Turn Your Home into a Smart Home

Easy Smart House Options
Easy Smart House Options

Smart homes are becoming increasingly popular, for buyers and sellers. Being able to control numerous features of your home with a smart system isn’t only convenient, it also can also increase security. Here are some easy options to make your home smart.

  1. Smart Electronics

Connect lights, power strips and televisions to your smart system. You can control lights and devices directly from your phone, at any location. If you left a device turned on, you can check on its status and turn it off from anywhere. It’s not only convenient, but also a great way to lower your energy bill.

  1. Security Cameras

Cameras are a great way to monitor your home when you’re gone. You can set up notification systems for certain rooms or outdoor areas of your house. When the system detects motion, you’ll be able to immediately access the camera feed on your phone. You’ll have peace of mind, and more control over your home.

  1. Control Connected Devices

This is a great way to add a futuristic feeling to your home. Many control devices like Amazon’s “Alexa” or Google’s “Home Controller” are activated through your phone and respond to voice commands. You can control the temperature, stereo systems, lighting and multiple other appliances just by giving the device a voice command. It’s a very user-friendly way to instantly give you more remote control of your home.

Mel Foster Co.’s Boland Addresses Global Real Estate Event

Mel Foster Leading RE Logo 2016Deb Boland, Director of Relocation with Mel Foster Co., spoke at the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® Annual Conference, which took place March 1-3 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The conference was part of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE) Conference Week, a series of events that drew an impressive audience of 2,000 real estate professionals from 25 countries.

The prestigious event was open only to brokers, managers and relocation professionals affiliated with LeadingRE, a selective global community of the highest quality independent real estate companies. Attendees examined the dynamic factors impacting today’s real estate market and explored ways to best meet the needs of home buyers and sellers.

Boland presented information on Streamlining Relocation Operations for Optimal Results, sharing insights on creating and managing relocation processes.  “To be able to share thoughts and processes with colleagues who have the same goals is important as it helps us grow and face the new relocation challenges of today,” said Boland.  “We have been very successful creating and managing a relocation services department within Mel Foster Co. It was our privilege to share our best practices at the conference and learn from others who offer relocation services around the world.”

Boland was among a notable line-up of speakers, which included keynote speakers John Foley, former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels; Josh Linkner, New York Times bestselling author, successful five-time entrepreneur, venture capitalist and national columnist; LeadingRE Chief Economist Marci Rossell; and an impressive line-up of industry thought leaders, marketing strategists and technology innovators.

“We are so thankful for our member speakers who share their professional insights and success strategies with their fellow members,” said Pam O’Connor, president/CEO of LeadingRE. “This spirit of collaboration and generosity really sets our global community apart and ensures our event provides such timely and pertinent content for attendees.”

Lynsey Engels, President Real Estate Brokerage, Mel Foster Co. says, “Deb’s expertise is invaluable and we are honored that she has been selected by her peers at Leading RE to provide her knowledge and expertise at the conference.”

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 550 firms and 130,000 sales associates who produce over 1.2 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. Relocation, please visit www.melfosterco.com.

Moving to a New City

Blog Moving Mar 2017If you’re moving to a new city and considering buying, follow these tips from Mel Foster Co. to find the perfect home for you.

  1. Do Your Research

It may seem obvious, but doing research ahead of time is crucial to finding a place to meet your needs. A few months before you move, begin physically visiting properties in your new city. It might be time consuming, but you’ll have a much better idea of the size and budget of your potential housing if you look in person rather than just online.

  1. Think Long-Term

You might be tempted to select the most inexpensive option when you first arrive in your new town, but you should consider your long-term options, too. Perks such as being close to entertainment venues may seem important now, but in a few years, your situation may change, and you may be thinking about starting a family. How many bedrooms will you need, what school district are you in, and are you still close to your work? These are all long term questions you should think about before committing to short-term housing.

  1. Hire a Realtor®

All the preparation in the world isn’t a substitute for professional help in your home search, especially in an unfamiliar area. Sellers pay the commission fee, so you have nothing to lose by seeking professional help. If you’re interested in specific neighborhoods, be sure to mention this as some Realtors® are more specialized in certain locations.

Get help finding a home in your new city by working with Mel Foster Co.’s relocation specialists. They can help you connect with an agent in any city around the world and there is no cost to use relocation services. Contact relocation today.

Mel Foster Insurance Earns Leadership Circle Status

MF INSURANCE LOGOMel Foster Co. Inc. is proud to announce its insurance division, Mel Foster Insurance, has earned a spot in the 2017 Leadership Circle for Integrity Insurance, a property and casualty carrier.  This recognition honors the top-tier of agencies for their work in 2016. To achieve Leadership Circle status, Mel Foster Insurance met specific criteria based on premium, profitability and growth.

Integrity President Jill Wagner Kelly stated, “Mel Foster Insurance is among the best of the best. They are a strong partner who is committed to providing top-notch service and expertise to policyholders. It’s a pleasure to see them thrive and write profitable business with Integrity.”

“This recognition is truly an honor. While the criteria for receiving this leadership status include reaching milestones for premium, profitability, growth and loss ratio, it’s the staff we have at Mel Foster Insurance, that earns and keeps business from local clients, that really helps set us apart,” said Mel Foster Insurance President Marc Engels.

Mel Foster Insurance is located at 3218 E 35th St C, Davenport, IA. For more information on their services, visit melfosterinsurance.com.


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