Crib Chatter

If you bought within the last 2-years and have to sell now, it’s tough to make any profit.

Just ask the sellers of this 1890s home at 925 W. Fullerton in a landmark district in Lincoln Park. It is listed for $86,000 less than the 2006 purchase price.

Is the lack of parking hurting this home? (Apparently, you can park somewhere nearby- but it doesn’t appear to actually have parking with the house.)

Here’s the listing:

Restored By A Well Known Architect, This Bright & Spacious Historic Home Combines Comtemp Amenities W/Beautiful Vint Feat & Includes A Full Inlaw Or Guest Apt On The Lil. Off-st Pk For 2 Cars Plus Guest Pk Is Also Incl.

This Landmark Home Is Part Of The Seminary Th Community & Is Adjacent To A Private Pk. Ex Schools & Trans Are Nearby. A Great House In A Great Chicago Area!

Louisa McPharlin at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See more pictures and a virtual tour here.

925 W. Fullerton: 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in February 1996 for $389,000
• Sold in October 2001 for $850,000
• Sold in June 2006 for $1,082,150
• Originally listed in February 2008 for $1.25 million
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in June 2008 at $1.099 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $996,000
• Taxes of $16,830
• Central air

There’s been so much hype about Trump Tower Chicago, at 401 N. Wabash in River North, you’d think the sinks were made out of gold.

But, alas, the sinks (and kitchens) look pretty much like every other luxury 1-bedroom condo in the city.

Here are some pictures from a west facing 938 square foot 1-bedroom on the 43rd floor. You be the judge.

Here’s the listing:

Amazing opportunity to live in the Trump Tower!! Large, west facing one bedroom with 10 ft floor-to-ceiling windows and spectacular city views.

Top-of-the-line finishes include Snaidero cabinets, Wolf & Miele Stainless Steel appliances, granite counter tops, marble bath, Brazilian hardwood floors, and custom paint.

Amazing Health club, spa, and 5 star over the top amenities. Prime parking an additional $70k.

Thomas Moran at Sudler Sotheby’s has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #43E: 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths, 938 square feet

• I don’t have the original closing price
• Currently listed for $650,000 plus $70k for parking
• Assessments of $500 a month
• Taxes are “new”

Greystones are popular, especially ones with all of the trappings such as parking, central air and new kitchens and baths.

This 3-bedroom unit at 626 W. Belden in Lincoln Park has all of that. It even has a cozy balcony off the front of the unit where you could sip your morning coffee.

It’s been on the market since June with a few price reductions.

Why isn’t this selling?

Here’s the listing:

Lincoln Park at it’s finest! Beautiful tree-lined street invites you into this bright 3 Bdrm, 2 Bath unit in a gorgeous vintage greystone. Features include 10-ft ceilings, 2 wbfp, in-unit washer/dryer, 2 private decks, hardwood floors thruout.

Kitchen features cherry 42′ cabinets, granite counters & SS appliances. Two new upscale baths with steam shower and air bath. Storage. Garage parking included in the price!

Julie Dorger at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See more pictures and a virtual tour here.

Unit #2: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed

• Sold in July 2003 for $445,000
• Sold in November 2006 for $533,500
• Originally listed in June 2008 for $585,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $550,000
• Assessments of $300 a month
• Taxes of $7073
• Central Air
• Two fireplaces

We chattered about this 2400-square foot authentic loft at 411 S. Sangamon in the West Loop in early August.

It is still on the market and has been reduced $69,000, although in the prior listing the parking was included and now it’s $20k extra. So the “true” reduction is only $49,000.

Here’s the listing again:

Architect-owned 2400sf urban retreat complete with professionally landscaped walled garden & large terrace with built-in cedar/stainless/granite kitchen, grill, sink, fridge, custom lighting & maple tree.

Bright elegant interior includes 60′ wall of windows, 675 sf great room, granite & stainless kitchen, dry bar. Incredible storage. Optional parking space $20k. Steps to el, UIC, 90/94/290, Greektown. Walk to work!

Alex Till at Baird and Warner has the listing. See more pictures here (if the B&W link doesn’t work properly.)

Unit #1D: 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
• Currently listed for $550,000 (parking $20k extra.)
• Assessments of $450 a month
• Taxes are $6,200
• Central air

This brick townhouse at 327 W. Eugenie in Old Town was built in 1971. If you like Old Town, this is in a fantastic location. It is right near the Historic Triangle and the restaurants/shops on Wells Street.

This seller bought in 1986, when the neighborhood was just a tad different.

Here’s the listing:

OLD TOWN! FAB ONE-OF-A-KIND FEE SIMPLE TOWNHOME(NO ASSESSMENTS).FEELS LIKE A SINGLE FAMILY! SUNFILLED TRIPLEX 2 BR/2 BA+DEN/3RD BR.LR W/SOARING 17′ CEILING & WBFP. KIT W/NEWER SS APPS, SEPARATE DINING RM. NEWER BATHS W/MARBLE & HRDWD FLOORS ON UPPER LEVELS.

2 DECKS-1 OFF SUNROOM ON MAIN LEVEL, 1 OFF HUGE MASTER. UTL. RM W/W/D. PKG INCL. WALK TO WELLS ST, LAKE, LINCOLN PARK, FANTASTIC DINING & NITELIFE-EVERYTHING!

John Sutton at Century 21 Sussex & Reilly has the listing. See more pictures and a virtual tour here.

327 W. Eugenie: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, den, no square footage listed

• Sold in April 1986 for $152,000
• Originally listed in August 2007 for $789,000
• Several reductions
• Currently listed at $649,000 (includes one car parking)
• No assessments
• Taxes of $7,539
• Central Air
• OR you can rent it for $2500 a month

We’re starting to see some properties price below boom-era levels. Take this 4-bedroom 2006 construction single family home at 4641 N. Wolcott in Lincoln Square.

It is currently listed $287,000 under what it last sold for in 2006.

Here’s the listing:

Exceptional Lincoln Square custom built home on over-sized lot. Exotic Brazilian walnut floor, custom oversized windows, 12 foot tray ceilings, skylights. Professional grade kitchen w/ Viking dbl-oven, large counter surface, great for entertaining.

Finished bsmt w/ full wet bar. All baths come w/ intricate tile work and high-end fxtrs. Lrg fenced yard with fireplace. Walk to brown line EL + Ravenswood Metra.

Phil Byers at Keller Williams Lincoln Park has the listing. See more pictures here.

4641 N. Wolcott: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 4400 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in August 2006 for $1,287,500
• Was listed in early October for $1,149,000
• Reduced
• Now listed for $999,999
• Taxes of $15,429
• New construction in 2006

We’ve chattered about the Tuscan Villa at 2965 N. Sheridan in Lakeview several times. It was first on the market a year ago but re-appeared this summer.

A lis pendens was filed on the property in September.

Here’s the listing again:

Luxury living w/sophisticated ambience steps from park & lake. One-of-a-kind 4BR/4.5BA offers 4,600 s.f. of gorgeous space on 2 levels. Granite Foyer. HW flrs/High Ceilings/Skylights thruout. 2 story atrium court.

Great Rm w/oversized WBFP & custom built-in shelving open to brick garden patio. Slate Solarium. 2nd fl laundry. Kitchen w/Kanac cabs, Subzero, Thermador, Bosch. Spa Baths w/natural stone-marble mosiac.

Brent Rosenbower at Sudler Sotheby’s has the listing. See more pictures here.

2965 N. Sheridan: 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 4600 square feet, 2.5 car garage

• I couldn’t find an original sales price
• Previously listed in November 2007 for $2.8 million
• Reduced and re-listed
• Was listed in August 2008 for $2.28 million
• Lis Pendens filed in September 2008
• Currently listed for $2.28 million
• Taxes of $8,481

This 3-bedroom unit at 1371 N. Mohawk in Old Town is in short sale but a lis pendens was also recently filed against it.

The current short sale price is already $45k below what the unit sold for in 2001.

Here’s the listing:

Offer Subject To Lender’s Final Approval. Rarely Avbl. Top Flr Bi-level In Heart Of Old Town.2 Outdoor Decks & Stunning Skyline Views! Dramatic Plan W/Hi Ceilings & Tons Of Natural Light.

2000+sf. Open Gourmet Kit Into Liv/Din Combo. Maple Cabs/Granite/Ss. Maple Flrs In Prime Areas. 2 En-suite Bdrms-both W/Decks. 3rd Bdrm+ofc/Loft. 1c Gar+in-unit W/D Incl. Prime Location W/Walking Convenience To Everything!!

Gregory Eldridge at Baird & Warner has the listing. See more pictures here (if the B&W link isn’t working properly).

Unit #3: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 1 car parking

• Sold in October 2001 for $545,000
• Sold in May 2006 for $590,000
• Originally listed in May 2008 for $699,900
• Reduced several times
• Currently listed for $500,000
• Lis pendens filed in October 2008
• Assessments of $194 a month
• Taxes of $7,822

1-bedroom units are popular starter condos, especially in River North and Streeterville. This 1-bedroom with den at 60 W. Erie in River North is larger than most. It’s also quite a bit pricier.

What would you pay for that 1-bedroom condo?

Here’s the listing:

Lucien Lagrange, exclusive 24 unit building at the cross roads of the Gold Coast and River North. Most floors are full floor residences. This home is one of only 2 homes on the floor.

 Large 15X5 tiled balcony, eat in kitchen with subzero, Bosch and Thermador SS apps & In suite whirlpool W/D. Gleaming Hardwood throughout common space, sizable master suite and den. 2 parking spots in the attached garage included.

Crown Heights Realty has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #1401: 1 bedroom, den, 1.5 baths, 1420 square feet

• Sold in December 2003 for $556,500
• Currently listed at $699,770 (includes 2 parking spaces)
• Assessments of $863 a month (the building is small and has a doorman)
• Taxes of $6,313

The Anchor Lofts, at 215 W. Illinois, was one of the first buildings to be converted in River North nearly 2 decades ago.

This 2-bedroom unit has a lot of the features of authentic lofts including high ceilings and open spaces.

Here’s the listing:

RARE OFFERING IN THE UNIQUE ANCHOR LOFTS. DRAMATIC BRIGHT SPACE W/2 EXPOSURES, 11 FT CEILINGS, TIMBER BEAMS, 10 LIGHT-FILLED WINDOWS & HARDWOOD FLOORS. NEWLY UPDATED KITCHEN W/MAPLE MDF CABINET FRONTS, GRANITE COUNTERS & STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES.

FIREPLACE, EXTENSIVE BOOKCASES & LOTS OF CLOSETS. PRIVATE BEDROOMS W/WINDOWS. DEEDED INDOOR PARKING INCLUDED. STEPS TO RESTAURANTS, ENTERTAINMENT, SHOPS & TRANSPORTATION.

Steven Heilig at Baird and Warner has the listing. See more pictures here (or on B&W’s website as well.)

Unit #4A: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, office

• Sold in May 1993 for $225,000
• Sold in October 2001 for $300,000
• Originally listed in September 2008 for $674,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $649,000 (parking included)
• Assessments of $537 a month
• Taxes of $4,615
• Central Air