A year after a new law took effect, Oak Park now has its first single-family home built that incorporates new electrification rules including the ban of all fossil fuels.
Priced at $1,199,000, the home at 534 S. Harvey features an array of features that make it an all-electric home and allow the owner to have no connection to Nicor for natural gas.
Realtor Michelle Galindo of Oak Park’s Baird and Warner, who is listing the home said, “It’s really cool that Oak Park is the first city in the Midwest to put this code into place.”
In June 2023, the Oak Park Village Board approved an electrification ordinance, following the recommendations of the Environment and Energy Commission and the Building Code Advisory Commission. The ordinance made all-electric new construction part of the building code.
As called for in the ordinance, all of the appliances and the HVAC system are electric. Amenities such as a sprinkler system, heat pump system and electric vehicle connection in the garage are also part of the new requirements.
The ordinance was part of Climate Ready Oak Park, a comprehensive and long-range plan meant to address the global climate crisis, which was adopted by the Village in August 2022. The ordinance was one of many steps identified to help Oak Park achieve the goal of having net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. With the ordinance, Oak Park became the first town in the Midwest to ban fossil fuels in new residential and commercial buildings. The ordinance took effect in January 2024.
Galindo says that the contractor on the home, Oak Park-based Fidelity Property Construction, has worked extensively in the village and created a home that fits into the neighborhood while offering the floor plan that today’s buyers want. The five-bedroom, four-bathroom home features many of the advantages of new construction. The first floor has an open floor plan with a designer kitchen and an all-important mudroom.
On the second floor, there are four bedrooms and three bathrooms, including a primary suite. The lower level has eight-foot ceilings, a bedroom and bathroom. and a separate entrance, making it an ideal space for work-from-home, an au pair or visiting in-laws.
Galindo thinks that beyond the livability of the home, buyers who are environmentally-conscious will find the green amenities appealing. “It’s going to hit the right person,” she said. When it came time to set the price for the new construction home, she said that several factors played into her analysis.
“When pricing a home, there are several key components to consider. Doing Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) which involves evaluating recently sold homes in the area that are similar in size, style, and features — e.g., number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and lot size. Analyzing the sale prices of these comparable properties helps establish a competitive price range anytime.”
She also points out that location is another big factor in pricing and states, “Oak Park is known for its diverse neighborhoods, historic architecture, and proximity to Chicago. Factors such as school districts, access to public transportation, parks, and local amenities can significantly impact home values.”
Finally, she says that she always considers the condition and upgrades when pricing a property for sale and notes that condition is a crucial part of the equation. She says of 534 S. Harvey, “This home is completely new with modern kitchen, bathrooms, and energy-efficient systems which all enhances a home’s value.”
She notes that with Climate Ready Oak Park, the village is gearing towards green improvements in many ways and says, “Oak Park is always a step ahead of surrounding areas.”
With easy access to the Park District’s CRC, and solid construction from a contractor who knows Oak Park she thinks buyers will be getting a great neighborhood and a great house that also happens to be good for the environment.