Appraisal Vs. Home Inspection Vs. Survey

If you’re planning to buy or sell a home in the months ahead, then it’s important to have an understanding of the many moving parts that will go into a successful real estate transaction – including knowing the differences between the appraisal, the property inspection, and the survey.  All three of these processes help buyers, sellers, and lenders get a better understanding of the property being sold – but they are carried out by different parties, //READ MORE

2020-01-10T13:30:00-06:00January 21st, 2020|Community|

What Is a Mechanic’s Lien?

After weeks of searching with a real estate agent and going through the closing process with your attorney by your side, you’ve finally settled into your new Chicagoland home. Now, it’s time to transform the property, and add improvements until it’s truly the home of your dreams.  So, what happens if you pay for home improvements, but then find yourself unable to pay the contractors and professionals who worked on your project? Or, worse, what if //READ MORE

2019-09-30T16:08:28-05:00October 8th, 2019|Community|

3 Things to Consider About Investment Properties in Chicago

A recent edition of the Home Purchase Sentiment Index from Fannie Mae found that consumer confidence in housing is remarkably high, with more Americans agreeing that right now is a great time to buy or sell a home, compared to the same period last year. Studies like this one are not unique. Throughout the years, there has been plenty of research done on housing, and many of these reports have served to reinforce the long-held notion //READ MORE

2019-09-10T08:26:38-05:00September 12th, 2019|Community|

Want to Become a Chicago Landlord? Keep These 5 Things In Mind

Have you ever found yourself wandering down a Chicago street when you notice a large red “For Rent” sign and think: “Hey, I could do that”? Chicago is one of the nation’s most bustling rental markets. And while large, multi-unit apartment complexes are common, much of the area’s rental stock also comes from smaller buildings. According to recent research from the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University, for instance, 2-4 unit buildings comprise about 27 //READ MORE

2019-07-19T15:43:56-05:00August 1st, 2019|Community|

Co-Ops Vs. Condominiums in Chicago

Across Chicagoland, mid-rise and high-rise buildings make up a large part of the area’s housing stock. Chicago is the city that birthed the skyscraper, after all, and people here have always placed a significant value on homes that allow you to live in the clouds. Among Chicago’s multi-family buildings, you’ll find two different types of ownership available. Broadly speaking, buyers in Chicago can explore two different types of community-based living – condominiums and cooperatives.  Commonly shortened //READ MORE

2019-07-08T14:09:52-05:00July 16th, 2019|Community|