Advantages of listing your home in the Fall.

Advantages of Selling Your Home In The Fall

Selling your home in the fall has its perks. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the only time of year to sell a house is in May, June and July. Consider why putting your home on the market with Mel Foster Co. now is a great idea.

Buyers Are Motivated

While it’s true that real estate transactions typically slow as summer wanes, it’s also true that buyers still in the market in the fall are motivated. There tend to be fewer personal and professional distractions, allowing buyers to focus on the home search as a top priority. And in the Midwest, the looming winter weather prompts buyers to find a home and close quickly, allowing homeowners more opportunity to sell on their terms.

More Agent Attention

In the fall, sellers often enjoy heightened attention from real estate agents, appraisers, and loan officers, as these professionals typically have more availability. This allows for an elevated, more personalized level of service, making the transaction process smoother and more enjoyable for everyone. Plus, with fewer transactions during this season, lenders can often facilitate faster closings, helping sellers achieve their goals more quickly.

Fall Curb Appeal At A Peak

Autumn’s vibrant colors and variety of seasonal décor options allow sellers to really pump up the curb appeal. Pumpkins, mums, a seasonal doormat, and throw pillows on your porch furniture can create a welcoming, cozy first impression of your property. And since homes with good curb appeal can sell for 7% more on average than homes with less-welcoming exteriors, maximizing this time of year to sell is simply a smart decision.

End-Of-Year Tax Benefits

Closing before the end of the year has great benefits for sellers.

  • Selling costs like legal, escrow, advertising, agent commissions and home staging fees are tax-deductible if they make your home more marketable so you can ask for a higher sales price. Other tax-deductible costs include painting the house, repairing the roof or replacing the water heater as long as those upgrades are made within 90 days of the closing.
  • Capital gains are profits from selling your home. While these profits are taxed as income, you can exclude up to $250,000 if single and $500,000 if married from these gains as long as you lived in your home for at least two of the past five years.
  • You can deduct the amount you paid in property taxes last year up to $10,000 once you’ve sold your home.

Find more selling tips for homeowners.

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

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 in November 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:

  • Listing Practices: November 13 & 14
  • Buying Practices: November 15 & 18
  • Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices: November 19 & 20

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 November 10th and spaces are limited so register today or email schoolofrealestate@melfosterco.com with questions.

Mel Foster Co. School of Real Estate

Mel Foster Co. Launches School of Real Estate to Cultivate Next Generation of Industry Leaders

Mel Foster Co., a leader in real estate services for over 100 years, is proud to announce the launch of the Mel Foster Co. School of Real Estate. This new venture provides aspiring real estate professionals with the education and skills to launch careers and excel in today’s competitive market.

The Mel Foster Co. School of Real Estate offers a comprehensive curriculum covering essential topics such as property law, market analysis, negotiation strategies, professionalism and ethical practices, and cutting-edge real estate technology. Classes will be led by seasoned industry professionals, offering students invaluable insights and mentorship from those with years of hands-on experience.

“We are thrilled to open the Mel Foster Co. School of Real Estate,” said Talent Acquisition and Agent Development Director, Carie Nesbitt of Mel Foster Co. “As the real estate landscape continues to evolve, the need for well-trained, knowledgeable agents is greater than ever. Our goal is to equip students with the tools they need to succeed and positively impact their communities.”

Students who enroll in the Mel Foster Co. School of Real Estate will benefit from flexible class schedules, both in-person and online learning options, and ongoing support from the Mel Foster Co. network of real estate professionals. Graduates will be well-prepared to pursue licensure and begin their careers with a strong foundation in real estate.

Mel Foster Co. is committed to nurturing local talent and fostering growth within the communities it serves. With the launch of this school, the company further solidifies its role as a leader in real estate services and education and professional development.

For more information, visit https://www.melfosterco.com/schoolofrealestate or email joinus@melfosterco.com.

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.


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