Prairie Shore Properties Evanston
2110 Central Street, Evanston, Illinois 60201
847-869-7300 fax: 847-869-7481

Prairie Shore Properties Wilmette
1109 Central Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091
847-256-1121 fax: 847-853-5600

Prairie Shore Properties Chicago
4109 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60618
773-929-7300  fax: 773-929-7200

© Copyright 2008 Prairie Shore Properties
Equal Housing Opportunity

You and your real estate agent

Relationship between you and your real estate agent
Since January 1995 a new Illinois law took effect changing the traditional consumer-broker relationship.

The law presumes that the agent you work with, whether you are a buyer or a seller, is your designated agent, unless you have an agreement otherwise. He or she is the only individual owing you statutory duties and will act in your best interest, whether you are a buyer or a seller, unless they are acting as a dual agent representing both the seller and buyer.

The seller's designated agent is a sales associate affiliated with a licensed real estate brokerage company, acting as your only legal agent and giving you fiduciary representation.

The seller's designated agent will be primarily responsible for the direct marketing and sale of seller's property.

How to select a real estate agent
Consider these most important factors:

• Experience
• Knowledge of the local market and of the entire process
• What kind of marketing, advertising and sales techniques do they offer?
• Compatibility: you should work as partners in the marketing effort.
• Quality of their service
• Ask for references

What real estate agents do for you
A professional real estate agent can take the stress out of the selling process by providing you with valuable information and deploying a well-organized marketing strategy.

They carefully research information regarding prices and terms of recent sales for similar homes in your immediate area, so they can advise you on the realistic listing price.

location:
a very important factor affecting value. Location desirability is basic to a property's fair market value.
condition:
affects price and speed of the sale. Optimizing the physical appearance and proper preparation for marketing maximizes the market value and speeds up the sale.
price:
if not properly priced, a sale may be delayed or even prevented. Your price must be competitive: potential buyers will compare your property with others in the marketplace.
timing:
the current real estate market may reflect a buyer's or a seller's market. Since the market conditions cannot be manipulated; the marketing plan for your property must be adapted to these conditions.

Your real estate agent will:

• give you suggestions on how to help make your property more attractive to buyers.
• provide you with a marketing plan to effectively promote your property.
• offer your property for sale through the multiple listing services.
• generate maximum exposure through the adverting media.
• give you follow-up reports on their effort to market your property.
• advise and help you in the negotiation of the sales contract.
• coordinate inspections with you, if applicable.
• follow-up and report to you on the buyer's loan progress.
• attend the closing with you.

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