Crib Chatter

This 3-bedroom duplex down unit at 3933 N. Marshfield in North Center just came on the market as a short sale.

It is listed for $185,000 under the 2007 purchase price.

There are no interior pictures, unfortunately, but the listing says the kitchen has cherry cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

The master bathroom is natural stone.

2 of the 3 bedrooms are in the lower level along with a large 32×17 family room.

There is 2-car tandem parking.

The unit has central air but there is no washer/dryer listed as being in the unit (though Unit #2N directly above it, which is available to rent, has one in the unit).

This 3-bedroom is listed for the price of many 2-bedrooms in the neighborhood. Is this a deal?

Marc Shudnow at Re/Max 1st Class has the listing. See the listing and exterior picture here.

Unit #1N: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, duplex down, 2 car tandem parking, no square footage listed

• Sold in February 2005 for $544,000
• Sold in August 2007 for $630,000
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $445,000 (parking included)
• Assessments of $220 a month
• Taxes of $7591
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit??? (not in the listing)
• Bedroom #1: 15×15 (main level)
• Bedroom #2: 12×11 (lower level)
• Bedroom #3: 11×10 (lower level)
• Family room: 32×17
• Living room: 25×15
• Kitchen: 15×11

We first chattered about this brick and concrete 2-bedroom loft at 1528 S. Wabash in the South Loop in February 2009 and again in May 2009 after it was reduced.

See our May 2009 chatter and pictures here.

The loft was then withdrawn.

It has recently come back on the market and, after several reductions, is now listed as a short sale.

The loft has 11 foot ceilings and wrap-around windows. There is exposed brick.

Both bedrooms have full ceiling heights and windows, a rarity in many loft units (especially the windows in the bedrooms.)

The kitchen has maple cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

The loft is now listed for $28,100 under the 2004 purchase price (if you include the parking).

Is this now a steal for a 2-bedroom in this location?

Elizabeth Sheeran of Ideal Location Chicago Real Estate still has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit#608: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in January 2004 for $268,000
• Originally listed in October 2008 for $299,900 (parking is extra)
• Reduced
• Was listed in February 2009 for $284,900 (parking is $34,000 extra)
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in May 2009 for $261,900 (parking is $28,000 extra)
• Withdrawn
• Listed in April 2010 for $289,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $214,900 (plus $25,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $433 a month (includes heat, gas and cable)
• Taxes of $3329
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 14×12
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Living room: 14×18
• Kitchen: 14×9

There is finally a link to the Chicago Tribune’s article about Crib Chatter from the Memorial Day Weekend real estate section (for those of you- like me- who couldn’t find the print version).

All you “regular” commenters should know that more people are now checking into your chatter here so please be on your best behavior. (ha!  ha!)

If you live in Chicago and you’re familiar with the term “real estate porn,” you probably already know about Sabrina and her Web site.

That would be CribChatter.com, a labor of love by a self-confessed “house freak” who decided three years ago there had to be other real estate fanatics: people who regard attending open houses as a form of entertainment or can quote the pricing history of a house on the market the way some White Sox fans can spit out Paul Konerko‘s batting average.Each day, Sabrina’s blog posts listing details and photos of three houses for sale or that recently have closed, and invites her followers to weigh in. And they do, sometimes with a vengeance.

“Some people feel real strongly about housing, obviously, and some things will set some of the commenters off,” said Sabrina, who has watched verbal slugfests ensue over some listings.

“It’s stuff like, if you’re trying to sell for a lot more than what you paid in the last five years, or if the interior is crazy, that’ll do it,” she said.

Real estate blog has house hunters talking [Chicago Tribune, Mary Umberger, June 2, 2010]

We first chattered about this 5-bedroom single family home at 2533 N. Greenview in Lincoln Park all the way back in September 2008.

At the time, it was listed on Craigslist as a short sale but said it was rented out for $5,000 a month.

Check out the September 2008 chatter and pictures here.

We checked in with it again in January 2009 and it was still a short sale and further reduced.

A lis pendens was finally filed in February 2009 and the property became bank owned in March 2010.

It has now been re-listed for $312,600 under the 2006 purchase price.

3 of the 5 bedrooms are on the second level and 2 are on the third.

It appears from the pictures with the listing that the kitchen and baths are still intact.

There is central air and a 2-car garage.

Is this finally a deal after nearly 2-years on and off the market?

Jason Shapiro at Rising Realty now has the listing. See the pictures here.

2533 N. Greenview: 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2 car garage, no square footage listed (but old listings say 3000 square feet)

• Built in 1996
• Sold in August 2006 for $997,500
• Originally listed in July 2008 for $1.25 million
• Was listed as a “short sale” on the MLS in September 2008 for $1.189 million (although the Craigslist ad said $1.15 million)
• Reduced numerous times
• Was listed in January 2009 as a “short sale” for $989,499
• Lis pendens filed in February 2009
• Bank owned in March 2010
• Currently listed for $684,900
• Taxes of $10,523
• Central air
• 25×125 standard Chicago lot
• Bedroom #1: 11×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×13 (third floor)
• Bedroom #5: 14×15 (third floor)

This 2-bedroom unit at 3535 N. Reta in Lakeview is a property that was commonly built throughout many neighborhoods of the North Side during the housing boom: a luxury condo within a 4 unit building.

This unit is more upgraded than some of that era, however, with crown molding and tray ceilings.

There are also solid core doors and a more luxurious appliance package in the kitchen including Bosch and Sub-Zero.  There is also a wine fridge and 2 plasma televisions, which are included.

The baths are natural stone and there are hardwood floors throughout.

This unit was originally listed in January 2010 and has been reduced.

It’s now listed for $40,100 under the 2006 purchase price.

Is this a deal at this price?

Matt Garrison at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See more pictures and a floorplan here.

Or you can see the unit in person at the open house this Sunday, June 6, from 12-2 PM.

Unit #2: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1 car parking, no square footage listed

• Sold in May 2006 for $480,000
• Originally listed in January 2010 for $475,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $439,900 (parking included)
• Assessments of $150 a month
• Taxes of $6620
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 17×12
• Bedroom #2: 12×12

Someone recently posted a comment about the new construction high rise at 1629 S. Prairie in the South Loop.

We last chattered about the building 15 months ago, in March 2009, when closings were about to begin and some units were showing up as rentals on Craigslist.

See our March 2009 chatter here.

Since then, the Tribune’s records are showing just 13 closings in all of 2009 and 2010.

Currently listed on the MLS (out of 268 units):

• 111 for sale
• 3 for rent

Remember, units can be both for sale AND for rent.

In March 2009, some of you mocked the $300,000 900-square foot 1-bedroom listings yet prices appear to remain the same 15 months later.

Anyone have any information regarding the fate of this building?

Ralph Olivia at Coldwell Banker appears to be handling the listings in the building.

You can see a 1-bedroom unit priced at $316,500 here.

We last chattered about this 4-bedroom vintage brownstone at 3847 N. Janssen in Southport in February 2010 (although some of you disputed whether it was, in fact, a brownstone).

See our prior chatter and exterior picture here.

After nearly a year on the market, it finally sold for $300,000 under the 2006 purchase price.

In our February chatter, some of you thought it would sell in the $800,000 range (after first being listed for nearly $1.35 million in 2009) but some also thought closer to the low $900,000s.

It seemed some of you guessed right as it closed for $925,000.

The house, built in 1907, had been renovated in 2005.

The bathrooms were stone and the kitchen had upgraded stainless steel appliances and cabinets.

The house, in the coveted Blaine school district, also had a 2-car garage and central air.

Jennifer South at Dream Town Realty had the listing.

3847 N. Janssen: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2 car garage

• Sold in July 1997 for $300,000
• Sold in September 2004 for $600,000
• Sold in June 2006 for $1.225 million
• Originally listed in May 2009 for $1,349,900
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in February 2010 for $1,099,000
• Sold in April 2010 for $925,000
• Taxes of $13,282
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 11×11
• Bedroom #3: 20×12
• Bedroom #4: 12×8 – lower level

If you dream about sitting out on your front porch drinking a lemonade on a hot summer night, then this 3-bedroom Victorian at 6129 N. Northcott in Old Norwood Park is for you.

It doesn’t just have the front porch, though, it has two secret side porches, a back porch and a porch on the second level for a total of 5 outdoor spaces.

In addition, if you want some grass to tend to, the house is on an oversized Chicago lot measuring 50×200.

All 3 bedrooms are on the second level, which also has cathedral ceilings and skylights.

There are 2 wood burning fireplaces including one in the master bedroom.

There is also a full, unfinished basement which the listing calls a recreation room.

The kitchen has a stainless steel refrigerator.

The house has central air and a 2-car garage and is just about 4 blocks to the Norwood Park Metra station.

Amie Klujian at Keller Williams has the listing. See more pictures including a floorplan here.

6129 N. Northcott: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 car garage, no square footage listed

• Last sold in 1987 (I can’t find a previous sales price)
• Originally listed in April 2010 for $674,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $635,000 (just lowered to this price)
• Taxes of $5200
• Central Air
• 2 wood burning fireplaces
• Bedroom #1: 15×12
• Bedroom #2: 14×11
• Bedroom #3: 20×11

We chattered about this 4-bedroom home at 1830 W. Oakdale in North Center several times (through at least one interior paint job and several price reductions.)

See our March 2010 chatter and pictures here.

It has finally sold after 14 months on the market for $150,000 under the 2007 purchase price.

If you recall, 3 out of the 4 bedrooms were on the second level.

It also had stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops in the kitchen.

The house seemed to have a lot of the bells and whistles including central air and a 2-car garage.

Is this selling price a barometer of what is happening in pricing in some North Side neighborhoods or did this buyer just get a deal?

Gary Lucido at Lucid Realty had the listing.

1830 W. Oakdale: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1800 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in April 1995 for $264,000
• Sold in April 1998 for $340,000
• Sold in May 2000 for $444,000
• Sold in February 2003 for $492,000
• Sold in July 2007 for $700,000
• Originally listed in March 2009 for $724,850
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in October 2009 for $624,850
• Was still listed in January 2010 for $624,850
• Reduced
• Was listed in March 2010 for $579,850
• Sold in May 2010 for $550,000
• Taxes of $8581
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 15×12
• Bedroom #2: 15×9
• Bedroom #3: 10×7
• Bedroom #4: 11×10 (lower level)

Given that most of you are getting the heck out of town and/or barbecuing and going to parades all weekend, there will only be two posts today.

Additionally, because I’m going out of town and won’t be back until late on Monday and will subsequently be watching the Blackhawks on Monday night (go Hawks!)- there will likely only be limited postings on Tuesday.  Look for one post on Tuesday (or maybe two- but we’ll see.)

The real estate market seems slow to me right now (anyone else notice the same thing?) It usually slows down over holiday weekends but even the past week or two has seemed slower than normal for this time of year.

Maybe that’s a result of demand pulling forward due to the housing credit. We shall see when we get new monthly numbers in a few weeks.

In the meantime, enjoy the weekend. And thank you to all the men and women who served our country and whom we honor this weekend.

They’ll be plenty of time to chatter on housing next week.

Sabrina