Real Estate FAQ

Illinois does not require one, but in the Chicago area both sides customarily have counsel, and the standard contract assumes it by giving each side an attorney review period. A lawyer costs a small fraction of the deal and catches title, contract, and closing problems while they are still fixable. Call Jeff at (815) 838-5297 when you are ready to list or make an offer.

It is a window, usually five business days after both sides sign, when each party's lawyer can approve the contract, propose changes, or disapprove it. The standard Multi-Board contract used across Chicagoland builds this in, and it is the only point where terms can be changed without renegotiating the whole deal. Send Jeff your contract the day you sign it, at (815) 838-5297, so the review period is not wasted.

Before closing, Jeff reviews the contract during attorney review, examines title and survey issues, and resolves problems the search turns up. At closing, he reviews the deed, the settlement statement, and every document you sign, and makes sure the money and the title move correctly. Call Jeff before you sign the contract, not after, at (815) 838-5297.

During the inspection period you can ask the seller to make repairs, credit you at closing, or in some cases cancel the contract. How you respond affects your leverage for the rest of the deal, so it helps to have your attorney weigh in before you send anything to the other side. Call Jeff at (815) 838-5297 to talk through your options.

A warranty deed guarantees clear title and gives the buyer the most protection. A quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the owner has with no guarantee, and is common between family members, into a trust, or in a divorce transfer. Which one you need depends on the transaction. Call Jeff at (815) 838-5297 to find out which deed fits your situation.

No. A deed transfers ownership, while the mortgage and the note are a separate contract with the lender, so you remain liable until the loan is refinanced or paid off. In a divorce, the judgment usually pairs the quitclaim with a refinance deadline for this reason. Before you sign a deed away, call Jeff at (815) 838-5297 to have the loan side reviewed too.

Usually not. Illinois exempts deeds with actual consideration under $100, which covers the typical divorce transfer, and most exempt deeds do not require the PTAX-203 declaration, though the deed must state the exemption. The paperwork still has to be done precisely or the county recorder will reject it. Call Jeff at (815) 838-5297 to have the deed and the recording handled start to finish.

A title defect is anything that clouds ownership, such as an old lien, a judgment, an error in a prior deed, or a boundary issue, and it can delay or derail a closing if it is not resolved. Most defects can be cleared with the right documentation once they are identified early. Call Jeff at (815) 838-5297 to have title issues addressed before they threaten your closing date.

Illinois requires proper written notice and a court process, and landlords cannot lock out a tenant or remove belongings without a court order. The required notice period depends on the reason, such as nonpayment or a lease violation, and giving notice correctly is essential to the case. Call Jeff at (815) 838-5297, whether you are the landlord or the tenant, to make sure the process is handled correctly.

Forty five days after you move out, under the Security Deposit Return Act, which since January 1, 2024 covers Illinois residential rentals of every size. Deductions for damage require an itemized statement with receipts within 30 days, and bad faith withholding can cost the landlord twice the deposit plus fees. If your deadline has passed, call Jeff at (815) 838-5297.

No. Illinois law allows removal of a tenant only through a court eviction order carried out by the county sheriff, so lockouts, utility shutoffs, and removing belongings are unlawful regardless of unpaid rent. Document what happened and keep receipts for any costs this caused you. Call Jeff at (815) 838-5297 promptly to enforce your rights.

Yes. Jeff handles residential and commercial purchases, sales, leases, and landlord-tenant matters across Will County, so the same attention to contract and title detail applies whether the property is a home or a commercial space. Call Jeff at (815) 838-5297 to discuss your transaction.