Crib Chatter

We’ve chattered about this building at 334 W. Menomonee numerous times in the past.  It is a 16-unit conversion in the Historic Triangle. Only a handful of units have sold in the building.

Another unit has come on the market only this time it is a re-sale of one of the larger 2-bedroom units.

It sold last May for $599,000. It is currently listed for $599,000.

Here’s the listing:

Anything but cookie cutter new construction! Beautifully designed rehab in unique historic building: Pristine kitch with Carrera white Italian marble cntr tps, custom white ktch cabs, w/ integrated single draw d/w and fridge.

BA designed w/Waterworks tile/plumbing. Walnut wd flrs throughout, high ceilings, advanced insulation and in unit W/D. Duplex down, BR’s sep. 4 max. privacy. Also avail. for rent/ask about prkg

Unit #102: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1400 square feet, duplex down

• Sold in May 2008 for $599,000
• Currently listed for $599,000
• Assessments of $258 a month
• Taxes are “new”
• No parking
• Central air

@Properties has the listing. There are no interior pictures posted yet. You can see the listing here.

All of the units had the same finishes. Here are pictures from other units:

Need to sell? Odds are you’re cutting your price.

This 3-bedroom duplex up unit at the massive University Commons development at 1000 W. 15th Street on the west side has reduced its price $100k in the last 2 months.

Here’s the listing:

Huge price reduction. Duplex Up Sun filled 3 Bed 2 Bath loft with Master suite. Private roof deck. Large kitchen w SS app and Granite. Master suite has large walk in closet and separate 5 headed shower & large soaker tub. Tons of closet space and walk in pantry.

Storage locker and bike rack. Garage parking $30k. Assessments include Cable, Internet, pool, exercise room, 30 seat theater. Many Upgrades!

Michael Bennett has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #340: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, duplex up, no square footage listed

• Sold in June 2005 for $420,000
• Originally listed in August 2008 for $499,900
• Reduced
• Now listed at $399,900 (parking $30k extra)
• Assessments of $428 a month
• Taxes are $1,257 (isn’t this the building where you have the tax freeze?)

The number of properties heading into trouble in 10 E. Ontario, the American Invsco conversion in River North, is spiking.

Will it overtake The Sterling, at 345 N. LaSalle, as the #1 high-rise building for foreclosures in the city?

There are approximately 61 units, or 13% of the building, currently under some form of stress  – for example, a lis pendens has been filed.  Not all of these units will go into foreclosure, but it certainly doesn’t bode well for the building.

(Thanks to the Tipster who sent me the lis pendens information.)

Current stats (out of 467 units):

• 65 units for sale
• 10 units for rent

Some units may be both for sale AND for rent

Quite a few of the current listings are selling as short sales. For example, the second cheapest 1-bedroom currently on the market is a short sale. Here’s the listing for Unit #3108:

SHORT SALE SUBJECT TO LENDER APPROVAL. SOLD AS IS CONDITION. 100% TAX PRORATION, PROVE OF FUND OR PRE APPROVED LETTER AND CERTIFIED CHECK EARNEST MONEY WITH ALL OFFERS.TENANT OCUPIED UNTIL 11/30/2008. TENANT’S LEASE CAN BE NEGOTIATED! SHOWING ONLY TUESDAY OR SATURDAY FROM 9 AM-5 PM. 48HRS NOTICE TO SHOW.

Unit #3108: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 995 square feet

• Sold in March 2006 for $384,500
• Lis pendens filed in May 2008
• Currently listed as a “short sale” for $219,900
• Assessments of $451 a month
• Taxes of $4853
• G.L.K. Realty has the listing. See the listing here. (No interior pictures available.)

This listing, Unit #1503, is still trying to sell at the bubble prices.

LOCATION-LOCATION-LOCATION, ONTARIO PLACE PRIVATE RESIDENCES HAS IT ALL-NEW CONDO CONVERSION – UNIT HAS GIANT 150SQ FT BALC SPACIOUS ONE BDRM WHITE KITCHEN APPLIANCES PANARAMIC CITY VIEWS AVAIL-AMENITIES INCLUDE HEALTH CLUB,POOL,DECK,PARK,PARTY RM & DOORMAN.DEEDED PRKG AVAIL

Unit #1503: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 995 square feet

• Sold in October 2007 for $406,500
• Currently listed for $395,000 (parking extra)
• Lis pendens filed in April 2008
• Assessments of $487 a month
• Taxes of $6,000
• American Invsco has the listing. See more pictures here.

Stay tuned.

This single family home at 652 W. Sheridan in East Lakeview sold only three years ago.

It’s been on the market since April 2008 and has had a $150k price reduction. It’s also available to rent.

The vintage home was built in 1903 and has original wainscoting, crown molding, chair rails and coffered ceilings.

It’s also on a larger yard with a two car garage.

@Properties has the listing. See more pictures here.

652 W. Sheridan: 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, 6000 square feet, 2 car garage

• Sold in June 2005 for $1.3 million
• Originally listed in April 2008 for $1.65 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $1.5 million
• Taxes of $16,555
• OR– you can rent it for $5,000 a month
• Central air

There has been a lot of chatter over the past few months about raising a family in the city of Chicago versus the suburbs. The main topic of conversation has been the schools.

But just what CAN you get in the suburbs now that prices are falling?

I think you just might be surprised.

Who would have thought that you could purchase a small home in Glencoe, not far from the lovely Glencoe Beach and in the New Trier school district, for a similar price as you could in North Bucktown, a few blocks from the Western blue line stop?

First, let’s look at what you can get in the Logan Square/Bucktown area.

This single family home at 2069 N. Oakley has been on the market since June 2008. It recently had a price reduction.

Here’s the listing:

Charming 1891 Bucktown cottage with lovely professionally landscaped yards. This 2 br,2ba home has maple fls,white country kit,and separate formal dining rm. The 25X19 master suite has catherdral ceilings,gas fp,skylights and French doors opening to a balcony.

Full basement with w/d. Dual zoned HVAC. Deck off kitchen and a 2 car garage. Walking distance to El. Perfect for your condo buyer ! No Assesments

Joanne C. Gross & Associates has the listing. See more pictures here.

2069 N. Oakley: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car parking, square footage not given

• Sold in March 1992 for $105,000
• Sold in July 2003 for $413,000
• Originally listed in June 2008 for $524,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $499,900
• Taxes of $4,073
• Central air

Here’s the listing for 250 W. Greenwood in Glencoe:

Storybook Tudor that will enchant you from entry to exit. 3BR up/ 2.1 bath Arched doorways, Mahogany beamed ceilings, Hardwood floors, French doors opening to the dining room, WBFP in the LR, separate Breakfast room off the galley kitchen w/ commercial grade SS Wolf range & salamander grill, gingerbread entry into the kitchen. Walk to HW, town, Glencoe schools. Create your own story, renovate or move in!

Marlene Rubenstein at Baird and Warner has the listing. See more pictures here.

250 Greenwood Road: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1.5 car garage, no square footage given

• Sold in September 2001 for $443,000
• Originally listed in August 2007 for $665,000
• Reduced several times
• Was listed in August 2008 for $598,000
• Reduced several times
• Now listed for $499,900
• Taxes of $12,297
• Space pac cooling

It looks like closings have begun in 1 E. 8th, the 91-unit mid-rise building in the South Loop near the Printers Row neighborhood.

One 2-bedroom unit, Unit #708, has already come on the market. Here’s the listing:

New Construction END UNIT! Largest floor plan in a prime South Loop location! Split 2 bed/2bath condo highly upgraded! Floor-to-ceiling windows & high ceilings. Granite, S/S Appls, maple cabs, hardwd floors, Washer/dryer hook-ups, large private balcony w/ DAZZLING CITY VIEWS!

Steps to CTA, Loop, Lake, Target, Jewel, shopping & dining. Bldg Features- Xport Fitness, green roof, storage & low assessments! Parking $35K

Real-Tek Realty has the listing. See more pictures here (including the views of the Sears Tower.)

Unit #708: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1100 square feet

• I don’t have the original closing price yet
• Currently listed for $395,000 plus $35k for parking
• Assessments of $350 a month
• Taxes are “new”

We’ve chattered about how difficult it is to make money if you are selling a year or two after you bought a property.

But what about 6 months?

Such is the situation for the sellers of this 3-bedroom unit at 2110 W. Roscoe in Roscoe Village. It closed in January and was re-listed in June.

Here’s the listing:

BEAUTIFUL, HIGHLY UPGRADED THREE BEDROOM PENTHOUSE IN THE HEART OF ROSCOE VILLAGE. DARK HARDWOOD FLOORS THROUGHOUT, CROWN MOLDING, VERY UPGRADED KITCHEN CABINETRY W/GRANITE & JENN-AIR APPLS. ENORMOUS MASTER SUITE W/LARGE WALK-IN CLOSET, BATH W/SEPARATE SHOWER & TOILET. WIRED FOR SPEAKERS & PLASMA TV’S THROUGHOUT.

ROOF RIGHTS FOR LARGE DECK AND GARAGE PARKING INCLD. MEASUREMENTS DEEMED RELIABLE BUT NOT GUARANTEED.

Janet Jasmer at Jameson has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #3: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1875 square feet

• Sold in February 2005 for $535,000
• Sold in January 2008 for $590,000
• Originally listed in June 2008 for $625,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $609,000 (parking included)
• Assessments of $199 a month
• Taxes of $7719

When you think of trendy Fulton Market area and the West Loop, you think of loft condos not single family homes.

This 6-bedroom house at 1418 W. Fulton might make you re-think your impression of that neighborhood.

Here’s the listing:

One of a kind gallery chic home w/6 bedrooms and a 3 car garage. Located in a serene yet stark urban setting in the Fulton Market district. Ultimate for entertaining! All open floorplan incl: commercial restaurant grade kitchen – 4 story atrium w/huge skylight and interior bridges.

Architectural concrete floors – ensuite spa like master w/endless closets. Huge rooftop deck w/hot tub- wet bar and the best views money can buy!

Ed Hester at Dreamtown has the listing. See more pictures and the virtual tour here.

1418 W. Fulton: 6 bedrooms, 3 full, 2 half baths, 3 car garage

• Prior sale looks to be in May 1998 for $181,500
• Currently listed for $1,099,000
• Taxes of $7,020
• Hot tub!

There are mansions and then there are “real” mansions like 1432 N. State Parkway in the Gold Coast.

No matter what anyone says about the “new” construction homes that have gone up during this housing boom, they aren’t building anything even close to a house like this one.

7 bedrooms, 6.5 baths and 9,000 square feet (which includes a carriage house).

Here’s the listing:

Elegant, Gold Coast estate on double lot with private, side driveway. Extra wide mansion is open on three sides; flooded with natural light from South, East, West exposures. 30-foot formal entry hall with mahogany wainscotting. Richly detailed, stately rooms. 10-ft + ceilings on all floors.

Expansive master suite, updated kitchen and baths. Brick carriage house with guest quarters. 9000 total square feet. Private courtyard, 2.5 car garage with carport.

Lindsey Stewart at Rubloff has the listing. See more pictures and a virtual tour here.

See the property’s website with more gorgeous pictures (including the kitchen) here.

1432 N. State Parkway: 7 bedrooms, 6.5 baths,  9000 square feet, 2.5 car parking

• I couldn’t find a prior sales price going back to the 1980s
• Currently listed for $7.25 million
• Taxes of $45,163
• Carriage house included

The listings on this complex in River West all say 855 N. Erie– but the public records list it as “west” erie.

Either way- this is a complex of townhouses on Erie that was built in 1997. Several are on the market.

What is the going rate for this location? Unit #123 has been reduced $30,000 in the last few months.

Here’s the listing:

SPACIOUS AND BRIGHT THREE LEVEL BRICK TOWNHOME IN AWESOME DOWNTOWN LOCATION. MAIN LEVEL FAMILY ROOM, OPEN LIVING ROOM/ DINING ROOM W/ STAINLESS KITCHEN & FIREPLACE ON 2D FLOOR, MASTER & 2D BED ON THIRD LEVEL, AND PRIVATE ROOFTOP WITH PRECISE & BEAUTIFUL SKYLINE VIEWS. WOW!

THREE FULL MARBLE BATHS AND ATTACHED GARAGE SPACE MAKE THIS RIVER WEST HOME A CANT MISS! BEST LOCATION IN WELL-MAINTAINED COMPLEX.

@Properties has the listing. See more pictures and a virtual tour here.

Unit #123: 2 bedrooms, 3 baths, no square footage given, 1 car garage

• Sold in January 2002 for $317,000
• Originally listed in May 2008 for $469,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $439,900
• Asssessments of $135 a month
• Taxes of $3,634