Want to know how to build audiences online? Want to increase engagement? Then check out the recording of Matthew Ferrara’s Lunch & Learn presentation on 10 Top Social Media Tips. Ferrara suggested that REALTORS® post on relatively few social media … Continue reading →

U.S. consumers are more confident about the economy than they have been in five years, due in part to rising home prices, an improved job market and a surging stock market, according to an Associated Press/Pantagraph report. The latest Consumer … Continue reading →

Welcome Home Heroes, an Illinois financing program that aims to make homeownership more affordable for military personnel and their families, is getting an additional $5 million in funding, Gov. Pat Quinn announced this week. To date, the program which is … Continue reading →

The spring session of the Illinois General Assembly is supposed to be done Friday. Already, IAR’s team of lobbyists has been hard at work through the holiday weekend monitoring the action. Here’s a quick status update on where the issues … Continue reading →

SB41, the Cook County Homestead Exemption Bill, was approved by the House and now moves to Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk for consideration. IAR had worked with the sponsors of this bill for more than two years to make sure it … Continue reading →

This Fourth of July the Illinois Young Professionals Network (YPN) invites REALTORS®, family and friends to their one of a kind Non-Event, benefiting Homes for Our Troops. What is a non-event? A non-event fundraiser is an event that raises money … Continue reading →

This just in: SB1655, a bill that makes clean-up changes to the Real Estate Licensure Act, passed the Illinois House Sunday, May 26, 2013. The House was in session Sunday as the clock runs down on the 98th General Assembly. … Continue reading →

McHenry County area REALTORS® are working to get the word out on a rental property scam that has surfaced locally that involves getting renters to make deposits and payments on rental listings that aren’t really on the market. “It is … Continue reading →

Multiple offers are back, and that’s good news for the housing market. Consequently, how to handle multiple offers has been a hot topic for the IAR Legal Hotline. Each scenario is different based on the facts and parties involved. However, … Continue reading →

There was welcome news on the housing market front this week as the Illinois Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS® reported increased home sales in April. April home sales in Illinois were up 25.3 percent from a … Continue reading →

The city of Evanston is considering an ordinance to tighten regulations on short term residential rentals being rented for less than 29 days by classifying them as a subcategory of a bed and breakfast, but the proposal could end up … Continue reading →

Illinois home sales increased 25.3 percent over previous-year levels in April and median prices increased 7.7 percent, according to the Illinois Association of REALTORS®. Statewide home sales in April 2013 totaled 12,621 homes sold, up from 10,076 in April 2012. … Continue reading →

IAR’s Brian Bernardoni, a government affairs director in Chicago, was on CBS’ local news in a story about fire sprinkler mandates. Bernardoni in the few seconds provided by the Chicago station got through the message Monday that there are many … Continue reading →

The U.S. economy, which has slowed slightly due in part to the federal sequester, is expected to reaccelerate in the second half of this year, with housing serving as a “significant contributor to growth,” according to Fannie Mae’s Economic Outlook … Continue reading →

Illinois REALTOR® named to regional post John C. Kmiecik was elected Region 7 Vice president. Region 7 includes Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. First vice president candidates tout strengths; voting begins Florida REALTOR® Tom Salomone touted his passion and experience in … Continue reading →

Hundreds of delegates from across the nation are meeting this morning (May 18, 2013) as part of the National Association of REALTORS®’ Board of Directors meeting. The gathering, held as part of the Midyear meetings in Washington, D.C., has a … Continue reading →

After two years of intense negotiations, the Illinois Association of REALTORS® reached an agreement with the Cook County Assessor on Senate Bill 41, legislation creating greater penalties for erroneous homestead exemptions. A more narrowly defined, and fairer bill, was approved … Continue reading →

Illinois REALTORS took part in a state caucus meeting on Friday, May 17, 2013. Representatives from National Association of REALTORS committees provided updates for members and an overview of emerging issues that the industry is facing. The committee reports covered … Continue reading →

Over the past three days IAR members showed Illinois congressional representatives that there was power in the association’s membership. That’s because in just about every meeting, Federal Political Coordinators and their teams packed offices on Capitol Hill to advocate for … Continue reading →

The images we’re posting this week from the visits to Capitol Hill are part of a team effort. After all, it’s simply impossible for some of us to be in three simultaneous meetings, so we need what the military calls … Continue reading →