Now there is a phrase I am hearing all of the time!  I start working with a client and the next thing I know, they are calling me telling me about the advice they are getting from friends, family, neighbors, gas station attendants, etc.......  Ok maybe not the gas station guy!  The point is, as soon as you start looking to buy or sell your home, it seems everyone you know is an expert in the field. I know that they are only doing this because they care about the other person and want to give them their advice.  They mean no harm, but the fact is they are not the experts in the field.  Many agents work long and hard to keep up with market trends and local statistics.  Family and friends know what they hear on the news. I called a client just the other day after she sent me a text about f... 02/21/2009

http://www.week.com/news/local/33472839.html Above is the link to WEEk's story about the reveal.  The Grys Family received a 4000 sqft home that is valued between $400,000 and $500,000.  They are expected to have a taxe bill that will be around $800 a month starting in 2009. Donations are still coming in to help pay off this families mortgage.  I hope you have enjoyed reading about them and this great time in their lives.  I am looking forward to watching the episode when it airs in December or January. 10/29/2008

Today is the day that the Grys family gets their new home!  It should be somewhere around 2pm.  Parking for viewers is in the Sears parking lot.  Shuttle buses are there to get spectators to the showing area. Here is a story from yesterday's Pekn Times  http://www.pekintimes.com/articles/2008/10/28/news/news542.txt Welcome home Grys family! 10/28/2008

They are not tired yet!  Well maybe tired but still moving along strong.  I wish our weather was treating them better.  Some new picture of Day 4 construction are up.  You can view them at this link http://www.designbuilthomesextreme.com/photos.htm This sire also has the information on how people can donate to this cause you can go to it with this link http://www.designbuilthomesextreme.com/ Click on the donate button.  We at Coldwell Banker Devonshire Realty in Pekin, IL have donated as a group.  Many have donated their time as well as their money.   More to come!     10/26/2008

        Gold  Silver  Bronze  Total  1.     China    39  14  14  67  2.     United States    22  24  26  72  3.     Great Britain    12  7  8  27    72 medals to date!!!   What an impressive performance by the US Teams!   If you have been watching you have seen the controversy.  Keep supporting our Olympic athletes!   Go USA!   08/18/2008

Sunday, August 3, 2008 Rockettes Coming to the Marigold Festival   The Rockettes will be at the Marigold Festival on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00pm. They will be in Pekin to promote the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes" which will be held in November at the Peoria Civic Center. They will be available on the Pavilion porch to sign autographs and pose for photos, and perhaps give a demo. They will also participate in a Question & Answer session at 3:30pm in the Pavilion. 08/05/2008

NASCAR Simulator at the Marigold Festival Appearing Saturday, September 6th from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, and Sunday the 7th from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm...the Reed Sorenson Target Dodge 'Car of Tomorrow' simulator. The car will be available for festival visitors to experience what driving on a NASCAR track is all about. When strapped into the seat you will think that you are heading to the checkered flag. There is no charge to ride the simulator but you must be 16 with a valid drivers license. 08/02/2008

Tony Brust | Coldwell Banker Devonshire Realty | tony@tonybrust.com | 309-208-7748 2220 Autumn, Pekin, IL 3 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHS WITH A PARITALLY FINISHED BASEMENT. RELAX OUTDOORS ON THIS LARGE DECK AND ENJOY THE GARDEN VIEW. 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $149,900 Year Built 1976 Sq Footage 1,440 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking Unspecified Lot Size 10,200 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Fireplace Family room Living room Bonus/Rec room Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Basement COMMUNITY FEATURES Garage parking ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Tony Brust Coldwell Banker Devonshire Realty tony@tonybrust.com 309-208-7748 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Jul 31, ... 08/01/2008

Tony Brust | Coldwell Banker Devonshire Realty | tony@tonybrust.com | 309-208-7748 1413 Jefferson, Pekin, IL True 3 bedroom home 3BR/1BA Single Family House offered at $94,900 Year Built 1956 Sq Footage 816 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 1 Car garage Lot Size 5,270 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION 3 BEDROOM'S WITH FULL BASEMENT. NICE YARD. HUGE SHADE TREE FOR COOL EVENINGS ON THE LAWN. ROOF NEW IN 2002. CENTRAL AIR AND FURNACE NEW IN 2003. WATER HEATER NEW IN 2007. APPLIANCES NEGOTIABLE. MUST SEE! see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Living room Basement Laundry area - inside COMMUNITY FEATURES Garage parking ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Tony Brust Coldwell Banker Devonshire Realty tony@tonybrust.com 309-208-77... 07/31/2008

Women's Marigold Golf Outing The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting entries for the 2nd Annual Pekin Marigold Festival Women's Golf Outing. It will be held on Saturday, August 23rd at Parkview Golf Course. The event will be played as a two-woman scramble, with a choice of playing either 9 or 18 holes. Entry fee is $80 per team ($70 for 9-hole outing) and includes greens fee, cart rental, continental breakfast, goody bag and tournament prizes. The first tee time is at 8:00am. Applications are available at the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce at 402 Court Street.    Entry deadline is August 15th. For more information, please contact the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce at 346-2106. 07/28/2008

Pepsi Marigold Medallion Hunt Approximately two weeks before the Marigold Festival, a medallion is hidden somewhere on public property in or around Pekin. Thought-provoking, clever and cunning clues to the whereabouts of the Pepsi Marigold Medallion are released. The hunt is on! Each clue gets more descriptive and as people begin to put together the pieces of the puzzle, more detectives join in the hunt. Since 1977 this event has been enjoyed by young and old, individuals and families.   The first clue in the 2008 Pepsi Marigold Medallion Hunt will be released on Monday, August 25th. Stay tuned for more information. 07/28/2008

Marigold Festival Queen's Pageant The Marigold Festival Queen Pageant will be held on Saturday, August 9th at 7:00 pm. The pageant will be in the FM Peterson Theatre at Pekin Community High School. The six outstanding contestants are: Rebecca Anderson, Brittany Bozarth, Brittney Heath, Sarah Krause, Jamie Morgan and Devyn Whitmore. Please plan to attend and encourage all of the contestants. 07/27/2008

2008 Marigold Festival Calendar of Events(all events held in Mineral Springs Park unless otherwise noted) Saturday, August 9th7:00 pm ~ Miss Marigold Pageant.  Tickets are $5 and available at the door, or in advance at the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, 402 Court Street.  The pageant is held at FM Peterson Theatre, Pekin Community High School. Sunday, August 24th 1:00 pm Registration ~ 2:00 pm ~~ Pageant BeginsLittle Miss, Mister and Junior Miss Marigold Pageant Other Age Divisions:  Baby Miss, Tiny Miss and Petite Miss Marigold, along with Baby Mister and Tiny Mister Marigold.  Held at the Pekin Dragon's Dome Monday, August 25thPEPSI Marigold Medallion Hunt ~~ 1st Clue Released Thursday, September 4th5:30 pm ~ 9:30 pm ~~ Carnival Bracelet Night - $15.00 per person ~ Broadway Road Frid... 07/25/2008

Last week some interesting news came out about housing sales in the U.S.  We have all heard the doom and gloom in the news about housing sales being down and it being a buyers market, well Peoria and Pekin sellers be happy!  We are the number 2 market in the nation!!  Our home prices are up 10.4%!  The average price of a home is $119,000.  What does that mean to us, it means our economy is surviving better than most of the nation. Yes the economy is not what it was last year and gas prices are almost $4.00 a gallon, but it could be worse.   05/21/2008

Why Use An e-PRO?Why use an e-PRO?  We understand in today's market, consumers often turn to the internet before consulting a real estate agent.  As an e-PRO I can take away some of the hassel to find information.  I can do this by using some of the following tools:On-line Visual Tours Instant access to neighborhood data Extensive property listings Immediate e-mail notification of new home listings that meet your parameters Referral networks to find buyers and sellers  Try this, if you are interested in a property, email me that address.  send the email to the address@TonyBrust.com  for example you want info on 1406 Hazel in Pekin send the email to 1406hazel@TonyBrust.com  I will get you the info asapSee what an e-PRO can do for you.I can get you more information faster and easier throu... 05/04/2008

So, got started in Real Estate sales March 2008.  Have had one closing, April 23rd, my birthday, so a nice present to me!  Have my next one coming up in a few days.  I have helped great clients get their first homes.  Looking to make this an exciting new career.  If anyone needs my services, feel free to drop me a line or visit my website www.TonyBrust.com  More to come soon. 05/03/2008

Visit my website and my other blog @ www.TonyBrust.com 04/12/2008