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Residential Real Estate Transactions
Residential Real Estate Transactions
Selling Your Home:

We will work closely with all parties involved to make sure that every aspect of your real estate sale is as painless as possible for you. We review and negotiate the terms of the real estate contract with the purchaser’s attorney.  Although real estate contracts are primarily drafted in the best interests of the seller, it is important to have an attorney review not only the terms of the contract very carefully but to be able to negotiate the purchaser’s attorney’s proposed changes.  You may be asked to make repairs or provide a credit for certain inspection items raised by the purchasers.  We will work through these issues with you and your real estate agent so that your objectives are met in the best manner possible.

During the course of the transaction we will remain in constant contact with the purchaser’s lender to prevent any delays or problems with the purchaser securing financing for your real estate sale and see to it that the transaction closes in a timely manner.

As your attorney, we will order a title commitment, clear all necessary exceptions and draft all the legal documents required for the closing.  As the seller, if you do not wish to attend the closing, the documents can be signed ahead of time.  Since your signature requires a notary, we are able to email or FedEx full closing documents to you with detailed instructions or you may visit our office to sign your legal documents. We can attend the closing in your stead and send you your proceeds.

After the closing, we will also be able to handle any issues that arise such as answer any real estate tax questions, manage escrow funds for repairs, special assessments or real estate taxes and keep a record of the settlement statement which you will need for tax purposes.

Purchasing Your Home:

When you are purchasing a new home, you should have an attorney help you through this important event.  There are numerous contingencies that need to be monitored and several parties with whom to correspond and coordinate in a real estate transaction.  If you do not have a real estate attorney on your side to insist on the proper language, you might find yourself in a real estate contract under terms you simply cannot meet.  If you default on a contract, you typically lose your deposit/earnest money, it is important to consult a real estate attorney to ensure the terms of the contract are protecting you.

We always recommend our purchasers obtain a home inspection.  There may not be any inspection items that need to be raised, but having an inspection performed will give you peace of mind that there are no material defects in the property and is worth the expense of the inspection.   Once we receive the inspection report, we will review the report with you to discuss what repairs you want the seller to address, either to fix the item or provide a closing cost/repair credit.  We can provide a referral for a home inspector in the event you need one.  Your realtor can be a great asset when negotiating the inspection items that need to be addressed.

During the course of the transaction we will remain in constant contact with you and your lender to prevent any delays or problems when securing the financing for your real estate purchase.  Once we have a “clear to close” from the lender we will coordinate the closing and advise you of any required documents and the funds necessary to close.

We will also be able to handle any issues that arise after the closing, such as punchlist items for new construction properties, answer any real estate tax questions, manage escrow funds for repairs, special assessments or real estate taxes and provide you with the recorded deed and owner’s title policy after the closing.  Together we form a team with your realtor and your lender to ensure that all of your needs are met and that all of your rights are protected.

Steven A. Marshall | Attorney at Law
12413 S. Harlem Avenue, Ste #1SW, Palos Heights, IL 60463

Telephone: (312) 368-4665 | Fax: (312) 368-4337

Our office is located at 12413 South Harlem Avenue in Palos Heights, Illinois 60463, on the east side of the street just south of 124th Street, with ample free parking on the north and east sides of the building. If traveling by car, Interstate 294 exits at 17-A to Routes 12 and 20 heading south, then immediately to 43 south, which is Harlem Avenue. Nearby major intersections are Route 83 and Harlem Ave to the north, and Harlem Ave and Route 6 (West 159th Street) to the south.  If traveling by Metra Train, the “north” station is located at 11451 Southwest Highway in Palos Heights just north and west of the office, and the “south” station is located at 12100 South 82nd Avenue in Palos Park (just west of Palos Hospital) and slightly south and west of the office. Pace Bus Route 386 runs the length of Harlem Avenue.

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