Sweet Saturday morning scene in my kitchen...

The taste of Autumn officially arrived in my kitchen this morning...

... in the form of Harvest Oatmeal for my boy!  

Find the recipe HERE.

St. Louis and affordability go hand in hand!

Hey, hey St. Louis...  SmartAsset just confirmed something that locals have known for a long time. In a recent study, they surveyed the 189 most populous cities in country, assessing everything from the price per square foot for residential real estate to the unemployment rate to residents with a college degree to walkability..

We ranked 9th in the nation as far as being undervalued at only $104.25 per square foot.  Look at our numbers compared to the other cities, with amazing public schools to boot!

St. Louis, Missouri, coming in at ninth place, is the westernmost city in our top 10. St. Louis does have the fourth-highest high school graduation rate in the top 10, at 88%, which ranks 91st in the study overall. Furthermore, 28% of the adults in the city’s population have at least a bachelor’s degree, the fourth-highest rate in the top 10 and 61st out of 189 cities overall. The unemployment rate in St. Louis is 3.9%, the second-lowest rate in the top 10.

Zillow data shows that actual cost per square foot in St. Louis is $104.25, while our model estimates that it should cost about $100 more than that, at $205.58. For those looking to get a smart start, it’s also one of the best cities for new college grads.

School District Matters in St. Louis!

Considering a move in 2019 and school district is a consideration, St. Louis?

Pick up the March edition of St. Louis Magazine! It contains the latest stats for both public and private schools from tuition and enrollment to average ACT score.

Here is a direct link to the newest data, friends!  Share if you know someone who could benefit.

In The Kitchen: Harvest Oatmeal recipe

Rain, glorious rain brought lovely Fall temperatures to St. Louis over the last 24 hours.  High of 66 today! As soon as the weather begins to turn, Casa de Nenonen goes into full-on Autumn mode.  Apple season is underway and gorgeous produce has flooded local orchards and markets recently, inspiring a return of one of my favorite breakfast recipes.  Harvest Oatmeal is simple and quick, yet delicious... this recipe is the perfect hearty start to a cooler September day!

🍁 Harvest Oatmeal 🍁

(serves 4)

1.5 cup apple cider
1/2 cup water
1 cup old fashioned oatmeal (not the quick cook)
1 large apple (or 2 small)- diced (I leave the skin on)
1/4 cup of pecans 
Teaspoon of Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/2 Teaspoon of Cinnamon
Tablespoon of Brown Sugar
Dash of Salt 

Bring cider, salt, water, brown sugar, spices, and diced apples to a boil on high.

Bring heat down to medium high and add oatmeal, stirring occasionally.  Cook for 5 minutes, remove from heat, add pecans, stir, and let sit for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with cinnamon or cinnamon sugar and serve.

NOTE: Oatmeal will thicken as it cools, so if "watery" upon removing from heat, do not fret.

------> See other Nenonen recipes HERE.

On the Coldwell Banker Gundaker Corporate Centre Facebook page this morning...

There is nothing better than the hustle and bustle of Spring market...

This totally made my morning! A warm thank you to my clients, a warm thank you to my office for the shout-out.

Just for Fun: Pretty in Pink

I swear, the theme of my week has been AZALEAS...  

They are full bloom and gorgeous all around town, St. Louis. 

Pretty in pink! 💕 

Just For Fun: Pretty in Pink

Sweet Spring.  Welcome back!

Winter Scene at Creve Coeur Lake...

I cut through Creve Coeur Lake on the way to my office meeting this AM...

It was a winter scene at Dripping Springs. Ice, icy baby!

St. Louis is TOPS in affordability according to Interest.com!

St. Louis just landed high on Interest.com's Home Affordability Study list results for the year...

No surprises here!  Our city has always boasted incredible affordability which is yet another reason why St. Louis is a terrific place to live and raise a family.  See the full study HERE.

2014 US News & World Report's Best High School List

Each year, US News & World Report releases their Best Public High Schools In The Nation list ranked by state.  The 2014 report is hot off the presses and has everyone buzzing.

The U.S. News rankings include data of more than 19,400 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Schools were awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college.  Their full methodology can be found HERE.

Per Missouri, 8 out of the 10 "Best High Schools" ranked in the state are in the St. Louis area...

 

Other Missouri statistics...

 

In addition, Missouri is home to two schools awarded gold medals (Metro and Clayton in the St. Louis area)- only 2.8% of the schools in the nation are awarded this, representing the top 500 schools based on performance on state exit exams and highest college readiness. 13 Missouri High Schools were awarded silver medals (Marquette, Lafayette, Parkway West, Parkway South, Lindbergh, McKinley, Oakville, and Valley Park included in the St. Louis area), only given to 8.6% of eligible schools in the country and 126 were given bronze medals.

 

While locals often mock the popularity of the age old St. Louis question "Where did you go to high school?"... the question remains pertinent here due to our well-established and deeply-rooted public school system.  School District not only affects the quality of education here in St. Louis, but it is also directly correlated to property value in many areas of the Metro, as well.  While I do not  fully agree with all aspects of this list, as many of our local highly- reputable school districts sit lower in the rankings for one reason or another even with impeccable "College Readiness" scores and small class ratios...  the report is interesting and worth a share.

 

See all Missouri Rankings HERE.  See the FULL report and rankings in ALL states HERE.

Buyer Tip: Basic 2014 Loan Document Requirements for Home Buyers

 

The Spring real estate market has finally arrived, and Buyers who have been on the sidelines all winter long are beginning to act fast!

While presenting a contract to a Seller only requires a basic loan preapproval, a lender requires extensive documentation from a Buyer to actually process a new home loan upon contract acceptance.  Want to get ahead of the game?  Begin to compile these documents at the beginning of your house hunt! 

As inventory is currently at a historic low in St. Louis, often times a Buyer has to write a contract on the very same day it is listed or it is gone within hours!  This process doesn't leave Buyers with a lot of time to think or act.  Beginning to compile the documents required for verification of employment and income prior to writing a contract will save you a lot of time and headache.  You will be thankful that you did so after you find "the one", when focus is needed on important inspections and move-day details.

 
Below is a basic overview of the documents required of a 2014 Buyer per Andy House of PHH Mortgage (formerly Coldwell Banker Mortgage).  Depending on the complexity of the transaction, additional documents could be required.

Last 2 years W-2’s: 
If using college education as an alternative, a copy of the diploma and official transcript is necessary.
 
Last 2 months bank statements: 
All pages are required-  if the statement says 1 of 5, all 5 pages in required.
 
Last 2 months/quarterly investment account statement: 
Same as above.
 
If paid income by Social Security:  
Must provide the most recent award letter and proof of 2 months of income received on the bank statements.
 
If paid a pension or retirement:
Must provide a copy of the pension award letter and must have 3 years of continuation of the pension in order to count it.
 
 If self-employed:  
Must provide the last 2 years of tax returns.  All pages and schedules are required and must be signed and dated. 

 

The Top 10 Places To Live in Missouri, according to Movoto, are in St. Louis!

Interesting!  Movoto, a well-known real estate blog, recently ranked the Top 10 Places To Live in Missouri using seven total criteria:

•Cost of living
•Crime rate
•High school diploma attainment
•Median household income
•Median home value
•Median rent price
•Unemployment rate

Using these criteria, they looked at U.S. Census data for 137 places in the state of Missouri with populations above 5,000. Each place was ranked from one to 137 in the individual criteria, with one being the best possible score.

No surprise to locals, the Top 10 were in the St. Louis Metropolitan area! Here is the full table of the top contenders...

Read the full article and study HERE.

It is Tax Free Weekend in St. Louis! The details...

Here is a link of the cities NOT participating, including cities like Kirkwood, Webster, Clayton, and MORE.  Check the list out to maximize your savings, by avoiding local sales tax!

There is a new ReStore location, St. Louis!

Exciting, exciting news for West County homeowners and investors!  Habitat for Humanity has opened a new ReStore location in Des Peres. A peek at my recent visit...

What is the ReStore?  Learn more HERE in  my past post! 

 

Steve and I popped in to check out the new store this week and left with 6 new stamped stepping stones for $3 TOTAL as compared to the normal $7/stone.  Wonderful deal, fabulous cause!

 

Reduce, reuse, recycle, and restore baby.

 

NITTY GRITTY:

 

ReStore Des Peres

2117 Sams Drive

Des Peres, MO 63131- behind the Sam's club on Manchester just west of 270.

314-678-4596

 

WEB: http://www.habitatstl.org/supportus/restore/