After several years of lax income documentation and fringe product debacles, the mortgage industry is putting its foot down when it comes to strengthening requirements for lending. Add to that a static interest rate, and 2007 will likely see

After several years of lax income documentation and fringe product debacles, the mortgage industry is putting its foot down when it comes to strengthening requirements for lending. Add to that a static interest rate, and 2007 will likely see

Real estate has traditionally been viewed as the best example of a cyclical market, as buying activity routinely crescendos, turns suddenly and then falls off, causing prices to drop. Then, the cycle begins again. This cycle is easily correlated

Real estate has traditionally been viewed as the best example of a cyclical market, as buying activity routinely crescendos, turns suddenly and then falls off, causing prices to drop. Then, the cycle begins again. This cycle is easily correlated

Chicago Agent has tapped into 20 of the most popular, productive and downright fun places to work in Chicagoland. Each real estate office has a personality and functions under the guidance of a movin’ and shakin’ managing broker who,

 The readers have spoken, and the results are in for our first-ever Agents’ Choice Awards survey. What does it mean to be the best? Is it totally subjective? Or can one person or company truly earn the right to be

By K.K. Snyder Still recovering from the turmoil that rattled the 51,000-member Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois Inc. (MLSNI) in 2004, which prompted the firing of then CEO Jay Huffman, the organization now finds its membership again divided

By K.K. Snyder Do you know how to drive your clients to finalizing the sophisticated sale? While you may be a fine salesperson, attending to every detail, you must have the ability to read and analyze your clients in

Welcome to Chicago Agent’s Third Annual “What Drives Realtors” issue. While being a Realtor is supposed to be all about houses, many agents will tell you that it’s also about cars. Serving the equally important functions of mode of

Are people imbued with an innate understanding of how to sell from birth, or does it take years of learning, training and practice to become successful? Although some agents like to think their talents are natural — inherent skills

Extreme Service, Extreme Results K.K. Snyder It’s not enough anymore to be friendly and knowledgeable—agents must be willing to go to any length to win over clients, especially if they are looking to profit from return client business. When

K.K. Snyder Real estate development is a challenging, competitive and ever-changing arena. Yet this segment of the industry lures people away from successful careers in resales, law and even medicine. Phil L. Stuepfert, director of planning in Illinois for

By K.K. Snyder When it comes to new construction purchases, getting your client to sign on the dotted line might be the easy part. Because your clients can customize their new construction homes from nearly endless lists of interior

THE COMMERCIAL COMPONENT By Clare Curley Real estate development is full of industrious, intelligent people always searching for the next opportunity. With the residential real estate market continuing to flourish, commercial developers have begun to break rank and diversify

Going It Alone  Are You Ready to Open Your own Brokerage? K.K. Snyder Have you thought about how great it would be to be your own boss, calling all the shots and keeping 100 percent of the fruits of

By K.K. Snyder Sales of second homes, whether for investment or getaways, continue to surge, according to a report by the National Association of Realtors. While they account for more than one-third of residential transactions, the purchase of a