By Stephanie Sims With Silver, Gold and Platinum LEED certifications becoming considerably popular, and “green” environmentally conscious features becoming affordable through programs such as CNT Energy’s Green and Healthy Homes (see p.14), the homes, developments and features that fall

By Stephanie Sims With all the attention energy efficient appliances are getting, it’s not only something buyers might be conscious of when buying new homes, it’s something homeowners in existing homes are now thinking about. How can they make

Becoming a Green Resource Jacquie Lewis of Coldwell Banker in Highland Park has two segments of buyers. The first is focused on finances and how they can save money, while the second wants to purchase a home that won’t

By Brian Salgado An Expert in Chicago and Hawaii Markets As a top producer and high-end luxury agent for Coldwell Banker, Jennifer Ames is an expert on the competitive residential market throughout the Chicago area. However, when local clients

Where do Chicago buyers choose to get away? By Stephanie Sims With harsh winters and hot, sticky summers, Chicagoland residents often want somewhere to escape to. But the big question is: where to? Chicago Agent asked Maria Davies, president

Managing brokers have a tough job. Not only do they put on a calm front while handling whatever issues come their way, but they need to act as a guide to their agents. Now, more than ever, agents need leaders. Here are the top qualities every managing broker should strive to possess:

By Stephanie Sims What do agents wish for, besides a perfect housing market, credit rules back to normal as opposed to stringent and world peace? Here are a few Chicagoland agents’ wish lists. If we work together to fix

By Elizabeth SanFilippo Turning the Love of Real Estate from a Hobby into a Business Kristine Farra of Gold Coast Real Estate loves shopping for condos the way some women love shopping for shoes. But Farra may be the

By Arthur Czaja, Attorney-at-Law, Arthur Czaja & Associates Condominiums and homeowner associations can make a maintenance-free living a reality for many homeowners.  Imagine not having to worry about cutting the grass when the weather gets nice.  Or, imagine not

Sellers might be upset over what you know is the accurate price they should list their home for; buyers may be dissatisfied with stalled negotiations or blame you for their financing fiascos. Whatever the case, there are difficult clients

By Elizabeth SanFilippo Diary of a Lawsuit In January of 2005, Diane Silverman, now managing broker/owner of Urban Search Realty who represented 55 E. Erie, invited employee Mary O’Connor to breakfast at the Peninsula Hotel. Silverman had an offer:

By Jimy Shannon Let’s face it – leaving one company for another is never easy. It’s tough to leave familiar surroundings, and it’s a challenge to learn new processes. However, as I’ve seen in working with hundreds of agents

When John Haagenson of Better Homes & Gardens Gloor Realty asked himself, “Where is my business going to be in the next 10 to 15 years?” he immediately knew the answer. He wanted to work in the suburbs, where

By Jeff Ristine Changing companies can be a difficult thing to manage in our current real estate market. In the past, you could plan your transition between transactions. However, today, with short sales and home sale contingencies becoming the

In late 2007, Aaron McDonald discovered that different brokerages offer different learning opportunities when he left MetroPro to pursue an opportunity with another associate

When John Wozniak, president of J. Lawrence Homes, was elected as president of HBAGC, he said he wanted to build the organization “back up to what it once was.” Before Wozniak, the focus of the organization seemed to be