Buy

This is one of the most important steps in the entire process. At this time, you will meet with a lending institution and we can offer guidance on which one to choose. We can work with a lender of your choosing or we can introduce you to some of our partners, who are some of the best lenders on the market. Here is what you will accomplish:

1. Submit documents necessary for your mortgage application
2. Go over different types of mortgages and programs
3. Obtain a pre-approval letter (Which will tell you how much money the bank can loan you)

The conversation you have with your lender is confidential but we can be as involved as you'd like in working with the lender to ensure that you obtain the right mortgage based on your financial situation and goals. Once we have the amount in our budget, we can move on to the fun stuff...searching for a home!
What you get: Pre-approval letter and closing cost breakdown
 

The city of Chicago is big. Fact. Not only do we have different styles of living, but each neighborhood has its own characteristics, trends and things to do. Whether you want to live in a high rise, a flat or a single family home, we need to help you understand where you are going. This is how:

1. We create a neighborhood search and send listings directly to your inbox (So you don't have to worry about searching)
2. We go over your target neighborhoods in terms of living style, things to do, public institutions and parks

We can help you find homes in the city of Chicago as well as it's surrounding suburbs, and we can go over those differences as well if you are looking for a specific lifestyle.
What you get: Emails with properties, a list of your target neighborhoods and a profile sheet for each one

The home search is an exciting time. We will take care of organizing and scheduling to view properties. We will be in constant communication to make sure that we are accommodating both of our schedules and we can see homes as they come on the market. We find homes in four different ways:

1. MLS (Properties listed and on the market)
2. Personal network (We are part of a large network of agents who tell us about off-market properties and new construction)
3. Off-market properties (We find these through our marketing efforts and past clients)

The showing process varies in length depending on market conditions, your needs and the time of year. There is always something out there for everyone, but some people find it after seeing one property, and some find it after multiple showings. Whatever you'r style is, we will make sure you see properties pertinent to your needs.
What you get: Schedules outlining times and locations for showings, listing sheets for properties on the tours

You found the perfect place. It has everything you want and it is in your favorite area. It is now time to craft an offer. We are big on data. The numbers don't lie when it comes to analyzing market prices and past sales in the area, but there is more to crafting an offer than that. This is what you can expect:

1. We provide you with a comparative market analysis (Here we look at properties of the same type, in the same area, that have sold in the past six months to a year)
2.We go over the contract paperwork with you (We will walk you through the things you can use to negotiate. Price and terms are both just as important)
3. We will present the offer to the buyer or their agent and will negotiate on your behalf (We will also explain the negotiation process, through which you are fully involved)
4. We will go over any counter-offers that are received (And advise on next steps)

Negotiating and crafting offers is not a science. Although the process remains constant, each transaction is unique. Through active studying and practice of both negotiating and transacting, we have been able to gain an incredible amount of experience and expertise in order to help you reach your goals. Your win, is ours as well.
What you get: Copies of all contract material that is submitted, constant updates on responses and counter-offers, a copy of your exectued contract (or accepted offer)

Once you have the offer accepted, it is time to get to work. Your team will be composed of 4 people:

1. You
2. Your real estate broker (FA\ICO)
3. Your lender or mortgage broker
4. Your real estate attorney

Once the offer is accepted, we take care of coordinating the paperwork and process with all of those people. Your attorney will review the documents submitted and advise on changes or further negotiation. Your lender will get to work on your mortgage approval (you were pre-approved before remember?). And your broker will make sure there is good communication between you and those parties, and will take care of helping you find and schedule services like home inspections and appraisals. This process usually takes between 30 to 60 days and is dependent mailnly on good communication.
What you get: Copies of all documents, weekly status updates on the process of the transaction, a step by step document with checklists and timeline

Once we are nearing the closing date, we will make sure that all of the vendors are on the same page and coordinating. Two simple steps are necessary to ensure we are prepared:

1. Coordinate and supervise document preparation
2. Provide you with a pre-closing consultation

We will answer any questions you may have for the closing as well as explain where to meet and what to bring.
What you get: A checklist with items to bring to closing, a closing statement sheet outlining the final cost for everything

You made it to the finish line! The location of the closing is scheduled based on the coordination between all parties involved. We will meet you at the closing table to ensure a few things:

1. Review documents and make sure everything is in order
2. Resolve last minute issues if any
3. Complete transaction

It is likely that you will receive the keys to your new home at closing. If you are buying new construction, we will walk you through the process because it will be dependent on what you buy and who the developer is. 
What you get: A hug, high five, or hand shake, the keys to your new house and a closing gift

We pride ourselves in saying that some of our best friends are past clients. Here are some of the things we help with after you close:

1. Movers referral and scheduling
2. Design advise
3. Vendor referrals
4. Market updates
5. Helping your friends and family
6. Quarterly updates on how much your home is worth

We aim to be a resource to our clients and their networks in everything relating to housing and real estate. And we pride ourselves in being the best at it.

What you get: Uninterrupted attention and access to special partner programs and events we host