Open Sunday!

Come visit us in Dunlap on Sunday from 2:00 - 4:00!

11705 N Brians Way, Dunlap

Updated 4 bedroom 3 bath home located in North Brook Subdivision in Dunlap. The newly stained deck overlooks a full fenced yard with great landscaping and the park behind. The kitchen has New granite countertops and updated hardware with a tiled floor. The main floor offers updated wood floors and a main floor laundry. The fireplace in the living room can be see from the kitchen and family room in this open floor plan. The basement has an office area and 4th bedroom(no egress) and a large Rec area. Over 2760 sqft of finished living space. Don’t miss out!! See the listing for more details. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

Home Staging: You have ONE chance to make the right FIRST IMPRESSION!

When you put your house on the market and prepare it for sale, stage your home with an Accredited Staging Professional™ (ASP) to ensure you make the right first impression. Similar to a product on the shelf at your local store, your home has features and benefits as well as pluses and minuses, and competition. To compete with the competition on the marketplace you must be priced right and look better than the other products. Homes are no different: yours is one of many homes for sale and you must present it to the buyers in the best possible light.

Staging is the process of preparing any home for sale, regardless of the price or location. Staging is NOT decorating or design! Decorating or design is personalizing and staging is de-personalizing and preparing a house for the unknown buyer. That is why it’s KEY that you hire someone with training specifically on how to prepare a house for sale.

Lights, flowers and music are great for showing a house, but that is not staging. Staging requires an objective and professional assessment of a house’s strengths and challenge areas, and solutions to help buyers fall in love with what they see. This requires more than just flowers and music to achieve - it requires a plan of action! Your ASP can help you with a Success Plan for getting your house STAGED and SOLD!

The shows on HGTV and similar channels give sellers the idea that they need to do something to their house to prepare it for sale, but sellers cannot truly be objective in a house they have been living in and need a 3rd party independent opinion to get it properly Staged. ASPs have the experience and ideas to help sellers get their houses ready to help get a house sold.

The Gillespie Group offers a FREE Staging Consultation by Tara Gillespie, an Accredited Staging Professional™, when you list with us. Working with Tara to stage your home entitles you to a special marketing program developed to promote those homes who have been designated as Staged Homes. This unique system has proven to help sell homes faster and/or for more money.

Open Sunday!

Come visit us Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 at our open houses!

400 Riverview Bluffs, Metamora
Absolutely breathtaking river views from this sprawling 2400 square foot all brick ranch sitting on just over 3 acres. Opportunities like this don’t come along very often. This 4 bedroom 3 full bath ranch has a finished walkout basement. The updated kitchen is absolutely huge with an abundance of cabinets. There are a total of 3 wood burning fireplaces in the home. Many updates including main bath remodel, range and microwave, wine rack, water softener and iron filter, and pressure tank for the well. All appliances stay. $274,500. See the listing for more details.

14821 N Fruitland, Chillicothe
WOW!! This 3 bedroom, 1 bath ranch located just outside of Chillicothe. The house has many updates. Newer flooring including wood in the living room, carpet in the bedrooms, and tile in the kitchen. All appliances stay but are not warranted. The one-stall garage has been enclosed for a workshop, but it can be changed back to a garage. The heating and cooling were new in 2007 and the well was replaced in 2000. Very clean and neat. Ready for a new family. Do not miss out!!! $94,900. See the listing for more details.

Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

Making Moving Fun For The Whole Family

Moving to a new home can be a stressful experience for anyone. From the moment the house hunt begins to the day one steps foot into a new abode, relocating can be an intense process – especially when children are involved. More often than not, the home serves as a special source of security and comfort for children, so it’s no wonder why many families have concerns about leaving their familiar surroundings. After all, kids tend to be reluctant to change their clothes let alone their addresses, schools and friends!

Talking to kids before a move can help get them ready both emotionally and physically. Parents who communicate with their children that moving is an exciting adventure rather than something frightening or dreadful are likely to reduce some of the stress and help make moving more enjoyable for everyone. Most children adjust quickly to a move, especially when parents take the time to talk to their kids about the process and plan activities in advance. “The most important thing is for parents to have a good attitude. Everything is not expected to be perfect but if parents stay positive and enthusiastic about moving, the kids will feel better about it too.”

Below are six suggestions from the agents of Coldwell Banker for how to make moving fun for the entire family:

• Explore the neighborhood. Between the time you close on a new home and the time the moving truck arrives, spend a “family day” touring the new neighborhood. This will take some of the “mystery” out of the move. Pointing out local attractions and introducing children to their new neighbors and school will help get them excited about their new surroundings and reassure them that they will be able to make friends after the move. If it is not possible to go to your new neighborhood, try to compile as much information about the local community as possible. Online tools such as Coldwell Banker On Location and Community Reports can offer consumers a wealth of information. Also ask your real estate agent for photographs of the new home and local area so that you can share them with your child.


• Make a family wish list. One of the best ways to acclimate your child to change is to emphasize the positive opportunities they’ll be presented with once the family makes the adjustment. Write a list of all of the things your child wants to do once the family is settled in the new home. By encouraging your child to get involved with extracurricular activities that align with existing interests, you’ll not only keep them busy but help them to feel more at home in their new surroundings. Activities such a as sports, gymnastics, theater and art classes will also be a great way for your kids to make new friends.


• Pack a treasure box. It’s no secret that children can become very attached to their belongings. That’s why Coldwell Banker (DBA) suggests giving your child his / her own packing box to decorate however they would like and to pack up their favorite things. Keep the box close by throughout the move. This way your child can be sure those precious items will not be left behind.


• Let loose your child’s creativity. Kids will appreciate being involved in decorating their new house – especially when it comes to their own room! Bring home paint swatches so that your child can choose a color for the walls. Then follow up with a special day where he / she can shop for a new comforter, furniture, etc. Being reasonable with his / her selection and allowing your child to be creative will help make the transition smoother - after all, it’s only paint!


• Help your kids create an address book. Staying in touch with friends has never been easier. Help your child collect phone numbers, mailing and email addresses for everyone they would like to keep in touch with. Then show him / her how easy it is to send an email. People are using the Internet more and more to ‘speak’ with each other anytime and from anywhere with just the click of a button. By showing your child how simple it can be to keep in touch with old friends, they are sure to feel more at ease about the move.


• Pre-plan a housewarming party with friends from the old neighborhood. Saying goodbye to friends can be difficult for parents and their children. Before the big moving day arrives, plan a gathering at your new home with pals from the old neighborhood. Having a date set in advance will help your child to see that just because the family is leaving behind a particular home, does not mean they are leaving behind friends.

Find more great tips and articles at www.richgillespie.com/

New Listing in Dunlap!

11705 N Brians Way, Dunlap

Updated 4 bedroom 3 bath home located in North Brook Subdivision in Dunlap. The newly stained deck overlooks a full fenced yard with great landscaping and the park behind. The kitchen has New granite countertops and updated hardware with a tiled floor. The main floor offers updated wood floors and a main floor laundry. The fireplace in the living room can be see from the kitchen and family room in this open floor plan. The basement has an office area and 4th bedroom(no egress) and a large Rec area. Over 2760 sqft of finished living space. Don’t miss out!! $224,900. See the listing for more details. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

Just Listed a Townhouse in Rolling Brook Subdivision

10014 N Brompton Court, Peoria
3 bedroom 2 and 2 ½ bathroom Townhouse located in Rolling Brook Subdivision. Upgrades galore, including granite counter tops, finished basement with wet bar and day light windows, upgraded wood flooring and carpet throughout the home and daylight windows in the basement. The home offers a wooded back yard with deck, and a loft computer area upstairs. Don’t miss out!! $239,900. See the listing for more details. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

Open Sunday!

Come see us Sunday from 2:00 - 4:00.

3720 N. Sheridan, Peoria

This is your chance to live in the Knolls for an affordable price! This 3 bedroom 2 full bath ranch home with a 2 car garage is in move in condition. So many updates have been done recently. They include the roof in 2010, bath remodel in ’07, the A/C, siding, soffit, gutters, and fence in 2006. The furnace was replaced in 2004. All of the kitchen appliances stay. The master bedroom has a master bath. There is a beautiful brick courtyard great for entertaining. $100 Association Fee includes Maintenance/Grounds. $124,900. See the listing for more details. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

New listing in East Peoria!

306 Cole Street, East Peoria
Investor Alert! 3 bedroom 2 ½ bath home located in East Peoria. This home has a lot to offer its new owner, a little TLC will take this house a long way. Rent it out or live in the 2 story home, the detached garage has potential apartment above. House could be split 3 possible ways but is currently configured for single family. New roof in 2009, 3 season porch,basement has kitchen and full bath, upstairs has potential kitchen and full bath. The second floor has its own entrance and garage has a ton of potential. Sold As-Is No repairs. See the listing for more details. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.

Happy 4th of July!

It's good to celebrate all the things that bring us together as a community and a country. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!