Buying a property with cash speeds up the process, removes lender requirements, and eliminates mortgage-related costs. Without bank-imposed conditions, many cash buyers assume the transaction is simple. However, real estate purchases always carry legal risks.  Foregoing legal representation exposes buyers to significant financial and legal issues. Working with a real estate attorney protects cash buyers […]

Imagine discovering that the home you’ve lived in for years no longer belongs to you—or learning that the property you just purchased was sold to you by someone who didn’t even own it. These scenarios are as alarming as they are real because they result from deed fraud. Deed fraud is a crime that leaves […]

Buying a condo in Illinois offers a unique opportunity to balance ownership with shared responsibility. Condos provide amenities, convenience, and a community-focused lifestyle, but they also have considerations that differ from buying a single-family home. Evaluating these elements carefully will determine whether you reach the closing table without avoidable surprises. The Unique Elements of Buying […]

Residential real estate transactions involve many moving parts. Anyone who has gone through the process will remember a series of events that must happen in a specific order. On the Holmes-Stress Scale of difficult events in people’s lives, a mortgage ranks 20th, and moving is 32nd. We point that out because the common myth is […]

Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions because it can set you up for years. This process, however, involves coordination between several service providers, including your real estate agent, mortgage lender, inspector, and lawyer. Understanding how each person fits into the overall picture and keeping communication open will benefit you. Treating […]

Buying a house with a tenant may not be as far-fetched as you might assume. Think of a seller who rented their property and has decided to list it. If you want to buy a property with a tenant living in it, additional factors come into play. You’ll be forced to decide whether to adopt […]

When people buy and sell a house, there are often questions about which appliances come with the offer. For instance, if you do the final walk-through before closing and realize that the refrigerator is gone and there are large holes where the TV mounts used to be, is this normal? You will know what comes […]

Land surveys are essential tools in real estate transactions. They help determine property boundaries, locate structures, and identify encroachments or easements. Understanding the differences in how land surveys are handled in Indiana and Illinois is of massive import to both buyers and sellers. One of the key points that we continue to highlight through these […]

Are you considering buying or developing land? Are you a property owner looking to settle a land dispute? If so, you’re probably looking at investing in a survey plan. If you are buying a home in Illinois, the seller must provide a survey that is less than six months old. In Indiana, the buyer can […]

When buying or selling property, you might not think much about the legal processes involved—especially the attorney review period in real estate transactions. We are examining how significantly the law varies between Illinois and Indiana and what that means for you as you buy and sell real property.  The Attorney Review Period in Illinois  The […]