Featured Story

Helping my first-time buyer find her dream
home in up-and-coming Avondale

by England Group

In January 2021, I was contacted by my client, Traci, who was renting an apartment in Wicker Park and had decided that she was ready to make her first real estate purchase – a condo in the City.

The first step in my process with first-time buyers is to sit down and talk through the buying process, to help prepare them for what is ahead and to help answer questions they might not even realize they have. I also went through a list of questions with Traci to help identify her preferences and must-haves, her desired neighborhoods, and to learn important details like her need to be within walking distance of public transportation. I also connected her with a lender to obtain a pre-approval letter.

Initially, her search focused mainly around Wicker Park, but eventually expanded to a wider area, including neighborhoods like Avondale and Old Irving Park where she could find better value. When she found a place in the Old Irving/Avondale area that she really liked, we acted quickly to avoid the multiple offer situation as was common in the market at that time. I contacted the sellers’ agent directly and made a strong offer, and we were able to get a signed contract quickly so the upcoming open house was canceled.

I worked with my client to facilitate the inspection, attorney review, and loan commitment process. All went smoothly, with the exception of a slight delay in the appraisal, due to the unprecedented volume of the mortgages and heavy snow storms preventing appraisers from traveling to properties.

We were able to get the sellers to agree to a short extension in the mortgage contingency because my client’s lender could guarantee that she could still be ready to go on the agreed closing date. We closed on the date planned, and my client was able to move out of her rental and into her new condo by early spring.

Ready to end your renting journey and transition into the next phase of your life owning your dream home? Our expert agents can help! Contact our team at (312) 543-3178 or englandgroup@compass.com today.