Mike Caplan, the WFLD-Ch. 32 morning meteorologist and a north suburban native, and his wife, Laura, have put their five-bedroom home in Gurnee’s Bittersweet Woods on the market for $695,000. Listed Oct. 9, the 3,011-square-foot house was built in 1996 and sits on a wooded, professionally landscaped third of an acre. The couple bought the property in 2020 for $370,000.

The Listing

Set on a 0.33-acre lot, the house combines size and thoughtful upgrades. The primary suite features waterfall-edge vanities, an electric fireplace, a body-spray shower, and a jetted tub. Each bedroom includes custom closets. The main level centers on a family room with a fireplace and a kitchen appointed with black stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, a slate peninsula, and custom cabinetry with integrated lighting.

Functional features include a 3.5-car garage with storage, a practical bonus for buyers with multiple vehicles or gear. The 2½ bathrooms and overall footprint give the 1996-built home a flexible layout for households seeking space without sacrificing proximity to Gurnee amenities.

Caplan joined Fox 32 in 2015 after 21 years at WLS-Ch. 7. He and the listing agent, Katie Bak, did not respond to requests for comment, according to the Chicago Tribune report supplying the listing facts.

How It Compares

The asking price places the property squarely in the upper tier of recent neighborhood deals. Homes in Bittersweet Woods have sold in the past year for between $650,000 and $710,000, according to the Chicago Tribune Real Estate Report (2025). More broadly, Zillow’s early-2025 projection pegs the average Gurnee home price at about $720,000, reflecting a roughly 4% year-over-year trend (Zillow Research Report, Jan. 15, 2025).

Against that backdrop, $695,000 sits within the neighborhood’s recent comparable-sales band and slightly below the townwide average, suggesting a competitive position aimed at drawing attention without outpacing local benchmarks.

Taxes and Affordability

Lake County’s tax bite remains a key variable in buyer budgets. The home’s 2024 property tax bill was $14,309. Relative to the $695,000 asking price, that equates to an approximate 2.06% effective burden. The Illinois Department of Revenue’s context indicates the statewide average effective rate is around 1.88%, meaning this parcel’s recent bill sits above the statewide benchmark.

As the supplied tax analysis notes, tax bills reflect assessed values and local levies; exemptions or assessment changes can alter future liabilities. Prospective buyers should review the parcel’s assessment history and factor annual taxes into monthly affordability and mortgage-qualification calculations.

What’s Driving the Price

The move from a 2020 purchase at $370,000 to a 2025 ask of $695,000 represents an approximate 88% nominal increase over five years. The supplied market analysis points to multiple likely contributors: broad price gains in Gurnee (Zillow’s early-2025 projection near $720,000 and a ~4% annual trend) and the home’s premium finishes, particularly in the kitchen and primary suite. However, the provided materials do not include an itemized renovation list or permits; without documentation, it’s not possible to pinpoint how much of the increase stems from market appreciation versus seller improvements.

What Buyers Should Know

The context pack recommends a careful due-diligence process tailored to this listing:

  • Verify the property’s assessment history and tax trajectory, using the 2024 bill of $14,309 as a baseline.
  • Order a comprehensive inspection, paying special attention to HVAC, roof, plumbing, foundation, and the primary bath’s jetted tub and body-spray systems.
  • Request documentation for any post-2020 renovations, permits, or contractor work to support the asking price.
  • Confirm lot dimensions, any easements, and applicable neighborhood or HOA rules.
  • Compare recent closed and pending sales in Bittersweet Woods and across Gurnee to sharpen valuation.

These steps help quantify total cost of ownership and reduce surprises after contract.

For Sellers, A Playbook From the Analysis

The supplied market guidance suggests that pricing at $695,000 balances visibility with room to negotiate given Bittersweet Woods comps and the broader Gurnee average. To maximize results, the context materials recommend professional photography and a walkthrough virtual tour highlighting the primary suite, the upgraded kitchen, the family-room fireplace, and the 3.5-car garage; thoughtful staging to showcase flow and emphasize the custom closet storage; and marketing that features outdoor privacy and landscaping. If documented upgrades exist, bringing receipts and permits to showings can help substantiate the price and support appraisals. The analysis also notes that while a seller’s public profile can boost exposure, the features and value proposition should remain front and center.

The Local Read

With a list price that aligns with Bittersweet Woods sales and undercuts Zillow’s early-2025 Gurnee average, the Caplans’ home is positioned to compete for buyers seeking a move-in-ready property with premium finishes and extra garage space. The higher effective tax rate relative to the statewide average may influence monthly costs, but the home’s size, amenities, and neighborhood context should keep it in the conversation for shoppers focused on north Lake County. If inventory remains tight, its mid-to-upper-range pricing could invite attention—and offers—from value-focused and premium buyers alike.