Darien Home Sales on Rebound

Buyers are in full swing this early home buying season, and Darien is at the top of my requests for showings lately. Prospective home buyers are actively looking in this Chicago near west suburb for single family homes and townhomes.

Buyers are being swayed in this direction because they know they will get the most their money can buy in today’s real estate market. In addition, Darien offers great community, schools, abundant new retail and is near major arterial roads such as Cass, Plainfield, Route 83 and highway I-55. There are many choices to make when looking for a home and at varied price ranges.

Today’s buyer is looking for updated move-in ready homes. New trim, neutral colored paint, updated baths and especially kitchens – these are on the top of their want list.

What is piquing buyer interest: affordability. Chicago rents are expensive and today’s buyer realizes this is their turn to get a deal. New homebuyers are  41% of today’s buyer market,and today’s highest active affordability price tags range between $250K-$399,999K (as indicated in recent MLS sales below).   

Also, townhomes, not condos, are popular among the younger buyer who wants low maintenance and prefers mid-sized developments of 15+ unit townhomes such as Reflections or the Bailey Park subdivisions. Some of today’s younger buyers are a step ahead opting to skip the townhome process and buy a home now in affordable subdivisions like Farmingdale or Hinsbrook, where beautiful traditional-style homes with a nice footprint are available.  

So if you’re a seller and you are thinking of putting your home on the market “as-is,” think again. There’s a lot of competition out there, but making a few simple fixes can get your home sold faster by making a few changes. A kitchen overhaul, bathroom update or updating the color of your walls can bring more appeal to a home vs. one that is stuck in the 80s or in some cases the 70s. There are several inexpensive fixes that pay off big and are also the top turn-offs to buyers:

1. Update floor tiles - approx $200 for average size bathroom Ceramic tile
2. Paint those ugly purple or bright yellow walls! – The cost for a good gallon of paint $23
3. If you have wallpaper - REMOVE  IT and paint. No one likes wallpaper from 1980
4. Wood floors seem tired? – Put a clear coat of satin polyurethane to brighten them up
5. De-clutter the home completely – show off every inch of space possible
6. Curb appeal – take a picture of the front of your house and add some color, flowers or just  brighten it up

Darien recent single family homes sold / price range. The most active prices are those in the

$250k-$349,999 range

Darien, IL DEMOGRAPHICS 

Christine Moscinski is a Broker Associate/Realtor at ERA TEAM FEINSTEIN LLC in Hinsdale, IL and regularly reports on the local real estate market. Visit her blog at www.ask-the-realtor.com for more real estate news and market reports! FREE HOME SEARCH