Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate: Illinois Real Estate

The Final Walk Through - What's it all about?

As your buyer's agent, I always try to arrange for the final walk through to be one hour before the real estate closing, if at all possible.

If you are buying a house that is owned by a relocation company, then we usually need to schedule a final walk through for three business days before closing. This is typically stated in the relocation company's addendum. This gives the relocation company ample time to work out any issues that might arise from the final walk through. But even then, we should do another walk through right before the closing.

We want to check out the condition of the house right before you buy it. As the buyers, you'll need to meet me at the house you are buying. We want to make sure that the sellers have completely moved out and that the house is in "broom clean" condition.

We will be checking to make sure that any appliances, light fixtures, curtains etc. that are supposed to stay with the house …

A lot of people ask me about living in a "good" neighborhood. Or where are the "good" schools?

As a Realtor, these are questions that I can't answer. First, because "good" is subjective.
What is good to me, may not be so good to you.
My wife, Susan, and I used to live in a new construction Grayslake subdivision. At the time, we liked that and thought that was "good". Then the kids went to college and we downsized to a smaller home, in an older neighborhood - and we think that is "good" (for us) now.
Our boys played lacrosse, so a school with a lacrosse program would have been "good" to us.
The second reason I cannot tell you what is "good" is because it would be considered a fair housing violation.
Only you can decide what makes an area "good" for you. So, take some time to think it over. Make a list and prioritize. All the information that you want is available on the Internet.

You make the best decision …

Part of the negotiating in buying a home, includes what is staying with the home and what is going. These details need to be specifically written into and included in the purchase contract.

As your buyer's agent, we will go through these details together as we fill out the real estate purchase contract.

In order to cover most items that are commonly left with the home, our standard real estate contract for the Northern Illinois area includes the following wording:


3.FIXTURES AND PERSONAL PROPERTY: All of the fixtures and personal property stated herein are owned by Seller and to Seller’s knowledge are in operating condition on the Date of Acceptance, unless otherwise stated herein.
Seller agrees to transfer to Buyer all fixtures, all heating, electrical, plumbing and well systems together with the following items of personal property by Bill of Sale at Closing: [Check orenumerate applicable items]

__ Refrigerator __ All Tacked Down Carpeting __ Fireplace Screen(s)/Door(s)/Grate(s) __ C…

One of our favorite local restaurants is Abel's Pizza and Mexican Food in Grayslake, Illinois.

The restaurant is located right in the middle of downtown Grayslake. The address is 125 Center Street, Grayslake Illinois 60030.
My wife, Susan, and I frequent Abel's on a weekly basis. Abel's is divided with a wall between the bar and the restaurant.

We choose to sit in the restaurant and enjoy the big screen TV. There are big windows across the front of the restaurant too - giving you a nice view of the downtown.
Usually we pick out a table, sit down with our cribbage game, and order two margaritas on the rocks, no salt. Abel's serves complimentary chips and spicy salsa.
The service at Abel's is always friendly. The atmosphere is casual. We've seen all age groups at the restaurant, including families. Depending on if anyone is watching a TV show - you can ask for the TV remote and pick out your own show to watch on the big screen.
Our younger son, Jon, always told us t…

I try to talk in a straight forward way. I want to give honest, direct, simple answers to people. Not because my audience or my clients aren't "smart" enough, but because I always appreciate a simple, direct answer to my questions.

Sometimes we get so used to our own industry jargon, that we forget that other people might not know what we mean.

Here are some of the common acronyms that are used in real estate:

MLS - stands for Multiple Listing Service
Definition: The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) (also Multiple Listing System or Multiple Listings Service) is a database which allows real estate brokers representing sellers under a listing contract to widely share information about properties with real estate brokers who may represent potential buyers or wish to cooperate with a seller's broker in finding a buyer for the property. The MLS combines the listings of all available properties that are represented by brokers who are both members of that MLS system and of NAR or…

If you're looking for an easy answer to a great meal out, try Rudy's Mexican Grill in Grayslake, Illinois.

Located at 55 N Barron Boulevard in Grayslake, right on Route 83 just past Center Street.
The people working at Rudy's are always friendly, greeting you with a smile on their face when you walk in.
The atmosphere is very casual. You would feel comfortable bringing your co-workers there for lunch or your three year old child in for dinner. (That is, if you can get your three old child to eat Mexican food!) There is a Kids Menu as well.
There is a daily special, lunch specials, desserts - including fried ice cream. Our favorite appetizer is the fresh guacamole with homemade chips. My wife and I like to order the enchilada special, with your choice of chicken or beef, hot or mild sauce. Plus we get a "real" Mexican Coke.

There is a wide variety of choices on the menu, ranging from your basic tacos, enchiladas or burritos to the house specials: Rudy's Tampiquen…

Some people don't really know how I get paid.

The seller agrees to pay their listing agent/listing office. The listing office pays out a co-operating commission to the buyer's agent that has the buyer for that house. So, I am paid by the listing office.

Even though I receive my commission from the listing office, as your buyer's agent, I am working for you. Your information is confidential and is not disclosed to the seller or their agent. I am working for you, on your behalf.

Confidential information includes, but is not limited to, the top dollar amount you are willing to pay for a house, how much you really want this house, your personal motivation, personal situation and reason for moving.

It is necessary to provide the listing agent with your mortgage pre-approval letter. This allows the seller and their agent to know that you are financially qualified to buy a house in the price range of your offer.

You may remember the "Priceless" credit card ads:
Lost Luggag…

In the northern Illinois area, if you are the buyer listed on the real estate purchase contract, you must be present at the real estate closing. You must bring with proof of identification, such as your driver’s license. You also need to bring with your proof of homeowner’s insurance and any money, in the form of a certified check, that your lender has told you bring.

In this area, real estate closings are scheduled on weekdays during business hours.

Typically, the attorneys for the buyer and seller are present at the closing. There is a representative from the title company at the closing. Occasionally, the buyer’s loan officer will be present at the closing.

In Illinois, as the home seller, you do not need to go to the closing, IF you have made arrangements with your attorney, or the title company, ahead of time not to be there. This means you will have signed all your paperwork in advance with your attorney.

As your real estate agent, I always go to the real estate closing, in case th…

Some people don’t understand agency. As your buyer’s agent, I owe you confidentiality. You can be upfront and honest with me about what you are willing to pay for a house, what concerns you may have about a house, when you would like to move and why.

If I am working as a listing agent, I owe that same confidentiality to the seller.

If I end up showing you one of my listings, I am a dual agent and I will disclose this to you, before showing you the house. I owe both parties confidentiality and cannot disclose confidential information about either party, the buyer or the seller.

In order to help you get the best situation for you - whether that is the best price, the best closing date, the best house for your specific needs - you need to let me know what you need and why. I’ll keep this information confidential and get to work for you.

Jim Starwalt Thinking of making a move? Log onto my website at www.StarHomeFinders.com and search the Multiple Listing Service from over 150,000 homes for sal…