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TIME FOR SPRING CLEANING!
If we look at the calendar, we are technically in Spring! The winter weather is thawing out and the warmer temps are coming! It’s also time to take care of a few to-dos around and outside of your home:
- Clean your gutters. Improper drainage can cause water damage to your home. Check for loose and leaky gutters and ensure your downspouts are away from your home’s foundation.
- Inspect the roof. Visually inspect your roof, looking for warping, cracking or loose shingles/tiles. Examine the flashing around chimneys, skylights and vents.
- Check seals. Cold weather can cause seals around doors and windows to loosen, harden or crack. Inspect all seals inside and out and repair damage as needed.
- Service your home’s cooling system. Don’t get caught in the heat without air conditioning. Call your local professional to come out and service your cooling unit to keep it up and running.
- Vacuum behind refrigerator. One of the easiest ways to improve the efficiency of your refrigerator is to gently vacuum behind it. Doing this will ensure that enough air circulation and the coils are not running too hot.
- Clean your dryer vent. Dryer vents are the leading cause of fires. You’d be surprised the amount of lint build up that can gather inside a dryer vent.
Enjoy the days getting longer and getting caught up with some of these common household chores. Happy Spring!
THIS MARKET IS B-A-N-A-N-A-S!!!!
We have all seen the housing market go up and down. From the recession in 2008 and a huge spike in 2011, then scaling back a couple years ago…..no one knew what 2020 would bring.
Fast forward to today.
How is our local housing market? One word: BANANAS. You go into a home the first time to view – the buyer should prepare to write that offer before someone else gets in. If they decide to wait, there is a good chance it will be gone. This happened to many of our buyers as well as many others who are searching for a home. Throw in multiple offer situations and highest/best….it’s great for sellers and hell for buyers.
Recommendations? Here’s a few from us:
When viewing a property, make sure all the decision makers are there for that showing. It’s could be the only viewing you will have.
If you are viewing a property virtually, make sure your Realtor is pointing out every angle, corner, and element of that home.
If you have been thinking of putting your house on market, do it. Our inventory is so low and we need properties. Buyers are waiting.
Do we know how long this craziness will last? Not really however, it won’t stop us Realtors from helping our clients find their next home or from our helping our sellers make the best decision. #ThatsWhoWeR
Local Heavenly Popcorn
Have you heard of Young’s Popcorn Heaven? If you have not, you are missing out! They moved from a teeny location on Sterling to the old Becks’ Florist location on Lake Street in Peoria. Much bigger space for you to walk around and think about how much popcorn you would like to order. The minute you open that door, the amazing aroma of fresh popcorn knocks you in the face. They are also seen in warmer months outdoors whether it’s a festival, Blues Fest, Block Parties….they are a fantastic addition to the local business landscape.
Flavors from Peoria Mix, Salted Caramel, Chicago Mix, Dill Pickle, Buffalo Wing….the list goes on and on. Tons of sizes and packaging to choose from too!
Stats can be a good thing!
Back in college, the word statistics made me bored and quite blah. However, nowadays – when it comes to local Real Estate statistics, we get excited!!!!!!!
This past week (January 31 – February 6), there were:
132 NEW LISTINGS – 30% UP FROM THE WEEK BEFORE! We are still low on inventory however, this helps. If you have been considering selling your home, now is the time. Need to find something else? We can still help!
155 PENDINGS – 31% UP FROM THE WEEK BEFORE. This is great news! People are finding the home they have been looking for!
THERE WERE 1,268 SHOWINGS – 7% UP FROM THE WEEK BEFORE. Even in a pandemic, Arctic temps, and snowmageddon…..we were still out there showings homes!
95 PROPERTIES SOLD, WITH AN AVERAGE OF 74 DOM – 22% UP FROM THE WEEK BEFORE.
Numbers speak for themselves. Hopefully, this helps a little bit in showing you what is going on in the market! Questions? Let us know!
Jonah’s Seafood House, Oyster Bar, and Market
Last year, I remember a colleague of mine was in town and we were trying to decide where to go to dinner. She is originally from Alabama and LOVES seafood. I recommended Jonah’s Oyster Bar since it was close to the hotel. She was hesitant to get oysters at a place that was right on the river. I reassured her that the owners do not get their products from the river…..everything is flown in fresh daily and prepared so well. She ordered….and enjoyed along with rave reviews about the experience there. Another hidden gem in our community that every person must try.
I was able to grab lunch there this week – it never dissappoints!
The skyline and riverviews make the time even better. Not into seafood? No problem. They have so many other options that will make you want to come back for more. One of the best options they added is their market. Come by and get their signatures dressings or sauces, seafood by the pound…..
Locally owned and one of our favorites.
Expertise Matters – Adapting and Thriving in 2021
2020 taught Realtors many lessons especially how to adapt with how we showed homes, held Open Houses, and getting your home ready to sell. Before the pandemic, a virtual showing was not as popular as an in-person home showing for us. Open Houses were always in person with no protocols in place unless the host had them in place (we always take safety precautions FYI). Listing appointments were so often, we could not keep up!
Enter the shut down in March 2020…..Realtors were deemed essential workers. This was huge for us. People needed to still find a place to live. Many were uncomfortable to leave their homes, so we adapted and brought the viewings to them! Using a stabilizer tool to keep our phones/cameras still while walking through a property and giving a LIVE tour, helped more than we could have imagined. We have given open house tours like this before however not as interactive. Open houses are still being held with many safety protocols in place: wear a mask, do not touch light switches or door knobs, sign in so contract tracing can be done.
We will continue to accommodate our clients’ needs, making all safety protocols for them our number one priority. Now more than ever, expertise matters.
Look for The Teal Door to Happiness
Looking for a unique, local store who sells one of a kind items is something we love to find. Drive into Washington in The Square and look for the teal door which leads you to The Goldenfinch Boutique.
When you walk in, you are taken to another dimension of plants, home decor, jewelry, stationery, soaps, perfumes….so much more. You are greeted with a happy vibe from minute you open the door. If you are in the market for sprucing up your decor, finding something for a friend (or yourself), or ready to start a love of plants – please stop by and walk in. You will be glad you did!
Once Upon a Time…..
Once upon a time, in a market not too far away, the was a land of more inventory than buyers. More sellers had their homes on market than buyers who were looking. Fast forward to Present Day. We have many buyers looking for their new home and not enough inventor for them to choose from. I have heard from people asking why this and the answer is….I really don’t know. I DO know that if you are in the market to purchase a new property, be ready to sell your home as the inventory is needed!
Obviously, this is not a fairy tale ending for everyone. The house you love goes on the market and then it’s gone! Our latest market stats (Attached graphic is from the week of January 3-9, 2019 vs. 2020) show how new listings are down however pendings, showings, and solds are up. January used to be the slowest month. Now, it’s the new June!
If you have been on the fence to move to a larger home, downsize, or even want to talk about it, let us know. We can help you get your storybook closing.
HAPPY 40 YEARS ST. JUDE RUNS!
When someone moves to Peoria, they are introduced to the community and all it has to offer. A nice surprise to some, is the culture, growth, and support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Our company founder, Jim Maloof, was friends with Danny Thomas (who founded St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis). Jim made it his life’s passion to do what he could to make St. Jude synonymous with Peoria.
There are countless fundraising events that bring in millions of dollars for the hospital. One that holds a special place in my heart is the St. Jude Runs. The first year in 1981 was a few people who ran from Memphis to Peoria. Crazy, right? As it grew, more runs were born, making it a huge fundraising event for this cause. I have participated in it since 2003. Our daughter was 6 months old and healthy. What a better way to help these kids and their families? We fundraise year round to do our part. Our daughters have become very active in fundraising for St. Jude, too!
It’s amazing to see the growth and support of this event. It’s the 40th year of something that started with one crazy idea.
Amazing Greek cuisine will make you say OPA!!!!!!
If you’re anything like our family, the age old question of “What’s For Dinner?” is usually a given response of “I don’t know, What are you thinking, or even I’m not hungry”. Since we have been trying not to duplicate where we order carry out, we always seem to agree on a few places. Tonight’s winner was Olympia. Locally owned – authentic Greek cuisine meets American dining. Everything is fresh and made to order.
They had the falafel that I love, amazing hand battered onion rings, steak kabobs, brussel sprouts….although we miss the flaming cheese (Saganaki) and dining in, the service was friendly as ever and the meal was perfect. If you haven’t tried Olympia, please do.
