The Attorney Review Period in Illinois

Five business days that shape the rest of a Chicago home purchase.

Tool

Chicago Transfer Tax Calculator

Estimate city, county and state transfer taxes, and see which side pays each one.

7 min read

The Chicago Closing Timeline

From accepted offer to recorded deed, in the order it actually happens.

5 min read

Condo Resale Disclosures in Illinois

What Section 22.1 requires, and what to read closely before you buy.

9 min read

Selling Your Home By Owner in Illinois

What a for sale by owner (FSBO) seller in Chicago and the suburbs needs to handle, from disclosures to closing day.

7 min read

Appealing Your Cook County Property Taxes

How the three levels of appeal work, what evidence helps, and the exemptions to check first.

Tools & Checklists

Calculators and checklists for buyers and sellers

Run the numbers and keep track of every step.

Tool

Offer Accepted? Start Here.

Enter your date of acceptance to see the deadlines that start running right away.

Tool

How Much Cash Will You Need at Closing?

Estimate your down payment and closing costs, including transfer taxes that buyers pay in Chicago and some suburbs.

Tool

What Will You Net From Your Sale?

Estimate your take-home after payoffs, commission, transfer taxes and the property tax credit.

Reference

Town-by-Town Transfer Requirements

Transfer taxes, inspections and water certificates for Chicago and more than 30 suburbs.

Checklist

The Buyer's Closing Checklist

Every step from offer to keys. Check items off on screen, or print it.

Checklist

The Seller's Pre-Listing Checklist

What to gather and when, from listing to closing. Check items off on screen, or print it.

Checklist

After Closing: Your Checklist

What new homeowners and sellers should do in the days and months after closing. Check items off on screen, or print it.

Insights

Recent articles

See all insights

Estate Planning · April 3, 2026

Leaving a Legacy: Passing Property to Family with a Land Trust

How Illinois families use land trusts and contingent beneficiaries to pass a home to the next generation without probate, and what to plan for.

Landlord & Tenant · April 2, 2026

A Smooth Eviction Process in Illinois: Practical Tips for Landlords

Illinois eviction steps for landlords: the right notice, Chicago and Cook County ordinances, documentation, filing, court and settlement.

Business & Investing · March 29, 2026

Bracket Play: Deal Structure in Real Estate and Business

How investors position between two transactions through double closings, assignments and value-add deals, and the legal guardrails in Illinois.

Closings · March 17, 2026

The FinCEN Real Estate Reporting Rule: Avoiding Closing Delays

Since March 1, 2026, many non-financed residential transfers to LLCs and trusts must be reported to FinCEN. What buyers and sellers need to prepare.