I answered the phone today thinking it was another spam call.
It wasn't.
A gentleman from Crain's Chicago Business- chicagobusiness.com was calling to interview me about an interesting trend: Realtors beginning to mention the possibility of a Chicago Bears stadium in Northwest Indiana property listings.
As my eyes widened, I tried to be calm. Inwardly, however, I was thinking, "Because it's the coolest thing that could ever happen to our area!!!"
As a lifelong Bears fan, I cannot imagine how exciting it could be to have the team within half an hour of my home.
You see, football has been a major part of my life. I was raised right- as a Bears fan. Yes, even here in "The Region," many of us were Bears fans from birth. I was a cheerleader, married a high school football coach, and raised a quarterback. I'm already imagining season tickets if they eventually make Indiana their home. I'll buy two and my son says he will buy two.
Of course, my excitement as a fan is only a part of the story.
The first question the reporter asked seemed like a natural one. Why would Realtors mention a potential Bears stadium in their marketing?
Major development proposals have always been relevant to real estate. When a potential multibillion-dollar stadium proposal is being publicly discussed, of course buyers, sellers, homeowners, and investors naturally begin asking questions.
Could it bring new restaurants and retail? Could it create jobs or encourage additional housing development? Could it generate more interest in NW Indiana? Could the surrounding communities eventually experience changes in demand or property values?
No one knows yet whether the stadium will become a reality, and no Realtor can guarantee how it would affect property values. However, the possibility is undeniably part of local conversations.
As a listing agent, my job is to bring attention and activity to the homes I represent. I always try to include relevant details that may help buyers understand not only the property, but also the surrounding community and its potential future.
The reporter's second question was whether mentioning the Bears proposal was my idea, or the sellers'?
The answer was: both.
He seemed a little surprised that I had a genuine face-to-face conversation with my sellers about including it in the marketing for their Schererville home. But what can I say? My clients are savvy and informed. They recognize the potential significance of a major development being discussed nearby-just as I do.
We agreed it was worth mentioning as long as it was presented honestly as a possibility.
Real estate is influenced not only by what exists today, but also what people believe may shape a community tomorrow.
As both a lifelong Bears fan and also a Realtor, I'll be following this story closely- and separating the genuine real estate possibilities from the hype.
As always- Bear Down!
~Amanda