1920s Ravenswood bungalow fixer-upper on the river wants $1.1M

While paying over a million for a house that isn’t in perfect condition might seem hard to fathom, this kind of property doesn’t come around too often in Chicago. It’s a charming red brick, green-tiled roof home at the end of cul-de-sac in Ravenswood, a neighborhood with quiet streets and tons of historic homes, that also comes with water rights. So, does the $1,149,000 listing price make more sense? Let’s find out.

Much of the home has original and vintage features, according the @properties listing agent Paul Krenger. The house has quite a lot of character, so he’s hoping he’ll be able to find a buyer excited by a hefty rehab project. The previous long-time owners had stopped living at the property fulltime about six years ago which is when it began to fall into a less than ideal condition.

The two-story, four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom home has lots windows that let the natural light float through the rooms. On the first floor, there’s an elegant wood-paneled family room, a spacious living room with a wood burning fireplace, and an adjoining pale pink sunroom with rows of bright windows. The entryway stairwell features detailed, floral stained-glass windows. Upstairs there are four large bedrooms each with sizable closets.

The back of the home has what could be a fabulous outdoor deck and the yard space runs right into the northern branch of the river. New homeowners will have the option to install a dock and even store a power boat up to 30 feet long. An existing sea wall, stone steps, and a large, mature tree fill the outdoor area now.

The neighborhood is a “green oasis” and an escape from the city, said Krenger, who grew up just a few doors down from the home. The river, leafy landscape, and tall trees attract foxes, owls, rabbits, hawks, and even coyotes. Sunken Gardens Park, Horner Park, and Wells Park are only a few blocks away and the Rockwell Brown Line stop is nearby too.

• 4564 N. Virginia Avenue [@properties]