Tips for securing tenants

If you  are going to manage rental property yourself, you need to know how to choose good tenants. Here are a few helpful tips:

• Do your own credit and criminal background screenings. Never accept a credit report that a prospective tenant provides to you.  
• Companies like the National Association of Independent Landlords provide a selection of screening reports, including full background searches for a fee. You will need the applicant's permission, signature and Social Security number.
• Ask for previous landlord references and make the calls to check out the prospective tenants.  
• Secure and hire a good real estate attorney. In addition to helping you buy or sell your property, an attorney can help clarify tenant laws, which vary from states to state and county to county. They can also help you with the lease and if needed, help you with an eviction as well.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. focuses on real estate law, landlord tenant law, building code violations and estate planning. We are committed to providing you with expert legal support and approach every client with a focus on integrity, advocacy, and understanding.

At bradfordmillerlaw.com you will find helpful landlord information along with information about our firm. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction, your ongoing legal needs as a property owner or landlord, or your estate planning concerns, call us at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.

Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning

134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040

Chicago, IL 60602

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago Building Code violations, Chicago Building Code Violation lawyer, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant attorney, Chicago Real Estate attorney, Chicago Eviction attorney, Chicago Leases, Chicago real estate attorney fees, Estate Planning Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

What is a LLC?

LLC stands for Limited Liability Company. Like a corporation, a LLC is a separate and distinct legal entity. This means that a LLC can obtain a tax identification number, open a bank account and do business, all under its own name. The primary advantage of an LLC is that its owners, known as members, have "limited liability", meaning that, under most circumstances, they are not personally liable for the debts and liabilities of the LLC. Many landlords form a LLC to safeguard their investment should an accident occur. 

Although LLCs have some attractive features, they also have a number of disadvantages, especially in relation to the structure of a corporation. For instance, a LLC has to be dissolved upon the death or bankruptcy of a member.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. can answer all your questions regarding an LLC and will help you decide if a LLC will benefit your specific situation. We focus on real estate law, landlord tenant law, building code violations and estate planning. We are committed to providing you with expert legal support and approach every client with a focus on integrity, advocacy, and understanding.

At www.bradfordmillerlaw.com you will find helpful landlord information along with information about our firm. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction, your ongoing legal needs as a property owner or landlord, or your estate planning concerns, call us at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.

Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning

134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040

Chicago, IL 60602

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago Building Code violations, Chicago Building Code Violation lawyer, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant attorney, Chicago Real Estate attorney, Chicago Eviction attorney, Chicago Leases, Chicago real estate attorney fees, Estate Planning Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Landlords, do you want to get dirty?

When you invest in real estate, one of the first questions you may ask yourself is, "Do I want to get dirty?" If so, you could pick up a less expensive fixer-upper, rehab it and rent it out.

A do-it-yourself approach requires capital, sweat and long hours. It is like having a part-time job. If you decide to hire contractors to do the physical work, you still need to devote time to manage the project. Either way, investing in property that needs a bit of work can save you money in the long run.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. focuses on real estate law, landlord tenant law, building code violations and estate planning. We are committed to providing you with expert legal support and approach every client with a focus on integrity, advocacy, and understanding.

At bradfordmillerlaw.com you will find helpful landlord information along with information about our firm. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction, your ongoing legal needs as a property owner or landlord, or your estate planning concerns, call us at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.

Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning

134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040

Chicago, IL 60602

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago Building Code violations, Chicago Building Code Violation lawyer, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant attorney, Chicago Real Estate attorney, Chicago Eviction attorney, Chicago Leases, Chicago real estate attorney fees, Estate Planning Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Picking an investment property

Landlords, while price is important, it's important to look for homes that are likely to attract stable tenants in decent neighborhoods.

The best deals when purchasing an investment property can come from Short Sales and Real Estate Owned (REO's) properties. Consider using a Realtor who is knowledgeable in this field. They will be familiar with the bank's requirements and will be able to  handle the paperwork associated with these types of deals. 

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. focuses on real estate law, landlord tenant law, building code violations and estate planning. We are committed to providing you with expert legal support and approach every client with a focus on integrity, advocacy, and understanding.

At bradfordmillerlaw.com you will find helpful landlord information along with information about our firm. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction, your ongoing legal needs as a property owner or landlord, or your estate planning concerns, call us at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.

Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning

134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040

Chicago, IL 60602

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago Building Code violations, Chicago Building Code Violation lawyer, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant attorney, Chicago Real Estate attorney, Chicago Eviction attorney, Chicago Leases, Chicago real estate attorney fees, Estate Planning Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Location-Location-Location

We have all heard this when it comes to  buying real estate. Local economic data should be investigated. Avoid markets where unemployment remains markedly high, a lack of jobs can translate into a lack of renters. Instead, consider markets where job growth projections are positive. And, getting to know the local demographic such as college towns or vacation spots can offer great returns on rentals.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. focuses on real estate law, landlord tenant law, building code violations and estate planning. We are committed to providing you with expert legal support and approach every client with a focus on integrity, advocacy, and understanding.

At www.bradfordmillerlaw.com you will find helpful landlord information along with information about our firm. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction, your ongoing legal needs as a property owner or landlord, or your estate planning concerns, call us at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.

Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning

134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040

Chicago, IL 60602

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago Building Code violations, Chicago Building Code Violation lawyer, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant attorney, Chicago Real Estate attorney, Chicago Eviction attorney, Chicago Leases, Chicago real estate attorney fees, Estate Planning Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Where are rents headed?

Rents increase when there is a strong demand in the residential housing sector that the supply has not been able to keep up with. Young people moving out of their parent's homes keep fueling the rental demand. 

In a December, 2014 press release, Zillow's Chief Economist, Dr. Stan Humphries predicted residential rental prices will continue to climb in 2015:

"Home value appreciation will continue to cool down, from roughly 6 percent now to around 2.5 percent by the end of 2015. But rents will see no such slowdown, and will continue to grow around 3.5 percent annually throughout 2015. As renters' costs keep going up, I expect the allure of fixed mortgage payments and a more stable housing market will entice many more otherwise content renters into the housing market."

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. focuses on real estate law, landlord tenant law, building code violations and estate planning. We are committed to providing you with expert legal support and approach every client with a focus on integrity, advocacy, and understanding.

At www.bradfordmillerlaw.com you will find helpful landlord information along with information about our firm. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction, your ongoing legal needs as a property owner or landlord, or your estate planning concerns, call us at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.

Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning

134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040

Chicago, IL 60602

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago Building Code violations, Chicago Building Code Violation lawyer, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant attorney, Chicago Real Estate attorney, Chicago Eviction attorney, Chicago Leases, Chicago real estate attorney fees, Estate Planning Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Mayor Emanuel Announces First Step Against Problem Landlords

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today that the City of Chicago is poised to take the first step against negligent residential building owners identified on the new Problem Landlord List. This week the City will begin mailing letters to problem landlords, notifying them of their placement on the list and the consequences they have earned for failing to provide basic services and protections for their tenants.

Those on the Problem Landlord List will be warned that they face added penalties that take effect on March 28, 2015. Those penalties include being ineligible for City land, zoning changes, business licenses, and any building permits unrelated to addressing their violations. The worst cases may even be taken to court for forfeiture, in which some landlords could lose their properties to third parties.

Along with the letter, problem landlords will receive information on all open violations in the City’s records for the property that earned them a spot on the list, along with the steps they must take to be removed from the list.

The Problem Landlord List, first published last week, identifies residential building owners that have been repeatedly cited for failing to provide tenants with basic services and protections, such as adequate heat, hot water, and working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Since its posting on January 26, 2016, the website has been viewed over 150,000 times.

The list and an interactive map of the properties are available online at: http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/bldgs/supp_info/building-code-scofflaw-list.html

Landlords, we can help. Bradford Miller Law, P.C. focuses on real estate law, landlord tenant law, building code violations and estate planning. We are committed to providing you with expert legal support and approach every client with a focus on integrity, advocacy, and understanding. 

At www.bradfordmillerlaw.com you will find helpful landlord information along with information about our firm. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction, your ongoing legal needs as a property owner or landlord, or your estate planning concerns, call us at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.

Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning

134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040

Chicago, IL 60602

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago Building Code violations, Chicago Building Code Violation lawyer, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant attorney, Chicago Real Estate attorney, Chicago Eviction attorney, Chicago Leases, Chicago real estate attorney fees, Estate Planning Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.