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Megan Rakers, Realtor at Live Laugh Illinois Real Estate Group

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O'Fallon, IL
Megan Rakers, Realtor at Live Laugh Illinois Real Estate Group

It would be my pleasure to help you buy or sell a home!

05/26/2026

Thinking about buying this summer?

Here's something most buyers don't realize until it's too late.

The homes that show the best in June? They were prepped in May. Consistently maintained homes sell for up to 10% more than comparable homes with deferred maintenance, and they spend fewer days on market.

Which means the condition of a home tells you a lot about how it was owned.

Walk the exterior. Check the gutters. Look at the landscaping. Ask when the HVAC was last serviced.

A well-maintained home isn't just prettier. It's a better investment.

Did you know? 86% of home inspections find something that needs to be fixed, and buyers who negotiate based on those findings save an average of $14,000 off the final sale price.

Knowing what to look for and how to act on it makes all the difference.

Source: Porch Home Inspection Survey

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is a reminder that the freedoms we enjoy, including the freedom to put down roots, build a life, and call a place home, came at a real cost.

We're grateful.

To all who served, and to the families who carry that sacrifice with them: thank you. 🇺🇸

05/18/2026

Thinking about a move this summer?

One of the best things about thriving at home is knowing that when the time comes to find a new one, you don't have to figure it out alone.

Finding the right agent in an unfamiliar market is one of the hardest parts of the process. Not because good agents don't exist there. But because you have no way of knowing who to trust until it's too late to find out.

We've spent years building relationships with agents across North America. People we've collaborated with, referred clients to, and know personally for their expertise and integrity.

Wherever you're headed, just ask us. Connecting people is genuinely one of our favorite things to do.

We're happy to make the introduction and take the guesswork completely off your plate. 🤝

05/14/2026

May is the sweet spot. And the window to get ahead of summer is shorter than you think.

Swipe through for your May homeowner game plan. From the maintenance tasks that protect your home all season long, to the tools we built to make it easier, to the plans you need to lock in before everyone else does.

Future You will thank Present You. Promise.

🗓️ Full Annual Maintenance Calendar at the link in bio.

05/13/2026

If a move is even remotely on your radar this year, May is the time to start.

Not because you have to list tomorrow. But because the prep you do now is exactly what buyers will notice later.

Simple exterior improvements consistently deliver some of the highest returns of any pre-listing update you can make.

And buyers absolutely notice when a home has been consistently cared for versus quickly cleaned up to hit the market.

You don't need a full renovation. You need the right moves, in the right order.

Did you know? Garage door replacement returns up to 194% of its cost at resale, and a new steel entry door returns up to 188%. Two of the most affordable exterior updates you can make, and two of the highest returning.

We can help you figure out what actually matters and what doesn't. Spoiler: it's usually not what you think.

Source: 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, Remodeling Magazine remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value

05/10/2026

To every mom who made a house feel like home.

The one who knew exactly where everything was (even when no one else did). Who turned the kitchen into the best room in the house. Who made you feel safe, seen, and taken care of no matter what.

Home isn't a square footage number. It's a feeling. And a lot of us learned that from her.

And we also know this day can be complicated. For those who have lost their mom, who are missing a child, who are still hoping, or who are navigating a relationship that is anything but simple, we see you too. This day holds a lot, and not all of it is easy.

However today finds you, we hope there is someone in your corner who makes wherever you are feel a little more like home.

Happy Mother's Day. 🌸

05/08/2026

Summer doesn't start when school gets out.

It starts when your home is ready for it.

This month's Thrive at Home blog covers:

✅ Your May maintenance mini-calendar
📋 The ""book this now before it's too late"" list
🗓️ How to grab our free Annual Maintenance Calendar (and subscribe so reminders just show up)

Because Future You shouldn't be scrambling in June. She should be outside. Drink in hand. Zero to-do list in sight. Living your best life while “Present You” handled business in May.

🔗 Read the full blog at the link in bio.

05/05/2026

We are celebrating Mexican culture, heritage, and community this Cinco de Mayo. And it's one of our favorite excuses to gather around a table.

Whether you're at your favorite local taqueria, supporting an authentic spot in your neighborhood, or hosting the whole crew at home with a spread that took all day, tonight is a great night to celebrate the food, the people, and the culture behind it.

Good food. Good company. Good times.

🇲🇽 Feliz Cinco de Mayo.

Giveaway Rules: Comment on Facebook or Instagram and tag your favorite local spot, each comment is one entry. Tag different places in separate comments for multiple entries. We’ll randomly select a winner at the start of the following month and notify them via DM.

Winners must respond within 48 hours or a new winner may be chosen. Open to followers of this account.

By entering, you agree that your name and comment may be used for promotional purposes. This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram, Facebook, or Meta. Participants must be 13+ and agree to Meta’s terms of use.

05/03/2026

Here's something we think about a lot.

Over 60% of homeowners say lifestyle flexibility, things like travel, ease of maintenance, and remote work, is now a major factor in how they evaluate their home.

Convenience isn't just nice to have anymore. It's part of the value equation.

That's a bit of a shift, and it changes how we think about helping people, not just at the moment of buying or selling, but across the whole journey of owning a home.

It's why we built the Thrive at Home hub. It's why we share a maintenance calendar. It's why we keep a vetted vendor list. It's why we love talking about home stuff, even when no one is buying or selling anything.

Because our job isn't just to help you move. It's to help you thrive wherever you are.

Source: Federal Reserve Housing & Mobility Research

04/28/2026

Buying a home comes with a lot of moving pieces — and the inspection process is one of the most important.

AI can actually be a great tool here. Buyers can use it to better understand common maintenance items, learn what systems typically need replacement in older homes, or even analyze photos of appliances to estimate lifespan.

But technology doesn’t replace expertise.

Did you know?

Over half of buyers (54%) say their real estate agent pointed out features or faults in a home they hadn’t noticed.

AI can help you prepare smart questions.
Inspectors help evaluate the condition of the home.
And a great agent helps you understand what it all means for your investment.

Because the goal isn’t just to buy a house — it’s to buy wisely.

Source: 2025 NAR HomeBuyer & Seller Profiles

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