What a Chicago real estate lawyer does
In Illinois, attorneys play an active part in nearly every residential closing. The standard Chicago-area purchase contract, the Multi-Board Residential Real Estate Contract, includes an attorney review period, and each side typically has its own lawyer through closing. Your attorney reviews and negotiates the contract, manages inspection and repair requests, reads the title commitment and survey, clears problems before they delay closing, and reviews every document you sign at the closing table.
For commercial and investment property there is no standard form, so the contract itself carries more weight. Due diligence, leases, zoning, financing terms and the structure of ownership all need attention before money changes hands.
Real estate matters we handle
- Residential purchases and sales: single-family homes, condominiums, townhomes, two-flats and small multi-unit buildings.
- Buyer representation from attorney review through the final walk-through.
- Seller representation, including water certification, payoffs, transfer declarations and deed preparation.
- Closings at Chicago-area title companies, in person or by mail-away arrangement.
- Commercial real estate: mixed-use, retail, office and five-plus unit residential buildings.
- Condominium and HOA matters, for unit owners and for associations.
- Short sales and distressed property, including lender approvals and properties in foreclosure.
- Building violations that affect a sale, a refinance or an owner's day-to-day use.
Why Chicago experience matters
Chicago property has its own paperwork. Sellers in the city need a Full Payment Certificate for water before closing. City, county and state transfer taxes are split between buyer and seller in a way that surprises people moving from other markets (see the transfer tax calculator). Condominium sales depend on resale disclosures under Section 22.1 of the Illinois Condominium Property Act. Two-flats and three-flats bring existing leases and the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance into the transaction.
Attorney Kamal has practiced in this market since 2003 and has also worked in real estate brokerage since 2002, so she reads a deal from both the legal side and the market side.
Where we work
Chicago's 77 community areas, from Rogers Park to Beverly, and suburbs across Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane and McHenry counties. Many closings can be handled remotely, so clients relocating to or from Chicago are welcome.
Questions clients ask
Do I need a real estate attorney to buy a home in Chicago?
Illinois law does not require every buyer to hire an attorney, but the standard Chicago-area contract is built around attorney review, and nearly all residential buyers and sellers in the area are represented. The attorney review period is often the only time to change contract terms without risking the deal.
When should I call a real estate attorney?
As early as possible. Ideally before you sign an offer, and no later than the day your offer is accepted, since the attorney review period is short and begins on the date of acceptance.
Do you handle both residential and commercial real estate?
Yes. Residential purchases and sales are the core of the practice, and commercial, mixed-use and investment property matters are handled as well.