Renovated 4-Bedroom Vintage Brick Bungalow in Bridgeport for $550,000: 3800 S Union
This vintage 4-bedroom brick bungalow at 3800 S. Union in Bridgeport came on the market on Thanksgiving, in November 2023. I don’t have a picture of it but I wanted to crib on it while it was newly on the market.
Built in 1890, 3800 S. Union is a brick bungalow on a 22×124 lot. It has a “new” oversized 2-car garage and the backyard is fenced.
The listing says the house has been “renovated” and has new electrical service and high ceilings with dimmable recessed lighting.
The listing doesn’t say what the floors on the main level are, but from the pictures they appear to be a neutral wideplank hardwood of some kind (luxury vinyl?).
The kitchen has white modern cabinets with black finishes along with with white quartz countertops, a tiled backsplash and stainless steel appliances.
There are 3 bedrooms on the main floor and one bathroom with a dual vanity.
The lower level has a family room, another full bathroom, a “bonus room” and the fourth bedroom. The lower level is carpeted.
This house has central air.
It’s centrally located in Bridgeport, near coffee shops and restaurants and within a few blocks of Guaranteed Rate Field. There is also a Red line stop and bus lines nearby.
The house last sold in 2022 for $185,000 and has been renovated and re-listed for $550,000.
With inventory so low, and buyers loving “new”, will the renovators get their price?
Kim Caton at Kale Realty has the listing. See the pictures here (there’s a 3D walkthrough on the Redfin site).
3800 S Union: 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2574 square feet, bungalow
- Sold in October 1990 for $41,345
- Sold in July 2022 for $185,000
- Listed in November 2023 for $550,000
- Taxes of $3207
- Central Air
- 2-car garage
- 22×124 lot
- Bedroom #1: 12×12 (main level)
- Bedroom #2: 12×10 (main level)
- Bedroom #3: 12×10 (main level)
- Bedroom #4: 12×15 (lower level)
- Living room: 17×10 (main level)
- Dining room: 10×10 (main level)
- Kitchen: 8×18 (main level)
- Family room: 12×24 (lower level)
- Bonus: 13×10 (lower level)
Tis the season for realators to lie out their asses – 2575sf? WTF – Maybe 2000sf. Somnebody is going to have to sue these sons of whores into oblivion
I’m a big fan of open electrical panels sans cover
Legit egress windows?
The photos/3D walkthru exude Lipstick on a Pig
$550k for a workers cottage in B’port. I guess its better than a $1MM home in Bronzeville
“Legit egress windows?”
Nah. Funny thing is they filled in what had been a rear rntrance to the basement-can see it in streetview.
I like the strip of clean on the front of the house. A truye sign of quality work. That and the asinine location of switches in the hallway–makes me think that they rerouted *none* of the electrical.
instead of just putting in new stairs in the back, spring for a real deck. yes it’s more money but it will totally attract buyers instead of that cheap Menards staircase they put in.
“instead of just putting in new stairs in the back, spring for a real deck.”
Yeah, I thought at the list price over $500,000, that a back deck was a real miss. Why not put in a bigger door too? The single door going outside isn’t inspiring. Plenty of beautiful French doors or whatnot they could have put in the dining room.
“$550k for a workers cottage in B’port. I guess its better than a $1MM home in Bronzeville”
Times have changed JohnnyU. It’s not the 1990s anymore. Bronzeville is a hotter neighborhood than Bridgeport, but Bridgeport is getting that new entertainment venue with the brewery which could be a catalyst for the neighborhood. We’ll see.
They are building $650k to $850k homes in Bronzeville right now.
I don’t need to look at the interior photos to tell you someone would have to be out of their mind to pay $550,000 for this home. Such a sad little place. The 1990 price works out to around $200,000 in today’s dollars. Maybe add an extra $100,000 for the interior renovations and call it a day.
“Times have changed JohnnyU. It’s not the 1990s anymore. Bronzeville is a hotter neighborhood than Bridgeport, but Bridgeport is getting that new entertainment venue with the brewery which could be a catalyst for the neighborhood. We’ll see.
They are building $650k to $850k homes in Bronzeville right now.”
Keep speaking from the Book of Shill
Wow a Brewery in 2024? how novel. Great for a generation that drinks less that previous. You really have your finger on the pulse if mUH dEMoGrapHics
Building and selling are 2 separate things.
Selling like HAWT(tm)cakes – https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3911-S-Calumet-Ave-Chicago-IL-60653/2095086031_zpid/
“Maybe add an extra $100,000 for the interior renovations”
While this isn’t 2,500 sf, it also isn’t 1,000, and while it appears they VE’d some things they shouldn’t have (eg, switch locations), the retail price of the work done was certainly $100+ psf.
I’m guessing $550k gets you a very nice 3 bedroom condo in Bridgeport. I’d def choose that over this gingerbread house.
“I’m guessing $550k gets you a very nice 3 bedroom condo in Bridgeport.”
Townhouse option:
https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/955-W-36th-St-60609/unit-3/home/113096572
“I’m guessing $550k gets you a very nice 3 bedroom condo in Bridgeport.”
Somewhat recently sold Condo price comp:
https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/3723-S-Union-Ave-60609/unit-1/home/14071853
somewhat off-topic, or perhaps adjacent….so what is the next hot neighborhood to move to before it becomes unaffordable? In the 90s we would tell everyone to find something in Wicker Park or Lakeview. In the 20s I think it would have been Logan Square, Lincoln Square.
where is a good place to grab a house just before it turns trendy and applies for Green Zone membership?
Icarus – how about Uptown? Ha ha. People have said that since 1950 and it never happened.
Bronzeville comes to mind, but it’s already been discovered, arguably.
“where is a good place to grab a house just before it turns trendy and applies for Green Zone membership?”
1. South Shore
2. Woodlawn
3. Edgewater
4. West of United Center
“Wow a Brewery in 2024? how novel. Great for a generation that drinks less that previous. You really have your finger on the pulse if mUH dEMoGrapHics”
Sadly, just more nonsense from someone who hasn’t lived in Chicago in decades and has no frame of reference about any neighborhood, what is going on there, or what restaurants and entertainment are there.
https://variety.com/2023/music/news/ramova-theatre-chicago-reopening-jennifer-hudson-chance-the-rapper-quincy-jones-1235790457/
Chicago icons Jennifer Hudson, Chance the Rapper and Quincy Jones have teamed up to reopen and revitalize the Ramova Theatre, located in the South Side neighborhood of Bridgeport, after the venue’s nearly 40-year dormancy.
With Hudson, Chance and Jones as co-owners, the Ramova will reopen in fall 2023 as a 1,500-capacity live music venue with a grill, beer garden and brewery in partnership with Other Half Brewing.
“The 1990 price works out to around $200,000 in today’s dollars. Maybe add an extra $100,000 for the interior renovations and call it a day.”
Prices have risen Dan #2. It’s no longer 1990.
Next hot neighborhood? Look for places with lots of vacant or industrial land near an L line. Nobody’s selling, so you can’t buy an existing house, tear it down, and build on spec anymore — the indisputable mark of gentrification. Now it’s residential where residential never was before.
“Next hot neighborhood? Look for places with lots of vacant or industrial land near an L line.”
They are extending the red line south. Perhaps those suburbs will be red hot as a result?
By that token, Rockford will probably see a boost once Metra is extended by 2027.
“Meaningless words”
You brought up a taproom being a “big Deal”. In 2024, its not. Period. You might realize this if you wernt afraid to go out when it got dark
“By that token, Rockford will probably see a boost once Metra is extended by 2027.”
Why?
“where is a good place to grab a house just before it turns trendy and applies for Green Zone membership?”
With Mortgage rates looking to hold > 7% thru 24, Short term, nowhere
The Mega developments shills like to cite will put a damper on Green Zone Annexation. Any market disruptions will cause a flight to quality.
Long enough timeline and and the city doesnt enter into a Detroit style death spiral, I agree with JohnC (As long as they incorporate Bucktown into the Realator named areas) and Sabrina’s West of the UC
Wow. Putting away dishes would be extremely annoying in this place. There are no functional cabinets near the dishwasher. They should have at least put the microwave on the other side of the oven and a set of drawers in the current microwave location.
Is the hood just a fan or does it actually vent outside?
Why couldn’t they find cabinets that worked with the refrigerator or a refrigerator that worked with the cabinets? The gap above the refrigerator is infuriating.
I also can’t tell if they just skipped the shower door or maybe one will be added at a later date.
“extending the red line south … those suburbs”
There’s a new plan for the Red Line to cross the Little Cal?
Did not know that!
Anyone have a link?
“a taproom being a “big Deal””
But they’re from Brooklyn, JU!
Don’t you know how much southsiders love NYC??
“With Mortgage rates looking to hold > 7% thru 24, Short term, nowhere”
Huge developments are moving through the city approval process. Just another one put out its plan on the River. Prices in Chicago remain elevated. There is still demand for housing and people have jobs.
Developers look past the current rates.
“Long enough timeline and and the city doesnt enter into a Detroit style death spiral,”
This is just the dumbest thing I’ve heard in a long, long time. But if you aren’t here, and walking past the mega towers on Wolf Point every day, you just don’t understand what is going on in Chicago.
People who believe Chicago is in some kind of death spiral are delusional. Full stop.
“Why?”
They’ve already built several hotels in downtown Rockford. Restaurants have also followed. Lots of conversion of the old buildings into apartments. The big hockey stadium helps. But also bring Metra from Chicago right to the downtown? Plenty of tourists will go. It will bring more development. Just look at any Metra stop right now. They are even building near the Schaumburg stop.
By the way, Rockford has beautiful gardens. A must visit in the spring, summer and fall.
“But they’re from Brooklyn, JU!
Don’t you know how much southsiders love NYC??”
Huh?
1800 seat concert venue is a “tap room”??? It will have a brewery along with it. What a great project. Can’t wait for this to open. A HUGE driver for this neighborhood. A real destination outside of Sox Park.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/03/24/bridgeports-ramova-theatre-could-debut-this-year-as-concert-venue-restaurant-and-brewery/
“It’s going to be a big economic boom, make for a second major attraction in the ward” after Sox Park, Ald. Nicole Lee (11th) said. “This performing space is going to be a beautiful rounding out of things to do in the neighborhood.”
A revived Ramova Grill will also inhabit the theater complex. The beloved diner is being resurrected by Bridgeport native Kevin Hickey, chef-owner of The Duck Inn.
“But they’re from Brooklyn, JU!
Don’t you know how much southsiders love NYC??”
Maybe posers in Wicker park
Southsiders dont care about New York
“Huge developments are moving through the city approval process. Just another one put out its plan on the River. Prices in Chicago remain elevated. There is still demand for housing and people have jobs.”
“Moving through the city” does not guarantee construction
Jeez you are dumb
“This is just the dumbest thing I’ve heard in a long, long time. But if you aren’t here, and walking past the mega towers on Wolf Point every day, you just don’t understand what is going on in Chicago.
People who believe Chicago is in some kind of death spiral are delusional. Full stop.”
Probably makes more sense if you were sober
You cant see when your head is buried in the sand
Detroit didnt collapse overnight. Willfully ignoring the structural faults is your at your own risk.
“several hotels in downtown Rockford”
How are you defining “downtown”? I count one–the Embassy Suites.
Hotel Kate isn’t open…will it ever be?
Lafayette isn’t new and isn’t recommended for visitors.
Next closest places are both (i) 3 miles away and (ii) more housing of last resort places than for tourists.
“They are even building near the Schaumburg stop.”
Do you know what they are building?
Don’t think it is additive to Metra usage.
Only things within walking distance of that stop are parking, the ballpark (Boomers have great attendance for an independent team), and those 3 subdivisions to the south.
“They’ve already built several hotels in downtown Rockford. Restaurants have also followed. Lots of conversion of the old buildings into apartments. The big hockey stadium helps. But also bring Metra from Chicago right to the downtown? Plenty of tourists will go. It will bring more development. Just look at any Metra stop right now. They are even building near the Schaumburg stop.
By the way, Rockford has beautiful gardens. A must visit in the spring, summer and fall.”
LOL
Sober up
The Building along Metra stops has been happening for 25+ years (See Elmhurst for example)
Do you even live in Illinois?
“The Building along Metra stops”
JU–look at what’s near the Schaumburg metra–it’s…interesting. Even considering the challenging location w/r/t the Schaumburg business districts.
I’ve stopped paying attention but every few years there is talk about extending the Red Line.
Spoiler Alert: It will never happen until it benefits Whyte people as much as it will others.
As for Rockford, every time someone brings up High-Speed Rail (HSR) they talk about how someone could live in Rockford and work in Chicago with a reasonable commute…ignoring the dozens of roadblocks such as Right-of-Way and political will.
“As for Rockford, every time someone brings up High-Speed Rail (HSR) they talk about how someone could live in Rockford and work in Chicago with a reasonable commute…ignoring the dozens of roadblocks such as Right-of-Way and political will.”
And Billions of $
“JU–look at what’s near the Schaumburg metra–it’s…interesting. Even considering the challenging location w/r/t the Schaumburg business districts.”
So Swamp, Ball park, Industrial park and the edge of housing developments all penned in by 390 & Irving Park.
If that spur is active, the Industrial park isnt going anywhere.
Maybe they’re getting a Brooklyn Brewery? Would be a ‘Uuuuuge catalyst
I dont get why some people feel the need to lie constantly
“I’ve stopped paying attention but every few years there is talk about extending the Red Line.”
The current plan has the extension going to 130th, next to Altgeld Gardens. In the city.
“So Swamp, Ball park, Industrial park and the edge of housing developments all penned in by 390 & Irving Park.”
They are currently building new homes/townhouses or something just steps away. They have only put in the roads so I don’t know what it is exactly. There IS the ballpark right there so limited space. But it’s amazing that they are even building at that stop which isn’t even one of the historic downtowns. It’s the LAST stop I would think they’d be building housing next to. Hooray.
So many of you who left decades ago really have NO idea what’s going on out there.
But maybe that’s my fault. I haven’t showcased any of it since it’s all outside of the city. But maybe I should do a week of coverage about all the building going on at the Metra stops across Chicagoland. Much of it is really impressive, actually. Definitely demand to live near the Metra stops.
“Spoiler Alert: It will never happen until it benefits Whyte people as much as it will others.”
Where have you been Icarus? They have already made this announcement. Pritzker has already gotten them the money.
“As for Rockford, every time someone brings up High-Speed Rail (HSR) they talk about how someone could live in Rockford and work in Chicago with a reasonable commute…ignoring the dozens of roadblocks such as Right-of-Way and political will.”
No one needs high speed rail. It will be 90 minutes. Union Pacific owns the old tracks and are refurbishing them. Metra won the contract. I’m not sure why it wasn’t Amtrak, personally. There’s a big push to extend to Galena and then on to Iowa. Tracks are already there as Amtrak used to go there.
It will be like twice a day. Morning and evenings. But just huge for Rockford and their hotels and restaurants. Will also have a station in Belvidere. Big deal for them too. Opening scheduled for 2027.
“The Building along Metra stops has been happening for 25+ years (See Elmhurst for example)”
Huh? What was built next to the Elmhurst Metra stop 25 years ago? There is no apartment building there right now. Maybe torn down?
You mean like the new apartment building built across from the Westmont Metra station that opened just 3 years ago? Buildings like that?
Also building a big building in Glen Ellyn, one in Wheaton (lots already in Wheaton. It’s like a mini-Oak Park there), Itasca or one of those cities in a parking lot next to a bank (lol). Palatine or Arlington Heights too. Arlington Heights has a half a dozen big buildings now. Looks like downtown Evanston.
Chicago suburbs have really gone all in on building new, dense urban housing next to the Metra stops. Hooray. They’ve figured out Millennials and GenZers will move there even if they are only working in the city a few days a week.
“Do you know what they are building?”
Not sure. Houses or townhomes, perhaps. Too soon to know. Not an apartment building though. They are building a path that goes right to the Metra though.
“How are you defining “downtown”? I count one–the Embassy Suites.
Hotel Kate isn’t open…will it ever be?”
Downtown is, um, downtown.
I thought they opened the luxury hotel across the river but maybe the pandemic put the kibbosh on it. Hopefully, with Metra coming, the idea comes back as it’s in a historic building.
The Embassy Suites is awesome. A really great renovation. Perfect location too.
Like I said, the new train service is really going to be a driver for the downtown. They were already converting a ton of buildings into apartments. There are a bunch of restaurants now and a farmer’s market. It’s only going to be a catalyst for more. I love downtown Rockford. There’s a real opportunity. I wish I had some money to convert a few of the empty warehouses into cool loft apartments.
“You cant see when your head is buried in the sand”
Nope. My head is fully looking at the three massive towers lighting up the night, glistening across the Chicago River. It’s a sight to behold.
But keep on gaslighting that Chicago is collapsing or in some kind of death spiral. Does that make you feel better from your far away city JohnnyU? I don’t understand the point on wishing ill will on a city you don’t even live in. Did it reject you in some way? Did you not have the success you thought here so that’s why you moved away?
It’s not easy to make it in the biggest cities. Chicago is one of the most competitive cities in America. It’s okay to move to a secondary city though. It’s not a failure. They are lovely too.
““Moving through the city” does not guarantee construction”
The only things guaranteed are death and taxes. Heck, even building the foundation (see the Spire) doesn’t mean the thing will get built.
Here’s the update on Halsted Landing, just one of the several river projects that are in the development stages.
“The presentation to the River Ecology and Governance Task Force’s Development Review Working Group comes amid DPD’s internal review of the development. While a timeline for the approval process is currently unclear, the project is set to go before the Chicago Plan Commission, Committee on Zoning, and the full City Council.”
https://chicago.urbanize.city/post/details-emerge-mixed-use-development-700-w-chicago
“The only things guaranteed are death and taxes. Heck, even building the foundation (see the Spire) doesn’t mean the thing will get built.”
so you agree with me – great. You should stop there
“Nope. My head is fully looking at the three massive towers lighting up the night, glistening across the Chicago River. It’s a sight to behold.”
Which street cam are you watching from your garden apartment in Bronzeville? Is it better after 1 or 2 bottles of cheap Chardonay
“But keep on gaslighting that Chicago is collapsing or in some kind of death spiral. Does that make you feel better from your far away city JohnnyU? I don’t understand the point on wishing ill will on a city you don’t even live in. Did it reject you in some way? Did you not have the success you thought here so that’s why you moved away?”
How is pointing out serious structural failures wishing ill? I mean I get its not the same as shilling and pretending that nothing bad ever happens.
Yep couldnt make it in Chicago LOL On the plus side I’m not afraid to take a walk after sunset
“It’s not easy to make it in the biggest cities. Chicago is one of the most competitive cities in America. It’s okay to move to a secondary city though. It’s not a failure. They are lovely too.”
LOL – from a rarely sober, delusional blogger
Too much
“Huh? What was built next to the Elmhurst Metra stop 25 years ago? There is no apartment building there right now. Maybe torn down?”
Apartments/condos off the curved road.
“You mean like the new apartment building built across from the Westmont Metra station that opened just 3 years ago? Buildings like that?
Also building a big building in Glen Ellyn, one in Wheaton (lots already in Wheaton. It’s like a mini-Oak Park there), Itasca or one of those cities in a parking lot next to a bank (lol). Palatine or Arlington Heights too. Arlington Heights has a half a dozen big buildings now. Looks like downtown Evanston.”
Words..Meaningless Words…
“Chicago suburbs have really gone all in on building new, dense urban housing next to the Metra stops. Hooray. They’ve figured out Millennials and GenZers will move there even if they are only working in the city a few days a week.”
What?!? I thought they needed to be in the bIg cITy?
Make up your mind
“They are currently building new homes/townhouses or something just steps away. They have only put in the roads so I don’t know what it is exactly”
“Not sure. Houses or townhomes, perhaps. Too soon to know. Not an apartment building though. They are building a path that goes right to the Metra though.”
LOL Would you tell your husband George Glass to take the computer away when you’ve been drinking
““Do you know what they are building?”
Not sure. Houses or townhomes, perhaps. Too soon to know.”
No, it’s not too soon at all–it’s all been approved; broke ground in May:
https://www.villageofschaumburg.com/government/economic-development/project-updates-and-development-opportunities/experior-transport-project
…and….
to the SE, over in Roselle, this:
https://www.lexingtonchicago.com/new-home-communities/roselle/timberleaf
Not taking advantage of the Metra stop, imo.
“They are currently building new homes/townhouses or something just steps away. They have only put in the roads so I don’t know what it is exactly”
“Not sure. Houses or townhomes, perhaps. Too soon to know. Not an apartment building though. They are building a path that goes right to the Metra though.”
https://www.villageofschaumburg.com/government/economic-development/project-updates-and-development-opportunities/experior-transport-project
Is this the construction you are talking about?
If not please provide a link to the one you are talking about as this one ties into the metra lot.
TIA
“Downtown is, um, downtown.”
So, there is exactly ONE hotel there. A perfectly nice Embassy Suites.
Not even a 2d one, much less “several”.
ONE!
“““Do you know what they are building?”
Not sure. Houses or townhomes, perhaps. Too soon to know.”
No, it’s not too soon at all–it’s all been approved; broke ground in May:
https://www.villageofschaumburg.com/government/economic-development/project-updates-and-development-opportunities/experior-transport-project”
Obviously the village is wrong. If Sabrina sez something, you can take it to the bank.
I’ll talk to the Village and have them correct this
“So, there is exactly ONE hotel there. A perfectly nice Embassy Suites.
Not even a 2d one, much less “several”.
ONE!”
Its just a number
“Not even a 2d one, much less “several”.”
I haven’t been in a couple of years. When I was there, they had announced the boutique hotel project. I wasn’t aware it never went forward. But something else will.
The Embassy Suites is the bomb though. Really cool building with a roof top restaurant overlooking the entire city and river.
Didn’t bother to look at the press for this project JohnnyU. Thanks for googling it though. I just pass by it on the train from time to time and was shocked to see them suddenly digging after years of nothing going on.
“Didn’t bother to look at the press for this project JohnnyU. Thanks for googling it though. I just pass by it on the train from time to time and was shocked to see them suddenly digging after years of nothing going on.”
Vs
“They are currently building new homes/townhouses or something just steps away. They have only put in the roads so I don’t know what it is exactly”
You are a peach
“They are currently building new homes/townhouses or something just steps away. They have only put in the roads so I don’t know what it is exactly”
Yep. I said the exact same thing JohnnyU. You see, I actually live in Chicago and can drive, walk, bike and take public transportation around and see what is happening.
I was on the Metra and suddenly see them moving dirt around near the Schaumburg Metra stop. Just had a street in. Nothing else was going in. Assuming homes or townhomes based on the street and what is nearby. I didn’t bother to google it and find out what was happening.
What don’t you understand?
I don’t get it.
Residential is not a distribution center
“Spoiler Alert: It will never happen until it benefits Whyte people as much as it will others.”
Where have you been Icarus? They have already made this announcement. Pritzker has already gotten them the money.
my point is that they have made this announcement before and “secured the money” only for it to disappear.
all of this has happened before and all of this will happen again.
“my point is that they have made this announcement before and “secured the money” only for it to disappear.”
It’s federal money. Many wanted them to do a cross town line instead but that’s not going to happen.