Crib Chatter

With the Cubs in the playoffs, who wouldn’t want to live right down the street from the action? (Okay- not everyone would.)

This 2-bedroom unit at 815 W. Addison, a 2005 rehab, has been on the market since March. It’s been reduced several times.

Here’s the listing:

LAKEVIEW/WRIGLEYVILLE REHAB. GREAT ATTENTION TO DETAILS! FEATURES INCLUDE: 42″ CHERRY CABINETS, 1.25″ GRANITE COUNTERS, STAINLESS APPLIANCES, HDWFLRS. THROUGHTOUT

STONE BATH, IN-UNIT LAUNDRY, CROWN MOULDINGS AND CONTROL HEAT/AIR WALK TO WRIGLEY FIELD, TRAINS, SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS. 4 BLOCKS FROM THE LAKE & RUNNING PATH!

No square footage is listed but from the room sizes, it is on the smaller size:

• Living room: 13×13
• Bedroom #1: 12×9
• Bedroom #2: 10×10
• Kitchen: 6×8

Chad Duda at Prudential Preferred has the listing. See more pictures and a virtual tour here.

Unit #1R: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath

• Sold in November 2005 for $260,000
• Originally listed in March 2008 for $299,900
• Reduced several times
• Now listed at $282,900
• Assessments of $280 a month
• Taxes of $3,470
   

240 W. Willow in Old Town is a total gut rehab of an 1873 Victorian.  It seems to have everything- except parking.

Will the lack of parking hurt this property at this price point?

Here’s the listing:

Fabulous historical restoration on Quaint St. in Old Town. Complete renovation/expansion of 1873 Folk Victorian single family to its original glory w/ today’s many amenities. Beautiful yard.

There is no parking on the property, which allows for a bigger yard! 95% of this home is all new, new owner can freeze tax’s! all Stainless Viking appliances, hardwood flrs throughout, ready to move in! 3 bedrooms up, 2.1 bths

I also can’t determine which floor the kitchen and living room are on. They appear to be on the lower level and the bedrooms on the upper floor.

@Properties has the listing. See the other pictures (including the door for the lower level) here.

240 W. Willow: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, no square footage listed

• Currently listed for $1.199 million
• Taxes are $8,192
• Central Air
• No parking

Remember this fantastic loft with an indoor pool at 2436 W. Bloomingdale that we chattered about in May 2008?

It’s still on the market and has been reduced.

Here’s the listing:

Spectacular art lover’s loft-style single family home on a 50′ double lot with 7,640 square feet of living space, 23′ high bow-truss ceilings, exposed sandblasted heavy timber trusses, radiant heated concrete floors, fabulous chef’s kitchen with Scavolini cabinets, Thermador and Sub-Zero appliances, granite countertops and large breakfast island.

Private, landscaped glass enclosed outdoor courtyard with an “endless” swimming pool and radiant heated patio. Spacious penthouse with bar and roofdeck. Internet Wi-Fi. Attached four-car radiant heated garage. Privacy and much, much more.

Eudice Fogel at Rubloff has the listing. See more pictures and a virtual tour here.

2436 W. Bloomingdale: 6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 4 car parking, 7640 square feet

• I couldn’t find an original price- but I don’t think it has sold before
• Was listed in May 2008 for $2.495 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed for $2.25 million
• Taxes are “new”

We’re starting to see some properties with much longer market times.  This 2-bedroom penthouse unit at 1430 S. Michigan in the South Loop is one of those.

Originally listed in September 2006, it has been reduced $120,000 and is now a “short sale opportunity”.

Here’s the listing:

SHORT SALE OPPORTUNITY. Striking and unique Northwest penthouse right on Michigan Ave. Enjoy the outstanding city skyline views from your private 800 sqft. wrap around deck.

The outstanding finishes and unique location will convince you that this is the best value in South Loop. Floor to ceiling windows. 2 bed 2 baths anduot;garage parking included; Steps to Grant Park and Museum Campus. LET’S MAKE A DEAL!!

Century 21 S.G.R. Inc. has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #PH #2: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1400 square feet

• I can’t find info as to what it last sold for- if anyone else can please fill us in
• Originally listed in September 2006 for $599,900
• Reduced
• Withdrawn in April 2007 at $549,900
• Re-listed in November 2007 for $529,900
• Withdrawn in March 2008 at $529,900
• Re-listed in March 2008 for $529,900
• Reduced
• Now listed as a  “short sale” at $479,900 (parking included)
• Assessments of $400 a month
• Taxes of $4,200

Sellers are trying new methods every day to move their properties. 1634 N. Bissell, Unit #D, in Lincoln Park is trying to auction off the property at the end of the month.

The unit has been on the market, off and on, since September 2007.

Will an auction work?

Here’s the listing:

*AUCTION W/MIN BID 10/28 SEEE AGENT REMARKS*PENTHOUSE DUPLEX W/PRIVATE ENTRANCE. OPEN FLOORPLAN, HARDWOOD FLRS, LARGE COOK’S KITCHEN W/BUILT-IN DESK SPACE, SS APPLIANCES, 5-STAR STOVE, GRANITE COUNTERS, BAY WINDOWS IN LR & MASTER BDRM

HI CEILINGS, GAS FP, EXPOSED CHGO BRICK, LARGE ENSUITE BDRMS, 28X22′ PRIV ROOFTOP DECK W/WETBAR AREA. ATTACHED 1-CAR GARAGE, NEW(’06) GAS F/A FURNACE & C/A, CENTRAL FIRE & ALARM SYS.

The unit has been reduced $254,900 since it was first listed in 2007.

Sheldon Good Brokerage, LLC has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #D: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1 car parking, no square footage given

• Sold in July 1996 for $265,500
• Sold in November 2003 for $475,000
• Originally listed in September 2007 for $649,900
• Withdrawn in December 2007 at $629,000
• Re-listed in March 2008 for $589,900
• Withdrawn in May 2008 at $589,900
• Re-listed in July 2008 for $559,000
• Reduced
• Now $395,000 – as a minimum bid at auction (parking included)
• Assessments of $240 a month
• Taxes of $5,888
• Central air
• Rooftop deck

How long do you now have to hold onto a property to “make” money in this kind of market?

We’ve recently been chattering about quite a few sellers looking to sell after only two years. Take this condo at 1208 W. Webster in Lincoln Park.

It seems to have all the requirements (central air, w/d, 2 bathrooms), except it doesn’t have deeded parking.

Here’s the listing:

FANTASTIC LP PENTHOUSE PRICED TO SELL! OPEN FLOORPLAN W/EXPOSED BRICK, HWDFLRS THRU-OUT, GAS FP & HUGE WINDOWS. KITCHEN HAS A MAPLE CABINETS, SS APPLS & GRANITE COUNTERS. LARGE MASTER SUITE W/TONS OF STORAGE, PRIVATE MARBLE BATH W/DBL BOWL VANITY & WHIRLPOOL TUB.

UNIT ALSO INCLUDES IN-UNIT W/D, GREAT STORAGE, BRAND NEW BACK DECK & ROOF RIGHTS. LEASED PARKING IN SECURE GARAGE. A MUST SEE!

@Properties has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #4: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1325 square feet

• Sold in February 2002 for $355,000
• Sold in August 2006 for $460,000
• Currently listed for $499,900
• Assessments of $143 a month
• Taxes of $4,922
• Central air
• No parking- leased nearby

Short sales continue in every neighborhood. This 2-bedroom is in short sale at The Royalle, a 2002 mid-rise building at 744 N. Clark in River North.

Here’s the listing:

SHORT SALE SUBJECT TO LENDER/BANK APPROVAL, RIVER NORTH, THE ROYALLE, INTIMATE BUILDING WITH 40 UNITS TOTAL, CONTEMPORARY DESIGN, OPEN FLOOR PLAN,

BRIGHT, EAST/SOUTH EXPOSURES, DEN CAN BE USED AS 3RD BEDROOM OR OFFICE, HARDWOOD FLOORS THRUOUT, STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, GRANITE, LAUNDRY IN UNIT, WHIRLPOOL TUB, GARAGE PARKING $35,000.

Eric Hochstadter at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #601: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, den, 1450 square feet

• Sold in November 2004 for $489,000
• Currently listed for $399,000 plus $35,000 for parking
• Assessments of $502 a month
• Taxes of $5,925

Thanks to the tipster who sent me this marketing e-mail from Printers Corner, the 88-unit building at 170 W. Polk in the South Loop.

I don’t know how much of the building has sold- but there are only 4 listings on the MLS.

Does this kind of marketing lure you in?

Don’t wait for the government to solve our problems!

PRINTERS CORNER ANNOUNCES THE ONLY FINANCE PROGRAM IN THE SOUTH LOOP DESIGNED TO:

1.    Lower the down payment needed to purchase a new condo.  The maximum down payment required under this program is 3.5% and some purchasers may be qualified for assistance that will provide them with 100% of the down payment.

2.    Allow buyers to live free for up to six months with the developer paying principal, interest, taxes and condo fees or as an alternative provide a reduction in your interest rate of 1.25% for the life of the loan.

3.    Provide realistic underwriting standards for first time and repeat homebuyers in owner occupied homes.

4.    And in addition to all of the above, gives free parking to the first ten buyers

Here’s the listing and some pictures from a 1-bedroom unit currently on the market.

GORGEOUS BRIGHT 1BR/1BTH CORNER HOME IN EXCITING PRINTERS ROW NEIGHBORHOOD. HOME INCLUDES 10′ CEILINGS, FLOOR TO CEILING WINDOWS, CROWN MOULDINGS, HARDWOOD FLOORS IN LIVING/DINING ROOM AND KITCHEN, PRIVATE BALCONY, AND 6 FT WHIRLPOOL TUB. PARKING AVAILABLE ON-SITE.

Winthrop Marketing and Sales LLC has the listings. See more pictures here.

Unit #1706: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 769 square feet

• Currently listed for $349,000 (parking extra)
• Assessments of $270 a month
• Taxes are “new”

The listing for this 3-bedroom unit in Case Study, the 11-unit boutique modern building at 156 W. Superior in River North that was built in 2005, says that it is the first resale in the building.

Here’s the listing:

First resale of award-winning and architecturally unique full floor 3 bed residence with direct elevator by Miller and Hull, Seatle. Open and sleek living area with Aclinea kitchen, commercial grade stainless steel appliances, ceil to floor windows, concrete floors, artist designed built-ins, leads to private terrace.

Master suite with grand spa bathroom, custom walk-in closet, second bed with private terrace. Unlike anything on the market in the most sought after boutique building.

This is not completely correct. We chattered in October 2007 about Unit #201, which was then on the market (but, I believe, never sold.)

Will this seller be more successful?

Check out the floors. They are stained concrete.

Jena Radnay at Koenig & Strey has the listing. See more pictures here.

Unit #601: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 3000 square feet

• Sold in March 2006 for $1,289,500
• Currently listed for $1,649,000 (parking included)
• Assessments of $602 a month
• Taxes of $7,660

There are empty new construction single family homes all over the city. Take this 3-bedroom at 3137 S. Throop in Bridgeport. It has been on the market since January 2008.

Here’s the listing:

DELUXE NEW CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION-LUXURY LIVING- MAPLE HARDWOOD FLOORS MAIN LEVEL-CROWN MOULDING-9′ CEILINGS MAIN LEVEL-

VAULTED CEILING MASTER BEDROOM-DESIGNER KITCHEN CABINETS-SS APPLIANCE-ENERGY EFFICIENT PELLA WINDOWS-2 HIGH EFFICIENCY FURNACES-SECURITY SYSTEM-WIRED CABLE TV, TELEPHONE, CAT5-FULL FINISHED BASEMENT MUST SEE

Avenue Realty Group, Inc. has the listing. See more pictures here.

3137 S. Throop: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3200 square feet, 2 car garage

• Originally listed in January 2008 for $632,000
• Several reductions over the months
• Currently listed at $623,000
• Taxes are $405 (presumably from the old structure that was on the parcel)