Crib Chatter

This top floor 3-bedroom at 626 W. Belden in East Lincoln Park just came on the market.

Built in 1889, this greystone has 3-units and garage parking.

It looks like it was converted into condos in 1995.

This unit has some of its vintage features including ceiling medallions in the living and dining rooms along with a wood burning fireplace with a carved wood mantle.

It has 10 foot ceilings and hardwood floors throughout.

The kitchen is at the front of the unit and has a window. It has white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and white counter tops.

The listing says the bathrooms have been renovated.

This is a rare vintage unit which has a master suite, with its own full bath and walk-in-closet, which the listing says is currently being used as an office as it, too, has a window.

It has the other features that buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and garage parking.

It even has a 7×8 deck off the master bedroom.

The property is in the coveted East Lincoln Park neighborhood and the listing says its within walking distance to Lincoln Elementary.

Francis Parker is also nearby.

Listed at just $600,000, is this a starter home for this neighborhood?

Thomas Brown at Sparrow Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.

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

• Sold in September 1997 for $345,000
• Sold in March 2006 for $520,000
• Sold in August 2012 for $470,000
• Sold in July 2015 for $577,500
• Currently listed at $600,000
• Assessments of $325 a month (includes parking, exterior maintenance and scavenger)
• Taxes of $9761
• Garage parking included
• Central Air
• Washer/Dryer in the unit
• Wood burning fireplace
• Bedroom #1: 12×23
• Bedroom #2: 9×11
• Bedroom #3: 11×14
• Living room: 12×21
• Dining room: 12×9
• Kitchen: 13×8
• Deck: 7×8

This 1-bedroom in The Churchill at 1255 N. State Parkway in the Gold Coast came on the market in September 2020.

The Churchill was built in 1924 and has 64 units. It’s a doorman building.

This unit has some of its vintage features including hardwood floors throughout and crown molding.

The kitchen has white cabinets, Carrara marble counter tops and stainless steel appliances.

The listing says it has a fully updated marble bathroom with heated floors.

The bedroom has a custom cedar walk-in-closet which the listing says an in-unit washer/dryer COULD be added.

It doesn’t have central air but has window a/c units.

There’s no parking with the building but it’s available in the neighborhood.

But this unit also has a feature that is somewhat rare with vintage units: outdoor space.

Not only does it have a 12×4 balcony, but it has a 12×8 secret terrace that is fenced for privacy.

The property has come on the market at $324,900 for 1000 square feet.

In this pandemic year, does outdoor space seal the deal?

Jennifer Owen at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #2J: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1000 square feet

• Sold in April 1988 for $99,000
• Sold in January 1995 for $91,500
• Sold in October 1998 for $174,000
• Sold in February 2001 for $240,000
• Sold in October 2007 for $330,500
• Sold in April 2013 for $240,000
• Sold in December 2016 for $311,000
• Originally listed in September 2020 for $324,900
• Currently still listed for $324,900
• Assessments of $1226 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, electric)
• Taxes of $4956
• No central air- window units
• No in-unit washer/dryer but listing indicates it can be added
• No parking
• Bedroom: 16×12
• Living room: 21×14
• Dining room: 8×8
• Kitchen: 11×8
• Foyer: 10×6
• Balcony: 12×4
• Terrace: 12×8

This 3-bedroom in Carmichael Place at 1038 W. Monroe in the West Loop just came on the market.

Carmichael Place was constructed in 1999 and has 36 condo units, an elevator and heated attached garage parking.

The listing says this unit has been “completely updated and customized” in the past 5 years.

It says there are high end designer finishes throughout.

There’s a gourmet kitchen which was “completely remodeled and reconfigured” with custom white cabinets, a farmhouse sink, a tile backsplash, custom lighting, stainless steel appliances, and a massive quartz island with seating.

There are hardwood floors throughout.

The listing says the 2 bathrooms have been “completely redone” with designer tiles and high end Restoration Hardware brass finishes.

The unit has a side-by-side washer/dryer along with a new a/c and furnace.

It has central air and heated attached garage parking is included.

This property last sold in 2017 for $639,000 but has come on the market at $750,000.

The West Loop was one of the hottest neighborhoods before the pandemic hit.

Will it still get the premium?

Michael Hoover and Benjamin Lissner at Compass has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

Unit #34: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet

• Sold in December 2000 for $291,500
• Sold in November 2007 for $392,000
• Sold in October 2017 for $639,000
• Currently listed for $750,000
• Assessments of $240 a month (includes parking, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $10,891
• Central Air
• Side-by-Side washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 16×13
• Bedroom #2: 10×13
• Bedroom #3: 14×10
• Living/dining room: 17×20
• Kitchen: 17×10
• Foyer: 5×8

This 8-bedroom vintage mansion at 3000 W. Logan Boulevard in Logan Square came on the market in June 2020.

Built in 1924, the brick house is on an oversized Chicago corner lot measuring 37×162 and has a 2-car garage.

It has 5,748 square feet on four floors.

The listing says it has the original 1920s craftsmanship.

That includes stained glass windows, a paneled dining room and carved moldings.

The listing says there’s 3 bathrooms but the floor plans seem to indicate 3 full bathrooms and 2 half baths.

There’s white cabinets in the kitchen.

The listing says there are “no restrictions on interior renovations.”

The house has central air.

Originally listed in June 2020 for $2.2 million, it has been reduced to $1,999,900.

What price will it take to get a vintage lover to dive in?

George Selas at Dream Town Realty has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

3000 W. Logan Boulevard: 8 bedrooms, 3 baths (but maybe 2 half baths too?), 5748 square feet

• Sold in November 1983 for $150,000 (per Redfin)
• Lis pendens foreclosure filed in October 2014
• Originally listed in June 2020 for $2.2 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1,999,900
• Taxes of $22,869
• Central Air
• 2 car garage
• 37 x 162 lot
• Bedroom #1: 19×16 (third floor)
• Bedroom #2: 16×15 (third floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×12 (third floor)
• Bedroom #4: 12×11 (third floor)
• Bedroom #5: 17×13 (main floor)
• Bedroom #6: 14×13 (main floor)
• Bedroom #7: 13×13 (main floor)
• Bedroom #8: 13×10 (main floor)
• Living room: 25×17 (second floor)
• Dining room: 17×16 (second floor)
• Library: 15×11 (second floor)
• Breakfast room: 11×11 (second floor)
• Kitchen: 17×16 (second floor)
• Attic: 36.13 (fourth floor)

This 4-bedroom duplex up penthouse condo at 1544 N. Wieland in Old Town came on the market in October 2020.

Built in 2018, the listing says it was custom designed by Sullivan Goulette. It has 2 duplex units.

The building has garage parking and an elevator which opens into this unit.

It appears that this unit has never sold as it was previously listed in 2019 and 2020.

The living/dining and kitchen are on the main floor with all four bedrooms on the second floor.

3 of the bedrooms are en suite.

The kitchen has modern gray cabinets and an oversized island with double Subzero fridges and a Wolf double oven.

There are 2 stone decks and a private rooftop deck.

The unit has central air and washer/dryer in the unit.

The listing says it has an over sized 39 foot long garage parking spot with 13 foot ceilings that fits 2 cars and with a lift would fit 3 cars.

Currently listed at $1.825 million and 3400 square feet, is this condo a good single family home alternative?

Art Collazo at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit PH: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3400 square feet, duplex-up

• New Construction
• Was listed in 2019 until May 2020
• Re-listed in October 2020 at $1.825 million
• Assessments of $350 a month (includes exterior maintenance)
• Taxes aren’t listed
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Garage parking for 2 and possibly 3 cars with a lift
• Bedroom #1: 12×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 13×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 12×12 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 10×9 (second floor)
• Living room: 21×31 (main floor)
• Family room: 21×14 (main floor)
• Dining room: 10×20 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 10×20 (main floor)
• Laundry room: 4×6 (second floor)
• Balcony: 23×10
• Private rooftop deck: 22×75 (fourth floor)

This 5-bedroom single family home at 1010 W. George in Lakeview came on the market in October 2020.

If it looks familiar, that’s because we’ve chattered about it several times over the years.

The listing says it was built in 1905, but in our old chatter someone said it was 1885 and that it was a former church.

See our 2011 chatter here.

It’s on an irregular lot measuring 56×94 and has a 2.5 car attached heated garage.

The listing says it has been “completely renovated in 2017-2019.”

It’s 8,400 square feet.

It has 30-foot ceiling heights on the main floor with massive skylights.

The house has a Boffi kitchen which is described as “professional grade” with Wolf/Miele/Gaggeneau appliances with a double oven and a double refrigerator/freezer.

There are 4 bedrooms on the second floor, all of which are en suite, including the primary suite, and the fifth bedroom is on the third floor.

The primary suite has a 300 square foot walk-in-closet and the bath has an oversized steam shower and heated floors.

The house has many unique features including an indoor pool, steam room, sauna and cold plunge.

The listing says it has a “professional level” exercise center.

There’s a theater and a family room.

The house also has several outdoor spaces including a 3,000 square foot “resort level” roof which has an outdoor kitchen with Kalamazoo grill, pizza oven and bar seating, along with an outdoor tv, fireplace and integrated sound.

The house has central air and an elevator.

It’s come on the market at $3.995 million.

With the luxury market hot in 2020, will this house get the premium?

Mario Greco at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

1010 W. George: 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 8,400 square feet

• Sold in December 2001 for $225,000
• Sold in April 2005 for $2.4 million
• Sold in January 2006 for $3 million
• Lis pendens filed in December 2006
• Bank owned in October 2007
• Sold in October 2008 for $1 million
• Sold in August 2011 for $2,640,618
• Listed in October 2020 for $3.995 million
• Taxes are now $55,811 (they were $44,428 in 2011)
• Central Air
• 2.5 car heated garage
• Indoor pool
• Steam room
• Sauna
• Cold plunge
• Outdoor kitchen
• Outdoor TV
• Outdoor fireplace
• Elevator
• Skylights
• Bedroom #1: 22×17 (second floor)
• Bedroom #2: 20×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #3: 13×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #4: 13×13 (second floor)
• Bedroom #5: 22×17 (third floor)
• Living/dining room: 55×29 (main floor)
• Kitchen: 17×16 (main floor)
• Theater: 26×20 (lower level)
• Exercise room: 30×28 (lower level)
• Walk-in-Closet: 23×10 (second floor)
• Laundry room: 8×6 (second floor)
• Deck: 89×35 (third floor)
• Terrace: 53×7 (main floor)

This 2-bedroom corner condo in 2157 W. Division in Ukrainian Village came on the market in September 2020.

Built in 2007 by Studio Dwell Architects, this is a 6-unit elevator building which has heated garage parking.

This unit has the modern finishes that are popular in Studio Dwell buildings.

The kitchen has white Italian Arclinea cabinets with a large island and luxury appliances by Subzero, Miele and Gaggenau.

The unit has a split floor plan with the primary suite including a spa-like bathroom and walk-in-closet.

The listing says the second bedroom fits a queen sized bed.

It also has a cedar accent wall.

But the big selling point of this property is that it has not just one outdoor space, but two.

The unit faces south and west and has a 28×8 balcony that faces west.

Facing south, however, is a 1500 square foot private paved terrace.

That’s as big as the interior space.

It has a built-in black gazebo with a daybed with custom cushions, planters with birch trees and planters with native grasses.

The unit has all the other features buyers look for including side-by-side washer/dryer, central air and 2 heated garage spaces.

Listed in September 2020 for $729,900, it has been reduced to $699,000.

With all that outdoor space, is this the perfect Ukrainian Village condo to ride out the covid pandemic in?

Ivona Kutermankiewicz at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.

You can also see it in person at the open house on Sat, Oct 31 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM.

Unit #202: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1500 square feet

• Sold in June 2007 for $520,000
• Sold in November 2010 for $610,000
• Sold in March 2014 for $650,000
• Originally listed in September 2020 for $729,900
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $699,900 (includes 2 heated garage parking spaces)
• Assessments of $653 a month (includes exterior maintenance, parking, scavenger, snow removal)
• Taxes of $17,063
• Central Air
• Side-by-side washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 14×12
• Bedroom #2: 10×13
• Living room: 20×15
• Dining room: 13×11
• Kitchen: 12×12
• Laundry room: 5×3
• Walk-in-closet: 6×8
• Balcony: 28×8
• Terrace: 45×33

This 2-bedroom in Fairbanks at Cityfront Plaza at 240 E. Illinois in Streeterville came on the market in June 2020.

Built in 2006, the Fairbanks has 281 units and a parking garage. It’s a full amenity building with a pool, an exercise room, and doorman.

It’s also known as the building with the Whole Foods on the base floor.

At 2100 square feet, this unit has 2 en suite bedrooms.

The primary bedroom has a custom built-in Poliform king bed and 2 custom Poliform closets.

The bathroom has a Toto Neorest commode and is fully clad in natural stone.

The second bedroom has a built-in murphy-style bed.

There’s a third room, which is open into the living space and is being used as an office.

The listing says the kitchen is custom with dark cabinets and 4-inch marble countertops and island.

It has a Subzero refrigerator and built-in wine refrigerator, along with a 6-burner Thermador gas stove.

The unit has coffered drop ceilings and wide-board “hardwood” floors (the quotes are in the listing- but why is it in quotes? Are they not hardwoods?)

But the big selling point, especially during the pandemic, is the outdoor space.

This building has unique terraces with trees and this one is no exception.

The listing calls it a “Garden Terrace Home” which measures 1200 square feet and faces south.

According to the listing, it has custom wood flower boxes, mature Japanese maple trees, a custom irrigation system, a winter tree heating system and a Tuuci umbrella.

It also says you can watch the Navy Pier fireworks from the terrace.

From the video walk through of the property, it appears there’s only one other terrace on this level and there are big trees/bushes separating the two spaces.

This unit has central air, washer/dryer in the unit and 2 side-by-side parking spaces are available.

Originally listed in June 2020 for $1.599 million, it has been reduced to $1.275 million.

Do you get the best of both worlds with this unit with trees AND downtown skyline views out your windows?

Niles Patel at CORE Capital Group has the listing. See the pictures here.

Unit #1003: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2100 square feet

• Sold in February 2008 for $1,223,500
• Originally listed in June 2020 for $1.599 million
• Reduced
• Currently listed at $1.275 million (2 side-by-side parking spaces are negotiable)
• Also came on the market as a rental in September 2020 for $7950 a month (per Zillow)
• Assessments of $1370 a month (includes heat, a/c, gas, doorman, cable, exercise room, pool, exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal
• Taxes of $17,366
• Central Air
• Washer/dryer in the unit
• Bedroom #1: 13×14
• Bedroom #2: 12×16
• Living room: 26×17
• Dining room: 10×10
• Kitchen: 12×10
• Den: 9×12
• Laundry room: 4×4
• Terrace: 32×32

The September housing data is out.

Last year’s September was the slowest in 8 years so it’s not a surprise that 2020 saw a rebound.

However, the hot pandemic market from the summer looks to be continuing into the fall as sales were the highest in 14 years, and that includes the 2007 “housing bubble” market.

The city of Chicago saw year-over-year home sales increase 28.1 percent with 2,570 sales in September, compared to 2,006 a year ago. The median price of a home in the city of Chicago in September was $322,500, up 10.4 percent from September 2019.

September sales for the last 14 years:

• 2007: 2172 sales
• 2008: 1816 sales
• 2009: 1918 sales
• 2010: 1403 sales
• 2011: 1498 sales
• 2012: 1845 sales
• 2013: 2395 sales
• 2014: 2242 sales
• 2015: 2414 sales
• 2016: 2398 sales
• 2017: 2355 sales
• 2018: 2040 sales
• 2019: 2006 sales
• 2020: 2570 sales

Median prices for the last 14 years:

• 2007: $267,750
• 2008: $268,600
• 2009: $225,000
• 2010: $180,000
• 2011: $190,000
• 2012: $188,900
• 2013: $230,000
• 2014: $249,000
• 2015: $250,000
• 2016: $260,000
• 2017: $275,000
• 2018: $285,000
• 2019: $292,250
• 2020: $322,500

“Continuing a three-month trend, both the Illinois and Chicago area housing markets recorded positive year-over-year increases in both prices and sales,” said Geoffrey J.D. Hewings, emeritus director of the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory at the University of Illinois. “Two concerns are the continuing low inventory problem and the increase in the number of serious delinquencies. While the former issue is having a significant impact on upward price movements, the delinquency problem in combination with increases in the number of long-term unemployed may dampen demand in 2021.”

Statewide, inventory fell 35.8% to 40,047 properties from 62,406 properties a year ago.

In Chicago, however, inventory was up 1.9% year-over-year to 10,661 from 10,467 a year ago.

The 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell again, to an average of 2.89% in September from 2.94% in August. It was 3.61% in September 2019.

“With continued record low interest rates, we’re still seeing an increase in demand on properties as indicated in the 28.1 percent increase in closed sales and 10.4 percent increase in median sales price,” said Nykea Pippion McGriff, president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and vice president of brokerage services of Coldwell Banker Realty. “Buyers are capitalizing on the market and acting quickly, especially for well-priced properties.”

Single family homes sales in Chicago soared 30% in the month to 1,075 while condos sales were up a healthy 26.8% to 1495.

The price pressures appear to be mostly on the single family home side, however, as single family median price was up 21.6% year-over-year to $297,950 while condos were up just 0.3% to $335,750.

Again, keep in mind, that median is determined by the mix of the sales.

Year-to-date, Chicago sales are still down 7% compared to last year at 19,121 versus 20,569 in September 2019.

But the “spring” buying season was interrupted and has been pushed to the summer and fall.

What will be the key factors that could trip up this housing boom into 2021?

• Low inventory?
• Rising mortgage rates?
• High unemployment/slow recovery?
• No vaccine?

Illinois housing market continued to bounce back in September with a surge in home sales and higher median prices [Illinois Association of Realtors, Press Release, October 22, 2020]

It’s time to take some time off.

With COVID outbreaks happening all across the country, I’m doing a staycation this week.

This is the reality of 2020.

These palm trees in the Gold Coast were the closest I got to seeing the real deal this year.

Kudos to the gardener at this building who goes above and beyond every summer.

I’ll post on the September home sales on Oct 26.

Mortgage rates continue to fall, with the 30-year average fixed mortgage rate as low as 2.81%.

If they fall further, could this be one of the hottest spring markets in over a decade?

Regards,

Sabrina