First time buyers: Do your homework. Do your homework. Do your homework! Let the technology and tools of the home buying process work for you. By the time you get into the car with your buyers agent (ughh humm… your Loft Specialist @ LoftHunt:), you should have already looked at 100+ on-line properties. I’m not talking about the price and bedrooms. Really get in there: look at all the photos, try to visualize the space, how’s the natural light, what are the room sizes, did it mention storage, is parking included in the price, how does this property compare to what I get in other neighborhoods that I like??? New to Chicago or a particular neighborhood… drive the area, see how it feels. See a sign on a property you like- email your agent- they’ll reply back w/ the full MLS listing sheet. Go to lunch there next Saturday. Whatever it takes. Keep in touch with your buyers agent every step of the way- ask the questions, get involved. Many of our clients are busy and certainly don’t have the time they’d truly like to spend on the search. That shouldn’t slow you down from doing the most you can do. The tools available to buyers today are unparalleled! Sites like LoftHunt.com or Jameson.com didn’t exist in their scope even a few years ago. Doing your homework in tandem with the guidance and experience of a seasoned real estate professional will- with out question- lead to the most satisfying purchase experience possible. Happy loft hunting:)