Oak Park single family home sales (south of I-290). Units down, median price up 12%

We've been in Oak Park showing houses the past couple weekends.  One client is looking for a "move up" house.  We represented them in the purchase of a house just over three years ago.  Two kids later - and with more purchasing power - they'd like to trade up.  A second group is looking for their first house and will move out of Chicago.

The quiet car-free streets of Oak Park on a weekend morning.  Oak Park has a "no overnight" parking ordinance.

Our client's current house is located in the Oak Park area south of I-290 (Eisenhower expressway).  Most of the houses we are looking at for a purchase reside in the southern area too. 

Oak Park sales south of I-290 between Austin and Harlem

Oak Park single family home sales January 1st to November 14th  (south of I-290)

85 single family homes traded hands so far this year. The median price is about $326,000 (up 12%  from last year). 110 units sold in 2013 over the same period. But median price was only $290,000. Oak Park is like many areas of the Chicago and the suburbs this year with low inventory (sometimes meaning lower unit sales) and higher prices.  

The highest sale price in 2014 is $685,672 for 1036 S Clinton Avenue, Oak Park IL 60304.  The fully gut renovated home on a double lot (50' wide) was originally sold as a foreclosure is 2013 for $252,000.

The lowest priced sale this year was $130,000 at 1173 S Ridgeland, Oak Park IL 60304.  The small stucco bungalow needs a complete renovation.


2014   85 homes sold with a median price of $326,000
2013   110 homes sold with a median price of $290,000
2012   72 homes closed with a median price of $289,000
2011   49 homes closed with a median price of $290,000
2010   54 homes closed with a median price of $300,000 (Federal First Time Home Buyers tax credit in effect)
2009   72 homes closed with a median price of $310,000 (Federal First Time Buyer credit in effect)

I always find myself in Oak Park in early and late winter months as clients plan their moves.  Photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

See you in Oak Park!

Oak Park single family home median price up 19% since 2019

A home adjacent to Taylor Park in Oak Park, All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

An Oak Park client recently asked for a comparative market analysis (CMA) of their home.  While I researched their specific home's market value I also took a look at Oak Park over-all single family home sales this year.

Oak Park Single Family Home Sales 2023

399 single family homes have sold in Oak Park from January 1st to December 31st, 2023. Median price of a sold single family home this year is about $525,000 (up 19%). The median price in 2019 prior to the pandemic was $440,000.  

-The highest priced sold home is $1,750,000 at 420 N East Avenue, Oak Park IL 60302.  

-The lowest priced sold home in 2023 is $170,501 at 1131South Ridgeland, Oak Park IL 60304. 

Many Oak Park blocks have large setbacks and green parkways.

Looking to buy an Oak Park single family home now? 30 single family homes are currently listed for sale on the MLS with a median asking price of $519,000.  There are 20 homes listed on Private Listing Network. Although some of these homes listed privately present opportunity I believe many are over-priced at this point. Private Listing Network often takes some maneuvering!

Contact Eric Rojas, Kale Realty to buy and sell homes in Chicago and near suburbs. erojas@kalerealty.com

One "Tasty" condo development coming to Oak Park (and a look at condo sales)

I took a good look at the "District House" condo site 700 West Lake Street in the Oak Park downtown last weekend.

Crain's reported on the proposed "District House" condos for Oak Park last March.  The modern looking project replaces the Tasty Dog site that was forced to close after financial issues in 2015. 
 One year later the development site is clear and construction fences up. Asking prices are reported in the $500s to $800s.

In 2016, 396 condo units sold for a median price of only $167,000.  Most units under $200,000 still average assessments well over $300.00 a month. The highest "non-townhouse" condo sale is $692,000 at 156 N Oak Park Ave Unit 1A, Oak Park, Illinois 60301 for an updated 2500 sq/ft vintage unit. Another 1800 sq/ft vintage unit rehab grabbed $505,000 at  212 S Maple Ave Unit 26, Oak Park, Illinois 60302. A new town house development last year had sales in the $700s showing market demand for a high-end condo project.

More traditional rental apartments sit on two other corners of the intersection. Reports suggest over 800 new residential units will be added to Oak Park in a two year span.

The increased density of apartment and condo dwellers should be a boon to the Oak Park downtown.  Many of our city apartment renter and condo owner clients move to Oak Park to buy a house due to the more affordable prices in a good school district adjacent to a substantial commercial area.

District House is at the foot of the downtown Oak Park across from Starbucks and will add additional retail space.

Oak Park single family home sales up 7% in 2012

Earlier this year we took a look at single family home sales in Oak Park's Horace Mann school district.  Let's take a look at over-all single family home sales this year to date, which, seems to be a little more dynamic than last year.

A home adjacent to Taylor Park in Oak Park, IL. Photo Eric Rojas, Broker

2012 Sales
To date (June 25th, 2012), 154 single family homes have sold and closed in Oak Park with a median Price of about $380,000.  During the same period in 2011, 143 homes were sold with a median at about $350,000. It is rare to see a city, town or large community area have both unit sales up and median price up around the Chicagoland area.

The Top
Two closed homes topped $1 million in Oak Park so far this year. 535 Euclid Avenue closed at $1,100,000 and 215 Forest Avenue closed at $1,050,000.

North of Lake Street Vs South of Lake Street
The home unit sales were distributed pretty evenly throughout Oak Park. 79 homes closed north of Lake Street (the main street downtown that basically splits the north and south of Oak Park evenly) with a median price of $420,000.  About 74 homes closed south of Lake Street with a median price of $307,000. 

More Oak Park HERE
Contact us is you are looking to purchase a home in Oak Park.

Oak Park single family home sales 2017 (median price up 18% from 2012)

Grand properties in Oak Park. We were involved in multiple offer situations on several Oak Park homes this season. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Many of our Chicago clients move to Oak Park to purchase their first single family house. They simply find the combination of price-point for a livable house and school district more desirable than Chicago. Oak Park offers a substantial downtown with dining and entertainment options akin to Chicago lifestyles. The Park District is rather robust as well.

Quick look at Oak Park's downtown

Let's take a look at over-all sales.  I sometimes dial down to school districts, condos etc... give me a shout if you are looking in a particular area and price point.

One of several retail/ restaurant centers around Oak Park

 Oak Park single family home sales January 1st to July 22nd, 2017
279 single family homes closed from January 1st to to July 22nd. The median price of a sold house is about $455,000.  The lowest sale for a house is $115,000.  The highest sale is $1,240,000.

321 houses sold over the same period in 2016 with a median price of $435,000.

Going back to the "turn" (when the market started climbing up from the crash) only 203 houses sold over the same period with a median price of about $385,000.  Median price in 2017 is up 18% from 2012.

Oak Park single family home sales (median sale price $452,000)

Large traditional homes on wide lots in Holmes School district.

I'll be listing a house for sale in the Holmes Elementary School District early this spring. I've had to take a close look at the district sales for our client.  With many clients and family members in Oak Park we also keep a close eye on over-all home sales around town.  Let's take a look!

406 Oak Park single family homes were recorded as closed in the MLS (MREDLLC.com) over 2018.  The median price is about $452,000.  The lowest priced sold home is $141,000 at 130 North Austin, Oak Park, IL 60302. The nice sized home on the busy thoroughfare was in need of a gut renovation according to the broker. The highest closed sale price recorded in the MLS in 2018 is 511 Linden Oak Park, IL 60302 sold for $1,205,000. The mini mansion with coach house on a 104'x174' lot is a little dated for my taste lol.

A rare modern newer construction home I've always admired in Holmes School district, Oak Park.

115 of the 406 closed houses sold between $400,000 to $500,000.  This is a common budget/ price range for our clients looking for a house outside of Chicago.  Only eight homes sold for over $1 million dollars in 2018. 

28 single family homes closed in the Holmes school district with a hefty median price of $726,000. The desirable school district straddles the shops of Chicago Avenue and the robust downtown district.

I stopped at Buzz Cafe for breakfast in the Oak Park Arts District before heading north to my client's house.

In 2015, 455 single family homes sold with a median price of $420,000.  In 2013 as things started to climb out of the recession 497 homes sold with a median price about $382,000 ($80K less than 2018). If you bought 5-9 years ago and kept your home maintained you are probably in a decent equity position. 

Oak Park home sales in Washington Irving School District

We viewed a rare newer construction home in Washington Irving School district of Oak Park.  The massive "city" style home goes deep on the lot for more house but less yard. It's priced at the higher end of the neighborhood at $750,000 but does have a current comparable home under contract in the same price range. All photos Eric Rojas, Kale Realty.

Our lovely clients are looking for a move-up home in Washington Irving School district of Oak Park.  Here's a snippet of single family home prices in the recent years.  We also have noted a ramp of rehabs going on in Irving school and surrounding school districts south of I-290.

Home sales in Irving School district January 1st to  September 9th
34 single family homes have sold in Irving School district boundaries so far this year for a median price of $334,400.  47 single family homes sold over the same period in 2015 at a lower median price of $312,500.  

Back in 2012 when the housing market started to crawl out of the crash 29 homes were sold with a median price of about $308,000.  In 2009, the post crash year, only 22 homes sold with a median price of $280,000.  We see a slow and steady rise in median price over the last 7 years.

The "Big House". Full gut rehabs with second story additions are a more common site around Oak Park these days but complete new construction is still a bit of a rarity.

The highest priced sold  home so far in Irving during 2016 is $580,000 at 1023 Wesley Ave, Oak Park, Illinois 60304. The double lot home with four bedrooms and three full baths has extensive renovations.  That will probably be topped as 1137 S Harvey is under contract with an asking price of $750,000.

The lowest priced sold home is $180,000 at 1035 S Harvey Ave, Oak Park, Illinois 60304.  The two bedroom brick bungalow sold as a short-sale was in good shape and a great value for the area.

From time to time our clients, friends and family make the move from Chicago to Oak Park and other south and west suburbs. We've helped them find and secure terrific values.  Call us if you are thinking of doing the same.

Oak Park home sales in Whittier School district

Oak Park charm on a sunny warm February Sunday (All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

We're working with clients selling their city town house and looking for a single family home in Whittier School district of Oak Park.  Let's take a look at home sales for this area of Oak Park - our neighbors to the southwest.

About 50 single family homes closed in Whittier School district over 2016.  The median price was about $433,000.  A median priced home will usually get you 3 to 4 bedrooms, 1.5 to 2 baths in a well conditioned typically vintage house.  About 35 homes sold in Whittier over 2015 for a median price of about $369,000.

47 homes sold in 2014 for a median price of about $430,000.
46 homes sold in 2013 with a median price of about $425,000.

There were three million dollar home sales in Whittier over 2016.  The highest priced sale was 518 N East Ave,  Oak Park, Illinois 60302 for $1,250,000.  The ornate vintage home sits on a 100' x 173' lot.

The lowest sale was 837 N Taylor Ave, Oak Park IL 60302 for $205,000 cash.  The small one story frame home was sold in a foreclosure sale and needs some work.

A typical Oak Park in February

Eight single family homes have closed so far in 2017 with a median price of $305,000.  Ten homes are currently under contract with a median asking price of $500,000.  Only six homes are actively listed for sale in Whittier at this writing.

New for Sale! Oak Park house $349,900 (and home sale numbers this year)

1164 Clarence Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304 is now for sale at $349,900. This is an incredible price and value.

Open House this weekend! 

1164 Clarence Ave. Oak Park, IL 60304
$349,900

Saturday November 2nd 12p to 2p

More photos and info HERE

About 334 single family home have sold in Oak Park this year from January 1st to October 29th, 2019. The median price of a single family home is $445,000. The highest priced sale is 417 North Kenilworth for $1,750,000. The property sits on five city lots! Seven homes have closed for over $1,000,000 this year. 

The lowest priced sale is 1180 S Scoville for $147,375. The foreclosure home sold in auction. The property will most likely be a gut renovation with a full second story added. Seven homes have sold for under $200,000 this year.


At $349,900 1164 Clarence Avenue is the best value in Oak Park! You will love this attractive move-in ready home! Enjoy vintage detail with many important improvements. Three nice sized bedrooms upstairs with a fully remodeled bathroom. Be sure to check out the 2nd bedroom bump out. 

Main floor has spacious living room, formal dining room and sliding glass door to walk-out deck. Smart and handy mud-room sits off the well equipped kitchen and leads to a huge 20'x8' deck. 

The yard is gorgeous. Two years NEW garage! The finished basement adds comfortable family room/ guest space with full bath and large laundry room. Central AC and heat (new furnace), newer windows throughout. Walk to everything including Rehm Park, Oak Park Conservatory, Euclid Park, Blue Line and Irving School. Terrific value for this well cared for and stylish home!

 Exclusively Listed by Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

2447 N Ashland, Chicago IL 60614

773-510-1597 - erojas@kalerealty.com

ericrojasblog.com

Oak Park(ing)

Oak Park is the suburb of choice for many that don't want to leave Chicago, but must. There are many things that are Chicago-like... the goofy Cook County Board governs all, taxes and more taxes, dense blocks of single family homes or multi-units, bungalow architecture, people walking rather than driving...and good restaurants.

But when it comes to parking your car...LOOK OUT! Oak Park does not allow parking overnight on most residential streets (which I think is kind of nutty). And I quote:

"Parking is generally prohibited on all streets from 2:30 - 6 a.m., seven days per week, year around, except when allowed by permit or pass. The overnight parking restriction dates back to the late 1920s. Overnight on-street parking of cars bearing permits is only allowed in multifamily housing areas, except in front of churches, schools and parks and on blocks where housing is more than 50 percent single family.In areas of Oak Park not zoned for multi-unit buildings or designated as permit areas, the overnight parking ban remains fully in effect."

It's a little strange going down a dense Oak Park block of homes at night that looks like a Chicago street but with no cars parked anywhere. Few cars are parked on the streets during the day as well. When guests need to park overnight, you must call the car in to the Village.

However, some parking restrictions are worth a look. As the sign above suggests, after two inches of snow cars must move on even or odd calendar days so plows may clear the streets. Sounds like a good idea. I'm talking to you Chicago.

Does anyone think moving cars (like we do on regular street cleaning days) is a good idea during snow storms? I don't know where we'd put the cars, but to me... it's worth the one day of Hell to quash dibs!

Read more Oak Park posts here!

North Center and Oak Park open houses this weekend (say hi to me and Bob!)

4104 N Western 3S is an upgraded three bedrooms, two baths condo with attached garage parking offered at $399,900. All photos Eric Rojas, Kale Realty and VHT.com

We have two new listings with open houses this weekend. They are two very loved homes and it shows! Our long time clients have lived in these homes for ten years each. I've spent many good times at each and I know you will see why. Contact me direct with any questions.

Open House North Center

4104 N Western Avenue Unit 3S, Chicago IL 60618 asking $399,900 

Saturday November 9th from 12p to 2p

North Center three bedrooms, two baths condo in Coonley School district with everything on the checklist! ATTACHED GARAGE parking included. Richly finished home with cherry hardwood floors, balcony, solid core doors, crown molding, high ceilings, CAT 5 and speaker wiring, concrete sound insulation, gas fireplace (gas logs, can be converted back to wood burning), in-unit washer/dryer. 

Inviting living room with huge east facing windows, fireplace and dining space. Cherry kitchen cabinets with tons of storage, granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Good closet space throughout the unit. Three true bedrooms. 

Meticulously kept master bath with steam shower, heated floors, double vanity and separate tub.

Master bedroom with 8x6 walk-in closet, balcony door. Luxurious en suite double vanity bath, separate steam shower, heated floors and separate jet tub. New water heater! Hall stairs lead to common roof deck with skyline and western views. Great location close to 90/94, Horner, Welles and Revere parks, dining, the North Branch river walk, great schools (Lane Tech, Coonely, Bell, St Ben's etc...). Super PET friendly, no rental caps, 100% owner occupied at this time.

1164 Clarence is a three beds, two baths home with lots of updates! Irving School district, walk to Rehm Park, easy highway and Blue Line access.

Open House Oak Park

1164 Clarence, Oak Park IL 60304 asking $349,900

Sunday November 10th from 1pm to 3pm

Best value in Oak Park! You will love this attractive move-in ready home! Enjoy vintage detail along many renovations. Three nice sized bedrooms upstairs with fully remodeled bathroom. Main floor has spacious living room, formal dining room and sliding glass door to walk-out deck. 

Gut renovated bathroom!

Smart and handy mud-room sits off the well equipped kitchen and leads to a large 20'x8' deck. The yard is gorgeous. NEW two car garage (2 years old). The finished basement ads comfortable family room/ guest space with FULL bath and large laundry room. Central AC and heat (new furnace), newer windows throughout. Walk to everything including Rehm Park, Oak Park Conservatory, Euclid Park, Blue Line and Irving School.

Contact us for showings.  If you are in the Chicago real estate market or near suburbs... you gotta guy! We have access to off market and Pre-MLS properties for our buyers. No nonsense advice, planning and execution for our seller clients.

Oak Park seeing the most home sales since 2016

 

The Chicago metro real estate market has performed well despite the pandemic conditions in 2020. A lot of media reports have focused on the heated markets in the west suburbs and the North Shore. However many of our clients move to Oak Park adjacent to the city.  Oak Park is popular Chicago alternative. The little city connected by the Blue and Green lines. A place where you can get a relatively affordable house compared to many Chicago neighborhoods and good schools. How has Oak Park done this year?

Winter is coming...in Oak Pak!

Oak Park is seeing the most single family homes sold to date since 2016.  From January 1st to October 15th 406 Oak Park single family homes have closed. The median price of a closed house is $457,000.  The highest sale is 407 North Kenilworth  for $1,975,000.

2019, 321 houses closed with a median price $445,000

2018, 398 houses closed with a median price of $450,000

2017, 398 houses sold with a median price of $457,500

2016, 458 homes sold with a median price $434,900

2015, 383 homes sold with a median price of $424,000

As the pandemic approached and worsened no one could predict what this year's housing market would look like. Unit sales in fact cut in half or more during April and May in many communities. But the Chicago and surrounding single family home markets bounced back like crazy as many buyers took advantage of low interest rates to either move to the burbs or upgrade their square footage in the city.

Sold! Oak Park charmer with great lot and yard

Our buyer client recently closed 522 N Marion purchased for $450,000. All photos Eric Rojas Broker, Kale Realty

We are always looking for a great lot and location when buying single family homes! We are excited our client closed on this classic Oak Park cottage with a garden friendly yard.  522 N Marion is located on a fantastic block full of attractive homes, mature landscaping and just steps from shops and restaurants. The home is situated on a 50x149 lot with extra space between neighbors. Plenty of east, south and west light will help with any green thumb!

Large set-back front yard and inviting front porch looks out over mature landscaping.

The 50' lot feels spacious as the large side setbacks keep the houses separated.

The exterior of the house needs a little work (Old House Blues!). However the interior is move-in quality with nicely updated kitchen, baths, doors and preserved woodwork. Oak Parkers are no stranger to older, sometimes quirky homes. Some old homes just have a better feel than others and we knew this was "the one" for our buyer a few steps in the door. The outdoor space was the clincher!

Congrats to our much appreciated repeat client Sarah!! She is clearly thrilled to be with me (totally not terrified) at the closing last week!

350 Oak Park single family homes have closed as of September 8th of this year. The median price of a sold home is about $460,500.  Median price of Oak Park single family homes is up 18% since 2102.

More of my Oak Park related posts here  Call us to buy and sell in Oak Park and other surrounding Chicago suburbs! 

Snowy Oak Park house sales in January up almost 100%

We looked at a house on the 300 block of South Harvey

Many of our clients are trading in their condos for single family homes in Oak Park.  We were back looking at homes in the $500,000-$600,000 range last weekend.  I love showing homes in the snow!
Let's see if the 2012 increased homes sales activity spilled into this January.


Oak Park Single Family Home Sales January 2013

33 Single Family Homes closed (sold) last month in Oak Park.  This is up about 95% over last January.  The median price last month was a reachable $350,000 (the majority of homes under the $350,000 needed extensive rehab). 


The lowest home sale price was a small frame foreclosure at 1176 S Cuyler sold for $66,012 (how they got to the $12.00 I don't know).  The highest priced sale for January was 818 N Grove for $710,000. The 4 beds, 2 full and 2 half-bath home was fully renovated and had a rather contemporary interior for the swanky north Oak Park location.

8 homes (24% of sales) were sold as either foreclosure or short sales.

Statistics gathered from MREDLLC.com

More Oak Park posts HERE

Eric Rojas, Kale Realty quoted on Oak Park improving single family home market

Lacey Sikora interviewed me for a story on the Oak Park single family home market.   
Read the story here at OakPark.com. They contacted me after some posts I did on sales trends for Oak Park we've been seeing this year.  Read our Oak Park posts here

Photo Eric Rojas, Real Estate Broker

Bob and I represent buyers looking to purchase in Oak Park.

New photos of pricey "District House" development in Oak Park, units sold up to $899K

The District House development 147 Euclid in Oak Park taken on Friday. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty.

The "District House" development site in Oak Park last March 2017.  Chicago Cityscape has photos of the nearly completed units.

We wrote about District House in Oak Park last March.  The development site was cleared at 700 West Lake Street... also known as the former Tasty Dog.  The District House development goes by the address 147 Euclid N Euclid.  MREDLLC.com listings show units under contract from $599,900 to $899,900 and states only two units remain for sale.

Chicago Cityscape (via Steven Vance) has pictures of the near completed development at the link.  The well located smart looking building is brought to you by the experienced higher-end Chicago Ranquist Development Group.  My grand opening party invite must have went to spam.

We often represent clients in Oak Park.  Please contact us today if you are considering a move to the suburbs.

Back in Oak Park!

We saw several 3 bedroom homes (like this one on South Wesley) priced from $300K to $375K (photo Eric Rojas)

We were back in Oak Park this past weekend with our clients looking for a house.  Oak Park has been a solid option for our Chicago clients looking to move from condos or renting and into owning a single family house under $400,000.

More Oak Park house statistics coming up this week.  You may also read more Oak Park posts here!

A canopy of green in Oak Park

A huge sprawling tree covers the entire backyard of a prospective house. Mature trees and landscaping can be found in every direction on the 700 block of North Grove Avenue in Oak Park.

I was in Oak Park this past Saturday with clients looking for houses in the $500,000 range.  That brought us to one the greenest few blocks in Oak Park: North Grove Avenue in Horace Mann school district. I failed to get shots of the street this time around.  However, one could not imagine a more down home and attractive street of landscaped classic houses!  The blocks were a flurry of activity as owners cared for their trees, shrubs, flowers and homes.

You can really lose yourself in the yards these blocks and forget your in an urban environment.  It feels much more like a  Michigan vacation house when you step into the yards and see 
green in every direction (hiding any hint of the bustling village just yonder).

Step into the woodsy environs of Oak Park!