Crib Chatter

This 5-bedroom Victorian row house at 620 W. Fullerton Parkway in East Lincoln Park came on the market in September 2021.

Built in 1886, this row house is on a larger than standard Chicago lot measuring 35 x 175.

It has a 2-car garage.

This row house has many of its vintage features including high ceilings, crown moldings, leaded glass windows and pocket doors.

There’s a large skylight over the main staircase.

It has 3 fireplaces located in the living room, a bedroom and the first floor library.

The listing says the house has a new Christopher Peakcock ultra luxe kitchen with full height white cabinetry, Calcutta Gold marble countertops and backsplash, Wolf, Miele and Subzero appliances, an island and a peninsula with seating.

It has the preferred layout for families with 4 of the 5 bedrooms on the second floor, including the primary suite which has an updated spa-like white marble bath with separate tub and shower and dual sinks.

The listing says one of the 4 bedrooms is being used as an office.

The fifth bedroom is in the English basement which also has a large recreation room, the laundry room and a separate entrance if you want to use it as a live-in.

It has a professionally designed and lushly landscaped backyard.

This row house is located near the shops and restaurants of East Lincoln Park on Clark, Halsted and Lincoln Avenue.

The listing says its in the Lincoln Elementary school district.

It has central air.

Originally listed in September 2021 for $3.995 million, it has been reduced $500,000 to $3.495 million.

Fullerton Parkway is a historic street with rare large lots.

Is this an easy sell to vintage lovers?

Emily Sachs Wong at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and video here.

620 W. Fullerton Parkway: 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2 half baths, 5000 square feet, row house

• Sold in April 1994 for $780,000
• Sold in February 1997 for $1.152 million
• Sold in March 2004 for $2.25 million
• Originally listed in September 2021 for $3.995 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $3.495 million
• Taxes of $30,385
• Central Air
• 3 fireplaces
• Skylight
• 2-car garage
• 30 x 175 lot
• Bedroom #1: 17×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 24×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 11×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 19×12 (lower level)
• Living room: 19×13 (main level)
• Dining room: 16×13 (main level)
• Family room: 16×15 (main level)
• Library: 16×13 (main level)
• Kitchen: 20×13 (main level)
• Foyer: 15×6 (main level)
• Recreation room: 36×18 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 16×15 ( lower leve)

This 1-bedroom in Park View Tower at 2740 N. Pine Grove came on the market in March 2022.

Built in 1974, Park View Tower has 149 units and both garage and outdoor parking.

It’s a boutique elevator building with a laundry room.

This unit is on the 11th floor and has west views over the city.

The listing says it is a “brand new unit renovated to exquisite standards.”

It has a “new open floor plan” with gray wood floors.

From the prior sale, it appears they added the bedroom which now has a professionally organize closet.

The kitchen has custom white gloss flat panel cabinets with under cabinet LED lighting, full marble backsplash, white quartz counter tops and high end stainless steel appliances including a microwave drawer.

It has a peninsula with seating for 2 and a waterfall edge.

The bathroom has a walk-in-shower with marble tiles and sliding glass door along with a vanity cabinet with quartz counter top and glass flat panel.

The listing says the unit has new electrical and plumbing.

It has wall unit cooling and electric baseboard heating. There’s no washer/dryer in the unit but there is laundry in the building.

Garage parking is available for $155 a month. Outdoor parking is apparently also available.

The listing says it’s an investor-friendly building with no rental caps and pets are allowed.

The listing also says:

“Specialized paint used with sanitizing technology throughout the unit.”

The unit has a balcony which faces west, with sunset views.

It’s in a prime East Lincoln Park location near the shops and restaurants on Diversey, Lincoln Park, Trader Joe’s and the Landmark Century movie theater.

This unit just sold in August 2021 for $130,000 and has come back on the market renovated at $274,900.

Will they get the premium?

Eamonn Stafford at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #11D: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in 1993 (I could find a price)
• Sold in August 2021 for $130,000
• Currently listed at $274,900
• Assessments of $302 a month (includes cable, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $696
• Garage parking is rental at $155 a month
• Wall unit cooling
• Baseboard electric heat
• No in-unit w/d but laundry in the building
• Bedroom: 10×11
• Living room: 13×14
• Kitchen: 12×8

This corner 2-bedroom penthouse in The Pearson at 250 E. Pearson in Streeterville came on the market in February 2022.

Built in 2003, The Pearson has 180 units and an attached heated garage.

It has 24 hour doorstaff, a fitness center, a hospitality room and a dog washing station in the garage.

The listing for this penthouse  on the 35th floor says it is an “exquisite renovation.”

If you look at the pictures from the 2012 sale, the unit has been completely renovated with new floors and kitchen.

The kitchen is open to the living/dining rooms and has modern white and gray cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island.

It has 2 bedroom suites and the primary bedroom has a spa-like bath with a double vanity, walk-in-shower and separate bathtub with city views.

The listing says the unit has Control 4 Home Automation.

There are two balconies, one stretching the length of the unit which faces north which has lake views and a second that faces west off one of the bedrooms.

It has city views, including of the John Hancock, from numerous windows.

This penthouse has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is included.

Listed at $2.5 million, is this an apartment for those who love city lights and the lake?

Debra Dobbs at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here (there’s no floor plan listed).

Unit #3502: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2799 square feet

• Sold in December 2003 for $1.235 million
• Sold in January 2012 for $1.95 million
• Currently listed at $2.5 million
• Assessments of $2012 a month (includes air conditioning, doormen, cable, clubhouse, exercise room, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $28,693
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking included
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 25×15
• Bedroom #2: 13×18
• Living room: 22×23
• Dining room: 10×22
• Kitchen: 24×15
• Walk-in-closet: 8×9
• Laundry room: 7×12
• Foyer: 7×20
• Balcony: 5×74
• Terrace: 20×8

This 4-bedroom Prairie-style single family home at 651 W. Hutchinson in the Buena Park neighborhood of Uptown came on the market in February 2022.

Built in 1914, it’s on a larger than standard Chicago lot measuring 50×108 and has a 1.5 car attached garage (per the 2019 listing) and a gated backyard.

It is located on historic Hutchinson street.

If it looks familiar, that’s because we chattered about it in 2012, just at the bottom of the housing bust, when it was listed for $1.065 million, It wouldn’t finally sell until 2013 and it sold under a million at $905,000.

See our chatter here.

But a lot has happened over the last decade in Chicago, and the Chicago housing market.

According to a recent article by Crain’s, Uptown’s single family home market is red-hot as buyers have been priced out of Lincoln Park and Lakeview during the pandemic.

Already in 2022, 5 homes have sold in Uptown priced over $1 million.

From Dennis Rodkin at Crain’s:

Libert and other agents say that space, the hottest commodity in the pandemic era, is a primary reason for the big increase in house prices in Uptown. Also figuring in is relative affordability compared to other parts of the North Side, such as Lakeview.

“With the pandemic, everybody wanted more space outside, and in Uptown, you can get it without moving to the suburbs,” said Lauren Traficanto, a Compass agent. Her clients paid $1.1 million for a former two-flat—now a five-bedroom, single-family residence—on Malden Street. Its lot is about 2.6 times the Chicago norm.

Compass agent Jackie Pepoon said in a text message that her clients who looked for homes on the North Shore instead bought a $1.65 million house on Hutchinson Street, with five bedrooms and 6,000 square feet on about 1.7 city lots. It gave them “all the room of a suburban home, but with the easiness of being right in the city,” Pepoon said.

This house still has some of it’s vintage features but the listing also says that it has been “lovingly renovated” and is turn-key.

It has ornamental stained-glass windows, coffered ceilings, build in bookcases on the second floor landing and 3 fireplaces including a wood burning fireplace in the primary suite.

The listing says the kitchen was newly renovated in 2022 and has white cabinets, quartz counter tops, a breakfast bar on the island which appears to have gray cabinets, a wine fridge and high end stainless steel appliances.

Like most vintage homes, it has a separate dining room.

It has a mud room.

The primary suite is on the second floor along with two other bedrooms and a second bathroom. The primary has an en suite bath with a double vanity and marble countertops, and a walk-in-closet, which is rare for many vintage homes.

The third floor has a great room and an office.

The fourth bedroom is in the lower level along with a full bath, a dog shower, a 160 bottle wine cellar, a professional gym and a laundry room, although the listing also mentions a washer/dryer hidden on the second floor behind a secret door.

The listing says there’s a new deck and a “lushly” landscaped lot.

It also has smart home technology that controls the lights and security from your phone.

This house is near Lake Shore Drive, the peace garden, Montrose Harbor and the golf course along the lake, and is not far from the Red Line stop at Sheridan and express buses downtown.

Listed at $1.39 million, is Uptown a deal?

Barbara Laken at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

651 W. Hutchinson: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 5400 square feet, single family home

• Sold in August 1993 for $557,000
• Sold in April 2013 for $905,000
• Sold in April 2019 for $1.18 million
• Currently listed at $1.39 million
• Taxes are now $17,071 (they were $17,076 in 2012)
• Central Air
• 3 fireplaces including wood burning fireplace in the primary suite
• Attached garage (2019 listing says its 1.5 cars)
• Bedroom #1: 16×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 10×14 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×9 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 21×16 (lower level)
• Living room: 22×18 (main floor)
• Dining room: 14×16 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 18×16 (main floor)
• Family room: 12×42 (third floor)
• Office: 12×42 (third floor)
• Exercise room: 21×16 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 10×12 (basement
• Also w/d on the second floor
• Walk-in-closet: 7×16 (second floor)
• Deck

This 3-bedroom penthouse in R+D659 at 659 W. Randolph in the West Loop came on the market in February 2022.

Built in 2009, R+D659 has 237 units and an attached parking garage.

It has 24 hour door staff, an outdoor pool, exercise room, party room and dog run.

This 18th floor penthouse has floor-to-ceiling windows with exposed concrete ceilings and some concrete walls which are 12 foot.

It has South, East and West views.

The kitchen has wood cabinets and an island along with stone counter tops and Subzero, Wolf and Bosch appliances.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet and en suite bath with a dual vanity, a tub and walk-in-shower.

The listing says a second bath has been “upgraded.”

It has the features buyers look for including central air, a laundry room and a tandem 2-car parking space is included.

The unit has two outdoor spaces which face south and west, including a balcony off the primary suite.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of Fulton Market, the West Loop, Greek Town and the Loop.

The listing says it’s in the Skinner school district.

Listed at $950,000, and at 2100 square feet, is this a townhouse alternative?

Dennis Huyck at Keller Williams ONEChicago has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Or see it in person at the Open House on Saturday, February 26 from 11 AM to 12:30 PM.

Unit #1806: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2100 square feet, penthouse

• Sold in September 2009 for $619,000
• Currently listed at $950,000 (includes 2-car tandem garage parking)
• Assessments of $1513 a month (includes heat, gas, cable, exercise room, pool, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $14,774
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 19×15
• Bedroom #2: 13×12
• Bedroom #3: 13×12
• Living/dining room: 25×19
• Kitchen: 15×10
• Laundry room: 10×6
• Deck: 28×9
• Deck: 14×7

This 1-bedroom in the John Hancock at 175 E. Delaware in the Gold Coast came on the market in February 2022.

Built in 1969, the Hancock, which is no longer called that as the naming rights have expired but until someone new buys the rights I’m calling it that, it has 703 units and commercial and retail space on the lower floors.

The building has 24-hour door staff, an indoor pool, exercise room and in-house grocery store.

There is attached leased parking.

This unit is on the 58th floor and has northern views.

The listing says it has been “renovated” and is now “turn key.”

In the renovation, the original “sky terrace” was removed to make way for a walk-in-closet.

There are wide plank hardwood floors throughout.

The kitchen has North Carolina Ultra Craft gray cabinets, quartz countertops and blacksplash with a waterfall edge and under cabinet lighting with luxury appliances including a Thermador induction stove, a Thermador oven with convection and dehydrate, a Thermador dishwasher, a Subzero refrigerator and a wine fridge.

The bath is “spa-like” with a Kohler toilet, Grohe faucet and shower with rain and handheld shower heads.

It has an office “nook” with built-ins as well as additional built-in storage along the windows, of which 2 of them are “operable”.

The unit has the features buyers look for including a Bosch ventless in-unit washer/dryer, electric heat/air and leased parking is available in the building.

There is also additional storage included.

The Hancock is at the heart of the Gold Coast and Mag Mile neighborhood with shops, restaurants, museums and Oak Street Beach just a short stroll away.

Buyers love “new.”

Listed at $408,600, is the Hancock cool again?

Lisa Huber and Michael Kearney at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #5807: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 908 square feet

• Couldn’t find the original sales price
• Sold in May 2017 for $300,000
• Currently listed at $408,900
• Assessments of $844 a month (includes doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $6156
• Electric wall heat/air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Leased parking available in the building
• Additional storage included
• Bedroom: 17×10
• Living room: 20×14
• Kitchen: 13×10
• Office: 6×4
• Foyer: 6×7
• Walk-in-closet: 7×10

This 4-bedroom townhouse in Via Como Due at 513 N. Peoria in River West came on the market in February 2022. (The picture above is of several of the Via Como townhouses and may not be this exact property.)

Built in 2003, Via Como has 34 townhouses along with 4 outdoor areas and a private alley.

This townhouse is one of the larger models with 2930 square feet.

There has been some updates to the main level with a custom built-in entryway, flooring, new bathroom and French doors installed to close off the bedroom/home office.

There’s also a 2-car garage on the main floor.

The second floor has the living/dining rooms and kitchen. There’s a fireplace in the living room with built in bookcases.

The listing says it has an “updated” kitchen with painted white cabinets, new granite counter tops, a Viking cooktop and Bosch dishwasher along with an island.

There’s a balcony off the kitchen for grilling.

Two bedrooms are on the third floor including the primary bedroom which has an en suite bathroom with a double vanity, tub and walk-in-shower.

The third and fourth bedrooms are on the fourth floor along with a full bath and a deck.

The townhouse has central air.

It sits near the Blue Line stop at Grand and close to the shops and restaurants of Fulton Market and Randolph Street.

Listed at $825,000, is a price over $800,000 what it costs for a 4-bedroom townhouse in the River West neighborhood?

Laura England at Compass has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Or see it at the Open House on Friday, Feb 25 from 5 PM to 7 PM.

513 N. Peoria: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2930 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in August 2003 for $601,000
• Sold in December 2011 for $600,000
• Sold in February 2014 for $690,000
• Currently listed at $825,000
• Assessments of $275 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $11,500
• Central Air
• 2-car attached garage
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 15×16 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×10 (fourth floor)
• Bedroom #4: 9×18 (fourth floor)
• Kitchen: 18×14 (second floor)
• Living room: 18×15 (second floor)
• Dining room: 15×12 (second floor)
• Family room: 12×16 (main floor)
• Deck: 18×9 (fourth floor)
• Balcony: 11×3 (second floor)

We already knew from Gary’s blog that January was going to be another strong month. (Thanks for all the great info Gary.)

You can read his blog here.

Chicago’s housing market remains red hot with sales still rising and inventory falling. There’s no doubt, it’s a seller’s market.

From the Illinois Association of Realtors:

In the city of Chicago, home sales (single-family and condominiums) in January 2022 totaled 1,801 homes sold, up 6.1 percent from January 2021 sales of 1,698 homes.

The median price of a home in Chicago in January 2022 was $310,000, the same as it was in January 2021.

Sales Data Since 2006 (thanks to G for the older data):

• January 2006: 2009 sales and median price of $258,000
• January 2007: 1850 sales and median price of $279,900
• January 2008: 1203 sales and median price of $290,000
• January 2009: 918 sales and median price of $205,000
• January 2010: 1237 sales and median price of $195,000
• January 2011: 1034 sales and median price of $150,000
• January 2012: 1123 sales and median price of $149,000
• January 2013: 1521 sales and median price of $157,000
• January 2014: 1383 sales and median price of $200,750
• January 2015: 1348 sales and median price of $220,000
• January 2016: 1398 sales and median price of $227,750
• January 2017: 1574 sales and median price of $255,000
• January 2018: 1444 sales and median price of $265,000
• January 2019: 1347 sales and median price of $255,000
• January 2020: 1462 sales and median price of $267,500
• January 2021: 1698 sales and median price of $310,000
• January 2022: 1801 sales and median price of $310,000

“For a variety of reasons, there are typically fewer homes for sale in January,” said Ezekiel “Zeke” Morris, president of Illinois REALTORS® and designated managing broker of EXIT Strategy Realty/EMA Management on the South Side of Chicago. “But for many of those who put their homes up for sale last month, they sold very fast and at favorable prices. Now is the perfect time to sell because of the low inventory.”

The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rose to 3.45% from 3.1% in December 2021. It’s also up considerably from a year ago, when it averaged just 2.74%.

“The real estate market remained solid in January, with increased home sales and prices holding steady,” said Antje Gehrken, president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and president and designated managing broker of A.R.E. Partners. “Continued inventory declines are impacting market time, as buyers are slowing from the heightened pace of 2021 and taking the time to find the home of their dreams.”

Inventory continues to be the story, as it plunged again. Here’s the 3 year trends.

Illinois inventory down 36.4% year-over-year.

• 2020: 47,052
• 2021: 29,093
• 2022: 18,510

Chicago metro inventory down 37% year-over-year.

• 2020: 30,570
• 2021: 19,955
• 2022: 12,574

Chicago inventory finally joined in, falling 33.9% year-over-year after not budging much in 2021 as the city still struggled due to the pandemic.

• 2020: 7,784
• 2021: 8,288
• 2022: 5,482

The number of days on the market fell sharply statewide to 38 days from 47 days last year. But in Chicago, it was up 2 days to 47 from 45 days in 2021.

As Gary has pointed out on his blog, the under contract/pending numbers have weakened which indicates that we could finally see a year-over-year decline in sales in the coming months in Chicago after posting 15 year highs in 2021.

Will rising rates be the thing that finally slows this market?

Illinois homes sold fast in January as demand remains high [Illinois Association of Realtors, press release, by Bill Kozar, February 18, 2022]

This 3-bedroom townhouse at 1125 W. Newport in the Southport neighborhood in Lakeview came on the market in February 2022.

Built in 1995, this townhouse complex, which shares a main drive, has 25 units with single car attached garages.

The listing says this townhouse is “insulated for El and street noise.”

The garage, foyer, laundry and third bedroom are on the first floor. The listing says the den/third bedroom includes a queen sized Murphy bed.

The other two bedrooms are on the second floor, including the primary which has an en suite bath that has been “fully renovated” with Carrera marble, double vanity, jacuzzi tub and custom glass rainfall shower.

The listing says the second bathroom has also been “fully renovated” and has white subway tiles and gold finishes.

The second floor has the kitchen, living and dining rooms.

The kitchen has white cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances with a kitchen island with blue cabinets.

There’s a “grill deck” off the kitchen and a large patio on the ground level along with a Juliet balcony off the living room.

The listing says the water heater and furnace have both been replaced in the last 2 years.

In addition to the attached 1-car garage, there is apparently a second additional outdoor space.

The townhouse has skylights and central air.

It’s located just 2 blocks from Southport restaurants and shops, as well as the Brown line stop at Southport, and is also a quick stroll to Wrigley Field and the shops and restaurants of Wrigleyville.

Listed at $599,000, that is $159,000 more than the 2012 sales price.

Is $599,000 the new reality for a 3-bedroom townhouse in this popular neighborhood?

Randi Kamberos at Carr Real Estate Investments has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit C: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2000 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in August 1995 for $259,000
• Sold in April 2000 for $375,000
• Sold in August 2004 for $440,000
• Sold in October 2006 for $480,000
• Sold in July 2012 for $440,000
• Currently listed at $599,000
• Assessments of $230 a month (includes exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $9867
• Central Air
• 1 car attached garage and second outdoor parking space
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 15×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×10 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×13 (main floor)
• Living/dining room: 23×17 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 17×12 (second floor)
• Laundry room: 8×4 (main floor)

Crain’s is reporting that the Trump Tower penthouse at 401 N. Wabash in River North is under contract.

Read about it here.

Trump Tower was built in 2008 and has 486 units and a hotel over a parking garage.

It’s a full amenity building with door staff, exercise room and indoor pool.

The penthouse, on the 89th floor, has 360 degree views of the city and Lake from 18 foot insulated glass windows.

The unit is unfinished space so it has to be built out.

At 14,260 square feet, it is listed as a 5 bedroom with 8 bathrooms.

The penthouse has a full-size washer/dryer in the laundry room.

Trump Tower residences can use the 5 star amenities of the building including the 14,000 square foot spa health club. The listing also says residents have use of outdoor space on the 16th floor.

The price includes 4 penthouse level parking spaces.

Listed in September 2021 for $30 million, it previously sold in 2014 for $17 million.

What will it sell for this time?

Will it become the most expensive condo to ever sell in the city?

Chezi Rafaeli at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #89A: 5 bedrooms, 8 baths, 14,260 square feet, penthouse

• Sold in December 2014 for $17 million
• Originally listed in September 2021 for $30 million
• Under contract in February 2022
• What will it sell for?
• Assessments of $16,635 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, parking, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $257,391
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• 4 garage parking spaces included
• Raw space: buyer must build it out