When you’re involved in a financial transaction as complex and high-stakes as a home sale, you want assurances, as a seller, that a prospective buyer has the ability to perform under the terms of the contract. In other words, you want (and need) assurances that a buyer can pay the agreed-upon price. The proof of funds letter is crucial in this situation for the sellers (and, often, the buyer).  What are the Contents Read More

Long gone are the days that estate planners need only make a plan for their physical assets like their car, house, boat, bank accounts, and other property. Two decades into the 21st century, every estate planner needs to do something about his or her digital assets. This blog will provide you with general best practices for taking care of these important assets.  What is a Digital Asset? In 2016, the state of Read More

On top of worrying about your debt that is not going down in any meaningful way anytime soon, the constant phone calls, letter, and text messages from your creditors do not help you get in a healthy mindset to deal with your financial issues. Want them to stop? You should consider filing for bankruptcy so you receive what is referred to as the “automatic stay.” This blog will take a look at this provision and how it Read More

The old saying “buyer beware” does not exactly apply in real estate transactions involving residential property. In Illinois, the seller of a residential property has more than a few obligations when it comes to revealing information about the property he or she is selling. For many people, buying or selling their home is the most complex financial transaction they will ever engage in. This blog will explain some of Read More

Most people understand that the foundation of many estate plans is a Last Will and Testament (commonly referred to as, simply, a Will). This estate-planning document can leave certain assets to specific beneficiaries, name successor guardians for your minor children, and accomplish other things. Besides a Will, one of the documents most commonly used in estate planning is a trust. There are many types of trusts, but Read More

Property transfer tax, sometimes referred to as “deed tax”, “stamp tax”, “mortgage registry tax” or even a “capital gains tax,” has been in existence in the United States for several decades now. Simply put, it refers to a once-off fee that local governments charge when there has been a change in property ownership within its jurisdiction. Some states, however, such as Wyoming, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Dakota Read More

Unfortunately for those in the real estate business, you have to worry about not just the often unpredictable housing market. You also, as with every small business, have to contend with a variety of constant risks that could prove crippling to the expansion and overall health of your business. In terms of developing a smart and comprehensive risk management plan, the first and best thing to know simply involves the Read More