Blagojevich home in Ravenswood for sale

October 3, 2011 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Former governor Rod Blagojevich has officially put his North Side home up for sale.

The brick house in the Ravenswood Manor neighborhood went on the market over the weekend.

According to the listing, the asking price on the two-story, five-bedroom, four-bath home is $1.07 million. That's about twice what the Blagojeviches paid for the house.

Blagojevich is awaiting a sentencing date for his corruption conviction. His wife Patti, a realtor, listed the home. She talked to ABC7's Ben Bradley about the sale.

"We've lived here since 1999, it's the only home that our children have ever known," she said.

Patti Blagojevich calls putting the family home on the market, a difficult decision, but a necessary one.

"It's a hard decision. We tried for a long time now to hold on and not have to sell. We are, unfortunately, like many Americans and we can't afford to stay in our house any longer," said Patti.

The house was the scene of countless recorded comings and goings, handshakes and hope -- and heartbreak after the conviction. The sale of the Blagojevich home is the latest symbol of a governor's downfall.

"In the neighborhood, he was a real nice guy, such a contradiction to what he did as a politician and how he was as a neighbor," said Mike Trupp, Blagojevich neighor.

The listing describes the Blagojevich home as one of the largest in the neighborhood, saying it is "built like a fortress." The house has 13 rooms, three fireplaces, a sauna/steam room, a music room, library and basement gym.

Realtors think that the asking price is an optimistic one.

"A house is a house. No one is going to buy it just because it's the Blagojevich house. People will buy it because it if it works for their needs," said Bette Bleeker, Prudential Rubloff Properties.

An early listing, since taken down, said the sale would have to be approved by the court. The Blagojevich home in Ravenswood and a condo the couples owes in Washington are both part of the former governor's bond. The listing also states "serious buyers only."

"It's just kind of sad. It's sad. I'm more sad for our children who definitely don't want to leave their home. Rod and I are grown-ups and have moved many times before, but for them, this is a special place for them," said Patti.

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