Illinois, Chicago among top sites for corporate locations
Illinois ranked seventh among states and Chicago second in the metropolitan areas category, according to an annual Site Selection magazine. Said Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Warren Ribley of the ranking:
“We are pleased that Illinois has again been named to Site Selection’s top 10 list for new and expanded corporate facilities. Illinois is one of the top business destinations in the nation for good reason, and we will continue to direct our efforts toward attracting and keeping investment in the state, creating jobs for the future and strengthening our economy.”
Demand rising for mortgage refinancing
USA Today reports that more underwater homeowners are seeking to refinance their mortgage through the federal government’s Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). Moody’s Analytics estimates there could be as many as 1.6 million HARP refinances by the end of 2013.
Investors scooping up foreclosures
In some depressed U.S. housing markets, investors are buying up foreclosures and other properties in bulk, Reuters reports.
For agents, sometimes the answer is “no”
Real estate agents help their buyers find the right home, but just as important can be their expertise in helping them avoid the wrong ones, as this Chicago Tribune article points out.