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Preliminary Home Valuation Report

5104 Commonwealth Ave

Western Springs, Illinois 60558
Recommended List Price
$699,000
✎ Pricing Note: At $699,000, this home is intentionally positioned to attract motivated buyers while remaining competitive relative to recent comparable sales. The I-294 backing is acknowledged in the pricing strategy — this location factor is fully reflected in the recommended list price rather than discovered later in negotiations.
Based on comparable sales & current market data · April 2026
Prepared by: Mike Berg · Berg Properties
Broker/Owner · Former Certified Appraiser · 21+ Years
This is a preliminary estimate and not a formal appraisal.
1

Executive Summary

Recommended List Price
$699,000
Comp-adjusted for location & basement condition
53K–70K
Comp Sale Range
91/sqft
Implied $/SqFt
15K
Closest Comp

This report provides a comp-based valuation for the townhouse at 5104 Commonwealth Ave in Western Springs — a 3-bedroom, 2.1-bath, 2,400 sq ft two-story unit with an unfinished basement and 2-car attached garage in the Commonwealth subdivision. Four recent sales within the same subdivision and immediate area form the basis of this analysis.


The recommended list price of $699,000 reflects two property-specific factors that distinguish this home from its immediate comparables: its position backing Interstate 294, and its unfinished basement relative to comps that sold in more improved condition. Both factors are addressed directly in this report. The pricing strategy is designed to attract serious buyers from day one and create conditions for offers at or above list price.

2

Property Details

🏠
2-Story
Style
🛌
3
Bedrooms
🚽
2.1
Bathrooms
📏
2,400
Sq Ft Above Grade
⬇️
Unfinished
Basement
🚗
2-Car
Attached Garage
📅
01/mo
HOA Assessment
🏠
Brick/Cedar
Exterior
🔥
1
Fireplace
FeatureDetailFeatureDetail
Property TypeTownhouse-2 Story, End/CornerSubdivisionCommonwealth
Primary Suite1st Floor w/ Full Bath, 2 Closets2nd Floor2 Beds + Full Bath + Loft
KitchenIsland, Breakfast Bar, Eating AreaFireplaceGas, See-Through, Family Room
BasementFull, Unfinished, Bath Rough-InLaundryIn-Unit, Main Level
Annual Taxes,189 (2019)Parking2-Car Attached, Opener
HOA IncludesInsurance, Ext. Maintenance, Lawn, SnowPetsCats & Dogs OK
ElementaryForest Hills (Dist. 101)High SchoolLyons Township (Dist. 204)
BackingInterstate 294ExposureEast / West
3

Location & Backing — Addressing I-294 Directly

🚊

The I-294 Backing: Why We Address It Up Front

This home backs Interstate 294. In our experience, buyers who discover location factors during a showing — rather than in the listing — become skeptical about what else wasn't disclosed. The better strategy is to acknowledge this characteristic in the listing, price accordingly, and attract buyers who have already self-selected past it. Those buyers are more committed, less likely to renegotiate, and less likely to use it as a post-inspection negotiating point.

The I-294 backing has been factored into the recommended list price of $699,000. Here is how it sits relative to the comp set:


AddressSale PriceBeds/BathsSq Ft$/SqFtI-294 BackingNotes
4937 Commonwealth Ave$715,0003+1 / 3.1Est. ~2,400~98UnknownMost similar comp
5209 Commonwealth Ave$730,0004 / 2.1Est. ~2,400~04UnknownExtra bedroom
5331 Commonwealth Ave$770,0003+1 / 3.1Est. ~2,400~21UnknownFull 3.1 bath
5207 Creek Dr$653,9223 / 3Est. ~2,000~27UnknownRanch style, smaller
5104 Commonwealth Ave$699,000 (List)3 / 2.12,40091⚠ YesSubject property

At $699,000, this home is priced 6,000 below the closest comparable (4937 Commonwealth, $715,000) and $71,000 below the highest recent comp (5331 Commonwealth, $770,000). That differential is intentional — it positions the home competitively while fully accounting for the highway backing, giving buyers a clear value rationale and reducing the likelihood of post-offer renegotiation on this basis.

4

Comparable Sales Analysis (CMA)

All four comparables are recent sales within the Commonwealth subdivision and immediate area. All sold within the last 12 months. These are the most relevant data points available for this property type in this market.

AddressMLS #Sale PriceBeds/BathsTypeGarageRelevance
4937 Commonwealth Ave12577622$715,0003+1 / 3.1Townhouse-2 StoryG/2⭐ Most Similar
5209 Commonwealth Ave12501659$730,0004 / 2.1Townhouse-2 StoryG/2Same complex, extra bed
5331 Commonwealth Ave12579043$770,0003+1 / 3.1Townhouse-2 StoryG/2Same complex, 3.1 bath
5207 Creek Dr12321332$653,9223 / 3Townhouse-RanchG/2Different style, smaller

Comparable Sale Prices vs. Recommended List Price

5

Pricing Adjustments — Key Differences from Comps

🔍

Two Factors Drive the Adjustment Below 4937 Commonwealth

The closest comp (4937 Commonwealth, $715,000) and this property are highly similar in size, style, and location. The 6,000 gap in recommended list price reflects two specific factors: the I-294 backing and the unfinished basement. Both are addressed below.

FactorComp BaselineSubject PropertyAdjustmentRationale
Starting Point (closest comp) 4937 Commonwealth: $715,000 Most similar in size, style, and unit type
I-294 Backing Not confirmed for comps ⚠ Backs I-294 -0,000 to -0,000 Highway noise/proximity; buyer pool narrows slightly; priced to self-select committed buyers
Basement Condition Finish level unknown for most comps Unfinished (bath rough-in present) -,000 to -5,000 Unfinished basement vs. comps; rough-in adds future value potential but not current finished value
Bathroom Count 4937 & 5331: 3.1 bath 2.1 bath Minor One fewer full bath than top comps; partially offset by 1st floor primary suite
1st Floor Primary Suite 4937: Yes (similar layout) ✓ Yes — 14x17, 2 closets Neutral/Positive Strong selling point; appeals to downsizers and accessibility-conscious buyers
Loft / Bonus Space Not confirmed for all comps ✓ 14x11 Loft, 2nd Level Positive Adds functional flex space; office, playroom, or sitting room
Recommended List Price Adjusted from $715,000 comp baseline $699,000 Accounts for location & basement; competitive relative to full comp set
6

Basement — Unfinished vs. Comps

The subject property has a full unfinished basement with plumbing rough-in for a future bathroom. While this represents real future upside for a buyer, it currently presents as unfinished square footage relative to comparables that may have more improved lower levels.


🔧

How to Frame the Basement in Marketing

The unfinished basement should be positioned as opportunity, not a gap. The plumbing rough-in is already in place, which eliminates one of the most costly and disruptive parts of a future finish project. In listing remarks, language like "full unfinished basement with bath rough-in — ready for your vision" turns a perceived negative into a buyer benefit. Buyers who want to customize appreciate this; buyers who don't will focus on the 2,400 sq ft of finished living space above grade.

7

Western Springs Market Overview

Western Springs is a highly desirable Cook County suburb with strong Metra access (BNSF line), Lyons Township High School (consistently rated among Illinois' best), and low inventory across all property types. The townhouse/attached segment has been particularly competitive, with well-priced units moving quickly and the comp set demonstrating consistent buyer demand in the 50,000–$770,000 range.

53K–70K
Comp Sale Range (Last 12 Mo.)
▲ Active Buyer Demand
99K
Recommended List Price
Strategically Positioned
Low
Attached Home Inventory
▲ Favors Sellers
BNSF
Metra Line Access
Strong Commuter Appeal
Dist. 204
Lyons Township HS
Top-Rated — Value Driver
01/mo
HOA Assessment
Includes Ext. Maintenance

Subject Property vs. Comp Range — Price Context

8

Recommended List Strategy

How We Position This Home for the Best Outcome

1
List at $699,000 — positioned below the noise of the 15K–70K comp set to drive early showing activity and create competitive conditions.
2
Address I-294 backing transparently in listing remarks — attract self-selected buyers who are comfortable with the location and less likely to renegotiate.
3
Frame the basement as opportunity — "bath rough-in ready" language turns the unfinished status into a customization benefit rather than a deficiency.
4
Leverage the 1st floor primary suite as a lead feature — this is a genuine differentiator that appeals to downsizers, dual-income households, and accessibility-conscious buyers.
Western Springs Home Valuation

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Disclaimer: This is a preliminary home valuation based on comparable sales and current market data. It is not a formal appraisal and should not be used as a substitute for a professional appraisal. The actual sale price of a property is determined by market conditions, negotiations, and the specific condition of the home. All data sourced from MRED MLS records as of April 2026. Berg Properties makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information.