Weekend activity: Boat the Grand Basin

If you have never rented a paddle boat at the Boathouse and enjoyed Art Hill, the Forest Park canals, and the Grand Basin via boat... you MUST!

2nd week of May: the good, bad, and ugly...

Spring market is in FULL effect which means a lot of time for me spent out and about with clients, exploring different areas, properties, and neighborhoods.  I see a lot of interesting things on a daily basis, but these things stuck out to me over the past week- the good, bad, and ugly of the 2nd week of May.

THE GOOD:

While unpredictable and somewhat limiting on outdoor activity, our cool and wet Spring has done absolute WONDERS for the landscape of the city!  Green, lush, beautiful.  Most notably this week, the azaleas have POPPED with color...

... one more pretty than the next!  GORGEOUS!

THE BAD:

The cool, wet Spring has also done wonders for the WEEDS...

Ugh. 

Sellers- I realize that it is a difficult battle, but it is time to go into full-blown combat as NOTHING destroys curb appeal like a yard full of dandelions.

THE UGLY:

No explanation needed...

REDUCED: #630 Emerson, Unit 307 in Creve Coeur

REDUCED 10K TODAY!

 

 

Sleek, stylish, and the best location in the Central Corridor just minutes from Clayton, Downtown, and the Airport…

#630 Emerson- Unit 307 boasts cool modern loft living in the heart of the Central Corridor and reputable Parkway North School District. Urban living with suburban amenities & appeal- the best of both worlds! This corner property boasts stylish interior decor, numerous custom updates, and a fabulous open floor plan ideal for entertaining. There is no doubt why the Summit Lofts are so sought after, as in addition to the location and school district, residents also have access to a private gym, pool, climate-controlled underground parking complete with TWO parking spaces for this unit, and a GORGEOUS clubhouse with pool table, sundeck with an outdoor summer kitchen, a detached mesh summer house for sizable private outdoor dinner parties, and a full indoor kitchen/party room!

Architectural goodies include: Exposed duct work, cherry hardwood floors, modern top-of-the-line fixtures, a private balcony with a pool view, 2 bedrooms including a sunny master separated from the rest of the unit with modern industrial barn doors, a spacious custom organized master closet, 2 baths decked out from floor to ceiling with rare marble, an open living room/dining room/ kitchen combo area showcasing a ventless gas fireplace, custom cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a granite island with a built-in wine fridge.

Complete with a sizable climate-controlled storage unit, wonderful security, and 2 underground parking spaces … this home is a complete package! Just minutes from Clayton, Downtown, and the airport. Call or email me for a private showing! 

Now offered at $274,900.

Full listing can be found here: http://www.marismatrix.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?ID=1145479216

Decoding the First-time Homebuyer

I adore working with 1st time Home Buyers.  I always have! 

Their enthusiasm for the process is contagious and they are typically my best clients as far as follow-through, diligent contract compliance, and following my advice.  There is something special about walking a client through the process for their very 1st time.  It never ceases to amaze me how PRO they are by close day.  Extremely graitifying work!

US News and World Report released an interesting article called Decoding the First-Time Homebuyer with some of the 2013 obstacles facing this group and interesting statistics including that 1st time Buyers represent a WHOPPING 40% of today's buyer pool. 

Here are some other interesting stats...

Full article can be found here: http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/home-front/2013/04/26/decoding-the-first-time-homebuyer

Flooding of the Mississippi River in St. Louis...

This weekend while downtown participating in the Color Run 5K...

... Steve and I ran by the riverfront/ Arch grounds to see the extent of the flooding.  No surprise, with the recent amount of excessive rainfall, that the river is incredibly high.

A peek...

REMINDER: Dining Out for Life is Today

TODAY, April 25, 2013, is the 20th Annual Dining Out For Life to benefit Saint Louis Effort for AIDS.

This year, more than 100 establishments will donate 25% or more of their sales from the day to Saint Louis Effort for AIDS.

Dining Out For Life has raised millions of dollars to help Saint Louis Effort for AIDS provide education on the prevention of HIV/AIDS and comprehensive support services for those affected by the disease.

Great cause and an easy way to give!

HERE in the list of participating restaurants. Many establishments in the CWE and Grove are giving up to 50%. Places like the Atomic Cowboy are giving 100%. HUGE.

PLUS: Pay with a Mastercard, and Mastercard will match it up to 100%!

REMINDER: Pay attention to the percentages! A little bit makes a HUGE difference...

Hidden Gem: Sanctuaria Wild Tapas

Located at #4198 Manchester Avenue in The Grove, sits...

I have been meaning to do a Hidden Gem post featuring Sanctuaria for MONTHS, as my accidental stumble into this sexy little tapas/cocktails spot turned out to be a beautiful introduction to one of my favorite local hotspots.

Their website claims: 

Experience Sanctuaria, bringing flavor and atmosphere to you. Sanctuaria is a place where people gather over amazing food, unique cocktails and incredible atmosphere. It's truly a "sanctuary in the city".

Plain and simple- they deliver.

Sanctuaria boasts a cozy, eclectic interior and a fabulous outdoor patio space for summer fun.  Looking for a unique date or Girls Night out spot?  Sanctuaria is it!  The tapas-sized servings allow you the opportunity to go on a true "foodventure" with small bites of numerous items.   Trust me, me the Latin-inspired cuisine and delicious cocktails (created by a trained Mixologist with house made liqueurs and bitters) will leave your taste buds spinning! 

The menu constantly shifts with the seasons and there are new specials DAILY.  Fantastic.

A teeny peek at our latest visit (prepare to drool and leave your diet at the door)...

 

Above:  Sangria

 

Above- Bacon Wrapped Dates
Stuffed with Spanish chorizo & pepper jack cheese; served with dipping sauce made of rye whiskey, apple & chipotle 

 

Above: Spring Mix and Pepper Salad with a fresh Cilantro Basil Vinaigrette

 

Above: Frita Slider

Traditional Cuban pork & chorizo sliders topped with Monterey Jack cheese & crispy Yukon gold potatoes; served on a Cuban sweet roll & garnished with citrus herb sauce. The chef added an egg to our culinary delight.

 

Above:  Grilled Lamb Chops on a bed of polenta

 Above:  Havana Bread

Spiced Caribbean cake baked in a vanilla custard topped with Meyer`s dark rum raisin sauce

 

I can say without hesitation that every single morsel that I have ever put in my mouth at Sanctuaria Wild Tapas was absolute heaven on a plate.  Google the reviews- everyone is raving and with reason.  Run, don't walk, to make reservations and don't forget to check out their amazing Happy Hour specials HERE.


The Nitty...

Sanctuaria

4198 Manchester- corner of Manchester and Boyle St. Louis , MO  63110 314 535-9700  http://www.sanctuariastl.com https://www.facebook.com/sanctuariastl https://twitter.com/SanctuariaTapas This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FYI- More of my St. Louis Hidden Gems can be found here:  http://carrienenonen.blogspot.com/search/label/Hidden%20Gems

Just for fun: Spring Eye Candy

Grow Your Own Wheatgrass- Easy, inexpensive, & foolproof!

It is that time again- weeding, prepping, planting!  Love it. 

I have had numerous visitors to my house over the years inquire about how I grow my wheatgrass.  As I just seeded this year's pot last week, I figured I would share!   DO NOT buy an overpriced kit.  This process is so easy.

Purchase 1/4 lb of Organic Hard Red Wheat Berries from the Whole Foods bulk section.  That is WAY more than enough, trust me...

Place enough seeds for a single layer in your chosen pot in a bowl and soak in water for 3 hours... 

Fill your growing container with organic soil (if plan is to juice/ingest it) and soak it!  You want SUPER moist soil.   NOTE:  a pot is NOT necessary!  You only need approximately 1 inch of soil.  I have seen people grow wheatgrass in everything from teacups (for a cute table centerpiece) to enormous troughs.  Anything goes! 

Next, spread the wheat berries in a thin single layer atop the soil and give them a good spray with a spray bottle of water...

Place container in a sunny area and continue to generously spray the wheat berries 5-8 times per day to keep them moist.  Within a couple of days you will have this...

Within 5 days you will have THIS...

Within 10 days, you will have a pot of mature grass perfect for smoothies, recipes, juicing, or garnishes!  Trim as needed and keep it moist.  That's it!

Refinance- a Realtor's Opinion & 5 Things Preventing You From Getting a Mortgage Refinance

Rates are still record low.  I have had numerous inquiries from friends and past clients in 2013 about the current condition of the lending industry and whether a refinance is possible or even worth the hassle.  A common misconception among those folks NOT in an industry that deals directly with lending institutions is that the system is broken.  That is so FAR from the case!

Money is flowing, the market is moving swiftly, and people are CASHING IN on the low interest rates.  That being said, WHO you choose to work with and your current financial status dramatically influences how successful you will be in the pursuit of a lower interest rate! 

There are many factors to consider: will the property appraise, do you have equity, due to lower value will you be forced to pay PMI, will you be in the property long enough OR is the rate LOW enough from your current rate to actually offset the closing costs.

My Best Advice: Please contact a Realtor before you begin the refi process and have all of your "ducks in a row" when you apply. First things first- what is your property worth?  A Realtor can provide you with concrete data.   At least in St. Louis, we can easily access your private and extensive tax records including your mortgage information.  Paired with your full neighborhood sales data, including which sales within your radius were distressed or foreclosures, an approximate amount of property equity is easily determined. THIS STEP IS VITAL to ensure whether an attempt at refi is "worth it" and most reputable agents do not mind assisting their friends, family, and clients with this information. 

My lender stories over the past 3 years is an entirely different blog post. Frankly, there are 2-3 banks that I will STRONGLY urge my clients not to use- and yes, they are names that you will recognize- as their backlog makes a timely & successful closing nearly impossible. The fact is: Realtors (and the Title Companies that we work hand-in-hand with) deal with lenders on a daily basis and know who is getting these loans pushed through and who is not. Period.   Trust me, we can save you many headaches!

Anyhoo, I stumbled upon this article a couple of days ago and felt compelled to share as it is SPOT ON.   Great advice via AOL Real Estate...

5 Things Preventing You From Getting a Mortgage Refinance

By Chris Birk on AOL Real Estate

Mortgage rates are beginning to creep up, but they're still well within the kind of range that makes longtime homeowners shake their heads in disbelief.  The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage hit 3.63 percent for the week of March 10, marking the highest point since last summer.

So while a seller's market may be taking shape, it's still a great time to shop for a mortgage, especially a refinance. That's why it's so frustrating for homeowners who can't get on the bus.

So what's keeping you from getting a refinance loan right now? Here's a look at five of the most common culprits:

So-So Credit

Same as it ever was when it comes to mortgage lending -- you're going to need to meet a lender's qualifying credit score for a refinance, which in many cases will be higher than what you'd need for a purchase loan. For conventional refinancing, you're likely looking for at least a 740 score to really capitalize on current rates. The bar won't be quite so high if you're going after a government-backed option like an FHA or VA loan. Make no mistake: A loan program may not have a credit score requirement, but the lenders who actually issue loans certainly will. Right now, for example, VA lenders are generally looking for at least a 620 score. But you'll more than likely need at least a 640 to start the refinance conversation.

Your Home Is Underwater

Values are starting to rebound in some parts of the country, but a lower-than-anticipated appraisal remains a common refi-killer. Consumers who owe more than their home is worth know this all too well. Pursuing a traditional refinance is all but impossible for underwater homeowners -- and that explains why the government's special refinance program for distressed borrowers is absolutely booming. Refinances through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) topped 1 million in 2012, more than double the year prior. The HARP program helps underwater homeowners with Fannie Mae- and Freddie Mac-backed loans. It's possible for some lenders to process refinance applications without an appraisal (the VA's Streamline program is one example). But today that's a rare exception.

Not Enough Income

All indications are the economy is on the upswing. While that's good news for the nation, continued recovery doesn't suddenly put more money in your pocket. Many homeowners lost jobs or took pay cuts in the wake of the economic crisis. One missed mortgage payment can stymie a refinance application. Lenders will typically want to see 12 consecutive months of on-time payments. Diminished income can also make it tough to actually pay for the refinance, which like any mortgage loan comes with costs and fees. Self-employed homeowners will need at least 2 years of tax returns.

You Bought Big

Jumbo loans can present a unique set of refinance difficulties. These non-conforming loans typically require sterling credit and significant skin in the game to acquire. It can be especially tough when your $625,000 home has lost a third of its value. Jumbo homeowners may have to come to the closing table with cash in order to secure that lower rate.

Mortgage Insurance

Paying mortgage insurance can complicate your ability to secure a refinance. That's especially true for lender-paid mortgage insurance. Either form presents problems for the federal HARP program as well, although some lenders have loosened restrictions a bit in the last two years. If this is currently an obstacle, keep searching for a lender that will work with you.