Almost everyone agrees that it’s time to do something about the federal conservatorship of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and that lawmakers and regulators should handle the transition with care. But what will reform look like, when will it get done and what will it mean for lenders, real estate brokers and home buyers?

Because most brokers are independent contractors, they often have to be their own accountants, marketers, office managers and schedulers. Here are some concrete steps for real estate professionals who are ready to get serious about the shift from “agent” to business owner.

As the decade comes to a close, we’re looking ahead. We reached out to a handful of insightful real estate leaders to get their thoughts on what the next ten years might look like, and what industry professionals need to do to get ready.

What does it take to become a managing broker? We check in with three agents who recently made the transition from independent contractor to manager to learn what surprised them, the lessons they’ve learned along the way and the skills that have been most vital to their success so far.

To say Chicago is a city of neighborhoods is most certainly cliché by now, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true.

Welcome to the 14th annual Agents’ Choice Awards, where we’re honoring the very best of Chicagoland real estate according to our readers.

While iBuyers aren’t an active presence in Chicago yet, brokers need to understand the competition and consider its potential impact on the local market. Does the average agent really need to fear the impact of iBuyers on their business or can they find a way to take advantage of new sales tools to get more deals done?

The interests of brokers and politicians often overlap, as both seek to promote and improve communities. But politically active agents take a more direct approach by advocating directly for changes or improvements.

Nontraditional couples have been going in on big purchases together forever. But unmarried duos going in on a property purchase together is a rapidly growing trend. What does this mean for agents?

Realtor associations still provide many of the same services they’ve always offered to agents and brokers. Now, however, many feel called to help real estate professionals remain relevant in a marketplace in which they have to deal with competing, non-traditional business models that aren’t restrained by old ways of doing things.

Selling new construction is often a springboard for would-be top producers, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to get into. Follow this blueprint, compiled from conversations with successful agents who’ve incorporated new construction into their day-to-day work.

How do successful teams come about in the first place, and what do their leaders do to ensure continued viability? We speak with the leaders of local teams to learn what works.

We spoke to the people who manage teams at the three local brokerages to learn how teams fit into the larger picture.

Real estate sometimes have unpleasant associations with the Dust Bowl and foreclosure crisis. But while distressed properties are part of the auction scene, the majority of real estate auctions do not take place due to financial distress. Instead, those sellers that use auctions are typically seeking a fast, cost-effective way to get the best price possible for their homes.

Multimedia offers real estate professionals and brokerages a key way to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Learn how one-off productions, compilations and recurring spotlights contribute to the growing library of real estate videos being produced across Chicagoland.

It’s an exciting time for the real estate industry in Chicagoland, and the individuals in our 2019 Who’s Who in Chicagoland Residential Real Estate underscore that perfectly.