The honorees, who are all under the age of 40, have demonstrated industry leadership, community involvement, commitment to advocacy and business success. 

As part of the application process, applicants shared personal stories about what it means to be a Realtor, how they have grown in their careers and the creative strategies they are using to help buyers and sellers navigate today’s evolving real estate landscape. 

The 2026 Mainstreet REALTORS® 20 Under 40 honorees include: 

• Marchon Walters, LPT Realty 
• Cori Michael, Nest Equity Realty 
• Amber Sederstrom, Compass 
• Anthony Borke, Keller Williams North Shore West 
• Laura Anderson, Parker Lane Realty 
• John Jasohn Chavez, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate 
• Monica Morales, Great Homes Real Estate Inc. 
• Kevin Layton, Keller Williams Premiere Properties 
• Aurica Burduja, Xhomes Realty 
• Jessica Garry, Garry Real Estate 
• Jamie Decker, eXp Realty 
• Cristino Aguirre, Realty of America 
• Stefanie Campbell, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate 
• Rosemarie Webber, Village Realty Inc. 
• Stephanie Staneart, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate 
• John Barnak, Real Broker LLC 
• Bridgette Clarno, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate 
• Cristina Gluszek, Crosstown Realtors Inc. 
• Abby Powell, Baird & Warner 
• Rubi Gonzalez, Era Chicago Realty 

The post Mainstreet REALTORS® announces 2026 20 Under 40 honorees appeared first on Chicago Agent Magazine.

Gjeldum brings 29 years of experience to his role, while Noldan brings 25 years. Both lenders will continue to operate their businesses independently as they expand their market presence, recruit top talent and accelerate growth. 

“We wanted to be part of an organization that’s completely focused on being the best mortgage company in the business,” said Gjeldum. “At this point in my career, the opportunity to build something new, continue growing and do it alongside an incredible team was extremely appealing. CCM provides the resources to make that happen.”

“The mortgage industry continues to evolve, and it’s important to align with an organization that’s investing in the future,” said Noldan. “CrossCountry Mortgage stood out because of its commitment to growth, innovation and supporting high-performing teams. We’re excited to be part of that momentum.”

The post Dan Gjeldum, John Noldan join CrossCountry Mortgage as executive vice presidents in Chicago appeared first on Chicago Agent Magazine.

The seasonally adjusted annual rate of existing-home sales for all types of residences in May climbed 3.2% on both monthly and annual bases to 4.16 million, while the median sales price of $429,300 represented a new high for the month, the 

The pace of sales topped the consensus estimate of 4.08 million sales per year. 

Sales of single-family homes rose 3.5% and 3.3% month over month and year over year, respectively, to an annual rate of 3.8 million transactions. The pace of condo and co-op sales was flat month over month at an annual rate of 370,000. Year over year, condo sales were up 2.8%. 

“More Americans are on the move, with home sales rising to the highest level since December. This is great news for the housing market and the economy,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Improving affordability is helping drive this momentum. Even with mortgage rates ticking up compared to earlier in the year, they remain lower than a year ago and are essentially at the long-term historical average. Income gains are also outpacing home-price growth by a small margin in most parts of the country.” 

Regionally, the month-over-month rate of sales increased in the Northeast, Midwest and South and was flat in the West. Year-over-year sales rose in the Midwest, South and West and fell in the Northeast. 

Inventory rose 3.3% month over month and 0.6% year over year to 1.55 million homes, which equals a 4.5-month supply of unsold inventory, unchanged from April and down from 4.6 months a year ago.  

The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in April was 6.44%, up from 6.33% in April and down from 6.82% a year earlier.  

“The new record-high May home price reflects solid fundamentals for homeowners and ongoing supply constraints,” Yun said. “Increased home sales mean more economic activity — lawn care, furniture purchases, moving services, mortgage originations and other related business activities all get a boost.” 

The post NAR: Existing-home sales top expectations in May with 3.2% gain appeared first on Chicago Agent Magazine.

Perez, an agent with Realty of America in Berwyn, handled 101 transactions last year with a sales volume of over $32.1 million, making him the No. 26 Latino real estate agent in the United States.

Realty of America’s Berwyn office also tied with two other brokerages as the top office in the country, with five agents featured in the top 250.

All told, NAHREP’s top 250 agents represent 42 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. The top brand represented in the ranking is eXp Realty, with 35 agents, followed by REMAX with 20, Realty of America with 18, Keller Williams with 16 and Coldwell Banker with 12.

Women make up 57% of the top 250 Latino agents, with men making up 42%. Seventeen percent own their own business, 58% are brokers and 45% have more than 10 years of industry experience (followed by six to 10 years at 33% and two to five years to 21%).

Over half of the top 250 agents are Gen X, followed by Millennials at 37%, baby boomers at 6% and Gen Z at 5%. Ninety-five percent are bilingual.

Chicago-area real estate agents are prominently featured throughout NAHREP’s ranking:

No. 26 – Jesus Perez, Realty of America
101 transactions, $32,113,353

No. 45 – Salvador Gonzalez, REMAX Mi Casa
85.5 transactions, $26,280,656

No. 72 – Josue Duarte, Duarte Realty Company
69 transactions, $27,284,705

No. 74 – Iris Gomez, Compass
69 transactions, $18,940,000

No. 76 – Monica Navarro, john greene Realtor
68 transactions, $20,675,519

No. 79 – Eddie Quintana-Garcia, NetGar Investments Inc.
67 transactions, $16,903,900

No. 92 – Arturo Flores, eXp Realty
60.5 transactions, $16,912,369

No. 95 – Javier Alday, Realty of America
60 transactions, $16,396,745

No. 96 – Dimas Trujillo, Smart Home Realty
60 transactions, $10,733,600

No. 104 – Erika Ricardo, NetGar
58 transactions, $14,522,467

No. 139 – Jayson Iniguez, Casa Moderna Real Estate
52 transactions, $11,100,000

No. 148 – Gaspar Flores, Su Familia Real Estate
50 transactions, $11,297,000

No. 155 – George Villegas, Realty of America
49 transactions, $13,715,385

No. 161 – Noe Fragoso, PAK Home Realty
48 transactions, $18,572,190

No. 174 – Daniel Garcia, Duarte Realty Company
47 transactions, $13,593,600

No. 185 – Rafael Villagomez, Epic Real Estate Group
46 transactions, $14,552,190

No. 187 – Edy Ramirez, Keller Williams ONEChicago
46 transactions, $13,587,400

No. 189 – Alma Coral Ortega, Casa Moderna Real Estate
46 transactions, $11,009,000

No. 207 – Brayan Villa, Realty of America
44 transactions, $12,997,619

No. 218 – Virgilio Arreguin, My Casa Realty
43 transactions, $11,866,349

No. 219 – Hugo Sandoval, Realty of America
43 transactions, $10,598,900

No. 229 – Ainhoa Garcia Jimenez, Realty of America
42 transactions, $14,189,000

No. 233 – Rocio Mena, HomeSmart
42 transactions, $9,894,9800

No. 246 – Jeanette Solis, Smart Home Realty
41 transactions, $6,944,600

No. 247 – Elizabeth Botello, eXp Realty
41 transactions, $3,809,864

The post NAHREP: Chicagoland’s top Latino agents 2026 appeared first on Chicago Agent Magazine.

I worked for an importer of seafood in Miami, Florida. I had no idea that there were so many different classes of seafood coming into the Port of Miami from so many different countries every day of the year.

Where did you grow up?

Wilmette, Illinois.

Growing up, what did you want to be?

I really wanted to teach social sciences/sociology at the college level.

What do you do to relax when you’re stressed?

I get moving any way I can. There is nothing better than biking, elliptical, treadmill or walking/running to get some endorphins going after some high anxiety.

If you could meet any well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why?

I would have loved to meet Prince. Being a college kid in the ’80s, it was pretty hard to not be influenced by his music and take note that he really was a catalyst for so many diverse groups of people to feel deeply connected through his music/movies/fashion and art.

What is Chicago’s best-kept secret?

My favorite hidden gem in Chicago is the 312 RiverRun trail along the North Branch between Belmont and Montrose. It’s paved, peaceful and right on the river — perfect for walking, biking or just clearing your head. What I love most is that it doesn’t feel like the middle of the city. You’ll see turtles sunning on logs, kids fishing along the banks, and all kinds of wildlife if you catch it at the right time. No crowds, no noise — just water, trees and a side of Chicago most people don’t realize is there.

What do you love most about the industry?

What I love most about real estate is that it rewards hard work. I saw that growing up. My mother, Naomi Ruthman, started her own real estate company in the early 1980s, at a time when you didn’t see many women running businesses. She worked nonstop and built a successful company. Some of Chicago’s top Realtors today got their start at her company in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. To this day, people still come up to me and talk about the great experience they had with her company back then. That says a lot.

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents?

How do I stand out from other agents? I stay involved. In our multicultural office, we talk every day about listings, buyers and new ideas. I’m always connecting the dots between people.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job?

One of the most important parts of my job as a managing broker of a multicultural office is keeping everyone motivated and moving in the same direction. We have agents from many different backgrounds and cultures, and that diversity is a strength. My role is to bring that talent together into one cohesive team.

What’s your best advice for generating new leads?

Prospect every day, and block time to do it. Treat it like an appointment you can’t cancel. When a sale goes pending, leverage it. Call owners nearby. Call rentals. Call expired listings. Send “just listed” and “just sold” cards. And by all means — answer your phone.

What has been your greatest accomplishment?

My greatest accomplishment in real estate isn’t a single sale or award. It’s the people. Over the years, I’ve trained, recruited, collaborated with and built lasting friendships with some of the most successful Realtors in the Chicago real estate market. Watching them grow and build strong careers — and knowing I played a part in that — has been incredibly meaningful.

What are you binge-watching/reading/listening to lately?

Lately, I’ve been watching “The Pitt,” “Landman,” “Power Book IV: Force” and “The Rookie.” I also watch a lot of news. There are so many choices now, it’s almost overwhelming.

What’s your favorite meal in Chicago?

Probably because I have lived in Roscoe Village for so many years, my go to is Turquoise on Roscoe. I also really enjoy Bites in Lakeview.

Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Chicago?

I don’t know if it is considered a building, but being anywhere near Wrigley Field just makes me smile.

What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you on the job?

I once watched my car turn the corner on the back of a Lincoln Park Towing truck circa 1990 behind the Century Mall on a Sunday Morning. They really were that relentless back in the day.

What’s one thing people are surprised to learn about you?

That I have been a licensed Realtor since 1987 and have basically worked in the same office that has merged a few times and moved a couple of times, but still the same foundation since those days.

What is your favorite vacation spot and why?

Grand Cayman for beaches, scuba and weather. Something about the white sands, visibility for diving and Ocean life in the area that has me floating on air.

In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry?

Always have more appointments than disappointments.

What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app?

ChatGPT. I actually am only an app user for real estate of Showingtime and Sentrilock.

The post Earl Ruthman appeared first on Chicago Agent Magazine.

So how does it actually work? 

At a high level, this isn’t about changing your role. 

It’s about expanding it. 

Instead of stepping away after opening title, the agent stays involved in another part of the transaction they already control. 

1. It starts with the listing

This model is built around listing agents. In Illinois, the seller typically has the right to choose the title company, which creates the opportunity to be involved on that side of the deal. 

2. The agent participates in the title process

Rather than handing the file off completely, the agent takes on a defined role. This includes reviewing documents, coordinating information and helping move the file toward closing alongside the title team. 

This is not a referral. 

It’s work-based participation. 

In many cases, agents are already coordinating much of the information and communication needed to move a file toward closing. The difference is that they now have a defined role in the title process and are compensated for that work. 

3. Compensation happens at closing

Because the agent contributes to the title side of the transaction, they can be compensated for that work. 

That creates the opportunity for a second check at closing. 

Now let’s address the questions most agents have right away. 

Is this allowed? 

Do I need another license? 

What am I actually responsible for? 

The short answer is that it’s permitted when structured properly and no additional license is required — only an approved registration. 

In Illinois, agents can operate as Registered Title Agents within a structure supported by a licensed title insurance underwriter. The role is clearly defined, and compensation is tied to actual work performed on the file. The model is structured to comply with both RESPA and the Illinois Title Insurance Act. 

So what does that work look like? 

In practice, it’s focused. 

Most agents describe it as a couple of extra hours per transaction. The work includes reviewing key documents, coordinating information and staying engaged in the file as it moves toward closing. 

The title company continues to handle the technical side of the process, including title search ordering, clearance coordination, underwriting review and closing coordination. 

The attorney continues to handle the legal aspects of the transaction, including attorney review, inspection-related matters, contract modifications, legal advice and document preparation. The Title Agent role is designed to complement — not replace — the attorney’s role in the transaction. 

Is it manageable day-to-day? 

With the right systems in place, the workflow is straightforward. Platforms like Qualia and DocuSign keep everything organized, transparent and easy to track. 

What does it take to get started? 

The onboarding process is straightforward. There are no upfront fees and no state-required classes. Agents are guided through registration and supported through their first few transactions until the process becomes familiar. 

While Illinois does not require continuing education for Registered Title Agents, ongoing training remains important. To support agents in the field, we are launching @ Home Title University, an on-demand training platform focused on real-world transactions and best practices. 

There’s also a common question behind all of this. 

What’s the catch? 

There isn’t one in the way most agents expect. 

And just as important, this is not passive. 

It’s not a referral fee. 

It’s not a side business. 

It’s simply a more active role in a transaction you already control. 

For agents with consistent listings, the impact is straightforward. 

Instead of relying on more deals to increase income, they’re increasing what each deal is worth. 

For agents interested in learning more about how the Illinois Title Agent model works, additional information is available at athometitleservices.com/brokers 

See how the Title Agent model works:

Edward Gal is the founder and CEO of At Home Title Services and owner of At Home Realty Group. A licensed Illinois Managing Broker since 2000, he has closed more than 5,000 real estate transactions, completed over 500 residential investment projects, and remains actively involved in brokerage, title, and real estate investment operations throughout Chicagoland.

The post How the ‘two checks’ model actually works in Illinois appeared first on Chicago Agent Magazine.

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In its new Rent vs. Buy analysis, the group compared mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance rates and maintenance and closing costs for homebuyers with monthly rent and renters insurance costs to determine how long it takes for buying a home to be a smarter financial decision than renting.

Assuming a 20% down payment, U.S. homeowners stand to gain about $732,000 in housing wealth over the course of a 30-year mortgage, recouping the upfront costs of homeownership and reaping the benefits of improved housing affordability after just 6 years. During the same time frame, renters will have paid $1.44 million in rent and renters’ insurance. Even when accounting for the extra cash renters have at their disposal, that puts them about $1.14 million behind homeowners after 30 years.

The timeline is similar with a 5% down payment: the typical renter is about $1.3 million behind homeowners, who end a 30-year mortgage with about $555,000 in housing wealth, but break even after 5.75 years.

Buyers can break even faster than the national average in just 15 major U.S. metros. In the most optimal market — Columbus, Ohio — buyers are better off than if they’d rented in just 4.1 years.

Conversely, in several cities, buyers never break even: in New Orleans, San Francisco and San Jose, California, buying a home isn’t a smarter financial decision than renting, at least not over a 30-year period.

“For generations, Americans have been told that buying a home is the smartest financial move they’ll ever make. This analysis finds the truth is more complicated,” said Senior Economist Orphe Divounguy. “This research shows that both renting and buying can be smart decisions, just in different cities. The good news is that for buyers who are ready, conditions today are the most favorable they’ve been in years.”

Divounguy added that ZIP code selection could be the most important financial decision in a person’s life.

Overall, the data suggests that households should buy if they plan to stay more than six years, if their city has a quick break-even timeline or if stability and equity are a priority — but they should rent if they plan on moving in less than 6 years, if they life in an expensive coastal city or if they value flexibility and liquid cash.

“The rent-versus-buy decision in 2026 is as much of a lifestyle decision as a financial one,” said Zillow home trends expert Amanda Pendleton. “Do you want a backyard garden and a menagerie of pets? Or do you want to skip yard work entirely and have the flexibility to move on a whim? These types of lifestyle questions are as important as whether or not the math works in your favor.”

The post It takes 6.5 years to break even on homeownership in Chicago appeared first on Chicago Agent Magazine.

The median listing price fell for the seventh-straight month, according to the May Monthly Housing Trends Report from Realtor.com.

That median list price equated to a median price per square foot of $228, down 2.5% from May 2025 — a record annual decline.

Meanwhile, new listings hit a four-year high of 474,976 and pending sales increased for the sixth month straight.

Amid what Realtor.com called the most active spring market in years, Chief Economist Danielle Hale said the market is finding a new equilibrium.

“Higher rates and geopolitical uncertainty could have sidelined both buyers and sellers this spring,” said Hale. “Instead, we’ve seen six months of sellers adjusting their expectations and buyers rewarding them for it. List prices are down at a record pace, but price reductions are also down. That combination tells you sellers are doing their homework before listing, not after.”

The share of active listings with a prior price reduction decreased 1.6 percentage points to 17.5%.

“In a crashing market, sellers list optimistically and get forced to cut. What we’re seeing is different in a key way,” said Senior Economist Jake Krimmel. “Sellers are using current market conditions as price discovery from the start, pricing for current conditions rather than selling under distress. That combination tells you sellers have internalized the more buyer-friendly conditions and are adjusting price expectations before listing rather than after. This is a meaningful behavioral shift, and it’s precisely why buyers are still showing up despite rates above 6.5%.”

Regional price changes and listing activity

The median list price decreased annually in all four major United States regions in May: 4% in the West, 2.5% in the South, 1.8% in the Northeast and 1.2% in the Midwest.

Price per square foot declined most in Austin, Texas (down 8.3%), Memphis, Tennessee (down 5.9%), and Buffalo, New York (down 5.8%), but increased most in Providence, Rhode Island (up 9.1%), Indianapolis (up 5%), and Cleveland (up 3.1%).

Amid price decreases, new listings increased 8.6% in the Northeast, 4.7% in the Midwest and 0.6% in the South, but declined 1.4% in the West.

In the Chicago metro area, sellers pulled back, with new listings declining 13% and the median list price increasing 2.4% year over year to $389,000.

At the same time, the price-reduced share decreased 0.5 percentage points to 11.1%.

The post Realtor.com: Buyers ‘rewarding’ sellers for adjusted listing price expectations appeared first on Chicago Agent Magazine.

The median home price rose from $409,500 in March to $417,450 in April. Looking ahead, Cotality expects home prices to rise 5.3% between April 2026 and April 2027. 

The lukewarm pace of price growth is due to a recent surge in mortgage rates that disrupted the traditional spring homebuying season, Cotality Chief Economist Selma Hepp said, adding that the national average obscures significant variation between housing markets: Midwest industrial hubs, parts of the Northeast and certain coastal markets. 

“Market strength suggests that some buyers remain insulated from mortgage-rate volatility and are supported by substantial home equity and stock market gains,” said Cotality Chief Economist Dr. Selma Hepp. “Meanwhile, markets that depend more heavily on traditional mortgage financing and rate-sensitive buyers are seeing prices stay relatively flat. Overall, fewer markets posted year-over-year price declines in April than in prior months, pointing to continued stabilization across the housing market. 

“While the national housing market may seem flat, local markets continue to tell very different stories,” Hepp added. “Annual home-price growth has changed little since the start of the year, but some markets, especially those supported by strong job and income growth in the West and more affordable Midwest markets, have seen notable acceleration in price gains.” 

The post Cotality: US home-price growth holds steady despite jump in interest rates appeared first on Chicago Agent Magazine.