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.

06/04/2026

Let’s talk loan eligibility or “buying power.”

Most lenders evaluate a person’s buying power based on four elements called “the four C’s.” They are capacity, capital, collateral and credit.

Before you buy a home, make sure you are well-versed on the status of or know where and how to check on these.

Capacity: This is your ability to take on a mortgage or pay back a loan. Income, savings and monthly debt payments are some of the factors that affect capacity.

Capital: This is the amount of money or savings you have readily available. Think of it as your personal reserves that are not tied to income. Closings cost funds and your down payment funds are types of capital!

Collateral: When you take out a loan, this is the monetary value of the property you’re securing against it.

Credit: This is based on your credit score and history. A lender wants to know if you have a history of paying other debts on time and in full.


06/02/2026

It’s one of the biggest questions buyers are asking right now. With more homes hitting the market and affordability challenges making headlines, it’s easy to wonder if a major price drop is around the corner.

The reality? Most housing experts aren’t forecasting a national decline in home prices. Instead, they’re projecting modest appreciation as inventory improves and the market continues to normalize. While some local markets may see price adjustments, a widespread housing crash is not what experts expect.

For buyers waiting on the sidelines, trying to time the market perfectly can be risky. Home values have remained surprisingly resilient because inventory is still below historical norms in many areas, and demand continues to outpace supply.

Every market is local, and Chicago has its own unique dynamics. If you’re wondering whether now is the right time to buy or sell, the best strategy is to focus on your personal goals and local market conditions, not just the national headlines.

05/29/2026

Whether you’re buying or selling, that offer letter isn’t just a formality, it’s a legally binding contract. Once it’s signed, changing terms gets a lot harder (and more expensive).

From contingencies and deadlines to inspection clauses and financing terms, every detail matters. One overlooked sentence could cost you thousands or derail the deal entirely.

Always have a real estate attorney review the offer before you sign. It’s faster and more affordable than fixing problems after the fact.

05/27/2026

A living trust is a legal document that places your assets into a trust for your benefit (you’re the trustee) while you’re alive and then transfers those assets, via your “successor trustee,” to beneficiaries after you die or become disabled.

How is a living trust different from a will?
Like a living trust, a will is a legal document that instructs how to distribute your possessions after your death. If you have a will when you pass away, your estate goes into “probate,” a legal process where the court supervises the distribution of your estate. It appoints somebody (usually your executor) to collect information about your assets and liabilities, pay your bills, then distribute the remainder of the estate to your beneficiaries according to your wishes. Probate includes a lot of paperwork and can take up to a year.

However, if you set up a living trust while you’re alive, you typically pay a lawyer anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 to do the paperwork ahead of time and avoid court supervision of the most valuable items you own after you’re gone.

Whatever you’ve placed in the trust can be distributed in a matter of weeks after your demise, not months. And as a bonus, a living trust is private, whereas a will is a public document, so everyone knows what and how much you did (or didn’t) leave to your least favorite relatives.

05/22/2026

Earnest money is meant to show good faith when you enter a contract, but in most real estate transactions, there are protections built into the agreement.

Some common situations where earnest money could be at risk:
• Missing contract deadlines
• Backing out for a reason not covered by the contract
• Financing issues after waiving contingencies
• Failing to close after all contingencies have been satisfied

Many disputes can be avoided with strong communication, careful timing, and understanding your contract before making major decisions.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that buyers automatically lose earnest money if they change their mind or a deal falls apart and that’s not always the case. The details of the contract matter.

Whether you’re buying your first condo or your fifth home, understanding contingencies, timelines, and attorney review can make a huge difference.

05/19/2026

For more than two decades, Mowery Law has proudly guided individuals and families through every stage of their real estate journey. Our team is committed to delivering exceptional service, trusted expertise, and personalized attention from start to finish.

Let’s work together to find smart solutions, navigate negotiations with confidence, and make your real estate goals a reality.

05/14/2026

With affordability still challenging many first-time buyers, more people are exploring co-buying: purchasing a home with a friend, sibling, partner, or family member. 

Buyers can get creative to make homeownership work, especially in competitive neighborhoods and higher price points.

Co-buying can create:
• More purchasing power
• Easier loan qualification
• Shared monthly costs
• A faster path to ownership

But from a legal perspective, it’s important to treat it like both a personal decision and a business arrangement.

Before closing, co-buyers should have clear conversations about:

— ownership percentages
— responsibility for expenses and repairs
— what happens if one person wants to sell
— exit strategies
— dispute resolution

A well-drafted co-ownership agreement can help protect everyone involved and prevent major issues down the road.

Buying with someone else can absolutely work, as long as the legal side is handled carefully from the beginning.

05/12/2026

What does “sale pending” actually mean?

A pending sale means the seller has accepted an offer and both parties are actively working through the final steps before closing. This stage can include inspections, financing, appraisal, attorney review, and final paperwork.

While the home is not officially sold until closing day, “pending” is an important milestone that signals the transaction is moving forward successfully.

There’s often a lot happening behind the scenes during this phase, and every step brings everyone one step closer to the finish line.

05/08/2026

Making an offer on a house is a critical step in the home-buying process, involving both legal and financial considerations. A written offer, often facilitated by a real estate professional, is essential since oral agreements aren’t legally enforceable in real estate transactions.

Key Elements of a Purchase Offer:
✨ Property Details: Include the property’s address and legal description.
✨Sale Price and Terms: Specify your offer price and terms, such as whether it’s an all-cash deal or contingent on obtaining financing.
✨Earnest Money Deposit: Indicate the deposit amount, which shows your commitment and typically becomes part of the down payment.
✨Contingencies: Common contingencies include securing financing and obtaining a satisfactory home inspection. These clauses allow you to withdraw if certain conditions aren’t met.
✨Closing Details: Propose a target closing date and outline how expenses like taxes and utilities will be prorated between buyer and seller.
✨Additional Provisions: Address who will cover costs for title insurance, surveys, and inspections, and specify the type of deed to be granted.

Negotiation Considerations:
Understanding the property’s market value is crucial. A real estate agent can provide a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to assess if the listing price is appropriate. Factors such as your financial position can strengthen your negotiating stance.

Legal and Professional Guidance:
Given the complexities involved, it’s advisable to work with a real estate attorney to ensure your offer complies with state and local laws and includes all necessary provisions. This collaboration helps protect your interests and facilitates a smoother transaction process.

05/06/2026

The journey from offer to closing involves several key legal and financial steps—each one essential to protecting your interests and ensuring a smooth transaction.

Here’s a simplified timeline I guide my clients through:

1️⃣ Offer Accepted – Congrats! Now the clock starts ticking.�2️⃣ Attorney Review & Inspection (5 Business Days) – I review the contract, propose modifications, and work to resolve inspection issues.�3️⃣ Contract Finalization – Once both sides agree, the contract becomes binding.�4️⃣ Title Search & Loan Processing – We verify there are no liens, tax issues, or ownership disputes. Your lender begins underwriting.�5️⃣ Clear to Close – Once all conditions are satisfied, we schedule the closing.�6️⃣ Closing Day – Documents signed, funds transferred, keys delivered. 🥂

Each phase requires close attention and clear communication. My role is to ensure nothing is overlooked and your interests are protected from start to finish.

📍Buying or selling in Chicago? Let’s make sure you’re prepared every step of the way.

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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