It’s official: Kids going to high school in

According to a recent review of almost 22,000 U.S. public high schools, Elmhurst’s York High School is among the best in the state, ranking number 31 on its ability to ready graduating students for further education.

For the past four years, U.S. News & World Report has analyzed the country’s high schools and published the results in its report of Best High School rankings.  Methods used to produce the ratings included test scores, state assessments, and Advanced Placement programs which offer college-level course work.

Based on these rankings, along with how well students were prepared for college or other advanced education, each school received a gold, silver, or bronze medal. York High School was a silver medalist as were fifteen other area high schools. Illinois’ one gold medal winner was Hinsdale Central High School.

For many people, the quality of the schools is a huge factor in determining where to settle down and raise a family. Homeowners in Elmhurst and neighboring areas were drawn by our great school systems, and now they have hard numbers to confirm that their children will be well educated and ready to meet life’s challenges on all levels. 

A great education is just one of the many advantages to living in Elmhurst. If you’re looking to buy or sell Elmhurst real estate or properties in the surrounding area, contact the Gracik Makinney Group, or call (630) 567-5902.

Address: 101 N Pine St

City: Elmhurst

Price:$209,900

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address: 326 N Highland Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price: $337,500

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address: 703 W Alexander Blvd

City: Elmhurst

Price:$149,900

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 139 Fellows Ct Unit 139

City: Elmhurst

Price:$189,000

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM L

Address: 15W531 Victory Pkwy

City: Elmhurst

Price:$239,900

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 12:00 AM to 02:30 PM

Address: 296 Ridgeland Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price: $289,900

 Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 168 N Berteau Ave MLS

City:Elmhurst

Price: $290,000

 Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 155 Berteau Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price: $304,900

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

 Address: 464 W Alma St

City: Elmhurst  

Price: $305,000

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM  

Address: 555 S Mitchell Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price: $310,000

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 410 Berkley Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price: $319,000

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 205 S Elm Tree Ln

City: Elmhurst

Price: $345,000

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address: 943 Hawthorne Ave M

City: Elmhurst

Price: $349,500

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 133 S West Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price: $349,900

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM  

Address: 136 N Pine St

City: Elmhurst

Price: $420,000

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address:161 W Jackson St

City: Elmhurst

Price: $475,000

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 281 W First Ave Unit 28

City: Elmhurst

Price: $499,900

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address: 230 Addison Ave Unit 230A

City: Elmhurst

Price: $530,000

 Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 544 Rex Blvd

City:Elmhurst

Price: $575,000

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 24 Windsor Dr

City:Elmhurst

Price:$600,000

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 605 W Babcock Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price: $659,900

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address: 294 Berteau Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price: $780,000

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 12:00 PM to 03:00 PM Lu

Address: 836 s colfax Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price: $839,000

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 12:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 267 E Vallette St

City: Elmhust

Price: $1,159,000

Scheduled for: 05/20/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Does it make sense to

Question 1: What do the experts say?

If you feel you can trust them, experts like Warren Buffet and John Talbott have been saying for several months that now is a good time to buy.

Question 2: If I buy now, when will my Elmhurst property appreciate?

One answer to this comes from a company called Macro Markets, LLC, which started a Home Price Expectation Survey back in 2010. They asked over 100 housing industry experts to project what housing prices would do through 2016.

In the most recent survey, the pros predicted home prices would stay flat in 2012 and gradually appreciate to above ten percent by 2016. So buying today means your home will be worth approximately ten percent more in about four years.

However, the potential financial gain when selling should not be the only reason you decide to buy, which leads nicely into the last, and most important, question.

Question 3: What do I really want out of owning a home?

Often, the honest answer to this question is not at all about financial gain. In fact, the Fannie Mae National Housing Survey says that the four reasons why people buy a home are much more emotional than financial. Most people make the choice because they want:

• A place to raise children safely and get them a good education;
• To live somewhere everyone can feel safe;
• Larger living space for the family;
• To have control over that space.

Buying a home is one of the most important decisions you will make, and it’s essential to make the best choice possible for you and your current (or future) family. The finances have a way of taking care of themselves, so make those important non-tangibles the basis for your decision to purchase Elmhurst real estate.

Another important buying decision is choosing experienced agents like us. If you’re looking to buy or sell Elmhurst real estate or properties in the surrounding area, contact the Gracik Makinney Group, or call (630) 567-5902.

City: Elmhurst

Price:$229,900

Scheduled for: 05/06/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:296 Ridgeland Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$289,900

Scheduled for: 05/06/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:293 E Third St

City: Elmhurst

Price:$292,000

Scheduled for: 05/06/2012 from 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address:1200 S Prospect Ave Unit 304

City: Elmhurst

Price:$297,000

Scheduled for: 05/06/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:410 Berkley Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$319,000

Scheduled for: 05/06/2012 from 01:00 AM to 03:00 PM

Address:943 Hawthorne Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$349,500

Scheduled for: 05/06/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:372 E Yorkfield Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$394,900

Scheduled for: 05/06/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:425 E May St

City: Elmhurst

Price:$429,900

Scheduled for: 05/06/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:294 N Larch Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$489,900

Scheduled for: 05/06/2012 from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address:112 W St. Charles Rd

City: Elmhurst

Price:$495,000

Scheduled for: 05/06/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:544 Rex Blvd

City: Elmhurst

Price:$575,000

Scheduled for: 05/06/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:130 N Walnut St

City: Elmhurst

Price:$675,000

Scheduled for: 05/06/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:636 W Armitage Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$685,000

Scheduled for: 05/06/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:294 Berteau Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$795,000

Scheduled for: 05/06/2012 from 12:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:836 S Colfax

City: Elmhurst

Price:$845,000

Scheduled for: 05/06/2012 from 12:00 AM to 03:00 PM

New features include facts and figures on each of the 39 municipalities in the County as well as information that will benefit companies, investors, business professionals and families who currently reside in or are relocating to DuPage County.

We truly live in a great place!  Communities in the County, including Elmhurst, are regularly voted as among the top places to live and work in the country. The new website highlights this, and also offers links for what ‘Choose DuPage’ describes as the three R’s: Resources, Reports and Regulations.

Site visitors can drill down to many specific topics such as business climate, quality of life, employment sectors, and transportation for each municipality or for the County as a whole.  There are also success stories of business that have set up shop in our County.

Greg Bedalov, president and CEO of Choose DuPage stated, “We truly believe in the value of our community and are proud to show it off. This website allows us to do just that, and show visitors that as the heartbeat of the Midwest, DuPage County is ideal for business and families.”

The website is maintained by the Choose DuPage organization, a public/private nonprofit entity that promotes the benefits of living and working in “the heartbeat of the Midwest.” 

Whether you’re a resident of Elmhurst or any other DuPage community, learn more about your County at Choose DuPage.  If you’re looking to buy or sell Elmhurst real estate or properties in the surrounding area, contact the Gracik Makinney Group, or call (630) 567-5902.

Address:326 N Highland Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$337,500

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address:772 S Cedar Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$550,000

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address:2 S Atrium Way Unit 307

City: Elmhurst

Price:$169,900

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:2 Atrium Way Unit 509

City: Elmhurst

Price:$199,900

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:4 Dewalt Ct

City: Elmhurst

Price:$209,900

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:316 N Shady Ln

City: Elmhurst

Price:$244,900

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:505 S Berkley Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$255,000

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:762 S Fairfield Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$269,900

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:496 N Howard Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$274,000

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address:291 Wilson St

City: Elmhurst

Price:$279,900

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:419 Hawthorne Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$319,500

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 549 N Indiana St

City: Elmhurst

Price:$349,900

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address: 638 Hawthorne Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$369,900

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 3 Manchester Ln Unit 3

City: Elmhurst

Price:$395,000

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 787 S Saylor Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$399,800

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 AM to 04:00 PM

Address: 160 S Linden Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$400,000

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 161 W Jackson St

City: Elmhurst

Price:$475,000

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address: 285 W First St

City: Elmhurst

Price:$475,000

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:285 S York St

City: Elmhurst

Price:$499,000

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address:772 S Cedar Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$550,000

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address: 24 Windsor Dr

City: Elmhurst

Price:$600,000

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 251 N Highview Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$625,000

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 449 Parkview Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$639,900

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address: 757 S Berkley Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:725,900

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address: 318 N Elm Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$919,900

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address: 372 S Kenilworth Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$989,900

Scheduled for: 04/29/2012 from 12:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Elmhurst, IL February 2012 Real Estate Market Trends

The following blog was written by Seth Godin, who has graciously agreed to let us repost it. The information is definitely worth sharing with my

Two ways to buy the expensive

Buying something like a house, a piece of fine art, a used car or a business is as much a marketing exercise as selling that very item might be.

There are two common approaches. The first is to denigrate.

Explain that the seller has bad taste. That the car isn't in good shape. That the art was poorly selected for the resale market. Poke holes in the business model, the management team or the landscaping design.

Better still, make the seller feel as though she's on thin ice. Bring an exploding offer to the table and watch her squirm as it goes down in value from day to day. Point to others that have waited too long to sell and how they ended up regretting it. Question her values and her judgment.

In other words, go for the win, where winning is defined as getting a great price.

There are two problems with this approach. The first, and the biggest, is that anything you truly want to buy probably has multiple buyers interested, and with better information available every day, the best stuff is going to be sold to someone else. Your denigration strategy is going to inevitably limit your pool of available items to sellers with self-esteem or desperation issues.

The second problem is that the word spreads. Your gallery or your buyout fund or your dealership quickly earns a reputation (there's that marketing thing again) as the buyer of last resort, once again creating an environment where your approach determines what's available to you.

The alternative is to respect and to communicate. After all, you're here to buy something--I'm guessing that's because you think it's worth something more than you're willing to pay for it. So value the judgment and taste of the seller. Be clear about what you like about it, be honest about the value that's been created. Even better, instead of coming in high and then figuring out ways to bully and lower your offer, come in low and enjoy the process of bidding it up, making the seller root for you and look forward to hearing from you. (This is particularly useful when making an investment where you want management to be happy with you after the deal is done).

In a fair market, it's entirely likely you'll end up paying precisely what you would have paid using the other method, but you'll be offered more works, more stuff worth paying for, and your reputation will reflect that. Most of all it's important to understand that we're not talking about bushels of wheat. Very little is a commodity, and the method you use to buy your expensive item may be even more important than how much you pay.

Source: Two ways to buy the expensive by Seth Godin

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Two ways to buy the expensive:

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Whatever kind of home you’re interested in, we can make the process easier. If you’re looking to buy or sell Elmhurst real estate or properties in the surrounding area, contact the Gracik Makinney Group, or call (630) 567-5902.

If you’re in the market for a home in Elmhurst, IL, listen up. The buyer’s market is on its way out, home prices are starting to rise, and you could well find yourself in a bidding war for the house you’ve chosen.

Bidding wars were common back in 2006. Back then the buyer’s market took hold and most Elmhurst home sellers had to settle for whatever they were offered, including low-ball bids. But real estate markets in many cities are reporting that bidding wars have begun to happen again.

There are several reasons for this change. According to the National Association of Realtors: Sales of existing and pending homes have risen more than 8 percent compared to this time last year, there are fewer homes for sale now than in the last six years, and the improving job market has helped create more potential homebuyers. Trulia Inc. reports that low mortgage rates and decreasing home values make buying a better option than renting in 98 out of the 100 largest metro areas.

It really comes back to the basic economic principle of supply and demand. As the supply of available homes decreases, larger numbers of buyers are interested in the same properties - and the competition is on!

An economist with Moody’s recently stated, “The decline in unsold listings and vacant homes and the increase in rents presage better times ahead for single-family housing.”

So if you’re seriously hunting for Elmhurst real estate, don’t wait too long to make a decision - and be ready to negotiate.

We have a proven track record of getting the best value for buyers and sellers. If you’re looking to buy or sell Elmhurst real estate or properties in the surrounding area, contact the Gracik Makinney Group, or call (630) 567-5902.

City: Elmhurst

Price:$159,900

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:108 W St. Charles Rd

City: Elmhurst

Price:$214,900

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:903 S Prospect Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$239,900

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:826 S Fairfield Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$299,900

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address:146 N Caroline Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$319,900

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:374 E May St

City: Elmhurst

Price:$339,900

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:549 N Indiana St

City: Elmhurst

Price:$349,900

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 12:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:199 S Hawthorne Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$350,000

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:133 S West Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$359,900

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:964 S Kent Ave

City: Elmhurst

Address:136 N Pine St

City: Elmhurst

Price:$450,000

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address:161 W Jackson St

City: Elmhurst

Price: $475,000

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address: 117 Chandler Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$490,000

Scheduled for: 04/19/2012 from 09:00 AM to 03:00 PM

Address:714 Benton Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$499,900

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:230 Addison Ave Unit 230A

City: Elmhurst

Price:$530,000

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:388 Holly Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$584,900

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:251 N Highview Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$625,000

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:465 S Kenilworth Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$629,900

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address:730 N Howard Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$669,900

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address:605 W Babcock Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$674,900

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address:757 S Berkley Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$725,900

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 12:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:294 Berteau Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$795,000

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 12:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Address:318 N Elm Ave

City: Elmhurst

Price:$919,900

Scheduled for: 04/15/2012 from 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM

Address:299 W First St

City: Elmhurst

Price:$1,200,000

Scheduled for: 04/17/2012 from 10:00 AM to 02:00 PM

Although you plan to stay in your

Here are four renovations that will potentially cover all bases.

Amenities for Aging Owners – If you plan to live in the home as long as you can, or if extended family members will move in with you, there are specific remodels that can help you “age in place.” These include wider doorways to accommodate wheelchairs, putting in a bedroom on the home’s entry level, and modifying other indoor and outdoor areas to reduce or eliminate stairs. 

Because more extended families are living together and older homeowners want to stay in the home as long as possible, these remodels are now common and buyers have come to look for them in a prospective home.

A Family Kitchen – You want to create a space that will combine the cooking and eating areas, even if it means reducing the space where the food is prepared. Today’s buyers want room to gather for a meal and spend time together. Pantries and utility rooms are popular as are open shelving and islands that allow socializing with family and guests while preparing the meal.

Go High-Tech – Having your Elmhurst home wired and ready to handle today’s technology needs will absolutely add value, as many people are now working from their homes. If you have the room, put in space-saving workstations or a home office with large furniture such as floor-to-ceiling bookcases.

The Great Outdoors – Try to fully utilize any available outside space. One option is to fashion an outdoor living room on your deck or patio. The trend for these spaces is to set them up with wiring and amenities for cooking. Or you can bring outdoor furniture inside for a unique Elmhurst living space.

The trick with any remodeling effort is to balance what you like and want in your home with the things that will add value when it’s time to sell.  It can take a little time, but in the long run it’s worth the effort.

We know how to spot all the unique aspects of any home. If you’re looking to buy or sell Elmhurst real estate or properties in the surrounding area, contact the Gracik Makinney Group, or call (630) 567-5902.

The 4-bedroom, 2 ½ bath 2-story home at 964 Kent Ave in the Elm Estates neighborhood of Elmhurst will be instantly recognizable to tens of millions of people who grew up in homes very similar to it. It's a classic layout from the 60s that's stood the test of time and still works with the way people live today. All four bedrooms and 2 full baths, one a Jack-and-Jill, are on the second floor. The first floor has a large living room, a family room, and an eat-in kitchen that could be opened to the formal dining room for people who prefer a more informal style of entertaining. The home has a 2-car attached garage and is on a large fenced lot on a tree-canopied street. Tom Makinney of Koenig & Strey's Gracik Makinney Group is our host in the sponsored video.

Check out the video of Mark's fantastic shot by clicking on the picture below:

 (Video courtesy of http://kansascity.sbnation.com.)

Wilson didn’t win the Par 3 competition, which was shortened by bad weather, but he has high hopes for his chances in the real tournament at Augusta National. And the one-shot hole certainly should help his confidence.

It’s been somewhat of a winding road from his Elmhurst home to Augusta, GA for Wilson. When he watched the Master’s as a spectator ten years ago, he promised himself that the next time he came it would be to play.

After winning the Honda Classic in 2007, Wilson assumed he had qualified for the Master’s. But a change in the qualification rules shut him out that year and again in 2009 when he won the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico.

Qualifying for this year’s tournament came by a two-shot victory at the recent Sony Open in Honolulu.  Because rain washed out the first round, Wilson had to survive playing 36 holes in one day to take the win. He shot eight birdies and no bogies the entire day.

So finally getting to play Augusta is a dream come true, if not a little nerve-wracking, but Wilson says he’s ready to make his first cut in a major tournament. Based on his first day, it’s very likely.

As the days go on, all of Elmhurst will be watching and rooting for their native son to play his best, and show the world that the Master’s is right where he belongs.

Both in golf and real estate, perseverance and a focus on excellence make all the difference.  If you’re looking to buy or sell Elmhurst real estate or properties in the surrounding area, contact the Gracik Makinney Group, or call (630) 567-5902.

South Street, with its broad expanse of front lawns and lush, colorful vegetation, is one of the most attractive streets in Elmhurst's sought-after Cherry Farm neighborhood. The traditional, center-entry home at 257 South Street was expanded to include an open floor plan kitchen and family room, a second-floor master suite, and a sprawling recreation room on the lower level. The 3,100 square foot home features 4 bedrooms, 3 full and 2 half baths and, at an asking price of $700,000, is priced several hundred thousand dollars below comparable new construction in the area. Maria Gracik and Tom Makinney of the Gracik Makinney Group are our tour guides in this sponsored video.

This 3-bedroom, bath-and-a-half duplex has a lot to offer at a price tag, $220,000, that will appeal to the first-time buyer or someone looking to downsize. The home has a welcoming foyer, a large eat-in kitchen, a separate dining area, a spacious living room with a fireplace, and 3 bedrooms upstairs. The master bedroom has a walk-in closet, which is unusual for this type of home. There's also a finished basement, a 2-car garage and a nicely-sized fenced yard with a patio. The home is a few blocks from the heart of downtown Elmhurst and the Metra Station. Maria Gracik of Koenig & Strey's Gracik Makinney Group is our tour guide in this sponsored video.

The typical Cape Cod home in west suburban Elmhurst is a 3-bedroom that has sloped ceilings cutting into the usable space in its bedrooms. The recently-rehabbed Cape Cod-style home at 326 Highland has more vertical front bedrooms, and has an addition with a first-floor family room and master bedroom upstairs. The home retains the center entrance, circular flow, dormered windows and character touches that contribute to the enduring popularity of this style home. The home is in the award-winning Emerson Elementary School area and has an oversized back yard. It's priced in the mid-$300s. Tom Makinney of Koenig & Strey's Gracik Makinney Group is our tour guide in this sponsored video.

"This development was built by a builder / slash architect, and you can see that throughout the space. It's well thought out," commented Tom Makinney as he and Maria Gracik showed me around a large, dramatic townhome in the heart of downtown Elmhurst. The 2,435 square foot, 4-bedroom, 3 ½ bath home as a first-floor master suite. That's an unusual feature among Elmhurst townhomes, according to Maria. The home has a very flexible layout, dramatic two-story spaces in the entry and living areas, a lower-level rec room with a wet bar and, very unusual in a townhome, two laundry rooms. The breakfast area in the kitchen opens to a patio and yard. The home has good storage space for a townhome, and additional storage in the 2 ½-car garage. It's priced at $615,000.

The 3-bedroom, 2-bath ranch at 826 Fairfield is an upgraded variation on the typical ranch home. The floor plan affords privacy to the bedroom wing and includes an eat-in kitchen, a separate dining area, and a light-filled living room with windows on two sides. The home has hardwood floors and crown moldings. There's a new bath with Jacuzzi tub, new windows, a 2-car garage and a large fenced yard with a patio. The home has a spacious, multi-functional lower level with built-ins and extra storage. The home is two blocks from Eldridge Park and walking distance to Jackson Elementary School. It's listed for sale at $310,000. Maria Gracik and Tom Makinney of Koenig & Strey's Gracik Makinney Group are our tour guides in this sponsored video. The home is open for viewing Sunday March 11, from 2 to 4 pm.

The brick and stone home, built in 2005 at 645 Washington in Elmhurst, has an unusual 5 bedrooms and 3 full baths on its second level. The home's main living level is a wonderful mix of the formal and informal, with a 2-story center entry foyer flanked by formal living and dining rooms and leading to a large kitchen / breakfast / family room. Also unusual for Elmhurst, the sprawling back yard is fenced in a way that preserves the openness of the space. Maria Gracik and Tom Makinney of Koenig & Strey's Gracik Makinney Group are our tour guides in this sponsored video.

The pace of new construction heated up last year in west-suburban Elmhurst, and continued into this year, according to Tom Makinney. New homes have been built in a variety of styles and materials, but the hot new trend is New England Nantucket-style, he reports. Tom Makinney of Koenig & Strey's Gracik Makinney Group is our tour guide in this sponsored video of a 5-bedroom, 4 ½ bath home that's nearing completion in the southern section of Elmhurst.