Trends

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Why We Might Be Saying Good-bye to Fannie and Freddie

The U.S. Senate has taken a step towards reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, only it might be in the wrong direction. #479290095 / gettyimages.com Go back five or six years and you’d be hard pressed to find a news

Chicagoland Asking Prices Post Dramatic Growth

Asking prices remained quite strong in our metro area in May, according to fresh numbers from Trulia. #159405477 / gettyimages.com The good times continued to roll for home prices in the Chicagoland area in May, with asking prices rising 13.5

New Legislation Has Industry Insiders Drawing Battle Lines

SB2664 passes the state General Assembly, but arguing sides has “veto” ringing in the governor’s ears. #129313580 / gettyimages.com In 1963, the Illinois General Assembly passed into action the Condominium Property Act. For more than four decades, the legislation has

New Report Has Chicagoland Homebuyers Smiling

New report from CoreLogic details the slow, but steady recovery of the nation’s housing market as states plow through pending foreclosures – how did your city do? #172917078 / gettyimages.com As one of 24 judicial states, which require all

Mortgage Payments in Illinois Way Down Since 2006

Mortgage payments were way out of control during the boom era, but new data suggests they’ve simmered down considerably. #157740817 / gettyimages.com During the housing boom years, home prices were not the only numerical value relating to housing that

Redfin Report: What Has Many Homes Selling Faster

Despite depleted inventories, a new Redfin reports finds home tours, offers and overall demand are still holding strong. #172155167 / gettyimages.com Home tours and offers have historically responded to the ebbs and flow of available inventory – an almost

The 3 Reasons that Housing May Not Be as Affordable as it Looks

We’re often told about how affordable housing is, but there is a world inside of the world of housing affordability. #475106427 / gettyimages.com Housing, we often read, is currently in a promised land of affordability. Though not quite the ideal

4 Encouraging Trends for Chicagoland Buyers and Sellers

New data from Midwest Real Estate Data suggests good things to come for the Chicagoland housing market.  #182969815 / gettyimages.com It’s been a slow road to recovery for several of the country’s biggest housing markets, and Chicago has not been

The Real Reason Construction Activity is Up

Construction numbers have been up in 2014, but there’s a very specific reason behind the increased activity. #138626281 / gettyimages.com Overall construction spending in the U.S. economy rose 0.2 percent from March to April and 8.6 percent from April

Chicago’s Market Is Staying Quiet, Unless Your Client Has $1.2 Million

If all roads lead to home recovery, then it’s pretty clear that not all American’s are taking the same path. #490043801 / gettyimages.com In 2013, heavy investor interest began driving up the number of homes sold throughout the country. Listings

The Inconvenient Truth About Housing – in Two Charts

The most recent existing-home sales report indicated that housing may have turned a corner, but structural issues persist. #142483561 / gettyimages.com Covering the housing market nowadays is a strange experience. On one hand, you have the clear monthly reports

NAR Report: What Has Buyer Confidence On the Rise

New NAR report finds overall pending home sales improved for the second straight month in April, but not every region performed well. #163842031 / gettyimages.com In March, the National Association of Realtors’ Pending Home Sales Index, described as a

5 Reasons that First-Time Homebuyers Are NOT Returning Anytime Soon

First-time homebuyers have been missing in action for some time now, and it’s unlikely that they’ll return any time soon. #482143423 / gettyimages.com It’s no news to anyone – especially consistent readers of our news coverage – that first-time

Why Cash is King in Chicago

New research from Redfin reveals home buyers in major metros are abandoning their check books for the more comfortable feel of cold, hard cash. How does your area stack up? #sb10069816b-001 / gettyimages.com In the wake of tightening mortgage

Chicagoland Continues to See Rise in Residential Construction

Continuing its slow return to prominence, residential construction is gaining ground in many metropolitan areas in the U.S. Unfortunately, not everyone did so well in April. #479733853 / gettyimages.com The Chicagoland area has seen its fair share of rough residential construction months,

On a Salary Basis, Owning in Chicago is Downright Affordable

We often hear about how affordable a given housing market is, but looking at the actual salary needed to buy is quite eye opening. #160427001 / gettyimages.com To comfortably own a home in the Chicagoland region, a prospective homebuyer

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