Mimi Aquino — Elmhurst & Oak Park, IL Real Estate Expert
Honest guidance from someone who actually lives here. Mimi has called Elmhurst home for the past 10 years, grew up in Oak Park, and has helped buyers and sellers across Chicagoland since 2015.
Elmhurst and Oak Park — the two communities Mimi calls home.
Elmhurst, IL
Tree-lined streets, top-rated schools, and a walkable downtown — home for Mimi and her family for 10 years.
See homes in Elmhurst
Oak Park, IL
Historic architecture, a vibrant downtown, and its own distinct identity — where Mimi grew up and still spends much of her time.
See homes in Oak Park
Real estate is personal to Mimi Aquino.
Home has always been about community for her. Born and raised in Oak Park, where she lived for 32 years before spending time in California, Mimi now calls Elmhurst home, where she and her husband have raised their two sons for the past 10 years. Her boys attend school in Elmhurst and have played football and wrestled for York High School, while her husband coaches a local wrestling team.
Before real estate, Mimi spent years as a Director of Spa Operations for high-end spas across Chicagoland and in Orange County, California — leadership experience that taught her how to run complex operations, train teams, and keep clients feeling genuinely cared for, skills she now brings to every home purchase and sale.
Before becoming a REALTOR®, Mimi also worked at Armand's Pizzeria, one of Elmhurst's longtime local favorites — a job that let her build lasting relationships with residents long before she ever listed a home. She also still spends a great deal of time in Oak Park, where her dad, sister, extended family, and lifelong friends live, keeping her closely connected to the community she grew up in.
Mimi became a REALTOR® after a disappointing experience buying her own first home. She remembers how overwhelming the process felt, and how much better it could have been with an agent who communicated openly, listened, and put her needs first. That experience is why her business is built on transparency, patience, and honest guidance — so every client feels informed, supported, and confident from start to finish.
- REALTOR® since 2015
- Managing Broker for the past 6 years, leading and mentoring approximately 90 agents
- Certified Staging Consultant
- Selected to the 2026-2027 Mainstreet Organization of Realtors Education Advisory Group Committee
- Works with first-time buyers, move-up buyers, downsizers, investors, and sellers across many price points
72
Closed transactions
$24M
In total sales volume
Serving all of Northern Illinois — rooted in Elmhurst and Oak Park.
Mimi serves all of Northern Illinois, with the deepest concentration in the City of Chicago and the western suburbs — most specifically Elmhurst and Oak Park, the two communities she calls home.
Small-town charm with big-city convenience.
Elmhurst offers the balance of small-town charm with big-city convenience: tree-lined streets, a vibrant downtown, outstanding parks, and highly regarded schools. It's especially popular with families chasing strong schools and an active community, but it also draws professionals who want an easy commute into Chicago, attractive neighborhoods, and strong home values.
A common misconception: People assume Elmhurst is only for families with young children. It's a great place to raise a family, but it also appeals to empty nesters, professionals commuting to Chicago, and anyone who wants a walkable community with an active downtown and year-round events.
Food & Drink
Brewpoint Coffee, Hamburger Heaven, Fry the Coop, Riley's Bar and Grill, Fitz's Pub, Spring Hill Inn, Victory Meat and Seafood, 151 Kitchen/Bar, Modern Plate, Lo Key Cocktail Lounge, Phase 3 Brewery, Tannins Wine Bar, 93 Octane Brewery, 100 South, Ella's Italian Pub, Gia Mia, Pazzi Di Pizza, Armand's Pizzeria, Primos Locos, and Courageous Bakery.
Shopping
Kie and Kate, Atlas & Opal, Edie, the newer Spark Scent Collective, and JANE Boutique.
Traditions & Events
Spring Road St. Patrick's Day Parade, Art in the Park (Wilder Park) and Movies in the Park (Wilder Park) , Memorial Day Parade, Elmhurst Farmers Market, Elmhurst French Market, Rock the Block, Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest, Dan Gibbon's Turkey Trot, and the Elmhurst University Jazz Festival.
Landmarks & Points of Interest
Elmhurst Art Museum, Wilder Park Conservatory, Elmhurst History Museum, Salt Creek Quarry, Wilder Mansion, the Illinois Prairie Path trail system, Elmhurst Public Library, Eldridge Park, Berens Park, Butterfield Park.
Schools
Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 operates one high school - York Community High School, three middle schools, eight elementary schools, and an early childhood center. Private and independent options include IC Catholic Prep, Timothy Christian School, Immanuel Lutheran School, Visitation Catholic School, and Elmhurst University.
Everyday Essentials
Endeavor Health Elmhurst Hospital; grocery at Whole Foods, Jewel-Osco, Mariano's, and Fruitful Yield; a Metra stop into downtown Chicago; easy access to I-290, I-294, I-88, I-90/94, and O'Hare International Airport; close to Oak Brook Mall. Stratus is a major local employer alongside Elmhurst's hospital system.
A community still growing.
Hospital Centennial Expansion
Endeavor Health opened a brand-new 16-bed clinical observation unit off the east lobby — the first phase of a multi-stage emergency department expansion.
Wagner Community Center
The Elmhurst Park District has broken ground on a new, state-of-the-art community center with indoor turf space and expanded recreational amenities.
Five Thirty One Partners Transit Development
A planned five-story, 40-unit modern residential building near downtown and transit, with high-end finishes and a rooftop deck.
Route 83 Pedestrian Bridge
Engineering is underway on a new bike/pedestrian bridge over Route 83 to connect regional trail paths across the highway split.
Housing stock spans bungalows, Tudor and English Revivals, ranches and MacDougall ranches, bi- and tri-levels, and classic two-story traditionals, alongside new-construction custom luxury homes, modern townhomes, and condos. The market stays active year-round thanks to train and highway access, a vibrant downtown with bars and restaurants, and top-rated schools — all of which support higher price points. Buyer activity runs in four seasonal windows: March–May, June–August, September–November, and December–February.
Historic charm with a distinct identity of its own.
Oak Park is full of character, history, and culture — known for its architecture, walkable neighborhoods, thriving downtown, and diverse dining and arts scene. It's a unique blend of historic charm and modern living that appeals to a wide range of buyers: young professionals who want convenient access to Chicago, and families drawn to strong schools, beautiful homes, and an active community.
A common misconception: People assume Oak Park is just an extension of Chicago. In reality, it has its own distinct identity, a strong sense of community, beautiful historic homes, and a vibrant downtown filled with local restaurants, shopping, and cultural attractions.
Food & Drink
The Little Gem Cafe, Hemingway's Bistro, One Lake Brewery, Amerikas, Cucina Paradiso, Hole in the Wall Ice Cream Shop, Victory Italian, Maya de Sol, Multa Kitchen and Coffee, Spilt Milk Pastries, Il Vicolo Trattoria, Citrine Cafe, Courageous Bakery, and Rustico.
Shopping
16 Suitcases, Style Society, JAYNE Boutique, and Lively Athletics.
Events
The Frank Lloyd Wright Home Tour, Concerts in Scoville Park, the Oak Park Farmers Market, A Day in Our Village, Thursday Night Out, the Brew Passport Tour, Jazz Thaw, Oaktober Fest, Winterfest & Cookie Walk, Home for the Holidays, and the Fourth of July Parade.
Landmarks & Points of Interest
Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum, the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Cheney Mansion, Pleasant Home, Unity Temple, and the Oak Park History Museum.
Schools
Oak Park Elementary School District 97 (grades K–8) includes eight elementary schools and two middle schools, alongside one major public high school, Oak Park River Forest High School, under High School District 200. Private and independent options include Fenwick High School, The Children's School, Ascension, St. Giles, St. Catherine-St. Lucy Catholic Schools, Alcuin Montessori School, Intercultural Montessori Language School, and West Suburban Montessori School.
Everyday Essentials
Rush Oak Park Hospital; grocery at Jewel-Osco, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods; a CTA hub with both the Green and Blue Lines, plus Metra commuter rail; close to I-290 East and West.
A village on the move.
Porter
A completed flagship 7-story luxury apartment building bringing 159 new rental units to the village — 153 standard units plus 6 street-level maisonette townhomes on Marion Street.
Barnes & Noble
A $5 million rehab of a 25,000-square-foot store inside the historic, landmarked Marshall Field and Company building at 1144 Lake St.
Historic Oak Leaves Building
The building at 1132–1142 Lake St. is being remodeled into a 68-room Holiday Inn Express.
Oak Park Commons Cohousing
Illinois' first cohousing project: a 5-story, 24-unit intergenerational building at Carpenter & Madison with a shared living room and rooftop vegetable garden.
New Field Center
The Park District of Oak Park is rebuilding the Field Center to expand local childcare capacity.
Oak Park holds the largest concentration of Prairie School architecture in America, including 25 structures designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and George Washington Maher. Housing stock also spans Victorian and Queen Anne homes known for their large wraparound front porches, American Foursquares — especially within the historic Gunderson Historic District — Colonial and Tudor Revivals, and historic two-flats and courtyard buildings. The market stays active thanks to train and highway access, a vibrant downtown, restaurants, and shops, and highly rated schools — all supporting higher price points. Buyer activity peaks in early March, mid-April through May, September, and December through February.
72 closed transactions. $24M in sales. Six years mentoring nearly 90 agents.
Mimi is a Certified Staging Consultant who has spent the last six years as a Managing Broker. Here's what her clients say about working with her.
“Mimi was exactly what we expected and needed. She is a patient listener and a great communicator. She was key in finding the perfect buyer for the home. She is, very simply, the best.”
Mike M., Oak Park“We were selling an Illinois property while living in the UK, and Mimi kept the whole process simple, giving us great information and current market trends to ensure we listed the property competitively — always on the phone when we needed reassurance, international time zones considered! I would have no hesitancy to recommend Mimi.”
Rose M., Oak Park“Mimi is an exceptional real estate agent. She always put my needs first and made sure I was comfortable before we moved forward with anything. Highly knowledgeable in many facets of the market.”
Dan D., Oak Park“Mimi was key in coordinating everything from our initial search to closing. She and her team communicated wonderfully, which really cut down on stress. We couldn't have asked for a better home-buying experience.”
Jessica N., Elmhurst“Mimi found us the perfect home in Elmhurst. She was very responsive and willing to meet with us any time that was convenient. Highly recommend.”
Maxine M., Elmhurst“Mimi is an awesome agent! Super attentive and responds very quickly. She listed my place and had an offer 3 days later. When the buyer's financing fell through, she found another buyer within 48 hours and we closed with no issues.”
Dave R., Elmhurst“If you want to save yourself from a lot of stress when looking for a home, do yourself a favor and give Mimi a call!”
Michael D., first-time home buyerFrequently asked questions
Is Elmhurst, IL a good place to raise a family?
Yes — Elmhurst is known for its tree-lined streets, top-rated District 205 schools, active parks, and a walkable downtown. That said, it's not just a family town; it also attracts empty nesters and professionals who commute into Chicago.
Is Oak Park just part of Chicago?
No. While it borders the city, Oak Park has its own distinct identity — a strong sense of community, historic architecture (including homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright), and a vibrant downtown with its own restaurants, shops, and cultural life.
What is the closest western suburb to Chicago?
Oak Park is one of the closest western suburbs to the city, with direct access via the CTA Green and Blue Lines as well as Metra commuter rail — making it a popular choice for people who want suburban living with a fast commute downtown.
What's the best time to sell a home in Elmhurst or Oak Park?
It varies by town. In Elmhurst, buyer activity runs in four seasonal windows: March–May, June–August, September–November, and December–February. In Oak Park, activity peaks in early March, mid-April through May, September, and December through February.
What kind of homes will I find in Elmhurst vs. Oak Park?
Elmhurst offers bungalows, Tudor and English Revivals, ranches and MacDougall ranches, bi- and tri-levels, and classic two-story traditionals, alongside new-construction custom luxury homes, townhomes, and condos. Oak Park holds the largest concentration of Prairie School architecture in America, with Victorian and Queen Anne homes, American Foursquares, Colonial and Tudor Revivals, and historic two-flats and courtyard buildings — many with smaller rooms and unique layouts compared to newer construction.
How do I get from Elmhurst or Oak Park into downtown Chicago?
Both towns have Metra commuter rail stops. Oak Park additionally has CTA Green and Blue Line access. Elmhurst is close to I-290, I-294, I-88, and I-90/94, with quick access to O'Hare International Airport.
What is Mimi Aquino's experience as a Realtor?
Mimi has been a REALTOR® since 2015, closed 72 transactions totaling over $24 million, and has spent the last 6 years as a Managing Broker mentoring approximately 90 agents. She's also a Certified Staging Consultant.
Let's talk about your next move.
Mimi lives here, raised her family here, and has spent a decade closing deals across Chicagoland's western suburbs. Reach out for honest, no-pressure guidance on your next move.
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