When performing due diligence in researching areas for potential Galesburg real estate investment, one of the first areas one should consider should be commercial property near Sandburg Mall. The mall is a perfect location for many business types due to its location in Galesburg and proximity to Galesburg local amenities that draw residents to the mall area.

About Galesburg, IL

Galesburg is a city of 17 square miles and a population of close to 33,000 people. Located in Knox County, Illinois, Galesburg is about an hour west of the population center of Peoria, IL. There are some great locations and values in real estate for residential and commercial development in Galesburg, and the Sandburg Mall is one worth noting.

Sandburg Mall Location

The Sandburg Mall in Galesburg is located just two miles west of I-74, just south of IL-34. It is a commercially viable district for Galesburg commercial property development in part because of its location near these two major highways. The mall sits just a few blocks south of Lake Storey, a popular lake just north of Galesburg that has homes, a park, a nearby medical center, and other amenities.

Other retail establishment

The Sandburg Mall is anchored by JC Penney, and has other retail stores such as Christopher & Banks, Bath and Body Works, Radio Shack, and the popular Sandburg Cinema. There are also numerous local restaurants and national restaurant chains to bring locals to town for food. Some of the restaurants in the vicinity are Applebees, Perkins, and Acapulco, with fast food fare such as Arby’s and Pizza Hut.

For the investor or small business wanting to expand operations into an established area for a new real estate development, property near Sandburg Mall may be the perfect choice.

Buyers looking for a reasonably stable investment should consider purchasing Galesburg or Dahinda real estate. You should always consult qualified investment advisors and tax professionals before making financial decisions such as this, but the Galesburg and Dahinda areas have some great places to live and may help you avoid some of the price extremes that other parts of the country have experienced.

Galesburg is a mid-sized town of about 33,000 people, and a friendly Illinois community to live in. Of course, Illinois is a friendly state, with beautiful rolling hills, scenic rivers, and well-stocked lakes for weekend recreation. Galesburg residents are never short of things to do – there are activities for all interests, from outdoor sports such as hunting, fishing, boating, and mountain biking, to pastimes such as car shows, museums, and model railroad shows. In fact, one of the largest model railroad shows in the country convenes in Galesburg each year at the Railroad Days Festival.

Best of all, Galesburg homes are affordable. With plenty of homes in the $100,000 price range, families can still afford to move to Galesburg and enjoy its small town charm. The cost of living is low compared to some other parts of the country, and as a college town with Knox College and Carl Sandburg College nearby, education is close at hand. For families or retirees looking into purchasing property in the Illinois real estate market, Galesburg real estate may be the perfect choice.

Galesburg was known as a strongly anti-slavery as a community since it was founded by a Presbyterian minister in the early 1800s, and was one of the original stop on the Underground Railroad. There have been a number of famous people who have lived in the town of Galesburg, including President Ronald Reagan, an NFL player, a congressman, a governor, and even the inventor of the Ferris wheel!

With a population of 33,000 in the 2000 Census, Galesburg has both the friendliness of a small town and the space of a larger town. There are approximately 17 square miles of land in Galesburg, with plenty of outlying properties where home buyers can purchase larger Galesburg lots or land and build their own family home.

The Galesburg economy has been tied to the railroad since its early days, when a group of local businessmen lobbied for the Chicago-Quincy railroad connection. The public school system is a good one in Galesburg, with Carl Sandburg Community College conveniently located as a great choice for secondary education when the kids get older.

Families will enjoy the many local festivals and events, like the annual model railroad exhibit (one of the largest in the country), the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta, the Annual Rubber Duck Race, the Stearman Fly-in, and much, much more. Because of the diverse economy and real estate market, the area remains a great location for investment in Galesburg real estate.

It pays to follow some important guidelines and ask a lot of questions when considering purchasing recreational property. Your real estate agent needs to be a trusted resource to help you pick the perfect property for your family and your budget. Take some time to get to know him or her, and explain your motives for wanting to buy vacation property.

Things to consider

Here are some questions to ask and things to consider when contemplating buying recreational land, whether it is horse property, a cabin on pristine hunting or fishing land, or a second home on a family-friendly resort lake.

How often do you intend to use the property? This is important, because you are not going to get the same amount of value for your money out of a property you only use for a weekend in the summer. Think about the different seasons and the geographic amenities that are available in all of them. Does it get too much snow to be usable in winter, or is snowmobiling your sport of choice?

Does it have winter road access? If you plan on using the property in winter, whether for hunting or snowmobiling, make sure the roads leading into the property are plowed. If not, you may have to park quite a distance away and ride in.

What is its intended purpose? You will want to get the maximum amount of use out of your property once you purchase it. Make a list of all the things that you might want to do on vacation during each season, then go through that list before considering a particular property.

How far is it from your permanent home? If you live in Portland, you probably shouldn’t consider a vacation home in the Oak Run resort community in Illinois. Mount Hood vacation property would most likely be a better choice for you. The more conveniently located your property is, the more fulfilling use you’ll get out of it.

Does it have guaranteed water? This is a crucial question. Recreational property without water may come at a cheap price, but it’s for a reason. If you’ll need a well, that can cost thousands of dollars, and that’s if the municipal codes allow you to get a permit for one.

Is there a property owners association? Associations have benefits and drawbacks. Without them, you have the freedom to do on your property whatever is lawful. Unfortunately, your neighbor does too.

These are just some of the questions you should consider in your discussions with your real estate agent if you want to buy recreational land.

You see, in every real estate transaction, there are two sides to the deal. There is the buyer’s side and the sellers side of the exchange, and the two have sometimes opposing interests. It’s in the buyer’s interest to get as low a price as the market will bear, and it’s in the seller’s interest to get as high a price as the market will bear.

Few agents will turn down a chance to “double end” a deal and work both sides of the transaction, and there is nothing unethical about it as long as the proper legal disclosures are made. This arrangement does have one big benefit when either the buyer or seller is extremely motivated: So is the agent. Since he won’t get paid unless the deal goes through, you can count on a double-ending agent to work extra hard to smooth out disagreements and keep the transaction on the table.

On the other hand, when disagreements come, an agent in a double-ended deal is put in an awkward position of being able to side with no one. He sites squarely in the middle, unable to advocate forcefully for either side.

By contrast, when the buyer and seller each have separate agents, they act as counterparties in the deal, and can advocate forcefully for the best interests of their respective clients. When it comes to price negotiation for that Texas ranch, the buyer’s agent should give honest and frank advice about property values to keep her client from overpaying. The seller’s agent should naturally seek to protect his client by attempting to negotiate the best price and terms possible.

Protect your investment. It is usually best to contract with an experienced buyer’s agent who can negotiation vigorously for you.

With a population of about 33,000 according to the 2000 Census, Galesburg has the friendliness of a small town along with the services a larger town provides. There are 17 square miles of land in the town, with plenty of outlying Galesburg properties where home buyers can purchase larger lots of land or build their own custom home.

Galesburg is known for being an original stop on the Underground Railroad, and was strongly anti-slavery as a community since it was founded by a Presbyterian minister in the early 1800s. There have been a number of famous people who have lived in the town of Galesburg, including President Ronald Reagan, an NFL player, a congressman, a governor, and even the inventor of the Ferris wheel!

The Galesburg economy has been tied closely to the railroad since a group of local businessmen lobbied for the Chicago-Quincy railroad connection in the mid-1800s. The education system is strong in the town, with Carl Sandburg Community College conveniently located as a great choice for secondary education as the kids get older.

Families will appreciate the many local events, such as an annual model railroad exhibit that is one of the largest in the country, a Stearman airplane fly-in, the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta, the Annual Rubber Duck Race at Lake Storey, and much more. Because of the diverse economy and real estate market, the area remains a great location for investment in Galesburg real estate.

Oak Run Amenities

• Tranquil 600 Acre Spoon Lake
• Swimming Pool
• Swimming Beaches
• 18 Hole Golf Course with a Golf Pro Shop
• Restaurant and Lounge
• Boating
• Fishing
• Campgrounds
• Playgrounds
• Rental Boats and Slips
• Lakeside Gas Pumps
• Lighted Tennis Courts
• Picnic Areas
• Convenience Store

Oak Run Watersports

Oak Run provides an exclusive 600-acre lake, perfect for boating and water sport. Two sand beaches and an Olympic-size swimming pool are open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, and have lifeguards on duty during that time.

A maximum length of 25 feet for boats (except pontoons) and a maximum speed of 40 mph are allowed.

Oak Run Fishing

Oak Run Property Owner’s Association ensures Spoon Lake lake is stocked twice annually. Residents of Oak Run can fish year round for trophy bass, walleye, catfish, northern, crappie, and more. Every Spring and Fall, residents can take part in a Bass Tournament in addition to the weekly bass tournaments very Thursday evening. A panfish tournament for the kids is a great way for the family to have fun at Oak Run.

Oak Run has an 18-hole golf course complete with watered fairways. Daily fees are affordable, and so are season passes. Adjacent to the golf course is a Club house with a Pro Shop, lounge, and restaurant. The golf course even has a Golf Pro on staff to assist you.

Oak Run Tennis

Oak Run property owners can enjoy a lighted tennis court in Brentwood Park, next to the swimming pool. Players who need a break for refreshment can visit the concession stand next to the pool.

Oak Run Parks and Picnic Areas

Oak Run residents who would like to enjoy a picnic can visit one of Oak Run’s parks, including Windemere Park and Beach, Lakeview Park and Beach, Brentwood Park, and Hillshore Park. The parks have shelters and playground equipment on and off the sandy beach areas.

Oak Run Camping

Oak Run includes a campground for residents and their accompanied guests. Tents, campers, and motor homes are welcome, and it is open from April 30th to October 31st. A bathing facility and electrical hookups are availalbe.

Oak Run Outdoor Living

Nearly one fourth of the Oak Run Community consists of wooded natural areas, made up of many different trees such as oaks, aspens, walnut, and ash. This provides a home to the many birds and wildlife native to the region. Rolling hills with abundant wildlife create a beautiful environment for property owners to enjoy.

Oak Run Property Owner’s Association Rules and Bylaws

The Oak Run POA (Property Owners Association) has rules and bylaws to protect your investment in Oak Run real estate. These regulations were designed with the interests of the property owner in mind. This helps ensure property values stay hight, and is one of the reasons Oak Run is a desirable location to buy your next Illinois vacation home.

Recreation at Oak Run

There are plenty of things to do for people of all ages and interests at Oak Run and Spoon Lake.

• Golfing on the 18 hole Oak Run Public Golf Course
• Fishing on Spoon Lake
• Boating on Spoon Lake
• Fishing in Spoon Lake or the community pool
• Tennis at Brentwood Park
• Camping, hiking, and picnicking

Homes in Oak Run

One of the greatest features about Oak Run is the ability to have a home right on the water. Homes on Spoon Lake in Oak Run are very desirable, and you can build your own or buy one that has already been built. There are still Oak Run waterfront lots available where you can dock your boat or just step outside to fish.

Fishing at Oak Run

The Oak Run Homeowner’s Association regularly stocks Spoon Lake for panfish as well as bass, northern, and walleye. The fishing is excellent, and bass tournaments are held twice yearly in the Spring and Fall. In addition, the kids can participate in an annual panfish tournament for some great family fun.

Golfing at Oak Run

The Oak Run Public Golf Course is a challenging course where you will enjoy 18 holes of golf in a beautiful natural environment. Get some new gear at the pro shop, and stay for dinner and refreshments at The Watering Hole, the clubhouse’s excellent restaurant.

Oak Run Vacation Homes

Learn more about the Oak Run resort community and search for Oak Run vacation homes and lots for sale at www.stevecramerrealtor.com.

Steve is a Galesburg area native, and knows the area well. As an investor in commercial and residential property for over 30 years, he can help individuals and corporate clients with any type of Illinois real estate transaction.

Contact Steve anytime at (309) 344-7653 or via email Steve@SteveCramerRealtor.com