Video! Fully renovated house in Sauganash Park... four beds up! (And recent sales)

Take the video walk through with me!

I've been showing several gut renovations, new construction and pre-market offerings offered by Kale Realty this month. On Monday I showed our Kale Listing listing at 6325 N Tripp, Chicago IL 60646 for sale asking $769,000.  The almost new construction house in the Sauganash Park neighborhood of Forest Glen and Sauganash Elementary School district. There is relatively low house inventory going into the traditional spring market.  This is a quality house is worth seeing before the the buyer competition heats up.

Sauganash Park neighborhood in Forest Glen Community Area. The Valley Line Trail makes the west border.

This home has a great feel. I love walking up to it. The side setbacks, bay window and tons of light flowing in make this large house feel even more spacious!

Check out interior photos and more information about
6325 N Tripp HERE 

Sauganash Park single family home sales
37 single family homes closed in Sauganash Park over 2018.  The median price was about $525,000.  The 2018 sales were boosted by the Sauganash Glen development that added many new construction single  family homes to the neighborhood.

The highest priced sold home is 6110 N Sauganash Ave Chicago IL 60646 closed at $944,504. This large new construction house sits on a wide and deep lot in the new Sauganash Glen development. The lowest priced house sold is 6048 N Keeler Ave Chicago IL 60646 closed at $240,000. The small two bedrooms brick Georgian house was in need of a complete rehab.

In 2016 before the "The Glen" development was completed, 35 single family homes sold with a median price of about $370,000.

6325 N Tripp, Chicago IL 60646

Exclusively listed by:

Kale Realty 

2447 N Ashland 

Chicago IL 60614

As always contact me for a showing of this house or other properties on the north side of Chicago and near burbs.  We have access to off-market and pre-MLS houses too!

Crain's "best bets" to buy a house in Chicago and burbs

Oak Park made the recent Crain's Chicago Business best bets to buy a house (photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

Crain's Chicago Business published a fun list of best Chicagoland areas to buy a house based on a bevy of data points.  There are some usual suspects (Forest Glen, Wilmette, Hinsdale) and some lesser know areas that offer more affordable options (Jefferson Park, Mount Greenwood, Palos Hills value!).  Congrats to my peeps who made the list! We work in most of these neighborhoods.

Best areas to buy a house

Sold! Clients win mutiple offer for Forest Glen double-lot house

Our clients closed 5039 W Berwyn in Forest Glen just before the Christmas holiday.  The wide lot features large side yard and spacious backyard! They will expand the existing small house with a second story.

Congrats to our buyer clients on their purchase of 5039 W Berwyn, Chicago IL 60630 in Forest Glen.  The nearly 60ft wide corner lot is nestled in a quiet neighborhood just steps from the Forest Glen Metra station.  A Mariano's grocery is couple blocks away. The home is in well regarded Beaubien School district and only steps to Forest Glen Woods for outdoor activities.

The hiking and bike trails along the North Branch of the Chicago River are a welcome amenity of this pocket of Forest Glen.

Bike or cross country ski the trails!

The price of the home dropped from $319,000 to $299,900 in the fall. Our clients moved quickly as this price point for such a large lot would attract much interest. We helped structure the purchase offer among the competing offers with an "escalation clause" and our clients came out on top with a $290,000 offer (without over-paying). Having their lender, attorney and aggressive closing date ready all helped secure the deal.

A big thank you to real estate attorney Patrick Loftus who worked on two relatively complex closings with our clients when selling their vacant land and helping purchase this home subject to court approval.

Forest Glen, Chicago home sales in 2016

Our family owns a good sized brick bungalow in Lincoln Square near Winnemac Park. We love our house, our neighbors and this desirable area in high demand. However, the homes that have tempted me many, many times are in Forest Glen.  Beautiful old homes, scenic blocks, great schools and easy access to the highway and Metra are tough deny when showing homes!

206 Forest Glen Community Area single family homes closed so far in 2016 (January 1st to November 9th). The median price is about $445,000.  219 homes closed over the same period last year with a median price of about $430,000. Looking back to 2012, only 157 houses closed over the same period with a median price of $385,000.

The highest priced sold home is 5888 N Forest Glen Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60646 closed for $1,368,750. The beautiful 1923 "English Style Mansion" exudes class and sits on a 118' X 129' lot.

The lowest priced home to sell is 6090 N Caldwell Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60646 for $105,000. The short-sale raised ranch is on a heavy trafficked stretch. Nevertheless, $100K for a standard lot house in Forest Glen is a good deal. The next lowest sale is $140,000.

Under Contract! Forest Glen double lot home gets new lease on life

5039 West Berwyn, Chicago IL 60630 originally listed at $319,000

Our clients wanted a large lot on a budget. Well... that's what they got! 5039 W Berwyn in Forest Glen is a vintage house on a terrific 58' x 150' corner lot. The sellers dropped the price to $299,900. We urged our clients to view the property quickly and make a decision. Bob and I immediately helped structure and negotiate the winning bid in a multiple offer situation.  The purchase contract is out of attorney review and headed for closing.

Wow!  What a yard.

The house is in surprisingly good shape but our clients will need more space. We quickly organized expert contractors to verify the scope and budget for renovations that our clients will undertake.

You can see the Forest Glen Metra steps from the front yard!

This scenic section of Forest Glen is serviced by a new Mariano's store a couple blocks away. Hop on the bike paths along the North Branch of the Chicago River or hike through the Forest Glen Woods just down the block. Beaubien and Farnsworth Elementary Schools service the area.

A new modern Mariano's at 

5353 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60630

is a great asset to the neighborhood.

5039 W Berwyn is tucked away in a great pocket of Forest Glen near the Metra stop and easy access to I94.

About 22 single family homes closed in this section of Forest Glen over the last 12 months with a median price of $475,000.  The highest priced sold house is 5054 W Berwyn Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60630 for $802,000.

Forest Glen single home sales: Steady rise of median price since 2010

Homes in the Edgebrook neighborhood of greater Forest Glen (All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty).

Despite the December holiday season in full swing real estate activity forges ahead.  We have been working with another client in the greater Forest Glen community area.  They'd like to buy a house in the Edgebrook or Sauganash neighborhoods of Forest Glen.

The Edgebrook and Sauganash neighborhoods are serviced by two desirable name sake elementary schools; Edgebrook Elementary and Sauganash Elementary. Wildwood Elementary is another well rated and popular school that services the southwest area of Forest Glen.

 Forest Glen single family home sales January 1st to December 10th, 2014

203 homes have sold in Forest Glen by December 10th in 2014. Median price for a house is about $407,500. Unit sales for houses area are off last year's 248 units sold same period 2013.  However, median price ticked up slightly.  This mirrors many Chicago neighborhoods that showed tighter inventory and steady or increased median prices.

The lowest sold house is 5034 W Carmen, Chicago 60630 for $156,100 cash in a foreclosure sale. The small frame home may be a tear down or complete gut rehab.  The house is located in a small pocket of Forest Glen near West Foster and North Cicero close to the Jefferson Park area.

The highest sale this  year is 6141 N Lemont, Chicago 60646 for $915,000 in the Sauganash neighborhood. The large ranch home on a huge 125'x124' lot was purchased by Misericordia Home.

Homes in the Sauganash neighborhood of greater Forest Glen

Same period single family home sales 2009-2014
2014   203 homes sold with a median price $407,500
2013   248 homes sold with a median price $403,000
2012   177 homes sold with a median price $385,000
2011   137 homes sold with a median price $350,000
2010   131 homes sold with a median price $377,000 (Federal First Time Buyer stimulus package helped higher unit sales and higher median prices)
2009   128 homes sold with a median price $397,000

Under contract! Buyer client nabs Sauganash split-level asking $365,000

Cute as a button split level at 5846 N Kingsdale offers large kitchen, three bedrooms up and a finished lower level family room with walk-out to the yard.

Happy Holidays indeed!

I wrote a couple weeks ago on searching for homes in Sauganash and recent sales numbers.  Our client made a quick move on a nice maintained split level at 5846 N Kingsdale, Chicago IL 60646 in the Sauganash neighborhood of greater Forest Glen. The home was clean, well decorated and showed great.  The property seller had just lowered the price to the very reasonable $365,000. This was an attractive price range for a move-in quality three bedroom home on a picturesque Sauganash block.

Sauganash neighborhood map generated by www.YoChicago.com

The winding wooded streets offer great aesthetic in the long popular neighborhood. The Sauganash lifestyle is relaxed.  The neighbors ban together with the Sauganash Community Association and enjoys nature at parks and the Sauganash Trail.  A Whole Foods Market serves the neighborhood at 6020 N Cicero, Chicago IL 60646.
Parents enjoy a desirable, well rated neighborhood school Sauganash Elementary.

Great block!

The home purchase is out of physical inspection and attorney review.  We await closing in the New Year.  Congrats to our buyer client for a great find!  If you are looking or selling a home on the North and Northwest sides call us!

Sauganash Chicago single family home sales: Unit sales lower, prices UP 12.5% in the 60646

We negotiated a single family home purchase in the Sauganash neighborhood this week. The re-locating client who works in Streeterville was tempted by the burbs but quickly discovered that commute is no bueno! She was interested in the Forest Glen community area.  The Forest Glen area and the Sauganash neighborhood are favorite places to research and represent home buyers. The area offers diverse homes and  price points in attractive neighborhoods.

The Sauganash neighborhood is filled with unique, character filled homes.  The winding and angled streets set the neighborhood apart from typical city grids.  The aesthetic is very pleasing.

Need or want to stay in the city? Lincoln Square and North Center single family homes have priced you out? Need a well rated public elementary school? No problem.  It's time to look in the Sauganash neighborhood.

Sauganash boundaries as mapped by www.YoChicago.com: Sauganash is bounded by Bryn Mawr Ave (5600 N) and C&NW tracks north to Devon Ave (6400 N), Pulaski Rd (4000 W) and C&NW tracks west to Cicero Ave (4800 W)

 Sauganash Single Family Home Sales January 1st to November 14th, 2013

63 single family homes closed in Sauganash so far this year with a median price of 12.5% at $480,000.  78 homes closed over the same period last year with a median price of $427,000.  Once again we see a case of lower unit sales in the tight inventory market of 2014 but higher median prices.

The lowest priced house sold this year is 6105 N Lowell, Chicago IL 60646 closed at $205,000. This small two bedroom bungalow was pretty original from the late 1950s but looked like you could just paint and actually move in.  A nice location in a very good school district for $205K!

The highest priced home sold thus far is 6141 N Lemont, Chicago IL 60646.  The sprawling executive ranch on a 124'x124' lot (!) sold for $915,000 in May. Interestingly the property was purchased by revered institution Misericordia Home.

For sale, under contract

22 homes are currently listed for sale in the Sauganash neighborhood. Listing prices range from $365,000 to about two million (the "lower end" priced homes are move in quality which makes this a good value neighborhood). 9 homes are priced under $500,000.

Eight homes are currently under contract.  Prices range from $249,000 to about $700,000.  The lower end homes in this range can also be moved in quality (not tear downs). 

The lowest home under contract is a short sale at 6330 N Kedvale, Chicago IL 60646 for $249,000.  The basic three bedrooms, two baths small brick bungalow is in good shape on a double wide lot (55"). I expect it will sell over the $250,000 asking price.  It appears to be a tangled up short sale process taking a long time to get sale approval from the lenders (this depresses the price).

Call us to stay in Chicago and widen your home search!

Looking for house rentals in Forest Glen's Edgebrook and Wildwood neighborhoods

A wide street and forest-like parkways in the Wildwood neighborhood of Forest Glen, Chicago (Photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

We were out over the weekend looking for higher-end house rentals in Forest Glen for a client.  There are few highly updated or newer single family homes to rent in Forest Glen.

The mostly brick homes and lots of Forest Glen can be modest or amazing (like this one), but always interesting to look at.

Forest Glen single family home rental STATS
-19 single family homes are listed as rented in the MLS for the greater Forest Glen community area over the past 12 moths. 
-Most of the homes were modest in size and finish level. 
-The majority of the houses rented for under $2,200 per month. 
-One house rented for over $3,000
-Only two homes are currently listed for rent on the MLS in Forest Glen.  Others may be available through private owners.
-Few houses were rented in the Edgebrook and Wildwood School districts

 Check out YoChicago.com's photos of the Wildwood neighborhood



Stats from MREDLLC.com and anecdotal experience gathered by Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Forest Glen home sales increase in Edgebrook, Wildwood schools

A home adjacent to Edgebrook Elementary in Forest Glen, Chicago (photo Eric Rojas)

 We had some business in Forest Glen community area of Chicago over the weekend near Edgebrook Park and the Edgebrook Metra station.  Edgebrook and Wildwood elementary school districts are well ranked and popular among single family home buyers in this area.  You will also find rows of gorgeous brick homes of several eras along sleepy tree lined blocks.

Single family home sales in Edgebrook and Wildwood Schools

In the last 12 months (from the date of this writing) approximately 82 homes closed in the school districts of Edgebrook Elementary and Wildwood Elementary.  The median price is about $385,000.  This will buy you a move-in ready, yet modest three bedroom home of ranch, Georgian or Tudor styles.  Baths can vary from 1 and 1/2 baths to 3 baths.  Style and charm can vary greatly.

2008 - 2012 First Half Sales in Edgebrook, Wildwood
Over the first half of 2012 (January 1st to May 31st) 32 homes sold in the Edgebrook and Wildwood school districts with a median price of about $355,000.  During the same period in 2011, 29 homes sold for a median of about $380,000.

2012 first half:  32 homes sold / median $355,000
2011 first half:  29 homes sold / median $380,000
2010 first half:  20 homes sold / median $500,000
2009 first half:  13 homes sold / median $600,000
2008 first half:  20 homes sold / median $450,000

Choices and prices have definitely improved since 2008.  It's also good to note that a median price house can put you near the Edgebrook Metra station and the small town area along Devon (featuring a handful of useful stores, coffee shops and restaurants).  The median priced house won't be considered large, but, one can definitely find an attractive, well kept home.

More homes sale statistics here!

Statistics gathered and analyzed by Eric Rojas, Real Estate Broker using MREDLLC.com data and tools.  All numbers approximates.