With Scott Air Force Base in our backyard, we have lots of clients that are not able to look at homes before their transfer in or out of the area. Thanks to improvements in technology, it is easier to look at a variety of homes and close the deal ahead of time, without having to move into an apartment or hotel temporarily. At KW Williams Ellerbrake Group, we understand the stress of moving to a new area and not knowing anything about the neighborhoods or schools. Our staff lives in the areas we sell homes in and has relationships with realtors in other markets to make sure you get the best buying and selling experience.
Familiarize yourself with the area: As soon as you find out you are moving to the O’Fallon, IL area, make sure you check out the local Chamber of Commerce websites, visitor bureau websites, and community websites so you can narrow down your search. Some are listed below.
- O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce- https://ofallonchamber.com/
- Metro-East Regional Chamber of Commerce (Fairview Heights and Swansea)- https://metroeastchamber.org/
- The Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce- https://www.bellevillechamber.org/
- Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau- https://www.riversandroutes.com/
- Discover Downstate Illinois Tourism Bureau- https://www.downstateil.org/
Our website, ellerbrake.com, includes basic information about several of the communities in our area, as well as links to additional resources.
Set a budget: Depending on where you are moving here from, you might find the prices in Madison, St. Clair, and Clinton counties in Illinois are less expensive for the same quality home you might find elsewhere, with a lower cost of living. Use the calculator on ellerbrake.com to figure out what the mortgage payment is for some of the homes we have listed to give you an idea of what you can afford.
Secure financing: With improved online security, everything your mortgage lender needs to get you qualified, such as income statements, bank statements, and identification can be safely submitted no matter where you are in the United States. Getting pre-approved for financing will help you narrow down the properties you look at instead of looking at homes that are more than you can afford. Many mortgage lenders also have access to special financing programs for active military and veterans. Getting pre-approved also speeds up the closing process. Ask your Ellerbrake Group Realtor for a list of preferred mortgage lenders.
Make a “Wish List”: Before you look at our listings or any others, make a list of what amenities you want in your new home. How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? Do you want to live near the school your children would attend? Are you going to be cooking or entertaining a lot, or is an older kitchen good enough? Do you want a pool? Fenced in back yard? Land? Be realistic about how long you will be living in the area. If your job (military or civilian) requires you to move frequently, Keep your list simple so when it is time to move, you can sell quickly.
Ask for a “Virtual Tour”: Advancements in technology now make it possible for our Realtors to take you on a video walk through of the house, either recorded or live through FaceTime or Zoom. We will answer your questions during the walk through and our agents will point out anything additional that could be an issue so we can address it on your behalf before closing.
Request a home inspection: Once you have narrowed your search down to “the one”, we will refer you to one of our preferred home inspectors to thoroughly evaluate the property and provide you with a detailed report. We will go over the report with you to find out what repairs you want to negotiate into the deal or questions you have about the report.
Submit an offer: Your Realtor at The Ellerbrake Group will guide you through the process of negotiating the price and the terms of the purchase agreement. Your Realtor will act as your representative and protect your interests.
Closing: Your Ellerbrake Group Realtor will help you coordinate the necessary paperwork and work with a local title company. Many title companies and mortgage companies now offer remote closings with electronic signatures and wire transfers. This can be planned as close to your moving date as possible if you don’t need repairs before moving in.
Whether you are buying a new house from across town or across the country, the experts at Keller Williams Ellerbrake Group will make sure you get exactly what you are looking for hassle free. Start the process at www.ellerbrake.com.
