1 BUYER’S GUIDE
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FINDING HOME, TOGETHER.
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We are Fulton Grace, one of Illinois’ fastest-growing residential real estate firms. Our vision is to inspire growth, achieve shared success, create boundless opportunities and approach every situation with personalized support. After 2008’s financial crisis left the real estate market in a state of deep uncertainty, Fulton Grace saw an opportunity to work with homeowners and tenants by offering apartment rental and property management services in Chicago. When owners couldn’t sell their properties, we offered an alternative solution to weather the bad market. We secured quality tenants for our clients and professionally managed their properties until the sales market rebounded. Once the market began to improve, Fulton Grace rapidly expanded its services to include working with buyers, sellers and investors. Today, Fulton Grace is proud to offer its clients a full suite of residential real estate services—property management, sales and rentals in Illinois, Arizona, Florida and Wisconsin. Our real estate brokers and staff are amongst the most intelligent, happiest and hardest working professionals in the industry. They share a collective mission—to provide unparalleled customer service with cutting-edge tools and in-depth, local knowledge. Fulton Grace brokers work to build lasting and meaningful client relationships. It is their highest priority to be the best advisors possible and to ensure their clients reach their respective goals. A passion for excellence and strong commitment to our clients drives our continued growth and is at the core of the Fulton Grace brand. FULTON GRACE REALTY A STORY OF CONTINUED SUCCESS
We would be honored if you let us put our commitment and experience to work for you.
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ALWAYS GROWING
Our exponential growth has been honored by the prestigious Crain’s Chicago Business Fast50, which recognizes the fastest-growing companies in Illinois. Additionally, we have been honored on the Inc. 5000 list every year since 2015. This award recognizes the 5,000 fastest-growing independently-owned companies nationwide! We have achieved such astounding growth through the amazing efforts of our talented team and the unwavering support of our expansive and loyal client base.
10-Time Honoree
5-Time Winner
Recognized on Nation’s Best Brokerages List
Two-Time Honoree BE PLACES TO WORK
Two-Time Honoree
GETTING NOTICED
Don’t just take our word for it. Fulton Grace and its brokers have been featured in countless local and national periodicals, such as NBC Chicago, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Tribune, and Chicago Broker Magazine, as leaders in Illinois residential real estate.
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GIVING BACK
We regularly coordinate in-office toy, clothing and food drives and even blood drives. We embrace opportunities for our staff and brokers to come together and volunteer at local food pantries and donation centers. Fulton Grace also makes frequent financial donations to local charities to support the vibrant communities in which we serve.
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OUR OFFICES
At Fulton Grace, we’re locally grown and proud of the deep roots we’ve planted in our communities. We remain highly active in our local real estate markets and neighborhood associations, keeping us grounded and abreast of ever-changing conditions. Our strong local presence allows us to better serve our clients. Numerous intentionally designed and strategically placed offices spread the essence of Fulton Grace throughout our communities. Whichever Fulton Grace office you visit, you will be greeted with a smile and offered the highest level of guidance and advice. Our brokers are always available to help our neighbors in “Finding Home, Together.”
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SUPERIOR BROKERS
COACHING & EDUCATION
OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE
Our brokers receive thorough training coupled with advanced ongoing education opportunities. They’re continually sharpening and expanding their skills every day. The end result—advanced, savvy and knowledgeable brokers ready to guide you through your home purchase.
We don’t just get the job done. We go over and above to give our clients the best possible experience along the way. We are proactive, provide regular feedback, thoughtful recommendations, and a genuine passion to give our clients 110%.
COMPREHENSIVE TOOLS
PROVEN EXPERIENCE
Fulton Grace brokers are among the top brokers in Illinois. Years of collective experience, knowledge and wisdom create an exceptional client experience.
We provide our brokers with cutting-edge tools to market properties, stay connected and streamline processes, allowing our brokers to stay focused on what’s most important—serving their clients.
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Consult a Fulton Grace real estate broker for professional referrals (attorney, lender, etc.) 1 | ESTABLISH YOUR TEAM
Learn the homebuying process from beginning to end 2 | ESTABLISH YOUR PROCESS
10 STEPS FOR BUYER SUCCESS
3 | AGREEMENTS
Execute exclusive buyer-broker agreement, review a contract for purchase and understand disclosures
4 | STRATEGIZE
Build a market-based offer strategy to meet or exceed your goals
5 | COMMUNICATION
Gather and discuss feedback throughout the showing and purchase process
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6 | OFFERS
Create and negotiate offers utilizing a market- based approach
7 | ACCEPTANCE
Secure accepted and executed contract!
Secure financing within the stipulated time 8 | FINANCING CONTINGENCY
Begin the process of choreographing the move of your home to its next location 9 | THE MOVING PROCESS
10 | CONGRATULATIONS
Contract closes! Move into the next phase of your life!
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MARKET EDUCATION & PREPARATION
Identify your team of professionals: Your Fulton Grace broker, real estate attorney, mortgage lender, home inspector, and moving company
Execute a broker agreement per local and federal law
Learn the steps of obtaining a mortgage
Speak to a preferred mortgage lender to begin the mortgage pre-approval process
Discuss the conditions of the current real estate market for buyers nationally, regionally, locally and within your “personal” market
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FINANCING OVERVIEW
The lender will obtain your credit report and preliminary financial information
Obtain a pre-approval letter from the lender
Once you are under contract for a home purchase, you and your broker will provide the lender with the signed real estate contract and disclosures You will supply the lender with all of your detailed financial information, including the completed loan application, tax returns, bank statements and any other information requested by the lender
The lender will schedule an appraisal of the property, coordinated through the seller’s listing broker
The lender will request a condo questionnaire from the condominium association (if applicable), which will contain certain relevant information about your purchase A “clear to close” notification will be provided by the lender, which is an unconditional mortgage approval and the last step in the financing process!
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR NUMBERS
SELLER EXPENSES
TYPICAL COST
COMMISSION
NEGOTIABLE
ATTORNEY FEE
$600 - $1,000+
TITLE INSURANCE (SELLER)
$2,000-$3,500*
RECORDING FEE
$75 - $250
MUNICIPAL TRANSFER TAX
VARIES
STATE TRANSFER TAX
$1.00 per $1,000 of sales price
COUNTY TRANSFER TAX
$.50 per $1,000 of sales price
SURVEY
$500 - $1,000**
WATER CERTIFICATION
$125 - $150
ZONING CERTIFICATION
$175 - $200
PROPERTY TAX CREDIT TO BUYER
105 - 110% of last tax bill
MANAGEMENT COMPANY PROCESSING FEES
$250 - $500***
The figures above are intended to give you a general idea of costs and could be less or more then the amounts stated. Actual costs vary per lender, loan amount, property type and other factors. *Title insurance premiums vary depending on the size of the sales price. **Not applicable for condo sales. ***If applicable, usually condos only.
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BUYER EXPENSES
TYPICAL COST
COMMISSION
NEGOTIABLE
HOME INSPECTION FEE
$350+/Visit
APPRAISAL
$250 - $500
CREDIT REPORT
$30 - $75 per borrower
LOAN ORIGINATION FEE
$750 - $1,250
PROCESSING FEE
$150
TAX SERVICE FEE
$75-$100
ATTORNEY FEE
$600 - $1,000+
ESCROW/SETTLEMENT FEE
$1,275 - $2,000*
BUYER’S TITLE CHARGES
$1,300 - $1,800
RECORDING FEE
$75 - $250
MUNICIPAL TRANSFER TAX
VARIES
HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE
$300 - $400**
INTEREST PER DAY
Loan amount x rate/365
INITIAL ESCROW (FOR PROPERTY TAXES)
1-9 months*** (if applicable)
INITIAL ESCROW (FOR HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE)
1-3 months (if applicable)
The figures above are intended to give you a general idea of costs and could be less or more than the amounts stated. Actual costs vary per lender, loan amount, property type and other factors. *If cash transaction, shared equally between buyer and seller. **Premium listed represents coverage for a condo. Premiums for a single family home range between $1,300 - $2,000, depending on coverage selection. ***Partially offset by property tax credit from seller.
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THE SEARCH
Establish a market-based offer strategy for purchasing a property
Identify the specific type of property you desire (characteristics, location, price, etc.)
Review current inventory
Set up search criteria to automatically notify us of new listings
Select four to six properties that match your requirements
Schedule showings
Identify your top two to three choices
Confirm pre-approval letter from your lender
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TECH THAT POWERS A SMARTER SEARCH
FULTONGRACE.COM Our responsive, custom-built website is the perfect place for you to locate your next home. Homes are indexed directly from the MLS, resulting in one of the most powerful property search sites in Illinois, optimal for both buyers and renters. Be the first to know about any upcoming Fulton Grace listings—our website displays its exclusive “Coming Soon” listings, which have yet to hit the market! Save your searches, mark your favorites and receive notifications about any new listings that match your criteria. If you are looking for a new home on the go, you will enjoy our mobile-friendly website, designed for use on all devices. Easy navigation, including property searches and interactive property tours, make for a smooth and connected user experience, and our Restyle tool shows you the possibilities of a property before you even step foot inside.
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THE SEARCH TECH THAT POWERS A SMARTER SEARCH
INTERACTIVE PROPERTY TOURS Seamless scheduling, routing, and agent communication ensures you can focus on experiencing all a property has to offer without stressing over notes or logistics.
COMPARATIVE PROPERTIES
ACTIVE LISTINGS (3)
Highest Price $1,399,000
2,750
Average Sq. Ft.
$1,272,666
7 days
Days on Market
Average Price
Lowest Price $1,099,000
$506
Price per Sq. Ft.
Days on Market
Address
Status
Beds Baths List Price
Location Type
Parking
Garage Door Opener, On Site, Garag… Included Asphalt, Garage Door Opener, Heate… Included On Site, Garage Owned, Attached, O… Included
Attached Single, Condo, Penthouse
1156 W Ohio Street, Unit 4E, Chicago, IL
West Town
New
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2.5 $1,320,000 1 day
Attached Single, T3- Townhouse 3+ S… Attached Single, Condo- Duplex, Co…
358 W Huron Street, Unit B, Chicago, IL
River North
New
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2.5 $1,399,000 1 day
29 N Morgan Street, Unit PH, Chicago, IL
West Loop
Active
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3
$1,099,000 19 days
CLOSED LISTINGS (5)
Average Price $1,149,300
Highest Price $1,308,500
2,240
Average Sq. Ft.
47 days
Average % of List Price
Days on Market
96.2%
Lowest Price $1,038,000
$527
Price per Sq. Ft.
Closed Price
Days on Market
Address
Status
Beds Baths
Location
Type
Parking
Garage Door Opener, On Site, Garag… Included
720 W Randolph Street, Unit PH5, Chicago, IL
Attached Single, Condo, Condo-Dup…
Closed
3
3
$1,038,000 6 days
West Loop
Attached Single, Condo, Condo-Lof…
1101 W Lake Street, Unit 3D, Chicago, IL
West Loop, Fulton Market
Closed
3
2.5 $1,080,000 133 days
Garage
1050 W Hubbard Street, Unit 3G, Chicago, IL
Attached Single, Condo
Closed
3
2.5 $1,100,000
5 days
West Town
Space/s
COMPARITIVE MARKET ANALYSIS (CMA) Our custom CMA delivers personalized, data-driven property evaluations to assist in developing the smartest possible pricing and negotiation strategy based upon the latest market dynamics.
Jon Christens | | jon.christens@fultongrace.com Grace Fulton | 773.698.6648 | grace.fulton@fultongrace.com
THE SEARCH TECH THAT POWERS A SMARTER SEARCH
RESTYLE TOOL This cutting-edge tool empowers FultonGrace.com visitors to envision how a space might look with updated paint colors, new countertops, or even a complete redesign featuring multiple motif options. With just a few clicks, prospective buyers can transform listing photos to realize their desired design aesthetic and imagine exciting possibilities.
1234 Main Street, Chicago, IL
INVESTMENT ANALYSIS We’re changing the game in real estate investment analysis. Fulton Grace has developed a one- click analysis tool to take multi-family property evaluation to the next level. Our proprietary rent validator allows you to input monthly rent values to assess if units are over or underpriced. It can also determine optimal rent and operating expenses for a property’s success in the market.
OFFER, NEGOTIATIONS & ACCEPTANCE
From preparing the offer to leading you through negotiations, your broker will provide as much counsel as needed. Our primary goal is to achieve the most favorable terms possible by ensuring you make the best decisions based on current market conditions. We will:
Write a compelling market-based offer
Establish a negotiation strategy that balances your objectives with the current market conditions
Devise a counter offer that aligns with your overall offer strategy
Confirm your financing ability with your mortgage lender
Facilitate execution of the sales contract
Send executed contract to all parties expediently
Deliver earnest money (options include check, cashiers check or wire transfer)
Facilitate access for your licensed home inspector
Mediate or negotiate any issues raised by the attorneys and/or inspection
Ensure lender’s appraiser has access to the property and provide comparable properties
Monitor all contract deadlines and purchase contingencies
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TRANSITION MANAGEMENT
Your broker will manage the entire process from guiding you through the buying process to helping facilitate the move to your new home. We are your resource choreographer and partner for all things real estate. We will:
Provide moving company and cleaning service referrals
Advise on utility account cancellation and mail forwarding from previous property
Advise on creating utility accounts at new property
Schedule the final walk-through of the new property
Help choreograph moving out from previous property into the new property, if requested
Offer referrals for a stager or designer to provide guidance on laying out your new home
Transfer keys to your new home!
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WELCOME HOME
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FULTONGRACE.COM
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