In search of a venue larger than their previous home of Wrigley Field, the Chicago Bears moved into Soldier Field full-time in 1971. Since then, Soldier Field, and its classically columned façade, has become a symbol of the Bears, with 61,500 fans pouring into the stadium on game days to watch their favorite team.

But after more than 50 years at Soldier Field, which has become the smallest-capacity stadium in the NFL, the Bears have started to search for a new home. They first declared their interest in moving by purchasing the former Arlington Park race track in Arlington Heights. But as negotiations with that suburb have dragged on, the Bears have received several overtures offers from other towns eager to have (or, in the case of Chicago, keep) the team.

As the Bears season gets underway, we’re taking a look at potential new homes for the team…and nearby homes for you if you’d like to follow in their footsteps.

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@properties has been named to the Inc. 5000 list – the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies – for an incredible 14th time.

A focus on industry-leading technology, marketing, and agent-training programs has consistently made @properties one of the top brokerage firms in the country, leading to the December 2021 acquisition of the Christie’s International Real Estate global luxury network. Today, @properties ranks #8 on the RealTrends 500 list of the largest residential brokerage firms in the U.S. by sales volume. The company also holds the #1 market share* in the entire Chicago metro area, the city of Chicago, Southwest Michigan, and several sub-markets.

“We’re incredibly honored to make the Inc. 5000 list for the 14^th time. It’s not only a testament to what we have built, but inspiration for how we want to keep evolving,” said @properties co-CEO Mike Golden.

“Since our start more than 20 years ago in an industry not known for being on the cutting edge, we’ve focused on innovation,” added @properties co-CEO Thad Wong. “This vision has helped us stand out among a crowded field of brokerages, while remaining true to our core values.”

Earlier this year, @properties was named to the HousingWire Tech100 Real Estate list, which recognizes the most innovative technology-focused companies in real estate. The award reinforced @properties’ position as a real estate tech leader while highlighting our commitment to providing – and continually improving – best-in-class resources like our pl@tform™ technology.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found here.

Source: #1 market share based on closed sales volume data from BrokerMetrics LLC (MRED & MichRIC), 8/1/2022 to 7/31/2023

A REALTOR® hands a newlywed couple the keys to their new home and life’s journey begins. It’s the image of homebuying that has been portrayed in the media for decades, but in reality, we all know that the “typical” homebuyer has changed a lot. While married couples still make up the majority of buyers, real estate data provider ATTOM reports that the number of co-buyers with different last names has increased by 31% just since 2019. Many such buyers are unmarried romantic partners, but a growing portion represent different household compositions – friends, roommates, etc.

The rise in unconventional co-buying situations is partially due to rising home prices and high interest rates that have created challenges to homeownership, especially for single buyers. Subsequently, co-buying among friends and roommates is becoming more common.

Of course, if you’re thinking about buying a home with someone other than a life partner, there are some special factors to consider, including each party’s financial situation, long-term plans and personal compatibility. Read on for a few things to think about before beginning your co-buying quest.

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The Barbie Dreamhouse has been an iconic symbol of imagination and play for over six decades. Since Barbie bought her first home in 1962 – quite a feat, considering women couldn’t even apply for a credit card alone at the time– the toy has captivated children around the world. Now, according to Mattel, a Barbie Dreamhouse is sold every two minutes. And the premiere of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” has only amplified interest in the toy, with cast-led video tours of the set and a replica Dreamhouse Airbnb in Malibu part of the movie’s promotion.

From its humble cardboard beginnings in the 1960s to the modern-day version fit for an influencer, this fantastical dream house has undergone many transformations that have reflected the world’s changing social and economic landscape.

Read on for a breakdown of the history of the illustrious Barbie Dreamhouse.

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When TikTok launched in 2017, it was primarily known for viral dance videos and the occasional OOTD (outfit of the day) check. Fast forward to today and the app’s nearly 1 billion users now turn to TikTok for insight on an array of topics, from fashion and beauty trends to cooking and DIY tips.

TikTok has also become the Gen-Z and Millennial unofficial search engine of choice for a variety of topics, including buying or selling a home.

Today, many real estate agents use TikTok to market listings and connect with potential clients. #RealtorTok has continued to boom, and some agents have amassed huge followings – sometimes in the millions – on the app. If you’re selling or buying a home in today’s market, there’s a good chance it’s been posted on TikTok.

If you’re new to the game, here are three ways you can leverage TikTok to elevate your real estate experience:

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Here’s the dilemma: it’s a beautiful summer evening, the sun is setting, and the air feels just right. But you’ve been dying to catch up on your favorite TV series, and you know you’ll feel guilty about spending such a perfect night inside on the living room sofa. What if you could watch that show or ballgame or movie under the stars? With the growing popularity of outdoor media rooms, it’s easy to blend entertainment with relaxation in natural environments.

Transforming your backyard or rooftop deck into a fully functional media room has become quite popular since the early days of the pandemic motivated us to seek outdoor entertainment in droves. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the essential elements to create a warm and welcoming outdoor entertainment space, including outdoor TVs, audio systems, furniture, lighting and convenient kitchen amenities. Let’s dive in!

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One of the best things about summertime in the Midwest is the farmers markets, and you don’t have to go far to find one in Chicago, Michigan, Indiana or Wisconsin. From Garfield Park Neighborhood Market at The Hatchery, Andersonville Farmers Market or 95^th Street Farmers Market in Beverly, there are dozens and dozens of options. Each one is unique.

Nosh on freshly picked strawberries, drink a craft beer or freshly squeezed lemonade, or have a tamale while wandering vendor stalls selecting organic produce and listening to live music.

Whether you stay local or take a road trip, here are a few farmers markets you won’t want to miss.

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Back in 2020, the convergence of virtual technology and the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a big increase in sight-unseen homebuying. According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), during the first few months of the pandemic, 1 in 20 buyers purchased a property without ever setting foot inside. But while the pandemic is over, it looks like the trend of sight-unseen buying may be around a little while longer.

This is partly due to the competitiveness of today’s market, with demand still far outpacing ready supply. In fact, another NAR survey from last year found that almost half (48%) of Millennial homebuyers would purchase sight unseen to gain an advantage over other buyers.

But sight-unseen transactions can also create headaches for both buyers and sellers. So, before you buy or sell a home this way, here are some things you should know.

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If you’re looking to purchase a house in a competitive market, you might find yourself in a multiple offer situation, meaning there is at least one other party interested in the same property as you. This can be stressful for both buyers and sellers, so it’s important to know how to navigate the situation carefully.

When it comes to multiple offers, the listing agent may advise the seller to request “best and final” offers. In this case, buyers are asked to submit their strongest offer by a set date and time, at which point the seller will review all offers, compare the various terms, and choose which one to accept.

If you find yourself in this situation and feel like it’s the perfect home, this is your time to go all-in with your best offer. However, it’s essential to remember that every seller has different needs and goals for selling their home beyond just the price. For example, flexibility to close at a later date may be more important to some sellers. In such cases, your agent can assist you in framing the various terms required to make your offer clean, compelling and complete.

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Whether you’re buying or selling a home, there’s a number of important tasks to perform from the moment the contract is signed to the day you close (and beyond). It’s a lot to keep track of, and that’s why @properties Christie’s International Real Estate launched Closing Milestones, a digital portal that helps our clients navigate the transaction process with confidence and ease.

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