Home Seller Services
Seller Services
Without a doubt picking the right broker when selling a home is one of the most critical aspects to having success. Here are 7 Reasons to Work With a REALTOR® from The Long Group:
REALTORS® aren’t just agents. They’re professional members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict code of ethics. This is the REALTOR® difference for homesellers:
1. An expert guide.
Selling a home usually requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures, and other technical documents. As knowledgeable experts in our market we help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes. Also, there’s a lot of jargon involved, so you want to work with a professional who can speak the language.
2. Objective information and opinions.
As REALTORS® we provide local information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. We also have objective information about each property. REALTORs® can use that data to help you determine if your property is priced right.
3. Property marketing power.
Property doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. A large share of our real estate sales come as the result of our contacts with previous clients, friends, and family. When a property is marketed by The Long Group, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. We will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
4. Negotiation knowledge.
There are many factors up for discussion in a deal. We look at every angle from your perspective, including negotiating a purchase agreement that allows you the flexibility you need to take that next step.
5. Up-to-date experience.
Most people sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each sale. Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. We handle hundreds of transactions a year and share with you the most recent changes in the Chicago market.
6. Your rock during emotional moments.
A home is so much more than four walls and a roof. And for most people, property represents the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on the issues most important to you.
7. Ethical treatment.
Every member of The Long Group, as a REALTOR® must adhere to a strict code of ethics, which is based on professionalism and protection of the public. As a REALTOR®’s client, you can expect honest and ethical treatment in all transaction-related matters.
Home Buyer Services
Buyer Services
Buying a home is not the same as selling a home. The process is different, the feelings you experience are different, and the emotions are different. Because buying a home is different than selling a home, it’s obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a buyer broker are going to be different as well. Here are some tips we offer for choosing a REALTOR® from The Long Group and for starting your home search:
1. Choosing a Broker from The Long Group
Choosing an advisor to guide you through a transaction is as important as buying a home. So homebuyers should give just as much consideration to hiring a buyer’s broker as sellers give to hiring a listing broker. While it’s important to ask potential brokers a number of questions relating to their experience and routines, it’s also important to listen for the questions they ask you to get a feel for if they’re really intent on understanding your needs, and that’s where Long Group brokers set themselves apart from other brokers. We are here every step of the way and you are not just a sale, but a client and in many cases a new friend!
2. Getting Pre-Approved
In today’s home-buying market, a mortgage pre-approval is not only essential; it is also incredibly easy to obtain – whether online, over the phone or in-person. A mortgage pre-approval lets you know exactly what you can afford to buy, and it gives you a head start in getting an actual loan commitment. We can provide you with referrals or review our list of trusted mortgage professionals under Vendors.
3. Create your Wish List
Almost every home purchase involves some degree of compromise, which is why it is important to prioritize your wants and needs before you begin your search. There are many variables to think about depending on your lifestyle, budget and future plans, but some universal considerations include: Location, Type of home & Features and amenities. Check out our Neighborhood Info for more information about locations throughout the City!
4. Finding Your Home
Once you have obtained a mortgage pre-approval and selected properties sent to you by your broker, you are ready to begin your home search. Your Long Group broker will schedule showings and accompany you on each appointment. When you walk through a home, some things to consider are: how the space functions for your lifestyle; what’s included in the total square footage, and in new construction, which features are standard and which are upgrades. You may also want to attend Open Houses without your broker, be sure to mention that you are being represented by a Long Group broker. This will save you from being inundated with calls from other agents trying to represent you or asking for seller feedback. We will supply you with Long Group business cards to make the Open House sign-in process even easier!
5. Making an Offer!
Discuss each home with us, and provide candid feedback. Your expectations and the marketplace will begin to converge, and we will be able to adjust certain parameters such as location and features in order to present you with alternatives. When you find a home and are ready to make an offer, we will perform a Comparative Market Analysis or CMA. This report compares the subject property with other properties that are currently listed and recently sold to help you formulate your offer. Chances are, when you find a home you absolutely love, someone else may love it too. So it’s important to act quickly and make an educated offer based on a rational approach to pricing and negotiating that we have discussed.
6. Negotiating Counter Offers
In many transactions, there is a fair amount of negotiation – offers and counteroffers – before both parties are satisfied. This is one aspect of a real estate transaction in which an experienced broker from The Long Group is invaluable. Not only can we draw upon our experience and market knowledge to offer sound advice during a negotiation, but we also serve as a buffer and a sounding board.
7. Contract to Closing
In a real estate transaction, there are dozens of loose ends to tie up between signing the contract and closing the sale. The Long Group, including our experienced brokers and transaction coordinators are known for our attention to detail during this important phase in which we coordinate and oversee every step from recommending and scheduling a home inspector and accompany the buyer on the inspection to scheduling a final walk-through.
8. Closing
Your Long Group broker will work closely with you, your lender, your attorney, and the seller’s agent to make sure everything is in place for a smooth and efficient closing. Typically, a day or two prior to the closing, your lender will forward all loan documentation to the title company and let you know the amount required to close. Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to feel confident at your closing.
9. After You Buy
While your transaction is complete, our work is not. In fact, The Long Group maintains relationships with our clients long after closing and that’s why most of our new clients are referrals from happy prior clients! We are always glad to help you find a variety of Vendors to work on your home or make life a little easier, and check out our continuously-updated Vendors!