Author: Mel Foster Co.

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

The Lights Are on, But Nobody’s Home

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While you’re packing your bags to take a vacation, head south for the winter or move out, burglars are waiting for you to leave your house unprotected. Make your house look occupied while you’re gone and secure your property before you head out.

The easiest thing to do is lock your doors and windows! And that spare key you thought you so cleverly hid, is so easy for robbers to find. Find a trusted neighbor to hold a key so it’s not under the welcome mat or hidden in the fake rock.

Install exterior motion sensor lights at all entries to your home. Somebody up to no good at your front door doesn’t want a spotlight on their face. A light coming on might just be enough to stop a burglar.

Purchase light timers set to go on and off at times that match your usual pattern. You can also connect a radio to turn on and off, just like a light, to give the impression that someone is home.

Ask a neighbor to visit your house on occasion and drive up to the door to leave tracks in the snow. Reposition window treatments and make sure your mail and newspaper have been stopped. Nothing says “nobody’s home” like a week’s worth of newspapers on the front porch.

If you’ve taken these steps to make it look like somebody is home at your house, don’t take to Facebook and Twitter to post photos of yourself on the beach. Save the photos for your return – when you can be there to protect your home and its valuable contents. Nothing spoils memories of a vacation like getting robbed while you were gone.

Mel Foster Co. Congratulates K. Condon on QC Homebuilders Assoc. Council Award

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Mel Foster Co. congratulates REALTOR®/Builder Kerry Condon as recipient of a prominent award from the Quad Cities Home Builders Association and Remodelers Council.  Mr. Condon received the Allen V. Seitz Builder of the Year Award for the second consecutive year.

Mr. Condon is a REALTOR®/Builder at Mel Foster Co.’s Bettendorf office and was recognized for his dedication and passion to the Association and again received the highest honor the QCHBA bestows upon a member.

“Kerry exemplifies the traits of what you’d expect from a Builder of the Year,” says Kris Ratigan, Director of Corporate Marketing of Mel Foster Co.  “He is passionate about real estate and the home building community and they recognize his efforts,” added Ratigan.

Kerry owns Vintage Homes Inc and is licensed in Iowa.  He is the incoming President for the Quad Cities Home Builders Association and Remodelers Council Board of Directors.  He is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, the Iowa Association of REALTORS®, and the Quad City Area REALTOR® Association.  He serves on many committees with the Quad Cities Home Builders Association and Remodelers Council.

Mel Foster Co. Announces Condon Leads QC Builders & Remodelers Assoc. in 2013

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Mel Foster Co. congratulates REALTOR®/Builder Pat Condon as the incoming President of the Quad Cities Home Builders and Remodelers Association for 2013.

Mr. Condon is a REALTOR®/Builder at Mel Foster Co.’s Bettendorf office and will assume the duties this month.  He owns J.P. Condon Inc. and is licensed in Iowa.  Pat has been a REALTOR® with Mel Foster Co. for 41 years, building homes for 26 years and developing land for 22 years.  He is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, the Iowa Association of REALTORS®, the Quad City Area REALTOR® Association, and the Quad Cities Home Builders and Remodelers Association,

Mel Foster Co. Gets Colorful with Color the Quads 5K

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Get ready for the most colorful, fun-filled day of your life on Saturday, June 1!  Mel Foster Co. is the presenting sponsor for Color the Quads 5K and Kid’s Color Dash, unique races that allow runners and walkers to get blasted with bursts of color powder on the course.  This race format is popular with avid runners, families and walkers throughout the country and Mel Foster Co. is proud to bring the color fun to the Quad Cities.

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 5L early registration fee is $30 until February 1, $35 until April 1 and $40 until May 27.  The fee includes race entry, t-shirt and swag bag.

The Kid’s Color Dash cost is $15 until April 1 and $20 until May 27.  This 400-yard dash for children 2-7 years old is at 9:00 a.m. on June 1.  All race participants are invited to attend the colorful after-party.

How to prepare for pre-qualification

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You’re ready to commit to a mortgage. So what’s the next step? Either before you start making plans to find an agent or at the same time, you need to meet with your bank or lender. Pre-qualification is the very first step in determining how much house you can afford and how much a lender will be willing to loan you. There is typically no cost to pre-qualify but there is also no commitment from the lender at this point to loan you money. It’s a dry-run of the pre-approval process and will help you set important spending boundaries.

Get a handle on your financial situation and gather up all the paperwork your lender will likely want to see. Be prepared to show these documents: tax returns from the last two years; all W-2 tax forms from the last two years; all account statements, such as credit card, checking and saving accounts; three most recent pay stubs; a letter of promotion notice, if this applies to your job situation; CDs, 401k, 457 and all other retirement account statements; and identification, such as drivers license.

The information you gather can be used to determine how much house you can afford. Click here to use the online calculator.

Once you meet with your lender, he or she will determine if you pre-qualify and will explain the terms of the loan, closing costs and other inspections that may be required to secure a loan at that institution.

The next step in the homebuying process is getting pre-approved by the bank. This is a tentative commitment from the lender for mortgage funding and will be explored in greater detail in future blog posts.

Mel Foster Co. Teams Up with American Red Cross

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Mel Foster Co. and the American Red Cross are partnering to give the gift that saves lives this holiday season.  The Quad Cities and surrounding communities are invited to donate blood during a convenient blood drive.

Mel Foster Co. is hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, December 18, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 3211 East 35th St. Ct., Davenport.  Look for the Red Cross bus.

You are eligible to donate if you have not given blood since October 23, 2012.  Please bring ID – Red Cross donor card or photo ID.  To schedule an appointment to donate, contact Antra Wayne at 563-823-2226 or email awayne@melfosterco.com.

Your donation could help save three lives.  Your family member, neighbor, friend, or a co-worker may need blood this holiday season when donations are at their lowest.

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

Mel Foster Co. Announces New Director of Career and Agent Development

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Mel Foster Co. is proud to announce the addition of Margaret Schaad Beetz as their Director of Career & Agent Development.  Margaret is responsible for recruiting, and she will be an instructor for their new agent training as well as working with existing agents and managers in career development.

Margaret recently relocated from Englewood, FL and has over 26 years of extensive real estate experience.  Margaret started her career in a small office in north central Illinois.  She purchased that independent residential brokerage four years later in 1991.  As an owner/manager with personal multi-million dollar production during that time, Margaret handled all aspects of associate management, including recruiting, training and motivation in addition to property management.  She joined the Illini Valley Association of Realtors®, and served as Chairman of the Professional Standards, Finance, Membership and Equal Housing Committees, was elected President of the Association, and received the Realtor® of the Year Award in 1995.  During that time she also received the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) designation.

In 1999, Margaret sold her brokerage business and moved to Orlando, Florida to work for Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate in the Winter Springs office, specializing in Relocation services for transferring buyers and sellers.

In 2001, Margaret joined Coldwell Banker Sunstar Realty as a branch manager for their Englewood, Florida office.  She also managed a second office for Sunstar in Port Charlotte for three years.  During that time, the production of those two offices was instrumental in the company achieving the coveted Coldwell Banker Chairman’s Circle award, which also helped position the company in the Top 500 Power Brokers Survey each year of her employment.  Premier Office awards for outstanding production from Coldwell Banker Corporation were received for both of the offices Margaret managed in addition to the Web Image Designation award.

Margaret served on the local MLS committee, the Professional Standard committee as well as three year Director of the Englewood Area Board of Realtors®, prior to being elected in 2008 as President-elect, and President for 2009.  She received their Realtor® of the Year Award for 2009.

As a Charter member of the Englewood-on-the-Beach Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors®, Margaret served as Chair of the Nominating Committee, Vice-President of Membership, President-elect and President.  As a member of the Florida Association of Realtors®, she served on the Risk Management and Professional Standards State Committees.

Prior to moving to Iowa, Margaret was employed by Keller Williams Realty in Englewood, Florida as the CEO and Team Leader.  During her first year as their Business Coach, the Market Center attained the top position both for sold sides and volume on the “mainland” for the year 2010 in the Englewood area according to the My Florida Regional MLS.

You may reach Margaret at her office at 3211 East 35th St. Ct. Davenport, IA, by phone at 563-823-2237 or email mbeetz@melfosterco.com.


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