Crib Chatter

In November 2008, we chattered about the developer at 550 N. St. Clair in Streeterville slashing prices on units.

See our prior chatter on the price cuts here.

16 months later, this 2-bedroom is still on the market and is now listed as a “developer closeout.”

The building, which is located just a block east of the Mag Mile, originally started closings in February 2008.

The building is modern in style, with floor to ceiling windows, concrete ceilings in the units and bathrooms that open directly into some of the bedrooms.

The unit has luxury finishes like Subzero and Bosch appliances and Alno kitchen cabinets.

There are also real hardwood floors.

Louisa Azizi at Weichert Realtors has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1004: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Originally listed in March 2008
• On and off the market since then
• Currently listed for $545,000 (parking is $50,000 extra)
• Assessments of $416 a month (includes doorman, pool, air conditioning)
• Taxes aren’t listed
• Bedroom #1: 15×12
• Bedroom #2: 12×10

This 3-bedroom unit at 1601 S. State in the South Loop came on the market in February 2010.

The listing on Redfin calls it the “most inexpensive 3 bd in the south loop on the market.”

Priced as a “short sale” under $300k, the unit has marble baths. The kitchen has granite counter tops, cherry cabinets and stainless steel in the kitchen. There are also hardwood floors throughout.

The listing says the unit “needs some work.”

It is also on the side of the building directly next to the El tracks.

We chattered about a 2-bedroom foreclosure in this building in October 2009 which sold in November 2009. See that chatter here.

At this price, is this a deal?

Colin Hebson at Koenig & Strey has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3E: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1650 square feet

• Sold in September 2005 for $368,000
• Originally listed in March 2008
• Withdrawn
• Re-listed in February 2010 as a “short sale” for $299,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $299,000 (parking included)
• Assessments of $426 a month
• Taxes of $5254
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×12
• Bedroom #2: 12×11
• Bedroom #3: 10×11

We last chattered about this 3-bedroom full floor condo at 1142 S. Michigan in the South Loop in May 2008.

See our prior chatter here.

Nearly 2 years later, it has now been reduced by $500,000.

There are only 8 units in this boutique mid-rise building.

Unit #5 is 3800 square feet and has 2 home offices and a library.

The living/dining/kitchen overlook Grant Park and Lake Michigan.

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

There are also three small balconies.

Scott Foster at Re/Max Exclusive still has the listing.

See the unit at the virtual tour at 1142 S. Michigan Tour– with music [website].

Unit #5: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 car parking, 2 home offices, a huge laundry room, 3 balconies

• Sold in June 2001 for $899,000
• Was listed in May 2008 for $2.1 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $1.6 million
• Assessments of $1,359 a month
• Taxes of $13556
• Three wood burning fireplaces
• Central Air

It is not that common to run across 3 bedrooms plus 3 full bath units like this one at 1125 W. Wrightwood in Lincoln Park.

Especially at a price under $600,000.

At 2400 square feet, and a duplex-up, the unit feels more like a single family home.

Built in 1999, it has two private decks and a family room on the second level.

Two of the three bedrooms are on the main level.

It also has vaulted ceilings and marble baths, along with a claw foot tub in the master bathroom. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

The unit has been on and off the market since August of 2008 and is now listed under both the 2006 purchase price and $17,500 under the 2004 purchase price.

Is this a steal?

Mario Greco at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3E: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2400 square feet, 1 car parking included

• Sold in April 1999 for $470,000
• Sold in September 2000 for $600,000
• Sold in May 2004 for $592,500
• Sold in May 2006 for $630,000
• Originally listed in August 2008
• Withdrawn
• Currently listed for $574,500
• Assessments of $173 a month
• Taxes of $6815
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 13×12
• Bedroom #2: 11×10
• Bedroom #3: 15×14
• Family room: 18×9

Many buyers dream of living in East Lakeview in a unit like this 2-bedroom at 522 W. Oakdale.

This property has all the bells and whistles buyers look for: central air, in-unit washer/dryer and the highly coveted deeded parking space (not an easy find in this dense neighborhood.)

It also has 2 marble baths and the kitchen has granite counter tops, cherry cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

There is even a small deck.

The unit has just been reduced and is now listed for $39,600 under its 2006 purchase price.

Eric Rojas at Prudential Rubloff 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
• Currently 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

This 3-bedroom unit at 5622 W. Wayne in Andersonville came on the market in late February 2010 and has already gone under contract.

It was a new conversion in 2007.

At 1800 square feet, it is nearly the size of many single family homes.

The unit has crown molding and 2-panel doors. There is also a full-sized in-unit washer/dryer and garage parking included.

The kitchen has 42 inch Alderwood shaker cabinetry, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

This property is just a few blocks from the shops and restaurants on Clark and near the Bryn Mawr El stop.

Unit #1 in the same building has been on the market since January 2010 and is still available. It’s priced at $339,900 but is the first floor unit. See the pictures here.

Recently, other similarly priced condo units have gone under contract quickly in the neighborhood.

Is Andersonville the hottest market on the North Side right now?

Brian Brak at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1800 square feet, 1 car parking

• Sold in May 2007 for $417,500
• Originally listed in February 2010 for $429,900
• Under contract
• Assessments of $158 a month
• Taxes of $5198
• Central Air
• In-unit washer/dryer
• Bedroom #1: 16×13
• Bedroom #2: 11×13
• Bedroom #3: 11×13

This 3-bedroom brick cottage at 1641 N. Claremont in Bucktown has been on the market since October 2008.

It has been reduced by $89,100 during that time.

Built in 1988, it has central air and a 2 car garage along with a backyard.

It has unfinished attic space and a slab basement.

The kitchen appears to have the original cabinets and white appliances.

The county records show it as having building square footage of only 966 square feet.

Of the three bedrooms, 1 is on the second floor and 2 are on the main floor.

Anthony Zaskowski at Property Consultants Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

1641 N. Claremont: 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square footage listed, 2 car garage

• Couldn’t find any prior sales history
• Originally listed in October 2008 for $549,000
• Numerous reductions
• Currently listed at $459,900
• Taxes of $6082
• Central Air
• Unfinished attic
• Bedroom #1: 10×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 9×10 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 8×9 (main floor)

Thanks to the reader who pointed out that this 1 bedroom plus den duplex loft at 1128 W. Ardmore in Edgewater is still on the market and has now been reduced again.

We last chattered about this unit in June 2009. See our prior chatter here.

This building is a former Com Ed substation and was converted into lofts in 2006.

Yes, it is adjacent to the red line tracks.

The loft has concrete ceilings and exposed brick. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

Is this price now getting juicy?

John Scheiblhofer at @Properties still has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3: 1 bedroom plus den, 1.5 baths, 1200 square feet, duplex

• Sold in February 2007 for $317,500
• Originally listed in June 2008 for $320,000
• Was listed in August 2008 for $318,500 (parking included)
• Reduced numerous times
• Was listed in June 2009 for $285,500 (plus $14,000 for parking)
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in July 2009
• Reduced numerous times
• Currently listed for $199,999 (includes the parking)
• Sold “as-is”
• Assessments of $224 a month
• Taxes are $5115
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom: 14×12

30 W. Erie in River North is a newer construction building which started closing on units in 2007.

The 11 story boutique building has 20 units, with only 2 units per floor. Each of the units were 3-bedrooms.

This 3-bedroom unit on the 7th floor has been on and off the market since September 2008.

It was re-listed in early February 2010 and has since been reduced another $115,000.

At nearly 2300 square feet, it has 10 foot ceilings and a private library.

The listing describes the kitchen as a “chef’s kitchen” with subzero, wolf and bosch appliances and a 9 foot kitchen island with granite counter tops.

I didn’t find any record of any unit selling under a million dollars in the building- until this unit.

Is this a steal for the square footage and the location?

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

Unit #702: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2300 square feet

• Sold in August 2007 for $1,304,360 (according to Redfin/MLS)
• Originally listed in September 2008
• On and off the market
• Listed in February 2010 for $950,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $835,000 (looks like parking is extra)
• Assessments of $897 a month (includes doorman)
• Taxes of $17,409
• Bedroom #1: 19×13
• Bedroom #2: 11×12
• Bedroom #3: 10×12

This 4-bedroom single family home at 1354 W. Webster in Lincoln Park is under contract after first coming on the market 11 months ago.

We’ve chattered about it several times including last October where we somehow discussed ARMs.

See our prior chatter here.

It hasn’t been reduced since we last chattered about it 6 months ago.

It seemed to have it all with 3 of the bedrooms located on the second floor, central air, a 2 car garage and lush gardens in the backyard that have even made an appearance in the Sheffield Garden Walk in years past.

Some of you predicted it would sell for around $700,000 while at least one of you predicted $575,000, due to its location.

We’ll soon see who was right.

Carol Duran at Prudential Rubloff has the listing.  See the pictures here.

1354 W. Webster: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, no square footage listed, 2 car garage

• Sold in August 1996 for $355,000
• Sold in June 1998 for $385,000
• Sold in May 2000 for $592,000
• Public records indicate it sold in 2003 but I can’t find a price
• Listed in April 2009 for $849,900
• Was still listed in June 2009 at $849,900
• Reduced
• Was listed in October 2009 at $799,000
• Currently still listed at $799,000
• Taxes of $9769
• Central Air
• Living room: 17×11
• Dining room: 11×10
• Office: 11×7
• Kitchen: 19×11
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 11×10
• Bedroom #3: 15×13
• Bedroom #4: 11×11