Title insurance protects homeowners and/or mortgage lenders when legal ownership of a property or home is questioned. Although you might think this is unnecessary, disputes over title ownership do come up even after you purchase residential real estate. With a title insurance policy in place,...
When it’s time to sell a home, sellers are often unsure of the line separating personal and real property. Items like beds and tables go with you, but what about appliances, ceiling fans, or light fixtures? Your real estate agent will draw up a contract...
The size and scope of a real estate transaction should not be underestimated. As we’ve noted before, buying or selling a home is one of the most consequential decisions you’ll make in your life, so getting it right is critical. When you sell, the goal...
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten and disrupt everyday life, we search for the silver linings, and we’ve identified a helpful one for you: If you’re a homeowner looking to cash in on a lower mortgage refinancing rate, now is a good time. At...
The world has changed since our last blog post, and it’s fair to say life is very different as we make our way through the coronavirus outbreak. Every industry in America (and the world for that matter) has been impacted, including real estate. Illinois has...
Despite the mortgage relief provided by The CARES Act, lenders are tightening requirements when it comes to employment verification. In pre-pandemic times, lenders made fewer verification checks, but with more than 22 million Americans filing for unemployment, they are being more hawkish. If you are...
COVID-19 is disrupting our lives in every way imaginable, prompting people to ask, “What kind of help is out there for me?” The federal government has responded with The CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act, offering $2 trillion in financial relief to individuals...
Buying a home is exciting. It is one of the largest purchases, if not the largest purchase, you will ever make. However, a crucial component of buying a home is applying for and obtaining a mortgage. This can often be very stressful. Here are some tips...
Previously, we’ve written about the benefits of engaging a real estate attorney as soon as you decide you’re ready to sell your home. Such a significant transaction means you’ll have a lot of questions. Fear not, because we have the answers! 1) Am I required...
From a 10,000 foot view, selling a home is an easy concept to understand. You hire a real estate agent and attorney, put your house on the market, stage your house for showings, accept the right offer, and move out. Easy peasy! Of course, it’s...
