Once the attorney review period ends, a real estate contract becomes fully binding. A buyer can still back out, but only under specific conditions written into the contract. At this stage, walking away is no longer a matter of preference. It depends on whether a valid contingency applies and if the buyer follows the contract’s...
Buyers often assume their mortgage choice is locked in the moment a contract is signed. In reality, loan programs can change during the transaction. What matters is whether that change alters the terms of the deal. Switching from a conventional loan to an FHA loan is possible after a contract is in place, but only...
Most people see a notary stamp and assume everything is in order. That assumption can create real risk in real estate transactions, where signatures control ownership rights, mortgages, partnership agreements, and the direction of entire deals. Notarization is designed to offer protection. A notary is supposed to verify identity, witness a signature, and certify that...
Real estate cases involve contracts, transactions, titles, property boundaries, and landlord-tenant disputes, all of which require clear, unbiased interpretation of the law. A judge’s role is to evaluate the facts without influence from outside relationships. When a real estate attorney has a personal connection to the judge assigned to the case, that relationship can raise...
After more than four decades in this profession, I’ve learned that legal knowledge and experience matter, but they aren’t the whole story. What has truly strengthened my practice is the network I’ve built over the years. The ability to connect people, spot the right resource for a problem, and make introductions that actually help has...
Representing different sides of similar legal disputes is part of the profession. Clients sometimes ask how I’ve represented plaintiffs in one partition action and defendants in another, or how I approach quiet title cases from either side of the caption. The key is understanding this: I typically don’t represent both sides of the same dispute. ...
Water in the basement. It’s one of the most common post-sale surprises and one of the most frustrating for buyers. The big question that determines whether a buyer has a viable legal claim is deceptively simple: Did the seller know? Two recent appellate decisions in Illinois offer a clearer picture of what counts as “actual...
When most people think about title insurance, they imagine it as a one-time document you receive after closing that your lawyer tells you to keep with your other closing documents. But here’s the truth: title insurance is not just a form—it’s a shield, and one that protects you on both ends of a real estate...
We live in a DIY world. You can file your taxes, draft a will, and remodel a bathroom with the help of a few YouTube videos. So when it comes to real estate contracts, you might think, “How hard can it be?” The answer: hard enough to land you in a lawsuit. Know that I...
In business, your name is more than just a calling card—it’s your currency. For attorneys, real estate professionals, and service providers alike, reputation is everything. It determines not only how others perceive your capabilities, but whether they trust you with their referrals, deals, and client relationships. And as one seasoned attorney recently said, “My reputation...
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