Richard Hauser REALTOR® ABR EBA EBB GRI - Broker / Owner of Relocation Advisors Group Inc.-- and Central Region Director and Board Member of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (NAEBA.ORG)

I love this business because I make people's dreams come true. Despite their differences, most people have a lot in common: Every individual is unique, but we all want freedom and liberty, peace, love and security, a good home, and a chance to worship in our own way. We all want the chance to get ahead and make our children's lives better than our own.

I help people do that.

In addition to having a number of high quality Real Estate designations - I recently received the "GCREP-GL" - Green Leadership certification - which covers green building concepts - and knowledge of unique energy efficient technologies in home building. This specialized knowledge helps me save our clients even more money - after they move into their new home - and also helps preserve the environment. I help them lower their utility bill, and have better indoor air quality... Did you know that schools that were "built green" had student with 20% better test performance than other schools? In office buildings - theres is 2-16% better productivity - and less days lost to sickness and absence.

My background includes twenty years of high-end negotiation experience - in addition to competitive intelligence collection and analysis. Information is power in negotation - and our clients can be assured that they will have the very best knowledge a due diligence prior to entering any negotiation.

In 2005 - we had more than $13 million in transactions - saving our buyer clients over $1 million dollars - making us the #1 Exclusive Buyer Brokerage in the Chicago area. Our 2007 figures are surpassing 2006.

We disprove the traditional Real Estate agent's mantra that "listings are the name of the game." Buyers are demanding the best representation in the most important purchase of their life -- during one of the best buyers market in history.... They don't want "big brands" or dealing with agents that may switch their loyalties well into the relationship -- they want RESULTS!

Our buyers don't have to worry about what they aren't being told. They know we aren't "salespeople." We are their advocates, personal coach and consultants.

We have proven that we provide the most honest form of representation for home buyers, and we take the extra time needed to give our buyers the home and purchase price they want.

I enjoy having a major positive impact on people lives. It's what I live for, and work hard for, and why I am here.

I've brought tears to people's eyes because they never believed that I would be able to get them into a home. One of our past buyer clients had a low credit score. They were quoted 10%+ sub-prime loans from many lenders. They had lost all hope. We put them in touch with a lender that put them into a 5.5% FHA no-money-down program. We had all their closing costs paid by the seller, and $11,500 in credits paid from the seller to the buyer at closing. They were eternally grateful to us for making their dream - possible.

I choose to be a specialist and provide buyers with the best possible representation (information, search, negotiation, advocate etc.) - so I don't "straddle the fence" and only provide "half representation" (doing both sides or "double dipping") - which is really no representation at all -- all for the sake of greed = rather than giving pure 100% representation. It is my firm belief that a fully informed client is a happy client. I empower buyers with unbiased information - not "selling" them on something.

In 2005 - I saved my clients over $500,000 -- by helping them "shop lenders" to get the best rates and fees. I also had over $400,000 worth of personal property "thrown in," as part of the transactions - and negotiated over $150,000 in home inspection credits.

The most important thing to me is not our volume - but that I achieved 100% client satisfaction - and served our clients in the way that they wanted to be served. You will find me to be e careful listener, sage advisor, shrewd negotiator and very familiar with what is currently happening in the entire Real Estate market in the Chicago area.

I believe in total professionalism, courtesy, kindness, generosity, and in honest competition - between someone fully on the buyer's side - and someone fully on the seller's side - which is the way it should be.

The consumer has, and still is, demanding representation in the biggest financial transaction of their life. The benefits to the consumer of our services are obvious. The home buying consumer understands the inherent real or potential conflicts of interest in buying a home through a "buyer agent" who's company lists property for sale - with the broker representing the company's sellers and the "designated agent" reporting to that broker. Unfortunately for the consumer - "designated agency" (legislated in the year 2000 by the State of Illinois - obliterating common law) - is "dual agency" in sheep's clothing.

The common misperception among traditional agents is that if you only work with buyers - you'll lose half of more of your income potential. In fact - they are repeatedly told that "listings are the name of the game" and that "buyers are liars" - and that they are a pain to work with. We have found that nothing could be further from the truth. All of our buyer clients have been very honest with us (the problem is - that traditional agents don't ask their buyers enough questions - they just sit them in a car & go - and thus feel surprised when they didn't know something about their own client), have been a joy to work with - and they have loved our services so much - we've received many referrals from them - thus making our business very efficient. We don't have to "look for buyers" - they come to us...because they know they will be represented in the best possible fashion - which is priceless.

We don't waste time and money "trolling for buyer clients" as traditional Realtors do - they come to us. The reason that traditional agents don't do what we do is very simple - greed. They think they will make more money if they "do both sides" - even though they know that it isn't the best thing for the consumer. We put the client's interests ahead of our own. We believe in pure honest representation of home buyers - with no "fence straddling" - with representation that includes no conflicts of interest. Some of them actually commented - they can't comprehend how we could have so much integrity (no kidding!) - and why in the world we wouldn't also list property for sale. We are of course - a threat to their existing business model - because the benefit of using our services is so obvious to the consumer.

We tour about 8 times as many homes as the average Real Estate agent during a year - because we are specialists. Showing homes, and negotiating on homes is what we do day-in and day-out. Consequently, we have a very deep understanding of the housing stock in most of the Chicago area - from downtown, and the suburban areas -- from Downers Grove on up to Grayslake and west to Cary and Crystal Lake - and East to the North Shore.

Our clients describe us as dedicated, passionate, and market-savvy professionals who puts their clients’ satisfaction before all else. They note our attention to detail, broad knowledge of the real estate in the Chicago area as a whole, and our pure determination to indulge our clients with first class service. We believe in straightforward business practices, in clear information and open communications. We believe in hard work, strong and intelligent negotiation, sincere listening, and gaining a very deep understanding of our client's needs.

We work in partnership with each client to ensure his or her success. We choose not to represent sellers, or list property for sale, so that we can always be on the buyer's side - 100% of the time, without any conflicts of interest. Via support from PAC money and mega-brokers - the State legislated "dual agency" in the year 2000 - abdicating common law. By allowing two agents from the same company to be involved in the same transaction - this leaves open the possibility that buyers and sellers confidential information - including financial situation and motivations - may be shared - intentionally, or unintentionally (overhead phone conversations, shared file cabinets and fax machines etc.) In contrast - our clients can share information freely with us - without worrying that it might get compromised.

We don't "hard-sell" people property - we counsel buyers about the positives AND the negatives - so that they make smart choices. Best of all - we don't cost more than ordinary agent. Our goal is to save you time, money, and effort. Since we do not represent sellers, we have no incentive to promote only certain properties.…we will show you any and all properties….and give you our unbiased, expert opinion on each one. We give you peace of mind, so you can relax, knowing that you have a partner who you can trust to give you full disclosure.

It's a big sacrifice to be an exclusive buyer's agent, there's no doubt about it because we choose to not "double dip" as traditional Real Estate companies and agents do, or split our time between buyers and sellers and being masters of none. We provide the value that buyer clients expect, exceeding their expectations, and gaining their friendship and true-trust, as shown by the many referrals we receive from them. 95% of our business is from referrals.

We believe that it is important for consumers to have access to a Real Estate brokerage that represents home buyers by being their true advocate. We want to have the best possible integrity when representing a buyer client - and this means not listing property for sale - even if that means less revenues.

With a traditional buyer's agent, you may start out with your agent representing only you, but if you become interested in a property listed by that agent, then your agent will ask you to sign a separate "dual agency" agreement permitting his or her firm to represent the seller's best interests too (or they will have to "designate" a different agent in the company to represent you, if the brokerage does not allow "dual agency" This means that the agent that was previously representing you - is now representing the seller of the property that you are interested in!)

My background is in Real Estate, advertising, marketing, competitive intelligence and strategic planning. I leverage these skills to give home buyers the ultimate advantage, when buying property.  

There are many exclusive buyer agencies across the US. If you are relocating out of the Chicago area - we will be happy to refer you to an exclusive buyer agency.  Many of them are members of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents. 

I attribute our success to identifying people's real needs, and providing the best possible research to find their dream home at the best possible price. Though every transaction between buyer and seller is an adversarial one - we are very good at keeping people's emotions in-check, and making sellers feel "somewhat ok" about our buyer client getting the best possible price.

Ultimately - the seller has to agree - and so it is important to understand what the sellers really want as well. Sometimes - that can be hidden. Believe it or not - sometimes the "little things" can be more important than the price to a seller. This includes how they are treated or (believe it or not) what they think of the "adversarial agent" or the people who will be buying their home. There is an old saying... "you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." Real Estate agents that come off as "heavy handed" or perceived as "railroading" things - can lose deal after deal for a buyer client, by alienating a seller-- which is not a good thing if you want to buy a home at the best possible price.

When you are looking for a home, you should demand the best possible information about the property and the seller -  in order to enhance your negotiating position. When you hire me or one of my agents, to help you find your next home, you know that you will have the best information possible - on schools, crime statistics, the community, the seller, upcoming changes in the community, home inspectors, Real Estate attorneys, lenders, and more.

We build our business on referrals from satisfied customers.  We exceed our clients’ expectations by providing outstanding customer service and a relationship of trust.  To ensure this - we only take clients who are open to doing what we need them to do, in order to achieve their goals.  In order to supply the best possible customer service --each of us works with no more than two buyer clients at one time. What does that mean to you? Near instant availability and attention - when you need it. We never accept buyers that have similar housing needs - in order to avoid any conflicts of interest.

Think of our recommendations and "coaching" - like a doctor who prescribes medication for their patient.  If the patient doesn't take their medication - there is less likelihood of a good outcome.  

 We deliver honesty and integrity and loyalty to our clients, and we demand the same in return - or we won't work with you.  We'll refer you to an agent at some other company. In addition, we only work with clients who have signed an exclusive buyer representation agreement with us - ensuring that your interests are protected in the best way possible. Without such an agreement - you are NOT being fully represented in your Real Estate transaction - and you are not guaranteed that you will receive an agent's best efforts or fiduciary-level representation. If there is no mutual loyalty - there isn't 100% effort on the part of both parties - period. Less than 100% effort means sub-par outcomes.

Vince Lombardi once stated: "Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work." "The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual."

As a home buyer - you deserve an edge - and you deserve honest, impartial service.  Realtors have been representing sellers for years, and all their training revolves around representing sellers in the best way possible. We have built a company on the foundation of representing home buyers in the best way possible.

As a buyer - ideally - you'd like to know the sellers original purchase price, date of purchase, how much equity they have in the home, how long the house been on the market, how many offers the seller has received (now or in the past), details of offers that fell through, how much are similar houses are selling for, how anxious is the seller to make a deal, and more... We give you the best shot in the industry at finding those things out.

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