In national rankings — which include user input, extracurricular activities, the availability of special needs programs and diversity, among other factors — several Chicagoland schools were called out for their excellence. Learn which institutions rank in the top ten for the region.

Real estate auctions can be very helpful for the right property, in the right situation. Use this simple checklist to determine if it’s a good move for you and your client.

From the porch and picket fence to the railing and trim, the bright pink and white detailing on this two-story Victorian makes it stand out from the rest of the homes in its neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side. On the market for $160,000, this late-1800s five-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath home spans 2,667 square feet and is fully furnished with even more pink decor inside. The floors, walls and curtains are pink, as is the ornate furniture that fills the home.

The Fox family didn’t just leave behind the founding of the Quaker religion as a legacy, they also left an estate that’s currently on the market for $15 million in Foxburg, Pennsylvania. Originally built in 1828, the entire estate features 26 total structures. The main five-bedroom mansion includes a library, wine cellar, conservatory and pub. One of the more interesting structures on the lot is the sugar house, built to help the original family manufacture maple syrup. The equestrian complex is complete with stables, a vet room, carriage museum and riding arena.

A Chicago RE/MAX shop acquires suburban office, Baird & Warner seeks to strengthen the agent-lender relationship and improve customer experience with a new hire, and Wintrust continues its acquisition spree.

The cut will likely lower the interest rates that consumers and businesses pay on many types of debt, including mortgages. But since financial analysts had been expecting the Fed to reduce rates for some time now, the rate cut is effectively priced into some products like the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and savings account yields.

An initial public offering of Compass stock is expected within the next 24 months, according to at least one tech source. As some of the more traditional brokerage models struggle, does this move matter for agents?

The National Association of Realtors’ Pending Home Sales Index broke a 17-month streak of year-over-year declines to log an annual increase in June. Last month also marked the second month in a row in which nationwide pending home sales grew, a fresh sign that homebuyers are finally emboldened by falling interest rates.

Find out what top real estate executives here in Chicago think about the buyer’s rep lawsuits against NAR and other major real estate companies. Do they think the charges have merit and how might the industry change if the litigants prevail? 

A poll of more than 100 real estate economists and experts finds half of the respondents think a recession will begin in 2020. Learn about their reasons for such assertions and predictions for the housing market overall in the next few years.

As housing costs have continued to grow faster than the average buyer’s income, more are tapping into resources that can lower the substantial up-front costs of purchasing a home. But that could bring some major changes and a degree of uncertainty to the housing market.

What do kids need in a new home? Experts in family studies, psychology and household finance provide insight on some key elements that real estate agents’ clients should consider if they are searching for property with a family in mind.

Ninety-nine percent of agents told researchers they are proud of what they do. But just 21 percent said they would recommend the career to others.

A three-person team is stepping up to lead Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff as CEO Nancy Nagy moves away from day-to-day operations, a new hire at Guaranteed Rate and more in our latest installment of Making Moves.

While sales of existing homes continue to underwhelm, housing market analysts are feeling more optimistic about new construction. The Census Bureau reported new-home sales in June came 7 percent above the revised sales pace for May, and 4.5 percent above the estimate for June 2018. The report did come with caveats, however.

Regions Bank continues to set its sights on growth, all while keeping a focus on customer service. And as the bank settles into its newest market of Chicagoland, there are a number of synchronicities that have executives at Regions excited about the move.