Buying a Home in Chicago & Chicagoland

Before searching for your home, put together a solid team to make your purchase go smoothly:

• The REALTOR
  Your real estate professional should have solid experience in the real estate industry and know the "tricks of the trade". They can access helpful information that you may otherwise not be able to obtain, such as tax records, home valuations & overall market statistics. Your agent also serves as your representative when negotiating a price with the seller and making your transaction overall - go smoothly.
• The Lender or Mortgage Broker/Banker
  Your lender will assist you in choosing the best mortgage product for your needs. They will help you get pre-approved, which will tell a seller that you are qualified to purchase their property. A great lender can answer all your questions thoroughly, fit you to a great loan and insure the process is hiccup-free.
• The Home Inspector
  After you and the seller have an accepted agreement that provides for an inspection you will have a time period in which to inspect the property. An inspector will determine the condition of the property. The best inspectors use photos & detailed reports to document a property's condition. Problems discovered may be used as negotiation points between you (and your attorney) and the seller's attorney.
• The Real Estate Attorney
  Your real estate attorney will guide you through the purchase process once you have a property selected & negotiated. The attorney serves as your legal resource and advocate. Your attorney will be responsible for issues related to the purchase agreement, inspection items and other contractual terms.

A Homebuyer's Workbook, offered by the ChicagoHome Team

This download of our Home Buyer's Workbook will greatly assist your search. It will help you frame the right questions and covers a wide range of topics including the following helpful checklists:

• Priority List- clarify your main priorities
• Desired Specifications- so you can search effectively
• Home Comparison- to help weigh each home's features
• Condo Questions - valuable questions if you are buying a condo
• Closing Costs - Moving Checklist- with address change, utility information & detailed tip sheets