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.
February marks the celebration of Black History Month, and for well over a century, both at the local and national level, many prominent African Americans have had an important impact on real estate, fair housing, and architecture. Following are five individuals who made indelible marks on the industry that continue to prove significant in Chicago and beyond.
There are many benefits to owning a home, including the stability, security, and sense of place it gives individuals and families. Of course, beyond these intangible benefits are the tangible financial advantages homeowners can realize on an annual basis and over time. As tax season approaches, here is a rundown of the main tax benefits of homeownership. Talk with your tax advisor to make sure you’re taking full advantage of these allowances.
With the onset of the holiday season, many homebuyers and sellers take a pause from real estate to focus on other activities. But a December market surge is actually fairly common thanks to some of the most motivated sellers and buyers of the year. In some cases, sellers are looking to get their homes on the market ahead of the spring rush. Buyers also might be trying to get a jump on the competition, especially with today’s historically low inventory. And some have the added incentive of a year-end bonus or a job relocation.
Historically, the last few weeks of the year aren’t the most active on the real estate calendar. But the spring market, which can begin as early as mid-January, brings a spike in activity from both buyers and sellers. Changing market conditions will make this coming spring market much different from the last one, so the time to start strategizing is now, real estate experts say. If you’re selling your home next year, here are some tips to start preparing.
Get In Showing Shape
According to Natasha O’Connor, managing broker in @properties Christie’s International Real Estate’s Northbrook and Glenview offices, “Now is a great time to think about hiring a contractor for updates and repairs.” Not only do many pre-sale renovation projects take several weeks, but contractors are usually less busy at this time of year. That means you not only should be able to get on their schedule; you might also be able to negotiate better pricing.
Rising mortgage rates have been the big story in real estate this year. However, buyers are still in the market, adjusting to the “new normal” and confident their dream home is within reach. National mortgage lender – and @properties Christie’s International Real Estate strategic partner – Proper Rate, notes that thoughtful planning and a wide range of available loan products can help buyers and sellers deal with the evolving market conditions.
As fall approaches, there is no better time to escape to a seaside destination that still offers up fresh saltwater air without the seasonal crowds. Fortunately, the Christie’s International Real Estate network spans both coasts and beyond, so we spoke with some Christie’s International Real Estate Affiliate owners and agents in coastal destinations to get their expert opinion on what they love about the places they call home – and sell homes.
@properties has been named to the 2022 Inc. 5000 List – the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies – for an incredible 13th time. The announcement comes on the heels of the tech-focused company’s “Brokerage of the Year” honor from Inman News and follows its December 2021 acquisition of Christie’s International Real Estate.
Since its inception in 2000, @properties has become the 9th largest brokerage firm in the nation with over $23 billion in annual sales volume, according to the latest RealTrends 500 ranking. @properties co-founders Mike Golden and Thad Wong attribute much of the firm’s growth to its industry-leading technology, marketing, and agent-training programs. With the addition of Christie’s International Real Estate, the company now offers clients the enhanced benefits of a worldwide luxury real estate network spanning 48 countries and territories. The company also has a close relationship with Christie’s, the world-leading art and luxury business founded in 1766, giving clients another conduit to Christie’s auction, private-sale, and appraisal services.
From the grocery store to your energy bills, inflation has become a reality of everyday life. And while June’s inflation reading of 9.1% – a 40-year high – has caused many people to reexamine their budgets, hard assets like real estate are still very much in favor because they offer protection against rising prices. Here are a few reasons why real estate can serve as a hedge against inflation.
Fixed Expenditure
With a fixed-rate mortgage, the monthly payment (principal and interest) for your home will remain the same, whereas rental costs will rise. On top of that, mortgages become “more affordable” over time as wages increase and the value of the dollar decreases.
The buzz surrounding cryptocurrency and the blockchain is hard to ignore. Many speculate on whether digital currency is here to stay as it continues to ride the wave of an up and down market, but the blockchain technology that supports it has the potential to transform many verticals, including real estate.
The technology has already presented tremendous opportunity within the art world through NFTs, or non-fungible tokens. In 2021, Christie’s auction house sold Beeple’s Everydays: The First 5000 Days for $69,346,250. It was the first NFT based purely on a digital work of art ever offered by a major auction house. The sale also marked the first-time cryptocurrency was accepted at an art auction.