Daleiden Law

I’ve been seeing more “For Sale By Owner” signs popping up around my neighborhood lately, so let’s talk about it.

I completely understand the appeal—saving on commission, staying in control, keeping things simple. But from my side of the table as a real estate attorney, I also see where things tend to get more complicated than expected.

There are a few patterns that come up again and again—especially once you’re under contract.

Swipe through for the biggest pitfalls I see.

If you’re considering FSBO, have a real estate attorney involved before you list.

And if you decide to work with an agent, I’m always happy to connect you with trusted realtors.

The March edition of The Brief is out now.

This month we covered:
• Spring closing reminders for buyers, sellers & Realtors
• Major real estate and mortgage industry news — including crypto-backed mortgages
• A new Illinois law every property owner should know about
• The Chicago housing market report card for March

If you’re already on the list, check your inbox. 📨

If not, you can subscribe at the link in bio or comment “brief” and we’ll send you the link to subscribe.

We send The Brief once a month — quick real estate, mortgage, and Illinois law updates in a 5-minute read.

chicagohousingmarket realtorlife chicagorealtor homebuying realestatenews

I was building LEGOs with my kids this weekend and I had one of those “wait… this is actually a perfect analogy” moments.

You can have all the right pieces, but without a plan, it’s just a pile.

That’s what estate planning really is—it’s just a plan for what happens to everything you’ve already built.

And it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Even a simple plan is better than nothing.

If this has been sitting on your to-do list, consider this your nudge.

Send me a DM or use the link in bio to setup a free consultation to make sure your estate and “bricks” are in order 🙌

Real estate deals move fast — and having the right attorney makes all the difference.

We’re incredibly grateful for the trust our broker partners place in us and proud to support seamless, stress-free closings every step of the way.

Clear communication. Thoughtful guidance. Extra care for every client.

Thank you, for your kind words and continued partnership! 🤝

This is a big development for Chicago-area homebuyers.

New restrictions aim to limit Wall Street investors from purchasing single-family homes, with the intention of opening up more opportunities for individuals and families.

Time will tell how this impacts competition and pricing, but it’s an important shift to keep on your radar if you’re navigating today’s housing market.

On the surface this is positive but curious how realtors feel that this will impact the Chicago market?

Source:

Feeling behind on real estate industry news? 🏙️

I send The Brief — a monthly, 5-minute read designed to keep you informed without overwhelming your inbox.

📬 What you’ll get:

🏠 Chicago real estate trends (the stuff actually worth knowing)

⚖️ Practical legal tips for realtors and their clients

📰 Industry news and updates, simplified

No fluff. No jargon. Just a quick, helpful read you can finish with your coffee ☕️

👉 Subscribe at the link in my bio
or
💬 Comment “Brief” and I’ll send you the link to subscribe

❤️💚🎄🎁Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Daleiden Law! ❤️💚🎄🎁

Strong estate plans are built through strong partnerships.

I love working alongside financial planners who value clear communication, proactive planning, and a truly client-first approach. When attorneys and advisors are aligned, clients feel more confident and supported—and the planning process works better for everyone.

If you’re a financial planner in Chicago looking for an attorney to round out your client offerings let’s chat. 💬

If you’re a financial planner in Chicago, I believe the best work happens when we function as an extension of each other’s teams. Grateful for partnerships like this one and always open to thoughtful, collaborative relationships.

Are you a financial planner in Chicago looking for a trusted attorney to support your business? Let’s talk.

I was scrolling through Threads last week and came across really valuable advice when it comes to estate planning and passwords and this great advice from 🙏

This is something many people don’t realize until it’s too late: even if loved ones have passwords, accessing photos, emails, and important digital documents after death can be incredibly difficult—or impossible—without proper planning.

Your estate plan isn’t just about wills and trusts. Your digital life matters too.

When you work with me, this is all part of the estate planning process. We talk through digital assets, legacy contacts, and access to accounts—because this is an area that’s often overlooked when people try to do estate planning themselves.

Without these steps in place, families can face red tape, closed doors, and unnecessary distress during an already hard time.

A few reminders worth reviewing:
✔️ Digital accounts and cloud storage
✔️ Legacy contacts where available
✔️ Clear digital access instructions as part of your estate plan

Thoughtful planning is one of the most meaningful gifts you can leave behind.

This post is for educational purposes and not legal advice.