Buying a Vacation Home
Staging Tips For Your Home
Staging your home wisely can help you attract a larger pool of potential buyers. When sellers properly stage their home, according to RIS Media’s data, they receive an average of $2 in increased sale price for every $1 they put into smart staging. Try these five methods to make the most of your dollars and get your home ready to show:
Neutralize
- Paint walls in soothing colors
- Aim for universal appeal in design
- Keep accessories to a minimum
Modernize
- Add updated handles on cabinets
- Refinish hardwood floors
- Consider replacing front door
Sanitize
- Get carpets professionally cleaned
- Deep clean appliances and drawers
- Make sure your windows sparkle
Depersonalize
- Remove family photos
- Take down busy wallpaper
- Erase traces of personal hobbies
Maximize
- Declutter to open up space
- Add shelving to get items off the floor
- Add a mirror to reflect light
Mel Foster Co. is ready to assist you during all steps of the home selling process. Find suggestions on selling to millennials and other homeowner selling tips.
Parade of Homes Spring 2020
See the latest trends in new home construction at the Spring 2020 Quad Cities Parade of Homes. Admission is free! QCBR recommends practicing social distancing and encourages wearing a mask. The Parade of Homes schedule is as follows:
Saturday, June 13 & Sunday June 14 from 1pm-5pm
Wednesday, June 17 from 5pm – 7pm
Saturday, June 20 & Sunday, June 21 from 1pm-5pm
4820 Lakeside Drive, Bettendorf, IA |
5656 Contour Way, Bettendorf, IA |
5615 Contour Way, Bettendorf, IA |
 19430 251st Avenue, Bettendorf, IA 5 BR, 3.5 BA Nearly One Acre Lot Stunning Pond Paved Golf Cart Path to DCC BY APPOINTMENT ONLY |
 5529 Pigeon Creek Road, Bett., IA 5 BR, 6.5 BA 6,755 Sq. Ft. Finished Living Space Granite, Granite & More Granite 15×30 Theatre Room in Basement |
 1613 Rhinelander Court, Dav., IA 4 BR, 3 BA Open Ranch Floor Plan Cathedral Ceiling in Great Room DRIVE BY ONLY |
6201 Lillie Avenue, Davenport, IA |
1071 Muirfield Circle, Eldridge, IA |
Make the Move: Comparing DIY to Professional Movers
Create A Home Bathroom Spa
You’ve been dreaming of designing your own peaceful bathroom retreat where you can relax and unwind. It’s time to convert your basic bathroom into a spa-like oasis that offers you the solitude you seek.
Upgrade Features
Pamper yourself by upgrading your shower with a massage or rainfall shower head, especially if you don’t have a large soaking tub to indulge in. Choose a unique shower head that has several features like a waterfall, high pressure water or even a hand-held option. Add heated floors in the bathroom for even more luxury.
Add Elements of Nature
Incorporate houseplants and flowers to add natural color and life to the room. Indoor plants are an easy way to turn your bathroom into a more tranquil setting. Consider bud vases that you can fill with blooms from your own garden or a larger vase you can fill with your favorite flowers.
Select Soothing Accents
Choose paint colors that provide a relaxing atmosphere. Treat yourself to deluxe new towels and a bathmat that feels plush and even a little lavish. You deserve it.
Declutter and Organize
Keep bathroom essentials you use on a daily basis handy, but store away the rest of your care products in organized bins in the cabinet. Allow an easy, regular routine without adding angst over an overcrowded countertop or cluttered drawers.
Introduce Aromas
Try infusing essential oils into the room or add scented candles and soaps that evoke a happy memory or calming effect. Lavender or eucalyptus tend to be popular options, but select whatever scent makes you the happiest.
Consider the many different ways you can update your home while increasing your property value.
Tips to Condominium Living
Global Network Tops Industry with $257 Billion in Home Sales Among Top 500 U.S. Firms
Lynsey Engels, President, Real Estate Brokerage at Mel Foster Co. Inc. announced today that its global real estate network, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, continues to lead the industry in sales volume among the top 500 U.S. firms, with $257 billion in U.S. home sales in 2019, $38 billion ahead of its closest competitor, according to the REAL Trends 500. LeadingRE represents 24% of transaction sides among these firms and 20% of total sales volume. Overall, the global real estate network of 550 firms participated in 1.1 million transactions worldwide.
“We are pleased that our network continues to achieve such impressive sales results year after year, but, more importantly, we take pride in the other ways our members lead. Our true leadership can be seen in the countless ways our members give back to their communities, as well as in their efforts to serve home buyers and sellers safely and responsibly during these challenging times,” said LeadingRE President/CEO Paul Boomsma.
With members in 70 countries, LeadingRE is the largest network of market-leading independent real estate firms. As a member, Mel Foster Co. has access to innovative, performance-driven programs, including award-winning learning resources and events, innovative technology and marketing, an industry-leading referral network, and connections to people and opportunities worldwide.
“The by-invitation-only Leading RE network provided us unparalleled performance and trusted relationships that result in exceptional client experiences, and it gives us one more way to bring together buyers and sellers,” said Engels.
For more information on Mel Foster Co., visit melfosterco.com . To learn more about Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, visit LeadingRE.com.
Lower Your Energy Bills
Save money on your energy bills by making a few adjustments to your normal routines at home. Even small efforts to change your habits can result in big savings, both today and for the long term too.
Change Your Furnace Filters Regularly
Homeowners should change air filters often to help extend the life of your furnace and help with air quality in your home. Better air quality will help your HVAC system run more efficiently and therefore save you money on your utility bills.
Have A Professional Check For Air Leaks
Small air leaks in uninsulated attic or crawl spaces are a major source of cooling loss in the home. It makes good sense to hire a professional to evaluate your home and to place the insulation properly to seal up leaks. This will help to lower cooling costs.
Make The Most Of Your Thermostat
Air conditioners and furnaces consume the most energy in a home. Buy a programmable thermostat that allows you to raise the temperature up to 10 degrees while you’ll be away at work or on vacation. Setting the temps higher when you’ll be gone in the summer can make a noticeable difference in your monthly savings.
Use Less Hot Water Doing Laundry
When doing laundry the big expense is heating the water. Detergents are designed to perform in temps of 65 to 85 degrees F. And cold water is just as effective for rinsing as warm or hot. So dial back those temperature settings to use less hot water and spend less money.
Replace Appliances
Older appliances are typically less energy-efficient, so replacing an old furnace or water heater with a newer model will provide savings in the long run. Do your research to determine which models offer the best return on your investment.
Find additional ways to save money by connecting with a Mel Foster Insurance producer today and ensuring you have all the right homeowner’s policies in place.
Common Home Inspection Mistakes
Key Real Estate Terms To Know When Buying And Selling
Buying or selling a home can sometimes feel complicated because of unfamiliar terminology being used by experts in the field. Learning a few keys terms before you get fully involved in the process will allow you to feel knowledgeable and capable of handling the task of buying and selling a home.
As-is
A property marketed in as-is condition usually means the seller is unwilling to perform most, if not all, repairs and often indicates that no warranty or certification is being provided. This term often implies that the property is in less than optimal condition.
Conventional sale
A conventional sale is when the property is owned outright (has no mortgage remaining) or the owner owes less on their mortgage than what the market indicates the owner could sell their property for. Conventional sales are often smoother transactions than non-conventional sales, such as foreclosures or short sales.
Days on market (DOM)
DOM is defined as the number of days from the date on which the property is listed for sale on the local real estate brokers’ multiple listing service (MLS) to the date when the seller has signed a contract for the sale of the property. A low average DOM indicates a market that favors sellers. A high average DOM signals a market that favors buyers.
Mortgage pre-approval letter
A mortgage pre-approval letter is issued by the lender and identifies the terms, loan type and loan amount the buyer qualifies for. Getting a mortgage pre-approval letter is important because it gives home buyers an idea of what they can afford.
Purchase and sale agreement (PSA)
A purchase and sale agreement is a written contract between the buyer and seller which outlines the terms to sell and purchase property. When a home is said to be under contract, it usually means that the buyer and seller have formalized their commitment to sell and purchase property.
Title search
A title search examines public records for the history of the home including sales, purchases, taxes and other types of liens. A title examiner will conduct a search using title plants and county records to see who is listed as the record owner of the property.
While these are just a few terms that you may come across during the process of buying or selling a home, working with a Mel Foster Co. agent will guarantee an expert is handling your business.
Find a Mel Foster Co. agent today.