This has not been one of my more pleasant days. I let a real estate attorney that I had recommended to a couple of clients know that I wouldn’t be recommending her anymore.
I had used the attorney for some personal business. She mentioned that she did real estate law, so I recommended her.
The first client emailed me a couple of days after sending her home inspection report to the attorney with no response. Since buyers only have 5 business days after the contract is signed to request that any problems with the home be remediated, she was concerned about her requests being communicated to the seller’s attorney. I called the attorney and ask her to call my client.
The home inspection for the 2nd client revealed an issue with the furnace. My buyer was anxious about getting the issue resolved and I was hearing from the seller’s agent that they weren’t hearing anything on their end. Unfortunately, the attorney didn’t copy me on any of the communications to the seller’s attorney. I didn’t know what had been communicated, so there was some confusion, but the furnace issue was resolved. I received a fax from the attorney about the resolution. I sent an email to my client about another item and mentioned how I was glad to hear about the resolution of the furnace issue. I got an email back from my client this morning saying that she hadn’t heard anything about it!
I called the attorney this morning asking why my client didn’t know about the furnace issue resolution. She replied that instead of calling my client or faxing or emailing the communications to her that she had mailed them to her. My client lives out of state, so they will take a few days to get to her. This is not acceptable. The client should have been told the issue was resolved at least as soon as I was and certainly shouldn’t have to wait a few days. This was not a minor issue, but an issue that would determine whether the sale would go forward or not.
I tried to explain the need for improved communications to the attorney, but it was clear that she doesn’t see a need for it. Thus, I will find better attorneys to recommend.
Fran Bailey specializes in downtown Chicago, Lincoln Park and Lake View condos, co-op apartments and houses. She has shared home buying and selling advice since 2006 and written about over 130 Chicago high rises. To schedule showings for any listings, get a 
