Quincy, IL

Land Prices Soar at Auction - Illinois - Missouri - Iowa

Over the last 12 months or so good agriculture land in West Central Illinois, Northeast Missouri & Southeast Iowa have soared to prices never before seen. The land prices seem to be following the crop prices, up. It starting to make a person wonder, will this ever stop. Just when you think you cant go any higher you hear about another record sale.

Over the last 60 days in West Central Illinois there has been over 380 acres sell in three different auctions. In McDonough Co. Illinois 80 acres sold recently topping out at $10,800 per acre. Next up was 162 acres selling in Adams Co. Illinois. This farm was divided in 4 tracts and bringing $16,000 per acre, $15,000 per acre, $13,000 per acre and finishing up at $12,000 per acre. When all said and done the farm averaged $13,373 per acre. Just a few days ago 132 acres was sold in Pike Co. Illinois near the town of Hull and when the hammer finally fell the price was at $13,250 per acre.

On October 29th, 550 acres was sold at Public Auction in Greene Co. Illinois, near Carrollton. The farm was offered in 10 tracts and the method of sale was High Bidder Choice. Once the dust had settled all 10 tracts were sold to 2 seperate people (30 registered bidders). The out of area Sellers were thrilled with the outcome. The farm brought right at $800 per acre more than the expected.

With ag land selling at these record prices, why not sell? Call United Country Wallingford Group today for a free consultation. United Country Wallingford Group is based in Quincy, Illinois and is a Licensed Real Estate and Auction company in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. References upon request.

Some of the older agents believe that there is too much information provided free on the internet relative to real estate. The fear that with all the free information, a buyer or seller does not need an agent.

I take a different view. It is true that as many as 80% of the buyers start their home search on the internet and many of the sellers research the value of homes and the selling process on the internet and then attempt to price their house and sell their house on their own. As far as the latter, most of the sellers that try to sell their houses on their own eventually list with an agent. The primary reason is probably exposure. Once listed with an agent in the Multiple Listing Service, a house is immediately seen by all the agents in the area. Most real estate offices also spend a lot of money on print advertising and through the internet. An individual just cannot afford to do that.

Most buyers do start their home search on the internet to find out what is available and at what price. However, most also contact a real estate agent once they get serious. An agent can search through the MLS to find the right home for a buyer, check out any disclosures to see if there are issues with the house, tell a buyer about the area that a home is located and set up showings. Problably the most important thing that an agent provides is his or her experience in the law, negotiating and problem solving. Most closings go through without any major problems, but if a major problem occurs, an experience agent can negotiate and solve the problem.

If I can help you in marketing your house or finding you the right home, please give me a call and let me explain how I can help you.

With all the information about homes available on the internet, the question has to be "Do I really need a REALTOR"? Many of today's buyers start their search on the internet and research the buying process. They go to various web sites and find several homes that they like and can afford. They may even drive by the homes and call the agent that has the home listed. Showing home is only a small part of what a REALTOR does.

Finding the right home is only the first step in the process of buying a home. Once the home is located, then the process of negotiating a price and terms takes place. This may reguire several rounds of negotiating and as a buyer, you want to make sure that you have a professional opinion as to the price and what you should ask for. Once a contract is acceptable to both parties, then comes the process of inspections to make sure the house is in the condition that you thought it was. This can actually lead to another round of negotiations if some problems are found. Once all the inspections are done and acceptable, then the process of finalizing the loan, coordinating with the seller to make sure he is moved out and the house is left in good condition and the actual closing process all take place.

REALTORS are well trained in the negotiating process and have been through the inspections and closing process many times and know exactly what to expect. This is where a good well organized REALTOR can make the buying process a pleasant experience rather than a nightmare.