Buying A Home vs Renting A Home In St. Louis,MO.

Buying A Home vs Renting A Home
When it comes to the debate of owning or renting, certainly some pros and cons can be argued for each. Some people rent because they do not think that they can afford a home, but they have never really tried. Owning a home can be more affordable than people think. Our experienced Realtors can help you find homes in all price ranges. That house that you thought you could not afford, let us help you find it for you. Visit us at www.realestatetrio.com for more information about how we can help you. We love our clients and we love St. Louis, give us a visit so that we can help you today!
Is it better to rent or to own your home? For many, owning their own home is the way to go. There are many reason why owning a home has more advantages over renting a home. People often think that cost is the only issue. Cost is an issue, but it is not the only issue. Keep reading for our list of reasons why it is better to own your home vs. simply renting your home.
It is Cheaper to Own a House rather than Rent a House Owing a home can be scary, you end up paying a lot upfront, as opposed to renting, but when you own a home, it can be cheaper than renting a home. Many people are surprised to find that out, but it is true.
According to the Winter 2013 Rent vs. Buy report by Trulia, homeowners who buy their house save 44% over people who rent. You might think that these numbers were from less than desirable cities but in fact, the report found that that statistic was true for the top 100 metro areas in the United States.
Part of this is due to increasing rents, while mortgage rates are falling. Yes, with houses, you have your mortgage, property taxes, and maintenance, but if you are planning on living in the house for a long time, in the long run, you will be saving money by owning that house instead of renting.
Buying a House Builds Equityrental,
When you rent a house, you pay rent and in the end, you have nothing to show for it. Owning a house allows you to build up equity. Initially, your mortgage payments will often be applied mostly towards the interest. After some time, a bigger portion of your mortgage payments will go to your principal, which is your mortgage balance, as opposed to your interest. With each payment, you are building up equity, which is your share of the home that you have paid for. Equity is money in the bank, it increases your wealth and as your continue to pay the mortgage payments, your equity builds.
Freedom from Lease Restrictions and the Ability to Decorate When you rent, you are often restricted by a lease, which means that you have to follow the rules to continue to rent. Rental leases commonly have restrictions on guests, pets, and even children. When you own your own home, you have the freedom that comes with not having to follow a set of rules as mandated by a lease. Additionally, you are free to decorate and make changes to the house and/or the property as a homeowner. As a renter, what you see is what you get and any changes must be approved by the landlord. When you own your home, you can remodel, redecorate, and landscape however you want to. You have absolute freedom to customize your home when you own it. Renting give you no such freedom.
Owning a Home is a Tax Advantage
Owning a home is a significant tax advantage because you can deduct property taxes and mortgage interest from your federal income taxes. Some states allow you to deduct these as well. A large portion of your payments from the first few years of your mortgage typically goes to your mortgage interest. This means that you get a bigger tax advantage during the first few years of your mortgage since so much of your payment is for the interest only.
Your Credit Rating Improves
Rental payments do not affect your credit. When you have a mortgage and you make your monthly payments on a regular basis and on time, your credit score will improve. Owning a house will help your credit improve.
Pride in your Community
When you own your home, you have a vested interest in the neighborhood. You want to be involved in the community to ensure that your neighborhood is safe. It is easier to care about the safety and well-being of your community when you own a house because you know that you are a member of the community and not just a temporary member. Owning a house gives you a sense of community.
Stable Place to Live
Owning a house means that you will own that house until you decide to sell it, providing that you make the payments, of course. You do not have the stress that comes with finding out that your lease is suddenly up and will not be renewed, forcing you to move on short notice.
Owning a home means that you have a stable place for your family.
You know what your mortgage payments are and you do not have to deal with continued rent increases like many home renters have to contend with. Your family does not just have a house; they have a home when you buy vs. rent. You are giving your family security and peace of mind that they will have a roof over their heads for years and years to come. Owning a home has far more advantages than renting a home.
Not only is there a financial advantage, but there are other advantages as well. In today’s market, owning a home is hugely advantageous. To discuss these reasons more in depth, contact a member of the Helderle team today! Our job is to make your journey towards buying a home as easy as possible. From finding the best schools, to finding that perfect backyard, we can help. Visit us as www.realestatetrio.com today.
The Helderle Team 2013 © All Rights Reserved

Carondelet,MO. One of St. Louis’s Most Historic and Beautiful Neighborhoods

Carondelet: One of St. Louis’s Most Historic and Beautiful Neighborhoods Located in the far southeastern area of St. Louis, the Carondelet neighborhood is an affluent community, and is home to many historic buildings. Its rich history dates back to 1799, where a census gave the total population of Carondelet being just 181 Caucasians and 3 African American slaves. This neighborhood is an affluent, mostly residential area, but it does have some industrial areas along the Mississippi River, and the commercial and residential spaces are further from the river and factories.
Historically, after 1799, more factories started popping up and the neighborhood became part of St. Louis in 1870. During the 1840s, the area was known for lead production, and during the Civil War, there were 32 gunboats being produced for the Union Army and Navy; the James Buchanan Eads Union Marine Works shipyards owned four of the major ironclads, including the Carondelet, named after the little town. Later, Carondelet was known for lead, since a large factory—Hertz Metal Company—operated in the town from 1870-1930. Now, there are a few factories left, such as the Israel Chemical Limited, once named Solutia before it became part of Astaris and later became Israel Chemical Limited.
The 60s and 70s brought on a time of revitalization of the neighborhood; in 1967 the Carondelet Historical Society was founded and the Carondelet Betterment Federation was organized in 1971. The Borden Pasta Group built the largest pasta factory in the U.S. and the whole of North America in 1991.
Carondelet has many attractions for not just residents of the community, but for tourists as well. These attractions include the Carondelet Historic Center, which houses books, trophies, historical papers, and other antiques that were obtained over the year. There’s also the Carondelet Park, one of the largest parks in St. Louis and features two lakes, softball, soccer and baseball fields, as well as playgrounds, picnic areas, a recycling center, and a bicycle path. Concerts are a popular event at the park, and residents and tourists alike enjoy the lovely pavilion that looks out at the lake (perfect for weddings or wedding pictures), the mini gazebos by the lake, and a fountain that adds to the park’s romantic feel. Another attraction in this neighborhood is the Ivory Theatre on Michigan Avenue, and features live dramas, musicals, comedies, concerts, and cabarets all year long, and also hosts corporate functions and events, plus weddings and other special occasions. The unique theatre is a renovation of a national historic landmark in the neighborhood.
Demographically, Carondelet residents are primarily Caucasians, with a small number of African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics. The average household income was approximately $35k in 2010, and a median home value of around $89k. The low home prices are a draw for those who work in downtown, or neighboring communities, and the safety and history is a draw for young families and retirees. Tourists love the history, the historic homes and buildings, and the parks that offer so many outdoor activities.
The Helderle Team 2013 © All Rights Reserved

8 Items To Check Before Buying A Home

8 Items to Check Before Buying A House

Buying a house is a big investment. Deciding to purchase a house is not a decision that anybody takes lightly because of the costs involved. You want the perfect house, a house that will be your home for years to come. If you are looking for your perfect house in St. Louis, we will be happy to help you out, please visit the Helderle team at www.realestatetrio.com.
It is easy for homeowners to fall in love with the house before they even tour the inside. When you find a house that has the perfect yard, the right number of rooms in a layout that you love and a great location, it is easy to forget that what is below the surface is just as important as the curb appeal and the interior of the house. Buying a house on looks alone can be a very costly mistaking, adding a huge cost on top of an already large sum of money that the homeowner has committed to.
Yet, many homeowners have purchases houses based on the looks along and then need to spend thousands of dollars in repairs shortly after buying the house. You do not want your dream house to turn into a money pit so you always need to check out several important features prior to buying a house. It is a common misconception that you only need to carefully inspect older houses. Do not be lulled into that line of thinking! Newer houses are just as prone to having problems as older ones. It is important to check the items on this list for both new and older houses.
By taking a look at several key areas in the house that are prone to becoming a problem areas, you can help to determine if this is the house that you want and if you should go ahead and pay for the cost of a house inspection or if you should keep looking at houses. If you are having trouble finding a house that is right for your family, contact the Helderle team at www.realestatetrio.com, they know St. Louis and the surrounding area and can help you find a house that suits your needs at the best possible price. 10 Essential Items To Check Before Buying A Home.
Avoid the necessity of paying for costly home repairs shortly after moving into your new house. These ten items are very easy to check when you are looking at a potential home for your family. Taking the time to do these will save you money in the long run. If the current homeowners are reluctant to let you check any of the following, that is a huge red flag.
Test the tap water – Not all water is created equal, especially if it comes out of pipes that are old and corroded. A quick sip of water can tell you if you might need to redo the plumbing. By filling a clean, clear glass with water, direct from the tap you can see if the water is clear, and you can taste it to see how it tastes. Sometimes off tasting water is due to the city water supply, but it can be from old pipes. At any rate, if the water tastes or looks off, you know to take a close look at the plumbing.
Check the drains – Sewer line backups are common problems, especially in areas where there are lots of trees or with older pipes and water lines. This is fairly easy to check for; fill up the tub and a few of the sinks and then let them drain at the same time. If the water line is bad, you will be able to easily tell. Check the faucets – Try all of the faucets in the house to make sure that they are all working and no leaks. Check to see that the stoppers work as well.
Check the windows – This is often overlooked and replacing windows in a house can be costly. Check to see that the windows actually open without problems and that they are without cracks or other issues. Check the Fireplace – Ask to start a quick fire in the fireplace to see if the fireplace drafts correctly. Ask the family when the last time the chimney was cleaned; it is usually just the matter of giving it a good cleaning to get it back in good working order.
Check the AC/heat – Turn on the AC and the heat to make sure that they work. It will save you time and money to make sure that they are working before you move in. Let them run for a bit to make sure that they work well, not just turn them on and turn them right back off.
Check the toilets – Put a little bit of toilet paper in each of the toilets and flush them to ensure that they work well. Sticky handles are a fairly easy fix but toilets that back up with a little toilet paper are a bigger issue.
Check the electrical panel – If the electrical panel is nicely labeled, that is a good sign. Look for a wire that look loose or frayed, that is a serious concern.
Check the basement – Is the basement damp? Mold is a big concern to take a close look at the basement to make sure that there are no issues with dampness and moisture.
Check under the carpet – Because they want the carpets to look nice for potential buyers, some owners may not let you do this, but it does not hurt to ask to see if you can pull up a corner of carpet in a closet to check the quality of the floor underneath the carpet.
Are you a buyer looking for homes in the St. Louis area? Take the hassle out of buying a home by using trusted experts. The Helderle team of Realtors is here for you. If you have questions about buying property in St. Louis, we have answer for you; let us help you find your home today! Please visit us at www.realestatetrio.com; we know St. Louis and we are here to help you. The Helderle Team 2013 © All Rights Reserved

Getting Your St. Louis Home Ready To Show

Getting Your Home "Show Ready"
Having a show ready home when selling is vital. While it may be attractive on its own, it might not appeal to the largest audience possible. You need to make it something that brings people in and encourages them to bid higher. Even if they are not going to be keeping the furniture in the home, how it looks really changes the way that they view it. If it is cluttered or bland, it is not going to do as much for you as it could. A great thing about making homes show ready is the fact that it is possible for all houses. Regardless of size or location, you can make the most out of it by simply changing the appearance. It may not make up for everything, but it can give buyers more of a reason to buy. It is true that many buyers want the home to look pretty. That is what is going to be on their mind above all else, regardless of what is staying. If they cannot look away from the décor and overall appearance of the rooms, they are not going to be able to see the gem hidden underneath. While this is not true of all buyers, it is true of many. You want to appeal to that larger number, which is only possible by making your home more show ready. In the St Louis, MO, area, this is something that you can do easily and with spectacular results.
Part of making your home show ready is cleaning out all of the garbage, clutter, and messy areas. As a home seller, you need to move yourself away from your attachment. You want to sell it, which means that it has to appear only slightly lived in. Try to invest in more attractive items to place around, keep everything clean, and even change things up a little. You can do this by using different, more appealing furniture, painting walls that seem dirty or need to be a more neutral tone, and cleaning the floors. This will help you to make the home look like new and increase how much that you make from this.
If you are living in the home while you are showing it, you are going to want to make it appear as if no one is there. This might be difficult, sure, but you should plan ahead and make sure that you make it more appealing to the general audience. By removing evidence that you live there and keeping the area cleaner than most people normally do, you will be able to increase bids. People do not want to see messes and belongings, and you should make sure that they do not. Every piece that is cleaner will increase your profits.
Selling a home is not easy, but it can be more possible when you make it show ready. This increases attractiveness and helps to bring people to you. To learn more about what you can do, you can speak to a real estate agent and start changing things around.
The Helderle Team 2013 © All Rights Reserved