Can't afford Oak Park! Brookfield? Berwyn?

[OMIB]

Brookfield is a good place to live. Both RB and LT are great high schools; however, there are four grade school districts serving the community. The south east part of the village is served by an elementary school district which has seen its share of economic problems. The major housing problems are related to the difficulty in finding large numbers of 3+ bedroom units with 2+ baths. Many families are buying, staying and adding a second floor for extra space. However, in the past, the next step was usually not to LaGrange Park, but to Westchester.

[chet everett]

I have no idea how far back "in the past" Westchester was a step up from Brookfield -- the high school situation has been off-the-charts bad in Westchester for 30 years...

[cmoscinski]

It's not typically for the schools that people buy in Westchester, it's the affordability. The grade schools are ranked high by residents and by the time the child does goes to high school, most would have moved up/out anyway.

La Grange Park homeowners are keeping the home prices higher than the average markets/neighboring towns.

Bottom line, today people are looking for "affordability" and getting the most for thier money. If they can get a 3BR/2BA in Westchester for $250K vs. $350K in La Grange Park - what do you think they are going to do?

[chet everett]

I discount ratings by "residents" of their schools, you don't encounter enough people that actually understand how miserable most schools are.

You can't very well expect to move up /out if values sink below where they were when you bought in.

LGP is served by a superior set of grade schools and high schools. It makes much more sense to buy a smaller cheaper house in LGP and use the natural rise in equity to finance upgrades / expansion or simply sell and move to a nice home in LGP where you will keep you same nice neighbors and your kids won't have their life uprooted. Moves within a town of stable / appreciating values are sensible.

Westchester is an acceptable trade off for those that grew up in the area or want to utilize the private schools, or even those for whom the lack of access to Metra is not a negative. It has not been a viable step up from Brookfield for many many decades...

[cmoscinski]

I agree, but my clients dont

[Humboldt1]

Your clients are not that smart. But then again, look at your market.

Why not try to educate your clients. In the long-term they will be much happier buying a smaller house in a better area than a larger house in a worse area. Plus, you might be the recipient of some nice referrals instead of getting quick bucks via a quick close.

[chet everett]

It is awfully tough to be the kind of real estate agent that want to educate all your clients and see other agents spend less time and have better income, but I agree that those who do listen do sometimes come back to thank you, give you a referral or even hug in the grocery store. Doesn't pay the bills but it makes the produce guy jealous

[cmoscinski]

Trust me HUMBOLT1 I am not that agent that wants a "close" just to get a close. I will not get rich doing what I am doing - I LOVE WHAT I DO.

And yes I DO educate them on the markets I serve (western suburbs not just local).

Sorry you are not enlightening me here.

[cmoscinski]

Chett yes hugs are good but referrals are better

and so far, all of my clients have referred me!