Elgin? (Rockford, Aurora, Schaumburg: foreclosure, house, neighborhood)

[ext1jdh]

My wife and I are trying to buy a place but we need something affordable. We have found a place at 254 N Jackson St in Elgin and the asking price is $100,000.

Can anyone tell me if this is a "good part" of Elgin? I know there are good and bad areas but I'm not sure if I should run or not.

Thanks
Joe

[Steve-o]

Whereabouts in town is it? Im not from Elgin, but know enough about it to try and help. Where is it in regards to the Fox River that runs through downtown?

[mendelman]

From my relatively limited understanding of Elgin's central area (the "old" part of the city) is that the address you mention is probably in a "middling" sort of area. My experience in the city has been that the southeast side of the city (starting in downtown as center) is the most "problematic" and the northeast and northwest parts are pretty nice.

The address you gave puts it just west of the Fox River and just south of a main east/west drag through the center of the city (Lawrence Ave.). I would say that this neighborhood is a little scruffy (from driving around the area a couple years ago).

But for $100,000 for a house in the northwest suburbs in easy driving distance to a ton of jobs and shopping (the Woodfield corridor in Schaumburg is only about 15 miles to the east), you should not expect alot.

I recommend that you walk around the neighborhood at a couple different times of day and week to get a better feel.

[sgresident]

I would really check out the area, during the day and the evening. Your area is west of the river, not too far from the Kimball street hill. I went to high school in elgin (St. Edward), but have not been around the area for quite some time. you cannot just buy a home based on the cheap price. remember, you usually get what you pay for. there must be a reason why the home is priced as low as it is.

[ext1jdh]

The place is currently in pre-foreclosure. I'm not familiar with the Elgin area but the location did not seem too bad. It's completely residential and seems a bit on the nicer side. There are some parts of Elgin that are just junk but this did not seem like one of those areas. If you're familiar with Aurora, IL, you get the same feel in Elgin. It's not a great solution but there is so little that is actually affordable that meets our requirements.

The selling realtor isn't great - he said he had spoken with the current owners and said they would be out but the place was still occupied when we saw it and naturally we didn't stick around very long. I'll be visiting the property again tomorrow to get a better look.

[aragx6]

Do you have your own realtor? You should have your own realtor- you don't have to pay for them so why wouldn't you? You need someone on your side!

[Homesinrockford]

No No No. Bad Area. Look at Rockford they have very affordable homes if you don't mind the commute. I have lots of Clients who have done this and are very happy.

[WLUTZ]

Commute to Rockford being about 40 minutes away minimum with gas @ $3.35/gal. Are you nuts?

[nanannie]

[quote=WLUTZ;3165934]Commute to Rockford being about 40 minutes away minimum with gas @ $3.35/gal. Are you nuts?[/QUOTE

Dont know if "nuts" but obviously a realtor in search of clients.

[Oldrustycars]

Do you speak fluent spanish? If not, don't move to Elgin.