Sales comparison approach using 3 comparable sales within 0.5 miles sold in last 12 months. Adjusted for size, condition, and lot features. Assessed value of $207,868 appears below market.
Expansive 6,490 SF Traditional Home on 1.49 Acres
This is a home defined by scale, detail, and its rare private setting: a traditional cedar-and-stone residence offering 6,490 square feet on 1.49 wooded acres that back directly to Sterne's Woods & Fen. Arrive down a private asphalt drive to a 126-foot frontage and a two-car attached garage, then move through an interior that blends formal rooms, vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors with family-focused spaces.
The family room centers on a full masonry fireplace under a vaulted ceiling and opens to an expansive deck that overlooks the sloped, private lot — an ideal vantage for watching seasonal change along the preserve. The chef-caliber kitchen features cherry cabinetry, a sizable center island, granite counters and room for informal dining; it steps easily into adjacent living spaces for entertaining or everyday life. Notable on the main level is the first-floor primary suite, thoughtfully laid out for single-floor living and privacy.
Downstairs, the finished walkout basement adds substantial living options: a custom English-style bar, a dedicated workshop, an exercise room and a screened porch that extends living space into the landscape. Four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms give flexibility for family, guests, or a home office. Practical systems include 200+ amp service, central air, natural gas forced air heating and public water; the home sits on a septic system and has a shake roof that the seller recommends be professionally evaluated as part of routine due diligence.
Outside, the 1.49-acre parcel is the property’s signature feature — heavily treed, sloped for interest and privacy, and with direct access to Sterne's Woods & Fen trails right at the rear lot line. You’re less than two miles from downtown Crystal Lake and the Metra station, with Crystal Lake Main Beach about 2.5 miles away. Prairie Ridge High School, highly rated locally, is within roughly a mile, adding to the appeal for families.
This traditional home presents a compelling blend of scale, finish and location. It’s been maintained in good condition, offers strong potential for multi-generational living or home-based work, and stands out because of the preserve-adjacent lot — a private, nature-oriented setting uncommon this close to Crystal Lake’s amenities. Buyers should confirm routine items (septic records, roof condition, lot boundaries) as part of inspection, then imagine the lifestyle possible here: quiet trails at your back door, spacious rooms for gathering, and generous scope to adapt the home to evolving needs.
See the properties helping shape the valuation.
Comparable sales
- 3,190 SF smaller
- 1 fewer bathroom
- Similar lot size
- 1 year older
- 3,380 SF smaller
- 1 fewer bathroom
- 38,768 SF smaller lot
- 1 year newer
- 3,708 SF smaller
- 2 fewer bathrooms
- 41,382 SF smaller lot
- 1 year older
A 1991 traditional on 1.49 acres.
Building
Site & utilities
Indian Hill Trails
Researched nearby locations
Location
665 Saddle Ridge, Crystal Lake, IL 60012
Indian Hill Trails is a quiet, established subdivision prized for large lots, mature trees and direct access to Sterne's Woods & Fen. Residents enjoy a suburban pace with easy access to downtown Crystal Lake’s shops, restaurants and Metra service for commuters. The community is family-friendly — Prairie Ridge High School (9/10) draws local families — and low HOA fees keep neighborhood costs modest. Outdoor enthusiasts benefit from nearby trails, parks and lake access without sacrificing proximity to city amenities.
Excellent preserve and trail access with Sterne's Woods & Fen adjacent to the backyard, Crystal Lake Main Beach 2.5 miles away, Veterans Acres Park nearby, and multiple neighborhood trails for walking and biking.
A factual market snapshot around 665 Saddle Ridge.
Crystal Lake’s local market is currently balanced with a slight tilt toward sellers for well-located properties. Inventory sits at roughly three months and homes in the Indian Hill Trails corridor typically move in about 45 days — a tempo that favors prepared buyers who present clean offers. Median sale price in the area is approximately $650,000, with comparable sales for similarly sized traditional homes suggesting an estimated value range for this property between $743,000 and $794,000 (midpoint $768,500). Year-over-year appreciation is modest (about 4% over 12 months) with stronger five-year appreciation (~15%), reflecting steady demand and limited new supply. Large single-family homes with special lot features — wooded acreage or backing to preserves — outperform average listings, often selling closer to list when marketed to buyers seeking privacy and outdoor access. Low inventory and strong schools (Prairie Ridge HS rated 9/10) make this an opportune time to secure a property of this scale; however, buyers should factor in maintenance items (septic, shake roof) and current property taxes in their offers. Rental demand for large homes remains solid, with estimated monthly rents around $6,000 for comparable inventory, underscoring alternative use potential for investors.
Single Family Residential
Zoning
Research-indicated uses
- Single Family
- Home Occupation
Assessment data and recorded transactions.
Assessed value is kept visually separate from the CompCasa market-value estimate.
Tax assessment
Sale history
Rental references from the research record.
Context only—not an investment recommendation or guarantee of achievable rent.
Supporting lease references
- 1,456 SF smaller
- 0.5 fewer bathrooms
- 2,558 SF smaller
- 1 additional bedroom
- 1 additional bathroom
What the research supports — and what is still worth verifying.
Key findings
- Property backs directly to Sterne's Woods & Fen nature preserve
- Assessed value of $207,868 significantly below estimated market value
- Purchased in April 2023 for $670,000; current estimate $768,500
- Located in Indian Hill Trails subdivision with annual HOA fee of $75
- Finished walkout basement includes custom English bar, workshop, and exercise room
Still worth verifying
Routine buyer due diligence items; these are not known defects.
- Confirm lot dimensions and boundaries
- Verify septic system inspection and maintenance records
- Evaluate condition and age of shake roof
- Professional home inspection
- Review property tax assessments and potential appeals
What stands out about this property.
Interior Features
- 6,490 SF total living space
- First-floor primary suite
- Hardwood floors and vaulted ceilings
- Chef's kitchen with cherry cabinetry and granite countertops
- Full masonry fireplace in family room
- Finished full walkout basement with custom English bar
- Basement workshop and exercise room
- Screened porch off the basement
Exterior & Lot
- 1.49-acre wooded lot backing to Sterne's Woods & Fen
- 126 ft frontage on Saddle Ridge
- Sloped topography with private rear yard
- Deck overlooking preserve
- 2-car attached garage with asphalt driveway
- Construction: cedar and stone
- Roof type: shake (professional evaluation recommended)
Location & Neighborhood
- Indian Hill Trails subdivision
- Adjacent to Sterne's Woods & Fen nature preserve (0.1 mi)
- 2 miles to Downtown Crystal Lake and Metra station
- Crystal Lake Main Beach ~2.5 miles
- Prairie Ridge High School (9/10) nearby
- Annual HOA fee: $75
Walkability & Recreation
- Walkability Rating: 45/100 — Somewhat Car-Dependent
- Nearby parks and preserve trails: Sterne's Woods & Fen
- Hiking and biking trails within 0.1 miles
- Crystal Lake Main Beach (2.5 miles) for lake access
- Veterans Acres Park (1.5 miles)
- Metra Train Station (2 miles) for commuting
Sources & research confidence.
See where the property research came from and how confidence varies by field.