Richard Hauser - Broker/Owner / REALTOR®  

ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative)

GRI (Graduate, Realtor Institute)

GCREP-GL (Green Real Estate Certification)

CNE (Certified Negotiation Expert)

Past Central Region Director and on Board of Directors of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents

University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Business - Finance, Investment & Banking Degree w/honors.  

Recognition for Exceptional Service on the Board of Directors - The National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents.  

Rick states, "I enjoy providing the most ethical form of representation in Real Estate to home buyers and investors.   I really enjoy touring homes with clients - being outdoors a lot - and "making someone's day" - by finding them their dream home, and getting it at a great price."

"My clients love the fact that I'm always on their side - and that unlike most agents - my interests are aligned with their interests, and not the opposite.   My clients always have the option to make the compensation in alignment with their interests -- or any other way that they choose.   Most clients opt to be nothing out of pocket for my services.... having the seller pick up the tab"

"My clients can have peace - enjoying the fact that I'm one of the top negotiators in Real Estate, in the Chicago area, and in the country.   Despite working very hard - I also enjoy "balance" and having  "a life"..... I love to work out at the YMCA (love yoga, pilates, zumba, weights, and swimming), I downhill and XC ski, play my trumpet with various bands around the Chicago area - including jazz/blues places, go dancing,  play tennis, play football each week during the winter in sub-zero temperatures and snow, golf, camp out, fly in power parachute aircraft, travel (I've been to over 60 different countries), walk my King Charles Cavalier dog at the dog park, compose movie soundtrack type music, watch movies, creative cooking with Penzey's spices (favorite - salmon on a cedar plank or chicken marsala), bocce ball, snow tubing, kayak, snorkle, scuba (PADI certified), enjoy reading spiritual-related books, write spiritual books, and do a few other things."

"I recently returned from NAEBA.org's Annual Conference in Tucson AZ.  Last year - it was on a cruise ship - Royal Carribean's Granduer of the Seas enroute to Cozumel Mexico and back."  

I enjoy giving back to the community by helping various causes - including performing laughter yoga in senior centers and hospitals - to cheer up senior citizens.   We also have a program (see lower link on left) that helps animal rescue organizations.  A percentage of each transaction is donated to the dog rescue organization of the buyer's choice.

Throughout the past decade, I've served home buyers on Chicago's North Shore, and the Northwest Suburbs (Barrington, Palatine, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Barrington Hills, Buffalo Grove, Hawthorn Woods, Lake Zurich, Long Grove, Wauconda/Island Lake, Mundelein, Libertyville, Vernon Hills.  I've also had a number of transactions to the southwest - in areas such as Roselle, St. Charles, Downers Grove, Lisle, Naperville, Aurora, Glen Ellyn, Plainfield. I've also served clients in downtown Chicago - and the communities of Lincoln Square, Logan Square, Bucktown/Wicker Park, and Portage Park - to name a few.

What makes me unique as an agent - is my broad knowledge of many different areas in Chicagoland, and my 25 years worth of high-end research and negotiation expertise from Fortune 500 companies.

I've lived in downtown Chicago, in Oak Park, in Palatine, and currently - in Hawthorn Woods.   My broad knowledge of the housing stock can be helpful to clients who wonder what areas might be best for them...

In 2009 - I earned the CNE - Certified Negotiation Expert designation.

Agents who receive the CNE are in the top 1% of all agents nationally, and the designation is ranked as one of the top 5 designations in Real Estate.

CNE agents have a powerful competitive edge because of their ability to uncover information effectively, get more and give less during sales/purchase negotiations, and retain control over desired outcomes.

CNE agents know how to influence and persuade others more effectively than agents without professional negotiation training.  The coup d'état is the competitive intelligence background...

When you hire a CNE agent - AND and Exclusive Buyer Agent who is a member of NAEBA (www.naeba.org), and many years of experise in corporate competitive intellgence  - you can feel confident that you have the best trained agent in the business.    I enjoy delivering superior results.

The "GCREP-GL" - Green Leadership certification - covers green building concepts - and knowledge of unique energy efficient technologies in home building. This specialized knowledge helps me save our clients 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.

Now that it is a buyer's market, real estate buyers are in the drivers seat. So it is a great time to get a good deal if you are looking to buy real estate. There are some great deals out there - but a buyer needs to make sure they are protected in the buying process.

Buyers that are looking to buy real estate are better served if they work with a real estate agent that specializes in working with buyers and does not take real estate listings.   In that way - there is 100% representation of the buyer - 100% of the time.  They have a specialist - not a generalist (who can sometimes be half on the seller's side.)   

Some agents find it difficult to negotiate hard on their clients behalf - and some don't have very much training in negotiation.  Anyone can find someone a home (though there are more efficient ways to do that) - but there is a vast difference in an agent's ability to secure the best possible price for their client.   The difference between a professional negotiator and a generalist can be tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional savings (depending upon the price range.)

Just as information is power in national defense or in corporate strategy development - it is power when in the hands of the buyer who is contemplating a purchase in real estate.    

Buyers deserve to have the best possible "due diligence" on a property.  Some of the information they need resides in databases - and some of it comes from human sources....

This current real estate market offers a great opportunity for buyers who are in a great position to buy. Inventories are high, interest rates are low and sellers are highly motivated. 

The majority of real estate agents (even the co-called "buyer agents") - represent sellers most of their time - because they are taught that "listings are the name of the game."   They use the seller's money to conduct print advertising that they know is less than 2% effective - because it nets them home buyer leads.   So - this creates inefficiencies in the industry.   No company in it's right mind would use dollars like that to advertise - but they do, because it's "free money." 

One office representing both buyers and sellers is like a law firm having two of it's attorneys representing two individuals who are adversaries.   Interestingly, it isn't allowed in the legal profession - and it shouldn't be allowed in Real Estate.  But it is... 

Unfortunately - it is the consumer that suffers.  The traditional firms have so watered down how they represent consumers to reduce their legal liability, that the form of representation that consumers receive just isn't that good.

Training seminars and classes for traditional agents are geared toward increasing listings and supporting sellers. The preferred method of finding buyers for traditional agents is centered on getting more listings. Listings generate calls and inquiries from buyers.

The problem is - the agent representing the buyer in that office reports to his broker.  That broker represents listed sellers.  So - the broker really can't give too much advice to the agent representing the buyer.  Then there is overheard phone conversations, shared fax machines and file cabinets, or buddy helping buddy -- all potentially compromising the buyer's interests.  

If the "buyer agent's" buyer client becomes interested in that agent's listing - the buyer agent has to say "Sorry Joe - I know you thought you were going to be fully represented - but now I have to be half on the seller's side - and I can't help you in any way in negotiation.  I can't tell you anything I know about the seller or their situation.  You are on your own.  Or - I can refer you to another agent in my office and they can be your agent - but I promise not to tell my listed seller anything I know about you - including the price you were willing to pay..."

Since we don't list property for sale or ever represent seller - buyers don't have those risks.   We are also specialists - not generalists.

Our clients can share information freely with us - without worrying that it might get compromised.   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 people peace of mind, so they can relax, knowing that they have a partner who they can trust - who is totally on their side all the time -- giving them full disclosure.

While other agents have suffered during the downturn - we have been flourishing.  Over 1/3 of all agents quit the business in 2009.  We are still here - and thriving...  Buyers come to us because they know we are specialists - and very good at what we do. When people want the best possible purchase price in a buyer's market - they choose an Exclusive Buyer Agent.

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 aren't going to "sell" them on anything.  That is reinforced by the way that we are compensated.  Any advertised bonuses or rebates go to our buyer client.  If what is paid out is more than what was contracted with our client - our client receives a rebate from us.  If it is less - we simply have the seller kick in the difference - so that our client is nothing out of pocket to us - no matter how they choose to compensate us.   We are their advocates, personal coach and consultants.

My business is about being totally honest and upfront with clients - and providing high integrity and the best form of representation they can receive.  Not watered-down representation...

We take a lot of extra time with our clients - to do a lot more research, so that they can feel more confident in the decision that they will be making about a particular home.   We take more time in negotiation as well.  And more time in helping them save a lot of money on their loan.   The extra time that we expend over other agents - pays of for our clients.

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.

We don't "straddle the fence" and only provide "half representation" (doing both sides or "double dipping") - which is really no representation at all.  A fully informed client is a happy client - and a less stressed client. 

The reason that home buying is stressful for many - is that their agent didn't ask them a lot of questions up-front - and is scattered in the homes that they show their client.   The client also has to worry about what they aren't being told - and that they are being "sold" - rather than having all the information that they really need.  Also - they have to wonder why their agent is getting paid more, when their price goes up. 

Is the buyer being asked to come up in price because their agent wants the deal done - for their check - rather than having to show their buyer properties for another two weeks or a month - even though it might not be a good buy - but the buyer's agent painted it that way?   How is the buyer to know?  Comparable market analyses are "an art form."

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 professionalism, courtesy, kindness, generosity, and in honest competition.

We tour about 8 times as many homes as the average Real Estate agent during a year - because we are specialists.  So we know the housing stock better.

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 give first class service.

We only take clients who are open communicators, have realistic expectations and goals, and who are "coachable."    That means that they are open to doing what we need them to do, in order to achieve their goals.  

We help our clients have a very deep understanding about why they are buying a home - and what their true priorities are - because, there is no perfect home.  There are always trade-offs....

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 our past clients.   95% of our business is from referrals.  We do no advertising.

That allows us to spend more time with existing clients - and offer them a higher level of service.

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. 

I attribute our success to expertly identifying people's real needs, and providing the best possible research to find their dream home at the best possible price.  It's that simple. 

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.  We offer up quite a bit of hard facts and data to support a given case.

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.  When a listing agent reveals that - it gives more creative possibilities for win/win.   

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  what they think of the 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.

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.  All our training revolves around representing home buyers in a better way.

We help you find out 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... 

Call us today at 847-566-7558 to set up a free initial consultation.  If you've read this far - congratulations!   You are a good reader... Have a great day.