What a week!!!

What a Week of Previews!!!

This has been a great week in real estate around town. I've seen some absolutely breathtaking new listings, particularly, these two neew listings in Webster Groves and Ladue.

#3 Daniel was a real treat - a total renovation with several additions over the years. I loved the house, which wasn't over-the-top in any way, but was still extremely comfortable in every way. It's a home for "living in", which, while it should seem obvious, isn't always the case.

The other show stopper was 16 Algonquin Lane in Webster Groves. This might be the premier lane in 63119 and the house is smashing. Listed as over 3,500 sq. ft., this one is has just the right amount of everything. I'm not convinced that the price is right, but for the right buyer, it's a wonderfully stately home with an incredible view over Algonquin Country Club.

Click on the address links to see more photos of these properties. They're worth it!

What's MY Style???

I get to see loads and loads of houses. Living in Glendale myself and being so involved with older homes in established neighborhoods, my personal preferences clearly rest there.

This home in Clayton just came on the market this morning and the style really struck me (even before I saw the price and interior!). I love the charm of Tudor, particularly when the gables and trim are gray or light colors. I also like the steep pitches, narrow window openings and central chimney. When I think of "Curb Appeal", this is what comes to mind.

While my Webster Groves, Kirkwood, and Glendale friends may argue, you just can't beat Clayton. Scenic, central, great schools, and vibrant.

7015 Stanford - University City

University City is one of St. Louis' oldest and most historic near-suburb. It's also a dream location for anyone who works downtown, in midtown, in north or west county, or Clayton.

This home is an ideal fit for first-time buyers or folks transitioning to the area. For one thing, it has been maintained to top degree, so you are not likely to walk into a bunch of "surprises". Also, friendly neighbors, block parties and a strong community feel make the neighborhood a 'no-brainer'.

U. City has come a long way in the last decade. The Loop, about 1/2 mile east, is widely considered one of the coolest districts in the country - not just the city.

Here are the vitals and a link to more photos:
7015 Stanford, 63130
Updated Kitchen with granite tops
2bed/1 bath
2-Car Garage
Fenced Yard
$209,900

An "Almost New" Classic

I like a lot about this house. For starters, if you like "all things Kirkwood", it's about two or three blocks from your entire world. I hear from buyer after buyer how great it would be to be able to walk to school, little shops and restaurants.

Kirkwood Park is a genuine treasure. Isn't there something very cool about the kids being able to wander up to the community center, ice rink, pool, tennis courts? It's just not something you can do everywhere.

It's also clean, fresh and only 4 years old. The rooms are super comfortable and everything is right where you'd hope it would be. These owners have maintained it impeccably. Take a look for yourself in this video tour.

This one is set to come on the market right after the weekend. Here are the details:

342 W. Washington Ave, 63122

4+bedrooms, 4.5 baths
3,802 sq. ft
Finished 3rd floor
9ft Basement Pour
$675,000

"Father of the Bride"

I think there is a reason everybody seems to love this style of home. It's warm, inviting and so comfortable you just want to stay. I had the privilege of helping this family move into this great neighborhood back in 2005. They have only grown more attached to their Webster roots during their time on Planthurst Rd.

Center hall Colonials never seem to go out of style. I remember learning about how desirable they were one day when I called home to say hello to mywife around lunch time. I mentioned the new listing on the market right around the corner from the home we'd only just bought..."that Colonial you like."

She didn't say anything for about 10 seconds. Then she said, "We have to buy it." I thought she was joking, but this March will make 7 years. I guess she wasn't.

Moral of the story: Calling home to say hi around lunch time is ALWAYS a good idea.

Our Move

As many of you know, my team (Colleen, Susan and myself) recently moved to a new office. Our new company is RE/MAX Results, the fourth largest real estate brokerage in St. Louis. Fourth may not seem all that flashy, but this place is a pocket dynamo. Our 100 agents outsell companies way more than twice its size. In the first week I've been here, it's been a great fit and I am very happy to be here.

Thanks to Susan and Colleen, the actual move wasn't so bad for me. I spent the previous day tending to some "baby stuff" and came to the new office on Friday to find things pretty well under control. In fact, by the time I got to the office at 1pm, my computer was up and running and our "down time" was exactly zero minutes. We had two contracts come in on Saturday and have sold three houses in the five days we've been here.

It's been interesting to notice some things that come with moving, though. I now pull out the driveway and head north instead of south. New adjustments for drive time to the dry cleaners and pharmacy will need a little more time to complete. We have to find some new favorite lunch spots, one of the things I'll miss most about being right in downtown Kirkwood. And the boxes!!! Just like all of you, we're pulling things out of boxes everyday as we need them. And it's surprising to see how much stuff in those boxes we don't need.

Thank you all for your continued support of our company, which is stronger and more efficient than ever before. Everything we do is geared towards improving our process and making the "work of moving" smoother for our clients. It's a new year and a new beginning for this team and we are more excited than ever to help you get moving, too!

Making the Most of it

I wanted to post a link here to my friend Toby Tanser's blog. He is a super-cool human being, making the most of his love for people, running and the value of each human life. I always enjoy reading about his friendships and adventures in Kenya, the center of the distance running world.

Toby decided a while back to build a hospital for the people in Kenya who lack many of the basics in daily life, from shoes to healthcare. He has undertaken the goal of raising $15 million, although he'd never tell you that he's doing is almost single-handedly from his apartment in NYC.

I have loads of respect for people who do good things for others, without much fanfare or personal gain -even if it's not $15 million at a time.

http://www.tanser.org/

The Cobbler's Shoes

I woke up this morning with the strangest thought. Well, my first thought was that the Cardinals better dust off their golf clubs for an early off season. My second thought was the ironic one.

Nearly everyday, someone calls me and says, "Would you please come over and tell me what to do to get my house ready to sell?". I am always happy to do this. Sometimes, they are thinking long-term and want to know that the projects they are planning will have a decent return. Other times, the focus is on getting the rooms arranged properly, a fresh coat of paint on the walls and new mulch in the plant beds in order to sell it right away. Either way, after seeing thousands of houses for sale over the last 12 years, I admit that I know what will appeal to buyers when I see it. It's a fun (for me), although occasionally painful process of renewal that homeowners undertake when getting their house ready for market.

So the irony that hit me this morning came as I walked through my dining room and noticed that my dear wife had taken matters into her own hands and finally repaired the broken cabinet door that's been off the hinges for about a week. Our "chubby" three year old managed to split the door by hanging on it. Katie had glued the door back together and "clamped" it with the belt from one of the kids' terry cloth robe. I guess it gets the job done, right?

Then I reached under the kitchen sink to replace the trash bag and found a little puddle- apparently we have developed a slow leak from the hot water supply. I looked around the family room and saw that there was a broken door latch, scuffs and/or finger paint on the walls around our art table, and stains on the carpet from who-knows-what. I went outside and noticed paint chipping around the windows, a broken storm window from a misguided baseball, a stone retaining wall that's 70 years old and showing its age. My favorite was the white sump pump pvc pipe that my three sons have removed from it's proper location. They have converted it into a "fireman's pole" and tied to the tree they like to climb. All this and about 12 other things, which I routinely spend my days telling others to "take care of", were right there under my nose.

At first, I felt like a hypocrite for all of this. How could I, in good conscience, tell everybody else how to present their homes, when my own is so "lived in" by the Jackson 8? But then I realized, mine is not for sale. Additionally, how others perceive the imperfections of my home has no bearing on me...financially, anyway.

If we suddenly decided to sell our house, we would have to follow my own advice.

• Clean, clean, clean. That goes for inside and out.
• Get rid of extra stuff - like, all of it!
• Fresh paint and clean (better yet, new) carpet go a very long way
• The more "finished" the house looks, the better - especially in this market, where buyers have become very, very picky.

I moan when it's time to get the house ready for a party or company coming over. I shutter at the reality that, when on the market, it should be like that for every single showing.

Guess that's why the Jackson 8 aren't going anywhere anytime soon!

So What's New??? A Lot, It Seems

So much has happened in This Real Estate Life since my last blog post, I'm almost afraid to start posting again.

Here are 10 ways to know it's been too long:

10. It's almost time for the "Santa is coming to Kirkwood" post again

9. All 19 of my listings are new since the last post

8. You've sold 50 houses

7. Your kids have moved up a grade

6. Facebook has overtaken Google as the #1 website on the planet

5. The public had time to think the recession is over only to realize... maybe not

6. The Cincinnati Reds got good again

5. The tax credit has come and gone...and been extended

4. There's a new Justice on Supreme Court

3. I'm a new uncle to one and almost a new uncle again! (That will make 23, if you're keeping track.)

2. Interest Rates have gone to UNDER 4.5% - that really is incredible!!!

1. I have an extra kid

It was a great summer and I'm looking forward to getting going with the blog again. If there is anything you'd like to see or hear more about, just let me know and I'll get on it!

Horrible MLS Photo of the Day

Very "poltergiest".

Santa Claus is Coming to Kirkwood (and it's FREE!!!)

I hope everyone can swing through Kirkwood Thursday night between 5-7 to take advantage of this cool (and free) family event at the Kirkwood Train Station. How great to see Santa at a real, working train station!

There might even be snow on the ground! Click the link for more information.

I love fun free family stuff! If you do too, let me know when you come across it and I'll publish it on the blog. You can comment here or mail me anytime at johnjackson@remax.net .

Most Expensive Home Sale of the Week -

So what can you buy for $1,080,000 these days in Webster Groves? This weeks most expensive sale answers that question and it's not new construction for a change! It's a stately, traditional 4,700 sq. ft. home on a premier block overlooking Algonquin Country Club.



Every year on the third of July (which happens to be the birthday of my twins), Katie and I march the troops three blocks east to watch the fireworks from this street. It's a wonderful neighborhood and a fabulous home.



Have questions about the market? Let me know and we can talk about it. johnjackson@remax.net .

Horrible MLS Photo of the Week

I'm stunned by the simple beauty of this kitchen. Yellow cabinets on a yellow wall, with orange cabinets on an orange wall below the chair rail. It's the perfect combo. Why didn't I think of that?

The range next to the sink is a nice touch, as well. I bet when you wheel the dishwasher up to the sink, the kitchen is what us realtors call "efficient".

This Is It! I think I found it!

I love this picture. It's a friend of mine in Calgary, who is also a real estate agent. It evokes so many thoughts and feelings for me and reminds me of why we keep doing all the things we do.

For the big kid, dad is a hammock. For the little guy, dad is a pillow, a tower of stability and the only thing keeping him from a hard fall. And dad?? Who knows what he's thinking?

My guess is that life is just as hard for him as for any of the rest of us. I don't know anyone that gets a free pass. Business can be a grind (and rewarding). Marriage can be tough (and fulfilling). Kids can drive you crazy (and melt your heart). Our days are a full range of experiences and our lives really are a wonderful adventure.

But in this photo, it looks like all three people are totally content to be spending this moment in just exactly this way. I love that.

This is it! This is the "why".

Most Expensive Home Sale of the Week - Glendale Renovation

This week's top sale is in Glendale and is dripping with class. From the curb, it's an unassuming Tudor-style home on a plus lot, but inside, Lewis Homes transformed a ho-hum 2,000 sq. ft.

3-bedroom, 1.5 bath home into a 3,400 sq. ft. classic. The five bedrooms include a fabulous main floor master suite and a carraige house was recently added.

Here's a look at the family room addition. Any guesses on the price for this one?

Turkey Day is Coming!!! Start Running...Right Now!!

Come out on Thanksgiving morning and run with your friends, neighbors and entire community. It's an ideal time to run - right before consuming several thousand calories!

3 miles sounds tough, but my 11 year old ran almost 2 miles in her first attempt ever! I'm sure with the added push from the crowd you can run/walk for 30-40 minutes.

Katie and I are going to make a date out of it, complete with coffee and a quiet breakfast. It will be a great way to start the holidays. Can't wait!!

Click on this blog post title for the registration form.

Tax Credit Watch

This is really interesting. Lots of things to watch here. Let me know if you want to talk about it!!

Homebuyer Tax Credit, Unemployment Bill Advances in Senate

By Brian Faler

Nov. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Legislation to extend unemployment benefits and a tax credit for first-time homebuyers cleared a procedural hurdle in the U.S. Senate as Democrats pushed to complete work on the measure this week.
Lawmakers voted 85-2 to move closer to a final vote on the bill, which would extend until April 30 the $8,000 homebuyer credit that otherwise would expire at the end of this month.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, said last week he hoped both houses of Congress would pass the legislation by tomorrow.
That’s unlikely to happen if Senate Republicans, unhappy that Democrats are blocking their amendments to the plan, force the chamber through a series of procedural steps before the final vote.
In addition to extending the tax break for first-time homebuyers, the measure would let more people qualify for the credit, including some who already own homes and those with higher incomes.
Homebuyers who have lived in their prior residence for at least five years could receive a credit of $6,500. Couples earning as much as $225,000 a year and individuals earning up to $125,000 would qualify. That’s up from the current $75,000 limit for individuals and $150,000 for couples.
The tax credit was enacted as part of an economic stimulus plan in February. More than 1.2 million borrowers have claimed $8.5 billion of the $13.6 billion set aside for the homebuyer tax credits this year, according to the Treasury Department.
The Obama administration has endorsed the extension. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimated the revised homebuyer tax credit would cost $10.8 billion over 10 years.
The legislation also calls for spending $2.4 billion to extend unemployment benefits by 14 weeks in all states, and by six additional weeks in states with the highest jobless rates.

The Most Expensive Sale of the Week - $700,000

Surprise, surprise!! For the third consecutive week, the most expensive home sale of the week is new construction in Kirkwood. 807 Lockett Rd. started at $799,900 back in March and ended up at $700,000 this past week.

Our office represented the buyer, who paid $165/sq. ft. compared to the average new construction avg. price of $193/sq. ft. This looks like a great deal on a very nice 4,200+ square foot home.

Real Estate and The Marathon

In the last two years, Katie and I have both developed a love of running. For Katie, the thrill is in the quiet time away from the demands of our home life - 5 (perpetually hungry) kids, a small mountain of laundry, occasionally forgetful husband, etc. She always comes home from a run feeling better than when she left and thinking about when she can get out for another 5 miles. Last year, she ran her first marathon... no small feat for a mother of five!


For me, running is a little different. I really enjoy the numbers, the competition, and the improvement. I don't mind the solitude, but those of you that know me can understand that I'd be very happy to chat all the way along.


Two weeks ago, I ran the Chicago Marathon. 18 weeks of training, lots of worry about injury and certainly some sacrifice in family time. All those hours by myself gave me time to think about my life, my career and my family. It turns out that running and real estate actually have a lot in common!


Out on the road, the good days are really good. I often felt light, fast and unstoppable- like I could run forever! Other days out there were a real slog - rainy, cold wet ones when it seems like I'd have done just as well to call it a day without ever getting out the door.


Over time and with experience, you realize you have to have both kinds of days. The common thread is clear. Perseverance is an essential quality and one that no marathoner or successful real estate agent can do without.

Horrible MLS Photo of the Day

This one just seems so creepy, I thought it was worth sharing!! Guess I'm just not a huge fan of showering in a zip lock. Thoughts???