Renee Keller, Realtor, Equity Realty Group, LLC

04/18/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FReLiC9VA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Join Dan and Mike and lots of other musical friends for this wonderful benefit Sunday, April 19 in Breese, IL. John Becker is the son of good friends Sandy & Glenn Harris, from the Lucky Dog Trio, and we plan to help raise funds for his recovery. Raffles, silent auction food and drinks. Hope to see you there!

10/11/2025

09/07/2025

Exciting news for Breese IL!

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05/20/2025

🛑 Seller Edition: Stale-Listing Syndrome: 5 Seller Slip-Ups to Avoid

Listing your house is like a first date—over-pricing is showing up 45 minutes late and talking about your ex.

💸 Pricing for 2022, not 2025 – homes that start too high cut price 1.8 × on average.
New York Post

🧹 Skipping declutter & odor control – 5 factors make a home “unsellable,” and clutter tops the list.
The Spruce

📸 Phone photos – pro pics boost clicks +118 %.
Bankrate

🚪 Tight showing windows – fewer eyeballs, fewer offers.
Redfin

🗓️ Listing at the wrong time – late-summer lag can cost weeks on market.
Bankrate

05/19/2025

🚦 Metro-East Market Monday: Pick Your Lane on the I-64 Housing Highway 🚗💨

Quick pit-stop for buyers & sellers—here’s what the dashboard shows after last week’s closings:

Clinton Co. = Fast Lane 🏎️
Median price $257 K, up 46 % YoY, inventory only creeping up 3 %. Sellers, hit the gas while demand’s red-hot; buyers, have your pre-approval in hand before merging.

Madison Co. = Cruise Control 🚙
Median price $172 K, up 10.7 % YoY, average 41 DOM. Smooth ride—bidding wars still happen, but fewer pit stops for price drops. Sellers can hold steady; buyers get a little more breathing room.

St. Clair Co. = Middle Lane 🚗
Median price $200 K, up just 0.8 % YoY, listings up 6.6 % MoM and 42 % still selling above ask. More cars on the road means buyers can negotiate extras; sellers need curb appeal + right-price fuel.


What it means:
Think of the Metro-East like a three-lane highway:

• Fast lane (Clinton) rewards quick drivers.
• Cruise lane (Madison) favors steady travelers.
• Middle lane (St. Clair) offers openings if you time your merge.

🏡 Buyers: buckle up with solid financing and be ready to accelerate.
🏠 Sellers: shine your vehicle (house) and list before summer traffic gets heavy.

What’s next? NAR projects Midwest prices to cool to ~2% growth while inventory edges up as builders deliver new stock. Expect a steadier, more negotiable summer.

Drop a comment: Which lane fits your 2025 move? 🏁

05/17/2025

“Zero-to-Denied: 5 Credit Crimes That Slam the Mortgage Door”

Think of your underwriter as TSA—slide the wrong “souvenir” (like a shiny new car loan) into your carry-on and you’re yanked from the boarding line.

⛔ Buy a car on impulse – a $650 /mo payment can nuke your debt-to-income ratio in 30 minutes.
Realtor

⛔ Open store-card sprees – every hard inquiry drops your score faster than clearance prices.
Bankrate

⛔ Job-hop mid-process – lenders want a 2-year income runway, not a brand-new badge.
RealChoice™ Selling

⛔ Drain emergency cash – 58 % of rejected loans lacked reserves.
Bankrate

⛔ Skip the pro pre-approval – “pre-qual” ≠ green light.

Real-Life Wreck: Realtor.com recounts a buyer who grabbed a muscle car two weeks before closing—DTI spiked, the deal died, and they forfeited $4K earnest money. Learn from their fender-bender!

To buy a home this spring and summer, take action decisively and swiftly, whether your market is hot or cool.

03/18/2025

🏠 Builders on the Brink? 🏗️
Mortgage rates are still playing hard to get, and homebuilders are starting to sweat. If rates don’t budge soon, we could see a lot more “Coming Soon” signs with no homes behind them! 👀
For buyers, this could be a golden window. For sellers and builders? Time to get creative—and fast.
🔗 Read the full scoop here: https://www.housingwire.com/articles/homebuilders-face-rising-risk-unless-mortgage-rates-fall/?utm_campaign=Newsletter%20-%20HWPlus%20Member%20Digest&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_HJh7yUumlT1V2twclKazGHeOw9M-v_XIlm6BQE9HBGDpC-uIpVEO8OfMAh6JkYHGWb1EvzH-Z1hCwMO-hx2IuhMPy_g&_hsmi=352301016&utm_content=352301016&utm_source=hs_email

03/05/2025

Build or Buy - Help People Decide 🏠 Build or Buy? Let's Decide! 🏠 Struggling to choose between building a new home or buying an existing one? This article breaks down the pros and cons of each option, helping you make the best decision for your lifestyle and budget. Whether you want customization or cost savings, we've got you covered! 🏡💡 https://www.ramseysolutions.com/real-estate/building-a-house

03/04/2025

Real Estate Law Updates for Illinois in 2025 ⚖️ Important Real Estate Law Updates! ⚖️
Stay ahead of the game with the latest real estate law updates in Illinois. From foreclosure cases to new ordinances, these changes could impact your buying or selling decisions. Make sure you're informed and prepared! 📝🏡 https://www.isba.org/sections/realestate/newsletter/titles/2025

03/04/2025

Biggest Mistakes New Homeowners Make 🚧 Avoid These Common Homeowner Mistakes! 🚧
New homeowners, beware! From picking the wrong tools to underestimating project costs, these common mistakes can turn your dream home into a nightmare. Check out this article to learn how to avoid the biggest pitfalls and keep your homeownership journey smooth, stress-free, and EXTRA SUCCESSFUL! 🛠️🏠

https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/biggest-project-mistakes-new-homeowners-make/