Special offer

Saint Louis, MO Real Estate News

By Tim Tanz, St Louis Real Estate
(Platinum Realty)
As my goal is to continually learn and hone my skills for my Sellers, I just wanted to share that I have earned the Certified Listing Professional Designation. I have been representing home buyers and home sellers in the St Louis Metropolitan Area since 1997 - 26 years!  I am an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR), and GRI (Graduate, Realtor Institute).  Affiliations: Member St Louis Association of Realtors (SLAR), Member Missouri Association of Realtors (MAR), Member National Association of Realtors (NAR), Member Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council (REBAC). St Louis Real Estate, St Louis Real Estate Agent, St Louis Realtor, St Louis Realty, St. Louis City and St. Louis County Residential Real Estate, Homes, Condos, Lofts & Town-homes, Gay St Louis Real Estate. St. Louis City Neighbo...
Comments 2
By Tim Tanz, St Louis Real Estate
(Platinum Realty)
Our friend, Dr. Ben Bohren, visited over the weekend.  He arrived Thursday and flew out this morning.  Ben is a minister with the Christian Church of Northern California-Nevada.  The CCNC-N is the presence of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the northern half of the states of California and Nevada.  Ben is such a great guy, and we love to share our home with him when he is in town for meetings, etc.  He used to live in St louis (I sold him his house and then listed and sold it when he moved to California with his job).  During his first year in California, he would stay with us almost monthly; now it's usually about once or twice a year.  We have the extra suite for guests, so I hate to see anyone pay for a hotel when they can stay with us.  I tell people, it's like a "bed ...
Comments 0
By Michelle DeRepentigny, Broker Athens, GA
(Success Realty)
Bob Mitchell of ValueList Real Estate Services in St. Louis, MO is a proponent of flat fee real estate commissions and explains how his company offers full service at a flat fee!  "ValueList Real Estate Services is primarily known as St. Louis largest discount/full-service real estate company, but the fact of the matter is that ValueList is also a full-service, VA approved mortgage lender."Bob's website offer tons of information about buying real estate in St. Louis, MO, selling real estate in St. Louis, MO and a great opportunity to view featured listings and search the St. Louis Area Multiple Listing Service.You can contact Bob Mitchell  online at ValueList Real Estate Services or at the ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc. office by phone at (314) 231-LIST.Interested in more informat...
Comments 0
By Laura Warden Nordin, 30-year Top Producer in Greater ABQ Real Estate
(Century 21 Camco Realty)
St. Louis, Missouri residents have a home-sales option that may save them thousands: Bob Mitchell and ValueList Real Estate Services, the largest discount/full service real estate and mortgage company in St. Louis.   Bob Mitchell is the president and founder of ValueList, which is built around the concept of the flat-fee listing arrangement; instead of charging the seller a percentage of the sales price, ValueList charges a flat fee for the "listing" side of the transaction, and has the home seller offer a commission to the "selling agent" for bringing the buyer.ValueList is also a full service, VA approved mortgage lender, thus offering a homebuyer the comfort of knowing the same company controls all aspects of the transaction, originating and processing their loan application.The Valu...
Comments 1
By Tim Tanz, St Louis Real Estate
(Platinum Realty)
New price on this adorable cottage in Tower Grove South, just 4 blocks south of the park. Seller lived here for many years and lovingly maintained this home. It is clean, clean, clean, and has so much to offer. The main floor consists of the livingroom, diningroom, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, full bath & a great finished 3-season/breakfast room off the kitchen. Large dormers on the second floor (front & back) really add to the upstairs living space. There are five good-sized closets (2 are cedar lined) & two large bedrooms. There's also a half bath off the landing. Tons of natural light throughout. The partially finished basement is one of the cleanest and brightest I have seen. There's a large, finished rec room, a storage room, laundry area, glass block windows & an additional shower. Furnac...
Comments 0
By Rob Weiman, CAI, GPPA, AARE, CES, St. Louis Auctions
(Mound City Auctions)
 We went to the Gypsy Caravantoday and handed out flyers for upcoming auctions.If you are not from St. Louis, or if you never get out, let me tell you about the Gypsy Caravan. It is a big Flea Market, Antique Market, Craft Fair and Steam Bath all rolled into one. It is held out of doors, and on parking lots and streets, so it can get very hot and sometime wet. One can find some great old antiques and some cheep gloves, sunglasses or some new bird houses on a stick all at one place. If you ever find yourself in St. Louis over Memorial Day I recomend you check it out.I think we will rent a booth there next Memorial Day.Thank you vets. I hope you had a good one.To those of you who have lost a service member to war, double thanks. We who enjoy our freedom, and even those who take it for gra...
Comments 0
By Rob Weiman, CAI, GPPA, AARE, CES, St. Louis Auctions
(Mound City Auctions)
OK, I think almost everyone says it wrong, you hear Botch e' ball all the time.Bocce Ball, you don't see it that much these days, but when you do you should stop and play. They used to have a Bocce court in north county in Hazelwood, but it fizzled long ago. Now on the hill, Bocce is still played, and at Milo's it is a way of life. Milo's is a cool bar on Marconi and Wilson on the hill with 2 outside (but under cover) Bocce courts. They have great food and on Wednesday they have the best chicken spiedini you will ever find anywhere. If you get a chance stop in, and play some Bocce (during the day they don't have leagues, at night it's hit and miss) have some food, just don't try to move the outside tables (they are concrete and heavy) and don't call it Botch e.Rob WeimanAuctioneerHave G...
Comments 5
By Rob Weiman, CAI, GPPA, AARE, CES, St. Louis Auctions
(Mound City Auctions)
As an Auctioneer I have the unique experience of digging through others things for a living. You would be surprised at the things people have tucked away. The thought occurred to me the other day that someday someone else would be digging through the items I have at my home when my estate is sold. We all wind up as boxes at some point. We get reduced to things we leave behind and love we pour into others. Someone else will get all of our things, perhaps they will like them and keep them, perhaps not. My advise is to look closely at what you have now and perhaps spend more time on pouring love into others and less time getting more things for me or someone like me to sell. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to sell your stuff some day, but wouldn't be nice if the ones you pour all that love in...
Comments 2
By Tim Tanz, St Louis Real Estate
(Platinum Realty)
Got back into town yesterday, and will probably leave town again on Thursday for the Memorial Day weekend.  I am finding it very difficult to get motivated to do anything real estate related this week.  Not much is going on, and I just can't seem to get focused for a couple of days to just leave town again...My nephew's high school graduation Friday evening went great.  I counted 163 in the graduating class.  The ceremony lasted a little over an hour - three speakers and then handed out diplomas.  There was an awards ceremony earlier in the week.  Spent the night at Mom and Dad's home in Perryville.On Saturday, we went to Chaffee to begin preparations for Mom Horman's 80th Birthday party.  I started putting together the flower arrangements that evening.  It took me several hours to fini...
Comments 2
By Rita Taylor, Sanford NC Real Estate - Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina
(None)
ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc. is not your typical real estate brokerage but then again, Bob Mitchell is not your typical real estate agent. Bob Mitchell strives to provide superior service at very competitive rates. Bob Mitchell started his real estate career as a loan officer. Bob was the one in his office that fixed mortgages which had run into a snag. Too often Bob found the cause of the problem was one of the real estate agents involved in the transaction. Bob knew he could do provide a superior level of service to the St. Louis real estate market. ValueList was born in November of 1995 and began working with clients in St. Louis shortly afterward. The high level of service Bob provides is reflected by his website. His website can provide valuable information whether you are ...
Comments 2
By Tim Tanz, St Louis Real Estate
(Platinum Realty)
I just wanted to take a moment to wish Mom Horman a Happy 80th Birthday.  I also wanted to pay tribute to this amazing woman.  We are celebrating her birthday this Sunday, but her actual birthday is Tuesday, May 22.  Her children and grandchildren have been planning the event for months.  It's supposed to be a "surprise".  If we pull it off, I'll be "surprised."  She has raised seven children, has fourteen living grandchildren, and twenty-one great-grandchildren.  She is a two-time cancer surviver, who lives with a colostomy.  This spring, after a heart scare, she received a pace-maker.  She is doing great - her energy has returned, and she's busy around the house again.  We're afraid she will overdo it...Her will to persevere is amazing.  She just keeps going...I remember when she was ...
Comments 0
By Tim Tanz, St Louis Real Estate
(Platinum Realty)
It's the season for graduations.  We have five of them in the family - four from high school and one from nursing school.  We are attending only one of the ceremonies, but everyone will get cards and cash.  I need to get them in the mail....I loved the saying in one of the cards.  It applies to all of us, not just the graduates:"Whatever you dream, dream with all your heart - Whatever you try, try with all your heart - and happiness will be yours."It makes me feel old.  I was there when Dustin, my nephew, was born.  I changed his diapers and babysat him.  Now, he's graduating high school already.  Where did the time go?  I was disappointed when I heard the news he was not going to attend college.  He had a scholarship that would pay for the first two years of classes, and he had already...
Comments 0
By Tim Tanz, St Louis Real Estate
(Platinum Realty)
Well, I got word today that I didn't get the listing on Alfred.  The seller's reason was that my evaluation of the list price for their home was too low.  I told them they needed to be around $130,000 or less.  They are being relocated, and acted like they wanted a quick sale...I thought the comparables supported this list price.  The home is west of Morganford, which is not as desirable an area as homes east of Morganford (Tower Grove South).  Two bedroom homes in our neighborhood - east of Morganford - have sold for $130,000 or less this past year.  It is a nice home, but it has only five rooms, windows are still original, no power to the garage, older kitchen cabinets (painted).  I am going to be interested to see the list price once it comes on the market.  I would have liked to hav...
Comments 0
By Tim Tanz, St Louis Real Estate
(Platinum Realty)
Normally, I try to break up my listing appointments into two meetings.  The first meeting is to just meet the potential clients and build repport, walk through the house, see for myself the condition and ammenities, and take notes.  On the second appointment, I present my listing presentation, my marketing plan, and the comparative market analysis of the property.  This week, I did it a little differently.  I had gotten particulars from the seller over the phone, so I ran comps before the appointment.  During the appointment, I met the sellers, walked the house, took notes, and took some pictures for the virtual tour (I put it together on www.realestateshows.com and emailed it to them the following day).  I did go over pricing on this visit, and presented the comparables to them.  I tol...
Comments 19
By Tim Tanz, St Louis Real Estate
(Platinum Realty)
Thank goodness it's Friday.  No reason, really, just glad it's the weekend... It rained again today, so no yard work was done.  I got the landscaping planted at the first Miami property, but it began raining before I could get started on the property across the street.  It poured yesterday afternoon.  No winds, but lightning, thunder and buckets of rain.  We've been sweeping water out the back door of the basement.  I'll finish planting this next week and then begin the mulching.  Thank goodness they have piles of free mulch for anyone to take at Carondelet Park.  Between the rental properties and home, it will take at least three truckloads...Following are this week's real estate market statistics for the city of St. Louis (Areas 1,2,3).  Statistics are gathered from the local Multiple...
Comments 2
By Tim Tanz, St Louis Real Estate
(Platinum Realty)
I facilitated a KWU class last week on "Buyer Mastery - Succeecing in a Buyer's Market."  We covered some buyer "myths and truths" that exist in today's market:Buyer Myth 1:  "I can take my time because I have all these choices."Truth:  In any market, the best properties go quickly.  Act on these properties, or you are left with the second tier homes.  "If the home of your dreams came along today, are you prepared to buy it?"Buyer Myth 2:  "Prices or interest rates may go down."Truth:  No one can predict the market. "You are right, prices may go down, and there is no way to predict it.  However, interest rates may go up.  Do you want to gamble on the future?"Buyer Myth 3:  "There are no benefits to signing a Buyer's Representation Agreement."Truth:  A Buyer's Representation Agreement as...
Comments 2
By Tim Tanz, St Louis Real Estate
(Platinum Realty)
I have a clipping on the board above my desk.  I believe it's from an old Ann Landers column.  I try to read it regularly, as it reminds me to be thankful for the many blessings I have received:"If you woke up this morning with more health than illness... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive the week.If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep... you are richer than 75% of this world...
Comments 1
By Tim Tanz, St Louis Real Estate
(Platinum Realty)
Last week I posted that I was checking out different virtual tour sites.  I have tried out http://www.realestateshows/ and love it.  Normally, the price to join was $125, but Jeff Turner, president of the company, responded and let me know that for members of Activerain the cost was only $99.95.  Visit this link to sign up with the discount:  http://create.realestateshows.com/newuser/index.php?agencyID=11I've since created a virtual tour of one of my listings (4108 Wyoming St).  It was so easy to do.  I first watched the short tutorial videos, and within 15 minutes (I'm slow) I had set up the tour.  See it here:  http://www.realestateshows.com/161191One suggestion I received was to take my digital camera with my on a pre-listing appointment.  Shoot five pictures while your going through...
Comments 0
By Tim Tanz, St Louis Real Estate
(Platinum Realty)
We have a clear occupancy inspection on the Wyoming listing!  I met the inspector there this morning.  After a ten minute walk-thu, he said everything looks fine and said the certificate would be in the mail.  I knew this would be an easy one.  I installed three smoke detectors and three GFCI outlets this last week.  There was no pealing paint or falling plaster.  Even though the house is dated, it is very clean, and that did make a difference.  So, we've taken care of another step in the process.  I have a good working relationship with this inspector.  He inspected my house during the rehab, and since I work pretty heavily in the Tower Grove South neighborhood, which is his area, we see each other fairly often.  He knows the quality of work I do personally, and knows I follow the rule...
Comments 0
By Tim Tanz, St Louis Real Estate
(Platinum Realty)
Just got back from visiting some friends who live in Lake Saint Louis.  It's beautiful out there, but quite a drive from the city.  They have a large front yard that slopes fairly steeply down to the street.  It is terraced somewhat, but pretty overgrown.  They were wanting my opinion on how to landscape the area.  I love planting and laying out landscaping.  I work by trial and error, though, and move things around every year.  Their yard is somewhat overwhelming.  I suggested first getting rid of the overgrown plants/weeds, trimming what they want to keep, and mulch, mulch, mulch.  If they don't plant anything else, just mulching the terraces will make it look 100% better...  That's what I did all day today in my garden.  I took the day off so I could concentrate on getting hostas div...
Comments 0
By Tim Tanz, St Louis Real Estate
(Platinum Realty)
Here are the weekly market statisticss for the city of St. Louis.  The information was gathered from the local multiple listing service:There were 125 active listings.  Prices ranged from $17,900 to $1,295,000.There were 40 contingent/option listings.  Prices ranged from $24,000 to $589,000.There were 84 pending listings.  Prices ranged from $13,000 to $570,000.There were 89 sold properties.  Prices ranged from $30,000 to $570,000.There were 127 properties that expired.  Prices ranged from $16,900 to $624,000.There were 31 withdrawn listings.  Prices ranged from $85,000 to $389,900.I am hosting a public open house tomorrow (Sunday) at 4108 Wyoming Street, from 1 to 3 pm.  This is a very nice 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath home in Tower Grove South, just 4 blocks south of Tower Grove Park.  This on...
Comments 1
Explore Saint Louis, MO
Saint Louis, MO Real Estate Professionals