Crib Chatter

This 3-bedroom townhouse in Benjamin Marshall’s 1200 N. Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast came on the market in July 2021.

Built in 1912, 1200 N. Lake Shore Drive has just 34 units.

It doesn’t have parking. But it has full-time door staff, maintenance, a receiving room and a roof deck with lounge chairs, tables and grills.

The townhouses are on the base of the building. This one has a private entrance on Stone (the picture above is on Lake Shore Drive).

The listing says the 2-story townhouse has been “totally renovated.”

It has all new windows, electric, plumbing and hardwoods.

The listing says it has designer lighting, custom window shades and custom closets.

The main level has an open floor plan with the living and dining rooms, the kitchen, a mudroom and a powder room.

There’s a wet bar.

The kitchen has white cabinets, what looks like stone counter tops and backsplash and luxury stainless steel appliances.

All three bedrooms are on the second level and all are en suite.

The primary bedroom has a luxurious bath with dual vanities, spa shower and a private commode.

There’s also a home office and laundry with a full-sized Bosch washer/dryer on the second floor.

The townhouse has central air but there’s no parking. The listing says there is leased garage parking just outside the mudroom door.

This building is near Oak Street Beach and the shops and restaurants of Rush Street and the Mag Mile.

Is this townhouse a good alternative for those who want the amenities of a larger building but the privacy of a townhouse?

Jennifer Ames at Engel & Voelkers Chicago has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit M5-M6: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2950 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in November 1993 for $150,000
• Originally listed in July 2021 for $1.298 million
• Currently still listed at $1.298 million
• Assessments of $3,552 a month (includes heat, doorman, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $15,178
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer
• No parking- but leased nearby
• Bedroom #1: 16×16 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 17×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 20×15 (second floor)
• Living room: 19×20 (main floor)
• Dining room: 18×19 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 10×11 (main floor)
• Office: 10×12 (second floor)
• Foyer: 5×6

This 3-bedroom at 3166 N. Cambridge in Lakeview came on the market in January 2022.

Built in 1910, this building has 6 units. There’s no parking.

This duplex down has some of its vintage features including high ceilings, crown molding, a stained glass window in the family room and a wood burning fireplace in the living room.

There are hardwood floors throughout the main level.

It has a spiral staircase that goes to the lower level.

While it’s listed as a three bedroom, one of the main floor bedrooms was converted into a 13×9 walk-in-closet that is adjacent to the primary bedroom.

The second bedroom is in the lower level along with a bonus space/family room, a full bath and the washer/dryer.

The primary bathroom is not en suite but has been updated since the 2017 sale and has custom tile work, a double vanity and separate tub and walk-in-shower.

The kitchen has wood cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances and is open to the family room (was the dining room in prior listing) which has a dry bar with a beverage fridge.

There’s a dining room with exposed brick walls and internal windows.

There  are wall air conditioning units.

There is no parking with the unit but its available to lease in the neighborhood.

This building is near the shops and restaurants of East Lakeview and near the Mariano’s.

Listed in January 2022 for $689,000, it was quickly reduced $50,000 to $639,000.

This unit has as much square footage as many townhouses.

Is this a townhouse alternative in the Nettlehorst school district?

Matt Laricy at Americorp has the listing. See the pictures, floor plan, video and 3D walkthrough here.

Unit #1S: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2186 square feet, duplex down

• Sold in October 1992 for $256,000
• Sold in July 1996 for $177,000
• Sold in July 1998 for $207,000
• Sold in July 2002 for $385,000
• Sold in July 2013 for $445,000
• Sold in July 2017 for $535,000
• Originally listed in January 2022 for $689,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $639,000
• Assessments of $385 a month (includes heat, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $10,700
• No central air- wall cooling units
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• No parking- but rental is available to lease in the neighborhood
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 13×9 (main level)
• Bedroom #2/ Walk-in-closet: 13×9 (main level)
• Bedroom #3: 11×9 (lower level)
• Living room: 18×16 (main level)
• Dining room: 11×19 (main level)
• Sunroom: 19×11 (main level)- was the dining room in other listings
• Family room: 14×12 (lower level)
• Foyer: 8×8

This corner 2-bedroom loft at 1152 W. Fulton Market in Fulton Market came on the market in January 2022.

Built in 2003, 1152 W. Fulton Market is a 15 unit boutique elevator building.

It has garage parking.

This unit has loft features including structural elements, exposed brick and exposed ductwork.

The loft has wide plank hardwood floors, custom Italian cabinets, and a mirrored bar with a beverage refrigerator.

The kitchen is open to the living/dining room and has wood cabinets, high end appliances including a Miele refrigerator, custom cutlery drawers and a new Faber stainless cooktop hood.

The listing says both bathrooms were recently rehabbed with Kohler soaking tub/showers and Groehe faucets.

The loft has French doors that lead to two private balconies, which overlook the Fulton Market scene.

It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2 parking spaces are included.

There are few condo buildings that are located directly IN Fulton Market even though they may claim they’re in Fulton Market.

This building is near the shops and restaurant of Fulton Market and the West Loop’s Randolph Street.

Listed at $859,900, that’s double the 2010 sales price.

Fulton Market is considered the hottest neighborhood in the country. There are now 40+ story apartment buildings going in, in addition to all the commercial projects and restaurants.

Will Fulton Market properties go to yet another new level in this decade?

James Mooney and Jeff Osborne at Compass have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #4B: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, loft

• Sold in January 2003 for $435,000
• Sold in June 2010 for $430,000
• Sold in April 2017 for $770,000
• Currently listed for $859,900 (includes 2 parking spaces)
• Assessments of $550 a month (includes scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $12,894
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×18
• Bedroom #2: 16×16
• Living/dining room: 23×21
• Kitchen: 11×16
• Balcony: 13×5
• Balcony: not sure size

This 2-bedroom at 2029 N. Racine in Lincoln Park came on the market on January 27, 2022 and was under contract by February 1.

Built in 1883, 2029 N. Racine has 16 units and a shared rooftop deck.

There’s no parking with the building.

The listing says this is “updated vintage.”

It says: “Updated bath w/custom shower bench (2019), all new windows (2019), central A/C (2016), gas forced heat (furnace 2016), and in-unit W/D (2018).”

The unit has some of its vintage features including 11 foot ceilings, a wood burning fireplace in the living room, and pocket doors which separate the double parlors.

Originally a 3 bedroom, the third bedroom was turned into a laundry room with a large walk-in-closet.

The other two bedrooms are split and do not share a wall. The listing says they can fit queen beds.

The unit has an open kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and a breakfast bar with seating for 3.

The second parlor is a full size dining room.

The unit has central air, which is rare for 1800s vintage but no parking.

It’s near the shops and restaurants on Armitage and just 2 blocks to the Trader Joe’s.

It came on the market at $379,000, which was $19,000 higher than the housing bubble 2008 sales price of $360,000.

The listing came on just before the weekend and says: “* offer deadline noon Monday 1/31 *”

Will we be seeing more “offer deadlines” in listings this spring as inventory remains low?

Theodora Jordan and Katie Cassman at Compass have the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

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

• Sold in May 1990 for $147,500
• Sold in June 1991 for $162,000
• Sold in April 1996 for $177,000
• Sold in August 2000 for $270,000
• Sold in April 2003 for $324,500
• Sold in April 2008 for $360,000
• Bank owned in December 2011
• Sold in April 2012 for $230,000
• Sold in December  2012 for $290,000
• Currently listed at $379,000
• Under contract in 5 days
• Assessments of $327 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $6358
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Wood burning fireplace
• Pocket doors
• Bedroom #1: 11×10
• Bedroom #2: 10×10
• Living room: 20×14
• Dining room: 16×14
• Kitchen: 14×13
• Laundry room/WIC: 10×10
• Foyer: 5×10

This 3-bedroom townhouse in Old Town Square at 253 W. Goethe in Old Town came on the market, originally, in July 2019.

Built in 2001, Old Town Square has 59 units and includes a landscaped gated courtyard.

This townhouse fronts Goethe but has a 1-car attached garage in the courtyard which also has 1 car outside parking.

It has hardwood floors on the main level which includes a living and dining room combination, the kitchen and a powder room.

The listing says the kitchen is “updated.” It has wood cabinets, what looks like stone counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

It doesn’t have an island or breakfast bar but there is room for a table with 2 chairs.

The second level has the primary suite, which is en suite, as well as the second bedroom, a den and another full bath.

The third bedroom is in the lower level, which also has a family room, a full bath, storage and the laundry room.

If you’re looking for outdoor space, this townhouse has three options, including a brick patio off the kitchen, a balcony off the primary suite which overlooks the landscaped courtyard, and a private rooftop deck with city views.

The listing says the townhouse has new A/C, furnace and roof.

It is in a prime area if you want to peruse the shops and restaurants on Wells in Old Town as well as those in the Gold Coast.

Originally listed in July 2019 for $959,000, it has been on and off the market and has now been reduced $140,000 to $819,000.

Is this a deal?

Linda Levin at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here (sorry, no floor plan).

253 W. Goethe: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2400 square feet, townhouse

• Sold in May 2005 for $644,000
• Originally listed in July 2019 for $959,000
• Reduced
• Re-listed in April 2021 at $900,000
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $819,000
• Assessments of $150 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $15,336
• Central Air
• 1 car attached garage parking plus outside parking
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 15×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 15×11 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 14×11 (lower level)
• Living/dining room combo: 14×21 (main level)
• Kitchen: 11×9 (main level)
• Den: 9×13 (second floor)
• Family room: 13×16 (lower level)
• Laundry room: 16×5 (lower level)
• Rooftop deck: 13×24 (third level)
• Balcony on second level
• Brick patio off kitchen

This 4-bedroom condo at 1727 N. Burling in Lincoln Park came on the market in January 2022.

Built in 2008, this building has 6 units and heated garage parking.

It’s an elevator building with a private keyed elevator that opens directly into the units.

This unit is a full floor condo with high ceilings, oversized windows and hardwood floors throughout.

At 3200 square feet, it has the square footage of many single family homes.

It has a family room and separate dining room.

The kitchen has dark wood cabinets, stone counter tops, an island with seating for 3 and luxury stainless steel appliances.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet and an en suite bath.

If you are yearning for outdoor space, the condo also has 4 private balconies on various corners of the unit including one larger deck measuring 10×23.

The condo has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2 heated garage parking spaces are included.

The listing says the “condo offers the benefits of single family living without the hassle and upkeep.”

For those who never want to shovel snow again, is this condo a good single family home alternative?

Brad Lippitz at Compass has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #4: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3200 square feet

• Sold in April 2009 for $1.875 million
• Currently listed at $2.15 million
• Assessments of $1599 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $28,136
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 18×15
• Bedroom #2: 13×13
• Bedroom #3: 14×11
• Bedroom #4: 11×13
• Living room: 16×19
• Dining room: 15×12
• Kitchen: 12×18
• Family room: 13×15
• Laundry room: 10×6
• Walk-in-closet: 11×9
• Balcony: 6×18
• Deck: 10×23
• 2 other balconies

This 2-bedroom townhouse at 78 W. Schiller in the Gold Coast came on the market in January 2022.

Built in 1968, this complex, which I have seen called Schiller Plaza, is part of Sandburg Village and has 20 townhouses. (The picture above is of the general complex and not this particular townhouse)

It is surrounded by a fence and lush landscaping.

Parking is in the heated garage at the Lowell House, apparently.

This end-unit townhouse has been “rehabbed throughout” and has its own separate entrance.

It has wide plank wood floors on the main level along with the living/dining room, the kitchen and a full bath.

The kitchen has been “highly upgraded” and has white and gray cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances along with a “brand new” oversized island, with seating for 3, with what looks like a waterfall edge.

The main floor leads to a 32×18 private, full enclosed landscaped patio.

The townhouse has a 2-story exposed brick wall that leads to the second floor which has both bedrooms, a lofted space and another full bathroom.

The second floor has cathedral ceilings and skylights along with the washer/dryer.

The primary bedroom is en suite.

It has the features buyers look for including central air and you can rent 2 spaces in the heated garage for $140 a month, each.

For an additional fee, you can access the Sandburg Village pool and tennis courts.

In the past, we have chattered on these townhouses but they only have had 1.5 baths.

This one has 2 full baths.

Listed at $689,000, is this a condo alternative for someone who wants a lot of outdoor space?

Luke Reilly at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

78 W. Schiller: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed, townhouse

• Sold in October 1995 for $185,000
• Sold in March 1998 for $252,000
• Sold in December 2006 for $470,000
• Sold in August 2007 for $475,000
• Currently listed in January 2022 for $689,000
• Assessments of $306 a month (includes security, cable, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $10,728
• Washer/dryer
• Central Air
• 2 heated garage parking spaces available for rent for $140 a month each
• Additional fees to use Sandburg Village pool and tennis courts
• Bedroom #1: 15×15 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×11 (second floor)
• Loft: 11×8 (second floor)
• Living/dining room: 26×18 (first floor)
• Kitchen: 16×11 (first floor)
• Foyer: (first floor)
• Patio: 32×18

This 1-bedroom in the Park Millennium at 222 N. Columbus on the Near East Side came on the market in January 2022.

Park Millennium was built in 2002 and has 480 units and attached leased garage parking.

It’s a full amenity building with door staff, an indoor lap pool, fitness center, sauna, sundeck with outdoor grills, a dry cleaner and even a grocery store.

This unit has hardwood floors throughout and French doors that lead to the bedroom.

The kitchen has maple cabinets that the listing says are “ready to be painted” along with white appliances.

The unit has the features buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking is available for lease for $260 a month.

The listing says the building has $2 million in reserves, no special assessments and is FHA approved.

Listed last March for $199,999, the listing was removed in September, before coming back on in 2022 reduced to $189,900.

The listing says “motivated sellers looking for offers ASAP.”

Is this a deal?

David Mishel at Compass has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #702: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 600 square feet

• Sold in December 2005 for $208,000
• Sold in March 2012 for $146,500
• Originally listed in March 2021 for $199,900
• Removed in September 2021
• Re-listed in January 2022 for $189,900
• Assessments of $442 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $3634
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking is available for $260 a month
• Bedroom: 9×8
• Living room: 13×11
• Kitchen: 11×10
• Laundry: 6×5

This 2-bedroom in Cirrus at 211 N. Harbor in Lakeshore East came on the market in January 2022.

Built in 2022, Cirrus is the final luxury condo building in the Lakeshore East planned community.

It has 350 units ranging from 1 bedrooms to 4 bedrooms.

It’s a full amenity building with 48,000 square feet of “resort-style wellness” and sits next to the newly opened Cascade Park.

From the listing:

The amenity space on the 41st floor has a spectacular terrace for outdoor entertaining opportunities including the lawn, fire pit, grilling station with adjacent alfresco dining, and rooftop seating. Indoor entertaining includes a chef’s table, demonstration kitchen, and a private dining room/wine lounge, all while basking in one-of-a-kind views of Lake Michigan, DuSable Harbor, and of course, fireworks at Navy Pier.

Other outdoor amenities include a pool with pool lounge, firepit, and grilling stations overlooking Lake Michigan. A wide variety of indoor active amenities staffed by a wellness concierge include a wet lounge, indoor lap pool with hydrotherapy pool, state of the art fitness center, strength studio, motion studio, and locker rooms with steam rooms.

Relax in the planted winter garden conservatory overlooking Cascade Park or utilize the massage room or salon. Kids enjoy their own splash pad and kid’s club. There are several work from home spaces, both private and conference rooms available, along with multiple lounge areas.

Work on your hobbies in the maker space or play music in the jam room equipped with a baby grand piano, electric drums and string instruments. Watch a movie or the big game in the screening room or challenge friends to billiards, shuffleboard, or simulated sports options available in the sports simulator room.

Cirrus is a pet friendly building with indoor dog run and pet spa along with the outdoor Bark Park. There is also a bike room with bike wash that has easy access to the new bike/pedestrian trails out to the lakefront.

This 2-bedroom faces the Lake and has views of the Lake and Navy Pier.

It has wide plank white oak floors in the main living areas.

The kitchen has Snaidero cabinets, Dornbracht fixtures, quartz counter tops, an island, Gaggenau gas cooktop and integrated cabinet panel Bosch dishwasher.

This is a split floor plan with a foyer.

The units have washer/dryer in the units, air conditioning and parking is available for extra.

There’s no private balcony. There are several floor plans that do have a balcony, however. But not all units have one.

Listed at $1.19 million for 1255 square feet, are the new downtown condos able to compete with the new luxury apartments?

Christine Lutz at Wolf Residential has the listing. See the pictures here.

You can also check out the floor plans on the Cirrus website here.

Unit #1404: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1255 square feet

• New construction
• Listed in January 2022 for $1.19 million
• Parking is extra
• Assessments of $942 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes are “new”
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• East facing
• Bedroom #1: 14×12
• Bedroom #2: 10×15
• Living/dining room combo: 17×16
• Kitchen: 15×11

The Illinois Association of Realtors is out with the December 2021 market update.

As we already know from Gary’s posts on this blog, it was another strong month.

From the IAR:

In the city of Chicago, home sales (single-family and condominiums) in December 2021 totaled 2,392 homes sold, up 5.5 percent from December 2020 sales of 2,267 homes. Year-end 2021 home sales totaled 33,195, up 27.4 percent from 26,063 homes sold in 2020.

The median price of a home in Chicago in December 2021 was $315,000, up 3.3 percent compared to December 2020 when it was $305,000. The year-end 2021 median price reached $335,000, up 6.2 percent from $315,500 in 2020.

In Chicago, it was the strongest December since 2005 when investors were buying hundreds of new construction condos.

• December 2004: 3719 sales and median price of $267,000
• December 2005: 2847 sales and median price of $283,000
• December 2006: 2241 sales and median price of $279,000
• December 2007: 1629 sales and median price of $287,000
• December 2008: 1263 sales and median price of $235,000
• December 2009: 1820 sales and median price of $208,000 (34% short/REO sales)
• December 2010: 1475 sales and median price of $166,000 (43% short/REO sales)
• December 2011: 1536 sales and median price of $156,000 (44% short/REO sales)
• December 2012: 1806 sales and median price of $185,000 (39.7% short/REO sales- according to Gary Lucido’s data)
• December 2013: 2137 sales and median price of $210,000
• December 2014: 2020 sales and median price of $228,000
• December 2015: 2077 sales and median price of $242,000
• December 2016: 1974 sales and median price of $260,000
• December 2017: 2058 sales and median price of $265,500
• December 2018: 1708 sales and median price of $251,500
• December 2019: 1892 sales and median price of $276,000
• December 2020: 2267 sales and median price of $305,000
• December 2021: 2392 sales and median price of $315,000

“Despite a continued decline in inventory in December, caused by market seasonality and inventory shortages, we still saw positive momentum in the Chicago market,” Antje Gehrken, president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and president and designated managing broker of A.R.E. Partners, said. “Condo sales continue to shine throughout the city, which is a great indicator for the market moving into the new year.”

Condo sales were up 7% year-over-year to 1332 sales, while single family homes rose 3.7% to 1060.

As you know, condo sales have been driving the monthly sales surge all fall but are now coming up against tougher year-over-year comps which will be hard to top in 2022.

Chicago inventory plunged 31.4% to 5,662 homes from 8254 homes last December.

Statewide, inventory also plunged 34.4% to 20,546 from 31,326 homes last year.

Days on the market remained at 38 days in Chicago but statewide it fell to 33 days from 42 a year ago.

For the full year, in Chicago days on the market fell 7.7% to 36 from 39 days in 2020.

“Prices increased again while sales have continued to decline throughout Illinois,” said Dr. Daniel McMillen, head of the Stuart Handler Department of Real Estate (SHDRE) at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Business Administration. “However, the SHDRE forecast now indicates an increase in the number of sales over the next three months. Foreclosures are down significantly since the same time last year. Inflation continues to be a concern for consumers, particularly among higher-income households.”

Average 30-year fixed mortgage rates rose to 3.1% from 3.07% in November. They were just 2.68% in December 2020.

The mortgage rates are expected to continue to rise in 2022.

Which will slow the Chicago housing market this year: record low inventory or higher mortgage rates?

Annual Illinois home sales and median prices increased in 2021 [Illinois Association of Realtors, Press Release, by Bill Kozar, January 20, 2022]