Insights on Chicago Property and Planning
Articles by Attorney Shara Kamal on buying and selling, closings, estate planning, landlord-tenant matters and real estate investing in Illinois. For step-by-step references, see the guide library.
Weekly Chicagoland market insights
A short email every Monday morning from Attorney Shara Kamal: what moved in the Chicagoland real estate market that week, from mortgage rates and property taxes to new rules and practical tips for buyers, sellers and owners.
Buying & Selling
Using AI Tools When Buying a Home: A Legal Guide
How homebuyers can use AI search, valuation and document tools responsibly: privacy, accuracy, contract review and what to verify with professionals.
Buying & Selling · October 2, 2025Understanding the Role of a Real Estate Attorney in Illinois
What an Illinois real estate attorney does in a purchase or sale: contracts, title, negotiation, closing and disputes, and when to hire one.
Buying & Selling · October 2, 2025How a Government Shutdown Can Affect Buyers and Sellers
How a federal government shutdown can delay FHA, VA and USDA loans and other closing steps, and what Chicago buyers and sellers can do.
Buying & Selling · October 2, 2025Buying a Home in Chicago: 7 Legal Steps and Common Pitfalls
Seven legal steps to buying a home in Chicago, from pre-approval and attorney review to inspection and closing, plus mistakes to avoid.
Buying & Selling · October 2, 2025Legal Documents Chicago Home Sellers Should Review Before Listing
The listing agreement, disclosure reports, title, purchase contract and settlement statement every Chicago home seller should understand.
Buying & Selling · October 2, 2025Understanding Earnest Money Deposits
What earnest money is, how much buyers typically offer, where it's held, and when a buyer can get it back under a Chicago-area contract.
Buying & Selling · October 2, 2025When Online Home Values Fall Short: 5 Warning Signs for Buyers
Why automated home valuations can mislead buyers, and five warning signs to check: disclosures, permits, title, the neighborhood and comparables.
Buying & Selling · October 2, 2025A Legal Checklist for Chicago Homebuyers
A step-by-step legal checklist for buying a home in Chicago: contract, title, title insurance, disclosures, inspection, condo documents and closing.
Buying & Selling · October 2, 2025Repair Requests and Credits: A Guide for Chicago Sellers
How Chicago home sellers can respond to inspection repair requests: repairs, credits, price changes and the contract deadlines that matter.
Buying & Selling · October 2, 2025AI Home Valuations and Why Legal Review Still Matters
What AI and predictive analytics can and can't tell you about a home's value, and why legal review remains essential in a real estate transaction.
Estate Planning
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.
Estate Planning · March 3, 2026Emergency Disaster Planning as Part of Your Estate Plan
Why a modern estate plan should cover access to assets, business continuity, temporary guardianship and digital assets during an emergency.
Estate Planning · October 2, 2025Illinois Land Trusts: A Homeowner's Guide
How an Illinois land trust works, what it can and can't do for privacy and asset protection, and how to set one up.
Estate Planning · October 2, 2025Wills and Trusts in Illinois: Choosing What Protects Your Family
The difference between a will and a living trust in Illinois: probate, privacy, incapacity, guardians for children, and why many families use both.
Estate Planning · October 2, 2025Legal Strategies for Building Generational Wealth in Real Estate
How families can use LLCs, trusts, family partnerships, tax planning and estate planning to build and pass on wealth through real estate.
It pays to have good counsel.
Talk through your purchase, sale or property question with Attorney Shara Kamal. Consultations by phone, video or in person.
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