Thursday, November 14, 2013

Foreclosures are still a problem....

Realty Trac reported that foreclosure filings in the Chicagoland area rose 30% from September to October.  Its still better than last year but clearly we still have a problem with foreclosures.

Homeowners - you have options! You should not just let your home go into foreclosure.  If you are having a hard time making your mortgage payments, please call my office for a free consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago eviction attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, Chicago Real Estate Attorney fees. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Friday, November 8, 2013

What closing costs are there for a Seller?

I often get asked "what kind of closing costs can I expect when I am selling my home?"

First, let me clarify that I consider Realtor commissions, taxes, title related fees, etc all to be "closing costs." Others may only call title-related fees "closing costs."

For Sellers, the largest closing cost tends to be the Realtor commission. This commission is typically 5% of the sale price. The next largest cost is real estate property taxes. In Cook County, we pay property taxes in arrears - which means that in 2013, we paid the 2012 property taxes. So when you sell your home, you must give a property tax credit to the Buyer for the time you spent in your home in the current year. This property tax credit can be negotiated and a formula is used to calculate the actual amount. The remaining costs include title related fees, city, county and state taxes.

Overall, Sellers can typically expect to pay around 8% of the sales price in total closing costs. This includes the Realtor commissions of 5%, taxes and title related fees. For example, on a $200,000 home, the Seller can expect to pay around $16,000 in total closing costs. Again, each transaction is different, and if no Realtors are involved, the closing costs will be much lower since there will be no commissions to pay.

Whether you live in Chicago or the suburbs, if you are trying to sell your home contact our office for a free consultation.  Our office phone number is 312-238-9298.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago eviction attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, Chicago Real Estate Attorney fees. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Harder to get a mortgage in 2014

On January 10, 2014 new rules by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will go into effect that limits the borrower's monthly debt payments to 43% of their income.  In addition, the fees lenders can charge on the mortgage origination cannot exceed 3% of the mortgage value.  So what does this mean in the real world?  Its going to be harder to get a mortgage and if you need a small mortgage (lets say $50,000), good luck finding a lender willing to help you if they are limited to 3%.  It wont be worth their time.  Maybe this will get reformed because I would think this would hurt lower income areas where prices tend to be much lower.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
A Law Firm Dedicated To Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298

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.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Prices are up in the Chicago area

September prices for traditionally sold homes were were 5.4% higher than September 2012.  If you include short sales and foreclosures, prices are up 12.8% over last year at this time. This is according to MRED’s data.  If you are buying or selling a home, contact our office for effective legal representation.


Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
A Law Firm Dedicated To Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298

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, Seller closing costs.  This is intended to be advertising.  Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Seems to be a good time for Sellers

I am definitely seeing an uptick in the number of transactions going on.  It seems like properties are being sold faster and for more money.  Buyers are often fining themselves in multiple bid situations.

I believe that is a good sign for our economy.  People are feeling confident enough to buy a home which in turn generates income for the parties involved (Realtor, Attorney, Home Inspector, etc) which then helps the economy.

If you are a Seller or Buyer and need affordable, good representation for your real estate transaction, call Attorney Bradford Miller for a free consultation.



Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
A Law Firm Dedicated To Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298

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.

Friday, February 15, 2013

4Q12 Illinois Home Sales Show a Recovering Market

Statewide home sales jumped 29 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to a year earlier and the median price rose 4.7 percent for the same period, according to Illinois Association of Realtors data.

This is a good sign but in my opinion we have a long way to go.  There are still many homeowners who owe much more then their home is worth.  If you owe more on your mortgage then your property is worth, call our office to discuss your options.  The consultation is free!



Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
A Law Firm Dedicated To Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298

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, February 12, 2013

Help! I can no longer afford my home

If you are a homeowner who can no longer afford your home and owe more than the home is worth, one option available to you is a short sale.  My office handles short sales every day.  In a short sale, all of the costs (legal fee, realtor commission, title/closing costs) are paid by the bank.  Many of my clients receive relocation money as well.

My office offers free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale.  Contact Attorney Bradford Miller for a free 15-minute phone consultation to learn about your option.


Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298

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, Chicago eviction attorney. This is intended to be advertising.  Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Three buildings make National Register of Historic Places

(AP) — An apartment building in Streeterville is among four Illinois buildings — three in Chicago — that have been added to the National Register of Historic Places, according to the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.
Named to the list was the 1920 Neuville apartment building, at 232 E. Walton Place in the Streeterville neighborhood, an early example of luxury apartment buildings that offered the amenities of private mansions. It features an elegant lobby and 10-room apartments.
The Polish Roman Catholic Union of America Building, 984 N. Milwaukee in Chicago, made the registry. The building still houses the organization and its Polish Museum of America. The Vesta Accumulator Company Building, constructed in 1913 at 2100 S. Indiana Ave. on Chicago's South Side, also made the list. Batteries, lights and other electric devices for cars were made there.
Also making the list is the Classic Revival-styled Sheffield Village Hall in Bureau County, built in 1910 by George Franklin Barber & Co.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
A Law Firm Dedicated To Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298

Are you considering a short sale?  We offer 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, Chicago eviction attorney. This is intended to be advertising.  Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Did you know?

According to the Wall Street Journal, 73% of people believe that now is a good time to buy while 15% believe it is a good time to sell.

Many Sellers are discouraged because they owe more on their mortgage than their house is worth.  If you are a Seller who wants to Sell but cannot because they owe too much, give Bradford Miller Law, PC a call.  We offer a free consultation and will go over the options available to you.



Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
A Law Firm Dedicated To Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298

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.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Do I Need an Attorney to Handle a Real Estate Transaction?

The real estate agents will handle the negotiation over the price and dates in the Contract 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.  There are testimonials on his website, www.bradfordmillerlaw.com as well as yelp.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Do you owe more than your property is worth?  You should consider doing a short sale.  There are no legal fees because Bradford Miller Law PC offers 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, January 22, 2013

Chicago-area home sales up 19% in December



More than 7,000 consumers in the Chicago-area bought themselves a home last month, the best finish for the year since December 2006, just before the local housing market's bubble burst.

December sales of existing homes in the nine-county area rose 19.2 percent from a year ago, to 7,372 single-family homes and condominiums sold, the Illinois Association of Realtors reported Tuesday. The median price of $151,500 recorded for the month rose 4.5 percent, from $145,000 in December 2011.

In terms of volume, it was the best monthly performance for the market since December 2006, when 7,530 homes were sold. Twelve months later, in December 2007, the number of homes sold locally had plunged to 5,033.

While it showed improvement, last month's $151,500 median price was far below the December 2007 market high of $247,800.

Pricing recovery was even more evident within the city of Chicago, which recorded a 14.6 percent year-over-year increase in sales, to 1,806 properties sold at a median price of $185,000, up 19.4 percent from December 2011's $155,000.

The pricing improvement is largely a result of the continued shrinking inventory of quality homes on the market, which for months has meant homes are going under contract faster than they have in the past. Sellers of choice properties, whether they are in the traditional market or foreclosures, are fielding multiple offers from potential buyers.

"The 18.9 percent decrease in market time from the same time in 2011 shows a continued clearing of inventory, of both single-family homes and condominiums, which should prompt action among buyers and sellers and continue to promote home price stabilization," said Zeke Morris, president of the Chicago Association of Realtors.

Sales of Chicago condos swelled to 1,037 units sold, up 17.7 percent from a year ago, and the median sales price of $235,000 for a unit was up 28.8 percent from last year.

The median price is the point at which half the homes are sold for more and half for less.

"I believe we're going to have the most promising spring market we've had in years," said Zeke Morris, president of the Chicago Association of Realtors. "We can give (sellers) a slightly more confident expectation."

The pricing improvement is largely a result of the slim pickings of properties listed for sale, which for months has meant homes are going under contract faster than they have in the past.

Compared to a year ago, inventory has plunged. For instance, in Chicago, there were 14,183 homes for sale in December 2011. Last month, there were 8,036 listed properties, or 43.3 percent less. As a result, the average number of days it took to sell a Chicago home fell almost 19 percent year-over-year, to 77 days last month.

Sellers of choice properties, whether they are in the traditional market or foreclosures, are fielding multiple offers from potential buyers, both owner-occupants and investors.

"We have a lot of pending deals out there," said Mabel Guzman, an @properties real estate agent. "Sellers are holding onto their price, knowing they're the only thing in the market. People are going to get frustrated if there isn't enough product to buy."

For the year, 90,365 homes were sold in the Chicago area, a 26.7 percent increase from 2011, while the median price slipped 1.5 percent, to $160,000. In the city, the annualized median price rose 5.7 percent, to $185,000, for the 22,333 homes sold, a gain of 22.4 percent in sales volume.

According to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., the average commitment rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage in the Chicago area was 3.32 percent in December, compared with 3.33 percent in November and 3.94 percent in December 2011.


Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Are you interested in doing a short sale?  Bradford Miller Law, PC offers free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale.  Contact our office today for a free consultation.

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.