Buying or selling a home in Arlington Heights and hearing about “attorney review”? You are not alone. This short, early window can feel intense, especially when deadlines are tight and details matter. In the next few minutes, you will learn how attorney review works in Illinois, what timelines to expect in Cook County, what commonly changes during the period, and how to keep your deal on track from offer to closing. Let’s dive in.
Attorney review basics in Illinois
In Illinois, attorney review is created by the purchase contract. It is a clause that gives each side a short period after acceptance for their attorney to review the agreement and propose changes, raise objections, or approve the deal. The contract language, not a state statute, controls what each party can do and by when.
During this period, attorneys typically communicate proposed edits or approvals in writing. The clause will explain how objections must be delivered and what happens if the parties cannot agree. Often, if the attorneys do not reach agreement within the set time, the objecting party can terminate the contract under the clause.
Outcomes at the end of the review period usually fall into three buckets: no objections so the contract continues as written, negotiated changes signed by both parties, or timely disapproval and termination by an objecting party. Earnest money handling will follow the contract’s terms and any applicable contingency language. Because forms vary, always check the exact clause in your executed contract.
Timeline norms in Arlington Heights
In many Cook County and northwest suburban transactions, attorney review windows are short. You will commonly see 2 to 5 business days written into the offer. That range can shift with market conditions. In a multiple-offer situation, sellers sometimes counter with a shorter window, while buyers may ask for a bit more time.
Attorneys can request extensions, but extensions require written agreement from the other side. If your deal needs more time for repairs, title questions, or HOA documents, ask early so you do not miss a deadline.
Business days vs calendar days
Your contract will specify whether the attorney-review clock runs on business days or calendar days. Business days exclude weekends and bank holidays. Calendar days count all days. This distinction affects everything from inspection scheduling to when an objection must be delivered.
How review interacts with other dates
Attorney review often overlaps with inspection, earnest money delivery, and loan-related deadlines. Many buyers schedule inspections within 24 to 72 hours of acceptance so any repair requests can be folded into attorney communications. Keep a shared calendar and confirm when each period starts and ends, especially if inspection timelines are separate from attorney review.
Common changes during review
Attorneys use this period to tighten the agreement and prevent surprises at closing. Common items include:
- Inspection and repairs: Clarify deadlines to request repairs or credits, define what counts as a material defect, and decide how repairs will be documented or credited.
- Financing terms: Adjust loan contingency timing, appraiser reinspection needs, and what happens if financing falls through within the contingency period.
- Closing and possession: Fine-tune the closing date, possession timing, prorations, and any occupancy holdbacks.
- Earnest money and remedies: Confirm where the deposit sits, what happens on termination, and how disputes are handled.
- Fixtures and inclusions: Spell out what stays, such as appliances or window treatments, and what the seller plans to remove.
- Title and survey: Set deadlines to object to title issues, who pays for a survey, and how title defects will be cured.
- Prorations and closing costs: Allocate property tax proration methods, HOA fees, and municipal adjustments.
- Disclosures and HOA documents: Ensure state disclosures, lead-based paint forms where applicable, and HOA resale documents are delivered and reviewed.
- Contingency and default language: Clarify remedies, attorney-fee provisions, and conditions under which the contract can be terminated.
- Municipal items: Address any local certificate, inspection, or transfer requirements that affect timing or occupancy.
Step-by-step to stay on track
A clear plan from day one helps you meet deadlines and reduce back-and-forth later.
Buyer checklist, day 0 to day 5
- Day 0: Confirm the attorney-review deadline and whether the clause uses business or calendar days. Share the executed contract and disclosures with your attorney immediately.
- Day 0–1: Schedule your home inspection within 24 to 72 hours. Tell your attorney and agent the appointment date so they can plan repair requests.
- Day 1–2: Deliver earnest money by the contract deadline to the named escrow holder or title company. Keep proof of delivery.
- Day 2–3: Review the inspection report quickly. Prioritize health, safety, major systems, and significant cost items for repair or credit requests.
- Day 3–5: Work with your attorney on written requests. Sign addenda promptly to lock in any agreed changes and keep other timelines moving.
Seller checklist, day 0 to day 5
- Day 0: Confirm review deadlines and day count type. Provide your attorney with the executed contract, disclosures, and any available survey or HOA information.
- Day 0–1: If the home is a condo or townhome, request HOA resale documents and fee schedules right away for attorney review.
- Day 1–3: Prepare for inspection access and gather receipts or service records for recent repairs or system updates.
- Day 2–5: When repair requests or contract edits arrive, review with your attorney and agent. If you agree on changes, sign addenda quickly to preserve momentum.
Local specifics for Cook County closings
Arlington Heights transactions often involve standard suburban logistics with a few Cook County nuances. The closing agent typically coordinates recording and lender payoff statements, while attorneys review title commitments and exceptions. Plan for typical recording timeframes and confirm any municipal certificates or transfer-related steps needed.
For condos and townhomes, request HOA documents as soon as you go under contract. Attorneys will look for pending assessments, transfer fees, rules that affect occupancy, and any required resale certificates. In suburban practice, buyers often schedule inspections in the first 2 to 5 days after acceptance so repairs or credits can be discussed during or immediately after attorney review.
Market conditions can influence your clause. In tighter markets, sellers may push for shorter review windows or limitations on certain objections. Understand the trade-offs before accepting a shortened period.
Outcomes and earnest money
When the attorney-review period ends, one of three outcomes usually applies:
- No written objections were made. The contract continues as-is and all other deadlines remain in place.
- The parties agreed to changes. Everyone signs the addenda and the transaction proceeds under the amended terms.
- An attorney issued a timely disapproval or objection that was not resolved. The contract may terminate pursuant to the clause. Earnest money handling then depends on what your contract says about termination during review and any applicable contingencies.
If a deal ends during the review period, the contract should explain whether the buyer is entitled to a refund of earnest money. If terms are unclear, escrow instructions and the dispute resolution section of the contract will guide next steps.
How C Starr Team keeps review smooth
You deserve a calm, on-time process. Here is how the C Starr Team supports you through attorney review in Arlington Heights:
- Clear timelines from day 0: We confirm your review window, inspection period, and earnest money deadline at ratification so nothing slips.
- Fast inspection scheduling: Our team coordinates inspections within the first 24 to 72 hours and alerts your attorney when reports arrive to keep negotiations timely.
- Organized document flow: We deliver disclosures, HOA documents, surveys when available, and title information to the attorneys promptly so they can focus on solutions.
- Addenda speed: When attorneys reach agreement, we route addenda for signatures immediately to lock in terms and protect your timeline.
- Trusted local network: We regularly work with experienced Arlington Heights and Cook County real estate attorneys, inspectors, lenders, and title companies so your closing stays coordinated.
- Constant communication: With a dedicated multi-agent model and concierge-level coordination, you always have someone available to answer questions and keep your file moving.
When you want a smooth, on-time close backed by local experience, we are ready to help.
Ready to talk through your timeline or get a plan for your next move? Connect with the C Starr Team at @properties to start with a clear, step-by-step path.
FAQs
Is attorney review required in Illinois for home sales?
- No. Attorney review is not mandated by state law. It is a contractual provision commonly included in local forms used in Cook County and across the Chicago area.
How long does attorney review last in Arlington Heights?
- Many suburban contracts use 2 to 5 business days, but your executed contract controls the exact timing and whether days are business or calendar.
Can an attorney cancel the contract during review?
- Possibly. Many clauses allow a timely objection or disapproval that can lead to termination if the parties do not reach agreement within the review window. The specific rights depend on your contract.
What gets negotiated during attorney review?
- Common items include repair credits or fixes, loan contingency timing, closing and possession dates, earnest money procedures, fixtures, title and survey matters, tax prorations, and HOA or municipal requirements.
Does attorney review pause inspection deadlines?
- Not automatically. Inspection periods may run at the same time as attorney review unless the contract ties them together. Schedule inspections quickly so requests can be made within applicable deadlines.
Who pays for the attorneys in an Illinois home sale?
- Each party typically pays their own attorney. Fee structures vary and may be hourly, flat-fee, or limited-scope review.
What happens to earnest money if the deal ends during review?
- It depends on your contract’s termination and escrow provisions. Many forms explain how earnest money is handled if a party exercises a permitted termination during the review period.
Will attorney review delay my closing date?
- The period is short, measured in days. Straightforward negotiations should not materially delay closing, though major title or inspection issues can extend timelines if more work is needed.
