Real answers to the questions I actually get asked. This Chicago western suburbs realtor FAQ covers buying, selling, and working with me, not the vague, safe versions you’ll find on most agent websites. If you don’t see your question here, that’s what the free coaching session is for. Call, text, or email anytime, I’d be happy to connect and chat.
Buying
Do I need a buyer’s agent, and does it cost me anything?
You don’t legally need one, but I’d argue you want one, and in almost every deal, the seller covers the buyer’s agent commission as part of the transaction, not you directly. That means you typically get an advocate walking you through inspections, negotiations, and paperwork at no out-of-pocket cost. We’ll always go over exactly how compensation works before you sign anything, no surprises.
How do I know how much house I can actually afford?
Start with the monthly payment you’re comfortable with, taxes and insurance included, not the number a lender pre-approves you for. Those two numbers are often different, and the lender’s number is a ceiling, not a recommendation. I walk every buyer through this before we start touring, not after.
What’s the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved?
Pre-qualified is a quick, informal estimate based on what you tell a lender. Pre-approved means a lender has actually verified your income, assets, and credit. In a competitive market, sellers take pre-approved offers a lot more seriously, and it can be the difference between winning a house and losing it to someone else’s stronger offer. Get pre-approved before you start touring seriously, not after you find the one you want.
How competitive is the current market?
It varies by town, and it changes month to month, which is exactly why I keep current market data (median price, days on market, months of supply) up to date across every town I serve. As of right now, every town I work in is a seller’s market. Ask me for the current numbers for your specific town, they’re more useful than anything you’ll find on a national real estate app.
Which towns do you actually work in?
Wheaton, Winfield, Glen Ellyn, Carol Stream, Bartlett, and St. Charles. That’s not a list I copy-pasted from somewhere, it’s the towns I actually know street by street, school boundary by school boundary.
How long does buying a home actually take, start to finish?
From your first serious tour to closing, it’s typically a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on how competitive the specific town and price range are and how quickly you find the right house. Once you’re under contract, closing itself usually takes 30 to 45 days, mostly driven by your lender’s timeline.
Do I need to see a house in person before making an offer?
In a market moving this fast, I understand the pressure to move quickly, but I’d rather you see it in person, or have someone you trust see it for you, than make a six-figure decision off photos alone. Photos hide things. Walkthroughs don’t.
Selling
How do you determine my home’s listing price?
A combination of recent comparable sales in your specific neighborhood, current months-of-supply data for your town, and an honest look at your home’s condition compared to what’s actively competing against it. I’d rather price it right the first time than start high and chase the market down.
What do I need to do before listing?
It depends on the home and the town, buyers in different markets respond to different things. In some towns, presentation and staging matter more than almost anything else. In more value-focused markets, honest pricing and highlighting space or lot size matters more than a full staging budget. I’ll walk your specific home with you and tell you what’s actually worth doing, not hand you a generic checklist.
How long will my home take to sell?
That depends on your town’s current months-of-supply number, which I can tell you exactly, and on how your home is priced and presented relative to what’s competing against it. In most of the towns I work in right now, well-priced homes are moving in days, not months.
What are your fees?
We’ll go over commission and every fee involved before you sign a listing agreement, in plain language, with no surprises buried in paperwork. If something isn’t clear, ask me directly and I’ll explain it in plain English.
Do you handle staging and photography?
Yes, I coordinate professional photography on every listing, and I’ll walk your home with you beforehand to talk through what’s worth doing before the photographer shows up.
What if my home doesn’t sell?
Then we look honestly at why, price, presentation, timing, and adjust. I’d rather have that conversation early and directly than let a home sit for months hoping it fixes itself.
Working With Me
Are you full-time?
Yes. This isn’t a side business for me.
What makes you different from other agents in this area?
I don’t run a franchise script. Every neighborhood guide, every market update, every conversation is based on actually knowing these towns, not a generic template with the city name swapped in. If that sounds like a small thing, it isn’t, it’s the whole reason people refer their friends and family to me.
Do you offer anything free?
Yes, two things. First, a free 30-minute coaching session, no obligation, where we talk through your specific situation and goals. Second, free downloadable neighborhood guides for each town I serve, covering schools, commute, lifestyle, and current market data.
How do I get started?
Set up your free 30-minute coaching session, or just call, text, or email me directly. I’d rather have a real conversation than have you fill out another form and wait.
Do you work with both buyers and sellers?
Yes, and often both at once, a lot of my clients are selling one home while buying another, and I coordinate the timeline on both sides so you’re not stuck without a place to live or carrying two mortgages longer than you have to.
What if I’m not ready yet, just curious about the market?
That’s a completely normal way to start. The coaching session isn’t a sales pitch, it’s genuinely a conversation about where things stand and what your options look like. No pressure, and no obligation to move forward until you’re actually ready.
Have a question that isn’t answered here? Reach out anytime, call, text, or email. I’d be happy to connect and chat.