Chicago REALTORS® Blog & News

Welcome to the Chicago Association of REALTORS® blog and news hub. Explore magazine articles, industry updates and more. You can filter by category or tag based on your interests.

Listen Up: Chicago-Style

We put together this collection of podcasts and live music venues that shine a spotlight on our beloved city. Share these with your clients who are looking for new perspectives and hidden gems, Chicago-style. The Barber Shop Show Podcast The magical voice of Richard Steele plays host to local thinkers and community organizers in a relaxed […]

CommercialForum License Portability Map

As the scope of your real estate brokerage practice, and the markets you serve grow, you may find yourself with opportunities to work on transactions involving property in other states.  Unlike your Illinois driver’s license, your Illinois broker license won’t allow you to cross state lines and operate on your own.  Different states have different […]

License Portability 101

Author: Jim Hochman, Partner, Schain Banks Kenny & Schwartz At one time, real estate brokerage was a local business. You obtained a license in your state and worked exclusively in a single market. You were protected under your state’s license law, and if necessary, as long as you were properly licensed, your broker could file suit in the state to collect […]

Frank Williams Honored for His Work to Improve Our Communities

Frank Williams is a familiar face around the Association. He is a past president (1989 -1990), as well as an instructor for the REALTORS® Real Estate School. As such, he has influenced hundreds of REALTORS® who are starting their careers and served to further our industry immensely. That’s why it is no surprise that Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago honored him with […]

Summer 2017 Bookshelf

  Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard Author: Chip Heath & Dan Heath                     Rich 20-Something: Ditch Your Average Job, Start An Epic Business, and Score the Life You Want Author: Daniel DiPiazza                   Presence: […]

Guide to 430 N. Michigan 8th Floor: C.A.R. Headquarters

There are so many ways to use our space to help improve your business and your clients’ experiences. YOUR MEMBER LOUNGE Stop by anytime, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM, and utilize your beautiful member lounge. The open, collaborative environment takes advantage of Magnificent Mile views. Bring your laptops and work at […]

Guide to the REALTOR® Building

One of the most exciting aspects of our new office location is access to the tools and resources offered by our REALTOR® community at 430 N. Michigan Ave. 2nd: Women’s Council of REALTORS® National Office WCR is a network of successful REALTORS®, advancing women as professionals and leaders in business, the industry and the communities […]

Boom Baby: Checking in on the West Loop

New construction has made a comeback — and nowhere in the city is that more apparent than the West Loop, where cranes have seemingly taken over the skyline. Formerly a warehouse district and the hub of the meatpacking industry in Chicago, a combination of factors has driven property demand (and prices) skyward. With a robust […]

The Miracle Morning: Setting Yourself Up for Success in Business – and in Life

When you change the way you wake up in the morning, you change your entire life — this is the basis of the Miracle Morning, a popular program and book by motivational speaker Hal Elrod. The Miracle Morning focuses on dedicating intentional, purposeful time every day to becoming a person who is capable of “creating, attracting, achieving and […]

Managing Brokers: Motivate Your Agents with the Perfect Sales Meeting

Author: Lindsay Miller, Co-CEO, d’aprile properties The office meeting. What’s the first word that comes to mind — essential? Educational? Dreaded? All of the above? Office meetings are indeed an essential element of our industry, and when done well, are quite educational for brokers. Executing them, however, can be a dreaded activity for the Managing […]

Canada – U.S. Real Estate: The Transaction Process

Author: Dr Margot Weinstein, CIPS, TRC, FIABCI, Broker & Educator U.S .and Canada share the longest border in the world. So, it is only natural for agents to learn the real estate transaction process for U.S. citizens buying in Canada as well as Canadians purchasing in America. I have been working with international clients and […]

Doing Business with Our Neighbor to the North

Canada is a country with unlimited natural resources, beauty and opportunities. Although it’s the second largest landmass in the world, it has a population of only 36 million people. Healthcare is accessible, education is affordable and work-life balance is highly valued. Canadians are kind, innovative, creative and diverse people who represent a mosaic of many cultures. […]