House for Sale Comes With a View: The Obamas

[Emit]

Source: NYT via Chicago Journal

September 15, 2009
Chicago Journal
House for Sale Comes With a View: The Obamas
By SUSAN SAULNY

CHICAGO — There is a “for sale” sign in the front yard, not that potential buyers would see it. The street is closed to nonresidents by order of the United States Secret Service.

The house at 5040 South Greenwood Avenue, next door to the Hyde Park residence of President Obama and his family, hit the market here over the weekend. And in a summer of real estate doldrums, it is causing quite a stir, not simply because it is a gracious, century-old, 17-room house with elaborate stained-glass windows and a charming carriage house in the backyard.

Here is what the owners say makes it a real deal: you just could not get more impressive neighbors. They are downright stately, and they come with a full-time security staff that keeps an eye out like no Neighborhood Watch in the world.

~snip~

Professor Grimshaw, an almost-retired 71-year-old, said he never had to lock his doors. “But I also know that there are some people who would never live under these circumstances,” he said. “I’m just hoping for a good patriot, a good family man, a good Democrat.”

Would he sell to a Republican?

“Only if push came to shove,” he said.

So far, all the shoving seems to be from the curious who want to get a peek inside the house. Already more than 7,000 people have visited the broker’s Web site, www.5040Greenwood.com.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/us/15chicago.html?th&emc=th

[rox63]

1. Gorgeous house, beautiful woodwork inside, fantastic neighbors outside

:)

[spinbaby]

2. Looks like a great neighborhood.

Makes me wish I had a whole pile of money.

[Stevenmarc]

3. The house needs work, it's going to be hell trying to get contractors with all that security

A normal house renovation usually has its share of problems but this is a potential nightmare, think of it the general contractor will essentially have to coordinate every delivery through the Secret Service not to mention clear all the workers, thank but no thanks.