Crib Chatter

We last chattered about this 6-bedroom home at 1728 N. Cleveland in February 2010.

See our prior chatter and pictures here.

The house had come on the market less than 2 years after its prior sale for $464,000 more than the 2008 purchase price.

It has now been reduced by $200,000.

The 6,500 square foot home has a limestone facade and in-ground watering system.

5 out of the 6 bedrooms are upstairs.

It also has all the upgrades you would expect from a new construction mansion home with a wine cellar and electric shades.

There is also a 2.5 car garage.

Jennifer Ames at Coldwell Banker still has the listing. See all 32 pictures here.

1728 N. Cleveland: 6 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 2.5 garage, 6500 square feet

• Sold in August 2008 for $3,331,000
• Was listed in February 2010 for $3,795,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $3,595,000
• Taxes of $3394
• Central Air

This 2-bedroom duplex-up loft at the Beacon Lofts at 203 S. Sangamon in the West Loop is located in the heart of the West Loop dining scene and is just a few blocks west of Greektown.

When it was converted into 48 duplex lofts in 1998, this building was in no-man’s land with empty lots nearby. Now, development has transformed the neighborhood.

These lofts, because they are older, maintained some of the original charm with wide open spaces and brick walls.

The master bedroom is on the second level of this unit. It also has skylights.

The kitchen has black appliances and granite counter tops.

An outdoor parking space is also included in the price.

Mark Buzzetta at Re/Max Edge has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #303: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in December 1998 for $209,000 (parking included)
• Originally listed in January 2010 for $395,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $379,900 (includes the parking)
• Assessments of $338 a month (includes cable)
• Taxes of $3638
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×12 (second level)
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Living room: 21×17
• Kitchen: 10×9

We first chattered about this 2-bedroom shepard’s cottage at 2243 W. Homer in Bucktown in October of 2008 but it has been on and off the market since June of 2008.

See our prior chatter and pictures here.

It has now been reduced by $130,100 since June 2008.

It was just re-listed and went under contract almost immediately.

While the house was built in 1888, not much of its vintage features appear to remain except stained glass in the living room.

Both bedrooms are upstairs and all three levels, including the finished basement, are connected by a spiral staircase.

The listing says the kitchen has been rehabbed and that it has stainless steel appliances.

The property has central air, a 2 car garage and backs up to Ehrler Park.

Anastacia Mason at Baird & Warner still has the listing. See the pictures here.

2243 W. Homer: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 2 car garage, no square footage listed

• Sold in February 1996 for $142,050
• Originally listed in June 2008 for $665,000
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in October 2008 at $615,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $534,900
• Under contract
• Taxes of $7,044
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 15×13 (second level)
• Bedroom #2: 18×11 (second level)
• Family room: 16×11 (lower level)

We last chattered about this 2-bedroom at 522 W. Oakdale in East Lakeview about 2 months ago- in March 2010.

See our prior chatter and pictures here.

It is still available and still listed for the same price as in March- which is $39,600 under the 2006 purchase price.

This unit has all the bells and whistles buyers look for: central air, in-unit washer/dryer and the highly coveted deeded parking space.

It also is a new renovation – as the kitchen has cherry cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

All of this is wrapped up in a vintage building in a highly popular East Lakeview neighborhood.

Eric Rojas at Prudential Rubloff still has the listing. See more pictures here.

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

• Sold in February 2006 for $409,500
• Originally listed in January 2010 for $374,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in March 2010 for $369,900
• Currently still listed for $369,900
• Assessments of $267 a month
• Taxes of $6336
• Central Air
• In-unit Washer/Dryer
• Bedroom #1: 11×13
• Bedroom #2: 10×9
• Living room: 22×24
• Kitchen: 12×14

We last chattered about this 3-bedroom unit at 1866 N. Halsted in Lincoln Park in December 2009.

See our prior chatter and pictures here.

We had an interesting chatter about the big size of the unit (it has more square footage than some single family homes) and if lack of deeded parking would hurt the sale.

It has now been reduced by $25,000.

The unit has an open loft-like living space which is 70 feet long.

All of the bathrooms have been renovated.

The kitchen has white cabinets, counter tops (except on the kitchen island) and appliances.

The unit also has central air, a wood burning fireplace and skylights. But, as mentioned, there is no deeded parking.

Matt Garrison at Coldwell Banker still has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #PH: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2712 square feet

• Sold in February 1994 for $292,500
• Sold in November 2006 for $585,000
• Was listed in December 2009 for $649,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $624,900
• Assessments of $310 a month
• Taxes of $7298
• Central Air
• In-unit Washer/Dryer
• No parking
• Skylights
• Bedroom #1: 20×13
• Bedroom #2: 14×12
• Bedroom #3: 13×10

This 2-bedroom unit in The Caravel at 635 N. Dearborn in River North was bank owned in July 2008.

It then sold from the bank in 2009 for $137,000 under the 2003 purchase price.

It has now returned to the market and the listing says it is “completely renovated.”

The master bathroom, for instance, has been enlarged and now has marble with a separate tub and shower and a double sink and vanity.

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

There is crown molding throughout.

The floors are white oak.

Fran Goldstein at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2304: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in September 2003 for $462,000
• Lis pendens in August 2007
• Bank owned in July 2008
• Sold in March 2009 for $325,000 (2 car parking included)
• Currently listed for $469,000 (2 car parking $60,000 extra)
• Assessments of $722 a month (includes gas, heat, ac, doorman, cable)
• Taxes of $4992
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 12×11

This 1-bedroom unit at 1048 W. Catalpa in Edgewater was bank owned last year.

It sold in September for $23,500 under the 1994 purchase price.

We don’t know the condition of the unit in the 2009.

The seller now is asking $152,400 more than the 2009 purchase price.

The current listing says “everything is new.”

The kitchen has cherry cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

There are hardwood floors throughout. The renovated bathroom has a double sink and a large shower.

There is a washer/dryer in the unit but no central air. There is also no parking.

What’s the market for a renovated 1-bedroom in Edgewater?

Katy Elliott at Great Lakes Realty Lakeside has the listing. See the pictures here.

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

• Sold in November 1994 for $76,000
• Lis pendens filed in August 2008
• Bank owned in June 2009
• Sold in September 2009 for $52,500
• Currently listed for $204,900
• Assessments of $310 a month (includes heat)
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• No central air
• No parking
• Bedroom: 13×13

We chattered about this 4-bedroom penthouse unit in Wells Street Tower at 701 S. Wells in the Printers Row neighborhood of the South Loop a year and a half ago.

See our September 2008 chatter and pictures here.

Since then, the unit has been reduced by $230,000.

At 4,000 square feet, it also has a 100 square foot terrace and a 2000 square foot roof deck.

The penthouse has luxury finishes such as limestone flooring, 3 gas fireplaces and 5 wine fridges.

The kitchen has Poggenpohl cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

The master bathroom has heated marble floors and a 6-foot jacuzzi whirlpool tub.

Two parking spaces are included.

Robert Pratt at Dream Town has the listing. See more pictures, the floorplan and a video here.

Unit #3400: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 4000 square feet

• Sold in December 2003 for $850,000
• Was listed in September 2008 for $2.25 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $1.995 million
• Assessments of $1652 a month (includes a/c,  heat, doorman, cable)
• Taxes of $11591
• 2 car parking included
• Master Bedroom: 23×14

This 2-bedroom penthouse unit at 2500 N. Lakeview in Lincoln Park has views of the park, the lake and just about everything in between from its wrap-around windows.

The listing says it is the only floor in the building with 10 foot ceilings.

There are white marble floors in the living area and carpet in the bedrooms.

The kitchen has white cabinets and appliances. The bathrooms also have white features.

There is central air and a washer/dryer in the unit. The parking is rental in the building.

2500 N. Lakeview was built in 1974 and has a pool and doorman.

But it’s really all about the views.

Leila Keene at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3501: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in September 1988 for $290,000
• Sold in November 1996 for $210,000
• Currently listed for $399,000
• Assessments of $1024 a month (includes pool, doorman)
• Taxes of $5176
• Central air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Parking is leased for $145 a month
• Bedroom #1: 18×13
• Bedroom #2: 14×13
• Living room: 16×23
• Kitchen: 9×22

This bank owned 2-bedroom just came on the market at 6150 N. Kenmore in Edgewater.

This mid-rise building with some lakeviews was built in 1968 and has 56 units.

From the pictures, the unit appears to have both the kitchen and the bathrooms intact.

The kitchen has white appliances and cabinets.

There is carpeting throughout.

The unit has central air and deeded parking but no in-unit washer/dryer. There is coin laundry in the building.

A one bedroom 850 square foot foreclosure, Unit #7C, sold in the building in November 2009 in what was then among the lowest price in years in the building: for $72,000.

Is this a deal for a 2/2 in this location?

The unit directly above it, Unit #5B, is also listed for sale and is priced about $100,000 more.

Tony Nasca at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #4B: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in July 1997 for $77,000
• Sold in December 2003 for $173,000
• Lis pendens in April 2009
• Bank owned in March 2010
• Currently listed for $78,500 (parking included)
• Assessments of $398 a month (includes heat, cable)
• Taxes of $2391
• Central Air
• No washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 18×16
• Bedroom #2: 10×12
• Living room: 18×16
• Dining room: 12×6
• Kitchen: 8×8