Central Illinois Real Estate Blog - April, 2020

A Seller’s Strategic Plan

For the real estate industry, digital marketing resources have long played a valuable role in a successful list-to-sell process. But with today’s shelter-in-place order in effect, these resources mean the singular lifeline between you, the Seller, and your Buyer.

Here are four essential tools that will play leading roles in your Seller’s Strategic Plan: 

Strategic Tool #1: 3D Virtual Tours

Professional, still-life photography is pretty basic in today’s real estate practice. Savvy Sellers need access to 3D-tour technology, which allow virtual walkthroughs for potential Buyers (who may be out-of-town, looking to relocate) and can be accessed from most any media device. Brinkoetter’s industry-leading technology can rotate 360 degrees and move room to…

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Move! Tips for staying active and healthy during quarantine

While gyms, fitness centers, and workout facilities are temporarily closed for quarantine, healthy individuals and families are challenged to find alternative ways to keep active and keep moving.

And experts agree, it’s an important effort.

Staying at home for prolonged periods of time can pose a significant challenge for remaining physically active. Sedentary behavior and low levels of physical activity can have negative effects on physical health and overall quality of life. These stuck-at-home days can also cause additional stress and test mental health (parents, I’m looking at you).

According to Brinkoetter Realtor and RedZone Fitness gym owner, Jenny Lambdin, mental health is just as important as physical health. And exercise is a big player in positive…

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The State of Real Estate in Macon County

The Macon County residential real estate market for the first quarter of 2020 outpaced the first quarter of 2019 by just over 40% in terms of both dollar volume and units sold. Dollar volume was up by $9 million and 79 more homes were sold as compared to the same time period in 2019. To say the market started strong is an understatement.  

Average list price increased 2% to approximately $116,500 from $114,600 and average sales price increased 1% to $109,800 from $108,500.  Buyers and sellers alike were encouraged as the demand was high, the inventory was low, interest rates were experiencing record lows, and financial measures were pointing upward. As a classic example of a right-side up economy: demand was greater than the supply.

Then COVID-19 hit…

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Home Buyers: Lean Back In

The COVID-19 pandemic has left many of today’s buyers wondering how or even if they should proceed with their home search. Questions about safety, financial ramifications, and uncertain job security linger as they question moving forward with their longtime plans.

But as an encouraging sign of the market, and eventual recovery, Brinkoetter Realtors’ home buyers are still signing contracts, closing on purchases,  and making plans to move their families into the homes they’ve been dreaming of. 

While it’s hard to know when things will begin to normalize, industry experts seem to agree that real estate will recover quickly, and may even eventually help to support the economy back to a healthy state.

With that in mind, there are many things buyers can be…

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