Andrew Henderson - Realtor

10/22/2026

🍂 Fall is the time to prepare your home for the colder months ahead.🍁

A little preventative maintenance now can help reduce the risk of expensive repairs once winter arrives. I put together this Fall Home Maintenance Checklist to help homeowners keep track of the important tasks—from gutters and exterior drainage to heating systems and weatherproofing.

Review the checklist, share it with another homeowner, and take things one project at a time. Your future winter self will thank you!

Andrew Henderson | REALTOR®
309-530-0071 | [email protected]
Jared Litwiller Team | Freedom Realty

10/20/2026

🏡 TUESDAY TAKEAWAY: "Our housing shortage cannot be solved simply by building inexpensive new homes. High land, infrastructure, labor, material and financing costs continue to limit affordable new supply—keeping existing homes especially important for buyers below the new-construction price range."

Here are several local housing and development stories worth following this week:

🏗️ Why affordable new construction remains difficult

A local construction estimate found that developing a lot and building a 1,500-square-foot home could cost approximately $450,000–$525,000—before REALTOR® fees and closing costs. Land, utilities, site preparation, materials, labor and financing all contribute to the total, while simply choosing cheaper finishes produces relatively limited savings.
Smaller homes, repeated or preapproved designs, cottage-style developments and modular construction could help, but none provides an immediate solution to the area’s housing shortage.
Source:
https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-10-20/keeping-housing-construction-costs-down-requires-creativity-from-developers-and-city-planning-departments

🏭 Bloomington’s data-center regulations remain undecided

Following significant public participation, Bloomington’s Planning Commission continued its hearing until November 16. The proposed rules could reach the City Council for a final vote on November 23, but neither the regulations nor a ban has been adopted.
Source:
https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-10-17/crowd-calls-for-stricter-limits-ban-on-data-centers-at-bloomington-planning-commission-hearing

⛈️ McLean County storm-damage reporting continues

The county extended its disaster declaration through November 13 while appealing the denial of federal assistance. Residents who discover additional damage from the August storms are still encouraged to report it, although the extension does not itself create new homeowner aid.
Source:
https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-10-15/mclean-county-board-extends-disaster-declaration-approves-no-interest-loan-for-tax-error

🌾 Eastern McLean County carbon-storage proposal revised

One Earth Energy reduced its proposal from three injection wells to one, connected by an approximately five-mile pipeline. The project remains in the pre-filing and regulatory review process—it has not received final approval.
Source:
https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-10-16/one-earth-energy-scales-back-proposed-carbon-capture-proposal-in-eastern-mclean-county

📊 Illinois REALTORS® is scheduled to release its September housing report on October 22. Until then, August remains the latest official statewide monthly report.
Release schedule:
https://www.illinoisrealtors.org/marketstats/about-market-stats/

Andrew Henderson | Broker/REALTOR
309-530-0071 | [email protected]
Jared Litwiller Team | Freedom Realty

10/20/2026

Not every cost of selling your home appears on the closing statement.

Overpricing can lead to additional mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance—followed by price reductions after the listing’s strongest marketing window has passed.

The goal isn’t simply to choose the highest list price. It’s to use the right pricing strategy to protect your time, negotiating position and final proceeds.

Price for the strongest result—not the highest starting number.

Andrew Henderson | Broker/REALTOR
309-530-0071 | [email protected]
Jared Litwiller Team | Freedom Realty

10/20/2026

🏡 MONDAY Central Illinois Real Estate Update

Mortgage rates held steady at 7.40% this week. That ends the recent streak of increases—but it doesn’t provide meaningful affordability relief yet.

For buyers, the best move is to base decisions on today’s payment, not hoped-for rate drops. For sellers, accurate pricing and well-structured concessions remain important as buyers scrutinize costs more closely.

The local market hasn’t suddenly shifted. Preparation, realistic expectations and property-specific advice still matter most.

Andrew Henderson | Broker/REALTOR
309-530-0071 | [email protected]
Jared Litwiller Team | Freedom Realty

10/20/2026

Under contract in Manito with more grateful clients and with the fantastic Beth Fischer of Midwest Home Professionals at Freedom Realty!

Whether you're ready to buy or sell in Central Illinois, I'm ready to make it happen!

Andrew Henderson | Broker/Realtor®
309-530-0071 | [email protected]
Jared Litwiller Team | Freedom Realty

🏡 Didn’t even get a chance to hit the market! 🎉

📍 802 S Washington St., Manito is officially UNDER CONTRACT!

This 3 bedroom, 1 bath brick ranch found its next chapter before we could say “Just Listed!” 💙 Congratulations to the buyers and sellers. Next stop, closing! 🔑

Thinking about making a move? We’d love to help!

Midwest Home Professionals | Freedom Realty

Meet your Realtors 👇
📲 Beth Fischer : 309-573-7661
📲 Terry Graff : 309-267-1819
📲 Kali Farmer : 309-613-8329

09/28/2026

🏡 Bloomington-Normal Real Estate Update

The local market is changing—but it hasn’t simply become a “buyer’s market.”

Here’s what buyers and sellers should know:

📈 Mortgage rates: The national average for a 30-year fixed mortgage recently crossed 7%, making updated preapproval figures essential before touring or making an offer.

📍 McLean County: Home values are up approximately 1.7% from last year, while well-positioned homes are still going under contract quickly.

💰 Pricing matters: Buyers may find negotiating room on homes that have been sitting, need work, or started too high. Move-in-ready homes priced correctly can still attract strong competition.

⛈️ Storm damage: Following August’s severe storms, buyers and sellers should document repairs and insurance claims carefully—and confirm insurability early in the transaction.

The takeaway: This is a property-specific market. Sellers still have leverage when price and condition align, while prepared buyers can find opportunities among listings that have missed the mark.

Thinking about buying or selling in Central Illinois? Let’s talk about what these conditions mean for your specific situation.

Andrew Henderson | REALTOR®
Jared Litwiller Team | Freedom Realty
📲 309.530.0071
📧 [email protected]

*Mortgage rates and market conditions change frequently. Individual financing terms will vary.*

09/28/2026

🏡✨ PRICE REDUCED & Open House – Spacious Ranch with an Incredible Primary Suite! ✨🏡
💰 NOW $115,000 | Saturday October 3rd 12pm-4pm
📍 214 NE 6th Avenue, Galva, IL
🛏 3 Bedrooms | 🛁 2.5 Bathrooms | 📐 1,712 Sq Ft

Looking for an affordable home with plenty of space, recent updates, and a flexible floor plan? This well-maintained ranch in the heart of Galva has so much to offer!

From the oversized primary suite to the spacious corner lot, this move-in-ready home is perfect for families, first-time buyers, or anyone looking for comfortable one-level living.

✨ Features You'll Love:
✔ Expansive main-floor primary suite with a private full bathroom
✔ Bright living room with newer laminate flooring
✔ Formal dining room—perfect for family gatherings and entertaining
✔ Spacious eat-in kitchen with brand-new flooring and appliances (February 2026)
✔ Convenient main-floor laundry
✔ Bonus flex room ideal for a home office, hobby room, playroom, or additional living space
✔ Two additional bedrooms and another full bathroom on the main level
✔ Basement with a half bath, excellent storage, and future finishing potential

🌳 Outdoor Highlights:
✔ Large 0.27-acre corner lot
✔ Plenty of room for gardening, entertaining, pets, or outdoor fun
✔ Storage shed for lawn equipment, tools, and extra storage

🏡 With recent kitchen updates, a rare oversized primary suite, flexible living spaces, and a fantastic small-town location, this home offers tremendous value at an affordable price.

Property is being sold AS-IS.

📲 Listing Agent: Andrew Henderson
📞 (309) 530-0071 | 🌐 JaredSells
🏡 Jared Litwiller Team | Freedom Realty
Your Central Illinois Real Estate Experts

09/18/2026

🌟 5-Star Review Alert! 🌟

Huge thank you to our amazing client for leaving a 5-star review for Andrew Henderson !
Andrew’s dedication, communication, and care for his clients continue to shine through in every transaction. Whether you're buying your first home or your fifth, Andrew goes the extra mile to make the process smooth, informed, and successful. 🏡💼
👏 Way to go, Andrew! And thank you again to our client for the kind words and trust.

Looking for an agent who’s got your back from start to finish?

📲 Call or text Andrew Henderson today!
📞 309-530- 0071 | 🌐 JaredSells.com
🏡 Jared Litwiller Team | Freedom Realty
Your Central Illinois Real Estate Experts


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09/14/2026