8961-8963 South Winchester Avenue, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 8961-8963 South Winchester Avenue have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 4 permits, 3 not closed, and 0 violations.
- What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in Cook County?
- $832,750 for a single-unit home, per FHFA. Larger loans are jumbo loans.
- Is radon a problem here?
- EPA radon zone 2, moderate potential.
- What natural disasters is 8961-8963 South Winchester Avenue at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area very low overall, with elevated cold wave risk.
Permits and code violations
3 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Mar 2024Suspended
Proposed 2 story front addition, 2nd story southwest side addition, and front steps for an existing 2 story sfr w/basement, per plans. administrative adjustment #24-029 reducing the front and side setbacks approved 02.23.2024. (conditional approval subject to field inspections)
- Permit - renovation/alteration Dec 2013Complete
Remove and replace existing 1-story front open porch in same location at existing 2-story single family residence masonry & frame bldg. per plans.
- Permit - easy permit process Jul 2013
Fences: 222ft in x 6ft in: qty 1
- Permit - easy permit process Sep 2010
Hot water heater (replacement only): qty 1
Chicago Department of Buildings
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Very Low
Highest for this area: cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
Leaking fuel tanks
5 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Desmond Konadu, 9131 South Ashland (1,550 ft), open. 1 still open. Ask whether groundwater or soil vapor testing was done.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Brownfield site
1,750 ft
9200 S Vanderpoel. Former industrial land in EPA's cleanup and reuse program.
EPA ACRES Brownfields
Radon potential
Moderate
Average indoor levels of 2 to 4 pCi/L. EPA still suggests testing ground-floor and basement units.
EPA and USGS Geologic Radon Potential Map
Nearest public schools
3,000 ft
Foster Park Elem School (3,000 ft), Fort Dearborn Elem School (3,200 ft), Kellogg Elem School (3,300 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
5.9 mi
Chicago Midway (MDW). Aircraft may be audible under approach paths.
FAA large-hub airports
Conforming loan limit 2026
$832,750
Cook County. Mortgages up to this amount qualify for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pricing. Above it, the loan is a jumbo with stricter terms.
FHFA Conforming Loan Limit Values, one-unit
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Who lives and works in Chicago
Trading floors, logistics and the deepest architecture stock in America
Chicago carries a full corporate economy at a price the coasts do not match. Neighborhoods are distinct and walkable, two and three flats are everywhere, and the Loop still sets the commute for finance, law and consulting.
- $71,673
- median household income
- 18.9%
- residents aged 25 to 34
- 45%
- households that own their home
What pays the bills
- Finance and trading
- Logistics and rail
- Law and consulting
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
Who anchors the economy
CME Group · Boeing suppliers · University of Chicago · Northwestern Medicine · United Airlines
The market is shaped around
- Young professionals
- Families buying space
- Two and three flat owners
More on South Winchester Avenue
All addressesViewing recommendations
What's worth checking in person before deciding.
- Test water pressure and temperature at the tap, in the bathroom and kitchen, for at least a minute.
- Ask specifically where you'd park: is there paid city parking, who currently holds it, what the permit costs, and how long the waitlist is.
- Schedule a viewing on a weekday too, between 6:00 and 7:30 PM, the window when the building is busiest: neighbors, parking, elevator.
- Knock on a neighboring door and ask two things: what bothers them most often, and what work is planned for the building.
- Look at the stairwell (cleanliness, smell) and the association's notice board: unpaid dues, conflicts, recent decisions.
- Ask for the latest maintenance bill from a winter month, not a summer one: that's where the real cost of living there shows up.
Neighborhood recommendations are derived from public OpenStreetMap data and may be incomplete. Checking in person is still what matters most.
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