Davenport Iowa Real Estate

MEL FOSTER CO. CELEBRATES A SUCCESSFUL 2007 BUSINESS YEAR

2007 was a very good year for the Mel Foster Co. Real Estate Division, despite the continuing national headlines, radio and TV talk shows heralding the doom and gloom of the disastrous housing industry.  We've grown to realize that housing is local, and Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois have maintained a positive market for real estate sales.

In fact, "revenues were up 1% over those of 2006 - which wasn't the banner year of 2005, but a profitable year nonetheless," President, Bonnie Sparks-Gray reported on Thursday.  Total sales volume for the company stood at $799,324,155, just off the 2006 figure by .08%.  Residential sales alone totaled $700,734,650 or 98.7% of the volume dollar closed in 2006.

Commercial sales climbed 15.6% over 2006 to close the year at $71,846,712.  Other sales activity added another $26,742,793 to total the $799,324,155 year-end dollar volume.

The Quad City Metro Area faired even better showing an increase in market share virtually each of the 12 months, over the market share percentages in 2006 to close the year at 45.5% compared to 43.2% for 2006.  Scott and Rock Island counties boasted $485,302,226, a significant increase over 2006's $472.67 million in sales volume.  "Not only do these numbers speak positively of our local economy in general, it shows we're not a player in the ‘national housing downturn'," said Sparks-Gray.  "In fact, the average sale price for closings within Mel Foster Co. was $133,626 compared to $126,148 in 2006 or a 5.6% increase in value although the number of closed sides was 5,244, off by 7.3% compared to 2006.  And according to our local Multiple Listing Service, provided through the Quad City Area REALTOR® Association, the average days-on-the-market for residential sales in 2007 was just 57 days, down from 61 days in 2006, and the list-to-sale price ratio was 97.02% down marginally from 97.12% in 2006."

The year was favorable in new construction sales as well.  Mel Foster Co. closed $127,239,356 in dollar volume or 51.3% of the new construction sales, compared to 45.7% in 2006.  New construction sales for Mel Foster Co. in the Iowa Quad Cities amounted to $103,725,320 or 51.9% and $23,514,036 in the Illinois Quad Cities or 48.7%.

The number of agents needed to total all of these numbers has fallen in 2007 from 387 to 368, or a decrease of 5.16%.  The National Association of REALTORS® has been predicting fewer agents and it's beginning to come to fruition throughout the country.  We're beginning to see fewer agents doing more of the business," said Sparks-Gray.  "Our agents must be as sophisticated and savvy as our consumers - it's an expectation.  While the business isn't for everyone, for those who practice business planning and exceed customer expectations, our agents can experience a satisfying, rewarding career in real estate." 

Mel Foster Co. is celebrating their agents and staff at their annual awards breakfast being held at the Golden Leaf Banquet Center at 8:30 am on 1-25-08 and at their gala dinner dance 1-26-08 at the River Center.  "We want our staff and our agents to know how valued they are.  This is one way we show our appreciation," concluded Sparks-Gray.

It looks like we're turning the corner!  This is a great time to buy a home!

For more information on what these recent market statistics from the Quad Cities mean to you please call:

LUCKY LANG, QUAD-CITIES FAVORITE REALTOR^®

Lucky Lang, Realtor ^®           Licensed in Iowa & Illinois

Mel Foster Co., Inc., 3211 E. 35th Street Ct., Davenport, IA  52807-2585

Cell: (563) 676-9031    Office: (563) 823-2213    Fax: (563) 459-6720    Toll Free: (800) 791-8132 Ext. 325

LuckyLang.com

Don't let this great real estate buying opportunity pass you by!!!

237 Ridgewood Avenue, Davenport, Iowa 52803 - SOLD!

593 Clover Hill Lane, LeClaire, Iowa 52753

5535 Delton Drive, Davenport, Iowa 52804

5445 Delton Drive, Davenport, Iowa 52804 - SOLD!

1432 Rhinelander Drive, Davenport, IA 52804 - SOLD!

1609 W. 66th Street, Davenport, Iowa 52806 - SOLD!

8201 54th Street Ct., Coal Valley, IL 61240 - SOLD!

219 Colony Drive, Davenport, Iowa 52806

Lot 1, Shabonee Estates, Route 84, Rapids City, Illinois 61275

2419 Carey Avenue, Davenport, Iowa 52803 - SOLD!

334 S. Elmwood Avenue, Davenport, Iowa 52802

711 Vine Street, Davenport, Iowa 52804

420 E. 6th Street, Davenport, Iowa 52803

414 E. 6th Street, Davenport, Iowa 52803

Call Lucky @ (563) 676-9031

 Chordbuster Barbershop Chorus Presents

Singing Valentines

Delivered by a BARBERSHOP QUARTET in full black tux attire

Thursday, February 14^th, 2008 only

8am - 8pm

Say "I Love You" with a Singing Valentine and leave your sweetheart speechless

    Quartet will serenade your special Valentine with two timeless love songs in classic four-part, a cappella harmony

Plus, single long-stemmed red rose & souvenir photo

Can be delivered at home, office, restaurant - anywhere within immediate QC area (20 mile radius)!

Proceeds benefit QC Area vocal music programs

The cost is only $50 for delivery during any scheduled 2-hour time window, 8 am - 8 pm.  There will be a $10 surcharge to reserve a specific delivery time (under 2 hours).  Credit cards accepted  (Visa,Discover or  MasterCard only)                                                      

---------------------------------------------------------(ORDER FORM) ---------------------------------------------------------

Sender:______________________________

Sender's Street:__________________________________________

City:_________________________  State:_____   Phone (required)__________________  

Best times to reach you: __________

Please deliver ______ Singing Valentine(s) to the following person(s):

____________________________________________

Where to deliver / directions / special instructions:  _________________________________________________

Delivery date:  _____  Check Desired Time Block:   8-10am ____   10am-12pm____   12-2pm ____   2-4pm ____   4-6pm____    6-8pm ______    

Other 2-hr block:  _____- _____   specific time: ________    

(NOTE:  Credit card orders may be phoned in.)

SEND ORDER FORM W/ PAYMENT TO:  CHORDBUSTER CHORUS, % AMOS GLANZ, 1934 BRISTOL DR., BETTENDORF, IA   52722.   CALL (563) 359-6772 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Ask for Lucky Lang's Quartet!!!

Forget about the fifth graders out there, we have new competition!

See how you do with this Pre-Schooler's Test!

Which way is the bus below traveling?

To the Left.......or to the Right? 

Have you figured it out yet?

Are you sure?

Look carefully at the picture again.

Still undecided?

Pre-Schoolers from all over the United States were shown this picture and asked the same question.  Over 90% of them answered, "It is traveling to the LEFT!"

Can you figure out why?

Still confused (as I was)?

When asked why the bus is traveling to the left the Pre-Schoolers answered, "Because you can't see the door to get on the bus!"

Have our lives become that complicated that we can't even see the simple things in life?

Have a great day!

Lucky :)

Hello, from the Quad-Cities!  The Rock Island Arsenal is a beautiful military base located in the middle of the Mississippi River!  With the Rock Island Arsenal and regional headquarters located here, there are many magnificent government quarters that sit right on the Mississippi river front. 

The Quad-Cities is a beautiful river community that is rich in heritage, culture, and quality of life! It is located approximately halfway between Chicago and Des Moines on I-80 at the Mississippi River. Terrain varies from flat corn fields to heavily wooded ravines and views from beautiful rolling hills to scenic river bluffs that are one of a kind! Schools are always high in national ranking as we pride ourselves in educating our children. Cost of living is relatively low primarily because of the great values in our real estate! Come visit us and you'll see why Quad-Cities, USA, is ranked at the top of many national polls as a great place to live and raise a family!

Call me for your private tour of the Quad-Cities!  My parents are official ambassadors for the area and I have lived here all my life, married my wife (who was the Commander of the Rock Island Arsenal's daughter), and we have raised our family with great mid-western values!

To those of you in my real estate family, please allow me the opportunity to welcome your clients relocating to the Quad-Cities!

To those of you in the military looking to transfer here in the Quad-Cities, please allow me the opportunity to welcome you and assist you in your relocation process!

Thanks!  I look forward to meeting all of you!

Lucky :)

I'm sure you've all seen the national news about the Iowa Caucuses.  We've been right in the thick of things here in Davenport, Iowa!  Examples:

• DAVENPORT, Iowa - Sen. John McCain returned to Iowa on Wednesday to launch a last-minute campaign blitz before tonight's presidential caucuses, buoyed by a new national poll that has him leading the Republican field. (Story from The Arizona Republic)

• It was a conciliatory Obama, as well, who trekked east to west from Davenport to Des Moines, rarely mentioning his opponents by name.  "I do not want to pit red America against blue America," he told a crowd of nearly 500 Iowans crowded into a community center in Davenport. "I want to be the president of the United States of America." (Story from The Houston Chronicle borrowed from The Los Angeles Times)

The Los Angeles Times did an awesome story about caucusing and why Iowa is first.  The reason in a word is.....TRADITION!  Iowa started it years ago when no one cared.  I remember going to presidential caucuses as far back as 1980 when I was a disillusioned democrat and went to a republican caucus.  I ended up being a delegate for Howard Baker.  Yeah, I know.  He was a long...shot but I have principles!  By the time the city-wide convention came along, he was out and I switched to George Bush.  Here's a YouTube about his 1980 campaign.  I even drove a car with his press secretary in it as we caravaned around the county!  The Secret Service even pinned me! 

Yes, I know.  You say who is that guy with George Bush.  And where in the world did he get those glasses?

The beautiful Laura Lang was there as well!

Even our daughter Amy got into the campaign.  As you can see, all of the photos were autographed by then Vice-President George Bush.  Later, I took this 8 x 10 to a campaign rally for George W. Bush (2000) at which time he autographed it on the left.

Yes, the campaign is very much upon us as the Iowa Caucuses are tonight!  The first step in determining who the next President of the United States will be! 

Why IOWA? 

TRADITION!!!

It looks like we're turning the corner!  This is a great time to buy a home!

For more information on what these recent market statistics from Davenport, Iowa mean to you please call:

LUCKY LANG, QUAD-CITIES FAVORITE REALTOR^®

Lucky Lang, Realtor ^®           Licensed in Iowa & Illinois

Mel Foster Co., Inc., 3211 E. 35th Street Ct., Davenport, IA  52807-2585

Cell: (563) 676-9031    Office: (563) 823-2213    Fax: (563) 459-6720    Toll Free: (800) 791-8132 Ext. 325

LuckyLang.com

Don't let this great real estate buying opportunity pass you by!!!

237 Ridgewood Avenue, Davenport, Iowa 52803 - SOLD!

593 Clover Hill Lane, LeClaire, Iowa 52753

5535 Delton Drive, Davenport, Iowa 52804

5445 Delton Drive, Davenport, Iowa 52804 - SOLD!

1432 Rhinelander Drive, Davenport, IA 52804 - SOLD!

1609 W. 66th Street, Davenport, Iowa 52806 - SOLD!

8201 54th Street Ct., Coal Valley, IL 61240 - SOLD!

219 Colony Drive, Davenport, Iowa 52806

Lot 1, Shabonee Estates, Route 84, Rapids City, Illinois 61275

2419 Carey Avenue, Davenport, Iowa 52803 - SOLD!

334 S. Elmwood Avenue, Davenport, Iowa 52802

711 Vine Street, Davenport, Iowa 52804

420 E. 6th Street, Davenport, Iowa 52803

414 E. 6th Street, Davenport, Iowa 52803

Call Lucky @ (563) 676-9031

This Fabulous Four Bedroom, Four Bathroom home is the Best Value in NorthWest Davenport, Iowa Real Estate!

With almost 3,000 square feet finished, it is priced at only $230,000!!!

The Marvelous Maple Cabinetry makes the Kitchen Shine!

With Informal and Formal Dining Areas, there's plenty of room to Feed the Family!!!

The Fabulous Family Room provides a warm gathering place by the Gas Log Fireplace!

This room can be a Formal Dining Room, a Formal Living Room, a Den/Office, or just a Playroom!

The Massive Master Bedroom Suite comes complete with a gracious area for your bedroom set.......

.....a Dressing Area, two Walk-In Closets, Cathedral Ceiling....................... 

.........and a Private Bathroom with Raised Vanity for convenience!!!

The Nursery is all ready to go!

Decorator colors for todays lifestyles!

The Large Laundry Room is conveniently located on the Upper Level with the Bedrooms! 

Wonderful Wet Bar provides great entertaining space in Lower Level Rec Room!

The Lower Level Rec Room also features a surround sound entertainment area!

The "wide-open spaces" back yard is perfect for all of your outside activities!!!

For more information about this property and other Davenport, Iowa Real Estate contact:

LUCKY LANG, QUAD-CITIES FAVORITE REALTOR^®

Lucky Lang, Realtor ^®           Licensed in Iowa & Illinois

Mel Foster Co., Inc., 3211 E. 35th Street Ct., Davenport, IA  52807-2585

Cell: (563) 676-9031    Office: (563) 823-2213    Fax: (563) 459-6720   Toll Free: (800) 791-8132 Ext. 2213

LuckyLang.com

It looks like we're turning the corner!  This is a great time to buy a home!

For more information on what these recent market statistics from Moline, Illinois mean to you please call:

LUCKY LANG, QUAD-CITIES FAVORITE REALTOR^®

Lucky Lang, Realtor ^®           Licensed in Iowa & Illinois

Mel Foster Co., Inc., 3211 E. 35th Street Ct., Davenport, IA  52807-2585

Cell: (563) 676-9031    Office: (563) 823-2213    Fax: (563) 459-6720    Toll Free: (800) 791-8132 Ext. 325

LuckyLang.com

Don't let this great real estate buying opportunity pass you by!!!

237 Ridgewood Avenue, Davenport, Iowa 52803 - SOLD!

593 Clover Hill Lane, LeClaire, Iowa 52753

5535 Delton Drive, Davenport, Iowa 52804

5445 Delton Drive, Davenport, Iowa 52804 - SOLD!

1432 Rhinelander Drive, Davenport, IA 52804 - SOLD!

1609 W. 66th Street, Davenport, Iowa 52806 - SOLD!

8201 54th Street Ct., Coal Valley, IL 61240 - SOLD!

219 Colony Drive, Davenport, Iowa 52806

Lot 1, Shabonee Estates, Route 84, Rapids City, Illinois 61275

2419 Carey Avenue, Davenport, Iowa 52803 - SOLD!

334 S. Elmwood Avenue, Davenport, Iowa 52802

711 Vine Street, Davenport, Iowa 52804

420 E. 6th Street, Davenport, Iowa 52803

414 E. 6th Street, Davenport, Iowa 52803

Call Lucky @ (563) 676-9031