I grew up in this area (off of Duffy lane) and have marketed properties here. There are some definite differences/challenges to accurately valuing these homes. For example, if the home is in Riverwoods, but the schools are Lincolnshire (district 103 and Stevenson) then I would lean toward comps in the Lincolnshire area with similar lot sizes/ammenities/square footage. If the home is in Riverwoods but the students go to the Deerfield schools, then I would use comparables that are further to the east toward Bannockburn and Sanders Road.

Hope this helps!

Tom Carris
RE/MAX Showcase http://www.TomCarris.com

Thanks for your feedback, and for your offer of help if this doesn't work out.

If things don't work out and you would be interested in finding out about other properties that would suit your needs, please keep me in mind and give me a call. I'd be happy to help. I've been helping people buy and sell homes for over 35 years. Experience can make a difference.

Thanks again,
Al Aronow
RE/MAX Suburban
847-557-8501

THanks, 'technically' the home is in Riverwoods, but I referred to it as Deerfield since it's the same zip code. The agent said that they bought a new house in S. Barrington because they wanted to house their horses where they live instead of continue taking them to a stable or boarding facility. It's been for sale for about 6 months, but they had renters before that for about a year. "Unfortunately" my husband and I stumbled into the open house without an agent, so we're kind of SOL in terms of finding a buyers agent at this point.

Are you sure that the neighborhoods bordering the Deerfield property are located in Lincolnshire? The reason I ask is because according to the map the towns bordering incorporated Deerfield are Bannockburn and Riverwoods. Either way, if the properties are in close proximity to each other and not in the same zipcode but are of similar size in square footage, similar age, similar lot size, possibly the same school districts and have closed in the last three months, you can be pretty sure that these are comparable sales that a bank appraiser will use to verify price. If they haven't closed in the last three months, there might be an adjustment made. You must also consider what is the reason for sale of the property you are interested in. Reasons for sale include foreclosure, short sale, REO (bank owned), corporate owned, transfer, up size, down size, etc. The reason for the sale of the comparable sales is also important in determining value. All these factors need to be taken into consideration.

Good luck . Let me know if i can be of any further help.

Al Aronow
RE/MAX Suburban
847-557-8501