Buying Your New Home

No matter your budget, location in the Chicagoland area, or reason for purchasing, Serena will be with you every step of the way to ensure you make the investment that is right for you. 

Not sure where to start? That's ok!

Serena's expertise takes you from understanding your financing options, what cash you will expect to need on hand, curating your property search, and then guiding you through the negotiation and closing process. Serena will connect you to her trusted & revered lenders, attorneys, inspector and contractors to ensure that you have a great "team" to get you from start to finish. 

Whether you're "curious", "just looking" or are "ready to go", contact Serena to get the advice and guidance you need at any step of the process.

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FAQ?

How much does a Realtor cost?

As a buyer, Serena's services are complimentary and you will never have to pay for her knowledge and services. 

Who pays my Realtor?

All buyer's Realtor commissions are covered by the seller's side at closing

What if I look at don't buy?

Even if you don't purchase, buyer's representation is still FREE. 

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What is the difference between a buyer's agent and seller's agent?

A buyer's agent will have YOUR interests in their forefront. While a seller's agent can "technically" represent both sides (called dual agency) this leaves fulfilling their fiduciary obligations dificult to fulfill. Your buyer's agent should be there to help negotiate the best price and deal for you, while the seller's agent should be working to get the seller's the most money. For example, you wouldn't hire the same attorney to represent both parties. 

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Why shouldn't I just represent myself?

Buying property is something that is on average usually done by a person only a couple times in a lifetime, which means you have no ability to become an expert in the variables of the process. A buyer's agent brings the knowledge of the market, neighborhoods, negotiation tactics, as well as connections to reputable vendors who you will need during the process. Additionally, even if you represent yourself, the seller still pays the same commission, so why not let that money go towards an advocate for you instead?​

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What are the benefits of using a buyer's agent?

Agents are prepared for the unexpected and know how to deal with variables that may come up. 

Agents look at properties with a knowledgeable and discerning eye, looking for things that you may never think of. 

Knowledge of negotiating tactics and where and when to ask for monetary credits, repairs, and warranties. 

Understanding of return on investment, market trends, property history, and resale ability.  

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Can't I just click on a property on Zillow, Redfin, etc. and schedule a showing?

Technically yes, however what is deceiving is often times the agent that appears with the online listing is not actually associated with the property. Instead they are a paid ad and many times will not even know of the property that you contacted them about. Instead, if you start with a buyer's agent you like, let them know which properties you want to see and they will gather the official property info, sales and tax history, and set up showings directly with the list agent. By using ONE buyer's agent they are able to learn and cater to your goals, likes and dislikes, and smoothly transition you from searching through close. 

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Testimonial - "

Working with Serena was absolutely fantastic! We contacted her during the pandemic, showed her the listings we liked and she was able to secure the showings of 7 apartments in just a day! She works really hard (and very fast) to offer you the best options within your budget and other preferences. I was a first-time buyer and she guided me through every step. She’s super knowledgeable, extremely helpful and always available to chat! Thing that I really appreciate is that she offered her personal opinion based on her professional experience every time I asked. Serena’s patient, always on time, easy and fun to work with and I would highly recommend her! Months after I bought the apartment, she was more than happy to answer additional questions and concerns we had."

- Nikoleta T.

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