The days of spending 10, 20, 30 or even 40 years in the same company, in the same facility, are almost a thing of the past. Today, individuals will likely have an average of 10.8 different employers in a lifetime, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Whether prompted by a corporate transfer, career change or lifestyle goal, Americans are on the move.
Picking up and moving cross country, or to another state, isn’t always easy. One must find a home, a job for a spouse, perhaps schools if children are involved, not to mention get a feel for the community and general lifestyle before settling into a new location.
Check-out the Relocation Tips on our website for steps to ensure when and if it comes time to move a considerable distance, the process is smooth and simple.
Whether you are moving in the area or to another part of the country, we would love to help you! The Gillespie Group can help you find that perfect REALTOR anywhere in the country or in the world! Email or call us at 309-657-0063 anytime.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Just Listed!
811 W Cedar Point, BartonvilleDon’t miss this 3 bedroom 2 bath home located in Cedarwood subdivision. Extremely clean and well kept, it offers a open floor plan with a master suite, eat-in kitchen, dining area, Gas log fireplace, and a full basement that is ready to be finished. The home has a 2 stall garage with a large fully fenced backyard and open foyer. Don’t wait to buy this home!! Check out the listing for more details. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Television Debut
Rich made his television debut last night during American Idol in the new Coldwell Banker Devonshire commercial. Just in case you missed it, here it is.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit
Several people have asked me about the First-time Homeowners Tax Credit. An $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers was signed in to law as part of the new Stimulus Bill. Unlike last year's tax credit, this is a true credit and will not require a payback. It will expire December 1, 2009!
The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) has published a few great resources to help.
Email or call us at 309-657-0063 for more details. We want to help you get started!
The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) has published a few great resources to help.
- Chart Highlighting the Major Modifications to the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit
- Frequently Asked Questions
Email or call us at 309-657-0063 for more details. We want to help you get started!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Consumer Housing Relief Program
This is a new website that details the Government’s Consumer Housing Relief Program. It has a lot of information and resources, including a self-assessment tool to see if you are eligible. If you think you or someone you know is among the 7 to 9 million homeowners who may be able to benefit from Making Home Affordable, make sure to check out this site.
www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov
www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov
Just Listed a Home with 16+ Acres
846 Thenius, Sparland Don’t miss this amazing 4 bedroom 2 full bath home located on over 16 acres of land. House was custom built in 1994, garage in 06, new roof was placed on the house in 2007 to match the garage. Home offers over 2500 sqft of finished living space, large eat in kitchen and a wrap around deck. The lower level is a walk-out with new carpet. Prime hunting land with a stream, lots of timber, and an abundance of deer, turkey, and much more. The 70X30 outbuilding has an 8” concrete floor. The well is 50’ deep and 3’ around. Check-out the listing for more details. Email or call us at 309-657-0063 if you have any questions.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Going Green!
Tips for homeowners to make their home more eco-friendly.
Interest in the environment and green building has moved beyond installing energy efficient appliances and swapping out incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescents. With luxury condos touting eco-friendly features like rain water recycling and construction companies incorporating energy saving features into new homes, it's no wonder real estate professionals say more and more potential home buyers are asking about "green homes."
With demand for environmentally friendly homes blossoming across the country, one way to make a home stand out in a stalled real estate market is to retro-fit it to green standards. Below are some tips from the professionals at Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation on how to make your home sustainable, energy- and cost-efficient now, to appeal to eco-conscious home buyers later.
Replace hardwood floors with renewable materials. While hardwood has been the flooring of choice for the past several years, bamboo floors are much more eco-friendly because bamboo grows quickly and can be easily replaced. In the kitchen, linoleum floors, made from solidified linseed oil, wood flour or cork dust over a burlap or canvas backing, is very eco-friendly compared to modern floor coverings made from polyvinyl chloride.
Don't flush away your money. Consider replacing existing commodes with low-flow toilets which use approximately 20 percent less water per flush, or dual-flush toilets with two buttons to give home owners the choice of flushing with a half- or full tank.
A ray of light. In many neighborhoods, owning a home on the north side of the street has always been more desirable than ones on the south side. South-facing windows provide more natural daylight, making a home more bright and cheery. More importantly, natural daylight helps keep indoor climate comfortable during the winter months, allowing a homeowner to lower the thermostat. Alternatively, drawing shades during key daylight hours during the summer can help cut down on air conditioning needs.
Green gardening. Sustainable landscaping is becoming all the rage to eco-conscious home owners. Planting native plants, vegetation and shade trees strategically around a home will keep it cool during the summer and block cold winds during the winter. Native vegetation thrives in its preferred environment and won’t require excess water. In addition, concrete driveways and patios can be replaced with permeable paving materials, allowing water to pass through to the ground, in turn reducing runoff that erodes soil and causes flooding of sewer systems.
Switch to green power. The use of renewable energy in a home, such as solar, wind, water or geothermal, greatly helps reduce pollution. However, installing solar panels or wind generators can be enormously expensive. Today, many utility companies in the U.S. are offering home owners an option to purchase a form of renewable energy that does not cost much more than conventional energy. The government also offers many financial incentives to home owners who install renewable-energy systems.
Interest in the environment and green building has moved beyond installing energy efficient appliances and swapping out incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescents. With luxury condos touting eco-friendly features like rain water recycling and construction companies incorporating energy saving features into new homes, it's no wonder real estate professionals say more and more potential home buyers are asking about "green homes."
With demand for environmentally friendly homes blossoming across the country, one way to make a home stand out in a stalled real estate market is to retro-fit it to green standards. Below are some tips from the professionals at Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation on how to make your home sustainable, energy- and cost-efficient now, to appeal to eco-conscious home buyers later.
Replace hardwood floors with renewable materials. While hardwood has been the flooring of choice for the past several years, bamboo floors are much more eco-friendly because bamboo grows quickly and can be easily replaced. In the kitchen, linoleum floors, made from solidified linseed oil, wood flour or cork dust over a burlap or canvas backing, is very eco-friendly compared to modern floor coverings made from polyvinyl chloride.
Don't flush away your money. Consider replacing existing commodes with low-flow toilets which use approximately 20 percent less water per flush, or dual-flush toilets with two buttons to give home owners the choice of flushing with a half- or full tank.
A ray of light. In many neighborhoods, owning a home on the north side of the street has always been more desirable than ones on the south side. South-facing windows provide more natural daylight, making a home more bright and cheery. More importantly, natural daylight helps keep indoor climate comfortable during the winter months, allowing a homeowner to lower the thermostat. Alternatively, drawing shades during key daylight hours during the summer can help cut down on air conditioning needs.
Green gardening. Sustainable landscaping is becoming all the rage to eco-conscious home owners. Planting native plants, vegetation and shade trees strategically around a home will keep it cool during the summer and block cold winds during the winter. Native vegetation thrives in its preferred environment and won’t require excess water. In addition, concrete driveways and patios can be replaced with permeable paving materials, allowing water to pass through to the ground, in turn reducing runoff that erodes soil and causes flooding of sewer systems.
Switch to green power. The use of renewable energy in a home, such as solar, wind, water or geothermal, greatly helps reduce pollution. However, installing solar panels or wind generators can be enormously expensive. Today, many utility companies in the U.S. are offering home owners an option to purchase a form of renewable energy that does not cost much more than conventional energy. The government also offers many financial incentives to home owners who install renewable-energy systems.
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