Chicago native Dominic Mancini began practicing law in May 1975 and will celebrate 50 years of practice next year, all of which have been spent in Hinsdale. (Jim Slonoff photo)
What's been rewarding about real estate law?
Dominic Mancini found more than a job when he began his career in Hinsdale nearly 50 years ago. He found his forever home.
He's now a father of four and a grandfather of 10, seven of whom live within walking distance of Mancini's house.
"I love that," he said, saying it's not at all uncommon to run into a member of his family while out for a walk or driving to work.
Mancini also continues to enjoy his work as an attorney specializing in real estate, estate planning, and corporations and LLCs.
"Since 1984, it's been primarily real estate," said Mancini, who left his work as a litigator in the financial world for a less stressful area of law.
Mancini branched out on his own just as Hinsdale was experiencing the era often referred to as "the teardown craze." Older homes in the village were being bought up and torn down to make way for new, larger houses. Mancini stepped in to help make those transactions run smoothly and has been helping buyers and sellers of real estate ever since.
In some ways, Mancini said, teardown transactions were simpler than a traditional sale, with no need for inspections or negotiations regarding the house's condition. Today, buyers and sellers have to consider things like radon mitigation, tests for lead paint and changes in tax laws.
"It's one of the largest investments most people will make in their lifetimes," he said of buying a home, describing his role as the buyer's or seller's advocate. "They have the confidence that no one is going to take advantage of them. We're experts in what to expect."
Mancini considers a real estate broker essential to the process as the glue that keeps a deal together, Mancini said, adding that those who forgo a Realtor often end up spending the money they expected to save on attorney's fees.
"We have to put in so much more time," he said.
After decades in the business, Mancini said he knows the local ordinances of various suburbs and neighborhoods, as well as the latest laws relating to buying and selling a property. Houses in the Flagg Creek Water Reclamation District, for example, require a payoff letter before a home can be sold. Having that knowledge from the start can help avoid last-minute problems that can threaten or postpone a transaction.
"The worst issues are the ones that happen the day of closing," Mancini said.
Mancini's two sons also work in the real estate business - Paul as a Realtor and Dominic as a mortgage broker.
"There are times when the three of us are involved in the same transaction," related Mancini, noting they've tabbed themselves "Find, Fund and Finish."
Mancini said having his children in the business keeps things interesting, and with the addition of attorney Joe Bendoraitis to the Mancini Law Firm, he's finding more time to spend with them outside of work.
"When I'm not here, he takes over," Mancini said, affording Mancini time for vacations that weren't possible for much of his career.
But he's not ready for retirement.
"I started out as being one of the youngest attorneys in Hinsdale and will end up being one of the oldest practicing attorneys in Hinsdale," said Mancini.
- by Sandy Illian Bosch
