Counter tops? Go to B&B for custom stone, cabinets and more

 

Bob and I have been working with B&B for stone counter tops in our personal homes and client renovation projects. We've always had great service and craftsmanship.  

Nothing beats going to the warehouse and shop and hand picking the slabs for our projects!

Budget buys to high-end finish level B&B can work with you. We chose an affordable granite on our last visit. 

Visit the shop or online BBFORMICA.COM
5617 W Grand Avenue 
Chicago, IL 60639
Ph. 773-804-1015 

Helping clients renovate for sale

Tile Outlet is a regular stop when improving kitchens and baths before listing a home. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

We love to help our clients prepare their homes for sale. Sometimes they need to do more than declutter to sell for top dollar. We make our many resources and years of experience available to our clients. We arrange the contractors, service partners and quickly select finish material. Many of our clients never lift a finger. No muss, no fuss. Our clients appreciate saving time and money!

Check out just a handful of recourses we scour when helping our clients renovate for sale. We also help our clients make improvements while they enjoy their homes! We ask they they give us a call for advise and contractors before they delve into any expensive renovations. 

We often find quality and fashionable products from Studio 41 outlets located near West Fullerton and North Pulaski. I personally make selections and pick them up from the warehouses. This is a huge relief and time saver for our clients!

We recently picked up an awesome all wood vanity cabinet at the Studio 41 outlet for a Southport Corridor renovation.  The listing will hit the market next week. 

We love B&B for counter tops. It's very satisfying to walk the remnant warehouse and hand pick granite, quartz and marble to have expertly cut and installed. 

Allied Plumbing and Heating Supply always has great bath and kitchen fixtures in stock when you need quality in a pinch.  

Don't let fear of renovations keep you from getting top dollar when it comes time to sell.  We'll take over the process and make it happen!

Lincoln Park vintage buildings on the 800 block of West Altgeld sell for $3,700,000, survive demolition

838-846 West Altgeld yesterday. These interesting vintage apartment buildings were purchased in 2018 for $3,700,000 and are in the process of gut renovation. 

Early this year we noticed work on these Lincoln Park vintage rental buildings at 838-846 West Altgeld.  Great clients of ours lived here about 12 years ago! The two building property sold in 2018 for $3,700,000 (according to public records, not on the MLS).  The facades are preserved. Interior renovation permits were issued to rehab and add duplex-down to the basement for a couple units. We're not clear if they will be converted to condos or remain rental apartments.

The cul du sac block is just west of North Halsted Street. This makes it a somewhat peaceful location right off a multitude of restaurant, bars, shopping and everyday services Lincoln Park delivers in spades.

The median price of a sold condo on the block is over $650,000 over the past two years.  A small three unit building needing rehab on a 59' x 83' sold for $745,000. Three condos are currently under contract on the block and three are actively for sale.

Old Town Triangle home sales, renovations not for the weak stomach

I stopped by a friend and business associate's single family home renovation in Old Town Triangle last week. We had a good talk about some ins-and-outs of the project and available options. The facade must be maintained and alterations made to Landmark Commission standards. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty.

Old Town Triangle is a desirable and landmark district neighborhood in Lincoln Park's southeast edge. It's also a relatively expensive place to buy property in Chicago. Further, any renovations and alterations to the exterior of properties face intense scrutiny of the neighborhood association Historic District Planning and Zoning Committee and the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. Check out the guidelines for renovating historic properties HERE

Last week I visited a friend and business associate who has embarked on a renovation in Old Town Triangle. He's a former resident of the neighborhood and professional in real estate brokerage and development. A great working knowledge of the landmark renovation process for this particular historic district and good standing relationships is key to success! The gut renovation and expansion pictured above may justifiably look overwhelming!

While some renovations work through the Landmark Commission process with little fanfare other projects in this tiny burg can bring out the worst in people.  Here's a story from Block Club and a filed Fair Housing discrimination lawsuit associated with another Old Town Triangle alteration.

Earth is dug out to extend the size of an Old Town Triangle home. It's no small task to dig out basements and pour new foundations!

"Extended" Old Town Triangle sales area.

Sixteen detached properties (single family homes) sold over 2019 in Old Town Triangle.  The median price of a sold detached property was about $1.6 million. 

The highest price sold house was 1824 North Cleveland, Chicago IL 60614 for $3,860,000. 

The lowest priced detached property sold at 1639 North North Park, Chicago IL 60614 for $662,500. That's about $200.00 per square foot for the opportunity to gut rehab an historic home 😃

Currently there are sixteen homes for sale in Old Town Triangle with a median asking price of $1.8 million. As always... contact us if you are buying or selling in Chicago and would like our resources on your side.

Blast from the past!

Sold for $965,000! Contemporary gut renovation single family home in the heart of Lincoln Square

2130 West Eastwood is a unique, contemporary home just two blocks from the best of Lincoln Square shops and restaurants. The recent gut renovation sits on a wide lot sold for $965,000. (Photos courtesy Chicago Realty Partners LTD, Broker and 360ViewChicago.com)

Our clients upgraded to a character filled gut renovation house on a terrific Lincoln Square block. The initial asking price of $1,099,000 and the CTA tracks behind the house were obstacles. However after viewing several other options further out from the center of the neighborhood the family could not deny this was "the one"! We helped work out a fair deal and our clients got their perfect location!

Warm wood and light bright cabinets and counters... very Scandinavian design.  Look at that massive island! Oh and the pot filler. Just don't turn it on without a pot under the faucet!

The finish level is unique and well done. The home feels light and bright. In fact, when our clients had gone under contract on the home another group of clients (unbeknownst we were the buyer's agent on the deal) emailed me asking who was the architect and designer! They want to do a similar rehab to their property.

The home has lots of built-ins, cool windows and custom mill work touches.

True indoor/ outdoor living. The doors open wide to the large deck.

A well placed powder room on the main floor with high style.

We all geeked out to this main floor mudroom/ laundry room.  There is also a laundry room on the expanded 3rd floor (yes, this house has one more finished floor than the typical homes at this price-point).

The entire top floor (3rd floor over grade level) is a master suite with sitting room, laundry and full master bath.

Well executed master bath. We really loved the faucets and wood vanity choice.

In addition to a wide lot with great side yard the home features a wrap around deck off the kitchen.

You can view more photos and details of the property HERE. We are excited for our clients and their family. What a cool house and location to live in! Shout out to our awesome contractors and service partners who checked out some of the major home structures and systems on behalf of our buyer clients. Contact us today to find great North Side Chicago homes. We have pre-market and private listings available. If you need to renovate or sell, call us first!

Buyer's agency by Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614

773-510-1597 - erojas@kalerealty.com

ericrojasblog.com

The $6 million dollar flip in Lincoln Park

Beautiful facade of 2704 N Lakeview (All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

There's been a lot of real estate activity on Bob's street lately... none more interesting than 2704 N Lakeview in Lincoln Park for sale at $6.3 million (Compass Real Estate is the listing broker).

This historic mega 10,000 sq/ft row house was bought in 2016 for $1.8 million.  It has undergone a complete interior and exterior renovation and is now offered for sale at $6,385,000 (originally listed over $7 million).  The former Thresholds property built for a survivor of the Titanic that we wrote about at 2700 N Lakeview (part of the original row house development) was recently sold $3 million and is under renovation.  Two renovation homes at that address are now listed there for $6.6 million (Unit 1) and $4.7 million (Unit 2)

The row homes are located in a beautiful stretch of northeast Lincoln Park (across from the parks adjacent to the lakefront) near another iconic building.  The Elks National Memorial sits just north of the 2700 N Lakeview development.

To buy and sell in Lincoln Park you gotta a guy!

Lakeview Clark and Belmont Starbucks closed for renovation, BUT, don't worry eight more Starbucks are nearby

Keep walking for your Frappuccino 

The very busy Starbucks at Clark and Belmont in Lakeview (3184 N Clark Street) is getting the renovation treatment like so many of their stores. 

Totally gutted

They've directed me to nearby stores. Okay the Lincoln and Damen location is a stretch.  That giant Starbucks at Sheffield and Addison is really weird too.  I can't see that lasting too much longer as a regular store concept.

Vintage Lincoln Park double lot beauty up for demolition

We've always loved this property at 1107 West Wrightwood and wrote about it in 2010. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

We are sure many around Lincoln Park have marveled at owning this gorgeous double-lot vintage home in the DePaul neighborhood.  Recently acquired it may soon be demolished for new construction.


1117-1119 is currently on the demolition delay list.

1117 West Wrightwood in 2010

The property had a recent MLS listing for 10 days in June asking $2,500,000 for the gutted building and renovation plans (an additional $1M was suggested for the renovation budget per plans according to the listing). It's been cancelled and there is no active listing for the property.

Photo of 1117 W Wrightwood taken today.

Gut renovation at 715 West Belmont in East Lake View

715 West Belmont, Chicago IL 60657. Photo Eric Rojas, Kale Realty

We had some business last week on West Belmont near the lake. I noticed a gut renovation of a good sized multi-unit building at 715 West Belmont in East Lake View is underway.  The nine unit rental building last sold is 2013 for $1,250,000 according to public records.  It is unclear to me if this will remain an apartment building or will be converted to condos for sale. My guess is it will remain rentals unless they are creating larger, more luxurious units.

What is clear is the continued renewal of older housing stock around Lake View and other nearby North Side neighborhoods. It is extremely common to see large tear downs and gut renovations of these standard old multi-units. Brand new gut rehab units can catch a good 30%  more than the old units.

Two rare gut renovation projects in Old Town Triangle

This eye catching red frame home on 200 Block of West St. Paul and Crilly Court gets a full gut renovation (All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty).

 

 I took a stroll around Old Town Triangle afte lunch at Nookies last week and noticed a couple interesting gut rehabs.   Old Town Triangle may be the most exclusive enclave on the North Side of Chicago.  Historic and charming as you wind through the tony brick paved streets Old Town Triangle is a lifestyle commitment.  You are a part of something special. And you pay for that.

General Old Town Triangle boundaries (map produced on MREDLLC.com, Eric Rojas, Kale Realty)

In the past 12 months the median price of an Old Town Triangle area detached single family home is about $1,500,000.  The median price of a small multi-unit property (2-4 units) is about $800,000 over the same period.  The 4 multi-unit sales were all on undersized Chicago lots.  The median price for attached condos and town homes (excluding high-rise buildings) is over $600,000.

A current gut renovation project on the 300 Block of West Menomonee at North Orleans.

The homes and property lots on average tend to be smaller, thus, price per square foot in this fantastic location a bit higher than what you will get east of North Halsted Street in Lincoln Park.  The condition of some of the homes may be more vintage and original due to various landmark restrictions.

The 300 block of West Menomonee (gut rehab on the far left).

Cool East Lakeview gut renovation of foreclosure has New York on my mind

The building at 3153 N Hudson gets a major redo (directly behind my client's parking lot). I thought this shot looked cool! Photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

 I was meeting with my clients in on the 400 Block of West Briar in East Lakeview last evening when I noticed this gut renovation in the works.  The 3 unit apartment building at 3153 N Hudson is tucked on the corner of North Hudson Street and an alley running parallel to north side of West Briar.  The dense gritty street scene on a humid night had a real NYC Hell's Kitchen feel (minus the steam).

3153 N Hudson

Public records show the three-flat building was foreclosed and sold in a judicial sale to an LLC for $400K in June 2013.  Another sale to an LLC was later recorded for $853,000 in October 2013.  I'm not sure if it will go condo or become higher rent apartments. In any case it's a great location near the lake.

The 3100 block of North Hudson is a small quiet block that runs from West Belmont south to the alley.  It features mainly vintage Chicago architecture tucked away among a very bustling and high traffic area.  Only two other properties have sold (recorded on the MLS) on the block over the last 24 months.  Two 3 bedrooms condos at 3152 N Hudson (pictured on the above left) sold for $453,000 and $470,000 respectively over that time.

Newest single family home construction, rehabs in Ravenswood near Winnemac Park

The giant garbage bins are scattered around Winnemac Park for another season of new construction and gut rehabs around the Ravenswood neighborhood of greater Lincoln Square.

4846 N Seeley (middle) was sold as a short sale for $350,000 cash in September of last year.  The new owners listed as an LLC are well into the impressive gut renovation.

4950 N Leavitt was sold as a short sale last year for $403,000 cash (asking price was $399,000).  An active local broker/developer represented the sale and the LLC owner is well into the gut renovation.

None of the homes above are listed for sale just yet.  My guess is all three houses will be marketed for sale but it is possible one or more already have a buyer agreement in place.


Click for more Ravenswood and Lincoln Square posts.

Two new gut rehabs in northern Ravenswood of Lincoln Square

I took a few shots of two new gut rehabs in progress on the 5100 blocks of North Oakley and North Claremont of the Ravenswood neighborhood in northern Lincoln Square.

5154 N Oakley gets new front window framing (photos Eric Rojas)

5154 N Oakley shown above was a foreclosure sale in March of this year for $281,200 cash (the listing price was $259,000).  The two-flat is getting a complete gut renovation.  A developer sign is up, but no listing on the MLS. The median price of a closed or under contract single family house for the last 12 months in this immediate area (West Lawrence to West Foster, North Ravenswood to North Western Avenue) is about $695,000.

Houses on the 5100 block of North Oakley

This frame two-flat on the 5148 North Claremont is quietly undergoing gut renovation.  There is no recent

The location between West Lawrence and West Foster and North Ravenswood and North Western has been a popular place for development and new construction.  We've talked about how land, re-sales and new construction have seen increased pricing over the last couple years. The single family home market has been very dynamic in this part of Lincoln Square.  An increased variety of single homes (from mid-range rehabs to higher-end new construction) have been sold in the last 12 months.