Chuck Capan, REALTOR® Licensed In IL. - Moline Homes Quad Cities Real Estate

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.

Today was walk to school day for Jane Addams Elementary this is in the spirit of Earth Day. While I'm not exactly an environmentalist, heck just ask my wife I leave too many lights on on any given day, it is fun to see lots of kids walking to school.

The Homewood area has lots of kids who walk to school on a fairly regular basis. I think that is one of the attractions of smaller neighborhood schools.

If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about my hometown of Moline IL. just give me a call. I'm a husband and Dad first but also a Realtor with Mel Foster Co. We are the clear market leader in real estate here in the metro area.

Here is the market share statistics for the 1st quarter 2009.

From the Moline Little League web site:

In 2009 Moline Little league will be restructuring our age groups with the addition of the AA Major League Division. This division is structured to accommodate experienced Minor League players who are interested in the competitive nature of the Major League but would like additional guaranteed playing time. Major League rules will be applied to this level of play which should be considered as preparation for more advanced play. This division will be assembled by a draft procedure similar to Major League and everyone 10 years of age or older must tryout. Those players already drafted on to Major League teams prior to 2009 will not be affected by the restructuring plan and will return to the same teams they were on in 2008.

My nine year old son will be starting little league season this week. Matt is in the "Minor League" division for 9 & 10 year olds. This will be the first time he has to face "kid pitch"...all the previous years have been coach pitch. This is also the first year he will be "playing by real rules" with walks, strike outs, base stealing...you know real baseball.

Should be a fun year, hope there will not be too many bruises from fire-balling 3^rd graders.

My 6 year old daughter Bailey will start Jane Addam's softball practice this week. The Easter Bunny brought her a new pink softball last week.

Play Ball!!!!!!!!!

The Illinois StateBoard of Education has recognized six Moline schools fro their academic achievements. Jane Addams Elementary School received one of the highest awards fro outstanding academic performance. The Academic Excellence Award. To qualify for this award a school must have 90% of their students meet or exceed state standards in both reading and math for 3 consecutive years. The school must have also made Adequate Yearly Progress as required by the No Child Left Behind Act.

Jane Addams is the first school in Rock Island County to receive the Academic Excellence Award. The Illinois State Board of Education also awarded Ericsson, Lincoln-Irving, Logan and Washington with The Spotlight Award. The Spotlight Award is given to schools with 50% low income students and 60% of students that met or exceeded state standards on both reading and math.

Hats off to all students, teachers, support staff and administration.

Go Maroons!