Sell More Chicago New Homes, Attend Xplode

Interested in selling more Chicago new homes? Technology is a great way to do so. However, technology is always changing, so it is hard to keep up.

To help share tips on social marketing and the advantages of technology in the Chicago real estate market, the Chicago Association of REALTORS will host the Xplode Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago on Friday, August 19.

With topics such as mobile marketing, social media, the revolution of video, digital transactions, blogging and search, syndication and digital listings, Xplode’s 25 speakers will give attendees valuable advice and lessons.

Some speakers include marketing experts, social media pros and technology developers.

For more details, check out the Xplode Conference video. Also, be sure to register online at http://chicago.xplodethis.com/.

Chicago to Get a Brand New Neighborhood

More than 100,000 people recently attended the Dave Matthews Band Caravan — a three-day summer concert tour of 39 bands — in an empty, 470-acre site of prairie land along Lake Michigan on Chicago's South Side.

That site, which used to be occupied by the U.S. Steel's South Works manufacturing plant, could someday be an entirely new Chicago real estate community.

Though, not immediately.

U.S. Steel, which still owns the land, has teamed up with a Chicago real estate developer to turn the lakefront property into a LEED-certified community with single-family and high-rise housing, retail and commercial space, a new school and more.

Chicago Real Estate Icon on the Market

When you think Chicago real estate, what's the first building that comes to mind?

To some, the answer is the Sears Tower, though the skyscraper is actually called the Willis Tower now, but either way, it's the tallest building in Chicago and the nation, and it's for sale.

Its owners, who bought the 110-story tower in Chicago's South Loop in 2004 for approximately $840 million, are looking for help to recapitalize the Chicago real estate icon, which is about $780 million in debt.

Two brokerage firms have been hired to market the four-million-square-foot building for either a partial or full sale.

Want to learn more? Check out our story:

Chicago Real Estate Icon for Sale

And then stay tuned to Chicagoland Real Estate Forum for details as they emerge.

Safeguard Your Home and Enjoy This Chicago Winter

In this brutal weather, it's imperative to protect your Chicago home from the elements.

Frozen pipes, drafty rooms, cracked concrete and safety issues are all naughty things you can nicely avoid by being informed and taking some simple and cost-effective steps in and around your home this winter.

Visit Chicagoland Real Estate Forum for lots of tips on making your home a happy place to be in Chicago during winter. We even cover financial assistance programs that will help Chicago area homeowners stay safe and warm.

Here are some of the highlights:

*It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Winter

*It's Winter: Is Your Chicago Home Ready?

*We Can Vouch for the Importance of Weatherizing Your Chicago Home

*Storms Coming. Got Any Calcium Chloride Around?

Have a safe and problem-free winter from all of us at Chicagoland Real Estate Forum.

More Jobs Could Create More Homeowners in Illinois

The state of the Chicago real estate market is directly related to the unemployment rate in Illinois. Since the state's unemployment rate has consistently sat above the national average, action is necessary to create more jobs.

And action is what the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is taking.

The problem: As a result of unemployment, or underemployment, less people are in the position to own a home, which hurts the real estate market.

On the other side, it's becoming more difficult for small businesses to start up or create jobs since securing funding in this poor economy has become nearly impossible.

The solution: The Illinois DCEO has created a program that will provide millions of dollars in micro-loans to new and start-up small businesses in Illinois.

The federally funded program will go until funds run out, so immediate action is necessary if you are interested.

To find out all the details, including which lenders are involved and how to apply for a loan, visit chicagolandrealestateforum.com.

2011 Should Be a Good Year for Residential Real Estate

This was a tough year for the Chicago real estate market, but we have some predictions for 2011 that might make you smile.

Experts from around the country met in Chicago on December 3 for the 24th annual Economic Outlook Symposium, where they discussed the national economic outlook for 2011.

“According to the median forecast of symposium participants,” said William A. Strauss, Senior Economist and Economic Advisor, “the nation’s economic growth is expected to increase at a solid pace in 2011.”

Among the predictions, the panelists expect an increase in residential real estate investments, housing starts and consumer spending.

For all the details, and to find out more of the panelist's predictions for 2011, check out the full story at chicagolandrealestateforum.com.

Social Media Conference for Chicago Real Estate Industry

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 29th for a can't miss one-day conference. Social Real Estate Chicago will consist of six one-hour long sessions presented by local and national social media experts. This is your opportunity to learn more about social media and how to apply the new technology to your business strategy as a builder, developer, marketer or job seeker in the real estate industry.

The morning sessions will focus on utilizing social media for brand building and will include topics such as the “Dos and Don'ts” of social media for business, best practices and reputation management. The afternoon sessions will focus on social media for job seekers and provide the perspective of both the job applicant and employer. The afternoon sessions will conclude the workshop with a wrap-up presentation on tracking and measuring one's efforts and a how to list for getting started in social media.

Some of the conference's speakers include Mitch Levinson, MIRM and Carol Flammer, MIRM, managing partners of award-winning Internet marketing, public relations and social media firm mRELEVANCE, LLC; Rudy Bachraty with Trulia; Sara Bonert with Zillow; Kelly O'Brien with Chicago Tribune/CareerBuilder.com; Julie Wernau, job seeker, publisher of ChicagoNow.com and Nita Tuskan with New Home Notebook, among others.

Lunch is included with a full day registration that is only $50; half-day registration is $25. See you there!