NAPERVILLE ILLINOIS

 By Jacqueline Beardsley From Offer To Close Buying a home is exciting and the time it takes from offer to close will vary depending on the situation as they are all different.  Here is what typically happens from the time of offer until close. An offer is accepted and once all of the parties have agreed to the price and terms and have signed and dated the contract it now has become a fully executed contract.  

 By Jacqueline Beardsley Question: Is it okay for a buyer to take their own video or photos of a home they are viewing?

 By Jackie Beardsley Written Buyer Agreement Signing a Buyer Agreement When you sign a Written Buyer Agreement you will be entering into a contract to be represented by a real estate agent who is working on your behalf as your designated agent.

By Jackie Beardsley Twitter Email In Closing: How to Seal the Home Buying Deal Sign that paperwork. Write those checks. Get those keys! The closing. It all comes down to this. The grand finale. Once you have the keys, the house is yours. (Cue: Air horn sound!) Nice work getting this far. You’re almost a homeowner! Let’s run through some questions you may have as you cross the finish line. What Does “Closing” Mean? The close or settlement is when you sign the final ownership and insurance paperwork and get the keys to your new home. The closing process technically begins when you’ve signed a purchase and sale agreement. That agreement should specify a closing date. From the signing date to the closing date typically takes four to six weeks. During this time, purchasing funds are held in escrow, where your money is safe until the deal is officially done. What’s a Closing Disclosure? Lenders must provide borrowers with a closing disclosure, or CD, at least three days before settl...

OWN VS RENT I remember when I graduated high school, we all just gravitated toward renting an apartment.  I didn't consider owning a home until I was pushing 30.  Things were different than they are today.  If all I heard was how low interest rates were and that we were experiencing record low home prices I'm sure I may have taken notice to that.  We are currently experiencing the old supply and demand in the current rental market.  More people have been renting and so rent has gone up while at the same time home prices are at a record LOW.  Most pay 10 - 20 thousand a year in rent.  It seems you can't escape the news when it comes to the housing market.  It is a real catch 22 because we also have a terrible economy, and many are having tough economic times.  This is the worst I've seen it. Yet there are those who actually will qualify to own a home and should definitely take advantage of it!!! As of mid-Jan...

THINKING OF BUYING A HOME? When I started in real estate I worked mostly with buyer's.  I love working with first time buyer's.  They are so eager to learn all they can about the entire process.  I remember buying my first home.  Back then we didn't have the enormous amount of information that is out there today.  You can google anything you want to about the home buying process and with a simple click of a mouse there it sits right in front of you.  Pages and pages of websites to browse through.  Information overload?  Perhaps that can be true.  The best thing to  do is consult a real estate professional and lender with questions or concerns.  There isn't  going to be a magic answer to a specific question because every situation is unique.   There are many variables that enter into the home buying process.  I have my clients talk to a lender and find out where they are financially...