davenport new construction for sale – Page 2

How To Find A Family-Friendly Neighborhood.

Posted on September 10, 2014

It’s time to find a neighborhood full of families, to give your kids opportunities to build friendships and memories. Your best resource for locating these family-friendly neighborhoods is your agent.

If you’ve located a possible neighborhood, and wonder if there are lots of kids, take a look around. Look for swing sets, bicycles, basketball hoops or chalk drawings on the driveways or sidewalks. These are signs of a family-friendly neighborhood.

Also check the surrounding area for parks, playgrounds or pools. These amenities are an indication that families are most likely close by. These locations may also boost your sense of community if you frequent them with other families from your neighborhood.

Once you’ve settled on a neighborhood, you’ll need to know what homes are for sale in the area. Search by address or define an area on an interactive map on the Mel Foster Co. website. Another great search tool is the Mel Foster Co. app. It’s free and you simply launch the app in the neighborhood you desire and all homes for sale pop up on your screen with the Foster Finder. The app shows all homes for sale, not just Mel Foster Co. listings.

Looking for a family friendly neighborhood?

Three Reasons to List Your House Today.

Posted on May 15, 2014

With the welcome change in the weather, now is the time to put your home on the market. As a potential seller, you may have several reservations keeping you from taking the plunge. There are a few very compelling reasons why you should consider selling your home this spring rather than waiting.

1. Now is the time for an upgrade

If you are considering an upgrade to a larger or more expensive home, now is the perfect time to make your move. Prices are forecasted to appreciate by 4% by the end of this year, and nearly double that by the end of 2015. If you wait, your move could end up costing you more. Making a move this spring is going to get you more home for your money.

2. Competition

Housing inventory always grows steadily starting in spring and through the summer. Homeowners are also starting to see a return to positive equity in their homes as prices rise. Over time that is only going to increase, meaning more homes will be coming to market. Putting your home up for sale this spring will give you a jump-start and help you stand out to early bird buyers.

3. Demand

Buyers know that more homes become available during the spring and summer months. Nobody likes to move in the winter and parents don’t like to disrupt their children’s school year. Buyers wanting to move this summer are looking for a new home now! Don’t miss out on a potential buyer by waiting too long to list your home. Strike while the iron is hot and reap the benefits of listing your home this spring when most buyers are on the house hunt.

What Millennial Buyers Want In A Home

Posted on March 21, 2014

A number of factors come into play when considering a home purchase, especially among millennials, who represent a significant niche in today’s real estate market. The following are a number of considerations a buyer may find important when making their purchase decision. How does your home stack up and how appealing is your home to younger buyers?

The Neighborhood

Although neighborhood choice is strongly dependent on household composition, most buyers take the surrounding neighborhood into strong consideration when deciding on the purchase of a home. Younger buyers like to walk to shops and restaurants, especially in larger urban areas where parking or even owning a car may be prohibitive.

Affordability

With the current unstable job market and rising higher education costs, housing costs need to be kept low, experts suggest no more than one third of a buyers pre-tax income.

Proximity to Work

Homes that are close to places of business or work enhance work-life balance, a growing priority for many. A shortened commute can make a buying decision much easier and can make your home more attractive to buyers. Biking or walking to work is a desire of many millennials.

Schools

In a recent Realtor.com survey, it was shown that almost 45 percent of buyers are willing to spend more to ensure their children live in a quality school district.

An Open Floor Plan

More space for entertaining may mean more quality time with friends and family, which is quite important to the millennials.

Technology

Millennials value technology, in many instances, above all else. Having a home that allows for technological control can make it that much more marketable.

Energy Efficiency

In a recent study by the National Association of Homebuilders, it was found that energy efficiency topped the list of items most important to buyers interested in new home construction. Things like energy-star rated appliances, energy-star rated windows, and ceiling fans topped the list of “must-haves.”

Mel Foster Co. Nominated for Performance Awards

Posted on February 18, 2014

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 five 2013 Awards. Mel Foster Co. is one of five real estate companies nominated for these awards in their size category. The five Awards of Excellence nominations include:

Equivalent Closing Sales Production – determined by the number of closings with the average sales price for 2013
Outgoing Sales Production – determined by the number of outgoing closings
Outgoing Referral Production – determined by the number of outgoing referrals
Incoming Conversion Rate – determined by the number of incoming closings with the number of incoming referrals
Crown of Excellence – awarded to the member with the highest points total earned from performance ranking within their company-sized categoryThe awards will be presented during the Annual Performance Awards Dinner and Ceremony in Las Vegas later this month. For the past 19 years, Mel Foster Co.’s Relocation Division has been nominated for an award from Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®.

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. has been with the prestigious affiliation for 20 years.

5 Hot Trends In New Construction

Posted on August 22, 2013

You’ve decided to build for the freedom to select the amenities and finishes that match your lifestyle and tastes. Here’s a list of five trends to discuss with your builder.

1. Smart House
Automating systems like heating, AC, security and lights can save you money. You can even control systems when you aren’t home by using your iphone.

2. Media Madness
Media rooms that only serve one function are becoming a thing of the past as home sizes shrink. Media still plays a huge role for many when deciding on a home layout, but the media rooms now have more comfortable seating, tables and good lighting. They are intended for more frequent usage than movie theater style rooms of the past.

3. Bye Bye Bulk
Smaller new homes call for smaller furniture pieces, including built ins. Consider swapping out a heavy wall of cabinets for floating shelves. Less bulky furniture also allows more natural light in.

4. Go Low
Check out more energy efficient toilets, faucets and appliances. It’s better for your utility bill and the environment.

5. Reclaim It
Go on the hunt for reclaimed materials that can be integrated into your home’s design. Look for rustic wood, light fixtures or cabinet pulls that will give your home a one of a kind feel.