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.

After nearly 17 years lobbying on behalf of local Realtors, Brian Bernardoni is leaving his post at CAR. Chicago Agent magazine asked him what’s next for Chicago and the association, and whether or not he’s going to run for office.

Opportunities for Illinois homebuyers have increased as home sales trended lower in June and median prices stayed relatively flat, according to data from Illinois Realtors. However, one factor that doesn’t favor buyers is the fact that inventory remained low.

Anyone who’s bought a home knows that it’s usually only a matter of days after closing that their mailbox is inundated with marketing materials. The idea from Amazon is to give consumers an incentive to use an agent through one of Realogy’s brands, while giving Amazon a reason to attract customers who, presumably, will come back for more as they set up their new homes. 

The national existing-home market nearly gave up the ground won in May with a less-than-stellar showing for June sales, according to the National Association of Realtors. Sales of existing homes in June came in 1.7 percent below the previous month’s total, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 5.27 million.

Weakening home sales, a sluggish new construction market and slowing growth in permitting for home improvement projects have all impacted the pace of remodeling, particularly projects undertaken with the goal of putting properties on the market for a quick sale.

About half of millennials say they wouldn’t need to stretch in order to afford mortgage payments. At this same time last year, only 40 percent of millennial homebuyers said they would have no trouble making mortgage payments on time.

A unique dome-home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice James Dresser in 1952 is listed on the market in Madison, Wisconsin, at $499,000. Though the two-bedroom, two-bathroom home looks more like a mushroom than a flower, the building earned