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!

Social Media: Feeling Confused?

Staff and leadership at many local home building associations have expressed their desire to incorporate social media into their communications; but right now, are stretched so thin the idea of it is just overwhelming.

Well Carol Flammer and Mitch Levinson, managing partners of real estate Internet Marketing, Public Relations and Social Media firm, mRELEVANCE, will show executive leadership and senior staff of local and state home building associations at the National Association of Home Builders Executive Officers Council (EOC) Conference that while it is not easy; it can be done; and now is the time to do it. And even better, they will show attendees how!

Levinson and Flammer will be presenting two sessions; Social Media: Engage in the Online Conversation and Social Media Lab: Building a Social Media Program from the Ground Up. Engage in the Online Conversation is for those that really want to learn more about the power of social media. The Lab is for those that are ready to get started! Levinson and Flammer will walk participants through setting up some of their own accounts and using popular social media tools, such as Facebook and Twitter. Participants in this session will also learn how to set up a blog – the easiest and most effective way possible!

If you will be at the EOC conference, do not miss these sessions. To learn more visit the EOC web site. If you can't attend the EOC conference, but want to learn more, visit mRELEVANCE.

Moving to Chicago?

Are you relocating to Chicago and looking for a cool new condo, a hip townhome or maybe a home in the burbs with a yard big enough for the kids and dogs? Make your first stop Chicagoland Real Estate Forum. This blog features the latest Chicago real estate information and news. Looking for news on green building or energy efficiency, or just want to know the latest tax credit news - it is all here.