Month: February 2013

Go In As A Winner

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Making an offer is a huge commitment and you need an agent on your side to come up with terms and an offer price. You might know how much house you can afford, based on your loan pre-approval, but knowing how much you should pay is a different story.

Your agent is an expert in local market conditions and has data to help you settle on a fair offer price. Reviewing comparable properties that have sold in the neighborhood is a solid tool to determine your offer price. This information is readily available to your agent.

Sellers have a reason for wanting, or needing, to sell their home. By asking the right questions during an open house, you can get a good feel for what will motivate the seller to accept your offer. Your Mel Foster Co. agent can help you prepare questions in advance to determine if price, timing or contract terms are most important to the sellers. This knowledge will give you leverage when negotiating.

Once you make the offer, it is customary to leave earnest money with the seller or seller’s agent. In a seller’s market, the buyer should put down a solid deposit to entice the seller to accept their offer. On the other hand, if it’s a buyer’s market, a larger earnest money deposit may prompt the seller to accept a lower purchase price.
Your agent is your advocate, looking out for your best interest to make sure you don’t overpay for a property or agree to terms out of fear of losing the house of your dreams. Rely on your agent to make sure you come to the table with a winning offer the sellers will accept.

Mel Foster Co. Nominated for Performance Awards

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Lynsey Engels, General Manager, Real Estate Division at Mel Foster Co. Inc., is pleased to announce that their Relocation Division, led by Deb Boland, has been nominated by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® for two 2012 Awards.  Mel Foster Co. is one of five real estate companies nominated for these awards in their size category.  The two nominations include:

  • Award of Excellence – Referral Production – determined by the number of outgoing referrals
  • Award of Excellence – Sales Production – determined by the number of outgoing closings

The awards will be presented during the Annual Performance Awards Dinner and Ceremony in Las Vegas later this month.  For the past 18 years, Mel Foster Co.’s Relocation Division has been nominated for an award from Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®.

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® is a global network of over 500 premier real estate firms.  Leading RE is comprised of select independent real estate companies who set the standard of quality service, while generating a highest volume of referral, relocation, and real estate business opportunities for its members.  Mel Foster Co. has been with the prestigious affiliation for 20 years.

Mel Foster Co. Color the Quads Sold Out

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Only six weeks after opening registration for the Color the Quads race, the 5K and Kids’ Color Dash are sold out.  Three thousand participants have registered for the 5K and 250 are expected for the Kids’ Color Dash.  Mel Foster Co. is the presenting sponsor for the events, unique races that allow runners and walkers to get blasted with bursts of color powder on the course.

The Color the Quads 5K will take place Saturday, June 1 at 4:00 p.m., Cumberland Square at 2300 Spruce Hills Drive, Bettendorf, Iowa.  Spectators are welcome to watch the races and show their support for two local charities.
The 2013 Color the Quads benefits two local organizations, the YMCA Youth Solutions and Camp Abe Lincoln and the Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities.  The event brings colorful happiness to our community AND helps out local charities.
The event’s Color Explosion and Color Burst sponsors include:  Mel Foster Co., Orthopaedic Specialists, Pear Advertising, Terrostar, Vollertsen, Britt & Gorsline P.C., Valley Bank, Gomez May LLP, Radon Solutions, Hawkeye Paving, Quad City Times, TMI – Total Maintenance Inc., Build to Suit, and Russell Construction.  The after party sponsor is Tri-City Electric Co.
Become a volunteer or a sponsor at www.colorthequads.com.

Mel Foster Co. Iowa Finance Announce New Program

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The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) today joined American Bank &Trust in Davenport and area lenders and REALTORS® to urge participation in the Home in Paradise Contest, a statewide social media contest, and to announce a new Take Credit! mortgage credit certificate program.  Both initiatives share the goal of continuing the upward trend in Quad City area home sales, which are currently 7.5 percent above this time last year, according to the Quad City Area REALTOR® Association.

“We’re excited to be offering this fun winter contest as a way to increase awareness as to the benefits of home ownership,” said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Dave Jamison.  “With a new Take Credit! mortgage credit certificates program offered at local lender locations throughout the state, many more Iowans may be assisted in meeting their goals of home ownership, while having a little fun.”
Take Credit! is a new mortgage credit certificate program that may assist eligible home buyers by reducing their household’s federal tax liability every year for the life of their mortgage.  Fifty percent of the homeowners’ mortgage interest becomes a tax credit that can be  deducted dollar-for-dollar from federal income tax liability, up to a maximum of $2,000 annually.  The program is offered through a network of participating lenders throughout the state.
The Home in Paradise social media contest asks Iowa mortgage lenders and REALTORS® to ask their clients for help by showing what “home in paradise”  means to them.  Participants will be photographed in their home in paradise for their chance to win an Iowa vacation getaway to Honey Creek Resort.  Iowans are encouraged to visit participating contest locations for their chance to win.
A full list of current contest locations i available at Foursquare.com/IowaFinance.  Contest entries will be voted on by the public in April at Facebook.com/IowaFinance.  The entry with the most votes will receive an Iowa vacation getaway package and the lender and REALTOR® with the most combined votes will each receive a $1,500 community betterment grant and four golf passes to Honey Creek Resort.  Any Iowa lender or REALTOR® may sign-up to participate, and is encouraged to do so by visiting IowaFinanceAuthority.gov/Contest.
“This contest is a wonderful opportunity for our clients, agents and the general public to show what a home in paradise means to them,” said Eugene Holst with Quad City Area REALTOR® Association.  “The contest is open to everyone, and we hope that people have fun with it.”  Chuck Sorensen of American Bank & Trust said, “The Iowa Finance Authority has been an integral partner in providing home ownership opportunities for Iowans, through programs like Take Credit!, and we look forward to working together to assist more Iowans and keep home sales up over the winter months through this innovative contest,”

Toss Out Your Shovel And Rake

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Enjoy your retirement and let somebody else take care of the yard work and exterior maintenance. It’s time to downsize and start spending more time with your hobbies and less time taking care of your home. A condo in an active senior community might be just what you need.

Having a condo means you can travel all year without the stresses that come with maintaining a home while you’re away. It’ll be easier to just lock the door and head to the sunshine in the south if you aren’t concerned about lawn care or shoveling.

In a senior community, you’ll be surrounded by your peers with similar interests and life experiences. Friendships can be formed easily and some neighborhoods plan group activities or trips. There is also less concern about loud and rowdy neighbors in a senior community.

Many communities offer a range of care, allowing you to easily transition from independent living to assisted living. You might also be able to enjoy dining privileges at a clubhouse or exercise in a community gym.

The demand for active senior housing is increasing. Find out what options are available in your town by contacting one of Mel Foster Co.’s Senior Real Estate Specialists ® (SRES®). Click here to find an agent.

Mel Foster Co. Celebrates 2012 Sales Growth

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The year 2012 ended on a high note for Mel Foster Co.  The residential real estate division achieved a sales increase of 12.69% from last year and the number of sides increased 9.72%.  Insurance division was up 16% in direct, written premiums, while Commercial real estate was up 83% from last year.  Rob Fick, Chairman, President and CEO of Mel Foster Co., Inc., is quick to point out that the hard work of the sales associates and staff had a significant impact on our sales growth.

Fick congratulated his sales associates and staff on an incredible year during Mel Foster Co.’s annual awards reception Thursday at the Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf, Iowa.  Mel Foster Co. agents and staff gathered to celebrate their 2012 accomplishment.  “Market conditions can only help a company achieve a certain degree of sales growth.  What really drove our success in 2012 was the hard work done by our agents and staff.  Company-wide, our associates place a high value on building and nurturing relationships and giving clients unparalleled service.  Loyalty to clients and to company lead to remarkable results,” said Fick.

Fick, along with Marc Engels, President of the Insurance Division and Lynsey Engels, General Manger of the Real Estate Division, presented the 2012 awards.  A total of 114 agents were recognized for achieving membership in the company’s different sales club levels including Chairman, Executive, President and Honor.  Top honors were awarded to:

  • Diana Franks – Residential Top Illinois Sales
  • Brad Boeye – Residential Top Iowa Sales
  • Thad DenHartog – Commercial Top Sales
  • Leigh Butler – Insurance Top Personal Lines
  • Mike Smith – Insurance Top Producer
  • Mike Kessel – Insurance Top Employee Benefits

Mel Foster Co. residential real estate has four offices in the Quad Cities; two in Davenport, one each in Bettendorf, Iowa and Moline, Illinois.  There are also offices in Clinton and Eldridge, Iowa and Galesburg, Geneseo, and Kewanee, Illinois.  In 2012, Mel Foster Co. welcomed 25 agents and staff into the company.

While external factors including warmer than usual winter temperatures, a slightly improving economy, low interest rates and decreasing unemployment played a role in the company’ success.  The average sale price of homes continued to show sign of strength in 2012.  The average sale price for Mel Foster Co. Residential Real Estate was $146,553, an increase of nearly 3% from last year.  Equally good news was the days on the market for Mel Foster markets, residential and condo, saw ten days less from 80 days on the market in 2011 to 70 days on the market (Iowa & Illinois combined) in 2012.

Mel Foster Co.’s Commercial Real Estate boasted an 83% increase from 2011, its highest sales volume since 2005.  Ten commercial agents located in the Bettendorf office ended 2012 as the number one commercial real estate company for volume in the CMLS (Commercial Multiple Listing Service).

Mel Foster Insurance, headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, saw continued growth in all areas of expertise including personal, business, employee benefits and group retirement planning.  As one of the largest Independent Agencies representing over 25 regional and national carriers, 2013 will continue to focus on bringing added value to the insurance experience.

With all three divisions of Mel Foster Co. Inc. seeing an increase, the total sales volume increased by 19.37% from 2011.  Looking forward to 2013, Mel Foster Co. Inc. will focus on continuing to build relationships within it team as well as outside the company.  The market continues heading in the right direction.

Mel Foster Co. Color the Quads 5K to Cap Race

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Early registration activity for Color the Quads 5K Run has resulted in the need to cap the participant field.  In just one month since the race was announced, over 1,500 participants have signed up for this unique charity run to be held June 1.  Runners and walkers are encouraged to register today to ensure participation in the event.

Mel Foster Co., the presenting sponsor for Color the Quads 5K and Kid’s Color Dash, along with SPJ Consulting led by Sarah Johnson, are thrilled with the response so far.  “We have received a tremendous amount of support from the community for this first-time event, and feel it’s necessary to cap the race,” says Lynsey Engels, General Manager Real Estate Division at Mel Foster Co.  She added, “We want the participants to have a positive experience in every aspect of the race from registration to the post-race Tri-City Electric Co. After-Party.  We have a great crew of volunteers ready for the event and made the decision to cap the number of racers to be sure we are able to put on a well-organized and executed community charity event.”

The Color the Quads 5K will take place Saturday, June 1 at 4:00 p.m., Cumberland Square at 2300 Spruce Hills Drive, Bettendorf, Iowa.  The 5K registration fee is $35 until April 1 and $40 until May 27.  The fee includes race entry, t-shirt and swag bag.  The majority of early registrants are from Iowa, Illinois and surrounding states, but runners from as far away as Tennessee and Arizona have registered.

The Kids Color Dash cost is $15 until April 1 and $20 until May 27.  Kids Color Dash starts at 8:00 a.m. on June 1.  During the 5K and Kids Color Dash, runners and walkers will get blasted with bursts of safe color powder on the course.  All race participants are invited to attend the colorful Tri-City Electric Co. After-Party.

The 2013 Color the Quads event benefits two local organizations, the YMCA Youth Solutions and Camp Abe Lincoln and the Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities.  The event brings colorful happiness to our community AND helps out local charities.

The event’s After-Party sponsor is Tri-City Electric, Color Explosion and Color Burst sponsors include Mel Foster Co., Gomez – May LLP, Orthopaedic Specialists, Pear Advertising, Terrostar, Valley Bank, Vollertsen, Britt & Gorsline P.C., Radon Solutions, Hawkeye Paving, Quad City Times, TMI – Total Maintenance Inc. and Build to Suit.

For more information, to sign up, to volunteer, or to become a sponsor, visit www.colorthequads.com


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