Crib Chatter

This 3-bedroom townhouse at 414 W. Wellington came on the market in May 2021.

Built in 1939, this townhouse complex has 10 units around a courtyard.

The listing calls it “mid-century.”

This townhouse has hardwood floors throughout, a wood burning fireplace and built-in bookshelves.

The listing says the kitchen has been recently renovated with custom white cabinets, quartz counter tops, mosaic backsplash, stainless steel Jenn Air appliances and a gas range with hood.

There’s a first floor updated powder room.

Two of the three bedrooms are on the second floor along with two en suite baths.

One of those bathrooms includes the side-by-side laundry.

The third bedroom is in the lower level, along with a family room, an office and the third full bathroom.

There’s also a unique sauna in the lower level along with storage.

The townhouse has central air and an exterior outdoor parking space (see pictures).

This townhouse sold just a few months ago, in February 2021 for $670,000.

It has come back on the market just $9,000 more at $679,000.

Will this sell quickly in this hot market?

Leslie Glazier at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here. (The floor plan is available in the Feb 2021 listing).

You can also see it at the Open House on Saturday, May 29, from 11 am to 1 pm.

414 W. Wellington: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2700 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in September 1981 for $125,000 (per Redfin)
• Sold in June 1983 for $135,000 (per Redfin)
• Sold in August 1993 for $250,000 
• Sold in June 2009 for $508,500
• Sold in February 2021 for $670,000
• Currently listed for $679,000
• Assessments of $290 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, snow removal)
• Taxes of $11,785
• Central Air
• Wood burning fireplace
• Sauna
• Bedroom #1: 16×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 18×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 15×10 (lower level)
• Living room: 19×15 (main floor)
• Dining room: 11×10 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 12×9 (main floor)
• Office: 9×8 (lower level)
• Family room: 14×13 (lowe level)
• Laundry room: 11×9 (second floor)

This 3-bedroom penthouse in Leavitt Church at 1547 N. Leavitt in Wicker Park came on the market in May 2021.

Leavitt Church was converted into 6 condos in 2004. It has heated garage parking, with an electric charging station, and a shared landscaped outdoor terrace.

This penthouse is a duplex up and has authentic loft features including exposed brick and timber ceilings along with timber rafters.

It also has skylights.

The first level includes two bedrooms and two baths along with the kitchen, living room, dining room and family room.

The listing says the kitchen has been “completely updated” with custom white Boffi cabinets, Silestone countertops and stainless steel appliances along with a breakfast bar with seating for 4.

There is a dual-sided fireplace.

The primary bedroom, which is on the first floor, has an en suite bath, a Juliet balcony, and a private lofted space with skyline views which the listing says could be a coffee nook or home gym.

The second floor, which is accessed via a spiral staircase or what looks like a ladder, has a third bedroom and bathroom and an office.

The property has all the features that buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and heated garage parking is included.

This is the first time this penthouse has come on the market since 2004.

If this unit looks familiar, that’s because we chattered about the sister penthouse, #3S, when it first came back on the market in 2019.

See our chatter here.

Will this unique property go under contract quickly?

Paige Montgomery at KW Infinity has the listing. See the pictures and the floor plan here.

Unit #3N: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, duplex, 2400 square feet

• Sold in September 2004 for $460,000
• Listed in May 2021 for $765,000 (garage parking included)
• Assessments of $397 a month (includes security system, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $15,203
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Dual-sided gas fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 14×13 (main floor)
• Bedroom #2: 14×13 (main floor)
• Bedroom #3: 11×10 (second floor)
• Living room: 16×13 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 17×10 (main floor)
• Family room: 12×18 (main floor)
• Office: 12×11 (second floor)
• Laundry room: 4×4 (main floor)

The Illinois Association of Realtors is out with the April market stats.

It was another red-hot month, even ignoring year-over-year comparisons.

Just a reminder, last April saw sales fall 22.2% to the lowest in 8 years (since the 2012 bottom in the housing bust) due to the first coronavirus lock down and restrictions.

In the city of Chicago, home sales (single-family and condominiums) in April 2021 totaled 3,283 homes sold, up 59.6 percent from April 2020 sales of 2,057 homes.

The median price of a home in Chicago in April 2021 was $374,000, up 10.7 percent compared to April 2020 when it was $338,000.

Here are the sales statistics for April since 2007:

• 2007: 2419 sales
• 2008: 1886 sales
• 2009: 1407 sales
• 2010: 1984 sales
• 2011: 1466 sales
• 2012: 1816 sales
• 2013: 2392 sales
• 2014: 2256 sales
• 2015:  2435 sales
• 2016: 2706 sales
• 2017: 2647 sales
• 2018: 2700 sales
• 2019: 2595 sales
• 2020: 2057 sales
• 2021: 3283 sales

Here are the median prices:

• 2007: $289,800
• 2008: $300,000
• 2009: $218,000
• 2010: $225,000
• 2011: $169,000
• 2012: $182,000
• 2013: $223,500
• 2014: $250,000
• 2015: $271,325
• 2016: $286,000
• 2017: $297,500
• 2018: $307,500
• 2019: $310,000
• 2020: $338,000
• 2021: $374,000

The real shocker was the strength of the condo market with condo sales up 76.9% to 2,349 while single family home sales rose 28.1% to 934.

“The market in April was hot! The steep year-over-year increase in closed sales and median price shows the hesitancy of buyers and sellers at the beginning of the pandemic last April compared to the comfort they are feeling in the market now,” said Nykea Pippion McGriff, president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and vice president of brokerage services at Coldwell Banker Realty. “Over the last few months, it seems like buyers have re-evaluated their desires, and we’ve seen a considerable uptick in the condo market, which is also a signal of buyer confidence and comfort moving into summer.”

Statewide, the number of days on the market fell to 38 days from 53 days last year.

In Chicago, the number of days fell to 35 from 36 days last year.

Statewide, the number of homes for sale fell 48.7% to 24,749 from 48,232 last year. For comparison purposes, inventory was 56,024 in April 2019.

Chicago inventory fell 6.3% in April to 7,690 from 8,217 properties last year.

The 30-year fixed rate average mortgage was 3.06% in April, down from 3.08% in March. It was also lower than last year, which averaged 3.31%.

“While consumer sentiment indices increased, there was a marked difference in attitudes towards home purchases,” said Geoffrey J.D. Hewings, emeritus director of the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory.

“The Fannie Mae index revealed that the percentage of those who feel it is a good time to buy a home decreased from 53 percent to 47 percent, while on the other hand, the percentage who feel it is a bad time to buy increased from 40 percent to 48 percent. These changes reflect the continuing low inventory problem and the lack of housing variety that seem to override the attractive interest rates that are still available.”

Strangely, even though there is clearly limited inventory, sales continue to be red-hot.

Year-to-date, through April, sales in Chicago are up 33.9%.

How much longer will this hot housing market last?

Will higher prices cool the frenzy?

Illinois home sales jump 35.3 percent in April, statewide median price up 14.5 percent [Illinois Association of Realtors, Press Release, May 21, 2021]

This 7-bedroom single family home at 587 W. Hawthorne Place in East Lakeview came on the market in June 2020.

Built in 1906, it’s on an oversized 45 x 111 lot with a gated driveway on the side of the house that the listing says can fit 3 cars.

There’s no garage.

It has the floor plan that buyers look for with 4 out of the 7 bedrooms on the second floor, including the primary bedroom.

The primary suite has a marble tiled bath and opens to a sheltered balcony that overlooks the trees in the front of the house.

Two of the 4 bedrooms also have sitting areas, including the primary suite.

There are also skylights.

The laundry room is also on the second floor.

The living room, which has a gas fireplace and built-ins, the dining room and the kitchen are on the main floor, along with the 5th bedroom.

The kitchen has wood cabinets, what look like granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, an island with seating, a built-in dining table and it overlooks the family room.

There is a rear deck for grilling.

The 6th and 7th bedrooms are in the lower level in an apartment, with its own kitchen and separate entrance which the listing says could be rented out or used as a nanny suite.

The rest of the lower level has a half bath and a recreation room as well as storage.

The house has central air.

The listing says its in the Nettlehorst school district.

It’s near all the restaurants and shops of East Lakeview and a short stroll to Belmont Harbor.

According to records, this sale appears to be only the third time the house has been on the market since 1983.

Originally listed in June 2020 at $2,474,400, it has been reduced $307,000 to $2,147,500.

Does this house have it all?

Kim Kerbis at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

587 W. Hawthorne Place: 7 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 4200 square feet, single family home

• Sold in August 1983 for $195,000 (per Redfin)
• Sold in March 2000 for $963,000
• Originally listed in June 2020 for $2,474,400
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $2,147,400
• Taxes of $32,056
• Central Air
• No garage but has a gated driveway
• Oversized lot of 45 x 111
• Gas fireplace
• Lower level apartment with separate entrance
• Bedroom #1: 24×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×23 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 10×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 11×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 10×12 (main floor)
• Bedroom #6: 12×9 (lower level)
• Bedroom #7: 9×9 (lower level)
• Living room: 15×26 (main level)
• Dining room: 12×15 (main level)
• Kitchen: 13×14 (main level)
• Breakfast room: 10×10 (main level)
• Family room: 15×11 (main level)
• Recreation room: 25×23 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 6×10 (second floor)
• Rear deck: 14×15
• Front decks 12×13

This 2-bedroom on the 37th floor in The Buckingham at 360 E. Randolph in Lakeshore East came on the market in August 2020.

Built in 1982, The Buckingham has 302 units and garage parking.

It’s a full amenity building with a doorman, exercise room, and heated, indoor swimming pool.

No pets are allowed in the building.

This unit is one of the coveted south facing units which overlooks Millennium and Grant Parks, Buckingham Fountain, the Lake, the Museum Campus and the Michigan Avenue “wall” skyline.

The listing says this unit has been “completely renovated in high end finishes.”

It has crown molding.

It has a “gourmet kitchen” but doesn’t show it in the pictures. It appears to have modern wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island.

The floors look to be in the herringbone pattern but the listing details says they are stone (porcelain tiles?).

It has the finishes buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit. Parking is included in the price.

Listed at $879,000 in August 2020, it has gone under contract once in 2021 only to be re-listed.

It continues to be listed at $879,000.

But with 340 On the Park next door and the nearby newly finished St. Regis, also a “view” building, selling for much higher prices, is this unit a deal for the square footage?

Izetta Carroll at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #3702: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1479 square feet

• Sold in June 2008 for $710,000 (per Redfin- as the PIN isn’t showing up on the CCRD)
• Originally listed in August 2020 for $879,000
• Under contract in March 2021
• Re-listed at $879,000
• Assessments of $1512 a month (includes gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, on-site management, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $12,238
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 17×12
• Bedroom #2: 15×11
• Living room: 25×14
• Dining room: 12×8
• Kitchen: 13×8
• Laundry room: 5×5
• Foyer: 14×7

(Apparently, I don’t have a picture of this building even though I have one of the “sister” building across the street, 3033 N. Sheridan, which was also a condo conversion and sold in a frenzy in the housing bubble as well.)

This 2-bedroom in 2930 N. Sheridan in East Lakeview came on the market in May 2021.

Built in 1968, 2930 N. Sheridan has 252 units in 16 stories and a parking garage.

Originally an apartment building, it was converted into condos during the housing bubble in 2008.

It has a night time doorman, an exercise room and a roof deck.

Valet parking is available.

The listing for this unit says it was just renovated.

It has light wood wide plank hardwood floors throughout.

the kitchen has 42 inch custom white cabinets, premium stainless steel appliances, quartz counter tops, including on the “chef’s island”, a black tile backsplash, a dry bar and a wine fridge.

The bathroom has an updated vanity and mirror.

The second bedroom is fully enclosed and has French doors.

The listing says the primary bedroom would fit a king bed.

It has window a/c units, washer/dryer in the unit and valet parking is available.

This unit is listed at $244,995, which is $19,005 below the 2010 sales price of $264,000.

Is this a deal?

Michael Mandele and Tim Lorimer at Compass has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #305: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, no square footage listed

• Sold in August 2010 for $264,000
• Listed in May 2021 for $244,995
• Assessments of $316 a month (includes doorman, exercise room, exterior maintenance, snow removal)
• Taxes of $3782
• Parking is $200 to $275 a month
• Window a/c units
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×12
• Bedroom #2: 8×8
• Kitchen: 10×8
• Living room: 15×13

This 2-bedroom duplex loft in the Lincoln Theater Lofts at 3160 N. Lincoln in Lakeview came on the market in May 2021.

The Lincoln Theater Lofts was converted into “soft” lofts in 2001 and has 33 units. It has exposed duct work but no exposed brick or other authentic loft features.

It has garage parking.

The listing calls this unit “newly renovated.”

It has two new bathrooms with “top of the line” finishes.

The kitchen has a mix of white cabinets, with black cabinets on the island, along with quartz counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

There’s a private balcony off the living room.

The two bedrooms are on the second floor.

There’s also a unique den with industrial black interior windows.

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

This building is just across the intersection from the large Lakeview Whole Foods and the shops and restaurants of West Lakeview.

Listed at $519,000, is this duplex a townhouse alternative?

Antonio Giamberduca at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #202: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1700 square feet, duplex, loft

• Sold in March 2004 for $378,000
• Sold in March 2018 for $385,000
• Listed in May 2021 for $519,000 (includes the parking)
• Assessments of $468 a month (includes exterior maintenance, snow removal and scavenger)
• Taxes of $8652
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 12×10 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×10 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 15×13 (lower level)
• Living room: 25×14 (lower level)
• Family room: 11×15 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 10×5 (main level)
• Balcony

This top floor 2-bedroom at 3842 N. Sheffield in Lakeview came on the market in May 2021.

Built in 1910, this building has 6 units and assigned parking spaces behind the building along with a common roof deck space.

The listing says this unit has been “beautifully updated.”

It has a wood burning fireplace in the living room along with built-in bookcases and crown molding.

There are hardwood floors throughout and it looks like there’s a skylight in the kitchen.

The listing says the unit has a “chef’s kitchen” with white Shaker cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, a custom white tile backsplash and a white farmhouse sink.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet, which is rare for vintage units, along with an en suite bath which has a double vanity and glass shower.

The unit has a back deck with room for a table and chairs.

It has the features buyers look for in 2021 including central air, washer/dryer in the unit, with its own laundry room, and an assigned parking space.

Listed at $515,000, that’s $185,000 over the 2015 price of $330,000.

With inventory tight, will they get their price?

Stefanie Lavelle at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #303: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet

• Sold in July 1989 for $145,000
• Sold in May 1996 for $192,000
• Sold in April 2006 for $374,000
• Sold in June 2015 for $330,000
• Currently listed at $515,000 (includes one assigned parking space)
• Assessments of $183 a month (includes scavenger)
• Taxes of $5873
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 18×17
• Bedroom #2: 13×12
• Kitchen: 14×13
• Living/dining room: 26×16
• Balcony/deck

I will attempt to join the rest of America out partying on the beach this week.

Palm trees, here I come.

The Chicago housing market remains red hot with properties going under contract within days of listing.

Even with the pandemic and the looting/rioting downtown, even downtown condos are back selling again.

I’m looking forward to covering all the interesting properties all summer long.

Be nice to each other while I’m away.

Sabrina

This 4-bedroom in The 555 Collection at 559 W. Armitage in Lincoln Park came on the market in March 2021.

Built in 2020-2021,  The 555 Collection is a new 4-unit red brick building with grid windows, iron details and cornice in a “nod to Chicago’s Industrial Revolution.”

It has garage parking.

This unit is one of two triplex units.

It has white oak hardwood floors.

The main floor has the living/dining combo and the kitchen, which has luxury finishes including a waterfall island and professional grade appliances.

The second floor has the primary suite and a second bedroom.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet and a bath with a large, black metal framed shower, marble tile inlay dual vanity with RL lighting and heated floors.

The lower level has the other two bedrooms along with a family room.

The listing says this triplex has a private entrance and private yard.

It has central air and 1-car garage parking.

There is an HOA which covers water and exterior maintenance.

The listing says this is the last available unit (i.e. they have sold 3 out of the 4 units).

Both of the triplexes were listed at $1.45 million.

This industrial, or warehouse style of architecture, is somewhat limited in most of Lincoln Park.

With the quick sale of these units, will developers build more in this style in this neighborhood?

Samantha Porter and Lauren Goldberg at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

559 W. Armitage: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3000 square feet, triplex

• Originally listed in March 2021 for $1.45 million
• Currently still listed at $1.45 million
• Assessments of $200 a month (includes water and exterior maintenance)
• Taxes are “new”
• 1 car garage
• Bedroom #1: 16×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×12 (lower level)
• Bedroom #4: 12×11 (lower level)
• Living room: 28×18 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 19×10 (main floor)
• Family room: 21×15 (lower level)
• Terrace: 12×12 (main level)