Who You Are Talking To
Mike Certo, NMLS #260555, with Cornerstone First Mortgage, NMLS #173855. This site exists because the Illinois numbers investors find online are mostly homeowner numbers.
How we work
We underwrite Illinois rental property on the property's cash flow. That means the conversation starts with the rent and the full payment rather than with your tax returns, and it means we would rather tell you a deal does not clear before an appraisal than after one.
Why every figure here has a date on it
Assessment levels, the state equalization factor, county tax rates and market rents all move, and a stale number in an underwrite is worse than no number. Every state-specific figure on this site traces to a primary source, and we record the date we read it. Where something is genuinely unresolved, this site says so rather than guessing. Prepayment terms on Illinois investment property are one such question, and we answer it on a call about your actual file rather than in a paragraph.
What we are and are not
We are lenders. We are not attorneys, accountants or property managers, and this site does not give legal or tax advice. Where Illinois law touches an underwrite we explain the input and cite the statute. For the rest, talk to an Illinois real estate attorney or your CPA, and we will work alongside them.
Mike Certo · NMLS #260555 · Cornerstone First Mortgage NMLS #173855 · Equal Housing Lender. Educational content, not a loan commitment and not legal or tax advice. Assessment levels, the state equalization factor, county tax rates and city rental ordinances change, and the figures here carry the date we verified them. Confirm current requirements with the county assessor, the county clerk, your CPA, or an Illinois real estate attorney before you buy. Loans are subject to buyer and property qualification.