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Yes, I want to receive The Ware Report in my inbox quarterly August 2025 At Ware Realty Group (WRG), we know commercial real estate is about more than data – it’s about seeing the patterns, timing the play, and staying attuned to neighborhood-level shifts. In this issue, we spotlight Chatham, where historic architecture, anchored retail, and active residential movement are shaping how investors and developers engage the South Side. We break down trends in pricing, absorption, and property type performance to offer key insights without the noise. Want a deeper dive into Chicago’s broader industrial, retail, and office markets? We’ve linked to our latest updates online. Plus, don’t miss WRG’s new tools, including an AI-powered certification assistant built to save time and simplify the process for small business owners. Whether you’re analyzing market fit or rethinking your investment strategy, this is your intel drop. COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT A pulse of Chicago’s neighborhoods.

City-wide, here is a summary of key real estate insights from across Chicago’s commercial sectors, drawn from the latest Q2 2025 CoStar market reports. This quick snapshot is designed for investors, brokers, and developers who want timely, relevant takeaways without digging through the full data. Click each image to access the full report.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Eli Marsh, VP of Operations and Strategy Ware Realty Group, LLC Phone: 312-376-1448 ext. 103 Email: operations@warerealtygroup.com June 23, 2025 CHICAGO, IL – The Chicago Association of REALTORS® (CAR) Foundation and Ware Realty Group, LLC debuts the Sarah L. Ware Empowerment Scholarship. It has been created to strengthen the voice and visibility of minority- and woman-owned real-estate brokerage firms across Chicagoland and beyond, investing in them through reimbursements of up to $500 toward industry conferences, events and partner-membership dues. The purpose of the scholarship is to strengthen the voice and visibility of minority- and woman-owned real-estate brokerage firms across Chicagoland and beyond. “Early in my career I realized that being in the room where decisions are made isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity,” said Sarah L. Ware, principal and designated managing broker of Ware Realty Group and immediate past president of CAR. “This scholarship removes a financial

We’re officially halfway through 2025—they say time flies when you are having fun?  Back in January, many of us made Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAG): new goals, fresh strategies, updated budgets. Maybe you mapped out your monthly, quarterly, and annual targets like I did. Created white boards with arrows and flow charts. But now that July is knocking, it’s time for a real check-in with yourself and your business. Did we do what we set out to do?  Here’s the truth: I’m both proud and a little anxious. There’s progress I can celebrate and some areas where I’m behind. And that’s okay. This check-in isn’t about beating ourselves up (we a human). We all have distractions that were not part of our plans (life and everything that comes with it). It’s about taking stock and giving ourselves the gift of clarity and grace so we can course-correct with intention.  Here

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Contact: Eli Marsh, VP of Operations and Strategy  Ware Realty Group, LLC  Phone: 312-376-1448 ext. 103  Email: operations@warerealtygroup.com    Sarah Ware of Ware Realty Group Named 2026 Treasurer-Elect Nominee for Illinois Realtors    CHICAGO, IL – May 1, 2025 – Ware Realty Group, LLC is pleased to announce that Sarah Ware, its Founding Principal and Designated Managing Broker, has officially been nominated as the Treasurer-Elect for Illinois Realtors, 2026. The nomination was confirmed on April 29, 2025 at the Illinois Realtors Capitol Conference held in Springfield, Illinois.    Sarah Ware, a respected member of the Chicago Association of Realtors, brings extensive leadership experience across local, state, and national real estate platforms. Her nomination underscores a commitment to financial stewardship, transparency, and strategic planning—qualities essential for the role of Treasurer-Elect. Should she win the official election, Sarah will join the current officers—President Tommy Choi, President-Elect Jeff Kolbus, and

Hello, 2025!  True story, it has taken me a while to post because all of January I was at a standstill. As I sit here reflecting on the year ahead, I can’t help but marvel at the journey that’s brought me to this point. It’s hard to believe I’ve been an entrepreneur since 2005. In 2007, I took a leap of faith, leaving my full-time job to chase my dream of building a business in real estate. No formal business training, no roadmap, just determination, passion, and the willingness to learn.  Fast forward 20 years, and here I am, still amazed by what I’ve been able to accomplish – with plenty of help and lessons along the way.  These days, entrepreneurship is everywhere. It is glorified, celebrated, and often seen as the ultimate alternative to the traditional workforce. It’s easier now, in many ways, with resources, technology, and social media

Sarah Ware Inducted as Immediate Past President on the Board of Directors for the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Chicago (October 4, 2024) — Sarah Ware, a respected leader in the Chicago real estate community and Designated Managing Broker of Ware Realty Group, has been inducted as Immediate Past President on the Board of Directors for the Chicago Association of REALTORS® (CAR). In this esteemed role, Ware will continue to provide strategic guidance and leadership to one of the largest real estate organizations in the country. “It is a privilege to serve as Immediate Past President and to continue supporting the mission of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®,” said Ware. “Over the past year, we have made significant strides in advocating for our members and promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry. I am excited to continue this work and help shape the future of real estate in Chicago.” As Immediate

My entrepreneurial journey has been anything but traditional—no formal business training, no college degree, and yet, here I am, leading a certified Minority, Woman, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (M/W/DBE). Certification has been a key factor in my growth, providing not just opportunities but also invaluable business training along the way. As an African American woman business owner, I often hear mixed feelings from others about getting certified. Some are eager to leverage their ethnicity or gender in business, while others prefer to succeed without relying on those factors. To them, I say: bravo! The beauty of entrepreneurship is the freedom to choose your path. For me, certification has been a smart business move, and that’s why I’m starting this newsletter—to share the nuances of running a certified business, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. I’ll also dive into what it’s like to go after business with prime contractors