Key takeaways:
- The best REALTOR for relocation buyers in Chicago is one who knows how to run the entire process remotely, communicates proactively across time zones, and has a deep enough grasp of Chicago's neighborhoods to match you to the right one without multiple costly trips.
- Riley Hextell is ranked #1 at eXp Realty Illinois for total transactions in 2025, top 50 of 80,000+ agents companywide, and holds 141+ five-star Google reviews — the kind of track record that matters when you're making a major decision from out of state.
- Relocation buyers need more than a licensed agent — they need a local expert who can advise on commute realities, neighborhood character, property types, and Chicago's specific contract process, all before you ever set foot on a plane.
The best REALTOR for relocation home buyers in Chicago is one who can do three things well: translate your lifestyle and commute needs into specific Chicago neighborhoods before you ever visit, manage the entire process remotely so you don't have to fly in for every step, and move decisively when the right home appears — because well-priced homes here don't sit. Riley Hextell does exactly that, and the results bear it out: #1 at eXp Realty Illinois for total transactions in 2025, top 50 of more than 80,000 agents companywide, and 2024 Chicago Association of Realtors Rookie of the Year.
If you're moving to Chicago from another state or another country, the full Chicago Buyer's Roadmap walks through every step of the purchase process so you know what to expect before your first conversation with an agent.
What Makes Relocation Buyers Different
Relocation buyers face a fundamentally different set of pressures than local buyers. You have less time on the ground, less room for error, and in many cases, a start date that doesn't move. Those constraints don't have to work against you if your agent is set up to handle them — but they absolutely will if your agent isn't.
Here's what sets relocation buyers apart from typical Chicago buyers:
- You're likely deciding between neighborhoods you've only researched online, not walked.
- You may have a corporate relocation package with specific timelines, reimbursement rules, or lender requirements.
- You can't drive by a property on a Tuesday afternoon to get a gut feel.
- You may be buying while still managing a job, a household, and a potential sale somewhere else.
- If you're buying a condo, you need someone who knows what to ask about the building before you write an offer — reserve fund balance, any upcoming or past special assessments, and any known building issues — because you won't have the luxury of slow, in-person discovery.
None of these are deal-breakers. They're just reasons to be more deliberate about which agent you hire.
How Riley Works With Relocation Buyers
Riley's process for out-of-state buyers is built around reducing uncertainty before you commit to anything. That means a detailed intake conversation to understand your work location, commute tolerance, lifestyle priorities, and must-haves versus nice-to-haves. From there, he narrows the neighborhood list to a realistic shortlist — not a vague "these are all great areas" rundown, but a specific recommendation based on where you'll actually be spending your time.
Virtual tours, video walkthroughs, and real-time neighborhood context are standard. Riley will tell you when a home is priced right and worth acting on, and when it isn't — which matters more when you're not in the city to develop your own read on the market.
He's also a U.S. Navy veteran, which means a structured, clear-headed approach to high-stakes situations is baked in. When timelines are tight and the stakes are real, that orientation is useful.
Matching Neighborhoods to Your Life
Chicago is not one market. It's dozens of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own housing stock, commute profile, price range, and day-to-day character. Choosing the wrong one — especially from out of state — is a costly mistake that takes years to undo.
Here's a simplified way to think about neighborhood fit for relocation buyers:
- Walkability and urban density: River North, West Loop, Lincoln Park, Old Town
- Quieter feel, strong schools access: Lincoln Square, Andersonville, Roscoe Village
- Transit-forward commute: Lakeview, Wicker Park, Logan Square, Pilsen
- More space, single-family options: Norwood Park, Beverly, Edison Park, Jefferson Park
- Waterfront access: Streeterville, Gold Coast, South Loop
This table is a starting point, not a prescription. Riley's job is to take your actual situation — employer location, family size, lifestyle, budget range — and translate it into a specific, reasoned recommendation. That conversation is far more valuable than any map.
For buyers relocating specifically for corporate positions, the guide on what corporate buyers should know before closing in Andersonville goes deeper on commute logistics, property type tradeoffs, and what to watch for when time is compressed.
The Chicago Buying Process for Out-of-State Buyers
The Illinois purchase process has some features that differ from other states, and relocation buyers who've bought before elsewhere can get caught off guard.
- Get pre-approved before you start looking. This isn't optional in Chicago's market. A pre-approval letter from a lender familiar with Illinois closes is what gets your offer taken seriously.
- Understand the attorney review period. Illinois is an attorney review state, which means both parties hire real estate attorneys who review and can modify the contract after it's signed. This is normal, expected, and built into the timeline — but if you've only bought in states without this step, it can feel unfamiliar.
- Factor in the transfer taxes. Chicago and Cook County both collect transfer taxes at closing. The amounts vary and change over time, so confirm current figures with your attorney and your agent — but budget for them as a closing cost.
- Know your condo-specific questions. If you're considering a condo, ask the listing agent before writing an offer: what is the reserve fund balance, are there any upcoming or past special assessments, and are there any known building issues? Everything else — meeting minutes, bylaws, the 22.1 disclosure — gets reviewed after you go under contract during the attorney review period.
- Move when it's right. Well-priced homes in sought-after Chicago neighborhoods do not wait. Your agent needs to be someone who can reach you quickly, present the situation clearly, and help you make a confident decision without forcing it.
Why Track Record Matters More for Relocation Buyers
When you're buying from out of state, you have very little margin for an agent who's still figuring things out. Mispriced offers, missed contingency windows, weak negotiation, or poor communication with a listing agent can cost you the home — or cost you more than you should pay for it.
Riley's 141+ five-star Google reviews aren't a marketing stat. They're a signal that client after client had an experience worth going out of their way to document. For relocation buyers who can't vet an agent the same way a local would — by reputation, by referral from a neighbor, by running into them at open houses — that public record of performance is exactly the kind of signal that should matter.
For a broader look at what separates a strong Chicago agent from an average one, the guide on how to choose the right REALTOR in Chicago lays out the specific questions to ask and what the answers tell you.
Getting Started
The earlier you connect with an agent, the better your outcome tends to be — especially for relocation buyers. Even if your move is three to six months out, a conversation now gives you time to understand the market, get your financing in order, and make a deliberate neighborhood decision rather than a rushed one.
Reach Riley at 815-545-7476, [email protected], or at rileyhextell.com. The first conversation costs nothing and usually clarifies a lot.
Have a question about your situation?
Moving to Chicago and want a neighborhood recommendation based on your actual commute and lifestyle — not a generic list? Send Riley your situation and he'll map it to specific areas worth looking at.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I contact a Chicago agent before my relocation move date?
Three to six months out is ideal if your timeline allows it. That window gives you time to get pre-approved, learn the market, and understand neighborhood options before you need to make a fast decision. If your timeline is shorter, don't wait — a good agent can compress the process, but earlier is always better for relocation buyers.
Can I buy a home in Chicago without visiting in person first?
It's possible, and it happens more than you might expect. Virtual tours, video walkthroughs, and a well-connected local agent can cover a lot of ground remotely. That said, most relocation buyers who go this route benefit from at least one focused trip to walk the neighborhoods they're seriously considering before going under contract. Your agent can help you make that trip as efficient as possible.
What closing costs should relocation buyers budget for in Chicago?
In addition to the standard lender fees, inspection costs, and title charges, Chicago buyers pay city and county transfer taxes at closing. The exact amounts shift over time, so confirm current figures with your attorney and agent early in the process so they don't surprise you at the closing table. Budget conservatively.
Is Illinois an attorney review state, and what does that mean for my timeline?
Yes. In Illinois, both the buyer and seller typically hire real estate attorneys who review the contract after it's signed and executed. This review period is where the 22.1 condo disclosure, HOA documents, and building financials are reviewed if you're buying a condo. It's a standard part of the process, not a sign of trouble, but it adds a step and a professional relationship to manage — one more reason to have an agent who's done this many times and communicates clearly throughout.