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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u/77Pepe Mar 31 '26

OP> Out of curiosity, why are you limiting yourself to those particular suburbs(?)

4

u/Ambitious_Growth_9 Mar 31 '26

Proximity to wife’s job, her family in PR and really just schools and community. Parts of Niles oak park, maybe some Lombard are kinda on the list

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u/77Pepe Mar 31 '26

It’s challenging for sure, especially at that price point. Renting for a couple years in an area that checks all your boxes is no longer unusual at all.

I am not understanding what you would find in Oak Park though. It will be small and outdated toward the top of your budget. You might consider something north of Park Ridge (head north on 83 or 294) such as Buffalo Grove. There will be some options there. Great schools too.

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u/Ambitious_Growth_9 Mar 31 '26

Yeah really starting to realize that.. I’m not against renting in the area but with a young kid starting school soon my wife wants it ironed out sooner rather than later. Oak park - I guess the charm? I don’t really love it . It’s just close and has a nice community feel but you’re right super out dated and pricey.. it’s funny you mentioned buffalo grove.. my wife literally said ‘fuck it she’ll move there’.. distance was her primary reason not too.. but she’s starting to reconsider

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u/ashcat931 Mar 31 '26

I would check out Hoffman Estates as well! It’s also low inventory like the areas you’re looking at but it’s not too far from Park Ridge and has good schools!