Wheaton is a suburban community of over 55,000 located 23 miles west of Chicago. It is a primarily residential community, which is the county seat of DuPage County. 20 public schools (Unit K-12 District 200) serve the area, along with several private religious and parochial schools as well as a military academy. Wheaton's downtown district, which has undergone renovation, has a variety of retail establishments and condominium developments near its train station. 37 churches and religious organizations are located within Wheaton. Recreational opportunities include the programs of the Wheaton Park District as well as the many forest preserves, which border it. Its diverse housing includes many turn of the century Victorian homes, new construction, executive style homes, townhomes, condominiums and everything in between.

• Wheaton Community Guide
• Wheaton, Illinois
• Town of Wheaton Map

Carol Stream (named by developer Jay Stream for his daughter) is a town of over 40,000 located 27 miles from downtown Chicago. Residential, commercial and industrial development have continued in recent years. Two new schools and a recreation center have also been built recently. Eight public schools are located within the borders of Carol Stream, for children from kindergarten through high school. High School districts 87 (Glenbard) and 94 (West Chicago), grade school districts 93 and 25, and Unit Districts 200 and U-46 (Elgin) serve the community. Carol Stream prides itself on being the youngest (average age resident +/- 30 years) Chicago suburb in average age. The Village hosts many civic events geared toward children and families. It has a large and diverse park district, especially considering the town's relatively small size.

• Carol Stream Community Guide
• Village of Carol Stream
• Town of Carol Stream Map

Warrenville is a small town of about 12,000 located 30 miles west of downtown Chicago. It is primarily residential and surrounded by forest preserves. Most development is along Illinois Route 59. Two public schools are located within its borders and most public school students attend Wheaton District 200 schools. Its small town center still has a quaint turn of the century flavor and much of its residential area has a slightly rural feel to them.

• Warrenville Community Guide
• Warrenville, Illinois
• Town of Warrenville Map

Winfield is a village of roughly 12,000 residents located 28 miles west of downtown Chicago. Grade school-aged children attend schools in district 33,34, and 200. High school students go to either West Chicago Community High School, district 94 or Wheaton North High School, district 200. Winfield borders the Blackwell Forest Preserve, which contains over 20 miles of footpaths and unmarked, but mowed, paths, on its northwest border as well as the Cantigny War Memorial, Museum and Gardens. The downtown area is small and Victorian in style centered around the train line. Winfield maintains its rural feel despite its close proximity to everything.

• Winfield Community Guide
• Town of Winfield Map 

Glen Ellyn is primarily a residential community of about 27,000 located 23 miles west of Chicago. Fourteen public and two private schools serve the area, along with the DAVEA Vocational Center in nearby Addison. A variety of small retail stores are located in its quaint downtown area, and shopping along Glen Ellyn's southern edge includes a variety of grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants and other small shops. Grade school-aged children attend schools in districts 41, 44, and 89, while teenagers go to Glenbard South or West, both in district 87. Glen Ellyn boasts many historic turn of the century homes, mature wooded homesites, and quiet tree-lined streets. Its Lake Ellyn area includes a picturesque park, winter ice-skating and summer festivals.

• Glen Ellyn Community Guide
• Glen Ellyn
• Town of Glen Ellyn Map

Bloomingdale is a town of around 22,000 located 25 miles west of downtown Chicago. A variety of retail establishments and corporate businesses including Mary Kay Cosmetics and Motorola Microwave are located in its Covington Business Park. Grade school children attend schools in districts 13 and 15. Some junior high students attend Stratford Junior High in district 93. secondary students go to Lake Park High School, District 108. Bloomingdale is home to many prestigious golf courses, the historic Old Towne Shoppes and the Indian Lakes Resort and Convention Center.

• Bloomingdale Community Guide
• Welcome to the Village of Bloomingdale!
• Town of Bloomingdale Map

Aurora is a city of over 160,00 about 40 miles west of downtown Chicago. The city has a mix of industrial, commercial and residential development, particularly along the west and far west sides. The Fox Valley Park District provides extensive recreational opportunities, and the City of Aurora maintains some recreational facilities as well. School children attend one of three school districts (129, 131 and 204). The past 10 years have seen explosive growth in new construction from townhomes to luxury golfcourse and country club estate homes, especially on Aurora's east side in DuPage County.

• Aurora Community Guide
• The Aurora Online Community Network
• Town of Aurora Map

Geneva is a village of about 22,000 located 37 miles west of downtown Chicago. Known for its Victorian- style shopping district, Geneva also has undergone industrial development. Recreational opportunities include the programs and facilities of the Geneva Park District. Area schoolchildren attend unit district 304. The town is heavily focused around the Fox River which runs through its center. It is a picturesque place to shop, walk or picnic. Most of its new housing and commercial development is now focused along Randall Road on its west side.

• Geneva Community Guide
• The City of Geneva
• Town of Geneva Map

Naperville is a rapidly growing community of over 137,000 located 30 miles west of downtown Chicago. 34 public schools, encompassing districts 203 and 204, from kindergarten through high school, currently are located within the borders of Naperville. The Naper Settlement, with an open- air history museum, and the River Walk are tourist attractions. Naperville also has hundreds of acres of DuPage Forest Preserve Land, as well as the area's largest park district program. Its large, pedestrian-friendly downtown plays host to fine dining, streetside and riverside cafes, boutiques, major national retailers and much more. It was recently honored as one of the best cities in the nation to raise children.

• Naperville Community Overview
• City of Naperville
• Town of Naperville Map

St. Charles is a village of over 30,000 located 40 miles west of downtown Chicago. Centered along the Fox River, St. Charles offers a variety of recreational opportunities and maintains an active park district program. Schoolchildren can attend the public schools (Unit District 303 schools, K-12), or a private school in the area. Its downtown area features many fine restaurants, boutiques, antique and collectible shops, and much more. St. Charles plays host to many festivals year-round such as the Scarecrow Festival and Swedish Days.

• St. Charles Community Guide
• St. Charles, Illinois
• Town of St. Charles Map

Many of the offers real agents submit for prospective buyers aren't exactly what the sellers want. The price may be lower than they are asking or there might be terms included in the offer that will require negotiation. What happens after the offer is submitted?

The seller's real estate agent will present the offer to the sellers, along with the buyer's qualifications. If the sellers accept the offer, then a purchase agreement is written and signed by both parties. If the sellers counter the offer, the next action is initiated by the buyers when they make a response, either accepting the counter offer or countering it with yet another figure. If you want to buy a particular house, your chances of succeeding are greater if your initial offer is as close to the asking price as possible. You could save money by engaging in lengthy negotiations, but you run the risk of losing the home if a more attractive offer comes in from another buyer.

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