The affordability of a classic single-family home has improved by 66 percent in the seven-county metropolitan Chicago real estate market over the last five years, according to a review by RE/MAX employing the traditional measure of home affordability developed

After decades of frequent moving because of their careers with the U.S. Navy, James and Rebecca Deshazor were finally ready to settle down so James could enjoy his retirement from the service and Rebecca could prepare for hers next

Contrary to popular belief, there’s never been a better time to purchase a new home—as evidenced by historically low interest rates and a variety of attractive financing options available. These loan programs and tax credits are specifically designed to

October continued the trend of median price growth in the majority of Illinois counties: sales were lower due to seasonal and residual tax credit factors and year-to-date sales remain positive even as the economy and foreclosures slow the recovery.

Impacted by normal seasonal drops in sales, an unpredictable foreclosure moratorium and an expired Tax Credit, residential home sales were lower again in October. A monthly survey of 54 metropolitan areas indicates that sales were 9.8 percent below those

The real estate professionals at RE/MAX Elite in Hinsdale, Ill., are doing their part to spread some cheer this holiday season. The brokerage, located at 28 W. Hinsdale Ave., will hold a toy drive on Nov. 26 to benefit

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury released the November edition of the Obama Administration’s Housing Scorecard (www.hud.gov/scorecard). The latest housing figures show continued signs of stabilization in house prices

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today unveiled a new website that consolidates a wide variety of economic and housing market data at the regional, state, metropolitan area and county levels. Using data from the Census Bureau,

Through local bake sales, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer provides the inspiration and support for individuals, communities, and businesses to help fight pediatric cancer. Last year agents at Prudential Starck, REALTORS had so much fun hosting the bake sale and

Construction has begun on America’s premier upper-upscale Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in the internationally-acclaimed Aqua tower in Chicago’s evolving Lakeshore East community. A joint venture of developer Magellan Development Group and Carlson, a global hospitality and travel company, the

Home prices in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market reached somewhat firmer ground in October even as the volume of homes changing hands continued to decline.  Both the median and average price of homes sold in the seven-county metro

“I am finding my short sales buyers are getting more and more impatient with banks and their response time. I have three buyers right now who have waited for nothing in return for 90-plus days and have begun to

The latest independent audit of the Federal Housing Administration shows the agency’s financial condition has improved from last year, when it announced its capital reserve fund had fallen below the 2 percent level mandated by Congress. The annual audit

The Homebuilders Association of Greater Chicago hosted yesterday its annual Key Awards dinner at Meridian Banquets in Rolling Meadows, Ill.

“The Key Awards recognize excellence in housing design, architecture, interior merchandising, landscaping, landscape architecture and remodeling,” according to HBAGC.com.

Awards were distributed on three levels, the Crystal Key Award, the Gold Key Award and the SAMMY Awards; with www.ChicagolandRealEstateForum.com providing real-time updates of the winners online.

According to a report from the National Association of REALTORS, the average homeowner’s net worth is approximately 41 times larger than that of the renter. Homeowners’ average net worth in 2010 ranged between $150,000 and $200,000 the report says,

At its Greenbuild Annual Conference & Expo today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced the launch of the Green Building Information Gateway (GBIG) Pilot for Illinois. The new gateway offers Greenbuild conference attendees three new resources for use