News / Features

Keller Williams settles Batton class action for $20M

The brokerage is the first defendant in the lawsuit that alleges that it, RE/MAX, Anywhere Real Estate and the National Association of REALTORS® conspired to fix agent commissions and inflate home prices. 

Advocus National Title Insurance Co. expands leadership team to scale underwriting platform nationwide

Advocus National Title Insurance Company, a Rate-acquired company, has appointed Kelli Fogarty as executive vice president, business development and Stan Czaja as executive vice president and general manager as part of a strategic effort to scale its underwriting platform nationwide. 

Super Bowl LX: The ‘Big Game’ could mean big home-value boosts for Boston and Seattle

Zillow’s Home Value Index shows that in 13 of the past 20 years, home values in the metro area of the Super Bowl champion grew faster than the national average.

Fed holds interest rates steady

The Fed said that while economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace, job growth has remained low, and inflation is “somewhat elevated.”  

‘Bottle House’ made with 20,000 glass bottles

On the market for the first time in 70 years, this Detroit-area home was constructed using over 20,000 glass bottles.

NAR issues first Annual Report

The report covers the progress the organization has made toward its 2026-2028 Strategic Plan. 

City of Chicago home sales remain flat in 2025 as prices rise

The broader Chicagoland area, meanwhile, saw a slight uptick in sales during the year. 

Chicagoland home sales remain mostly flat in 2025 as prices rise

Several suburban communities experienced significant declines in prices during December, however.

Report: Chicago Plan Commission approves Foundry Park development

The Chicago Plan Commission has approved zoning for the Foundry Park development, a large mixed-use project proposed along the North side of the Chicago River, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. 

BHHS Chicago wraps up 2025 with $35K in charitable donations

The brokerage contributed to Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity, Sunshine Kids and the HomeServices Foundation for Housing Equity. 

Colonial in the front, maze in the back

The seller’s agents are Kathryn Johnson and Michelle Bergkamp of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, who call the property “pure Alice in Wonderland magic.”

Robert Reffkin retains position as most powerful person in real estate

The publication cited acquisitions of Anywhere Real Estate and @properties Christie’s International Real Estate, as well as Compass’ improved profitability in 2025, as evidence of Reffkin’s power in the industry.

2026 opens with a dip in builder confidence, interest rates

Affordability challenges continue to bedevil homebuyers, despite mortgage rates falling to a three-year low, the National Association of Home Builders reported. 

Chicago brokers share how to scale real estate teams and win in 2026

At A and N Mortgage’s Power Hour, Chicago brokers Matt Laricy and Jill Silverstein share how top teams can scale without losing their edge.

Joanne DeSanctis Kirk joins JSIR’s Chicago City Hub office

The former Dream Town agent has more than 10 years working in real estate. 

Report: Immigrants drive housing production in top US homebuilding metros

Research showed a disproportionately high share of foreign-born workers active in the construction trades nationally in 2024.

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