You found your dream home. You work with the seller and secure a mortgage from the bank. Now you have the keys and a monthly mortgage payment – you’re all set, right? Not quite. We’ve found many homebuyers end up being completely unaware of some of the additional costs associated with buying a home. We won’t call them “hidden” costs because they’re a part of paying for homes across Illinois, but we want to make Read More

Okay, you may have seen that headline and raised an eyebrow a bit. There’s no “deadline” for filing for bankruptcy, right? Technically, no. There are no deadlines for filing for bankruptcy as a whole (there are deadlines embedded in the process, however). Still, if you’re considering filing for bankruptcy there are reasons you shouldn’t wait any longer. At Velazquez Consumer Law, LLC we’ve been working to make Read More

Look, we know we’re not the first to tell you that the economy isn’t in great shape. Inflation is up and it’s leaving many companies and people to pinch pennies as we head toward the end of 2022. There are some signs that the worst may be behind us, but experts don’t believe inflation is going anywhere anytime soon. The chances of the government stepping in and handing out another stimulus check are slim to none – Read More

When you tune into just about any finance news network or read an article on a finance news outlet, you’re going to see a lot of talk about interest rates. There have been several changes to federal interest rates in 2022, but we want to tackle that conversation head-on. Unfortunately, we are hearing from many people who want to buy a home but are being scared off by all the hype surrounding “high” interest rates. Read More

Your estate plan should be viewed as a living, breathing plan. It’s not something you can sit down with an attorney one time and sort out. There will be necessary maintenance over time, and while the general rule is you should update your estate plan every three to five years, the “back to school” season is another great opportunity to take a look. It’s not just an easy reminder on the calendar – your estate may Read More

There’s a misconception that filing for bankruptcy will wipe your slate clean, leaving you with no debt and a new start. Bankruptcy does provide a pathway to a new beginning financially, but it’s likely that you’ll still carry some debt after your case – albeit a much more manageable number than before. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy both have certain untouchable debts. These debts are often protected by law Read More

Buying a home is often one of the most fulfilling experiences for you and your family. It can be stressful sifting through the market and finding a fit, but, in the end, it’s all about finding a safe and proper place for your family to spend time together. If you’re ready to sign contracts and see the light at the end of the tunnel in your real estate journey in Illinois, the home inspection is one of the most Read More

Just the word bankruptcy can send shivers down your spine. It’s a boogeyman that scares off a lot of people and companies. This is understandable because bankruptcy is essentially a last resort and acceptance that an individual or organization is overwhelmed by their debts, but it’s also not the end of the world. After all, big-time CEOs sometimes get a bonus after their company files for bankruptcy so why can’t you Read More

Estate planning should be a priority for all families and individuals. It’s important to have a plan in case the worst happens. After all, we don’t always see the worst coming and can’t predict what the future holds for us. Having a plan can be the difference between our assets ending up in the right hands or our loved ones being left with nothing when the courts get involved in the process. Unfortunately, another Read More

We hear it time and time again: it’s a seller’s market! On the housing market, there’s a constant back-and-forth between a seller’s and buyer’s market. Right now, houses are selling quickly and often well over the asking price. This scares off a lot of potential buyers who can’t compete with the higher prices, but we want you to rethink the way you view housing costs. When buying a home, it’s important to Read More