Two Bald Brokers and a Bow Tie: Turning Hustle into a Wholesale Real Estate Machine (with Dane of Property Pals USA)
Thinking about wholesaling or buying? Talk to The Bow Tie Attorney first. Illinois real estate & foreclosure counsel • Investor-savvy • Wholesale & off-market deals Whether you’re assigning contracts, taking properties down, or buying from wholesalers, Mahmoud “The Bow Tie Attorney” Elkhatib helps Chicago investors structure cleaner deals, avoid legal landmines, and protect their long-term […]
Why Rockford Is Next for Commercial Real Estate Investors (with Broker Rosalind Astorga)
Some markets are already crowded, overpriced, and picked clean. Rockford, Illinois, isn’t one of them—at least not yet. In this episode of the Bow Tie Podcast, Mahmoud Faisal Elkhatib, The Bow Tie Attorney, sits down with Rosalind “Rosalyn” Astorga, a commercial real estate broker and property manager with Realty of America, to talk about why […]
From Renting to Realtor: Esmeralda “Esme” Gonzalez on First-Gen Homeownership
From Renting to Realtor Buying a home is never just about numbers on a page—especially for first-generation families in places like Chicago and Aurora, Illinois. It’s about identity, sacrifice, and finally being able to say, “This is ours.” In this episode of the Bow Tie Attorney podcast, Mahmoud Faisal Elkhatib, a Chicago real estate and […]
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 […]
¿ICE te detiene? Protege a tu familia, tu hogar y tu dinero — Charla gratuita de 45 minutos (en línea)
Sobre la charla Legal Education Esta sesión está pensada para familias en Illinois—padres, cuidadores, hijos adultos que ayudan a sus padres, propietarios e inquilinos—que quieren un plan simple y humano para mantener a los niños protegidos, la casa estable y las cuentas al día si ocurre una detención. Te llevas una Lista de Preparación Familiar […]
ICE Detained? Protect Your Family, Home & Money — Free 45-Minute Briefing
About This Event Legal Education This is a focused, compassion-first briefing for Illinois families—parents, caregivers, adult children helping their parents, homeowners and renters alike—who want a simple plan to keep kids safe, protect the home, and steady the finances if detention happens. You’ll leave with a one-page Family Readiness Checklist (Illinois) and a link to […]
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 […]
Buying a Home Is Possible for Everyone — Aurora Home Buyer Seminar
About This Event Legal Education Navigate the home-buying process with clear, practical steps—so you can protect your assets today and secure your family’s future tomorrow. This essential session for first-time and immigrant buyers gives you the exact knowledge, tools, and next actions to purchase safely—even if you don’t have traditional documentation. You’ll learn realistic financing […]