South Suburbs
Blue Island Real Estate Agents for Homes and Investment Property
House hunting or weighing a rental in 60406? We help you compare the block, the train, the school district, and what the building needs.
Living in Blue Island
A city with old roots at the edge of Cook County
Blue Island does not get the attention it deserves. Drivers on Western Avenue or I-57 may not realize they are passing one of the more historic communities in Chicagoland. Buyers and investors who know the city keep coming back to it.
Blue Island sits about 16 miles south of the Loop, and it shares its northern boundary with Chicago's Morgan Park neighborhood. Alsip lies to the west. Calumet Park, Riverdale, Posen, Dixmoor, Robbins, and Midlothian also touch the city. Settlers arrived in the 1830s, and the federal government has designated Blue Island one of eleven Illinois communities in the Preserve America program. Our team has worked the South Side and the Southland suburbs long enough to know what the city offers, and we have worked deals throughout 60406.
Uptown on Western Avenue
Downtown Blue Island, which locals call uptown, runs along Western Avenue. It is known for antique stores, art galleries, ethnic delis, and fine dining. Three Sisters Antique Mall stands on the west side of Western Avenue north of Vermont Street, and Jebens Hardware has been in business since 1876. Expect a walkable commercial strip next to older housing, and a different feel from the residential blocks farther out.
Memorial Park
Memorial Park, at 12804 S. Highland Avenue, has two baseball diamonds, a football field, a skate park, a playground, an outdoor swimming pool, a splash pad, and a sledding hill with a toboggan slide. The Blue Island Park District also runs Hart Park at 123rd Street and Western Avenue, along with several smaller parks.
Getting around
Six Metra stations serve the city
Blue Island is a hub for Metra, with six stations. Four sit on the Rock Island District: 119th Street, 123rd Street, Prairie Street, and Vermont Street. The Vermont Street station sits across the street from the terminus of the Metra Electric spur line.
Drivers reach I-57 through the city. We suggest you walk the route from a house to the platform you would use, and check the parking rules, before you count a station as convenient.
Before you buy
What you will find in Blue Island homes
The housing stock includes brick ranch homes, Chicago bungalows, and American Foursquares under mature trees. We see Chicago bungalows that need work next to remodeled five-bedroom houses on oversized lots. Two-flats, small multi-unit buildings, and a smaller number of low-rise condo units near downtown also appear in the market.
The city draws first-time buyers, move-up buyers, and investors who want cash flow. Set expectations by the block and the building. A steady city with older housing rewards buyers who plan for long-term value more than quick appreciation.
For any older house, check the roof, electrical, plumbing, water intrusion, and basement before you write an offer. Ask about prior renovations and the permits behind them.
District 130 and District 218
Check the school district before the house
Blue Island sits in Cook County School District 130, which serves pre-K through eighth grade. For high school, students feed into Community High School District 218, and Dwight D. Eisenhower High School stands in Blue Island. Records vary from building to building, so visit the schools and ask the district for current data.
Families who put school quality first should budget time for those visits, and some also look at private or parochial options nearby. We confirm the school assignment for the address before a buyer writes an offer.
For veterans and military families
Buying in Blue Island with a VA loan
Dorazio Real Estate is veteran-owned, and our managing broker is a former U.S. Army officer and West Point graduate.
Older Blue Island houses can raise repair items on a VA appraisal: peeling paint, roof wear, and missing handrails, for example. We look for those items during the showing, while a buyer can still ask for repairs or a credit.
Military families arriving on PCS orders can ride Metra into downtown Chicago from any of the city's six stations.
A VA loan can also buy a building with two to four units if you live in one of them, and Blue Island has two-flats and small multi-unit buildings. The city also has low-rise condo units. The VA has to approve the condo building, so we check that first.
Illinois offers property tax exemptions for veterans with a service-connected disability. Blue Island sits in Cook County, so you apply through the Cook County Assessor's Office.
For investors
Buying a Blue Island rental or multifamily property
Blue Island has two-flats, small multi-unit buildings, and six-unit brick apartment buildings, and investors look at them for cash flow. Six Metra stations give renters a train into Chicago. Price the rent against similar units nearby, and look for buildings where the current rent sits below what comparable units charge.
Model the rent, repairs, vacancy, taxes, insurance, and long-term maintenance before you commit. Our multifamily investment analysis covers the rent roll, operating expenses, cash flow, financing scenarios, and value-add potential.
For sellers
Selling a Blue Island home
Sellers who have held a property for years should pull permits and improvement records before the photographer arrives. Buyers will ask about the roof, electrical, and basement, even when the house shows well. We price the house against the homes buyers will tour that week.
Start with a free comparative market analysis for your address. When you list, we can add a measured 2D or 3D floor plan, and our photo prep guide walks you through getting each room ready.
Comparing towns
Nearby areas we serve
Blue Island buyers compare the city with Beverly, Morgan Park, Alsip, Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, and Calumet Park. We compare the drive, the train, the tax bill, and the condition of each house.
Questions people ask
Blue Island real estate questions
How far is Blue Island from downtown Chicago?
Blue Island sits about 16 miles south of the Loop. Six Metra stations serve the city, four on the Rock Island District and a terminus of the Metra Electric spur. Check the schedule for the station you would use.
What kinds of homes are most common in Blue Island?
The housing stock includes Chicago bungalows, American Foursquares, and brick ranch homes. You will also find two-flats and small multi-unit buildings, along with a smaller number of condo units in low-rise buildings near downtown.
Is Blue Island a good place to buy an investment property?
Blue Island has two-flats, small multi-unit buildings, and six-unit brick buildings. Model the rent, repairs, vacancy, taxes, insurance, and maintenance for the exact address before you buy. We can help you run the numbers on a specific deal.
What school district covers Blue Island?
Cook County School District 130 serves pre-K through eighth grade in Blue Island, and Community High School District 218 serves high school. Eisenhower High School stands in the city. Check the exact address with the district.
What should buyers watch for in Blue Island homes?
Look hard at roof age, mechanical systems, electrical, plumbing, water intrusion, basement condition, and prior renovations. Put the expected repairs in your budget before you write an offer.
What towns do buyers compare with Blue Island?
Common comparisons include Beverly, Morgan Park, Alsip, Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, and Calumet Park. Compare the actual commute, tax bill, condition, and school assignment for each address.
What should veterans know before buying in Blue Island?
Review condition before you get attached to a house. Peeling paint, roof wear, and missing handrails can affect a VA appraisal. Dorazio Real Estate is veteran-owned, and we flag those items during the search, while you still have room to structure the offer.
Can I buy a multifamily property in Blue Island with a VA loan?
Yes. A VA loan can buy a building with two to four units as long as you live in one of them. Compare the rent from the other units with the taxes, insurance, and repair costs before you write the offer, and check the zoning and permits for each unit.
Start with a conversation
Send us the Blue Island address
If you have been thinking about a home or an investment property in Blue Island, start with a conversation. Ask questions and get straight answers, with no pressure. Bring the listing, the budget, and the numbers you want checked.
Or send a note through our contact page.