Illinois REALTORS® Podcast

This week on the podcast we're bringing you the full audio of our 2025 President Tommy Choi appearing on the HOUSESMARTS Radio Show hosted by Lou Manfredini and carried on WGN Radio. In this conversation Tommy talks about the ramifications of the NAR Lawsuit getting final approval of the settlement agreement from earlier this year, how the practice changes from that suit have already been implemented in the industry, and were we can expect the market to go and how REALTORS® will continue to take a pivotal role in making the housing market thrive for all Americans.

This week on the podcast we welcome back Jimmy Clayton to give an election recap and preview the Veto Session in November.

This week on the podcast we welcome guest host Young Brockhouse, Illinois REALTORS® Vice President of Professional Development. Young hosts a special episode with longtime central Illinois REALTOR® Michael D. Oldenettel. Michael is the designated managing broker of the Real Estate Group in Springfield, but many of you may have met him through his selfless volunteering on the local, state and national REALTOR association levels for many years. He was the 2013 Illinois REALTORS® President and the 2023 NAR Member Engagement Liaison. In addition, for many years he has played an important role in the professional development of colleagues as a classroom and online instructor for the Illinois REALTORS® school and he is here today to tell us more about why it's important to continue your education.

This week on the podcast we welcome back Senior Director of Advocacy Programs Gideon Blustein to discuss the massive amount of Let's Talk Real Estate events that have brought REALTORS® and legislators together in 2024. Gideon talks about the better understanding REALTORS® gain from these events and they earn the trust and respect of key decision makers – like state and federal legislators. NAR has even been so impressed with LTRE that it refers to the program as a best practice! Join us for a great talk about what this program offers you our members and why it is you that powers it.

This week on the podcast we welcome back Illinois REALTORS® General Counsel and VP of Legal Services Betsy Urbance to bring you some more updates on the industry-wide practice changes. Specifically, Betsy talks about recent media coverage regarding the standardized forms being offered to help REALTORS® deal with the new changes and why the media spin has been incorrect. She also offers advice on how to navigate these changes to make sure your business is protected.

This week on the podcast we have two very special guests. We have an in-depth sit-down with 2025 Illinois REALTORS® President Elect Jeff Kolbus and Treasurer Debbie Prodehl. Both of these REALTORS® have been in leadership for a while and have experiences and backgrounds that make them ready to take on the changing landscape of the industry and help lead all REALTORS® into a bright and vibrant future. Get to know their personal stories and how they plan to lead us into the future.

This week on the podcast we're celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. With a little bit of history at the start we then turn it over to REALTORS® Joe Castillo and Erika Villegas to tell what the month means to them, how they celebrate and why it is important for all to celebrate the month. We also draw attention to NAHREP and the HWP's most recent State of Hispanic Wealth Report and how the information can help all REALTORS® better serve the Hispanic community. Erika Villegas is a Designated Managing Broker with RE/MAX In The Village and the President of the Chicago Association of REALTORS in addition to being a Director with the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals. Joe Castillo is also a Designated Managing Broker and Co-Owner of RE/MAX In The Village and RE/MAX MICASA while also being a National Board Director for NAHREP.

This week on the Illinois REALTORS® Weekly Podcast we're bringing you a little taste of the Public Policy Forum from the 2024 Fall Business Meetings which was all about Zoning Reform and featured Angela Brooks, the 2024 President of the American Planning Association. She joined our CEO Jeff Baker on stage to talk about the origins of Zoning, the important role it plays in the future of the housing market and why REALTORS® are uniquely suited to help in that process.

After a week off we're back on the podcast and bringing you some of the vital info from the 2024 Fall Business Meetings! Today we're bringing you snippets from the Housing Forecast session featuring NAR's Dr. Jessica Lautz. Dr. Lautz goes into the latest economic and housing numbers and gives a forecast on where the market may be heading for the rest of the year and into 2025.

This week on the podcast, sharpen your skills and reduce your risks when you choose the appropriate NAR safety resources for your business. You can't afford to let your guard down, even when key changes in the real estate market demand your attention. Strike a positive balance and use the NAR safety resources that fit your needs, whether you prefer watching videos, sharing documents or attending a live webinar.

On this week's episode of the podcast we're welcoming back 2024 President Matt Silver to talk all about the upcoming Fall Business Meetings! We take a look back at his first time attending the Meetings in the early 2000s, why this year's meetings are even more vital in the midst of the NAR Settlement changes and what specific sessions he's looking forward to!

Get the most out of the Fall Business Meetings by signing up in advance (and paying the fees) to take either of the two optional CE courses. But to get a seat for the latest recap of important legal issues, our free Legal Update, you'd better not be late for this ultra-popular session!

On this week's episode of the podcast Jeremy and Kelli are back to continue our preview of the absolutely PACKED 2024 Fall Business Meetings in Oak Brook. Registration is open now and today we’re highlighting two standout speakers who are sure to make a big impact: Chris Abazis & Terri Sjodin. Chris will be featured during Wednesday morning’s YPN Forum titled, “Get Niche or Die Tryin’: Branding for the Niche Market.” Terri will deliver Thursday’s keynote address, “The Art of Presenting Persuasively.”

On this week's episode of the podcast Jeremy and Kelli are back to continue our preview of the absolutely PACKED 2024 Fall Business Meetings in Oak Brook. Registration is open now and today we’re highlighting two standout speakers who are sure to make a big impact. We're highlighting the "Mythbusters" session led by Trista Curzydlo and the "Mastering The Art of Commission Negotiations" session with Mike Walker.

On this week's episode of the podcast Jeremy and Kelli are back to give you a preview of the absolutely PACKED slate of events going down at the 2024 Fall Business Meetings in Oak Brook. The 2024 Fall Business Meetings are scheduled for September 17th through the 20th at the Hilton Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort in Oak Brook. They go through the entire slate from guest speakers, CE sessions, the Inaugural Gala and much more! Mark your calendars and get signed up today!

On this week's episode of the podcast we welcome we welcome in REALTORS® Amanda Albrecht & Alejandro Rivera to give us 11 ways to help first-time homebuyers. In the April edition of Illinois REALTOR® magazine, these two discussed ways to help first-time homebuyers succeed, even when they can’t find many homes to choose from within their price range. And now we bring them to you LIVE on the Weekly Podcast!

On this week's episode of the podcast we're welcoming back Senior Director State Government Affairs Jimmy Clayton and Senior Director of Advocacy Programs Gideon Blustein to explain how it's never been more important to attend a LTRE event than in 2024!

On this week's episode of the podcast we’re continuing our series talking about effective strategies you can use to combat negative news headlines and uninformed consumers. We're giving you clips from recent interviews we've conducted with REALTORS® from around the state about why REALTORS® still provide value. We welcome in Shari Hefner of Premiere Commercial Realty in Lake in the Hills, Jean Lewis of Keller Williams Pinacle in Edwardsville and Greg Phillips of Baird & Warner to talk about their experiences.

On this week's episode of the podcast we’re welcoming back Illinois REALTORS® Legal Hotline Attorney Vicki Munson to talk about a renewed push of vacant property scams aimed at REALTORS® at how to spot the red flags when you encounter them. We also take some time to dive into some other topics she's been hearing on the hotline and preview what's coming up for the rest of the year.