Shane E Mowery - Attorney at Law, PC

Shane E Mowery - Attorney at Law, PC Shane E. Mowery - Attorney at Law, PC is a residential real estate attorney located on Chicago's nor

Mowery attended Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance in 1998. While studying at Illinois State, Shane was employed by Kaisner Realty, now known as Re/Max Twin City Realtors. At Kaisner Realty, Shane served as the company’s marketing coordinator, where he supervised the production of a television program for the promotion of in-house real estate sales, supervised and maintained the company’s website and assisted realtors with general advertising avenues. In 1997, Shane obtained his real estate salesperson license to further his knowledge and understanding of real estate principles. In 1998, Shane moved to Chicago to begin his study at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, focusing on real estate transactions. In 1999, Shane joined a general practice law firm in Chicago, Upon graduating from John Marshall in 2001 and obtaining his license, Shane was immediately given the responsibility of handling residential real estate transactions within the firm. The scope of his responsibility extended to new construction sales and purchases, multi-million dollar sales and purchases, condominium development and landlord and tenant issues. With an understanding of both brokerage and legal concerns surrounding real estate law, Shane’s mission as an attorney is to provide professional, dedicated and affordable legal services to those in need of real estate assistance.

09/23/2026

If you’re selling a home in Illinois, there’s more to the paperwork than just the contract.

Illinois requires sellers of covered residential properties to provide a Residential Real Property Disclosure Report to prospective buyers before the contract is signed. The report covers material defects the seller actually knows about.

From a real estate attorney’s perspective, this is an important step in the process. Being upfront about known issues can help avoid problems later, because a seller may still face liability after closing if they knowingly fail to disclose required information or provide false information.

A little extra care with the disclosure paperwork can go a long way toward a smoother transaction.

09/16/2026

There’s more to Chicago’s appeal than its neighborhoods and architecture.

A new global analysis from AlphaGeo ranked Chicago #1 among 72 major cities for climate resilience.

The analysis looked at both exposure to climate-related risks and how prepared cities are to adapt.

Chicago’s location, access to freshwater, and long-standing investments in infrastructure all contributed to its ranking.

For those considering buying a home, it’s an interesting factor to add to the conversation.

From a real estate attorney’s perspective, where you choose to own property matters beyond today’s market conditions.

Buyers may also want to think about the long-term environment surrounding that property, including infrastructure, flooding and drainage, insurance considerations, and the community’s ability to respond to changing conditions.

No city is immune to climate change, and Chicago still faces real risks from extreme heat, heavy rainfall and severe weather. But being recognized for climate resilience is one more reason Chicago stands out as a place to live and put down roots.

Sometimes location matters for reasons that go well beyond the neighborhood.

09/15/2026

Let’s talk loan eligibility, or what is often referred to as your “buying power.”

As a Chicago real estate attorney, I often remind buyers that understanding how a lender evaluates your ability to purchase a home is an important part of preparing for a real estate transaction.

Most lenders evaluate a borrower’s buying power based on four key factors, often called “the four C’s”: capacity, capital, collateral and credit.

Before you begin your home search, it’s important to understand where you stand with each of these factors and what they may mean for your purchase.

Capacity: Your ability to take on a mortgage and repay the loan. Income, savings and existing monthly debt obligations are among the factors a lender may consider.

Capital: The funds and savings you have available for your purchase. Your down payment and the funds needed for closing are important pieces of the financial picture.

Collateral: The property securing the loan. A lender will consider the value and condition of the property when determining whether it provides sufficient security for the mortgage.

Credit: Your credit history and score help a lender evaluate your history of managing and repaying debt.

Understanding these factors before you make an offer can help you approach the transaction with a clearer picture of your financial position.

And once you’re under contract, your real estate attorney can help you navigate the legal side of the transaction, review the contract and protect your interests through closing.

09/15/2026

Are you selling your home and reviewing several offers? Congratulations! You’re well on your way to getting as much as possible out of what is likely your largest asset.

But when it comes to picking an offer, sometimes it’s important to take a step back and recognize that your bottom line shouldn’t be your only consideration.

In many instances, the terms a potential buyer includes in the offer also play an important part. They can underscore how many hurdles you’ll have to clear to reach the closing table in a timely matter.

Important factors that home sellers should consider in an offer:

1. Research your preferred financing method
2. Look for a larger earnest money deposit
3. Consider fewer contingencies
4. Opt for an ideal closing timeline

Carefully review offers beyond the dollar amount before settling on a buyer.

09/08/2026

Two flats are a Chicago classic. Whether you’re planning to live in one unit and rent the other or use the property as an investment, there are a few things buyers should look into before closing.

🏙️ Check the zoning & legal use
Make sure the property is legally recognized as a two-unit building and that its current use matches the city’s records.

📋 Look into permits
Chicago has plenty of older two-flats with finished basements, converted spaces, additions, or other improvements. Make sure you understand whether the work was properly permitted.

🏠 What about the basement?
A finished basement doesn’t necessarily mean it can legally be used as a bedroom or separate living unit. Check the property’s legal use before assuming that extra space can be rented or occupied.

👤 Is there already a tenant?
If one unit is occupied, review the lease and understand the seller’s obligations regarding the tenancy, security deposit, and possession of the property.

💡 Check those utilities
Are utilities separately metered? Who pays for water, gas, and electricity? These details can make a big difference when you’re planning to live in one unit and rent the other.

🔍 Don’t skip the inspection
Many Chicago two-flats are older buildings, so it’s important to understand the condition of the roof, masonry, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, sewer line, and other major systems.

A two-flat can be a great opportunity, but there’s more to evaluate than the number of units. Zoning, permits, tenants, utilities, and the condition of the building can all matter before you move forward.

09/03/2026

Do sellers have to make repairs before closing? Not always! And this is a common question that comes up after a home inspection.

A seller isn’t automatically required to make every repair a buyer requests. What happens next depends on the purchase contract, inspection provisions, and applicable law.

After an inspection, a buyer may:
- Ask the seller to make certain repairs
- Request a credit or other concession
- Accept the property as-is
- Exercise any rights provided by the contract

It’s also important to remember that an inspection report is not necessarily a “to-do list” for the seller. The contract determines what the parties are actually required to do.

And while an “as-is” provision may affect the buyer’s ability to request repairs, it doesn’t necessarily eliminate all of the seller’s other obligations.

Finding an issue during an inspection doesn’t automatically mean the seller has to fix it. Before agreeing to repairs, credits, or changes to the contract, make sure you understand your options.

08/31/2026

You may see “as-is” in a listing contract and wonder what it means as a buyer.

What “as-is” generally means:
The buyer agrees to accept the property in its present physical condition, subject to the terms of the contract.

Buying a property “as-is” does not necessarily mean:
❌ You have no right to inspect the property
❌ The seller can conceal known defects
❌ The seller can ignore required disclosures
❌ You automatically give up all contractual rights

An “as-is” provision primarily addresses the physical condition of the property. Your rights and obligations will still depend on the specific contract and applicable Illinois law.

Before signing, buyers should understand:
🔹 What the inspection provisions allow
🔹 Whether repairs or credits can be negotiated
🔹 What the seller is required to disclose
🔹 What happens if a significant issue is discovered

“As-is” doesn’t necessarily mean you’re accepting every possible problem without recourse. It’s important to understand exactly what you’re agreeing to before signing a contract.

08/26/2026

Agent or Broker: What’s the Difference?
If you’re buying or selling a home, you may hear the terms “agent” and “broker” used interchangeably. In Illinois, however, there are some important distinctions.

Here’s the simple version:
🏡 Real Estate Broker
In Illinois, individuals who provide real estate brokerage services generally hold a broker license. Brokers can represent buyers and sellers, negotiate transactions, and provide other licensed real estate services under a sponsoring broker.

📋 Managing Broker
A managing broker has additional education and licensing requirements and may take on supervisory responsibilities. A designated managing broker can supervise licensees and oversee the operations and compliance of an office.

🏢 Sponsoring Broker
The sponsoring broker is responsible for sponsoring licensed brokers and can be an individual or a licensed business entity. Sponsored brokers generally work under that sponsoring broker rather than independently.

So, who should you hire?
Rather than focusing solely on the title, look at the experience, communication style, local market knowledge, and transaction expertise of the person you’re hiring.

Ask questions like:
• How many transactions like mine have you handled?
• How familiar are you with my neighborhood and property type?
• Who will be my primary point of contact?
• How involved will you be throughout the transaction?
• What happens if a complicated issue comes up?

And remember, your real estate professional and your real estate attorney have different roles. Your broker can help you navigate the market, negotiations, and transaction process, while your attorney protects your legal interests and helps address the legal and contractual issues that arise along the way.

The best transaction team is one that communicates well and understands your specific needs.

08/24/2026

As a Chicago real estate attorney, I support buyers and sellers from contract to closing.

If a move is in your future, I’m here to help make the process smooth and stress free!

08/11/2026

You found the perfect unit: great light, walkable location, solid amenities, but before you fall in love, make sure you understand what you’re really buying into.

Condo purchases come with an added layer of legal documents that buyers often overlook:

✔️ Declaration
✔️ Bylaws
✔️ Rules & Regulations
✔️ Recent meeting minutes
✔️ Budget & reserves
✔️ Special assessments

These aren’t just paperwork, they tell you how the building is run, what you can’t do in your own unit, and whether there’s a major expense (like a roof or elevator) coming your way soon.

As a Chicago real estate attorney, I’ve seen buyers walk away from deals after reviewing the fine print, and others thank themselves for having an attorney who caught something they didn’t.

Always review these documents during the attorney review period.

Got questions about condo docs? I’d be happy to walk you through what to look for.

Address

15833 S. LaGrange Road
Chicago, IL
60462

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17732799900

Website

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