CHICAGO, IL - September 22, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Chicago region foreclosure cases are taking longer to complete the foreclosure process, resulting in a dramatic drop in foreclosure completions from the first half of 2010 to the first half of 2011, new data from Woodstock Institute show. As fewer cases complete the foreclosure process each quarter, it is likely that the number of homes tied up in the foreclosure process is growing.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - September 21, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) latest report, statewide home sales (including single family and condominiums) in August 2011 totaled 10,622 homes sold, up 25.9 percent from 8,434 home sales in August 2010. The statewide median price in August was $149,000, down 5.4 percent from $157,500 in August 2010. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less.

ELGIN, Ill. - September 19, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- RE/MAX Professional Advantage, a top real estate brokerage in Byron, Ill., moved to a new location in August to help strengthen its leading position in the city. The real estate agents at RE/MAX Professional Advantage are now doing business from an office at 404 W. Blackhawk

Torrance, CA - September 19, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Lee & Associates, one of the largest commercial real estate firms in the country, continues its torrid growth in the Midwest retail brokerage scene by adding a pair of senior vice presidents to its Chicago office. Joseph Herron and Jason Sorce have both joined Lee & Associates Chicago to help bulk up the firm’s retail brokerage as part of its rapid expansion in the Midwest.

CHICAGO, IL - September 16, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today announced a program to help approximately 15,000 Illinois homeowners threatened by foreclosure. The Illinois Hardest Hit program utilizes $345 million in federal funds to support working families having trouble making mortgage payments due to unemployment or under-employment.

Eugene, OR - September 16, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- IDX Broker is pleased to announce that Gail Jensen of ERA Real Estate has chosen to employ the innovative IDX broker software to improve the functionality and ease of her professional website. By seamlessly integrating her website with IDX Broker software her website now provides thousands of properties for the specific area interested in. As a long time member of the Midwest Real Estate Date MLS (MRED), Jensen now is able to provide her clients with the same accessibility to raw data of MRED MLS that once was only accessible for brokers.

CHICAGO, IL - September 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Those looking to own a great new home in Chicago will have an unparalleled opportunity this fall when the remaining 81 homes in five new Chicago real estate developments will be offered at greatly reduced prices and with great incentives.

EUGENE, OR - September 5, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- IDX, Inc. welcomes agent Sung Kang and Inception Homes to the growing list of realtors and brokers who have chosen to integrate the remarkable IDX Broker software into their websites. By adding a personalized IDX solution, Kang can sync Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) listings directly to his search page, giving home seekers in Chicago and surrounding areas a simple and comprehensive way to locate their ideal property. Kang now hosts a dynamic real estate search page, with featured listing slideshows and even an iPhone application.

August 31, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced the Micro-Market Recovery Program, an innovative new program for Chicago that will address foreclosures and stabilize property values in key neighborhoods throughout the city.

Torrance, CA - August 31, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Emily A. Fox has joined national real estate law firm Pircher, Nichols & Meeks as a litigation associate in its Chicago office. In her new position, she will focus on commercial real estate litigation, including foreclosures and mechanic’s lien claims.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - August 30, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A new law signed this week by Governor Pat Quinn allows Illinois landowners or lessees the option of using purple paint markings on trees or posts on their property as a “no trespassing” notice. The “Purple Paint Law” is designed as an alternative which Illinois landowners can use to protect their property from trespassing.

CHICAGO, IL - August 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- August 26, 2011. As part of his ongoing commitment to consumer protection, Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that will enhance safeguards for borrowers and tenants. The new laws will give the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) increased oversight of entities that repossess collateral in the case of defaulted loans. They will also strengthen tenants’ rights to their security deposits after a change in property ownership.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - August 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- REALTORS® and other real estate professionals from throughout Illinois will gather October 11-13, 2011, for the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) 95th Annual Convention and Expo at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles.

Elgin, IL - August 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The RE/MAX office in Skokie, Ill., has been purchased by Mark Feyman and Ivana Shudnow, both real estate veterans. The office, which was purchased in late July, will remain for the time being at 3947 Dempster St. Formerly called RE/MAX 1st Class Realty, its name has been shortened to RE/MAX 1st Class. The focus will continue to be on providing top service to customers -- but in more than just the residential real estate sector

Chicago, IL - August 19, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A new survey in the August 15th issue of Chicago Agent magazine illustrates that more than half of all agents surveyed believe that online agent rating systems, such as those on Zillow.com, Trulia.com and Angie’s List, are beneficial to the industry. However, only 17 percent of agents surveyed are actively participating in agent rating systems.