Breanna and Matt King didn’t realize they were urban pioneers. They just know what they want, and they go for it. So 10 years ago, when they saw this classic American Craftsman in Arlington Heights at 1841 Hillcrest Street, they took a leap of faith. They knew this was a diamond in the rough.
Rough may be putting it mildly. The exterior was all painted the same muddy white, so none of the craftsman detail showed up. The previous owners were smokers, which brought a whole raft of problems. Popcorn ceilings and fabric walls completed the picture.
“My dad begged us not to buy this house,” Breanna said. “But we had a vision!”
Looking for a first home in an older neighborhood at a reasonable price point? Or are you on the hunt for value with the greatest possibility for maximum appreciation? There is still value in Fairmount if you’re willing to look hard enough and undertake a major project. But if you have the pioneer spirit and want to get in on the ground floor, you might take a look at three up-and-coming neighborhoods. 
