Oak Lawn IL Real Estate News

I live within walking distance of the TGIF in Oak Lawn.  When I first purchased this home I had mixed feelings of living so close to a popular restaurant.  Was my house too close to a commercial establishment?  Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to walk to the restaurant instead of having to drive and park?

I enjoy being able to walk since it’s so close.  But I’ve never been crazy about their food.  However, I do have to admit that with their ever changing menu I’ve been finding some good stuff.  I enjoyed their version of “sliders” and I had a beef stroganoff the other day that I finished (I usually take half home).  It was on the smaller portion section of the menu so I didn’t feel too guilty, although I still could have taken half home.  But it was so good I couldn’t stop eating it.

There were a few other items on the menu that I’d like to try so we’ll definitely be going back soon.  We are located near the downtown area of Oak Lawn and I love the fact that we can walk to many of the restaurants and other establishments.  If we ever move, I’ll really miss our convenient location.

If you’d like to search for Oak Lawn homes for sale, click the link which will take you to the Oak Lawn MLS search.  Or give me a call at 708-536-8200.

How many Oak Lawn homes are for sale today?  There are currently 275 single family Oak Lawn homes for sale right now.  You can view these homes by searching the Oak Lawn MLS.

Prices start at $82,500 for a 2 bedroom, 1 bath ranch style home all the way up to $625,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home that was built in 1962.  I have to say, I do not see this particular home being worth that kind of money and thought it was a typo but it’s been on the market for 15 days.

It is a split level style home and although the photos look nice, I still can’t believe the price tag!  Almost sounds like someone put it on the market that doesn’t really want to sell.  I do notice it is listed with an out-of-area brokerage so maybe they really don’t know the values here since they’re located in Hinsdale.

Hinsdale is a very high priced area so maybe the listing agent has those high prices in her head, but that doesn’t mean you can bring Hinsdale pricing to Oak Lawn!  I did not expect to see such a ridiculously priced listing when I began writing this post.

In fact, the more I study the photos and description, this split has old fashioned patterned mirrors in what appears to be the living room and/or dining room.  So it’s not as if it’s lavishly updated.  It does list some updates but nothing that would justify that price.

I cannot see this home getting any showings, let alone offers.  As a resident of Oak Lawn, this home might be in the $300,000 price range (and might be lower in today’s slow buyer’s market).  Again, this is sight unseen and I might be missing something valuable, but I don’t know where I’m missing what could be more than $300,000 of value!

This just goes to show that sometimes a local agent should be used to get a home sold.  We know the values in our area.  This listing will sit on the market for a very long time at this price, and I truly feel this is a travesty for the sellers.

Of course, the sellers could have demanded this price but I wouldn’t take such an overpriced listing.  Was a Comparable Market Analysis done?  All I keep thinking is that it’s a typo/mistake and no one caught it yet.

I’m so dumbfounded I checked the listing agent’s inventory and she does have 10 properties (in different statuses) over $1,000,000 so she’s used to higher prices than we deal with in Oak Lawn, IL.  I did a quick search for similar homes in the area and the next highest priced home was a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath quad level priced at $384,900.

Oh well, I’ve got to get over whether it’s a simple typo or sellers (and possibly an agent) with their heads in the clouds.  As I said, they’ll be lucky to get a showing at that price.  Unbelievable!

If you’re considering living in Oak Lawn, Illinois, give Judy Orr a call at 708-536-8200.  As you can see, there is a price range for everyone and I can find you something in your price range and with the amenities you desire.  If you’re selling an Oak Lawn home, please allow me to create a Comparative Market Analysis for you.  I have been working this entire week with Oak Lawn buyers and your home might be perfect for them.  You can always use my contact form if you have any questions.

I wrote a post last year about the Oak Lawn $3.00 car wash facility raising its fees to $5.00.  I never wrote a follow-up when they reduced back to $3.00.  Then I didn’t write how their low rates, that used to only be good Monday through Thursday, were now good throughout the week!

So when I drove past the car wash the other day and saw that it is now a $2.00 car wash, I knew I had to post about it - and get my car washed!  I couldn’t see any details on available days for the $2.00 wash, so I’m hoping it’s $2.00 any day.

Of course, as I lined up to get my car washed, the employee tried to talk me into getting a more expensive wash (which they always do).  He told me it was a low pressure wash with no spot-free rinse.  I told him I wanted the $2.00 car wash and he reluctantly took my two bucks and gave me my receipt (to save for a free wash - I forget how many are needed and I forget where I save them - duh!).

As my car went through I didn’t notice anything low pressure.  I couldn’t tell it wasn’t a spot-free rinse and I couldn’t wait to see if my car dried up spotty.  As soon as I got home I checked it out and my car was as clean and spotless as always.  For only $2.00!

I’m noticing all sorts of vendors reducing prices and offering coupons that they never offered before to get business during this recession.  We need to shop local and take advantage of these offers to show our appreciation.  Shop Oak Lawn!

And if you’re looking for Oak Lawn homes for sale during these bad times for sellers, good time for buyers, give Judy Orr a call at 708-536-8200 or use the contact form.

I’ve been very busy showing Oak Lawn homes for sale and selling real estate in the southwest suburbs.  So I haven’t had time to cook lately and have been dining out.  I do have to lament that sometimes I wish Oak Lawn had the selection of restaurants that Orland Park does.  Sometimes we have to think hard to find a restaurant close by so we don’t have to travel and it’s not a big deal just to get a bite that’s a step above fast food.

So the other day my husband and I were playing the “what do you feel like eating” game and I told my husband it was his turn to choose.  He said how about Fox’s Restaurant, or Fox’s Pub, as we usually call it.  I didn’t expect that because I cannot remember the last time I’ve eaten in Fox’s Pub in Oak Lawn.  We’re probably going back 15-20 years!

I was never crazy about their pizza like others were and that’s what was always ordered when we ate there many years ago.  So I’ve never considered going there again, especially since in my mind I’m picturing an old, outdated restaurant.

But I thought, let’s give it a try.  And I was pleasantly surprised at the fact that it was nice and comfortable and was crowded without a wait.  I ordered fried shrimp and it was OK with a light batter and I was excited since they offered baked beans as a side.  I liked those better than the butterflied fried shrimp.  My husband ordered a special that was Steak Diane.  He finished it so it must have been good, although it didn’t look like a huge portion.  He wasn’t complaining.

I had no intention of ordering dessert but there were mini cake slices and there was a chocolate banana flavor and although it wasn’t on the dessert dish the waitress brought, she checked in the back and found it.  It was very rich although there wasn’t much banana flavor.  Although my husband took a bite, eating that smallish piece put me over the top and I felt uncomfortably full.

As we were nearing the end of our dinner a musician started playing which was another nice touch.  The dinner was OK, the place seemed clean and inviting and the service was great.  The bill was close to what I was complaining about with Francesca’s so I guess I don’t dine out enough.  Seems like if you’re going to get a beer (my husband) and a dessert or two it costs over $50.00 nowadays at a mid-priced restaurant for a couple.  I just don’t know how some people can afford to take families out to eat these days.

But Fox’s is definitely a place I’ll visit again and it’s been a long established Oak Lawn eatery, maybe one of the longest lasting (not sure when Petey’s Bungalow opened their doors).

I have dined at Francesca’s a couple of times in Oak Park and downtown Chicago.  I might even have dined at their Palos Park location.  I remember enjoying the experience every time.  And that is why I was chomping at the bit for Francesca’s to open their restaurant in Oak Lawn, IL.

My husband actually dined there before I did.  His sister took him out to dinner for his birthday and I was out of town.  He said it was OK and that it was their first week and they were just starting out and getting organized.  I’m not sure what that meant but he was ready to go back a second time with me.

We went on a Sunday for dinner and we rarely get an appetizer, unless you want to consider my husband’s beer.  I always get iced tea, no lemon.  Our server was pleasant and attentive.

I wasn’t sure what I wanted when we arrived and I couldn’t find much that enticed me, much to my dismay.  I’m not a typical Italian restaurant lover (I like sweet sauces and don’t always find them) but I did remember enjoying whatever I had ordered at other Francesca’s.  But nothing was hitting me on the menu.

So I ordered a 4 cheese pizza, even though I felt mascarpone and blue cheese were a couple of odd choices on a pizza.  It was very rich but good, but I’m not sure I’d order it again.  I still can’t quite applaud blue cheese on a pizza but will be having the leftovers for lunch today.

My husband ordered one of two tilapia dishes offered and loved it.  He ordered a wine with his dinner.  His tilapia was with shrimp on the top and a nice looking sauce.  He offered to share but it just didn’t mix with my pizza so I declined.  I did stick my finger in the sauce and it was a lemony flavor.  The tilapia looked like it was perfectly cooked and even though I’m not a fish lover (although I can eat tilapia) I was almost tempted to take a bite as it looked delicious.  He did pull out a couple of bones from his mouth and that turned me off as that is one reason I’m not keen on fish.

We normally do not order dessert (I’m always dieting) but they had gelato (spelled gelatti or gelati on their dessert menu which is the plural for gelato per Wikipedia) so I ordered the banana fudge version.  My husband had mango sorbet (sorbetti on the menu).  Mine was wonderful, my husband’s mango sorbet had a flowery taste to it.  I was hoping for one scoop but the order was two scoops and unfortunatley, I finished them both.

All in all, it was a good dinner until we got the bill.  Including my husband’s beer and wine, our two dinners and two desserts, tax and tip came out to around $72.00+.  I thought that was a bit steep for a quick Sunday dinner in Oak Lawn.

If we go again we’d share the dessert but that’s only knocking $6.00 off the tab.  Hubby will have to have his beer at home - lol!  I’m not sure I’m going to run back to Francesca’s on 95th anytime soon.

I’m glad Oak Lawn is attracting restaurants like Francesca’s, even if I felt it was a high tab for our little village.  Time will tell if I’m in the minority on this and I hope Francesca’s prospers.  It keeps Oak Lawn on the cutting edge and helps make it a prosperous and forward moving village.

Francesca’s on 95th in Oak Lawn is located at 6248 West 95th Street, Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Phone Number - (708) 598-7007

If you are thinking of buying an Oak Lawn home give me a call at 708-536-8200 or fill out the Automated Home Finder’s Form to get listings sent directly to your e-mail.

I’ve shown a lot of short sales and foreclosures lately and many would be surprised to see how many are in Oak Lawn.  We want to believe these things are happening someplace else, not in our own backyard.  Some are great deals and get snatched up quickly and hopefully cleaned and fixed up which is good for our neighborhood.

But I’ve shown a few homes lately that are in horrible shape.  One home appears to be a nice brick and sided split level home.  But step inside and you’ll gag from the thick smell of mold.  You see, something happened to cause standing water in the family room and you can see the mold growing on the drywall and wood!  I’ve shown it twice, to an unsuspecting buyer and then to an “investor” who backed off.  He told me he could fix anything.  But that scared him away!

Today I showed what appeared to be a decent brick ranch (although the garage door was messed up) and you could tell the prior residents were upset and threw stuff against the walls and I don’t even want to know what the stuff was on the floor.  This was a short sale - it hadn’t even been foreclosed yet.

Although at first glance it seemed to be cosmetic and cleaning, it looked so abused my buyer didn’t want any part of it.  Unfortunately, he missed out on a great deal in the past and is having a difficult time trying to find one like that.  It was an Oak Lawn home that sold for the low $100’s and didn’t need much work (and even had an updated kitchen).

The best thing we saw today happened to be a little ranch home in Chicago Ridge but he wasn’t thrilled with it.  There was another Oak Lawn home for sale that looked like another decent brick split level but it stated that there was severe fire damage.  I didn’t even bother setting an appointment on that one.

If you’re thinking of buying a home in Oak Lawn give Judy Orr a call at 708-536-8200 or fill out the Automated Home Finder Form to get listings sent directly to your e-mail from the Oak Lawn MLS.

How many Oak Lawn homes have sold in the first quarter of the year and how does it compare to the same time last year?  The data below will show you how Oak Lawn real estate is faring during this recession.

Amount of Oak Lawn Homes sold:
2009 = 38     2008= 57 - this shows a downward trend of -33.3% - that’s a big number meaning the number of ready, willing and able buyers has dwindled
Average sale prices:
2009 = $192,704     2008 = $236,129 - showing a decline of -18.4%

Viewing the above Oak Lawn homes sales figures, you can see what buyers are buying, and those are the less expensive properties.  These include short sales and foreclosures, which in turn brings values down.  These are year-to-date figures from January 1st, 2009 through March 31, 2009.

Now is a great time to buy while prices and interest rates are still low.  Give me a call at 708-536-8200 or contact me.  Feel free to search the Oak Lawn MLS to get your list ready of homes you’d like to view.

Wow!  I have seen some great foreclosure deals in Oak Lawn recently.  The last two “steals” were Oak Lawn condominiums for sale that were valued around $125,000 and sold for around $80,000.

What kind of shape were they in?

You might wonder what kind of condition these units were in.  And I have to say, not bad.  Each one just needed cleaning and cosmetic work like cleaning or replacing carpet, painting and cosmetic updating.  The updating was something that didn’t have to be done, just cleaning and you could have moved in.

The listing agents didn’t do the sellers any favors

These were both reo properties, handled by small brokerages that have an “in” to sell these kinds of foreclosures.  However, I question if the listing agent actually goes to each listing they take.  One unit did not specify on the MLS print-out that it had an in-unit laundry room.  The other unit stated there was no garage, but there was.

Those were huge errors and many interested buyers would not have viewed these properties because of these ommissions.  That means less bids coming in, although each unit did have multiple offers.  But maybe there would have been even more and higher offers if the listings were put in the MLS correctly.

Since these were big mistakes, I truly wonder if they just don’t send an employee out to do a quick measure and to take one exterior photo and put a lockbox on.  Of course, it could be a harried agent passing on bad notes to a secretary that puts the listing in and can only go by what is given.

Either way, these errors can be great for a buyer.  There are less offers on the table and the property is priced low to begin with because I guess the mortgage holder doesn’t know what they have, either.

If you’d like to see if there are any deals in your price range, search the Oak Lawn MLS or fill out the Automated Home Finder Form where you can receive listings sent directly to your e-mail.  Call Judy Orr if you’d like to view any properties at 708-536-8200.

Update: SOLD!  This large and lovely 2-story home sits on a triple Oak Lawn corner lot with a very large backyard (something most corner lots do not offer).  Drive by and you’ll notice the covered front porch you can relax on in the lazy days of summer.

As you step inside you’ll be delighted by the large foyer with beautiful newer plank hardwood floors.  To the right is the spacious formal living room and dining room combination.  The living room boasts a bow window.

The eat-in kitchen has newer Corian countertops, tile backsplash and ceramic floors.  All appliances will remain but the clothes dryer will be switched out.  The tile floors extend into a hallway and the nicely done powder room.

Wait until you see the sunken family room with it’s wood covered vaulted ceiling and the soaring brick fireplace (woodburning with a gas starter).  What an inviting and comfortable room.  There is a unique shelf to display your collectibles on.  Sliding glass doors lead you to the backyard.

Upstairs features a large landing area with hardwood floors that is big enough for a piece of display furniture.  The hall bathroom has newer wood laminate floors.  All 3 bedrooms are nice sized, including the master suite with it’s private full bath.

The basement offers a large L-shaped recreation room with newer carpeting.  You can use it as a combination family room  plus a dining area, office, game room, exercise area, toy room for the kids or whatever you need.  There is also a spacious and separate laundry room with additional work space.

As mentioned, the backyard is big with a storage shed for easy access to yard tools and pool equipment, an above ground pool with a newer wood deck, a concrete patio, a small pond and plenty of room for outdoor fun and gardening.

To round it up, this beautiful family home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms, a 2 car garage, formal living and dining rooms, eat-in kitchen, main floor family room plus a full finished basement, all on a large lot.  Priced at $225,000.

Call Judy Orr at 708-536-8200 to see this beauty or use the contact form.

The #1 website for Oak Lawn homes for sale would like to post something a bit different today.  Real estate and other financial troubles in today’s recession should take a backseat to what has happened to a vibrant young woman who is a long-time Oak Lawn, IL resident named Becky Clifford.  As a result of an accident, Becky has suffered spinal injuries and is now a paraplegic under 24 hour care.

She attended Kolmar Elementary School and Richards High School.  She worked at the Oak Lawn Hilton as a catering manager.  Now she faces a very different life and future.

A benefit for Becky will be held at Bourbon Street this Saturday, April 21st, from 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.  It is located at 3359 West 115th Street, Merrionette Park, Illinois 60803.  Price for admission is $30.00 per person.  There will be raffle prizes and a silent auction.  Any donations are appreciated.

You don’t have to attend the benefit to donate.  The website, Giving Back 2 Becky, has information for making monetary donations or to order benefit tickets in advance.

I held a benefit at Bourbon Street for a friend who was suffering from an aggressive form of breast cancer (she passed away at the age of 41, leaving behind two children).  She attended the benefit and the money collected was only part of it.  She was so humbled to see how many people cared.  I think that was just as important as the funds collected.

Please go to the link above and donate or plan to attend this Saturday’s benefit.