Packing And Moving Tips

You’re moving and want to make the best use of your time and money. Consider the following suggestions that will simplify the moving process and aid in getting you settled in your new home.

Before You Move

  • Set up mail forwarding at the post office
  • Transfer and set up utilities about two weeks before the move
  • Pick medium-sized boxes (18x18x15 or 22x16x15) for household items
  • Compare pricing on a round trip or a one-way moving truck rental, and reserve the truck at least a week in advance
  • Pack a moving day bag with a phone charger, change of clothes and body care products
  • Don’t forget water and snacks for packing day

Get Packing

  • Save money on packing materials by using your clothing to protect breakables
  • Start early so you don’t feel so rushed
  • Use labels on the outside of the box to note where items will go in your new space
  • Pack room by room
  • Pack the kitchen last

Moving And Unpacking

  • Place heavy items on the bottom of the truck, with large furniture items in the back
  • Distribute heavy items evenly inside so the truck stays balanced
  • Position small stuff on top of furniture and nearest the door for easy removal
  • You don’t have to unpack everything at once. Put things away correctly in your new space the first time
  • Make a music playlist that will motivate you to unpack

Wrapping Up

  • Donate non-perishable food you’re not using
  • Transfer and set up utilities right away
  • Save money by filling the rental truck gas tank yourself instead of having them do it upon return

Find more tips for homeowners.

Going Green Saves Green

Homeowners can take simple steps that help save some green when going green. Try practical and economical alternatives when making changes to your home:

  • Replace your incandescent bulbs with LED lights to save on energy costs.
  • Refresh it, don’t remodel it. Use salvaged materials like barn wood for updating.
  • Change out old toilets, showerheads and faucets to reduce water waste.
  • Purchase power strips and connect major electronics to them. Turning the power strip off when you leave saves on your energy bill.

Are you planning to purchase a new construction home instead of modernizing your current home? Request key green features during the planning process:

  • Build small, which keeps expenses and bills lower.
  • Install programmable thermostats to manage energy usage effectively.
  • Request low-emittance windows to maintain preferred internal temperatures.
  • Choose sustainable lumber and energy-efficient lighting.

Are you still looking for more ideas for spending less and being green? Start new habits that keep money in your pocket and help the environment.

  • Shop farmer’s markets for produce, which reduces transportation emissions by buying locally.
  • Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when they are full.
  • Use washable rags instead of paper towels.
  • Ditch disposable plastic and refill with stainless steel bottles.

Find more tips for homeowners.

Set The Stage For Top Dollar Returns

Set up your home for sales success. Staging your home can help buyers visualize how space can be used with furniture and make the house more attractive to potential buyers. Try these five staging tips when preparing to sell.

Eliminate Clutter

No one likes clutter, especially when looking at a home. The disorder could turn potential buyers away as they see the home as messy and in need of more storage. Instead, get rid of unnecessary items in storage areas, cabinets, on shelving, and table decorations. Depersonalize the area so buyers can visualize their belongings in the home.

Rethink Furniture Placement

When staging your home, the furniture placement makes a difference. Enable space for potential buyers to easily move throughout the home’s rooms and configure the furniture to make the area seem bigger and the most functional. Removing unnecessary furniture that makes the space seem more cluttered (as mentioned above) can allow for different furniture reconfigurations.

Add Funcational Office Space

Dedicated office space has become a necessity for many home buyers. Having an office space set up can help buyers visualize the use of the office space and check off a box on their must-have list. Or create an area in a guest bedroom or a corner of a room to stage an office.

Show Off Storage

Having ample storage is one thing that many home buyers search for when looking at a house for sale. People want space to store all their items, so showing how various areas can be utilized for maximum storage potential throughout the home is key. However, ensure these storage spaces are organized to appeal more to the buyers.

More Lighting

Great lighting is vital to making a home look warm and welcoming. When staging a house, ensure that the natural light from the outside can flow into the inside spaces. In every room of the home, a variety of lighting options should be turned on, such as lamps and overhead lights, to make the rooms as bright and inviting for buyers.

Find more selling tips.

MEL FOSTER CO. AGENTS NAMED AMERICA’S BEST REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS

Lynsey Engels, president of Real Estate Brokerage at Mel Foster Co. is pleased to announce that several of its agents have been named as one of America’s most productive agents as a part of the 2023 REALTrends America’s Best Real Estate Professionals list.  This ranking report by REALTrends, the Trusted Source in residential brokerage, and Tom Ferry International, a top coaching and training company, ranks the most productive agents by state and metropolitan area based on closed transaction sides and closed volume in 2022.

REALTrends America’s Best Real Estate Professionals honors American’s finest real estate agents from across the country.  Over 27,500 U.S. real estate sales associates from every state are featured in America’s Best.  Those ranked are among the top 1.5% of the 1.6 million real estate professionals in the United States. 

The real estate agents are ranked in these categories:

  • Small team – Sales volume
  • Small team – Transaction sides (in each real estate transaction there are two sides that can be represented by a real estate agent; the buy side and the selling side)
  • Individual agent – Sales volume
  • Individual agent – Transaction sides (in each real estate transaction there are two sides that can be represented by a real estate agent; the buy side and the selling side)

Top Small Teams by Volume & Sides in Iowa

Geri Doyle, REALTOR® with Mel Foster Co.
Geri Doyle Group, #4 by Volume & #13 by Sides

Top Individuals By Sides in Iowa

Lucky Lang II, REALTOR® with Mel Foster Co.
Lucky Lang II, #24 by Sides in Iowa
Lisa Carstens REALTOR with Mel Foster Co.
Lisa Carstens, #40 by Sides in Iowa
Jill Sorrell, REALTOR®
Jill Sorrell, #45 by Sides in Iowa
Scott Kelling REALTOR with Mel Foster Co.
Scott Kelling, #78 by Sides in Iowa
Shawna Burrow, REALTOR with Mel Foster Co.
Shawna Burrow, #78 by Sides in Iowa
Bob Allmandinger, REALTOR® with Mel Foster Co.
Bob Allmandinger, #101 by Sides in Iowa
Candy Reaves, REALTOR with Mel Foster Co.
Candy Reaves, #123 by Sides in Iowa

Top Individuals By Sides In Illinois

Dee Shepherd, REALTOR® with Mel Foster Co.
Dee Shepherd #81 by Sides In Illinois
Debbie Wright, REALTOR® with Mel Foster Co.
Debbie Wright, #110 by Sides in Illinois
Eve Anderson, REALTOR® with Mel Foster Co.
Eve Anderson, #209 by Sides in Illinois

Ms. Engels commented, “With this year’s release of the 2023 America’s Best Real Estate Professionals list, we are incredibly proud to have 11 of our agents be recognized with other elite real estate agents across the country and continue to be in awe of these agent’s dedication, hard work and commitment to serving clients throughout the region.”

To qualify for inclusion, an individual agent must have closed 40 residential transaction sides or $16 million in closed sales volume in 2022. A team must close 60 residential transaction sides or $24 million in closed sales volume. The rankings are compiled based on surveys from virtually every national branded network, many state and local associations of Realtors®, multiple listing services, all applicants from past years’ rankings, and the 900 largest brokerage firms in the United States.  Verification from an independent source is required from all submissions.  In addition, REALTrends senior staff reviews every submission for completeness and accuracy.

What Buyers Want In A Home

Most buyers looking for a home seek specific features. The following summary is what buyers want, and this may help prioritize your home improvements to attract those buyers.

Structural Features

  • Separate laundry room on the first floor
  • Open floor plan between the kitchen and dining room 
  • Patio space for outdoor entertaining
  • Walk in kitchen pantry
  • A front porch or covered outdoor space

Accent Preferences

  • Exterior lighting
  • Ceiling fans
  • Hardwood or tile in main living areas
  • Stainless steel appliances
  • Smart home technology

Energy Elements

  • Energy-efficient windows
  • Programmable thermostats
  • Proper insulation

Contact a Mel Foster Co. agent if you’re ready to sell.

2023 Spring Parade of Homes

See the lastest trends in new home construction at the 2023 Spring Quad Cities Parade of Homes. Admission is free! Come and see our Parade of Homes:

Saturday, May 13 & Sunday, May 14 from 1pm-5pm
Wednesday, May 17 from 5pm-7pm
Saturday, May 20 & Sunday, May 21 from 1pm-5pm

5660 Red Fox Road, Bettendorf, IA
5660 Red Fox Road, Bettendorf, IA
  • Ranch Style Villa
  • Zero Entry, 4-Season Room or Covered Patio or Decks
  • 3 Bedrooms & 3 Bathrooms
  • 9′ Ceilings
4069 Orchard Drive, Bettendorf, IA
4069 Orchard Drive, Bettendorf, IA
  • Townhome
  • Located Near Bettendorf YMCA
  • 4 Bedrooms & 3.5 Bathrooms
  • Walk-Out Lots Available
1439 Rhinelander Drive, Davenport, IA
  • Grand Open Floor Plan & Vaulted Ceilings
  • Quartz Countertops
  • Main Floor Laundry
  • 4 Bedrooms & 3 Baths
4921 Willow Circle, Davenport, IA
  • DRIVE BY ONLY
  • Over 1,500 Square Feet Of Living Space
  • Open Concept Kitchen With Quartz Countertops
  • 3 Bedroooms & 2 Bathrooms
  • 3 Car Garage

To view all the homes in the Spring Parade or to see more homes for sale, visit Mel Foster Co.

CHARLOTTE COURTNEY PROMOTED TO MANAGING BROKER POSITION

Mel Foster Co. is proud to announce the promotion of Charlotte Courtney to Managing Broker of the Clinton office.  In her new position, Ms. Courtney will be responsible for recruiting, budgeting and supervision of eight sales associates in the Mel Foster Co. Clinton office.  The company has eight residential real estate offices.

Lynsey Engels, president, real estate brokerage said, “We are thrilled to have Charlotte in the role of Managing Broker.  Her knowledge of the real estate industry and her active role in assisting agents as they learn, and grow have prepared her for her new role.”

Ms. Courtney is a licensed managing broker in Iowa and a designated managing broker in Illinois. During her 10 years as a sales associate with Mel Foster Co., Charlotte earned a place in the company’s President’s and Executive Clubs, which recognizes top sales or unit producers.  She is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, the Iowa Association of REALTORS®, and the Quad City Area REALTORS®, and she serves on the executive board for the YWCA Clinton. Charlotte resides in DeWitt with her husband, Pete, and four children.

How To Prepare A Home To Sell

Get organized to make the most of your time preparing your home for sale. Prioritize tasks that establish a straightforward method to the madness and will get buyers’ attention.

Contact a Mel Foster Co. Agent

Rely on a Mel Foster Co. agent to help identify projects that will ready your home to impress and get it on the market. Take advantage of your agent’s market experience to help ensure the asking price is right from the start. Then let Mel Foster Co.’s network promote your property and find you prospective buyers.

Identify Repairs

Nearly every home requires some repairs before going on the market. Tackle repair projects that impact daily life, like replacing the sump pump, or present a danger to the house, like correcting the issue with the electrical box. Fix the wobbly front door handle and replace the sliding door to the patio that no longer closes smoothly. 

Declutter And Clean

Purge your excess items by donating to your local charity so your home is clutter-free during showings. Make your home feel spacious, even if it means renting a storage unit until you move. And deep clean the house both inside and out. First impressions of your yard and the path leading to the front door should offer a welcoming vibe. 

Take An Inventory For Insurance

As you sift through your belongings, inventory the valuable items. Now is the time to revisit your insurance coverage and consider updating your home insurance policy to keep your property value current. Mel Foster Insurance can provide you with a no obligations quote so you know you’re covered.

Set The Stage

Make your house feel like a home and think about keeping it staged for showings. Staged homes see a 5-15% return on investment when professionally staged as opposed to homes not staged, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Find more selling tips for homeowners.


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