Mel Foster Company – Page 12 – Mel Foster Co Blog

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®.

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 over 20 years.

MEL FOSTER CO. CELEBRATES SALES GROWTH

Posted on January 30, 2015

Mel Foster Co. held its annual awards reception last night at the Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf, Iowa. Rob Fick, President & CEO, Lynsey Engels, President Real Estate Brokerage and Marc Engels, President of Mel Foster Insurance, presented awards to 115 agents who were recognized for achieving membership in the company’s different sales club levels including Chairman, Executive, President and Honor. Top honors were awarded to:

Thad DenHartog – Commercial Top Sales

Diana Franks – Residential Illinois Top Sales

Brad Boeye – Residential Iowa Top Sales

Mike Smith – Insurance Top Producer

Dedicated agents and staff are the foundation for success at Mel Foster Co. Inc. Building on the momentum of a strong 2013, Mel Foster Co. Inc. had a solid 2014, including an exceptionally impressive year for Mel Foster Commercial Real Estate Services. Combining all three divisions of Mel Foster Co. Inc. (Residential Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate and Insurance), the total sales volume increased by over 4 percent from 2013 which is a record year.

Mel Foster Commercial Real Estate Services set a new company sales record with a 31 percent increase over last year’s record sales volume. Lynsey Engels reported that the brokers of the commercial division closed an average of over 10 million dollars per broker. She praised the commercial division and said, “This past year was phenomenal for our commercial division, the best total sales volume recorded in our history. Based on the year’s closed commercial transaction production, our commercial division ranked number one in the CMLS (Commercial Multiple Listing Service) for 2014 capturing over 43 percent of the total commercial sales volume. Many of these 2014 transactions will have a significant impact on the future growth and development of the Quad Cities and surrounding region and that is something we are very proud of.”

Mel Foster Co. residential real estate ranked number one in the Quad Cities MLS with over one third of the total sales volume for this region. The average 2014 sales price for Mel Foster Co. residential real estate was $152,885, an increase of 3 percent from last year.

New construction continued to be good for the Quad Cities housing industry. Last year, Mel Foster Co. residential real estate predicted new construction sales to be strong in 2014 and that forecast met this expectation. Lynsey Engels said, “We positioned ourselves to meet the new construction demand in our region by launching four new subdivisions in 2013 and we closed 43 new residential lots in those subdivisions.”

Mel Foster Insurance continues to build off of a record setting year. Marc Engels commented. “Any time you reach new levels, the big question is can you keep the momentum going. Our continued success can be attributed to our staff, producers, and the local clientele we work with each day.” In 2014, results continued to trend upward as direct written premiums grew 8 percent, policy count was up over 6 percent, and the agency added 791 new clients. With a range of product offerings from Personal and Commercial Property/Casualty to Employee Benefits, Mel Foster Insurance saw positive contributions from all departments this past year. Marc Engels also stated, “We continue to focus on innovative solutions, while remembering that most importantly, our clients want a customized, personal insurance experience. When you look back on the year, you realize that the accomplishments our division is most proud of don’t show up on the financials, but in our role as a community stewards.”

“In 2014, we welcomed 41 new agents and staff, and 12 individuals are enrolled in our upcoming pre-license classes. With job creation continuing to increase, mortgage rates falling, and healthy increases in home sales prices, the outlook for the housing market in 2015 looks bright,” commented Rob Fick. Optimistic about Mel Foster Co.’s future, Engels also mentioned the hiring of its Director of Business Development to continue the emphasis on recruiting and training new agents with exceptional education programs and tools. Engels added, “The agents are the true lifeblood of our company’s success so it is a key focus to ensure they have great technology and training opportunities to provide the consumers with the best experience.”

Mel Foster’s Color the Quads Registration Opens Today.

Posted on January 15, 2015

Color the Quads Registration Now Open

Mel Foster’s Color the Quads 5K and Kids Color Dash will be back in 2015 with a twist or two, and registration is opening early to give participants plenty of time to sign up and opportunities to save with early entry.

The Color the Quads 5k will take place Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 4:00 p.m., Cumberland Square at 2300 Spruce Hills Dr., Bettendorf, Iowa. The early registration fee is $35 until February 20, and changes to $40 for participants after February 20, and $45 for participants the week of the race. Easy group registration and rates are available at www.colorthequads.com. The registration fee includes race entry, t-shirt, XPAC pre-race color explosion, invitation to the Tri-City Electric Co. after-party and swag bag. Registration opens with the early discounted rate on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at www.colorthequads.com.

The American Bank & Trust Kids Color Dash cost for all entrants is $20. This 400-yard dash and one mile fun run is at 11:00 a.m. on May 30, 2015 at the Veteran’s Memorial Park (Band Shell area) in Bettendorf. There will be a kids’ after party with food sponsored by Tyson Fresh Meats and fun for children and their families.

Color the Quads is a unique race that allows runners and walkers to get blasted with bursts of color powder on the course. There are two new color race stations being added in 2015, increasing the colorful fun. At the foam station, participants can run or walk through walls of colored foam. At the new “paint” station, volunteers will have fully loaded squirt guns to color every runner/walker. Runners and walkers will also enjoy more music around the new route.

The 2015 Color the Quads event benefits three local organizations, Bethany Home for Children & Families, Gigi’s Playhouse, and Hand-in-Hand. The event brings colorful happiness to our community AND helps out local charities.

Mel Foster Co. is the presenting sponsor and American Bank & Trust is the kid’s race sponsor. The pre-color explosion is sponsored by XPAC and the after party is sponsored by Tri-City Electric Co. The event’s color explosion sponsors include Active Endeavors, University of Iowa Community Credit Union and Vollertsen, Britt & Gorsline P.C. Color Burst sponsors include Build to Suit, Hawkeye Paving, KWQC-TV 6, Pear Advertising, Prairie Pella Windows & Doors, Quad City Times, Radon Solutions, Terrostar Interactive Media, Victorystore.com, Mickle Communications, Tyson Fresh Meats and TMI Total Maintenance Inc. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.

For more information, to sign up, to volunteer, or to become a sponsor, visit www.colorthequads.com.

Mel Foster Commercial Real Estate Services Top in CMLS

Posted on January 11, 2015

Mel Foster Commercial Real Estate Services is pleased to announce its office ranked number one in the CMLS for 2014. Based on 2014 closed commercial transaction production, Mel Foster Commercial Real Estate Services captured over 43 percent of the total volume with $105,044,165 in closed sales.

Mel Foster REALTORS® Receive Honors

Posted on December 8, 2014

Mel Foster Co. agents were honored by the Quad Cities Area REALTOR® Association during their Annual Holiday Party and Installation of Officers held on December 5th. Congratulation to Dave Maubach of the Bettendorf office, Scott Kelling of the Davenport I-74 office, and Herb Thompson of the Moline office.

Dave Maubach was named REALTOR® of the Year Award for his exceptional real estate services. Dave started his career in real estate with Mel Foster Co. almost 20 years ago in 1995. He is licensed in Iowa & Illinois. He is a Member of the Quad City Area REALTOR® Association, Iowa Association of REALTORS®, Illinois Association of REALTORS®, the National Association of REALTORS® and the Quad Cities Builders & Remodelers Association. Dave is a current board member of the Quad City Area REALTOR® Association. He is a past board member of the Neighborhood Housing Services, mentor at Big Brothers Big Sisters and volunteered his time for Davenport Youth Baseball for many years.

Scott Kelling received the prominent REALTOR® Emeritus Status by the National Association of REALTORS®. The REALTOR® Emeritus Status is for a REALTOR® with a cumulative period of 40 years in one or more local Association of REALTORS®.

Scott is licensed in Iowa with 40 years of real estate experience and all of those with Mel Foster Co. He received Mel Foster Co.’s Iowa REALTOR® of the Year in 2010. He is a Member of the Quad City REALTOR® Association, the Iowa Association of REALTORS®, the National Association of REALTORS®, Quad City Chamber of Commerce and American Political Science Association.

He earned his master Degree from Vanderbilt University and served on the City of Davenport Plan and Zoning Commission, was past Director of the Davenport Chamber of Commerce, past President of the Great Davenport Board of REALTORS®, and a veteran of the United States Army.

Herb Thompson received the prominent REALTOR® Emeritus Status by the National Association of REALTORS®. The REALTOR® Emeritus Status is for a REALTOR® with a cumulative period of 40 years in one or more local Association of REALTORS®.

Herb has over 40 years of real estate experience, 26 years at Mel Foster Co., and is licensed in Illinois and Iowa. He is a Member of the Quad City REALTOR® Association, Illinois Association of REALTORS®, and the National Association of REALTORS®. Herb served as President of the Rock Island County Board of REALTORS® in 1986 and received REALTOR® of the Year award in 1987.

Since 1980, Herb has been a member of the Moline Rotary. He is a past Board member and past president of the YMCA, Salvation Army Board Member, High School Teacher and Coach for 22 years, and a Veteran of United States Air Force.

Don Marple Earns REALTOR® of the Year for the Iowa Association of REALTORS®

Posted on September 25, 2014

Mel Foster Co. is pleased to announce that Don Marple of their Davenport Kimberly Road office was named REALTOR® of the Year during the Iowa Association of REALTORS® (IAR) annual convention held in Cedar Rapids last week.

Marple has been a licensed REALTOR^® in Iowa for more than 37 years, and has worked at Mel Foster Co. in Davenport since 1995. He has been an active member of the IAR since 1980, serving on numerous committees, including past chair of the annual convention, and member of the education, consumers affairs, technology and member services committees. He served as IAR president in 2013, president-elect in 2011 and treasurer in 2010. He received the IAR President’s Special Recognition Award in 1995. He has also been a member of the REALTOR^® Foundation of Iowa Board of Directors.

Marple is presently serving on the National Association of REALTORS^® (NAR) – Public Housing and MLS Policy Committees. Marple also served as a commissioner on the State of Iowa Real Estate Commission from 2004-2007.

Marple has also served in various leadership roles on his local board, the Quad Cities Area REALTORS^® Association, including 2002 president, secretary/treasurer, and as a member of several committees. He received REALTOR^® of the Year Award in 1998 and the Bert Frahm Award for Outstanding Dedication and Service to the Real Estate Industry and to the Community in 1995. He has earned several of real estate’s highest designations, including Graduate, REALTOR^® Institute (GRI), and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS).

Marple is very active in his community. He is currently a commissioner on the Scott County Condemnation Board. He has also served as past president for the Donahue Sportsman Club and was a founding member of the North Scott Soccer Club. He has been a Junior Achievement volunteer in the North Scott School District for the past 19 years, as well as a long-time volunteer with the Cub Scouts and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

About Mel Foster Co. Real Estate

Founded in 1921, Mel Foster Co. is a real estate leader in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois serving Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, Rock Island and the surrounding Quad City area. It is one of Iowa’s largest independently owned real estate companies. Mel Foster Co. Real Estate specializes in residential and commercial sales and offers services for a broader spectrum of property transactions including farm and land, land development and management, relocation and new construction. Visit www.melfosterco.com for more information.

Jon Yocum Installed as President of the Iowa Association of REALTORS®

Posted on September 24, 2014

Mel Foster Co. is pleased to announce that Jon Yocum of their Bettendorf office was installed as President of the Iowa Association of REALTORS® during the Iowa Association of REALTORS® (IAR) annual convention held in Cedar Rapids last week.

Yocum has been a licensed REALTOR^® in Iowa for more than 26 years, and has worked at Mel Foster Co. in Davenport since 1996. He has been an active member of the IAR since 1988, serving on numerous committees, including regional vice-president from 2007-2012, member of the education, consumer affairs, legislative, technology and member services committees. He served as IAR president-elect in 2014, treasurer in 2013 and Chairman of the Professional Standards committee in 2012. Yocum also received honorable mention for the 2005 Good Neighbor Award and in 2010 received the Good Neighbor Award for his volunteer work with the Student Built Home Program, where he has served as chairman for 16 years.

Yocum has also served in various leadership roles on his local board, the Quad Cities Area REALTORS^® Association, including 2008 secretary/treasurer, 2009 chairman, a director for seven years, and as a member of several committees. He received REALTOR^® of the Year Award in 2004 and 2009 and the Bert Frahm Award for Outstanding Dedication and Service to the Real Estate Industry and to the Community in 1999. He was a member and a three year director of the Greater Davenport Board of REALTORS® and received the Distinguished Service Award in 1997.

Yocum is very active in his community. He is also a member of the Quad City Home Builders, where Yocum, for the last 16 years has served as the chairperson for Student Built Home Project and received the 2005 Associate of the Year Award.

About Mel Foster Co. Real Estate