For our annual Predictions issue, we talk to the experts — the biggest names in Chicagoland real estate. What are the things that agents need to be cognizant of as they head into the new year? And how will COVID-19 continue to impact the real estate industry?

A nurturing office culture doesn’t happen overnight. Supportive, sturdy leadership by the managing broker is crucial, as is providing the right level of support for agents and clients.

Taking time to give back to those in need not only enriches their lives, but also sets an example future generations will want to follow.

We asked you, our readers, about the causes that are near and dear to your heart.

Acknowledging the vast opportunities that real estate does offer, a former Los Angeles wedding planner, a Chicago Mercantile Exchange trader and a suburban Chicago millennial all launched their real estate careers just before the onslaught of the worldwide deadly virus.

Under the new Real Estate License Act, new licensees have a post-license education requirement of 45 hours dedicated to professionalism.

With a new app popping up seemingly daily, how do agents know which tech companies to trust to make their lives easier while also staying true to their own brand? We spoke to some of today’s most revolutionary tech companies to find out how they’re helping agents both build and strengthen their businesses.

Over the decades, Chicago developers and builders have moved from the traditional two-flat and bungalow-style homes to investing in different options for affordable housing, like infill construction, modular-type homes and flexible buildings. Is it working, and what will the landscape of entry-level housing look like in the near future?

This year marks an incredible opportunity for the industry, and the individuals in our 2020 Who’s Who in Chicagoland Residential Real Estate issue are the ones who will rise to meet the demands of today and tomorrow.

Four months after mortgage lenders started to tighten their standards in reaction to COVID-19-related uncertainty, Chicagoland lenders say they have yet to see a dramatic slowdown.

Sometimes it makes sense to build your own tech, whereas other situations call for an off-the-shelf solution or a vendor partnership. Which styles benefit different types of businesses and offices? Also, how can tech companies adapt to better serve the needs of real estate professionals?

Despite recent challenges, there’s a great deal to celebrate in terms of what makes it great to be a real estate broker in Chicago. We check in with real estate professionals who are passionate about our city, and hear about their commitment to building a more resilient and robust real estate community to face the future.

The contagious and debilitating nature of the virus has forced agents to adjust their business practices and marketing strategies to reach current and potential clients.

Under ideal circumstances, purchasing a home for the first time is daunting. Add a pandemic to an already competitive marketplace, made up of rising home prices and low inventory, and the obstacle course becomes downright forbidding.

With the cost to buy and own a home rising rapidly in Chicago, some residents see developers and real estate brokers as the enemy. But the true picture is much more nuanced than that.

Chicagoland’s luxury market is still active. Buyers who can afford high-end housing are still willing to take their time and do their homework while seeking the perfect property to meet their individual needs. Agents who are prepared and who have deep knowledge of the luxury market are well positioned to help them in their search.