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Celebrate your freedom and choose to enjoy QC events offered in July.

Posted on June 29, 2018

Experience a new festivity or repeat a Quad-City favorite this month.

Holiday Fireworks and Events Schedule By City

Bettendorf

July 4

12:00pm – Parade on Grant and State

2:00-9:30pm – City Festival at Cumberland Square

9:30pm (Dusk) – Fireworks at Veterans Memorial Park

Buffalo

July 3 at 9:30pm (Dusk) – Fireworks at City Park

July 4 at 2:00pm – Parade

Davenport

July 3 at 9:30pm (Dusk) – Red, White and Boom Fireworks with Patriotic Pops by the

Quad City Symphony Orchestra on the Davenport Riverfront

DeWitt

July 3 at 6:00pm – Parade

Durant

July 4 at 9:30pm (Dusk) – Fireworks

East Moline

July 3 at 9:30 – Fireworks at Beacon Harbor Parkway

July 4 at 1:00pm – 52^nd Annual AMVETS Parade

Galesburg

July 4 at 9:30pm (Dusk) – Big Bang Boom Fireworks at Lake Storey Park

Geneseo

July 3 at 9:30pm (Dusk) – Thrill on the Hill Fireworks at Richmond Hill Park

Kewanee

July 4 at 9:00pm – Fireworks at Northeast Park

Rock Island

July 3 at 9:30pm (Dusk) – Red, White and Boom Fireworks at Rock Island Riverfront

Other Community Activities

36^th Annual Genesis Firecracker Run in Downtown East Moline

July 4 at 7:30am

Mississippi Valley Blues Festival

July 6-7 at LeClaire Park in Davenport

John Deere Classic

July 9-15 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis

Walcott Truckers Jamboree

July 12-14 at I-80 Truckstop in Walcott

Brady Street Sprints in Downtown Davenport

July 26 at 7:00pm

Arconic’s Jr. Bix in Downtown Davenport

July 27 at 6:00pm

Downtown Street Fest at 2^nd Street in Downtown Davenport

July 27-28

Ragbrai Ride from Iowa City finishing in Downtown Davenport

July 28

Quad City Times Bix 7 in Downtown Davenport

July 28 at 8:00am

Mississippi Valley Fair at the Fairgrounds in Davenport

July 31-August 5

What to Expect When it Comes to Personal Property and Buying

Posted on May 30, 2018

Don’t assume everything is included in your home purchase. It’s important to get everything in writing so you’re not left feeling cheated. Here are some common house features buyers think are included in the deal, but aren’t necessarily automatically included.

Appliances

It’s not always the norm when buying a home that all appliances are included in the sale. Things like refrigerators, washers and dryers, dishwashers and microwaves may be going with the seller. If you want a specific appliance left behind, make sure to clarify in writing that it’s a condition of the sale.

Window Coverings.

Sometimes there are shades or drapes in the home during showings. The shades may be fully fitted for the window and attached, but the seller may be planning on taking them once they sell the home. If you don’t see it written anywhere, get the inclusion of window coverings in writing. Specify you want the existing window coverings either included or removed if you don’t like them.

Mounting Materials

It’s common for homes to have TV’s mounted on the wall with a bracket supporting it. Be sure to ask. It may not actually be included with the sale of the home.

Lawn Care Equipment

If the lawn at the home you are buying is large, you may want to negotiate with the sellers for any lawn care equipment you need. If the lawn requires a riding lawnmower the previous owners may be willing to include it in the sale.

Find more tips for buying in the Mel Foster Co. blog.

Should You Raise the Asking Price of Your Home?

Posted on May 22, 2018

There are several strategies homeowners can follow when setting their initial asking price. Often sellers try to undercut their competition, but there are times when it actually makes sense to list your home for a higher price.

You should feel comfortable listing your home for a higher price when your residence offers more than other listings in your area. Maybe your kitchen was recently renovated or you have more storage that sets your home apart from all the others. These features may justify an asking price that’s a bit higher than other homes in your area.

Finally, frequently check market conditions to see if they have changed since you initially listed your home. If you notice more buyers are entering the market and homes are selling quickly, raising your own asking price might be a good move.

Setting the right asking price is a challenge you’ll face when listing your home. That’s why it’s so important to work with a real estate agent who knows your market. Find a Mel Foster Co. agent who specializes in listings in your area.

Top Three Tips For First Time Buyers.

Posted on January 31, 2015

Buying your first home is an exciting adventure. However, there’s a lot of your money on the line, so you’d better be prepared. Avoiding mistakes and getting guidance from seasoned professionals will ensure the process goes smoothly. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time and efforts when starting the home buying process.

Know What You Want and Do Your Research

This is one of the most important steps. What are your must-haves in your new home? What are you willing to compromise on? The more prepared you are before you start to look at properties, the easier it will be to pinpoint the perfect home. Also, with the power of the Internet, you have a wealth of information at your fingertips. Focus your search on the neighborhoods you are interested in and learn as much as you can about the surrounding area. Use the interactive search map to zoom in on neighbors and see what’s for sale.

Get Preapproved

Talking to the bank prior to getting a mortgage will give you a leg up when you start looking at homes. Your lender will be able to assess your finances and let you know how much house you can afford, and give you an idea of what percentage rates you might expect to receive on your loan. Making an offer with a bank’s preapproval may give you the upper hand if it’s a competitive offer situation.

Work with a REALTOR^®

Your agent can be your right hand man or woman when it comes time to start your search. Your agent can help you narrow down your options so you aren’t wasting your time with homes that don’t fit your needs. Their job is to help you find the home you want, and help you negotiate a fair asking price. Your agent can also help you navigate the paperwork, which can be overwhelming for first time buyers. Click here to find a Mel Foster Co. agent to start your home search.