Image credit: Olivia Leigh Photographie and HMR Designs
More than 350 @properties Christie’s International Real Estate agents and staff gathered to celebrate the Chicago-based brokerage’s newest class of top producers during the brokerage’s annual “Timeless” event, held April 9 in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago.
It was the start of a new millennium. Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were Hollywood’s ultimate power couple…the sound of dial-up internet filled our homes…and Y2K wasn’t the world-ending disaster many feared it would be. In the midst of it all, @properties was born.
In April 2000, we opened our first office in Chicago with a vision for a brokerage that would always work for the agent – not the other way around. Over the years, that vision evolved into something bigger. We became the #1 brokerage firm in the city, opened new offices, brought the brand to new markets and even went global with Christie’s International Real Estate.
Now as we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we’re reflecting on the many things to love about @properties Christie’s International Real Estate. Here are 25 of them.
Chicagoland now has more than six months of luxury home sales in the books for 2024, and the relatively robust performance in the upper reaches of the market has been a surprise to some. While the market is not on pace to top the record-setting years of 2021 and 2022, sales above $4 million are tracking ahead of last year as well as the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
Stretching from Evanston to Lake Bluff, the North Shore is undeniably one of Chicago’s most sought-after suburban regions. Each North Shore town has its own unique character, and all are renowned for their beautiful homes, tree-lined streets, Lake Michigan access, excellent schools, and vibrant community life. The close proximity to downtown Chicago also makes the area Shore highly desirable for those seeking suburban charm without sacrificing the convenience and culture of the big city.
As the #1 brokerage firm on the North Shore, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate has unparalleled knowledge of the area. Our agents are involved in more than one-third of all home transactions in the market, and last year, we sold approximately $2.5 billion worth of real estate – more than double our closest competitor. With offices and over 700 agents, we have a deep commitment to the area.
Here are ten of our favorite things about living and working on Chicago’s North Shore.
Leading real estate media organization, Inman, has named @properties Christie’s International Real Estate as a finalist for “Most Innovative Brokerage” and “Most Innovative Marketing/Branding Campaign,” as part of its annual Inman Innovators Awards, one of the industry’s most prestigious awards programs. The winners will be unveiled on August 1 at the Inman Connect conference in Las Vegas.
The city is pitching its new “Mansion Tax” as a tax on wealthy homebuyers, but it’s likely to cost the average Chicago homeowner thousands in increased property taxes.
Although it doesn’t feel like spring in the Midwest, the busy spring real estate market is underway. And with more competition, it’s important for prospective homebuyers to get their priorities in order before they start touring homes and neighborhoods. If you’re among those buyers, ask yourself:
The Windy City. The Second City. The City of Big Shoulders. Chicago is a city of many names, neighborhoods, and dreams, but to @properties Christie’s International Real Estate, it can be described in one word…home.
The countdown to Valentine’s Day is on – and if you’re still searching for the perfect activity, reservation, or off-the-radar spot to bring your Valentine, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re into cozy indoor activities, adventurous outings, or something totally out of the box, Chicago has plenty of romantic options. Read on for some of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate’s favorites.
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Picture your dream home. Is it a traditional single-family home designed for a conventional nuclear family? Or does your idea of home include extended family — maybe your parents, in-laws, or a favorite aunt or uncle?
If so, you’re not alone. While single-family living continues to be the dominant housing choice in the US, there’s a new arrangement that’s steadily gaining in popularity across the country, including in the greater Chicagoland.
According to a report by Pew Research Center, the number of people who live in multigenerational households quadrupled between 1971 and 2021, now representing 18% of the US population. What’s driving this growth? The Pew study found financial reasons motivated four in ten respondents, 28% said it’s how they’ve always lived, 25% are caring for a family member, and 12% said help with childcare was a driving force in their decision.
