Edwardsville and Glen Carbon Real Estate Chat: Kristina Pratt, REALTOR® SFR - GoshenRealtyGroup.com (St. Louis' Illinois Suburbs - RE/MAX Preferred Partners)

Buyers, lets face it... how many times have you thought this after calling an agent of a house you found online?

The fact is, homes in Edwardsville, Glen Carbon and the surrounding areas that are priced right and in excellent condition sell fast.  Many websites that have listings don't update daily - sometimes not for 5 to 15 day spans - and the best new listings are under contract before these sites even post them for sale.

Think about that for a second... that means many of the great values and outstanding homes are sold long before they ever show up on the Internet.  One of those homes may have been "the one" and you just barely missed out on it.

However, all is not lost - there is a quick and easy solution - a property manager account on GoshenRealtyGroup.com

Our website has a property search feature that feeds directly from the multiple listing service.  It updates more than once a day, and you will be notified when your dream home hits the market.  By searching for your home at GoshenRealtyGroup.com you will have a distinct competitive advantage.

Stop missing out... head over to GoshenRealtyGroup.com and start searching today.

If you're thinking of selling your home in Edwardsville, this information is really interesting.  For the past three months, the following price ranges have seen the biggest number of closed transactions.

$125,000 and under - 62 homes sold with an average listing price $95,213 of and average of 112 days on the market.

$126,000 - $175,000 88 homes sold with an average listing price of $148,097and an average of 144 days on the market.

$176,000 - $225,000 69 homes sold with an average listing price of $201,842 and an average of 146 days on the market.

$226,000 - $275,000 52 homes sold with an average listing price of $252,548 and an average of 222 days on the market.

$276,000 - $350,000 29 homes sold with an average listing price of $313,777 and an average of 193 days on the market.

And, just in case you're curious - the most expensive home in 2009 sold for $655,000.  The least expensive?  $24,900.

------

Market stats from SIR/MLS.  Single family homes only.

In the spirit of the New Year, the students at Lake Superior State University in Michigan create a list of 15 words that were mis-used, over-used or that were generally useless in the previous year.  You can see the 2009 list here.

So, I think for some fun to start our 2010 off right we, as agents, should refrain from using the following 15 terms that get on my nerves.  (Hey, I said they get on my nerves - that doesn't mean I'm not just as guilty about using them as anyone else lol).

As always, you are free to add your own! I'm 100% sure there are loads out there that I haven't thought of.  :)

15.  "nestled" - TOTALLY over-used.  I've seen countless of homes that are "nestled" on a "premium lot" that is the size of a postage stamp and shares the backyard with another house.

14.  "cozy" - This means that my cat would be comfortable there.  By herself.

13. "motivated seller" - The seller is desperate.  You can't sugar coat it.

12. "vintage" - The appliances, flooring, cabinets and bath fixtures are older than I am.

11.  "prestigious neighborhood" - Gag.

10.  "charming" - Old.

9. "not a drive-by!" - Your odds of the inside being better than the outside are slim.

8.  "conveniently located" - It's right off the main street and the traffic count and noise is insane.

7.  "glistening hardwood floors" - Have fun trying to keep those floors glistening after you move in.

6.  "affordable" - Says who?  I actually saw this one on a $375,000 house.

5.  "efficient kitchen" - There are travel trailers with bigger kitchens than this.

4.  "one owner" - See number 12.

3.  "I'm gorgeous inside!" - Odds are, it's probably not.

2.  "handy-man special" - Be prepared to need more than just a handy friend or two.

1.  "priced to sell!" - Yet, the days on the market have allowed me to have two birthdays.

So odds are, more than one of these will pop-up in my advertising from time to time in 2010, but I'm going to try my hardest to come up with fresh new ways to promote my listings.  What about you?

First-time buyers get all of the attention, don't they?  They get tax credits, have special programs designed especially for them and they have agents market directly to them.  That doesn't seem fair, does it?

Well, first-time sellers rejoice!  You are no longer being ignored.  I get it.  First-time buyers eventually turn into first-time sellers.  What happens when you're ready to move-up or you outgrow your current digs? 

An agent was there to help you through the buying process, but what now?  Do you stick a For Sale By Owner sign in the yard?  Do you call the agent that helped you buy the house?  Maybe you'll check out Zillow to get an idea about what your house is worth.  Should you talk to more than one agent?  How on Earth do you manage the details in getting your house sold while at the same time finding a new one?

It's confusing, overwhelming and frustrating, isn't it?  That's why hiring an agent is your first step. But not just any agent... an agent that understands the specific needs of first-time sellers. 

Agents that have experience with your particular situation are an invaluable ally to have on your side.  When helping first-time sellers, I realize that you have lots of questions and need me to devote more of my time to you.  I won't just list your house, stick a sign in the yard and never speak to you again.  I'll return your e-mails, texts and calls.  I love connecting with you on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook.  And when your house goes under contract, I'll be there with you step by step through financing, inspections, appraisals and closing.

By the way, I didn't mention that you might be eligible for the expanded home buyers tax credit.  You could qualify for a $6,500 tax credit to purchase your next home.  Cool, huh?  Want details?  Text, e-mail or call me anytime.

Ken Cook, a lender in Georgia explains the FHA 203K loan in a way that makes sense.  Thanks so much for allowing me to share this information on my blog, Ken!

As if the first round of tax credits for first time buyers wasn't confusing enough, now the credit has been expanded to include some move-up buyers.  (Also, great news for our military currently serving overseas - you have a longer time frame to use the tax credit).

If you have questions about how the tax credit works, check out this video from RE/MAX.  Then, give me a call or shoot me an e-mail to talk about your next place.

32 homes sold in Glen Carbon in September and October of '09.  4 of these homes were new construction with an average sales price of $194,317 and average days on the market of 152.  28 resale homes had an average sales price of $187,729 with 142 days on the market.

Address/List Price/Sell Price

7028 AUGUSTA DR $205,000 $203,000

110 BAYHILL BLVD $165,000 $163,000

212 BAYHILL BLVD $170,000 $165,000

107 BAYRIDGE $179,000 $168,000

134 BIRGER $109,900 $108,500

2809 BRISTOL WAY $294,900 $250,000

78 DEPOT DR $157,000 $152,000

6 DUNSTON TR $224,900 $165,000

7027 GABLE $239,900 $235,000

110 GINGER CREEK PKWY 9 $126,900 $123,000

6 GINGER WOOD ESTATES $600,000 $592,500

731 GLEN CROSSING RD $209,900 $179,500

182 HILLCREST DR $159,900 $155,000

14 JENNIFER DR $189,900 $186,000

6 JULIE DR $184,900 $182,500

195 S MAIN ST $99,900 $101,000

100 MARK TRAIL DR $129,000 $125,500

924 MARK TRAIL DR $179,500 $179,500

17 MATTERHORN DR $199,999 $185,000

157 MUNZERT $144,900 $141,500

35 NORSPUR $133,150 $133,150

110 OAK RIDGE ESTATES $199,500 $195,000

9 OAKDALE LAKE $169,900 $168,000

26 W OAKSHIRE DR $243,000 $232,500

51 RED BUD LN $179,900 $177,000

31 SUNSET DR $54,900 $50,000

47 WATERFORD LN $210,000 $200,000

128 WILLOW BEND DR $249,900 $238,000

45 WOLFE CREEK CT $310,000 $290,000

308 ABERDEEN DR $219,900 $209,000

7 CAROLYN $179,900 $176,000

109 WALDEN $409,900 $389,000

As part of our Goshen Realty Group neighborhood updates, here is a list of all Edwardsville homes that sold in September and October of 2009.

85 homes were sold.  The average sales price was $210,856 and the average days on the market was 141.

Address/List Price/Sell Price                        

3003 SUNSET HILLS BLVD $620,000 $592,000

5 FOX HOLLOW $549,900 $525,000

5330 FOX CIRCLE DR $425,900 $400,000

888 MALIBU WAY $475,000 $440,000

2710 HUNTERS RIDGE $279,900 $255,000

124 CHATTANOOGA CT $334,900 $318,500

1806 LINCOLN KNOLLS DR $328,000 $316,000

104 POPLAR CT $314,900 $308,000

3 CHURCHILL CT $244,900 $241,500

7008 STONEY CREEK DR $245,000 $240,000

1398 BRITANY CT $239,900 $229,000

445 EAST LAKE DR $269,900 $275,500

225 BELDEN DR $235,000 $219,500

1404 BRITANY CT $169,900 $181,500

901 CHADERIC CT $259,900 $250,000

7007 MISSIONARY RIDGE CT $257,500 $253,000

2805 FALCON CREST DR $214,900 $205,000

567 EAST LAKE DR $235,000 $180,000

1516 GERBER RD $269,900 $250,000

2714 CABIN CREEK CT $224,000 $217,900

2606 HUNTERS RIDGE $224,900 $210,000

1508 COLES CT $225,000 $205,000

7001 STALLION DR $214,900 $205,000

7007 STONEY CREEK $229,000 $214,000

3461 MANASSAS DR $269,000 $265,500

1312 RANDLE ST $161,900 $159,000

218 CIRCLE $149,900 $146,500

7343 PIN OAK $279,900 $275,000

5017 INDIAN HILLS DR $254,900 $254,900

6820 WHITE OAK CT $175,900 $167,550

883 MALIBU $249,900 $225,000

1161 SAN JUAN $349,900 $338,500

7354 GREEN HEDGE $219,900 $206,500

1923 APPLEGATE $180,000 $169,000

31 TIMBER MEADOW PL $225,000 $210,000

7017 STONEY CREEK DR $209,900 $201,000

843 PRICKETT $199,900 $192,000

501 N BUCHANAN ST $189,900 $182,500

8 NORWOOD CT $209,900 $190,000

74 CHRISTMAS TREE PT $249,900 $230,000

847 SLIPPERY ROCK DR $145,000 $133,000

924 HOLIDAY POINT PKWY $199,900 $190,000

852 NEWPORT BAY DR $254,900 $238,000

6818 STONEY CREEK DR $209,900 $199,000

573 CLOVER DR $164,900 $155,000

139 HOLLYHOCK LN $229,900 $223,500

1284 KEYWEST DR $137,900 $137,500

8 EAGLE CT $229,900 $219,000

1207 LINDENWOOD AVE $149,900 $144,000

837 MADISON $124,900 $123,000

1322 CARRIBEAN DR $139,900 $138,900

106 MAPLE ST $154,900 $142,000

36 SW SHORE DR $234,900 $215,000

719 N BUCHANAN $134,500 $131,500

542 OAK HILL DR $147,900 $145,500

140 E DUNN ST $137,900 $137,500

4843 INDIAN HILLS RD $175,000 $175,000

1540 GRAND AVE $144,500 $140,000

925 TROY RD $109,900 $108,500

612 DEWEY AVE $149,700 $147,500

933 WHIPPOORWILL $190,000 $180,000

320 MONTICELLO PL $182,900 $173,000

1131 NASSAU DR $169,900 $168,500

4620 HORSESHOE LN $96,500 $79,800

512 GUELTIG AVE $130,000 $124,000

7577 JERUSALEM RD $145,000 $127,000

263 COVENTRY PL $164,900 $158,500

445 TAMARACH DR $134,900 $134,900

721 SHERIDAN AVE $124,500 $117,000

823 PRICKETT AVE $67,900 $66,000

739 AMHERST $141,000 $136,000

1415 MADISON $139,000 $134,000

408 N BUCHANAN $127,900 $125,000

5835 OLD POAG RD $119,900 $114,500

529 DEWEY AVE $109,900 $103,900

743 VOGE AVE $24,900 $24,000

634 VOGE $75,000 $60,000

4366 BOHM SCHOOL RD $114,900 $107,500

801 LANCASHIRE $83,900 $75,500

3608 S ARBOR LAKE $655,000 $655,000

3321 GARVEY LN $449,900 $435,000

3344 KARROS CT $479,900 $450,000

7015 ALSTON CT $329,900 $322,400

Perfect setting.

3 +/- acres of stunning land surround this beautifully remodeled home less than a mile outside city limits.

Extensive 2007/2008 remodel added new kitchen with custom cabinets and all-stainless appliances;new living room with fireplace; hardwood floors in kitchen, dining room and hall and carpet in bedrooms; tile floor and shower in upstairs bath; decks & 27-foot above-ground pool; siding, roof; furnace, AC and water heater.

30x20 pole barn with two garage doors offers flexibility. 1 +/- acre electric dog fence. Near I-55, SIUE and bike trails.

Attention BUYERS! Never miss out on a new listing again. Sign up for priority access to new listings.

All information regardless of source, including price, square footage and lot sizes are not guaranteed and should be verified by personal inspection and/or with the appropriate professional(s).