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Welcome to Chicago
Renters
Home Buyers
International Transferees

Welcome To Chicago

Getting To Know Metropolitan Chicago

• General introduction and background on Chicago
• Cultural amenities (arts, sports, nightlife)
• City neighborhoods overview (detailed maps highlighting over fifty Chicago neighborhoods)
• Finding your way around Chicago, including the city numbering system
• Suburban overview (Cook and collar counties)

Commuting/Housing Issues

• Commuting information (auto, Metra, CTA, Pace) including maps/fare structure
• Tax information (property tax, sales tax, state income tax)
• Public and private school information as needed
• Corporate Housing as needed
• Chicagoland housing/apartment types

Post-Move

• Automobile information (DMV locations, highways, vehicle stickers, emission tests, registration)
• Services, utilities and media directory
• General Chicago area information (Chicago web sites, restaurant guides, entertainment directories, change of address kit, brochures on area attractions, etc.) 

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Renters
In addition to the general consultation, renters will receive the following services:

• Price ranges by neighborhood (for Chicago) and by community (for suburbs)
• For city renters - Appointments, marked maps and itineraries to meet with pre-screened rental agents, when appropriate, who will assist in viewing appropriate properties. In addition, we can supply classified listings for Chicago apartments listed by neighborhood, size and price.
• For suburban apartment renters - Comprehensive listings of area apartments. We will call, verify availabilities/prices, and map out specific apartment complexes.
• Specific information on rental practices (financial qualifying criteria, parking fees, information on leases, deposits, credit checks, etc.)

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Home Buyers
In addition to the general consultation, purchasers will receive the following services:

• Appointments, marked maps and itineraries to meet with select, full-time, professional pre-screened real estate agents in appropriate communities.
• Overview of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
• Characteristics of Chicago area local real estate customs & practices, including buyer agency, homeowner disclosure, market studies and inspections.
• Standard qualifying criteria for purchases (mortgage, taxes, insurance)
• "Doing The Paperwork" overview taking the client step-by-step on what information is needed when applying for a mortgage, signing a contract, closing a sale, etc.
• Overview of typical home buying costs

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International Transferees
For international clients Relocation Associates provides all of the above services plus a customized orientation that emphasizes the ways Chicago differs from the transferee’s home country, including information on the following:

• Social Security Card/Banking
• Shopping practices (including automobile purchases)
• School differences
• Lists of Chambers of Commerce, consulates, clubs, English as Second Language courses (if appropriate), bank holidays and more.

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© Relocation Associates Inc., 2000.