In our survey of Chicagoland agents, we unveiled some of their opinions on franchise

Loan officers can also narrow their focus to a particular specialty, which allows them to accentuate their skills and helps set them apart from the crowd. Joy Prisching of Key Mortgage Services was a loan officer for 13 years

The real estate profession offers vast career opportunities, whether you’re just starting out or have been looking to reach the next level. But as many agents in the Chicagoland area are finding out, a tight supply of homes and

The National Association of REALTORS provides certain designations and certifications that allow a Realtor to gain expertise in specific areas. These designations cross a number of different topics, and Realtors can choose as many as they would like to

It is easier for someone to forge a deed to your house than steal your Wi-Fi password. That’s according to John Mirkovic, the Chicago chapter co-chair of the International Blockchain Real Estate Association and deputy recorder of deeds in

What started as a hobby — flying small drones — has become an integral component of one real estate agent’s offerings to clients in the buying and selling process. Fabio Brancati, broker with RE/MAX Professionals Select in Naperville, has

Online reviews, particularly on sites like Yelp, are increasingly important to an agent’s business. Such a development has good and bad effects: it can boost an agent’s digital profile and help spread the good word, but it can also

Social media is a great way for agents to stay in contact with past and potential customers. However, there are also some risks that many people don’t take into account when posting information online. Most users don’t pay close

In every major sector of the economy, big data has become big business. In ways not possible just a decade ago, companies collect, crunch and analyze information to unlock consumer patterns and forecast market conditions. Data-driven insights have ignited

Tackling the topic of gender representation in real estate is a tricky thing. For one thing, there are multiple industries involved – residential brokerage, lending and homebuilding, to name a few, and each has its own dynamics in terms

What is considered luxury today may not be the height of opulence for tomorrow’s luxury buyer. Any brand or business catering to a luxury clientele must be ready to change with the times, and residential real estate is no

The story of the luxury real estate market in Chicagoland is really a tale of two markets. The city’s skyline is dotted with cranes as new buildings go up to accommodate more high-end apartments and condos. But in the

High occupancy levels. Rising asking rents. Strong demand. The rental market is thriving in Chicago, and the luxury segment is no exception. The conditions have created a perfect storm for a construction frenzy. “Chicago’s had a lot of new

Drussy Hernandez Managing broker, Conlon/Christie’s International Real Estate The policy at Conlon/Christie’s is for managing brokers to not sell or list properties unless it is for a personal acquaintance, Hernandez said. “I only handle friends and family and it’s

There are many ways managing brokers may serve their agents. And depending on who you ask, handling their own sales may or may not be one of them. Mike McElroy has been the owner and managing broker of Center