It’s hard to explain the many ways that new technologies have changed the real estate industry. Access to data, new tools for using that data, and myriad new ways to reach target audiences have transformed agent business models, marketing

It’s hard to believe that the much-anticipated TRID update happened almost a year ago. One of the first issues I edited was our 2015 Fall Lending Update issue, and of course TRID was all anyone was talking about. This

There’s quite a bit happening in new construction these days. Agents have to stay on top of building trends, new local developments, their markets’ inventory situations and the latest consumer needs. With that in mind, we put a Fall

It’s tricky to tackle “The state of the MLS” as a topic, because it’s immense. MLSs function at the local, association, state, and national level; there are many organizations, companies, and technologies involved at those levels, and agents access

For those who are not in sales, it may seem at times like the ability to persuade someone to purchase is a mysterious power, and one that only those with the mythical “sales personality” possess. In reality, selling real

At first glance, “Education” may not seem like the most glamorous of real estate topics. But thorough knowledge of local markets, sales strategies, and best practices is integral to success in this business, and rather than associating education with

It’s tough to be the new kid, and it’s even tougher if you aren’t really a “kid” anymore – making a mid-career switch, as most Realtors have, can be a tricky change to navigate. According to NAR’s 2016 Member

Love them or hate them, syndication sites are a polarizing topic in real estate. As more and more aspects of the homebuying process are developed into apps, websites and other digital services, agents find themselves in the position of

Real estate is a field where one’s career gets better with time. The more people you meet, the more deals you close, and the more unique client situations you’re exposed to, the more seasoned you become. Reputations aren’t built

For many agents, luxury real estate is the holy grail: gorgeous, high-profile properties, wealthy clients, and of course, bigger commissions. Breaking into that market is challenging enough, but mastering the marketing techniques to sell yourself as a luxury agent

Real estate agents have a lot of data to stay on top of. National market trends, labor statistics, new construction, home prices and crime statistics are only the tip of the iceberg – agents also have a vast amount

The path to managing broker is not one that everyone will (or should) take, and those who do pursue that path know that it looks different for every individual. Some will benefit from helpful mentors; some will leverage knowledge

The story of race in Chicagoland housing is a troubling one that continues to challenge the real estate community. The exact terms for what minorities have been subjected to in the last century – targeted violence, redlining, segregation, subprime

New construction has developed into a complicated story on both local and national levels. Metrics like year-over-year comparisons of new home starts and counts of issued permits must be balanced within the context of both larger market trends and

There’s no replacement for the perspective of real estate agents who are actually on the ground, selling homes and interacting with consumers on a day-to-day basis. For this, our seventh annual survey issue, we analyzed hundreds of anonymous responses.

Top producers dominate their markets. They are organized, effective communicators who leverage technology and always have one eye open to the future. Their sales account for startling shares of their local markets, especially here, where the top 20 agents