Considering a second home?

Looking for a second home?

Are you looking for a second home? Get the process started now with help from Mel Foster Co. relocation experts and leverage our connections at Leading Real Estate Companies of the World to find a home anywhere.

Start Local

Is it time to get a second home on one of the coasts so you always have an oceanfront get-away? Or maybe you’re open to some big city living in a foreign location. Whatever your desires are for a second home, Mel Foster Co. is where you can start your search. Contact our relocation department to connect with Leading Real EstateCompanies of the World (Leading RE). The service is free.

Leading RE has real estate members in over 70 countries worldwide with access to global listings, ready to help you understand the local real estate market wherever you want to go. These local agents can arrange a property visit in person or virtually, help you write a competitive offer, and connect you with local resources to make your purchase easier. Leading RE is your connection to finding a second home anywhere in the world.

Contact a Mel Foster Co. relocation agent today to start your second home adventure.

Mel Foster Co. School of Real Estate

Mel Foster Co. School of Real Estate Offers Pre-License Courses

Mel Foster Co. School of Real Estate is offering essential Iowa pre-license real estate courses this Spring for those looking to start or enhance their career in real estate and for existing Mel Foster Co. sales associates needing continuing education. These three courses are required coursework for obtaining an Iowa Real Estate License along with the 60-hours of course work for obtaining an Iowa Salesperson license. These local, in-person classes provide future sales associates with a timely opportunity to get started in real estate before the end of this year.

The in-person courses, which run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Mel Foster Co.’s office located at 3249 E. 35th St. Ct., include:

  • Buying Practices: April 10 & 11
  • Listing Practices: April 24 & 25
  • Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices: May 1 & 2

The courses are free to pre-affiliated Mel Foster Co. sales associates or those who are looking to start a career with Mel Foster Co. To become a real estate sales associate in Iowa, you must be at least 18 years old, undergo a background check, have a high school diploma, and pass both the Iowa and National real estate exams. New sales associates are required to sign a pre-affiliation agreement in order to attend the Iowa pre-license courses for free.

The deadline to register is April 8th and spaces are limited so register today or email schoolofrealestate@melfosterco.com with questions.

About Mel Foster Co. Real Estate

Mel Foster Co. is a leading independent real estate company with deep roots in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas.  With offices in Clinton and Davenport in Iowa, and Aledo, Galesburg, Geneseo, Kewanee, Moline, and Savanna in Illinois, Mel Foster Co. is dedicated to providing exceptional real estate services, education, and community outreach. The Mel Foster Co. School of Real Estate continues to support aspiring real estate professionals in launching successful careers through high-quality pre-license course, ongoing training, and mentorship programs. For more information, visit www.melfosterco.com/schoolofrealestate


Get Your House Ready To Sell

Get Your House Ready To Sell

The spring season is just around the corner, making it ideal for working on deferred maintenance projects so your home is ready to be listed in the spring. To prepare, spend your time wisely by accomplishing a few of the following tasks.

Patch and Paint

One of the quickest ways to freshen your home is by patching walls and painting the interior. To stay current with Pantone color trends, consider repainting your hallway or living area in the 2025 color of the year, chocolate mousse. This neutral yet rich earth-toned color adds warmth and depth to your living space and softens the light for a cozy and welcoming vibe. When referring to the color wheel for inspiration, consider accessorizing your room painted in this tone of brown with shades of blues in your artwork, accent pillows or blankets.

Replace and Update

Refresh existing fixtures can be quick and practical. Replace draw pulls and outdated light fixtures. Take the extra time to brush up on essential maintenance like tightening a railing or door handle, addressing that broken garbage disposal and purchasing and hanging a new ceiling fan in the sunroom.

Clean It Up

Clean the coat and storage closets and make a donation pile for your favorite charity. Take expired cleaning supplies from under the kitchen sink to the local recycling unit. Do you remember the last time you took everything under the vanity out and did a deep clean? Now is the perfect time to accomplish everything on your “I’ll get to it later” list. Move the furniture out from the walls and dust and vacuum behind it. Your baseboards are likely feeling neglected. Get the carpets professionally cleaned, or borrow a cleaner from a friend so you know the floors are fresh.

Mel Foster Co. Is The Way To Go

Contact a Mel Foster Co. agent today. Staying connected with a trusted Realtor ® as you consider a home sale is excellent advice so they can keep you on track and advise on best practices as you prepare to list your home for sale.

Mel Foster Co. Real Estate Company Logo

MEL FOSTER CO. CELEBRATES TEAM SUCCESS AND OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2024

At Mel Foster Co. Residential Real Estate, they believe success is a team effort.  On February 4, 2025, they celebrated 78 outstanding agents who exemplify their commitment to collaboration, innovation, and excellence in 2024.  Here’s to another year of success — together!

Despite elevated interest rates in 2024 that dampened market activity and contributed to low inventory, Mel Foster Co. achieved exceptional results. The company’s excellence was highlighted by six agents earning spots on the prestigious Real Trends Verified Premier List, which recognizes the top 1.5 percent of real estate professionals nationwide. Demonstrating remarkable resilience in challenging conditions, 41 percent of Mel Foster Co. agents increased their sales volume by 20 percent or more in 2024.

“This year demonstrated the resilience and dedication of our agents,” said Lynsey Engels, President, Real Estate Brokerage. “Despite the challenges posed by the market, our team continued to deliver exceptional results, prioritizing the needs of their clients and setting new standards of excellence in the industry.”

The average sales price for the company was up 3.28% from 2023 at $232,195.  On average, Mel Foster Co.’s agents closed 11 transactions (buy or sell) in 2024, which is higher than the national average according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

A commitment to diversification has been central to Mel Foster Co.’s long-term strategy. The company is also a leading land developer in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas.  In 2024, the company sold 27 residential lots across three of its company-owned subdivisions: Century Heights in Bettendorf, Iowa; Townsend Farms in Eldridge, Iowa; and Maple Leaf Heights in Geneseo, Illinois.  Their residential agents sold 65 new construction homes or condos in 2024 with an average sales price of $507,547, up from $478,468 last year.

Mel Foster Co. reinforces its industry leadership by providing agents with exceptional professional development opportunities. In 2024, the company strengthened its commitment to agent success by hiring a dedicated Talent Acquisition and Agent Development Director and launching the Mel Foster Co. School of Real Estate. This innovative program equips aspiring real estate professionals with comprehensive education and essential skills needed to build successful careers in today’s competitive market. The school also serves current REALTORS® by offering continuing education courses required for license renewal. Throughout the year, Mel Foster Co. demonstrated its dedication to agent growth by delivering 26 in-person training sessions, hundreds of recorded webinars, over 200 live webinar opportunities, and 21 company-wide events.

Throughout its 100-year history, Mel Foster Co. has maintained an unwavering commitment to community service. In 2024, the company continued its impactful Think.Buy.Be.Local campaign, demonstrating this dedication by supporting local businesses. The company’s charitable efforts included participating in the River Bend Foodbank Community Hunger Drive, supporting families in need during the holidays, delivering care baskets to seniors, partnering with WQAD for a school supply drive, organizing a blood drive with ImpactLife, and collecting donations for Toys for Tots. Additionally, Mel Foster Co. agents and staff actively supported over 150 local businesses during Small Business Week.

The company’s community involvement extended to Project Jack, an initiative of The REALTOR® Foundation of Iowa, which funded more than 140 middle school student projects focused on paying it forward. Mel Foster Co. also maintained its presence at signature community events, including the John Deere Classic, Bix7, Quad Cities Marathon, Festival of Trees, and the Big Brothers Big Sisters Plant Sale.

“It’s an honor to collaborate with our incredible agents and staff and have the opportunity to give back to the communities we serve,” said Ms. Engels. “Supporting local businesses and community initiatives is at the heart of who we are, and we’re proud to contribute to the growth and vitality of the places we call home.”

This commitment to community service earned Mel Foster Co. recognition as one of the Most Giving Companies in Iowa by The Grateful Giving Foundation of Des Moines, Iowa.

“As we reflect on 2024, I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together as a company,” said Ms. Engels. “Our success is a testament to the hard work, resilience, and dedication of our agents, staff, and leadership team.  Looking ahead to 2025, I believe our company will continue to build on this momentum, exceed expectations, and strengthen our commitment to the clients and communities we serve.”

For a complete list of award winners, visit https://www.melfostercoblog.com/2024-awards

Good House Hunting Habits

Good House Hunting Habits

Wonder where to start when thinking about house hunting? A variety of factors go into making a focused checklist as you prepare to buy.

Down Payment

Saving for your down payment should be your top priority. Depending on the type of loan you acquire, you’ll receive a few different down payment percentage options. A Mortgage Reports article states that some lenders require as little as 3.5% of the home’s value, or less, as a down payment to get your loan approved. Meet with a loan officer to establish some numbers so you know how much down payment you’ll need to get the most favorable loan terms.

Know What You Want

Take time to establish key features you prefer in a home. Do you prefer a ranch? What about a two-car garage? How important are green features, both inside and out? Creating a list of must-have items will allow you to target homes you’ll want to visit and spend less time visiting homes that may not make you happy in the long run.

Get Pre-Approved

Sellers often choose buyers with a bank pre-approval over those without one. This gives you an advantage over other prospects and shows the seller that you are a solid buyer. This pre-approval also helps you narrow your search to your budget, so you don’t get too distracted with a house that you won’t be able to afford. This step will really help you save time in the long run.

Earnest Money

Did you know that earnest money is not the same as the down payment? Earnest money is a fee  usually between 1-2% of the total home price and is used to show good faith during the home offer process. Buyers treat it like a small credit which eventually comes back to you as the house sale ultimately closes.

Closing Costs

Alas, final fees can add up at the end of your home-hunting journey as you approach closing. These payments are made to the various parties like attorneys and real estate agents and range from 2-5% of the loan amount and include fees for appraisals and title insurance.

Get connected with your Mel Foster Co. agent today to begin your search. There is less competition in the winter months, making now a good time to start your search.

Find more buying tips for homeowners.


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