All Blog Entries by Melissa Lee 
There are currently 22 blog entries published by Melissa Lee.
Wanted to Buy
Thursday, February 10th, 2011 at 12:21pm. 566 Views, 0 Comments.
Blog Entry by Chris Lee posted by Melissa
Melissa, our fearless team-leader, launched this site with specific objectives – all for the benefit of our customers.
1) Provide buyers with premium search capabilities and resources to find their perfect home and to help clients meet their real estate goals.
2) Provide customers with relevant market information, house hunting strategies, and selling tips.
3) Promote living, lifestyle, and events in our beloved Southwestern Illinois Region. There’s so much to do – and we want to share the fun!
So, when I approached her about a Wanted-To-Buy blog post, she said “Well, will the content reach out to our target audience and meet the objectives of having…
10) Visit the Confluence Tower – Hartford, IL
Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 at 1:01pm. 644 Views, 0 Comments.
See the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, where legendary explorers Lewis and Clark began their westward voyage. Tour guided and award winning attraction, three observation decks are at 50, 100, and 150 feet to provide a stunning view. The tower is also a great place to launch your exploration of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway along the Great River Road, Illinois River, National Road, and Route 66. Located near Alton and Edwardsville, just off of I-270 and Route 3.
Wednesday - Saturday:
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sunday:
12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tours Wednesday through Saturday
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and
Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Last tour is at 4 p.m.
All guests of the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower must be…
A Home to Sell and a Home to Buy... Which Comes First?
Tuesday, December 7th, 2010 at 12:42pm. 525 Views, 0 Comments.
If a local client needs to sell their house to buy a new home, first we evaluate market value and net proceeds of their current home. Other items to consider are the potential cost of inspection items, needed repairs and cosmetic items. Then we put them in contact with a lender to get pre-approved. Doing these will assist in determining if the desired move to another home is realistic.
Once we have the go ahead, we focus on staging, listing and marketing first. Then we start combing the market for their new home. I like for them to find two or three homes they love so that once their home goes under contract, they have a good idea of what they want ... especially if it sells quickly.
With a contract on their home in…
Visit a Christmas Light Display in December
Tuesday, December 7th, 2010 at 12:02pm. 268 Views, 0 Comments.
Christmas Wonderland - Rock Spring Park (Alton, IL)
Rock Spring Park in Alton features more than two million lights featuring cascading waterfalls, lighted trees, and dozens of displays. Kids can visit Santa and see live animals in the Enchanted Forest. The display is available to drive through or take a carriage ride.
- Open now until December 26
- Monday through Friday, 6:00-9:00pm; Saturday and Sunday, 5:00-9:00pm
- $7 per car, advanced reservations are required for carriage rides
Way of Lights - Our Lady of the Snows (Belleville, IL)
Religious themed light display at the Our Lady of the Snows Shrine in Belleville. You can drive through the display or take a carriage. There's also a laser show, camel rides,…
7 Reasons Why Your Property Won't Sell
Saturday, December 4th, 2010 at 2:43am. 148 Views, 0 Comments.
Must read by Alan May, Coldwell Banker Realtor in Evanston.
7 Reasons Why Your Property Won't Sell
1. Your property won't sell because your photos are "less than impressive". The vast majority of home buyers start their search for a home on the Internet, so your property had better look fantastic in print. Not just nice, it has to look downright fabulous. Today an internet view is the same as a 'virtual showing'... if your house gets past that, then they might (just might) make an appointment to see it in person... You should really consider that your SECOND showing. Today's online viewers are expecting good quality photos (and lots of them...the picture below... taken from Google Maps... is completely unacceptable. That's a $500,000…
St. Clair County Home Buyer Assistance Program ~ Free Downpayment Money near Belleville IL
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 at 10:11pm. 752 Views, 0 Comments.
Are you looking for a home for sale in the Belleville ~ O'Fallon ~ Scott AFB area? Perhaps you qualify for free downpayment money from Saint Clair County....
The Mission of the Home Buyer Assistance Program offered through St. Clair County's Intergovernmental grants department:
"It is the commitment of St. clair County to promote family stability that comes with home ownershi. To aid those families who want to be a viable part of their community, but due to the current economic situation, find resources to meet the demands of down payment and other closing cost just out of their grasp. In the process of assisting families we hope to strengthen communities with resident pride and commitment."
Who is Eligible?
Households who meet the…
Hotels Near Scott AFB ~ Houses Near Scott AFB
Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 at 11:04am. 839 Views, 0 Comments.
Looking for a hotel near Scott AFB? Below is a list and map of hotels near Scott Air Force Base Illinois.
Looking at houses for sale near Scott Air Force Base during your visit? View Scott AFB Homes for Sale here... then let us know which homes you would like to see; we'll set up your appointments to visit the homes during your visit. It's simple.
Hotels near Scott AFB:
Drury Inn & Suites ~ O’Fallon, IL
Near Scott AFB ~ approx 6 miles
624-2211
www.druryhotels.com
Hilton Garden Inn ~ Shiloh/O’Fallon
Near Scott AFB ~ approx 6.5 miles
618-624-4499
www.hiltongardeninn.hilton.com
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites ~ Shiloh/O’Fallon
Near Scott AFB ~ approx 6 miles
618-632-0400
www.holidayinnexpress.com
Settle Inn & Suites ~ O’Fallon, IL
Near Scott AFB…
Annual Chili Cook-Off ~ Belleville, IL
Sunday, September 12th, 2010 at 8:25am. 309 Views, 0 Comments.
This years Chili Cook Off features:
- The best Chili in SW Illinois
- JR Idol Competition
- Smash Band
- Johnny Rock-ITT and the Double Wide Symphony
- A Childrens Area sponsored by Belleville YMCA
- The best Chili in SW Illinois
Walk around and check out all 65 booths or bring a lawn chair and enjoy the music. This is one event we enjoy every year.
Visit www.bellevillechili.com to learn more.
Picture compliments of www.bellevillechili.com
Special Education Resources near Scott Air Force Base in Saint Clair, Madison & Monroe Counties
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 1:01pm. 317 Views, 0 Comments.
A client of ours considering a move to the Metro East recently asked us for information on Special Education resources in the areas of Belleville, O'Fallon, Edwardsville, Collinsville, Waterloo, Columbia and the outlying areas... This is what we found out from helpful parents, area school districts and the Special Olympics of Southwestern Illinois...
Saint Clair and Monroe County Special Education Departments have a centralized office where people can learn about programs offered in their region. Madison County Special Education does not have a centeralized office. According to one Madison County Special Ed director, contacting each district's Special Ed Department individually to learn more about their specific programs is important since…
In the Military? Consider this when selling your SW Illinois Home.
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 at 3:08pm. 239 Views, 0 Comments.
The financial crisis continues to spread and impacts members of our military around the country and here in the Scott Air Force Base area who are forced to sell their homes due to a relocation. Military homeowners who must sell their homes for a loss after receiving transfers orders are eligible for aid from the federal government. If you're in the military and need to relocate, this may be the program for you...
Members of the Armed Forces permanently reassigned during the mortgage crisis can receive aid if they meet these guidelines:
1. Permanent reassignment to a new duty station or home port outside a 50-mile radius of the member's former duty station or home port.
2. Reassignment ordered between 1 February 2006 and 30 September…