Teardown or Treasure?

By Mark Loehrke
Appears in the December 2022 issue.

Is this a sweet ranch or an enticing demo candidate?

On the one hand, the in-ground swimming pool, regulation tennis court, and four bedrooms would appear to make this updated 3,800-square-foot ranch home (6401 S. County Line Rd.) an attractive option in Burr Ridge. However, situated as it is on a sprawling 2.2-acre parcel with access to Hinsdale Central High School, to some buyers it may seem like an opportune piece of land upon which to build a larger and more elaborate dream home—as soon as that cute little ranch (listed at $1.299 million) is out of the way.

Such is the push and pull of the teardown debate that has been echoing across the western suburbs for decades. And listing agent John Bohnen of County Line Properties believes this is one that could go either way, depending on who shows up to give it a look. He’s heard from empty nesters looking to downsize, developers wanting to go big, and even someone who’s considering a hybrid approach by adding a second story. Since even a one-acre lot in neighboring Hinsdale would probably go for around $2 million just for the dirt, he knows the teardown temptation will be strong. “Given the access to Hinsdale schools and the size of the lot, a buyer here is essentially getting the house for free,” he says.

Photos courtesy of Positive Image