Real Estate 23 October 2025 - 14 November 2025

After months of delay from a troubled tech overhaul, Cook County’s 2024 second‑installment property tax bills are being mailed on November 14, 2025, with payment due December 15. Here’s how the late bills affect homeowners, schools and local budgets — and what you should do now. CHICAGO — After a chaotic year of delays, Cook County homeowners are finally seeing their 2024 second‑installment property tax bills land in mailboxes starting today, November 14, 2025.

VA home loans – mortgages guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – are one of the most powerful benefits for servicemembers and veterans, yet a new report reveals that many who served don’t fully grasp these advantagescutoday.info. The “Spotlight on VA Loans” survey found nearly all respondents have heard of VA loans, but knowledge gaps persistcutoday.info. For example, almost half were unaware VA loans typically offer lower interest rates, and a majority believed some form of down payment was necessary, which is incorrectcutoday.info. In reality, VA loans allow qualified buyers to finance 100% of the home price with $0 down, and often at interest rates about 0.25% lower than conventional mortgagescutoday.info. These misconceptions stem from information gaps. Only 39% of those surveyed rely on official VA or military resources for loan information; the rest lean on personal research or word-of-mouthcutoday.info. This fosters persistent myths – from who is eligible to how the loans work. On average, eligible veterans held more than two false beliefs about VA loanscutoday.info. “For Active Duty servicemembers, Veterans, and their families, VA loans can provide crucial benefits on the journey to homeownership,” says Christopher Davis, Navy Federal Credit Union’s Assistant VP of Residential Lending,

VA loans are mortgages guaranteed by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs. The VA does not lend money itself; it guarantees a portion of private loans for eligible veterans, reducing lender risk. This guarantee lets lenders offer favorable terms: no minimum credit score is set by VA, no down payment is required, and no PMI. Borrowers pay a one-time funding fee to fund the programveteransunited.com; disabled vets and certain survivors pay $0 fee. To qualify, you must meet service requirements. For example, 90+ days active duty in wartime, or 6+ years in the Guard/Reserves, or other conditionsbankrate.com. Surviving spouses of fallen service members may also qualify. After securing a Certificate of Eligibility, borrowers apply through VA-approved lenders. VA loans can be used to purchase or refinance primary residences. The VA typically limits VA loans to owner-occupied homes only.