Sellers have your house tested for Radon

Radon test results are a positive selling point for those putting a house on the market. 

Radon is a naturally-occurring colorless, odorless radioactive gas which comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It can get into homes through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Radon can then be trapped inside the home, where it can build up. All homes with or without basements should be tested for radon. The best time to test homes for radon is during cold-weather months when windows are shut and elevated levels of radon are more likely to be detected.

The City of Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) encourages Chicagoans to test their home for harmful levels of radon which is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Affordable Do-It-Yourself radon test kits are available online and at home improvement and hardware stores. Information on how to test, find a qualified radon professional or obtain a test kit is available at http://www.epa.gov/radon or by calling the Cook County Radon Hot Line at (708) 865-6177.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. can assist you with all your real estate needs. From selling, buying, landlord issues and even helping you with a building code violation we are here to help 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.

At www.bradfordmillerlaw you will find information about our firm along with helpful real estate information. 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

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.

Selling without a professional Realtor can have pitfalls

Selling a home without a Realtor can save you money, but there are reasons you should hire a professional to represent you. Following are some key reasons:

• Realtors can ensure that the widest possible audience knows about your property. 

• Realtors will be able to host open houses, arrange showings, follow up with potential buyers and review offers 

• Realtors have the expertise to ensure that a contract complies with local and federal regulations. 

• Impartial advice is essential. Homes are personal and they often need a few impartial touches by an adviser to make the property appeal to as wide an audience as possible. A Realtor should be brought in and empowered to recommend staging or sprucing up a place in different ways. This can dramatically boost the property’s value. 

• As you work through the negotiating process, having a less emotional adviser can be key to moving forward. 

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. can assist you with all your real estate needs. From selling, buying, landlord issues and even helping you with a building code violation we are here to help 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.

At www.bradfordmillerlaw you will find information about our firm along with helpful real estate information. 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

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.

Sellers, are you thinking about a rent to own option?

Thinking about moving toward the sale of your property by using a rent to own tenant lease/purchase agreement?

This option is sometimes used by sellers to rent a property to a tenant who has the option to buy the home within a specified period of time. Typically, part of each rental payment is put aside for the purpose of accumulating funds to pay the down payment and closing costs. This is a legal contract that obligates the tenant to purchase the property for an agreed-on price at the end of the lease period. Bradford Miller Law can draw up all the legal documents you will need for this transaction which will include both an agreement of sale as well as a lease. These documents must have a clear start and stop date. And, you must keep in mind that until the closing, you are typically responsible for insurance, taxes and maintenance.

Give Brad a call so you can discuss this option.  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. At www.bradfordmillerlaw you can find information about our firm and information about buying or selling property. 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

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.

Sellers, are you aware of new changes to the Illinois Residential Real Property Disclosure Act?

An important change took effect on Jan. 1, 2015. A state Appellate Court decision found an existing requirement in Question 6 for sellers to disclose known defects with walls and floors also includes windows and doors. This form will be provided to you by your Realtor/Listing Agent.

If the residential property is subject to a pending purchase contract and the seller has no new actual knowledge regarding defects relating to windows and doors, a new form won’t be needed. In other cases where there is no pending contract, it’s advisable to provide a new disclosure form to a seller.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. can assist you with all your real estate needs. From selling, buying, landlord issues and even helping you with a building code violation we are here to help with all your real estate needs 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.

At www.bradfordmillerlaw you will find information about our firm along with helpful real estate information. 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

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

Sellers are you appealing to mobile buyers?

A lot has probably changed in the real estate market since you last sold your property. For instance, did you know that today nearly all home searches begin on a smartphone or tablet, not on the Web or from the newspaper?

If you want the right kind of buyer activity, it's a good idea to optimize your listing and photos for mobile devices. If you continue to use the ways of past generations, you may miss out on today's generation of buyers. Knowing what works for today's market will help you sell your home faster and for top dollar. Be sure to mention this option to your Realtor.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. can assist you with all your real estate needs. From selling, buying, landlord issues and even helping you with a building code violation we are here to help with all your real estate needs 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.

At www.bradfordmillerlaw you will find information about our firm along with helpful real estate information. 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

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.

Mortgage performance

According to the Mortgage Metrics Report, Second Quarter 2014 from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), 92.9 percent of first-lien mortgages at large national and federal savings banks were performing as of the end of June. 

The number of performing mortgages increased slightly from quarter 2, 2013, when 90.6 percent of mortgages were reported as performing. The number of delinquent loans were down according to OCC, 2.4 percent of all mortgage loans were between 30 and 59 days past due, a decline of 17.3 percent from Quarter 2, 2013. The report found that the number of seriously delinquent loans, which are more than 60 days past due, fell by 17 percent from the same period a year ago.

In addition, it was reported that among the servicers who reported, foreclosure activity was way down. The number of properties in the process of foreclosure stood at 391,591 at the end of quarter 2, 2014 which represented a decline of 47.4 percent from quarter 2, 2013. According to the OCC, the number of new foreclosures initiated during quarter 2, also declined by 47 percent year-over-year, down to 79,781.Completed foreclosures also took a significant downward turn, falling by 39.1 percent down to 48,684 from the same period last year.

OCC attributes the decline in foreclosures to foreclosure prevention assistance, improved economic conditions, and loan transfers not reported. They reported that about 47 percent of nationwide mortgages were included in this portfolio, which totaled about 24.1 million loans with approximately $4.1 billion in principal balances.

Original Source: DS News

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. can assist you with all your real estate needs. From selling, buying, landlord issues and even helping you with a building code violation we are here to help with all your real estate needs 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.

At www.bradfordmillerlaw you will find information about our firm along with helpful real estate information. 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

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

Tax relief bill on forgiven mortgage debt extension

The United States Senate recently approved a bill that provides tax relief on forgiven mortgage debt. The legislation now moves to the President, who is expected to sign it into law.

The bill provides for a retroactive one-year extension on the tax provision which was scheduled to expire on December 30, 2014, and would be effective for those filing 2014 returns next year. The provision protects distressed homeowners from paying taxes on any mortgage debt forgiven in a short sale. It was previously created and called the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 with the intention of protecting homeowners who lost their home in a short sale or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure from paying an outrageous taxes. Before the exemption, distressed homeowners had to pay taxes on the mortgage debt that was canceled or forgiven by the lender. It was treated as ordinary income and taxed as such.

This is great news for homeowners that are undergoing or contemplating a short sale. Bradford Miller Law has been representing both buyers and sellers of short sale properties for several years. We offer free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale. Call our office, 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 Street, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago residential real estate attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law 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.