An urge to connect with the past led us to the back of the closet and stacks of boxes with family pictures. Anticipation mounted as we opened the boxes to see how we looked growing up. But, what we saw was…mold! Yes, mold deserves an exclamation point, especially if your home is on the market … Continued
The new rebate incentive replaces inefficient appliances with those that use less energy and water. With spring coming along nicely, all kinds of government programs to help both homebuyers and sellers, and the variety of green options available, here’s one more reason to increase your home’s market value and practice conservation. Beginning April 19, the … Continued
Our area is also a “best-bang-for-the-buck†and home prices edge up. It seems as though St. Louis has a lock on the good news department lately. Our region was selected for two Forbes.com lists and home prices are moving up. If you’re shopping for a house, St. Louis is one of the best markets, according … Continued
Friday, January 121st Annual New Year’s Day KATY Trail Ride
11 a.m.Defiance, MOSponsored by Trailnet. An enthusiastic group of bicyclists have started each New Year with a bike ride on the KATY Trail. Join them this year for the 21st Annual New Year’s Day KATY Trail Ride. The group will leave from the KATY Trailhead in … Continued
As Chair of the Missouri Housing Development Commission, I am very excited to announce that moments ago we passed a $35 million economic development initiative. This initiative, first unveiled by Governor Jay Nixon and myself on November 24, will provide property tax relief to thousands of qualified middle- and low-income Missouri homebuyers, create and protect … Continued
A proposal before the Missouri Housing Development Commission would credit up to $1,250 in property taxes for qualified buyers. Buying a home in Missouri in 2010 looks to include even more incentives for people to enter the housing market. The Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) is considering a proposal to provide up to $1,250 in … Continued
Holiday light displays make the season bright and glitzySt. Charles County is one of the most lighted up communities during the holidays. Add the traditional lights in St. Louis, and families can see stars every evening. Here are a few to enjoy. O’Fallon Celebration of Lights, Fort Zumwalt ParkThrough December 30 (closed December 24 and … Continued
First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended Into 2010! Plus…A New Tax Credit for Certain Existing Home Owners! It’s official. President Obama has signed a bill that extends the tax credit for first-time homebuyers (FTHBs) into the first half of 2010. This program had been scheduled to expire on November 30, 2009. In addition to extending … Continued
Let’s stop Missouri politicians from penalizing homeowners and buyers Missouri is one of 13 states that does not levy a transfer tax on home sales, and a coalition of property owners, businesses and the Missouri Association of REALTORSâ„¢ want to keep it that way. The group sees transfer taxes as double taxation because Missourians already … Continued
Amending the tax return is to the home buyers benefit. It is better to get it down now before everyone else. Also, the IRS is constantly changing the rules. If you closed on your home after Nov. 6th, you must use the new form. Buyers need to use someone who is aware of the forever … Continued
St. Charles is in the news again, this time in the AAA Midwest Traveler Magazine. Our holiday festivities, Christmas Traditions, is prominently featured in the November/December issue. To read the feature story, go to http://www.ouraaa.com/traveler/mid/2009/11/tank.htmlThis joyous season kicks off with opening ceremonies on Friday, November 27, at 11 a.m. at Kister Park. Santa and Mrs. … Continued
October is the time to garden for now and for a spring sale Look to the future when planning your fall garden. Putting in some extra work and planning now will pay off in ready—made spring blooms By Jeanne Baker, MLA, Landscape Designer Fall is officially here. The nights are cool and the trees are … Continued
Congratulations to the residents of Lake St. Louis! The community placed ninth in the top 10 places to live in Money magazine’s annual listing of the best 100 places. SCHNEIDER Realtors’ own Jane Nicoletti can testify first hand—she’s lived there for more than 20 years and loves Lake Saint Louis. “Now my grandchildren can enjoy … Continued
Q: Please introduce yourself?A: Missy Palitzsch Q: What is the name of your business?A: Continental Title Company Q: Where is your business located?A: 2159 Bluestone Plaza, Saint Charles, MO 63304Q: Briefly describe what you/ your business does.A: Title and escrow servicesQ: How many years have you been in business?A: 8 Q: What is your burning … Continued
Thursday, July 2-Saturday, July 4Riverfest, Frontier Park. Games, food, crafts, carnival rides, parade, fireworks and fun for the entire family.Thursday, Bluegrass Festival4:30-9:30 p.m.Friday and SaturdayMusic at 2 stages. Parade at 10:00 AM on July 4th. Fireworks at 9:20 PM. On Friday and Saturday www.stcharlesriverfest.com Friday, July 3-Saturday, July 4O’Fallon’s Heritage & Freedom Fest Friday, 4-11 … Continued
While not recession-proof, the Midwest and more specifically the St. Charles County region, has escaped the recent economic woes and mortgage crisis better than most. O’Fallon is a case in point. The St. Charles County Association of Realtors notes that in May, 102 single-family properties in O’Fallon were sold. That’s a 21 percent increase over … Continued
In today’s real estate market every buyer is looking for a deal, and in many cases the best deal can be found by buying a foreclosure. The Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) has now made that opportunity that much more enticing by releasing their Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), which will provide borrowers with down-payment assistance … Continued
Q: Please introduce yourself? A: Kris Boevingloh Q: What is the name of your business? A: Law Offices of Kristoffer M. Boevingloh, LLC Q: Where is your business located? A: 7717 Natural Bridge Rd., Ste. 203 STL MO 63121 Q: Briefly describe what you/ your business does. A: Law Firm Kris Boevingloh founded the Law … Continued
June 2009 Calendar of Events Thursday, June 4-Thursday, August 27St. Charles Municipal Band Concerts8 p.m.Jaycee Stage, Frontier Park, downtown St. CharlesFree Monday, June 8I Need a Job!-Surviving a Job Loss presented by the Missouri Career Center6:30-8 p.m.Linnemann Branch, St. Charles City-County Library DistrictFree Wednesday, June 10First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, 200-216 S. Main … Continued
Q: Please introduce yourself?A: Grant Hickman! Team members include Cary Knobbe and Lori Linhoff Q: What is the name of your business?A: The Grant Hickman Team Q: Where is your business located?A: 1 Point West Blvd., Saint Charles, MO 63301Q: Briefly describe what you/ your business does.A: Buying a home, selling your home, avoiding foreclosure, … Continued
Intrepid first-time homebuyers jumped off the fence and made an important impact on the housing market this week. Pending home sales rose 3.2 percent in March, according to the National Association of Realtors Pending Home Sales Index. Closer to home the news is even better—pending home sales in St. Charles County rose 26 percent in … Continued
Saturday May 2, Garden Tour and Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to noon, Saint Charles County Master Gardeners, University of Missouri Extension Center, 260 Brown Road, Saint Peters, Free Friday, May 8, American Cancer Society Relay For Life St. Charles: 6 p.m.-6 a.m., St. Charles West High School Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17, 2009 … Continued
RISMEDIA, April 11, 2009-Thanks to record low mortgage rates and declining home prices, 55 million families – or half of all U.S. households – can afford today’s $200,000 median-priced new home, according to figures released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). “That’s an increase of 17 million households from conditions just two years … Continued
In today’s market, sellers have to work harder to persuade buyers that their property is worth the bite. Landscape designer Michael Glassman along with the support of local landscaping and lawn care providers, has cooked up a recipe for guaranteed curb appeal. 1. Add splashes of color. With every changing season, High end landscaping should … Continued
More than three-quarters (78 percent) of potential first-time home buyers say that now is a good time to buy a home, despite widespread concern about the economy. Out of the 1,000 prospective U.S. first-time home buyers surveyed in early March for the CENTURY 21 First-Time Home Buyer Survey, 68 percent think now is a better … Continued
What do you think of this—buying a home with an interest rate one percent below the current rate; no closing costs; no income restrictions and no points. With the current instability in the housing market, this may seem to fit in the too-good-to-be-true category. But, it is true. The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA), … Continued
Q: Please introduce yourself?A: Rebecca Dutton, Custom Closet Designer Q: What is the name of your business?A: Accent Closets Q: Where is your business located?A: 94 Algana Ct., St.Peters, MO 63376 Q: Briefly describe what you/ your business does.A: Accent Closets provides St. Louis, St. Charles and the surrounding communities with affordable consultation, design and … Continued
There’s a glimmer of hope in the housing market. Existing home sales increased in February 2009, at a rate of 5.1 percent, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Chief economist Lawrence Yun says that first-time buyers accounted for half of all home sales last month, with activity centered in the lower price ranges. … Continued
As demand for homes is expected to increase this Spring, Bankrate.com offers 9 tips for homebuyers. Buyers have access to the lowest mortgage rates in years and an $8000 first time home buyer tax credit that does not have to be repaid if the homeowner lives in the home for at least three years. This … Continued
For decades homeowners have been lured by big city lights, leaving small towns and rural areas for a more urban experience. The tide may be turning again, and if you are interested in country living, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a deal for you. The terms are extraordinary—no down payment, 100% financing … Continued
Just a few simple changes can give your room a whole new look without costing you a great deal. Rearranging furniture and accessories made this room more inviting. The Fensterbau Nürnberg windows in this lower level room were not attractive. Adding the horizontal molding took you eye away from the small windows and connected them to … Continued
Q: What is the Name of your Business? A: Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Q: What is your name? A: Jake Bleyenberg Q: Where is your business located? A: 424 S Woods Mill Road Ste 110, Chesterfield, MO 63017 Q: Briefly describe what you or your business does? A: I serve as a catalyst in the … Continued
Affordable housing stock is one of most important components that will stimulate the housing crisis, and in turn, provide a solid foundation for economic recovery as well. The good news is recent indicators reveal that, with the decline in prices, housing is more affordable and that buyers are beginning to sign more sales contracts. According … Continued
Now is a good—check that—great time to buy a house. So say real estate leaders in St. Charles County, among the nation’s fastest-growing areas until the housing slump rolled in last year. Karen Vennard, president of the St. Charles County Association of Realtors, said today that stable house prices and low low mortgage rates mean … Continued
The Grant Hickman Team is proud to have brought together a talented group of businesses that we trust and stand behind. We recommend each of these companies as they have proven their knowledge and expertise on a regular basis. They each continue to provide invaluable services to making a real estate and/or home purchase. Meet … Continued
Q: Please introduce your family?A: Emil, Jill, Nick and Casey (dog) Q: Where is your new home located? A: Fenton, Rockwood School District Q: Describe your situation when you decided to purchase your home? A: We saved for a few years so we had a down payment and then bought our home while the interest … Continued
A Real Estate Forum entitled “St. Charles Real Estate…Crashing or Window of Opportunity?†moderated by local lending expert Robert Rutledge and Real Estate Broker Merle Schneider, Chartered Financial Consultant will be presented Monday, October 27th at 7pm. The Forum is slated to be held at the St. Peters City Hall, Salon A, One St. Peters … Continued