Kristina Pratt, REALTOR® - GoshenRealtyGroup.com

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.

This Saturday, November 7th and again on November 21 from 9:00 to 4:00, the city of Collinsville will be collecting yard waste from residents.

The waste bins will be located in at the street department on South Morrison.

Be sure to bring a picture ID, as only Collinsville residents will be allowed to use the bins. Also, no commercial waste will be accepted for disposal.

Also, if you bring waste in bags make sure they are paper yard waste bags, as no plastic will be allowed at the drop-off site.

For over 90 years, the city of Edwardsville has been host to a spook-tacular Halloween parade. The parade is one of the biggest in Madison County and features marching bands and more than 100 floats this year.

The parade starts at 6:30 in downtown Edwardsville. For the first time in weeks, the weather forecast does not call for rain - so be sure to arrive early to find a parking and a great spot to watch. The parade will begin at Lincoln Middle School and run north to St. Louis street and then onto Vandalia and Main.

According to the Ed-Glen Chamber, this year's theme is "Celebrate The Season".

You can find out more information about the Halloween parade by visiting EdGlenHalloween.com Here you'll find a parade program and parade line-up.

From all of us at Goshen Realty Group and RE/MAX Preferred Partners we wish you a safe and happy Halloween. (Try not to eat too much candy. :) )

Here at Goshen Realty Group, we love our four-legged mascots. We've got the bases covered when it comes to pets of both the feline and canine variety. (Our resident dachshund, Missy, is pictured below.) In fact, our brokerage RE/MAX Preferred Partners does a lot of work on behalf of ARRF in Southern Illinois. Check out their website for more info.

There is an old saying in the real estate business that goes "If you can smell it, you can't sell it." Now this doesn't just mean pet odors - but odors of any kind. Everything from smoke to air fresheners, mildew, must, scented candles and even food smells (pleeeaase don't cook fish or garlic the day before a showing) can turn off a buyer. Believe it or not, smells are a reason for a buyer to offer you a lower price for your home.

The problem is, not everyone that is looking to buy a house loves our pets as much as we do. Many buyers that don't have pets of their own notice the slightest "eau de dog" odor the minute they walk in the door, and for some it's a turn-off.

But don't fret! Your dog or cat can co-exist with the for sale sign in your front yard. Just follow a few of these simple tips...

• Don't use too much air freshener. Please don't use a plug-in scent in every room in your house. If you feel the need to use a plug-in type air freshener try a scent like clean linen. Stay away from cinnamon or other scents that are too flowery. To be perfectly honest, you're not fooling anyone - in fact, most buyers wonder what bad smell you're really hiding.

• Febreze is your friend. Offensive odors live on soft surfaces, and odds are you can't smell it. Before your home is shown, take a bottle of Febreze and spray everything down. Make sure to spray carpets, couches, chairs, bedding, curtains - anything that is fabric. Unlike air fresheners, Febreze has a clean laundry type of smell to it, and it's pleasing. It makes your home smell fresh and crisp.

• If you take Fido or Frisky with you for showings, take all of their stuff too. I had a buyer really digging on a house one time only to spot a litter box in the corner of the dining room. Suddenly the whole house smelled like a cat to her. Take toys, litter boxes, food dishes, beds and crates with you when you leave. I know it's a pain, but your house will sell faster because of it.

• Have your carpets, area rugs and window treatments professionally cleaned. Ask your service provider if they can use a solution specifically designed to eliminate odors.

• Do the doo-doo. Take some time to go outside and pick up after your pooch. No one likes to step in a landmine while checking out your backyard.

• Ask your REALTOR. Don't be afraid to ask your agent if they think there is an odor in your home that might turn off buyers. Constructive criticism of any type can help you sell your home.

If you follow a few of these tips, you're sure to eliminate any unpleasant odor a buyer might object to. It's a lot of work for each and every showing, but once you and your best friend are enjoying your new home it will have been worth it. (Plus, you can take some of that extra money you made and buy your pet a sparkly new collar.)

Here is a quick look at the market stats for Edwardsville from January '09 until today (October 28)

Price by Bedrooms

-2 3 4+ Total

Sell Price Volume $5,236,951 $22,948,347 $24,104,378 $52,289,676

List Price Volume $5,497,500 $24,045,337 $25,151,925 $54,694,762

AVG List Price $119,511 $180,792 $285,817 $204,849

AVG Sell Price $113,847 $172,544 $273,913 $195,841

List/Sell Ratio 95% 95% 96% 96%

Median List/Sell Ratio 94% 97% 96% 97%

Median List Price $119,900 $169,900 $264,450 $185,000

Median Sell Price $113,250 $165,000 $254,000 $180,000

Thinking of selling and curious to see how your home fits into the equation? Give me a call or send me an e-mail so we can discuss your specific needs.