Sauganash single family home sales were up 26% in 2020

The Sauganash neighborhood features beautiful estate homes with large city lots. You can also find relatively affordable values in this suburban-like corner of Chicago. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Larger homes and homes and homes with outdoor space certainly faired well during the pandemic. Fueled by low interest rates and limited commutes the trend to push out a little from the city center continues. Sauganash sits about eleven miles from City Hall downtown and offers a variety of home and lot sizes in a sleepy environment. We've seen a lot of pre-MLS offerings in this neighborhood this early season as well.

Greater Sauganash neighborhood in the Forest Glen Community Area of Chicago. Map generated from MREDLLC.com

Sauganash single family homes sales

A large Sauganash split-level

Thus far in 2021 six homes have closed in Sauganash.  There are thirteen homes presently under contract. The median price of closed and under contract homes is about $460,000. This looks like a very good value for homes in Chicago with a highly rated schools district.

Currently there are fourteen homes under contract and only two available for sale! The two available are the two highest priced homes of the sixteen. Nine of the sixteen homes are priced under $500k. It appears that everything continues to sell.

In 2020, a whopping 97 homes closed in the Sauganash neighborhood. Unit sales were up 26% over 2019. The median price of a sold home was about $490,000. The highest priced sold home was 5792 North Rogers for $1,825,000. 77 homes closed over 2019 with a median price of about $517,000.

Going back to 2015, 93 single family homes closed with a median price of about $430,000.

A newer construction home shown above.

There are some unique custom builds throughout the neighborhood. 

40th Ward Alderman introduces ordinance to "down zone" Lincoln Square development

Fifth Third Bank property in Lincoln Square at the corner of Lawrence and Western. An ordinance has been introduced to "down-zone" the property.

40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez quietly introduced an ordinance yesterday to down zone the Fifth Third Bank property (4800 North Western). My real estate data partner Chicago Cityscape tweeted the ordinance to me due to my posts/ tweet on the potential retail development.  My past post HERE. This is effectively an effort to stop a planned "as of right' development.  As of this writing there is no public statement concerning this unusual step on the 40th Ward website, Facebook site or personal accounts.

The zoning reclassification ordinance can be read here

I'm not supportive of attempts of a single alderman to unilaterally "spot zone" properties to prevent as of right development. One similar attempt to down zone an individual property in Logan Square failed to stop a 60 unit development.

I have no direct financial stake in the re-development plans for the Fifth Third bank properties. This is not an endorsement of this particular development. I am opposed to introducing an ordinance, in this manner, to change zoning classification in an attempt to prevent as of right development by private property owners. 

"Down-zoning" can be good policy if done as broader, more inclusive process like any legislation. Crain's Chicago Business has a good article explaining the practice of ad hoc down-zoning HERE 

 

Lincoln Square single family homes under $1 Million selling fast

 

Lincoln Square single family homes are a mix of vintage beauties at various price-points and higher-end new construction selling for well over $1 million.

It's very competitive buying a house under $1 Million in Lincoln Square!

• 32 single family homes are listed now (Active or Under Contract).

• 13/16 homes listed UNDER $1 Million are under contract!

• 5/16 homes listed OVER $1 Million are under contract.

Average market time for all Lincoln Square single family homes this year is about 51 days.

I get my clients a chance to compete by showing pre-MLS homes or getting into first round of showings. We'll get you prepped and a fighting chance!

(All stats gathered from mredllc.com by Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty) #ericrojasblog

Fast January start to Lincoln Park home sales (unit sales up 117%)

 

Single family homes remain in high demand this January 2021 in many of the city's neighborhoods. The unusual 2020 market kept busy through the later months of last year. Pending contracts and closings were up year over year in consecutive months across Chicago following the spring pandemic lull. 

Lincoln Park home sales

⇑ In January 2021, seventeen homes closed. Only eight home closed January 2020.

⇑ The median price of a single family home January 2021 was $1,425,000 (up 3%)

⇑ Combined condo and single family closings are up 46% for January 2021

⇑ Home listings were up 35% over January 2020

Quick look! Bowmanville home sales

Bowmanville neighborhood in greater #LincolnSquare is da 💣 After a painfully slow spring start in 2020 partly due to pandemic scares... the sales took off🚀 🚀🚀

40 single family homes sold💥
Median price about $750,000💥
Highest price sale $1,230,000 (on a standard lot!)🤯

Only two homes have closed in Bowmanville this year (Jan 1st to Feb 12th). Be ready with a plan and 💲💲💲 when that inventory eeks out. Only three homes are actively for sale... and two are well over $1 Million.

Don't be left out in the cold!

I've already shown two Pre-MLS houses in Bowmanville from $550K -$599K that may never see the open market. Let's goooooooo

Current South Loop townhouse sales

I was in South Loop yesterday showing townhouses. Weather felt nice!

Seven town houses have closed this year from January 1st to February 12th with a median price of $750,000

29 town homes are actively listed with median asking $710,000

Only 14 are fee simple with assessment under $300.00 per month

12 town homes under contract w/ median asking price $650,000

86 town homes closed in South Loop in 2020 with a median price of $640,000. That median price was up 16% since 2015 where 88 town homes sold with a median price of $550,000. The town house style of living is in high demand due to the "single family home" feeling and lower assessments than the surrounding condo buildings.

Contact us to find or sell in the Chicago Loop, North Side or near suburbs.

Steady Ravenswood Manor single family home sales

 

Mural at the West Wilson Street bridge heading west into Ravenswood Manor. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

The provincial enclave of Ravenswood Manor has long been a sort of "Pleasantville" in the city. A mixture of original grand custom homes along with modest but attractive bungalows tucked along the Chicago River and serviced by the CTA Francisco Brown Line. The neighborhood is relatively expensive but very desirable to many of our clients. The majority of vintage homes have hung on despite market pressures. However custom new builds dot the landscape (some too modern for self appointed gatekeepers).  Let's take a look at Ravenswood Manor single family home sales.

Ravenswood Manor neighborhood of Albany Park, Chicago. 

Ravenswood Manor Single Family Home Sales

Eighteen single family homes sold in 2020 with a median price of $650,000.  The highest priced home sold was 2929 West Leland, Chicago IL 60625 for $1,240,000.  The lowest priced home sold was 2752 West Windsor, Chicago IL 60625 for $400,000.  Homes sales were steady compared to 2019 where 19 homes sold for a median price of $675,000. Low single family home inventory will continue to be a problem and buyers will jump on available homes in the neighborhood this year.

2019 - 19 homes sold, $675,000 median price

2018 - 18 homes sold, $741,000 median price
2017 - 13 homes sold $795,000 median price
2016 - 20 homes sold $595,000 median price
2015 - 18 homes sold $590,000 median price

Five out of the last six years saw 18-20 homes sold.  Really consistent! The one outlier was 2017 with thirteen home sold but the highest median price in the six year period at $795,000.

Contact us to buy and sell condos, single family homes and multi-units in and around the North Side of Chicago.

Edgewater single family home sales up 26% in 2020

 

Homes on West Hood in Edgewater Glen, Chicago. This little community is close to North Broadway restaurants, the lake and the CTA Red Line. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

We're helping a client get their beautiful Edgewater Glen home prepared for the spring market. Edgewater is a diverse Chicago Community Area - in its people and housing options - that extends from the lakefront all the way back to North Ravenswood Avenue. I think many people first envision the 1960s and 1970s high-rise and vintage courtyard buildings near the lake. The neighborhood is dense with multi-units and condos. Edgewater is also home to attractive single family homes among it's tight knit neighborhoods. Let's take a look at the single family home sale market.

Edgewater single family home sales

82 single family homes sold in 2020 with a median price of $735,000. The median price has inched up the last few years but down from 2016 when it was $805,000. The highest priced sale in 2020 is 1439 West Farragut closed for $1,425,000.  The renovated grey stone is steps from Andersonville restaurants, bars and shops.  The lowest priced sale in 2020 was 1624 West Peterson for $285,000. The foreclosed home is located near the busy Peterson/ Ridge intersection and needed a gut renovation.

A rare modern design home is being built in Edgewater Glen.

Recent single family home sales

Four homes have closed in the first month of 2021 (January 1st to January 31st). Notable is the highest priced retail sale of a single family home ever in Edgewater. 1340 West Berwyn sold for $2,325,000.

2020 82 single family homes sold with a median price of $735,000.

2019, 64 single family homes closed with a median price of $700,000. 
2018, 87 single family homes closed with a median price of about $677,000.
2017, 71 single family homes sold with a median price of  $675,000
2016, 88 single family homes sold with a median price of $805,000
In 2015, 71 single family homes closed with a median price of  $628,000

Check out more images of Lakewood Balmoral homes in Edgewater  HERE

Lakewood-Balmoral Historic District and Edgewater Glen are probably the better known sub neighborhoods of Edgewater for blocks dominated by single family homes.  West Edgewater between North Clark and  Ravenswood has its own distinct vibe and is close to great amenities.

A "people spot" in the Andersonville neighborhood of Edgewater.  The restaurant / retail strip is one of the most robust and fun in the city.

Contact us to purchase or sell Edgewater homes!  More Edgewater posts HERE

Just Sold! Buyer client upgrades to Lincoln Square condo

4755 N Washtenaw, Chicago IL 60625 is a newer construction elevator building with heated attached garage parking. Unit 406 is a a top floor corner unit with contemporary design and great views! Unit photos courtesy of Joie DeGraff, At Properties. We were the buyer agent.

Our buyer client smartly spent many years in a North Center one bedroom apartment saving his money. But after months working from home due to the pandemic and the current low interest rates he decided it was time for an upgrade! We found a real sharp Lincoln Square two bedroom, two bathroom condo with heated attached garage parking.  The Ravenswood Gardens neighborhood location is a walkers paradise with coffee, grocery, restaurants and the CTA Brown Line steps away.

East and south sunlight! In person you get a nice view of the skyline.  The golden hour light is amazing too. There were several available choices in the budget but this top floor corner unit with views was an easy choice.

Great windows and south views. Feels like a treehouse!

Ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower.

Ravenswood Gardens in Lincoln Square features a central business district with plenty of café, restaurant, bar and grocery choices within walking distance. Photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

The two beds, two baths condo with elevator and garage parking sold for $320,000. If you are looking to buy or sell on the north side of Chicago or the near suburbs please contact us.

NEW FOR SALE: Gorgeous Albany Park two-flat move in ready $499,900

4517 N Sawyer, Chicago IL 60625 asking $499,900. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty and VHT.com

Check out this great opportunity to own a truly move-in ready two unit building just steps from the CTA Kedzie Brown Line stop! Immaculate two-flat in Albany Park 

4517 N Sawyer Avenue, Chicago IL 60625 asking $499,900 

Take a walk through 3D TOUR

View more photos and MLS information HERE

Wonderful move-in ready building! Inviting 1ST FLOOR unit features TWO BEDROOMS, one bath, entry foyer, separate living room and dining room. Warm, contemporary feel with great character! Fantastic kitchen with dishwasher, huge pantry and bathroom both renovated about five years old. Sunroom/ breakfast room off the kitchen leads to back covered stairway. 

Bright and light 2ND FLOOR unit leased until 3/31/22 for $1,700 (without parking). Features entry foyer with large coat closet, THREE BEDROOMS, one bath, separate living room and dining room. Fully updated kitchen with dishwasher and large pantry. 

Second floor unit is fresh, bright and nicely updated! 

The 30'x 126' lot provides spacious yard and patio for entertaining. 

TWO CAR garage w/ "party door" and ONE exterior parking pad for extra income (3 car parking total).  SEPARATE BOILERS, gas and electric utilities for each unit. Clean basement, apprx 6' 11" to 7ft ceilings with shared laundry room and tons of semi- finished space (once used as in-law living space). Property falls in the new Chicago Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance pilot area for garden apartments and coach houses. Please refer to the ordinance for due diligence. Well maintained building, various electrical, window and lighting updates over five years with roof approximately 8yrs old. 

Walk the river trail just several blocks from the building.

A+ location just steps from CTA Brown Line, grocery options, amazing restaurants and your corner Starbucks. Minutes to River Park (and awesome river trail), Ravenswood Manor Park, Edison Regional Gifted Elementary (CPS), North Park University, Northeastern Illinois University (with community pool and gym!), Swedish Hospital and Galter Life Center fitness club. This is a beautiful building to call home!

Starbuck's on the corner!

Two blocks to the CTA Brown Line stop

Amazing local food and grocery options!

 

Exclusively listed by:
Eric Rojas, Broker. Kale Realty
2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614
erojas@kalerealty.com

ericrojasblog.com