Orland Park Real Estate Resources

Sometimes when looking through websites doing a Google search, I will find some so difficult to maneuver that I leave and find something else. I try to create my websites so they are easy to use and you can find what is needed quickly.

The following are some great Orland Park real estate web pages:

• Orland Park homes for sale - view all available homes for sale in Orland Park without having to do any kind of search. They are also broken down by price range to make it easier to find what you want.
• Orland Park MLS - this is where you can search for exact amenities you desire along with price. You can also search multiple areas (it is currently set for Orland Park, but by using the Ctrl button you can search for other towns simultaneously.
• Orland Park real estate - This is another website/blog page with a description of this popular village.

If you're interested in Orland Park real estate, these pages (especially the top two), are all you'll need. Happy Orland Park house hunting!

Lemont Homes For Sale

Lemont is one of my favorite villages in the southwest Chicago suburbs. We looked for a home in Lemont but found a fantastic foreclosure in Homer Glen. We are happy with our Homer Glen home but I still love the Lemont area.

If you love the history and location of this charming village, you might want to see Lemont homes available for sale. As of today's date, there are currently 188 homes for sale in Lemont.

Prices start at $125,000 for a 3 bedroom, 1 bath home with a 2 car garage that is an estate sale. The priciest Lemont home for sale is $1,599,000 for a 4 bedroom, 4 1/2 baths, 3 car garage brick two-story that has approximately 3,785 square feet.

Like most surrounding villages, there is a price for everyone in Lemont, IL. You can view homes for sale using the above link or you can expand your search to other towns by using the Lemont MLS search. Either way, you can view all homes for sale with photos, descriptions and much more!

Homer Glen Homes For Sale

As of this writing, there are 226 Homer Glen homes available for sale. Prices start at $172,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath foreclosure in the Pebble Creek Subdivision up to $2,100,000 for an 8,100 sq. ft. home built in 2009 located in Evlyn's Gate.

That's a wide price range and shows that Homer Glen offers single family homes in all price ranges. You can be a first-time buyer or maybe you're interested in a custom, upscale home - Homer Glen has it all!

The link above will allow you to view Homer Glen listings without even having to do a search. You will get choices of price ranges if you want to drill down to the price you're qualified for. Once you see a property you're interested in, just click on it and you'll get all the details you'll need to see if it might be a home you'd like to see.

Inclement Weather in the Southwest Chicago Suburbs

There was tornado damage in a farther south Chicago suburb of Peotone last night. Several homes were damaged and there were also some injuries. Peotone is considered a more rural area and I had relatives that had a farm there, but it's a little too far out of my selling area.

I slept very well in my Orland Park home last night and was surprised to speak to a client who told me he didn't get any sleep last night because of the storm. I remember having trouble sleeping in my prior Oak Lawn home that I just closed on last week.

It was originally a ranch style home that had a 2nd story addition put on, turning it
into more of a cape cod or 1 1/2 story home. For some reason, I could always hear the wind and rain more in my Oak Lawn home than I can in my current split level home. Maybe it's because my 2nd story was so much higher than in my current home.

I don't know the reason, but I'm glad to have "weathered" my first bad storm in my new Orland Park home. I hope the new owners of my Oak Lawn home slept well last night.

Feature Chicago Suburbs Listings

Below you will see photos for properties I am featuring that are currently on the market. If you click on any of them you will be brought to a custom single property website that will tell you all about the particular listing.

You can view multiple photos, read a description, find out the Walkscore and what is nearby, get school information, play around with a mortgage calculator, find out about the schools and more!

Please note: Some of these homes might be sold or otherwise off the market when you read this. Please contact Judy Orr at 708-536-8200 if you're interested in one of these listings.

Houses in Orland Park

Let's take a look at houses in Orland Park. Today there are 310 single family Orland Park homes for sale. This is a much larger amount of inventory than the last "house count" I did in February, when there were 230 homes on the market. And that is proof that we are not catching up on the inventory, in fact, we have more inventory than we did in the beginning of the year.

Houses start at $130,900 for a 2 bedroom, 1 bath ranch style home in unincorporated Orland Park that needs some work. The highest priced home is $4,500,000 for a 6 bedroom 3-story with 5 full baths and 3 powder rooms! It has been on the market with no price reduction yet for 198 days.

If you'd like to take advantage of today's low prices (although $4,500,000 doesn't sound too low) and low interest rates, you can set appointments right from the website. Or use the Quick Contact form to the left of this blog.

Tinley Park Homes

The Tinley Park homes page has a sleek new look. You can still view active Tinley Park homes for sale (today there are 213 to choose from) and get some information on this popular village.

You will also find a link to the Tinley Park MLS where you can customize your search. Looking in areas besides or other than Tinley Park? You can search for whatever your heart desires with this new and improved search. And more details than ever are provided for each listing you pull up.

Be sure to click all of the available links on any listing you might be interested in. You'll get maps, local data, financing scenarios, virtual tours (if the listing agent provides one), multiple photos (depending on listing agent) and more.

You don't need to use multiple sites to get your Tinley Park real estate information. Bookmark the page so you can come back whenever you feel like it.

Momma's Got A New Pair of Shoes

The long-standing and top local Chicago Suburbs Real Estate website has a new look. It is now a sleeker design and color palette and the navigation is easier and cleaner. There is also a new custom MLS search offering much more data than before.

Below is the old look

Introducing the new template

The prior site had a built-in Wordpress blog and the new site has a seamless blog that reflects the same template style. The last three posts will be featured links on the home page.

Community pages are being created to be informative and easy to scroll through. You'll be able to view currently listed properties without having to do a search. The main community pages offer single family homes for sale and offer a link for attached properties (duplexes, condos, townhomes). As an example, view the Orland Park homes for sale page.

This website is at the top of Google for many pertinent southwest Chicago suburbs keywords. It might be fighting for first place with the big portals such as Yahoo's real estate pages, homes.com, etc. But it is usually the first local result you'll find in Google for certain keyword search terms.

Featured Property Updates

The following listings have had recent updates, please click on the single property websites for each one of these listings. The websites offer full descriptions and lots of pictures.

• 10725 S. Artesian, Chicago - RENTED! - New price on this brick Georgian home with a basement and 2 car garage, with a professionally landscaped back yard.
• 9418 S. 54th Ct., Oak Lawn - SOLD! The buyer could not get financing, so this charming 4 bedroom, 2 bath home with a family room, huge deck and 2-story garage is back up for sale.
• 12013 Winchester, Orland Park - Off the market, seller changed mind.
  
• 14030 Charleston, Orland Park - Price reduction on this 3 bedroom, 2 bath split level in North Orland featuring a sun room and a beautifully landscaped yard.
• 11556 Lake Shore, Orland Park - Reduced price on this 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath townhouse with a water view and walk-out basement and much more!

If any of these properties sound interesting to you, be sure to click on the address link. You can set an appointment right on the website.

Homer Glen Homes

A new town page has been created on the popular Chicago Suburbs Real Estate website for Homer Glen, the newest incorporated village in Il, having been incorporated in 2001. Homer Glen is located about 11 miles southwest of Chicago and the boundaries are 131st St. to the north, Will-Cook Rd. to the east, Gougar Rd. to the west and 183rd St. to the south.

Click on the link for Homer Glen homes to see all of the current homes for sale in the ever-growing and popular village. Single family homes currently start at $189,900 and go as high as $2,100,000. There aren't as many Homer Glen townhomes or condos for sale at any given time compared to single family homes, but currently there are 26 units available and prices start at $175,000 and go as high as $399,900.

New Blogger Templates

Woo hoo! Almost every time I create a post in Blogger, I check to see if there have been any new templates added. Finally, there is a great choice of new looks to choose from. In fact, there were a few I wanted to try, and with the template I chose there are many background photos and color choices to choose from. This is going to be fun.

I have many different websites and blogs. First off, here is my Orland Park homes page from my main website. I like having changes and although I've done a few things with that site, I have some future changes planned. My main Chicago suburbs blog is on this site and I love how the header changes with each refresh or page change.

I also have a hyper-local niche site for Oak Lawn homes and an Oak Lawn news blog for the village and surrounding towns. This website and blog comprises the main village plus surrounding towns of Alsip, Bridgeview, Burbank, Chicago Ridge, Evergreen Park, Hickory Hills, Hometown, Justice and Worth.

I also have a standalone blog that I've changed the template on many times for Southwest Suburban Real Estate. This is my favorite template by far so I don't think I'll be changing it anytime soon.

I have a couple other blogs but they are geared more towards networking with other real estate agents throughout the nation. As you can see, I offer a lot of local information for buyers and/or sellers of real estate in the southwest Chicago suburbs. And on this blog, I can now have fun presenting that information with all of the new templates I can switch to.

REALTORS Banding Together to Help One of Their Own

Real estate is considered a notoriously cut throat business to be in. Agents stealing other agent's clients, agents trying to sell their own listings and not cooperating with others on the MLS and the list goes on.

But right now, many real estate agents are joining together to help a fellow REALTOR, Carolyn Capalbo, who has lost her good name on Google and other search engines due to a political sex scandal. You might remember the story of the past New York Governor, Eliot Spitzer and his participation with a prostitution ring.

One of his favorite "gals" has a mother with the same name as Carolyn's. So now when you search for Carolyn Capalbo, the REALTOR, you see links to the scandal and even worse, bikini clad photos of the daughter involved in the former governor's downfall.

You might think that most people would realize it's not the same person, but people that know Carolyn somewhat have asked her if that is her daughter (the last names are different). So if acquaintances aren't sure, imagine how new real estate prospects might feel when they search her name and find this sleazy stuff.

Because of this, for those agents that care, many are providing links to help Carolyn regain her rightful search engine position so those unsavory stories get pushed out of the way and are no longer competing for her good graces with fellow agents (that might be thinking of sending her a referral) or future clients. It just proves that in a competitive business such as real estate, there are good agents that care enough to help one of their own.

New Listings and Updates

The following listings have either had a recent price change or is a new featured listing:

14299 S. Wolf Rd., Orland Park - If you have a small business looking for a new lease, check out the Orland Park landmark schoolhouse that has available space on the entire main level and part of the basement. Rent is $1,800/mo. and includes utilities. Call Susan O'Halloran at 708-567-0601 if you're interested in leasing this unique property.

7340 W. 73rd St., Bridgeview - Price reduced on this raised ranch with a basement on a 60'x300' lot! Check out the property website for the current reduced price, multiple photos and more!

9418 S. 54th Ct., Oak Lawn home - Priced reduced! This 4 bedroom, 2 bath house offers a family room and has some very charming features and updates.

14030 Charleston, Orland Park home - New listing! This 3 bedroom, 2 bath split level has beautiful curb appeal. Click the address link for the full scoop and multiple photos.

Orland Park Facebook Fan Page Offers More Data

If you have an interest in Orland Park (listed as one of the best places to live in according to Money Magazine), please become a fan of the Orland Park Living Fan Page on Facebook. It is kept updated with new posts and links, offers a link to do an MLS search and now has a page that provides an Orland Park Market Snapshot, a constantly updated list of active real estate listings in Orland Park and more! The link above will take you to the new page. Please press the "Like" button so you can become a fan.

Orland Park Condos Under $100,000

Right now, you can find five Orland Park condos under $100,000. The lowest priced condo is listed at $94,899 and has 1 bedroom and 1 bath. It is located on the 1st floor and features flexicore construction. The monthly maintenance includes everything but electricity.

There are also two 2-bedroom units available priced under $100,000. The average price for Orland Park condos and townhomes in 2009 was $194,820, so these are truly an affordable way to live in popular Orland Park.

If you're interested in condos in Orland Park or any other area, search the Orland Park MLS.

Orland Park Homes Under $200,000

With the average price range of Orland Park homes in the $400,000's, it's unbelievable to see Orland Park homes available priced under $200,000. But in today's buyer's market, there are currently 20 single family homes available priced under $200,000!

You can now find a 4 bedroom, 2 bath raised ranch/mid-level style home in Orland Park priced at $164,900. It is a foreclosure that needs work and is being sold in "as-is" condition, which is to be expected in this price range for a home with these amenities.

Many first-time buyers didn't feel they could afford to purchase their first home in Orland Park, but with today's falling prices it can be done. Of course, some of the foreclosures that need work need cash buyers or won't get approved for anything but a rehab loan.

If you're looking for a home in Orland Park feel free to search on the Orland Park MLS.

Join the Orland Park Living Facebook Fan Page

If you're a member of Facebook and have an interest in the popular village of Orland Park, please check out the new Fan Page for everything related to Orland Park Living. I'd love for it to become interactive with members posting photos, news, reviews, questions and updates.

If you have a business in Orland Park you can certainly post it on the Orland Park Living fan page. There is a link with information on Orland Park and another tab that allows you to search the Orland Park MLS.

Please visit it now and with new Facebook changes, instead of becoming a fan you just click the "Like" button.

Featured Southwest Suburban Listings

Following are current real estate listings for sale in Bridgeview, Chicago's Morgan Park area, Oak Lawn, Orland Park and Tinley Park. They are listed by price:

7340 W. 73rd St., Bridgeview - $175,000 - Cute raised ranch home with basement with many updates including windows, siding, 2 1/2 car garage and furnace & a/c - located on a huge 60x300' lot.

16332 Oxford Dr., Tinley Park - $185,000 - Spacious 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath Tinley Park townhouse with a family room and 2 car garage. This offers 2-story living and entertaining with a deck and a patio.

11910 Windemere Ct., Orland Park - $197,000 - beautiful 2 bedroom, 2 bath Orland Park condo was built in 2003. Located on the 3rd floor in a very well maintained building with 1 car garage parking and extra storage.

10725 S. Artesian Ave., Chicago (Morgan Park - West Beverly) - $220,000 - Very charming brick Georgian with a gorgeous and unique fireplace and two original stained glass windows. Basement, garage and fenced backyard with professional landscaping.

9418 S. 54th Ct., Oak Lawn - $229,900 - 4 bedrooms, 2 newly updated baths, huge kitchen plus a walk-in wood pantry with a sink & window, family room, 2-level garage with a privacy fenced backyard and huge deck. New & newer windows on this super charming Oak Lawn home.

12013 Winchester Rd., Orland Park - $250,000 - Lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bath split level with a spacious family room and attached 2 1/2 car garage. Big wrap-around deck with pool for great entertaining space.

11556 Lakeshore Dr., Orland Park - $314,900 - This beautiful Orland Park townhouse was originally a model and features 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms, gorgeous fireplace, finished walk-out basement, 2 car garage and a water view.

Each above property link will take you to an entire website created for each specific listing. It will show multiple photos, a description, a virtual tour, find out the Walk Score, school info, a calculator and more! You can also set an appointment on the site. Please note: prices might have changed since this post but each individual website will show the updated price.

Orland Park Condos and Townhomes

To see the amount of Orland Park condos and townhomes for sale click the link. Today, there are 300 Orland Park condos and townhomes on the market.

Prices start at $99,900 for a 1 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath Orland Park condominium with a 1 car garage. The listing states that it needs some cosmetic work. For some reason (price?) this has been on the market for more than a year!

Looking for something at the higher end? How about a duplex in Crystal tree offering 2 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms, a loft, finished basement and a 2 car garage for $545,000? This has also been on the market for more than a year. In today's economy any home or townhouse in this price range is going to take some time to sell. Both of these properties have gone through multiple price reductions and might have to keep doing so in order to get sold.

Keep in mind, buyers dictate market value. The appraisers come after to make sure the buyers were correct (if financing is involved). The market has changed and if a property is not priced correctly for condition and location in this market, it will not sell.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Orland Park townhome in the photo click on 11556 Lakeshore Dr. You will see photos, address, a description, price and more on this 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath Orland Park townhouse with a big loft, walk-out basement, 2 car garage and a water view!

Orland Park Homes

This is a busy pre-Spring season as buyers are out looking for properties so they can take advantage of the tax credit, which isn't just for first-time buyers this time around.

Today, there are currently 230 Orland Park homes for sale. Prices start at $169,000 for a 4 bedroom, 2 bath ranch style home that is a short sale and goes up to $2,995,000 for a gorgeous 4 bedroom, 5+ bathroom luxury ranch style home on 2 acres. This one has been on the market for 114 days and at this price in our current economy, it might take quite some time to get this sold.

If you're interested in buying an Orland Park home, condo or townhome, call Judy Orr at 708-536-8200 or fill in the Quick Contact Form to the left. If you're not quite ready to start looking, feel free to fill out the Automated Home Finder Form which will send listings directly to your e-mail. You are under no obligation to start looking until you're ready. But this is the best method to get updated listing information without having to constantly do your own searching.

Automated Home Finder Search

There are many websites with good Northern IL MLS searches. But to be up-to-date on the market and not miss out on any listing, a buyer should fill out a Home Finder Search Form.

Although it's better today than in the past, there are still some brokerages that have opted out of sharing their listings on IDX website searches (what website MLS searches are actually called). So any website offering an MLS search is only providing the feed of those brokers that have opted in to share their listings.

Again, most brokers do share their listings, after all, it's a form of advertising for their sellers. Many brokerages don't utilize print advertising anymore because it simply doesn't work and isn't worth the large expense. So they want to use the Internet to market listings since most buyers start their home search via their computer.

But what if your dream home is held by a broker that doesn't want to share? Unless you sign up for a Home Finder Search, you could miss that property. The Home Finder Search sends listings to your e-mail directly from the MLS and it is done automatically.

You can search for properties in all of Northern IL such as Orland Park homes, for example. The automated home search will send you listings of the type of property you want in the area(s) you desire and in your price range. You can select specific amenities that you need.

Don't miss out on what might be the perfect property! Fill out the Home Finder Search Form today.

Oak Lawn Homes

It's the beginning of a new year and a new decade. I would like to reintroduce some great southwest suburbs real estate websites. First on the list is the top Cook County real estate website.

If you're looking for Oak Lawn homes for sale, click the link. It will take you to the page to see all Oak Lawn homes for sale and is updated daily.

Click Oak Lawn condos for sale to view all attached properties for sale in this popular village. This includes condos, duplexes and Oak Lawn townhomes. This list is also updated daily.

If you're interested in Oak Lawn real estate, the above pages are the best to get immediate property listings with a photo and some information, including price, without having to register. If you want more details and more photos plus virtual tours you will have to register but it's a quick and easy process.

Happy new year and happy house hunting!