new job in deerfield need house help (Chicago, Arlington Heights: HOA, mortgage)

[pollywannacracker]

getting a new job in deerfield and need help on where to buy. i am married and have a small child, so schools and safety are important. i would like to be no more than 30 minutes to deerfield. i can only spend 325k or less and want a somewhat newer 2 story 3 bedroom house. there seems to be a lot of stuff in mundelein, but the schools don't have the best test scores. any input is appreciated. also we will only consider places with sidewalks.

[nanannie]

Deerfield is surrounded by expensive areas. You might try Buffalo Grove. It may look over your budget, but remember, this is a buyers market and many homes have been on the market for so long, you may be surprised at the deals to be made. Would you consider a townhome to start? That would let you in more markets and there are some really nice ones in BG. Wheeling has more affordable housing . Maybe someone else can help with Wheeling schools.

[pollywannacracker]

we can't consider a townhome cause of our dog and anyway the amount of money you pay in HOA dues would be stupid. Really the highest we can go is probably 350k. I've seen some nice newer homes in vernon hills in our price range, but eveyone talks about how horrible the traffic is. do areas of vernon hills even have sidewalks?

[nanannie]

Parts of Vernon Hills has sidewalks. It depends on the neighborhood. Its a nice family area,and has a metra station for the city.Traffic is traffic anywhere around the areas at rush hrs. I would say Vernon Hills,or Buffalo Grove would both be good choices. You would not have to take any major free ways, it shouldnt be that bad for traffic

[cag]

To rule out a townhome because of a dog or HOA is totally ridiculous in the chicago area. Many HOA's include, lawn maintence, snow removal, garbage pick up etc. One must evaluate what the HOA's cover. Some will have pools which you will not have in a home etc. There are many high end townhomes that are actually just duplexes like in the woodlands of fiore in buffalo grove. Many of these have nice yards in the back also.

Other areas to look in are Arlington Heights, Palatine, Des Plaines, Skokie and other cities in Cook Country because this will lower your property taxes and increase your ability to go up to maybe a 400k house.

Many people do not consider that property taxes are figured in the amount that you are allowed to borrow so if you lower your property taxes and increase your mortgage you would be at the same payment.
T

[pollywannacracker]

Originally Posted by cag

To rule out a townhome because of a dog or HOA is totally ridiculous in the chicago area. Many HOA's include, lawn maintence, snow removal, garbage pick up etc. One must evaluate what the HOA's cover. Some will have pools which you will not have in a home etc. There are many high end townhomes that are actually just duplexes like in the woodlands of fiore in buffalo grove. Many of these have nice yards in the back also.

Other areas to look in are Arlington Heights, Palatine, Des Plaines, Skokie and other cities in Cook Country because this will lower your property taxes and increase your ability to go up to maybe a 400k house.

Many people do not consider that property taxes are figured in the amount that you are allowed to borrow so if you lower your property taxes and increase your mortgage you would be at the same payment.
T

Didn't mean to rustle your feathers. also I have been a homeowner for many years so I know how mortgages work, but thanks for the input.

[nanannie]

Yes, most of the nice people on here who post information to try to help others, like to get a simple "thanks" for their effort.

[anon181]

Polly try Barrington schools. Your drive will be 30 minutes, maybe 40 with traffic. Houses are still expensive out there but you are not too far from the Woodfield Mall, a lot of parks, and entry into a community

Check out this house, has most of what you want I think:

REALTOR.com: Find a Home - Listing Detail

Be sure when you look at houses to google map the address from your workplace. Anything saying Port Barrington or Barrington is probably way too far.

You may also try Palatine/Inverness. The Chicago market is criminally expensive. Where 315k would be great elsewhere its not as easy here. Good luck with your search. You could definitely get houses for that price in Lake Zurich or Mundelein but I agree that the schools wouldn't be as good as well.

[pollywannacracker]

that house looks great. so if i look west, what street do people take east? do people take dundee road or east lake cook road? do those road have a lot of lights and stop and go traffic?

[anon181]

Originally Posted by pollywannacracker

that house looks great. so if i look west, what street do people take east? do people take dundee road or east lake cook road? do those road have a lot of lights and stop and go traffic?

The fastest road is Palatine Road. Its a mini-expressway for sections. You can take it up to the Tri-State and there aren't as many lights. Lake Cook is a major through road and there are a lot of lights. You could try Dundee Road but unless it is too far south out of your way, Palatine is your best bet.