Believe it or not, due to higher gas prices, there just may be a silver lining down the road for the Oak Park area in regards to home sales. Don't get me wrong, these high gas prices are affecting our entire country in an adverse way. However, our three villages of Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park are positioned very well to take advantage of this situation.
We all know the reasons why people move to the Oak Park area, great schools, culture, architecture, diversity and of course location. This last reason, location is becoming more and more important to people. I have talked to many Realtors and they all agree with me that our area has become even more appealing as gas prices continue to soar. For me personally, I am currently working with buyers from as faraway as Vermont and as close as Lombard, all wanting to move here because they simply cannot afford the commute by car. They are attracted by the 3 train lines that run through our villages, especially the 17 minute commute on the Metra to downtown Chicago. Even if driving by car, our location is far more convenient and economical than any of the further out suburbs.
With the real estate market in its current condition I would like to recommend the following:
Why not let the powers that be from Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park along with the Chambers of Commerce and along with the Oak Park Area Association of Realtors pool some of their resources in a collective manner and develop an advertising campaign to promote the advantages of relocating to our fine communities. A campaign similar to the very successful radio ad spots Forest Park conducted a year ago. Advertising such as this could help spur the sale of residential properties, stabilize home prices, and supoort and encourage economic development. This to me would appear to be a no-brainer. Let's take advantage of this situation, I personally would offer my assistance if asked.
Gary Mancuso is the current President of the Oak Park Area Association of Realtors and is a Realtor with RE/MAX in the Village, Realtors.
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