WOODWORK, HARDWOOD FLOORS, CERAMIC TILE, CROWN MOLDING, AND CHARACTER ABOUND IN THIS 4 BR 2 BATH CHARMER. AFTER A HARD DAY'S WORK, ENJOY THE OUTSIDE AIR ON THE HUGE DECK OVERLOOKING THE BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED BACKYARD OR RELAX IN THE WHIRLPOOL TUB. MLS# 1101448 $124,900 3210 N. SHERWOOD PEORIA, IL. CALL OR EMAIL TODAY TO SEE THIS BEAUTIFUL HOME. 309-264-8933 Jim@SikesHomeTeam.com

Thanks to the New Home Ownership Bill (HR6694) signed by President Bush effective October 1, 2008 the FHA will no longer back AmeriDream loans. According to AmeriDream: Charitable down payment assistance funded in part with seller participation has allowed homeownership to grow without using taxpayer dollars. To date, more than one million families and individuals have utilized this down payment assistance, generating nearly $10 billion in home equity for those families. These working families qualify for FHA insured loans in every respect, but are unable to save the needed down payment. AmeriDream has provided more than 250,000 gifts to aspiring homeowners, approximately 80% of whom were first-time homebuyers. AmeriDream also has helped educate 60,000 homebuyers through homebuyer education courses, helped 1,200 homeowners retain their homes when confronted with mortgage difficulties, and committed over $30 million to affordable housing development in local communities.

Once again you should appreciate the appreciation of your home. According to statistics provided by the Peoria Area Association of Realtors, sale price of existing homes rose again in April 2008 over the same month last year. Overall sale price for existing Single Family Homes rose 1.1% over April 2007. 3 bedroom homes led the way with a 5.1%, followed closely by 2 bedrooms or less homes at 3.2% up. In climate where home sales are down in several markets across the country, it is, as always nice to live, work, and play in Peoria.

Sellers, when you know your home is going to be shown, light it up. Open all the curtains or blinds. Turn on all the lights in your home and replace all the burnt out bulbs. When your house is on the market is not the time to be worrying about the electric bill. I know you're saying they can turn the lights on if they want to but, you'd be surprised how much difference there is in the buyers mind between a lighted home and a dark home. The same exact home, shown to the same buyer twice, once lighted and once dark will elicit a different reaction both times. I'm willing to bet the farm they liked the lighted version more. Sometimes a dark home, besides effecting the mood, can give the buyer the impression the seller is hiding something and praying the buyer won't find it if they don't draw attention to it.

Sellers, if you have a dog, take Fido with you when showings are scheduled. There is nothing more distracting to a potential buyer than a caged dog barking. I find it often prevents them for viewing the area that the dog is in, thus ruling your home out for the possibility for purchase because they didn't see all of it and were distracted while viewing the home and failed to notice the selling points of your home.

Buyers, when looking for a home, which is easier? Jumping around from Realtor to Realtor for every house you see and keeping track of who you said what to and who showed you what. Or finding one agent and having him or her show you every home you want to see while actively searching for other homes that match what you're looking for and bringing them to you. Duh! That's a no brainer when you consider a buyer's agent doesn't cost you a penny(the seller pays them when you buy a home) and most agents will not work with you when they find out you see others on the side. So quit hopping around and interview some agents and pick the one that's right for you. Ask your friends and family who they use. Attend open houses to talk to the agents if you don't want to call them up or go to their office directly. Make a choice and stick to it, trust me, you'll thank me!

Buyers, it's the seller's job to make the home look as presentable as possible. Remember, you're not going to a museum, art show, or furniture store. Pay attention to whether or not the home will work for you and your family not the decorations. The seller will be taking their stuff with them when they go and then what are you going to do? Visualize how the home will look with your stuff and if your stuff will even work in the house. If the den will not fit the 100 year old desk that belonged to your famous great-grandfather, is this the home simply because you like the desk that's in there?

One of the most destructive things a seller can do is be present for a showing or open house. I know you think "telling the story" of your house is helpful. Trust me, it is not. You want the buyer to see the home as theirs, not yours. Buyers also feel uncomfortable discussing likes and dislikes about the home in front of the owner. This is a conversation you want the buyers to have while in the home, not while recalling it from memory later on. Something to consider before trying to sell your home yourself. 

The 1st quarter  totals are in and things are not nearly as bad as the media would leave you to believe. Sorry folks, no doom and gloom in the Peoria area real estate market. Average sales price is up 6.33% in the 1st quarter of 2008 versus the 1st quarter of 2007. 3 to 4 bedroom homes dominate the market gains, up  6.7% to last year. We are holding dead even on average number of days on the market at 78 this year and last. If the bustling around the office is any indication, 2nd quarter should be off to a equally, if not stronger start. Statistics for: Class=RE AND Date Range=1/2007-3/2007; As Of: 4/4/2008. Statistics for: Class=RE AND Date Range=1/2008-3/2008; As Of: 4/4/2008.