Well, we had a lot of fun Monday and Tuesday looking at houses in “Chicagoland”, as they call the never-ending suburbs around Chicago proper (where it was still cold at the end of April). And now it’s your turn. We’ve winnowed the field to three contenders, and now we want – we need – your input. Here they are:
4521 Bicek Court, Hoffman Estates (map) (commute) (flyer) (disclosure)
3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1587 square feet on two upper levels plus basement
On a cul de sac
Small yard, but backs up to large park
Vegetable garden, compost pile, and playfort in backyard
Nicely finished basement
Small workshop area in basement plus deep garage with workbench
Split bathroom on upper level (shower and toilet separate from sinks and mirror)
Jacuzzi tub in master bath
Walk in closet in master bedroom
8-10 minutes to office through wooded area
Vacant foreclosed home two houses down listed for 100k less
Honeylocust tree (with no thorns, though) in front yard
Green carpet in master bath
Funny smell believed to be from furnace
Kitchen and bedrooms need updates
Stacked washer and dryer upstairs near bedrooms
Needs new roof in near future
Uninsulated garage (nonsensically the standard in Chicago)
Carpeting throughout with no hardwood below
627 Balboa Court, Schaumburg (map) (commute) (flyer) (disclosure)
3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1186 square feet on upper level plus basement
On a cul-de-sac
Large yard with mature trees and a deck
Recently updated kitchen with nice cabinetry and appliances
Recently refinished hardwood floors on main floor;
Nice carpet downstairs in family room
Real fireplace and custom built-in bookshelves downstairs in family room.
Beautifully decorated in neutral colors
Much of the furniture will stay if we want it
Close to large, nice parks
Lower property taxes
Entry will require some baby proofing
Hardwood floors for kids—bad idea?
No basement
Small closet in master bedroom
Shower only in master bath
25 minute drive from the office going highway and city streets
1331 E. Sanborn Drive, Palatine (map) (commute) (flyer) (disclosure)
3 bedrooms, 2 baths in 1248 square feet plus partial basement
Very similar floor plan to Schaumburg house (see above)
Wonderful large backyard with playfort
Nice family room/play area on lower level
5 minutes to office on residential streets
Yard backs up to stream and would need fence
Older house (built in 1963)
Lots of painting/redecorating to do
So, what do you think? Put all your thoughts, observations, and heartbreak-saving musings in the comments.
5 comments:
First of all, you were in Chicago? I thought you had company. I'm so confused....
Wow, that's a toughie on the houses. Is there not a clear front-runner? Here are my thoughts:
1) Hardwood floors are great for kids, pets and allergy sufferers. So much easier to keep clean. Wonderful.
2) Not having a bath in the master bathroom is not a big deal. Once you get really busy with kids, you won't have time to take baths, anyway. :)
3) Regarding updating: Since you guys are going to be making this huge move from Hawai'i to Chicago, and there will be so many big things going on: new job, new church, new friends, new drivers' licenses, new tags, finding your way around, etc., seems like you won't have much time for renovations. So it might be good to take that out of the equation, and just find something you like as it is. You can do a fixer-upper once you're more settled and ready for projects.
So, I guess I'm voting for 627 Balboa Court, Schaumburg. If it's got a big yard, you can put in your own fort, vegetable garden, whatever (I hear a certain Poppy is very good at forts). Plus, it's just adorable, with the bay window and red door. Neighborhood looks nice, too. Okay, that's my two cents for not having seen the properties!
I like that one too :-) but my judgment is based mostly on cute-house-ness.
Haha an 8-10 minute commute through a wooded area...that's a funny picture in my head. Tromping through the woods.
Yeah, I'd go for Balboa too. It sounds like it is definitely nice enough that you don't HAVE to do anything to it immediately, but as with any house, you could always work on it to make it your own when you find the time.
I agree that hardwood is great with kids - much easier to keep clean, and doesn't feel nearly as disgusting when you find mushed banana on it.
Also, not having to find furniture for the entire house is VERY nice when you move in - we moved into a house with some furniture and it was really helpful.
The commute is kind of a bummer - but when you get home at night Jill won't be pulling her hair out as much from chasing a little one, being pregnant (at some point), trying to figure out how she's going to get all the painting done, and replacing carpet. :)
Moving into a house is a lot of fun. And, whichever house you choose will become yours over time, and you will end up liking for different reasons....so hopefully there's some comfort in that! :)
A little late in casting my ballot, but my vote is for the house on East Sanborn. The largest yard by far and a good price. If a few coats of paint is all it needs, then it sounds like a winner.
Note to anonymous - your opinion would mean more if we, ummm, know who you are!
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