St. Louis County Real Estate News by Diane Bicket

AWESOME price on 4 bedroom home at 4639 Candace Drive

2011-08-31T21:01:00Z

Bayless, - Don't miss out on this home at 4639 Candace Drive -- 1,600 sq. ft., 2.5 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story split. Now MLS® $149,900 - New Price - New Roof!.

Property information

Price Reduced on 4639 Candace Drive in Jeffleigh Estates

2011-08-11T22:34:00Z

Jeffleigh Estates, Affton - Announcing a price reduction on 4639 Candace Drive, a 1,600 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story split. Now MLS® $149,900 - New Price - New Roof!.

Property information

2 Story Split For Sale in Jeffleigh Estates

2011-07-08T14:22:00Z

Approx. 1600 sq ft living area

• 1,600 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story split - MLS® $159,000

Jeffleigh Estates, Affton - Location - value - space! This 4-bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home has been meticulously maintained. Beautiful wood floors in main level living area and bedrooms, large eat-in kitchen, master bedroom with master bath. Light-filled lower level finished with family room and half-bath. Updated electrical panel with 200 amp service, 2-car oversized garage, and fully fenced backyard. Bonus: new 30-year architectural roof, gutters, and downspouts to be installed. All appliances stay! H S A home warranty plan provided for extra peace of mind. Close to schools, easy access to shopping and highways. Approx. 1600 sq ft of living area including finished lower level. It's rare to find a 4-bedroom home, so if you need the space, don't miss out.

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SOLD 9422 Mackenzie Road in Affton

2010-09-15T16:08:00Z

Mackenzie Park, Affton - New Price!!!! 9422 Mackenzie Road, 2 bedroom, 1 bath single story. Finished walk-out lower level and 1-car garage. Absolutely a MUST-SEE house. Now MLS® $125,900 - .

Property information

Awesome home - totally updated - high-end quality in South St. Louis County

2010-07-23T16:19:00Z

• 864 sq. ft., 1 bath, 2 bdrm single story - MLS® $129,900

Mackenzie Park, Affton - Looking for move-in ready & loaded with high-end upgrades? This is it! This 2 bedroom, 1 bath home was nicely renovated in 2007. Since then, the owners have installed new landscaping & finished the walk-out lower level, adding more than 500 additional square feet of living space with a fabulous family room, game/eating area, & den. The family room also boasts surround sound (52-inch HD LCD TV is negotiable). You'll love the beautiful wood floors in the living room, dining room, & bedrooms. The bath has gorgeous marble floors with marble shower surround. In the kitchen you'll enjoy granite counters, marble backsplash, built-in rack for wine glasses, & beautiful maple cabinets. The home has a 1-car attached garage & is low maintenance with vinyl siding, covered soffit/fascia, newer windows, & the yard is fully fenced. Need more? Sellers are leaving the electric fireplace in the living room, the refrigerator, the washer/dryer - & are offering 1-year home warranty. Act FAST! 9422 Mackenzie Road

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Buying a Home? Still time to take advantage of the tax credit (St. Louis County Real Estate)

2010-04-12T16:30:00Z

This tax incentive ends April 30, 2010! But there is still time to act.

To qualify, you must be under written contract by April 30, 2010 - and must close on the sale not later than June 30, 2010.

For first-time home buyers, the credit is 10% of purchase price up to $8000. And guess what - you can qualify for a first-time home buyer credit even if you've previously owned a home. But you must NOT have owned for the past 3 years.
For move-up buyers, the credit is 10% of the purchase price up to $6500.
There are income limits for eligibility, but they are generous.

So take action now if you've been hoping to buy a home. Indications are that prices are stabilizing and will now continue to gradually increase. And interest rates are probably on the rise soon as well. Now is the time to buy!

Contact me at 314-406-3200 for questions about buying your home! I'm ready to help.

What Are 10-Year Sales Trends in Oakville School District? (St. Louis County Real Estate - Missouri)

2010-03-31T18:52:00Z

Here's more info on sales trends for homes in St. Louis County real estate! These are the 10-year sales stats for OAKVILLE schools in South St. Louis County, Missouri. I've provided you with a clear picture of the sales prices and trends between 2000 and 2009. This data is taken directly from all the sales listed in the MLS (Multi-List System). (Median sales price means, effectively, that half the houses sold for more and half the houses sold for less.)

The Median Sales Price reflects the actual sales trends in this 10-year period. The 4% Increase Per Year indicates what that same sales price would have been with an average 4% increase per year.

It's too early in 2010 to see trends. However, sales prices continue to slowly increase in many areas. For more information about the current market value of a specific property, give me a call at 314-406-3200.

Oakville School District

Year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Median Sale Price 180000 184900 215700 220000 235500 224000 227000 196250

% Change 2.7% 16.7% 2.0% 7.0% -4.9% 1.3% -13.5%

# of Units 372 383 438 405 334 329 235 266

Median Days on Market 56 49 62 72 81 86 94 107

(4% increase per year) 180000 187200 194688 202475 210574 18997 227757 236867

Luxury one-level living in South St. Louis County - Pristine ranch with 3-car garage!

2010-03-22T19:01:00Z

Luxury one-level living in this gorgeous home: 4-bedroom plan - 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths PLUS den/study, 3-car side-entry garage. Popular split bedroom plan loaded with high-end features! Vaulted great room with gas fireplace, spacious kitchen with stunning granite counters, double oven (convection), 42-inch maple cabinets, tile backsplash, & planning desk. Bay windows in great room/breakfast room area. Wood floors in entry foyer, great room, kitchen, breakfast room, & half bath. Ceramic tile baths. Master bedroom suite with coffered ceiling, 5-window bay, & huge walk-in closet. Master bath boasts adult height double bowl vanity, whirlpool tub, & separate shower. Main floor laundry & laundry tub. Walk-in closets in all bedrooms. Lower level has high pour & rough-in plumbing. Almost half acre lot, in-ground sprinklers, security system, & professional landscaping. Cul-de-sac subdivision of 20 executive-style homes. Pristine condition & convenient location near St. Anthony's. Owner/agent. $425,000

For photos and details, go to http://www.dianebicket.com/Featured_Listings/page_1932181.html

Avoid Common Mistakes in Buying Your Home - St. Louis County Real Estate

2010-03-22T16:28:00Z

Shopping for a new home is an emotional experience. It is, however, also a business transaction, and must be treated as such. Three of the most devastating things that can go wrong are:

Paying too much
Losing a dream home to another buyer
Buying the wrong home

Avoid costly errors in your home buying experience with these tips on making the most of your home purchase:

Get the information you need
What price do you offer a seller? Is the seller’s asking price too high?

A professional Realtor® can offer an unbiased opinion on the value of a home, based on many factors and a great deal of information. Without knowledge of the market, your offer could be too much. Or worse, you could miss out on a great buying opportunity.

What do you need and want in a home?
Sounds simple, but clearly identifying your needs and bringing an objective view to home shopping leaves you in a much better position. How much space do you really need? Too small and you may feel like you live in constant clutter. Too big and maintenance may become too daunting. Outline all of your priorities, and work on finding not just a great home, but a great home for you.

Get pre-approved for your loan
It only takes a few days to get financing pre-approval. When you are shopping for a home, this gives you more power. A seller is more likely to consider an offer from a serious buyer.

Get a professional building inspection
For $300 - $500, a professional inspector will conduct a thorough inspection of the home. Their expertise can mean the difference between uncovering major flaws before or after you own a home. Make the final contract subject to the report’s findings.

Get a property survey
Before the purchase is completed, an updated survey is essential. This report will indicate boundaries and structural changes (additions to the house, a new swimming pool, neighbor’s new fence which is extending a boundary line, etc.), and will guarantee that you are indeed getting what you pay for. The title company usually will order this survey for you at your cost. However, check with the sellers to see if they have a current survey available that indicates all current improvements to the structure of the house. If they do, that could save you several hundred dollars in your closing costs!

Check the title
Before you sign any document, be sure the property you are considering is free of all encumbrances. As a part of their services, the title company you choose will do a title search to ensure there are no liens, debts, undisclosed owners, leases or easements against the title.

Remember additional costs
Besides the funds for the purchase of a home, you’ll need funds for items such as loan fees, insurance, legal fees, surveys, inspections, etc. When you speak with your lender, ask for a good faith estimate of your closing costs. This will give you a great idea of these types of charges. Your real estate agent can help you estimate the cost of building inspections and title company charges, such as the survey.

Take a deep breath
Before you sign, ensure that all documentation clearly reflects your understanding and conditions of the transaction. Has anything been forgotten? Don’t rush. You could lose money, financing, or even the sale if you attempt to push things through too hastily.

Sales Trends in St. Louis County Real Estate - Mehlville School District (Missouri)

2010-03-12T18:52:00Z

In my continuing effort to keep you up-to-date on St. Louis County real estate trends, here are the 10-year sales stats for MEHLVILLE schools in South St. Louis County. I've provided you with a clear picture of the sales prices and trends between 2000 and 2009. This data is taken directly from all the sales listed in the MLS (Multi-List System). (Median sales price means, effectively, that half the houses sold for more and half the houses sold for less.)

The Median Sales Price reflects the actual sales trends in this 10-year period. The 4% Increase Per Year indicates what that same sales price would have been with an average 4% increase per year.

Mehlville School District - St. Louis County Missouri

Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Median Sale Price 123150 129250 143000 156000 160000 172000 175500 170750 156500 150000

% Change 5.0% 10.6% 9.1% 2.6% 7.5% 2.0% -2.7% -8.3% -4.2%

# of Units 524 566 556 612 652 613 528 486 415 489

Median Days on Market 37 38 46 46 49 62 63 73 100 84

(4% increase per year) 123150 128076 133199 138527 144068 149830 155824 162057 168539 175280

Get your house in order before selling! Here are 10 tips. (St. Louis County Real Estate)

2010-03-05T16:00:00Z

10 TIPS - Getting Your House Ready to Sell (St. Louis County Real Estate)

In today's market, buyers want value AND great condition. Yes, it's a "beauty contest"! So what can you do to ensure your house shows its best? I know, it's very difficult to keep your house show-ready, especially if you have children. But you really need to make your house look like a display home! Buyers want to visualize themselves in your house - they don't want to see how your family lives in that house.

Here are 10 items to address prior to selling.

First impressions are lasting! The front door greets the prospect. Make sure it appears fresh and clean. Paint the trim, if necessary.
Keep the lawn trimmed and edged, and the yard free of refuse. Reseed and fertilize the lawn, if necessary. Weed the gardens, and add mulch. Deep green grass makes a lasting impression. In winter, be sure snow and ice are removed from walks and steps.
Decorate for a quick sale. Faded walls and worn woodwork reduce appeal.
Let the sun shine in. Open draperies and curtains and let the prospect see how cheerful your home can be. (Dark rooms do not appeal)
Kitchens help sell homes. Are the appliances sparkling clean and operating properly?
Fix the faucet! Dripping water discolors sinks and suggests faulty plumbing.
Loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers and other minor flaws detract from home value. Have them fixed.
Pack excess linens and clothing to make closets look bigger. Neat, well-ordered closets show the space is ample.
Bathrooms help sell homes. Check and repair grout in bathtubs and showers. Make this room sparkle.
Arrange bedrooms neatly. Remove excess furniture. Use attractive bedspreads and fresh looking window coverings.

REMEMBER, you will get the most traffic through your home within the first 30 days after listing. So don't waste that "prime" market time. Address these 10 items before you start showing the house.

And if you have further questions about getting your house ready to sell, give me a call at 314-677-6270.

What Are Homes Selling For in Lindbergh School District? - St. Louis County Real Estate

2010-02-25T19:25:00Z

Interested in seeing the data on sales trends in St. Louis County - Lindbergh Schools? I've provided you with a clear picture of the sales prices and trends between 2000 and 2009. This data is taken directly from all the sales listed in the MLS (Multi-List System). (Median sales price means, effectively, that half the houses sold for more and half the houses sold for less.)

The Median Sales Price reflects the actual sales trends in this 10-year period. The 4% Increase Per Year indicates what that same sales price would have been with an average 4% increase per year.

Lindbergh School District - St. Louis, MO

Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Median Sale Price 144450 155000 165500 176250 192250 199250 194450 195000 185050 178450

% Change 7.3% 6.8% 6.5% 9.1% 3.6% -2.4% 0.3% -5.1% -3.6%

# of Units 552 499 494 578 538 544 522 551 551 468

Median Days on Market 20 21 26 29 33 37 43 49 49 83

(4% increase per year) 144450 150228 156237 162487 168986 175746 182775 190086 197690 205597

9920 Hacker Place in Sunset View is Sold!

2009-09-25T14:26:00Z

Sunset View, Green Park - The single story at 9920 Hacker Place has been sold. I can help you get your home sold - or find you the home of your dreams!

$144,900 Updated Ranch For Sale in Lindbergh Schools - 3 BR, 2 BA, finished LL, 1-car garage, much more! WOW

2009-08-15T19:21:00Z

• 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story "1500+ sq ft finished" - MLS® $144,900

Lindbergh, Green Park - Location, updates, expanded living space, low maintenance exterior - THIS HOME HAS IT ALL! 3 bedrooms on main level with beautifully updated bath. Lower level family room, 2nd bath, & 2 additional bedrooms (with egress windows). All of this equals 1500+ square feet of living area. You'll love the wood floors in the living room & hallway - & the open, light-filled living area. Wood floors under carpets in main floor bedrooms. Kitchen boasts plenty of cabinet storage & counter space, as well as pantry, & newer features: dishwasher, gas stove, flooring, countertops. Refrigerator negotiable - microwave stays. The level, fully fenced yard backs to trees for privacy. Detached 1-car garage & newer systems: roof 8 yrs., furnace & A/C 3 yrs., upgraded electrical panel, lower level drain tile with sump pit/pump. 1-yr. home warranty offered for extra peace of mind. Playset in back yard stays. Extraordinary space, convenient location, & highly-rated Lindbergh schools - wonderful value!

$30,000 Price Reduction - 9 year-old ranch with 3-car garage near St. Anthony's - 1/2 acre - pristine condition.

2009-08-08T14:25:00Z

Chatham Manor, Mehlville - Announcing a price reduction on 13520 Chatham Manor Drive, a 2,869 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm ranch. Now MLS® $429,900 - NEW PRICE.