including stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

Living in a building like 562 W. Arlington on a quiet tree lined street in Lincoln Park is the dream of many.

Now it is becoming more affordable as well.

Unit #4 is priced $50,100 under the 2007 purchase price.

Michael Drommerhausen at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #4: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1700 square feet, penthouse

• Sold in July 2005 for $610,000
• Sold in July 2007 for $715,000
• Originally listed in May 2009
• Withdrawn
• Currently listed for $659,900
• Assessments of $205 a month
• Taxes of $8674
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Gated parking included
• Bedroom #1: 15×12
• Bedroom #2: 13×12

If you’re interested in this 2-bedroom single family home at 1738 W. LeMoyne in “true” Wicker Park, you may be out of luck as your “highest and best” offer was due, yesterday, on July 27 by 5pm.

It just came on the market 4 days ago and is bank owned.

The house was built in 1888 on a 25×110 lot.

It does have a 2-car garage but no central air.

It appears from the listing photos that most of the kitchen and the bathroom are intact.

It is listed for just $36,000 over the 1997 purchase price.

Is someone going to a deal or will a bidding war skew buyer’s perspectives?

LaShandria Sanderson at Chicago Realty & Asset Management has the listing. See the pictures here.

1738 W. LeMoyne: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square footage listed, 2 car garage

• Sold in April 1997 for $153,000
• Lis pendens filed in November 2006
• Sold in January 2007 for $460,000
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in January 2009
• Lis pendens filed in August 2009
• Bank owned in June 2010
• Currently listed for $189,000
• Offers were due by 5 pm on July 27
• Taxes of $6363
• No central air
• Bedroom #1: 10×8
• Bedroom #2: 10×8
• Living room: 15×12
• Kitchen: 12×12
• Dining room: 16×13
• Unfinished basement