Moline, IL

It is not totally official, yet. It looks like my broker will be coming up with the policy asking us to stay away during the whole house inspection. The wording will be something along the lines of "Go to the home, make sure everyone is there, make any necessary introductions, leave.

This is one time that I am ahead of the game. I really do not think it is my place to attend home inspections.

Do you think otherwise? If you do let me turn it around.

Say you are at a listing appointment but the home inspector is there too.

You are going over your skillfully prepared CMA...halfway through the inspector yells out "hey I've found two breakers in the panel that are double tapped!

Two minutes later the inspector says " looks like the electric sub-panel is wired incorrectly"

As you go over the marketing plan with the seller the inspector butts in "hey, you want me to take some air samples? You may have a mold problem!!"

The client is paying the inspector, let the inspector do his/her job.

If your client really wants you there...go but keep your mouth shut.

I'm really proud to be working for Number 1! This market share graph is for all properties.

With 2 games scheduled at 11:00 AM I go one way my wife goes the other. Just as we back down the driveway at 10:00...on come my wipers. Girls softball already canceled.

Weatherman says last night "a few passing storms, 30% chance of rain, most of the rain will be North of the Metro." yeah right

By 10:15 we are seeking shelter in the dugout. Moderate rainfall...the sky looks like it will be going on for a while. The game is called off...we start calling parents hoping to head them off before they depart.

"Can you come at 1:00 on Sunday? We need to reschedule."

Looks like we can get 10 of 13. Pretty cool...we played one game this year with 8. Then an injury and we are at 7 for one inning.

As we head for the van I recall Charlie Brown saying "Where is everyone going? Are you gonna let a little rain stop us from playing?" "Rats."

2 opens on Sunday...I'm gonna miss my first game. rats

hey the sky is getting lighter...maybe we can get up to the batting cage

Recently my wife Laurie, a 3^rd Grade teacher at Jane Addams Elementary, received a special recognition. The Moline School District's Business and Education Partnership, the City of Moline and Deere & Co. announced the latest winners of the John Deere Partnership award.

School District staff members who excel at there craft are nominated by their peers and students.

I am extremely proud of Laurie. This award is well deserved and I know that Laurie was happy to receive this honor. The term "Above and Beyond" in my humble opinion certainly applies to a special teacher who spends countless hours at night and on the weekends doing whatever it takes to make her classroom a better place to learn.

Here in Moline Illinois and the Quad Cities in general real estate seems to be picking up. Now I'm not here to declare the end of the housing slump but I will say that I've personally witnessed some good things.

Let's start with interest rates and the lending industry. This morning I talked to my long time friend Mary Bosso-Trondson. Mary works for Quad City Bank & Trust. She reported as of today interest rates below 5%. Yes you need a good credit score and if you are going the FHA route you are looking at 3.5% down and don't forget those pre-paids too.

Now back to some of my anecdotal stories. I work with a 5 person team and we have sold some homes in as little as 2 to 3 weeks on the market. I've seen other agents in my office sell in less time. Yes I'm talking this year...you know 2009.

Sellers keep in mind the advice given to you by your Realtor. (Hopefully that Realtor is ME) DO NOT overprice your home. This is NOT the formula to determine the price your home needs to list at.

What you owe on the mortgage + What you need for the down payment on your next home + Realtor commission + Another 10% or so for wiggle room = LIST PRICE.

Buyers keep in mind the advice given to you by your Realtor. (Hopefully that Realtor is ME) DO NOT think you are going to buy a home for 50% of the list price. This is NOT the formula to determine the price you will be paying for your next home.

List price - 35% discount because what you heard on the news - 10% for future possible repairs - $2,000 for your closing costs = the price you are willing to pay.

Here is the truth for the first two weeks in April 2009 for the Quad Cities. On average the homes are selling at 95.02% of list price.

So call me for selling advice or if you are on the hunt for your next home...I can help with that too.