This Rehabbed 4-Bedroom House Just RAISED Its Price $75,000: 1824 W. Cuyler in North Center
Some of you may remember this property at 1824 W. Cuyler in North Center.
Even though we didn’t chatter about it in a post, the then 2-flat was discussed in the comments section several times because it was a property on a standard Chicago lot of 25×120 listed for just $204,900 in what is considered to be a desirable neighborhood.
Even just for the lot- many of you thought this was an extreme bargain.
Yes- it was bank owned.
The prior listing for the property indicates you weren’t the only ones as it said there was a “multiple offer situation.”
The 2-flat sold in December 2010 for $180,000.
You can see that listing and interior pictures here.
Not surprisingly, the property has now returned to the market just 6 months later completely gutted and is now a 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath single family home.
The frame of the house was built in 1888, but it now has new electric, plumbing, roof, windows, lighting, HVAC and a new garage (not to mention kitchen and baths.)
The main level is now an open layout with the kitchen sporting white cabinets (as I’ve been saying- white is “in” now!), stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.
In this new layout, there are bedrooms on each floor with a huge master bedroom suite on the second floor, a bedroom on the main floor and 2 bedrooms in the lower level.
In case you’re wondering how close this house is to the El- it is three houses away from the brown line tracks.
The house was originally priced at $474,900 on July 6- which would put it in the key under $500,000 price range.
But apparently someone decided (maybe from the many calls about showings?) that that price was just too low.
It was just raised $75,000 to $549,900.
Will this rehabber get the higher price for this location?
Jason O’Beirne at Jameson Sotheby’s has the listing. See the pictures here.
1824 W. Cuyler: 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2200 square feet
- Sold in March 2007 as a 7 bedrom, 3 bath 2-flat for $395,000
- Lis pendens foreclosure filed in July 2009
- Bank owned in September 2010
- Originally listed in September 2010 for $204,900
- Sold in December 2010 for $180,000
- Originally listed on July 6, 2011 for $474,900
- Raised
- Currently listed for $549,900
- Taxes of $8904
- Central Air
- Bedroom #1: 31×24 (second floor)
- Bedroom #2: 21×16 (main floor)
- Bedroom #3: 15×10 (in walk-out basement)
- Bedroom #4: 11×10 (in walk-out basement)
- Family room: 30×10 (in walk-out basement)
Really….mirrored closets?
I don’t like them either but they are oddly more expensive vs. traditional white ones!
Already pending…
Was thinking anon would think the house next door should have picked up the lot. Then looked up the old chatter:
http://cribchatter.com/?p=9770#comment-114828
“Will this rehabber get the higher price for this location?”
I’m going to go with yes, as it shows as sale pending now.
pretty ugly-but clearly there is demand at this price point in this neighborhood
mirrored closets
form AND function!
(ok maybe not)
I do like the floors in this house, reminds me of a church, the ceilings I don’t like so much
whats teh deal with the nice contemporary house next door?
Why the demand? Is it the school? If so, which?
“Why the demand? Is it the school? If so, which?”
Oh yeah, how does listing not say Coonley? I guess it doesn’t need to.
“Why the demand?”
S. F. H.
The house next door does look nice. Went up pretty quickly depending on when the original 1824 picture as taken. Not sure why the 1828 owners wouldn’t have bought the land next door to have a yard or just some room between houses. Heck we have looked at houses across the alley and developed a bridge concept for the kiddos to get over there safely! 😉
Interesting. 3 doors down from el. 2 bedrooms in basement, one on main level. all spiffed up though, and in coonley.
Picture link says it sold. Is there a different link to see the new listing?
how bad do you think train noise would be two down from the el? I was thinking of looking at this house:
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/1830-W-Addison-St-60613/home/13388462
I would be pretty worried about the long-term quality of a quick rehab of what appeared to be a pretty run-down 137 year old house. I guess that you can trust the developer but I would not.
it wouldn’t be super loud, I live about 200′ from the el and its going full speed so its really noisy. not sure how it would be at a station like that, but at least its the brown line which doesn’t run all night
i would love to be able to afford a huge house like that, what a great price for a great place
“I would be pretty worried about the long-term quality of a quick rehab of what appeared to be a pretty run-down 137 year old house.”
I would be, too, but I think a 123 year old house is an entirely different question.
“how bad do you think train noise would be two down from the el? I was thinking of looking at this house:”
Worth a look. Nice looking from outside, but as Sonies notes, *right* by the station. Also, extra bad traffic bc of triple intersection, and not just on Cub game days.
Yep. It’s why we’re about to spend six figures to rehab/deconvert our 2 flat into a normal SFH. We were told that our bundled double lot had zero value (!) as part of a rental property but that it would carry a considerable premium for a SFH.
Plus, our existing bedrooms suck, and we share a paper-thin wall with a kid who sometimes howls in her sleep. : )
>“Why the demand?”
S. F. H.
househunter –
looks nice! might want to inquire about this….
http://www.cookcountyassessor.com/Property_Search/Property_Details.aspx?Pin=14192280170000
“Kids, welcome to your new home. Actually, make that your ‘single faimily home.’ That sound you hear (and view you behold, if you walk a few doors east) is the charming ‘elevated train,’ a marvel of urban planning (it might look and feel as though we’re in an urban suburb, but gosh darn it, that train is inescapable, undeniable proof that we’re living “in the city”). As an added bonus, you’ll be sleeping in the basement. And while I won’t have time before or after work to walk or bike with you over to the park, I promise: we’ll drive to the lakefront this weekend (and we’ll get on the road just as the tiny bit of morning light creeps into the basement/bedroom windows, to ensure that we get a parking spot). Now, run along a play, as I need to seize the moment and cut the grass in the backyard while the afternoon sun is blocked by the modern furniture warehouse next door.”
lots of laughs in that anonny esp the furniture warehouse. but wells park is pretty close and it’s a nice one
thanks for the feedback! The thought of cubs traffic may have just ruined it for me. I would hate that more then the el I think.
I lived on in an apartment on Bissell before and the el never bothered me, but I was also in my 20s and less high maintenance then.
With those front steps, better not to have any handicapped or elderly friends/relatives. Also not very toddler friendly, but since their bedrooms would be in the basement anyway perhaps there’s another entrance for them that isn’t in the photo.
Annony:
Your facetious commentary is right on. You could buy a much better house on the North Shore for less, and not have to send your kids to Lakeview HS or make them sleep in the basement.
It is a nice rehab other than the mirrored doors and the basement bedrooms. I sure hope the buyer isn’t paying a penny over $474900 unless it was a multiple bid situation. Do you think that could be the situation and someone actually bid $75k over asking?
The basement is only three steps below grade, but the bedroom layout is nevertheless poor.
Why’d they leave the second floor totally open? Doesn’t seem like a good idea.
Why-O-Why does anyone EVER compare houses on the North Shore to areas in Chicago like this? Why not throw in comparisons to Hawaii or San Diego or Montana ranchland while you’re at it?
and btw, it is LAKE VIEW high school. Lake View is TWO WORDS, this is not a matter of opinion, it’s fact. It’s also a high school on the way up by many accounts.
“You could buy a much better house on the North Shore for less, and not have to send your kids to Lakeview HS or make them sleep in the basement.”
skeptic, it may be on the way up, but it isn’t where I’d want to send my kids now, and I wouldn’t want to bet that it will be in X number of years with $550k.
“You could buy a much better house on the North Shore for less”
Where are these houses that are within a 5 minute walk of the lake, have no lawn to mow and allows someone–like anonny–who works for the man 10+ hours a day to get home in time to go to the park? And are both “better” and cheaper than this one.
“it isn’t where I’d want to send my kids now”
Yeah, and I suspect that Highland Park HS and NTHS are not where skeptic would like to send his kids. Not that he necessarily wants to send them to LVHS today, either, but those aren’t the two options.
And, $550k isn’t the bet, in any event. I would wager a reasonable sum that LVHS is at least on par with present-day LPHS within ~5 years, tho.
OK, skeptic: Lake View! Sorry, I can’t seem to stop making that mistake.
And sure, Lake View HS is on the way up. Still, I wouldn’t want my child to be the lab rat in an experiment with an “on the way up” school. That school had a terrible reputation until recently. I don’t know if you have school-age children, skeptic, but I do. See how you feel when you’re in the same boat as me. (if you do have school-age children, than disregard previous).
I think the North Shore comparison is valid. There are many similar-sized houses in my North Shore town, which, like this one, are walking distance to the train (and much closer to the beach, if I may add). Prices are about the same. Schools are far better. I’m not sure how much of a “city feel” a house at 1800 Cuyler is going to have. Like annony said, though, it is a SFH “in the city” even if it feels like a suburb, so if those are your key criteria, forget all the rest of what I said and buy it.
“lots of laughs in that anonny esp the furniture warehouse. but wells park is pretty close and it’s a nice one”
commentary is funny enough, and this house is absolutely not what I would choose were my budget $500Kish, but not being able to spend time with kids in this place is not accurate. anonny, have you noticed how close this place is to the el (and the station)?
PS and OT: is it wrong to be thinking about trying to go to a restaurant when you hate *everyone* on its facebook page?
1800 Cuyler does not feel like a suburb.
only if you hate them like Dan#1.
which restaurant?
Someone with a grade school child does not need to worry about the current state of Lake View HS. Coonley is a wonderful school.
JMM should be weighing in soon the way these comments are going
A few more words Re. LVHS:
I believe there are a lof of committed teachers, children and parents who are working to make this a better school. It’s great to want to support that effort by being part of it. I salute anyone who’s willing to take the time and commitment to work on this and to enroll their child.
I also don’t believe in only going by test scores, because kids are a lot more than their results on standardized tests. Test scores are just one factor to consider in selecting a school.
Having said that, however, test scores at LVHS are well below average, and the school gets a rating of 2 out of 10 by Great Schools. I’m not sure exactly how their rating system works or how respected they are as an organization, but that and the test scores raise a red flag for me that I’d want to follow up if I were considering the neighborhood.
“but not being able to spend time with kids in this place is not accurate. anonny, have you noticed how close this place is to the el (and the station)?”
Good point, though the time will likely be spent in the house or in the yard (which, granted, is much more private indoor and outdoor space than I currently enjoy).
I know I’ve spouted off a lot already on this one and you’re sick of me, but I have to say more. The house itself, from the outside, looks like a joke. You only have one real floor of living space. I can’t see the photos, but it would appear the other floors are a basement, which is bound to be dark, and a second floor that is bound to have limited ceiling space and be rather small.
Also, the exterior paint job looks ridiculous (what’s with the separate red color up near the top?), and the steep front stairs would inconvenience many people (pregnant women, people with babies or toddlers, old people, handicapped). And even if you’re none of those things, imagine trying to keep the stairs from icing up in the winter. I would never rent this place out if I owned it without first consulting a personal injury lawyer.
Cuyler is a nice street, and true, it’s not like the suburbs. But it is rather far away from any real city amenities. It’s a pretty good walk to the Southport area from here, though it’s doable. And it’s also a good walk to Lincoln Square. Being near the L is a blessing and a curse. I worked in a building that was the equivalent of two houses from the L, and it was definitely disruptive, though maybe people get used to it eventually.
“only if you hate them like Dan#1.
which restaurant?”
Please, no mocking, I have guests in town to entertain.
http://timeoutchicago.com/restaurants-bars/14848477/next-server-fails-world-explodes
“1800 Cuyler does not feel like a suburb.”
“Someone with a grade school child does not need to worry about the current state of Lake View HS. Coonley is a wonderful school.”
Vlajos, do you work for the listing company?
“it is rather far away from any real city amenities”
What constitute “real city amenities”?
Icarus – Did you give Sabrina permission to post this home?
Real city amenities, for me, include:
– Easy access to a street like Broadway in East Lake View with bustling sidewalks, interesting shops and restaurants.
– Being close to the lake. I realize this isn’t as important for everyone, but to me, Chicago’s best amenity is the parks, beaches and running paths along Lake Michigan. I don’t want to have to drive there.
– Good access to the Loop. This house on Cuyler is an easy L ride from downtown, I admit, though I’m not a big fan of the L.
– Ethnic diversity (which often means better restaurant selection)
– Interesting architecture
That’s just a few. I’ll try to think of more. I lived in Chicago for over 30 years (in East Lake View, where I grew up, and in Lincoln Park, where I lived as a young adult).
take them to Lincoln restaurant DZ, way less pretension and it’s near this place. I think its sign might even meet dan#2’s interesting architecture criteria
“Real city amenities, for me, include:
– Easy access to a street like Broadway in East Lake View with bustling sidewalks, interesting shops and restaurants.”
1.5 blocks to Lincoln Ave. Maybe not quite Broadway, but not Schaumburg.
“- Being close to the lake. I realize this isn’t as important for everyone, but to me, Chicago’s best amenity is the parks, beaches and running paths along Lake Michigan. I don’t want to have to drive there.”
Close as anything in Highland Park west of Green Bay. And, lo and behold, there’s a bus, so you don’t have to drive.
“- Good access to the Loop. This house on Cuyler is an easy L ride from downtown, I admit, though I’m not a big fan of the L.”
Check.
“- Ethnic diversity (which often means better restaurant selection)”
Check, both wrt residents AND restaurants.
“- Interesting architecture”
Maybe, maybe not. Certainly not *this* house.
But, yeah, I think this place *does* qualify as close to “real city amenities”, by that list at least.
Snappy’s Shrimp is a real city amenity.
“though the time will likely be spent in the house or in the yard”
Or in neighbors’ houses or yards, or on the block. But no, anonny, it’s not the lake.
“take them to Lincoln restaurant DZ, way less pretension and it’s near this place.”
Can’t. Guest is biglaw (at least I think so, I had bob authenticate a writing sample and everything). Biglaw craves pretension along with 75 hour work weeks.
“Close as anything in Highland Park west of Green Bay.”
Which is why Green Bay would be the western boundary for me up there (ideally, no more than a few blocks west of Sheridan).
““take them to Lincoln restaurant DZ, way less pretension and it’s near this place.”
Can’t. Guest is biglaw (at least I think so, I had bob authenticate a writing sample and everything). Biglaw craves pretension along with 75 hour work weeks.”
Yeah, not quite enough hipsters at the Linc, except maybe Mondays, for banjo night. Then you might get enough pretense.
“Guest is biglaw.” In from NY I presume, given the need for Next.
“Which is why Green Bay would be the western boundary for me up there (ideally, no more than a few blocks west of Sheridan).”
Other than a chunk of Evanston and Wilmette, GBR *is* only a few blocks west of Sheridan.
“. . .a chunk of Evanston and Wilmette. . .”
I suppose that’s the chunk I’d condsider living in.
Agree that Green Bay is the western boundary of where I’d live in HP. My neighborhood in HP meets that criteria.
The neighborhoods east of Green Bay are pre-war, walkable, and near the lake. The neighborhoods west of Green Bay are cul-de-sac subdivisions built in the 1960s and later and have almost no charm. They’re also car-only zones, for the most part. Blech.
“In from NY I presume”
More or less. $775 later, I’m done. Crap, that’s a good business model they’ve got going at the moment.
BTW, I appreciate a good old fashioned, unpretentious diner as much as anyone (if you don’t believe me, ask my wife about some of the back-roads places I’ve dragged her to). But we went to the Lincoln restaurant once and that will be the only time. A complete dump and bad food.
“Which is why Green Bay would be the western boundary for me up there (ideally, no more than a few blocks west of Sheridan).”
Six 4/3 houses east of GBR listed at under $550k, 2 u/c. Leave it to someone else whether they are “better”.
1830 West Addison is a disaster since it is Right on the station. The announcements alone would drive you nuts. Also, if memory serves this went up in about 2004 and has never been lived in. There’sa reason why it could not even sell in the housing boom times. It has been empty/abandoned and likely not maintained at all.
No way would I ever pay over $600 for this place and even that would be a stretch.
That’s where I’d live, IF I were to move out of the city (while continuing to work here). But that’s not on the agenda at the moment. I’ll definetely grant that this is the best time in decades to be buying into the north shore, be it at the $500k, $1 million, or beyond, range.
Do. Not. Get.
This is not a half mil house.
It looks like they ran out of siding on the front. Maybe that pink is just a little bit of lipstick on this pig. The center steps look like there should be a garage on either side. Those ceiling fans are divine. Not. And the way they curved that carpet right into the Menards tile — Tackulous!!! Can’t take the mirrored closet doors. My great grandma had the same front door though. Shut the front door! What is that circle of wood in the back yard? Perfect for a fire pit? Ugh. This house bums me out. Totally.
Hopefully the neighbor bought this as a tear down.
For some of you who can’t see the pics now that it has gone under contract- check out the youtube video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSMGn88nRn0
Maybe Russ can address this, but doesn’t the listing agent HAVE to raise the price of the property before listing it as under contract if the offer is above the current listing- because, bascially, they won’t be able to get a mortgage otherwise? (of course- baring any appraisal issues)
I’ve been saying for awhile that buyers want new, new, new.
They really don’t care- as long as they can move in and not do ANYTHING.
So it shouldn’t be surprising that this house sold almost right away at this price.
It is equivalent to many of the 3/2 duplex downs we chatter about on this site- and you have your own backyard, garage and no assessments. And even in those duplex downs- at least one (and sometimes two) bedrooms are also in the lower level.
Sabrina, no they don’t. As long as the appraisal supports the agreed upon price there shouldn’t be an issue with an offer higher than list. Underwriters will scrutinize the appraisal more though but I haven’t seen any issues with higher offers.
Okay- thanks Russ. I thought I heard that from another agent a few years ago when this also happened (when they had to raise the price before actually listing it as going under contract.)
I wonder why they do it then?
Why bother???
Seems possibly a fat finger to me, hard to believe this one is generating a bidding war.
If any of the bozos manage to actually get financing for this they’re idiots. What happens when they want to resell in five years but they can’t pass this off as “new” and don’t have $ to rehab because they stretched themselves to the hilt on payments?
Oh yeah I forgot the cycle repeats and it goes back to the bank and a different investor does the same thing.
Chicago is a strange, funny, RE market to midwesterners from elsewhere.
Seriously does anyone think even 10 years from now this thing will be worth 500k+?
Given the premium paid for turnkey properties, it seems these buyers are either wealthy enough to not worry about it, or middle class poseurs using high leverage to live the dream now in a slow motion version of financial suicide.
Can’t wait to see financing. Who wants odds they can’t gather the 20%? These people have likely never had 100k liquid in their lives, yet they’re playing in big money sandboxes. We’ll see.
well, it is very unattractive at least to me so even for 400K i would not have touched it.
As I’ve stated before elsewhere, basement bedrooms are a venerable tradition in Chicago SFHs. They are usually occupied by teenagers (esp. boys) so that the ‘rents and younger kids can enjoy some peace and quiet while big bro plays loud music, turns up the TV or computer volume, and yaks with friends either in person or on the phone.
With this in mind, the subject home may be an excellent place for a family with older children.
Speaking of teens – I believe LVHS has some magnet programs. Or the kids could apply for Lane Tech, St. Ben’s or Gordon Tech. Or maybe St. Scholastica’s in Rogers Park if they want an all-girls school.
We are GT, we are GT, we are GT…..
Sorry ChiTownGal but you just brought me back to the mid 80’s. Have not kept up with the place but Gordon Tech was a good school back in those days. .
even at 475k i can yelp but hear “bing bong doors closing”.
yesterday was a beautiful day to open all the windows up wide and get that great summer air to freshen up the place. good thing the train stops running at the times when you are deep asleep and wouldnt hear it anyways.
“Yeah, and I suspect that Highland Park HS and NTHS are not where skeptic would like to send his kids.”
Do you guys remember a documentary series PBS did about 10 years ago called “American High” which followed the lives of 14 students at Highland Park HS? I was addicted to it. Everything I know about Highland Park comes from this show:
http://www.pbs.org/americanhigh/index.html
“yesterday was a beautiful day to open all the windows up wide and get that great summer air to freshen up the place. good thing the train stops running at the times when you are deep asleep and wouldnt hear it anyways.”
The brown line runs from 4 am to 1 am during the weekdays.
So you would have 3 hours of “quiet”- monday through friday.
I was more center-south LV, so just curious – didn’t you find this neighborhood very appealing as a tween/teen in Chicago? I loved it, that light-industrial stretch, a real train (Metra counts, right?), the squiggly brown line, etc.
I have a 5 year old going to Hamilton next year, I could see her going to any decent public or private high school that doesn’t involve an outlandish trip via the CTA.
“That’s just a few. I’ll try to think of more. I lived in Chicago for over 30 years (in East Lake View, where I grew up, and in Lincoln Park, where I lived as a young adult).”
Nothing bad to say about them, I just can’t fathom either of ’em. I am a City Guy (which I will extend to the burbs on the grid). I could go college town, small town with Main Street, etc., but the sprawl suburbs make me itchy.
““Yeah, and I suspect that Highland Park HS and NTHS are not where skeptic would like to send his kids.””
Skeptic,
I share your feelings about “sprawl” suburbs. However, the suburbs we’ve been talking about on this thread are not sprawl suburbs. They’re 19th-century railroad suburbs, and are more like small towns. It bothers me when people try to group all suburbs under one definition.
“But we went to the Lincoln restaurant once and that will be the only time. A complete dump and bad food.”
that’s too bad. I’ve only been once (for breakfast) and thought it was pretty decent.
The one thing I like about metro Chicago is that most of the inner suburbs are in fact like small towns. When I mention suburbs, I generally think of cookie cutter Pulte, KB tract homes, strip malls, shopping centers, and zero walkability. Sprawl at its worst with zero thought to urban planning.
“Guest is biglaw.” In from NY I presume, given the need for Next.”
DZ, take ’em to Ethiopian Diamond in Edgewater, make them eat with their hands and call it a day!
Lincoln Restaurant is the hipster haven for the North Center nabe due to banjo nite, comedy nite and the College of Complexes (leftish-leaning debate society) on Saturday nite (don’t worry, you’ll be out of there in plenty of time to hit the “real” bars).
When did that happen? Those guys have been playing there for like 20 years, and the crowd used to be pretty um, “seasoned” in the age department. It’s really quite entertaining, btw.
“Lincoln Restaurant is the hipster haven for the North Center nabe due to banjo nite”
“take ‘em to Ethiopian Diamond in Edgewater, make them eat with their hands and call it a day!”
That would entertaining. Could possibly sell my Next tickets above face value (if permitted, which I think it is) and pay for dinner.
“But we went to the Lincoln restaurant once and that will be the only time. A complete dump and bad food.”
“that’s too bad. I’ve only been once (for breakfast) and thought it was pretty decent.”
If I lived near this place, I’d probably be at Diner Grill all the time.
“So you would have 3 hours of “quiet”- monday through friday.”
well not exactly true, since the train isn’t constantly running and making noise I mean lets see besides during rush hours (when you are awake anyway) you have trains every 12-15 minutes
lets say the train makes noise for 20 seconds (very generous estimation)
so you would have noise 2.7% of the time (at the worst), multiply that times 2 and its 5.5% of the time at the worst
hardly unbearable and to be honest, I dont ever notice the trains except during rush hours when there are a lot of them running every 5 minutes but usually i’m cooking dinner or out running errands so it doesn’t bother me at all
Maybe Lincoln Restaurant has improved since we were there. I think we were there about 8 or 9 years ago because we were already living in the burbs and our first boy was about 2 or 3.
“lets say the train makes noise for 20 seconds (very generous estimation)”
This is basically at the IPR stop, so it’s going to be longer, b/c of the slow-down/speed-up, plus you get the Metra, too, another 50 yards east (tho Metra thru this stretch really isn’t a big deal).
well it will also be quieter too then
Skeptic – one mark of hip culture is to embrace – in an “ironic” or “meta” way – aspects of older cultures that were dismissed as “square” not too long ago. Remember the fad for 1940s “swing” dancing back in the 90s? Or the “so-square-it’s-cool” attitude towards various TV sitcoms (I think “Brady Bunch” reruns are still required viewing for twentysomethings).
The late, great “Spy” magazine dubbed this attitude “Camp Light/Lite” back in the 90’s and it still holds up today.
I hear you CTG & I don’t really disagree, just assuming you mean that some of the folks who go to watch/listen are the younger kids, as the players there aren’t aspects of older cultures at the Lincoln – those dudes are old! My dad used to play music in Chicago decades ago with a few of them, in fact.
“Skeptic – one mark of hip culture is to embrace – in an “ironic” or “meta” way – aspects of older cultures that were dismissed as “square” not too long ago. Remember the fad for 1940s “swing” dancing back in the 90s? Or the “so-square-it’s-cool” attitude towards various TV sitcoms (I think “Brady Bunch” reruns are still required viewing for twentysomethings).”
We walked over to this house at night and stood in front of it while trains rumbled by. It was pretty loud. And while I’m sure you could soundproof the house pretty well that you wouldn’t notice it too much, forget having a backyard bbq or leaving the windows open while you sleep. The way they situated the walk to the garage made it impossible to do sound-dampening plantings along the fence, so there wasn’t much you could do to improve the situation.
We also went to a showing here the agent could not have been any less interested in showing us the property. They hadn’t installed the AC yet, and the floors had been just finished. So the house was stiflingly hot and the chemical stench was almost unbearable, but he couldn’t be bothered to open windows or do anything more than stand there looking bored. What a turn-off.
We were in the lower level towards what used to be the lower unit’s front door when a train passed. It was pretty loud, the developer clearly didn’t do much to dampen the sound, which I would have thought would be a big priority.
Maybe the realtor didn’t care what you thought because he already had it sold? (since this went under contract within days of it listing.)
“Maybe the realtor didn’t care what you thought because he already had it sold?”
Wouldn’t a realtor have to be a real dumb F to do that considering he/she probably has other listings and there are a couple of potential buyers standing right in front of him?
oh wait a minute….:D
oh that is mean realtors are people too. everyone can have an off day.
“Wouldn’t a realtor have to be a real dumb F to do that considering he/she probably has other listings and there are a couple of potential buyers standing right in front of him?”
I’ve been ignored many times by realtors even though I was a potential buyer. It’s no different than any other industry. Ever been at a car dealership and be completely ignored by the sales staff? Or in some retail stores? Maybe this is a woman thing- but it happens to me quite often.
It’s like the scene in Pretty Woman when she goes into the store on Rodeo Drive to buy expensive clothes and the women won’t help her. This happens more than you know.
We saw it before it went under contract. And yeah, everyone has bad days but I thought his behavior was pretty inexcusable. Like Icarus said, “Wouldn’t a realtor have to be a real dumb F to do that considering he/she probably has other listings and there are a couple of potential buyers standing right in front of him?” I totally agree. Being an agent is a people profession. If you can’t be “on” all the time, or at least do a good job of faking it, you probably shouldn’t be an agent.
SOLD $540,000
STUNNING
What’s stunning about the long known fact that there will be knife catchers making up the low volume all the way to the bottom?
Typical G – when he’s wrong, he resorts to his tired catch phrase “knife-cathcher”. We’ll be hearing that one a lot in the near future….
(G, I secretly agree and have with you, but, I need to adjust my public position
G’s been right since he’s been posting here. You clio have just been the idiot spouting nonsense.
but the various incarnations of bizarro HD make the site slightly more interesting, for me at least. but I’m still of the opinion that 1999 prices are where they’re going, or better – don’t tell anybody though)……
“Typical G – when he’s wrong, he resorts to his tired catch phrase “knife-cathcher”. We’ll be hearing that one a lot in the near future….”
This is all we’ve been seeing all along.
I’ve run this blog long enough that some of the properties I covered in 2007 and 2008 are coming back on the market again (scary thought.) Many people thought they got a “deal” back then- but they were simply knifecatchers as prices have come down much further. Now, 3 or 4 years later, lo and behold they find out that being in a crappy school district really DOES matter with a 2 or 3 year old and school looming and they’re trying to sell. Good luck. Not going to happen…again.
Sales volume is way down because there are fewer knife catchers. Finally- the buyers are starting to figure it out. But we have a long, long way to go to hit the bottom and until all of these underwater homeowners (those that must sell- especially the condo owners) are washed out of the system.