Market Overview

 

 

Updated February 7, 2010

Annual Review Buildings Recent Sales
Community Areas Links

Annual Review

(Based on 2009 Sales on the MLS)

2009 Condo Sales Volume Drops 34%, Units Sold Down by 20%, to 10,070
Median Sales Price Down 13%, for Average Price Per Square Foot of $267

The dollar volume of condo sales in the city of Chicago decreased in 2009, by 34% from $4.7 billion to $3.1 billion. And the number of units sold in the city dropped by 20%, from 12,596 to 10,070. Median sales price of city condos also dropped, by 13%, from $310,032 to $270,000. The average market time increased by 3%, from 143 days on the market to 147 days. Those figures are based on sales of condos as recorded on the regional multiple listing service (MRED).

Contributing to the decrease in median sale price: 18 percent of the condos sold in the city were distressed properties, either short sales or foreclosures.

As 2009 statistics confirm, Chicago is condos. Based on number of units, Chicago is the nation's third-largest condo market (and third largest population). In the city, 2009 condo sales made up 50% of all residential transactions (including multi-unit), compared to 53% in 2008. There are an estimated 260,000 condo units in more than 12,000 buildings in the city, with several thousand units added annually. Based on the 260,000-unit estimate and 2009 sales of 10,070 units, the turnover in 2009 was 3.9%. An estimated 20% of condo units are rented out by their owners. Some condos prohibit rentals.

Condos create much of the city's skyline. Their prominence is especially evident along prestigious North Lake Shore Drive, the largest concentration of units. Most high-rises, and most luxury buildings, are located in three community areas along Lake Michigan: Near North, Lake View and Lincoln Park. The most desirable buildings offer magnificent views of Lake Michigan, are on or near Michigan Avenue or overlook Millennium Park.

Recent years have seen rapid growth along the Chicago River, and west and south of downtown. Lofts, created by rehabbing vacated warehouses, are increasingly popular for their high ceilings and brick walls. Vintage buildings offer Old World charm and elegance. Conversions, of apartment buildings to condos, are occurring at a pace not seen since the 1980s and are generally 20% less expensive than new-construction units. More than a dozen condo hotels, the newest trend, offer room service to residents and rental income to owners. Thousands of two-flat condos are scattered throughout the city. Town houses can be either condos or homeowner associations. Co-ops, not listed in our database, are less than 5% of the market. Most high-rise co-ops are at the high end, especially on East Lake Shore Drive, but the first co-ops were two- and four-flats, and are still occupied throughout the city.

Each year in the city, between 10,000 and 20,000 condo units turn over. That is roughly 2% of the 900,000 condos & co-ops bought and sold across America. More than 10,000 units are on the marktet ("active") at any given time. In 2009, prices ranged from $4,000 for a 1,200-square-foot unit in South Chicago to $5.0 million for a 4,800-square-foot, 3 bedroom penthouse in the 900 N. Michigan Residences. The citywide median sales price in 2009 was $270,000, $267 per square foot. That is less than one-third the cost PSF in New York City. The ultra luxury end of the market now brings in excess of $1,000 per square foot.

 

Recent Sales (2010 & 2009)

Condo Market Indicators

Year Over Year (January 2010 – January 2009)

Category January 2010 January 2009 Change
Closings 549 395 +39%
% Condo Closings 45% 43% +5%
Median Sales Price $270,000 $299,000 -10%
Avg. Days on Market 140 152 -8%
New Listings 2,822 2,202 +28%
Supply 12.9 months 11.1 months +16%
Total sales volume $189 mil $144 mil +32%

Month Over Month (January 2010 – December 2009)

Category January 2010 December 2009 Change
Closings 549 881 -38%
% Condo Closings 45% 50% -8%
Median Sales Price $270,000 $275,000 -2%
Avg. Days on Market 140 131 +7%
New Listings 2,822 1,523 +85%
Supply 12.9 months 11.3 months +14%
Total sales volume $189 mil $286 mil -34%

 

Statistics above based on MRED sales of condos.

Year To Date

Total annual condo sales (2009 MRED):  10,070 units for $3.1 billion

Condo sales as percentage of all residential sales in Chicago: 49%

Inventory of unsold units (new construction and conversion):To come

 

Buildings

(Based on the 12,000 buildings in our database, which includes virtually all properties with 25+ units, virtually all new construction and conversions, plus thousands of smaller buildings, including hundreds of two- to six-flats)

Total buildings (for which number of units is known): 7,173

500+ units: 38 (0.5%);
499-100 units: 453 (6%);
99-25 units: 1,128 (16%);
24-7 units: 3,123 (44%);
6-2 units (flats): 1,768 (34%)

 

New Construction: 571 buildings; Conversion: 362; Re-Sales: 11,067

 

Community Areas (77)

(Based on 2009 MRED statistics and 2000 Census Data)

Most Condo Units Sold:
1. 8008, Near North Side (1,737 units)
2. 8006, Lakeview (1,092)
3. 8024, West Town (790)
4. 8028, Near West Side (740)
5. 8028, Near West Side (981)
6. 8032, Loop (632)
7. 8007, Lincoln Park (593)
8. 8003, Uptown (557)
9. 8077, Edgewater (528)
10. 8001, Rogers Park (341)

Highest Median Sales Price:
North Center ($367,000),
Near North Side ($360,000),
Lincoln Park ($359,000)

Lowest Median Sales Price (among areas with 10+ sales):
Humboldt Park ($20,000),
North Lawndale ($21,000),
South Shore ($32,250)

Highest Median Income (2000 census data):
Lincoln Park ($68,613),
Forest Glen ($68,269),
Beverly ($66,823)

 

Increase in Median Sales Price Only three areas saw an increase in median sales price in excess of 5%:

Forest Glen +14%
Austin +7%
Armour Square +6%

 

 

Links

CityofChicago.org
ChicagoTribune.com
Chicago Police Department

 

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E-mail: RicCox@ChicagoCondosOnline.com