Buying a home, with someone on your side of the table.
How I help buyers in Chicago and the north and northwest suburbs, from the first showing to the keys, and how buyer agreements work now.
Before we tour: the written agreement.
Since August 2024, an agent working with a buyer needs a written agreement before touring homes together. Mine sets out what I’ll do, how I’m paid and how either of us can end it.
We’ll go through it line by line before you sign, and you can ask for changes. If something in it doesn’t sit right, say so; that’s what the conversation is for.
How a purchase goes
- Get clear on the searchWhere, what and how much, and whether your pre-approval matches the homes you're looking at.
- Tour with a purposeFewer, better showings. I'll point out what the listing photos leave out.
- Write an offer that can winPrice is only part of it. Terms, timing and contingencies decide a lot of competitive offers.
- Attorney review and inspectionIllinois contracts usually allow a period for both. I coordinate them and help you decide what's worth asking for.
- ClosingAppraisal, the loan, the final walk-through, and the keys.
What buyers said.
Mark was an absolute joy to work with and handle complex matters! By far the most focused and communicative realtor I have worked with to date. I will absolutely use his services again without question.
Phil sandlerBought a house, Hoffman Estates · Zillow
Mark is a committed professional every stop of the buying experience. He took a daunting process and made it one where my husband and I felt supported and expertly guided every step of the way.
kvbinkinBought a townhouse, Wheeling · Zillow
Mark, Mark is the best. Even if we had dreamed, we would not have found a better realtor.
Hristina FalcicBought a house, Schaumburg · Zillow
Great job helping me with finding and purchasing my condo.
utkinggBought a condo, Palatine · Zillow
Rating and count checked against Zillow on .
Buyer questions.
How are you paid when I buy?
It's set out in our written agreement. Sellers often offer to cover some or all of the buyer's agent's pay; when they don't, we'll talk about it before you make an offer, so it never comes up as a surprise at the table.
Can you show me homes that aren't on Zillow?
Sometimes. Some sellers choose a private launch before a home goes public, and agents hear about those first. I can't promise a hidden inventory, but I'll tell you when one is coming that fits.
Do I need a pre-approval first?
It helps. It tells us your real budget and makes an offer stronger. Get it from any lender you like.
I'm selling too. Can the timing work?
Usually, with planning. We'll look at whether to sell first, buy first, or tie the two together with the right contract terms.
Where I work.
The city and the north and northwest suburbs. These are the places I’ve written up, not the edge of where I sell. If your town isn’t here, ask anyway.
Northwest suburbs
Lake County
Tell me what you're looking for.
Where you're looking, roughly what you want to spend, and when. I'll get back to you personally.
Talk about buying
Tell me how to reach you and a little about the house. I'll get back to you myself.
If you want a care free, easy and calm experience with buying or selling – Mark is your agent.