Quad Cities Builders and Remodelers 2024 Fall Parade of Homes

2024 Fall Parade of Homes

Explore the latest trends in new home construction at the 2024 Quad Cities Fall Parade of Homes, presented by the Quad Cities Builders and Remodelers Association. With free admission, this event is your opportunity to tour a variety of new homes and discover innovative design ideas, building techniques, and remodeling inspiration. Join us for the Fall Parade of Homes and see why Mel Foster Co. is your go-to source for new construction homes.

SCHEDULE:
Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20 from 1 PM – 4 PM
Wednesday, October 23 from 5 PM – 7 PM
Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27 from 1 PM – 4 PM

  • 2 Bedroom, 2 Baths
  • Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
  • Quartz Countertops
  • 4 Season Room
  • ASPEN HOMES
  • 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath
  • Ranch Style Villa
  • 9′ Ceilings
  • 4 Season Room
  • ASPEN HOMES

To view all the homes in the parade and learn more about the Quad Cities Builders and Remodelers Fall Parade of Homes, click here.

Photo of a modern custom single-level suburban home on a sunny summer day

Mortgage Interest Rates Drop

After months of high interest rates, mortgage rates are declining. This rate decline means good things for sellers. While it’s true that you should consider selling your home if the timing with the financial market andyour situation aligns, now is a great time to get your house on the market. A Mel Foster Co. agent can help you get started.

Interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve Bank have begun and are expected to continue into 2025. This decline in mortgage rates is driving more buyers into the housing market. Mortgage rates have decreased significantly since the beginning of August 2024.

Home sales have also increased after months of declines. So, if you’re a homeowner thinking about selling, a spike in buyer activity works in your favor. Since the market has become more accessible to a wider range of buyers and there is more competition for available homes, these factors can lead to higher offers and your home may be on the market for a shorter period of time.

Work with your local Mel Foster Co. agent to make the most of increased buyer demand and get your house ready to sell. Focus on these projects first when preparing your house to sell:

  • Find a Mel Foster Co. agent and use their expertise from the start
  • Consider a pre-sale home inspection to determine any trouble areas to correct
  • Invest time in your home’s curb appeal
  • Declutter and tidy up storage areas like the garage, basement and closets
  • Do the deep clean
  • Gather warranties and user manuals to pass along at closing

Find more selling tips for homeowners.

Mel Foster Co. Luxury Collection Logo

Mel Foster Co. Unveils New Luxury Collection Division, Redefining High-End Real Estate

Mel Foster Co., a leader in real estate innovation, announces the launch of its new Luxury Collection Division. This exclusive division serves sellers seeking concierge-level services to market their $850,000 or higher property and buyers in the same price category.

The Mel Foster Co. Luxury Collection emphasizes personalized service and cutting-edge technology and leverages the company’s expansive global network. This new division delivers a bespoke experience for buyers and sellers of luxury real estate. Agents with Luxury Collection listings must have extensive local and global market expertise and are given access to premium marketing assets to attract qualified buyers.

“We understand that luxury transcends a mere price point; it’s about crafting a custom experience,” said Lynsey Engels, President of the Real Estate Brokerage division. “Our new Luxury Collection Division is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence. We offer all our clients a unique blend of market insight, attention to detail, and the highest standards of service. However, we also recognize that homes in our market’s highest price range require a different mix of marketing due to the limited number of prospective buyers.”

Key highlights of the Luxury Collection Division include:

  • Tailored Marketing Strategies: Custom marketing campaigns designed to showcase each property’s unique features, targeting affluent buyers through both traditional and digital channels.
  • Global Reach: Leveraging Mel Foster Co.’s international connections with its affiliation with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World.
  • Discreet Transactions: Offering confidentiality and discretion for clients who require privacy in their real estate dealings.

The launch of the Luxury Collection Division marks a significant milestone for Mel Foster Co., underscoring its commitment to leading the luxury real estate market in our area with innovation, integrity and exceptional service.

Downside of Selling without an Agent

Downside Of Selling Without An Agent

When you’re getting ready to sell your home, you have a lot of choices to make. Selling is one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll face in your lifetime. There are downsides to selling your home without an experienced agent to guide you. A Mel Foster Co. agent can help you answer these questions.

How Do I Know The Right Listing Price?

Pricing your home correctly from the start is critical to a successful sale. Will I have the tools and market analysis to calculate and set an accurate home value? What happens if the price I set exceeds the value after appraisal? Work with a Mel Foster Co. agent from the start, and they can provide you with a free competitive market analysis to help you price your home in line with market activity.

Who Markets The Property?

Some sellers choose to get the word out about their property independently, without the help of an agent. But is word-of-mouth enough to find a buyer? For sale by owner is one option for selling, but the responsibility to market the home falls solely on the owner. A  Mel Foster Co. agent, with their extensive marketing resources and understanding of how to drive buyers to your home, can give you the confidence that your property will be marketed effectively.

What Projects Should I Do First?

Small improvement projects to get your home ready to sell can make a big difference in how it shows to buyers. But how do you know which projects will make the best impressions to buyers and yield the largest return on your investment? With their expertise and guidance, an agent will help you assess and make the right decisions, providing the support you need during this crucial stage of preparing to sell.

Why Does Negotiating Feel Overwhelming?

Most homebuyers believe it will be stressful to negotiate a home sale. Will I know the legal terms and regulations? Will I remain stern with my evaluations of fair pricing and practices? Know that a Mel Foster Co. agent is professionally trained and has negotiation expertise. They offer advice and are your advocate during the selling process.

Find more selling tips for homeowners.

Exterior of house

Why You Need An Agent

Choosing an agent when buying a home is more important now than ever. You want expert advice from a trusted Mel Foster Co. professional and will benefit significantly from their role as an advisor during the home purchasing process.

Market Value And Pricing

Agents help you understand the latest market trends that affect how a home is valued in your market. In today’s real estate environment, a fair but competitive offer is essential. A Mel Foster Co. agent will help you determine a fair offer price by pulling comparable recent home sales in your area. They know how to help you hit the mark.

Local and Industry Knowledge

Who better to have on your team than a local specialist who can help coach you through the ins and outs of the buying process? Especially since technology and data drive today’s buying success, knowing your agent is professionally trained and has local connections ensures you get the best advice. An agent is an unbiased advisor for a homebuyer and a great source when you have questions about local utilities, zoning rules and contractors.

Negotiation Experience

Most homebuyers believe it will be stressful to navigate the home-buying process without a real estate agent. An agent is not just a facilitator, but an advocate in negotiations. They have the expertise and experience to handle the details of offers, counteroffers and inspection, all the way to closing. They help you understand the fine print and regulations of the industry, ensuring you make informed decisions. Real estate agents are specialists, educators and negotiators. Each time you make a big life decision, especially a financial one, you need an expert on your side.

Connect with a local Mel Foster Co. agent today as you prepare to purchase your next home. Find more buying tips for homeowners.

RealTrends Verified 2024

MEL FOSTER CO. REALTORS NAMED TO REALTRENDS VERIFIED PREMIER LIST

Lynsey Engels, president of Real Estate Brokerage at Mel Foster Co. is pleased to announce that several of its agents have been named to the RealTrends Verified + Tom Ferry The Thousand as America’s Best real estate agents that continue to innovate and deliver outcomes for their clients and businesses.  RealTrends Verified is the world’s first dual-verified, fully transparent, and search-engine optimized real estate sales performance platform that brings historical relevance and benchmarking to professionals and consumers .

REALTrends Verified honors America’s finest real estate agents from each state and the country.  22,000 U.S. real estate sales associates from every state are featured in RealTrends Verified.  Those ranked are among the top 1.5% of the 1.5 million real estate professionals in the United States. 

The Mel Foster Co. real estate agents were ranked in these categories:

  • 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 Individuals By Sides in Iowa

Geri Doyle, REALTOR® with Mel Foster Co.
Geri Doyle, #2 by Sides in Iowa
Lucky Lang II, REALTOR® with Mel Foster Co.
Lucky Lang II, #45 by Sides in Iowa
Candy Reaves, REALTOR with Mel Foster Co.
Candy Reaves, #71 by Sides in Iowa
Jill Sorrell, REALTOR®
Jill Sorrell #77 by Sides in Iowa

Top Individual By Volume in Iowa

Geri Doyle, REALTOR® with Mel Foster Co.
Geri Doyle, #1 by Volume in Iowa

Top Individuals By Sides In Illinois

Dee Shepherd, REALTOR® with Mel Foster Co.
Dee Shepherd #25 by Sides In Illinois
Debbie Wright, REALTOR® with Mel Foster Co.
Debbie Wright, #94 by Sides in Illinois

Top Agents in the United States by Sides

Geri Doyle, REALTOR® with Mel Foster Co.
Geri Doyle, #124 out of 4,271 Nationwide

Top Agents in the United States by Volume

Geri Doyle, REALTOR® with Mel Foster Co.
Geri Doyle, #623 out of 9,420 Nationwide

Ms. Engels commented, “With this year’s release of the 2024 RealTrends Verified list + Tom Ferry The Thousand premier list, we are incredibly proud to have seven 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. Not only did Geri Doyle earn the top agent in 2023 for our company, but she is being nationally recognized in the Tom Ferry The Thousand as #124 out of 4,271 agents in sides and #623 out of 9,420 agents in volume! What an accomplishment!”

To qualify for inclusion, an individual agent must have closed 40 residential transaction sides or $16 million in closed sales volume in 2023. 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.  The Thousand represents the top 500 agents in the country and provides a national ranking to honorees. Verification from an independent source is required from all submissions.  In addition, REALTrends senior staff reviews every submission for completeness and accuracy.

To see the complete list go to RealTrends.com.

Quad Cities Builders & Remodelers Spring Preview of Homes 2024

2024 Spring Preview of Homes

Discover the latest trends in new home construction at the 2024 Spring Preview of Homes. Free admission. Join us to explore the Spring Preview of Homes hosted by Mel Foster Co. agents.

SCHEDULE:
Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12 from 1 PM – 4 PM
Wednesday, May 15 from 5 PM – 7 PM
Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 from 1 PM – 4 PM

  • Ranch Style Villa
  • 9′ Ceilings
  • 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath
  • 4 Season Room
  • 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths
  • Zero Entry
  • White Shaker Cabinets
  • 3′ Wide Doors
  • 3 Bedrooms and 2.5 Baths
  • 9′ Ceilings
  • Quartz Countertops
  • Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
  • DRIVE BY ONLY for May 11-12
  • Student Built Home
  • Ranch Style
  • Zero Entry from the Attached 2-Car Garage
  • 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

To see all the homes in the parade, click here.

Mid-sized to smaller blue exterior home

Downsizing When You Retire

As you approach retirement, it’s a perfect opportunity to consider downsizing. This decision can bring about a range of benefits, from financial savings to a more manageable lifestyle. To help you make an informed choice, here are some key questions to consider. 

How Has My Lifestyle Changed?

If you purchased a larger home when your family was growing, you might now find yourself an empty nester that no longer needs four bedrooms. Or maybe you wish you had a single-level home with no stairs and where the laundry room was closer to access. The upkeep, both inside and outside the house, is feeling cumbersome, and you can think of so many other things you’d rather be doing. If you find yourself agreeing with these statements, it’s time to consider downsizing.

Can A Mel Foster Co. Agent Help Me Prepare?

Connect with a Mel Foster Co. agent to discuss your moving goals. An agent can help you weigh your options, advise you on market trends and list your home on multiple listing services. Your agent can also provide you with a Competitive Market Analysis (CMA) to help you determine the most effective price for listing your home. Knowing your approximate sale proceeds will help create an accurate budget for buying your next home.

You can rely on your agent for advice on enhancing your home’s appeal to potential buyers and for finding a reputable staging source if needed. Agents can also connect you with reliable contractors if work needs to be done or photographers to capture images that best reflect your space. Agents can help you minimize your stress as you sell your home.

Why Could A Smaller Home Be Right For Me?

Downsizing can be a good way to cut down on expenses as you ease into retirement. Opting for a smaller home usually means a lower mortgage, less square footage to heat and cool, and may have lower maintenance costs. It means less yard to mow, leaves to bag, and weeds to pull. A smaller home often means fewer projects to complete giving you more time to spend doing things you really enjoy.

Plus, choosing to move on your terms has its merits. Move when you’re younger and healthier before life changes make it more difficult. Pass down family heirlooms you won’t need in a smaller home and enjoy watching the next generation appreciate these sentimental or functional items. Plan your next move now so you make the decisions and are able to choose your next home.

Find more selling tips for homeowners.

Kitchen Trends 2024

Kitchen Trends for 2024

Kitchen trends for 2024 support modern families needing convenience and versatility. Whether you’re updating an existing space or creating a design on a new construction home, consider the following options in your plans.

Open-Concept And Big Island

Homeowners want open-concept kitchens, meaning no wall separates the kitchen from an adjacent room. They also love the idea of a big island. Industry experts recommend 36 to 42 inches of walking space around your island for ideal flow. Kitchens serve as the home headquarters, where everyone gathers to socialize and meals are prepared and served. It’s time to make the space your favorite place in the home.

Green And Gold

There’s a shift from the all-white aesthetic to adding hues like green and blue, which are associated with colors found in nature and create a peaceful and refreshing atmosphere. Where silver dominated the kitchen accessory realm for many years, gold has risen in popularity for elevating the kitchen vibe and sophistication. 

Layered Lighting

Because the kitchen has become a multi-purpose space in the home, the lighting selections should be layered for variety. Bright bulbs in practical fixtures are ideal for meal preparation and large gatherings, but you can still layer in other styles of more ambient light from pendants over the island and sconces near your window for those quieter moments in the day.

Maximum Practical Storage

Built-in and hidden drawers for pull-out appliances are now very common in kitchen remodels. Homeowners want as much functional storage as possible so countertop space is clear. Storage features such as charging drawers, pet food and feeding stations, and even a toe-kick storage component are highly desired. 

Beverage Station

Coffee and beverage stations are trendy and lavish. But if you’re a fan of a homemade, French press cup of coffee or prefer a designated, fancy space to house your favorite varieties of tea, building a beverage station is just what you need to feel pampered daily. 

Sustainability

Waste not, want not. Homeowners are opting for cabinetry materials that have minimal environmental impact. Choose recycled wood and other renewable resources for their durability and carbon-friendly footprint. Selecting energy-efficient appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers that minimize energy consumption and reduce utility bills is a commitment to responsible living.

Find more tips for homeowners.

What are Home Warranties?

Difference Between Home Warranty and Homeowner’s Insurance

You’re on the hunt for a new home. Know the difference between a home warranty and homeowner’s insurance and the steps you can take to ensure you’re covered when finalizing your purchase.

It’s important to note that a home warranty and home insurance are not interchangeable. A home warranty, typically a 12-month contract purchased from an accredited company, acts as a safety net against malfunctions due to normal wear and tear of the appliances and maintenance systems in the home. This includes major systems like HVAC, water heater, plumbing, electrical and major appliances. Our recommended local company, TMI Warranty, L.L.C., offers homebuyers a reassuring peace of mind that these systems will remain in working order after the homebuyer takes possession.

A homeowner’s insurance policy is a 12-month policy purchased from a reputable insurance company, like Mel Foster Insurance, that protects the home’s value and covers losses or damages caused by unexpected events like fire, flood, theft or storm damage. Most lenders require home insurance when you take out a mortgage. While you’re not legally required to purchase a homeowner’s policy when buying a home, you will likely still have to buy some policy to safeguard your belongings.

According to Consumer Affairs, home warranties are paid monthly at between $40 and $60, while the average cost of an annual home warranty is $450 to $600 per year, depending on the provider and level of coverage. This financial aspect is crucial to consider when planning your home purchase. If you’re purchasing a new construction home or one built recently, a home warranty may not be necessary since your major systems should be in good shape.

Shifts in the housing market have given homebuyers more power. Today, there is a better balance and opportunities for mutual concessions during home-buying. Buyers knowledgeable about home warranties may ask that a home warranty be included in the final sale. This can serve as powerful leverage during negotiations, empowering the buyer.

Find more buying tips for homeowners.


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