Selling your home is one of the most important financial transactions you will ever make in your lifetime.  Your goal is to get the most money possible from the sale without having to sacrifice high-end expenses such as kitchen and bathroom upgrades you’ve put in to boost the sale price. In your eagerness to sell, […]

Buying a new home is an exciting event. However, you can get so caught up in the negotiations, paperwork, and financial arrangements that scheduling a home inspection may be an afterthought. A home inspection is a visual examination of a property’s structure, mechanicals,  and components to confirm that all is in proper and safe working […]

You’ve received a great offer on your home and you accepted. Congratulations! All the time, money, and effort you spent marketing the home with your realtor, preparing for showings, and accommodating potential buyers has finally paid off. Now all that remains is closing on the sale. This is when the buyer becomes the new legal […]

If you are an Illinois landlord, you will probably run into a situation where you have to evict a tenant. They may be months behind on their rent, interfering with other tenants, damaging the property or even engaging in some form of illegal activity. Alternatively, they may have done nothing wrong at all and perhaps […]

A difficult economic climate has left hundreds of people throughout Illinois underwater on their mortgages. In October 2018, the foreclosure rate averaged one for every 1098 homes, with Will County topping the list at one in every 661. If you are underwater, falling behind, or struggling to make your mortgage payment each month, it may […]

Many buyers have been on the verge of acquiring their dream home or a piece of prime investment property when a title search turns up complications. Perhaps there is more than one chain of title or a mechanic’s lien was placed on the property after a previous owner failed to pay for contracted improvements. Should […]

If you are a Chicago area landlord, you’re aware that the law protects the rights of your tenants. However, this doesn’t mean that they can behave or use the property in ways that violate the terms of your lease agreement. For example, if you’re dealing with a tenant who is refusing to pay rent, you […]

Title issues are more common than most people presume, which is why you should perform a title search before buying real estate in Illinois. Some problems will restrict your ability to use the property as you wish while others thwart your ability to take ownership in the first place. All of them present difficulties that […]

Real estate is one of the most significant purchases anyone ever makes in their lifetime. Whether you’re making a short-term decision on where to live or a long-term investment for your portfolio, it’s important to understand that there’s more to buying real estate than paying the asking price. This is why an experienced and knowledgeable […]

When you’re a residential property owner, you have an obligation to follow the Chicago Department of Housing (DOH) guidelines. These regulations specify construction methods, occupancy limits, or other key aspects of private homes and multi-tenant properties. Unfortunately, these rules are complicated and it is easy for property owners to unintentionally run afoul of them. Below […]