Your Realtor for Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana

We use a tiered pricing structure — the higher the home price, the lower our commission rate. Since every homebuyers’ situation is unique, we provide customized quotes on a case-by-case basis.

That said, based on our internal survey, buyers purchasing homes over $500k typically save more than 1% in commission with us compared to others.*

*This is not a guarantee, but a general estimate to give you an idea of potential savings.

Yes, we offer a flexible pricing structure, including rebates, to help you save money while negotiating for a home. When determining a net commission rate, we work with each homebuyer to develop a strategy that: 1. Helps you win the deal, 2. Maximizes your savings, and 3. Covers closing costs if needed.

Simply put, there were two major changes:

1. Buyer agent commissions are no longer displayed on the MLS. Before July 18, 2024, home-search portals like Realtor.com and Redfin.com showed the exact commission rate offered by sellers. This feature has now been permanently removed.
2. Buyers must negotiate agent commissions upfront. Before touring homes, you’ll need to determine the commission for your buyer’s agent and sign a buyer agency agreement.

No, you don’t have to pay more than before.

In fact, these changes give you more control and transparency in your homebuying process.

The old way: You probably didn’t know if or how much your agent gets paid. Some buyers really believed that their agent was “free”. Because for each home, your agent gets paid a pre-decided commission by the seller. You were never involved in the discussion.

The new way: You’ll discuss and agree on your agent’s commission at the first meaningful interaction, just like you would with any home contractor. The difference is, in the homebuying process, you can negotiate to have the sellers pay this fee for you (just as they did under the old way, but you have to ask for it ). Most sellers will agree to compensate the buyer’s agent because it boosts their chances to get their homes sold.

This added layer of negotiation gives you greater insights into costs and services, allowing you to compare agents just like you would when shopping for a mortgage lender.

Simple — we’re not tied to the outdated brokerage model that still dominates real estate. Traditional brokerages often charge the same high percentage regardless of the home’s price, even when the work doesn’t justify it. We think that’s unfair.

At Realex Realty, we do things differently:

• Tiered Commission Structure: The higher the price, the lower the rate. Why? Because selling a $1 million home doesn’t take five times the work of selling a $200,000 one — so why should you pay five times the commission?
• Efficiency Over Excess: We skip the fancy offices, overpriced marketing, and franchise fees. Instead, we invest in smart tech and streamlined systems — and pass those savings on to you.
• Modern Mindset: Buyers and sellers today are more informed than ever. Yet many brokerages still cling to old-school models. We respect your time, your intelligence, and your wallet — and we’ve built our business around that.

You’re not paying for tradition. You’re paying for results.
At Realex Realty, you get expert service — without the premium markup.

No.
The IRS ruled that realtor commission rebates are not taxable income. So don’t worry that the big check you received will cause you tax burden at year end. However, we always recommend talking to your accountant about the specific tax advice when filing.

Yes.
Realtor rebates are legal in most states in the U.S. It is perfectly legal here in Illinois and Indiana.

How to conduct your own market research?

Start by asking yourself: What do you want in a home? Do you prioritize a short commute, space for a growing family, access to top-rated schools, or investment potential? Once you have a clear idea of your priorities, research different neighborhoods.

As the saying goes, location is everything. Your choice of neighborhood will directly impact your future lifestyle. Once you have a general idea of the type of properties that interest you, attend open houses to experience them firsthand. Pay attention to details like street parking, neighbors, yard maintenance, the home’s age, potential odors, sun exposure, and room layouts. This process will help you refine your preferences and identify deal-breakers.

We recommend setting up search alerts on real estate websites like Realtor.com or Redfin.com so you’re notified immediately when new properties hit the market. If you prefer, we can also set up an MLS alert for you.

While we encourage independent market research, we’re not leaving you to navigate the process alone. We offer free consultations to assess your needs, provide recommendations, and discuss strategies. And of course, we’re always just a message or phone call away.

Buying a home involves many parties, and the costs can vary depending on whether you’re getting a mortgage. Here’s a breakdown of the common fees to consider when setting your budget.

Fees you’ll likely pay, regardless of a loan:

• Attorney fee
• Title settlement fee
• Recording fee
• Transfer tax
• Hazard insurance
• Inspection fee

Additional fees when taking out a mortgage:

• Loan point
• Rate lock fee
• Underwriting fee
• Credit check fee
• Appraisal fee
• Title insurance
• Flood zone search fee
• Documentation fee
• Courier fee
• Property tax escrow
• Prepaid interest

So how much are closing costs?

It’s difficult to provide a one-size-fits-all number because closing costs can vary significantly from one transaction to another. While you may often hear estimates of 2%–5% of the purchase price, many factors can push costs higher or lower.

• Bank fees alone can exceed 3% depending on your credit profile.
• Property tax rates can greatly impact your closing costs.
• Escrows for taxes and insurance are required by lenders and may require additional funds at closing, though they’re often refundable later.

1. Get Pre-Approved or Verify Funds – Before starting your search, ensure you have a loan pre-approval or sufficient funds.
2. Find Properties – Identify the neighborhoods homes you’d like to explore.
3. Choose Your Real Estate Agent – Select an agent to represent you and formalize the partnership with a signed  buyer agency agreement.
4. Schedule Showings – We’ll arrange property tours for you.
5. Pricing Consultation – We provide expert insights on property values.
6. Make an Offer – Once you find a home you love, we’ll help you prepare and submit a competitive offer.
7. Negotiation – We negotiate with the seller on your behalf to secure the best terms.
8. Confidentiality – Any information you share with us remains strictly confidential, forever.
9. Offer Accepted! – You now have a contract.
10. Earnest Money Payment – You’ll submit the earnest money deposit.
11. Home Inspection – We’ll assist in arranging an inspection.
12. Contract Review – We coordinate with your attorney to review the contract.
13. Appraisal – We work with your lender to arrange the appraisal.
14. Post-Inspection Negotiation – If needed, we negotiate further based on inspection findings.
15. Loan Approval – Your mortgage gets the green light.
16. Closing Date Set – We’ll guide you on what to prepare for closing.
17. Final Walkthrough – We coordinate a last review of the property before closing.
18. Closing Day! – You officially become a homeowner.
19. Rebate Sent (If Applicable) – If a rebate was arranged, we’ll send it to you.

We’re here to guide you through every step of the process!

There are two possible scenarios to consider:

Scenario 1: Full Representation (Required by Illinois and Indiana Law)

In both Illinois and Indiana, real estate agents are legally required to provide a minimum set of services when representing a client. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Accept delivery of, and present to the client offers and counteroffers
• Assist the client in developing, communicating, negotiating, and presenting offers, counteroffers, and notices
• Answer the client’s questions relating to the offers, counteroffers, notices, and contingencies
• Coordinate the transaction to closing

Because of these obligations, we cannot offer a service that only handles the contract—we must treat it like any other full transaction.

Scenario 2: Contract Consultation Only (Without Representation)

If you’re only looking for consultation on drafting a contract, we can provide guidance. However, in this scenario, we would not be representing you as an agent.

Key Considerations:

• Without a buyer’s agent, the seller’s agent keeps the full commission or may push to represent you as a dual agent, which could limit their ability to advocate fully for your best interests.
• You could try to negotiate directly with the seller’s agent to lower their commission, but in reality, we’ve rarely seen an agent willing to charge less than us while still providing quality service.
• Entering negotiations without a buyer’s agent often puts you at a disadvantage.

For Experienced Investors

If you are a highly experienced investor, we may be able to tailor a service that fits your needs. Please contact us directly to discuss your options.

No, there are no hidden fees.

We don’t charge any upfront fees to work with us. However, to keep costs low, we limit the number of free showings. If you need more showings, we will provide a price quote during our meeting.

No, for most of the times.

While it may seem like cutting out a buyer’s agent would reduce costs, the reality is more complex.

Scenario 1: Dual Agency

If the seller’s agent also represents you, you’ll still need to sign a buyer agency agreement and agree to a commission—just as you would with your own agent. The key difference is that the agent is now acting as a dual agent, meaning they represent both you and the seller. This creates a conflict of interest, legally limiting how much they can advocate for you.

Scenario 2: No Representation

If the seller’s agent does not represent you and only handles the paperwork, the seller will still pay a commission to their agent. This means you’re not actually saving money, but you’re also not receiving professional representation to protect your interests. Without an agent on your side, you may be at a disadvantage in negotiations and more exposed to potential risks.

Unless you are highly experienced in real estate transactions, working without your own representation is not recommended.

We’re happy to provide consultation and recommendations at any stage of your home search.

That said, we recommend that you explore the market on your own first to gain confidence in what type of home suits your needs. This includes:

• Searching for homes online
• Attending open houses
• Driving through neighborhoods
• Getting loan pre-approval

Your preferences, financial situation, and family needs may evolve over time, which can impact the type of home you ultimately purchase. In fact, we’ve worked with many buyers whose criteria changed significantly from when they first started searching.

Also, keep in mind that we limit the number of complimentary showings, so having a clearer vision of your ideal home can help streamline the process and maximize your savings when you’re ready to move forward—ideally within a few months.

No, our commission arrangement does not impact the home price—it only reduces your out-of-pocket costs.

The home price is determined by market conditions and negotiations between the buyer and seller. However, if you’re working within a tight budget, a lower commission or a sizable rebate can help ease your financial burden and make the purchase more affordable.