How to Find Your Dream Home

Are you ready to begin searching for your dream home? Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or moving from your existing home to something that better fits your needs today, these four steps will help you kick off and simplify your home buying process.



1. Set a realistic and meaningful budget

Before you begin your house hunt, you should establish a realistic budget. It can be hard to guess how far your money will go, especially due to recent inflation and rising mortgage rates. You need to account for the closing costs of the property, taxes and other costs associated with a new home.

 

A mortgage lender can help you realistically assess your budget during the pre-approval process. A mortgage pre-approval, which is in effect for two or three months, states that you are qualified to borrow a certain amount from the bank under specific terms. 

Smiling couple sitting in a drawn room

When you’re pre-approved for a mortgage, you’ll have a clearer picture of what you can afford to spend on a home. Then, you can limit your search to homes in your budget. It will also make you a better candidate after you’ve made an offer on a home, if you find yourself in a multiple-offer situation.


In order to get pre-approved, you’ll need to bring information about your income and assets to a lender. They will also check your credit score, and ask about how much you have saved for a down payment. Then, they’ll let you know the loan you can expect. A pre-approval is not binding, so feel free to talk to a few different mortgage lenders and compare terms.



The pre-approval process may seem like a lot of stressful paperwork when all you want to do is get out and see some houses, but it will set you up for success in your home search.

Don't forget!

If you’re moving from an apartment to a house your utility bills will likely increase, since you’ll be heating, cooling and lighting a larger space. If you have been renting, these costs, as well as your water bill, may have been included in your monthly rent. Be sure to include estimates of utility costs into your calculations when you determine how much you can spend on your new home. You’ll also want to factor in moving costs, needed renovations or repairs, set-up fees for Internet and TV service and costs associated with taking care of the exterior of the property.

2. Figure out your must-haves and deal-breakers


When you first start thinking about the home you want, it’s easy to dream big. When you begin listing all the things you’re looking for, your home may require a spacious guest bedroom, a finished basement, a kitchen with the latest features and a massive landscaped yard. And if you’re house hunting as part of a family, everyone may have their own priorities.


But try taking a step back — which elements are most important to you, and which are things you want to have but could live without? Maybe you can redo the kitchen once you move in, or you’d trade that yard for proximity to a beautiful public park.


Now, make sure you know what aspects of a home are absolute dealbreakers. If you’ve lived next to a noisy highway for years and already know you won’t do it again, don’t even bother putting homes that fit that description on your tour list.



To ensure you have a reasonable set of must-haves and deal-breakers, take everything you’ve listed from your dream home brainstorm and rank them in order of importance. Then, you’ll know your priorities when you begin touring homes and can find the house that fits your needs.

3. Consider your neighborhood options


Before you start looking at individual homes, take some time to get to know the neighborhoods you’re considering. If your circumstances allow, take a day trip to each area you’re most interested in. Don’t just stay in your car — get out and take a walk around. Figure out where you’d likely go for groceries, shopping or a meal out, and get a sense of what the trip is like. If you are moving with kids or intend to have them in your new home, do some research on the schools and on nearby places they can go for sports, arts or other after-school activities.


You don’t want to limit your options too tightly at this stage, but getting a sense of different neighborhoods you may consider may help you hone your priorities. Look back at your list of must-haves and deal-breakers to determine whether a neighborhood is the right fit for you and your family. Knowing what you like about one area or another will help your REALTOR® recommend additional places to broaden your search if needed.

4. Work with a Mainstreet REALTOR®


As you start your house hunt process, you’ll soon realize it’s a lot to manage on your own, especially if you’re moving to a new area. A Mainstreet REALTOR® can help you gain access to any of the homes for sale that match your needs, provide guidance throughout the buying process and serve as your advocate in negotiations. Whether you want to buy a new home, buy a vacation home, or find a luxury house for sale, you'll want a Mainstreet REALTOR® by your side.


When looking for a real estate professional to help you find your dream home, be sure you choose a Mainstreet REALTOR®. Anyone with a real estate license can be a real estate agent, but Mainstreet REALTORS® are held to higher standards. They follow a strict Code of Ethics set by the National Association of REALTORS®. This code protects homebuyers and sellers by guiding how REALTORS® represent their clients in every step of the process, ensuring all parties are treated fairly and with respect.


In addition to meeting this higher standard, your Mainstreet REALTOR® can contribute:


Local Expertise

Mainstreet REALTORS® work locally, and bring firsthand knowledge of the market to your home search. Sure, anyone can research home listings online, but a local Mainstreet REALTOR® will bring years of experience in a given neighborhood to help you find homes that fit your criteria. They can advise you on the best time to start looking based on the local market, and what to consider when you make an offer.


Data

Mainstreet REALTORS® have access to the Multiple Listing Service, which provides the most accurate and up-to-date information on homes in your area. With it, your Mainstreet REALTOR® can find you homes that fit your needs and help you negotiate throughout the buying process.


Specialized Training

Depending on your needs, you may want to work with a Mainstreet REALTOR® with a certain specialty. Through Associations like Mainstreet REALTORS®, REALTORS® have access to continuing education opportunities in real estate. Many become certified in specialties like military relocation or working with homes with environmentally-friendly features. When you work with a Mainstreet REALTOR® with the relevant certification, you know they have experience finding exactly the type of home you're looking for.


Whatever your needs, your Mainstreet REALTOR® will guide you through how to buy a house that's right for you.


Ready to start your home search? Hire a Mainstreet REALTOR® today and take the first step toward finding your dream home.

Chicagoland Home Prices Rise 7% as Housing Market Remains Steady

By Amy Robey • August 19, 2026
The median sale price for detached homes rose 7% in the Chicagoland suburbs last month as compared to the same timeframe in 2025. At the same time, the number of homes sold and under contract held relatively steady, indicating price pressure is not slowing the market down as some expected. “Buyers have come around to the fact that prices and interest rates are not going to come down any time soon,” said Kinga Korpacz, President of Mainstreet REALTORS®. “In July, we saw that they’re still willing to get in the game, despite the fact that buying a home continues to get more expensive.” The median sale price for a detached home in Chicagoland was $420,000 in July 2025. In July 2026, it reached $450,000. These local trends are consistent with national data from the National Association of REALTORS®, which show year-over-year increases in housing prices across the country. However, today’s market isn’t all bad news for buyers. “We are seeing smart buyers with REALTORS® by their side finding ways to get an advantage in this market,” explained Korpacz. “When a buyer works with a REALTOR® who can help them understand hyperlocal market data, they can come in and make a very strategic offer. This is the case even for a home they feel they might be priced out of affording and they can still win at a price they feel good about.” Even as prices continue to rise, buyers are making fewer concessions, as well. “Gone are the days of having to waive an inspection just to compete,” Korpacz said. In recent months, pricing has not been the only thing holding buyers back. The start of the year was marked by extremely low housing supply in Chicagoland. In January and February, data from MRED showed just 1.7 months worth of housing supply in the Chicagoland PMSA, meaning it would take just 1.7 months to sell through all available home listings. However, that number began to climb back up in May and in July 2026 reached 2 months of housing supply. “If you’ve been sitting out of the housing market due to low supply or rising prices, now is the time to jump back in,” said John Gormley, CEO of Mainstreet REALTORS®. "Price increases seem to be here to stay so buying a home will likely get more expensive if you wait, not less. And now, we’re seeing that buyers are also finding more houses that meet their requirements which gives them more power, especially if they have a Mainstreet REALTOR® by their side.” While most suburban Chicagoland communities saw prices increase in July 2026, some actually saw prices fall, making these areas good targets for buyers who are concerned about affordability. Notable year-over-year median sale price decreases for detached homes included: Justice (median sale price decreased -30.0%) Winthrop Harbor (-19.7%) Oak Brook (-19.2%) Elmhurst (-16.8%) Richton Park (-16.5%) Burr Ridge (-16.4%) Palos Park (-15.5%) Markham (-14.1%) Hickory Hills (-13.2%) Bridgeview (-13.0%). If you’re buying or selling in this market, make sure to ask your Mainstreet REALTOR® to help you interpret the local data in your ideal community so you can use it to your advantage. To find a Mainstreet REALTOR® you can trust visit https://www.chicagolandhomes.com/realtor/agents .

Chicagoland Suburbs Moving at Different Speeds This Spring

By Amy Robey • May 20, 2026
Chicagoland's suburban housing market showed continued resilience in April, even as sales stagnated compared to a year ago.
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