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With a global health crisis continuing to loom over our daily lives,  all of us have changed , not only how we spend our time, but where we spend our time. As we’ve navigated through 2020, the old expression “to put your house in order”  has taken on a new meaning with many families making big changes and big moves. What has this created? A robust local real estate market with many clues that the modest pace will continue through the rest of the year.

Let’s take a look at how the stats are stacking up compared to the previous year.  With 448 sales in the 3rd quarter 2020 vs. 402 sales in the 3rd quarter of 2019, the encouraging results are a 11.44% increase in units sold and 17.89%  increase in Dollar Volume as compared to the same period in 2019 with…

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Winter Home Maintenance ChecklistIs Your Home Ready for the Winter? Whether we like it or not, the temperatures are slowly dropping and, within in a few short months, winter will be here! Being a homeowner means there’s certain maintenance required throughout the year to keep your home in high functioning shape. When it comes to winter prep work, the time and care you take now means keeping you warm and safe during cold months ahead. 

Not sure where to start? Read on for our Winter Home Maintenance Checklist.

____ Furnace. It’s important to make sure you have your furnace inspected prior to turning it on for the first time in the fall. To ensure timely service prior to the cold temperatures, schedule an appointment now with a licensed HVAC specialist. Don’t forget to replace your…

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Taking on a home project can be daunting for some and attempting a home remodel can be too much for most. Well sometimes ambition, imagination and desire lead to great ideas coming to fruition. Whether you’re in the market for a move-in ready home or looking for new ideas for your current one, this home remodel is one done right! 

7895 W William Street, Decatur, IL 62522

Listed at $159,900 

3 bd | 2 ba | 1,647 Sqft | 0.48 acres


This completely remodeled ranch in Harristown boasts a total remake and a whole new take on small town living. 

Look at this checklist of changes and highlights:

  • walls removed in the main living area to create an open concept floor plan
  • updated kitchen with white plantation cabinets, granite countertops,…

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What's my home worthAs low inventory and low-interest rates continue to fuel our hot local real estate market, homeowners are aware of the temperature and eager to take advantage. When considering putting your home on the market, one of the big questions potential sellers want to know is “what’s my home worth?”

Here are some key factors that influence your home value to keep in mind:

Location

Let us restate, “location, location, location!” Most realtors will agree that the biggest factor is your property’s location. Just to list a few variables driving steeper home prices in some areas and neighborhoods to consider:

~ condition of surrounding properties

~ on the lake/lake access or scenic acreage

~ school district and access to other educational…

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Does your growing family need more space to roam? Do they long for a backyard shared with nature, wildlife and all the serenity it brings? Robert Frost wrote, “Good fences make good neighbors.” For some of us, wooded acres and scenic surroundings make the best neighbors. If you crave the outdoors and privacy paired with the conveniences of the city, keep reading to learn more about this sprawling ranch family home in the woods on Decatur's southeast side.

A Home in the Woods

3280 E Fitzgerald Rd, Decatur, IL 62521

Listed at $339,900 

5 bd | 2.5 ba | 4,524 Sqft | 3.9 acres


Following the private lane, you’ll find a spacious ranch home nestled into the generous 4 acres included in this picturesque property. Wherever the day takes you next is up to you with all…

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5 Things Your Mortgage Lender Wants You To KnowUnique economic and health uncertainty have changed our daily lives, our interactions, and the way we conduct business. For some of us, it has offered new perspective into our wants and needs. A home where once content, we’ve now discovered it’s time to make a change.

With record-low interest rates and low inventory, our local real estate market has become a competitive race for buyers to find their next home. Now more than ever, it's critical to be pre-approved before starting your search if you want to stay ahead of the pack. Read on buyers, there are some post-COVID new norms when it comes to home financing you’ll need to keep up with.

We talked to a couple of local lenders and here are 5 important things you need to know about new lending…

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2020 2nd Quarter Market UpdateAs we rounded the halfway point of 2020, we reflected back on the 6 months behind us. We’ve moved from a pandemic lockdown to a gradual reopening. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has reshaped how we live our lives. Unique health, social, and economic factors have intersected to create an equally unique housing environment. Even during these inclement times, our local real estate market remains strong. As we emerge from these unprecedented times, we take stock of the present and make plans to move forward.

One question residents of Macon County want to know: What’s happening in our local real estate market?

Through the first half of 2020, there were 636 sales vs. 574 sales in the first half of 2019 which represents a 10.8% increase in the number of…

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Tips for Buying a Home in a Seller’s MarketThe housing inventory continues to ride lean and low in Macon County. For home buyers, that means increased competition, and in some cases, even bidding wars.

“These days if you sleep on it, you’re not likely to sleep IN it,” laughs Brinkoetter Realtor, Louis Kappler.

So if you’re thinking about buying a home today, when properties are selling almost as quickly as they’re listed, here are a few tips to consider that will help you hold your own in a seller’s market. 

Tip #1: Get Pre-Approved for a Home Loan

One of the smartest things you can do to ensure your chances of buying the home you want is to apply for a pre-approval on a mortgage. Applying for a mortgage after making an offer on a home may signal to home sellers you’re not as motivated to…

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Key Team Blog2020 has been a year of improvising and transitioning to virtual platforms, and real estate is no different. We've had to adapt many of the ways we collaborate as a team, show houses to buyers, market our sellers' listings, and sign contracts. 

Before the COVID era, we enjoyed multiple collaborative meetings as a team throughout the week either in our office, or in a local restaurant or coffee shop.  During the stay at home order we knew we still needed those regular touch points to collaborate for our clients, as a team, so we have utilized FaceTime calls, group chats, and even meeting in our homes while maintaining a safe distance. We can't wait to start meeting together in local small businesses to do our collaboration.

Because community…

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