Straight answers for Chicagoland property owners
Code violations
What a Chicago building code violation is, how a case reaches a hearing or the Circuit Court, how to look one up, and what an owner can do next.
- Full guide
Chicago Building Code Violations: An Owner's Guide
What a Chicago building code violation is, how a case reaches a hearing or the Circuit Court, how to look one up, and what an owner can do next.
September 23, 2026 - Code violations
How to Check a Chicago Property for Building Code Violations
Look up Chicago building code violations by address using the city's own free tools, read what OPEN and COMPLIED mean, and know what the records leave out.
September 23, 2026 - Code violations
Chicago Building Code Hearings: After a Violation Is Cited
Where a Chicago building code case is heard, what the notice in your mail says, what the city has to prove, and how showing the repairs changes it.
September 23, 2026
Property taxes
How unpaid Illinois property taxes move from a missed bill to a tax sale, how redemption works through the county clerk, and where to get free help.
- Full guide
Behind on Property Taxes in Illinois: What Happens Next
How unpaid Illinois property taxes move from a missed bill to a tax sale, how redemption works through the county clerk, and where to get free help.
September 23, 2026 - Property taxes
How to Check Your Cook County Property Tax Status
Find out whether Cook County property taxes are paid, past due or sold, which office has each answer, and what these searches do not tell you.
September 23, 2026 - Property taxes
How the Cook County Tax Sale Works, in Plain English
What the Cook County annual tax sale actually sells, what a tax buyer receives, how redemption works, and when a tax deed can transfer a property.
September 23, 2026
Foreclosure
How foreclosure works in Illinois: it is a court case, the owner holds title until a judge confirms the sale, and here is who can tell you your own dates.
- Full guide
Foreclosure in Illinois: A Plain-English Guide for Owners
How foreclosure works in Illinois: it is a court case, the owner holds title until a judge confirms the sale, and here is who can tell you your own dates.
September 23, 2026 - Foreclosure
Foreclosure Papers in Cook County: What the Summons Means
A foreclosure summons in Cook County, explained: what the two documents are, where the response date is printed, how to file an appearance, and who helps.
September 23, 2026 - Foreclosure
What Happens in an Illinois Foreclosure, Step by Step
The Illinois foreclosure process stage by stage, from the first missed payment to the judge's order confirming the sale, and who can tell you your dates.
September 23, 2026
Selling as-is
What as-is really means in an Illinois sale, the three ways to sell a house that needs work, and how to compare a cash offer with listing on the net.
- Full guide
Selling a House As-Is in Chicago: Cash Buyer or Listing?
What as-is really means in an Illinois sale, the three ways to sell a house that needs work, and how to compare a cash offer with listing on the net.
September 23, 2026 - Selling as-is
How Cash Home Buyers Calculate an Offer
The arithmetic behind a cash offer, line by line, and the free Cook County records you can use to check a buyer's comparable sales and repair numbers yourself.
September 23, 2026 - Selling as-is
How to Check Out a Cash Home Buyer Before You Sign
How to confirm who a cash home buyer really is, look up what they have recorded, protect your earnest money, spot the red flags, and where to report one.
September 23, 2026