Custom-built in the 1950s, this ranch home has many high-quality features not usually found in newer construction, including hardwood oak floors, two fireplaces and crown molding in the living and dining rooms.
Part of the Budlong Woods community on Chicago’s Northwest Side, the home–at 2806 W. Balmoral–is listed at $209,000.
For the last 4 1/2 years, the house has been tenant-occupied. It has loads of space and with a couple of fresh coats of paint, a little redecorating and a few upgrades, it could really sparkle, said listing agent Joan Brennock of Baird & Warner.
“You could do a lot with this home,” Brennock said. “It just needs to be shined up a little on the inside.”
On entering the home, you first encounter a small foyer with a tile floor and guest closet. To the left of the entry is the 20-by-15 living room, where carpeting covers most of the hardwood floor. The crown molding and a gas-burning fireplace with marble surround enhance the room’s charm. A large south-facing window makes the room feel inviting and allows plenty of sunlight to pour in.
Next to the living room is the dining room, which measures 12 by 12 feet. The dining room’s hardwood floor also is covered by carpet, which could easily be removed to expose the oak. Crown molding and a chair rail add distinction to this room. Lighting here comes from a chandelier in the center of the ceiling and a north-facing window.
Off the dining room is the kitchen, measuring 12 by 10. The kitchen features an eat-in breakfast area–uncommon of other ’50s homes in the area, said Brennock.
The kitchen offers lots of cabinet space. Its birch cabinets could be stripped and stained for an updated look, Brennock said. The kitchen also features a storage closet, a ceiling fan, and thick ceramic tile on the bottom of the walls, with wallpaper above. The refrigerator and dishwasher will stay with the home when it is sold, said Brennock.
Off the kitchen is a half bath with a canary yellow sink and toilet. The ceramic-tile walls are lime green and yellow, with matching wallpaper. Also off the kitchen is the Florida room, which measures 10 by 14 feet and overlooks the back yard. Its walls are paneled and the windows and doors face north and south. One door leads to an attached one-car garage.
The home’s three bedrooms are to the right of the front entry. The first measures 10 by 10 feet and second, 13 by 12. Both of these bedrooms feature hardwood floors. The master bedroom, measuring 15 by 12 feet, has neutral carpeting. All three bedrooms have ceiling fans and average-size closets.
A hall linen closet is across from the home’s full bath, which has pink and gray ceramic wall tile with matching wallpaper and another linen closet.
The home also features a full, unfinished basement with a wood-burning fireplace, a security system, central air conditioning and a built-in outdoor sprinkler system. Swedish Covenant Hospital and Northeastern Illinois University are nearby. Taxes for 1996 were $3,591.
“This is the kind of neighborhood where you see people walking their dogs,” Brennock said. “It’s a friendly neighborhood where you feel safe walking at night. There’s many cultures here. We have people from every walk of life and every country. I’ve been here 17 years. What I see happening in real estate this year is many people are moving back to the city that have lived in the suburbs. The city is very much alive.”
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