Here are 10 ways Your Illinois REALTOR can help you buy a home or property:

Determine your buying power and criteria
Research available properties in your market via many resources such as the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and a broad network of REALTORS – even if you are locating to another city
Show you properties that meet your specific criteria
Give you objective information about each property
Negotiate a price that fits your budget
Help you understand different financing options and identify qualified lenders
Provide up-to-date information on property values, real estate taxes, utility costs, municipal services and facilities, and local zoning changes
Recommend home inspection services to help analyze the structure and condition of the home
Understand the complex paperwork and steps for the purchasing process
Serve as your advisor from “offer through closing”

The typical Illinois home search

Recent home buyers searched for a home for a median 8 weeks and saw a median 11 homes.
86 percent of home buyers used a real estate professional during their home search.
67 percent of home buyers used the Internet frequently to search for homes.
Among home buyers, the typical Internet searcher was 37 years old and visited a median 15 homes. The typical home buyer that did not use the Internet to search for homes was 48 years old and saw a median of 6 homes.
73 percent of buyers rated real estate agents as a useful information source.