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Kristina Pratt, REALTOR® - GoshenRealtyGroup.com

First-time Sellers - You Are Ignored No More

First-time buyers get all of the attention, don't they? They get tax credits, have special programs designed especially for them and they have agents market directly to them. That doesn't seem fair, does it?

Well, first-time sellers rejoice! You are no longer being ignored. I get it. First-time buyers eventually turn into first-time sellers. What happens when you're ready to move-up or you outgrow your current digs?

An agent was there to help you through the buying process, but what now? Do you stick a For Sale By Owner sign in the yard? Do you call the agent that helped you buy the house? Maybe you'll check out Zillow to get an idea about what your house is worth. Should you talk to more than one agent? How on Earth do you manage the details in getting your house sold while at the same time finding a new one?

It's confusing, overwhelming and frustrating, isn't it? That's why hiring an agent is your first step. But not just any agent... an agent that understands the specific needs of first-time sellers.

Agents that have experience with your particular situation are an invaluable ally to have on your side. When helping first-time sellers, I realize that you have lots of questions and need me to devote more of my time to you. I won't just list your house, stick a sign in the yard and never speak to you again. I'll return your e-mails, texts and calls. I love connecting with you on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. And when your house goes under contract, I'll be there with you step by step through financing, inspections, appraisals and closing.

By the way, I didn't mention that you might be eligible for the expanded home buyers tax credit. You could qualify for a $6,500 tax credit to purchase your next home. Cool, huh? Want details? Text, e-mail or call me anytime.

Questions about the home buying tax credit? Video from RE/MAX

As if the first round of tax credits for first time buyers wasn't confusing enough, now the credit has been expanded to include some move-up buyers.  (Also, great news for our military currently serving overseas - you have a longer time frame to use the tax credit).

If you have questions about how the tax credit works, check out this video from RE/MAX.  Then, give me a call or shoot me an e-mail to talk about your next place.

Glen Carbon Home Prices - Closings for Sept/Oct '09

32 homes sold in Glen Carbon in September and October of '09. 4 of these homes were new construction with an average sales price of $194,317 and average days on the market of 152. 28 resale homes had an average sales price of $187,729 with 142 days on the market.

Address/List Price/Sell Price

7028 AUGUSTA DR $205,000 $203,000

110 BAYHILL BLVD $165,000 $163,000

212 BAYHILL BLVD $170,000 $165,000

107 BAYRIDGE $179,000 $168,000

134 BIRGER $109,900 $108,500

2809 BRISTOL WAY $294,900 $250,000

78 DEPOT DR $157,000 $152,000

6 DUNSTON TR $224,900 $165,000

7027 GABLE $239,900 $235,000

110 GINGER CREEK PKWY 9 $126,900 $123,000

6 GINGER WOOD ESTATES $600,000 $592,500

731 GLEN CROSSING RD $209,900 $179,500

182 HILLCREST DR $159,900 $155,000

14 JENNIFER DR $189,900 $186,000

6 JULIE DR $184,900 $182,500

195 S MAIN ST $99,900 $101,000

100 MARK TRAIL DR $129,000 $125,500

924 MARK TRAIL DR $179,500 $179,500

17 MATTERHORN DR $199,999 $185,000

157 MUNZERT $144,900 $141,500

35 NORSPUR $133,150 $133,150

110 OAK RIDGE ESTATES $199,500 $195,000

9 OAKDALE LAKE $169,900 $168,000

26 W OAKSHIRE DR $243,000 $232,500

51 RED BUD LN $179,900 $177,000

31 SUNSET DR $54,900 $50,000

47 WATERFORD LN $210,000 $200,000

128 WILLOW BEND DR $249,900 $238,000

45 WOLFE CREEK CT $310,000 $290,000

308 ABERDEEN DR $219,900 $209,000

7 CAROLYN $179,900 $176,000

109 WALDEN $409,900 $389,000

Edwardsville Home Prices - Closings for September/October '09

As part of our Goshen Realty Group neighborhood updates, here is a list of all Edwardsville homes that sold in September and October of 2009.

85 homes were sold. The average sales price was $210,856 and the average days on the market was 141.

Address/List Price/Sell Price

3003 SUNSET HILLS BLVD $620,000 $592,000

5 FOX HOLLOW $549,900 $525,000

5330 FOX CIRCLE DR $425,900 $400,000

888 MALIBU WAY $475,000 $440,000

2710 HUNTERS RIDGE $279,900 $255,000

124 CHATTANOOGA CT $334,900 $318,500

1806 LINCOLN KNOLLS DR $328,000 $316,000

104 POPLAR CT $314,900 $308,000

3 CHURCHILL CT $244,900 $241,500

7008 STONEY CREEK DR $245,000 $240,000

1398 BRITANY CT $239,900 $229,000

445 EAST LAKE DR $269,900 $275,500

225 BELDEN DR $235,000 $219,500

1404 BRITANY CT $169,900 $181,500

901 CHADERIC CT $259,900 $250,000

7007 MISSIONARY RIDGE CT $257,500 $253,000

2805 FALCON CREST DR $214,900 $205,000

567 EAST LAKE DR $235,000 $180,000

1516 GERBER RD $269,900 $250,000

2714 CABIN CREEK CT $224,000 $217,900

2606 HUNTERS RIDGE $224,900 $210,000

1508 COLES CT $225,000 $205,000

7001 STALLION DR $214,900 $205,000

7007 STONEY CREEK $229,000 $214,000

3461 MANASSAS DR $269,000 $265,500

1312 RANDLE ST $161,900 $159,000

218 CIRCLE $149,900 $146,500

7343 PIN OAK $279,900 $275,000

5017 INDIAN HILLS DR $254,900 $254,900

6820 WHITE OAK CT $175,900 $167,550

883 MALIBU $249,900 $225,000

1161 SAN JUAN $349,900 $338,500

7354 GREEN HEDGE $219,900 $206,500

1923 APPLEGATE $180,000 $169,000

31 TIMBER MEADOW PL $225,000 $210,000

7017 STONEY CREEK DR $209,900 $201,000

843 PRICKETT $199,900 $192,000

501 N BUCHANAN ST $189,900 $182,500

8 NORWOOD CT $209,900 $190,000

74 CHRISTMAS TREE PT $249,900 $230,000

847 SLIPPERY ROCK DR $145,000 $133,000

924 HOLIDAY POINT PKWY $199,900 $190,000

852 NEWPORT BAY DR $254,900 $238,000

6818 STONEY CREEK DR $209,900 $199,000

573 CLOVER DR $164,900 $155,000

139 HOLLYHOCK LN $229,900 $223,500

1284 KEYWEST DR $137,900 $137,500

8 EAGLE CT $229,900 $219,000

1207 LINDENWOOD AVE $149,900 $144,000

837 MADISON $124,900 $123,000

1322 CARRIBEAN DR $139,900 $138,900

106 MAPLE ST $154,900 $142,000

36 SW SHORE DR $234,900 $215,000

719 N BUCHANAN $134,500 $131,500

542 OAK HILL DR $147,900 $145,500

140 E DUNN ST $137,900 $137,500

4843 INDIAN HILLS RD $175,000 $175,000

1540 GRAND AVE $144,500 $140,000

925 TROY RD $109,900 $108,500

612 DEWEY AVE $149,700 $147,500

933 WHIPPOORWILL $190,000 $180,000

320 MONTICELLO PL $182,900 $173,000

1131 NASSAU DR $169,900 $168,500

4620 HORSESHOE LN $96,500 $79,800

512 GUELTIG AVE $130,000 $124,000

7577 JERUSALEM RD $145,000 $127,000

263 COVENTRY PL $164,900 $158,500

445 TAMARACH DR $134,900 $134,900

721 SHERIDAN AVE $124,500 $117,000

823 PRICKETT AVE $67,900 $66,000

739 AMHERST $141,000 $136,000

1415 MADISON $139,000 $134,000

408 N BUCHANAN $127,900 $125,000

5835 OLD POAG RD $119,900 $114,500

529 DEWEY AVE $109,900 $103,900

743 VOGE AVE $24,900 $24,000

634 VOGE $75,000 $60,000

4366 BOHM SCHOOL RD $114,900 $107,500

801 LANCASHIRE $83,900 $75,500

3608 S ARBOR LAKE $655,000 $655,000

3321 GARVEY LN $449,900 $435,000

3344 KARROS CT $479,900 $450,000

7015 ALSTON CT $329,900 $322,400

It's Not Too Early For Holiday Shopping - Come Out And Support ARRF

The Animal Rescue and Relief Foundation of Southwest Illinois is holding a Holiday "Browse About" Event this month in Collinsville.

On November 14th and 15th from 11:00 - 5:00 p.m. you can browse various holiday gifts ranging from one-of-a-kind vintage and collectible items. Premier Jewelry will donate 25% of the retail purchase price to ARRF. The event will be held at 10 Lavadna Court in Collinsville.

Stop by and help ARRF continue to care for sick and injured stray animals. ARRF also offers help for families that are unable to afford to spay or neuter their pets.

To find out more about ARRF, take a look at animals that are available for adoption, or to donate to this wonderful cause visit them on-line at http://www.arrf-il.org

RE/MAX Preferred Partners is a proud advisor of ARRF.