Home Searching YOUR WAY

Are you getting what you THINK you're getting when you search for homes online?  There are literally thousands of websites offering to serve up home listings matching your "criteria". They vary considerably in which properties they show you, how much information they give you, even whether those properties are even still for sale!  Have you ever seen a home online that looked perfect...then called an agent only to discover it hasn't been on the market in over a year?   Why would someone do that (and no, they're not supposed to!)?  There's only one reason...to make it APPEAR they have more value to you!  In other words, it's not about helping YOU...it's about helping themselves! 

What this boils down do is that it pays to be very careful with WHERE you do your home searching, whether you're thinking about buying a home, selling a home, or just "keeping up" with the market.   When you understand the differences between home search systems, then YOU can decide which best meets your needs and can begin to search YOUR WAY.  What are the differences between websites, why are they so different, and which is best for you?  Here's what you need to know to help you decide!

If you want to be sure you're receiving ALL the MLS listings, as a consumer, there is only one way to get them...an agent must set up a search on your behalf.  To get your custom search, begin by clicking this:

The Real Estate market has been making dramatic changes over the past few years...but that's not all.  The Real Estate process has as well.  From lender "pre-approvals" (what they really mean...and what they don't) to knowing the disclosures required for local transactions to the specific terms in a sales contract (and their implications), it pays to know the details.  For your own FREE copy of the "Survival Kit for Home Buyers"  CLICK HERE! 

HOME BUYER RESOURCES  Find Your Next Home: •  Find Your Dream Home here! •  Get the latest MLS listings that meet YOUR CRITERIA emailed directly to your inbox • Check out our Featured Homes. •  Instant Recall helps you unclutter your home choices •  Need some help?  Our Home Hunter Service can take some of the burden off your shoulders   "Community" helps make it "Home": •  Find some great Communities for you and your family •  Relocating?  We can help.    School Information & Resources: •  Schools in our area (K-12) •  Higher education

MONEY MATTERS   Interest Rates and More: •  What are the Current Rates? •  FHA Financing •  VA Financing •  Other Financing Options •  "0" Down Programs •  Credit Ratings and FICO (what is it, and why should I care? •  Financing FAQs  Easy to use Calculators: •  The "How much home can I buy?" Calculator  •  Renting?  This "Rent vs Buy" Calculator  can help •  Calculate Your Payment

A house is not just a home - for most households, it's an investment as well. So it's understandable that a homeowner would want to keep as much of their hard earned equity as they possibly can when they sell. There are many ways to do that. One way falls under the category of Maximizing Your Equity - often it's the "little things that make the big difference."

HOME SELLER RESOURCES       Be an Informed Seller:  •  Preparing your Home for Sale checklist •  "450 Ways" Guide •  What NOT to say to buyers (or their Agents)   •  Home Warranty programs •  Home selling FAQs •  What are Your Home Selling Options •  The C.L.U.E. report - Being "clueless" can cost you big!

Beginning the Process: •  Begin with a Market Evaluation for your property  Selecting the Right Agent:  •  Individual agent or Team •  High tech vs High Touch •  Marketing strategy

CHOOSING THE RIGHT AGENT
It's important that you know that the way real estate is conducted VARIES GREATLY around the country. Although much of the information included in this website can be applied anywhere, this section on how a Buyer's Agent works is created with the laws and practices in the State of Illinois. If you are looking for a home in a different state, let me know and I would be happy to put you in touch with an outstanding internet savvy REALTOR in that state.

ALL AGENTS ARE NOT ALIKE!
Find out how to choose the right agent . 
What are the various agent Designations, and why are they important to you.
Read what clients say about Judi's Service.

It's About CHOICE! Answering the Consumer's Need! Finally, a responsible alternative in Real Estate Services - It simply makes Good Sense!    The time has come to provide consumers what they've wanted for years - responsible options in their real estate transactions, without sacrificing the critical components they need!  Consumers deserve to have choices in the services they wish to engage and payment options that make sense.

The BLOG Discussion continues: The Consulting Times

Learn More about Consulting: The New Face of Real Estate!

Have we worked together?  If you've been on of my buyers or sellers, I'd love to hear from you! If you'd be so kind, please fill out the attached questionnaire ... it helps me to be the absolute best REALTOR I can be to future clients (including yourself, should I again have the pleasure!)  Here's the link!

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