What’s Selling in Edgewater: A Vintage 2-Bedroom at 1418 W. Elmdale
We’ve recently had a discussion about single family homes in Edgewater Glen but the neighborhood is also peppered with vintage condo buildings including this one at 1418 W. Elmdale.
Built in 1920, this top floor 2-bedroom unit has all the bells and whistles that buyers look for including central air, washer/dryer in the unit and deeded parking.
At 1500 square feet, it also has a sunroom, a den and a separate dining room.
The kitchen has also been extensively renovated and sports honed granite counter tops, viking appliances and an indoor grill.
It also has vintage features like a fireplace, built in book shelves and crown molding.
On the market since February 2010 and reduced $50,000, it has finally gone under contract.
Is this a deal for the neighborhood, square footage and these finishes?
Karen Holt at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #3: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1500 square feet, 1 car parking
- Sold in October 1997 for $138,000
- Originally listed in February 2010 for $349,000
- Reduced
- Currently listed for $299,900
- Under contract
- Assessments of $210 a month
- Taxes of $3540
- Central Air
- In-unit Washer/Dryer
- Bedroom #1: 14×13
- Bedroom #2: 14×11
I’m sold.
oh, I’d give my eye teeth for that sunroom and living room!
the kitchen, while it’s nice they matched the trim, gives me a headache. I gotta say, I’m really not a fan of cherry or whatever that red wood is. And it’s got that Panera/Starbucks paint color scheme look.
Now, what about the hood?
Some lucky buyer got themselves a beautiful home that they SHOULD hold onto for years….esp for the price. VERY impressive! I would love to have seen it before the renovation…and further what the rest of the building looks like.
To me, this is something that all buyers need to take into consideration when deciding if the ‘deal’ they find really is a “deal”. Did the meltdown of the housing market really turn potential buyers into RE sleuths who look at the whole picture instead of just the space they will inhabit? Do people now do their due diliengence that will insure their investment will stand the test of time? Will this remain a great property years down the road or will the other units in the building be purchased for pennies on the dollar and not be taken care of?
I guess only time will tell, right?
I hope this is not taken the wrong way (now why would I think that?) but this looks a lot like the work we have done in the past and I imagine will continue to do once we can gain, rather regain, confidence in the Chicago market that our projects will sell at a decent price. Will we be able to recoup the purchase and renovation costs plus a nominal profit allowing us to remain in this business, in this area?
” recoup the purchase and rennovation costs plus a normal profit”
Isn’t this what caused the entire fiasco: it is a home not an ATM. Live in it as such and invest in your neighborhood and hope that it maintains its value.
Although not to my personal taste, that kitchen is really nice!
I wonder how much the kitchen reno cost?
The unit is lovely, but what about the hood? Worth nearly 300,000? I’m going to be deliberately provocative: I’d rather pay the same price and get a less nice 2/2 in an area closer to downtown–west loop, south loop, near north. Location, Location, Location . . .
I used to live (and owned) on Elmdale, albeit 10 years ago. It was far north, but the neighborhood was pretty, and Elmdale itself is pretty and quiet. I had no problems whatsoever. (I moved to get into a single family home.) This seems a good deal; you certainly get a lot for the price. Parking is pretty key in this neighborhood.
WOW,
saw picture #8 of sun room (got a semi-stiffy), and will now say this place is under priced and the buyer got a great home to be proud of.
Fantastic news! Nice place.
@prof, I’d rank Edgewater Glen ahead of just about anywhere else in the city. Close to the lake, convenient to downtown on CTA or LSD, beautiful with its old building and tree-lined streets, affordable, very walkable, safe, not overrun with Cubs fans or hipsters or Chads.
1.We don’t know how much this unit will actually sell for as the deal has not yet closed.
2. Clearly some people value huge elegant layouts and high quality kitchens over cookie cutter, cramped 2/2s.
3. This is a real walking neighborhood with tree lined streets, walk to lake, etc.
4. Not everyone works in the Loop.
“The unit is lovely, but what about the hood? Worth nearly 300,000? I’m going to be deliberately provocative: I’d rather pay the same price and get a less nice 2/2 in an area closer to downtown–west loop, south loop, near north. Location, Location, Location . . .”
So….in other words, the seller “sold out” – if something is considered a great buy by so many people, the chances are that the seller could have gotten more money if they just held out a little longer – sellers beware!!!
“I’d rather pay the same price and get a less nice 2/2 in an area closer to downtown…”
“2. Clearly some people value huge elegant layouts and high quality kitchens over cookie cutter, cramped 2/2s….”
Stop adding bathrooms people. This is a one bath place. A huge, major downside in my opinion. And if you want a “less nice” place in a better location with an extra bathroom, less nice will be more like WAY LESS NICE.
It is not just about work; what about proximity to cultural institutions–the Art Institute, the Field Museum, Symphony Center, Mill Park? If I choose to live in the city, I want to be able to walk to all of these cultural institutions so that I can use them regularly. I see little difference between living in Edgewater and living in a close-in suburb: both are so far from downtown cultural institutions that visiting downtown is an “event” not an integral part of one’s every day life.
“Isn’t this what caused the entire fiasco: it is a home not an ATM. Live in it as such and invest in your neighborhood and hope that it maintains its value.”
I take it you have not been following threads on CC for long.
If you had, you would realize I am the biggest cheerleader of planning, budgeting and doing a TON of investigative work BEFORE you buy…or even consider buying.
I have constantly said that you should not buy a home based solely on what this home will be worth a year or five down the road, rather that a home purchase should be solely about buying shelter for yourself and your family. Should you be fortunate to have bought intelligently and realize a profit a few years later…good for you!!
I am in the business of buying distressed properties, those that have been neglected over the years and need to be renovated before a family, after much thought, purchases them for the long term.
I am NOT a flipper who has treated my purchases as merely a way of making money. I started in this industry as someone who was interested in the regentrification of inner city, urban areas that had been neglected for years. Because of so much red tape, pay offs, knowing the right people who needed favors, etc., I turned away from that process and instead started investing…going house by house and renovating them so a family could have a turn key home to enjoy for years to come. And not for THEM to use as an ATM.
Whew….I have repeated this over and over again only to face such unfounded criticism!!
For ME to remain in the industry I love being a part of and for me to provide well paying jobs for my crew, I have to calculate the risk I am taking for me to remain in business while accomplishing two things… providing shelter for others while doing what I love doing. This is my job.
The reason the meltdown happened was greedy, self centered people (banks, flippers, RE agents, brokers) who had no regard for others. Their sole reason for being in this industry was their own greed and to make a quick buck…at any cost. Most of those types have been driven out of business and now only responsible and honest people remain.
Let’s just hope that while the market slowly recovers, those people are never able to reestablish themselves.
It is not just about work; what about proximity to cultural institutions–the Art Institute, the Field Museum, Symphony Center, Mill Park? If I choose to live in the city, I want to be able to walk to all of these cultural institutions so that I can use them regularly. I see little difference between living in Edgewater and living in a close-in suburb: both are so far from downtown cultural institutions that visiting downtown is an “event” not an integral part of one’s every day life.
“So….in other words, the seller “sold out” – if something is considered a great buy by so many people, the chances are that the seller could have gotten more money if they just held out a little longer – sellers beware!!!”
LOL…sarcasm right?
“This is a one bath place. A huge, major downside in my opinion.”
Agree completely. At least an extra half bath would make a big difference in this price range, I would have thought. But someone’s willing to deal with it obviously.
And I agree with Jon: I’ll take the one bath cookie cutter walking distance to downtown cultural amenities and transportation every time.
If this is what you want, then be prepared to pay a huge price to be able to do so. I think many people need to consider themselves lucky to be able live in the city…or the suburbs for that matter. Anywhere within 50 miles of what you listed is a priviledge…a costly priviledge. Pay and stop crying!
“It is not just about work; what about proximity to cultural institutions–the Art Institute, the Field Museum, Symphony Center, Mill Park? If I choose to live in the city, I want to be able to walk to all of these cultural institutions so that I can use them regularly. I see little difference between living in Edgewater and living in a close-in suburb: both are so far from downtown cultural institutions that visiting downtown is an “event” not an integral part of one’s every day life.”
“But someone’s willing to deal with it obviously.”
Thats the thing about city living…you have to make compromises as NO ONE is ever 100% happy with their living situation.
As far as this place is considered, sure it is a bit away from city center and the culture it holds, but it has everything else a person would want and it is a real beauty to boot.
“But someone’s willing to deal with it obviously.”
DZ, one bath is a perfectly acceptable thing in just a 2br place. would you rather sacrifice living space or 2nd br space for this magical second bathroom.
most people who grew up in the city would live in a 4 bedroom place with only 1 bathroom.
its this suburban way of thinking that needs a bath for every bedroom. waste of space and cleaning
Westloopeo: I basically agree with you. It *is* a priviledge to live any where close to the city center. Sabrina has been posting a lot recently in Edgewater and I am just trying to stir the pot a bit: why not live in the South or West loop, where you can get a 2/1 for the same price, but without the (truly lovely) vintage detailing. As I see it, it is about quality of life: my quality of life is more improved by proximity to cultural institutions and a walkable commute than by vintage detailing. But each to his own.
“one bath is a perfectly acceptable thing in just a 2br place. would you rather sacrifice living space or 2nd br space for this magical second bathroom.”
I’d sacrifice living space (or niceness of finishes) for a small half bath. I don’t want guests in my bathroom.
Lots of curb appeal with this building. The interior looks great as well… Except that kitchen. Way too overdone for this type of place.
The listing claims 1500 square feet, so there is plenty of room for 2 bathrooms without compromising other living space. But… if you want good vintage condos for reasonable prices, you have to accept the less than optimal bathroom count that was prevalent 90 years ago.
Wow, nice place at a nice price.
Prof, regarding proximity to cultural events, I don’t see a problem with its location. It’s a quick commute downtown. Moreover, on my frequent visits to Millennium Park, I always meet people who are suburbanites. They don’t think twice about jumping on a train or into their cars from Deerfield or Lombard in order to enjoy all and more of what you mentioned.
Living near a city center is nothing more than a function of the timing of your purchase and the price you are willing to pay.
Obtaining the right to drive a motor vehicle is a priviledge.
Please stop misrepresenting what a priviledge is.
“LOL…sarcasm right?”
no – not at all. what is sarcarstic about my comment? the seller “sold out” and could have gotten more money if they held on. westloopelo, you are in the business – on the selling side of your business, don’t you think you would want to get the most money for your property?
Why so much space and yet still a galley kitchen and 1 bathroom?
I mean the place is nice and all but this is a 300k 2/1 in edgewater… not such a big fan of that
The configuration of this unit is typical of vintage places that were converted to condos pre 2005.
In the late 90s when a lot of these were converted, they kept the original floor plans with kitchen in back, full dining room, and living/sunroom up front. Most are all 2/1s.
As more and more people started buying them, around 2004ish the developers would have converted this place to a 2/2 as the 2nd bath is highly valuable. They also would have moved the kitchen upfront to the living room and then did the ubiquitious great room/combo. It is really hard to find newer vintage conversions that retain the older floor plan with the large dining room and have a master suite along with a 2nd bath.
This place has plenty of character but no doubt got penalized for the 1 bath. So many people will set up their search criteria for at least 1 1/2 baths. So this had to be priced to pick up searches from people only looking for a 1/1.
If you are willing to live north of Lake View you can get a lot for your money. Sheridan Park has 3/2s available for under $325K and that’s away from the trouble spots.
Is priviledge the same as privilege?
Sorry for the snark. It’s just odd to see the same ‘typo’ three times in a row.
My real point is that it is great that you want to live in the West Loop, and you can for the same price as this condo.
Chances are slim that the buyer of this place was considering both the West Loop and Edgewater.
Actually, I mis-spoke about the pricing. It had to be priced to appeal to a much smaller market segment.
“I’d sacrifice living space (or niceness of finishes) for a small half bath. I don’t want guests in my bathroom.”
i can see your point, but with this every bedroom needs a bath thinking it brought us the Livingroom/diningroom/kitchen combo that we see all over now. its a compromise of space.
my personal preference is if its a two bedroom apartment i would rather have just one bath and the space be used for a separate dining room separate from the kitchen and living area.
i guess its just American greed and “expected” standards that brought us the 2/2.5 and the 3/3.5. just wasted space and more daily cleaning.
I hate to say this… but I totaly agree with Groovey – many people have allowed themselves to be brainwashed into believing that they need a bathroom for every bedroom – ridiculous. People also don’t realize the maint. involved w/ each bathroom (washing towels, making sure there is enough toilet paper, soap, etc., toilet malfunction, renovation q 10 years, etc.). I have 9 bathrooms and it is an absolute un-needed luxury. Have some discipline people!!!
Prof,
I love working downtown and wouldn’t mind being close to the loop, but surely you realize that for some people, Edgewater is ideal. It’s pretty quiet west of Broadway, there’s lots of nice vintage housing stock, the streets are full of huge trees, your friends can actually find parking when they come to visit, and you can still walk to a grocery store, some decent restaurants, and possibly Target on Peterson. Also, being able to hop on the red line and ride directly to Lakeview, LP, the mag mile, and the loop is totally different from being in the ‘burbs and being limited to the metra which only drops you off in the loop and doesn’t run with nearly the same frequency. The fact that anyone would compare the convenience of living in Edgewater to some ‘burb with only a metra stop is ridiculous. Unless you literally spend every weekend only going to the museums in the loop, Edgewater gives you easier access to the best parts of Chicago than you’ll find in any North Shore or western suburb.
“with this every bedroom needs a bath thinking”
I’m just asking for a half bath.
“my personal preference is if its a two bedroom apartment i would rather have just one bath and the space be used for a separate dining room separate from the kitchen and living area.”
If it’s just an apt I’m renting maybe I can live w/o the half bath. If it’s a place I’m thinking of living in for 5-7 years at least, and is at a price range where I have some options for tradeoffs, I can’t see not having the half bath.
If you are willing to live SOUTH of Lake View you can get a lot for your money. LINCOLN Park has 2/2s available for under $325K and that’s away from the trouble spots.
Drop a bedroom and you can get a better area much closer to downtown.
“no – not at all. what is sarcarstic about my comment? the seller “sold out” and could have gotten more money if they held on. ”
Ummmmm, it was previously listed at a higher price and didn’t sell.
And could have gotten more than what? We don’t even know the contract price.
What in Hinsdale’s name are you talking about?
“It is really hard to find newer vintage conversions that retain the older floor plan with the large dining room and have a master suite along with a 2nd bath.”
I can attest to that! There are some out there, tho, and do tend to be pre-’05 conversions.
“I see little difference between living in Edgewater and living in a close-in suburb: both are so far from downtown cultural institutions that visiting downtown is an “event” not an integral part of one’s every day life.”
This sounds pretty silly and elitist to me. I live in this general part of the city. I work downtown. I go to all of these “downtown cultural institutions” on a regular basis. And it’s not an “event.” It’s a 20 minute drive down LSD. It’s a 40 minute bike ride. It’s a $20 cab ride. It’s a 30 minute ride on the red line. This is the way most people who live in the city do it. And I bet most of them would be offended if they heard their life likened to living in the suburbs.
“I’m just asking for a half bath.”
and thats not a bad request? i am on board with that 1/2 bath idea, but wouldnt it cut into the in-unit w/d?
its all a space trade off. and i for one would sacrifice a 1/2 bath to have the space not to put my TV over the fireplace.
i would would sacrifice a 1/2 bath to be able to have a dinning room table and not have guest eat at my couch or kitchen island-bar.
i would sacrifice a 1/2 bath to have a eat in kitchen-breakfast area
i would sacrifice a 1/2 bath to not have a 10×7 second bedroom.
I’d say it’s at least 2 toilets per unit minimum, after that the 1:1 ratio not so important. Gives you a backup if one is out of commission or being hogged. This is completely independent of the number of bedrooms.
Nice place– I too like the finishes, but agree with the “almost too nice” in the kitchen. (But it’s probably personal preference as I don’t like cherry. . . or Viking. . . ).
I’m surprised people feel this is such a steal. Assuming it sold close to ask, $300k is not cheap for a 2/1.
I’m not saying it was a ripoff, either. But in addition to the lack of back, no garage, only 1 parking space, and the 20-30 stairs up are negative factors.
I say kudos to seller– this looks like a smart home owner who deserves the payoff, to me.
I agree that even an extra half bath would make all the difference here. But it is totally irrelevant to compare this to West or South Loop living. Edgewater is a wonderful community with so much to offer. Personally, you couldn’t pay me to live in the West or South Loop. I find these areas soul-less and bland, completely lacking in character. Chicago is a city of neighborhoods and it’s real beauty lies in the ‘hoods, not just Millenium Park and the Art Institute.
I have lived north of Montrose my entire life, work downtown, go to cultural events at m. park and various museums at least twice a week in the summer, often with a toddler, and my far-ish north location has never felt like a drag. I have much more freedom coming and going than my suburban co-workers who are at the mercy of the metra schedule (much more limited during non-peak hours).
And living in super diverse community with real people, real characters, interesting stories, amazing ethnic restaurants and groceries, easy access to the lake and public transportation, as well it’s fair share of cultural events and institutions outside of the obvious major attractions is my definition of city living. Not the sterile new developments and tourist traps of the Loop.
“I’d say it’s at least 2 toilets per unit minimum, after that the 1:1 ratio not so important. Gives you a backup if one is out of commission or being hogged. This is completely independent of the number of bedrooms.”
Werd. Altho I wouldn’t want the BR/BA ratio at or above 2:1.
“If you are willing to live SOUTH of Lake View you can get a lot for your money. LINCOLN Park has 2/2s available for under $325K and that’s away from the trouble spots.
Drop a bedroom and you can get a better area much closer to downtown.”
You don’t even have to drop a bedroom. River North has plenty of condo buildings with 2/2’s whose pricing has been crushed over the last few years (which includes the Invesco conversions). You can have a 2/2 for under $325K and walk to work.
“. River North has plenty of condo buildings with 2/2’s whose pricing has been crushed over the last few years (which includes the Invesco conversions).”
Yeah – but look at the monthly cost – the assessments on these American Invesco properties as well as the buildings in R.N. are usually in the 400-900 range (even for a 2/2) – I know b/c I own 7 units (111 E.Chestnut, 33 W. state). That is a huge difference. Also, it is more inconvenient/expensive to live in these areas (fun, but more inconvenient on a day-to-day basis).
I agree that this condo is beautiful. However, I wouldn’t even look at a place that didn’t have a second full bath. Having my own bathroom is important to me. I don’t want to share it with anyone, even a significant other. I like having my own things in my own bathroom. I hate seeing random hairs in the bathroom. Ugh.
I grew up in a place with one full bath and 2 half baths and I never want to go back to having just one full bathroom (unless I lived alone).
I would give up all the fancy upgrades to have a second bathroom. I would give up space for a second bathroom. Maybe I’m in the minority, but for me the bathroom is the most important room. The secondary bathroom doesn’t need to be fancy. I just want it to be for my use only.
Personally, given the choice of an extra bath or powder room, and a closet with a stackable w/d, I’d prefer the bath any day.
Yes, people used to grow up in one-bathroom houses…which may be why they want multiple bathrooms today! Do you, as a parent/homeowner, really want to deal with lineups in the morning for work/school and in the evening before bedtime…not to mention having to “hold it” to the point of pain because big sis is primping for her big date…
OTOH a laundromat in the basement is no big deal, at least for me.
BTW Elmdale turns into Peterson past Ridge/Ashland (6000 north).
dah,
sorry to be such a nuisance to you regarding the typos.
Too early for me to be worried about such things…but then again, if you read most of my posts, there are many mistakes in each of them.
No comment on my frequent…’s? OCD causes me to do only three…
clio,
Yes of course, but as times haved changed so have my expectations of receiving top dollar for units. So much so that I semi retired from doing renovations for resale. The ones of interest to us now are new developments that are going for 40% off original pricing and whose rules permit us to utilize them as rentals.
And as roma pointed out, it didn’t generate interest in the higher price point, so where else do you go but down?
“westloopelo, you are in the business – on the selling side of your business, don’t you think you would want to get the most money for your property?”
You don’t need to be downtown to enjoy cultural amenities, all you need is an el train stop within walking distance.
This apartment is not that great a deal for the money given only one bath, but it really is extremely beautiful, so I don’t think the buyer will be sorry. It is extremely well-cared for, on a beautiful street, and within an easy walk of the library, Moody’s, Broadway Cellers, a good hardware store, Dominick’s, Aldi’s, a shoe repair and nice, cheap dry cleaners on Thorndale, a sushi restaurant, Walgreen’s, CVS, Berger Park, Thorndale Beach,the el, and a number of other small restaurants. More restaurants are opening in this area, and it is safe (despite the boys at the el stop), friendly, and it’s easy to get downtown or out to Evanston by rail. The Andersonville retail district is about six blocks down Clark street, and Clark St. between Bry Mawr and Devon is developing and looks much more attractive than formerly. There is a new art gallery, and many other new businesses along Clark.
In other words, you don’t have EVERYTHING your heart could desire, like the cultural amenities downtown, but you have everything you need, and you can easily access all the rest by rail or bus.
IMO Edgewater homes are great values for the money. Much safer, cleaner area than Uptown, with great beaches and neighborhood amenities.
“Also, it is more inconvenient/expensive to live in these areas (fun, but more inconvenient on a day-to-day basis).”
Yeah the ability to walk to everything I could possibly ever need is so inconvenient…
“Yeah the ability to walk to everything I could possibly ever need is so inconvenient…”
It’s hard if 3 out of 4 streets are too scary to drive on, much less walk.
Well, many things are more expensive: parking, food, drinks, cleaners, etc. I guess only parking really counts as inconvenience, though it can be a big one.
“You can have a 2/2 for under $325K and walk to work.”
I meant drop a bedroom from Gary’s initial statement that you could get a 3/2 in Uptown for under 325k. Uptown for an extra bedroom Gary? LOL.
westloopelo,
R u guys looking for investors? properties? or both?
“Uptown for an extra bedroom Gary?”
It all depends what you want. Typically you will also be getting nicer finishes.
Maybe it is a chick thing, but I’d never again give up having multiple full baths. I hate going to my parents’ house, with their tiny half bath off the kitchen and their crappy full bath upstairs, with really bad water pressure. I need my private space.
not a “chick thing”.
one bathroom is plenty fine with me, and would not be a deal breaker. Sure, a half bath for an “emergency” would be nice, but REALLY? how many times are there bathroom emergencies in your life? Me, I think people are way overly squeamish, and while I have a second bathroom, it’s only nice because I don’t have to run upstairs every time I need to use it. If I lived in a single story house, I’m not seeing the point. Whatever, people are funny.
I’d rather have that sunroom than a second bathroom any day.
“Typically you will also be getting nicer finishes”
I’ll take linoleum in a better ‘hood than granite any day. Only during the boom did people fall in love with finishes because they thought of them as an investment with an ROI.
They’re actually an expense and today’s granite countertops are going the equivalent of yesterday’s avocado-colored appliances.
Plus I’ve heard you actually need to reseal granite every so often. How much of that crap is going to be maintained properly and stand the test of time? Not much.
Bob you’re correct: I apply a granite sealer to my counters once a year and so far so good. It’s pretty easy just time consuming so I try to time it for weekends.
“They’re actually an expense and today’s granite countertops are going the equivalent of yesterday’s avocado-colored appliances.”
No they’re not…
“today’s granite countertops are going the equivalent of yesterday’s avocado-colored appliances”
I remember saying this circa 1999, but they’re still going strong.
Fun (or not) story, when we were buying our place (2003), the developer (and our realtor) were trying to convince us that we should get 1.5 inch granite rather than 3/4 inch granite. They kept playing up the “re-sale” angle and I finally said, “look, by the time we sell this place, no one is going to be marveling at the extra .75 inches, they’re going to be saying ‘hey, remember when granite countertops were in style?'”
The developer ended up throwing in the upgrade to 1.5 inches for free…
“The developer ended up throwing in the upgrade to 1.5 inches for free…”
You are lucky – a lot of people (including me) think there is a HUGE difference b/w .75 and 1.5 inch granite. The .75 granite is garbae – you might as well have gone with corian countertops!!
Out of all the decorator fads you’ll witness over 30 years ago, most will come and go in a few years, but some will become classic.
Granite and stainless look like they are becoming classics. They were introduced in 1993-1994, and I thought, with what will this fashion be supplanted? Tile? Done in the 70s and 80s, and you can’t roll a pie crust out on it. Concrete? Doesn’t wear as well as granite and stains easier, in addition to being ugly. Corian? Been done to death, and only a little bit better than the formica and other plastic laminates. Only stainless steel performs any better, being extremely resilient, hygienic, and kinder to your china and stemware than hard stone or concrete,but too much of it in one room, like all over the counter tops, makes your kitchen look just a little too high-tech, like a laboratory or hotel kitchen or some such. It’s nicer than plastic laminates, though. The “green” counter tops made of recycled glass in resin might become a fad, but they are not as durable as stone or steel.
As for appliances, there are only 4 acceptable colors: stainless, white, black, and maybe the pale beige known as bisque. The white looks dingy after awhile. Black is OK, but the finish on black appliances wears and mars very easily, within a few years. Stainless really is the best option for appliances. As for colors like blue, red, pink, yellow, harvest gold, avocado- these are really personal tastes and it’s a good bet you will absolutely hate whatever color someone else chose for his kitchen. I notice Jenn-aire tried to bring back a new version of bronze, but it didn’t go over too well.
As a resident of Edgewater since ’06, this unit is overpriced by like at least 50K in my opinion. Prices are dropping pretty radically in this hood- and if they haven’t yet, they soon will. If I were the buyer I’d be wary about heat, insulation, and soundproofing upgrades, (along with quality reno) rather than being focused on granite and stainless steel. I’d like to encourage the Chads and Trixies to continue to believe this neighborhood is horrid, because Edgewater’s a different animal and you’re probably not a good fit here. Those of you who have traveled and lived in all kinds of neighborhoods with all kinds of people and who need diversity are a probably a much better fit.
“Sorry for the snark. It’s just odd to see the same ‘typo’ three times in a row.”
I once wrote a HS Brit Lit paper on “Sonnets from the Portugese” and misspelled Portuguese throughout the entire paper, every time.
Anyway, did anyone catch the “virtual staging” news story on the local evening news for empty houses???
see here, it really looks pretty good! https://virtualstagingsolutions.com/
clio on September 16th, 2010 at 8:03 am
So….in other words, the seller “sold out” – if something is considered a great buy by so many people, the chances are that the seller could have gotten more money if they just held out a little longer – sellers beware!!!
Um…this place has been on the market forever. The original list was in the mid 300s (349 or 359 if I recall correctly). If the seller was holding out for more money, the multiple price cuts would seem counterproductive.
I LOOOVED my bronze colored appliances and rued the day when they finally gave up the ghost and were replaced by white.
IMHO this was the best of three inferior options. I’m not a big fan of “neutrals” if there are rainbow-based hues available as alternatives,
Just exactly when and why did harvest gold, avacado and – yes – red appliances become pariahs?
I love granite. I think it looks pretty and each stone is unique. I’ll continue to like it even if it goes out of style.
I don’t care about stainless steel appliances. I’m fine with white. Plus, I would rather go with white appliances than the fake looking stainless steel of low end appliances (I hate when the sides of a so-called stainless steel refrigeraters are actually black).
“I hate when the sides of a so-called stainless steel refrigeraters are actually black”
Which models have SS sides?
And, if you’re seeing the sides, your refrigerator nook is just mis-sized, anyway.
“[Laura on staying power of SS?Granite]”
That’s what I always think when someone says they’ve out, and soon to be replaced. Replaced by *what*? Yeah, I thought so …
This one appears to have stainless steel sides: http://www.abt.com/product/35657/Fisher-Paykel-E522BLXFDU.html?source=alsoviewed
“westloopelo,
R u guys looking for investors? properties? or both?”
At present I am CEO and sole owner of my business and I do not play with any other investor’s money. Ever. I take risks but do not involve others at all.
On occasion I will finance units for my crew members when the opportunity arises on the even rarer occasion they do not have enough work from my company to keep them busy. Most of my crew do now own a good number of investment properties themselves which they are using as rental properties. Once their projects are turned rental and their loans are paid in full, they are putting that income into a retirement fund for themselves.
It works out great for me to do that as my company name and signage is being used as advertisment to show that I am still active in the industry although I personally have drastically limited the number of purchases I have made over the past year.
I know one day they will branch out away from me and will form their own businesses, but for now they are all still dedicated to working under my company logo. win win situation for all involved.
I learned early in this industry to be totally financially independent and not to be indebted in any form to anyone.
“As for appliances, there are only 4 acceptable colors: stainless, white, black, and maybe the pale beige known as bisque.”
Trend in NY (coming soon to other major cities) is for the appliances to be covered with the same wood finishes used for cabinetry. It makes for a fantastic ‘hidden look’ that visually enlarges open plan units. Also, actual fold away doors in same wood grained material as cabinets are growing in popularity in newly constructed developments as cost cutting and quality enhancing materials are being ‘tested’ for mass production.
Granite is being replaced rapidly with recycled materials of many formulations as they are high quality, long lasting, durable and are ‘green’. There are many products utilizing different forms of concrete or synthetic materials as well.
BIG changes in kitchens in the next five years when granite and SS will go the same route as the ‘groovy colored appliances’ of yesteryear.
“Trend in NY (coming soon to other major cities) is for the appliances to be covered with the same wood finishes used for cabinetry.”
LOL! I have 3 friends who have had this “trendy in NY” look for at least 8ish years. Perhaps this is a trend that *gasp* didn’t start in NYC. (I have another friend in CT who built a house in 1996 and her kitchen had wood paneling on her appliances).
“This one appears to have stainless steel sides”
First item in the “general” notes in the description:
“Silver Prepaint Cabinet”
Sides are painted silver instead of black. It’s not stainless steel.
“BIG changes in kitchens in the next five years when granite and SS will go the same route as the ‘groovy colored appliances’ of yesteryear.”
WL–
Do you really believe that will trickle down to mid-range houses? I recognize that mid-range design is largely about what’s going on at the top, but is that going to make it into the $25k kitchen re-models and median-priced tract homes (even as an upgrade)?
Because I don’t see that, and that’s always where my question lies–not with those buying $8k refigerators and $10k ranges.
built in’s are the new black. my dishwasher is hidden, it has its own cabinet door.
this allowed me not have to worry about color i was able to get the best one on sale.
if i redo the kitchen i will be doing this with the fridge too.
as like some here hate when people buy the xl fridge that doesnt fit the space made for the fridge
78 comments and not one person mentioned Senn Highschool? You could not pay me enough to live that close to Senn. Outside of Rickover Naval Academy, which is a good school inside a bad school, Senn is a pit. The last I heard, Senn’s dropout rate is between 50 and 75 percent. There are numerous gangs and frequent shootings. The last “gang activity” was only days ago.
With Senn one block south, this would be too close for my comfort.
Here, educate yourself: http://edgewatercb.blogspot.com/2010/09/shootout-at-senn-high-school.html
Sold for 284k 11/2010. I’d say the realtor prices it just right.
Trend in NY (coming soon to other major cities) is for the appliances to be covered with the same wood finishes used for cabinetry.
wtf are you talking about my parents house in the god awful western burbs, they remodeled their kitchen in about the year 1998 and they did that, and not its not really what i would consider “trendy” or NYish
I can vouch for Sonies account, I assure you this has been happening for the last decade or so. Although, subzero has improved the process over the years, the fridge actually looks like a cabinet now rather than a fridge with wood paneling…