Tag Archives: Illinois

Illinois Court holds that a title company is not in the business of providing information about title

Illinois Court Ruling on Title Insurance in Real Estate

Illinois Court Ruling on Title Insurance in Real Estate

Illinois Court holds that a title company is not in the business of providing information about title…

….but instead is providing a private contract between the title company and the insured for insurance.

Home Buyers Beware!

United Community Bank v. Prairie State Bank & Trust, 4-11-0973 (Ill.App. July 11, 2012).

The title insurance company missed a judgment lien in favor of a third party when it searched the chain of title. Borrower borrowed funds from United Community Bank to buy a duplex. Unbeknownst to borrower and United Community Bank, a judgment lien in favor of Prairie State Bank was filed.

The title insurer for the borrower and United Community Bank was Commonwealth Title Insurance Company.  Commonwealth, in its search, failed to discover the judgment lien in favor of Prairie State Bank.

The buyer/borrower argued that it was entitled to rely on the title commitment for information regarding the title, and that because the title commitment did not mention this judgment lien that there was negligence by the title company.

The court ruled, however, that a buyer was not entitled to rely on a title commitment for information regarding title, because the purpose of the title commitment was not to provide information regarding title; rather, the title commitment had a wholly different, contractual purpose, namely, specifying the losses the title insurer was excluding from coverage in its offer to provide title insurance.

Comment — this seems to be a dangerous ruling for home buyers.  If buyers and lenders can’t rely on a title commitment – then what good is it? 

Comments?

Another Home With Even More Square Footage for The Money in Barrington IL

Another Home With Even More Square Footage for The Money in Barrington IL.  Please contact us if you will be in the market for homes in the Barrington area within the next 1-3 months, and you are pre-qualified.  As Exclusive Buyer Agents – we are always on the buyer’s side 100% of the time, fighting for the buyer’s best interests – instead of conflicted, as a so-called buyer agent can be.

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 08105453 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

Lot of Square Footage for the Money in Barrington

The following home has a lot of square footage for the money.  Feel free to contact us if you’d like to learn more about the home and it’s drawbacks.

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 08126296 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

Libertyville Illinois Restaurants, Nightlife, and Community Information

Libertyville Illinois Restaurants, Nightlife, and Community Information

Libertyville Illinois Education and Schools

Libertyville Illinois - Great Place to Live

Located approximately 35 miles north of Chicago in Lake County, Illinois, Libertyville was named the 52nd best place to live in the U.S. by CNN Money Magazine in 2007.  Not bad for a town with just over 20 thousand residents.

 

Great Restaurants in Libertyville

Great Restaurants in Libertyville

Libertyville has a lot to offer.   Even though the town is conveniently located
about half way between Chicago and Milwaukee, there’s really no reason
to leave the quant village atmosphere of Libertyville in search of
something to do – or to find  great restaurants.

Looking for something to do in the evening or some night life?   A number of regular evening entertainment options are available including Austin’s Saloon & Eatery on the north side of town featuring live music, including nationally renowned bands on most weekends – in the Fuel Room.

Romantic Abiance at Cafe Pyranees

Romantic Abiance at Cafe Pyrenees

Also on the north side of town is Cafe Pyrenees – featuring live music most Friday and Saturday evenings.   They have very good French cuisine, and a nice romantic ambiance.

Vance Kelly and the Backstreet Blues band (a Chicago blues band) is a must hear band every Thursday night starting at 10 PM at Firkin in downtown Libertyville – if you find you want to start your weekend a day early.  The Managing Broker of Buyer Broker Chicagoland plays with the group now and then, on trumpet – as well as downtown at various blues clubs, such as BLUES on Halsted.

And there’s the Improv Playhouse -  an Improv comedy venue every other Friday and every Saturday night at the Black Box Space or Micky Finn’s Brewery featuring live music Thursday through Saturday evenings in the Amber Room.

Libertyville’s  First Friday events feature local downtown merchants – as well as art, music and  refreshments, 6-9pm during the first Friday of each month.  This is a great opportunity to visit local shops and merchants, including wine tasting at Parkview Gourmet and Vive le Vine.   You’ll run into old friends and make new ones.

In need of some cultural influence? Visit the Adler Cultural Center (formerly the home of David Adler, one of Chicago’s great architects)  which offers art and music classes, folk and ethnic concerts, art exhibitions, tours and programs for adults and children.

Independence Grove, Libertyville IL

A Lake Shot Depicting Lake at Independence Grove, Libertyville IL

If it is  peace and tranquility you are searching for, look no further
than Independence Grove – one of the finest forest preserves in Lake
County. Independence Grove has lagoons for fishing or a paddle boating, a small sand beach, miles of trails for biking or walking/jogging – as well as cross country skiing during  the winter.    Several times during the summer, Independence Grove hosts live bands – sort of like “Ravinia to the north.”  Feel free to bring a blanket or lawn  chair and a bottle of wine and some appetizers.  That and a beautiful sunset, with the live music, and it doesn’t get much better.

I could go on and on about Libertyville and the endless things to do or places to go but you should experience it for yourself.

Dog Jumping - Libertyville IL

Dog Jumping - Libertyville IL

The dog jumping competition (into a large pool) in the summer – is a real hoot.   Libertyville is more than fun night spots and good restaurants,
it’s the people.  It has the small town feel with the big city personality.  Libertyville schools have always been rated as some of the
best in the Chicago area.

 

 

Wedding in Libertyville IL

Wedding in Libertyville IL

Libertyville warrants your taking a serious look at possibly settling down there.  It’s a perfect setting for buying your first home or downsizing if you find you are now an empty nester.

Here are some homes in Libertyville that have been on the market for over 200 day – that are “price whackable.”   As your Exclusive Buyer Broker and  Certified Negotiation Expert – I am always on the home buyer’s and investor’s side…  Call 847-566-7558 for more information.

Are You a First Time Home Buyer Wanting to Buy a Condo in or Near Downtown Palatine IL?

Are You a First Time Home Buyer Wanting to Buy a Condo in or Near Downtown Palatine IL?

Palatine Illinois Village Sign

Palatine Illinois Village Sign

Palatine is one of my favorite suburbs (I suppose because I used to live there and I still really enjoy it – and showing first time home buyers property there.)  (Here are the boundary lines on Google maps)  There’s an up-and-coming downtown area with live music (here is the entertainment schedule at Durty Nellies), Emmett’s Brewing Company (good micro-brews), Bauer’s Brauhaus (German restaurant which opened last year), and then there’s the yearly Palatine Street Fest.

Eurofresh Market has good food and great prices.  And let’s not forget about Mike’s Bike shop or Dog and Suds (my favorite place to get my dog washed and groomed (including hair and nails cut) for just 24 bucks)

It is real easy to park anywhere in downtown Palatine – especially with the large parking ramp near the train station being added a few years ago…

Here are a few condos in Palatine worthy of consideration for any first time home buyer.  My only suggestion is that — as a first time home buyer -  if you use an agent – you use a company who represents first time buyers the majority of their time.  Also best if a first time buyer uses an Exclusive Buyer Agent (an agent who is always on the buyer’s side – they and their company never represent sellers), and that the agent is a Certified Negotiation Expert.

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 08022308 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 08029371 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

24 W Station Street ,Unit Number 415W, PALATINE, IL 60067 (MLS # 08018992)

(all data current as of 5/25/2013)
Price $168,000
Beds 1
Baths 1 full
Home size 1,142 sq ft
Lot Size 49,745,520 sq ft
Days on Market 436;
Approved Short Sale. Downtown Palatine corner unit in desirable Providence Loft, largest floor plan. Gourmet kitchen features: breakfast bar,SS appliances,granite,sub-zero fridge. 10.5" ceilings w/exposed ductwork, H/E washer/dryer in unit, heated harwood floors t/o, walk-in closet, private balcony, heated underground parking, party room, views from rooftop terrace. Walk to Metra, restaurants, shops, etc. Pets OK.

Property Type(s): Attached Single

Last Updated 5/24/2013 Tract n/a
Year Built 2006 Community Palatine
Garage Spaces 1.0 County Cook
Total Parking 1

Price History

Prior to Aug 14, '12 $215,000
Aug 14, '12 - Sep 12, '12 $205,000
Sep 12, '12 - Oct 23, '12 $200,000
Oct 23, '12 - Nov 6, '12 $185,000
Nov 6, '12 - May 24, '13 $175,000
May 24, '13 - Today $168,000

Location

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

(view all details for MLS #08018992)

 

Certified Negotiation Expert and Exclusive Buyer Agent For Real Estate in Kenilworth Illinois

A home in Kenilworth Illinois

A home in Kenilworth Illinois

Certified Negotiation Expert and Exclusive Buyer Agent For Real Estate in Kenilworth Illinois

Kenilworth is the newest of the nine Chicago North Shore communities bordering Lake Michigan, and is the only one developed as a planned community.  It is located between Wilmette and Winnetka  in zip code – 60043. The average adjusted gross income in 2004 was $466,661.

Joseph Sears purchased what is now Kenilworth in 1889 when he picked up a 224-acre wooded site.  Kenilworth was part of  Chicago’s 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, where the “City Beautiful” concept was unveiled.

Sears attracted architects like Franklin P. Burnham, who was one of Kenilworth’s first residents and a director of the Kenilworth Company, which was formed to raise capital for the development. Another architect was George W. Maher, a prolific Prairie School architect, who designed more than 40 homes in Kenilworth from the 1920s to the 1940s. Most of the 830 homes in the community are more than 80 years old, with many over 100 years old.

Kenilworth has its own public school district, with most K-8 students attending Joseph Sears school – named after the founder of the village.

Kenilworth has the most expensive kindergarten to 8th grade district in the state of Illinois in per-student spending.   Sears has about sixty students per grade, and a gym, auditorium, library, computer lab,

There are no private schools in  Kenilworth itself, but some K-8 students attend  St. Francis Xavier, St. Joseph, St. Faith, Hope and Charity,  Baker Demonstration, Roycemore School,  and North Shore Country Day.   Most high school age students go to New Trier High School, but some attend private schools or boarding schools.

The Kenilworth Village web site, has a lot of good information on the area.

The Kenilworth Club Assembly Hall, designed by George W. Maher, has served as Kenilworth’s community house since its construction in 1906

The Kenilworth Historical Society   was formed in 1922 to collect, preserve, research, exhibit and interpret items that illustrate the history of the village and its people.

You can read the latest Kenilworth news here.

Here is the Kenilworth Facebook Page

Certainly – Kenilworth always has some very nice properties / real estate listed at over $1 million dollars.   But if you’ve ever dreamed of living in Kenilworth and obtaining a home for under $600,000 there are a few properties such as the following that are available.  (As Certified Negotiation Experts  in Real Estate, and as an Exclusive Buyer Agent / Broker – our real bang for the buck for clients comes in luxury real estate negotiations – where we can get hundreds of thousands of dollars off of list price for clients.  We of course help people buy bank owned foreclosure / REO property as well as short sale property.)

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 08015458 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 07993125 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 07914113 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

 

 

 

What Current or Future Home Buyer Can We Help and Protect Today?

What Current or Future Home Buyer Can We Help and Protect Today?

Many home buyers don’t  know that Exclusive Buyer Agents exist.  If they did – it would be a no brainer to use one.

Home buyers do all sorts of wrong things – from picking the wrong type of agent (worst case – listing agent who represents purely the seller – because they just called the number off the sign), to using a buyer agent – because after all – they are calling themselves a “buyer agent” right?  So they MUST be a buyer agent right!  Would you like to buy a gong?  (Buyer agents work for companies that list properties for sale, and they do as well.  The only way you can call yourself an Exclusive Buyer Agent if if you and your company never represent sellers.)

What we do for home buyers at Buyer Broker Chicagoland is all about trust: 

Clients trust us because we are ALWAYS on their side – looking out for their best interests.   The same cannot always be said of traditional real estate agents – who represent both buyer (calling themselves a “buyer agent” when they are working with a buyer)  and seller – and can get into dual agency conflict of interest situations with their buyer client.

Our past clients have told us that we are helpful, answer questions quickly and in detail, are totally honest with them, we do the “right thing” – and do it right the first time, and if we don’t know the answer – we find the answer.  We do what we say we are going to do,  we find the home that the client loves, we are on-time for appointments, and most importantly (though according to a National Association of Realtors Survey – home buyers say that the top thing their agent can do for them -  is finding them the right home -  (negotiating the best price on it is far down the list – go figure!) – we out-negotiate the competition,

We start each day saying “Who can we help today?”   So – how can we help you today?  Feel free to call 847-566-7558 to find out.