Buying or selling a home can feel overwhelming—like trying to solve a puzzle without all the pieces. There’s a lot of new words thrown in that might also be confusing.

But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Whether you’re buying your first home or selling your family’s house, here’s an easy guide to the key players in the real estate process, as well as what they do for you, or DON’T do for you!.

Looking for a specific player? Click below:

• Buyer
• Seller
• Seller’s Agent (AKA Buyers Agent)
• Listing Agent (AKA Sellers Agent)
• Attorney
• Closing Agent

Buyer

Role: The buyer is the person looking to purchase a home. They work closely with their agent to find the right property, make an offer, and navigate the entire buying process.

• Prepare Repair Request: After the inspection, the buyer will work with their agent to create a list of repairs they’d like the seller to address before closing. These should be safety and defect, NOT silly little things that would take you 10 minutes to do yourself. Remember, you aren’t buying a new house (usually). The buyer’s agent will submit this list to the seller’s agent in the form of a repair request.
  *NOTE* Unless the amount of safety and defect is at least $2000, the seller is not obligated to address or fix anything, and the buyer will still be required to see the contract through to closing.
• Attend Final Walkthrough: During the final walkthrough, the buyer checks that any agreed-upon repairs have been completed, ensures the home is in the same condition as when they first saw it, and confirms that all personal items have been removed. They also verify that appliances and systems are in working order and that no unapproved changes were made to the home. This is the buyer’s last chance to catch any issues before closing and address them with the seller.
• Attend Closing: At closing, the buyer signs the final documents, pays closing costs, and officially takes ownership of the home.
  

Seller

Role: The seller is the current homeowner looking to sell their property. In some instances, the contact person is not the seller, but is acting on behalf of the seller. And example of this is if a property is an estate, and multiple people will need to make the final decision.

They work with a listing agent to market the home, negotiate offers, negotiate repairs, make any agreed upon repairs, and attend closing.

What They’re Expected to Do:

• Review Offer(s): The sellers Realtor will present the offers to the seller. With the Realtor’s help, the seller to decide which one to accept or counteroffer.
• Negotiate Repairs: Sellers may need to negotiate with the buyer on repairs. Unless the threshold for safety and defect is at least $2,000 (as of 1/2025), the seller isn’t obligated to respond. And the buyer will still be obligated to see the contact through.
• Prepare for Closing: Sellers need to gather necessary documents, such as the deed, current mortgage payoff, and take care of any outstanding home repairs or requests made during inspections. They should have everything packed and out of the house before the buyers do the final walk-through (this most often happens a couple of hours before closing, or the night before if closing is early).
• Attend Closing: At closing, the seller signs off on the sale and transfers ownership to the buyer, often walking away with their proceeds from the sale after paying off the mortgage and any other fees.

Buyer’s Agent (Also Known as Selling Agent)

Role: In a real estate transaction, the attorney serves as a key protector of the legal process.

What They’re Expected to Do:

• Finding Homes: They help buyers search for properties that match their needs and budget, often using the MLS and their industry connections. A present, and vested Buyer’s Agent will be actively looking at active homes, For Sale By Owner, and private listings to find you a home.
• Scheduling Showings: They arrange and attend property showings, offering insights on potential homes.
• Providing Market Analysis: When a buyer finds a home they want to offer on, the Buyers Agent will compare the home to others that have recently sold to make sure the offer price is a good decision.
• Writing & Negotiating Offers: They draft purchase agreements (offers) and negotiate terms, including price, contingencies, and repairs.
• Advising on and Attend Inspections & Advise on Repairs: They suggest inspectors, schedule, and guide buyers through home inspections. This allows the buyer to continue to do what they need to do. The Buyer’s agent will help interpret results, and negotiate necessary repairs.
  *NOTE* it is not necessary for your Buyer Agent to attend all inspections.
• Coordinating with Lenders & Attorneys: They work with the buyer’s lender, attorney, and other professionals to ensure a smooth transaction. Good agents will follow up with the lender to insure that important contract dates agent missed. If dates are missed, the buyer could end up needing to pay more money, or even LOSE money they have already invested.
• Schedule and Attend Final Walkthrough: As noted above, your Buyer Agent will help you make sure that agreed upon repairs were completed, the home is in the same condition as when you made the offer, no unauthorized changes were made and all personal items are out of the home.
• Attend Closing: Honestly, we don’t do a whole lot at the closing table. But we have been with you through the whole process, and this is the final step. And it can be intense! Our job is to be a familiar face, a cheerleader, a calming influence, and if necessary, to help you understand further what you are signing (though we are not experts, that’s why we suggest and attorney who can better understand all of the legal jargon).

Sellers’s Agent (Also Known as Listing Agent)

Role: The buyer’s agent is THE SELLER’S representative. They are THE SELLERS expert. The Seller’s Agent, or Seller’s Realtor legally obligated to do what is best for the seller, not themselves. This is outlined in the Listing Contract.

A great seller’s agent is an advocate, negotiator, marketer, connector, and trusted advisor. Different from a Buyer’s agent, the Seller’s agent should work with the sellers to identify issues and potential concerns as well as potential price increasing tasks for the seller, well before activating the listing.

What They’re Expected to Do:

• Preview the home: This happens at the initial meeting. During this time the listing agent should take notes of features and items that might need to be fixed or updated, dates of mechanicals or updates, take note of any safety or defect that exist on the property, and gather all information from the seller to make sure they will be able to counsel on a proper listing price. I typically create a “Honey-Do List” for my sellers with different levels of necessity and ideas of how to make the house present better to possible buyers.
• Providing Market Analysis: When seller wants to sell their home the Listing agent will compare the home to others that have recently sold to make sure the listing price is a good decision. While the listing price is ultimately up to the seller, it is the Listing Agent’s job to make sure that the home is priced competitively, appropriately and with attention to the current market.
• Writing & Negotiating Offers: The Listing agent will review contracts and offers, negotiate terms, including price, contingencies, and repairs, and advise on any repair requests
• Schedule Inspections & Advise on Repairs: The Buyer’s agent will work with the Seller’s agent, and the seller, to schedule the inspections that were agreed up on in the contract. Neither the seller, or the Seller’s agent will attend inspections. If the total inspection safety and defect amount is at least $2000, the seller is legally required to respond to the request, not necessarily agree to all items.
• Coordinating with Lenders & Attorneys: While it is not always necessary, sometimes a Seller’s Realtor will reach out to the buyer’s lender to clarify any concerned with the prequalification letter. As an act of good faith, the Seller’s agent will typically talk to the Buyer’s agent first. The Seller’s agent will also work with the lender to schedule appraisal, at a time that works for the seller. If the house is very unique, or has some unusual price-increasing features that make it more difficult for the appraiser to compare, the Seller’s agent *might* supply the comps they used to price the property, to the appraiser. This could help further support the list price of the home.
• Schedule the Final Walkthrough: Part of the home selling process is for the buyer to do a final walkthrough with their Realtor. This typically happens within 24 hours of closing. This is the time when the buyer will make sure that any agreed upon repairs are done, as well as confirm that the condition of the property hasn’t deteriorated since the initial offer. They will also confirm that all items listed as selling with the property are still in place (i.e. appliances, mirrors, window coverings, etc.).
• Attend Closing: Honestly, we don’t do a whole lot at the closing table. But we have been with you through the whole process, and this is the final step. And it can be intense! Our job is to be a familiar face, a cheerleader, a calming influence, and if necessary, to help you understand further what you are signing (though we are not experts, that’s why we suggest and attorney who can better understand all of the legal jargon).

Attorney

Role: The real estate attorney is the legal expert in the transaction. They’re responsible for reviewing documents, protecting your legal rights, and ensuring the contract and closing process go smoothly and by the book. In Illinois (and several other states), having an attorney involved is standard practice.

Having an attorney as a buyer and seller isn’t an Illinois requirement, but if you end up needing help outside of reading contracts, clarifying contracts, and protecting your best interest, you will be very glad you made the investment.

What They’re Expected to Do:

• Review the Contract: After a purchase agreement is signed, there is typically an attorney review period (usually 3-5 business days). The attorney reviews the contract and can suggest changes, clarify language, and make sure it accurately reflects the agreement between the parties.
• Negotiate Legal Terms: The attorney may work with the other party’s attorney to negotiate contract changes, repair terms, or inspection-related credits. They help ensure the final agreement is fair and legally sound.
• Examine Title Work: Attorneys review the title commitment to make sure the seller has the legal right to transfer ownership and that there are no liens, judgments, or title defects that could affect the buyer’s rights.
• Coordinate with the Title Company and Lender: They communicate with the title company, lender, and agents to ensure all documents are correct and ready for closing. This includes the settlement statement, deed, and any lender-required forms.
• Attend or Review the Closing: The attorney ensures the closing documents are accurate, answers any last-minute questions, and confirms everything is in place for a successful transfer of ownership.
• Step In When Issues Arise: If problems come up such as missed deadlines, disputes over contract terms, or one party trying to back out unfairly, the attorney steps in to interpret the contract, enforce the terms, and protect their client’s rights. They help resolve conflicts before they turn into bigger legal battles.

Closing Agent

Role: The closing agent (also known as a settlement agent or escrow officer) ensures the transaction is completed accurately and legally. They manage the final documents, handle the transfer of funds, and oversee the official change of ownership. As a neutral third party they coordinate with all sides to bring everything together at the closing table.

What They’re Expected to Do:

• Prepare Final Documents: Organize and review all paperwork, including the settlement statement, deed, loan documents, and disclosures.
• Handle Funds: Collect and distribute all funds—down payments, loan proceeds, agent commissions, taxes, and other closing costs.
• Coordinate Communication: Work with agents, attorneys, lenders, and title companies to ensure everything is complete and accurate before closing.
• Confirm Clear Title: Make sure any title issues are resolved and that title insurance is issued when applicable.
• Record the Sale: Once closing is complete, file the deed and other necessary documents with the county to officially transfer ownership.
• Provide Copies: Ensure all parties receive final, signed copies of the closing documents for their records.