Which home renovations actually increase resale value in today’s market? In this episode of Ladies Who List, Chicago real estate expert Hayley Westhoff and co-host Anna Theofanous sit down with Jesse Scherr of Renovation Sells to break down the renovations that deliver the highest return on investment when selling a home.

From kitchen updates that attract buyers and boost offers to cost-effective bathroom upgrades, lighting improvements, flooring decisions, and paint strategies that actually pay off, this episode is packed with real-world advice for sellers, homeowners, and real estate investors. Learn how strategic improvements like cabinet painting, quartz countertops, modern lighting, and flooring upgrades can help homes sell faster and for more money without over-renovating.

You will also hear expert insights on current home design trends, common renovation mistakes that can reduce a home’s value, realistic renovation costs in the Chicago market, and when it makes sense to renovate versus offering buyer credits. If you are planning to sell your home, prepare a listing, or want to understand what buyers actually care about, this episode delivers a practical renovation ROI guide built on real-world experience.

Are real estate agents really worth the commission? In this episode of Ladies Who List, Chicago real estate agents Hayley Westhoff and Anna Theofanous pull back the curtain on how real estate commissions actually work and where that money really goes.

They break down agent commission splits, average realtor income, and the often overlooked costs of running a real estate business, including brokerage fees, marketing expenses, licensing, MLS dues, health insurance, self-employment taxes, and operating costs. This episode offers an honest look at what agents actually take home after expenses and why commission numbers can be misleading at first glance.

You will also hear what it is really like to be a full-time real estate agent, from working seven days a week with no salary or paid time off to managing unpredictable income and deals that fall apart after months of work. Hayley and Anna explain the value real estate agents provide, including protecting clients from costly mistakes, navigating negotiations, and guiding buyers and sellers through one of the largest financial decisions of their lives.

If you have ever questioned realtor commissions, wondered how much agents truly make, or want a transparent look at the business side of real estate, this episode delivers straight talk with no fluff and no filters.

Should you use a friend, family member, or fraternity brother as your real estate agent? In this episode of Ladies Who List, Chicago real estate agents Hayley Westhoff and Anna Theofanous break down why choosing the right agent matters more than loyalty when buying or selling a home.

They explain how local market expertise, professional presentation, and strong negotiation skills can directly impact whether your offer is accepted, especially in competitive multiple-offer situations. From accessing off-market opportunities to understanding seller priorities, this episode highlights the behind-the-scenes strategies experienced agents use to help clients win homes and avoid costly mistakes.

You will hear real examples of deals lost due to poor representation, why sellers often choose offers for reasons beyond price, and how communication, responsiveness, and professionalism influence the outcome of a transaction. Hayley and Anna also share the key questions buyers and sellers should ask before hiring an agent and why interviewing an agent is essential even when that agent is a friend or relative.

If you are feeling pressure to work with someone you know, wondering how to choose the right real estate agent, or want to understand what truly makes an agent effective, this episode delivers practical guidance to help you protect one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.

What does the NAR settlement actually mean for buyers, sellers, and real estate agents? In this episode of Ladies Who List, Chicago real estate agents Hayley Westhoff and Anna Theofanous break down the National Association of Realtors settlement and separate fact from media-driven headlines.

They explain how the new buyer broker agreement works, why buyers are still paying their agent’s commission just structured differently, and how sellers continue to net the best results by offering buyer compensation. This episode clarifies common misconceptions around commission changes, unrepresented buyers, and whether real estate agents are still necessary in today’s market.

You will hear real examples from active transactions, including how commissions are negotiated into offers, why seller pricing often reflects buyer agent compensation, and why fears of buyers skipping agents have not materialized. Hayley and Anna also discuss how increased transparency has added professionalism to the industry and why experienced agents remain essential for navigating negotiations and protecting client interests.

If you are confused about the NAR settlement, buyer agent agreements, or how commission changes impact your next real estate transaction, this episode delivers a clear and practical explanation of what has actually changed and what has not.

Thinking about selling your home? In this episode of Ladies Who List, Chicago real estate agents Hayley Westhoff and Anna Theofanous break down the biggest mistakes sellers make and how to avoid costly missteps that can impact price, timing, and overall results.

They cover why overpricing a home is one of the fastest ways to lose money, how emotional decision-making can derail negotiations, and why proper home preparation plays a major role in attracting buyers and strong offers. You will also hear practical advice on staging, pricing strategy, and focusing on the updates that deliver the best return when selling.

This episode also explains why choosing the right real estate agent matters, how experienced representation protects your interests, and when flexibility during negotiations can actually lead to a better outcome. Drawing from real-world examples, Hayley and Anna share insights sellers can use to position their homes correctly from day one.

If you want to sell your home faster, avoid common seller mistakes, and maximize your sale price in today’s market, this episode offers a clear and practical guide to selling with confidence.

Buying a home is exciting, but it is easy to make costly mistakes without the right strategy. In this episode of Ladies Who List, Chicago real estate agents Hayley Westhoff and Anna Theofanous break down the most common mistakes buyers make and how to avoid them in today’s competitive real estate market.

They discuss why focusing on design over layout, location, and build quality can lead to long-term regret, how overlooking a home’s true condition can result in expensive surprises, and why working with the wrong agent or skipping representation altogether puts buyers at a major disadvantage. You will also learn how experienced buyer representation can make the difference between winning and losing in multiple-offer situations.

This episode also covers buyer behavior during showings, why professionalism and first impressions matter more than most buyers realize, and how due diligence, inspections, and local market knowledge protect your investment. If you are planning to buy a home and want to shop smarter, avoid common buyer pitfalls, and improve your chances of securing the right property, this episode offers practical guidance every buyer should hear.

What is really happening behind the scenes with private listings and the growing tension between Compass and Zillow? In this episode of Ladies Who List, Chicago real estate agents Hayley Westhoff and Anna Theofanous break down the controversy surrounding pocket listings and why it matters to buyers and sellers.

They explain what private listings are, how they differ from MLS listings, and how policies like the National Association of Realtors Clear Cooperation rule and Zillow’s 24-hour policy impact listing visibility and buyer access. This episode explores why some sellers benefit from private marketing strategies, including testing pricing, avoiding days on market, protecting privacy, and timing a launch for maximum impact.

You will hear real examples of how pocket listings can help sellers avoid costly pricing mistakes, create demand before going public, and adapt to fast-moving market conditions. Hayley and Anna also discuss how Zillow’s stance affects buyers searching for homes, agents paying for leads, and why alternative platforms are gaining traction as listing visibility changes.

If you are a buyer or seller navigating today’s real estate market and want to understand how marketing strategies, private listings, and industry policies could affect your next move, this episode delivers clear insight into an issue shaping how homes are bought and sold.