Thanksgiving Tablescape Inspiration

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, which means that we have switched into full-speed-ahead prep mode at my house.  We always host Thanksgiving, as both Steve and I adore the holiday. While the table is formal, the mood is always casual here in Casa de Nenonen.  For us, Thanksgiving is a day to to slow down, reflect, spend time together, and give thanks for friends, family, and the blessings in our life over a lovely meal.

In my opinion, a pretty table sets the stage and mood for the meal/day. I typically forgo a traditional centerpiece in lieu of natural elements including leaves, pumpkins, gourds, apples, pine, pomegranates, wood, nuts, cranberries, and pine cones to celebrate the Harvest time...

The photos above were my table a few years ago, when my centerpiece incorporated birch, nuts, magnolia leaves, and peacock feathers laced with the warm scent of orange, clove, and cinnamon.

Seeking creative inspiration this morning, I reached out to the Internet.   Here is a peek at some of the lovely photos that I found online. Who wouldn't LOVE to sit at one of these tables? Gorgeous...

 "Pin" this post here:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/33214115977239051/ 

See my Thanksgiving Pinterest board here: http://www.pinterest.com/cdninstl/thankful/   

Top 8 Agents in the Month of October!

Terrific Fall, fantastic October, wonderful surprise....

Top 8 Agents in the Month of September

I was tickled pink to wake up to this shoutout from the Coldwell Banker Gundaker Corporate Centre today. What a fantastic 3rd quarter it was for me, both personally and professionally. A warm thank you to my wonderful clients for their trust and confidence! This totally made my morning...

Top 9 Agents in May

Busy June morning, wonderful surprise to wake up to!

Top 9 Agents in March

I woke up this morning in a hurry to get to my weekly Tuesday meeting to a tag on Facebook.  How awesome!  You know, 1st quarter is tricky in St. Louis real estate as often times our harsh winter weather hinders activity a tad. 2016, however, has been terrific thus far!

A sincere thank you to my current clients for their business and to the best office in the city for their kind shout-out!  It made my day...

Just For Fun: Thanksgiving in Casa de Nenonen

Did everyone have a lovely Thanksgiving celebration? Here is a teeny peek at ours...

Happy Friday and enjoy the long holiday weekend, friends!

Top 9 Agents in the Month of November

I was tickled pink to wake up to this shout out from the CBG Corporate Centre today.   November was a terrific month!  A warm thank you to my current clients who are working this Winter market for all that it is worth.  Nice morning surprise after a fantastic November full of work fun.  

FYI- Connect with my office, the Coldwell Banker Gundaker Corporate Centre, HERE on Facebook for helpful local real estate information.

Rules of Real Estate: Timing matters. Midwest Seasonal Slowdown Advice for Sellers and Buyers.

Farewell to jack-o'lanterns and spooky stuff...

November has arrived and the holiday countdown has begun!  In the Midwest, not only does our weather have four distinct seasons... so does our real estate market.  To achieve your individual real estate goals, timing matters a lot.

While the phenomena varies dramatically across the different regions of our country, seasonal slowdown in the real estate market is pronounced here in the Midwest! During the 4th quarter(Oct/Nov/Dec), here in the middle of the country, homeowner focus and finances are traditionally spent "decking the halls" and being merry! 

We in the Midwest tend to covet our holiday season.

For this very reason, 9x out of 10, I advise my SELLER clients to avoid listing during this period and/or pull their listing off the market if it hasn't yet sold by the time that late October rolls around. As an average transaction is anywhere from 5-7 weeks from contract to close, an October contract puts a Buyer and Seller move smack in the middle of the holidays. In the Midwest, most clients prefer to avoid that scenario. As a general rule here in St. Louis, a Seller who remains listed during the 4th quarter is either especially motivated or has received not-so-great real estate advice, in my opinion.  

Midwest Sellers: if your goal is to maximize your profitability, in my 12+ years of local residential experience, I urge you to avoid listing in the 4th quarter of the year. Most of my clients will attest that this is almost ALWAYS my recommendation. During the 4th quarter, Midwest Sellers tend rack up unnecessary days on market and battle winter weather and an unusually small Buyer pool that results in numerous price reductions and inevitably a lower sales price.

For that very reason, however, 4th quarter is a FABULOUS time for Buyers! FABULOUS. While there is less inventory to choose from, deals are a plenty! There is less competition, far less rush, and far more Seller desperation. If my Buyer clients are willing to remain focused on the process during the holiday season, I STRONGLY urge them to work the 4th quarter for all it is worth! Buyers are in control during the Midwest 4th Quarter. It is an AWESOME time to buy.

As a general rule during 4th quarter in St. Louis:  

Sellers- hold off until after the New Year to list in order to be on a more even playing field.  
Buyers- frivolously scour the current inventory to see if you can find a match, as you OWN this market!

A HUGE misconception in the Midwest is that a Seller and Buyer must hold off until late March/April/May in order to benefit from the strong Spring market.  Not true.  The fact is, once the clock strikes Midnight and the New Year turns, our local real estate market is back in full force unless the weather is especially treacherous! 

1st quarter is an excellent time for both Buyers and Sellers, as it is more of an even playing field.  Sellers have a plentiful Buyer pool eager to spend their money and welcome Spring in their new home.  Buyers have a LOT of fresh inventory to choose from, but not the competition and pressure that is generally encountered during the 2nd quarter of our real estate market.  In addition, tax time often puts a little more money in a Buyer's pocket, to aid in the closing process.  1st Quarter deals tend to be more amicable and pleasant deals for all parties involved.

The 1st quarter tends to be my favorite part of my professional year.  As the days grow longer and the weather warms, clients are renewed from the holidays and excited for the process.  Their energy is contagious... I thrive on it!  If you are contemplating a late 2014 or an early 2015 move (particularly in the 1st quarter), the time to contact a Realtor is NOW!  Knowledge is power in this process, and planning and preparation is KEY to a stress-free and profitable transaction.  I have been meeting with my 2015 Sellers all month and providing them with a healthy to-do list for the cold winter months.  They will be let out of the gate and prepared to list MILES ahead of their competition as a result!

Looking for advice or an agent to work with in the St. Louis area?  I am always looking for new clients and would love to chat with you!  I have numerous references both online and upon request.  Visit my website at www.MoveWithCarrie.com to learn more about me and see what my clients have to say.

A Peek At My Birthday Project

On Saturday, I turned ...

While I am not thrilled to broadcast my age on the Internet,  I realize that this birthday is an important life milestone.  I remember my own parents turning 40 and everyone making such a big deal out of it.  At the time, I didn't get it.  Now, however, I truly understand the significance of this day.

Many see 40 as life's halfway point.  The time to pause and reflect, think about what you have done right and wrong thus far,  set new goals, and decide how you want to spend the next 40 years.

I have done just that.

The fact is, I have been blessed with a wonderful family and a generous network of supportive people around me.  I have my health, a job that I adore, and a nice balance of the predictability and adventure that I crave to be happy. 

I am a fortunate person and I am incredibly grateful.

Months ago, I learned about the Birthday Project and immediately knew that was how I would celebrate reaching the 40 milestone.  Essentially, you spend your birthday doing random acts of kindness.  Their motto- "Changing the world, one birthday at a time".  To me, it made sense.  A day to stop and selflessly give BACK to the Universe for all of life's blessings.

Then this happened...

Minor foot surgery ending my grandiose birthday planning.  Extremely frustrating though I was quickly reminded that things happen for a reason.

6 days before my birthday, I spotted this post on the Facebook page of a friend...

 ... and learned of a church in Soulard doing remarkable hands-on things for locals in critical need.  I knew that I wanted to help.

Members of The Rock in Soulard have taken serious interest in helping the homeless community of St. Louis.  They are hands-on, in the trenches, aiding people directly.  Honestly, it is awe-inspiring.  Among numerous other events throughout the week... every Saturday AM, members of the congregation take a fully-stocked truck of clothing items donated and collected throughout the week to Soldiers Memorial near Union Station- an area notoriously known for a high population of homeless folks.

The truck carries men, women, and children's items.  Every Saturday, the truck is visited by no less than 80-100 people and families in serious need.  One-by-one, people approach the truck and ask for the item that they need most that week: a coat, hoodie, jeans, shoes, gloves, hat, whatever...  the congregation members work diligently with each individual and the items in the truck to meet their needs.

As toiletry items are few and far between and desperately desired /needed, I knew that would be the perfect Birthday Project.  With the help of my family, I made well over 100 "comfort bags" to hand out on Saturday AM...

Each bag held a pair of warm socks, matches, a comb, q-tips, a roll of toilet paper, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a bar of soap, band aids, antiseptic wipes, flossers, and a snack bag with a granola bar, peanuts, beef jerky, and peppermints.

Women received gender-specific personal items...

As did men...

We packed the items in our SUV and headed downtown early on Saturday AM.  Alongside The Rock's donation truck, my family  popped open our trunk and handed out the items to anyone who needed them...

It was a wonderful feeling to put a smile on so many faces.  The men, women, and children we encountered were incredibly friendly, outgoing, and appreciative.   There is a serious need on the cold streets of our city and it was powerful to play a small part in a solution.

A sincere thank you to the members of The Rock for allowing my family to participate in your inspiring Saturday ritual.  We were honored to meet you and serve the community alongside you!  Our family will definitely be back, I can assure you. 

Readers- if you have a birthday coming up, I urge you to consider doing a Birthday Project. Sometimes the best gift that you can give yourself, is to give to others.

Amazing to think about.  From personal experience, undertaking such a project truly puts life into perspective.

Most important, if you live in St. Louis and are looking for an organization to give to, PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO THE ROCK.  Your donation items do NOT go into a warehouse or store.  Rather, they go directly on to the backs of those who need it most.   I have seen it with my own two eyes. 

Items they need desperately?  STURDY BACKPACKS (as people carry everything they own on their backs).  Warm items- coats, hats, mittens, gloves, boots, scarfs, and socks.  Average pants sizes (34/36).  Average shoe sizes.  Underwear.  Layering items like long underwear.  Hoodies and sweatshirts in large sizes as people layer up.

For more information about The Rock, please contact them on their Facebook Page HERE.  You may also contact me directly with specific questions.

Now on to the next 40! =)

Just For Fun: Atop and beneath... Check!

Everything is in place at Casa se Nenonen. =) 

 

Have a fabulous holiday, friends.