advice: Home Inspection #2 of 5 - 02/12/09 02:05 AM
If you are purchasing a resale property, we highly recommend that you have a professional home inspector conduct a thorough inspection. 
The inspection is not designed to criticize every minor problem or defect in the home.  It is intended to report on major damage or serious problems that require repair.  Should serious problems be indicated, the inspector will recommend that a structural engineer or other professional inspect it as well.
 
Visit our website to read more about Chicago multi-family homes.  Click here if you are interested in selling or buying multi-units with two or more flats.
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advice: Home Inspection #1 of 5 - 02/10/09 04:35 AM
If you are purchasing a resale property, we highly recommend that you have a professional home inspector conduct a thorough inspection.  The inspection will include the following:
 
Appliances Plumbing Electrical Air conditioning and heating Ventilation Roof and Attic Foundation General Structure  
Visit our website to read more about Chicago multi-family homes.  Click here if you are interested in selling or buying multi-units with two or more flats.
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advice: Home Warranty Protection – RESALE HOME WARRANTIES - 02/09/09 03:37 AM
When you purchase a resale home, you can purchase warranties that will protect you against most ordinary flaws and breakdowns for at least the first year of occupancy.  The warranty may be offered by either the Seller, as part of the overall package, or by the agent.  Even with a warranty, you should have the home carefully inspected before you purchase it.
A home warranty program will give you peace of mind, knowing that the major covered components in your home will be repaired if necessary.  Ask me for more details about home warranty packages.
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advice: Home Warranty Protection – NEW HOME WARRANTIES - 02/07/09 03:17 AM
When you purchase a newly built home, the builder usually offers some sort of full or limited warranty on things such as the quality of design, materials, and workmanship.  These warranties are usually for a period of one-year from the purchase of the home.
At closing, the builder will assign to you the manufacturer's warranties that were provided to the builder for materials, appliances, fixtures, etc.  For example, if your dishwasher were to become faulty within one year from the purchase of your newly built home, you would call the manufacturer of the dishwasher - not the builder.
If the homebuilder … (0 comments)

advice: Making An Offer — #6 of 6 - 02/05/09 03:44 AM
What Happens Next:
In different parts of the country, attorneys, lenders, escrow companies and other persons who are independent of title companies perform some or all of these functions. 
4.  Title Insurance - There are two types of title insurance:
•§                     Coverage that protects the lender for the amount of the mortgage,
•§                     Coverage that protects the equity in the property.
Both you and your lender will want the security offered by title insurance.  Why? Title agents search public records to determine who has owned any piece of property, but these records may not reflect irregularities that are almost impossible to … (0 comments)

advice: Making An Offer — #5 of 6 - 02/04/09 05:28 AM
What Happens Next:
In different parts of the country, attorneys, lenders, escrow companies and other persons who are independent of title companies perform some or all of these functions. 
3.  Settlement - An Escrow Officer oversees the closing of the transaction: seller signs the deed, you sign a new mortgage, the old loan is paid off and the new loan is established.  Seller, agents, attorneys, surveyors, Title Company, and other service providers for the parties are paid.  Title insurance policies will then be issued to you and your lender.
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advice: Making An Offer — #4 of 6 - 01/30/09 02:30 AM
What Happens Next:
In different parts of the country, attorneys, lenders, escrow companies and other persons who are independent of title companies perform some or all of these functions. 
2.  Tax and Title Search - Copies of documents are gathered from various public records: deeds, deeds of trust, various assessments and matters of probate and the like are addressed.
Visit our website to read more about Chicago multi-family homes.  Click here if you are interested in selling or buying multi-units with two or more flats.
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advice: Making An Offer — #3 of 6 - 01/29/09 02:40 AM
What Happens Next:
In different parts of the country, attorneys, lenders, escrow companies and other persons who are independent of title companies perform some or all of these functions. 
1.  Earnest Money - An agreement to convey starts the process once it is received at the Title Company or seller's realty firm.  Once you submit the loan application, it is usually subject to a credit check, an appraisal, and sometimes, a survey of the property.
Visit our website to read more about Chicago multi-family homes.  Click here if you are interested in selling or buying multi-units with two or more flats.
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advice: Making An Offer — #2 of 6 - 01/27/09 04:54 AM
To communicate your interest in purchasing a home, we will present the listing agent with a written offer.  When the seller accepts an offer it becomes a legal contract.  When you write an offer you should be prepared to pay an earnest money deposit.  This is to guarantee that your intention is to purchase the property.
After we present your offer to the listing agent it will either be accepted, rejected, or the seller will make a counter-offer.  This is when we will negotiate terms of the contract if necessary.
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advice: Making An Offer — #1 of 6 - 01/26/09 03:32 AM
Once you have found the home you wish to purchase, you will need to determine what offer you are willing to make for the home.  It is important to remember that the more competition there is for the home, the higher the offer should be - sometimes even exceeding the asking price.  Remember, be realistic.  Make offers you want the other party to sign!
Visit our website to read more about Chicago multi-family homes.  Click here if you are interested in selling or buying multi-units with two or more flats.
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advice: How to Buy a Great House – Neighborhood Factors for Condos and Town Homes: #3 of 3 - 01/24/09 02:35 AM
There are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is right for you.  The previous and following posts list just a few of the many factors -- you may think of others that are important to you.
3.  Parking may be an issue - unless you are buying a unit that comes with it.
 
Visit our website to read more about Chicago multi-family homes.  Click here if you are interested in selling or buying multi-units with two or more flats.
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advice: How to Buy a Great House – Neighborhood Factors for Condos and Town Homes: #2 of 3 - 01/23/09 04:23 AM
There are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is right for you.  The previous and following posts list just a few of the many factors -- you may think of others that are important to you.
2.  Listen for the kind of amenities you desire (restaurants, stores, etc.). 
 
Visit our website to read more about Chicago multi-family homes.  Click here if you are interested in selling or buying multi-units with two or more flats.
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advice: How to Buy a Great House – Neighborhood Factors for Condos and Town Homes: #1 of 3 - 01/22/09 05:19 AM
There are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is right for you.  The previous and following posts list just a few of the many factors -- you may think of others that are important to you.
1.  Look for things like access to major highways, public transportation, and shopping. 
Visit our website to read more about Chicago multi-family homes.  Click here if you are interested in selling or buying multi-units with two or more flats.
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advice: How to Buy a Great House – Neighborhood Factors for Single-Family Homes: #8 of 8 - 01/21/09 04:00 AM
There are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is right for you.  The previous and following posts list just a few of the many factors -- you may think of others that are important to you.
8.  Find out if the neighborhood belongs to a Homeowner's Association.
 
Visit our website to read more about Chicago multi-family homes.  Click here if you are interested in selling or buying multi-units with two or more flats.
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advice: How to Buy a Great House – Neighborhood Factors for Single-Family Homes: #8 of 8 - 01/20/09 06:57 AM
There are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is right for you.  The previous and following posts list just a few of the many factors -- you may think of others that are important to you.
8.  Find out if the neighborhood belongs to a Homeowner's Association.
 
Visit our website to read more about Chicago multi-family homes.  Click here if you are interested in selling or buying multi-units with two or more flats.
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advice: How to Buy a Great House – Neighborhood Factors for Single-Family Homes: #7 of 8 - 01/17/09 02:55 AM
There are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is right for you.  The previous and following posts list just a few of the many factors -- you may think of others that are important to you.
7.  Find out if the neighborhood is near parks, churches, recreation centers, shopping, theaters, restaurants, public transportation, schools, etc.
 
Visit our website to read more about Chicago multi-family homes.  Click here if you are interested in selling or buying multi-units with two or more flats.
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advice: How to Buy a Great House – Neighborhood Factors for Single-Family Homes: #6 of 8 - 01/16/09 02:20 AM
There are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is right for you.  The previous and following posts list just a few of the many factors -- you may think of others that are important to you.
6.  Look at traffic patterns around the area during different times of the day and drive from the area to work. 
 
Visit our website to read more about Chicago multi-family homes.  Click here if you are interested in selling or buying multi-units with two or more flats.
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advice: How to Buy a Great House – Neighborhood Factors for Single-Family Homes: #5 of 8 - 01/15/09 02:47 AM
There are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is right for you.  The previous and following posts list just a few of the many factors -- you may think of others that are important to you.
5.  Research things like soil and water. 
 
Visit our website to read more about Chicago multi-family homes.  Click here if you are interested in selling or buying multi-units with two or more flats.
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advice: How to Buy a Great House – Neighborhood Factors for Single-Family Homes: #4 of 8 - 01/13/09 03:07 AM
There are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is right for you.  The previous and following posts list just a few of the many factors -- you may think of others that are important to you.
4.  Check with local civic, police, fire, and school officials to find information about the area. 
 
Visit our website to read more about Chicago multi-family homes.  Click here if you are interested in selling or buying multi-units with two or more flats.
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advice: How to Buy a Great House – Neighborhood Factors for Single-Family Homes: #2 of 8 - 01/08/09 02:53 AM
There are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is right for you.  The previous and following posts list just a few of the many factors -- you may think of others that are important to you.
2.  Listen for noise created by commerce, roads, railways, public areas, schools, etc. 
 
 
Visit our website to read more about Chicago multi-family homes.  Click here if you are interested in selling or buying multi-units with two or more flats.
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