Southwest Suburbs
Buy, Sell, or Invest in Oak Lawn with a Veteran-Owned Brokerage
Comparing brick bungalows, two-flats, and downtown condos in 60453? We check the block, the school district, and the repair list before you make an offer.
Living in Oak Lawn
What Oak Lawn is like
Oak Lawn keeps showing up on buyers' shortlists because it sits close to the city and has stable neighborhoods. If you are thinking about buying or selling a home here, this page covers the area and how we work in it.
Chicago borders Oak Lawn to the north and east, Evergreen Park sits to the northeast, and Hometown, Burbank, and Worth fill in the other edges. About 58,000 people live in the village (58,362 in the 2020 census). Oak Lawn incorporated in 1909 and grew fast after World War II.
Downtown Oak Lawn and 95th Street
The village has spent years rebuilding its core along 95th Street between Cicero and Central Avenues. That area now has condominium buildings with shops on the ground floor, a large Metra station, and a parking garage. Buyers who want a train nearby start here.
The 95th and 111th Street corridors
95th Street and 111th Street are the two main east-west routes most residents use. Ridgeland Avenue, Cicero Avenue, and Pulaski Road run north and south and connect the village to the broader Southwest Side.
Advocate Christ Medical Center, a 788-bed teaching hospital and Level I trauma center, sits in Oak Lawn and is a significant employer for the community.
Trains and buses
Getting around Oak Lawn
Oak Lawn has a station on Metra's SouthWest Service line. The station, called Oak Lawn Patriot, sits in downtown Oak Lawn about 14.7 rail miles from Chicago Union Station. Pace route 381 runs along 95th Street.
Some residents also connect to the 95th/Dan Ryan Red Line stop east of the village for late-night travel, since the Red Line runs around the clock. The trip downtown takes longer than from a close-in neighborhood, and that is one trade for the price and space you get here. Ride the route from the house before you decide.
What buyers and investors see
The Oak Lawn housing market
The housing stock follows the village's history. You will find postwar brick bungalows and ranch-style homes, with some larger two-stories and split-levels mixed in. Lots run modest, and the older homes tend to be well kept. Newer construction appears here and there, but developers are not replacing blocks of single-family homes. The village stands as built, which suits some buyers and limits others.
Buyers here include first-time homeowners, families moving up from apartments, and people relocating from other parts of the city or from farther south suburbs. Investors show up too, looking for smaller multi-family properties and well-priced single-family homes that need rehab. Healthcare workers make up a notable share of buyers because of Christ Medical Center.
A well-priced home can move fast. Get your financing in order before you tour.
Check the address
Oak Lawn school districts
More than one school district serves Oak Lawn. Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 covers elementary and middle grades for part of the village, and Ridgeland School District 122 serves other sections. Oak Lawn has two public high schools: Oak Lawn Community High School in District 229 and Harold L. Richards High School.
Use each district's boundary tool for the property address. We confirm the address before a buyer writes an offer or a seller names a school in the marketing. Visit the school and talk with current parents before you draw conclusions.
For veterans and military families
Buying in Oak Lawn 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.
Much of Oak Lawn is postwar brick construction, so we review condition before anyone gets attached to a house. Peeling paint, missing handrails, roof problems, and deferred maintenance can affect a VA appraisal. Catching those items during the search leaves more room to structure the offer.
A VA loan can also buy a building with two to four units, as long as you live in one of them. Oak Lawn has two-flats and small apartment buildings, so a VA buyer can live in one unit and rent the others. The condominium buildings downtown need VA approval before a VA loan can buy in them, so check that first.
Illinois offers property tax exemptions for veterans with a service-connected disability. Oak Lawn sits in Cook County, so you apply through the Cook County Assessor's Office.
For investors
Buying an Oak Lawn rental or multifamily property
Two-flats and small apartment buildings exist throughout the village, and rental demand is steady enough to make them attractive to investors who want cash flow close to the city. Price each one against the tax bill, insurance, and a repair reserve for a building of that age. Christ Medical Center brings healthcare workers to the area, which adds to the tenant pool.
For a building with two or more units, our multifamily investment analysis covers the rent roll, operating expenses, cash flow, financing scenarios, and value-add potential before you commit. We also work with investors on single-family acquisitions and mixed-use properties across the Southwest suburbs.
For sellers
Selling an Oak Lawn home
Many Oak Lawn houses are postwar brick homes, and buyers ask about the roof, basement, and mechanicals. Gather permits and improvement records before the photographer arrives, then 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
Buyers comparing Beverly or Mount Greenwood often add Oak Lawn to the search, and Evergreen Park sits right next door. We also help clients compare Hickory Hills, Bridgeview, and Alsip.
Questions people ask
Oak Lawn real estate questions
Is Oak Lawn a good place to buy a home?
For many buyers, yes. Oak Lawn offers a Metra station, established neighborhoods, and a mix of brick bungalows, ranches, two-flats, and condos. The trade is commute time to the Loop, which matters if you commute there.
What types of homes are most common in Oak Lawn?
Most of Oak Lawn's housing stock is postwar brick construction: bungalows, ranch homes, and split-levels. You will also find some larger two-story homes and a smaller number of newer builds. Multi-family properties, including two-flats and small apartment buildings, exist throughout the village.
How far is Oak Lawn from downtown Chicago?
The Oak Lawn Patriot Metra station on the SouthWest Service line sits about 14.7 rail miles from Chicago Union Station. Some residents also take a bus to the CTA Red Line at 95th/Dan Ryan. Check the current Metra schedule and drive the route at your usual commute hour.
Are there good schools in Oak Lawn?
More than one district serves Oak Lawn. Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 and Ridgeland School District 122 cover elementary grades in different parts of the village. For high school, students attend Oak Lawn Community High School in District 229 or Harold L. Richards High School. Check the address with the district, then visit the school and talk with current parents.
Does Dorazio Real Estate help with investment properties in Oak Lawn?
Yes. We work with investors on single-family acquisitions, small multi-family purchases, and mixed-use properties throughout the Southwest suburbs, including Oak Lawn. Our managing broker is an active investor, and our sister company BCG Real Estate Group handles property management if you want a full-service approach after closing.
What is the Homes for Heroes program and does it apply in Oak Lawn?
Homes for Heroes is a national program that gives financial awards to veterans, active military, first responders, nurses, teachers, and other eligible heroes when they buy or sell a home through an affiliated real estate agent. Dorazio Real Estate is a Homes for Heroes affiliate, so if you qualify, it applies in Oak Lawn and everywhere else we work.
What should veterans know before buying in Oak Lawn?
Review condition before you get attached to a house. Much of Oak Lawn is postwar brick construction, and peeling paint, missing handrails, roof problems, and deferred maintenance 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 Oak Lawn 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
Ready to talk Oak Lawn?
If you are thinking about buying a home in Oak Lawn, selling one, or picking up an investment property, we are easy to reach. Send us the address or the budget. We can walk you through the market right now, what is realistic for your budget or sale, and whether Oak Lawn fits your situation.
Or send a note through our contact page.