Chicago FSBO seller disclosure graphic from Loftus Law listing property condition, radon, and lead-based paint disclosures before signing a contract.

Which Disclosures Do Chicago-Area FSBO Sellers Need?

Most Chicago-area homeowners selling their property without a real estate agent should be prepared to provide an Illinois Residential Real Property Disclosure Report, the required Illinois radon disclosure and information, and, for most homes built

Read More
Graphic explaining who holds earnest money in a Chicago-area FSBO home sale, featuring a house, real estate contract, escrow lockbox, Chicago skyline, and Loftus Law branding.

Who Holds Earnest Money in a Chicago-Area FSBO Home Sale?

If you are selling your property without a real estate agent, my Free Chicagoland FSBO Starter Kit includes practical information designed to help sellers understand the steps involved in a private home sale. When you sell your home without a real

Read More
Loftus Law graphic promoting the free Chicago FSBO Seller Starter Kit with checklists, disclosures, transaction timeline, and net-proceeds resources.

Free Chicago FSBO Seller Starter Kit: What to Prepare Before Selling Without an Agent

Chicago-area homeowners selling without a real estate agent can now download the free LoftusLaw Chicago FSBO Seller Starter Kit. The kit includes Illinois disclosure forms, a pre-contract checklist, a plain-English transaction timeline, Chicagoland

Read More

Can You Sell a Condo While the Association Is Considering a Special Assessment?

Yes, you can sell a condo while the association is considering a special assessment. However, you should investigate the proposed project and the association’s finances before listing. Even if an assessment has not been formally approved, the

Read More
Cook County tax year 2025 graphic comparing the 3.9% countywide property-tax increase, 3.1% Chicago-area inflation and 6.4% north and northwest suburban increase.

Cook County Property Taxes Increased in 2025: What the Numbers Mean for Homeowners Cook County’s total property-tax burden increased 3.9% for tax year 2025, exceeding both Chicago-area and national inflation. The largest regional increase was

Read More

What Should a Home Seller Do If a Storm Damages the Property Before Closing?

What Should a Home Seller Do If a Storm Damages the Property Before Closing? If a storm hits while a home is under contract, the seller should promptly inspect the property, photograph any damage, prevent the damage from getting worse, notify the

Read More

Selling Without a Realtor Does Not Mean Selling Without a Process

Selling a home without a real estate agent can be a reasonable choice in the right circumstances. Some homeowners already have a potential buyer. Others are comfortable marketing the property, arranging showings, and negotiating directly. Some

Read More

FSBO Sellers: The Buyer’s Attorney Is Not There to Protect You

When selling a home privately, one of the most common mistakes a seller can make is assuming that they are protected because “there is already an attorney involved.” That sounds reassuring. It should not be. If the attorney represents the buyer,

Read More