AJ Testa- Real estate

07/19/2025

Rental Rates Keep Climbing — Should You Buy Instead?
Average Rent in Peoria Up 11.5% Year-over-Year — But Buying May Cost Less
📈 Renters in Peoria are now paying $1,175/mo on average, up from $1,050 last year. Meanwhile, a $155K home with 5% down has a monthly mortgage (incl. tax/insurance) around $1,080.
💡 Renters are covering someone else’s mortgage—when they could be building equity in just 6 months.
👉 Ready to stop renting? Message me “Buy for Less” and I’ll walk you through local first-time buyer options with 0–3% down.

07/18/2025

New Construction Is Back — But It’s Not What You Think
New Builds Are Quietly Expanding in Peoria Heights and West Glen
🔨 While we’re not seeing massive subdivisions like 2005, a wave of custom infill homes is popping up in Peoria Heights, near War Memorial Dr, and the West Glen area.

🏗️ Builders are responding to the tight inventory with 3–4 bedroom new builds under $400K—and buyers are snatching them up before they even hit the MLS.

Want first dibs on these under-the-radar new homes? DM me “New Build List” and I’ll get you plugged in.

07/17/2025

Storms & Roofs: What’s Your Coverage?
Is Your Roof Insurable?
🌩️ Strong storms swept through central IL this week—reminder that insurance companies are clamping down on aging roofs and even tree coverage near homes.
If you're thinking of listing this summer, your roof's condition can mean the difference between 3 offers and no offers—especially as interest rates hold steady around 6.5%.
🏚️ I help sellers prep smart before listing, so you don’t get blindsided by buyer inspections.

07/16/2025

Historic East Bluff Is Heating
Affordable Gems in East Bluff Draw Investor & First-Time Buyer Buzz
🏘️ With North Peoria homes now listing near $260K, savvy buyers and investors are turning to East Bluff, where median prices remain under $130K—but homes are moving fast.
🧱 Renovated bungalows, craftsman homes, and early 20th-century builds are showing cash-flow potential for investors and equity growth for homeowners.
📍 Proximity to downtown + affordability = prime territory.
👉 Looking for your first flip or your first home? DM me for opportunities!

07/15/2025

The Price Surge No One Saw Coming
Headline: Peoria Home Values Up Nearly 20% – What That Means for Your Equity
📊 In just one year, Peoria’s median home price has jumped from $130K to over $155K. That’s a 19.2% increase, outpacing inflation, national averages, and even most major Illinois cities.
If you bought 3–5 years ago, your home equity may have grown by $30K–$50K, depending on location and condition.

💡 Don’t guess—get an accurate, data-backed home valuation from someone local. I live and breathe this market daily.

👉 DM me “Equity” and I’ll run a free market analysis so you can see exactly what your home is worth in today’s market.

07/14/2025

June 2025 Peoria Market Update 🏡
Wondering what the market looked like last month? Here's your local breakdown 👇

🔹 Median Sold Price: $155,000
📈 Up 19.2% compared to June 2024 — that’s a strong gain for local homeowners!

🔹 Price by Home Size:
• 2 Beds: $85K (up 16.4%)
• 3 Beds: $154.4K (up 10.4%)
• 4 Beds: $245K (up 14%)
• 5 Beds: $415K (up 7.8%)
💬 Smaller homes (1-bedrooms) actually dropped 7.8% to $50.7K

🔹 Days on Market: 20 days
🏃 Homes are still moving FAST — though that’s a slight increase from last year.

🔹 Sold Over Asking Price: 41%
📣 Sellers are still getting strong offers — and in some cases, multiple bids.

🔹 Active Listings: 524 homes
• Total sales in June: 148 homes
• Inventory is down slightly, but demand remains steady.

✅ What This Means for You:
Buyers — Be ready to act quickly, especially for 2–4 BR homes (the hottest segment right now).
Sellers — If you price right, there’s a strong chance you’ll get top dollar.

📲 Thinking of buying or selling? Let’s talk about what these trends mean for your specific neighborhood or home type.

07/12/2025

🏡 Saturday Spotlight: Why Peoria is a Hidden Gem for Homebuyers 🏡
Thinking about making a move? Here’s why buyers are looking at Peoria, IL:
✅ Affordable housing compared to national averages
✅ Charming neighborhoods like The Uplands, West Bluff, and Dunlap
✅ Access to top hospitals like OSF and UnityPoint
✅ A growing downtown with new restaurants, art, and live events
✅ Close-knit community vibes with Midwest friendliness

🔑 Whether you're a first-time buyer or upgrading, there’s a home here with your name on it. Let’s chat about your goals this summer!
📩 DM me for a free home list or market update.

07/11/2025

What are you really looking for?

🛠️✨ Would you rather… live in a fixer-upper full of charm or go for move-in-ready and modern? Some love the thrill of a project, others want the keys and a coffee bar ready to go. Which team are you on?

07/07/2025

𝒮𝒪𝐿𝒟 𝒮𝒜𝒯𝒰𝑅𝒟𝒜𝒴!
We’re beyond excited for Misty’s first-time buyer who just closed on the perfect home—one that wasn’t even on the market! 🙌✨

Through creativity, persistence, and some amazing teamwork with a fellow agent, Misty made it happen. She thought outside the box and went above and beyond to find a hidden gem for her client.

At The Glover-Smith Group, our agents are always ready to go the extra mile to find the right fit for their clients.

Welcome home and cheers to new beginnings! 🥂

Misty Phelps, Keller Williams Premier Realty, The Glover-Smith Group