Chicago's Jefferson Park undeniable

I find myself more and more in Jefferson Park (Jeff Park, if you will). You will not find me here lecturing on the rich history of Jeff park, that's what the links are for.

A long time northwest side neighborhood, Jefferson Park has seen a boom in higher end single family homes, condos and town homes over the past 10 years. This has been no secret and maybe even a source of dismay for many long timer residents. But thus is the same in any neighborhood caught in the real estate boom. A new construction single family home will start at 650K for a brick and frame. Ouch for many of us.

But the value for young families is in the well kept Chicago Bungalows that start at $400K for a move-in condition home. Yes, I just took a look at several homes located from about 4900-5600 north and 4500-6300 west, and there were a couple "move-ins" at just over $400K... a couple.

These bungalows are located on quiet well kept streets, have terrific structures (foundation, tuck-pointing, roof, yard, garage, maybe mechanicals etc...) and are less than scary inside. Hell, one home on the 4900 block of North Meade was cute as a button... just pristine inside and out. Meade is a quick jaunt to 90/94 and easy down town.

So what am I talking about? If you live on the north side and are having kids... want a house...want to stay in Chicago... only have $400-$500K to blow on a house... you HAVE to look at this area of Jefferson Park. It's not that far really. Besides, you pretty much spend all your time watching your kids be kids and trying to keep your sanity, so why not do it in your own house?

Although there is not much retail to walk to when you get into the residential streets that make up the lay of the land out there, you will get nice neighbors, parks and schools. My favorite block of Jefferson Park may be the area surrounding Beaubien Elementary School and Robert Square Park. Beaubien is a top 10 elemenatry scholl year in, year out. This is a terrific three block radius with a mix of new construction homes, exisitng colonials, two and three flats, bungalows... very pretty block surrounding the park. Metra and Blue Line are just a couple blocks away.

As a Realtor, this specific area is definately on the list to watch for my family. I'm in Ravenswood now and own a duplex condo, but as we grow the family and the kids get a little older, Jefferson Park may be it. It's a pretty quick drive to my office in Lincoln Park too believe it or not. Every time I'm researching for clients, I'm looking at those houses and internalizing how it meets a family's needs. "Could I see my family here?" Yes.

As my broker and I were saying the other day, you can't deny Jeff Park if you want a house in the city and don't have a cool mil lying around.

Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce

Yo Chicagostyle="font-weight:bold;"> on Jefferson Park

New For Sale! Renovated Jefferson Park single family house $269,900

Bright, open kitchen with plenty of counter space.

For Sale! 5201 W Foster, Chicago IL 60630 asking $269,900.  Watch the video walk through!



Renovated Jefferson Park home in Beaubien School District. Crain's Chicago Business calls Jefferson Park a "best bet to buy a house" in Chicago.  Fantastic location for commuters! Minutes from two Metra lines, the CTA Blue line, 90/94 and Foster all make it easy to O'Hare, the burbs or downtown. Walk to Roberts Square Park, Mariano's grocery and Forest Glen Woods.

View more photos HERE

New roof, windows and an attractive exterior welcomes you home!

Open floor plan on main level.

Newer fully renovated kitchen overlooks the living room.

Fully renovated basement provides large family room, storage, 3rd bedroom and laundry room.

Family room.

Lower level bathroom with walk-in shower.

WOW moment backyard!

5201 West Foster, $269,900
3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
2 Car garage
33'x125' Oversized lot
Landscaped yard with patio and pergola
Attic storage

Open floor plan on main level with living room, dining area, (2) bedrooms and one full bathroom. Newer gut renovation kitchen with maple cabinets, granite counter-tops and stainless steel appliances. Fully finished lower level with family room, second bathroom with walk-in shower, 3rd  bedroom and a separate laundry room.

Summer nights in your own yard!

Recent improvements include new windows throughout the house, fully finished basement, all new baths, new roof in 2015, newer HVAC, 6ft tall cedar privacy fence and gorgeous patio. The house is situated on a corner lot in Jefferson Park and just a few blocks from the Jefferson Park Blue Line and Metra stations (Forest Glen and Jefferson Park), Mariano's grocery and highly rated Beaubien public neighborhood school.

Jefferson Park is home to a booming arts and small business community. Art galleries, theaters and food trucks galore! During the summer there is a farmer's market nearby at the Copernicus center. Several parks and forest preserves for those that enjoy being active. Great sense of community!

 Exclusively listed by:

Eric Rojas, Vice President/ Broker

ericrojasblog.com

erojas@kalerealty.com

Kale Realty - Lincoln Park

2447 N Ashland Avenue

Chicago IL 60614

773-510-1597

Portage Park, Jefferson Park sales in the affordable "Mayberry Triangle"

The little "Mayberry Triangle" of Portage Park/ Jefferson Park is full of these attractive brick bungalows with the angled, protruding roofs.

We are working with clients looking for a three or four bedroom single family home along the CTA Blue Line.  They prefer to buy lower in their budget and add their own renovations. The "all in" budget is about $500,000. The Jefferson park/ Portage Park area just east of 90/94 is a good fit.  Our clients used the name "Mayberry Triangle" to describe the distinct neighborhood boundaries.

The "Triangle" neighborhood  is boarded by 94 to the east, Montrose to the south and Milwaukee to the west. The sleepy area is technically in the Portage Park Community Area of Chicago but many refer to the area as Jefferson Park as well.  The draw is the relatively affordable brick bungalows near two Blue Lines and the Metra. Super easy to jump on the highways as well. 

Seven single family homes sold in the shaded area (above) of Portage Park, Jefferson Park from Jan 1st to October 31st.  The median price is a very attractive $225,000.  All but one of the homes are very dated and need extensive renovation. The highest sale price this year is $365,000.

Seven sales is a low amount of market activity for the density of the area and its proximity to good public transportation.  Few homes hit the market and the lower-end values were scooped up pretty quickly.

We viewed this foreclosure sale at 5008 W Wilson priced at $187,500 right after it hit the market. It was a little too much work for my folks.  It quickly went under contract with another buyer.

Ten homes closed over the same period in 2015 with a median price of about $250,000. It is rare over the past few years to see a North Side neighborhood a little down in sold units AND median price for single family homes.  The highest sale over the same period last year was $420,000. In 2014, eleven homes sold with a median price of about $331,000. The highest sale was $415,000.  The homes at the median and higher prices were renovated and move-in ready. 

The bargains were moving this year with few quality renovations hitting the market for sale.

SOLD! Jefferson Park two-flat with central air, dishwashers and separate utilities

 

It was a total blast helping friends and their family secure a two-flat for multi-generational living. Not only is it good for aging in place but also helps save money and build wealth.  All photos Eric Rojas, Kale Realty or used with permission.

I 'm very happy to have helped my clients (and friends) purchase a Jefferson Park a two-flat on the North Side for multi-generational living.  This was a special search in a competitive market. The home had to meet the needs of several family members. It took financial planning, aggressive scheduling, several offers and long negotiations. Super excited to have to assisted in a huge milestone!

Jefferson Park Two-Flat Sales

-Median price of a two-flat is up about 5% this year.  27 two-flat buildings sold in Jefferson Park from Jan 1st to September 5th of 2025 (recorded in our MLS).  The median price of a closed two-flat is about $560,000. 24 units sold over the same period last year with a median price of about $536,000.

-Median price of a sold three-flat over the same period is $670,000.

-Currently there are five small multi-units (2-4 units) for sale in Jefferson Park with a median price of about $580,000.

More posts on Jefferson Park / Portage Park here

Contact me to buy and sell Chicago and suburban properties!

Eric Rojas, Broker

Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614

773-510-1597

erojas@kalerealty.com

Discover Chicago's Northwest Side

The above title sounds innocent and pedestrian enough, but you should know me better.
The Chicago Tribune ran a story concerning the religious epiphany many soon to be buyers/home owners are having; there is a Northwest Side to the city. However, the story misses the boat on where it is really happening and hops to some neighborhoods that will be a tough sell to a Lincoln Parker or Lakeview aficionados. These of the home buyers the author seems to be suggesting are moving to the "sticks".


The author of the story more realistically alludes to the corridor of West Irving Park Road west of North Western Avenue (say that three times fast!). The story mentions a few developments. Several at the not- very-far -out locations sprawling from the 2700 block West Irving Park Road to the 3300 block west (the later apparently is considered a dream by the young buyers in the story). My favorite quote from one of my fellow Realtors describes the 2700 block of Irving Park Road… making it such a paradise that "you don’t even know you’re in the city"… except that you live on Irving Park Road.

Now, I consider myself the Northwest Side expert in our brokerage… pushing the boundaries of our Lincoln Park office. I was born and now live on the Northwest Side and giggle a bit when 2700 West is considered “just in reach”. A couple more observations for the reader of this story…

The Irving corridor has developed past Western Avenue and I agree that this should be on the radar. But new construction heading out all the way to Pulaski will still cost you (in most cases) 309K and up exponentially for two bed, two baths with parking at about 1200 sq/ft. This stretch is terrible for train access, so plan on taking the bus. You have to live all the way up in Old Irving around 4200 West to catch a train, and there is little condo stock here. I did sell my clients a three bedroom two bath, 1800 sq/ft awesome rehab in a three flat (super rare) on Keeler. But the units that make it worth pushing out there are still $350K plus and must be near the train.

The single family houses, move-in quality around the train, start at $450,000K and will need some work. Nice place though, if you want a nice single family home for $500K and-up to settle down- but still live in the city near hotter neighborhoods. Not much to do as far as retail/restaurants, but the parks are terrific.

The story completely missed out on Lawrence Avenue heading west from North Western Avenue. This is farther north than Irving Park Road (so should fall in the boom of the great Northwest Side) and one of the more interesting transformations in the city. This stretch all the way out to Kimball (and a few blocks west) offers access to the Brown Line along with buses and easy out to 90/94 if you need it. It’s here that you are seeing the greatest amount of conversions and new construction, combined with a ready made retail/entertainment district that can extend from Lincoln Square.


Lawrence Avenue from Lincoln Square through Albany Park, and the surrounding blocks, has the most amount of development… stretching all the way to Jefferson Park.


My take… just try to get a Lakeview or Lincoln Parker looking to buy a condo to push out to Norwood Park! Sorry Norwood Park. Basically, the Tribune article makes a good point… condo developments happen West of Western and North of Irving Park Road. But not in great numbers once you pass Kedzie or Kimball Avenue going west or northwest of Foster and Western. A lot of these northwest areas are still sleepy when it comes to retail and entertainment clusters, but offer nice single family homes close to transportation downtown… sometimes close to transportation downtown I should say.

I like to be creative with my North Sider clients’ home search, but I’m not sure most are ready for Peterson Park, Sauganash, Edison Park, North Park, Jefferson Park, Norwood Park….even Rogers Park, Albany Park, Edgewater, Mayfair, North Mayfair...

Under Contract! Jefferson Park two-flat draws a crowd, offers

5312 W Carmen in Jefferson Park (Photo Eric Rojas, Real Estate Broker)

We recently listed 5312 W Carmen for sale at $229,000.  The legal two-flat building on a 30x125 lot is in move-in condition and perfect for an owner operator.  While needing a little TLC, some big ticket items were done such as a new tear-off roof, new great decks, major plumbing and refinished floors. The units have separate furnaces and the top floor has central AC (a big plus at this price-point).

The property was under contract after the first day of showings.

The property has a great yard.

5312 W Carmen is located in the Beaubien Elementary school District boundaries.

5312 W Carmen is only one block from Robert's Square Park and three blocks to the Jefferson Park Blue Line and Metra Station!

 

This is a great, quiet area of Jefferson Park anchored by a park, school and terrific transportation.  Big box shopping is close by and the highways are easy to get to. 

 

 

Contact Bob and Eric if you are looking to buy or sell a home in the Jefferson Park area.

Shopping Jefferson Park houses near the proposed "Weber Spur" trail

Curbed Chicago did a nice update on the proposed bike/ recreation trail called "Weber Spur.  The trail would travel southwest from West Devon/ North Pulaski intersection to West Sunnyside/ North Cicero intersection in Jefferson Park. A City Water Management depot sits adjacent to a Union Pacific underpass at the location.

I believe this Union Pacific Railroad underpass would be the southwest end of the Weber Spur at West Sunnyside just west of North Cicero based on the map above.

Image of Webster Spur trail from Curbed Chicago

House sales near the proposed Jefferson Park trail entrance:

We showed nice Chicago bungalows last evening to first time buyers a couple blocks from the Jefferson Park entrance to the proposed trail (our clients have offered on one). The area is bounded by Milwaukee to the Edens, Montrose to Lawrence.  Move-in ready three bedrooms, two baths houses in this little section can be had from the low $300,000s near the trail. 

The shaded area shown above in Jefferson Park is located near CTA Blue Line trains, Metra and the proposed entrance to the Webster Spur recreation trail (lower right hand corner of shaded area. Nice bungalows are relatively affordable in this area with good shopping and transportation options nearby. 

16 single family homes sold over the last twelve months in the shaded area above.  The median price of a home in the area is about $290,000. Most of the houses are brick or stucco Chicago Bungalow style homes. Frame cottage-like bungalows are also common.  The homes vary in level of improvement... the most valuable and sought after improvement being a large second floor dormer with a full bath on the second floor.   The highest single family home sale in the shaded area was at 4627 N Leclaire Chicago IL 60630 for $432,000. 

I don't think there will be a huge impact on home prices directly related to the Weber Spur but it will definitely be a marketable amenity that attracts home buyers. The trail can help people identify and relate to the specific geographic location.

Single family home sales in Jefferson Park: Median price approaching $300,000

A really cool stucco two story cottage near the Montrose CTA Blue Line in Jefferson Park (not for sale, photo Eric Rojas, Kale Realty)

Our first time buyer clients recently entered into a purchase contract on a certified Jefferson Park brick bungalow. Let's take a look at over-all "Jeff Park" single family home sales this year.

73 Jefferson Park single family homes have sold this year as of Friday May 22nd. The median price is about $285,000.  The highest sale was the 2007 built 5658 N Lockwood, Chicago IL 60646 for $612,000 in the Edgebrook Glen development. Several homes sold in this new construction sub-division  7 of the top 10 highest priced sales this year.

76 homes sold over the same period in 2014.  However, the median price was much lower at about $235,000.  Same period in 2013 yielded 69 home sales with a median price of only $205,000.

2012, 51 homes sold for a median of  $180,000
2011, 41 homes sold for a median of   $211,000

Under contract! Jefferson Park buyers jump at "perfect house" (Jeff Park median price up 29% since 2013)

Watch the video walk through of our latest Jefferson Park home listing.  




5201 West Foster, Chicago IL 60630 asking $269,900 received many qualified offers on our first day of showings.  The purchase contract is in attorney review and inspection period. 

A stucco bungalow in a quiet, leafy Jefferson Park neighborhood (photo Eric Rojas, Kale Realty).

 Jefferson Park single family home sales 2016
228 single family homes are recorded on MLS as sold in 2016. The median price is about $296,000 making it one of the more affordable community areas near transportation on the North Side.  In the past few years many low end homes are being scooped up for redevelopment.  I see that median price continuing to trend up over the next few years as newer finished homes sell in the market.

The highest closing for 2016 was 5862 N Luna, Chicago IL 60646 for $705,000.  The new construction home is on an oversized 42'x189' lot. 

In 2015, 210 single family homes closed for a median price of $275,000.
2014, 192 single family homes closed for a median price of $245,000.
2013, 206 single family homes closed for a median price of $230,000

Under contract! Jefferson Park certified bungalow with great second floor (asking $319,000)

4424 N Lamon, Chicago IL 60630 (photo

Inspection time! We're conducting our first time buyer's home inspection (right now!) at 4424 N Lamon, Chicago IL 60630 in Jefferson Park.  Our client's purchase contract is in the "attorney review and inspection" period.  The property inspection is really exciting.  It allows our buyers to get familiar with the home and get a primer on the ins and outs of regular maintenance.

Our clients identified Jefferson Park along the Blue Line as a great value for them. The spacious Chicago Bungalow on a wide, quiet street is close to the CTA Blue Line Montrose stop. The owners may receive special tax benefits and incentives through the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association.  The location works for both driving and using public transportation in their day to day lives. We look forward to helping our buyers to the finish line and with home ownership after they close.

Check out my our recent post on Jefferson Park single family home sales.  If you are looking to buy or sell a house on the North Side of Chicago give us a call!

Jefferson Park Modern

Here's a a cool duplex down in the $360s located by Robert Square Park and Beaubien School in Jefferson Park. There is quite a bit of variety in housing here; new construction single family homes, duplex condos, townhomes and multi-units all hug the park.

The Blue Line is located at the highway just a block behing this property located on North Lockwood.

Portage Park single family home sales, median price up 87% since 2012

Earlier this month I walked a "punch list" for a new construction home buyer in Portage Park. Several items needed to be completed before appraisal and closing. Nine contiguous new construction homes have been built adjacent to a traditional Tudor common in the neighborhood. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Many of our home buyers are finding themselves in Portage Park these days. And why not? Extremely low inventory and budget busting prices in the likes of Lakeview, Lincoln Square, Lincoln Park and Logan Square have buyers turning to Portage Park for relatively affordable new construction homes. The northwest Chicago neighborhood offers plenty of commercial retail conveniences, a several CTA Blue Line and Metra stations (to the east of the neighborhood) and quite tree-lined streets.

A former bank parking lot that took up the majority of the 4900 block of West Dakin has been transformed into nine new construction single family homes.

Portage Park single family home sales 2018

A robust 453 single family homes were recorded closed on MREDLLC.com over 2018 (does not include off market closings which probably puts this over 500 closings). The median price for 2018 was about $320,000.

Median price is up 37% from 2012 and 87% since 2012.  

The highest priced closed home was 4743 North London, Chicago IL 60630 at $679,000. The four bedrooms new construction home sits on a 25'x126' near the large Jefferson Memorial Park and the Jeff Park Metra.  The lowest priced house sold for $140,000 cash.  The traditional Chicago bungalow at 4544 North Laporte was thoroughly damaged by fire. Around 65 of the closed homes sold were new construction or gut rehabbed homes. 

Past Sales
In 2015,  411 single family homes closed for a median price of $240,000.
In 2102, 355 single family homes closed with a median price of only $175,000!

More posts on Portage Park HERE

Contact us to sell and buy homes in Portage Park and greater North Side Chicago and suburbs. We offer the most competitive full service broker commission rates for selling, pre-market opportunities for buying and 20 plus years of experience in real estate transactions. Don't get ripped off!

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

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