davenport condos for sale – Page 9

Mel Foster Co. Agents Earn Premium Club Status

Posted on March 21, 2015

Lynsey Engels, President, Real Estate Brokerage at Mel Foster Co. Inc. is pleased to announce ten of their agents have received recognition in the 2014 Premier Club by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. The following agents received Premier Club status, based upon closed referrals between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014:

Zina Akre, Geneseo
Jodi Faulkner, Bettendorf
Lucky Lang, Davenport I-74
Don Marple, Davenport Kimberly Road
Norm Marcov, Davenport I-74
Tim Odey, Bettendorf
Judy Schmidt, Moline
Steve Sullivan, Moline
Jackie Turner, Galesburg
Pete Voss, Davenport Kimberly Road

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® is a global network of over 500 premier real estate firms. Leading RE is comprised of select independent real estate companies who set the standard of quality service, while generating a highest volume of referral, relocation, and real estate business opportunities for its members.

Mel Foster Co. Relocation division is lead by Deb Boland, and her team assists with moving in or out of the area, providing community tours, finding second homes and senior living. Contact our relocation specialist for more information at www.melfosterco.com

Mel Foster Co. Receives Relocation Recognition

Posted on March 14, 2015

Lynsey Engels, President, Real Estate Brokerage at Mel Foster Co. Inc. is pleased to announce that their Relocation Division, lead by Deb Boland, has been recognized as a recipient for the 2014 Global Alliance Club by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®.

Mel Foster Co.’s Relocation Department is one of 37 real estate companies to receive this honor. In order to be a part of this prestigious club, at least one referral must be sent and closed across country borders. The referral was to Alberta, Canada, therefore Mel Foster Co. can make it happen anywhere.

Not So Fast…Five Things To Check Before Writing An Offer.

Posted on March 11, 2015

You’re in love. The house seems perfect and you almost don’t want to know if it’s not. But before you blindly make an offer, be sure to check these five things.

Assess the grounds

Even if it’s cold and snowy, do a thorough walk around of the yard checking for drainage issues, major concrete shifts or cracks in the foundation.

Open every door and window

Check the locks, evaluate the operation and make sure every door and window opens and closes properly. Also check for any cracked glass that may be hidden behind window treatments.

Turn on every appliance

Be sure to check the stove, refrigerator and dishwasher in the kitchen and don’t forget the washer and dryer if you are asking for those items to be left for you. Also run both the furnace and central air to be sure the systems are functioning properly.

Check the water

Turn on each faucet and check for water pressure and leaks. Also flush every toilet. Be sure to check outdoor faucets.

Turn on the lights

Every interior and exterior light should be turned on. Also test the speed of ceiling fans and check the fan in the bathroom and the vent hood above the stove. If a light is not functioning, determine if it’s a burned out bulb or an electrical issue.

Doing this quick checklist will uncover major issues, before you write up an offer or schedule a home inspection. For added peace of mind after you move in, consider purchasing a Mel Foster Co. Advantage Home Warranty Plan.

For more information on The Mel Foster Co. Advantage Home Warranty Plan, contact one of our experienced professionals.

Living Large In A Tiny Home.

Posted on February 25, 2015

The days of the ginormous McMansion are coming to an end. People are starting to downsize, understanding that less is more when owning a home. Have you thought about the option of a micro home? These miniature homes, trailers, and even converted shipping containers are growing in popularity nationwide. With this growing niche in real estate, perhaps it’s time to give micro housing some serious consideration. Ask your agent to search for homes with less square footage or find a small parcel of land to build your own micro home.

Take a look at just a few of the benefits of living in a tiny house.

Reduced Cost

A smaller home can mean lower building costs, insurance, taxes and utilities. If you decide to build, you may be able to afford the construction cost outright, eliminating the need for a home loan. As a homeowner, who wouldn’t want more disposable income!

Reduced Clutter

With a micro home comes the idea of a simpler life. Less space means less room for unnecessary clutter. You may find that all that “stuff” you thought you needed was simply just junk taking up space. In a micro home, a minimalistic lifestyle becomes a necessity. With less square footage, you are more likely to only keep necessities. And think of the time you’ll save cleaning a smaller house!

Green Living

Micro homes use far fewer resources than a traditional home. Micro homes use less land, fewer materials, and make a much smaller dent in natural resources traditionally utilized to keep a traditional home running.

Mel Foster Co. Receives Website Quality Certification

Posted on February 17, 2015

Mel Foster Co. has been awarded the Website Quality Certification (WQC) from Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®, an international network of more than 500 premier real estate firms. Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®(LeadingRE) presents the certification to member companies that demonstrate best practices in website design, technology and service.

Mel Foster Co’s website, www.melfosterco.com, earned the certification after achieving superior marks on a range of measurements, including usability and performance, design and content, interactivity, customer service and Internet lead management, search engine optimization and mobile. The website was evaluated by Virtual Results, LLC, a real estate internet and social marketing firm enlisted by LeadingRE to review the websites.

WQC is a program available only to firms affiliated with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® and is awarded based on criteria that is updated annually to reflect the latest in internet marketing strategies. To maintain the certification, companies are re-certified every two years.

“We are delighted to recognize the 117 companies that earned the WQC this year and applaud them for creating websites that attract and engage today’s consumers, providing useful information on homes and communities and supporting them with local expertise,” said Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® President/CEO Pam O’Connor.

“We are thrilled to receive this designation again as we continually enhance our website to ensure users are getting the best possible experience and pertinent details from our site,” said Mel Foster Co. President of Brokerage, Lynsey Engels.

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

Get A Jump On The Spring Home Buying Season.

Posted on February 12, 2015

With winter’s cold weather still lingering, spring can seem far, far away, but now is the time to get a jump-start on preparing yourself for the spring home buying season. Here are a few good tips to help you prepare.

Create Your Wish List

Curl up by the fireplace and make a wish list for everything you’d want in a new home. Now is the time to really think and prioritize when it comes to must haves in your new home. What does your new home need to have? What can you live without?

Pick A Neighborhood

Do a little research on the area or areas where you want to live. Do you have a school district in mind? Do you want an urban space? Are you looking for acreage in the country? Have you had your eye on that new subdivision just north of town? Now is the time to learn as much as you can about your potential new area.

Find An Agent

It is important that you consider working with a licensed real estate professional in order to save yourself time, money and hassle. There can be a lot of confusion and guesswork if you are out there navigating the market on your own, especially as a first time buyer. Working with a Mel Foster agent will give you the expertise and guidance you need to reach your home buying goals. You can find an agent by name or office location by clicking here.

Mel Foster Co. Nominated for Performance Awards

Posted on February 6, 2015

Lynsey Engels, President, Real Estate Brokerage at Mel Foster Co. Inc. is pleased to announce that their Relocation Division, lead by Deb Boland, has been nominated by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® for three Awards for production in 2014. Mel Foster Co. is one of five real estate companies nominated for these awards in their size category. The three Awards of Excellence nominations include:

Sales Production – determined by the number of outgoing closed referrals
Referral Production – determined by the number of outgoing sent referrals
Incoming Conversion Rate – determined by the number of incoming closings with the number of incoming referrals

The awards will be presented during the Annual Performance Awards Dinner and Ceremony in Las Vegas later this month. For the past 20 years, Mel Foster Co.’s Relocation Division has been nominated for an award from Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®.

Supporting Our Hunger

Posted on February 2, 2015

Mel Foster Co. is proud to participate again in the Student Hunger Drive Corporate Challenge. The competition kicks off today and runs thru February 27.

Each Mel Foster Co. office is conducting an internal food drive by collecting donations of money and/or canned food items for the Student Hunger Drive. For last year’s corporate challenge, Mel Foster Co. received the Bronze Award for Division B collecting 37.25 pounds per employee and their insurance division won the internal drive.

“Supporting those in need is what being a community partner is all about”, says Lynsey Engels, President of Brokerage Division of Mel Foster Co. She added, “Mel Foster Co. is proud to continue our tradition of supporting the Student Hunger Drive, and our agents and staff look forward to helping create awareness in the fight against hunger in our area.”

Search Listings From Your Warm Car.

Posted on December 29, 2014

Find homes with the Foster Finder — Mel Foster App

Searching for a home can be a real drag in the winter. It’s cold, snowy and just not fun. If you are looking to buy, you can use Mel Foster Co.’s free app, Foster Finder, to search with your smart phone without leaving your warm car. Your phone’s camera and GPS technology show all homes for sale around you. All you need to do is drive to the neighborhood where you to live. It goes without saying, you shouldn’t be the one driving while you’re using the cool app.

You can download the free app for either iPhone^® or Android^TM devices. Just go to your phone’s app store or find the links by clicking here. Install and launch the app. Click on Foster Finder at the bottom right of your screen and see all homes for sale, from every listing company, right on your screen.

The Foster Finder is a great mobile tool when you have a target neighborhood but aren’t sure what’s for sale. Just drive to your desired location and use the app to show you the listings. It’s cool and saves you a ton of time.

Want to be closer to your kid’s school? Head over there and use Foster Finder to uncover all of the listings. You can do the same from work or your favorite hang out or restaurant.

Using Foster Finder is the smart and easy way to search for homes in every season.

Where Gen Y Buyers Can Find A Diamond In The Rough.

Posted on December 21, 2014

When shopping for a home, check out transitional city neighborhoods that might just be on the verge of revitalization. You might find a great price or a really unique home that’s in the middle of the action. There are several reasons why you should consider all of your options when searching for your new home.

Urban neighborhoods are home to coffee shops and corner stores. Boutiques and other quirky shops can add the character you might be missing in a traditional suburban setting.

Young couples or singles, who aren’t ready to give up a thriving nightlife, are often drawn to downtown lofts, converted warehouse spaces or even upper floors of shops and restaurants. Living downtown may give you more opportunities to make friends who are your age.

Many times, living in an urban area gives you easier access to public transportation that could significantly reduce your annual transportation budget, if you’re fortunate enough to no longer need the use of a car.

Farmer’s markets and food co-ops are also becoming very popular in urban areas. With access to organic and farm fresh food, your health and wallet could be thanking you. Another point of consideration is that living in densely populated areas gives you the potential for exposure to other ethnic groups and cultures. New and interesting food and customs could become just another perk of your new neighborhood.

Downtown homes or lofts are often smaller than homes out in the burbs. This means less to clean, a smaller yard or maybe no yard to mow, and your utility bill may be smaller in a smaller home. You have your whole life to move out to the suburbs. Look around your downtown for the hot spots that fit your budget and style.

Count on a Mel Foster Co. agent to help you identify up and coming neighborhoods and the programs that may make homeownership more affordable to you. Find an agent at your local office.