Crib Chatter

Several of you have been chattering about this 3-bedroom vintage house at 1956 N. Lincoln in Lincoln Park in recent days.

The home did not escape my notice.

Built in 1906 on a 30x92x78 lot, the house still has its crown molding, wainscoting and other original features.

It has 3 gas fireplaces, including one in the 28×12 master suite, and skylights.

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

The house has had some modern upgrades, such as central air and also has a 1.5 car heated garage – with one other outdoor parking space also included.

It is also under contract, less than 2 months after being listed.

Be sure to click on the link to see the pictures of the fantastic original oak staircase that winds through all 3 stories of the house.

Millie Rosenbloom at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

1956 N. Lincoln: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 1.5 car garage

• Sold in October 1999 for $860,000
• Originally listed in March 2010 for $1.39 million
• Under contract
• Taxes of $15,957
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 28×12
• Bedroom #2: 19×11
• Bedroom #3: 11×10

This 2-bedroom unit at 1051 W. Barry in Lakeview is located near several El lines, restaurants and other entertainment.

That makes it the perfect location for a first time homebuyer.

At 950 square feet, it has central air but no in-unit washer/dryer.

It also doesn’t have deeded parking but the listing says there is tranferrable tandem leased parking available for $100 a month. But in this location, who needs to have a car?

The listing says the kitchen has new stainless steel and granite counter tops.

What happens to all of the first time homebuyer condos when the credit expires next week?

Suzanne Moller at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1W: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 950 square feet

• Sold in June 1994 for $110,000
• Originally listed in January 2010 for $279,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $268,500
• Assessments of $204 a month
• Taxes of $2475
• Central Air
• No in-unit washer/dryer
• No deeded parking- leased for $100 a month
• Bedroom #1: 10×11
• Bedroom #2: 11×9

We’ve chattered about 200 N. Dearborn in the Loop before.

It is the conversion high rise building by American Invsco. There have been distress sales in the building.

The building has not sold out from the developer.

But just in time for the end of the first time homebuyers tax credit, are these new price reductions of “over 43%” – according to the company’s website.

The reductions are on 40 units and good through April 30th.

Some price reductions listed on the website (this is their data):

Corner 1-bedroom unit #1901:

• Was $284,900
• Now $147,409
• Reduction of 48.22%

2 Bedroom Unit #1307:

• Was $480,300
• Now $243,537
• Reduction of 49.29%

See the website for the complete list of reductions.

200 N. Dearborn [website]

We last chattered about this 4-bedroom vintage co-op at 3500 N. Lake Shore Drive in Lakeview in May 2009.

See our prior chatter and pictures here.

In May 2009, the unit had just returned to the market after being completely renovated with new millwork, new marble in the common entry foyer, new wiring, space pac cooling installed, an in-unit washer/dryer and a completely new kitchen with limestone counter tops, SubZero and Wolf appliances.

You can see some before and after pictures in the prior chatter.

The unit never sold and was withdrawn from the market.

It recently returned and has now been reduced by $189,000.

It also has been staged, with more furniture, artwork and painted walls.

Jennifer Ames at Coldwell Banker now has the listing. See the pictures and floorplan here.

Unit #2C: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3500 square feet

• I couldn’t find an original price
• Was listed in May 2008 for $315,000
• I still can’t find a sales price for the 2008 transaction
• Was listed in May 2009 at $849,900
• Withdrawn
• Currently listed at $660,000
• Assessments of $3119 a month (includes real estate taxes, building mortgage, cable, electricity, doorman)
• Taxes of $8833
• Co-op
• Now has space pac
• Now has in-unit washer/dryer
• Rental parking for $245 a month next door

We last chattered about this 2400 square foot loft at 411 S. Sangamon in the West Loop in October 2008.

See our prior chatter and pictures here.

Since then, the unit was withdrawn from the market in December 2008 only to return 14 months later in February 2010.

It has also been reduced by $119,100 since we first started chattering about it in 2008.

The unit has high ceilings, a wall of windows and the open living concept.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

It also has a unique terrace off the dining room with an outdoor kitchen.

Is this a deal at this price for the square footage?

Alex Till at Baird & Warner has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #1D: 3/4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2400 square feet

• Sold in April 1993 for $130,000
• Sold  in July 2001 for $425,000
• Sold in May 2005 for $399,000
• Was listed in August 2008 for $619,000 (parking included)
• Reduced
• Was listed in October 2008 for $550,000 (parking $20k extra.)
• De-listed in December 2008
• Originally listed in February 2010 for $499,900 (parking included)
• Currently still listed for $499,900 (parking included)
• Assessments of $495 a month
• Taxes are $5882
• Central air
• Washer Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×12
• Bedroom #2: 15×11
• Bedroom #2: 15×11

The March sales data is out from the Illinois Association of Realtors.

Chicago saw year over year sales gains for the 7th straight month but median prices continued to slide.

In the city of Chicago, March total home sales (single-family and condominiums) were up 49.7 percent to 1,814 sales compared to 1,212 homes sold in March 2009, the seventh consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains. The city of Chicago median price in March 2010 was $209,000 down 4.6 percent compared to $219,000 a year ago in March 2009.

For the first quarter, sales were also up 41.6% compared to the first quarter of 2009. Median sales price declined 8.8%.

Year-to-date January through March 2010, home sales in the city of Chicago were up 41.6 percent to 4,241 homes sold compared to 2,995 homes sold for the same period in 2009. The year-to-date median price was $196,000, down 8.8 percent from $215,000 in 2009.

“The market has shown great resilience as homebuyers take advantage of the tax credit in its final weeks. We are seeing move-up and first-time buyers seeking the opportunities of the Chicago market,” said REALTOR® Genie Birch, president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and a broker associate with Koenig & Strey GMAC, Chicago. “We will be, however, watching the coming months closely as interest rates rise and their impact on current lending programs available for qualified homebuyers as well as those specifically looking to secure a jumbo loan.”

All Chicagoland counties saw sales increases year over year. The hottest county was Kane County, where sales soared 72.5% compared to March 2009.

Cook County sales were up 50.8% in March.

“Statewide and in the Chicagoland region we’ve seen double-digit sales increases for the past six months spurred largely by the tax credit and the strong buyer-market conditions, and the forecast for the next three months indicates this trend should continue,” said REALTOR® Mike Onorato, GRI, president of the Illinois Association of REALTORS® and broker-owner of Onorato Real Estate in Coal City. “Strong sales are working off housing inventories and helping to stabilize the market, although the number of foreclosures remains a concern as these distressed properties continue to affect prices. The declines in median home prices have moderated significantly from last year signaling a regain of consumer confidence about home purchases.”

Adds Onorato: “A window of time remains to get a homebuyer tax credit. Qualifying buyers must sign a contract to purchase a primary residence by April 30 but have until June 30 to close the transaction.”

Illinois Home Sales Continue to Post Gains, Up 32.8 Percent in March; Median Price Holds Steady at $148,500 [Illinois Association of Realtors Press Release, Apr 22, 2010]

This 4-bedroom single family home at 3736 W. Eddy in Avondale was built in 2007.

It appears to be an ideal commuting location,  just a couple of blocks to the Addison Blue Line station and the Kennedy Expressway.

The house has all the bells and whistles of new construction including the 42 inch cherry kitchen cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The 19×18 master suite has his and her walk-in closets and a bathroom with a jacuzzi, separate shower and double sinks.

There are hardwood floors throughout and skylights in the master suite.

The house is built on a standard 25×125 lot and has a 2.5 garage.

Avondale is being marketed as the next up and coming neighborhood in the city.

Is it?

Cara Mueller at JM Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Or you can also see the house at the Open House this Sunday, April 25, from 1-3 PM.

3736 W. Eddy: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2.5 car garage, 3600 square feet

• Sold in June 2007 for $707,500
• Currently listed for $699,900
• Taxes of $8596
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 19×18
• Bedroom #2: 16×12
• Bedroom #3: 13×12
• Bedroom #4: 13×12 – lower level

We last chattered about this studio loft at 540 N. Lake Shore Drive a year ago, in April 2009.

See our prior chatter here.

In our prior chatters, the listing had said that it had sold in only one day in 2005.

That was then and this is now.

This time around, the loft has been on and off the market for over 15 months.

It is now listed for $10,001 under the 2005 purchase price.

This top floor loft has 12 foot timber ceilings and exposed brick.

It has carpet and a “lofted” sleeping area which the pictures indicate you go up a ladder to access.

There is central air but no washer/dryer in the unit but the listing says it can be added.

The kitchen has stainless appliances and granite countertops.

Curt Ratcliff at @Properties still has the listing. See all the pictures here.

Unit #714: studio, no square footage listed

• Sold in December 1993 for $74,000
• Sold in January 2003 for $139,000
• Sold in November 2005 for $200,000
• Was listed in February 2009 for $203,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in April 2009 for $195,000
• Withdrawn
• Re-listed for $189,999
• Assessments of $240 a month (includes cable, doorman)
• Taxes of $1810
• Central Air
• Lofted sleeping area that is 5×9
• Parking available as rental in the building
• No washer/dryer in the unit (but can be added)
• Living space: 20×18
• Kitchen: 8×8

This 2-bedroom duplex up loft at 1137 N. Wood in the East Village is in a prime location if you’re looking for a short stroll to the Division Street restaurant and shopping scene.

The corner unit has 13-foot ceilings and wraparound windows on the main level that leads to a balcony.

The master bedroom is on the second level which leads out to a large roof top terrace with city views.

The master bath also has an unusual feature for most condos: a big window above the bathtub.

The kitchen is big enough to put a table in and has stainless steel appliances.

Laura Rahilly at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3H: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet

• Sold in May 2002 for $345,500
• Sold in May 2006 for $426,000
• Originally listed in February 2010 for $479,000 (includes parking)
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $469,000 (includes parking)
• Assessments of $325 a month
• Taxes of $5490
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Terrace
• Master bedroom: 16×14- second level

Behind the brick walls at 316 W. Menomonee in the Old Town Historic Triangle lies this unusual 3-bedroom property which the listing describes as a “coach house style condo”.

Built in 1932, the listing says it was an Assyrian church which was claimed to be the tiniest cathedral in the world.

The 2-story structure has 14 foot beamed ceilings and unique original flagstone floors in the living and dining rooms.

2 out of the 3 bedrooms are on the second floor.

The kitchen has stainless steel appliances.

The coach house has space pak cooling and a washer/dryer.

There is a big private front patio behind the brick walls as well.

There is no parking, however. There is rental parking in the neighborhood.

Phyllis Hall at Koenig & Strey has the listing. See the pictures here.

316 W. Menomonee: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet

• Sold in August 1994 for $230,000
• Sold in August 2005 for $562,000
• Currently listed for $629,000
• Assessments of $545 a month
• Taxes of $7288
• Space pak air conditioning
• Washer/Dryer in the house
• No parking
• Private patio: 13×17