Bill Bein's (wbein) Blog

For older single-family homes in the city, we typically find the range of work needed over the next 5-7 years runs on a range of: 50K on the light end, 75K in the middle, 100K PLUS at the high end:   And this is just the start of what you’ll find at www.Chicagoland2to4Flats.info!!!

What to watch for with single-family homes:: In general, be aware that it is very easy to make a home sound good on paper—we always recommend drive-by’s before setting up any showings!!! Our agents will be able to help you see how each neighborhood breaks on the price points—cheaper property may ...

What to Watch For, with 2- to 4-flats: In general, be aware that it is very easy to make a multi-unit building sound good on paper—we always recommend drive-by’s before setting up showings!!!  Secondly, watch for estimates of rent; (if there is no lease date or security deposit listed, any rent l...

What to Watch For, with condos: A gut-rehab should mean that everything is new, including the kitchen and bath. Walls and room sizes may have been adjusted to allow for a second bath, in-unit laundry, new heat/AC, etc. The price may be higher, but—theoretically—everything from the mechanicals to ...

We’ll set you up with all listings that fit your price, size and neighborhood goals—and ask you to pick which properties to go visit. But therein lies a dilemma… how will you know which ones to prioritize on? It’s important to understand both what the listing sheets DO say and DON’T say in order ...

When a client agrees to work exclusively through me in their next purchase of real estate, they are, in essence, ‘hiring’ me. But that doesn’t mean it costs them anything. If the property they buy is in the MLS or is a “FSBO” (For Sale By Owner) that pays a Buyer’s Agent commission, I only get pa...

1.  The FIRST law in real estate: Big and cheap NEVER equals wonderful. Many people, when they first start picking property to see, focus on properties that are big and cheap… They are hoping, of course, for big, cheap AND wonderful, but that is like winning the lottery—and never applies to prope...

Although some renters believe that renting is “maintenance free,” they are actually paying for maintenance in their rent – whether they need it or not.  Renting offers you no equity, no tax benefit, and no protection against regular rent increases.  If you’re paying rent, you’re really just payin...

These are the kinds of agreements (formally called an Expressed Buyer Agency Agreement) on how ‘you’ as the buyer and an agent will work together in the purchase of the property you desire. There are four options, and the choice you make will affect (1) how much freedom you as buyer will have in ...

In this market where listings range so much by type and condition, it is so easy to end up on a wild-goose chase. What must occur instead is to learn to separate wheat from the chaff and hone in on what you want. Here is some more of how we think an EFFECTIVE property search works.  Now you’re re...