Blog
NAR Settlement: Hype vs. Reality
If you read the headlines earlier this year about the NAR settlement, you might have thought the Chicago real estate market had been turned upside down overnight. News outlets ran with phrases like “massive shake-up” and “the end of commi...
War with Zillow: What Buyers and Sellers Really Need to Know
There’s some real estate drama unfolding behind the scenes, and it’s bigger than home prices. A battle over how homes get marketed is reshaping the industry, and Zillow has found itself right in the middle of it. If you’ve ever bought...
Why Your Agent’s Reputation Matters
Submitting an offer on a property is an exhilarating and nerve-wracking experience. Especially if what's at stake is the home of your dreams. The heartbreak of losing the home to a "better offer" can be overwhelming. Once the disappointment sub...
How Your Agent Determines Your List Price
Determining a home's price isn't just about crunching numbers—it's an art that requires market insight and expertise combined with a brushstroke of strategic finesse. Attention to detail and your agent's knowledge of the local market are cruc...
The Importance of Using a Local Lender
Buying a home involves a lot of decision-making. As with anything, price is a huge consideration, and it's no different when shopping for rates. Going with whoever offers the cheapest rate is usually the most persuasive route for any homebu...
The True Cost of Selling Your Home FSBO
Let's face it. We live in a world where supply is low, demand is high, and the costs for goods are higher. Life is expensive, and we're all in pursuit of cutting corners and lowering costs wherever we can. But while this may be re...
I Need a Realtor! Do I Use My Uncle?
Everyone knows a handful of real estate agents. If you're looking to buy or sell, they've probably hinted that they would love your business. So who do you choose? Your old fraternity brother who sells cars has his real estate license, but your...
Reasonable Versus Unreasonable Requests During a Home Inspection
The home inspection can be a real estate transaction's most stressful and potentially contentious part. Buyers often request and expect unreasonable repairs, while sellers often fail to concede in repairing or issuing a credit for even the most...