Chicago is full of luxury homes, with entire real estate agencies dedicated to selling luxury property and dealing with wealthy clients. But finding your dream home can be a difficult business, as many high-end properties are never listed online or advertised – usually to protect the seller’s identity. So, how do you find out about these premium listings?
In this guide, we’ll let you in on a few real estate secrets that will help you find the best luxury real estate in Chicago and beyond.
- Build Contacts
Seek out specialized luxury real estate agents, like broker Ryan Hardy, based in Chicago. Realtors like this have years of experience in dealing with the buyers and sellers of the best luxury homes in the area, and therefore have built up a network of contacts in the luxury real estate business.
They are the first to know when new properties become available on the market, so building a close relationship with them is integral for being the first to know about the best real estate.
Learn from those who know best and go straight to a realtor. Often, the best homes will not be listed on real estate websites or anywhere else online – they’re strictly disclosed on a need-to-know basis, and viewings are by invitation only.
Build a rapport with a luxury broker and discover a whole new world of real estate.
- Look Past the Pictures
If you’re thinking none of the properties listed online look great from the outside, you could be dismissing your dream home. As the saying goes, you should never judge a book by its cover; and real estate is no exception.
Of the few luxury homes that get listed online, fewer have photographs of their interiors displayed on real estate websites, so to protect the privacy of the owners. Lots of expensive property doesn’t look as great on the outside as it does inside, so it’s essential that you go to the realtor in person and request to see pictures of the house’s interior.
To get a better idea of the land surrounding the house and the wider neighbourhood, look on Google Maps.
- House or Condo?
Owning a large, stand-alone luxury mansion is an appealing prospect for many, though they require huge expenditure in upkeep. If you have the money to run a large property, speak with a real estate agent today to get the ball rolling.
If you think a smaller living space could be for you, but are still after a plush finish, you could consider a condo. The lifestyle offered by condo complexes is enviable, and many have luxury amenities like pools, spas and concierge services as a standard part of the package. These are all tended and costed as part of the building, at no extra expense to you.
With a house, you’d need to pay for your lawn, pool and building maintenance yourself, and will likely need to hire a property manager to keep all of these things in check.
Discuss your options with your real estate broker today, and receive honest advice about which living situation will suit you best.
- Be Clear About What You Want
This point seems obvious, but a lot of people are too vague in their explanations of what they want from a new property. To ensure you don’t waste time visiting or discussing properties that don’t fit your needs, make an extensive list of features you’re certain of and are not willing to compromise on.
Do you absolutely hate townhouses? Would you prefer that there was a wine cellar? Will you need three bathrooms? Do you require close proximity to a certain school for your children?
If so, it’s imperative that your real estate broker is clear about your stipulations before they start searching for your ideal property. As luxury, high-end properties are rare to come by, it’s important that when your dream home does come on the market, your agent can inform you immediately.
