Five Things Buyers' Agents do that You Can't do on Your Own

Can you buy a home on your own? Sure, you can. But would you want to? Almost certainly not.  

The vast majority of homebuyers work with a real estate agent, and for good reason. The process is complex and stressful, involving large amounts of money and lots of legal paperwork. There are many, many details to keep track of. 

Take a look at just a sampling of the things a Mainstreet REALTOR® will handle for you if they are acting as your buyer’s agent: 

1. Point you towards homes that align with your goals
   

   You know what you want in a home…but you may not be able to get everything you want, especially given the current inventory situation in Chicagoland. 

   A buyer’s agent will meet with you, talk through what you’re looking for, and help you find homes to tour that align with as much of what you want as possible. Based on their knowledge of the market, they will be able to give you pointers like whether it makes sense to widen your search area, or which of your “must-haves” are most achievable. 
   
   

2. Schedule inspections and help you understand their findings
   
   Once you’ve put an offer on a home, the work really starts. In a short period of time, you’ll need to arrange to have the house inspected, and the results of that inspection may impact your negotiations. 

   Your Mainstreet REALTOR® will already have a working relationship with an inspector, saving you the time and trouble of vetting one. Just as importantly, your agent will be familiar with common issues found during inspections and can help you make decisions based on the findings. 
   
   

3. Handle all of the back-and-forth with the seller's agent
   

   Home sales require mountains of paperwork. To the average person, wading through these forms and contracts and knowing what is what can be overwhelming. Even people accustomed to dealing with legal documents may find it difficult to handle when the emotions of their own home purchase are involved. 

   Your buyer’s agent deals with documents like these every day. They will help you understand the purpose of each one, and make sure you don’t miss any important materials. 
   
   

4. Guide your negotiation
   

   Of course, you want to get a good deal on a home. But to get one, you need a deep understanding of the hyperlocal real estate market, not just a hope to pay under asking. 

   When working as your buyer’s agent, a Mainstreet REALTOR® can offer negotiating advice based on what they see happening with comparable nearby properties. Their knowledge will go far beyond what you can gather by browsing some online home listings.
   
   

5. Ensure the escrow timelline stays on track
   
   The time between putting in an offer and closing a sale is short, and packed full of tasks to complete. As a buyer (especially if you are a first-time buyer), it’s difficult to anticipate and stay on top of all the deadlines. 

   Your Mainstreet REALTOR® will coordinate with the seller’s agent and everyone else involved in the transaction, from lawyers to lenders, to keep this process moving smoothly. 

When contracted as your buyer’s agent, a Mainstreet REALTOR® enters a fiduciary relationship, and it becomes their duty to work totally in your best interest throughout a transaction. As experts in the Chicagoland suburbs, Mainstreet members bring a wealth of knowledge and connections to the job. 

At Mainstreet, we believe in local expertise, community connections, and personalized service. So, to buy with confidence in Northern Illinois, you want a Mainstreet agent by your side.