$1,206,000
SOLD MAR 10, 2025

694 Buena Rd Lake Forest, IL 60045

4 Beds
5.5 Baths
4,149 Sq Ft
0.37 Acres

Recently Sold

$291 Per Sq Ft

7% Below List Price

8,095 Days on Market

Highlights

  • Heated Floors
  • Open Floorplan
  • Community Lake
  • Cherokee Elementary School Rated A
  • Landscaped Professionally
  • Pond

About This Home

As of March 2025

NEW UPDATES! Step Into Modern Elegance at The Ponds of Lake Forest. Discover the perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and convenience in this updated and stylish 4 bedroom + bonus room, 5.1 bath home. Nestled in the sought after Ponds of Lake Forest community, this 4,149 sq. ft. home is loaded with upgrades that make it an entertainer's dream and a serene retreat for modern living. Key Features and Fresh, Modern Updates: Brand-new cedar shake and copper roof (July 2024) means peace of mind for years to come. Refinished white cabinets with updated hardware and new carpet (2024) keep the home feeling bright and fresh. Spa-Like First-Floor Primary Suite. This isn't just a bedroom, it's a retreat. With heated marble floors, a luxurious air jet tub, and motorized blinds, you'll feel Like every day starts in a 5-star hotel. The hidden 3-way full-length mirror and 8 double closets bring functionality to the forefront. Love to cook or host? This gourmet kitchen is ready to impress, with high-end appliances Like a Wolf range, Sub-Zero fridge, Bosch dishwasher, and more. Plus, the center butcher block island is perfect for meal prep or hosting wine nights. Thoughtfully Designed Living Spaces, the open-concept family room features built-in cabinets, a gas fireplace, and French doors that lead to the brick patio-a seamless flow for indoor/outdoor living. Freshly refinished hardwood floors throughout the kitchen, family room, and main hallways. Work, Play, and Recharge. A bonus room and office upstairs and a fully finished basement with a rec room, full bath, and cedar closet offer plenty of space for work-from-home setups, hobbies, or hosting game nights. EV charging port in the 3-car garage-ready for your Tesla or other electric vehicle. Outdoor Fun the professionally landscaped yard with perennial gardens, patios, and a two-year-old Rainbow playset makes this home perfect for summer BBQs or just unwinding with friends. Plus, the community's scenic walking paths and ponds are ideal for jogging, biking, or fishing. Convenient Amenities include: First-floor laundry with radiant-heated floors adds comfort to your daily routine. The recently redone driveway and durable RockSolid-coated garage floor combine style and practicality. Why You'll Love Living Here? This home offers the ideal mix of modern upgrades and timeless elegance in a community that feels Like a private retreat. Whether you're into hosting or just enjoying your downtime, you'll find everything you need right here. Schedule your private tour today! Your dream lifestyle in The Ponds of Lake Forest is just a showing away. Quick close possible.

Last Agent to Sell the Property

Donna Mercier

Coldwell Banker Realty License #475068501 Listed on: 11/27/2024

Coldwell Banker Realty

Co-Listed By

Chris Foss

Coldwell Banker Realty License #475123270

Last Buyer's Agent

Cory Green

Compass License #475157727

Compass

Home Details

Home Type

  • Single Family

Est. Annual Taxes

  • $17,849

Year Built

  • Built in 1985 | Remodeled in 2014

Lot Details

  • 0.37 Acre Lot
  • Lot Dimensions are 72x36x169x89x163
  • Landscaped Professionally
  • Paved or Partially Paved Lot
  • Wooded Lot

HOA Fees

  • $83 Monthly HOA Fees

Parking

  • 3 Car Attached Garage
  • Garage Door Opener
  • Driveway
  • Parking Included in Price

Home Design

  • Shake Roof
  • Concrete Perimeter Foundation

Interior Spaces

  • 4,149 Sq Ft Home
  • 2-Story Property
  • Open Floorplan
  • Bookcases
  • Skylights
  • Wood Burning Fireplace
  • Gas Log Fireplace
  • Fireplace Features Masonry
  • Blinds
  • Bay Window
  • Wood Frame Window
  • Window Screens
  • Mud Room
  • Entrance Foyer
  • Family Room with Fireplace
  • Family Room Downstairs
  • Combination Dining and Living Room
  • Home Office
  • Recreation Room
  • Bonus Room
  • Lower Floor Utility Room
  • Storm Screens

Kitchen

  • Breakfast Bar
  • Gas Cooktop
  • Down Draft Cooktop
  • Microwave
  • High End Refrigerator
  • Dishwasher
  • Stainless Steel Appliances
  • Granite Countertops
  • Disposal

Flooring

  • Wood
  • Partially Carpeted
  • Heated Floors

Bedrooms and Bathrooms

  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 4 Potential Bedrooms
  • Main Floor Bedroom
  • Walk-In Closet
  • Bathroom on Main Level
  • Dual Sinks
  • Whirlpool Bathtub
  • Separate Shower

Laundry

  • Laundry Room
  • Laundry on main level
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Sink Near Laundry

Finished Basement

  • Partial Basement
  • Recreation or Family Area in Basement
  • Finished Basement Bathroom

Accessible Home Design

  • Handicap Shower

Outdoor Features

  • Pond
  • Brick Porch or Patio
  • Exterior Lighting

Schools

  • Cherokee Elementary School
  • Deer Path Middle School
  • Lake Forest High School

Utilities

  • Forced Air Zoned Cooling and Heating System
  • Heating System Uses Natural Gas
  • Lake Michigan Water
  • Water Purifier is Owned

Community Details

  • Association fees include insurance
  • The Ponds Subdivision
  • Community Lake

Listing and Financial Details

  • Senior Tax Exemptions
  • Homeowner Tax Exemptions

Home Details

Home Type

Single Family

Est. Annual Taxes

$17,849

Year Built

Built in 1985 | Remodeled in 2014

Lot Details

0

HOA Fees

$83 per month

Parking

3

Listing Details

  • Property Type: Residential
  • Property Type: Detached Single
  • Type Detached: 2 Stories
  • Ownership: Fee Simple
  • New Construction: No
  • Property Sub-Type: 2 Stories
  • Subdivision Name: The Ponds
  • Year Built: 1985
  • Age: 31-40 Years
  • Built Before 1978 (Y/N): No
  • Disability Access and/or Equipped: No
  • General Information: School Bus Service
  • Rebuilt (Y/N): No
  • Rehab (Y/N): Yes
  • Rehab Year: 2014
  • ResoPropertyType: Residential
  • Special Features: None
  • Property Sub Type: Detached
  • Year Renovated: 2014

Interior Features

  • Appliances: Microwave, Dishwasher, High End Refrigerator, Washer, Dryer, Disposal, Stainless Steel Appliance(s), Cooktop, Water Purifier Owned, Down Draft, Gas Cooktop
  • Basement: Partial
  • Full Bathrooms: 5
  • Half Bathrooms: 1
  • Total Bathrooms: 6
  • Total Bedrooms: 4
  • Fireplace Features: Wood Burning, Gas Log, Gas Starter, Masonry
  • Fireplaces: 1
  • Interior Amenities: Skylight(s), Hardwood Floors, Heated Floors, First Floor Bedroom, First Floor Laundry, First Floor Full Bath, Walk-In Closet(s), Bookcases, Open Floorplan, Some Carpeting, Some Window Treatment, Some Wood Floors, Granite Counters, Some Wall-To-Wall Cp, Pantry
  • LivingArea: 4149
  • Room Type: Bonus Room, Eating Area, Recreation Room, Family Room, Foyer, Mud Room, Utility Room-Lower Level, Office
  • Estimated Total Finished Sq Ft: 0
  • Basement Description: Finished,Rec/Family Area
  • Bathroom Amenities: Whirlpool,Separate Shower,Accessible Shower,Double Sink
  • Basement Bathrooms: Yes
  • Below Grade Bedrooms: 0
  • Dining Room: Combined w/ LivRm
  • Total Sq Ft: 0
  • Fireplace Location: Family Room
  • Total Sq Ft: 0
  • Door Features: French Doors,Sliding Doors,Storm Door(s),Pocket Door(s),6 Panel Door(s),Sliding Glass Door(s)
  • Window Features: Bay Window(s),Blinds,Screens,Wood Frames
  • Flooring: Hardwood
  • ResoLivingAreaSource: Other

Exterior Features

  • ExteriorFeatures: Patio, Brick Paver Patio, Storms/Screens
  • Foundation Details: Concrete Perimeter
  • List Price: 1295000
  • Lot Features: Landscaped, Pond(s), Wooded, Outdoor Lighting, Sidewalks, Streetlights
  • Patio And Porch Features: Patio
  • Roof: Shake
  • Waterfront: No
  • Exterior Building Type: Brick,Cedar

Garage/Parking

  • Garage Spaces: 3
  • ParkingTotal: 3
  • Driveway: Asphalt
  • Garage Details: Garage Door Opener(s)
  • Garage On-Site: Yes
  • Garage Ownership: Owned
  • Garage Type: Attached
  • Parking: Garage

Utilities

  • Sewer: Public Sewer
  • Cooling: Central Air, Zoned
  • Heating: Natural Gas, Forced Air
  • Laundry Features: Gas Dryer Hookup, Sink
  • Water Source: Lake Michigan

Condo/Co-op/Association

  • Association Fee: 1000
  • Association Fee Frequency: Annually
  • Community Features: Lake, Curbs, Sidewalks, Street Lights, Street Paved
  • Master Association Fee Frequency: Not Required
  • ResoAssociationFeeFrequency: Annually

Fee Information

  • Association Fee Includes: Insurance

Schools

  • Elementary School: Cherokee Elementary School
  • High School: Lake Forest High School
  • Middle/Junior School: Deer Path Middle School
  • Middle/Junior School District: 67

Lot Info

  • Lot Size Acres: 0.372
  • Lot Dimensions: 72X36X169X89X163
  • Rural (Y/N): N
  • Lot Size: .25-.49 Acre
  • Special Assessments: N

Rental Info

  • Board Number: 2
  • Is Parking Included in Price: Yes

Tax Info

  • Tax Annual Amount: 17849
  • Tax Year: 2023
  • Tax Exemptions: Homeowner,Senior

Ownership History

Date Name Owned For Owner Type

Purchase Details

Listed on
Nov 27, 2024
Closed on
Feb 26, 2025
Sold by
Charles W Mercier Revocable Trust and Donna A Mercier Revocable Trust
Bought by
Darwish Bassem and Morsi Aya Samir
Seller's Agent
Donna Mercier
Coldwell Banker Realty
Buyer's Agent
Cory Green
Compass
List Price
$1,295,000
Sold Price
$1,206,000
Premium/Discount to List
-$89,000
-6.87%
Views
92
Current Estimated Value
$1,261,099

Home Financials for this Owner

Home Financials are based on the most recent Mortgage that was taken out on this home.
Estimated Appreciation
$55,099
Avg. Annual Appreciation
11.27%
Original Mortgage
$904,500
Outstanding Balance
$900,929
Interest Rate
7.25%
Mortgage Type
New Conventional
Estimated Equity
$360,381

Purchase Details

Closed on
Dec 10, 2019
Sold by
Mercier Charles W and Foss Mercier Donna A
Bought by
Mercier Charles W and The Charles W Mercier Revocabl

Purchase Details

Closed on
Sep 22, 2004
Sold by
Mercier Charles W and Foss Mercier Donna A
Bought by
Mercier Charles W and Foss Mercier Donna A
Source: Public Records

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Range of Values:

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Home Values in the Area

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value in this Area





Source: Public Records

Purchase History

Date Type Sale Price Title Company
Deed $1,206,000 None Listed On Document
Interfamily Deed Transfer -- None Available
Interfamily Deed Transfer -- --
Source: Public Records

Mortgage History

Date Status Loan Amount Loan Type
Open $904,500 New Conventional
Previous Owner $321,500 New Conventional
Previous Owner $330,000 New Conventional
Previous Owner $341,500 New Conventional
Previous Owner $379,500 Unknown
Previous Owner $390,000 Unknown
Previous Owner $237,000 VA
Previous Owner $250,000 Credit Line Revolving
Source: Public Records

Property History

Date Event Price Change Sq Ft Price
03/10/2025 03/10/25 Sold $1,206,000 -6.9% $291 / Sq Ft
01/25/2025 01/25/25 Pending -- -- --
11/27/2002 11/27/02 For Sale $1,295,000 -- $312 / Sq Ft
Source: Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED)

Tax History Compared to Growth

Source: Public Records

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 $17,849 $329,273 $98,263 $231,010
2023 $17,849 $300,953 $89,811 $211,142
2022 $16,534 $286,060 $96,698 $189,362
2021 $16,509 $290,921 $93,230 $197,691
2020 $16,081 $291,533 $93,426 $198,107
2019 $15,547 $291,038 $93,267 $197,771
2018 $15,099 $297,017 $98,855 $198,162
2017 $14,801 $296,070 $98,540 $197,530
2016 $15,385 $304,949 $94,814 $210,135
2015 $15,128 $286,526 $89,086 $197,440
2014 $12,853 $266,276 $89,722 $176,554
2012 $12,495 $263,928 $88,931 $174,997
Source: Public Records

Agents Affiliated with this Home

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Map

Source: Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED)

MLS Number: 12210993

Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED)

APN: 16-05-402-065