As an active agent I am in the field every day meeting clients, submitting contracts, showing my listings or viewing other agent’s listings. To me real estate is not just a job or a career, it’s a lifestyle. I’m “at work” from the moment I wake up until the time I go to sleep. One […]
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Life After The Home Buyer Tax Credit
Written by: Randy Whiting - February 25, 2010

There have been a lot of people speculating on what will happen to the market once the Fed stops buying mortgage backed securities and interest rates start to rise… It is logical for me to think that once the tax credit is over and the interest rates start to climb that buyer’s will be scared […]
Management Companies Play a Vital Role
Written by: Phil Burnstine - February 15, 2010
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Community association management companies play a vital role in both the financial and physical health of client buildings. Their role has become increasingly more difficult, and increasingly more critical, in the recent weak real estate market. Achieving success as a community association manager ultimately comes through proactive management and effective communications. However, many community association […]
Ups and Downs of Real Estate Commission Cutting
Written by: Stacy Braack - February 11, 2010

The struggling real estate market has forced sellers to look for creative solutions to squeeze dollars out of their sale to break even or minimize their loss. More and more frequently, listing agents are asked to ?share the pain? and cut their commission to cushion the blow to sellers caused by lower property values. The […]
The Short Sale Process Part 1 – How to Hit a Bull’s Eye While Blind Folded
Written by: Randy Whiting - February 8, 2010

The question I come across regarding short sales involves an uncertainty of the length of time it will take to navigate this process successfully to the end. Unfortunately the answer can be equated to the number of licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie-Pop.
New Signs of the Dinosaurs
Written by: Andrea Geller - February 5, 2010

Every once in a while I like to go back and revisit old posts and see if there are still relevant or thoughts of the moment. This post still rings true and truer for both buyers and sellers: Telltale Signs Your Listing Broker is a Dinosaur. Meeting with new clients recently, I have been getting […]
Waiting for The Recovery? Don’t Forget the Compass Point
Written by: Katie Anderson - February 4, 2010
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While we all sit here in Chicago and wait for the economy to rebound, I often wonder, “What is the hold up?” There are many answers to that very simple question. Because I am an appraiser as well as a broker, I do get some different insight that others miss out on. I have been […]
Condotel…A Property By Many Names
Written by: Stacy Braack - February 4, 2010

Condo? Hotel? Timeshare? The uncertain economy and downturn in the real estate market have driven developers to create unique projects. Chicago has seen several “condotel,” developments, where units are sold fully furnished and come with daily maid service. Building amenities resemble those of hotels, and owners can use the units themselves or rent them through […]
Zillow Makes Serious Challenge to Realtor.com and MLS Online
Written by: Katie Anderson - December 17, 2009

Zillow is trying to compete with the Big Boys – the Multiple Listing Service and Realtor.com. But does Zillow have the tools and the reputation to make inroads in this competitive online market?
HVCC Procedures and Misinformed Appraisers Delay Closings
Written by: Katie Anderson - December 10, 2009

I have seen both a good side and a bad side to the Home Valuation Code of Conduct program and have been lobbying for change. Well, today I saw first hand the debacle HVCC has created in the Real Estate world.
Conventional Loan Ceilings Hinder Chicagoland Economy
Written by: Katie Mischka - December 2, 2009

We can help spur the economy here in Chicago if conventional loan limits were increased. By raising them, buyers in the market just above $417,000 would need less money down and benefit from the record low interest rates.
October Housing Numbers: First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Drives Market
Written by: Andrea Geller - November 23, 2009

As seen in previous months, home buyers have pushed the market by taking advantage of historically low interest rates, 2004 pricing and the first time home buyer tax credit. Yet home prices continue to be soft because of distressed properties and competition with other properties in this higher inventory market.
Neighborhood Anxiety: Foreclosures, Short Sales, and Your Property Value
Written by: Stacy Braack - November 17, 2009

Many homeowners have very valid concerns about the impact of a neighbor who has a comparable unit but is selling their property at a rock bottom price. When a neighbor sells at a very low price because of a new baby, job transfer, or other situation, the impact on the immediate market value of comparable units can be significant, but not necessarily devastating.
Written by: Randy Whiting - March 4, 2010
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