Buyers

SMARTSteps For Relocation
May Kankakee County bring much happiness to you and your family.

Since the mid 80’s I have been blessed to have the opportunity to help satisfied clients with their real estate needs. Many buyers have made wonderful memories in Kankakee County. Our numerous communities offer a variety of home choices from condo to executive mansions- from country living to subdivisions. You name it we have it.

A repeating comment from some executive transferees is that they have lived throughout the United States and the people in Kankakee County are the best. Whether referring to their neighbor, waitress, local grocery store employee or child’s teacher, the midwest caring and friendly attitude can be felt through Kankakee County.

Some of the benefits of our Midwestern community include our wonderful resources of the Kankakee and Iroquois Rivers. We have the Annual Boat Races, Fishing Derbies, recreational boating, canoeing, kayaking, and camping at the Kankakee State Park. Other outdoor activities may take you to one of our 7 golf courses, to the many subdivision small parks, to 170 acres at Perry Farm, the Splash Valley Aquatic Park, and beautiful Cobb Park within the Historic District for a little tennis or biking. The Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra, The Kankakee Valley Theatre and Acting Out Theatre Company offer many cultural choices as well. We have Kankakee Community College, Olivet Nazarene University, and various public and private elementary school options.

Being a long term resident and helping people with their real estate needs since the mid 80’s it is my pleasure to provide you with personalized service.

SMARTStep Relocation Services:

• Full Service Team: We will assist you from start to finish. Julianne Hurst our Customer Service and Transaction Manager and I will deliver top service that you deserve.
• Financial Services/Determine Your Purchasing Power: Whether you are in the market for a fixed, adjustable, balloon, or jumbo mortgage, I will introduce you to a lender that will best meet your needs.
• Temporary Accommodations: We will assist you with motel or short term rental accommodations. In short, I will provide whatever is needed to help you enjoy your search for a new home.
• Home Search: The home choices through the internet (Realtor.Com, Zillow, Trulia, and Redfin) may be overwhelming, to save you valuable time I’ll show you homes that meet your housing needs. Your “Get Acquainted Tour” will introduced you to various neighborhoods and communities for an overview of Kankakee County.
• Save Valuable Time: You will receive an automatic email with up to date properties that meet your housing criteria.

References: Click here to read what satisfied clients have said about our real estate services.

It is my pleasure to help you with your relocation to Kankakee County. Please contact me anytime at the office phone number is 815-937-4370 and my cell number is 815-922-6924.

Save time and money with these ten buying tips!

1. Make a list and know the difference between your wants and needs.
2. Get pre-approved prior to making an offer.
3. Choose a top agent – experience, tops seller, and designations – ABR, CRS, GRI
4. Work with an agent that has a quick return call guarantee - when negotiating, time is money.
5. Work with an agent that has a transaction checklist to be sure that ALL details are tended to and completed for a positive and closed transaction.
6. Have your agent search other sources beyond the multiple listing service.
7. Ask your agent for a market analysis on the property you want to buy.
8. Have as little contingencies as possible in making an offer.
9. Make your offer subject to a home inspection.
10. Include a complimentary note to seller when making an offer. Sellers will negotiate for the benefit of buyer, if they like the buyer.

Suggested movers from other happy clients

1. Two Men & A Trailer, Todd Sherwood 815-530-2823
2. Two Men and a Truck 708-460-6685
3. SimpleMovingLabor.com 866-767-5348
4. John Thompson 815-922-2426 or 815-933-4665

When it comes to moving your stuff, a little bit of preparation could go a long way. Here are 10 tips from the pros to help make the move less stressful:

1. Develop a master "to do" list to keep you on track.
2. Sort through belongings and eliminate items that no longer are needed or wanted. To help you decide, ask yourself these questions: When was the last time I used this? How does it make me feel? What is the worst possible thing that would happen if I didn't have this? If you have a great degree of hesitancy, then go ahead and keep it.
3. Recycle belongings that are staying behind. A garage sale can be a lucrative and fun way to reduce the number of items to move. Or simply donate the items to charity or homeless shelters, children's hospitals or schools.
4. Use up supplies that are not transportable. About four to six weeks before the move, use up cleaning supplies and eat food items in the freezer.
5. Contact power, gas and phone, cable and internet companies about two weeks prior to your move date to have service discontinued or arrange for new connections at your new address. 
6. Take care of pets and plants. Take pets to the veterinarian and get copies of their records. Keep plants moist during the trip If you can't take plants to your new house, consider donating them to local nursing homes.
7. Put together a "survival box" of items that will be need immediately upon arrival, such as light bulbs, linens, paper products, garbage bags, soap, and tools. Take the box with you instead of loading it on the van so you won't be unprepared if you arrive before the moving van does.
8. Have your car serviced and get current prescriptions filled shortly before the move, so you won't be pressured to find service providers immediately after arriving at your new home.
9. Send change-of-address cards to creditors, insurance companies, friends, magazine subscriptions and utility companies. Leave a forwarding address with the post office.
10. Call insurance company to be sure they have the correct closing date and either set up insurance or cancel your current policy.
11. Relax! Remember to bring a kettle, tea bags, coffee maker and mugs, cold beverages, champagne or beer and keep it accessible for when you arrive at your new home.

-Allied Van Lines and United Van Lines

Courtesy of The Daily Journal, Kankakee.
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Disclaimer: The information provided by this calculator is for illustrative purposes only and accuracy is not guaranteed. The default figures shown are hypothetical and may not be applicable to your individual situation. Be sure to consult a financial professional prior to relying on the results.

This calculator does not have the ability to pre-qualify you for any loan program. Qualification for financing may require additional information such as credit scores and cash reserves which is not gathered in this calculator. Information such as interest rates and pricing are subject to change at any time and without notice. All information is an estimate and should be used for comparison only.