THANK YOU!

If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it has reinforced the value of home sweet home. I can say, without hesitation, that the true joy and highlight of my 2020 was helping wonderful people chase their happy. 

Whether it was the hunt for more green space or a better home office/distanced learning set up... my fabulous clients kept me smiling, inspired, and safe throughout a challenging year. They took advantage of record-breaking low interest rates and beat out competing contracts to secure gorgeous properties. 

 Thank you for your friendship, loyalty, referrals, and trust. I am humbled and tremendously blessed. Happy, content, and safe New Years, my sweet friends! If you are tossing around a move in 2021, I am here for you. See you next year!

Happy New Year!

January 1, 2020. 

Each year on the blog, I typically pause and pay homage to the year past.  This morning, however, I am eyes-straight-forward despite how generous 2019 was to me and my family. We not only stand at the threshold of a new year, but a new decade. The prospect of that is monumental to me, for some reason.

Last night, Steve and I hung out in bed and reminisced. Where were we exactly 10 years ago? Entering 2010, my father was on hospice battling a terminal diagnosis, we were just exiting the Great Recession so my business was in an odd state of limbo, and my husband traveled 3/4 of the time as I raised our boys (then 10 and 7) unassisted much of the time. 

Needless to say, challenging times. I look at the photo to the right and want to give that girl a huge hug.  She entered 2010 knowing it would be a difficult one, but clueless to how truly life-altering it would be.  Admittedly, we were too preoccupied to pause and appreciate the clean slate of a new year, let alone acknowledge the significance of entering a new decade of life.  

It isn't a bad thing, it just is what it is.

Steve and I have discussed and planned for 2020 for some time now, as it will be a pinnacle year for our family. Our youngest turns 18 and enters Drake University in the Fall, our oldest turns 21 and enters his Senior year at Bradley University, my hubby of almost 23 years turns the big 5-0, and I celebrate 18 years in this business as my nest at home empties.

It is a lot.

Due to the significant household changes we have seen coming our way for some time, we have been proactively planning for 2020 in correlation with a lot of goal-setting and life-coaching.  The silver lining? We not only enter the new year strategically and intentionally with plans and expectations in place, but we also enter the new decade that way.  

The Nenonens greet 2020 with a calm yet eager energy. That is so refreshing and significant, particularly when I think back to where we were emotionally on New Years Day just 10 years ago.  There is no doubt that the true perks of aging are wisdom, a slower pace, and most significantly... the wisdom that you are more likely to hear opportunity knock when you are blessed with the slower pace. This year and decade, we are listening at the door, eagerly awaiting its arrival. So many possibilities, exciting stuff.  

I am thankful for so many things:  A thriving and healthy family, both physically and emotionally.  A life partner who is dedicated to evolving with me and also recognizes and covets the "choose-your-own-adventure" aspect of life that so many people ignore.  A career that I adore and continues to challenge me even 18 years later.   Last but not least... you. My wonderful friends and clients who place your trust in me by allowing me the opportunity to help you chase your happy via a new home base.Thank you.  Even after 18 years, every single time someone says "You are the one we trust to help us", it touches and humbles me.

2019 blessed me, and for that I am eternally thankful, but I welcome 2020 with enthusiasm.

No matter where you find yourself in the dawn of this new decade, in a cloudy state of life frenzy or a calm intentional place, a warm Happy New Year to you, friend.  May 2020 gift you with health, clarity, contentment, and the courage to explore all of the possibilities that you tinker within your brain.

Hello, 2020.  Happy New Years, all.

Sycamore, Illinois architecture never disappoints!

I have admired this 1886 Queen Anne style mansion for more than 20 years in my husband’s hometown...

I was surprised to find it on the market during our recent visit. 8000sqft and ready for it? Only 450k. 3 finished stories, original silk wallpaper, untouched woodwork in pristine condition, pocket doors galore, 9 functional fireplaces, a carriage house, and gorgeous grounds. So many lovely original architectural goodies that I had to share!

Under Contract: #1989 Crossbridge Ct. in St. Charles

Oh happy day and an exciting start to a new year for my amazing clients, J and L...

... they just contracted this meticulous newer construction ranch in St. Charles!  I have said it before and will say it again, nothing beats the magic of walking in to a property with clients to an immediate group epiphany "Here it is- the ONE!"  It never gets old. ♥

As J and L journey in to an exciting new stage of their life together, this home will be the perfect place to do so.  A warm congratulations to my wonderful Buyers! They close escrow in March.  See the property details HERE.

In St. Louis and considering a move?  The 2018 market projections predict a healthy market for both Buyers and Sellers!  I am always accepting new clients, Buyers and Sellers, and would appreciate the opportunity to present my services to you. Let's connect, and make it happen in 2018 for you and your family...

Happy New Year and Thank You!

There is nothing more intimate to a family than their home, their safe haven.  For that reason, the client/Realtor relationship is a sacred one, based on an incredible amount of trust. 

To my 2016 clients- thank you for placing your confidence in me, taking the leap, and trusting the process.  I had an amazing year and truly cherish the new relationships made. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your continued business, referrals, and friendship! 

Eleanor Roosevelt said "Happiness is not a goal, but rather a by-product of a life well lived." The new year marks a new chapter. Seize the fresh start and accept the challenge of new people to meet, exciting new adventures to embark upon, and warm memories to create. 

Happy New Year, friends. 🍾🎉

Happy New Year, friends and clients!

On several occasions, I have had vendors (lenders, inspectors, closing professionals) say to me that they love when my clients walk in the door as they are always enthusiastic, positive, eager to learn, and fun to spend time with. I couldn't put it better myself! I have such genuine appreciation, respect, and love for each and every one of you who have allowed me into your life in 2015 to assist in the home hunt. I am a better person for knowing each of you, both personally and professionally, and humbly thank you for a fabulous year, friends!

Happy New Year!

2015 Home Decor Trends- what is in and what is OUT!

According to style experts, 2015 guarantees a huge shift in home decor trends! The bold saturated accent colors atop matchy furniture, overused chevron prints, and solid accent walls are clearing the way for more classic touches in 2015 where natural elements will be king.

Expect to see gold fixtures, Mid-Century Modern touches, natural elements like cowhide, strategic bold wallpaper accents, and blue galore!

Happy New Year!

To my Social Media family- thank you for a wonderful year of sharing and fun! In 2015, may your dreams become reality and your efforts become grand achievements.

Happy New Year and warm blessings for a safe and joyous celebration, my friends!

NAR predicts Missouri home values to increase in 2015

Good news, St. Louis Homeowners!

The National Association of REALTORS® just announced that they predict  a 3-4+% increase in Missouri home value in 2015! Terrific news for not only our real estate market, but our overall economy, as well!

Ready to discuss a possible future move in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area?  I would love to help!  The time to prepare is now.  

A peek at our New Year...

2013. Unbelievable, isn't it?

Happy New Years, my friends!  I hope that you welcomed 2013 in style.  Our family headed up North to my husband's home town of Sycamore, Illinois for a belated Christmas/New Year's Eve celebration with family at our sister-in-law's family restaurant...
.

(Parker and Reed with our niece, Rebecca.)

I have been meaning to do a post about Sycamore and its small town charm/ architectural goodies for YEARS.  Nestled among farm land, approximately an hour West of Chicago...

... sits Sycamore, Illinois.  While only boasting a population of approx. 18K, Sycamore wears a sizable hat acting as the county seat of DeKalb County.

Steve finds it to be a tad silly, though even after 20 years of visits to his hometown, I remain obsessed with the downtown region.  As a native, what Steve finds to be "regular" about Sycamore...  I find utterly fascinating.   Everything remains pretty much the same, including downtown parking for a PENNY. 

What Steve views as lack of progress, I see as a magical time capsule.

Sycamore boasts an adorable downtown area with lovely mid-19th century properties that have barely been touched by the hand of time.  I will let my photos do the talking.  Small town perfection... 

Magical, isn't it? *sigh*  I will never grow tired of it.

Regardless of the landscape and peaceful small town pace, the best part of our visit was obviously spending quality time with family.  As Old Man 2012 passed the torch to Baby New Year 2013, we hope that you enjoyed the same level of solitude and folly...

 

Happy New Year, my friends.

A peek at New Years Day...

A far cry from last year's unseasonable New Year's Eve tornado, January 1, 2012 was nothing but lovely. So much so, we wasted a better part of the day on the trails at Longview enjoying the perfect beginning to a brand new year.

A peek... 

Happy New Years, dear readers!

This year...

Learn more and teach less.
Laugh more and worry less.
Feel more and bury less.
Listen more and dictate less.
Appreciate more and criticize less,
Love more and hate less.



Thank you for the blessings, 2011. Happy New Year, Everyone.