Seller's Agent in 2025
Elizabeth August
@ Properties
(773) 610-8000
41 in this area
168 Total Sales
551 Park Ave River Forest, IL 60305
3
Beds
2
Baths
2,066
Sq Ft
1911
Built
Highlights
- Deck
- Property is near a park
- Wine Refrigerator
- Lincoln Elementary School Rated A
- Wood Flooring
- Tennis Courts
About This Home
As of June 2025If you're looking for the perfect walk-to-everything location in River Forest, welcome home. This beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2-bath home is a stunning blend of vintage charm and modern updates. The curb appeal is unmatched, with professional landscaping and an inviting covered front porch leading to an oversized foyer featuring an entry closet, original art glass, and exquisite trim work. The spacious living room is flooded with natural light and offers a wood-burning fireplace, custom built-ins, and the perfect atmosphere for both entertaining and cozy nights. The formal dining room, adorned with original art glass, flows seamlessly into the thoughtfully designed kitchen, which boasts custom wood cabinetry, Caesarstone countertops, an eat-in island, ample storage, and a pantry for all your culinary needs. A fantastic addition by the current owners provides an incredible space with tall ceilings, beautiful windows, great storage, and a true mudroom that leads out to a wrap-around deck-perfect for enjoying the lush backyard. The second level features three generously sized bedrooms, each with great closet space, and an updated bath. Situated on an oversized lot, the backyard is a private oasis with mature landscaping and greenery, complemented by a newer 2-car garage. Located just steps from top-rated schools, trains, parks, shops, and dining, this home offers the best of River Forest living with an unbeatable combination of charm, updates, and convenience.
Last Agent to Sell the Property
@properties Christie's International Real Estate License #475135225 Listed on: 04/09/2025
Home Details
Home Type
- Single Family
Est. Annual Taxes
- $15,613
Year Built
- Built in 1911
Parking
- 2 Car Garage
- Driveway
- Parking Included in Price
Home Design
- Asphalt Roof
Interior Spaces
- 2,066 Sq Ft Home
- 2-Story Property
- Built-In Features
- Bookcases
- Window Screens
- Entrance Foyer
- Family Room
- Living Room with Fireplace
- Formal Dining Room
- Wood Flooring
- Basement Fills Entire Space Under The House
Kitchen
- Range
- Microwave
- Freezer
- Dishwasher
- Wine Refrigerator
- Stainless Steel Appliances
- Disposal
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
- 3 Bedrooms
- 3 Potential Bedrooms
- Walk-In Closet
- 2 Full Bathrooms
Laundry
- Laundry Room
- Dryer
- Washer
Outdoor Features
- Deck
- Patio
Schools
- Lincoln Elementary School
- Roosevelt Middle School
- Oak Park & River Forest High Sch
Utilities
- Central Air
- Radiator
- Lake Michigan Water
Additional Features
- Lot Dimensions are 50x201
- Property is near a park
Community Details
- Tennis Courts
Listing and Financial Details
- Senior Tax Exemptions
- Homeowner Tax Exemptions
Ownership History
Date
Name
Owned For
Owner Type
Purchase Details
Listed on
Apr 9, 2025
Closed on
Jun 2, 2025
Sold by
Howell Gary W and Howell Patricia D
Bought by
Spirakes Johnny S and Spirakes Emily
Seller's Agent
Elizabeth August
@properties Christie's International Real Estate
Buyer's Agent
Tim Sheahan
Compass
List Price
$750,000
Sold Price
$800,000
Premium/Discount to List
$50,000
6.67%
Views
46
Current Estimated Value
Home Financials for this Owner
Home Financials are based on the most recent Mortgage that was taken out on this home.
Estimated Appreciation
-$10,896
Avg. Annual Appreciation
-4.61%
Original Mortgage
$640,000
Outstanding Balance
$638,869
Interest Rate
6.63%
Mortgage Type
New Conventional
Estimated Equity
$151,379
Purchase Details
Closed on
Jul 11, 2000
Sold by
Corus Bank Na
Bought by
Howell Gary W and Howell Patricia D
Home Financials for this Owner
Home Financials are based on the most recent Mortgage that was taken out on this home.
Original Mortgage
$252,700
Interest Rate
8.14%
Purchase Details
Closed on
Dec 14, 1994
Sold by
Wix Loretta A
Bought by
River Forest State Bank & Trust Company
Create a Home Valuation Report for This Property
The Home Valuation Report is an in-depth analysis detailing your home's value as well as a comparison with similar homes in the area
Home Values in the Area
Average Home Value in this Area
Purchase History
| Date | Type | Sale Price | Title Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warranty Deed | $800,000 | First American Title | |
| Deed | $352,500 | -- | |
| Warranty Deed | -- | -- |
Source: Public Records
Mortgage History
| Date | Status | Loan Amount | Loan Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | $640,000 | New Conventional | |
| Previous Owner | $158,000 | New Conventional | |
| Previous Owner | $175,001 | Adjustable Rate Mortgage/ARM | |
| Previous Owner | $250,000 | Credit Line Revolving | |
| Previous Owner | $323,000 | New Conventional | |
| Previous Owner | $351,515 | New Conventional | |
| Previous Owner | $357,490 | Unknown | |
| Previous Owner | $359,300 | Unknown | |
| Previous Owner | $100,000 | Credit Line Revolving | |
| Previous Owner | $451,000 | Unknown | |
| Previous Owner | $400,000 | Unknown | |
| Previous Owner | $268,600 | Unknown | |
| Previous Owner | $136,400 | Credit Line Revolving | |
| Previous Owner | $273,000 | Unknown | |
| Previous Owner | $275,000 | Unknown | |
| Previous Owner | $252,700 | No Value Available | |
| Closed | $29,000 | No Value Available |
Source: Public Records
Property History
| Date | Event | Price | Change | Sq Ft Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/12/2025 06/12/25 | Sold | $800,000 | +6.7% | $387 / Sq Ft |
| 04/12/2025 04/12/25 | Pending | -- | -- | -- |
| 04/09/2025 04/09/25 | For Sale | $750,000 | -- | $363 / Sq Ft |
Source: Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED)
Tax History Compared to Growth
Tax History
| Year | Tax Paid | Tax Assessment Tax Assessment Total Assessment is a certain percentage of the fair market value that is determined by local assessors to be the total taxable value of land and additions on the property. | Land | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $15,613 | $63,000 | $13,065 | $49,935 |
| 2023 | $13,078 | $63,000 | $13,065 | $49,935 |
| 2022 | $13,078 | $47,345 | $11,306 | $36,039 |
| 2021 | $12,645 | $46,655 | $11,306 | $35,349 |
| 2020 | $12,480 | $46,655 | $11,306 | $35,349 |
| 2019 | $15,822 | $57,141 | $10,301 | $46,840 |
| 2018 | $14,976 | $57,141 | $10,301 | $46,840 |
| 2017 | $14,954 | $57,141 | $10,301 | $46,840 |
| 2016 | $14,818 | $50,344 | $8,542 | $41,802 |
| 2015 | $14,489 | $50,344 | $8,542 | $41,802 |
| 2014 | $13,830 | $50,344 | $8,542 | $41,802 |
| 2013 | $13,962 | $52,114 | $8,542 | $43,572 |
Source: Public Records
Agents Affiliated with this Home
-
Elizabeth August
-
Tim Sheahan
Buyer's Agent in 2025
Tim Sheahan
Compass
(312) 733-7201
2 in this area
588 Total Sales
Map
Source: Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED)
MLS Number: 12331191
APN: 15-12-109-014-0000
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Based on information submitted to the MLS GRID. All data is obtained from various sources and may not have been verified by broker or MLS GRID. Supplied Open House Information is subject to change without notice. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information. Some IDX listings have been excluded from this website.
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, 17 U.S.C. § 512 (the “DMCA”) provides recourse for copyright owners who believe that material appearing on the Internet infringes their rights under U.S. copyright law. If you believe in good faith that any content or material made available in connection with our website or services infringes your copyright, you (or your agent) may send us a notice requesting that the content or material be removed, or access to it blocked.
Notices must be sent in writing by email to DMCAnotice@MLSGrid.com.
The DMCA requires that your notice of alleged copyright infringement include the following information:
(1) description of the copyrighted work that is the subject of claimed infringement;
(2) description of the alleged infringing content and information sufficient to permit us to locate the content;
(3) contact information for you, including your address, telephone number and email address;
(4) a statement by you that you have a good faith belief that the content in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, or its agent, or by the operation of any law;
(5) a statement by you, signed under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notification is accurate and that you have the authority to enforce the copyrights that are claimed to be infringed; and
(6) a physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on the copyright owner’s behalf. Failure to include all of the above information may result in the delay of the processing of your complaint.
Nearby Homes
- 414 Franklin Ave Unit 3A
- 7911 Oak Ave
- 406 Franklin Ave Unit 1A
- 410 Ashland Ave Unit 1A
- 407 Ashland Ave Unit 3G
- 407 Ashland Ave Unit 5F
- 407 Ashland Ave Unit 3F
- 409 Lathrop Ave Unit 1A
- 327 Keystone Ave
- 814 Forest Ave
- 7541 Brown Ave Unit H
- 423 Edgewood Place Unit 2
- 7501 Brown Ave Unit 3C
- 414 Edgewood Place
- 213 Ashland Ave
- 103 Des Plaines Ave
- 8129 Lake St
- 111 Des Plaines Ave
- 922 Jackson Ave
- 500 Auvergne Place