Under Contract: #2347 Goodale Avenue in 63114

Wow, it has been a busy week for me!  As a Midwest Realtor enters 1st quarter, you never know what you are going to get as our weather is unpredictable and the Buyer pool can take several weeks to reengage after the holidays.  I always encourage Sellers to proceed with caution in January.

Not in 2020!  This is my second listing this week to sell within days.  Gorgeous Goodale was "no show" until Sunday morning, and after an exciting whirlwind 72 hours of showings and negotiation... SOLD!  Yippee! 

Obviously, this home is lovely and practically sells itself, but my clients are the true testament to this fast and profitable turnover.  I sold the K family this home just a few years ago and it was beautiful then, but their improvements took it to the next level.  Thank you for your trust, friendship, and repeat business, K family.  

People tend to come into your life in funny ways, and this holds very true in my industry.  I met the K family while sitting a very quiet open house almost 2 decades ago and we bonded immediately.  This is the 4th time that I have had the privilege to represent them over the last 18+ years of my career, and their loyalty means the world to me. Wonderful people, great friends, contagious postive energy that I so very much appreciate!

Congrats to the K duo... their 1948 Cape Cod closes escrow in a month.

In St. Louis and ready to make a move? The 2020 market is in FULL-EFFECT!  My listings are selling as fast as I can get them on the MLS,  friends.  This is the year!  Let's connect...

CLOSED: #650 Starlet in 63031

Exciting week for my 1st time home buyer clients...

...  adorable Starlet closed escrow yesterday and they could not have chosen a more lovely St. Louis day to kick off "patio season" in their brand new house.

Patron Margarita toasts and a sincere thank you to my Buyers, J and A!🏡☀️

In St. Louis and considering a move in 2019? The time to start planning is now! Have a friend who is looking for an agent?  I proudly base my business on direct referrals and wear my past client reviews like a badge of honor.  Let’s connect...

Under Contract: #650 Starlet Drive in 63031.

Even though it is only February, the swift Spring market pace is in full swing, St. Louis! If a property comes on the market properly priced and prepared, it sells within hours. My 1st time home buyer clients were quick on the draw of this adorable move-in ready ranch...

... and their urgency paid off.  Starlet hit the MLS at lunch time, we toured it by dinner time, we wrote a contract by bedtime, and over a half dozen Buyer appointments had to be cancelled by the morning as we beat them to the party! Time is of the essence friends. Hire a proactive Realtor!

#650 Starlet Drive closes escrow in April. A warm thank you and congratulations, J and A, on your big purchase!  As I have said before, I am a HUGE advocate of young people trading in rent for a mortgage.  Rent or buy?  The numbers don't lie! Buying is the best and only way to begin to build a financial nest egg.  Period.

In St. Louis and considering a move in 2019? The time to start planning is now! Have a friend who is looking for an agent?  I proudly base my business on direct referrals and wear my past client reviews like a badge of honor.  Let’s connect...

St. Louis Hidden Gem: Flower Power at the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area

Happiness is...

... the sunflowers in bloom at the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, a 4,253 acres conservation area near the confluence of the Missouri And Mississippi rivers! Only a few more weeks that they will be in bloom, friends- don’t miss it.  Beautiful photo opportunity!

NITTY GRITTY:

Columbia Bottom Conservation Area 

801 Strodtman Rd, St. Louis, MO 63138

FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaBottom/

See more of my St. Louis Hidden Gems HERE.

St. Louis Ghost Story: the house that inspired "The Exorcist".

Who doesn't adore a handsome traditional two-story brick home...

Built in 1942, this lovely 3 bedroom, 3 bath property boasts hardwood floors, a wood-burning fireplace, almost 1,700 sqft, and an interesting reputation...

YIKES!!  Happy Halloween week, St. Louis.  Yes, the 1973 cult classic movie "The Exorcist" is rumored to be a St. Louis real life ghost story.

In real estate, a "stigmatized property" is one that buyers shun for reasons that are unrelated to its physical condition or features, most often related to death, murder, suicide, serious illness, or belief that a house is haunted.  Some of the most notorious?

The "Amityville Horror" house...

Jon Benet Ramsey's house...

Jeffrey Dahmer's house...

And yes, one of the most stigmatized properties on the planet...

"The Exorcist" house, located less than 15 minutes from the St. Louis Arch, is nestled in a quiet Bel-Nor neighborhood near the campus of UMSL.

Even though the current Homeowner has encouraged the property's wicked reputation by willingly hosting numerous spooky television shows over recent years like "The Ghost Hunters"  and "Exorcism: LIVE", I won't post the address out of respect to their privacy. That being said, the property is the backdrop of "selfies" from the around the world as spook-seekers have hunted down the address and ventured to this unassuming house to document their visit.

While the movie itself contradicts and embellishes much of the detailed 26 page diary accounts of a St. Louis priest who participated in the actual exorcism itself, most of the rumored locations have been verified by local historians.  THIS interesting NPR article gives the historical accounts of this real life St. Louis ghost story.

So the question is, locals:  would you be interested in attending a Open House or submitting an offer if this one were to hit the market again?  The last sale was in 2005.

THIS is the Ferguson, Missouri that I know and love.

I originally wrote this blog post about Ferguson back in October of 2009.  I figured if there was ever an appropriate time to update and resurrect it, it is today. Ferguson, and St. Louis as a whole, has received extensive worldwide press over the last week in regards to riots and looting in response to the untimely death of local boy,  Mike Brown.   

Resurrecting this post serves as a gentle reminder from this Native St. Louisan, who suffers from a heavy heart this AM:  Ferguson, MO is not a war zone.  It is a beautiful community with caring residents, a rich history, and stunning historic architecture.  North County- I and your city rally around you and pray for peace and real conversation. 

When most St Louisans dream of sipping lemonade on the porch swing of a stunning 100+ year old century home like this...... 

...Webster Groves often comes to mind.

While Webster is indeed the home to a number of GORGEOUS century old properties, this particular home is in fact in Ferguson, MO- a suburb just NW of Downtown. For locals who are not familiar with Ferguson, their first visit to the area is often a surprising one!  Those of us in the real estate industry are well aware of the area's rich history, awesome hidden gems, and lovely historical properties. I felt compelled to share!

In the late 19th century, overcrowding, congestion, and unhealthy conditions in the City of St. Louis prompted urban residents to seek more quiet surroundings to raise their families. Both Webster Groves and Ferguson were developed around the same  time,  on opposite sides of the region, as a result of that congestion Downtown.

St Louis developers were initially drawn to both areas, due to their location directly on railroad lines, allowing a simple commute to the city. Webster sat on the Pacific railroad line to the southwest of the city, while Ferguson sat on the Wabash railroad line to the northwest of the city. Both areas offered residents superb housing options in a country-like atmosphere, as well as a swift commute to downtown St. Louis jobs.

As both cities were developed at the same time for virtually the same purpose and demographic... the architectural styles and finishes are almost identical.  Many of the homes originally built in Downtown Historic Ferguson are still there today, including the one at the top of this blog post.

Here is a peek at some of the other historic architectural goodies in Ferguson, via photos that I copied this AM directly from the St. Louis MLS system.  This, locals/nationwide/worldwide audience, is also Ferguson, Missouri...

Hidden Gem: Lake Sherwood in Overland

I have been intrigued by the history of Lake Sherwood (63114) since I sold my 1st house on it (#1 Crossbow) years ago. A hidden gem that most don't even know exists.

I showed property in the subdivision last week- had to share! An interesting subdivision tucked into Central/North St. Louis County.

Connect with the Overland Historical Society:

Web: http://www.overlandhistoricalsociety.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/OverlandHistoricalSociety

Closed Yesterday: 3608 Viembra Drive in Florissant

A huge congratulations to my clients, Chris and Onec, on their beautiful new home and exciting new beginning together!  I also want to extend another huge thank you to my friend Andrea for the referral of her sister.  Wonderful transaction.  Gorgeous house...

 

 

Under Contract: 3608 Viembra Drive in Florissant

Over the weekend, my clients (Chris and Onec), contracted this beautifully renovated all-brick ranch in Florissant...

Per above, it boasts beautiful updates and has a sizable private backyard that backs wooded common ground.  The pictures can't and do NOT do this property justice.  The Seller did a phenomenal job on the renovation. More photos HERE.

It closes next month and I am SO excited for these 1st time Buyers!  The property is the absolute perfect match for them.  Congrats Chris and Onec!

In addition, a huge shout out and warm THANK YOU to my sweet friend Andrea for this referral of her sister. I value your friendship and can't thank you enough for allowing me the opportunity to get to know your family. 

Thank you so much A...

Back on the Market: 318 Sturbridge Village

It is your second chance!  Back on the market and priced THOUSANDS below market value...


Full listing can be found HERE!

SOS: Bethlehem Lutheran Church in North St. Louis City

The continued decay and depopulation of North St. Louis City has been of the utmost concern here locally for some time, and is well-documented on popular local blogs like Built St. Louis. That being said, it is difficult to understand the extent of the problem until you actually hit the streets yourself and witness the amount of decrepit and abandoned historical buildings that abound.

Every time I pass by this church, the gothic Bethlehem Lutheran Church at Salisbury and North Florissant, it just screams out to me for help. Built in 1895 and just blocks from the rebounding Hyde Park neighborhood and a stone's throw from the Arch, it is just one of the many architectural treasures in danger of being lost…

Hidden Gem Alert: Skeeter's Custard

Steve and I randomly bumped into this little ice cream place several years ago during the month of October. Even 10+ years later, we still venture there every year for their pumpkin concrete as it is to DIE for...

Hidden Gem Alert: Whistle Stop Depot

My favorite part of being a Realtor, is the excuse to visit all regions of the city on a daily basis. Love it!

Love it, love it, love it.

I came to the conclusion long ago that I am not a desk person. Hence, in addition to my love of architecture... the constant exploration is what keeps my job new and exciting, even 8 years later.

Anyhoo, this afternoon's business consultation with an UMSL employee took me to a cute little establishment in Historic Downtown Ferguson called the Whistle Stop Depot.

How did I not know about this place sooner?!

This adorable little eatery/ice cream shop is located in the original Ferguson Train Station building, circa 1850's. Though no longer an active train station (operation was shut down in the early 1900's), it still sits immediately adjacent to an active Norfolk-Southern Freight Line track.

They have an extensive collection of railroad memorabilia in their depot museum, you order your food at the original ticket booth, and you get to enjoy the extremely reasonable cuisine while watching the freight trains rumble past. This place is a train fanatics dream!

The Whistle Stop is truly unique. You feel how special it is as soon as you pull up! By the size of the lunch crowd, it is apparent that is it an area favorite!

I cannot WAIT to take my kids there...