The resort-home communities of Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin are known for being popular vacation destinations for Chicagoans. But their appeal isn’t limited to summer getaways, and that was never more apparent than when COVID-19 hit this spring. Many people with second homes in the area chose to shelter in place there. Others were inspired to find a retreat in the area once restrictions lifted and market activity picked up.

Should you buy or rent? This is a fundamental question facing many potential homebuyers, particularly first-time buyers. While there are circumstances in which renting might make more sense (e.g. if more flexibility is needed), there are a number of key advantages when it comes to homeownership. Here are five benefits to being a homeowner today:

With 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.

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve, volatility and uncertainty have swept through the financial markets.

Borrowers saw wild swings in interest rates over the last few weeks and were left to wonder whether they could still qualify for specific loan amounts and close on pending transactions.

Amidst the chaos, Guaranteed Rate has been a steady ship in rough waters. We asked them to answer a few questions pertaining to the impacts market volatility has had on the mortgage industry, and they responded with some helpful guidance. Read, share, enjoy and contact your trusted Guaranteed Rate loan officer with any questions.

Just as home sellers have been thrown for a major loop by COVID-19, many of today’s buyers are suddenly wondering how or even if they should proceed with their home search.

In an encouraging sign, a number of @properties homebuyers have in fact closed on purchases and gone under contract in recent days. But questions about safety, near-term financial impact, and changing personal situations have, understandably, forced many buyers to take a step back.

Some might say millennials are fashionably late to the homeownership party, but they are about to arrive in a big way if you ask @properties co-founders Thad Wong and Mike Golden. In the latest installment of @properties’ @ the market webcast, the two agree that the next 10 years in real estate will be largely shaped by the generation’s shift to homeownership.

Although it certainly doesn’t feel like spring in the Midwest, the busy spring housing market is well underway.

With more buyers in the market than any other time of year (generally speaking), preparation is key to having a successful outcome and beating out the competition. Here are a few things you can do to have the smoothest possible buying experience:

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After saving up diligently for years, it’s finally time to purchase your very first home. A first-time home purchase is a big milestone, and one to truly celebrate and cherish. But it’s also a decision that requires careful research.

@properties co-founders Thad Wong and Mike Golden face scary headlines about the Chicago area luxury real estate market head-on in the final @/The Market installment of 2019. But how do the foreboding stories hold up to actual sales numbers and buyer preferences? @properties managing broker Amy Corr provides some boots-on-the-ground insight into the Winnetka housing market, one of the priciest in the metro area.

Buying or selling a home can be scary – but it doesn’t need to be. In the spirit of Halloween, we’re breaking down some of the scary real estate stories that can haunt buyers and sellers – and how you can avoid them.