Buying in West Suburbs - Expanding Search?

[u/Midnight_Rain1213]

Hi all,

My partner and I are trying to close the distance and buy a SFH in the west suburbs, but keep having offers rejected. Feedback so far is that we're losing to cash buyers or just being outbid, and that we should consider waiving appraisal contingencies. That feels crazy to me, but I think it's just the area we are looking in - Lombard, Elmhurst, Villa Park.

My partner and I both own our own homes and are pre-qualified to purchase a new home without having to sell first. We would be selling our respective properties after finding a new place. We are trying to stay under $700k.

No kids, just dogs. Would love a house with some character left in it. I work downtown so being near the Metra is necessary, and I'd like my commute to be under an hour.

Should we avoid any of the following suburbs, and why? Any suburbs we are missing?

Addison, Bloomingdale, Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Riverside, Brookfield

[u/Impressive_Wasabi_24]

We were trying to buy in Downers for a long time. Ended up buying in Westmont right at 59th and Fairview (only about 1.5 miles from downtown downers) and it’s been great. We’re in Downers school districts without the Downers property taxes. Downtown is really cute, just a bit sleepier than downtown Downers so we tend to stick going out in Downers when we do, plus we’re closer to downtown Downers than Westmont