Bob Copeland, Realtor, Keller Williams ONEChicago

03/09/2026

Dear Valued Clients and friends,

With so much discussion in the news about interest rates and the housing market, I wanted to share a quick perspective that often gets overlooked.

Attached is a slide from recent housing research that highlights one of the most important financial truths in America: homeownership remains one of the most powerful ways families build long-term wealth.

The data shows that, over time, homeowners consistently build significantly more net worth than renters. This isn’t because real estate is a short-term investment; it’s because homeownership allows people to benefit from long-term appreciation, equity growth, and the power of leverage over time.

In other words, real estate rewards time in the market more than timing the market.

Markets will always move up and down year to year, but long-term data shows that people who own real estate and hold it over time tend to build meaningful wealth. That’s why economists and financial advisors consistently point to homeownership as one of the most powerful financial tools available.

If you’re ever curious about your home’s current market value or how much equity you may have built, I’d be happy to help.

Simply email me at [email protected], call, or text me at 847-508-0123, and I can provide a complimentary home value analysis to help you understand where you stand in today’s market.

As always, I’m here to be a resource for you.

10/30/2025

I wanted to share a quick local real estate update with you. Whether you're planning your next move or just like to stay informed, these insights can help you make smart decisions.

Here's what's happening right now across the Chicagoland real estate market:

Home prices in Chicago are up 6.23% year-over-year, more than double the national growth rate. Median home prices are hovering around $400,000.

Mortgage rates are stabilizing near the low 6% range, offering buyers a bit more predictability and opportunity.

Inventory remains tight, especially for single-family homes under $1 million. That’s leading to high competition in popular neighborhoods.

*In some cases, homes are receiving multiple offers, especially when priced and marketed well.

*Sellers are benefiting from the competitive environment and should consider strategic pricing and strong presentation to stand out.

*Trending neighborhoods include Lincoln Park, Bronzeville, Avondale, West Town, and Jefferson Park.

*Suburban markets are also seeing movement, though inventory remains tight across the board.

If you’re wondering how this affects you, or if now is a good time to buy, sell, or invest, I’d love to help you navigate the next step. Even if you're just curious about your home's current value, I’m happy to provide a no-pressure market analysis.

Let’s connect. Best way to reach me is with a call at 847-508-0123. If you're checking your FB during late hours, book a talk 24/7 at

Choose your preferred meeting type ("Phone call" is merely the default setting)

10/06/2025

Greetings! If you’ve recently opened your property tax bill and felt overwhelmed, you are not alone.

Across Chicago and Cook County, many homeowners are facing unexpected increases. As your trusted real estate advisor, I want to offer you information, options, and support to help you make informed decisions.

Here’s what’s going on:

1. Property Taxes Are Rising for Many Chicagoans
Due to recent reassessments, Chicago's total assessed value increased by $9.1 billion in 2024. While residential values slightly decreased at first, appeals by commercial property owners shifted more of the tax burden onto homeowners. The residential share of assessed value rose to 54%, resulting in higher property tax bills for many households. Source

2. Cook County Is Offering Help
To Support Residents, the county launched a $15 million Homeowner Relief Fund, providing $1,000 in one-time assistance to eligible homeowners who have experienced a 50%+ property tax increase and have household incomes at or below the county median. The application deadline is October 10.
Learn More & Apply Here

3. Inequities Are Being Addressed, but It’s a Work in Progress
Many south and west side communities, particularly African American and Latino homeowners, have seen property assessments double or more, leading to disproportionate tax burdens. While legislative reforms are in motion, including new senior exemptions and efforts to close tax loopholes, these issues are not quickly fixed.
Source

What Can You Do Right Now?

Get a free Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) from me. Understand your home’s current value and how it compares to your property tax assessment.

Apply for relief if you qualify.

Talk to someone you trust. I’m here to walk you through your options, whether it’s keeping your home, refinancing, or making a plan for what’s next.

There’s no pressure. Just real, honest information and a desire to support you.

DM me or give me a call, I’m here to help you navigate whatever comes next.

07/28/2025

Trusted Client,

I hope you’re doing well! As we wrap up the second quarter of 2025, I wanted to share a quick Chicago real estate market update to keep you informed. The spring market was active, and the trends are worth noting for anyone considering buying or selling. Below I’ve highlighted a few key stats (with visuals) for both single-family homes and condos/townhouses in Chicago:

Chicago Detached Homes – Q2 2025: The single-family housing market remained strong in Q2. Year-to-date sales were just slightly down (−1.5%) compared to last year, while the median sales price for a detached home rose to $359K (up +5.6% YoY). On average, sellers received 100% of their list price (median), and homes sold in a median of just 18 days – that’s 6 days faster than a year ago. Housing inventory is still low at roughly 2.2 months’ supply (anything under ~3 months is considered a seller’s market). Bottom line: well-priced houses sold quickly and at full price in Q2, reflecting high buyer demand.

Chicago Condos/Townhomes – Q2 2025: The condo and townhouse market saw a slight uptick in sales volume. YTD closed sales were up +2.6% over last year. The median condo/townhome price climbed to $415K (a +6.4% annual increase), even higher than the single-family median. Just like houses, condo sellers on average received about 100% of their asking price. These properties moved even faster – median of only 12 days on market, which is 8 days quicker than last year. In fact, over 57% of condo/townhome sales in Q2 closed at or above the listing price (a big jump from last year), showing how competitive that segment has been.

What do these trends mean for you? Overall, our Chicagoland market is very active and tilting in favor of sellers. Home values are appreciating and well-priced listings are selling fast. If you’ve been thinking about selling your home, this is an encouraging environment to do so – many buyers are out looking and willing to pay top dollar, given the low inventory. And if you’re looking to buy, it’s important to be prepared (get pre-approved, know what you want) and act quickly when the right home comes along, since good properties don’t stay on the market for long.

Interested in your home’s current value or planning a move? I’m here to help. Reply to this email or give me a call anytime – I’d be happy to provide, custom home value report for your property, or just chat about the market and answer any questions. Whether you’re considering buying, selling, or just curious, you can count on me as your local real estate resource!

Thank you for reading, and have a great day!

Best,

Bob