Buyer's Guide

How a Realtor® works for you

A REALTOR® is an invaluable partner in the home buying process. While buyers are far more educated about real estate – online research can’t match an “Experienced Agents” knowledge in their market. Without that knowledge you may overpay for a home or lose your dream home.

An agent will provide you with a completely objective and professional opinion of the properties, unlike a parent or friend.

In our market, a buyer’s agent is customarily compensated by the seller. You have nothing to lose by working with an expert in the field.

The Process

Buying a home may seem like a straightforward process. There are dozens of variables in any transaction that can make the home buying process complicated. Being prepared and organized make the process easy and enjoyable.

Steps in the Home Buying Process

1. Get to Know Your Agent
2. Meet with Lender
3. Create Wants and Needs
4. Property Search
5. Make an Offer
6. Work Through Counter Offers
7. Contract to Close
8. Closing

Meet with a Lender

A mortgage pre-approval lets you know exactly what you can afford to buy. It also lets the seller know that you are a willing and able buyer.

Using a mortgage calculator can give you a sense of your buying power and monthly payments.

Most mortgage experts say your housing expenses should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income.

Knowing the figures of the transaction will give you more confidence going into the transaction.

Use the Mortgage Calculator to help find a mortgage that fits within your budget.

Wish List

Click here to print the Wish List

CREATE YOUR WANTS AND NEEDS

Every home purchase involves compromise. Prioritize your wants and needs before beginning your search. Utilize the checklist on the next page to help you with that process.

Key things to consider

Location, Location, Location!

• Schools
• Transportation
• Neighborhood amenities (shopping, dining, parks)

When choosing an area, drive or walk the neighborhood at various times of the day/evening. Stop and talk to neighbors for the inside scoop on the area.

Type of Home

• Single Family
• Condominium
• New Construction
• Gated Community

Features

• Garage
• Flooring
• Fireplace
• Yard Size

Be sure to consider resale value and your daily routine when you begin searching.

Home Buying Wish List

Close your eyes and visualize your dream home. Where is it located? What does it look like? Decide what you must have and what you would like to have. For example, you may need 3 bedrooms but would like to have 4. Determine your deal breaker issues; for example, if the home does not have a basement, you will not consider it. Define the 3 most important factors to you. 

Area Resources

Illinois School Report

Peoria Visitor Guide

Tax Rates, Statistics and Demographics

• Peoria County
• Tazewell County
• Woodford County

Park Districts & Recreation

• Peoria
• Dunlap
• East Peoria
• Washington
• Pekin

Peoria Civic Center

Peoria Riverfront Museum

Caterpillar Visitors Center

Par-A-Dice Riverboat Casino

Area Hospitals

UnityPoint Health - Methodist
221 NE Glen Oak Avenue
Peoria, IL 61636
www.unitypoint.org

UnityPoint Health - Proctor Hospital
5409 N Knoxville Avenue
Peoria, IL 61614
www.unitypoint.org

OSF St. Francis Medical Center
530 NE Glen Oak Avenue
Peoria, Illinois 61637
www.osfstfrancis.org

Pekin Hospital
600 S. 13th Street
Pekin, IL 61554
www.pekinhospital.org

DMV Locations

Sterling Bazaar Shopping Plaza
3311 N. Sterling Ave. #12
Peoria, IL 61604

Pekin State Plaza
200 S. 2nd
Pekin, IL 61554

Online Tools

Coming soon.

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