HOA/Condo Association Liens in Chicago: Priority, Payoffs, and Pitfalls
Association debt doesn’t behave like a normal bill. In Chicago condos and HOAs, lien priority, payoff letters, and §22.1 resale disclosures can make or break a closing or a foreclosure. This guide shows how The Bow Tie Attorney and Mahmoud Faisal Elkhatib turn confusion into a clean, underwritable plan. Condo and HOA liens in Chicago […]
Surplus Funds After a Judicial Sale in Cook County: How to Claim What’s Yours
When a foreclosed property sells for more than the total owed on the loan and court-approved costs, the extra money is called surplus funds (or excess proceeds). In Cook County, those funds are not released to you automatically. You must file a petition in the Chancery Division, notify any interested parties, and obtain a signed […]
Zombie Second Mortgages in Illinois (2025): Cook County Playbook
What is a “zombie” second mortgage? A zombie second is a junior lien—often a home-equity or piggyback 80/20 loan from the mid-2000s—that went quiet for years and is now being collected again. In recent years, regulators flagged a wave of attempts to enforce these aged seconds, sometimes after servicing transfers or debt-buyer purchases. If a […]
Realtor Drop-In Q&A — Foreclosure Solutions & Compliant Commission
About This Event Legal Education Realtor Drop-In Q&A — Foreclosure Solutions & Compliant Commission (Chicago • Oct 24 • 12–2 PM) When a listing turns distressed, speed and clarity decide whether you close—or watch the file spiral toward sale. This open-door Q&A is a working session for Chicagoland realtors who want straight, practical answers on […]
Private Money Lending Lawyers in Chicago | The Bow Tie Attorney
Sharp in law. Connected in your deal. Illinois real estate counsel • Broker‑savvy • Deal‑first mindset Private money lending counsel—structured fast, documented right, and closed with clean title Book a Consultation Join the Community The Bow Tie Advantage for Lenders & Borrowers Lenders/Investors Structure private/hard money loans for flips, BRRRR, rehabs, and small commercial. Draft […]
Illinois Foreclosure Timeline (2025): A Cook County Homeowner’s Guide | The Bow Tie Attorney
The Illinois foreclosure timeline is a judicial process: the lender must sue in court and obtain a judgment before any sale. In Cook County, cases run through the Circuit Court (Chancery Division) with specific steps and windows to act. What You’ll Walk Away With The step-by-step Illinois timeline (Cook County focus). Which deadlines matter: appearance/answer, […]
Family, Protection & Purpose: Francesca Sarmiento on Life as a Family Law Attorney
Episode Overview In this episode of The Bow Tie Podcast, The Bow Tie Attorney sits down with Francesca Sarmiento, a Florida family law attorney and founder of Sarmiento Law Firm, for a grounded conversation about protection, dignity, and the purpose behind practicing law. We compare Florida injunctions and Illinois orders of protection, unpack a recent […]
Foreclosure Solutions & Collecting Max Commissions
About This Event Legal Education Navigate the complex landscape of 2024 legislative changes—and ensure your practice stays compliant while maximizing opportunities. This essential session for Illinois real estate professionals provides you with the exact knowledge, tools, and strategies to implement new regulations confidently—so you protect your clients, reduce liability, and maintain competitive advantage in a […]
Real Estate and The Big Beautiful Tax Bill. Take Advantage of It
About This Event Legal Education Keep more of what you earn. Learn how current and proposed U.S. tax rules impact real estate deals—and how to structure transactions to legally reduce taxes and unlock capital. This free, in-person workshop for brokers, investors, and entrepreneurs translates complex tax topics into plain English. You’ll see where today’s rules […]
How to Legally Pay $0 in Taxes with Real Estate
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