The strong start to the 2020 real estate market was an encouraging sign for area homeowners. Then COVID-19 hit, and suddenly life is on hold for millions of Americans. Naturally, that raises questions about the long-term prospects for housing and home ownership.

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On Friday, March 27, the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, aka the CARES Act, was officially signed into law.

As a locally owned business working with you along every step of the residential journey, @properties views this bill as a truly heartening …

As we spend more and more time indoors this month, we wanted to share a few ways you can take advantage of being home. So whether you’re catching up on sleep, learning a new skill, or planning your next well-deserved vacation, make the most of …

Florida has canceled all tests for the year, Kansas has decided to keep schools closed, …

Naturally, the big question on my mind is the same as yours… how long will this last and how bad will it get? Of course, we have no idea. We also have no data to accurately model what is happening right now, but that won’t stop me from trying.

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You've already received a ton of e-mails from organizations talking about the precautions they're taking to keep you safe amid the COVID-19 outbreak. We can assure you that @properties' agents and staff are following the same precautions. So we wanted to instead take this opportunity to let …

The coronavirus will stall the U.S. economy without causing a contraction, according to a Goldman Sachs forecast issued Sunday.

GDP growth will slow to 0.7% in the current quarter, the worst pace since the financial crisis, and grind to a halt in the second quarter, …

Chart, courtesy of Freddy Mac

The black solid line above demonstrates a resistance line where I predict

interest rates will bounce back up. After that, it's anyone's guess where

they go. 

Given the recent volatility of the 10-year Treasury yield, it's …

The lowest mortgage rates ever occurred around Thanksgiving 2012, when the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 3.31% (according to Freddie Mac data). However, rising panic over the coronavirus could drive rates to lows never seen before.

The signs of record …

Here are a few ideas if you’re in search of a fun gift:

1 | For the Music-Lover: Tickets to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Whether your partner is new to the symphony or is a seasoned concert-goer, tickets to a performance are a perfect gift. …