Category Archives: Real Estate
Do You Really Need A Real Estate Lawyer?
Many who are buying a home in the Chicago area – especially younger people who are first-time homebuyers – want the homebuying process to be as simple and straightforward as possible. Why, you might ask, is a real estate lawyer even needed? Legally, there’s nothing requiring you to retain the services of a real… Read More »
When You Sell A Home
When you sell a home in Illinois, the law requires you to disclose any specific flaws, defects, or other problems, issues, or complications with the property. Disclosure shouldn’t be seen as an aggravation; yes, it protects buyers, but it also protects sellers from future lawsuits by guaranteeing that buyers know exactly what they’re getting…. Read More »
Buying A Home In 2015
Most observers of the real estate market are optimistic about 2015. Economic recovery and the improving job market will go a long way toward boosting affordability for homebuyers. Before you buy or sell any home in the Chicago area, consult first with an experienced Chicago real estate lawyer. In any real estate transaction, a… Read More »
Short Sales And Your Credit
If you are struggling with an “underwater” mortgage, you’re got plenty of company. In 2014, 9.1 million U.S. residential properties were underwater. That figure represents 17 percent of all residential properties with a mortgage in the United States. Many have lost their homes in the last decade. Others are still coping with loans worth… Read More »
More Tips For International Homebuyers
According to the National Association of Realtors, buyers from outside the United States now account for more than 7 percent of all U.S. residential property purchases. Nearly half of the international buyers, 47 percent, buy vacation properties. 22 percent buy investment property, and nearly a third buy a property here for both reasons. The… Read More »
When Foreclosure Threatens
Foreclosure can seem frightening, especially when you are struggling with debts and the lenders are powerful banks, but homeowners in Illinois are frequently able to defeat foreclosure lawsuits and keep their homes. In a typical case, several things can go wrong for lenders, so if you face foreclosure in the Chicago area, get legal… Read More »
Creative Ways To Afford Your Home
You want to buy a home in the Chicago area, but your income and savings make homebuying a challenge. You aren’t quite ready – or so it seems – to buy the home that you really want and desire. The first thing you should do is discuss your situation and seek suggestions from an… Read More »
Credit Scores For Homebuyers
Lenders look at your credit score to determine whether to approve you for a home mortgage. Before lending, creditors want to know how much of a risk you are. The higher your credit score, the better your chances are for approval. However, raising your score takes time and persistence. The only quick-fixes are to… Read More »
Buying A Home In A Tight Market
The housing market in Chicago can shift quickly. When there’s little for sale, it’s tough being a buyer. Even when the overall market is balanced, the market for certain homes (luxury homes, for example) can still be tight. Here are some ways to make sure you buy the right home. Have your financial work… Read More »
For Foreign Real Estate Buyers
In just the last two or three years – or so it seems – buyers from China, Canada, India, and other nations are snapping up properties all over the U.S., both as investments and as residences and vacation homes. Foreign buyers are a rapidly growing segment of overall U.S. sales. According to the National… Read More »