Buyer Services

The Highland Group provides Buyer Representation services for home buyers, developers, and investors. We care deeply about our clients short and long-term goals and work closely with them to determine the right home or asset. Many clients work with us to access off-market and pre-market properties. There are many nuances involved in choosing the right property. Our team of experts are well-versed in determining winners and losers and the many variables involved with homeownership of condos, townhomes, single family homes and multi-family homes. We educate in the process.

For a home buyer, price should not be the only consideration. For an investor, buy right and you'll make money. We bring years of negotiating expertise to each deal.

The Home Buying Process

When representing your interests as a Buyer's Agent, your agent will help you evaluate the marketplace and analyze select buying opportunities, so you can buy with confidence.

Discuss Wishlist Goals

It’s important to have a clear understanding of market conditions and how that matches up with your goals.

Considerations include, but are not limited to, neighborhoods, bed/bath counts, shared amenities, your lifestyle, and your timeframe. With this knowledge we can fine tune your search and find the perfect home that meets all your criteria.

Plan acquisition & disposition strategy

Whether you're looking to purchase a new construction condo, larger move-up home, investment property or development site, considering the key driving factors behind the purchase and outlining how long you'll stay, will allow you to make the best purchase possible for your current and future needs.

Source available properties

We utilize multiple open-market and off-market sources to find the right properties for our clients. Many searches begin and end with available properties on the MLS. For investors and developers, networking through broker-to-broker connections and sourcing off-market inventory is sometimes the best way to find profitable deals.

Analyze and tour selected properties

Finding suitable properties can be difficult enough. Knowing which properties to spend your limited time analyzing and touring, takes a lot of experience. With a thorough understanding of the unique Chicago neighborhoods, building inventory, construction methods, zoning, public transportation and much more, we take the guessing out of the equation.

Negotiate favorable contract terms

A common saying in real estate is "You make money when you buy, not when you sell." The scenario is not always that easy, especially if you're buying a home. There's more to negotiating a contract than just the price. Our goal is to ensure you have the best overall contract terms possible, including the price!

Property inspection & legal contingencies

Protecting your investment capital or your down payment means knowing when to buy and when not to buy. We take special care to ensure you're working with the right professionals who will address the legal aspects and conduct a thorough property inspection, to limit the unknowns associated with buying real estate.

Contract management

From preparing and submitting the contract, requesting pre-approval & proof of funds docs, earnest money deposits, selections meetings, financing contingencies, attorney modification periods, scheduling inspections, punch list requirements and final walk through meetings, every step of the process is managed for you.

Closing

Closing on a new property is very exciting, but a lot can go wrong in the days leading up to the closing and in some cases, at the closing table. Properly addressing each situation that presents itself at the 11th hour is critical to a positive outcome. We work diligently up to the end to ensure you have a smooth closing and transfer of possession.