Market News + Design Trends
Real Estate NEWS
Pinterest-Perfect Renovations Made Easy
It may be a seller’s market in many areas, but when it comes to getting the highest possible sales price for your home in the shortest amount of time, “turnkey” is still key. With more people working from home and kids e-learning, it is a challenging time for...
How To Support Local Businesses This Holiday Season
Locally owned businesses are the heart of our communities. So with the season of giving upon us, there’s never been a better time to show your support to small businesses in your neighborhood or suburb. Here are a few ways you can do that during the holidays: Order in...
10 Things We Love About Lakeview
Lakeview is a quintessential Chicago neighborhood. With tree-lined residential streets and a wide range of homes waving the “W” flag, it’s a vibrant community with a palpable energy. Residents can often be found talking to neighbors on their front porches, dining at...
Millennials on the Move in 2020
At the beginning of the year, @properties co-founders Mike Golden and Thad Wong predicted the 2020s would be the decade of the millennial homebuyer. Well, the decade started fast and furious. In August, the Wall Street Journal reported that millennials now account for...
Outperforming the Market
One of the biggest trends to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic is the focus on housing. As people seek more space and look to take advantage of low interest rates, the local real estate market has seen a strong recovery. In fact, the number of homes that have gone...
How to Get Your Autumn Fix This Fall
Fall is right around the corner, and as you start swapping your shorts and t-shirts for pants and sweaters, you may be wondering how you can make the most of the season this year. Fortunately, we’ve done our research, and there are plenty of ways to safely experience...
4 Ways to Add Personality to Your Space
With more time at home these days, many of us are looking for ways to give our space a refresh. Others may be in search of inspiration to make a new home their own. Whatever the reason, here are four ways to revitalize and personalize your space. Turn Your Photos Into...
5 Reasons It Pays To Be A Homeowner
Should you buy or rent? This is a fundamental question facing many potential homebuyers, particularly first-time buyers. While there are circumstances in which renting might make more sense (e.g. if more flexibility is needed), there are a number of key advantages...
Take Advantage of Summer’s Last Days With These Socially Distant Activities
Summer looks a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean it’s void of fun. As we enter the home stretch of the season, there are still plenty of things to do while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Here’s what we’re planning for the remainder of summer...
5 Marketing Resources Every Home Seller Needs Today
With the majority of homebuyers starting their property search online, digital marketing resources are an integral part of the real estate marketing mix. So if you intend to sell your home at any point in 2020, here are a few digital marketing essentials you’ll need...
Elevate Your Outdoor Space With These Design Elements
Outdoor space has never been more valued than it is today. And with the arrival of summer, it’s a great time to spruce things up outside. Whether you are working with a balcony, terrace, rooftop deck, patio, or backyard, here’s how you can cultivate the perfect...
Chicagoland Contract Activity Points To V-Shaped Recovery For Local Real Estate Market
A year-over-year comparison of new contracts is an encouraging sign for the Chicagoland real estate market. After bottoming out in mid-April, contract activity in the entire Chicagoland region is on the upswing based on @properties data. In fact, by Memorial Day,...
Chicago-Area Homeowners To Get A Break On Property Taxes
Cook County’s recent decision to delay property tax late fees is welcome news for area homeowners who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. On May 13th, local officials announced that property owners will essentially have until Oct. 1 to pay their...
Share the Love: Positive Stories in the Midst of COVID-19
The last several weeks have been challenging on many levels. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that there is a lot to be grateful for – especially all the people and businesses who have banded together to support our communities. Thankfully, there are also...
Here Are More Activities to Keep The Kids Amused at Home
The school year will soon be coming to a close, meaning e-learning is one less thing to keep kids occupied during quarantine. We’ve previously shared some of our go-to resources for curing the boredom bug, but because there can never be too many ideas for keeping them...
How to Safely Move During Quarantine
Coronavirus has undoubtedly had a significant impact on our day-to-day lives. It has affected everything from how kids are learning to how we do our jobs and complete once-basic tasks like grocery shopping. We’ve put a lot on hold, but there are some things that...
Mortgages & COVID-19 – What You Need to Know
As the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve, volatility and uncertainty have swept through the financial markets. Borrowers saw wild swings in interest rates over the last few weeks and were left to wonder whether they could still qualify for specific loan amounts and...
8 Ways to Make the Most of Social Distancing
As we spend more and more time indoors this month, we wanted to share a few ways you can take advantage of being home. So whether you’re catching up on sleep, learning a new skill, or planning your next well-deserved vacation, make the most of it! Here are some things...
The Millennials Are Coming, The Millennials Are Coming!
Some might say millennials are fashionably late to the homeownership party, but they are about to arrive in a big way if you ask @properties co-founders Thad Wong and Mike Golden. In the latest installment of @properties’ @ the market webcast, the two agree that the...
These Neighborhoods Are Already Leaving Their Marks On the ‘20s
The 2020s should be an exciting time for real estate in Chicagoland. Urban neighborhoods are emerging as trendy yet affordable hotspots, while more established suburbs are providing undeniable value to homebuyers looking outside of the city. Get ahead of the curve by...