Construction finished on $650,000 Mount Greenwood home to be raffled off
It’s the only house on the block with a QR code out front. Scan the black-and-white square and you’ll see that the three story, four bedroom, brand new home is on the market for $100.
For the past six months, community leaders of Gaelic Park in Oak Forest have come together to build this home on the 10400 block of South Sawyer Avenue in Chicago. They relied on their various contracting and housing development skills to build the single family home in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood neighborhood.
With construction now complete, they are waiting with nervous excitement until March 24, when a public drawing will decide who is lucky enough to have their $100 raffle ticket give them the keys to a home valued at $650,000.
“It’s going to be a fun night,” said John Quinn, a contractor by trade who has provided his services to help build the home.
The project is funded by the leadership of Gaelic Park Chicago. Profits from the raffle will go to the community’s efforts to create more places for youth sports in Gaelic Park.
“It’s for all the kids to get them active, get them out there,” said John Conroy, a director of Gaelic Park. His job is to handle media relations for the housing raffle. “It’s been highlighted by many health professionals that sport, activity is really good for both physical and mental health.”
Gaelic Park is a large Irish community and its leaders Quinn and Conroy have thick accents to boot. But Conroy joked the proceeds will go to all youths, not just Irish kids.
The off-white exterior, dark blue garage door and tasteful black brick trim is ready for a family to move in. While the basement is unfinished, the inside is brand new. The walls and ceiling are a light gray and the countertops sport gray-streaked of white granite. The master bedroom on the second floor overlooks the backyard and two of the two-and-a-half bathrooms boast large, fancy glass-pane showers.
Quinn said they have sold about 5,000 tickets which is halfway to their benchmark goal in order to consider this massive undertaking a success. The hard work is done, pending an inspection from the city of Chicago, and now getting the message out is the name of the game, Conroy explained.
“Once people realize that it’s a really good cause as well as a really attractive price, I think that’s going to help a lot,” he said.
If the raffle ticket winner does not need or want a home, they can opt to take $450,000 in cash instead.
