Section Newsletters

Articles on Real Property

Special Warranty Deeds—For the rest of us By Joseph R. Fortunato, Jr. Real Estate Law, February 2015 The author has approximately 20 years of experience drafting Special Warranty Deeds at closing, and provides a sample form.
1 comment (Most recent January 21, 2015)
What is due and what is not due: That is the question By Amber L. Michlig Commercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, February 2015 A look at the rights and responsibilities for all parties under the Condominum Property Act.
Lien Cuisine (Or not so lien cuisine): Recent tales from the construction site and 2014 developments in construction and mechanics lien law By Samuel H. Levine Commercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, December 2014 Recent cases of interest.
Lien Cuisine: Recent tales from the construction site and 2014 developments in construction and mechanics lien law By Samuel H. Levine Real Estate Law, December 2014 Recent cases of interest to real property practitioners.
Save the Date—Commercial Loans: Documenting for Success and Preparing for Failure Real Estate Law, December 2014 This program will take place this Thursday (11/20). Sign up by 4 p.m. TODAY for the live program in Chicago, or register for the online course anytime before it begins. 
Can a spouse who occupies a property as his/her residence but is not on title claim a homestead exemption? By Robert Handley Civil Practice and Procedure, November 2014 An analysis of the recent case of GMAC Mortgage, LLC v. Arrigo.
Recent Rule 23 opinions entered in real estate tax cases By Timothy E. Moran State and Local Taxation, November 2014 Recent cases of interest to tax practitioners.
1 comment (Most recent October 27, 2014)
Resolving unclaimed property in Illinois By Christine Sparks Real Estate Law, November 2014 Pursuant to the Unclaimed Property Act, most attorneys are required to file an annual report with the Illinois State Treasurer's office advising of any unclaimed property that is being held.
Can lenders collect rents without possession? Recent First District opinion calls well-settled answer “no” into question By Thomas M. Lombardo Commercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, October 2014 One of the first things someone learns when they get involved in commercial real estate foreclosures is that a lender cannot enforce an assignment of rents unless it first obtains some form of “possession.” The First District, perhaps unintentionally, called this well-settled possession requirement into question on July 23, 2014 with its decision in Urban Partnership Bank v. Winchester-Wolcott, LLC, et al.
Lying in the weed—Receiverships and marijuana grow centers and dispensaries By Samuel H. Levine Real Estate Law, October 2014 This article explores practical considerations for receivers when dealing with dispensaries.
Lying in the weed—Receiverships and marijuana grow centers and dispensaries By Samuel H. Levine Commercial Banking, Collections, and Bankruptcy, October 2014 This article explores practical considerations for receivers when dealing with dispensaries.
1010 Lake Shore Association v. Deutsche Bank National Trust Company: The re-animation of an extinguished lien By Philip J. Vacco Real Estate Law, September 2014 A call for the Illinois Legislature to review the language used in section 9(g)(3) of the Illinois Condominium Act to determine whether the First District Appellate Court's recent interpretation is achieving the intended consequences.
1 comment (Most recent September 17, 2014)
Zombie condo liens: What are they, and what do we do about them? By Adam B. Whiteman Real Estate Law, September 2014 Just when you thought it was safe to buy a property at a foreclosure sale, you learn that a previously dead lien has come back to life, forcing you to reassess your priorities.
3 comments (Most recent September 23, 2014)
Special warranty deeds By John C. Murray Real Estate Law, August 2014 A discussion and analysis of special warranty deeds, and a look at the court decisions that have ruled on their effect.
The nature of title insurance and the “law of unintended consequences” in real estate transactions By Joseph R. Fortunato, Jr. Real Estate Law, July 2014 A summary of United Community Bank v. Prairie State Bank & Trust.
1 comment (Most recent July 10, 2014)
6 strategies to better represent sellers of real estate By Colleen L. Sahlas Real Estate Law, June 2014 Implement these six strategies when representing sellers of residential real estate to avoid a myriad of problems down the road.
“Zombie properties” are on the rise—but here’s how to kill the trend By Dory Rand Real Estate Law, June 2014 A property is considered a “zombie property” when a mortgage servicer files for foreclosure and then does not complete the process.
A guide to Illinois authority documents By Richard F. Bales Real Estate Law, May 2014 A reference guide to the so-called “authority documents’—the various documentation that a title company examiner or closer needs to review in order to underwrite the conveyance or mortgage of Illinois land by entities as common as corporations and as unusual as unincorporated associations.
3 comments (Most recent May 4, 2014)
The Seventh Circuit and Illinois General Assembly agree: Strict compliance with the Illinois Conveyances Act not necessary for enforcing mortgages in Illinois By Kelly M. Greco Real Estate Law, April 2014 This article begins with an overview of the enforceability of mortgages in Illinois, and then examines the conflicting case law of the lower courts and the Seventh Circuit’s decision in In re Crane. Finally, the author discusses the legislative amendment to the Act in 2013 and how it affects real estate professionals moving forward.
Caveat lessor By Joel L. Chupack Real Estate Law, March 2014 A look at some issues and problems raised by the The State of Illinois' and the City of Chicago's laws affecting the relationship between purchasers of distressed residential real estate and the tenants who occupy them.
Developing a game plan for residential foreclosures By Ebony R. Huddleston General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, March 2014 Illinois has one of the longest residential foreclosures processes in the country. Residential foreclosures can be a complex maze for practitioners and homeowners to navigate. For that reason, it is important to develop a game plan before proceeding to file a foreclosure complaint so practitioners can anticipate potential pitfalls the lender may encounter by pursuing the foreclosure action.
Past-due condominium assessments and the FDCPA By Nancy Hyzer Real Estate Law, February 2014 Recently the Northern District Court of Illinois issued a Memorandum Opinion in a class action suit claiming a FDCPA violation against a law firm representing a condominium association on a past-due assessment collection effort.
Real estate in Israel—Prepare for probate By Deborah Opolion-Elovic International and Immigration Law, January 2014 A look at the Israeli laws and procedures relating to a U.S. citizen who dies leaving real estate in Israel, and practical advice to those who currently hold real estate in Israel to ease the property's future transfer.
Royalties and existing oil & gas leases with horizontal drilling technology may not be what it seems By William J. Anaya Real Estate Law, January 2014 With hydraulic fracturing on the horizon in Illinois, lawyers should review existing oil and gas leases to determine if the royalty payment provision in the existing leases describes what is intended in 2014.
First District examines punitive damage standards in fraud suit By Paul B. Porvaznik Real Estate Law, December 2013 In K2 Development, LLC v. Braunstein, the First District addressed Illinois law’s compensatory and punitive damages guideposts in a convoluted real estate fraud suit filed by an LLC against one of its two members.
Real estate in Israel—Prepare for probate By Deborah Opolion-Elovic Trusts and Estates, November 2013 A look at the Israeli laws and procedures relating to a U.S. citizen who dies leaving real estate in Israel, and practical advice to those who currently hold real estate in Israel to ease the property's future transfer.
1 comment (Most recent November 24, 2013)
Kalkman v. Nedved, IL App. 3d (120 800) (2013) By Philip J. Vacco Real Estate Law, October 2013 This recent decision from the Third District Appellate Court stands to remind every buyer that the common law doctrine of caveat emptor is still alive and well in the Land of Lincoln.
2 comments (Most recent October 8, 2013)
A stipulation? By Bryan P. Lynch Real Estate Law, August 2013 While stipulations can help narrow issues for trial, any indefinite language in a stipulation can cause considerable headache down the road, even depressing an owner’s property value.
May a condemnor abandon its take? By Bryan P. Lynch Real Estate Law, July 2013 The law is clear: When the owner is defending against the taking of property rights initially deemed necessary but subsequently abandoned, the condemnor should bear the burden of its own changed mind.
The New Property Tax Exemptions Rules for Not-for-Profit Hospitals and Hospital Affiliates in Illinois By Kelly M. Greco Real Estate Law, June 2013 This article first discusses the background of property tax exemption in Illinois and the supreme court’s decision in Provena. The article then discusses the Act’s amendment to the Code and how property tax exemptions for not-for-profit hospitals and hospital affiliates will be analyzed moving forward.

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