Attorney Review
Many Illinois residential contracts include a short attorney review period after signing. We use it to propose modifications that protect you, before the contract becomes binding as written.
Real Estate
Representation for buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, and investors in residential and commercial real estate transactions throughout Illinois.
Why Hire a Real Estate Attorney?
Why do I need a real estate attorney?
In Illinois, buyers and sellers customarily each have their own attorney, for both residential and commercial transactions.
The real estate agent negotiates price, the lender provides the loan, and the title company handles the closing logistics. Your attorney is the only person in the transaction responsible for your legal interests.
- Protecting you during attorney review. Most Illinois residential contracts allow a short attorney review period. We use it to propose changes that protect your deposit, deadlines, and contingencies before the contract becomes binding.
- Resolving inspection issues. When the inspection turns up problems, we negotiate repairs or credits so you do not absorb unexpected costs.
- Clearing title problems. Liens, easements, encroachments, and survey defects are identified and resolved before closing, not after.
- Checking the numbers. We review the settlement statement, payoffs, prorations, and credits line by line so you pay and receive exactly what you should.
- Titling the property correctly. Whether the property is held individually, jointly, in a trust, or in an LLC affects probate, taxes, and liability. We make sure the deed matches your plan.
- Handling the unexpected. If financing falls through, a party defaults, or a deadline slips, your attorney protects your rights and your earnest money.
Residential Real Estate
Buying or selling a home
Representation for home buyers and sellers from the signed contract through closing.
Inspection Negotiation
When the inspection reveals problems, we negotiate repairs or credits with the other side so you're not left absorbing unexpected costs.
Title & Survey Review
We examine the title commitment and survey for liens, easements, encroachments, and other defects, and make sure they're resolved before closing.
Loan & Closing Documents
We review closing disclosures and settlement statements line by line, so you understand every figure and nothing is overlooked.
Closing Representation
We coordinate with the lender, title company, and agents, and attend closing to protect your interests through the final signature.
Deeds & Transfers
Deeds transferring property into a living trust, between family members, or out of an estate, prepared and recorded correctly.
Commercial & Investment
Commercial and investment real estate
Commercial contracts are less standardized than residential ones, and more of the terms are negotiated, so legal review matters even more.
- Purchase and sale of commercial, mixed-use, and multi-unit properties
- Letters of intent and purchase agreement negotiation
- Due diligence: title, survey, zoning, leases, and estoppels
- Office, retail, and industrial lease drafting and negotiation, for landlords and tenants
- Structuring investment property ownership through LLCs to limit personal liability
- Co-ownership and joint venture agreements between investors
Investment property and estate planning: Holding rental property in an LLC helps protect personal assets. Coordinating the LLC with your estate plan helps the property pass to your heirs without probate. We handle both.
The Process
The steps from contract to closing
01 · Contract
We review the purchase contract and propose changes to protect your deposit, deadlines, and contingencies.
02 · Due Diligence
Inspections, title, survey, and financing are reviewed and any issues negotiated with the other side.
03 · Preparation
We prepare or review the deed, closing statements, and transfer documents, and coordinate with every party involved.
04 · Closing
We attend closing, confirm everything is in order, and make sure the transaction is properly recorded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Real estate FAQ
I already have a real estate agent. Why do I need an attorney?
Agents are invaluable for finding property and negotiating price, but they cannot give legal advice. Your attorney reviews and modifies the contract, resolves title problems, interprets legal documents, and protects your rights if something goes wrong before closing.
When should I contact an attorney?
As early as possible, ideally before you sign a contract, and no later than immediately after. Attorney review periods are short, and the most important protections are negotiated at the very beginning.
Should I buy investment property in my own name or in an LLC?
Owning rental property through an LLC can shield your personal assets from claims arising from the property. There are financing, insurance, and tax considerations involved, which we'll walk through with you before closing.
How are real estate fees structured?
Residential purchases and sales are typically handled for a flat fee, quoted upfront. Commercial matters are quoted based on the scope of the transaction.
Schedule a real estate consultation
Contact us before you sign a contract if possible, or as soon as possible afterward, since attorney review periods are short.