That is the number of Illinois homes that received a foreclosure filing in November, according to the latest RealtyTrac data. Illinois ranks #8 among the top 10 states with the highest foreclosure rates.
If you are facing foreclosure, call my office for a free 15-minute consultation. You do have options available to you!
Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 2250
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com
Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale
Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
7 crazy local laws and HOA rules
I saw this on houselogic (www.houselogic.com) and thought they were pretty funny. These are the 7 craziest local laws and Homeowners Association rules.
1. Can't park your car in your own driveway.
In Odessa, Fla., a resident was fined by his board for parking his pickup truck in his own driveway because it wouldn’t fit in his garage. Not our problem, the HOA basically told him before slapping him with a lawsuit. After a protracted legal battle, he has since won the right to park his car, but only after two years and $200,000 in legal fees.
2. Don’t plant too many roses.
While foreclosure is an increasingly real threat to homeowners, few expect to lose their house based on gardening infractions. But that’s exactly what happened to a Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., resident who planted too many roses on his property. After $70,000 in fees, he lost his legal battle against the HOA and ultimately lost his home to the flower debacle.
3. Indoor drying only.
As seen in a Colbert Report expose, a Bend, Oregon, resident was shocked by her HOA’s rejection of her outdoor clothesline. Her natural drying method was dubbed a hazard, and they began levying fines that totaled nearly $1,000. She eventually took down the offending line, even after the Right 2 Dry movement got behind her.
4. No mothers-in-laws allowed.
If you’re a married man in Iowa, the government grants you a special privilege: you’re allowed to bar your mother-in-law from your home. While certainly useful to men trying to ditch their spouse’s mom, this law does not extend to women.
5. Only use sanctioned paint.
What appears to be an inoffensive pale blue house has caused a stir recently in one Georgia neighborhood. Unaware of his HOA’s rules, a homeowner painted his house before having the color officially approved by his board. And with a $25 per day fee levied every day his house bares the offending hue, he’s already racked up $6,800 in fines on top of legal fees.
6. No service dog for the hearing impaired.
A Fort Collins, Colo., HOA fined a hearing-impaired resident for keeping Pookee, her Pomeranian service dog. The HOA even threatened to put a lien on the property. All this despite the fact that Fair Housing Act requires condo and home owner associations to make reasonable accommodations in their procedures and rules to allow a person with disability to reside in a unit. This includes allowing service animals.
Have an issue related to service animal? Contact your local HUD office or local or state human rights agency.
7. Don't use 'inconsistent' shingles.
As if it wasn’t tragedy enough when a plane fell out of the sky destroying a Sanford, Fla., man’s home, his HOA then challenged his rebuilding efforts. It threatened litigation because the shingles and elevation in his new house’s plans didn’t match his neighbors’.
Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 2250
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com
Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale
Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.
1. Can't park your car in your own driveway.
In Odessa, Fla., a resident was fined by his board for parking his pickup truck in his own driveway because it wouldn’t fit in his garage. Not our problem, the HOA basically told him before slapping him with a lawsuit. After a protracted legal battle, he has since won the right to park his car, but only after two years and $200,000 in legal fees.
2. Don’t plant too many roses.
While foreclosure is an increasingly real threat to homeowners, few expect to lose their house based on gardening infractions. But that’s exactly what happened to a Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., resident who planted too many roses on his property. After $70,000 in fees, he lost his legal battle against the HOA and ultimately lost his home to the flower debacle.
3. Indoor drying only.
As seen in a Colbert Report expose, a Bend, Oregon, resident was shocked by her HOA’s rejection of her outdoor clothesline. Her natural drying method was dubbed a hazard, and they began levying fines that totaled nearly $1,000. She eventually took down the offending line, even after the Right 2 Dry movement got behind her.
4. No mothers-in-laws allowed.
If you’re a married man in Iowa, the government grants you a special privilege: you’re allowed to bar your mother-in-law from your home. While certainly useful to men trying to ditch their spouse’s mom, this law does not extend to women.
5. Only use sanctioned paint.
What appears to be an inoffensive pale blue house has caused a stir recently in one Georgia neighborhood. Unaware of his HOA’s rules, a homeowner painted his house before having the color officially approved by his board. And with a $25 per day fee levied every day his house bares the offending hue, he’s already racked up $6,800 in fines on top of legal fees.
6. No service dog for the hearing impaired.
A Fort Collins, Colo., HOA fined a hearing-impaired resident for keeping Pookee, her Pomeranian service dog. The HOA even threatened to put a lien on the property. All this despite the fact that Fair Housing Act requires condo and home owner associations to make reasonable accommodations in their procedures and rules to allow a person with disability to reside in a unit. This includes allowing service animals.
Have an issue related to service animal? Contact your local HUD office or local or state human rights agency.
7. Don't use 'inconsistent' shingles.
As if it wasn’t tragedy enough when a plane fell out of the sky destroying a Sanford, Fla., man’s home, his HOA then challenged his rebuilding efforts. It threatened litigation because the shingles and elevation in his new house’s plans didn’t match his neighbors’.
Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 2250
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com
Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale
Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Home values over the next six months
According to http://blog.homegain.com/homegain/homegain-releases-4th-quarter-2011-national-home-values-survey-results/
Most real estate professionals and homeowners continue to expect home values to stay the same or decrease through the end of the year. Forty-three percent of agents and brokers and 48 percent of homeowners think that home values will stay the same over the next six months.
Forty-two percent of real estate agents and brokers and 37 percent of homeowners think that home values will decrease in the coming six months.
Fifteen percent of real estate professionals expect home values to increase in the next six months, up four percent from last quarter. Fifteen percent of homeowners also expect home values to increase in the next six months, up three percent from last quarter.
Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 2250
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com
Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale
Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.
Most real estate professionals and homeowners continue to expect home values to stay the same or decrease through the end of the year. Forty-three percent of agents and brokers and 48 percent of homeowners think that home values will stay the same over the next six months.
Forty-two percent of real estate agents and brokers and 37 percent of homeowners think that home values will decrease in the coming six months.
Fifteen percent of real estate professionals expect home values to increase in the next six months, up four percent from last quarter. Fifteen percent of homeowners also expect home values to increase in the next six months, up three percent from last quarter.
Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 2250
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com
Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale
Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Do I Need an Attorney to Handle a Real Estate Transaction?
Do I Need an Attorney to Handle a Real Estate Transaction?
The real estate agent will handle the negotiation over the price however they are under no obligation to protect your legal interests in the transaction. Because of that, in the Chicago area, Buyers and Sellers almost always hire an Attorney to represent them. With such a big purchase or sale, the small fee an Attorney will charge (typically $500) is well worth it.
Attorney Bradford Miller at Bradford Miller Law, P.C. has a great reputation when it comes to Real Estate transactions. Click here to see testimonials from Realtors and Clients: http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com/Testimonials.shtml
Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 2250
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com
Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale
Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.
The real estate agent will handle the negotiation over the price however they are under no obligation to protect your legal interests in the transaction. Because of that, in the Chicago area, Buyers and Sellers almost always hire an Attorney to represent them. With such a big purchase or sale, the small fee an Attorney will charge (typically $500) is well worth it.
Attorney Bradford Miller at Bradford Miller Law, P.C. has a great reputation when it comes to Real Estate transactions. Click here to see testimonials from Realtors and Clients: http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com/Testimonials.shtml
Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 2250
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com
Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale
Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Free legal representation for short sales
Are you thinking about doing a short sale? Chicago short sale attorney Bradford Miller offers free legal representation to homeowners doing a short sale. The first step is to call Attorney Bradford Miller for a free 15 minute phone consultation. If we accept you as a client, our representation will be free to you. Homeowners should know what their options are and what to expect. Call Attorney Bradford Miller today at 312-238-9298.
Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 2250
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com
Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale
Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.
Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 2250
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com
Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale
Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Freddie Mac Amends Short Sale Affidavit Policy
On Nov. 18, 2011, Freddie Mac amended its policy regarding its mandatory short sale affidavits.
The purpose of the affidavit is to prevent fraud by requiring the buyer, the seller, the real estate brokers, the escrow/closing agent, and any transaction facilitator to make various certifications (including that the short sale is an arm's length transaction and the buyer will not resell within 120 days unless there are substantial improvements).
Here are the key changes to the affidavit:
• The certification is now made based on "the best of each signatory's knowledge and belief." Freddie has retained the statement that a signatory making "a negligent or intentional misrepresentation" agrees to indemnify the servicer and Freddie Mac for losses. The addition of the knowledge standard significantly reduces this liability.
• Only a signatory who makes a negligent or intentional misrepresentation, based on the best of his or her knowledge and belief, is responsible for indemnifying the servicer and Freddie Mac for any loss. No signatory is responsible for the certification of any other signatory.
• Although Freddie Mac is requiring all signatories to sign one affidavit, the amended policy no longer allows the affidavit to be an addendum to the sales contract.
Servicers are required to implement the changes by Jan. 1, 2012, but are encouraged to do so immediately. Each servicer covered by the policy must update its forms to comply with the revised policy.
Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 2250
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com
Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale
Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.
The purpose of the affidavit is to prevent fraud by requiring the buyer, the seller, the real estate brokers, the escrow/closing agent, and any transaction facilitator to make various certifications (including that the short sale is an arm's length transaction and the buyer will not resell within 120 days unless there are substantial improvements).
Here are the key changes to the affidavit:
• The certification is now made based on "the best of each signatory's knowledge and belief." Freddie has retained the statement that a signatory making "a negligent or intentional misrepresentation" agrees to indemnify the servicer and Freddie Mac for losses. The addition of the knowledge standard significantly reduces this liability.
• Only a signatory who makes a negligent or intentional misrepresentation, based on the best of his or her knowledge and belief, is responsible for indemnifying the servicer and Freddie Mac for any loss. No signatory is responsible for the certification of any other signatory.
• Although Freddie Mac is requiring all signatories to sign one affidavit, the amended policy no longer allows the affidavit to be an addendum to the sales contract.
Servicers are required to implement the changes by Jan. 1, 2012, but are encouraged to do so immediately. Each servicer covered by the policy must update its forms to comply with the revised policy.
Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 2250
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com
Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale
Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.
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