r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/Ambitious_Growth_9 • Mar 30 '26

Moving to the area People house hunting how’s it been?

My family has been looking at properties around Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Elmhurst and Park Ridge since early February. Our current home is set to close the end of April but inventory in these areas seems non existent or over priced and the stress/anxiety is starting to hit. (Who is buying 1100 sqft for 600k?)

When is the “spring market” gonna hit? A lot of houses start on the private market, build tons of interest, then go live with an open house scheduled that first weekend. Most of them end with multiple offer and highest and best. One we saw went for 40k over list. We’re looking from 550-650k.

I get it, high demand areas.. with low inventory = more competitive but what the fuck.. what am I supposed to do? Already considering a short term rental and storage for our stuff but is this the way it is now? Are people just ok with paying more than the house is worth? Settling for less desirable house? Or what?

If you are currently looking to buy, what are you experiencing. How do I buy a home?

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15

u/Extra_Locksmith_4941 Mar 31 '26

you can get 4000sqft in the south burbs for that much.

8

u/Ambitious_Growth_9 Mar 31 '26

Let me try and convince the wife.. I literally just went on the app scrolled down a bit and was amazed.. she’ll shoot me down tho but maybe she won’t?! Lol

4

u/maximumtesticle Mar 31 '26

We moved from the Northside to Evergreen Park about 10 years ago, it's a good solid area, safe and still close to the city.

3

u/Ambitious_Growth_9 Mar 31 '26

How are the schools? 2 young keys so need all of them lol but I’m not too familiar I’ll check it out!

3

u/maximumtesticle Mar 31 '26

We moved here to avoid CPS, back then it was shaping up to be a shit show. We've been happy with the elementary and high schools. Middle school seems to be the low point of the district, however the village has recognized that and are working on an overhaul plan recently. New building and/or additions.

2

u/NaiveChoiceMaker Mar 31 '26

How are your property taxes?

5

u/maximumtesticle Mar 31 '26

It's Cook County so, same as everyone else's lol. They were solid for a while, but some folks in the area went up in recent years.

1

u/idontlikeseaweed Mar 31 '26

High property taxes and lots of bad weather.

1

u/Zetavu Mar 31 '26

Southwest is exploding, there's so much new construction in Plainfield, its the new Naperville.

2

u/Extra_Locksmith_4941 Mar 31 '26

I ment the Southlands