Thursday, June 26, 2014

Part 3: Different ways to take title to property

How you take title to a property is a very important decision which depends on your specific situation. When real estate is purchased, that person(s) is the recipient, or grantee, on a deed. The deed is a legal document used to hold ownership in real estate. It specifies how the owner(s) are taking title which establishes the legal rights each owner(s)  has. There are three ways you can take title, tenants in common, joint tenants with rights of survivorship and, tenancy by the entirety. Today we will talk about:

TENANCY BY THE ENTIRETY

Tenancy by the entirety is a form of ownership held by a husband and wife. Each spouse owns the undivided whole of the property together as a single legal entity.  Generally, the couple must divorce, obtain an annulment, or agree to amend the title to the property to extinguish a tenancy by the entirety. Creditors of an individual spouse may not attach and sell the interest of a debtor spouse: only creditors of the couple may attach and sell the interest in the property owned by tenancy by the entirety. A tenant by the entirety may not sell or give away his interest in the property without the consent of the other tenant.  Upon the death of one of the spouses, the deceased spouse's interest in the property devolves to the surviving spouse, and not to other heirs of the deceased spouse. This is called the right of survivorship.

Bradford Miller Law can help you with all your real estate needs at a very reasonable rate. We can help you make the right decisions to help protect your assets. Our experienced Real Estate Attorneys have been representing real estate clients for several years now and have earned membership in the Better Business Bureau. Please feel free to visit our website  for information about our firm and information about buying or selling a home. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction call us at 312-238-9298 for a Free 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
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, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago leases, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate closings, 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, June 24, 2014

Part 2: Different ways to take title to property

How you take title to a property is a very important decision which depends on your specific situation. When real estate is purchased, that person(s) is the recipient, or grantee, on a deed. The deed is a legal document used to hold ownership in real estate. It specifies how the owner(s) are taking title which establishes the legal rights each owner(s)  has. There are three ways you can take title, tenants in common, joint tenants with rights of survivorship and, tenancy by the entirety. Today we will talk about:

JOINT TENANTS WITH RIGHTS OF SURVIVORSHIP

Joint tenants with rights of suvivorship is a form of ownership by two or more persons of the same property. The individuals, are called joint tenants. They share equal ownership of the property and have the equal, undivided right to keep or dispose of the property. If sold, the proceeds of the sale is divided equally. Joint tenancy creates a Right of Survivorship. This right provides that if any one of the joint tenants dies, the remainder of the property is transferred to the survivors, no probate is necessary.

Bradford Miller Law can help you with all your real estate needs at a very reasonable rate. We can help you make the right decisions to help protect your assets. Our experienced Real Estate Attorneys have been representing real estate clients for several years now and have earned membership in the Better Business Bureau. Please feel free to visit our website  for information about our firm and information about buying or selling a home. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction call us at 312-238-9298 for a Free 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
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, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago leases, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate closings, 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, June 19, 2014

Part 1: Different ways to take title to property.

How you take title to a property is a very important decision which depends on your specific situation. When real estate is purchased, that person(s) is the recipient, or grantee, on a deed. The deed is a legal document used to hold ownership in real estate. It specifies how the owner(s) are taking title which establishes the legal rights each owner(s)  has. There are three ways you can take title, tenants in common, joint tenants with rights of survivorship and, tenancy by the entirety. Today we will talk about:

TENANCY IN COMMON

Tenancy in common is a shared ownership interest of property, where each owner owns a share of the property. These shares can be of unequal size, however, all owners have the right to occupy and use all of the property.  Tenants in common provides inheritance rights for the heirs of each owner.  If one owner dies, the interest the deceased person has does not automatically pass to the other owner(s). Instead, that interest is transferred to the estate of the deceased owner.

Bradford Miller Law can help you with all your real estate needs at a very reasonable rate. We can help you make the right decisions to help protect your assets. Our experienced Real Estate Attorneys have been representing real estate clients for several years now and have earned membership in the Better Business Bureau. Please feel free to visit our website  for information about our firm and information about buying or selling a home. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction call us at 312-238-9298 for a Free 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
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, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago leases, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate closings, 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, June 17, 2014

Delayed occupancy/Early possession. Is this a good idea?

On June 4, 2014, in the Chicago Tribune, Lew Sichelman, United Feature Syndicate reported an article titled "Beware of delayed occupancy, early possession."

He states that when Broker, Nick Ratliff purchased a short sale last fall, the seller informed him that she wasn't going to move out until a week after the closing. To complicate the matter, the seller's lender said it would not extend its approval of the sale beyond the scheduled settlement date. Ratliff insisted that the bank either give the parties one more week to settle or that the seller move out as originally planned. He stood strong and after a few conversations with the bank, the short sale approval was extended and everything went fine. But that begs the question: Why not just allow the seller to stay in the house another seven days? Wouldn't that have been easier? What's the harm?

Allowing a seller to remain in the property is not a very good idea especially on short sales.  It's also not wise to allow the buyer to move in before the closing.  By allowing a buyer to move in prior to closing or letting a seller stay post-closing, both parties are entering into a landlord-tenant agreement. This changes the entire dynamic of the relationship and adds many more potential outcomes to the process.  The best advice is to delay the closing until the seller can clear out. A rental agreement does not insulate you from responsibility for the property. Once the place is yours, it's yours, whether you have occupied it or not.

Once you decide to sell or purchase a home, Bradford Miller Law can help you with your transaction at a very reasonable rate. We can help you with all situations that you may encounter to help protect you from possible harm. Our experienced Real Estate Attorneys have been representing real estate clients for several years now and have earned membership in the Better Business Bureau. Please feel free to visit our website  for information about our firm and information about buying or selling a home. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction call us at 312-238-9298 for a Free 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
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, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago leases, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate closings, 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, June 10, 2014

Interest rate resets are a concern for modified mortages.

The Data and Analytics division of Black Knight Financial Services released its latest Mortgage Monitor Report, which analyzed data as of the end of April 2014. The report found that there were roughly 2 million modified mortgages facing interest rate resets, with 40 percent of those loan modifications currently underwater.
According to Black Knight, more than one in 10 of all active loans are in near negative equity positions, with 9.0 percent equity or less.
"We have seen a continual reduction in the number of underwater borrowers at the national level for some time now, but modified loans show a different picture," said Kostya Gradushy, Black Knight's manager of Loan Data and Customer Analytics. "While the national negative equity rate as of April stands at 9.4 percent of active mortgages, the share of underwater modified loans facing interest rate resets is much higher—over 40 percent."
Gradushy noted that another 18 percent of modified borrowers have 9 percent equity or less in their homes, and that resets in interest rates pose an increased risk for defaults in the years ahead.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. can  help you get back on track. You have options and we at Bradford Miller Law can provide you with information about the Short Sale process. This option is not as damaging to a person's credit as a foreclosure or bankruptcy. We can can help you make an informed decision and legally guide you through the short sale process. Give us a call at (312) 238-9298 for a free 15-minute consultation. Our office has experience handling short sales in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
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, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago leases, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate closings, 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, June 5, 2014

Five reasons to sell now

Keeping Current Matters reported on June 2, 2014  in their article titled "5 reasons to sell now" that many sellers are still hesitant about putting their house up for sale. Where are prices headed? Where are interest rates headed? Can buyers qualify for a mortgage?  These are all valid questions. However, there are several reasons to sell your home sooner rather than later. Here are the five reported reasons:

1. Demand is Strong. According to the National Association of Realtors, the number of buyers in the market, which feel off dramatically in December, January and February, has begun to increase again over the last few months. These buyers are ready, willing and able to buy…and are in the market right now!

2. There Is Less Competition Now. Housing supply is still under the historical number of 6 months’ supply. This means that, in many markets, there are not enough homes for sale to satisfy the number of buyers in that market. This is good news for home prices. However, additional inventory is about to come to market. Homeowners are now seeing a return to positive equity as prices increased over the last eighteen months. Many of these homes will be coming to the market in the near future.

3. The Process Will Be Quicker. One of the biggest challenges of the 2014 housing market has been the length of time it takes from contract to closing. Banks are requiring more and more paperwork before approving a mortgage. As the market heats up, banks will be inundated with loan inquiries causing closing time lines to lengthen. Selling now will make the process quicker and simpler.

4. There Will Never Be a Better Time to Move-Up. If you are moving up to a larger, more expensive home, consider doing it now. Prices are projected to appreciate by over 19% from now to 2018. You can also lock-in low interest rates.

5. It’s Time to Move On with Your Life. Look at the reason you decided to sell in the first place and determine whether it is worth waiting. You have the power to take control of  your situation by putting your home on the market and pricing it so it sells. Perhaps, the time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire.

Original Source: keepingcurrentmatters.com

Once you decide to sell or purchase a home, Bradford Miller Law can help you with your transaction at a very reasonable rate. Our experienced Real Estate Attorneys have been representing real estate clients for several years now and have earned membership in the Better Business Bureau. Please feel free to visit our website  for information about our firm and information about buying or selling a home. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction call us at 312-238-9298 for a Free 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
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, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago leases, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate closings, 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, June 3, 2014

Make your kitchen more appealing to buyers

Rose Kennedy of HGTV says to follow these simple reorganization and decor ideas to make your kitchen more appealing to buyers. She reported  in her article titled "Five Steps to a Kitchen Facelift" these tips from decorating and real estate professionals:

1. KILL THE CLUTTER IN STORAGE AREAS
"We real estate brokers really hate when you open a kitchen cupboard and Tupperware rains out on the potential buyer," says Mark Nash of Evanston, Ill., author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home. "Clear all that clutter out, even if you have to store some stuff in boxes. Same with the pantry — you should be able to see the back wall of any storage area. If the cupboards and pantry are both filled to the brim it will seem like you don't have enough storage space and that sets off alarm bells (for potential buyers)."

Counter space is another area that viewers zero in on immediately, says Nash. "If you've got a toaster, juicer, coffee pot and microwave all up there, move them out. If your kitchen is cluttered, the buyer gets the idea that you don't have ample counter space."

2. HELP TRAFFIC FLOW
"If you've got lots of furniture in the kitchen, get some out of there so people can move through the area easily and they'll get a sense of ease and comfort," says Sue Pelley, national spokesperson for Interiors by Decorating Den, based in Easton, Md. "Take out a few chairs or that rolling cart you use for storage, that kind of thing, or your kitchen will seem smaller and crowded."

3. COLOR THE COUNTERS
If you can't afford a trendy new granite or stainless steel counter, consider painting your tired laminate in an updated shade like a terra cotta color, says Stephen Ingerson, color specialist for Hirschfield's, Inc., a full-service decorating center based in Minneapolis. The main cost is a couple of coats of paint and some sand paper; most do-it-yourselfers can complete the job in a day.

4. COVER UP FLOOR FLAWS
"Make sure to clean all floors and carpets," says Pelley. "If there's grime showing, people will definitely recall their own troubles keeping floors clean and think less of your kitchen." If the floor is worn in spots, consider an area rug. "It doesn't have to be expensive but it should enhance your decor, not just hide the flaw."

5. DO WASH WINDOWS
Emphasize your kitchen's natural light with freshly washed windows and extend the effort to the window coverings, too, by dry cleaning fabric treatments and washing wood blinds. "Since potential buyers will be closely inspecting the windows and using their light to evaluate the rest of the kitchen, hire a cleaning service to take care of this step if you have to," says Pelley.
Resources: 
1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home www.1001realestatetips.com 
Interiors by Decorating Den, www.decoratingden.com
Hirshfield's, www.hirshfields.com

Once you decide to sell your home, Bradford Miller Law, P.C. can help you with your transaction at a very reasonable rate. Our experienced Real Estate Attorneys have been representing real estate clients for several years now and have earned membership in the Better Business Bureau. Please feel free to visit our website for information about our firm and information about selling a home. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction call us at 312-238-9298 for a Free 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
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, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago leases, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate closings, 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.