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Clifton Heights of St. Louis, MO

Clifton Heights Neighborhood of St. Louis
A Historic Place to Live with One of the Most Beautiful Parks in the City
This quiet, serene community,located south of Arsenal Street and in the southwest part of St. Louis, is one of the city’s most beautiful neighborhoods, due in part to the lovely park that highlights the area. Clifton Park features a playground for neighborhood children, as well as a tranquil lake where residents and tourists can have picnics, play ball, walk their dogs, or just lay on the grass and relax.

The lake was created from a sinkhole in 1912 for residents of Clifton Heights; in 1922 additional land was bought and added to the property, which made the park a total of four-and-a-half acres. Stunning historic Victorians line the park, giving the park a feeling of another century, a time when the neighborhood was young and just starting out. The neighborhood began around 1880 when a subdivision was built in the area, and actually continued until 1955; the mix of Victorian and Arts & Craft homes, townhomes, and apartment complexes are all evidence of the community’s rich heritage of architecture and slow development.

There are few businesses in Clifton Heights, but the neighborhood is close to downtown, as well as being near to other, larger neighborhoods like The Hill community. A new theater—the Columbia Theater—is located in this area, plus there are small corner stores with great architectural features, a VFW post, a Drury Inn & Suites at the corner of I-44, a few small grocery stores, and the Mason School. This elementary school is in the St. Louis Public School System, was built in 1919 and serves preschool through the 6th grade. It’s a diverse school and academically strong, serving the residents of Clifton Heights, as well as neighboring communities. Other businesses in Clifton Heights include Seamus McDaniels and Chuy Arzolas Tex-Mex (both popular restaurants), a roofing company, small photography business, an animal hospital, and a billboard company.

Attractions in Clifton Heights are few, the largest one being the Clifton Heights Park that features a small lake, water fountain, and lush green grass for picnicking. The Columbia Theater is another popular attraction, as well as a playground, and basketball courts. Fortunately, Clifton Heights is close to many other attractions in neighboring communities, including the St. Louis Zoo and The Muny, which is America’s oldest outdoor musical theater. Every fall, the Clifton Heights neighborhood hosts a “Party in the Park”, a festival that features crafts, games, and other activities for families. It’s a popular event that draws people from nearby communities and a treasured tradition of Clifton Heights residents.

Demographically, Clifton Heights’ residents are mainly Caucasian (90%), with a small percentage of African Americans (3%) and Asians (1%). The average household income is approximately $50k, and a median home value of around $156k, which is a big draw for those who work in the downtown area and are looking for an affordable home that is close to their workplace.

The Helderle Team 2013 © All Rights Reserved

McKinley Heights: A Diverse and Historic Neighborhood in the Heart of St. Louis

A mix of the old and new, McKinley Heights is surrounded by some of St. Louis’s most famous communities, including Soulard and Lafayette Square to its south. The tree-lined streets and quaint brick homes makes the area a popular location for families, and since it is also close to downtown (where there’s shopping, restaurants and jobs), busy professionals live here and are able to commute to work in just a few minutes
There are two of the schools in McKinley Heights—McKinley School and Sigel Elementary—that are a work of architectural art by themselves, as well as being pretty good performers, test-wise (although McKinley Classical Leadership Academy that shares a building with McKinley Jr. High has some of the best scores and high-achieving students).
There actually aren’t too many businesses in McKinley Heights, although there’s plenty of restaurants and shopping in nearby neighborhoods like Richmond Heights (which is home to the St. Louis Galleria, a large mall with over 70 different stores). Businesses in McKinley Heights include a popular ice sculpture shop, contractors, art dealers, an animal hospital, and a few other small companies.
Growing up in McKinley Heights and attending both Sigel and McKinley High School, I spent a lot of time walking the streets in this great neighborhood. The country western star Barbara Fairchild grew up just a few blocks from McKinley High school and we both worked for the vice principle my freshmen year. Gone are places like Frentzel Market (Arsenal & Jefferson), Charless elementary, Big 4 Chevrolet (Jefferson Ave)and most of Fox Park, although the softball fields are still used.
Demographically, McKinley Heights’ residents are a mix of Caucasians (48%), African Americans (46%), and a small percentage of Asian and Native American. The average annual household income was around $51k in 2012, with a median home value of $125k, which makes the neighborhood one of the most affordable in the St. Louis area. This, coupled with the safety since crime is extremely low in the community, makes McKinley Heights a big draw for young families, business professionals who work in the surrounding areas of St. Louis, as well as retirees looking for a quiet place to spend their golden years.
The Helderle Team 2013 © All Rights Reserved

Benton Park in St. Louis, Mo

Benton Park, St. Louis and Why It Is One of the Best Loved Neighborhoods

Not to be confused with Benton Place, the affluent private street in Lafayette Square where some of the most notable St. Louis families [once] lived, Benton Park is a posh neighborhood in eastern St. Louis, named after the first U.S. Senator who represented Missouri, Thomas Hart Benton. Its boundaries are Cherokee Street to its south, Gravois Avenue on the north, I-55 to the east, and Jefferson Avenue is on the west.

Historically, Benton Park was a mecca for breweries thanks to the system of caves under the neighborhood that beer-makers use for “lagering”, a style of German beer making that requires the ale to be stored in a dark, cool place. Lemp Brewery is the most famous of the breweries in Benton Park; established in 1840, the brewery compound consisted of 27 buildings on almost 14 acres of land. It was founded and built by Johann Adam Lemp who migrated to the U.S. from Germany in 1836 when he moved to the St. Louis area to open a mercantile store, until he realized that his lager was selling better than anything else in his store. During prohibition, Lemp Brewery shut down and in 1920, the factory was sold to other beer makers and closed its doors. The building still stands in the neighborhood today in homage to the community’s history.

Named after Thomas Hart Benton—a celebrated Missouri senator of the mid-1800s—Benton Park owes its beautiful architecture to the influx of German immigrants who came for the caves and the lager-making. Many of the old homes and buildings left over from this era showcase St. Louis’s best ornamental detailing and styles of the Romanesque, Queen Anne, and Classic Revival. The 1970s brought rehabilitation and revitalization to the neighborhood, as with other nearby communities like Soulard, that saw a more urban lifestyle and setting than more industrialized areas. The 80s and 90s saw better housing units built and more urban renewal, and today Benton Park still retains its past but is updated for the large population of artists who call the neighborhood home.

Benton Park has many wonderful activities, events, and other tourist attractions to take advantage of when visiting the neighborhood. The Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion is a Greek Revival mansion that was built in 1848 and one of the last glimpses into the rich past of the historic neighborhood’s architecture legacy. It offers tours (closed every January) and provides a window into the past of two French families who lived in Benton Park when the city was still young.

Cherokee Antique Row is another of Benton Park’s attractions; it’s a beautiful tree-lined street with more than 40 antique dealers selling everything from art to quilts to pottery, all of it antique. Just minutes from downtown Benton Park, this street is a huge draw for tourists, especially on the weekends.

Another of Benton Park’s stunning attractions is Falstaff Brew House, located at Gravois and Highway 55, and is listed on the National Historic Register and another example of St. Louis’s architecture from a by-gone era. Other attractions and events include the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater at the famous (and reportedly haunted) Lemp Mansion, the abandoned Lemp Brewery, a farmer’s market in summer, Gus’s Pretzels which has been open since 1920, and several parks to enjoy (Benton, Cherokee, Carnegie, and Fremont).

The Helderle Team 2013 © All Rights Reserved

St. Louis Summer Events

Summer Events In And Around St. Louis When most people think of St. Louis Missouri they think of the arch that marks the Gateway to West, but there is far more to this city and the surrounding communities that simply an arch. St. Louis is an exciting city that offers locals and visitors alike a variety of things to see and do from dynamic concerts to fun festivals. Summer is a great time to visit St. Louis and the surrounding area, as these communities offer a wide range of fun and excitement from quiet movies under the stars to loud and fun filled festivals and blazing Fourth of July fireworks. From the city of St. Louis itself to smaller outlying communities such as Alton/Grafton and Herman/German Town you will have an amazing time. Whether your think is cruising down a river or dancing in the street, the St. Louis area will have activities that appeal to you regardless of age or interest. St. Louis Proper The city of St. Louis itself has a number of events that are extremely popular. The Range Red Bicycle Tour that begins on June 1st and is held on Saturdays through to August 31 is a great way to get some exercise, see the beautiful riverfront and lean a little about St. Louis history including information about the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Underground railroad. Visitors to the city over Independence day aren't going to want to miss the O'Fallon festival, which takes place from July 2, to 4 2013. Visitors to the festival can enjoy the music of both Country and rock bands, a carnival complete with midway, children's activities, crafts, food and of course a parade. Surrounding Communities Of course as exciting as St. Louis is, the surrounding communities also offer a wide variety of activities for you enjoy. The Alton/Grafton area offers several movie nights, concerts, and of course a 4th of July fireworks display. There is also a summer flea market where shoppers can get some great deals as well as day cruises complete with dinner. Belleville Illinois, which sets right across the river from St. Louis offers a number of professional performers in concert through out the summer while in Herman/German Town you can join in the community 4th of July celebration complete with food, fun, and fireworks or visit the Cajun concert held on July 12 through 14th 2013 where you can enjoy real Cajun music as well as authentic Cajun Cuisine. Herman/German town also offers locals and tourists alike to the Berries, BBQ, and wine trail and their August Sausage making class. Granite City, Illinois offers a Melting Pot Open air market on July 13. It's a great place to shop for local arts and crafts and pick up some of those collective items you have been looking for. For those who enjoy fine dining you aren't going to want to miss visiting Chesterfield August 31 for the Forks and Corks. This upscale and free event features the finest cuisine from local restaurants.

The Hill In St. Louis, MO

The Hill: One of St. Louis’s Best Neighborhoods to Live and Play

Named for the highest point in the city of St. Louis (formerly known as St. Louis Hill), The Hill neighborhood is a mainly Italian-American area that lies to the north of Manchester Avenue, south of Southwest and Columbia Avenues, and to the east of South Kingshighway Boulevard. Known for its number of locally famous Italian restaurants and strong Roman Catholic influence, The Hill also features the St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church which is a landmark in the neighborhood and a big part of the Italian-American population’s daily life.

Historically, The Hill has seen two of the biggest icons in baseball grow up on its streets: Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola, Sr. both lived their childhoods on The Hill, and their houses were right across the street from each other, on Elizabeth Avenue. Also, four of the five soccer players from the US team in the 1950 FIFA World Cup (beat England) grew up on The Hill.

The Hill’s affluent residents are mainly Caucasians (93%), with a smaller percentage of African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics. An average household income of its residents was $55k as of 2012, with a median home value of around $300k. Safety in this community is not really a factor for tourists and potential residents, as the neighborhood is one of the safest in St. Louis, especially when compared to other communities surrounding it. There are so many attractions on The Hill for residents and tourists to take advantage of, including many Italian-American restaurants, bakeries, and small grocery stores. A few of the most popular include Amighetti’s Bakery, Cunetto’s House of Pasta, Fazio’s Bakery, Di Gregorio’s grocery store, and even a tavern/bocce garden on the corner near St. Ambrose Catholic Church.

Restaurants and shops aren’t the only draw for tourists to The Hill; there are also events here that bring travelers to this historic neighborhood, such as the (Second) Annual Hill Wine Walk, a soap box derby and car show, two bocce gardens that is very popular with the Italian-American residents of The Hill, the Annual Italian Film Festival of St. Louis, the Annual “Edges for Pledges” event hosted by Bertarelli Cutlery, and even bocce tournaments throughout the year held in the gardens near St. Ambrose.

The Hill is regarded as one of the best communities in St. Louis for living, playing, and also wonderful for tourists. From the trendy Italian-American restaurants, local bakeries, the bocce gardens, and its rich history, The Hill is a destination in St. Louis not to be missed.

Thinking of buying or selling a home on the Hill or another area in St. Louis? Contact The Helderle Team at 314 714-7225 or email them at stlouishomes@yahoo.com


Frank J. Helderle St. Louis, MO June 2013 © All Rights Reserved The Helderle Team

Existing Home Sales Increase

From DS News June 20, 2013

Existing-home sales rose a solid 4.2 percent in May to an annual sales rate of 5.18 million, the highest level since November 2009, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported Thursday. Economists had expected existing home sales to hit 5.0 million. The median price of an existing home jumped $16,200 (8.4 percent) for the month and was up $27,700 (15.4 percent) from May 2012. The inventory of homes for sale rose to 2.22 million from 2.15 million in April, translating to a 5.1 month supply compared with April’s 5.2 month supply.

The 210,000 increase in the seasonally adjusted annual sales rate was the largest since last August, when the sales pace jumped 240,000 to 4.84 million. According to NAR, sales in May were up 12.9 percent over May 2012, the 16th straight month of year-over-year sales gains. By the numbers, the sales rate was 590,000 ahead of May 2012, the sharpest year-over-year increase since August 2011, when sales were up 730,000 over the year earlier pace.

The NAR report tracks completed transactions and closings and followed a 1.5 point gain in the NAR’s own pending home sales index for March. The index improved 0.3 percent in April, hinting closings may not grow as quickly next month. At $208,000 in May, the median sales price topped $200,000 for the first time since August 2008, when it was $203,200 and falling from the record $230,300 in July 2006. The median price, as reported by NAR, has increased for four straight months. The median price has increased on a yearly basis for 15 straight months.

The average price of a new home increased $24,500 in May to $269,600, the highest level since May 2008, when it was $278,400. It remained below the record $292,200 in June 2007. Year-over-year, the May average was up $29,600 (10.0 percent), the strongest percentage gain since the 10.6 percent gain from June 2001 to June 2002 and the largest dollar gain since August 2005, when the average price was $37,000 higher than one year earlier. Those price increases, however, have not been accompanied by an increase in the inventory of homes for sale. In the same 15 months, the inventory of homes for sale has dropped to 2.22 million from 2.32 million, though it has increased in each of the last four months.

Inventories continue to be plagued by competition with sales of lower priced “distressed” homes. According to the NAR, distressed homes—foreclosures and short sales—accounted for 18 percent of May sales, unchanged from April but matching the lowest share since monthly tracking began in October 2008.

Fewer distressed homes, which generally sell at a discount, account for some of the price gain, the NAR said. Foreclosures accounted for 11 percent of May sales, and short sales made up 7 percent. Foreclosures, NAR said, sold for an average discount of 15 percent below market value in May, while short sales were discounted 12 percent.

After falling to a cyclical low in August 2010, existing-home sales have been improving steadily, helped in part by the federal homebuyer tax credit program. Sales in the last 12 months have averaged 4,858,000, up from 4,386,000 in the previous 12 months. The median time on market for all homes was 41 days in May, down from 46 days in April, and was 43 percent faster than the 72 days on market in May 2012. The median time on the market, NAR said, is the shortest since monthly tracking began in May 2011. First-time buyers accounted for 28 percent of purchases in May, down from 29 percent in April and 34 percent in May 2012. All-cash sales were 33 percent of transactions in May, up from 32 percent in April and 28 percent in May 2012.

Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast were up 1.6 percent to an annual rate of 650,000 in May, 8.3 percent above May 2012.
The median price in the Northeast was $269,600, up 10.0 percent for the month and 12.3 percent from a year ago.
Existing-home sales in the Midwest jumped 8.0 percent in May—the largest gain of any of the four Census regions—to 1.21 million and were 16.3 percent higher than a year earlier. The median price in the Midwest was $159,800, up 7.5 percent over April and 8.2 percent from May 2012.
In the South, existing-home sales rose 4.0 percent to an annual level of 2.09 million in May and were 16.1 percent above May 2012. The median price in the South was $183,300, 9.2 percent higher than in April and 15.0 percent above a year ago.
Existing-home sales in the West increased 2.5 percent to a pace of 1.23 million in May and were 7.0 percent above a year ago.
The median price in the West was $276,400, up 4.1 percent from April and 19.9 percent from May 2012.

Hear Mark Lieberman every Friday on P.O.T.U.S. Radio, Sirius-XM 124, at 6:20 a.m. Eastern.

Downtown St. Louis, MO. Living, Playing and Visiting

Downtown St. Louis: A History, Its Attractions, and What Makes it One of the Best Areas in the City

Known as the city’s central business district, the Downtown area of St. Louis is home to dozens of tourist attractions, entertainment venues, shops, restaurants and more. It is the hub of the St. Louis metropolitan area, and is bounded by Cole Street, the river front, Chouteau Avenue, and Tucker Avenue. Not only is Downtown home to retail stores, but major companies like the Laclede Group, Stifel Nicolaus, and HOK are all located here as well.

Historically, Downtown St. Louis was founded by Pierre Laclede, who decided on that particular area due to the cliffs and river access to use for trade, transportation, and as a fur trade with the Native Americans. In 1817, with the arrival of the steamboat, the Downtown area became a crucial center of the young America’s commerce and residents were able to trade products from the Gulf of Mexico and across the country via the Mississippi River. The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought a huge building boom to Downtown St. Louis, due in part to just a lack of room for new and existing businesses to expand.

The 1970s saw many historic buildings decimated by their owners in order to put in parking lots, so many of the area’s earliest homes and buildings no longer exist due to the demand for more parking. Washington University and St. Louis University were both founded in the Downtown area; the former in 1853 and the latter in 1818. Recent history has brought redevelopment, with an estimated $4-billion being invested in the Downtown area between 1999-2006.

Downtown St. Louis has many different attractions for every tourist’s whim and fancy, including: the Ambassador Theater Building, the Arcade Building, Balmer & Weber Music House Co. Building, and the Beethoven Conservatory, all of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Downtown is also home to museums like the City Museum on 15th Street; America’s Center & Edward Jones Dome on Convention Plaza; the St. Louis Citygarden which is a stunning oasis in the heart of the Downtown area and features a splash plaza, a bronze statue of Pinocchio, and beautiful shade and flowering trees; the famous Gateway Arch on Riverfront; the Soulard Farmer’s Market, located at Lafayette and Seventh Streets, is a popular tourist draw and one of America’s oldest farmer’s markets that is still in existence.

Not only does Downtown have a rich history, dozens of tourist attractions, shopping and restaurants, but it’s also great for families who are on vacation, couples on holiday, and even for events like birthday trips, anniversaries, and bachelor/bachelorette parties. Start off that special birthday at upscale restaurants like 400 Olive Restaurant, Basso (a St. Louis Gastropub), Angelo’s Taverna (perfect for a family birthday party), and the Capri Restaurant located inside the Renaissance Grand Hotel. For lots of shopping, make sure to check out hundreds of shops and boutiques located in Downtown St. Louis, with stores ranging from small, upscale boutiques like Eve’s Apple Vintage (a great vintage clothing shop), to more widely known stores such as Foot Locker and Macy’s.

Downtown St. Louis’s other attractions and entertainment include art galleries like 10th Street Gallery, Art Saint Louis, and the Café Cioccolato Gallery, wonderful museums such as the historic Campbell House Museum, City Museum & World Aquarium, and Laclede’s Landing Wax Museum. Looking for something more lively? Check out Downtown’s bars and nightlife, with such notable joints as Encore Comedy & Karaoke, Hard Times Lounge, Nightclub Europe, Route 66 Brewery & Restaurant, Stardust Nightclub, and the Velvet Lounge.
Frank J. Helderle St. Louis, MO June 2013 © All Rights Reserved

Your Home Inspection

You have made your offer and it's been accepted. Now it's time for your Home Inspection. Hiring a qualified Inspector is as easy as going to http://www.ashi.org/ and locating an Inspector.
Once your Inspector arrives he should inspect the roof by actually getting on the roof and walking around looking at the roof material, flashing, gutters, the exterior of the chimney and the cap.
He then will walk around the house looking at the exterior material, be it brick or siding. Also checking the exterior of the foundation. In completing his exterior Inspection he should observe the power cable going into the house any decking supports, gates and fencing
As your Inspector conducts the Home Inspection he will be making notes of his findings. He may from time to time suggest having an item looked at by a qualified technician. Don't quiz him everytime he makes a note wait til the end when he will give you a written report.
Once he enters the home he should check the attic for insulation depth, make sure all ceiling lights/fans operate properly. He'll check each electrical socket for polarity and check for GFI's near water sources.
He'll check all bathrooms and kitchen for functionality and to make sure there are no leaks. He should also make notes of the general condition of the interior.
During the inspection he will review the interior foundation for potential leaks, cracks or damages. Finally he will inspect the furnace, water heater electrical panel and dehumidifier.
A normal inspection should only take a couple of hours. In attendance should be yourself and your Real Estate Agent. Once you have your inspection it's time to ask the inspector questions on anything of concern. Remember he is not a specialist only an inspector and as such should never offer repair services/bids.
The St. Louis Chapter of AMERICAN SOCIETY of HOME INSPECTORS 800-743-ASHI www.stlashi.org CERTIFIED INSPECTORS as of Friday, July 05, 2013 Adams ACI, Charles 314-805-5538 Aadams Inspection Services LLC Armstrong, Steve 636-931-7888 Castle Home Inspections Barclay, Robert 888-246-0242 BrickKicker Inspection Services Bean, John 800-285-3001 BPG/ABA Inspections and Consulting Becker, John 314-307-1856 ABA/BPG Inspections & Consulting Bench, Tim 636-240-7209 JCTB Inspections, Inc. Bentz, P.E., Jerry 800-285-3001 ABA Inspections and Consulting Binsbacher, Jeff 314-249-8371 R. Heyl & Associates Birenbaum, PE, David 314-650-5200 Engineered Inspection & Consulting Services Bonney, Sam 314-570-5135 Cardinal Home Inspection Services Borah, Chad 314-645-7871 Pillar To Post Bossard, Tom 636-477-0800 Heartland Inspection Services Boyd, Michael 314-744-0153 Architective Home Inspection LTD Brewer, Wayne 636-282-8800 Brewer Inspection Services Inc. Brown, Edward 314-576-6410 Guardian Home Inspection Services Bryant, Rick 636-887-6316 HouseMaster, Guaranteed Home Inspections Caby, Richard 314-645-7871 Pillar To Post Cawein, Joseph 800-285-3001 ABA/BPG Inspections & Consulting Clark, Timothy 800-285-3001 ABA/BPG Inspections & Consulting Coffman, Rick 314-645-7871 Pillar To Post Copanas, Frank 314-456-0783 Acropolis Home Inspection Delahanty, Dan 314-892-4047 Show Me Home Inspections Dickinson, Patrick 314-645-7871 Pillar To Post Dingledine, Gary 800-285-3001 ABA/BPG Inspections & Consulting Donjon, John 314-249-8310 ABA/BPG Inspections & Consulting Eisterhold, Carl 314-531-5663 Building Inspection Consultants Engebretson, Eric 314-434-8900 Midwest Inspection Service Entwistle P.E., Ron 800-285-3001 ABA Inspection and Consulting/BPG Fay, Myron 618-580-1120 Z & C Home Inspection Services Fox, Jerry 314-308-6489 AmeriSpec Home Inspection Service Gennaro, Anthony 314-865-2500 Blue Ribbon Inspection Service,LLC Gould, George 314-575-6781 National Property Inspections ST LOUIS Gould, Robert 636-940-1005 National Property Inspections--ST CHARLES Graczak, Joseph 314-283-4765 Suburban Home Inspection Service Inc. Guffey, Gordon 636-282-8800 Brewer Inspection Services Inc. Hardy, P.E., Kyle 800-285-3001 Buyers Protection Group Henderson, Michael 618-235-4330 Amron Home Inspection Services (IL lic.) Heyl, Thomas 314-918-0600 Bean and Heyl Home Inspections Inc. Heyl, Richard 314-504-8504 R. Heyl & Associates Heyl, Ryan 314-374-2262 R.Heyl & Associates Hoffman, Dave 314-680-1834 Apple Inspections, LLC Hosie, Christopher 314-226-3272 Allen Engineered Inspections Jardine, Henry 636-240-5700 Amerispec Home Inspection Jardine ACI, Matthe 314-308-6489 AmeriSpec Home Inspections Jinkerson, David 636-386-1684 Hickory Home Inspections, LLC Jones, Reginald 314-409-4312 HomeSpector, LLC Kelley, Wesley 636-456-0001 7 Oaks Home Inspection llc. Kelly, Terence 314-580-0430 Apex Home Inspections Klein, Nathanial 314-571-9671 Pillar To Post Knight, Tim 636-978-9111 A.C.E. Home Inspections Krause, George 314-497-1234 Elite Home Inspections, LLC Krausz, Lawrence 314-277-9516 Krausz House Inspections Landolt, David 618-550-2800 Inspector Plus Inc. (IL lic.) Lewis, Jay 314-822-0559 Lewis Building Inspections Loesch, P.E., Gerald 314-249-8370 BPG/ABA Inspections & Consulting Lucke, Chris 314-874-5820 Missouri Property Inspections MacNeill ACI, Paul 314-392-9313 Apple Inspections LLC Mayer, Aaron 314-323-7458 Housewarming Home Inspections McCarty, Manuel 314-741-3300 Home Inspection - USA McNamee, Steve 636-936-8706 Homecheck Inspection Service Michalicek, Rick 314-238-6639 Moore Home Inspection Services Minderman, Nick 636-456-0001 7 Oaks Home Inspection Moore, Emmitt 314-727-6868 Moore Home Inspection Service Morrell, Harry 314-223-7310 Allied Building Inspections L.L.C. Morrissey, Michael 314-583-7654 Inspect-It 1st Nance, P.E., Charles 314-805-5576 CHN Inspections LLC Norman, Don 800-285-3001 BPG/ABA Inspections and Consulting Perry, Mark 618-570-8045 Accredited Home Inspection (IL lic.) Pohlman, Curt 314-276-1592 Pohlman Building Inspections Postol,P.E., Theodor 314-878-2884 Building & Home Inspection Consultants, Inc Rathjen, Fred 636-458-5300 Amerispec Of St. Louis Rathz, Mark 636-896-0123 WIN Home Inspection-St Charles Reese, Donald 314-795-7067 Dependable Home Inspections Reese, Robert 636-978-9111 A.C.E. Home Inspections Reichle, Paul 636-528-1554 Missouri Property Inspections Reuther, Frank 636-394-0869 Gateway Residential Inspectors Inc. Richards, William 314-605-4445 Home Inspections of St. Louis LLC Roark, Gary 636-685-6773 Armstrong Home Inspections LLC. Ronollo, Steve 314-276-4872 Excel Home Inspections Rothweiler, Jack 636-931-7888 Castle Home Inspections Ruttle, Richard 636-677-5868 Homestead Residential Inspection Sagehorn, Damon 314-821-8282 Engineering Evaluations Inc. Saladin, Thomas 800-285-3001 ABA/BPG Inspections and Consulting Sandweg, ACI, Dan 314-277-4982 Inspections Complete, LLC Sebaugh PE, Allen 314-401-9370 Allied Building Inspections LLC Shorette, Steve 636-282-2747 Candid Inspection Services Smith, Laurence 636-561-2844 Regional Home Inspection Co. Smith, Johnnie 800-285-3001 BPG /ABA Inspections & Consulting St. Clair, Robert 314-330-5423 Reliable Home Inspections Inc. Steinman PE, Gerald 314-517-5938 BPG/ABA Sullivan, Kevin 800-285-3001 Buyers Protection Group Vander Schaaf, Denni 314-249-8386 ABA Inspections and Consulting/ BPG Villhard, Wes 314-952-7007 Cornerstone Building Inspections Voss, Louis 636-795-0070 Countywide Professional Home Inspections Warren, Mark 800-285-3001 Buyers Protection Group Weisbrod, Doug 636-208-1966 Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspections Wessling, ACI, John 314-520-1103 Wessling Home Inspection Services LLC Whiteley, Deryck 314-932-5557 HouseMaster Guaranteed Home Inspections Zaloudek, James 314-406-2848 Assisting Homebuyers Inspection Service Note: ALL ASHI Members or others permitted to use the ASHI logo may not be listed on this document

8448 Saint Andrews Ln, House Springs, MO 63051 - Zillow

8448 Saint Andrews Ln, House Springs, MO 63051 - Zillow

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How to have your family prepared in an emergency

Would you be prepared if you and your family had to evacuate your home during an emergency?
The American Red Cross reports that only 10 percent of the families in the US have an emergency plan, a disaster kit, and first aid training including CPR.
The first step to be prepared is to assemble a grab-and-go bag that contains crucial supplies that you'll need in the event of an evacuation. The Red Cross has pre-packed kits for $65 at www.redcross.org or you can assemble your own. Label each bag and keep them accessible.
Your Grab-and-Go bag should contain
Personal travel size toiletries
Light-weight flashlight with extra batteries
Extra pair of eye glasses
Whistle on lanyard
3 days of prescriptions
Bottled water 2-3 gallons
High protein-High energy food bars
Change of clothes
Photograph of each child and adult
First Aid Kit
Battery powered radio
Extra set of home and car keys
Safe deposit box key
Credit Card
Cash
Copies of birth certificates, deeds, insurance policies, passports and SS cards

By being prepared in an emergency you will be able to supply yourself during an evacuation or loss of home.

FSBO or Real Estate Agent To Sell Your St. Louis, Mo. Home?

FSBO or Agent, Which Is Best For Selling Your Home in the St. Louis Market?
By Frank Helderle



With the growth of the Internet, the prospect of 'going' FSBO — For Sale By Owner — as a method for selling your St. Louis, Missouri home is more attractive than ever.

One of the largest expenses involved in selling a property is the payment of an agent's commission — often in the 6% range. But agents do earn their money, by providing expertise on the market and sales process, by advertising widely and by assisting in the negotiation and closing phases of a sale.

Still, 6% of $200,000 is $12,000 and many find the prospect of keeping that money for themselves irresistible. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether to use an agent or 'go' FSBO.

In order to sell a property quickly and profitably, you have to know the market. If your listed price is even 1% off the St. Louis, MO., real estate market average you will either sit on the property for a long time or fail to make as much as you could have on the sale.

Beyond the need to get an accurate, professional appraisal — required whether FSBO'ing or using an agent — agents can provide 'comps' listing the recent sale price of comparable properties. They also know the market and can often tell you whether your price is reasonable.

However, with the increasing availability of similar information on the Internet, FSBO is becoming a more realistic option. If you can access and analyze the data, FSBO may be for you.

Agents put your property in a database called an MLS, a Multiple Listing Service, to which other agents as well as potential buyers — through the agent — have access. MLS data is more difficult for the average person to gain access to and in some states you need a license to obtain the data. Almost in every case, one is required to be a member of the MLS service and pay a fee.

This is only the first step toward advertising your property far and wide to potential buyers. But, again, with the growth of Internet sites advertising homes for sale, along with other traditional options, you may find you no longer need the service once provided almost exclusively by agents.

Some individuals are natural negotiators and some have learned through long experience how to attract buyers and get the best deal. Some, though, will always be on the losing end of a proposition. Only you can decide how effective you can be in negotiating a fair, acceptable price and whether that process is enjoyable or torture.

Once you've listed the property, advertised it widely enough to attract buyers and negotiated a price one will accept, the most difficult part of the process begins. Every state and country including St. Louis has a long and complex list of laws about how a real estate transaction has to be carried out.

Deposits have to be made of the right amounts and at the right times in an escrow account, and insurance regulations have to be met. Title history is investigated and a hundred other details completed before ownership can be transferred and profits (if any) gained. If you don't have the knowledge or temperament for this sort of thing, FSBO is not for you.

But, on the bright side, there are dozens of books, Internet sites such as this, and low-cost 'seller assistance' businesses that can guide you through the process.

Investigate before you decide, and best of luck. There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in St. Louis real estate. For complete information about the St. Louis, MO., real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything St. Louis real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your mortgage questions and I will me more than glad to answer you queries. Call me on my cell at 314 267-4841 or email me at stlouishomes@yahoo.com or visit www.realestatetrio.com to view the entire St. Louis, MO., MLS..

Thrifty Solutions To Update Your Kitchen

Here are a few tips sellers can use in changing that old outdated kitchen into a new showplace buyers will compete over.

Add space and light by removing a wall and opening up the space.

Do not move the plumbing.

Unclutter your counter tops by installing hideaway appliance lifts.

Buy ready-to assemble cabinets in lieu of custom cabinets.

Consider alternative counter top materials.

These are a few inexpensive ideas to make your kitchen desirable. For additional ideas contact The "H" Team today.

How to Check Quality in Your New Home

The Quality of Homes
The H Team

There are houses and there are houses. Just like anything that is produced in our world from cars to clothing, there is a high quality manufacturing and there is poor to medium workmanship.
In her book "The Fearless Home Buyer" Elizabeth Razzi gives those telltale signs of a well built home.
Windows are an easily-spotted signal of quality. They're one of the most expensive components of a home. You can determine the brand used by looking for the name in the corner of the glass. Look for neatly mitered and whether the window is double panned which offers good insulation in both summer and winter. Look at the windowsill and the wall below to see if there are any water stains or softness in the wall-a sign that there could be a condensation or leakage problem with the windows.
Bathrooms are another area where the quality of the workmanship is important. Pay special attention to the floors and walls around (and downstairs from) a shower stall Look for signs of recent painting, a spongy feel or mold. Water that leaks from a tub or shower over time can rot sub flooring, a common problem in homes built with inferior materials and workmanship.
When you expect the exterior of the home, note the kind of siding that is used. Wood siding is beautiful but requires routine re-painting. Vinyl or aluminum siding is economical and long-lasting, but check it for dings, tears and fading.
As always, if you are uncomfortable about the quality of a home you are interested in purchasing, it's a good idea to hire a professional inspector to confirm or allay your fears.
As Real Estate professionals, we look forward to working for you and answering any questions you might have about quality and workmanship of any home you may be interested in. Call us anytime.

Sales Tax Holiday Information

The Sales Tax Holiday, which runs from April 19-25, means a savings of at least 4.225 percent sales tax fee to people who purchase new ENERGY STAR ® qualified appliances in Missouri during the holiday. The reduced price represents the elimination of the state's sales tax from the purchase.
Several local governmental entities have also opted to participate in the holiday. This means that some purchases will be exempt not just from the state sales tax, but also city, county and special district sales taxes. Nine counties, 57 cities and eight special districts have opted to participate in the holiday. Anyone who buys a qualified appliance in Missouri that has earned the ENERGY STAR will be exempt from paying the state sales tax. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program allows manufacturers of appliances to voluntarily label selected appliances if they meet certain criteria. The goal is to promote appliances that perform as well or better than similar appliances while using less energy. The program has saved businesses and consumers billions of dollars since its inception in 1992.ENERGY STAR-certified appliances that qualify for the sales tax exemption are: Clothes washers Refrigerators Freezers Dishwashers Water heaters Furnaces Air conditioners Heat pumps The sales tax exemption only applies to the first $1,500 on each appliance. If an appliance costs more than $1,500, the regular sales tax rate is in effect for any of the purchase price above $1,500.Examples of appliances NOT eligible for the sales tax exemption are clothes dryers, trash compactors, conventional ovens, ranges and stoves. Lighting fixtures, office equipment, home electronics and other non-appliance ENERGY STAR labeled-products are also not eligible for the sales tax exemption. Counties that have opted to participate in the holiday and have eliminated their county sales taxes on qualified purchases are: Adair, Crawford, Daviess, Gasconade, Johnson, Morgan, Pettis, Ripley and Ste. Genevieve.Participating cities are: Airport Drive, Arnold, Aurora, Ava, Bethany, Bowling Green, Branson West, Brookfield, Butler, Carrollton, Cottleville, Dardenne Prairie, Desloge, Dexter, Fenton, Fredericktown, Fulton, Gladstone, Hannibal, Hazelwood, Hermann, Hillsboro, Ironton, Jackson, Kahoka, Kansas City, Kirksville, Lexington, Macon, Marble Hill, Maryville, Memphis, Mexico, Osceola, Overland, Pacific, Perryville, Platte City, Raymore, Republic, Richmond, Rock Hill, Rock Port, Rolla, Salem, Salisbury, St. Charles, Ste. Genevieve, Sunset Hills, Tarkio, Town & Country, Union, Unionville, Warrensburg, Warsaw, Washington and Willow Springs. Additional information regarding the Show-Me Green
Sales Tax Holiday can be obtained at http://dor.mo.gov/tax/business/sales/taxholiday/green/ or e-mail the Department of Revenue at: salesuse@dor.mo.gov This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
From an article written by Matt Newport

Buying Your First Home

Buying Your First Home
Home ownership is the cornerstone of the American Dream. But before you start looking, there are a number of things you need to consider.
Before You Start Grab your current household budget so you can consider your financial situation and your ability to make mortgage payments.
Ask family and friends if they can recommend experts, like a lawyer, a Realtor and an inspector, who can help with the home buying process.
Think about your lifestyle and how it might affect your choice of home and neighborhood.
Do a little research on current home prices in the neighborhoods you plan to target.

To begin your search visit The H Team at http://www.realestatetrio.com for more information.

Why Determine the Value of Your Home

What's it Worth?

As a stock holder many Americans check the stock market everyday, looking at TV, online and the newspaper. But fail to take stock of their own home. Up to 95% of today's home owners do not know the value of their largest investment, their home.
A comparative market analysis (CMA) provided by a Real Estate Professional can bring you up to speed.
The CMA is normally used as a way of measuring value. When you are buying or selling or even refinancing, a CMA is essential in setting a price and in choosing the proper time to sell.
There are numerous other reasons to run a CMA including your net worth or to provide adequate replacement insurance or to leverage your equity.
Get your free CMA today by contacting The H Team.

Thinking Of Buying A Foreclosure Property

Six Questions You Must Ask

Is Now A Good Time To Buy A Foreclosure?
Because local market conditions vary the answer is going to be different. Buyers should be asking questions before they make an offer on any foreclosure property.
What's The First Step A Buyer Needs To Make?
Get pre-approved for a loan before you begin shopping.
How Can You Tell A Bad Foreclosure From A Good One?
There are lots of great deals out there. Make sure you work with a Realtor who can guide you through the potential problems associated with buying a foreclosure.
I'm A Qualified Borrower Can I Appeal To Banks For Better Terms?
Lenders have lots of defaulted mortgages, many of them will offer a below-market loan on a bank owned property.
What Are The Costs Of Buying A Foreclosure?
Figure commissions, closing costs, repair costs and upgrade costs and add at least 10% to that figure as a "surprise" fund.
How Does Choice Of Neighborhood Affect Foreclosure Investments?
Avoid areas overrun with foreclosures, particularly newer subdivisions in overbuilt suburban areas. Choose established neighborhoods with good schools and transportation.

For additional information, questions or a list of local foreclosures please contact The H Team today.

Interior Painting Tips

Interior Painting Tips

Get The Surface Ready
You want the paint to glide on smoothly, so be sure the surface is clean, free of hand prints, dirt or scuff marks. Lightly sand any glossy spots to avoid streaking.


Select The Sheen and Color
Lighting has a big effect on the way your color appears. Try a small trail sample available at most Home Improvement Stores. Higher sheen paints are more durable than flats, so use them in high traffic areas. Satin or low-lustre finishes offer more warmth. Consider a high sheen paint on the ceiling, which offers good reflection.
Don't Buy Cheap Paint Although you may want to save a buck or two it isn't worth it on paint. Purchase top quality acrylic-latex interior paint which goes on smoothly and is easy to clean up. Painting the interior of your home is a big job so you want the quality to show.
Choose The Right Tools
If you're using a roller to paint, select the right length of roller nap for proper paint coverage. The smoother your painting surface, the shorter your nap should be. Use synthetic materials, which are made from nylon or polyester, when applying latex or water based paints.

Source: The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute
For a list of licensed quality painters in the St. Louis area contact The H Team.

How To Beat Negativity

Our economy is hurting. Most Home Sales are sluggish and we all have a lot of uncertainty. It's very easy to get discouraged.


Breaking Negativity
From Jon Gordon


1. Tell Yourself A Positive Story
2. Model Yourself After Success
3. Focus On The Important Stuff
4. Replace "Have To" with "Get To"
5. Refuse To Participate In The Recession
6. Boost Your Marketing And Advertising
7. Create A Positive Vision
8. Invite Others Onto Your Bus
9. No More Complaining


For a copy of the complete article please contact The H Team for your free copy