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The 17-room house next door to his home in a ritzy neighborhood on the city's south side is on the market. It doesn't have a price tag yet, but the listing agent expects the "Obama factor" to play a role. Homes in the area usually go for between $1 million and $2.5 million.
"We're looking for the people that want to live next to the president and they're willing to pay a premium for it," said listing agent Matt Garrison.
The exclusive listing hit the market Friday.
The current owners bought the 6,000-square-foot home that has eight bedrooms and 3 1/2 bathrooms for $35,000 in 1973, Garrison said.
Living near the Obamas isn't without its hassles. The block is barricaded even when the Obamas aren't home and getting on the street means being on a Secret Service list.
Plus, prospective buyers must be pre-qualified to look at the house and get screened by the Secret Service. It's unclear what the screening entails, said Trish Hoffman, a spokeswoman for Garrison's agency.
Garrison knows that might deter some people, but others could be jazzed at the prospect of living so close to the Obamas' house.
But prospective buyers shouldn't expect to run into the president, the first lady or their two daughters very often.
The Obamas have spent little time at their Chicago home since moving to the White House in January. They spent a long weekend there in February that included Valentine's Day dinner out for the first couple. Obama also spent some time at the house when he visited Chicago on a fundraising trip in July.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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