Consumer Confidence in U.S. at Highest Level in Nine Years  

Consumer confidence in the U.S. in September was at its highest level since before the recession, according to Conference Board. The Confidence Index rose to 104.1, which is the highest since August 2007. Other bright findings include that the share of those who said jobs were plentiful rose to 27.9, which is the highest since July 2007. The findings may encourage consumer spending in the coming months.

Illinois and Chicagoland Gets Late Summer Bounce, Home Sales and Prices Up in August

Illinois saw gains in both home sales and prices in August, according to Illinois REALTORS®. Home sales rose 6.7 percent statewide from 15,415 in August 2015 to 16,455 in August 2016. The median price in Illinois rose also rose 6.7 percent comparing the same two time periods. Locally, in the nine-county Chicagoland area, sales were up 7.6 percent from August 2016 to August 2015, and the median price also increased 4.5 percent during the same time period. 

KoenigRubloff Cares Foundation Newsletter – Fall 2016

We invite you to read the newest KoenigRubloff Cares Foundation newsletter. This fall issue features the Sunshine Kids Teen Getaway 2016 in Chicago! From August 18th-August 20th, the Foundation showed Chicago hospitality to Sunshine Kids, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to children with cancer. Eighteen KoenigRubloff agents and employees volunteered as airport greeters, group chaperones, tour guides, party coordinators, photographers and support crew to Sunshine Kids from all over the U.S. To read more about the trip and to check out the rest of our newsletter, please click here.

Color me Taupe

Paint company Sherwin-Williams has named Poised Taupe the 2017 Color of the Year! The color is described as being an earthen brown combined with conservative grey, offering a serene and cozy vibe. The neutral color is versatile and can be accented by a number of colors including other neutrals such as modern white, and vintage pastels like amber and oxidized yellow. Learn more about this calming color by clicking here. 

Get Pump(kin)ed Up! 

Temperatures are starting to cool, which signals the time for many to break out the boots, jackets and warm up some apple cider! HGTV.com offers 10 recipes that celebrate pumpkin, a squash plant so commonly associated with Halloween and Fall. This list offers everything from the classic pumpkin pie, to an innovative pumpkin pie dip! To read all of the suggestions, please click here.