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.