the wasserblawg

We’ve updated mhwasserman.com to be user- and mobile-friendlier. From streamlining the look and including reviews to adding photos of our team, we’ve made it easier to help sellers, buyers and brokers understand how we get them to the closing table on time, as planned. Left/Before: While good looking, the former site was difficult to navigate on mobile phones. Right/After: The new site is easier to navigate and share. It’s also easier to view when you’re on the run. Stay tuned! The new look is just the first step, soon we'll add a real estate resource section, where you will find checklists, links and forms that help simplify the often-complex real estate process. Check us out at mhwasserman.com . Questions? Compliments? You can still call me at 312.726.1512—some things haven’t changed.

Identity thieves hit a major credit reporting agency—hard. Millions of consumers’ confidential identity information has been compromised. Equifax, one of the big three credit reporting agencies announced that a massive security breach took place earlier this year. Offenders accessed data sets of 143 million US consumers.

by Michael H. Wasserman You read that right, A 480 percent increase according to a May 2017 PSA from the FBI. Its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Scammers are targeting wire transfers with alarming frequency. As state law mandates the use of wire transfers for most real estate transactions, it's vital that every buyer, seller and professional be vigilant to prevent fraud. Here's what to look for and what you can do to help protect your money - your deal. Check the Source: Wire transfer fraud typically starts with a "phishing" email that looks ok at first blush, but is a fake. Real-looking but fraudulent emails may contain: A slightly different email address. It could be just one character off. Or using a correct name but from a free account, like gmail, aol or yahoo. Legit-looking logos and email footers. Remember, logos can be downloaded from public websites from title companies and banks. A working phone number for confirmation. So, if/when you ca...

--> by Michael H. Wasserman I’m so very happy to welcome attorney John Aylesworth to the practice. He joined us in February 2017 and our clients and colleagues have been reaping the benefits of his good counsel all spring and summer. John is hardly new to our practice; He has worked with us on individual cases for several years already. Now that he is with us full-time, we are able to help even more buyers and sellers move through the real estate process with sanity intact. John really hit the ground running this year, so you may have already met him. John brings a great balance of calm and strength, and has a broad depth of experience in residential and commercial transactions, and new condominium development. He brings a roster of his own clients, many of whom consider him an invaluable counselor and friend, another great sign for us. Like me, John strives to provide great service to our clients and brokers. He works hard to get contracts to the closing table, o...

There are a couple of things ALL home owners should know about their abodes. The wonderful Art of Manliness blog hits this point very well in a recent post identifying spots in the home that every owner should be familiar with for safety and maintenance reasons.  They suggest familiarizing yourself with: Electrical panel Water shutoffs Gas meter and shut-offs Attic access Sewer access Hot water temperature gauge Property line If you had to, could you find all seven? I can, but I'm not necessarily saying that I really know how or what to do at any of these places, particularly if something is going wrong. Fix a gas leak? not my deal, sorry. Close a home purchase? Now you're talking....  At least I can point these things out to Susan or the repair dude as necessary and that's a start. I'm sure you will do better. Especially after you read this. Here's the report . 

by Michael H. Wasserman I am happy to announce my affiliation with Heroes Home Advantage, a real estate program designed to reward military veterans and those serving our country on active duty, with fire or police departments, teachers and as medical professionals - the everyday heroes who make our lives better and safer. The Heroes Home Advantage "Caring Community" offers local heroes a chance for real savings on the cost of buying or selling a home and on key services homeowners need. There are participating Realtors, lenders, appraisers, inspectors, and insurance agents. All offer discounts that can add up to substantial savings for qualifying consumers. Sharon Tuckman of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Chicago Property Hunters is the Real Estate Broker partner for the program. A big thank you to Sharon for inviting me to participate in this venture. If you know someone in law enforcement, firefighting, healthcare, a first responder, a teacher or the militar...

by Michael H. Wasserman Home buyers on the hunt for information about a prospective new home have a new arrow in their quiver - DiedinHouse.com . This web site provides a service just exactly as its name suggests. Customers willing to pay a nominal fee ($11.99) receive a report on whether or not anyone has ever died at a given United States address.  Does this matter? I suppose that depends on how curious any given buyer (or homeowner) is about such macabre things. This could certainly effect one's comfort level living at the scene of a past crime or other tragedy. And certainly, there is the money thing - according to Trulia (as reported in Forbes ) a prior death or violent crime in a home can reduce its value by up to 30%! Illinois home sellers have no duty to tell prospective buyers about a home's violent past or about deaths that have taken place there.  In fact there are only three states of our 50 that impose any duty to disclose such events within 1-3 years ...