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A contribution from a Chicago Lodge 7 Magazine sponsor
Local real estate brokers give you an edge
Real estate is hyper-local. Whether you’re buying or selling, working with an expert in the area will
future buyer.
When buying homes in the area
Think of your local real estate broker as a guide, helping you navigate the best places to look for the perfect deal in the neighborhood. A local agent will know if you can find the home you’re looking for in your top-choice area, or whether keeping your search open to adjacent neighborhoodsorsuburbswouldbebeneficialtoyou. A neighborhood expert has already completed sales with other local brokers and developed a rapport with them. Having a broker with a known track record for success will give other realtors confidence in the negotiation process. Working with trustworthy local professionals makes the deal that much smoother and will help keep the closing process stress-free. Your broker may even be able to leverage his or her network of local realtors to find your perfect home before it be-
comes available to the general public.
Whether you’re buying or selling, it is in your best interests to
hire a local realtor to be your advocate in the market and help you get the optimal results.
Lisa Sanders of Dream Town has been selling real estate for more than a decade, averaging at least 50 homes per year. Her awards include the Chicago Association of Realtors Top 1 Percent Pro- ducer, Five Star Professional Award for exceptional client service and #1 Realtor in 60631 and 60656. For information, call 773- 398-0378 or email lisasanders.sold@gmail.com.
u an advantage. You can expect a local u
real estate broker to have these key details readily available:
• Recent property sales
• Home sale trends showing the direc- tion of the market over the past several quarters
• Home price trends showing if prices are moving up, down or staying flat
• School data showing buyers school district
A Realtor.com study found that one in three homebuyers would move into a smaller home if it meant living in a better school district.
When selling your home
A local expert not only knows the area but has experience walking through comparable homes in the vicinity. He or she will know which features in your home are unique and high- light those features to make your property more desirable to buyers.
From schools and parks to shops and restaurants, a local expert knows which neighborhood amenities are important to highlight. He or she will also be familiar with recent munici- pal improvements and new business additions throughout the past few years, as well as up-and-coming neighborhood devel- opments that will make your home a good investment for the
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Real Estate
LISA SANDERS
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JANUARY 2019 61