Real Estate & Housing

Housing Rental Search

ILHousingSearch.org
Search for rental properties by city, county or metropolitan area. This Illinois government site provides detailed information on available housing. Also find links to housing resources and helpful tools for renters such as an affordability calculator, rental checklist, and information about renter rights and responsibilities.

RealtorCom
Official site of the National Association of Realtors. Homes for sale, apartments for rent, neighborhood info, consumer info on house buying and directory of realtors.
HomeSales.gov
Current information about single family homes for sale by the U.S. government.

Chicago Housing Authority
Housing resources for Chicago residents including information on the Housing Choice Voucher Program, formerly called Section 8.
Housing Authority of Cook County
Information on the Housing Choice Voucher Program, Section 8, and the Low Rent Public Housing Program in suburban Cook County and other resources.
Illinois Housing Development Authority
Help for home buyers and renters with modest incomes.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Gateway to housing programs and real estate information.
Ginnie Mae
A government agency within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assisting people with low to moderate income in securing financing for houses.

Fannie Mae & FreddieMac
See if your mortgage loan is owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, in which case you could qualify for the government's refinancing help.
MakingHomesAffordable.gov
Get information about the government's mortgage relief program along with self-assessment tools and calculators. This site also let's you connect with free counseling resources, locate homeowner events in your community, find a checklist of key documents to have ready when making the call to their servicer, FAQs from borrowers in similar circumstances, etc.
MortgageReliefOnline.com
See if you are eligible to receive free advice from a mortgage and credit specialist and if you qualify for the government's mortgage relief program.

American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Building Design
American Society of Home Inspectors
Buying a House
Consumer advice from HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development).
Chicago Association of Realtors
FindLaw for the Public -- Real Estate
Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings
Consumer protection group for homeowners and buyers.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
This program's aim is to help eligible low-income households pay for winter energy services. LIHEAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the state of Illinois.
Real Estate Profession, Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulations
The Bureau of Real Estate Professions oversees real estate brokers and agents. Includes a variety of real estate forms.
Remodel Today
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) provides tips on finding remodeling contractors. Find a NARI certified professional by in your area.
United States Postal Office Change of Address Form

Cook County Assessor
Search for the assessed values of homes in Cook County, learn about the assessment and appeal processes, and download forms.
Cook County Clerk -- Real Estate & Tax Services
Cook County Treasurer's Office