March straight into excitement in the QCA this month!

Gather your friends and family for these fun events.

Explorers/Explorers Jr: Under Construction: Bridges at Putnam Museum in Davenport

Saturday, March 3; 9am – 11am

Geneseo Kiwanis Pancakes Day at Moose Lodge

Sunday, March 4 ; 7 am – 1 pm

Wine with Einstein at the German Heritage Center in Davenport

Saturday, March 10;  6pm – 7:30pm

St. Patrick’s Day Party at the Mississippi Valley Fair Grounds

March 16

Tinsley Ellis at the Redstone Room in Davenport

Friday, March 16; 8pm

St. Patrick Society Grand Parade starting in Rock Island and ending in Davenport

Saturday, March 17; 11:30am       

Saturday Storytime: Let’s Fly a Kite at the Fairmount Library in Davenport

Saturday, March 24; 10am

2018 Polar Plunge at Wick’s Lake in Rock Island

Sunday, March 25; 2pm

Why You Should Buy During the Winter

Buy in the Winter.

House hunting during the colder months may not be the most popular time of year to look, but there are several upsides to consider.

  1. You Face Less Competition in the Winter

Approximately 50% of homes sold during the year are sold during summer months. If you purchase in the winter, you may avoid stressful bidding wars and sellers can be more eager to close quickly as they have fewer offers to choose from. They may also try to sweeten the deal with additional incentives when you buy during this time frame.

  1. Sellers are Motivated

A motivated seller is great news for the buyer. If they’re trying to sell quickly due to relocation or other time constraints, they’ll be more flexible when it comes to price. It’s also possible the house has been on the market for an extended period of time, maybe since last summer, meaning the seller is ready to close as quickly as possible.

  1. Interest Rates May Increase

Interest rates can have an impact on your budget when buying a house. The direction of interest rates is never certain, but many analysts think the rates will increase, maybe even multiple times in the year, due to a strong economy. Consider that the sooner you buy, the further your money will go.

  1. Housing Prices are Rising

Housing prices on average have steadily increased the past several years. This upward trend is expected to continue according to real estate analysts.

Find a Mel Foster Co. agent in your town.

Mel Foster Co. Website Recognized for Excellence

Mel Foster Co.  has been awarded the Website Quality Certification (WQC) from Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, a global community of more than 565 high quality independent real estate firms in 65 countries. The certification was presented in recognition of excellence in website design, content and functionality.

Mel Foster Co.’s’s website, www.melfosterco.com, received high marks in a variety of critical areas relating to website performance, including usability, design, content, interactivity, customer service and mobile responsiveness. The evaluation was conducted by Virtual Results, LLC, a real estate internet and social marketing firm selected by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® to review the websites of participating members.

The specific measurements for the WQC are updated each year to reflect the most current online marketing strategies, as well as evolving consumer preferences. Companies must be re-certified every two years to maintain the certification.

“The 135 companies that earned the WQC this year offer consumers engaging websites with effective design, deep local content and the most current information on homes, not only in their local markets, but also around the world. We are delighted to recognize them for offering a superior online experience for consumers and supporting them further with exceptional customer support,” said Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® President/CEO Pam O’Connor.

“We know local consumers have a choice when searching for a buying or listing agent.  We want to continue to offer the best tools in the market to be the top resource for buyers and sellers and to help our agents stay competitive.  Mel Foster Co. feels it is essential to invest heavily in digital marketing platforms and we are pleased that our efforts have been recognized with this international award,” said Lynsey Engels, president real estate brokerage of Mel Foster Co.

Mel Foster Co. is the Quad Cities and surrounding area’s representative of LeadingRE (www.LeadingRE.com). With a global membership that spans six continents, LeadingRE connects more than 565 firms and 130,000 sales associates who produce over 1.1 million real estate transactions each year. As a member of LeadingRE, Mel Foster Co. provides a quality real estate experience, global marketing reach and access to top real estate professionals in virtually any market worldwide.

For more information about Mel Foster Co., please visit www.melfosterco.com.

Mel Foster Co.’s Boland Speaks at Global Real Estate Event

Deb Boland, Director of Relocation with Mel Foster Co., was a speaker at the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® Annual Conference, held January 31-February 2 at Wynn Las Vegas. The conference was part of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE) Conference Week, a series of educational and networking events that attracted an elite audience of nearly 3,000 real estate professionals from 24 countries.

The conference was open only to brokers, managers and relocation professionals affiliated with LeadingRE, an invitation-only network of the highest quality independent real estate companies. Attendees explored how to leverage the trends driving the real estate market, including the economic landscape, home technology and design, and consumer preferences.

Boland presented information on Leading RE’s Military on the Move®, sharing insights on how active duty and retired military personnel, wounded warriors, or active career policy and firefighters can earn a rebate when buying or selling a home.  She also provided how Mel Foster Co. Relocation has implemented the program to provide the agents the information needed to be successful with the program.

“To be able to share thoughts and processes with our colleagues who have the same goals is important as it helps us grow and enhance our relocation systems for our clients,” said Boland.  Being with some of the best relocation leaders in the industry helps create an engaging atmosphere.”

Boland was among a notable line-up of speakers, which included keynote speakers such as two-time World Series Champion, former Chicago Cubs player and first runner-up on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars David Ross; award-winning journalist and noted host of On Second Thought for Georgia Public Broadcasting Celeste Headlee; renowned real estate speaker and author Darryl Davis and LeadingRE Chief Economist Dr. Marci Rossell. Additional thought leaders from across the industry were on hand to address a variety of timely topics, with a focus on ways to best meet the needs of today’s home buyers and sellers.

One of the things that sets our conference apart is the generous spirit of collaboration among our members,” said Pam O’Connor, president/CEO of LeadingRE. “The speakers who share their professional strategies and insights to support the success of fellow members help ensure our sessions are timely and impactful, as we respond to market trends and strive to offer the very best service to consumers around the world.”

Mel Foster Co. is a multi-generational, family owned business and specializes in residential and commercial real estate sales and offers a wide range of services including new construction, relocations, farm and land sales, land development, senior services, career development and insurance.

Mel Foster Co. is the Quad Cities and surrounding area representative of LeadingRE (www.LeadingRE.com). With a global membership that spans six continents, LeadingRE connects more than 565 firms and 130,000 sales associates who produce over 1.1 million real estate transactions each year. As a member of LeadingRE, Mel Foster Co. provides a quality real estate experience, global marketing reach and access to top real estate professionals in virtually any market worldwide.

For more information about Mel Foster Co., please visit www.melfosterco.com

The Davenport Police Department’s New “Lock It Up Initiative”

Protect from theft

The Quad Cities area is experiencing an increase in vehicular theft. Follow these tips from the Davenport Police Department to help reduce the chances of becoming a victim of car theft.

  1. Always lock your vehicle when left unattended. Even on your driveway or in the garage.
  2. Never leave keys in your vehicle or in the ignition. Do not hide the keys or fob in your vehicle.
  3. Do not leave any valuables inside your vehicle, especially in plain view. Electronic devices, cell phones, laptop computers, cameras, GPS devices and eyeglasses/sunglasses are small and easily concealable items that are often left inside vehicles and stolen.
  4. Never leave firearms inside your vehicle.
  5. Do not leave vehicle titles, identification items or financial documents such as your driver’s license, social security card, checkbook or credit cards inside your vehicle.
  6. Never leave your garage door opener in the vehicle when parked outside your residence without locking your car doors. A thief can easily open your garage door and gain entry right into your home through an attached and unlocked door.
  7. If you are going to warm or cool your vehicle before getting into it, consider investing in a remote starter.

Additional Information:

  1. Most stolen vehicles have been easy targets, such as a car running unattended or a car with unlocked doors with keys in it.
  2. Vehicle thefts are occurring throughout our communities in ALL neighborhoods from driveways, unlocked garages, open garage doors, convenience stores and gas stations.
  3. The most prevalent age group for the suspects of stolen vehicles is 12-18 years of age. The youngest was 11.
  4. Once having possession of a stolen vehicle, suspects are driving recklessly, endangering lives and committing thefts and burglaries. Some have been involved in shootings, committing hit and run crashes and fleeing from police.
  5. When recovered, many stolen vehicles are found to have significant damage from crashes.

February Events in the Quad City Area

Looking for something to do?

Appreciate the QCA in February as you experience new and old events.

Rock n Roll Bingo of the Quad Cities at the American Legion in Walcott

Friday, February 2

7pm – 10pm

 

Chocolate Experience at the Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island

Saturday, February 3

10am – 3pm

Bowl-a-thon with Junior Achievement at Lee’s Lanes in Geneseo

Saturday, February 3

2pm – 5pm

Bacon and Beer Festival at River Center

Saturday, February 3

6pm-Midnight

2018 Young Artists at the Figge in Davenport

Pleasant Valley Schools February 3-11

Geneseo Schools February 17-25

Family Valentine Party at Felix Adler Children’s Discovery Center, Clinton

February 10

2pm-4pm

Martini Shake Off for HAVlife at River Center

February 15

5:30pm-9pm

Trivia Night for the Rock Island Music Association at Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 25 in Rock Island

Saturday, February 17

6:30pm – 10:30pm

17th annual Great River Show Choir Invitational at the Adler in Davenport

Saturday, February 17

8:30am – 11:30pm

Wheel n Steppers Square Dance at Square and Round Dance Hall in Bettendorf

Friday, February 16 and every third Friday until December 22

7pm – 9:30pm

Dance Me a Story: Alice in Wonderland at Davenport Public Library

Saturday, February 24

2pm – 3pm


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