new construction in Bettendorf – Page 8

Mel Foster Co. App Makes Home Searching Easier

Posted on November 12, 2015

Find homes with the Foster Finder — Mel Foster App

Mel Foster Co. and HomeSpotter are pleased to announce an exciting new app update with enhancements to make home searching easier.

The Mel Foster Co. App – powered by HomeSpotter – is a home search app available for iPhone, iPad, and Android phones and tablets. This app features full MLS listing details, high-resolution photos, an interactive mortgage calculator, a GPS locator and an augmented reality feature to view nearby homes in real time.

The updated app features INRIX Drive TimeTM. This allows users to find homes by their preferred commute time to any address, taking the guesswork out of purchasing a new home. Can’t remember the exact address or MLS number you’re looking for? After typing the first few numbers, new auto-complete features makes smart suggestions. Interested in a particular city or zip code? The new bounded-search places outlines on the map and shows you only listings within the particular area.

“We are thrilled to offer our clients and app users an update to make home searching more convenient and a better user experience.” said Kris Ratigan, Director of Corporate Marketing at Mel Foster Co. The app still integrates with their website, www.melfosterco.com. Saved properties from the smartphone app, tablet app and website are automatically synced so users always have access to their most recently saved properties.

The Mel Foster Co. app continues to offer a feature they call “Foster Finder.” Foster Finder shows results for Mel Foster and all listing companies. Foster Finder uses a technology called augmented reality that is coupled with a smartphone or tablet’s GPS and compass to overlay property information on a device’s live camera feed. Simply use your smartphone or tablet to find all homes for sale on the street where you are standing. With a quick tap, a view of the entire street and all homes for sale pop up. There is also a radar display that shows the direction and proximity of nearby properties for sale.

“We are always looking for ways to improve our search experience,” Aaron Kardell, CEO of HomeSpotter, said. “We are pleased to offer these enhancements for the Mel Foster Co. app.”

The app is free and available from the Apple App Store and Google Play Market.

Hosting Blood Drive

Posted on November 5, 2015

Mel Foster Co. is proud to host a Community Blood Drive on Thursday, November 19^th at their Elmore Office Park location at 3211 East 35^th Street Court, Davenport, inside the MVRBC Donor Bus. The blood drive will be held 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

To donate, please contact Amy at 563.823.2265 or visit www.bloodcenterimpact.org and use code 3063 to locate the drive and schedule an appointment.

Donor Eligibility Criteria: Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. or MVRBC Donor Card is required to donate. For questions about eligibility, please call the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center at 800.747.5401. Donors who last gave blood on or before 9/24/15 are eligible to give at this drive.

About Blood Donation: Blood donation is a safe, simple procedure that takes about 45 minutes to one hour. Individuals with diabetes or controlled high blood pressure may be accepted as eligible donors.

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

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.

Turn A Vacation Rental Into Your Second Home.

Posted on December 8, 2014

Turn a vacation rental into a second home!

Vacation home sales are on the rise, with many people buying for a vacation home to use now and retire to later.

Second home buyers tend to be in their 40s and 50s, are still working, have children who are starting their own families and no obligations to care for aging parents. They are using their vacation home as a meeting place to gather everyone during holidays or other significant family holidays.

When the home isn’t being used, it generates rental income. In some locations, the rental fees can completely cover the mortgage, taxes and fees of homeownership, giving you a vacation home for free that can eventually become your second home in retirement.

Purchasing a vacation home where you’d eventually like to retire allows you to establish community ties for a smooth transition into retirement later. It’s also a great trial run. It gives you a glimpse into where you might want to spend your golden years before the time arrives and you have to make a firm commitment.

There are also financial benefits to owning a second home. First is the appreciation that will happen over time, especially if you purchase in a popular resort area. However even modest appreciation over time is acceptable given all the benefits of second home ownership.

Mel Foster Co.’s relocation division has connections to help you find a second home anywhere in the world. Contact a relocation specialist at 800-367-1134.

Get Your Finances In Order.

Posted on November 19, 2014

One of the smartest things you can do before buying a home is getting yourself pre-qualified. By getting pre-qualified, you’ll get an idea of what your mortgage might cost, ahead of time. This can help you prepare your budget, set your expectations and strengthen your confidence to negotiate when you’re ready to make an offer.

What is pre-qualification?

Pre-qualification gives you an estimate of what you could potentially borrow. It is based on information you give on your income, assets and credit. Many times a pre-qualification can be done online and is offered by many lenders at little to no cost. It is however just an estimation, and not a guarantee of any type of loan.

Why get pre-qualified?

Once you know how much of a monthly payment you are able to afford, and you’ve figured out a budget for yourself, a pre-qualification will allow you to estimate a loan option to fit your needs. You’ll also have a better idea of which homes you can afford during your search.

What documentation do I need in order to get pre-qualified?

You will need proof of income, this could include recent pay stubs, or W-2 statements from the past two years. You should also bring a copy of your tax return for the past two years, as well as proof of any alimony or additional income. You’ll also want to bring proof of your assets, including bank account statements to show you have the money for a potential down payment. Don’t forget your driver’s license and social security card, as the lender will need these to access your credit report.

Pre-qualification can help you be fully prepared to purchase that home you’ve been eyeing. You can get a head start by using the mortgage calculators to determine your monthly payment, figure out how much home you can afford and make a decision about renting versus buying.

An Older Home As A Green Alternative.

Posted on November 9, 2014

Call it recycling on a grand scale. Homebuyers who want their purchase to be more environmentally friendly are turning to older homes instead of building new. In fact, architect Carl Elefante coined the phrase, “the greenest building is the one that is already built.” What he meant by that is that environmental resources that would be used to build a building’s replacement are often times spared by restoring or repurposing an existing structure.

Did you know that it can take up to 80 years for a new, energy-efficient building to overcome the energy and climate change impacts caused during the construction process? Building reuse offers significant environmental savings when compared to the energy consumption of demolition and new construction.

Older buildings constructed prior to reliance on mechanical heating, cooling and lighting systems utilize what nature offers as part of their design. This can help reduce your energy use, helping you save on heating and cooling your home.

Go green and consider purchasing an older home that just needs a little TLC. Use the option to search by Year Built by clicking here to find a home you can recycle.

Which Loan Is Right For Me?

Posted on October 3, 2014

It’s important to select the right type of mortgage for your financial situation, but understanding your options can be difficult. Your Mel Foster Co. agent <link to find an agent> is your resource for proving information so you are able to make a knowledgeable decision regarding a mortgage. This quick list explains the top three most popular loan types.

1. Fixed-interest Mortgage

A fixed-interest mortgage is a type of loan that has a set interest rate. Most fixed mortgages are usually 10, 15, 20, or 30 years. The most common length of time is 30 years, as it provides the lowest monthly payment for homeowners. Keep in mind that most of the first few years of the payment are heavily focused on the interest that will be paid off, and very little actually goes towards the principal. You can determine your monthly payment for a fixed-interest mortgage with the Mel Foster Co. monthly payment calculator.

2. Adjustable-rate Mortgage

An adjustable-rate mortgage or ARM is a loan with a variable interest rate. The interest rate will change after a designated period of time, determined by the lender. As a borrower, you may benefit if the interest rate is lowered, but you will also be exposed to potentially higher interest rates. The interest rate will remain steady for an agreed upon time, and won’t change until the next adjustment period. These types of mortgages are easier to obtain in situations when a fixed-interest mortgage isn’t an option.

3. Interest-only Loan

An interest-only loan focuses on paying only the interest first. An example would be a 5-year fixed-30 mortgage. This means that for the first five years, you are only paying the interest, and not contributing any money towards the principal. The interest rate is fixed, but may change after five years. Once the five years is up, you begin to pay interest along with the principal cost. This will increase your payments significantly, even if the interest rate doesn’t change. This option is meant for someone who believes that they will earn more money in the future, or currently has their money tied up somewhere else. Just always remember to save your money for after the initial five years.

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?

Why You Can’t Afford NOT To Use A REALTOR®

Posted on June 25, 2014

Why us a REALTOR®? — When a REALTOR® to important.

Have you ever wondered, “is hiring a Realtor really necessary?” The answer to this important question is absolutely YES! In today’s strictly regulated market, there are several ways an experienced Realtor can be invaluable to you during the home buying or selling process.

Market Conditions

There is so much information out there when it comes to housing and market conditions can change quickly. A Realtor can help you weed out what is truth and fiction, and help you understand current market conditions including data on inventory and comparable sales prices.

Negotiations

Negotiating the purchase of a property can be stressful. A licensed Realtor will act as your middleman, managing expectations of the parties on either side of the deal, ensuring a smoother transaction for you.

Pricing

A Realtor understands the value of real estate in different markets, conditions, and types. The improper pricing of your property can leave your listing dead in the water, costing you much more in the long run.

Paperwork

There is a mountain of paperwork for real estate transactions. Missing a disclosure or piece of necessary paperwork could spell disaster if you are navigating a buy or sale without a Realtor. A Realtor is experienced and aware of all of the various regulations you may face, and can ensure nothing is overlooked when it comes time to close the sale.