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Edwardsville, IL Real Estate News

By Nancy Milton Holtzscher, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR
(RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)
This post from Belinda Spillman, a great Realtor in Aurora, Colorado -- and the response she received from other Realtors -- really made me think about the value of those old-fashioned "Just Sold" postcards. I've gradually come to realize that some of the old school real estate marketing techniques have been around for such a long time for one reason -- because they actually work. "Just Sold" postcards allow you to tell the neighbors and others nearby that you participated -- as a listing agent or selling agent -- in the deal that sold a property in or near their neighborhood. The cards let them know that you are actively working in their area and that you're familiar with what it takes to price and market a home, find a buyer and hold a deal together to closing. The cards should show t...
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By Nancy Milton Holtzscher, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR
(RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)
Tips From My Cleaning Professional: Get a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Some of my listings need a good cleaning before they go on the market so they can be presented in the best possible condition for potential buyers. When that happens, I have a wonderful cleaning professional in the Edwardsville, Glen Carbon region. (If you'd like an introduction, let me know.) The most recent house she sparkled up for me is a terrific three-bedroom, all-brick ranch in the Leclaire neighborhood in Edwardsville, Illinois. It had been a rental and when the renters moved out, the cleaning service moved in at my direction. I took a look at the house after she was done and WOW, what a difference. It was so clean it squeeked. "What's your secret?" I asked my cleaner.  She wouldn't tell me all of her proprietary c...
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By Nancy Milton Holtzscher, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR
(RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)
"A horse is a horse, of course, of course" --or so went the title jingle from the 1960s TV program, Mr. Ed. Mr. Ed was a talking horse who was a real troublemaker for his owner, Wilbur. He was sort of like the Lucille Ball of horses.  If Mr. Ed lived in my area of southwestern Illinois, he'd tell his owners to stop waiting around and take a look at one of the properties currently on the market that could accommodate him ...and some of his friends too. Mr. Ed was one smart equine. After all, he would know that right now we have record low interest rates, a lot of choice, flexible sellers who have been on the market for a while -- it's the perfect time to get that acreage you've always wanted for your soft-nosed friends. The homes on this horse property list near Edwardsville, Illinois ar...
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By Nancy Milton Holtzscher, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR
(RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)
If you're relocating to the Edwardsville, Illinois area with school-age children, you may need more information about District 7 schools. Here are some of the basics: The district is large -- about 185 square miles -- and encompasses the cities, villages and areas of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Hamel, Worden, Midway, Moro, Dorsey, Prairietown, Holiday Shores and rural areas in between. If you have questions about whether a property you're considering is located in the district, you can ask the Madison County Treasurer's office. The phone is 618-692-6220. If you're working with me as your buyer's agent, I will verify the school district for you as well. The district educates about 7,500 students. There is a high school -- Edwardsville High School; two middle schools -- Liberty and Lincoln...
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By Nancy Milton Holtzscher, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR
(RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)
I remember the rush to get my grade school-age daughter out the door each morning and sometimes forgetting to slip her some lunch money as she ran toward the school. Well, Edwardsville's schools have solved that problem with a service called MyLunchMoney.com. Parents can place a balance on their student's account and then use the service's online system to track their child's purchases, set weekly or monthly spending limts and get account balance information. The nifty meal history feature lets parents get information on what their child has chosen from the cafeteria. Check out the service on the MyLunchMoney.com website. Senior High and Middle School breakfasts cost $1.10 and lunch is priced at $2. Elementary school breakfasts are just 95 cents and lunch is $1.90. If your family meets ...
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By Nancy Milton Holtzscher, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR
(RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)
Pack your lunches and sharpen your pencils. Wednesday, August 17 is the first full day of school in the Edwardsville School District.   This year the district has adjusted starting times and dismissal times for Edwardsville High School as well as for Liberty and Lincoln middle schools to accommodate a new transportation schedule designed to use the district's buses more efficiently. Edwardsville High School will start at 7:20 a.m. and dismissal will be at 1:50 p.m. Liberty and Lincoln middle schools will begin at 8 a.m. and dismiss students at 2:45 p.m. The start and end times for the district's elementary schools stays the same -- 9:15 a.m. start and 3:30 p.m. dismissal. Even if you don't have kids in school in District 7, you'll want to be aware of these new times so you can plan your...
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By Nancy Milton Holtzscher, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR
(RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)
I've been working for longer than I care to admit with a wonderful family whose goal is to move up into a new home in the Edwardsville School District. As sometimes happens, one partner has a list of needs and wants that only partially intersects with the other partner's list. That has made finding the right house a little more challenging. Not impossible. Just challenging. Ultimately I decided to take them to a neighborhood they had rejected in the home search process. The homes were a little older than they said they wanted and there were not as many in-home updates as they would have liked, but I felt that this neighborhood -- tucked away from sight but close to everything including shopping, dining, Edwardsville High School and in a great spot for commuting -- might just fit the nee...
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By Nancy Milton Holtzscher, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR
(RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)
Real Estate Recovery: Edison's Coming Soon to Edwardsville, IL In the world of real estate, it's great to see dirt moving on a construction site again as a bright idea develops right before your eyes. A new entertainment facility called Edison's is being created along IL-157 in Edwardsville, Illinois. Plans call for Edison's to open this December. The site, across from Sunset Hills Cemetery and next to Sunset Hills Country Club, is pictured to the right. Edison's slogan is "What a Bright Idea." The complex will offer a 12-lane boutique bowling alley, a huge laser tag arena, an arcade, a frozen yogurt shop, a lounge and a restaurant all under one roof. An outdoor patio is planned to overlook the lush grounds of neighboring Sunset Hills golf course. In a university town like Edwardsville,...
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By Nancy Milton Holtzscher, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR
(RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)
Edwardsville Named Best City in Illinois for Young Families Who knew a website named Nerd Wallet would have such good taste in lifestyle locations? The site -- which offers financial resources and advice for consumers -- found Edwardsville to be the best city in Illinois for young families. The Nerd Wallet team looked at 124 Illinois towns with populations of 20,000 or more in an in-depth analysis of several important factors. Check out the rankings on Nerd Wallet here. Included in the analysis were Edwardsville's Great Schools rating of 9 (out of 10 possible); a median home value of $197,500; median household income of $74,012; and a growth rate of 45.35 percent from 1999 to 2011.  Nerd wallet set out to answer these questions: Can you afford to live well in Edwardsville? Answer: Yes! ...
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By Nancy Milton Holtzscher, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR
(RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)
Today I was showing homes to a couple of terrific young men who attend SIUE -- Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville -- in Edwardsville, Illinois. We were on the hunt because the parents of one of the students were planning to do exactly what I've been suggesting to many families -- purchase a home in Edwardsville to take care of their housing needs for the years that their son will be at school. We found a property that fit all of their needs and as we were locking the door and heading toward the car the student made a comment about how impressed he was that I had offered to help him. When I was still at home back in Northern Illinois, I called a bunch of agents who had houses that looked good online, he said.  When I'd ask about a particular house, they'd just tell me it was so...
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By Nancy Milton Holtzscher, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR
(RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)
Your Special Needs Child and the Edwardsville School District From time to time a buyer relocating to the Edwardsville area will call to ask how the Edwardsville school district works with special needs students. District 7 offers an extensive special education program for children. The district follows the criteria established by IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.  The district uses a collaborative team approach in each school building and that team works to identify and evaluate students. The team includes the building principal, a psychologist, a social worker, a special education teacher, the school nurse and the student's classroom teacher. Parents are encouraged to participate on the team as well. Outside resources or agencies also can be brought in for assista...
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By Nancy Milton Holtzscher, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR
(RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)
Homes Perfect for SIUE Student Housing in Edwardsville, Illinois Edwardsville, Illinois is home to the lovely campus of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and a booming community of students. The university has been experiencing historic enrollment levels in recent years, leading some families to seek alternative housing arrangements for their students who can't find space in dorms or who are not interested in the dorm experience. (The university has newer and spectacular dorms, but space fills up fast.) Parents may want to consider buying a reasonably priced Edwardsville area home and saving on their student's room and board costs by renting the additional bedrooms in the home to roommates.  Their monthly rental payments can pay some -- or in some cases, all -- of the home's ...
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By Bob Ashauer
(RE/MAX Alliance)
Picture it - a big two story house, on a hill, painted a deep purple, with red trim and so very, very ugly - standing like a beacon for all to see - with a "for sale" sign. IN THIS MARKET, A PURPLE HOUSE WILL NOT SELL! Sure, somewhere out there might be a buyer just looking for a purple house - right!  Or someone who realizes it's just paint - right!  We have often said in the past there is a buyer out there for every home.  Granted, but in today's market, loaded with inventory and scarce with buyers, the sad truth is that not every home listed for sale will sell this year.  The purple house will be one of those that will not sell.  OK, stubborn seller/dreamers, at least consider that painting a nice home purple to market it is a real dumb idea.  Got the picture?  Smile, but here is ano...
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By Nancy Milton Holtzscher, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR
(RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)
Independence day will be celebrated with fireworks, music and even patriotic puppies throughout Madison County, Illinois in St. Louis' suburbs this year. Edwardsville In the Madison County seat of Edwardsville, two patriotic-themed concerts are set for 8 p.m. on both Thursday, June 30 (the Edwardsville Municipal Band) and Friday, July 1 (Master's Voice Choir) at City Park. On Saturday, July 2, the city of Edwardsville and the American Legion Post 199 host an Independence Day Celebration on the Legion grounds. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. with children's rides, food and drinks, a concert and fireworks at 9:20 p.m.  All events are free and open to the public. More information is available at www.CityofEdwardsville.com or 618-692-7538. Alton The Mississippi River Fireworks Festival lights u...
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By Nancy Milton Holtzscher, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR
(RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)
Wildey Theatre Reborn in Edwardsville, Illinois One of the many great things about life here in Edwardsville, Illinois is the vibrant downtown. The restored and reopened Wildey Theatre is adding a lot of evening events to the community's already active social calendar. Like many single-screen older movie houses, the Wildey closed its doors in the early 1980s (the last first-run film to play there was "The Big Chill" in 1984).  After many starts and stops at preservation over the ensuing 27 years, the city acquired the property in 1999 and this year has given us back this civic gem. Opened originally in 1909 as an opera house and a meeting site for the International Order of Odd Fellows (note the I.O.O.F. in the friezework at the top of the building), the Wildey has held a firm grip on t...
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By Nancy Milton Holtzscher, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR
(RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)
Pool Homes for Sale in Edwardsville, Illinois If you've been making do like the folks on this page, instead of enjoying an inground pool of your own, maybe it's time to look at pool homes in Edwardsville.  And, it's hot outside.  Which is really the best excuse I know for wanting a new home with a beautiful, cool pool. Click here to see all of the pool homes currently for sale in Edwardsville, Illinois. Note that this link to my website presents the most expensive pool homes first. If you'd like to see the most affordable pool homes first, scroll to the bottom of the page.  If you're ready to take the plunge into a pool home of your own, call me at 618-791-8007 or email Nancy@GoshenRealtyGroup.com. I'm your Edwardsville Realtor.
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By Nancy Milton Holtzscher, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR
(RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)
How are home values in Edwardsville, Illinois? As you might imagine, this is a question I get all the time because people are confused and anxious about the worth of their homes.If you look at the national media, you might be forgiven for thinking that everything in real estate is bad news. So let's take a deep, cleansing breath and look at the image of lovely Leclaire Park at the right and then peek at the real Edwardsville numbers for a dose of truth:In 2009, 334 homes were sold in Edwardsville.  The average home stayed on the market 157 days, and sold at an average price of $198,122.Fast forward to 2010 and fewer homes were sold in Edwardsville -- 317.  Those homes also stayed on the market a little longer -- an average of 168 days on the market. But here's the great news: Home sales...
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By Nancy Milton Holtzscher, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Illinois Broker, REALTOR
(RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs)
This weekend I arranged to meet a long-time customer at an REO home in Edwardsville. She and her husband are interested in this foreclosure as something they can live in whiile they renovate it back to the standards of its very nice neighborhood. We spent about 45 minutes at the home, talking about bank foreclosures and the work that might need to be done to this particular property. I always tell buyers to be prepared for the worst-case scenario on REOs as the seller (the bank) does not present disclosures that will give a buyer an idea of what is and is not wrong with the home. As I was pulling out of the driveway after the showing, a young couple and a set of parents rounded the corner with hopeful looks in their eyes.  "Are you an agent?"  I exchanged information with them and re-op...
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Edwardsville, IL Real Estate Professionals