House and high rise apartment building

House & Apartment

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Owning a home
A home is an investment as well as a place to live. Buying, owning, and selling a home can be complicated. Learn your rights related to real estate fraud, deeds, property taxes, insurance, home repair, housing cooperatives, and more.
Real estate fraud
(6 resources)
Real estate fraud basics
Learn about fraud risks in Illinois property deals.
Guide
Real estate fraud common questions
Find out the warning signs and consequences for fake deed (fake seller), wire, and earnest money fraud.
FAQ
Dealing with real estate fraud
What Illinois property sellers, buyers, and owners can do when encountering suspected deed fraud (fake seller fraud), wire fraud, or earnest money check fraud.
How-To
How property owners can protect against fraud
Easy steps Illinois property owners can take right away to reduce the risk of being targeted by real estate scammers.
How-To
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Homeowner issues
(5 resources)
Homeowner issues
Answers to common questions about owning a home, including property tax exemptions, insurance, and home repairs.
FAQ
Recording documents
Learn about recording deeds and other papers with the county recorder's office, common issues with property files, and how to remove unlawful restrictive covenants.
FAQ
Unpaid property taxes
Explore the risks of not paying property taxes on time and determine when and how property tax debt can be addressed.
FAQ
Can a contractor put a mechanics lien on my house?
Explains rules for a mechanics lien and how to resolve a mechanics lien issue.
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Types of ownership
(3 resources)
Sharing property ownership
Learn about shared ownership, including types of co-ownership, responsibilities, and dispute resolution.
FAQ
Residential community associations
Learn about how community association rules, fees, and governing documents shape your rights and responsibilities as a property owner.
FAQ
Housing cooperatives
Get answers to common questions about housing co-ops, including types, ownership, governance, financing, monthly fees, and resale rules.
FAQ
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Being a landlord
(9 resources)
Housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault
Learn more about the housing rights and protections survivors have under the Illinois Safe Homes Act and the Violence Against Women Act.
FAQ
Landlord-tenant laws
Understand how laws from many sources, including local landlord-tenant ordinances, apply to Illinois rental housing.
FAQ
Spoken and written leases
Discover how spoken (oral) and written agreements create leases, rules for lease restrictions, and when landlords can increase rent.
FAQ
Fair housing in Illinois
Answers to common questions about how people renting and purchasing homes in Illinois are protected against unlawful discrimination.
FAQ
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Buying and selling property
(3 resources)
Buying a home common questions
Find answers to common questions about buying property, including mortgage financing, inspections, and closing.
FAQ
Contract for deed common questions
Get answers to common questions about contracts for deed (rent-to-own agreements), including how they work, rights, and risks.
FAQ
Selling a home
Understand the major steps and legal issues that arise when you sell residential real estate.
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