Crib Chatter

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]

This 1-bedroom in The Peterson Lofts at 523 S. Plymouth in Printers Row came on the market in November 2021.

The Peterson Lofts were built in 1911 and converted to loft condos in 1995.

The building has 49 units and some deeded heated garage spaces in the building.

It has an on-site gym and a common roof deck. There is no door staff.

This loft has 12 foot concrete ceilings, exposed black ductwork, and floor to ceiling industrial windows that face east.

The listing says the loft has a “newly updated” kitchen and bath.

The kitchen has white cabinets, granite counter tops, a breakfast bar and “newer” stainless steel appliances.

The loft has a stone wall gas fireplace and oak hardwood floors in the main living area.

The bedroom doesn’t appear to have a window and has carpet and 3/4th walls.

This unit has the features buyers look for including central air, a new Bosch washer/dryer and “preferred deeded garage parking on level 1 for $35,000 extra.”

523 S. Plymouth is one of the rare Printers Row loft buildings to have heated garage parking in the building.

This loft is near the shops and restaurants of Printers Row, near Millennial and Grant Park, and will be near the new built-out development along the River.

Listed at $295,000, including the parking, that is $40,000 above the 2017 purchase price.

Does the parking give this loft the edge?

Stratos Rounis at SR Realty Group has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #703: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 950 square feet, loft

• Sold in July 1995 for $131,000 (included the parking)
• Sold in April 2005 for $235,000 (included the parking)
• Sold in September 2016 for $245,000 (included the parking)
• Sold in September 2017 for $255,000 (included the parking)
• Originally listed in November 2021 for $260,000 (plus $35,000 for parking)
• Currently still listed at $260,000 (plus $35,000 for parking)
• Assessments of $562 a month (includes cable, exercise room, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $4010
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Gas fireplace
• Bedroom: 13×12
• Living/dining combo: 17×17
• Kitchen: 13×9
• Foyer: 9×6

This 3-bedroom corner unit in the Bristol at 57 E. Delaware in the Gold Coast came on the market in January 2022.

The Bristol was built in 2000 and has 178 units and attached garage parking.

It was considered one of the top new construction downtown luxury buildings when it was first built.

It’s a full amenity building with door staff, a clubhouse, an exercise room, dry cleaners, bike storage, an indoor pool, jacuzzi and a deck with grills and a fire pit.

This listing also says that the building has new hallways and amenities and is also a smoke free building.

This corner unit has hardwood floors in the hallways, living room and dining room and the third bedroom.

It has east and south views, including of the Hancock and Michigan Avenue.

The listing says the third bedroom is currently being used as a den off the living room but could be converted back into a bedroom.

The other bedrooms are in a split floor plan.

The primary suite has a walk-in-closet and bathroom.

The unit has a half bath.

The kitchen has white cabinets, what look like granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

It has the features buyers look for including central air, side-by-side washer/dryer in the unit and there are 2 side-by-side parking spaces included.

Listed at $879,000, that’s $58,000 under the 2000 purchase price of $937,000.

The listing says:

DON’T MISS THIS VALUE PRICED OPPORTUNITY AT THE BRISTOL!

And says:

***Make this your next home with a little or a lot of personalizing as it is PRICED TO SELL!***

Is this a deal?

Patricia Papatheodore at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #2402: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2015 square feet

• Sold in September 2000 for $937,000
• Currently listed at $879,000 (includes 2 car side-by-side garage parking)
• Assessments of $1591 a month (includes a/c, doorman, cable, clubhouse, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, scavenger, snow removal, Internet)
• Taxes of $19,901
• Central Air
• Side-by-side washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 15×15
• Bedroom #2: 13×16
• Bedroom #3: 13×12
• Living/dining room: 26×20
• Kitchen: 8×19

We’ve chattered about Bronzeville during the pandemic as there has been a surge of new construction in the neighborhood.

Crain’s covers what is happening in that neighborhood.

The couple bought one of the 28 new-construction houses or townhouses sold in Bronzeville in 2021. That’s the largest number of new houses or townhouses sold in any Chicago neighborhood last year, according to Crain’s analysis of real estate records. It’s followed by Humboldt Park, with 25 sales, and Logan Square and Bridgeport, with 21 each.

Moving to Bronzeville from the South Loop, the Edwardses joined an influx that has been quietly transforming the neighborhood. Bronzeville’s onetime sore spot, thousands of vacant lots, has become its strong point, making it possible to lift the area’s housing and income profile without displacing people who were already there. It’s counter to the gentrification tension in Pilsen, along the 606 trail and in other areas, and if it works it could serve as a model for future revitalization of South and West Side neighborhoods.

New construction single family home, townhomes and condos are pushing up prices.

In the first decade of the 21st century, Bronzeville had more than 3,000 vacant lots, according to Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, the legacy of tearing down several Chicago Housing Authority projects and of disinvestment and other problems that led to demolition of decrepit buildings.

Since 2017, many of those lots have been reactivated with newly built houses and townhouses. In that time, Crain’s counts more than 250 houses, townhouses and condos that sold for $500,000 or more in the area bounded by the lakefront on the east, the Stevenson and Dan Ryan Expressways on the north and west, and on the south, 47th Street east of Cottage Grove Avenue and 51st Street west of Cottage Grove.

With new housing going in, some services have started to arrive.

The Mariano’s, which opened in 2016, was a big addition to the neighborhood.

And shortly, Bronzeville Winery, which is a wine bar and restaurant, is about to open. The Eater notes that residents are “eagerly awaiting” it.

“It’s one of the last places in Chicago where you can get a new, 4,000-square-foot house for under $1 million,” says Michaela Gordon, an @properties agent whose buyer clients paid $815,000 for a new, 3,600-square-foot house on 42nd Street in December. “It has a variety of quintessential old Chicago architecture, and you’re not displacing anyone” by buying on a home that took over a long-vacant lot, “so why wouldn’t you buy in Bronzeville?”

Should savvy buyers be looking to buy in Bronzeville in 2022?

New homes are transforming this historic neighborhood [Crain’s Chicago Business, by Dennis Rodkin, January 19, 2022]

This 3-bedroom townhouse at 2701 N. Racine in Lincoln Park came on the market in January 2022.

Built in 1974, this complex has 10 townhouses and outdoor assigned parking.

This townhouse is a south facing corner unit.

It has 20 foot vaulted ceilings in the living room along with a wood burning fireplace.

There are hardwood floors on each floor.

The main level has the living room, dining room and the kitchen, which leads through a sliding door to a private, walled, oversized brick patio which also has a storage unit.

The kitchen has dark wood cabinets, granite counter tops, a breakfast bar and stainless steel appliances.

The second level has the third bedroom, a loft area/nook that has the washer/dryer and overlooks the main level as well as a full bathroom.

The ceilings are also exposed wood.

The third level has the primary bedroom, the second bedroom, another full bathroom and skylights.

The townhouse has features buyers look for including central air and one assigned outdoor parking space.

It’s near the restaurants, coffee shops and pubs on Lincoln Avenue and is just a few blocks to the Diversey brown line station.

Listed at $549,900, is this a deal for 3 bedrooms with parking in this location?

Rachel Krueger at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #A: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, townhouse, no square footage listed

• Sold in September 1986 for $144,500
• Sold in February 1990 for $195,000 (CCRD says $395,000, but I’m assuming it’s a typo)
• Sold in November 1995 for $198,000
• Sold in October 1998 for $245,000
• Sold in April 2001 for $320,000
• Sold in March 2003 for $360,000
• Sold in December 2004 for $410,000
• Sold in June 2007 (relocation) for $435,000
• Sold in July 2007 for $375,000
• Sold in December 2013 for $475,000
• Currently listed at $549,900
• Assessments of $239 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $10,061
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the townhouse
• One assigned parking space
• Wood burning fireplace
• Skylights
• Bedroom #1: 13×13 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 12×14 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×11 (second floor)
• Living room: 12×19 (main floor)
• Dining room: 6×10 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 10×9 (main floor)
• Private walled patio