It’s a big financial leap to becoming a homeowner. Historically, it has helped middle-class families build long-term wealth. Committing to a too high of a mortgage payment though can easily leave you house poor. If feel you are ready to transition from a renter to a homeowner, here are ten of the most Read more
Home values have risen across Cook County which means property taxes are going up as well. Many homeowners were shocked when they recently received their second installment of the 2018 bill with a 30 - 40% year-to-year increase. While it is too late to get a reduction of the 2018 bill, you can file Read more
In many markets across the country, the number of buyers searching for their dream homes outnumbers the number of homes for sale. This has led to a competitive marketplace where buyers often need to stand out. One way to show that you are serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or Read more
So you've decided you're ready to buy a home. Congratulations. Now the journey begins in turning your goal into reality. Once you've determined it's time to become a homeowner, there are some crucial steps you must take before beginning your home search in earnest. Credit.com recently provided a clear picture of these steps and it's Read more
Real estate investment is a major financial play that requires no shortage of commitment. Any number of potential pitfalls can turn a seemingly sound investment property into a money pit. You have to be prepared for all contingencies when becoming a landlord. But how do you know when you’re ready to plunge into real estate Read more
As home prices continue to rise—and with no signs of slowing—housing experts polled by Zillow are predicting home appreciation to climb an additional 4.1% in 2018. One year ago, these same experts predicted just 3.0% growth in 2018. This increase in projected price growth is almost entirely due to the lack of homes for sale. Read more
What’s Your Home Buying Power? If you’re in the market for a new home or investment property, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is, “What can we afford?” Many buyers become so caught up in how much they can afford that they don’t realize their total buying power—that is, the total amount of Read more
If you're looking to add a single-family rental property to the 'ol investment portfolio in this year, Chicago may in fact be your kind of town. According to a new study by Home Union, the Windy City ranks among the top five cities in the U.S. to invest in a single-family rental in 2017. The Read more
It appears 2017 isn't shaping up as a banner year for Chicago real estate, at least that's the projection of the National Association of Realtors. In its recent rankings of the biggest 100 metro areas for 2017, Chicago was tabbed as having the coldest real estate market with a dead-last ranking. In its report on Read more
The Chicago Association of Realtors each summer hosts numerous events to aid the career enhancement of local industry professionals. Not coincidentally, these events also provides ample networking opportunities. There are two panel discussions scheduled for next month, each of which sounds particularly interesting. The first is scheduled for Aug. 11 and is titled "Successful Women Read more