I guess I should have specified that I'm thinking of 3+ bedroom homes. Here's what Zillow looks like for a wide drawing of north-side Chicago SFHs under $250k.

I guess I should have specified that I'm thinking of 3+ bedroom homes. Here's what Zillow looks like for a wide drawing of north-side Chicago SFHs under $250k. http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/house_type/3-_beds/0-250000_price/0-890_mp/any_days/globalrelevanceex_sort/42.020222,-87.597256,41.903171,-87.781792_rect/12_zm/826235754eX1-CR4cl32zmme10t_1957it_crid/ http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/house_type/3-_beds/0-25... This is dominated by auctions and homes in very rough west-side neighborhoods. Yes, there are a small handful of exceptions which are typically very old homes that have not been updated in decades, but to act like above $250k is "weird" or out of the norm is just not in line with reality.