Articles - Real Estate News and Views
Why Choose a Chicago Realtor? The real estate market is quite competitive. There are many Chicago real estate offices and Chicago real estate agents to choose from. In my experience, we have had great success defining ourselves as a Chicago realtor. By Chicago Realtor, I mean not only a realtor based in the Chicago Metropolitan area, but an agent or broker who deals with a certain area or neighborhood in Chicago, but also has the resources to search the MLS and compare like properties in nearby neighborhoods and the surrounding suburbs. Choosing a realtor that does business in the city may benefit your search by providing a more in depth understanding of areas, new developments and the persons developing new communities. Here are some tips to consider when choosing a Chicago Realtor according to moving.com: Interview candidates from different agencies. Look into their qualifications. How many years have they been on the job and how competent are they? Have there been any complaints filed with the State Board of Realtors? Finally, how compatible are you? There’s no underestimating the importance of personality when choosing a real estate agent.
* Do they know the neighborhood? Is the agent familiar with the housing market in the areas you’re looking to buy or sell? Agents with a history of transactions in neighborhoods that interest you will know what’s available and in what price range. If you’re listing your property, a good agent will know the market well enough to set an optimum asking price attractive to both seller and buyer.
Why Choose a Chicago Realtor? The real estate market is quite competitive. There are many Chicago real estate offices and Chicago real estate agents to choose from. In my experience, we have had great success defining ourselves as a Chicago realtor. By Chicago Realtor, I mean not only a realtor based in the Chicago Metropolitan area, but an agent or broker who deals with a certain area or neighborhood in Chicago, but also has the resources to search the MLS and compare like properties in nearby neighborhoods and the surrounding suburbs. Choosing a realtor that does business in the city may benefit your search by providing a more in depth understanding of areas, new developments and the persons developing new communities. Here are some tips to consider when choosing a Chicago Realtor according to moving.com: Interview candidates from different agencies. Look into their qualifications. How many years have they been on the job and how competent are they? Have there been any complaints filed with the State Board of Realtors? Finally, how compatible are you? There’s no underestimating the importance of personality when choosing a real estate agent.
* Do they know the neighborhood? Is the agent familiar with the housing market in the areas you’re looking to buy or sell? Agents with a history of transactions in neighborhoods that interest you will know what’s available and in what price range. If you’re listing your property, a good agent will know the market well enough to set an optimum asking price attractive to both seller and buyer.
Interview candidates from different agencies. Look into their qualifications. How many years have they been on the job and how competent are they? Have there been any complaints filed with the State Board of Realtors? Finally, how compatible are you? There’s no underestimating the importance of personality when choosing a real estate agent.
* Do they know the neighborhood? Is the agent familiar with the housing market in the areas you’re looking to buy or sell? Agents with a history of transactions in neighborhoods that interest you will know what’s available and in what price range. If you’re listing your property, a good agent will know the market well enough to set an optimum asking price attractive to both seller and buyer.
| * Keep in mind when choosing a real estate agent that he or she has access to a powerful tool -- the MLS that inventories all available properties by region. A skilled agent can use the M.L.S., plus their own experience, to locate homes in neighborhoods matching your property wish list -- such as a quality school system, convenient shopping or close highway access.
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* What level of customer care will you receive? A real estate agent is your business partner in a huge financial undertaking, so you’ll want to choose a real estate agent that is always ready, willing and available. Be sure that communication stays open and phone calls are returned. Some agents employ assistants to handle much of their legwork. If this is the case, be certain your agent is the one present and accounted for when it comes time to check the contracts and close the transaction.
* Know what you’re signing. Take the time to read through all of the fine print if asked to sign a working contract with an agent.
Our realtors will help you find the property that is right for you. Location is always the first point to consider. Focusing in on the neighborhoods that you would like to live in is step one. Attached is a link that will give a brief description of various neighborhoods on the North side of Chicago and some of their attributes.
Searching the MLS
Searching the MLS or Multiple Listing Service is a unique way to browse all properties currently on the market in your area. The MLS has literally thousands of properties listed by brokers who have contracted with sellers to find a buyer for their property.
To begin your search of the MLS, you will need to enter and area or areas that you are interested in and the price ranges that you would be willing to spend on a property. Properties listed on the MLS include houses, condos, 1-4 unit apartment buildings and multi-unit commercial apartment building with 5 or more units. You can also find vacant land and space for lease.
An MLS search is beneficial also if you are looking to find out information on properties for sale in your neighborhood in order to get an idea of how much you property is worth.
If you find property that you are interested in or would like to set up an appointment to see a property, call out office at 773-525-9119 or e-mail us at realtor@haderlein.com.
Ready set...MOVE! Here are some tips to help ease the transition
Moving day is approaching. Here are some tips for Chicago Real Estate owners to check out before you move.
Reminder! Anytime you have a change of address, you must notify everyone who sends you mail. Missing your mail is inconvenient, and can sometimes cause lapses in important payments of insurance, credit cards and other bills. To make sure that your mail moves with you, at least a month in advance of your move, begin notifying individuals, companies, and institutions that your address will be changing.
Either call, or mail the change-of-address cards you can get at your local Post Office. The following checklist will serve as a convenient reminder:
- Accountants
- Alumni Associations
- Appliance Service Contracts
- Attorney
- Banks
- Book Clubs
- Catalog Merchants
- Charitable Organizations
- Church/Place of Worship
- Credit Cards
- Dentist
- Employers
- Frequent Flyer Programs
- Insurance Companies
- Investment Companies
- IRAS
- Lending Institutions
- Magazine/Newspaper Subscription
- Physicians
- Professional Clubs/Organizations
- Stockbroker
- Veterinarian
Buying and selling Real Estate in Chicago has never been easier. Use these tips for an easy transition to your new home. Whether you are buying residential, commercial or investment properties in Chicago, Haderlein & Co. Realtors will help you every step of the way.
Getting started is half the fun. If you are looking for a new home, condo, business site or investment property, you can SEARCH THE MLS through our website. The Chicago MLS will let you preview over 30,000 properties in the area.
Thinking of selling? Contact us by calling our office at 773-525-9119 or fill out our new customer CONTACT FORM and submit it to our website. We will match you with an agent who can best serve you and your needs.