by Lauren Jackson | May 2, 2025 | Attorney, buying a home, Lawyer, lender's title policy, owner's title policy, Real Estate, real estate closing
Many people are drawn to the idea of buying a brand-new home. It’s exciting: you get to choose your lot, customize every detail, and everything is fresh and unused. Homebuilders often try to make the process easy—and even offer special “discounts” if you use their...
by Lauren Jackson | Apr 9, 2025 | Attorney, Beneficiaries, Estate Planning, Guardian, Lawyer, Revocable living trust, Wills
A question that we get asked often is “when should I update my estate plan?” Updating your estate plan is essential to ensure it reflects your current wishes and circumstances. You should update your estate plan whenever significant life events occur or when you know...
by Lauren Jackson | Feb 18, 2025 | Attorney, buying a home, Contracts, Lawyer, Real Estate, real estate closing, Real Estate Inspection, selling a home
When you purchase real estate in Illinois, you will negotiate with the seller and come to an agreement. Once you both agree on the terms in principle, you will sign a real estate contract. Once both parties sign the contract, the real estate attorney is brought into...
by Lauren Jackson | Feb 1, 2025 | Attorney, Beneficiary, Estate Planning, Lawyer, Revocable living trust, Trusts
The decision to set up a revocable trust is less about a specific net worth and more about your goals and the complexity of your estate. Just about everyone can benefit from a revocable trust and let’s dive into some of the main features. When thinking about creating...
by Lauren Jackson | Nov 11, 2024 | Attorney, buying a home, Lawyer, mortgage, Real Estate, real estate closing
When searching for a home loan (mortgage) or refinancing an existing mortgage, it is confusing to compare one loan to another. We all want to get the best deal. One might think the loan with the lowest advertised interest rate would always be the best option....
by Lauren Jackson | Aug 26, 2024 | Attorney, buying a home, Contract for deed, Contracts, Deed, Lawyer, mortgage, Real Estate, real estate closing, selling a home
A contract for deed, also known as a land contract, installment contract, or a bond for deed is a legal agreement between two parties, a buyer and a seller. Unlike most traditional real estate transaction that involves a mortgage from a bank, in a contract for deed...
