Buying a Chicago Brownstone
If you’re considering a new property in Chicago, you may want to take another look at Chicago brownstones. You’ll find some great options to choose from in the city, with many of them sharing key characteristics, which helps to make them popular, even today.
What is a Brownstone?
A brownstone is a rowhouse or a townhouse that’s made of brick with a brown sandstone façade giving it a unique hue. While you may sometimes hear the term brownstone as a general term to describe rowhouses, a true brownstone has an exterior of brown sandstone. The color of the stone is derived from the iron in the stone itself. At the time many brownstones were constructed, this type of stone was considered a less expensive alternative to using things like marble, limestone, or granite
Brownstones are quite popular along the East Coast, but you will still find some for sale in Chicago. Usually, a brownstone has a couple of windows that face the street, and some brownstones have access to a courtyard around the back of the home. A brownstone can be multiple levels, but spacious enough for a family with usually at least three bedrooms. Some brownstones in Chicago include four-, five- or even six-bedrooms.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Chicago Brownstone
If you’re thinking about buying a brownstone in the city, you’ll want to consider the age of the property and the necessary upkeep. Some older buildings in Chicago and elsewhere come with aging electrical systems and plumbing, so you’ll want to know about any updates that have been performed over the years. This also extends to the home’s HVAC system and other pricey items.
As far as routine maintenance, sometimes neighbors of brownstones will join together to take care of upkeep collectively, but much like owning a single-family home, it’s dependent on the owner to take care of any maintenance issues, not an HOA. You may also find that owners are restricted by historic regulations they have to abide by when making any changes to the exterior of the property. Also, if you’re looking for a place with amenities, you probably won’t find that with a Chicago brownstone. A brownstone in the city typically won’t have the same types of amenities that you’d find with a condo or a co-op.
Where You’ll find Brownstones in Chicago
Most brownstones in Chicago started going up around the late 1800s. Some of them were still being built through the 1930s. They remain extremely popular today, and you’ll still find thousands of brownstones standing in Chicago, and some of them do come up for sale.
Some of the areas to search if you’re interested in buying a Chicago brownstone include parts of Downtown Chicago. You may find some in Lincoln Park, West Town, and Humboldt Park. Other options include taking your search to the Gold Coast, Old Town, or Lakeview. If you have your heart set on a Chicago brownstone, don’t give up the search to find the perfect property for your needs.
Chicago Brownstone Real Estate Agents
Buying or selling a brownstone in Chicago, IL? Let our team of Chicago real estate agents help you through the purchase of your new brownstone property or the sale of your current historic brownstone. As local brownstone real estate experts, we have insider knowledge of the market dynamics unique to the Chicago IL brownstone market. Let us negotiate for you today!
Contact the Seventy7 Group at Fulton Grace at (312) 810-6693 to get more information about buyer or seller representation for your Chicago brownstone. Planning to get involved in the Chicago real estate market? Review our CMA (comparative market analysis) form to quickly see your 15 Elizabeth free condo evaluation within minutes.
MLS #: 11940470
