This vintage 2-flat at 1618 N. Cleveland just came on the market in Old Town.

The listing says it is a “terrific investment property in perfect location.”
The 2-units are as follows:
- Unit 1: 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, currently rented for $1200 a month
- Unit 2: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, currently rented for $1200 a month
It looks like there is a 2-car garage with the property.
There is also central air and a washer/dryer in the basement.
Sandra Adler at Prudential Rubloff has the listing. See more pictures here.
1618 N. Cleveland: 5 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, 2-flat
- I can’t find an original sales price but last sale was in 1998
- Currently listed for $590,000
- Taxes of $10,712
- Central Air
February 9th, 2010 | Posted in Old Town | 12 Comments
A lot of first time buyers who want to live in the Gold Coast gravitate towards the high rise at 1221 N. Dearborn.
Most of the 1-bedroom units are duplex up, with the bedroom on the second level.
The building also has an indoor pool and leased parking.
There are no washer/dryers in the units- but several added it before it was banned and are grandfathered in.
This bank-owned 1-bedroom has been on the market since December and has been reduced twice.
It is now listed for under the 2002 purchase price but is still looking for a buyer.
Is foreclosure “deal” fatigue setting in as more foreclosures come on the market?
Rosario Terracciano at Resurrecting Real Estate has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit 1001S: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
- Sold in April 1989 for $62,000
- Sold in June 1993 for $71,500
- Sold in November 1998 for $113,000
- Sold in November 2002 for $175,000
- Sold in July 2005 for $203,000
- Sold in July 2006 for $220,000
- Lis pendens filed in May 2008
- Bank owned in November 2009
- Originally listed in December 2009 for $174,900
- Reduced twice
- Currently listed for $154,500
- Assessments of $350 a month (includes cable, pool, doorman)
- Taxes of $1601
- No central air- window units
- No in-unit washer/dryer
- Rental parking for $175 to $250 a month
- Living room: 22×13
- Bedroom: 16×13
- Kitchen: 8×6
February 9th, 2010 | Posted in Foreclosures, Gold Coast | 6 Comments
We last chattered about this 2-bedroom duplex up vintage unit at 1713 W. North Avenue in Bucktown in June 2008.
See our prior chatter and pictures here.
Since then, it was withdrawn from the market and now has been re-listed. It has also been reduced nearly $20,000 from its 2008 list price.
The 2-bedroom unit is not a cookie cutter new construction unit. It has hardwood floors throughout and crown molding.
The master bedroom is upstairs and is illuminated with skylights.
It has central air, washer/dryer in the unit, a balcony and a deeded parking space.
The kitchen has stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and 42 inch cabinets.
It’s also within a short stroll of the Blue line stop and all of the restaurants and shops of Bucktown.
Given the location and that it has deeded parking, two full baths and other condo amenities buyers look for, is this now priced to sell?
Michelle Liffick at Dreamtown Realty has the listing. See more pictures here.
Unit #3R: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1180 square feet, duplex up
- Sold in October 2004 for $330,500
- Was listed in June 2008 for $359,000 (parking included)
- Withdrawn
- Just returned to the market for $339,900 (parking included)
- Assessments of $205 a month
- Taxes of $4572
- Central air
- Washer/dryer in the unit
- Skylights
February 8th, 2010 | Posted in Bucktown | 13 Comments
We’ve chattered about this 2-bedroom townhouse at 3401 N. Janssen in the Southport neighborhood of Lakeview several times over the last 11 months.

See our October 2009 chatter and pictures here.
It is still available and has now been reduced to below the 2007 purchase price.
The listing says it is now priced below a recent appraisal.
The two bedroom townhouse has Brazilian cherry floors, a family room and a roof top deck.
It also has its own garage.
Has this townhouse now become an attractive alternative for condo buyers?



Sandy Black at Re/Max Signature North still has the listing. See more pictures and a virtual tour here.
Unit #A: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, family room on lower level, loft on 4th floor, 1.5 attached garage
- Sold in July 2006 for $450,000
- Sold in February 2007 for $405,000
- Originally listed in March 2009 for $489,900
- Reduced
- Was listed in May 2009 for $479,899
- Reduced several times
- Was listed in October 2009 for $425,000
- Reduced
- Currently listed at $399,900
- Assessments of $85 a month
- Taxes of $5751
- Bedroom #1: 14×10
- Bedroom #2: 15×11
- Family room: 15×11
- Loft: 11×11
- Central Air
February 8th, 2010 | Posted in Southport | 15 Comments
We just chattered about one of the most expensive 1-bedroom condo units in the Gold Coast at 10 E. Delaware but what if you’re looking for something cheaper?
This 1-bedroom at 201 E. Chestnut has 1030 square feet plus a balcony.
The kitchen has been updated with white cabinets and appliances.
It has parquet floors throughout.
The unit has central air but no in-unit washer/dryer. However, the building apparently does allow the washer/dryer to be put in.
There is rental parking in the building.
The building also has an indoor pool.
Is this a deal for the area?
Cheryl Mitrick at Real-Tek Realty has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #7F: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1030 square feet
- Sold in June 1989 for $90,000
- Sold in December 2002 for $240,000
- Originally listed in August 2009 for $275,000
- Reduced
- Currently listed for $209,000
- Assessments of $425 a month (includes cable, pool, doorman)
- Leased parking for $165 a month
- Taxes of $3144
- Central Air
- No washer/dryer in the unit
- Balcony
- Bedroom: 17×12
February 8th, 2010 | Posted in Gold Coast | 23 Comments
If you’ve ever gone on the Sheffield Garden Walk in Lincoln Park you might have strolled past this 3-bedroom two story home at 2326 N. Janssen.
On the market since July 2009, it only recently had it’s first price cut, reducing by $50,000.
All 3 bedrooms are on the second level, including the 23×16 master bedroom.
The house has a family room and an unfinished basement.
The kitchen has newer cabinets and stainless steel appliances.
It also has what looks to be a lush backyard complete with a 2-car garage.
Is this house a good alternative to the luxury Lincoln Park townhouse?
Jean Emeson at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.
2326 N. Janssen: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage
- Sold in July 1994 for $101,000
- Sold in July 2003 for $640,000
- Originally listed in July 2009 for $850,000
- Reduced in February 2010
- Currently listed for $800,000
- Taxes of $10,237
- Central Air
- Bedroom #1: 23×16
- Bedroom #2: 11×9
- Bedroom #3: 9×8
February 5th, 2010 | Posted in Lincoln Park | 11 Comments
We chattered about this 2-bedroom at 2031 W. Evergreen in Wicker Park several times.

See our prior chatter and pictures here.
It finally closed in early January 2010, after 13 months on the market, for $47,000 under the 2005 purchase price.
It had all the bells and whistles including 10 foot ceilings, deeded parking, central air and washer/dryer in the unit.
The kitchen had granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.


Jackie Lafferty at Baird and Warner had the listing.
Unit #2W: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, no square footage listed
- Sold in March 1998 for $187,500
- Sold in March 2000 for $259,500
- Sold in July 2005 for $373,000
- Originally listed in December 2008 for $389,000
- Reduced
- Was listed in June 2009 for $359,900 (parking included)
- Reduced
- Was listed in November 2009 for $339,999 (parking included)
- Sold in January 2010 for $326,000 (parking included)
- Assessments of $134 a month
- Taxes of $3780
- Central Air
- Washer/Dryer in the unit
- Living room: 25×13
- Kitchen: 10×9
- Dining room: 10×6
- Bedroom #1: 12×14
- Bedroom #2: 11×9
February 5th, 2010 | Posted in Wicker Park | 5 Comments
Closings began only a few months ago at the new construction luxury high rise at 10 E. Delaware in the Gold Coast.
This 1-bedroom unit just came back on the market as one of the first flips in the building.
What do you get for $849,000?
- 1015 square feet
- 1 bedroom (12×12) plus a den (9×9)
- 1 marble bathroom with the combo shower/bathtub
- Poggenpohl cabinets in the kitchen and luxury appliances by Miele, Wolf and Subzero
- 500 square foot terrace (there are no pictures of this in the listing)
This unit is listed at $849,000, however that doesn’t include the parking space. Buy the parking and you’re looking at over $900,000.
Anne Victorin at @Properties has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #9A: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1015 square feet
- Sold in December 2009 for $650,365 (looks like it included the parking spot)
- Currently listed for $849,000 (parking is extra)
- Assessments of $412 a month (includes heat, a/c, doorman, pool)
- Taxes are “new”
- Washer/Dryer in the unit
- Living room: 16×13
- Kitchen: 10×8
- Bedroom: 12×12
- Den: 9×9
February 5th, 2010 | Posted in Gold Coast | 50 Comments
The Chicago Tribune reports that foreclosures continued to rise in Chicago and the metro Chicago area in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Data is from the Woodstock Institute:
Woodstock found that for Chicago, initial foreclosure filings increased by 10.2 percent, but the activity varied widely by neighborhood. Some of the largest percentage gains last year were in Lincoln Park, up 103 percent; Near South Side, up 46 percent; and Near North Side, up 37 percent.
At the same time, some of the communities hardest hit by the first waves of the foreclosure crisis — neighborhoods such as Austin, Hyde Park, Auburn Gresham and Englewood — reported fewer foreclosure filings last year than in 2008.
“In ‘06, ‘07 and early ‘08, the main driver was badly written loans,” Smith said. “As those loans cycle out of the system through the foreclosure process, the economy hasn’t improved, you see that [unemployment] is maybe more of a factor.”
Don’t forget, an “increase” in the foreclosure rate in a certain neighborhood could mean it went from 3 in 2008 to 6 in 2009.
Chicago foreclosures soar in 4th quarter [Chicago Tribune, Mary Ellen Podmolik, Feb 4, 2010]
February 5th, 2010 | Posted in Market Conditions | 4 Comments
This 2-bedroom unit at 3535 N. Wilton in Lakeview is currently listed as a short sale.
On the market since September 2009, the price has recently been cut again.
Don’t expect to finance the deal as the listing says: ”cash only buyers.”
It also describes “anticipated” future special assessments between $25,000 and $50,000. Oh, and $2500 is due for past specials.
The unit is just a block south of Wrigley Field (you can probably hear the crowds on game day.)
Built in 2003, it also has the newer kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.
Ginger Menne at Baird & Warner has the listing. See the pictures here.
Unit #3: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1520 square feet
- Sold in September 2004 for $435,000
- Originally listed in September 2009 for $395,000
- Reduced several times
- Lis pendens foreclosure filed in December 2009
- Currently listed as a “short sale” for $280,000 (parking included)
- Assessments of $124 a month
- Taxes of $6124
- Central Air
- Washer/Dryer in the unit
February 4th, 2010 | Posted in Short Sales, Lakeview | 45 Comments