Lincoln Square: Long vacant foreclosure house finally for sale as bank owned (REO)

An infamous, long time vacant home on the 5000 block of North Oakley in Lincoln Square is finally for legitimate sale by the bank.  Citimortgage Inc is listed as the owner (yay big banks!). The partially gutted house has an asking price of $693,900 according to Coldwell Banker MLS listing.

Photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

5049 N Oakley, Chicago IL 60625 was built in 2000 and has been vacant for at least 7 years (as long as I've been walking by the house!). The home had a foreclosure suit filed as early as 2009 and it's taken this long to sort out.  Clients and emailers often ask where they can buy foreclosures.  For the most part you can't buy a bank owned home until it's listed for sale on the MLS like any other property or sold by a broker at auction (for example by Judicial Sales Corp) .

Demand is very high for homes in this Lincoln Square area near Winnemac Park.  A developer/ builder may be able to buy the house, refurbish and sell for profit.  I think it's also a good bet for a purchase and gut rehab for an owner if bought a little lower than the current $693,000 price.  Standard newer construction homes can easily sell in $900s.

Sold! Buyer client calls classic Portgage Park two-flat home for $387,500

We had the pleasure of working with another referral client from the Northeastern Illinois University family.  After an aggressive search of mult-units he secured a beauty in the Portage Park neighborhood near the Chicago Park District's Portage Park itself. 5238 West Hutchinson Chicago IL 60641 was priced at $387,500 and our client won a multiple offer at full price.

The Portage Park neighborhood has been on fire.  Check out our recent post on Portgage Park two-flats and multi-units.

It's notable the buyer is a U.S. military veteran and utilized a VA home loan program. Contact lender Steve Dunnett at BlueLeaf Lending if you are a veteran looking to buy or need any kind of mortgage consultation.

New for sale! Lincoln Square town house, fantastic outdoor space $499,900

Wow factor! 4949 N Lincoln Avenue #1 is a fee-simple corner town house built in 2007 that delivers a luxury feel. Watch the video walk-through! 

Terrific open kitchen at 4949 N Lincoln Avenue #1. Photos YoChicago.com

This home has amazing unobstructed southeast exposure on the main level.  The massive open floor-plan provides abundant entertaining space and light.  Rare for town homes is the huge walk-out front terrace off the main living space.

The home features great outdoor space located off the main living area. The corner town house allows for a penthouse feel with wide open bright exposures and very little shared walls.

Fantastic windows for east, south and west exposure.  This room is huge.

4949 N Lincoln Avenue #1, Chicago IL 60625 $499,000
Three bedrooms (or two plus penthouse den)
Two full baths
Two car attached garage
205 sq/ft walk-out terrace on main level
120 plus sq/ft roof level terrace (off penthouse room)
Security system, surround sound
Private entrance w/ foyer
Dual zone HVAC, new water heater
Fee-simple ownership with low assessment for landscaping/ snow removal, fitness and party rooms
Upgraded organized closets and built-ins

Grand spaces and attractive finish level in master suite.

HUGE kitchen and dining space for gathering!

Penthouse room used as third bedroom. Awesome windows and sliding door to roof-deck.

The courtyard development is located just a few blocks from the CTA Brown Line at Western and the heart of Lincoln Square dining and retail.  Ravenswood Metra to downtown is under a mile to the east.

Easy to trains, grocery and dining!

The private courtyard!

Live in the Square! (Photo, Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

"Travelers" at IBM Plaza ready for the bummer summer

Photo Bob DePalma, Broker, Kale Realty

The recently installed Ju Ming sculpture at AMA Plaza, 330 N Wabash Avenue, Chicago 60611 in front of the Mie's IBM building downtown. Read more about it from Architecture Chicago Plus.

I am a big fan of public art efforts in Chicago's downtown. Really like this piece.

Under contract! East Lakeview vintage home steals a buyer's heart

Fireplace, mantel, built-ins... the bench at the stain glass window with tree top views. Lovely!

Our latest East Lakeview listing has sold after the first showings.  2817 N Cambridge #2, Chicago IL 60657 brings the charm in a fun location. The buyer was impressed with the size and architectural detail and wasted no time securing a deal.  Get your fill of restaurants, cafes, shopping and the lakefront steps outside your door. The contract is pending closing.

The secret to this sale was great listing prep by the owners and pricing right! Take the video walk-through then call us to buy or sell your new home.

Under contract after first showings! Tour our Gold Coast listing asking $199,000

The unit has two exposures with views! Photo www.YoChicago.com

We worked with our client from start to finish on prepping his 1460 N Sandburg #808 for sale and nailed the listing with an executed contract.  We planned and carried out needed renovations (on a budget!) while the seller was out of town on work assignment.  He came home to  new place and a sale after the first few showings.

Watch the video walk through and call us to sell or buy your next place!


 

Old Lincoln Park Rock's space still shuttered

The Lincoln Park Rocks bar space at 1301 W Schubert, Chicago 60614 (at North Lakewood) remains vacant and windows  boarded up since the bar owner's move to North Center last year. 

A quick check shows no building permits for the space at this time and no Internet listings for sale or lease. The building is tucked in amongst mostly newer high-end residential homes and condos.  The local tavern certainly added some flavor to the quickly changing blocks but it remains to be seen if the space will remain a bar.

New Lincoln Square listing coming this week!

Almost done shooting a really cool corner town house with great decks on two levels. Coming on the market soon.

posted from Bloggeroid

Make a great gift at Blackbird Gallery and Framing in Ravenswood

Blackbird Framing 4428 N Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago IL 60640

I needed a photo framed for a closing gift early this month.  Blackbird Framing is in the Ravenswood neighborhood on the North Side close to my home.  It's among the many cool shops and offices of the Ravenswood Corridor - an area where we do a lot of rel estate transactions.  I stopped in between appointments where Doug picked out a nice frame.  He put the piece together for me right there on the spot.

Thanks Doug!

The custom framing made for a real affordable gift with a classy look and feel.  The photo had sentimental value and my client thought it was just terrific.  I almost shed a tear... seriously!

Check out Blackbird Framing if you want quality work done by a local Chicago shop!

Under contract! Graceland West three bedrooms condo on a beautiful block (asking $450,000)

1506 W Cullom, Chicago IL 60613 in the Graceland West neighborhood of Lakeview. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Our first-time buyer clients recently secured 1506 W Cullom unit B-1 (listed at $450,000) in the Graceland West neighborhood of Lakeview. The large three beds, two baths home has it all; deck, covered parking, in-unit washer and dryer, extra storage room, nice room sizes, lots of light and nice finish level. 

The attractive condo building is surrounded by custom built homes and gorgeous landscaping.  The North Greenview stretch from West Irving Park Road to West Montrose Avenue is a truly special collection of homes.

The 1506 W Cullom condo building at North Greenviw is located in the desirable Ravenswood School district, steps from bustling Montrose Ave restaurants (close to Montrose CTA) and four blocks from the Southport Corridor.  Our buyer's contract is currently in attorney review.

Graceland West Sales:

10 single family homes have closed in the last 12 months in the Graceland West neighborhood for a median price of about $950,000.  The highest sale was a 2009 custom built home at 1442 W Berteau on a 42 foot wide lot for $3,777,000. 38 condo units have closed over the same period with a median price of about $325,000.  The highest sold condo over the period is a three beds, three baths duplex-down home at 4309 N Ashland for $564,500. 

Call us to buy or sell properties in and around Lakeview.

Rare massive vacant lot on luxury Lincoln Park block

A large swatch of vacant land (probably a parking lot for former industry) sits in the middle of a newly minted high-end street in Lincoln Park.  The 2600-2800 blocks of North Lakewood that use to run along a rail line have been developed into mostly luxury homes and condos.  A yellow for-sale-by-owner sign has hung on the lot fence for years.

Large custom single family homes and newer condo buildings line the two blocks between West Wrightwood and West Diversey.  A $3.8 million dollar home at 2715 N Lakewood sold in 2013.   Condos and attached town homes have sold from $542,000 to $1.6 million over the last two years.

You can see the vacant land near the top of the Google Maps photo.  The lot is on North Lakewood between Wrightwood and Schubert. It's almost unheard of to have vacant land of this size undeveloped in Lincoln Park.

More large custom homes of North Lakewood in Lincoln Park.

Under contract! Noble Square duplex-down just off Division Street, Wicker Park night life

The six unit condo building at 1227 N Noble, Chicago IL 60642 was built in 1998.  Photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Our buyer client recently sold his one bedroom condo in the Gold Coast and secured a much larger home in the Noble Square neighborhood of West Town.  The 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths duplex-down with two car parking at 1227 N Noble #1 (asking $420,000) checked all the boxes for our client (and his future roommates).  The separation of space and private bathrooms will allow top rent for the roommies!  Our contract is currently in attorney review.

Mulligan: New development replacing 1960s apartments on West Lill Street in Lincoln Park

I don't know the reputation of these apartments on the block. Although ugly, they may have provided cheap housing for those wanting to live in a vibrant area close to good jobs, schools and recreation. 

Green fencing spells doom for the regrettable 1960s courtyard apartments on the 800 block of West Lill, Chicago IL 60614. Public records show the apartment complex was sold late last year for $2,750,000. The multi-unit apartments sit on about three city lots fronting Lill.  A construction permit has been issued for a three unit building at the 878 West Lill address.

The 800 block of West Lill has a mix of residential housing ranging from million dollar single family homes to $1,500 a month rental apartments.  The development above may total about 9 new condo units typical for this Lincoln Park location. The first three unit condo building is permitted for the 878 W Lill address and I assume two more will be built on the remaining lots.

Condo buildings typical to the area and constructed in the 2000s sit adjacent to the west of the new development.

A small frame single family home sits just to the east of the development.

A new construction two bedrooms, two baths condo unit with garage parking and high-end kitchen sells in the $500s. Top floor units with full roof deck sell in the $600s.

Where have all the Divvy gone?

Fifteen empty Divvy bike stalls at the corner of Racine and Wrightwood in Lincoln Park Tuesday at about 9:00am.  The intersection is busy with rolling stop cars, a dry cleaner and popular Starbucks (I can be found working here often). Looks like a popular spot for bike commuting as well.

It was still empty near 11:00am when I walked over to our listing at 1307 W Wrightwood for a showing.

Grand West Fullerton Parkway delivers the charm (for $$$$) in Lincoln Park

I walked clients down the 600 block of West Fullerton yesterday after a few showings in east Lincoln Park.  The block features vintage row homes, single family houses, apartment and condo options. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty on 6/17/15

There are a good number blocks in Chicago that feel truly special.  One of my favorites is the 600 block of West Fullerton Avenue. The lush block is located in bustling Lincoln Park between the commercial streets of  North Halsted to the west and North Clark Street to the east.  It's an easy stroll to the lakefront under a canopy of trees (and you feel the breeze). 

Original grey stone and red brick homes with mostly preserved facades dominate the block.

646 W Fullerton Parkway is listed for sale by @Properties for $2.8 million.

Three homes are currently for sale on the block priced from $1.9 million to $2.8 million.  Most interesting is 646 West Fullerton Parkway, Chicago IL 60614 listed at $2,800,000. The multi-unit building sits on a 48' x 176' lot... super-sized for Lincoln Park standards.

Row house, condo and apartments provide options for many budgets to live in a great location among classic Chicago architecture.

A rare frame building with new siding is currently under renovation.  The original property at 636 W Fullerton was sold in 2012 for $1,035,000.

Two row homes have sold for $775,000 and $1,440,000 over the past two years on the block. Both needing updates or renovation.  One detached home sold for $2,100,000 over the same period.  In the two years a one bed, one bath garden condo sold for $154,000 and a two bedroom, two bath condo with garage parking sold for $425,000.

Single family home sales in "The Towers", Lincolnwood

The mature lush landscaping and circle drives of The Towers, Lincolnwood. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

We're working with clients looking to buy in Lincolnwood just outside the city. Access to I-94 a little northwest of the city is key.  One area with particular appeal is "The Towers" section.  The area west of the Edens expressway is home to angled and curved streets, large mature trees, circle driveways and sprawling custom homes.

The Towers area of Lincolnwood

13 houses have closed in The Towers over the last 12 months (Edens expressway to North Central and West Devon to West Pratt).  The median price of a sold (closed) single family house is about $600,000.  There is a diverse housing stock of two bedrooms to six bedrooms homes built from the 1930s through the 2000s.

11 homes are currently listed for sale with a median asking price of about $760,000.   Two homes are currently under contract, both priced in the $700,000s.

An amazing back yard vignette from The Towers, 6487 N Sauganash, Lincolnwood IL 60712.  I've always been more about the lot and location over the finish level of a house. This photo doesn't capture the 180 degrees of gorgeous serene backyards around the home! No alleys LOL

"Tear down" sells for $980,000, new condos coming to 2812 N Mildred in Lakeview

A lot is cleared on the 2800 block of North Mildred near West Diversey.  Demand for new construction condo units seems to have no end in site in Lakeview and Lincoln Park.

A construction permit for a 4 unit building was issued for 2812 N Mildred, Chicago IL 60657 in Lakeview this past May 2015.  The original frame property on a slightly over-sized city lot sold for $980,000 according to public records in May 2014. The hot Lakeview / Lincoln Park hub has great access to the CTA Brown line, buses, the lakefront and night life.

A four unit condo building built in 2007 on the corner of Diversey and Mildred ( 902 W Diversey #3, Chicago IL 60614) has a 3 beds, 2 baths unit under contract asking $639,000.  The new units will command a premium for the quieter Mildred address along with new bells and whistles.

The adjacent alley to the south will allow better sunlight for the units.

Median sold price for three beds, two baths condos with garage parking in the immediate area is currently about $550,000.

Under contract! Secret Lakeview town house steps from the lakefront

Our repeat buyer clients have secured a town house in a fantastic East Lakeview location.  2910 N Sheridan listed at $450,000 is part of a town house development made for lakefront lovers. 

Town houses tucked away in a courtyard off stately North Sheridan .

The complex is easily missed along leafy North Sheridan Road corridor dotted with mostly vintage mid-rise and high-rise buildings.

The pleasant North Sheridan Road connects Lakeview to Lincoln Park along a fantastic stretch of lakefront just one block to the east. East bus transportation to downtown.

The town homes are tucked away in a courtyard setting and feature large patio/ terraces in the back. Heated garage parking is located under the courtyard.

Some of the town houses face West Surf  and feature lush front yards.

The contract is pending closing.  The buyers are true city natives living the dream in one of Chicago's great locations.  Enjoy biking, boating, golf, parks, jogging, museums, dining and great architecture!

The Lincoln Park lakefront trail is just a block from your door.

Contact us to buy and sell in Lakeview.