St. Charles County Real Estate

Keith Kohlenhoefer and Lori Linhoff Wed

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 08:56:14 PST

Keith Kohlenhoefer and Lori Linhoff met at SCHNEIDER Real Estate as part of the Cort Schneider Group

Married: Dec. 18th at the Gazebo at St Peters City Hall-
Jane Nicoletti, Sales Manager officiated
They both attend Church on the Rock in St Peters

Market Watch

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 08:36:38 PST

NOVEMBER 2011

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE STATISTICS

County	Active Listings	Under Contract	Sold in November	AVG Days on the Market	AVG Sales Price	AVG $ per sq. feet
ST CHARLES	2159 7 months of inventory	118	382	163	176,735	89.76
St Louis	4961 5.6 months of inventory	350	882	153	181,260	100.75
Jefferson	1553 8.9 months of inventory	83	174	221	135,891	79.88
Lincoln	332 8.9 months of inventory	12	37	189	102,037	65.40

A year-end thank you to our buyers and sellers. As we look ahead with cautious optimism, growth and success are based on adaptability.

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:00:02 PST

Here we are looking at another new year. We have 365 days to call our own, use as we choose and grow. How we grow and learn depends on each of us discovering our talents and adaptability. Essayist William Arthur Ward expressed it perfectly, when he wrote, “The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change and the realist adjusts the sails.”

And so we are realistically optimistic about the new real estate market as we adjust our sails to help both buyers and sellers who are the cornerstone of our business. Rather than focusing on what was, together we can build our future successes on the can-do mindset. That’s what fosters growth, not only as a company, but also for your individual needs.

To that end, we’ve enhanced our skills to make your experience less stressful, guide you through complicated sales and build your real estate team with partners you can trust. We are honored that you believe in us and thank you so much for that commitment to us and to the St. Charles community.

As we begin new challenges, adjust your sails and see opportunity in every situation. The best to you in 2012.

Setting reasonable, small financial goals will add up to an optimistic new year.

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:49:44 PST

What do you want to do in 2012? Lose 100 pounds, win the $43 million lottery, chuck it all, buy an RV and wander around the country?

All interesting goals, but most likely not attainable, and bound for failure. Frankly, we’d rather succeed with small goals that add up to big changes. Here are some financial tips that will help you be more comfortable in the new year.

Be realistic and set goals. You may have your eye on that $800,000 home, but is that realistic for you and your finances? Sit yourself down and analyze your past year’s financial health, then estimate you’re monetary health for the next year. This is a good exercise even if you are not considering buying property soon. Always keep tabs on yourself and your family so there will be no surprises.

Start small. Every day when our friend comes home, she empties her extra change in a beautiful handmade pot. In three months, she took $90 to the bank. Small change, yes. But she would have frittered that money away on stuff she wouldn’t remember two days later. Promise yourself to save $2,000 in the new year. Just to make sure, set up a direct deposit to your savings account. We know interest rates are next to nothing, but at least the money will be there at the end of the year.

Don’t waste money on quick hits. Stopping at the chain coffee shop every morning can add up. A basic cup of coffee at $2.15 three times a week sets you back $6.45. If you go three times a week for 45 weeks, that’s $290.25 per year. Instead, purchase a good coffee pot for around $80, set it for brew in the morning and fill up your reusable coffee mug for the ride to work. Treat yourself every once in a while at one of our wonderful coffee shops and keep your money in our community with a small businessperson.

The credit dilemma, plus credit cards. Credit is essential in our society, especially if you want to purchase property. You want good credit so you can get lower interest rates. At the beginning of every year, check your credit score with one of the three credit reporting agencies at AnnualCreditReport.com for free. Address any issues you feel are incorrect.

In order to get credit, you have to have credit. What a conundrum! Keep an eye on your credit cards, pay off every month if possible, but keep charging too. If you mothball your credit cards the company may consider your account inactive, which won’t help you when it’s time to look for a mortgage. Do charge, but use restraint.

Your goal for the next 12 months is to accomplish simple, reasonable resolutions you are optimistic about your financial health and all the possibilities that offers.

Is refinancing for you? With some planning, there may be big savings ahead

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:43:47 PST

With mortgage interest rates at an all-time low, many homeowners are considering re-financing their loans. Depending on several variables, this could be a very wise move to lower your monthly payments and even shorten the length of your current mortgage. But before jumping into the process, let’s investigate several questions to ask yourself.

How is your credit score? Has anything changed that may affect your good rating? These days a credit score of 760 and above get you the best rates.
How much equity do you have in your home? Lenders want to see around 20 percent equity for refinancing, but even if your equity is lower, there are refinancing options available through the government’s Making Home Affordable program.
How long are you staying put? If you plan to move within the next two years, refinancing is not a good option. The fees associated with refinancing could eat up any interest savings you may have gained.
How much does it cost to refinance? Just like buying a home, there are fees associated with refinancing. Do the math. Are lender fees, closing fees, title search costs, inspection fees and credit search fees worth it financially for you to refinance?
How much will you save? Talk to your lender first. They will help you compare refinance expenses with different lengths of loans and calculate when you’ll begin saving.

Researching the answers to these questions will give you a good assessment about refinancing your home. When you believe it’s worth pursuing, go prepared. Lenders want to consider your whole financial picture. Gather your recent checking, savings and investment statements, tax returns, W2 forms and pay stubs. The more information you have, the quicker you could be on your way to lower monthly payments and major savings.

Keep your home and family safe during the holiday season

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:01:41 PST

Flickering candles. Tiny twinkling lights. The fragrance of fresh-cut pine. A crackling fire in the fireplace. Our senses are alive with the aromas of the holiday season. Most likely you will begin your Christmas decorating soon. We are looking forward to this time of family and friends too, but we also want you to be safe and avoid a fire-related tragedy during this festive time.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has some excellent holiday safety tips we’d like to pass along.

Holiday decorations should be flame retardant and non-flammable. That means modern that meets current safety standards. Holiday decoration fires are most likely to happen in the living room, family room or den because they are placed too close to a heat source.

Light your way. Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords. LED lights. While they are an up-front investment they are cooler and a long-term investment. We were rummaging in the basement for our lights and found an antique string of bubble lights. Remember them? As much as we’d like to recreate our childhood memories for our children, the bubble lights will stay in the box.

The Christmas tree is always the centerpiece. Select a tree that has a sticky trunk, green needles and branches that are hard to pull back. Ask for a fresh cut and when you bring the tree home, immerse it in water immediately. It will be very thirsty and needs continual watering throughout the holiday season. Keep your tree at least three feet away from heat sources.

Ahh, the glow of candlelight. So romantic and cozy. However, according to the NFPA, unattended candles cause more than half of home fires during the holiday season. Place lit candles on stable surfaces, away from flammables, children and pets. Don’t leave your candles unattended, even if you place candles in the fireplace instead of firewood. Extinguish ALL candles before you turn in for the night.

Fireplaces are the center piece of a room. They are also a potential fire hazard. We recommend hiring a chimney sweep to check it out every autumn. Clean chimneys don’t start fires. Use only seasoned wood; don’t burn wrapping paper, cardboard boxes or pine branches. The Chimney Safety Institute of America also cautions that, while a chimney helps your home to breathe, it requires special care and maintenance to avoid carbon monoxide fumes and fires behind the lining.

This holiday season is also a great time to check your smoke alarms and review your home escape plan in case of an emergency. With a few precautions, we’ll all have a safe and happy holiday.

Midwest Living features St. Charles’ Christmas Traditions

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:12:00 PST

St. Charles is no stranger to publicity. After all, we have a vibrant, livable community and a never ending list of activities to keep us busy year round. That, and the quality of our schools, neighborhoods and transit are among the reasons we are proud to be the region’s real estate company.

This month’s edition of Midwest Living showcases our wonderful Christmas Traditions celebration in historic St. Charles. The six-page spread features beautiful color photos of our events and the historic aspect that we maintain. Visitors come from throughout the Midwest to immerse themselves in a fantastic trip to the past.

And no wonder–through The Greater St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau, the city, merchants and volunteers string thousands and thousands of twinkling white lights along Main Street. St. Charles supplies shopkeepers with 10,000 feet of fresh evergreen garlands to decorate light posts, fences, doors, anything that can be draped with a bit of fresh fir. Add 1,200 festive red bows, 150 wreaths, Christmas trees, Santas from around the world, carolers, roasted chestnuts, bonfires, ice skating, and you’ve got yourself a real, historic experience. Christmas Traditions begins on Friday, November 25, at 11 a.m. for the opening ceremony and Santa’s arrival with the Christmas tree lighting at 5 p.m.

AAA’s Midwest Traveler Magazine likes us too. In the July/August 2011 issue, St. Charles was selected as the best historical small town and the Festival of the Little Hills as the best craft fair in the Midwest. Additional awards included Ameristar Casino, the Katy Trail and Boone’s Colonial Inn.

Through the years, our talents and love of our community have been showcased on a national level. What a great place to live, raise a family and be part of real traditions!

Warm and cozy go a long way toward a sale during the holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:29:00 PST

The holiday season is here–well, if you looked in the stores, the season started just before Labor Day!–and our attention focuses on family, presents, food and fun. However, if you are selling your home, all of those things will work for you to attract buyers.

Winter isn’t the peak selling season, but potential homebuyers who are in the market are serious. Another plus for you is diminished competition; other sellers may assume the season is over until next spring. We know better.

The holiday season is the perfect time for your home to embrace buyers. You create an atmosphere of warm and cozy, a place where a buyer wants to sit by the fire or cook in the kitchen.

The experience begins when the potential buyer arrives and walks through your immaculate front door graced with a holiday wreath. The fall holiday theme continues with a few appropriate decorations–candles on the dining room table, vases filled with leaves, pine and a few pieces of real fruit. Lemons are an excellent choice and add to the natural fragrance of your home.

Here we must tackle the de-cluttering issue. Adding decorations on top of personal clutter will not help your buyer envision celebrating the holidays here next year. While it may be a bit painful, pack away personal items and focus on making your home a welcome place. All of those personal items will once again take prominence in your new home.

During the late fall and winter, natural light is hard to come by. Sparkling, clean windows will help a lot, especially with curtains drawn back. Light up your home to show off it’s advantages and space. Dark, gloomy rooms won’t work to your benefit.

With the right price, some patience and a warm, bright setting, it is entirely possible to sell your property during the holidays.

SCHNEIDER Welcomes Sue Kleeschulte

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:57:23 PST

We are pleased to announce the addition of Sue Kleeschulte to SCHNEIDER Real Estate

Sue Kleeschulte
Marketing Specialist

Office: (636)946-5000
Cell: (314) 277-0615

suekleeschulte@earthlink.net

Joins SCHNEIDER Real Estate after starting her career with SCHNEIDER in 1978! Sue comes with a wealth of experience including having her GRI designation, Leadership Training Graduate and being a Multi-Million dollar leader for 20 years. Sue's community involvement includes the following:

Vice President of St. Charles County Association of REALTORS 1993, President in 1995, Board of Directors 2004-2005 and 2008-2012
Womens Council of REALTORS State President in 1990 and National Governor 1991 and Local Chapter President in 1983 and 1993
1983 REALTOR Associate of the Year - St. Charles County Association of REALTORS
1987 REALTOR Associate of the Year - Missouri Association of REALTORS
Member of the National Association of REALTORS Honorary Fraternity Omega Tau Rho

SCHNEIDER is pleased to welcome Sue back and looks forward to assisting her in giving her clients the best in Quality Service.

SCHNEIDER Real Estate has been making Smart Moves since 1975

Mission

To build a dynamic team of associates that embrace the challenge and responsibility of building successful individual Real Estate careers.

Belief System

Humanity and Flexibility are key components to a healthy work environment.
Building relationships with our clients adds meaning to our work.
Humility permits us to approach a problem with kindness not arrogance.
Teamwork creates synergy that maximizes productivity

GM, our economy, jobs and housing market all win with assembly plant expansion

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 12:13:00 PST

The General Motors announcement that the company will invest $380 million to expand the Wentzville Assembly Plant, add at least 1,260 new jobs and in the near future expand the present line with a second shift of 400 workers, is all great news for the St. Charles County region. The expansion will produce the mid-sized Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck while the second shift will support demand for the Chevy Express and GMC Savanna.

This commitment to our area and our residents is just what we need to make our way back to economic and housing stability. Jobs and housing are the keys to economic revival; without one we don’t have the other.

Who will be affected by this decision? Just about everyone. Laid off workers will return to their jobs, new workers will be trained and hired. Local construction companies will benefit from building the new expansion, parts suppliers will be kept busy producing and will hire new workers. The housing market will get a huge boost. Along with stable jobs comes the ability to buy a home in our community.

Our public institutions will also benefit–with the infusion of new jobs and business expansion come more tax revenue to help cities balance their budgets, improve public services and take on new projects. School districts are winners too. More taxes may prevent the elimination of vital educational programs and could bring back more teachers.

Local restaurants, grocery stores, bars, retail stores, your favorite gas station always experience the financial benefits of a huge expansion like the Wentzville plant.

The next two years will be the most exciting and positive experience we’ve had in a long time. And, we’re ready to showcase the best homes available in the St. Charles area!

Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:04:37 PST

For the first time this year, Year to Date Units Sold exceed total units sold in 2010-3379 in 2011 to 3356 in 2010, but total volume sold still lags because Median Sale Price this year is lower, $163,00 to $173,000 last year. We still expect by 2011 year end, total volume may exceed last year.

The second half of 2011 is dramatically better than the same time last year. Last year after the tax credit expired, sales tanked. We are now in a true -no sugar added market...a new normal for certain.

Important to note, total active listings are down considerably, bringing inventory levels down currently to about 8 months worth compared to a year ago at 12 months worth...hence, absorption rate getting back to near normal. Once inventory drops below 5 months, it begins to transcend into a seller's market.

The key factor to watch is Mortgage Interest Rates. They are poised to increase, but we don't know exactly when. A simple 1% increase in mortgage rates, say, from 4% to 5%, will cause a typical family to have to scale down their purchase by nearly 15%...or said another way...If you qualify now at 4% for a $200,000 home, but you choose to wait, and rates increase 1% to 5%, the same borrower now qualifies for only $170,000 home. That is the true cost of waiting.

Lawrence Yun, PhD, Chief Economist for NAR has noted several indices that indicate there is light at the end of the tunnel. He will be our SCCAR guest Feb, 2011...stay tuned.

Thanks again to Cindy Fox, our volunteer statistician, for her unwavering service for PR for over three years now. :)

Every home sold pumps $60,000 into the economy. What are these homes and who buys them?

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:52:00 PST

Existing home prices have inched up a bit over the last month and new home sales rose 5.7 percent in September. In fact, every home sold adds $60,000 to the economy. Good news, but we thought we’d share what types of homes sell and who buys them. From houselogic.com come these interesting factoids.

The typical home purchased was 1,780 sq. ft., was built in 1990 and had three bedrooms and two bathrooms, according to the 2010 National Association of Realtors survey.
44% of sellers offered incentives, such as home warranties and help with closing costs to attract buyers.
Recent sellers typically sold their home for 96 percent of the listing price; 57 percent reduced the asking price at least once.
More single females buy homes than single males. But, single male buyers grew by two percentage points between 2009 and 2010.
The median price buyers paid for homes was $179,000.

There’s also some interesting info about renters and homeowners. Historically, homeowners’ net worth has ranged from 31 to 46 times that of renters. While a fixed-rate mortgage might not change for 15 to 30 years, rent typically increases three percent a year.

The housing industry and employment are still a long way from recovery, but Americans still believe that homeownership matters and that is a worthwhile goal.

Professional photos for the Internet will drive buyers to your property

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 07:15:00 PDT

When you sell your home, the first impression needs to be a positive reaction. But long before potential buyers set foot in your home, they’ve already checked you out online. And, if their online view of your home is negative, they may never consider your home.

According to the National Association of Realtors, 90 percent of homebuyers begin their search on the Internet. And in this case, the old adage, a picture is really worth 1,000 words (and a sale!)

Our first piece of advice–if you are not comfortable with digital photography, different file formats and the effect of various lenses, it’s best to hire a professional photographer. While more costly than your own snaps, in the end, your home will sell faster and at a better price.

Here are some tips to help you make wonderful photos of your home.

Go for a general view of each living area–living room, dining room, kitchen, backyard, bedrooms and bathrooms.
Exterior. Choose your lighting carefully. Make sure the home is not back lighted, which creates many shadows. Select a wide shot and include some landscaping. The grass should be green (summer) and the picture framed with trees and vegetation. Use a close up of the front door staged with flowers and plants–a welcoming scene into your home.
Interior. Choose your shots carefully and don’t over do it. We have short attention spans and don’t want to see five shots of the same area of your kitchen. Make a photo of the room (carefully staged) and then zero in on details. For instance you may have a wonderful tile backsplash in your kitchen. Photograph the detail, texture and warmth of the stone to enhance the artistic aspect.
Pay attention to distractions. After you’ve reviewed your photos, you may find a car in the driveway, the hose curled up in one corner, a pink riding toy peaking around the patio. While you may not “see” those distractions, potential buyers will. Be prepared the first time around to look with a critical eye.

And now for the technical stuff. Your photos should be sized at 640x480 pixels and in the .jpg format. Unless you know how to crop and resize a photo, don’t do it. Skewed photos (out of proportion) look amateurish. The same goes for enhancing a photograph. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll change the color balance too much and reduce the quality of your photos.

Beautiful photos will drive buyers to your property and give you an edge over your competition. Take advantage of your photographic skills or those of a professional to make the best first impression.

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:06:00 PDT

We are pleased to announce the addition of Gerry Letourneau to SCHNEIDER Real Estate

Gerry Letourneau
Residential Specialist
Office: (636)946-5000 ext. 340
Cell: (636) 288-2344
gerryletourneau@schneidersells.com

Gerry comes to SCHNEIDER with 16 years experience as a licensed REALTOR . She graduated from Riverview Gardens High School and has been a 26 year resident of the St Charles County area. She currently resides in St Peters with her husband Charlie, their two children have blessed them with 3 granddaughters and one on the way. In her spare time Gerry is an active member of the Harvester Kiwanis Club, Church Choir and loves to read.

SCHNEIDER Real Estate has been making Smart Moves since 1975

Mission

To build a dynamic team of associates that embrace the challenge and responsibility of building successful individual Real Estate careers.

Belief System

Humanity and Flexibility are key components to a healthy work environment.

Building relationships with our clients adds meaning to our work.

Humility permits us to approach a problem with kindness not arrogance.

Teamwork creates synergy that maximizes productivity

Career Night!

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:57:26 PDT

Want to be in business FOR yourself but not BY yourself?
Do you like the sound of UNLIMITED income potential?
Consider a career in Real Estate!!

Join us Wednesday, November 9th at 6:30pm for our Career Night at Schneider Real Estate! Located at One Point West Blvd. St. Charles, MO 63301 (hwy 70 and Cave Springs exit -next to Hampton Inn).

Contact Jane Nicoletti to RSVP at Janenicoletti@schneidersells.com or call (636)946-5553.

Looking forward to seeing you there!!

Cort Schneider Installation Tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:11:16 PDT

Everyone here at SCHNEIDER Real Estate is excited for the installation of Cort Schneider tomorrow as president of SCCAR 2012. We Hope to see you there!

With unpredictable weather comes unpredictable water damage. Homebuyers should be vigilant about finding moisture hotbeds.

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:17:18 PDT

Weather is unpredictable, regardless of the nightly forecasts. We checked the 2012 issue of Farmers’ Almanac as backup and, for the Midwest, predictions are average temperatures (whatever that is) and wetter than normal. Looks like our friends in the Northeast are going to take a pounding again this year.

For potential homebuyers, weather can play a big part in the home’s saleability. We’re talking about leaks, drips, mold and structural damage that happen because of weather. Smart home sellers have done a pre-sale inspection with a qualified inspector to address any of these issues. Still, buyers should watch for any signs of moisture.

As you tour the home, look for these moisture alerts:

Look up and in front of you. Windows and skylights are prime places for water and air leaks. Houselogic.com suggests shaking the windows a bit. If they rattle, the frames aren’t secure and you’ve got a leak there. As for skylights, if you can see through the frame and brown spots are present, this is a sure sign of a leak. Most likely, water has collected on the drywall, which can lead to rot and mold.
Doors are another area prone to leaks. Is the weather stripping around the door adequate to keep out drafts and moisture? Are the hinges secure, balancing the door correctly? Can you see daylight through cracks around the door? If so, more work needs to be done here.
Check corners in the rooms. Are there stains, do the floorboards creak, has the woodwork pulled away from the wall? If so, there may be problems behind the walls, most likely caused by water leaks.
Your inspector will go up on the roof while you stay put on the ground. He’ll let you know about missing shingles, chimney leaks, loose flashing and droopy gutters.
In the basement, check the walls, especially in older homes, for moist stone and water pooled in the corners. Also, look at the floor for staining, cracks and protrusions, indicating a water issue is somewhere under the home.

As a buyer, pay careful attention to areas that may be hotbeds for water damage. It doesn’t have to be a deal breaker, but you do want to be vigilant to head off any unwanted surprises.

Watch out for Aimee! She's walking on fire and scooting under barbed wire in the Warrior Dash.

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:24:28 PDT

Aimee Davison goes all out for her SCHNEIDER Real Estate clients–whatever it takes to satisfy her buyers and sellers. But does that include walking over fire, crawling under barbed wire and a fuzzy warrior helmet?

Most likely. After all, Aimee is a warrior! She’ll test those skills and more on Saturday at the Warrior Dash, a 3.17 mile series of muddy mayhem, cargo climbs, barricades, a dead man’s drop, and yes, fire walking and barbed wire crawling.

Aimee’s ready. She ran the Rukus Race in Sauget, Illinois, on September 24, and placed 12^th out of all competitors in the women’s division. The Rukus Race, like the Warrior Dash, is four miles of incredible physical challenges–cargo net, hurdling a series of eight-foot walls, waist high mud walking, tunnels and inverted monkey bars.

The Warrior Dash is a national movement of extreme obstacle courses for competitors who are willing to push the limits of their skills and have the grit to finish the exhausting course. Aimee says this race, at the Blackhawk Valley Hunting Preserve in Old Monroe, has 8,500 competitors signed up. The runners will leave in heats of 500 every half hour.

We’re so proud of Aimee and her ability to challenge herself!

Welcome Scott Wolf

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:42:00 PDT

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

We are pleased to announce the addition of Scott Wolf to SCHNEIDER Real Estate

Scott Wolf
Residential Specialist

Office: (636)946-5000 ext. 312
Cell: (636) 288-8785

scottwolf@schneidersells.com

Scott is a long time resident of the St Louis area where he retired after 17 years of serving the community as a police officer. He has 10 years of sales experience which includes owning his own business. He currently resides in Lake Sherwood and serves as Vice President of the Augusta Baseball Association. He is anxious to get started helping his clients accomplish their real estate goals.

SCHNEIDER Real Estate has been making Smart Moves since 1975

Mission

To build a dynamic team of associates that embrace the challenge and responsibility of building successful individual Real Estate careers.

Belief System

Humanity and Flexibility are key components to a healthy work environment.
Building relationships with our clients adds meaning to our work.
Humility permits us to approach a problem with kindness not arrogance.
Teamwork creates synergy that maximizes productivity

2012 St. Charles County Association of Realtors

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 06:35:23 PDT

Join the members of your St. Charles REALTOR® family and friends for a celebration of our Association and its leadership at the annual installation celebration on October 21, 2011 at Old Hickory Golf Club! Join us as we celebrate the installation of Cort Schneider as our 2012 President, Adam Glosier as our 2012 Commercial Division President and Debby Heidbreder as the 2012 WCR President.

Stay after the ceremonies and enjoy the music of The Ultra Violets! Tickets are just $45 per person for an evening of celebration, food, drink and entertainment! Register today at www.StCharlesREALTORS.com or by calling the Association Member Services Center at 636-946-4022.

Interest rates are at the lowest point since the 1940s. Jump off the fence and buy your dream home.

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:00:00 PDT

The big news last week is the extraordinarily low mortgage interest rates. And this time, the rates really are historic, the lowest since the 1940s. Combined with lower housing stock prices, this really is the best time ever to end your career as a house hunting fence sitter.

According to the latest word from Freddie Mac, the Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows the traditional 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging 3.94%. A year ago the average interest rate was 4.27%. A 15-year fixed-rate mortgage came in at an average of 3.26%. Last year, the rate was 3.72%.

Some potential buyers are still waiting for that stupendous “deal,” but we see this level of interest rates just that deal. Combine that with an amazing selection of homes, and you have a remarkable opportunity to buy or refinance.

Before you begin your search, be prepared. Lending institutions have tightened there qualifications for a loan, but the money is there for organized buyers.

Check your credit rating first. Lenders look for a rating of 660 and above, but that can vary from lender to lender. The higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate.

Pay down any debt you have now, and pay your bills on time. Lenders want to see that you are a cautious and dependable spender with the ability to repay the loan. This lowers your debt-to-income ratio.

Don’t borrow any more money. Taking out another loan skews your credit score. You really don’t need that new car right now.

Stay in your present employment position. Job hopping will reduce you ability to get a loan.

Save. The higher your down payment, the better interest rate you’ll get.

With all of these preparations, get pre-qualified with a lender. As you begin your home search, pre-qualification shows you are serious and sellers will take your offer seriously.

Now you’re ready to take advantage of these incredibly low interest rates to buy your dream home!

Welcome Reid Noud

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:14:33 PDT

WELCOME TO THE TEAM

We are pleased to announce the addition of Reid Noud to SCHNEIDER Real Estate

Reid Noud
Residential Specialist

Office: (636)946-5000 ext. 312
Cell: (636) 486-6683

reidnoud@schneidersells.com

Reid works in the computer science and information management industry, having a BS degree in that field as well as a master degree in Business Administration and Management. He is a 4 year resident of St Charles County and enjoys spending free time playing soccer and baseball. His competitive spirit and attention to detail are attributes his clients will benefit from as he helps them accomplish their real estate goals.

SCHNEIDER Real Estate has been making Smart Moves since 1975

Mission

To build a dynamic team of associates that embrace the challenge and responsibility of building successful individual Real Estate careers.

Belief System

Humanity and Flexibility are key components to a healthy work environment.
Building relationships with our clients adds meaning to our work.
Humility permits us to approach a problem with kindness not arrogance.
Teamwork creates synergy that maximizes productivity

Market Watch - September 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:22:02 PDT

MARKET WATCH

SEPTEMBER 2011

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE STATISTICS

County	Active Listings	Under Contract	Sold in Sept	AVG Days on the Market	AVG Sales Price	AVG $ per sq. feet
ST CHARLES	2763 7.5 months of inventory	475	367	135	174,302	88.56
St Louis	6706 7.6 months of inventory	1139	882	125	182,322	101.40
Jefferson	1907 11.0 months of inventory	300	173	172	130,038	57.36
Lincoln	398 10.72 months of inventory	48	44	153	107,923	66.49

Selling your home this Halloween season? That can be spooky, but toning down the decorations goes a long way to a quick sale.

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 07:06:46 PDT

And so it begins with Halloween–the holiday season when home decorations, both outdoor and indoor–proliferate through the new year. If you home is on the market now, you can still bring out the decorations, but with some cautions.

Curb appeal is the first step to entice buyers through the front door. First impressions alone can sell your home. Little goblins and ghosts are accompanied with parents who may be in the home buying frame of mind. Be prepared to make the most of your curb appeal by toning down the decorations, especially for Halloween, so that potential buyers can actually see your home. Here are some helpful tips.

Safety first. Always. Keep the walk in front of and to your home clean and debris-free. Make sure the walkway is well lighted to avoid accidents. This Halloween, go more for the fall look with pumpkins and flowers rather than a collection of screeching bats, frantic witches, and lose that yellow caution tape. You’re selling a home, not a disaster site. And, no towering, spooky inflatable lawn ornaments. Please.

You’ve had all of your windows washed, right? Let the light in. This year, avoid taping paper decorations to your windows. Turn the lights on and create a warm autumn atmosphere inside your living room. This cozy tableau will help buyers see themselves sitting by the fire.

Decorations do not linger. The day after Halloween, take down all decorations. It’s back to staging the best curb appeal possible. Sellers who leave decorations up long after the “sell by” date can be perceived as not caring much for their property.

The day after the decorations go down, check your property for trash, trampled flowers and stray candy. Freshen your landscape again–trim bushes, rake leaves, wash the driveway and add a beautiful autumn wreath on your front door.

Even though you may be known in your neighborhood for the biggest, spookiest, rockin’ Halloween decorations, keep in mind you can do that all over again next year in your new home. This year is all about attracting buyers.

Short Sales? Sometimes not very short. Buyers should enter the process with lots of patience and an agent trained in short sale negotiations.

noreply@blogger.com (Blogger) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:21:18 PDT

The term short sale has woven its way into the homebuyer lexicon during the past year. While not a foreclosure property, short sale homes have their own special financial issues that require a real estate agent who is trained in this type of sale.

What is a short sale? When a homeowner is in financial difficulty, can’t keep current on mortgage payments and may see a foreclosure in the near future, the owner and the lending institution decide to sell the home for less than owed on the mortgage.

Buyers are attracted to short sales hoping to score a property at rock bottom price. That could be a misconception, because short sales are much more complicated than price. While the seller and her agent may set the listing price, the lender has final say to approve the sale or not. Dealing with two entities to buy a home can be a long process suited for buyers with patience and an experienced agent. There’s nothing short about a short sale. Here are some tips when you decide on a short sale:

Price. Submitting a low-ball offer most likely won’t get you anywhere. Your agent will show you comparable prices in the neighborhood, which should set the tone for your offer. The lending institution has the final say in approving the sale price. If the lender feels your offer is way out of line, they may not even respond.
Repairs. Short sales are sold as is. The home may have any number of repairs to be done, so be in the fixer-upper state of mind. Whether you’ll be issued a credit is up to the lender. Another way of thinking is that you are buying a home below market value and that gives you the financial leeway to make repairs.
Financials. You and your agent can perform a search on the property to see if the owner has more loans than the mortgage. The more debt, like a line of credit, the more complicated the process becomes.
How long? Short sales take a long time. If you don’t have the patience for that, continue looking for properties with your agent that may be easier to purchase and offer what you want in a home.

Short sales can result in amazing properties and a commitment to a very special home. With a generous dose of patience and attention to detail, plus a trained short sale agent, you very well may purchase your dream home.