This month’s cover story is dedicated to the astute 2024 predictions by our panel of experts, which includes brokerage executives, loan officers and developers. No one is claiming they can see the future, obviously, but with the help of these experts we can get a very educated outline of what to expect in Chicagoland real estate in the coming year.

History shows us that our annual predictions issue is not perfect, but it’s pretty darn accurate. A look back at last year’s collection of predictions shows real estate leaders in the region expected that agents would need to shift their mindset and find positives in a market that was retreating from the post-COVID housing surge. Mortgage interest rates would continue to rise, hovering in the 7% range. Inventory would remain a concern, driving up home prices slightly, or at least keeping them flat. Does any of that sound familiar? It should, because that’s a fair recap of the year we just experienced in Chicagoland real estate.

In addition to predictions, this issue includes a look at home cameras and how they are affecting agents and real estate in general. In some cases, home sales have been halted because of what sellers see and hear on their cameras. At the same time, some potential buyers have been scared off by elaborate in-home camera operations. “It makes me feel like the neighborhood is unsafe,” one agent told us. “You might as well put bars on the windows.”

While much of this issue is about looking ahead, be sure to take some time this month to relax, connect with family and reflect. Then hit the ground running in 2024. Happy holidays!