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@properties To Drop The Term “Master” From Bedroom/Bath Descriptions
30 Jun 2020 | 3:36 pmAs Chicago’s largest residential real estate firm and one of the largest real estate brokerage firms in the country, yesterday we announced that we will no longer use the word “master” to describe bedrooms or bathrooms on our corporate website and in other marketing materials. The move follows the announcement last week that the Houston Association of REALTORS (HAR) is replacing the term “master” with “primary” to describe a home’s main bedroom and bath in its property listing database. HAR is believed to be the first REALTOR association to formally make this change. Other industries have announced similar initiatives. For example, last week The New York Times reported that the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, which grants the highest designation to wine experts, will no longer use the term “master” with a sommelier’s surname. The rethinking of commonly accepted terms is growing amid renewed calls for racial justice and equality, following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May. @properties’ co-founders, Thad Wong and Mike Golden, jointly stated, “This is one small change we can make that seems easy and obvious. What is most important is not the origin of the term ‘master bedroom,’ but rather the fact that it is offensive to some on the basis of race and sex. Therefore, there is no reason to continue using it in our business. Throughout modern history, there are countless examples of how changes to the lexicon have promoted a greater sense of dignity and inclusivity. We have an opportunity to do that here.” @properties will not ban the use of the terms “master bedroom” or “master bath” among our agents, who are independent contractors. However, we will phase out the term in our corporate marketing and will recommend that our agents follow suit. The post @properties To Drop The[…]
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Elevate Your Outdoor Space With These Design Elements
23 Jun 2020 | 2:57 pmOutdoor 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 outdoor oasis: Define the Space Make the outdoors feel like an extension of your home by defining the space with a fence, garden wall, pergola, or landscaping. If you live in an apartment or condo, tall plants like bamboo can ensure privacy from onlookers or neighbors. Tall fences are, of course, most appropriate for backyards and can be made more interesting with a little bit of greenery. HGTV suggests adding plants like Climbing Roses or Clematis, which naturally climb the fence and come in a variety of colors, or Emerald Green arborvitae, which can reach 12 to 15 feet high and ensure year-round privacy. To create the illusion of an outdoor room, add a pergola to your patio or yard. Hang light, flowy curtains or pull-down shades to create privacy and protect you from the sun’s rays. Or install a canvas cover on top for even more coverage. Don’t have anywhere to hang curtains? Try DIY-ing it by using planters and 2x4s. Photo by Mr. Kate Go Waterproof and Durable With Furniture When it comes to adding furniture to your outdoor space, it’s best to select items that are waterproof, made with wicker, wood, or metal materials, and fade-resistant, according to Wayfair. If you’re tight on space, opt for furniture that folds or stacks, and can easily be tucked away. Although furniture cushions are often labeled as weather-proof, Gardenista urges you to consider storing them in a deck box when it rains to give them long-term protection. Rugs are a staple in outdoor decor,[…]
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Chicagoland Contract Activity Points To V-Shaped Recovery For Local Real Estate Market
17 Jun 2020 | 2:44 pmA 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, sales activity was exceeding 2019 levels. The data suggests the local housing market is likely to experience more of a v-shaped recovery after activity fell significantly in the early days of Stay At Home. Meanwhile, the nation’s homebuilders are increasingly optimistic. An uptick in mortgage applications and online home-search activity also indicate more buyers have re-entered the market at a time when mortgage interest rates remain near record lows. While we’re not back to the transaction levels we saw at the start of the 2020 spring market, the general consensus is that housing is expected to make a strong recovery and even be a driver of economic growth. And a steady increase in contract activity in recent weeks signals that recovery is already underway. For more information about local market activity and what’s ahead, watch this video or click here to get in touch with an agent. The post Chicagoland Contract Activity Points To V-Shaped Recovery For Local Real Estate Market appeared first on @home.
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Activities to Keep You Amused at Home: Adults Edition
29 May 2020 | 3:00 pmWith several weeks of social distancing under our belts, many of us have already tackled boredom-curing activities like spring cleaning, exercising, baking, and doing puzzles. We’ve previously shared ways to keep the kids amused, but we couldn’t forget about the adults! From organizing a virtual murder mystery party to learning how to bartend, here are nine activities you can enjoy now. Host a Game Night Organize a virtual Jeopardy! night with friends using an online template. You can build your very own game with custom questions or use templates created by other people. All you have to do is share your screen with players on Zoom and keep track of their scores. Rotate who hosts each week, and you’ve got yourself a standing game night. Attend a Virtual Event Join a virtual festival, watch a live comedy show, or learn about wine from the comfort of your couch. Businesses and leaders throughout Chicago are hosting an array of virtual events that give you the opportunity to meet new people, learn something new, or just be entertained. Checkout Choose Chicago’s roundup of upcoming events here. Go Camping Grab your sleeping bag and tent and head to the backyard for an evening under the stars. If you do not have outdoor space, convert your living room into a campsite. Set the ambiance by streaming a campfire on your TV or phone, and don’t forget about the s’mores, which you can easily make in the oven. Become a Better Bartender Miss your favorite bartender’s perfectly crafted cocktails? Bartenders across the country are helping you up your at-home bar game by teaching you all the tips, tricks, and recipes you need to elevate Happy Hour. When all else fails, you can always order a cocktail kit from a local restaurant or bar. Take a[…]
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@ The Market Special Report: Buying a Home Amid COVID-19
28 May 2020 | 8:29 pmWith a renewed focus on the value of home and a desire for more space, buyers are eyeing this summer’s real estate market with great interest. But, amid the changes brought on by COVID-19, many homebuyers also have questions about how to move forward – from getting a mortgage approval to safe showing procedures and from making an offer to navigating the attorney review and closing processes. So in this special edition of @ The Market, recorded in mid-May, @properties co-founders Mike Golden and Thad Wong are joined by a range of industry experts to shed light on the homebuying process today. To kick things off, Mike and Thad discuss how the Chicagoland market is performing. The duo notes that, despite stay-at-home orders still being in effect in most of the Midwest through May, market performance has exceeded expectations. Dan Moran of Guaranteed Rate joins the webcast to talk about mortgages, and shares insights on everything from down payment options to credit requirements to how the mortgage approval process has changed. Beyond mortgage approvals, one of the biggest questions on buyers’ minds is how they can view homes for sale. George Schultz and Tricia Riberto, vice presidents of brokerage services for @properties, talk about the importance of being prepared and how buyers can compete in markets that are (to some buyers’ surprise) seeing quick sales and multiple offers. So what happens after your offer is accepted? Real estate attorney Kelli Fogarty offers tips for the attorney review process, while Proper Title EVP Kathy Kwak talks about “curbside closings” and other precautions that are being taken to keep all parties safe before buyers get the keys to their new home. Watch the video to learn more about the homebuying process today. The post @ The Market Special Report: Buying a[…]
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For Scammers, Crisis Is An Opportunity. Here’s How To Protect Yourself
26 May 2020 | 6:21 pmWhile it’s always critical to be cognizant of scams, it’s important to know they tend to be more prevalent during times of crisis. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, scammers will unfortunately be out there trying to take advantage of people who may be more vulnerable right now. Fortunately, there are things you can do to protect yourself and avoid fraud. Here’s what to look out for: Wire Transfer Fraud If you’re in the process of buying a home, be extremely vigilant when wiring money such as escrow or closing funds. Cyber criminals have been known to hack into email accounts, sometimes posing as real estate agents or title companies and providing fake wiring instructions. These email tactics have gotten more sophisticated, so to protect yourself, always confirm wiring instructions with a phone call to a trusted and verified number that has been independently obtained. Be very wary of any request to change the wire instructions you have already received, as this is rare. Charity Schemes Many people are looking for ways to help our communities and those in need during the pandemic. This includes donations to charity, but unfortunately the charities aren’t always legitimate. Hackers can duplicate nonprofit websites and also pretend to be part of an organization in need of donations, only to pocket the money for themselves. If you are interested in donating, research the organization beforehand and don’t let anyone pressure you into it. Also be mindful of how you pay. If you are asked to wire money or pay via cash or gift card, these are among the red flags to watch out for. Government Impersonators If you are eligible for stimulus program benefits like the one-time government payment, be aware that there are scammers out there who are claiming they can expedite the process. Payment[…]
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Share the Love: Positive Stories in the Midst of COVID-19
18 May 2020 | 5:41 pmThe 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 plenty of positive and inspirational real estate stories to be told, so here are just a few from some @properties agents. If you have a great story to share, we’d love to hear in the comments below. When a Kind Gesture Goes a Long Way When Illinois’ stay-at-home order took effect in late March, Wagner Farm in Glenview was among many businesses left shorthanded. That’s when @properties agent Alley Ballard stepped in to help her partner, Marcy, who works at the farm as a teacher liaison between the Glenview Park District and North Shore Special Education. With 150 chickens, two draft horses, 10 pigs, a dozen lambs, and two-and-a-half acres of gardens for their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), Wagner Farm requires quite a bit of upkeep. So Alley began buying extra eggs from the farm and taking them to her clients – many of whom have been baking and cooking more than usual. After seeing the smiles on her clients’ faces and hearing their kids laugh with delight when they noticed the fresh farm eggs were all different colors, Alley knew she was onto something special. So every Thursday, Alley goes up to Glenview, buys more eggs and delivers them. Meanwhile, her partner Marcy has been making videos for the kids explaining which chickens lay which color eggs. Alley is having a blast supporting the farm, showing her clients some love, and all the while educating kids about where their eggs come from. Talk about a win-win! When the Community Rallies Behind a Front[…]
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