Buyer's Guide

Buying A Home Can Be Rewarding & Exciting When Done Right

In today's fast-moving real estate market, having the right expertise at the right time is crucial. With the help of a skilled real estate agent, buyers can navigate through the complexities of the market and secure the best deal possible. That's why having a qualified Real Estate Agent by your side is essential. By following a solid process and working with a top-notch agent, you can ensure that your offer stands out and gets accepted, giving you the value you deserve.
 
"As a REALTOR®, I understand the importance of guiding buyers through a process that offers security and simplicity. My goal is to eliminate the stress that often comes with purchasing a home by providing expert advice and support every step of the way. With me as your guide, you can feel confident and empowered as you embark on this exciting journey towards homeownership."
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Step 1: Meet With Chris

Let's kickstart your home-buying journey with a crucial first step - setting the stage for an exceptional experience! Whether through a virtual chat or a face-to-face meeting, we'll delve into all the essential aspects of your home-buying adventure. From uncovering your motivations and budget to discussing the must-have features of your dream home, we'll leave no stone unturned. Together, we'll explore the pros and cons of homeownership, navigate through HOA considerations, and ensure that every detail aligns with your vision.

As we embark on this journey together, my goal is to establish a solid foundation built on trust and understanding. By outlining the benefits of partnering with me as your experienced Real Estate Agent and clarifying your expectations, we'll pave the way for a seamless and enjoyable transaction. At our first meeting, we'll sign an 'Exclusive Buyer Representation Agreement,' marking the beginning of our exciting journey together. With this agreement in place, we'll dive into the home-buying process with confidence and enthusiasm, ensuring a smooth and wonderful experience every step of the way.

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Step 2: Get Pre-Approved

To start your journey toward owning your dream home, let's prioritize getting you a pre-approval letter from a trusted lender. Why is this crucial? Firstly, it gives you a solid understanding of your borrowing capacity, allowing you to focus your search on homes within your budget. No more wasting time on properties that don't align with your financial goals! Additionally, the loan estimate provided by your lender will outline the funds required for the down payment and closing costs, ensuring you're fully prepared for the financial aspects of your home purchase.

Equally important, having a pre-approval letter adds credibility to your offer in the eyes of sellers, making you a more competitive buyer in the market. So, let's work together to connect you with a reputable loan advisor who will guide you through the lending process with professionalism and expertise. I will connect you with a trusted loan advisor who will guide you through the lending process and get you the service you deserve.

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Step 3: Let's Go Shopping

It's time for the best part – shopping! After securing your pre-approval, it's time to start exploring potential homes that match your criteria. With your wishlist in hand and the guidance of your real estate agent, we'll make the search accurate and exciting. Together, we'll find properties that meet your needs and preferences, making the process stress-free. Working with an experienced agent also means you can avoid the hassle of chasing down listings that are no longer available. We'll help you navigate the market and find homes that fit your specific financing requirements, ensuring a smooth experience from start to finish.

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Step 4: Write an Offer

No need to worry about this one – that's what your Real Estate Agent is here for! Your agent knows exactly what needs to be included in an offer letter, the essential language to use, and how to give you the edge over other buyers. While many agents only see 40% of their offers accepted, I boast a 90% success rate because I invest time in understanding sellers' needs and building strong relationships with listing agents. Trust the pros to handle this, and rest assured that you're in expert hands.

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Step 5: Inspection Time

Hiring a home inspector is crucial for buyers as it provides a comprehensive assessment of the property's condition, ensuring they are making an informed decision before finalizing the purchase. A home inspector thoroughly examines various aspects of the property, including the roof, attic, foundation, plumbing, electrical wiring, ventilation, and structural integrity. By scrutinizing these areas, they can uncover any existing problems or potential issues that may require attention.

A detailed inspection helps identify safety hazards such as faulty wiring, inadequate ventilation, or structural weaknesses. Addressing these issues early on can prevent accidents and ensure the safety of the occupants. Additionally, discovering hidden defects or maintenance issues during the inspection can save buyers from unexpected expenses down the line. Knowing the condition of the roof, plumbing, or appliances allows buyers to anticipate future repair or replacement costs and budget accordingly. Armed with the inspection report, buyers can negotiate with the seller to address any significant issues discovered during the inspection, ensuring they are getting the best value for their investment.

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Step 6: Appraisal

The appraisal process stands as a pivotal step, offering both buyers and lenders an unbiased evaluation of the property's market value. Typically initiated after the buyer's offer is accepted and financing is secured, this essential step ensures that the property's assessed worth aligns with the loan amount. Led by a licensed appraiser, a comprehensive inspection delves into various factors such as the property's condition, size, location, and recent sales in the area.

While the primary aim is to safeguard the lender's interests, the appraisal also serves to validate the purchase price's alignment with prevailing market standards, instilling confidence in the buyer. Should the appraised value differ from the agreed-upon price, buyers have the opportunity to renegotiate with the seller or bridge the gap themselves, ensuring transparency and fairness throughout the process. Traditionally, buyers pay for the appraisal.

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Step 7: Final Walkthrough

Before closing on your home, conducting a final walkthrough is crucial. This step offers you the chance to ensure that the property is in the agreed-upon condition and address any potential issues before finalizing the purchase. During the walkthrough, you can verify the property's condition, ensuring it matches your expectations and addressing any new damages or issues that may have arisen since your last visit. Additionally, you can confirm that any repairs agreed upon by the seller have been completed satisfactorily, giving you peace of mind about the property's condition. Generally, this is best completed as close to closing as possible.

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Step 8: Get Your Keys

This final step brings all the pieces together. Closing! It's where every agreement made with the seller and lender comes to fruition, marking your transition from buyer to homeowner. During this stage, you address any concerns from the final walkthrough, and there's an exchange of documents that officially seal the deal, solidifying your home-ownership. But wait, there's more! You'll finally receive deed and title to your new property and get the keys to your new home! Now it's time to fill that home with wonderful and cherished memories.

My Goal Is to Provide You With the Most Personalized Service That Is Designed to Help You Buy Your Dream Home

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Testimonials

Ashley Scorby

Ashley Scorby

Christopher was 15 out of 10 due to his customer service! I was looking for several months and as a first-time home buyer, I didn't know what to expect, what was good/bad, etc., and he was always so candid and provided his own ...
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Jessica Pedroza

Jessica Pedroza

I live in NH and come to Illinois for work every other week for the past couple of years. My husband and I decided to move so both of us weren’t traveling all the time. In January of this year, we started looking at listings, a...
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Dawn Cardwell

Dawn Cardwell

How do I even start to describe working with Chris? We have a realtor in the family and we chose to use someone closer to the area we were moving. I am over the moon with the experience we had with Chris Piercy. He is so hard-w...
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Vernecia Gee-Davis

Vernecia Gee-Davis

Chris is an amazing agent! He gave me great advice to make sure my offer was accepted and referred me to a mortgage company and attorney to get my closing done in record time! He’s knowledgeable and resourceful and I can’t tha...
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Mariela & Armando Davalos

Mariela & Armando Davalos

Chris and his team are absolutely amazing! He’s very professional in guiding us on every move for purchasing our first home. My family and I can’t thank you enough Christopher. You are very dedicated to helping your client.
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Peter Glass

Peter Glass

Buying a house is always a big deal, and the current real estate market is so scary it should come with a soundtrack and a change of underwear. But Chris Piercy was an unrelenting powerhouse, providing keen insight and expert g...
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Norma Rodriguez

Norma Rodriguez

It was a real pleasure to work with Chris Piercy. He is part of my family now. He is professional and caring. He kept us updated every step of the closing process. Mike Johnson from Cross Country Mortgage was excellent to work ...
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Jeff Welter

Jeff Welter

I can’t express my gratitude enough to you Christopher Piercy! From the first phone call to the closing, you and your team were so motivated to be able to get the financing set in place! Mike Johnson @ Cross Country Mortgage wa...
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Brandon Cardwell

Brandon Cardwell

Chris was a phenomenal realtor and not afraid to help with almost anything. Couldn't have done this house hunt without him. He's always wanting to get the seller or buyer the best deal for them but also honest enough to tell yo...
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Kim Bakalar

Kim Bakalar

Since we started working with Chris Piercy was one of the best decisions we've made. He was so helpful in every way. He really cares about his clients and really wants to help them! He is a hard worker and is very dedicated to ...
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Tony Pedroza

Tony Pedroza

Chris was amazing! He found us the perfect home. We are relocating from the East Coast and the experience was so stress-free 15/10 highly recommended.
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Evanjelina Tayahua

Evanjelina Tayahua

Chris and his team are great! We are so grateful for making our transition to our new home and selling our previous home go smoothly! Thank you Chris for your patience! You really are a people person!
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Nicholas Malleris

Nicholas Malleris

Working with Christopher Piercy made the experience and the process of buying our first home, very successful with the help of Mike and Emerson. I would not choose to work with anyone else. This is a team that will get you to w...
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Jessica Venice-Malleris

Jessica Venice-Malleris

Finally a first-time homebuyer in Morris! We couldn’t have done this without Chris! He is such a personal guy and will work with you till you achieve what you want/need! He will never steer you in the wrong direction! Please do...
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Sam Mathai

Sam Mathai

Christopher gets top marks from me for his professionalism, depth of knowledge, and great customer service. In a business based on trust, Christopher is as good as you will find, and the recommendations he makes for lenders, an...
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Lakeshia Shelby

Lakeshia Shelby

Christopher Piercy literally held our hand throughout the process. We’re first-time “sellers” but he advocated to simplify the equation in our favor! I’d also like to mention the awesome attorney team of Kathleen Cunningham. Am...
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Heather Street

Heather Street

I can't say enough about Chris and his team at Real People Realty. Chris worked hard to make sure I closed on time and explained everything that needed to be done with the house-buying process. I am really enjoying my new home ...
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Lissa Thompson

Lissa Thompson

The most professional and attentive realtor I have ever experienced, it was always a pleasure to work with Chris. He brings results in the best interest of his clients, he is highly respected and I definitely recommend you to w...
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Jim Schouten

Jim Schouten

Wonderful experience, we very much appreciated the insight and experience that Chris shared with us.
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Rick Stewart

Rick Stewart

Contacted Chris about selling my home and he sat down with us about ideas on how we can improve our home to make our home stand out on the market. We listened to his feedback and did what he said and he was able to do literally...
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Work With Chris

Get assistance in determining current property value, crafting a competitive offer, writing and negotiating a contract, and much more. Contact me today.