Oak Lawn IL Real Estate News

How did Burbank real estate sales of 2009 compare to those of 2008?  Like most southwest suburbs, there was an increase in sales for single family Burbank homes sold, but decreases in prices and Burbank condos showed complete decreases.  This is the first time since at least 2005 that the average price for single family Burbank homes is under $200,000!

Detached Single Family Burbank Homes Sold

# of Houses Sold |  % Change  |  Average Sale Price  |  % Change
2009     |   2008    |                     |     2009      |  2008

193            132             46.2%        $182,342   $218,667      -16.6%

Attached Burbank Condos and Townhomes Sold

Attached single family is the combination of Burbank condos, townhomes, duplexes, etc.

# of Properties Sold |  % Change  |  Average Sale Price  |  % Change
2009     |   2008        |                     |    2009      |   2008

7                8                 -12.5%        $103,857   $132,638        -21.7%

To see Burbank property sales statistics from 2005-2009, click the link.

I just have to write about Nickobee’s Restaurant & Lounge in Chicago Ridge as I just finished leftover Shrimp DeJonghe and it was even better than when it was first served.  I also have a couple of stories about the restaurant we rarely go to even though it’s always good.  And there’s a reason we should dine there more often.

One summer day about 11 years ago I was on a date and we met up with a group of my friends to listen to a local band in the beer garden, or patio, although it was called Patsby’s at the time.  I had noticed a guy that I was introduced to not too long before and upon first introduction I had no interest in him whatsoever.  However, we kept ending up in group situations and he started growing on me.

He was sitting with a different group of people and I hadn’t expected him to be there.  For some reason I made it a point to pass him by, touch his shoulder (I never touch men) and say hello on the way to the washroom.  There was a spark.

I return to the table with my date and crazy friends and we had a great time.  My future husband made an effort to come to our table and say hi (he’s a social butterfly).  My friends didn’t know him.  He left before we did and he was on the parking lot side of the wrought iron fence and was grabbing it and jumping up and down like a monkey in the zoo.  My friend’s husband made a derogatory statement about him (after he left) and I jumped to his defense so vehemently that everyone looked at me funny, including my date.  Watching him acting like a monkey I thought to myself, “I’m going to ask that guy out.”  And I did later that week.  We got married 3 years later.

So we should eat there every Sweetest Day and/or Valentine’s Day, but we never have.  And I don’t know why.  The first time we actually ate at Nickobee’s was when it was located at 103rd & Harlem.  We used a coupon from an Entertainment Book.

And for some reason, that’s the only reason we usually go there.  However, the first time we went with our current coupon, my husband ordered one of the daily specials and we couldn’t use the coupon.  So we went back the other day and he places an order and once again, it was a daily special.  So that darn coupon is going to keep bringing us back and he’ll probably keep ordering a daily special.

No problem, we’ve had great food and service every time.  I’m not sure why it doesn’t come up every time we want to dine out since there’s really not a lot of restaurants close to our Oak Lawn home (the usuals are Prime Time, Oak Lawn Restaurant and TGI Friday’s).

Nicobee’s Restaurant and Lounge is located at 10301 Southwest Highway, Chicago Ridge, IL  60451  - Phone number is 708-423-7500.  The beer garden (or patio) is now open.  Prices are moderate to high for the area and the daily specials are a pretty good deal.

Photo courtesy of lilddude

Click the photo or the address link - 7340 W. 73rd St. - to see photos, a virtual tour and read a full description on this raised ranch on a huge lot with a newer 2 1/2 car garage.  All of the big money items have been recently redone such as the siding, furnace, central air, and more!  Check out the website that is all about this Bridgeview home and will give you school information, a map and WalkScore and more.

SOLD! This home is quaintly charming with modern functionality.  It is located in “downtown” Oak Lawn within walking distance to the train, grocery store, village hall, the library, police station, dining and entertaining. Drive around 5 minutes to I-294.  This unique home is on a double lot with 2 pin numbers and is on a dead-end street.

As you step into the ample living room you’ll notice the original hardwood floors.  The ceramic tiled kitchen is huge with a separate eating area and a peninsula that offers plenty of cabinets and counter-space.  All appliances will remain.  There are brand new windows in the living room and kitchen.

A hallway off the kitchen takes you to the beautiful walk-in wooden pantry with a sink and window and plenty of storage on shelves and cabinets with doors and hardwood floors.

The family room is also unique with a bow window, a stained glass window and vaulted ceiling and hardwood floors.  French doors take you out to the huge deck and privacy fenced backyard with an extra cement area to park a boat, extra car, rv or whatever (the fence opens up).

Wait until you see the two-story garage with stairs up that offers storage for everything you have.  Rumor has it that a stained glass artist lived in this house and used this upper level as her studio.  There is a gas hook-up for a heated garage and a window for an air conditioner if you wanted to use it for something similar.

There are two newly remodeled full bathrooms (up and down - the upper bathroom was just finished) and 2 bedrooms on the main level and two up.  The two lower level bedrooms have hardwood (one is carpeted).  The master bedroom is spacious with vaulted ceilings.  A one-year Home Warranty is provided to the buyers.
Click the link to 9418 S. 54th Ct. to see an entire website dedicated to this particular home.  See many photos, a virtual tour and get information on what’s nearby (WalkScore), schools and more.  If you’d like to view this home fill out the form on the website or call Judy Orr at 708-536-8200.

Support Your Local Musician!

Rockin’ Jimmy Herter is an Oak Lawn resident that started on his musical journey at the age of 10 when he won many awards for playing the saxophone.  He won’t be bringing the sax to Prime Time this coming Saturday, March 13th, but he will be playing his guitar and singing a variety of songs (around 4 hours worth).

One of Jimmy’s first bands was called The Invaders.  He is now in a popular 60’s British Invasion band called The New Invaders.  He is hoping some of his great fans will take a trip to Hickory Hills to catch him in his first solo act in a few years.

Prime Time Restaurant is one of my favorite southland restaurants that recently opened at 7750 W. 95th St., Hickory Hills, IL  60457.  The phone number is 708-599-2333.

Prime Time Restaurant features a wonderful bar/lounge area and comfortable dining rooms.  They offer soup, salads, sandwiches and dinners at reasonable prices.

Jimmy hopes you can make it.

Like Oak Lawn home sales in my prior post, it wasn’t all decreases for Alsip as you can see below:

Detached Single Family Alsip Homes Sold

# of Houses Sold |  % Change  |  Average Sale Price  |  % Change
2009     |   2008    |                     |     2009      |  2008

98            75               30.7%           $149,713   $181,471      -17.5%

Attached Alsip Condos and Townhomes Sold

Attached single family is the combination of Alsip condos, townhomes, duplexes, etc.
# of Properties Sold |  % Change  |  Average Sale Price  |  % Change
2009     |   2008        |                     |    2009      |   2008

43              50              -14%           $112,516     $125,285        -10.2%

There was one increase in statistics for the amount of Alsip homes sold in 2009.  The average sale price decreased.  Alsip condos and townhomes fared worse with decreases in the amount of Alsip condos and townhomes sold and the average sales price.

To view sales statistics starting from 2005, click Alsip Real Estate Sales Statistics.

The stats are back and let’s see how we did.

Detached Single Family Oak Lawn Homes Sold

# of Houses Sold |  % Change  |  Average Sale Price  |  % Change
2009     |   2008    |                     |     2009      |  2008

313            268           16.8%        $237,064   $196,518       -17.1%

Attached Oak Lawn Condos/Townhomes Sold

Attached single family is the combination of Oak Lawn condos, townhomes, duplexes, etc.
# of Houses Sold |  % Change  |  Average Sale Price  |  % Change
2009     |   2008    |                     |    2009      |   2008

143            175           -18.3%         $113,013   $142,449        -20.4%

Everything is down with the exception of single family Oak Lawn homes.  Prices are down across the board and I can’t believe what I’m seeing.  The average sale price of an Oak Lawn home is now under $200,000!  We haven’t seen figures like these in many years.

Many sellers will not accept these facts and continue marketing their properties at boom prices.  A home will sell in any market if it is priced right for the current market.  If you need to sell because you’ve lost a job or have financial problems then you might consider a short sale.  Just because you owe a certain amount of money on your mortgage does not mean you can get that price in today’s declining market.

You also have to consider the amount of Oak Lawn foreclosures competing against you.  Sure, some of them are fixer uppers, but not all of them.  There are some great Oak Lawn foreclosures and some just require cosmetic updating - well worth it for the low prices, even if you have to hire someone to do the work.

For past Oak Lawn real estate sales statistics starting from 2005, click the link. The data above was provided by the Northern IL MLS and our Mainstreet Board of REALTORS.  If you’re interested in selling or buying an Oak Lawn home give Judy Orr a call at 708-536-8200 or fill out my Contact Form.

I swear my Mom took us to a quack while we were growing up in Blue Island.  I never realized dentists x-rayed your teeth because Dr. Quack never did.  I guess if he couldn’t see problems with his eyes, they didn’t exist.  We didn’t know any better.

There was a period where I didn’t go to the dentist at all (in my 20’s).  When I got pregnant with my first child I had a toothache, followed by another.  I didn’t know where to go and a friend suggested a dentist in Oak Lawn.  He worked on four molars that were very bad and I swear he came at me with the Novocaine shot like a knife.  The pain was so bad I shook when I had an appointment and I was crying and complaining to my husband, who told me to visit his dentist, Dr. Antonacci from Hometown Dental.

What a difference!  He used a cotton thingy to numb my gums before the Novocaine shot.  He had a great personality.  I ended up getting a lot of dental work and finally made my twice a year appointments.

I was as happy as I could be regarding a dentist.  And then he retired (either he looks very young or retired early).  I was depressed.  Now I’d have to start over again.  I stopped going because although he had a replacement I didn’t want to try a new dentist again.

And then I must have had a problem and ended up setting an appointment with Dr. Pappas.  Wish I hadn’t waited!   He’s youngand fun and knows his stuff (he’s not too young, he’s married with four young sons).  Because I once again had work done with crowns and a cavity, I got to know him as there was a time I was getting work done where I had to come back every week for a while.

My husband used to live in Orland Park so he kept his Orland Park dentist.  I kept trying to get him to switch to Dr. Pappas of Hometown Dental Care.  Then I got a glimpse of Dr. Pappas’ new partner, Mischa J. Ivetich, DDS.  I knew hubby would like her and I told him about her to lure him to make the switch.

He made his first appointment and when he returned home he said, “You told me she’s a 10.”  I said, “I think she’s pretty.”  He replied, “She’s an 11!”  Needless to say, she is now his dentist.  I always request Angie to do my cleanings.

So if you’re looking for a great dentist call Hometown Dental care at 708-424-8110.  They are located at 4084 Southwest Highway, Hometown, IL  60456

I am working with a cash buyer so have been privy to viewing some Oak Lawn foreclosure homes. The prices range in the high $120,000’s.  He has placed several offers on these Oak Lawn homes and has been met with multiple offers on most. We finally had one of his offers accepted and he is now deciding whether he wants to continue on with the purchase after the home inspection.

Some buyers don’t realize that you get the inspection option even with a foreclosed property. They are usually all sold in “as-is condition” but if an inspection shows major repairs that you don’t feel you can afford to fix, then this is your chance to cancel the contract. You also have the typical attorney review.

With foreclosures, you write up a regular purchase contract but that will be followed by addendums from the mortgage holder. I once had an Oak Lawn condo with some lengthy addendums and my buyer’s attorney told him he had never seen such addendums before. My buyer walked away from that one but found an even better Oak Lawn condominium and signed those addendums.

I am waiting for an answer regarding another offer I sent in last week for another Oak Lawn home in foreclosure. I have requested that the listing agent notify me of receipt of the offer but I haven’t heard anything back from him.

I’ve dealt with many different reo/foreclosure agents/brokerages and some are very good with communicating, but for the most part I’ve had a difficult time. With my current accepted buyer’s contract, we received the signed contract more than 2 weeks after it was accepted by the mortgage holder. It threw all dates off and we’ve asked for an extension. The listing brokerage claims they never received a copy of the signed contract but they’ve already made a couple mistakes and they never, ever call me back even though they tell me they will.

A lot of these reo brokerages have popped up within the past couple of years. Some have good systems, others don’t. I was surprised that I haven’t heard anything back from the offer I recently submitted because this agent isn’t in one of these little, independent reo brokerages. He works for a popular franchise, so I thought he’d be a bit more forthcoming. Yet he cannot even acknowledge that he received the offer.

This lack of communication from these foreclosure/reo companies makes us all look bad. My buyer clients can’t understand why we can’t find things out or get proper paperwork. Some of these buyers have called the listing brokerages themselves and then they understand what I’m up against as they couldn’t get an answer either.

But that just shows that they felt they needed to go over my head because I wasn’t getting them the information they needed. That makes me look bad, especially when I’m constantly repeating over and over that I’ve called again today and they said this and that…

In fact, I’m going to call the listing agent of the most recent Oak Lawn foreclosure home after I’m finished with this post. It’s too bad we have to keep bugging these agents and it wastes everyone’s time when all they have to do is shoot off a quick e-mail or make a quick call. In my opinion, if they can’t do these simple tasks they shouldn’t handle these kinds of listings.

If you’re looking for a foreclosure home in Oak Lawn or any other southwest suburb, give Judy Orr a call at 708-536-8200 or use the Contact Form.

I would like to give thanks to my neighbors in Oak Lawn and the surrounding suburbs.  I have sold real estate since 1983 and my first office was a Century 21 that was located on 95th St. in a little strip mall.  We then moved to 106th & Ridgeland in Chicago Ridge and then back to Oak Lawn on 95th St. a bit west of Central Ave.

I am now with Classic Realty Group but work mainly out of my home office in Oak Lawn.  I grew up in Oak Lawn, as did my husband, and we’re still here.

I love the fact that we can walk to the train (it’s great for downtown closings), Starbucks, Freshline and more.  I love how Oak Lawn keeps reinventing itself and is able to attract new vendors and restaurants.

Oak Lawn still offers a great location being the closest southwest suburb to downtown Chicago and capitalized on that by building three higher-end condominium complexes near the newer train station.  I had to get a medical test done and it was great having Christ Hospital about 5 minutes away.  I’m a city girl and love having everything close, including the I-294 access another 5 minutes away (depending on the traffic back-up).

With everything the village has to offer you can still get more for your money with Oak Lawn real estate.  The average Oak Lawn homes price in 2008 was $237,064 compared to $271,028 in Tinley Park and $380,829 in Orland Park.  2009 prices will probably be lower in all 3 villages but I think they will reflect the same trend.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling Oak Lawn real estate give your local neighbor, Judy Orr, a call at 708-536-8200.  Judy lives, shops and works in Oak Lawn and knows the village.  Fill out the Automated Home Finder form to get listings sent directly to your e-mail from the MLS or just do your own Oak Lawn MLS search.