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Morning Minute: Illinois and U.S. home sales ticked up in April

IARbuzz.com Blog - Thu, 05/23/2013 - 9:47am
There was welcome news on the housing market front this week as the Illinois Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS® reported increased home sales in April. April home sales in Illinois were up 25.3 percent from a … Continue reading →

Local home sales jump 31 percent in April

Today's News Headlines - Thu, 05/23/2013 - 5:20am
May 22, 2013 Sales of Chicago-area homes surged more than 31 percent last month, posting the strongest April since the boom. The Illinois Association of Realtors said today that 9,152 single-family homes and condominiums sold in the nine-county area last month, up 31.2 percent from 6,977 sales in April 2012. April marked 22 straight months of year-over-year sales gains as the local housin

Illinois home sales best since 2007 in April

Today's News Headlines - Thu, 05/23/2013 - 5:17am
Illinois home sales increased 25.3 percent and the median price was up 7.7 percent in April compared with April 2012, the Illinois Association of Realtors reported Wednesday. A total of 12,621 homes were sold in April and the median price was $145,900. It was the best April since 2007, according to the report. “The spring numbers are very encouraging, especially as we see substantial tighten

Foreclosure activity decreased in Tri-Cities area in April, data say

Today's News Headlines - Thu, 05/23/2013 - 2:43am
Foreclosure activity in the region plunged in April, offering glimmers of hope for continued improvement in the housing market. Last month, the number of homes that are facing foreclosure in central and western Kane County decreased by 61 percent, compared to April 2012, according to the latest round of foreclosure data from foreclosure tracking company RealtyTrac. In all, 76 homes faced some

Local home sales up slightly

Today's News Headlines - Thu, 05/23/2013 - 2:19am
Home sales across Rock Island, Henry, Mercer and Whiteside counties were up marginally in the first four months of the year, according to newly released statistics. A total of 732 residential units sold across the four counties, up 1.8 percent from the 719 sold in the same period last year. Across Illinois, home sales were up 22.5 percent for the first four months of the year, according to s

Evanston short term rental proposal could have far-reaching impact

IARbuzz.com Blog - Wed, 05/22/2013 - 12:09pm
The city of Evanston is considering an ordinance to tighten regulations on short term residential rentals being rented for less than 29 days by classifying them as a subcategory of a bed and breakfast, but the proposal could end up … Continue reading →

April home sales up 25.3 percent from a year ago; Statewide median price at $145,900 – IAR releases April 2013 home sales data

IARbuzz.com Blog - Wed, 05/22/2013 - 8:05am
Illinois home sales increased 25.3 percent over previous-year levels in April and median prices increased 7.7 percent, according to the Illinois Association of REALTORS®. Statewide home sales in April 2013 totaled 12,621 homes sold, up from 10,076 in April 2012. … Continue reading →

April home sales up 25.3 percent from a year ago; Statewide median price at $145,900

IAR News - Wed, 05/22/2013 - 7:50am
Date:  May 22, 2013 Intro: 

Illinois home sales increased 25.3 percent over previous-year levels in April and median prices increased 7.7 percent, according to the Illinois Association of REALTORS®. 

 

FOR RELEASE: May 22, 2013

For Further Information Contact: Stephanie Sievers, 217-529-2600

 

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US home sales tick up to highest in 3 ½ years

Today's News Headlines - Wed, 05/22/2013 - 5:58am
By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER AP Economics Writer May 22, 2013 9:22AM 0 0 Share 1 1 The National Association of Realtors said Wednesday that sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose to its highest levels in 3 1/2 years. File Photo | AP

Chicago-area home sales, prices improve in April

Today's News Headlines - Wed, 05/22/2013 - 5:56am
By Mary Ellen Podmolik Tribune staff reporter 9:01 a.m. CDT, May 22, 2013 More than 9,000 previously owned homes were sold in the Chicago area in April, another strong month for sales volume that was met by more pricing recovery. The Illinois Association of Realtors reported Wednesday that 9,152 single-family homes and condominiums sold in the nine-county Chicago area last month, at a medi

IAR works to dispel fire sprinkler mandate myths

IARbuzz.com Blog - Tue, 05/21/2013 - 9:25am
IAR’s Brian Bernardoni, a government affairs director in Chicago, was on CBS’ local news in a story about fire sprinkler mandates. Bernardoni in the few seconds provided by the Chicago station got through the message Monday that there are many … Continue reading →

Fannie Mae: Housing to boost economy in second half of 2013

IARbuzz.com Blog - Mon, 05/20/2013 - 11:09am
The U.S. economy, which has slowed slightly due in part to the federal sequester, is expected to reaccelerate in the second half of this year, with housing serving as a “significant contributor to growth,” according to Fannie Mae’s Economic Outlook … Continue reading →

NAR Live Blog: Kmiecik named Region 7 VP

IARbuzz.com Blog - Sat, 05/18/2013 - 8:24am
Illinois REALTOR® named to regional post John C. Kmiecik was elected Region 7 Vice president. Region 7 includes Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. First vice president candidates tout strengths; voting begins Florida REALTOR® Tom Salomone touted his passion and experience in … Continue reading →

One last order of business: NAR board meeting begins in Washington

IARbuzz.com Blog - Sat, 05/18/2013 - 7:59am
Hundreds of delegates from across the nation are meeting this morning (May 18, 2013) as part of the National Association of REALTORS®’ Board of Directors meeting. The gathering, held as part of the Midyear meetings in Washington, D.C., has a … Continue reading →

Illinois REALTORS® successfully lobby for fairer erroneous homestead exemption bill

IARbuzz.com Blog - Fri, 05/17/2013 - 4:59pm
After two years of intense negotiations, the Illinois Association of REALTORS® reached an agreement with the Cook County Assessor on Senate Bill 41, legislation creating greater penalties for erroneous homestead exemptions. A more narrowly defined, and fairer bill, was approved … Continue reading →

IAR members hold caucus meeting in Washington, get updates on committee action

IARbuzz.com Blog - Fri, 05/17/2013 - 2:53pm
Illinois REALTORS took part in a state caucus meeting on Friday, May 17, 2013. Representatives from National Association of REALTORS committees provided updates for members and an overview of emerging issues that the industry is facing. The committee reports covered … Continue reading →

Capitol Hill visits a success for IAR property advocates

IARbuzz.com Blog - Fri, 05/17/2013 - 9:28am
Over the past three days IAR members showed Illinois congressional representatives that there was power in the association’s membership. That’s because in just about every meeting, Federal Political Coordinators and their teams packed offices on Capitol Hill to advocate for … Continue reading →

It takes a village to provide photo coverage of IAR’s Hill visits

IARbuzz.com Blog - Thu, 05/16/2013 - 7:54am
The images we’re posting this week from the visits to Capitol Hill are part of a team effort. After all, it’s simply impossible for some of us to be in three simultaneous meetings, so we need what the military calls … Continue reading →

Roll call for FPCs: Visits begin with strategy session

IARbuzz.com Blog - Thu, 05/16/2013 - 12:32am
The Illinois Association of REALTORS® relies on Federal Political Coordinators (FPCs) to establish relationships with members of Congress and to advocate for private property rights. On Wednesday, May 15, they kicked off a day of work on Capitol Hill with … Continue reading →

Illinois REALTORS® blanket the Hill; lobby for property rights

IARbuzz.com Blog - Thu, 05/16/2013 - 12:26am
Federal Political Coordinators and their teams logged a full day of Congressional visits on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, May 15. The teams discussed the Mainstreet Fairness Act and the rural housing program. IAR Members provided members of Congress with the … Continue reading →