We were looking at houses in Englewood today-specifically between Eastdale and Floyd streets-houses within walking distance of the light rail at Englewood station (by the way, I was told they had speculators and developers try to  redevelop that area much like the one in our neighborhood by the Evans station but they voted against it), and there were three houses for sale on Fox street, and there were two other real estate agents showing these houses at the same time we were there -and they are very nice renovated bungalows-and both of the other couples looked like nice young professionals, and for all of you child promoters-one of the women was pregnant.  Please do not tell me that one afternoon in June is the anomaly.  There definitely ARE people interested in renovated homes close to the light rail.  I will once again say what a shame it is that those who have bought houses in this area continue to sit on them (renting them out)  instead of fixing and flipping them or marketing the property for people to scrape off and build a new home.  There DEFINITELY is an interest, and it's DEFINITELY our target demographics.  We CAN keep the neighborhood character and attract new buyers here.  Even in this market.

When you say, "I was told they had speculators and developers try to redevelop that area much like the one in our neighborhood by the Evans station but they voted against it" , Who voted against what exactly?

 

There hasn't been a single new house built in Old North Englewood since 2005.  (A triplex at Bates and Delaware.)

A healthy neighborhood would have seen some teardowns by now.  There are homes sitting vacant with plywood where windows should be.  (2800 block of S Delaware, and the corner of Elati and Cornell).

I'm just saying that the speculators and developers are waiting a little longer to make their move until the market improves enough.  3039 So. Cherokee is back on the market for $85k, because even at that price, no one can make enough money on a fix-and-flip.

On the other hand, there are some really nice blocks in there as you say, so I'm optimistic things will get better.

When you say,  "I was told they had speculators and developers try to redevelop that area much like the one in our neighborhood by the Evans station but they voted against it" ,   Who voted against what exactly?

A woman who rides the train at the same time I do and lives in my neighborhood (closer to the Englewood side) told me that high density housing was proposed for not only the City Center area, but also the adjacent area.  The residents said no.  She sounded very sure of what she was saying, and I have no reason to doubt her.  She's lived there a long time and knows people who live in Englewood. 

Oh- there WAS a tear down on one of the blocks we looked at.  Gallapego, maybe?  It was rather large in width, but not too high (2 stories).  The houses I'm referring to were all walking distance from the train station-just a block or two.   The properties you mentioned above are much farther away.

 

 

 

There was one scrape & build and one total interior (drug house) redo right across from Bishop ES on Elati. Alot of the houses are brick...but not all. In the last 15 years the pop-tops popped up along Elati. Can you pick them out??? They came before the scrape & build patio 3-plexes or whatever you call them. BTW...there are two pop-tops on 2400 Cherokee and a build out all in the last 15 years There are quite a few families there and here also. Every thing ebbs and flows. Overland, on Cherokee 24 & 2300 block just a few years ago had over 25 kids from 6 mo to 16. There are still a dozen or so....all safe and sound. Safety is in the eye of the beholder. A small town of 270 isn't necessarily any safer than right here at home in cozy lil overland. Family's move in and move out. Those who own homes have tended to stay. This area has tripled appreciation in value over 15 years if you do the math that is considered safe and stable growth. It is only in the last few years that prices have started on a downward trend....check the tax values. There was always a few places for sale...periodically alot....now there are almost none. Whats up??? I think some of us know exactly what is up. I know I couldn't and cant raise children and afford $300-500K for a home and I wouldn't want one for that without a yard and trees. The times they are a changing....however there does need to be places for working folk to own a home, raise their children and not have to fork over everything to a roof....there are other things.....