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Latest Housing Data Points to Chicago’s Affordability
3 May 2021 | 8:32 pmAccording to a recent article in Crain’s Chicago Business, home sales in the city of Chicago increased 35.5% in March on a year-over-year basis, almost three times the increase that was seen nationwide. The median sales price in Chicago was up 7.8% that same period, while prices jumped 17.2% nationally. It’s a similar trend in the greater Chicago metro area. With March home sales up 24.6% and prices up 13.5%, the nine-county metro area outpaced the nation in transactions but still saw lower price gains, relatively speaking. “The activity we’re seeing locally speaks to Chicago’s affordability,” said @properties co-founder Thad Wong. “Despite a lack of inventory, Chicagoans are finding opportunities to buy homes here and they see the value in our market.” Home price growth both locally and nationally has been fueled by low inventory and high demand – two prevailing themes in today’s housing market. Demand has only increased as more homebuyers look to take advantage of low mortgage interest rates and as housing needs shift due to the pandemic. For in-depth analysis of your local real estate market, reach out to an @properties agent. The post Latest Housing Data Points to Chicago’s Affordability appeared first on @home.
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Urban Exodus? Not By A Long Shot
30 Apr 2021 | 5:57 pmAnyone who has followed residential real estate news in the past year has certainly heard about the pandemic-fueled migration out of densely populated cities and into larger homes in suburban and rural markets. But does the buzz match reality? Not quite. While suburban housing markets are indeed booming, the relationship between the city and the ‘burbs isn’t a zero-sum game. In fact, many urban markets are experiencing notable increases in both buying activity and home prices. Chicago is one such market. Closed sales data* in the city of Chicago from the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period last year tell the story: Residential transactions increased by 22.3% on a unit basis, and the median price was up 12.7%; In the core city market areas of the Loop, West Loop, South Loop and Near North, closed sales increased by even more, 24.2%, while the median price rose 6.6% – not quite as strong as the city overall but still robust; Condo sales in the city – including smaller one- and two-bedroom plans – also experienced year over year gains. Watch the latest episode of @The Market, as @properties co-founders Thad Wong and Mike Golden, and special guests Dr. Sam Kling of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Dr. Geoffrey J.D. Hewings of the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory at the University of Illinois dive into these recent findings and what they mean for both city and suburban markets post-pandemic. Looking for an in-depth analysis of local market conditions, or considering a move? Contact your local @properties agent, or visit our website for more information. *Source: Broker Metrics / MRED LLC – Closed residential sales, 1/1/20 to 3/31/20 vs. 1/1/21 to 3/31/21. The post Urban Exodus? Not By A Long Shot appeared first on @home.
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@ Loves Local x Naperville’s Sweet Home Gelato = FREE SCOOP
28 Apr 2021 | 9:20 pm@ Loves Local is heading to Sweet Home Gelato’s Naperville location! Join us Wednesday, May 5th from 2pm – 4pm CT for a FREE scoop of gelato. That’s right, @properties is picking up the tab. Sweet Home Gelato’s hand-crafted, made daily gelato is quite possibly a work of art with the time and innovation put into it. While we count down the days until the event, we connected with owner Janice Bruksch to get the scoop on Sweet Home Gelato, their story, and how they come up with such striking flavors! @properties: What inspired you to open Sweet Home Gelato? Janice Bruksch: We used to be a franchise and were able to get out of that. We were excited to rebrand as a family owned and [Chicago-based] business. @properties: We’ll be hosting @ Loves Local at your Naperville location. Was there anything in particular that drew you to this neighborhood? JB: We LOVE the people of Naperville!! They are so kind and supportive, we are so proud to have a store here. Downtown Naperville is a “sweet” place to be! Photo by @schabsbabe89 @properties: Your menu is top-notch. With flavors like Chocolate Covered Strawberry, Pear Riesling, and Honey Lavender, how do you decide and/or create your flavors? JB: My husband Kurt works with our Italian purveyors and our Head Chef José to keep us popular with new fun flavors! Each month we swap out a few for seasonal favorites like Key Lime Pie, Pumpkin, Peppermint, Chocolate Oreo. Watch us on social media to see what will be in next month. Photo by Sweet Home Gelato @properties: As previously mentioned, your menu sounds amazing. In your opinion, what flavor is a must try? JB: If you are old school and love Pistachio, ours can’t be beat! Marble Black Cherry is delicious and[…]
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How to Prepare for Your Move This Spring
23 Apr 2021 | 8:49 pmWhen it comes to moving, there’s always a million and one things you need to do before the movers show up. If you’re making a move this spring, you can avoid unnecessary stress by planning early and being prepared. The following are some tasks that you can check off your list to make your move as easy and efficient as possible. Declutter Your Space There are few things less convenient than moving furniture that doesn’t work in your new space or packing clothing you’ll never wear again. Follow Marie Kondo’s method to decluttering and tidying up, and eliminate any items in your home that don’t “spark joy” or serve a purpose. Plan Your Layout Designing your layout makes it even easier to recognize the furniture you don’t need. Start planning the layout of your new space as soon as possible, or work with an interior designer who can help you discern the pieces that should come with you and the ones you should leave behind. If you’re working alone, try using apps like Floorplanner and Planner 5D, which make it easy and convenient to design your furniture layout on your phone or desktop. Donate Unwanted Items Once you’ve identified the furniture, trinkets, and clothing that are making the move to your new home, consider donating the items that won’t make the cut. Give your unwanted, gently used possessions to your local Salvation Army or Goodwill. Several Salvation Army locations offer pickup services, and drop-off locations can be found by doing a simple search on the official website. Local thrift stores and used furniture stores are also great places to donate or sell clothing and furniture that you no longer need. Research Delivery Times Once you’ve designed the layout of your new home, research delivery times for any new pieces you[…]
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@properties Becomes the 8th Largest Brokerage Firm in the Nation
21 Apr 2021 | 9:51 pmMovin’ on up! @properties has once again moved up the list of the nation’s largest real estate brokerage firms, checking in at #8 in the annual REAL Trends 500 Report, based on 2020 closed sales volume. With over $16.3 billion in sales volume, @properties grew by 52% in 2020. Led by co-founders and co-CEOs Thad Wong and Mike Golden, the firm’s growth has been the result of both increased sales in established markets such as Chicago, and expansion into new markets through partnerships with Atlanta-based Ansley Real Estate and, more recently, Charlottesville, Virginia-based Nest Realty, which has locations in Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, and Tennessee. This past September, @properties announced its national franchise program. The firm signed its first franchise in February of this year in Detroit, and last week launched its second franchise, located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Meanwhile, @properties continues to hold the #1 ranking in the entire Chicago metro area; the city of Chicago; several sub-markets including the North Shore; and regional second-home markets such as Harbor Country in Southwest Michigan. The company has also opened three new offices in Northwest Indiana within the past five months. In addition to brokerage services, @properties offers mortgage lending through Proper Rate, its joint-venture partnership with national mortgage lender Guaranteed Rate, and title and escrow services through Proper Title. “Last year we adapted to the challenges of the pandemic and doubled down on resources and services to come out even stronger,” said Wong. “We’re committed to delivering the very best experience when it comes to every real estate need, and we’re excited to do that on a larger scale as we grow.” The post @properties Becomes the 8th Largest Brokerage Firm in the Nation appeared first on @home.
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Feeling the Love: The Story Behind @properties’ Love Campaign
14 Apr 2021 | 6:45 pmAsk 100 people what one word they associate with real estate, and you’ll probably get answers like home, house, or land. But ask an @properties agent, and you’ll likely hear a completely different word…love. Love crept into the @properties lexicon years ago with our Love Where You Live ad campaign, which morphed into our work mantra, Love Where You Work. Then in 2015, @properties commissioned Chicago-based artist Matthew Hoffman to paint a mural adorning our office in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood. The mural featured the word “love” in Hoffman’s signature script font and quickly became a popular backdrop for Instagram pictures, holiday cards, engagement photos, and everything in between. Today the “love” script can be found everywhere from billboards to bumper magnets to cloth masks that have even been spotted on a few famous faces. Now as @properties expands nationally and shares the love across the country, we thought it was only fitting to catch up with company co-founder and co-CEO Thad Wong, who is the architect of many of the firm’s marketing campaigns. @: What inspired the Love campaign? Thad Wong: We were in a marketing meeting trying to come up with the next campaign, and it got us thinking: What is a single word that everybody is drawn to? The word we came up with was “love.” Love is what everyone desires in a home and a community. It’s the most powerful force in the world, and it enriches our lives in so many ways. So the idea behind the campaign was to spread love, and it snowballed from there. @: Tell us a little bit about the partnership with artist Matthew Hoffman. TW: @properties has collaborated with a number of artists over the past two decades, and we’re big believers in giving local artists a platform for expression.[…]
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@ Loves Local x Cherry On Top Ice Cream Shoppe in Bartlett
12 Apr 2021 | 2:56 pmWith warmer temperatures on the horizon, it’s time for the treat of summer: ice cream. We’re thrilled to be bringing @ Loves Local to Bartlett’s Cherry On Top Ice Cream Shoppe on Monday, April 19th! Mariangela Bolognini, owner and Bartlett native, started Cherry On Top Ice Cream Shoppe to bring family and friends together, as well as support her community. It seems she chose a great way to do it! With a variety of flavors (and eye-catching flavor names!), Bolognini has made her shoppe stand out. Photo by Cherry On Top Ice Cream Shoppe @properties: What inspired you to open Cherry On Top Ice Cream Shoppe? Mariangela Bolognini: As a little kid ice cream was a must at least once a week! I personally wanted to open a business that I could help contribute to the community with; sponsor sports teams and help schools with fundraising. Be a place for families to spend time together and friends to see each other. Our chalkboard walls are meant for the little kids to doodle all over with. They seem to love it! @properties: Your shop is located in Bartlett. Was there anything in particular that drew you to this neighborhood? MB: Bartlett is actually my hometown. I have lived here since I was a little girl. In fact I grew up right across the street from where my location is now. Photo by Cherry On Top Ice Cream Shoppe @properties: We noticed you have quite a few unique flavors on the menu. What inspires you to come up with innovated flavors like Iced LatteDa? MB: We choose the flavors we have because we felt they set us above other ice cream shoppes and make us unique. Names are eye catching, and the flavors are memorable. We have something for everyone and anyone to[…]
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