Chicago Agent Magazine

10/15/2025

Welcome to a rare blend of vintage luxury and smart living in prime Buena Park.
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/slideshows/4004-n-clarendon-ave-unit-3-chicago-il-60613/

This elegant top-floor penthouse in the historic J.T. Bunting House is the neighborhood’s standout listing for 2025. Bathed in natural light, the three-bedroom, one-bath home combines timeless architectural details with cutting-edge technology.

Inside, you’ll find original woodwork, leaded glass windows, custom cabinetry and two wood-burning fireplaces. Rich oak hardwood floors and heated flooring provide comfort throughout. Modern smart home upgrades are fully integrated and voice-controlled via smartphone or Alexa. Features include smart locks, thermostats, security cameras, Flair vents, Sonos sound system, motorized blinds, LED lighting and more.

Presented by: Alejandro Trujillo | Real Estate Advisor – RE/MAX Premier Chicago | (630) 728-0843 | [email protected]

10/15/2025

Clients often compliment Amy Bernstein about the calming presence she brings to what can be a stressful time: buying or selling a home.

Bernstein, a Realtor with Christie’s International Real Estate, has 19 years of experience making clients in Chicagoland feel heard, informed and supported. It’s expertise she honed during her time as a Chicago Public Schools teacher.

“Teaching gave me a strong foundation in communication, patience and the ability to explain complex ideas in a clear and supportive way — skills that have translated seamlessly into working with buyers and sellers,” she says.

Amy Bernstein - Chicago & Suburban Real Estate, Realtor
atproperties Christies International Real Estate

Clients often compliment Amy Bernstein about the calming presence she brings to what can...

10/14/2025

Krystal Mikha loves that she has been selling real estate long enough to assist a second generation — her clients’ children — with the purchase of their first home.

Mikha, a senior home lending advisor with JPMorganChase, originates loans across the country from her Bloomfield Hills and Farmington Hills offices. She specializes in conventional, jumbo, FHA and VA loans. Although she is known for assisting extremely-high-net-worth individuals, she also serves buyers at all price points, from first-time to move-up and luxury, as well as downsizers and those seeking a second property.

Krystal Mikha, Senior Home Lending Advisor
JPMorganChase

Krystal Mikha loves that she has been selling real estate long enough to assist...

10/14/2025

🎥 After growing a YouTube channel to 70K subscribers and millions of views, Terra Lux Homes - Kati Spaniak, eXp Realty learned a powerful lesson: views don’t equal closings.

Her “How to Sell Your Home” videos went viral nationwide — but the audience wasn’t local, and the calls from real buyers and sellers in her market stopped coming.

The takeaway? If you’re a local agent, focus on creating hyperlocal content that reaches people who can actually hire you — not just rack up views.

👉 Read the full story to learn why chasing virality could hurt your business more than help it, and how to build a YouTube strategy that truly converts.
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/2025/10/06/top-coach-youtube-channel/

Before you hit record, ask: Am I building a national channel or a local one? Your future income could depend on it.

10/13/2025

Last week to vote for your Chicago real estate community! Congratulations to all the representative from eXp Realty. Vote for your top picks everyday, once a day! https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/2025/10/07/2025-chicago-agents-choice-awards/

Grateful to have our incredible team members recognized in Chicago Agent Magazine 2025 Agents’ Choice Awards! You can vote daily until Oct 17th! Support your local eXp Realty Illinois Agents! Voting link in comments below:

10/13/2025

Aleksandar “Alex” Bokich is a seasoned Serbian-American mortgage lender at OriginPoint, A Rate company, with over 36 years of experience in the financial and lending industries. Born to a family rooted in strong values and resilience, Bokich has carried the work ethic and determination of his Serbian heritage into every aspect of his professional journey. Known for his sharp insight into complex loan structures and evolving guidelines, he has built a reputation as a trusted expert capable of solving even the most challenging mortgage scenarios.

Alex Bokich, Mortgage Lender, NMLS # 559643
Therese Thoreson, Licensed Sales Assistant, NMLS # 212889
Aleksandar Bokich & Therese Thoreson, The Alex Bokich Team
OriginPoint, A Rate Company - Midwest Division, A Rate Company

Aleksandar Bokich, Mortgage Lender, NMLS # 559643 Therese Thoreson, Licensed Sales Assistant, NMLS #...

10/12/2025

🔥 Hot market survey results are in!
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/2025/10/06/survey-results-hot-markets/
Thank you to all who participated in this survey last month.

Discover which Chicago neighborhoods are topping the list for buyers right now, how local agents identify a true “hot market,” and which data sources help them spot the trends first.

➡️ Swipe through for valuable insights on Chicago's hot market brought to you by your peers.

10/12/2025

Though Hadley Rue has built an impressive sales record through determination and innovative strategies, he’s quick to emphasize that the numbers pale in comparison to the relationships he’s developed throughout his real estate career. “Building strong, lasting relationships with my clients is the most rewarding part of my work,” he says.

With over $200 million in career sales backing his tagline, “Rue Can Do,” Rue has been a top producer at Baird & Warner and recognized by the Chicago Association of Realtors for the past 10 years. In 2018, 2021, 2023 and 2024, he was Baird & Warner’s (formerly Dream Town’s) No. 1 individual broker by volume, and with the recently announced merger of Dream Town and Baird & Warner, is currently the No. 1 individual sales agent in the city at the newly combined company.

Hadley Rue - Baird & Warner, Realtor
Baird & Warner

Though Hadley Rue has built an impressive sales record through determination and innovative strategies,...

10/11/2025

Feeling confined to her cubicle for 10-plus hours a day, Keisha Williams decided to leave a career in lending to sell real estate. Fifteen years later, it remains the right choice. “My clients love how hands-on I am,” says Williams, a broker with Fulton Grace Realty who assists buyers and sellers throughout Chicagoland. “I’m literally walking them through each step of the process and ensuring that the communication and accessibility are there.”

Williams has systems in place to ensure transactions run smoothly and constantly educates herself on market changes so that she can keep her clients well informed. She values connection just as much. “I love processes, but I also like my clients to have a little fun,” she says. A big gift-giver, she pays attention to clients’ interests and purchases gifts for them that she knows they would enjoy. She also hires a car service when she accompanies out-of-towners to showings to allow quality time to become better acquainted.

Keisha Williams, Broker
Fulton Grace Realty

Feeling confined to her cubicle for 10-plus hours a day, Keisha Williams decided to...

10/11/2025

⚖️ The U.S. housing market continued its rebalancing act in August, with the pace of home-price growth slowing yet again as regional differences in supply and demand created a more nuanced picture than the national average suggests, Cotality reported.

Home sales, meanwhile, remained at “multi-decade lows” even as price easing and a recent decline in mortgage rates brought overall affordability to its most favorable level since 2022, when rates began to rise.

🔥 🧊Tap the link to see the top 10 hottest and coolest markets in the country: https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/2025/10/08/cotality-august/

The U.S. housing market continued its rebalancing act in August, with the pace of home-price growth slowing yet again, Cotality reported.

10/10/2025

Midwest Real Estate Data LLC , the primary MLS in Chicago, announced the election of five real estate brokers and two Realtor association executives to its board of managers.
These new members and 10 others on the board will implement the strategy and policies that govern MRED.

The elected brokers are:
Aaron Starck, Berkshire Hathaway Starck Real Estate .
Nicole Minier, Managing Broker at Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group
Matt Silver, Corcoran Urban Real Estate .
Joan Marie Locascio, Fulton Grace Realty .
Realty Executives Success Jeff Gregory , Realty Executives Success.

The elected association executives are Michelle Mills Clement of the Chicago Association of REALTORS ® and Sharon Halperin of the Oak Park Area Association of REALTORS ®.

Complete list of others serving on the board listed here:
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/2025/10/09/mred-mls-board/

Midwest Real Estate Data announced the election of seven real estate professionals to the board of managers of its MLS.

10/10/2025

Starboard Group, led by Margaret Labus, has a client-centered mission to provide comprehensive real estate services while building strong community connections. With two decades of experience, Labus — a Certified Negotiation Expert and Luxury Collection Specialist, who also holds an MBA — founded the group to offer unparalleled service to clients throughout Southeast Wisconsin and Northeast Illinois. The team’s collaborative approach reflects its shared commitment to client satisfaction, each member bringing unique expertise and a personal touch.

Margaret Labus, Team Leader & Broker
Isabelle Carter, Real Estate Agent, Real Estate Agent
Steve Dowden, Real Estate Agent
Tim LaBrecque Real Estate, Real Estate Agent
Zach Otten - Realtor, Real Estate Agent
Beth Peyer, Geneva Lake Area Realtor, Real Estate Agent
Hailee Monroe, Content & Client Care Coordinator
Brandee Walton, Team Concierge & Marketing Manager
The Starboard Group
Berkshire Hathaway Starck Real Estate

Margaret Labus, Team Leader & Broker Isabelle Carter, Real Estate Agent Steve Dowden, Real Estate Agent Tim...