Buying a Home

What Buyers Should Know About New Construction

Buying a new construction home is different than a resale home.  Here is what buyers should know about new construction.   Builder prices are often influenced by: Location Cost of the land Size of the home Cost of the building materials Labor costs Real estate market conditions Builder impact fees   The Real Estate Agent’s… READ MORE

Chicago Market Benefits Millennials

Millennials Attracted to Urban Market The Chicago market may benefit from the demographic and societal trends showing millennials are attracted to urban markets, according to Jonathan Smoke, Realtor.com’s chief economist. Chicago home prices, while recovering, have not appreciated as much as they have in other markets. “Chicago is one of the few cities that offer both (an urban… READ MORE

The National Housing Market Continues Upward Trend

The National Housing Market Continues Upward Trend

National home sales are at a three year high. After climbing steadily for the past three months, November’s Pending Home Sales Index rose 1.7 percent to 106.4. This is the highest the Index has reached since April 2010, when the deadline for the home buyer tax credit was approaching. But November’s increase isn’t due to… READ MORE

Summary of Real Estate Related Provisions in the“Fiscal Cliff” Bill

  To everyone who is interested in Real Estate “fiscal cliff” updates. The Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Act was extended through 2013. This is good news for short sale sellers, who will continue to be an important market segment in 2013. Sellers whose lenders forgive mortgage principal in the sale process and who close in 2013… READ MORE