West Suburban Real Estate Blog » Downtown

Walk Friendly Homes in Naperville?

angus — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:48:42 +0000

Lisa and I love to walk. One of the things that we love about Naperville is that there are many places and neighborhoods that are walkable. Here are the homes available in Naperville, ranked by their “walkability” score starting with the highest (best) score as ranked by walkscore.com:

Showing properties 1 - 10 of 500+. See more city of Naperville real estate.
(all data current as of 9/10/2010)

$950,000 : 208 W Benton Ave, Naperville

5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

Size: 4,200 sq ft

Lot size: n/a

Year built: 2002

Parking spots: 2

Walk Score™: 98
$0 : 216 S Main St, Unit 2B, Naperville

0 beds, 0 baths

Size: n/a

Lot size: n/a

Year built: 1845

Parking spots: n/a

Walk Score™: 98
$429,000 : 520 S Washington St, Unit 103, Naperville

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Size: 2,700 sq ft

Lot size: n/a

Year built: 2005

Parking spots: 2

Walk Score™: 97
$1,095,000 : 520 S Washington St, Unit 302, Naperville

4 beds, 3 full, 2 part baths

Size: 4,918 sq ft

Lot size: n/a

Year built: 2005

Parking spots: 4

Walk Score™: 97
$949,000 : 546 S Main St, Naperville

4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Size: 3,000 sq ft

Lot size: n/a

Year built: 2004

Parking spots: 3

Walk Score™: 97
$419,000 : 520 S Washington St, Unit 203, Naperville

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Size: 2,700 sq ft

Lot size: n/a

Year built: 2005

Parking spots: 2

Walk Score™: 97
$534,900 : 332 Big Rail Dr, Unit 332, Naperville

2 beds, 2 full, 2 part baths

Size: 2,110 sq ft

Lot size: n/a

Year built: 2002

Parking spots: 2

Walk Score™: 92
$425,000 : 330 Big Rail Dr, Naperville

2 beds, 2 full, 2 part baths

Size: 2,110 sq ft

Lot size: n/a

Year built: 2003

Parking spots: 2

Walk Score™: 92
$249,000 : 120 W Franklin Ave, Naperville

3 beds, 1 full bath

Size: 921 sq ft

Lot size: n/a

Year built: 1920

Parking spots: 1

Walk Score™: 91
$525,000 : 955 E Amberwood Cir, Naperville

4 beds, 2 full, 2 part baths

Size: n/a

Lot size: n/a

Year built: 1992

Parking spots: 2

Walk Score™: 91

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

About Food – Not Naperville Real Estate

angus — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:51:09 +0000

Well, several years ago I was trying to write about some of my favorite restaurants here. With the popularity of Yelp, a community of other people who like to eat, it seems to make sense to post my restaurant experiences there.

Recent reviews by Angus W.

What’s this?

Downtown Naperville

angus — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 15:44:21 +0000

Got the urban suburban thing going?

I understand and if you are a commuter, Downtown Naperville just couldn’t be any better.

For the commuter, Naperville offers something rare… Express Trains! That’s right, at the right time you can bypass all those “closer in” suburbs as you zip into Chicago’s Union Station.

Downtown Naperville has so much to offer, Lisa and I are still kicking ourselves over not buying that house on Van Buren 7 years ago. Terrific restaurants, shopping, people watching, the phenomenal Naperville Public Library and the very awesome Riverwalk.

Got a skateboarder in the house? There’s a park. Like to swim? There’s Centennial Beach. Like History? There’s the Naper Settlement.

Naperville is not just a “super suburb” It’s a town with real history and could have been the county seat (if not for a night of excessive libation)

Downtown Naperville is a mix of older and newer homes, many tear downs and rehabs and a bed and breakfast. But North Central College adds that extra flavor that you can only get from a college town… “The Cool Factor”

Come down, have lunch or dinner, walk around.. that’s what we do

Here are some of the homes available in Downtown Naperville:

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 252. See more Downtown Naperville.
(all data current as of 9/10/2010)

$414,900 : 84 Green Valley Dr, Naperville

4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Size: 2,414 sq ft

Lot size: n/a

Year built: 1984

Parking spots: 2

Walk Score™: 37
$229,900 : 948 N Sleight St, Naperville

2 beds, 2 full baths

Size: 785 sq ft

Lot size: n/a

Year built: 1949

Parking spots: 3

Walk Score™: 71
$119,250 : 1121 Ogden Ave, Unit 154, Naperville

2 beds, 2 full baths

Size: 1,050 sq ft

Lot size: n/a

Year built: 1979

Parking spots: 2

Walk Score™: 54
$114,500 : 1121 W Ogden Ave, Unit 265, Naperville

2 beds, 2 full baths

Size: n/a

Lot size: n/a

Year built: 1979

Parking spots: 2

Walk Score™: 48
$1,149,000 : 318 Spring Ave, Naperville

5 beds, 5 full, 1 part baths

Size: 4,844 sq ft

Lot size: n/a

Year built: 2003

Parking spots: 3

Walk Score™: 83

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

I’ve got books about Naperville

angus — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 15:16:13 +0000

I have several copies of the book “A View of Historic Naperville from the Sky-Lines” By Genevieve Towsley. I purchased them with good intentions of giving them out, but I haven’t.

These are nice hardcover books that are “A collection of articles of historic significance” the collection is from the old Naperville Sun (before it was ruined). They make a nice coffee table book and I would be happy to pass off my extra copies (free!) to any locals that might be interested. Call, e-mail me or use a contact form and I’ll drop one off. Comments are welcome, but you may want to keep your personal information… personal.

I will comment below if I run out

Naperville home to Healing Field

angus — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:35:57 +0000

Naperville recently acted as a host to one of the Healing Fields honoring our nations veterans and their families.

Tickets and flags were sold and with proceeds going directly to the Fisher House at Hines VA Hospital in Maywood Park IL.

The flags and the feelings were very moving. In today’s world… a non-tech way that grabbed your attention and imagination… a time to reflect on the sacrifices of our veterans and their familes, a time for gratitude.

The Naper Settlement – History in the heart of Naperville

angus — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 05:01:00 +0000

Central Naperville offers a little of the unexpected… history in the form of a piece of land preserved as it might have been in the 1800′s. A cultural museum called the Naper Settlement

Located on Aurora Avenue, just steps from Naperville’s thriving downtown and renowned riverwalk… the Naper Settlement preserves a long and rich history to the benefit of the community. A 13 acre 19th century village complete with costumed villagers.

Enter the Settlement at the Pre-Emption house, a hotel and tavern where Grover Cleveland and Abraham Lincoln would stop for a pint or two. Abraham Lincoln once gave a speech from the Pre-emption house roof. This building is a recreation of the original which was located just a couple of blocks away.

The expansive grounds are home to many historical buildings… one of the most notable being the Martin Mitchell Mansion a beautifully restored mansion and carriage home from 1883. A three year renovation at a cost of 2.8 million dollars has returned this magnificient building to it’s former grandeur. The Martin Mitchell Mansion is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

In addition to it’s many magnificient structures, the settlement is home to many of the more modest dwellings of Naperville’s early settlers, including a log house, blacksmith shop, chapel (available for weddings) and firehouse.

Not only does the Naper Settlement offer a delightful return to yesteryear but it reaches out as a vital member of the community, hosting numerous events for the town (Civil War Days etc) and hosting many outings for the local schools. Truly one of Naperville’s hidden gems and a beacon of community spirit!

Visit my site for more information about Naperville or Naperville Real Estate call Angus at 630-717-7386

Naperville’s condos ringing up sales

angus — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 07:25:00 +0000

The graphs illustrate the strength of the Naperville attached housing market. And were not talking just the first time buyers… but the Luxury Condo & Townhomes in Naperville too. As is expected in this “softer” marketplace… the total number of unit sales are down, conversely the average sales price has risen considerably. Throughout 2006 there were three luxury condominiums that were sold for over $1,000,000, all in DePaulo’s 520 S Washington Building on the famous Naperville Riverwalk. it looks as if 2007 will bring another strong showing for the year with the anticiapted opening of the Benton Place Condominiums in the heart of downtown.

Despite there being fewer units sold… another vibrant sector has emerged, condominium conversions and they have taken the Naperville community by storm. Throughout the city large scale, successful conversions are taking place.

The First 11 Months of 2005

TOTAL LISTINGS	AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET	MEDIAN PRICE	AVERAGE PRICE	HIGHEST PRICE	LOWEST PRICE	TOTAL DOLLAR VOLUME
962	58	$194,000	$215,947	$785,000	$90,000	$207,741,081

The First 11 Months of 2006

TOTAL LISTINGS	AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET	MEDIAN PRICE	AVERAGE PRICE	HIGHEST PRICE	LOWEST PRICE	TOTAL DOLLAR VOLUME
821	59	$214,700	$254,691	$1,850,000	$100,000	$209,101,406

For Millionaires Only?

angus — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 01:11:00 +0000

What’s the buzz?
According to the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois…

In Naperville there are currently 172 Single Family (there are also 2 condos in the 520 Washington building) homes on the market over $1,000,000 – 24 of them are under contract (meaning pending a sale) leaving 148 properties for sale. In 2005 there were a total of 58 sales over $1,000,000.

What does it all mean?
If the market is as good as it was in 2005…. those 148 properties have the remaining months of the year to grab one of the remaining 36 sales. Leaving 112 disappointed Sellers ready to face the market in 2007. Of course, this is assuming that no other homes will be coming on the market in that time (silly assumption).

So if I’m a buyer what does this mean?
Buying opportunity! There are motivated sellers that will be be anxious to work with you.

If I’m a seller what can I do?
Be aggressive. Cutting edge marketing combined with realistic goals is the key to your success.

Is all hope lost?
No. In fact there is the evidence that this segment of the market may continue to grow, as evidenced by the yearly numbers:
2005 – 58 sales over $1,000,000
2004 – 37 sales over $1,000,000
2003 – 19 sales over $1,000,000
2002 – 17 sales over $1,000,000
2001 – 9 sales over $1,000,000

Another important fact to keep in mind are the increased numbers of custom built premium homes in this range that won’t show up in the MLS system.

For a look at some of the premium homes in the Naperville area visit:
Luxury Homes of Naperville

Another Favorite Restaurant

angus — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 05:35:00 +0000

Have I mentioned Angeli’s?

This is small storefront restaurant on Chicago Avenue in the strip mall just west of Naper. Family owned, Angeli’s is known for their catering… but as a restaurant it’s a terrific place. Italian food (betcha guessed that one!) is the specialty… all of the Pastas are good as is the Veal Piccata.

However, I have a favorite that has to be requested: “Santa Fe Chicken” (not on the menu) Yes, Yes I know… it doesn’t sound very Italian but it’s become the dish that we look forward to. We had the Santa Fe Chicken there as a special once, and later found out that several other people love it too, so they are willing to make it on request. It’s a cream based sauce (a little spicy.. southwest!) with spinach and chicken.

Simple decor with abundant locals in attendance. Angelis is a delight not only for the tastebuds, but the wallet as well.

Visit their site here

Another Restaurant Post

angus — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 08:38:00 +0000

I need to mention just how much I love to eat at Catch 35. We’ve been there 5 or 6 times since they’ve opened in Naperville and each experience has been a treat.

One of their regular weekend specials is the Bone in Rib Eye with Crab meat and a Bearnaise (or was it Hollandaise?) sauce. My regular favorite there is the Flounder (Grilled, but the Blackened is excellent too!)

For an appetizer we never miss the Szechwan Scallops

As much as I love Hugo’s, Sullivan’s & La Sorella… Catch 35 is my favorite Naperville Restaurant