Sales and Marketing

Setting goals for 2012
From establishing a team to moving away from paper to the cloud, Illinois REALTORS® share their marketing and business goals for 2012 with Illinois REALTOR® magazine. Watch a video for even more ideas.

Which Seller Incentives Tempt Buyers?
Home improvement gift cards or covering some or all of the closing costs are a few of the popular seller incentives that get potential buyers to take notice, according to media reports.

30 Under 30 Deadline
REALTOR® Magazine is  accepting applications for their annual “30 Under 30″ feature. Find contest rules and the online application form. The deadline to submit your application is Jan. 15, 2012. 

Industry News and Trends

IHDA Launches New Veteran Loan Program
Welcome Home Heroes provides closing costs and down payment assistance to Illinois Veterans and active military members. Learn more about the program from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).

1 in every 427 homes
That is the number of Illinois homes that received a foreclosure filing in November, according to the latest RealtyTrac data. Illinois ranks #8 among the top 10 states with the highest foreclosure rates.

Tax Changes to Watch
In a short video, tax expert Chris Bird covers potential tax changes that could make it advantageous for sellers to put their homes on the market in 2012 rather than waiting until 2013.

Market Stats and Research

Illinois Home Sales Rise 14.2 Percent in November
Statewide home sales in November totaled 7,954, a 14.2 percent increase from the 6,966 home sold a year ago. The statewide median price, however decreased 11.4 percent to $128,500, according to the latest IAR report. “Signs are emerging that a recovery in the housing market is underway including the steady uptick in home sales activity, which is expected to continue into the new year,” says IAR President Loretta Alonzo. Find county-by-county data, talking points and the latest U of I forecast in Members Only Market Stats (login required)

National Home Sales Rise; NAR Revises Data
Existing-home sales rose again in November and remain above a year ago, according to NAR, which also released periodic benchmark revisions with downward adjustments to sales and inventory data since 2007, led by a decline in for-sale-by-owners.

Legal Issues

2011 Past, Present and On the Horizon
In a Dec. 21 IAR Legal Webinar, IAR legal counsel took a year-end look at some legal cases and legislative changes of interest to REALTORS® and offered an update on what you need to know about license transition. Download a recording of the webinar to review at your convenience. (Reminder: legal webinars are a members-only benefit so you will be required to log in.)

Record-keeping Requirements
Managing Brokers, as 2011 draws to a close it's important you know the requirements for the retention and destruction of records. You can find License Law requirements in Rules Section 1450.755 (pdf) beginning on page 132 and more details with suggested time limits in the IAR Sample Office Policy Manual (beginning on page 52).