Clarendon Hills Home Styles And What Buyers Should Know
May 28, 2026
May 28, 2026
Looking at homes in Clarendon Hills can feel exciting and a little tricky at the same time. You may see a charming bungalow near town, a practical ranch on a larger lot, or a newer custom home with a very different price tag, all within the same village. If you want to understand what those home styles really mean for your budget, layout, and future upkeep, this guide will help you compare your options with more confidence. Let’s dive in.
Clarendon Hills has a long history, and that shows up clearly in its housing stock. The village traces its roots to the 1870s, was incorporated in 1924, and today has about 8,900 residents and more than 100 businesses.
Because the community developed over many decades, you are not shopping one single type of housing here. Instead, you are comparing older in-town homes, mid-century houses, and a smaller but active supply of newer infill construction.
That mix is part of the appeal. It also means buyers need to look beyond style alone and pay close attention to lot size, condition, location, and how much work has already been done.
In-town Clarendon Hills often features older homes with a lot of personality. Recent examples include a 1947 Cape Cod on 55th Street, a 1951 Cape Cod on Grant Avenue, and a 1923 Craftsman bungalow on Waverly Avenue.
These homes often win buyers over with charm first. You may find front porches, dormers, first-floor bedrooms, finished basements, and additions that make the home live larger than the original footprint suggests.
The trade-off is usually straightforward. You may get a great location and distinctive character, but the layout can feel less open or less predictable than a newer home.
Price can vary widely within this group. A style label like bungalow or Cape Cod does not tell you enough on its own, because lot size, renovation quality, and prior additions can shift value in a big way.
When you tour these homes, focus on how the space works for your daily life. A beautiful older house may have strong curb appeal, but you still want to check bedroom placement, ceiling heights, storage, and basement usability.
It also helps to ask how improvements were completed over time. In a village with many older homes, a property may have been updated in stages, so consistency of workmanship and code compliance matter.
Ranches are often a practical middle-ground option in Clarendon Hills. A current example is a renovated ranch on Columbine Drive listed at $799,000 with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and 3,465 square feet.
If you want simpler day-to-day living, this style can be very appealing. One-floor living, easier circulation, and a finished lower level for extra space are often the main draw.
Compared with a two-story home, a ranch may work better for long-term mobility and everyday convenience. At the same time, some buyers may need a finished basement or addition to get the bedroom count or entertaining space they want.
Ranches are less about making a formal architectural statement and more about function. In many cases, what matters most is the lot, the condition of the updates, and whether the lower level adds useful living space.
For buyers who want less complexity and more usable main-floor square footage, this can be one of the more predictable choices in the village. That is especially true if major systems and cosmetic updates have already been completed.
Traditional two-stories and colonials remain a major category for move-up buyers. Recent examples range from a 1970s five-bedroom two-story on Prospect Avenue to a much larger 2000 custom Colonial on Waverly Avenue with more than 5,300 square feet.
These homes often offer the separation many buyers want. Bedrooms are typically upstairs, while the main level provides more formal and casual living areas.
If you need more bedrooms, larger gathering spaces, or an attached garage, this style may fit best. In Clarendon Hills, the strongest examples often command a premium when they are close to downtown, the Metra station, parks, and other everyday conveniences the village is known for.
This is where buyers need to look closely at the block and the lot, not just the house. Two homes may appear similar in style, but value can change significantly based on lot width, lot depth, and proximity to town amenities.
Recent listings highlight lots that are 80 feet wide, 90 feet wide, or even 190 feet deep. Those differences can have a major effect on pricing, future expansion potential, and resale appeal.
If you want the most turnkey option, newer construction is the segment to watch. Redfin currently shows 6 new homes for sale in Clarendon Hills, with a median listing price of $799,000.
That category includes a range of options, from townhomes to custom single-family homes. Current examples span from about $594,990 for a 3-bedroom townhome to well over $2 million for newer custom homes.
These homes often offer open layouts, large kitchens, newer mechanicals, attached garages, and in some cases elevators or lower-maintenance living. You are usually paying for convenience, finish level, and newness as much as the location itself.
Newer homes can make sense if you want fewer immediate projects and a more modern floor plan. They may also appeal if you prefer updated systems and a home that is ready to use from day one.
The trade-off is cost. In Clarendon Hills, new construction and luxury infill often sit at the top end of the local price range.
Clarendon Hills is a tight market. Recent portal data places the overall market around the low-to-mid $900,000s, with Redfin reporting a median sale price of $925,000 and Realtor.com showing a median asking price of $929,000.
Homes also tend to move quickly. Redfin says homes are very competitive and usually sell in about 30 days, while Realtor.com reports 32 homes for sale and a 100% sale-to-list ratio.
For buyers, that means well-updated homes in strong locations can still attract serious interest. Even when inventory is available, the best combination of condition and location tends to stand out fast.
In Clarendon Hills, price spread is often driven by three main factors:
Style matters, but these factors often matter just as much. A modest-looking home on a prime lot near town may be priced very differently from a similar home farther away or in more original condition.
Older homes can be rewarding, but they often require a more careful inspection mindset. In Clarendon Hills, permits are required for construction, enlargement, remodeling, repair, moving, and demolition.
The Village also notes that updated codes took effect on February 1, 2026. If you are buying with renovation plans in mind, it is smart to budget for permit timelines, code-compliance work, and the carrying costs that can come with larger projects.
Drainage is another local issue worth taking seriously. Clarendon Hills sits in two watersheds, administers the DuPage County stormwater ordinance, and states that both public and privately maintained drainage systems must be maintained.
If you are considering an older home, pay close attention to:
These details may not be as eye-catching as kitchens or finishes, but they can have a big impact on cost and comfort after closing.
The best style for you depends on how you want to live, not just what looks best online. In Clarendon Hills, buyers are often choosing between different levels of age, updates, lot size, and finish quality within one established village.
If you are looking for a more approachable entry point without taking on a major project, updated Cape Cods and smaller ranches may offer the most predictability. If you need more bedrooms, an attached garage, or a more open layout, larger two-stories and newer infill homes may be a stronger fit.
A simple way to think about it is this: more turnkey homes usually cost more upfront, while older homes may cost less initially but require more renovation budget later. Knowing which trade-off fits your priorities can help you move faster and make a better decision in a competitive market.
If you want help comparing home styles, understanding value from one block to the next, or finding the right fit in Clarendon Hills and nearby DuPage communities, connect with Wardlow Group for expert local guidance.
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