1.) We can help you determine your buying power -- With some basic information, we can refer you to local 
lenders who are best qualified to help you.
2.) We have many resources to assist you in your home search. We have access to the Southern Illinois Regional Multiple Listing Service and all of the resources of the National Association of Realtors, the Illinois Association of Realtors and the Greater Gateway Association of Realtors. Beyond that, we can find out if the property you're seeking is available even if it is not actively advertised in the market.
3.) We can provide objective information about each property. Realtors® have access to a variety of informational resources and local community information on utilities, zoning. schools, and much more. There are two things you'll want to know. First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?
4.) We can help you negotiate. There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to: price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. We can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.
5.) We provide due diligence during the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. We can assist you in finding qualified, responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. No home is problem-free, but together we can make the process operate more smoothly for you.
6.) When selling your home, we can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.
7.) Sellers, we will aggressively market your property to other real estate agents and to the public. We will act as the marketing director for your home, disbursing customized information about your property to other real estate agents through the Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, holding open houses for agents and the public, and including your listing in Coldwell Banker Brown's network of advertising and marketing opportunities.
8.) We'll put our connections to work for you. Studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts.
9.) Sellers, we can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. We can help you write a binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.
10.) We can help close the sale of your home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing, questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. A Realtor® is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing.
These are just some of the services that Just Ducky Homes and Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors provide to both buyers and sellers. For more detailed information, feel free to give us a call or send us an e-mail today.
Kristina Pratt & Nancy Milton
Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors
618-917-0775
618-791-8007
About the Author: Kristina Pratt is a REALTOR® with Goshen Realty Group at RE/MAX Preferred Partners in Edwardsville, Illinois. She and Nancy Milton help their customers buy and sell homes and investment properties in St. Louis' Illinois suburbs of Madison and St. Clair counties with special emphasis on the communities of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Collinsville and Troy. For more information, visit their web site at http://www.GoshenRealtyGroup.com or e-mail Kristina@GoshenRealtyGroup.com
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Get up early next Saturday morning and check out the freshest weekly event in Edwardsville -- the Land of Goshen Community Market.
throughout the growing season, so you have plenty of time between now and late October to enjoy the experience.
Fresh flowers raised in local gardens are joined by homemade doggie treats, frozen lemonade slushes and the tastiest flax seed cookies ever baked (from Mills Apple Farm). These are just some of the items shoppers can snag at the weekly market.
Artists, like Jim and Christee Cook of Collinsville (pictured left) bring their works to display and sell at the market too. This week, your secret shopper (that's me) also found retro-style aprons just like Grandma used to wear, lunch and wine bags made from sturdy and attractive tapestry materials, canine couture (yes, scarves for dogs) and lovely hand-made pottery.
Friendly ladies demonstrate the ancient art of basket weaving at the market and you can buy the results. Another artist will create a watercolor version of your home, which would make a perfect closing gift for a new home owner. Precious stones are used in hand-crafted jewelry for sale on site.
