September 2019 Residential Real Estate Updates for Chicago Neighborhoods

For buyers who have been planning to invest in real estate in the US, Chicago currently offers the best opportunities. Here are some facts to remember: 

• Chicago has the third largest gross metropolitan product in the United States. The city has also been rated as having the most balanced economy in the United States. This is due in large part to its high level of diversification.
• According to World Business Chicago, the city's metro area is home to more than 400 major corporate headquarters, including 31 Fortune 500 headquarters and 300 corporate R&D facilities. Some of the most well known are Boeing, Walgreens and McDonald's.
• Today the city is known as the fourth

August 2019 Home Sales Updates for Chicago Neighborhoods

Recent mortgage rate declines are a positive sign in the slowing housing market in the city of Chicago. Buyers have a bit more buying power and which gives them a little more incentive to lock in a home purchase in the fall market. On the other hand, stock market volatility and general uncertainty about the economic slowdown may temper buyer enthusiasm. Sellers need to be aware of these facts when pricing their properties for a competitive listing. As rents continue to rise, the value proposition of owning a home remains a compelling option for most people. 

Let's look at how the market is reacting to the conditions in different Chicago neighborhoods

Gold Coast, River North,

July 2019 Housing Sales Statistics For Select Chicago Neighborhoods

Welcome back to our Chicago neighborhood market report after the summer break!

How is the market? According to Tommy Choi, president of the Chicago Association of Realtors, "the market is in a stabilizing period. Days on the market remain low and prices are steady, so inventory is moving and demand is there. We expect this to continue, particularly in the heels of the Federal Reserve's rate cut."

Let's look at mortgage rates a bit more closely. Rates have continually fallen through 2019 to date and are at their lowest level in many years. At the same time, home price appreciation is slowing. Historically, these conditions meant an increase in home buying activity. This

Here are the March 2019 sales statistics for Chicago neighborhoods

New listings finally started to perk up last week across the nation and in Chicago, effectively launching residential real estate into the springtime selling season. There has been a lot of talk about the slow start of new homes for sale in what was expected to be a year of increasing inventory. Mother Nature has had different plans in several markets, and in particular in the Chicago region, where another burst of winter weather in April may have spoiled an otherwise promising start to the second quarter of 2019. 

Here's a look at some Chicago neighborhoods and how the market is doing so far this year. 

Gold Coast, River North, Streeterville and Magnificent Mile

Compared

Your latest Chicago Neighborhood Report

In January, the unemployment rate rose 4%, the highest jump in seven months. In the long run, this may not be of much significance, as other economic factors are showing continued growth in the job force, including 100 straight months of employment gains. The construction sector had its best month of employment since last February. With the Fed apparently holding off on further rate increases, 2019 is beginning favorably for local residential real estate. 

The cold Weather in February has stalled some buying and selling actions. Even so, economic fundamentals remain positive for a robust housing market. 

Let's look at how the market performed in the different Chicago neighborhoods. 

Gold Coast,

Highlights of the December  2018 Real Estate Market in Chicago Neighborhoods

The beginning of a new year often creates a desire to resolve to do something different, better and healthier. Many of us resolve to eat better, exercise more, learn a new skill, spend more quality time with loved ones and us our electronic devices more responsibly. 

Annual evidence indicates that many people also start thinking more seriously about their real estate plans, which translates in a bump of listing and buying activity each January. The same appears to be the case again on 2019 for much of the country. 

But let's take a look at how the market performed in December, which traditionally is one of the slowest months in real estate activity. 

Gold

November 2018 real estate market highlights

What kept us up at night in November?

November and December often equates to a drastic slow-down in residential real estate, as people's focus shift from buying homes to buying gifts and plane tickets to visit family and friends. This year was different. The Federal Reserve raised interest rates one more time in 2018. While interest rate increases don't necessarily translate into mortgage rate increases, they can. 

While recent stock market activity have generated some heart-pounding drops, and - to a far lesser extent - rallying rises, that volatility has not translated into the same tidal waves within residential real estate. Increasing home prices and mortgage rates have rather created a sense of

With Thanksgiving barely behind us, Chicagoans are braving an unusually cold December and are preparing for the most wonderful time of the year. Few might be thinking about real estate but now is the time to analyze the state of the local and national housing market. 

According to some real estate professionals, the Chicago housing market practically shuts down between Thanksgiving and Super Bowl Sunday. In addition to the busy lives we all have during this time,  Chicago weather plays a significant role in the inactivity of the market.

Sellers want to list their home for sale during the busy spring-market and take advantage of the magical time when buyers are out in large numbers and

How's The Market In Your Neighborhood?

What's new this month? 

Sales of existing homes and new listings continue to be on track of growth, due to the strong economy. Housing affordability is becoming a growing concern due to price increases, and is starting to affect new construction of single family homes. Builders are showing a sign of caution as prices of homes and mortgages rates increase. While housing is still considered relatively affordable, measures of affordability have shown a decline over the past years. 

Meanwhile, Chicago has been named one of the top 10 cities in the world. Global tourism and real estate advising group Resonance Consultancy named Chicago as one of the best cities in the world. Chicago was ranked number

Photo by Rocio Ramirez on Unsplash

Here Is What You Need To Know As A Foreigner Buying Real Estate In The U.S.

It is abundantly clear that we are now, more than ever, living in a global economy. America will likely always be a desired destination for the international entrepreneur or multinational employee. Thus, it is good to have some familiarity with basic concepts of immigration law and some general visa types that may be suitable for the global buyer. 

In this brief introductory guide to U.S. visas, we outline some commonly used visa options that might be applicable to international buyers. Please note that the information provided in this guide is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please