News / Features

IAR Responds to Erroneous Median Prices and Home Sales

Today, the Illinois Association of Realtors (IAR) released a statement regarding the association’s erred Chicago median prices and home sales. The group admitted its data was incorrect yesterday, finding that their May statistics, as well as potentially years worth

Second Quarter Results for Wall Street Banks Expected to be Less Optimistic

After an optimistic first quarter, Wall Street banks are expected to report a drop of almost 25 percent in core trading revenue. JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley are all expected to report similar

Questionable Housing Statistics Dating Back to 2008 Under Review

The Illinois Association of Realtors previously claimed that the median price of condominiums sold in Chicago this May rose 10.3 percent; now with news that the median prices actually fell 23 percent year-over-year, the accuracy of data dating back

Chicago/St. Charles on “Best Vacation Cities” and “10 Best Towns for Families: 2011” Lists

Chicago and nearby suburb St. Charles have both received some recent honorable mentions, with Chicago being ranked as the third best vacation city in the U.S. and Canada, and St. Charles nominated as the best city in which to

Survey Indicates Decline of Home and Lot Sizes Slowing; Suggests Turnaround

The downsizing trend that has gripped most of the real estate market during the past few years appears to be turning around, according to a survey by the American Institute of Architects

Home Prices Still Declining in Most Markets, but not Drastically

As home prices fell 3.2 percent during the last six months, many began to wonder where they will go from here. According to Housing Wire, Clear Capital believes that prices will drop another 2.4 percent throughout the remaining duration

Next Boom Town in the U.S., Chicago Ranks Poorly

Chicago will not be the next boom town in the U.S., according to recently released data from New

Weichert Realtor Will Attempt to Break Guinness World Record

Weichert, Realtors – First Chicago Broker/Owner, Ron Ruby, will participate in the “attempt” to break the Guinness World Record for the most high-fives in an hour at this year’s 10th annual Taste of River

Obama Administration Offers Mortgage Relief to Unemployed Homeowners

The Obama Administration recently announced adjustments to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requirements that will require servicers the forbearance period for unemployed homeowners to 12 months. The Administration also intends to require servicers in the Making Home Affordable Program

Apartment Vacancy Rates Fall in Second Quarter

A recent analysis by Reis Inc. showed that the apartment vacancy rate fell to six percent, down from 6.2 percent in quarter one and 7.8 percent in quarter two of 2010, according to Calculated

NAR Survey Highlights Importance of Owning a Home

In addition to research from NAHB showing that home ownership is still valuable, yesterday, NAR released results from the “2011 National Housing Pulse Survey” a telephone poll of 1,250 adults which found similar

Controversial Condominium Faces Foreclosure

Developer Jerome Cedicci’s 44-unit condominium project on the West Side faces foreclosure after a scandal over the development lead to several resignations at City

Walnut Place Challenges $8.5 Billion Bank of America Settlement

Recently, news broke that Bank of America aims to settle a lawsuit with displeased investors for $20 billion; of this $20 billion, $8.5 billion is set to go to investors who were deeply impacted by the troubled mortgage-backed securities

Illinois may see FHA Loan Limit Reductions of up to $44,300

In a recent call for action, the National Association of Realtors has asked Realtors to weigh in on the impact of changing mortgage costs, which are set to decrease on September 30  – which may subsequently further prevent housing

Chicago’s Walkability Score of 74 Could Correlate With Increased Property Values

“The Walkability Premium in Commercial Real Estate Investments,” a report by Gary Pivo and Jeffrey D. Fisher found that “walkability” increases an offices’ and stores’ value by nine percent, as well as apartments by one percent. Chicago was among

Bank of America and Washington Mutual Settlements Set Examples

Bank of America has been criticized by many investors who held stock in the now failed home loans; the bank faces a proposed sum totaling $20 billion in order to partially reverse the damage, with the additional costs of

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