Crib Chatter

This 3-bedroom Victorian at 5936 N. Kostner in Sauganash is described in the listing as an original Sears cottage home.

Sold from the Sears catalog as kits from the 1920s to 1940, they are known to be plentiful in the Chicago suburbs but this is the first time I’ve seen a house described as a Sears home within the city limits (not that there aren’t more of them- but this is the first time I’ve seen it.)

Libertyville, Downers Grove and Crete all have a large variety of Sears homes near their train lines (as the kits were delivered via train and the houses tended to be built on lots near to the depots).

This Sears home was apparently renovated in 2001 to add more space in the kitchen and in the bedrooms.

All three bedrooms are on the second level.

The kitchen has white cabinets and appliances. The house also has hardwood floors.

The house, with its wrap around porch, is on a 57×124 lot and was built in 1923.

Bonus points to anyone who can tell us what actual Sears model this home is.

Patty Cerny at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

5936 N. Kostner: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2.5 garage

• I couldn’t find an original sales price
• Originally listed in February 2010 for $539,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $519,900
• Taxes of $3986
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 15×15
• Bedroom #2: 14×11
• Bedroom #3: 13×11

We’ve chattered about 1000 W. Adams in the West Loop before.

This 2-bedroom is on the market as a short sale. It has been listed for over a year and has now been reduced by $30,900.

The building was constructed in 2001. This unit faces south and has hardwood floors in the living/dining and kitchen areas and carpet in the bedrooms.

The kitchen has granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

Darya Lisserman at @Properties has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #412: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in September 2001 for $278,000
• Sold in July 2006 for $380,000
• Originally listed in January 2008
• Relisted in February 2009 for $349,900
• Reduced– had been listed as low as $295,000
• Delisted and then relisted
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $319,000 (plus $21,000 for 2-car tandem parking)
• Assessments of $546 a month
• Taxes of $4236
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 10×16
• Bedroom #2: 10×14

This bank owned 2-bedroom at 212 W. Washington, or City Center Lofts, in the Loop has been reduced by $46,600 since October 2009.

And it’s still available.

It has all the bells and whistles including central air, in-unit washer/dryer and even deeded parking included in the price.

The unit is a “soft loft” with high ceilings and hardwood floors throughout but no other authentic loft features.

It appears, from the pictures, that neither bedroom has a window but there is a balcony off the living room.

From the pictures, it also seems the kitchen is still intact. It has maple cabinets and white appliances.

Is this now a deal for the location?

Arcenio Salinas at Crosstown Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1401: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1 car parking

• Sold in October 1999 for $207,000
• Lis pendens filed in October 2003
• Sold in January 2007 for $281,000
• Sold in April 2007 for $310,000
• Sold in June 2007 for $550,000
• Lis pendens filed in May 2008
• Bank owned in September 2009
• Originally listed in October 2009 for $296,500
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $249,900 (includes the parking)
• Assessments of $522 a month (includes A/C, heat, parking, doorman)
• Taxes of $3218
• Bedroom #1: 13×12
• Bedroom #2: 10×11
• Living room: 15×12
• Kitchen: 13×12

This 2-flat cottage at 2329 W. Charleston in Logan Square (west Bucktown?) has been on and off the market since May 2008.

It recently came back on the market for another try.

The two units are as follows:

1. Unit #1: 2 bedroom, 1 bath garden apartment- rents for $1000 a month
2. Unit #2: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths owners unit- rents for $2200 a month

The three bedroom portion of the house has some unique features including exposed brick and 6 skylights. It also has renovated kitchen and baths. 

Two of the 3 bedrooms are on the second floor with the master bedroom on the top level.

The property also has central air, a 2-car garage, and a hot tub.

Pam Lynch at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

2329 W. Charleston: 2-flat, 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2 car garage

• Sold in May 1989 for $82,000
• Sold in September 1994 for $155,000
• Sold in January 1995 for $171,000
• Sold in April 1998 for $356,000
• Sold in November 2001 for $400,000
• Sold in December 2005 for $647,000
• Originally listed in May 2008
• On and off the market since
• Currently listed for $699,000
• Taxes of $7607
• Central Air
• Each unit has its own washer/dryer
• Hot tub for 7 people

This 2-bedroom unit at 3515 N. Lakewood in the Southport neighborhood of Lakeview has been on the market since August 2009.

It has been reduced by $6075 in that time period.

The vintage unit has oak floors throughout and a kitchen with white cabinets and white and black appliances.

There is central air but no in-unit washer/dryer or parking (there is coin laundry in the basement.)

It is priced for a first time buyer but is the lack of an updated kitchen hurting the resale of this unit?

Guy Lemenec at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in March 1994 for $129,500
• Sold in February 1995 for $136,000
• Sold in September 2001 for $252,000
• Sold in July 2003 for $281,000
• Originally listed in August 2009 for $306,000
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed for $299,925
• Assessments of $257 a month
• Taxes of $3217
• Central Air
• No in-unit washer/dryer
• No parking
• Bedroom #1: 12×12
• Bedroom #2: 12×7

Not surprisingly, 2009 wasn’t a great year for downtown condo developers.

According to the Chicago Tribune, sales in the downtown market were pumped up by the first time home buyers credit and price reductions by developers. (“Downtown” is designated from North Avenue to Cermak Road to Ashland and Lake Michigan.)

There were almost 1,900 closings in 2009, which Gail Lissner, an Appraisal Research vice president, labeled as “a really good sign” but much of that likely was for condos put under contract during pre-construction marketing programs. The other piece of good news from the report is that the pace of closings increased from one quarter to the next during 2009.

But it’s unclear whether that’s a trend that will hold. Only 572 new units were put under contract last year, relatively flat with 2008, and price discounts, aggressive advertising and the federal government’s first-time buyer’s tax credit are largely thought to have had a hand in generating those sales. Before 2008, the number of contracts written for new construction regularly topped 3,000 units annually.

The outlook for new product in the next few years appears grim as the market is still trying to absorb the new units from the last 5 years. 

This year, six new buildings will be completed and ready for occupancy downtown, bringing 1,200 units to the marketplace. That compares with a record 3,600 new units finished in 2009, according to Appraisal Research Counselors’ year-end report.

But in 2011, only two high-end properties, the 86-unit Ritz-Carlton Residences and the 198-unit Lincoln Park 2520, both Lucien Lagrange-designed projects, are scheduled to deliver. As of right now, there are no condominium developments scheduled to be completed in 2012 and beyond.

The article states that the walk-away rate from new construction contracts is anywhere from 25% to 50% which will mean even more product coming on the market than the contract numbers indicate.

Pipeline for new condos downtown drying up [Chicago Tribune, Mary Ellen Podmolik, Feb 19, 2010]

Most people who live in the Southport neighborhood of Lakeview have driven or walked by this house at 3804 N. Janssen at one time or another.

The 7300 square foot, 6 bedroom home is new construction built with a masonry and limestone exterior on a corner lot measuring 34×125.

Originally listed in September 2009, it has since been reduced by $300,000.

There are no pictures of the interior with the listing, but it says there is a custom staircase and a chef’s kitchen with the usual Subzero and Wolf and other luxury appliances.

The listing also mentions snowmelting capabilities.

4 of the 6 bedrooms are on the second level, 1 is on the third level and 1 is in the lower level.

What is the market for this type of house in this neighborhood?

Mart Kazmierczak at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See the listing and one picture here.

3804 N. Janssen: 6 bedrooms, 6 baths, 3 car garage, 7300 square feet

• New Construction
• Originally listed in September 2009 for $3.895 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $3.595 million
• Taxes are “new”

This 6-bedroom single family home at 1728 N. Cleveland in Old Town/Lincoln Park was first sold as new construction in 2008.

A little under two years later, it is back on the market.

The house has a limestone facade and an in-ground watering system.

5 of the 6 bedrooms are upstairs. The kitchen and baths are all custom designed with upscale finishes.

There is also a wine cellar.

It was built on a standard Chicago lot.

The seller is asking $464,000 more than the 2008 purchase price.

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

You can also see it in person at the open house on Sunday, Feb 14 from 12-2 pm.

1728 N. Cleveland: 6 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 2.5 garage, 6200 square feet

• Sold in August 2008 for $3,331,000
• Currently listed for $3,795,000
• Taxes of $3394
• Central Air

When you think of Lincoln Park, most people have visions of tree lined streets and houses like this Victorian mansion at 629 W. Fullerton.

With 7000 square feet and 5 bedrooms, it exudes vintage style on the outside while having modern amenities on the inside.

All five bedrooms are upstairs. Additionally it has a penthouse great room with its own separate kitchen.

The listing says the house has a new DeGiulio kitchen which is open to the family room.

There is a yard, plus two car garage and a rooftop garage deck all on a 25×134 lot.

Yes, there’s central air and also 4 fireplaces to keep you warm in the winter.

Emily Sachs Wong at Koenig & Strey has the listing. See the pictures here.

629 W. Fullerton: 5 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 half baths, 7000 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in June 1988 for $195,000
• Sold in August 1994 for $875,000
• Sold in June 2000 for $1.616 million
• Originally listed in August 2007 for $2.695 million
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in June 2009 for $1.995 million
• Currently still listed at $1.995 million
• Taxes of $12217
• Central Air

This 4-bedroom brownstone at 3847 N. Janssen in the Southport neighborhood of Lakeview has been on the market since May 2009.

It is now listed for $126,000 under the 2006 purchase price.

Built in 1907, the house was renovated in 2005.

The kitchen has a large island and upgraded stainless steel appliances alongside new cabinets. It has the open concept which is connected to the great room.

The bathrooms have all been upgraded to natural stone.

There is a large family room and one bedroom on the lower level but all three other bedrooms are on the second level.

The house also has two car parking and central air.

For the space and location in the neighborhood, is this house now priced to sell?

Jennifer South at Dreamtown Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

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
• Currently listed for $1,099,000
• Taxes of $13,282
• Central Air
• Bedroom #1: 15×13
• Bedroom #2: 11×11
• Bedroom #3: 20×12
• Bedroom #4: 12×8 – lower level