Considering Glenview, need a buyers agent (Aurora, Time: real estate, lender, houses)

[chisub]

We are looking to buy a home in the Glenview area or possibly the surrounding areas. We are at the bottom of the market as far as what we can afford, so we need a skilled agent that knows the area and wants a challenge! Please feel free to PM me or post here if you know of anybody that is good in that area. TIA!

[chet everett]

I would suggest that you seek out an agent in person too. There are numerous real estate office in Glenview and the surrounding areas. Generally stopping in is not a bad idea at all. You might be surprised at home many agents are sitting at their desk doing something useful!

I would do some preparations, by looking online and driving around the towns to get a sense for the kinds of houses that you can afford. Also you want to have a rough idea of the schools district boundaries, taxes, commuting and other things that good agents need to be on top of.

Ultimately you want to select an agent that is SMART about the things that matter to your AND you have a good report with so that they are NOT wasting your time / annoying you. It would be NICE if there is some way to 'preview' their negotiating skills, but that is long shot. What ought to be EASY for them to demonstrate is their COMMAND of the MLS system and how they can use it to quickly pull up comparable properties that have closed to bolster your position. If they are comfortable doing this with you at their desk odds are good they will do this equally well when facing a seller and their agent...

Finally it is always better to get an agent with a THOROUGH knowledge of the WIDE range of inventory. Generally this is a sign that they are a FULL TIME agent that sees LOTS of houses, either at agent open houses OR by assisting other buyers. You probably don't want an agent that is SO BUSY with other clients that you will not be a 'priority' but neither do you want an agent who is more surprised than you at the condition of a property.

By the way, a home is about 10x more than a car. How would feel if your only contact with a car salesperson was via email?

Good Luck!

[chisub]

Great points! We have done the preliminary research ourselves and have been to open houses and crossed off certain areas in Glenview already based on flooding, taxes and schools. I never even thought to stop in at an office, but it makes sense. Although we are driving around with a 6 month old which makes things interesting to say the least. We lucked out with our buyers agent for our current place, hopefully we can find somebody that good again. We currently live in Aurora so it's definitely more tricky to make the trek with a baby and only be able to see a couple houses at once vs. seeing ten in a day like we could the first time.

[chet everett]

Complete sympathy for the baby situation. The agents with SUVs know how important a car seat attachment is...

You are correct that it is easier to see more houses without children in tow, but that is all the more reason to get someone with great knowledge of inventory.

I like that you have already done some narrowing down, and my guess is that smart agents will too -- no reason to waste time (and gas ) in areas that you would not be happy with.

I also strongly suggest that if you have not already sat down with a lender you get that done ASAP so that you have everything preapproved and can make the strongest offer as quickly as possible. With school ended NOW or very soon there are going to lots of family friendly areas that will get a surge, if you're shopping the bottom of the price range you really have your work cut out for you!