What Can $695K Buy in South Elgin? A 4-Bedroom Home in Thornwood
A recent closing at 767 E Thornwood Dr provides a useful look at the upper end of the local single-family market. The 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home closed for $695,000 on October 30, 2026 in the Thornwood community.
The transaction was represented by Cory Tanzer of The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier.
For buyers researching South Elgin homes around $700K, the property shows how that budget can translate into a larger lot, four-bedroom layout, finished lower level and community amenities.
What $695K Bought in Thornwood
Public MLS history for the home documents a traditional two-story layout centered around generous gathering spaces.
The entry opens into a two-story foyer, with separate living and dining areas and hardwood flooring throughout the first floor.
The eat-in kitchen includes an island, granite countertops, a large pantry and extensive cabinetry before opening into the family room.
One of the home's standout interior features is a floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace anchoring that family space.
The first floor also includes a private office with French doors and a separate laundry room with built-in cabinetry.
For buyers who work from home, having a dedicated office without sacrificing one of the four bedrooms can make a meaningful difference.
A Screened Porch, Two Patios and Nearly Half an Acre
Outdoor space is another major part of the property.
The home sits on approximately 0.43 acres, or nearly half an acre, giving it considerably more yard space than many newer suburban properties.
MLS history describes a large screened-in porch leading to two brick-paver patios overlooking the backyard.
That creates several different outdoor zones for dining, entertaining or simply using the yard throughout warmer months.
The property also includes a 3-car garage, adding parking and storage capacity that can be especially valuable for larger suburban homes.
A Finished Basement Adds More Flexible Space
The lower level expands the home's usable footprint beyond the main two stories.
Public MLS records describe a fully finished basement with a recreation room, built-in bar, workout area and substantial storage, along with plumbing rough-in for an additional bathroom.
That gives buyers flexibility for entertainment space, fitness equipment, hobbies or additional work-from-home use.
Upstairs, the primary suite features a vaulted ceiling, private bathroom and walk-in closet, with three additional bedrooms completing the four-bedroom layout.
Living in Thornwood
Thornwood is one of South Elgin's larger planned residential communities, with a mix of single-family homes and townhomes developed beginning in the late 1990s.
Community amenities include a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts, parks, playgrounds and trail access. Current subdivision data also places the average asking price of Thornwood's active single-family listings around the upper-$600K range, although asking prices are not the same as closed-sale values.
The neighborhood's recreational facilities have long been a defining feature of Thornwood, with the community pool and Sports Core serving as central gathering spaces.
For this particular home, the prior MLS description also notes that the property is within walking distance of the pool.
How Does $695K Compare With South Elgin?
This closing sits well above South Elgin's overall market median.
October 2026 data showed a median South Elgin sale price of approximately $423,990, with 114 homes sold during the month and an average market time of about 35 days.
That citywide figure includes condos, townhomes and smaller detached houses, so it should not be treated as a direct comparable for a four-bedroom Thornwood property on nearly half an acre.
The higher price makes more sense when viewed within Thornwood itself.
Current single-family listings in the subdivision average roughly $681,725, placing a $695,000 closing much closer to the price tier of larger Thornwood detached homes than to South Elgin's citywide median.
Recent nearby sales also show four-bedroom homes in and around the community reaching the $600K to upper-$600K range, depending on size, condition and exact location.
What Does Around $700K Buy in South Elgin?
At $695,000, this buyer secured a four-bedroom detached home with a nearly half-acre lot, three-car garage, finished basement, dedicated first-floor office and multiple outdoor living areas.
That is a very different purchase from the typical South Elgin home represented by the citywide median.
At this price point, buyers may be comparing:
Larger Thornwood homes
Newer construction
Bigger lots
Finished basements
Three-car garages
Community amenities
Homes in neighboring St. Charles-area school boundaries
The key is comparing property type and location, not simply looking at the South Elgin median price.
Looking for a Realtor Serving South Elgin?
South Elgin buyers often compare homes across South Elgin, St. Charles, Elgin and nearby Kane County communities.
That means the right comparable sale may not always be the closest house geographically. Subdivision, lot size, school boundaries, finished space, garage capacity and condition can all influence which properties should actually be compared.
Cory Tanzer of The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier represented this South Elgin transaction and works with buyers and sellers across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
Cory is a lifelong Chicagoan and leads The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier, combining a marketing background with residential real estate experience across a wide range of neighborhoods, suburbs and property types.
For buyers or sellers comparing a South Elgin realtor, a realtor serving Kane County or a top realtor in the Chicago suburbs, actual transaction experience provides a stronger starting point than broad marketing claims.
Why The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier?
Cory's individual transaction experience is backed by a team with independently verified production across Chicagoland.
Based on 2025 sales data, RealTrends Verified reports that The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier completed 181 transaction sides and $79.28 million in sales volume.
The team ranked No. 3 in Chicago and No. 13 in Illinois by transaction sides, along with No. 12 in Chicago and No. 20 in Illinois by sales volume.
That broader production includes transactions throughout Chicago and surrounding suburban communities, giving buyers and sellers experience across different price levels and property types.
Buying or Selling in South Elgin?
This $695,000 closing shows why South Elgin buyers need to look beyond the overall median.
A four-bedroom home in Thornwood with nearly half an acre, a finished basement, screened porch and 3-car garage occupies a very different segment of the market from a smaller detached home or townhome.
Cory Tanzer and The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier can help buyers and sellers compare recent South Elgin transactions, subdivision-level competition and the individual features that influence value.
SOUTH ELGIN & CHICAGOLAND REAL ESTATE
Meet Cory Tanzer, Your South Elgin Real Estate Resource
CEO & Owner | The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier
Cory Tanzer helps buyers and sellers navigate South Elgin and residential real estate throughout Chicagoland. A lifelong Chicagoan with a degree in Marketing, Cory combines market knowledge, strategic positioning and years of residential real estate experience to help clients compare properties, negotiate effectively and make informed decisions.
Ready to Work With a Chicago Real Estate Expert?
When people search for the best realtor to hire in the Western Suburbs, they are looking for local expertise, visibility, and proven neighborhood focus. The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier continues to be a trusted authority for West Side Chicago real estate.
Thinking about buying or selling? Connect with our team and discuss current opportunities and recent sales activity.
