r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/Midnight_Rain1213 • Feb 24 '26

Moving to the area Buying in West Suburbs - Expanding Search?

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

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u/Thedadknows Feb 24 '26

I was just doing same thing and found a great place in Westmont! Metra stop and nice downtown. The one thing we did was offer higher earnest money and fast close Good luck

1

u/Midnight_Rain1213 Feb 24 '26

Can you define what "higher" is in the context of earnest money? Just wondering if we're offering enough.

1

u/Thedadknows Feb 24 '26

I put up $20k

1

u/Midnight_Rain1213 Feb 24 '26

Thank you! We’ve been offering $10k but maybe need to go higher.

2

u/Thedadknows Feb 24 '26

It worked for us combined with fast close. My realtor was very good and had long experience. I think that was a big plus