This blog has moved to http://www.Blog-StLouis.com

This Blog has moved

2009-02-17T11:29:00.004-06:00

My blog has moved to http://www.Blog-StLouis.com

Repair shops get busy!

2008-12-22T06:10:00.003-06:00

The tough economy has created another opportunity. Repair shops are seeing a significant increase in business. I remember being in college and walking into the Cobblestone Shop in Manchester. I was looking for shoe polish. The owner looked at my shoes and indicated that perhaps they could use a little work. I expalained to him that I would just toss them when they were worn out and get a new pair.

The owner of that store, whose name I cannot remember right now, was horrified that I would be so wasteful. He explained to me that he could recondition my shoes and make them new again. And he's been fixing my shoes ever since.

During tough economic times, we all start to think about how we can pinch a penny here and there. The Cobblestone Shop is a great place to start.

13943 Manchester Rd.
Town & Country, MO 63011
(636) 394-1234

I finally got an iPhone

2008-12-19T06:14:00.002-06:00

I finally broke down and bought an iPhone. I've been delaying for a long time. The final decision came after seeing the Trulia app in action. With this app, I can search property listings with a map that finds me wherever I am. What a great way to sell real estate in St. Louis!

The Saint Louis Zoo -- Wild Lights

2008-12-18T06:45:00.004-06:00

Nightly, December 19-23, 26-30
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

This is a fun event in St. Louis that we enjoy every year. Sponsored by U.S. Bank, the Saint Louis Zoo is transformed by nearly 500,000 lights into a winter wonderland complete with your favorite animals, entertainment, and food. For more information, give me a call on my cell at 314-267-2636.

September pending home sales fall

2008-11-12T06:37:00.004-06:00

It's a good life! What? Why would a real estate professional entitle a blog post "September pending home sales fall" and then start the entry with "It's a good life!"

You know, there is always another side to the story. The article below is from CNNMoney.com, I've copied it here for convenience. Yes, the September Pending Home Sales Index fell 4.6% after climbing in August.

But the other side of the story is this: the September 2008 index is up 1.6% from a year ago. This is progress. What caused our pain in September 2008? On September 7, 2008, James Lockhart, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency(FHFA), announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were being placed into conservatorship of the FHFA. The action is "one of the most sweeping government interventions in private financial markets in decades". Fannie Mae and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) owned or guaranteed about half of the U.S.'s $12 trillion mortgage market.

Those of us who are actively involved in the real estate business knew September was going to post dismal numbers -- we felt it.

But the fact is, people continue buying and selling houses. Hey, we're having a sale here! "Everything must go!" "One year only sale!" "Inventory clearance!" This is the time to buy your first home. This is the time to invest in a rental property. This is the time to move up (you'll take a beating on your sale, but, if you're moving up, you'll give the seller a bigger beating on the purchase!)

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Homebuyers pulled back some more in September amid turmoil in the financial markets.

The Pending Home Sales Index for the month fell 4.6% to 89.2 after climbing 7.4% in August, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Still, the index was up 1.6% from a year ago.

NAR said the dip in sales was tempered by a sharp decline in prices, which fell 9% year-over-year in September. Also propping up sales to some extent were affordable mortgage interest rates, which dipped below 6% for a 30-year fixed-rate loan during the month, according to Freddie Mac (FRE,Fortune 500).

It doesn't look like things will improve soon.

"Right now, we're in a recession, and unemployment will increase through 2009," said NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun. "Consumer spending has halted and businesses are very cautious of expanding. It is unclear by how much the global economic slowdown will dampen U.S. exports, which had been rising strongly."

In contrast to Yun, The National Bureau of Economic Research - which is the organization whose definition of a recession is most widely accepted - has yet to call the current downturn a recession.

Yun expects that the economy will continue to deteriorate, with the gross national product contracting through the end of 2008 and first quarter of 2009.

"The depth of the recession depends entirely on housing," he said. "With sufficient housing stimulus, the recession will be shallow. If government actions stay focused on housing, the cost to the Treasury would be much less that the potential losses in the nation's output and income in a severe recession."

One bright spot: NAR reports that the drop in home prices, combined with low interest rates, have brought home buying affordability to 2003 levels. But the improved affordability may not be enough to quickly bring housing all the way back into recovery.

"To me [the pending home sales drop] is another indication that we haven't hit bottom yet in the housing market," said Nariman Behravesh, chief economist for Global Insight.

The financial market turmoil and the freezing of lending have slowed home sales. "A lot of people simply can't get a mortgage these days and that's a key element," he said.

Yun, however, noted that pending home sales did increase in the regions that have already seen massive price declines.

September sales volume climbed 3.7% in the West, and was 39.5% above a year ago. In the Midwest the index inched down 0.7% to come in 3.1% below September 2007. Pending sales in the South dropped 7.9% for the month and were down 11.3% compared with a year ago. In the Northeast, the index dropped 16.8% for the month and 9.4% year-over-year.

With the economy slowing, Yun revised his forecast for existing home sales downward to 5.02 million for all of 2008. Last month, he forecast sales of 5.04 million existing homes.

The total should rise to 5.32 million in 2009, according to Yun. He said new home sales are likely to amount to 487,000 for 2008 and 413,000 in 2009.

2008-10-28T05:52:00.002-05:00

Sales of newly constructed homes rose in September, according to the monthly report from the U.S. Census Bureau, inching up 2.7% from August to an annualized rate of 464,000.

But the reading was still the worst September for new home sales since 1981. Sales are down 33.1% from September of 2007, and far below the pace of the boom years. In 2005, for example, 1.3 million new homes were sold.

Unbelieveably low rates in the early to mid-2000s created such interest in real estate that 40% of home purchases in 2005 were non-owner-occupied -- investment properties, 2nd homes, vacation homes, etc. So, when you compare todays data to anything in 2005, you are getting a really skewed look at things. 2005 was the odd year, not 2008. 2008 is far more normal than most consumers realize.

It's like the tech boom of the late 90s. Everyone was pouring money into theses stocks without thinking. And it always crashes...eventually.

But it's great news that today's new home sales numbers are higher than last month. We will recover from today's problems. And, hopefully, we'll be a whole lot smarter.

Deflation

2008-10-19T17:46:00.002-05:00

Lower gas prices sound good...but, have you thought about...deflation.

Ugh....

"When prices start to fall because of lack of demand, they can go well below the cost it takes to produce products," said Bernard Baumohl, executive director of the Economic Outlook Group. "Companies have no alternative than to cut back production and lay off a lot of workers. That cuts demand more. You get this vicious downward spiral in prices."

2008-10-14T06:47:00.003-05:00

Stocks rallyed yesterday-- up over 900 points. This surge represents the Dow's best day ever. This morning, futures are pointing to another surge. Investors reacted to global efforts over the weekend and into Monday aimed at unfreezing credit markets and getting money flowing through the pipelines.

This morning the Bush administration will announce the Treasury's intention to spend $250B for direct equity stakes in banks.

International markets opened strong as well.

FHA Myths

2008-10-11T05:29:00.002-05:00

FHA loans will account for nearly 50% of the loans in the US over the next 12 months. Many myths surround the FHA mortgage. But, more and more, I see people choosing this loan because it offers some flexibility not found in the conventional market.

A few years ago, very few mortgages were FHA because the subprime market looked more attractive. Well, subprime lending is gone. And FHA has stepped up to rescue the borrower who may need a little extra help.

Matt Eversgerd, of First Integrity Mortgage Services, has put together a small list of FHA myths. I highly recommend Matt to my clients. He can be reached at 314 620 7227.

Please see the link below for more information.

R

FHA%20Myths%21%21

Greenspan says the U.S. housing market will recover -- soon!!

2008-10-11T04:57:00.002-05:00

I'm beginning to feel signs of a recovery in the market. Things have been slow, but I've got people looking for houses in the St. Louis area. Moreover, Nolting Real Estate's listings are selling. Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan said the U.S. housing market will begin to recover in the first half of 2009, according to an article he wrote for Emerging Markets magazine published on Friday.

The rate of decline in U.S. home prices is the first positive note in the year-long trauma and that eventually, frozen credit markets will thaw "as frightened investors take tentative steps toward reengagement with risk."

"More conclusive signs of pending home price stability are likely to become visible in the first half of 2009," he wrote. In yesterday's post, I noted that pending home sales are up.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

9.1 Months

2008-10-10T06:02:00.003-05:00

Using the latest data from the St. Louis MLS (August '08), I've calculated that our current St. Louis residential housing inventory will take about 9.1 months to sell. Last August, we were running at about 8.07 months.

Is my head in the sand?

2008-10-10T05:49:00.004-05:00

Maybe. I know that the local and national (and international) real estate markets are bad. For the purpose of this blog, I choose to focus on good news. I'm confident that my readers are finding the bad stuff elsewhere.

Frankly, focusing on the good news is a survival tactic for any good Realtor in today's market. Let's face it, do you want to work with me if I have a bad outlook.

We're having a good year -- at least that's what our numbers say. By August of this year, we had sold more real estate than in all of 2007. So, I'm positive. I have a tinge of heartburn over the Dow falling 679 points yesterday. But I'm bullish on the future of the real estate market. The deals are out there -- It's a great time to buy.

Now on to some more good news:

The National Association of Realtors says pending home rose 7.4% from July to August, an unexpected piece of positive news for the battered U.S. housing market.

The group said Wednesday its seasonally adjusted index of pending sales for existing homes rose to 93.4 from an upwardly revised July reading of 87. The reading was the highest since June 2007.

Wall Street economists surveyed by Thomson/IFR had predicted the index would fall to 84.9.
The index, which sunk to a record low of 83 in March, stood at 85.8 in August 2007.

Bull Markets Last Longer

2008-10-08T16:04:00.002-05:00

by greg howell (314.854.5607 direct)

HOPE:
While the markets continue to decline and the end seems to never get here, I wanted to give you a little hope. I have talked with a lot of clients and the overwhelming question seems to be: "Should I hang on because if I do, my account is going to end up being zero?"

PLEASE TAKE3 MINUTES TO LOOK AT THIS ATTACHMENT (it will hopefully give you calming effect to what you are reading in the papers and seeing on TV).

HISTORY:
Go back over just the past 40 years (to 1968).....the 2 worst down(Bear) markets have been 1973-1974 (when the S&P 500 fell 43% over 21months), and 2000-2003 (when the S&P 500 fell 43% over 30 months). We are currently in the 14 month of this Bear market and the S&P 500 is down about 28% since Jan.

LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE S&P 500 STOPPED DECLINING - from 1974-1976 the market went up 86%!!!!! After the tech bubble in 2004-2007 the market soared 91% over the next 5 years.

We WILL have another Bull (UP) market......It WILL come.....you just have to ride out the bear markets to enjoy and reap the benefits.

With the being said, if you can't take any more pain, then call me and we can discuss the appropriate options.

Also - If you know of anyone who is asking you questions about what they should do and you don't feel comfortable giving advice, please pass my name along to them. I would love to help any of your friends or family.

Gregory R. Howell
Vice President-Wealth Management
Financial Advisor
citi smith barney
101 S. Hanley Road, Suite 600 Clayton, MO 63105
Tel: 314.854.5607 Direct 800.325.0630 Toll Free
314.854.5606 Fax
For account access or market information please access my website at
http://fa.smithbarney.com/greghowell
Bull_Markets_have_lasted_longer%5B1%5D.pdf

How did we get here?

2008-10-08T06:58:00.002-05:00

Where did all of this reckless mortgage lending behavior come from? What started us down the path of loaning money to those who were previously unloanable (is that a word)?

During the dot.com bailout, in 2001, the Fed lowered key interest rates to historic lows. This was an attempt to revive the economy that had been destroyed by the dot.com run up.

Homeowners, armed with historically low mortgage rates, began purchasing properties as if they were playing monopoly. Prices of real estate soared. Investors bought larger, more expensive properties with little money down. In 2005, 7.1 M properties were bought in the US. 40% of them were non-owner-occupied!!!

Wall Street investment banks bundled risky mortgages, packaged them into bonds, and sold them to banks and investors. Bond-rating agencies gave these investments high ratings.

But the subprime borrowers began defaulting on their loans -- some because their adjustable rate mortgages adjusted upward, some because they simply were "bad pay" from the beginning.

Like a house of cards, these defaulting borrowers created a series of events that sent housing prices downward. Banks and brokerages that had borrowed money to boost the impact of those investments had to race to raise capital.

Some, like Merrill Lynch, were forced to sell. Others, like Lehman Brothers, weren't so lucky. "These firms closed their eyes and made very bad bets on risky securities that they didn't truly understand," says Jeremy Siegel, finance professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton business school. "Investments that they did not have to make led to their demise."

More on this soon...

Fed: Emergency cut

2008-10-08T06:48:00.002-05:00

The Federal Reserve, working in coordination with other central banks worldwide, enacted an emergency interest rate cut on Wednesday. The Fed lowered its fed funds rate by half of a percentage point to 1.5%.

By lowering this rate, money gets pumped into the economy because borrowing costs go down. In their statement the Fed said, "The recent intensification of the financial crisis has augmented the downside risks to growth and thus has diminished further the upside risks to price stability."

Rate cuts by the Fed always lead to concerns about inflation. Although inflation has been high, the Fed believes that the recent drop in energy prices and the weaker prospects for economic activity have reduced this threat to the economy.

This aggressive action by the Federal Reserve is the latest attempt to get the economy turned around. For more information about the St. Louis housing market, call me at 314 267 2636.

Move up buyers

2008-10-05T15:02:00.003-05:00

Visit http://www.NoltingRealEstate.com for more information.

Is it a good time to buy? We all know that first time homebuyers have a huge advantage right now. Homes are selling cheap!! It's the perfect time to get a good deal.

But what about the move up buyer? I recently helped a family move into a larger home. They had a home to sell. In 2006, they could have gotten about $240k for their old house. We sold it for $210k. That a pretty big loss.

Now for the good news. We moved them into a much nicer home that cost them $280k. In '06, the same house would have cost them in the mid-330s.

Simple math shows that the $50k savings on the purchase more than makes up for the $30k loss on the sale. The family gained $20k in net worth.

You see, we've got to get over our obsession with the depreciation of our current houses. Yes, they've gone down in value. SO, HAVE ALL THE OTHER HOUSES IN TOWN! It may take a few years to recover the loses of the last 2 years, but you can trust that you are notthe exception. Your purchase will be at a lower price too!

2469 Clarjon, Ballwin, MO 63021

2008-10-04T15:05:00.002-05:00

OPEN HOUSE!! SUNDAY 10/05 2PM TO 4PM!! Beautiful 4 BR/2.5 Bath home with a gourmet kitchen and two story great room that has 15 windows and a gas fireplace. The large kitchen has granite counters, top of the line stainless appliances including a Thermador 6 burner w/grill range, GE Profile convection oven, LG side by side, granite desk work space, fabulous walk-in pantry and light oak hardwood floors. Media Room/Den has a brushed nickel fan, hardwood floor and surround sound. The Master Bedroom has a large bay window as does the master bathroom - with jet tub and separate glassed shower. Even the 3 car garage is completely finished, painted and organization shelving all around.

Spray and Pray

2008-10-04T14:48:00.002-05:00

Joe Niego of Chicago talks about business being a game of Spray and Pray. We generate as many leads as possible and pray for them to turn into transactions.

I tell my buyers that real estate purchases are a process of elimination. We're going to search for the right geography and house attributes and eliminate the duds until we get down to the last one or two -- the ones that best fit the bill. We'll write on one, negotiate the price and move toward closing.

Today is a little different. Foreclosures and short sales are popular among buyers today. Everyone is looking for the phenomenal deal. I'm excited to help people buy these distressed properties--but it ain't easy. Banks don't operate like typical sellers. They are hard to get along with.

Today if you write an offer on a short sale or a foreclosure you have approximately a 1 in 4 chance of getting it accepted – even if it’s the best offer. You have a 1 in 3 chance of even getting a response. Many of us are frustrated because this is not how the business is supposed to go. Well, like it or not, this is how the business is going today.

The spray and pray approach works like this: if you want a distressed property, be prepared to put out a bunch of offers. Most will get rejected or ignored. But we just keep putting them out until we get a winner. You will get frustrated -- honestly, I will too! But this is what we do in this market. We put out the offers and pray one gets accepted.

You've got to keep a positive attitude when looking for a distressed property. But it's worth the trouble, if you get a great deal.

It's a good life.

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was signed by President Bush into law yesterday.

2008-10-04T14:13:00.003-05:00

What can we expect from the bill? (from the National Association of Realtors)

The Bill Will Help Homeowners and Borrowers in St. Louis

The Senate legislation responded to the criticisms that lenders have been slow and/or unwilling to work with homeowners and borrowers. It encouraged negotiation in short sales and consumer efforts to refinance or reconfigure existing mortgages:

1. When the Treasury (or other federal agency that holds mortgages) acquires troubled existing mortgages from financial institutions, agencies are required to work with lenders and mortgage servicers to find ways to avoid foreclosures.

2. All federal agencies are required to work with servicers to facilitate loan modifications that will consider the net present value of the mortgage.

3. Similar refinancing and foreclosure prevention requirements apply to mortgages involving owners of multi-family properties and owners of commercial properties. Policy goal is to assure that tenants don’t lose their residence or their place of business when an owner has problems with the mortgage.

4. Changes to existing mortgages can include (but are not limited to) revisions in principal, interest rate and period for repayment.

TIME IS MONEY

2008-10-02T14:20:00.000-05:00

About 3 weeks ago, Heather and I put in a offer for one of our clients to buy a short sale. (A short sale occurs when the proceeds of a real estate sale fall short of the balance owed on the property) We still haven't heard whether or not the bank will take the deal. WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSED BY NOW!!!!!

Why can't banks work faster at selling these troubled properties. I've got a ready, willing, and able buyer who is looking to close right away. Shouldn't the banks be required to get their butts in gear and sell us these distressed properties? If it weren't such a pain in the rear, I'm sure I could round up a decent number of investors to buy these troubled properties. I need the government to step in and help me help my clients to help the economy.

Homes in foreclosure

2008-10-01T14:36:00.001-05:00

It seems everyone is talking these days about foreclosures...

There are pockets, places such as Stockton, CA and Las Vegas, NV where the foreclosure rate is in excess of 4%, however, the national average is 1.033%. Considering the fact that 30% of all homes are actually free and clear of any mortgage, the true foreclosure rate is actually seven tenths of 1% of all homes.

So, 99% of all homes in the US are not facing foreclosure. There's a spin that is needed.

BREAKING NEWS....A REPORT OUT TODAY NOTES THAT MORE THAN 99% OF THE HOMES IN THE UNITED STATES ARE DOING JUST FINE FINANCIALLY...FULL REPORT AT 11.

Now, if you're in the market for a home, you'll see lots of foreclosure properties because most of them are for sale. They make up a decent percentage of the "For Sale" market, but not of the total homes in the country.

Let's get the facts straight -- it's not as bad as the media would have you think. And, by the way, did you know you can still buy a home with 3% down, 30-year fixed rate mortgage, 6.0% interest rate? Call me, I can help. R 314.267.2636

It’s not hard to get a loan!

2008-09-15T21:22:00.000-05:00

By: Matt Eversgerd

Many people have been asking, “How did we get to this place in the housing market where it’s so hard to get a loan?” My response is simply, “It’s not near as hard as you think.”

There are four main components that go into a lending decision: credit, income, employment, and down payment. If you are in the majority that have managed your credit well, lived within your means, demonstrated an ability to save money, and have at least 5% to put down, you will get a great loan with no hassle.

So what if you have “challenging credit?” What if you have very little money to put down? I have good news…FHA (Federal Housing Administration) is here to save the day. With 3% down, and this can even be a gift from a family member, you can get a 30 year mortgage at a very low rate. We will require you to have a job. We will require you to buy a home you can afford. We will demand that you have paid most of your creditors on time…sound fair?

The bottom line is this. There are homes to buy; there are loans available. Prices are lower than they were a few years ago and interest rates are still at historically low levels. It’s not hard to get a loan!

2008 real estate update

2008-08-21T09:26:00.002-05:00

It's not a bad market for everyone. Nolting Real Estate just celebrated its 25th closing for the year -- more dollars and units that in all of 2007! It's a great time to move if...
... you have nothing to sell -- deals are out there all over the place.
... you have enough equity to sell -- you may take a hit on your sale, but you'll get a bigger discount on your purchase (if you hire a good negotiator!)
... you are a first time home buyer -- yes, you can still buy with VERY LITTLE DOWN.

Call me -- 314.267.2636.

What You Should Know About A Buyer's Market

2008-07-03T22:47:00.001-05:00

More home buyers have a better chance now than at any other time in nearly a half decade to negotiate a home-buying deal that costs less and comes with some concessions thrown in.

In many locations, buyers will find a glut of new homes, more motivated sellers, foreclosures, auctions, short sales and other market conditions that can make it a really good time to buy.

That doesn't mean throw caution to the wind.

Here's how to begin to navigate today's housing market, step-by-step, and make a good deal without getting taken.

Begin with making a personal "right-time-to-buy" decision. If you stretch financially beyond your means to go after lower-priced homes, foreclosures or short sales, you could be setting yourself up for failure. Today's housing market is littered with home owners who borrowed more than they could afford.
On the other hand, if you wait for prices to fall further you could miss out on a good deal. No one knows when the market hits bottom until it begins a sustained upward turn and you can look back and actually see bottom.

Buy now because it's the right thing to do for you, because you need a roof over your head, because it's more affordable than renting and because you plan on sticking with the home long enough to make the deal pay off. Buy because homeownership is integral to your budget, your lifestyle and your goals.

Get to know the many facets of home buying.
You've got a lot to learn, but obtaining a broad base of knowledge about the home-buying process is a relatively easy task, requiring only your time and attention. You should sit down with your REALTOR® for the most effective guidance.

Next, get to know your local market or the market where you plan to buy, because that's where your action is.
Accept national news for what it is, a broad brush stroke of current events. You want housing news and information that really hits home. Get your housing market information from credible publications and broadcasts covering your local market.

Part of your homework should include learning the boundaries of your buyer's market. Your market can be designated by a ZIP code, a small neighborhood, a greater community or some larger region.

Whether it's a new home, resale property, foreclosure or short sale, learn the true value of any property you are considering. Uneducated buyers tend to low-ball sellers and ask for too many concessions. That can alienate the seller, especially those less motivated with top-value homes. Likewise, knowledge helps prevent you from spending too much.
Your Realtor is schooled in the history of local market trends and statistics. See comparables, track sale prices in your shopping area, use the local newspaper, online listing and for sale sites and other sources, to keep tabs on asking prices. Also visit open houses.

Check your credit. Your credit report is free from AnnualCreditReport.com, the only federally regulated source. You may have to pay a nominal fee for your credit score (a numerical scoring of your creditworthiness) depending upon your state law and other factors. But see both your score and your report. You may need to request corrections or adjust your credit habits to generate the best report and score -- before you start home loan shopping.

Get your cash in the pipeline. Get approved -- in writing -- for a mortgage. Use your newly gained knowledge to shop around -- a lot -- for a home loan. Shop online and off. Shop mortgage brokers, loan officers, credit unions and other lenders. Shop where you bank, shop where you don't. The key is exhaustive comparison shopping to get the most money at the cheapest rate.

Taking The Real Estate Investment Plunge

2008-05-14T22:41:00.001-05:00

Just like buying a home to live in, taking the real estate investment plunge requires taking stock of your financial goals, planning and lifestyle before taking the plunge.
Pretty much like buying any property.
If you've got the time, the money and the lifestyle that lends itself to managing a real estate investment, you are just about half way there.
However, both halves are pretty big halves.
The National Real Estate Investors Association says you've still got a lot of work to do.
Here's what.
Buy your own home first. Buying a home will not only put a roof over your head, but also teach you the true cost of property ownership beyond the monthly mortgage payment; give you a primer on financing; school you on how location and changing market conditions affect property values; give you the angle on tax and other home-owning benefits; help you learn about property maintenance; introduce you to a host of professionals who could prove invaluable when you really get into investments; and otherwise get you grounded for higher studies in real estate investments.
Even before homeownership, the involved process of buying a home provides basic information that later could prove invaluable to you as an investor. What's more, your first home could later become your first investment property, a property in a market with which you are familiar.
Go back to school. A booming real estate market that pushes your home value up by double digit percentages in the first year doesn't make you a market mogul any more than a housing bust should scare you off. After you buy your own home, turn to the Internet, libraries of books by reputable authors, successful, credible investment groups, college and university level courses, even your state's real estate license program. Become your own expert. You aren't required to sell homes just because you have a real estate license, but what you'll learn getting one will certainly give you a leg up on your investment moves.
Individual real estate investors, salespeople and others who you met on the way to homeownership may also be valuable resources, both for information and perhaps as a mentor. Using more than one resource will help you cancel out the bad information and ferret out the good.
Get professional help. The same way you find any competent, trustworthy and honest professional is the same way to look for a mentor, investment partner with prior knowledge or investment group. Seek referrals from friends, family, professionals with whom you already conduct business, co-workers and others you trust who've recently had a satisfactory, successful experience investing in real estate.
Someone who already knows the ropes will come in handy when you are on the ropes.
And chances are, no matter how hard you study, you'll need professional help to acquire your investment and later, beyond the buying stage, when questions arise, property management issues surface or you get bogged down by your new endeavor.
That's particularly true if you invest from a distance and buy investments away from your primary residence.
Learn your investment market. One market's bubble could be one investor's boom and another investor's bust. A home in one market could give you vacation rental income in a half year sufficient to cover the cost of principal, interest, taxes, insurance, home owner association dues, upkeep and other costs, but still not appreciate. Another home in another market may not bring you sufficient rent in a year's time to cover the cost of owning the property, but might appreciate more than enough to make up for your carrying costs over the long term.
The variables are endless and you'll need to measure your capacity for risk against market conditions.
This is where education and professional help come in. Your education should teach you not only by rote, but also how to find the answers you need. The pro is your point person and backup to help you fill in the gaps with experienced guidance.

New Listing on 21 Broadview Farm Road

2008-04-03T17:54:00.001-05:00

Russell Nolting | Nolting Real Estate | 314 267 2636

21 Broadview Farm Road, St. Louis, MO

Inspiring Architecture With A Strong Connection To The Mature Wooded Lot And Outdoor Spaces.

4 Bdrm Single Family House

offered at $640,000

Year Built	1978
Sq Footage	3,630
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	3 full, 2 partial
Floors	3
Parking	3
Lot Size	15,408 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

http://www.21BroadviewFarm.com Inspiring Architecture With A Strong Connection To The Mature Wooded Lot And Outdoor Spaces. Natural Elements Throughout With Wood, Brick, Tile And Glass. There Are Gorgeous, Cathedral Windows And Unobstructed Views From Almost Every Room. 2 1/2 Story Great Room With Masonry Fireplace And View Of Backyard. Impressive Office/Den With Dark Wood Built-In Desk, Shelves, Wet Bar, Etc. Opening Off Spacious Foyer. Chateau Style Kitchen Is Flooded With Natural Light From Walls Of Windows With A View. First Floor Master Suite With Newspace Closets. Secondary Bedrooms Share Jack/Jill Bath. Large, Separate Guest Suite Upstairs. 650 Sq. Feet Finished Basement Space And Over 1400 Sq. Feet Of Unfinished Storage Space. Three Car Garage. Beautiful Landscaping. Located In Broadview Farms With 13 Acres Of Mature Woodlands And A Stocked Pond For Fishing. Mason Ridge Elementary! Close To Three Major Hospitals, Prep Schools, Upscale Shopping, And Two Universities., Subdivision: Broadview Farms, County: St Louis, Elem: Mason Ridge

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Tile floor
Family room	Living room	Bonus/Rec room
Office/Den	Dining room	Breakfast nook
Dishwasher	Refrigerator	Stove/Oven
Microwave	Attic	Basement
Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Russell Nolting

Nolting Real Estate

314 267 2636

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Mar 21, 2008, 8:52am PDT

Nolting Real Estate adds the MLS Market Snapshot

2008-02-24T22:26:00.002-06:00

Looking to buy or sell a home? Concerned about the current real estate market? Wondering what properties in your neck of the woods sold for? For real time Multiple Listing Service (MLS) active and sold information, please check out our MLS Market Snapshot, a service provided by Nolting Real Estate.

Nolting Real Estate is an innovator among St. Louis real estate brokerages. For more information, see our website at www.NoltingRealEstate.com.

6 Lake Superior Dr, St. Peters, MO

2008-02-15T18:12:00.003-06:00

Nolting Real Estate's newest listing. St. Charles county. Park Charles South. Updated 5 Bed (4 Up/1 Dwn), 3 1/2 Bath (1 Full Dwn), Walkout 2-Story On Large Lot Backing To Huge Common Ground With Lake. Perfect Home For Family. Updated Kitchen Opens To Family Room With Bay Overlooking Lake. Updates (06/07) Include Microwave, Dishwasher, Faucets, Half Bath, 6 Panel Doors And More. Walkout Lower Level Was Recently Finished With Full Bath, 5th Bedroom, And Recreation Room With Natural Light. Other Updates Include Newer Roof, Water Heater, Garage Door, Wood Laminate Floor In Kitchen. Large Bedrooms Upstairs Including Master Suite With Large Bath. Backyard Overlooks Large Lake And Includes Nice Deck With Pool -- Pump And Filter New In 2007. Maintenance Free Exterior.

Schedule a showing with Russell Nolting at (636)391-9997.

Mortgage Rates fall to lowest level since 2004

2008-02-10T20:23:00.000-06:00

Great news for Nolting Real Estate clients Rates on fixed-rate mortgages have hit their lowest levels since 2004. Today, a typical St. Louis homebuyer will enjoy an interest rate in the mid-5s. This means your buying power is significantly higher.

Last fall, every 100k borrowed cost the typical buyer about $623.00 per month (30 year fixed, 6.375% rate, no points). Today $623.00 per month permits you to borrow about $10k more, or $110,000 (30 year fixed, 5.500% rate, no points).

It's a perfect time to buy your St. Louis home. Call Russell Nolting at 314 267 2636, or visit me on the web at www.NoltingRealEstate.com.

CNN agrees, see below.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Mortgage rates continued to fall this week, with 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages hitting their lowest levels in nearly four years, Freddie Mac reported Thursday.

The government-sponsored loan buyer said the rate on a 30-year fixed-rate loan averaged 5.48 percent for the week ending Thursday, down from 5.69 percent last week.

At this time last year, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.25 percent. The 30-year rate has not been lower since the week ending March 25, 2004, when it averaged 5.40 percent.

"Economic news released last week confirmed the weak condition of the housing market," Freddie Mac (FRE, Fortune 500) vice president and chief economist Frank Nothaft said in a statement.

"When the Federal Reserve cut the target federal funds rate by three quarters of a percentage point, the action was extraordinary in both the magnitude and the timing of the rate cut," he said.

Freddie Mac said 15-year fixed-rate loans averaged 4.95 percent, down from 5.21 percent last week. A year ago, the 15-year rate averaged 5.98 percent. The 15-year rate has not been lower since the week ending April 1, 2004, when it averaged 4.84 percent.

Rates on five-year adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) averaged 5.13 percent, down from 5.40 percent last week. The 5-year rate averaged 6 percent at this time last year.

One-year Treasury-indexed ARMs averaged 4.99 percent, down from 5.26 percent last week. At this time a year ago, the 1-year ARM averaged 5.49 percent.

Home Selling Tips For Spring Market

2008-02-01T10:31:00.000-06:00

Now is the time to list you home with Nolting Real Estate. We are preparing homes for the spring/early summer market right now. Remember, homes in the St. Louis area are taking about 90 days to get a contract, 120 days to close. Call Russell Nolting at 314 267 2636 now, or visit me on the web at http://www.NoltingRealEstate.com.

By Blanche Evans

If you're planning to put your home on the market in time for spring, now's the time to get it ready to show.

But wait, it's still a buyer's market. What can you do to catch the buyer's eye and get them to make an offer?

It's going to take more than a fresh coat of paint and a new welcome mat. A buyer's market raises the stakes, and you'll find you need to do a lot more work on your home than you think, if you want to get the highest price possible.

You've heard that you should clean, paint and repair, but that may not be enough. If your home is cluttered and in disrepair, buyers won't pay top dollar. Knowing how buyers reason should help you pick which updates are most likely to help you sell your home.

Let's take the most basic selling suggestions and explore why these are such important mantras.

Boost your curb appeal. A clean house with cosmetic upgrades like painting and planting flowers can help form a fantastic first impression of your home.

Why? Eighty-four percent of homebuyers use the Internet to search for homes. One-third of homebuyers use the Internet first, before any other source. That means that people are making decisions whether or not to even drive by your home based on how it looks in video, virtual tours and photographs.

Make big fixes where you can. If your budget allows, invest in bigger improvements. Focus on "make or break" rooms like bathrooms and kitchens, because nothing says "uninviting" like an unattractive cooking space.

Why? The National Association of Realtors found in 2007 that a whopping 59 percent of homebuyers remodeled or made improvements to their homes within three months of purchase. Forty-seven percent made improvements to the kitchen, another 45 percent remodeled or improved a bathroom, and 43 percent remodeled a bedroom.

Keep in mind that the rate of new home building accelerated during the housing boom, and buyers are used to seeing as much as 25 percent of available inventory as new. That's your competition, and the closer you can get the buyer to new, the likelier you are to sell your home.

Be upfront with disclosures. Don't wait for the buyer to get a home inspection, or the buyer could find a reason to wiggle out of the deal. Get a preliminary inspection yourself, so you can improve the condition of your home before a buyer sees it. Keep receipts of recent improvements and provide estimates on optional upgrades. These actions will reinforce your trustworthiness as a seller and help overcome objections from the buyer.

With new homes, buyers have some guarantees that systems will be fixed by the builder if they fail, but they have no such guaranteed with an existing home. Providing a home warranty will go a long way in assuring the buyer.

Be realistic. Your price should be competitive with nearby comparable homes with similar features and approximate condition that have sold or are on the market within the last three months. You may find that homes are taking longer to sell and that buyers are more selective. Your buyer may be using the Internet to find home valuation sites, so search those sites yourself and be ready to defend your price with proper comparables from your Realtor.

Remember, your home is competing with new construction and with the buyer's idea of what a home should look like. Over 33 percent of home buyers prefer a home less than 10 years old, yet the typical home purchased by all buyers was 12 years of age. That suggests that condition is very important. If you can ease your buyer's fears about the condition of your home, you're much more likely to strike a deal.

A few good stats

2008-01-30T22:19:00.001-06:00

I love stats...They help me gauge how I'm doing with my business. Nolting Real Estate has been selling homes in the St. Louis Metro area for about 6 years now. We close a transaction every 86 hours. The typical agent closes 12 transactions a year or 1 every 30 days.

Our stats are simply better than our competition. Our listings typically sell in 44 days at 98.6% of the asking price. Our competition has been averaging 76 days to close a transaction. The difference is 32 days.

So when you consider who to list your home with, consider this fact: You will spend 1 month less in mortgage payments if you list with my team. That's a huge savings. It's also 1 month less of stress and inconvenience.

Let my team help you buy or sell your next home. Call me on my cell at 314 267 2636. **Data provided by Mid America Regional Information Systems**

A new Town and Country listing

2008-01-29T23:21:00.000-06:00

Nolting Real Estate is a full service real estate brokerage in the St Louis metropolitan area. If you are interested in viewing listings, contact Russell Nolting at 314 267 2636 for more informationg. 34 Country Life Acres is one of only 27 homes set in a village of 71+ acres of scenic rolling countryside in the heart of Town & Country, this 5 bedroom, 5 1/2 bathroom two story brick home has over 6650 sq feet of space. Impressive 2-sty entrance hall leads to elegant Living room and Dining room and a light-filled Great room and study/den. In addition to two 1st floor master suites, there is a guest/in-law suite w/ sitting rm, bedroom, and full bath. Two additional bedroom suites for family on 2nd floor and two lower level staff bedroom suites.

~scape, an American Bistro

2008-01-27T15:42:00.001-06:00

The I-64 closure has not stopped me -- when I'm not working at Nolting Real Estate, I'm on the prowl for the best new restaurant in town. Last weekend, Heather and I joined some friends at ~scape, an American Bistro, the first Levy Brothers' restaurant in town.

The location is perfect -- Maryland Plaza in the Central West End. The restaurant rubs shoulders with Design within Reach, Straubs, Bissinger's new dessert venue, and a handful of bars, popular restaurants, and coffee shops. The space is attractive with floor to ceiling windows and contemporary, but warm, decor.

I enjoyed deep fried olives, a light salad and some of the best gnocchi I've ever tasted. Scape is definitely worth a try.

Staging your home.

2008-01-27T15:33:00.000-06:00

We've been staging homes in the St. Louis metropolitan area for years. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch recently published a story (see link above) on home staging. Because we have seen it's benefits, Nolting Real Estate has been staging it's clients homes for years.

Potential buyers are looking for homes that are beautiful, spacious, and de-personalized. We provide up to 4 hours of free consultation with our professional stager, Suzanne Queensen. It's a service that sets us apart from our competition. Call Russell Nolting at 636 391 9997 for more information.

Grim housing numbers don't depress local real estate professionals

2008-01-25T15:44:00.000-06:00

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Jan 25, 2008)

St. Louis didn't escape the effects of one of the worst years in national home sales. But local real estate professionals are optimistic about a turnaround.

Every local county and the city of St. Louis saw existing home sales decline in 2007 — although none matched the severity of the national drop. And median house prices fell in many area counties in 2007, with St. Louis County as a notable exception with a 2.6 percent increase to $160,000.

Nationally, sales of single-family houses plunged by the largest amount in 25 years, 13 percent, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Locally, Madison and Jefferson counties took the biggest hits, falling 11.9 percent and 11.7 percent, respectively.

Nationally, the median price for a single-family house dropped 1.8 percent to $217,000, making it the first time in four decades that the median price dropped for the entire year. Lawrence Yun, the national Realtors' chief economist, said it was likely that the country has not experienced a decline in housing prices for an entire year since the Great Depression.

In the St. Louis area, Monroe County saw the largest price decline, down 5.1 percent to $185,000 from $195,000 in 2006.

Despite the numbers, local real estate professionals said things are not as bad they appear.

"The market was soft, it wasn't bad," said Don Rogers, past president of the St. Charles County Association of Realtors and a Realtor with ReMax/Discover. "What I mean is, we didn't hold true to 2006. But if you go back to 2002, which was the last normal year we had, to see how we stacked up, all indicators are great."

Even though houses in St. Charles County stayed on the market longer — 80 days in 2007 compared to 48 in 2002 — sales rose to 5,248 from 4,149.

And although median house prices barely budged over the last year in St. Charles County, Rogers noted that the average house price increased by nearly $55,000 over the last five years.

Local real estate professionals cheered the Federal Reserve's three-quarters of a percent cut Tuesday in two key interest rates.

"The drop in the interest rates can do nothing but help the market. Things were slowing down but the interest rates are looking a heck of a lot more favorable now," said Mike Travaglini, vice president and branch manager of the south St. Louis County office of Coldwell Banker/Gundaker. "We now have low interest rates and stable prices, something that very seldom happens."

Low interest rates partly fueled the boom in the national housing market and the subsequent run-up in prices. But the St. Louis region did not see a price boom similar to markets like Florida, California and Nevada, said John Williams, president of the St. Louis Association of Realtors. Existing house sales should benefit because the region has not overbuilt, Williams said.

"I hear markets like Miami and Fort Lauderdale in Florida have years worth of condo inventories," Williams said. "That just sounds so crazy to me. Those markets will take much longer to come out of the slowdown. We don't have that."

The inventory of unsold homes nationally dropped by 7.4 percent in 2007, raising hopes that backlogs that had hit record levels were starting to be reduced, a key factor necessary to prompt a rebound in the market.

While Yun said he expected sales to start to rebound this spring, other analysts said housing is likely to remain in the doldrums throughout most of 2008, reflecting in part a credit crunch, which has caused lenders to tighten their standards, making it harder for prospective buyers to qualify for loans.

The housing bust has sent shock waves through the economy as defaults have risen, resulting in multibillion-dollar losses for big financial firms with investments in subprime mortgages that have gone sour.

Rogers, as well as Williams, held out hope that the St. Louis market would recover sooner than the national one.

Last year, fear over the impending closure of Highway 40 (Interstate 64) slowed sales in parts of the region, Williams said. Because the highway closure has not had a major effect, those areas are starting to recover, he said.

Stephanie Tonnies, chief executive of the Belleville-based Realtor Association of Southwestern Illinois, said potential buyers have little reason to wait.

"You can't time the market. If you sit on the fence, by the time you decide to buy, you probably missed the low point," Tonnies said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

rtstclair@post-dispatch.com

314-340-8206

921 Delvin Drive-- a beautiful Town and Country home.

2008-01-15T21:45:00.000-06:00

A great new listing in Town and Country, MO! To view this home, call Russell Nolting at 636.391.9997 or visit www.NoltingRealEstate.com. If you're looking for great space, first floor master bedroom(with study) grand 2 story entry with marble floor, lots of wood floors, exquisite and extensive molding, a kitchen with granite counter tops, ice maker & wine cooler, a finished walkout lower level with family room, fireplace and w/excerise room, sn exceptional setting backing to a serene lake, a three car rear entry garage and in Mason Ridge elementary school district, then look no further. This stately 1.5 story boasts all these features & much more. Call for an appointment today and make this exciting home your own! Listed for $1.21M. Call Russell at 636.391.9997 for a private showing.

Kelly Park Photography

2008-01-15T13:12:00.000-06:00

Kelly Park Photography took pictures of my family last week. Kelly is an excellent photographer, located in St. Louis, MO, and I recommend her without reservation. She specializes in portrait work and weddings. In addition she takes "birth story" photos allowing parents to capture those first moments of a new life.

Kelly has taken pictures for a number of my clients. For more information, give me a call at 636.391.9997.

Most Expensive Home on the Market

2008-01-13T22:26:00.000-06:00

For about 10 years, the most expensive listing in St. Louis has been a 16 acre estate on N. Woodlawn in Ladue. For more information, sign up to view the MLS at www.NoltingRealEstate.com This property, located at 1705 N. Woodlawn, is one of the last opportunities to purchase a large tract of land in Ladue. The house is reminiscent of 18th century Virginia. Exceptional millwork, casework, brass hardware and architectural details. 10 ft+ ceilings in main living area. 3 fireplaces, finished walkout LL with 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Pool, 4-car garage and carriage house, storage barn, equipment shed, gazebo, a small lake, a beautiful valley, bridle trails and a resident population of wild turkeys. Property is also accessible from Denny Lane in Huntleigh Village. Eight adjoining acres also offered for sale as two four acre building lots priced at $1,350,000 each. For more information, go to www.NoltingRealEstate.com or call Russell Nolting at 314 267 2636.

Mortgage applications up last week

2008-01-09T14:38:00.000-06:00

The sky is not falling. See the following reprint from money.cnn.com. People continue to buy houses.

Mortgage Bankers Association's index says number of new requests for home loans soared 32.2% during the shortened holiday week.

January 9 2008: 10:10 AM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Mortgage application volume skyrocketed 32.2 percent during the holiday-shortened week ending Jan. 4, ending three consecutive weeks of sharp declines, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly application survey.

The MBA's application index jumped to 706 from 533.9 the previous week, which was also a holiday-shortened week because of Christmas. The index can be more volatile around the holidays, as volume tends to be smaller and seasonal adjustments are made. During the same period the previous year, the application index jumped 16.6 percent.

Application volume is still 13 percent less than it was four weeks earlier when it began a run of steady declines. The index stood at 811.8 for the week ending Dec. 7.

Refinance volume increased 53.9 percent during the week ending Jan. 4, while purchase volume jumped 14.7 percent. Refinance applications accounted for 57.7 percent of total applications, compared with 50.9 percent the previous week.

The index peaked at 1,856.7 during the week ending May 30, 2003, at the height of the housing boom.

An index value of 100 is equal to the application volume on March 16, 1990, the first week the MBA tracked application volume. A reading of 706 means mortgage application activity is 7.06 times higher than it was when the MBA began tracking the data.

The survey provides a snapshot of mortgage lending activity among mortgage bankers, commercial banks and thrifts. It covers about 50 percent of all residential retail mortgage originations each week.

Application volume jumped while fixed interest rates tumbled. The average interest rate for traditional, 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell to 5.73 percent from 6.05 percent the previous week. The average interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, which are often used to refinance mortgages, dropped to 5.21 percent from 5.61 percent the prior week.

Rates for one-year adjustable rates rose slightly to 6.04 percent from 6 percent.

Nolting Real Estate offers the PowerPlus Mortgage

2008-01-08T21:13:00.000-06:00

PowerPlus is an exclusive mortgage program offered to Nolting Real Estate's clients in cooperation with First Integrity Mortgage Services. With PowerPlus, borrowers who have used credit wisely and have good credit scores can reduce their housing costs by avoiding PMI payments (Private Mortgage Insurance).

The PowerPlus secret:
Many real estate professionals refer to this loan as a piggyback loan - a single loan that is divided into two (2) parts, a 1st mortgage plus a 2nd mortgage for the remaining balance. Most piggyback loans are at high interest rate. But PowerPlus is different. Nolting Real Estate’s end investor on the PowerPlus 2nd mortgage are not-for-profit institutions that provide Nolting Real Estate's clients with below market interest rates.

Both Fannie Mae® and Freddie Mac® permit piggybacks as a viable alternative to private mortgage insurance.

PowerPlus Piggyback loans are a definite value for:

º Consumers with less than a 20% down payment who want to avoid having private mortgage insurance (PMI) added to their monthly payments. PowerPlus savings
º Consumers who want to avoid paying JUMBO interest rates. Jumbo Loans (currently $417,000 and above) generally have a higher interest rate than loans less than $417,000. Using PowerPlus allows borrowers to borrow the 1st $417,000 at market rates and the balance into a low-rate PowerPlus 2nd mortgage.

Are You a Candidate for PowerPlus? Your Nolting Real Estate agent can determine if a PowerPlus mortgage is a viable alternative to PMI (private mortgage insurance). Please call Russell Nolting at 314 267 2636 for more information.

Sold in 3 weeks!

2008-01-03T22:10:00.001-06:00

This beautiful newer construction home on W. Adams in Kirkwood sold in just 3 weeks! Priced in the mid-500s, the home brought near asking price and closed last week. To see the home's website, please go to http://www.335WAdams.com.

Nolting Real Estate is selling St. Louis homes fast and furious. In fact, we close a transaction every 86 hours (2005 to 2007 sales data). If you want to buy or sell, give me the opportunity to tell you about our buyer's program and/or our seller's program. Call my cell at 314 267 2636 or email me at Russ@NoltingRealEstate.com

Real Estate Agents Can Save Homebuyers Time And Money

2008-01-02T18:22:00.001-06:00

The Webster-Kirkwood Times has weighed in on the "For Sale by Owner" v. "Use a Realtor" debate. See below. For more information about how Nolting Real Estate can help you get top value for your St. Louis real estate, call Russell Nolting at 314-267-2636. (We sell a listing every 86 hours!)

From Webster-Kirkwood Times
March 16, 2007
Buying or selling a home is usually the largest financial transaction a person will make in his or her lifetime.

However, many people put more time and research into buying a camera or laptop computer than into finding a great real estate agent. Experts agree that the home buying or selling process should not be approached lightly or without the guidance of a seasoned professional.

There are advantages to using a qualified real estate agent for home transactions, both on the buying and selling side. Statistics have shown that the "for sale by owner" method may not bring the highest price for your home.

It has been reported that using a good real estate agent to sell a home often puts much more in the seller's pocket than if he sold it himself, and that is even after commissions are paid.

Good real estate agents are professionals. They've sold many homes and know that achieving a sale is about more than baking cookies or setting out candles to make a home seem inviting. They understand how to sell homes in the fastest possible time, recognizing the pitfalls and how to avoid them. Real estate agents also know the ways to get buyers to see a home and how to get the highest possible sale price.

On the flip side, a real estate agent can prove invaluable to individuals looking to purchase a home. Agents have access to frequently updated listings and can do detailed searches using the specific requirements buyers have for homes. Plus, they do much of the research and legwork for buyers, a process that would be time-consuming to the average person.

Some agents will ask to have an exclusive buyer agreement signed. Doing so will ensure a buyer is getting the maximum effort from his agent and their utmost attention. It will also let the agent know that the buyer is serious in his or her home pursuit.

Bond Yields Inch Up, Bringing Rates With Them

2008-01-01T16:58:00.000-06:00

In Freddie Mac's results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.17 percent for the week ending December 27, 2007, up from the previous week when it averaged 6.14 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.18 percent.
"Stronger consumer spending and an increase in the core price deflator in November caused long term bond yields to inch up, with mortgage rates following," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist.

U.S. averages as of December 27, 2007:

30 yr. fixed: 6.17%
15 yr. fixed: 5.79%
1 yr. adj: 5.53%

St. Louis Real Estate market 2008 prediction

2007-12-31T09:04:00.000-06:00

Check out Forbes Magazine's counsel back in October 2007 when they indicated that St. Louis would be among the Top 10 Most Stable Real Estate Markets in America.

The Top 10 Most Stable Housing Markets in America:

1. Seattle, WA – 3.09% est. price increase from 2007–2008
2. Pittsburgh, PA – 3.37%
3. Columbus, OH – 3.49%
4. Dallas, TX – 5.45%
5. St. Louis, MO – 3.01%
6. Cincinnati, OH – 2.65%
7. Atlanta, Ga – 4.4%
8. San Antonio, TX – 5.35%
9. San Francisco, CA – 2.5%
10. Fort Worth, TX – 3.09%

Specifically re: St. Louis, Forbes notes the following:

Median home price: $157,200

Annual price change from 2006: 2.7%

Projected price change to 2008: 3.01%

Because area returns have never been high, St. Louis's housing market generally flies underneath the national radar. Its strongest characteristic: a supply-and-demand dynamic slightly slanted toward the seller. Overexpansion has not hit St. Louis in the same way as other large markets, and its sales rate based on the number of households in the city is strong.

Even though the St. Louis market is strong, you need a professional to help you buy or sell real estate. Don't settle for the Hobbyist who sells three houses a year. We close a transaction every 86 hours! Call me at (314) 267-2636.

The Results Are In!

2007-12-30T08:53:00.000-06:00

2007 ends tomorrow and we have closed our final transaction for the year. I have reviewed all of my files and moved them from the "Current Business" cabinet to the "Last Year's Business" cabinet.

We had our best year ever. You've heard over and over that the real estate market stinks. Our business nearly doubled in 2007. Why? We are professionals in an industry filled with "hobby-ists." Everyone has a friend, brother-in-law, plumber, or piano teacher who has a real estate license. They can probably sell your house at a deep discount. But will it sell? Do they know what they are doing?

Over the past three years, I have closed a transaction every 86 hours on average. In other words, I know what I'm doing. Does your Realtor have this kind of experience? Most Realtors don't.

Call my cell at 314 267 2636 and we can discuss your needs. Or email me at Russ@NoltingRealEstate.com.

You should be stressed...!...?

2007-12-29T09:08:00.000-06:00

Quick!, we only have a few days left to wonder what might happen when Hwy 40/64 closes. We've got to only a few hours left to complain about the possibilities. It's a great time to grab a couple of articles from local publications that attempt to predict the horrors we may face.

The situation is real -- it's gonna happen. I just saw all the new stripes on eastbound 40 as you approach Ballas. It's almost here! AND THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.

My plan is in place. I've got loads of audiobooks downloaded to my iPod. I've ordered more to be shipped in from Amazon.com. I've got novels I've never read, business stand-bys that never made it to my nightstand, self-help books that have been collecting dust on my shelves. All digital and ready for a listen.

Moreover, I've got a few relaxation standbys. I love David Lanz. His piano music can calm even the most restless soul. I'm ready to do battle with MoDOT and with my fellow citizens. I'm looking forwarded to the months ahead.

Three Places to Find Money for a Down Payment

2007-12-03T17:07:00.000-06:00

When my St. Louis County real estate buyers have trouble putting together a down payment... Buyers who don't have a 20 percent down payment are finding it harder and harder to buy a home. Here are some sources of money that are still available.
1. Borrowing from a 401(k). Only some companies allow this. The maximum available is $50,000 ($100,00 if both spouses have 401(k)s) and the loan must be repaid within five years.
2. Withdrawing up to $10,000 from an IRA for a purchase of a first home. A potential borrower who hasn't owned a home in the past three years is considered a "first-time buyer" for this specific purpose.
3. A gift. If buyers are comfortable asking for money, their parents, friends, and relatives can give a gift toward the down payment.

Call Nolting Real Estate at 636 391 9997 for more information.

A Shift will Happen in the Future

2007-08-30T11:46:00.000-05:00

The following article, by James O. Armstrong, is copied from a new website, http://www.nowwhatjobs.net/. This website is a great resource for Baby Boomers and active seniors looking to reinvent themselves after age 40.

May 4, 2007
No, it hasn't happened yet. But, the process has begun and it will continue as more and more employers of every possible description in America come to understand about the current and coming labor shortage in the United States.

Here are the current facts. There is already a nationwide shortage of nurses, teachers, truck drivers and warehouse workers, pharmacists, certain types of manufacturing employees and others. Plus, this analysis does not include the highly skilled worker shortage right now among technology companies in the US, which each year requires our country to admit thousands of foreign workers with temporary visas to help us get this job done in the United States. And, even after we've taken this step, Bill Gates, who is America's richest and perhaps the world's richest man, testified recently before our US Congress that the number of such highly skilled worker viasa continues to be grossly inadequate to meet the current demand for such men and women.

Will this situation change for our US economy in the future? Yes, it will, but not in the way you may expect, according to recent testimony from the current Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve before the US Senate Labor Relations Committeee. He, too, predicted a labor shortage will continue and become such a significant factor that our current economic growth, which has average 3% per year for the past 10 years, will actuially drop by one third to 2% per year beginning in five years because of our anticipated labor shortage.

With 77 million to 78 million Baby Boomers in America, many of which will choose at least some type of retirement, the United States already knows that that there are significantly fewer Generation Xers to take their place in the workforce. In short, our nation cannot simply manufacture people.

At the same time, Americans are living longer than ever before, thanks largely to the wonderful medical breakthroughs of recent years. In fact, one of four Americans can now expect to live until age 97 on an average. For its part, Social Security is already set to raise its previous retirement age for full benefits from age 65 until a graduated age 67, depending on someone's date of birth. Further, not all of our Baby Boomers or Active Seniors want to stop working entirely for a variety of different reasons, which range from needing the money to simply enjoying the work.

Further, how often do we as individuals visit an Urgent Care facility near our homes on the weekend and wind up seeing a 72 year old semi-retired doctor (who used to be a surgeon in the area), who still likes to work with patients at least occasionally. We are also not surprised to see such men and women in a dentist's office, CPA firm, engineering company, financial planning office, stock brokerage or public relations firm either. In short, professionals are allowed to continue on the job on either a full-time or part-time basis in our society essentially as long as they desire to work and on schedules of their choosing. In addition, these older professionals are already helping now to bridge the labor shortage gap in their areas of expertise.

So, what about the rest of us? Wouldn't it be a desireable outcome to have everyone else treated in the same way as these valuable professionals are now treated in our society? Of course, the answer to that question is an unqualified "Yes."

What is one of the greatest fears for someone, who is a Baby Boomer or Active Senior today? When someone is not yet ready to stop working completely, it is that "no one will want to hire me because I am too old." I believe that this type of individual thinking will change in our society primarily due to economic necessity, as more and more companies affirm their commitment to add men and women over age 40 to their staff, on a full-time or part-time basis or as independent contractors.

As Baby Boomers and Active Seniors, our generation also needs to check out the government, on every level from the federal to the state to the local and to the counties all across America. These important jobs will also see a massive turnover in the coming years, as a surge in retirements take place in the area of essential government services. An acquaintance of mine with an excellent education and a high IQ recently discovered a senior IT position in my home county of McHenry County, Illinois, which followed a 14 month, previously unsuccessful job search.

Our country is right now in the beginning stages of responding to growing market pressures for available men and women to join their companies and other organizations. A noteworthy example of providing fringe benefits for part-time employment today emerges from Starbucks, which has received recognition for its forward thinking in this area. In addition, AARP several years ago established its annual awards program, which recognized top employers for its 50+ year old members. Prominent on this list are a whole group of outstanding hospitals in the US, two of which have a significant presence near my home in Northwest Illinois. Schneider National, North America's largest truckload carrier which is based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, has also discovered the value of older husband-wife teams adding supplemental drivers to their fleet.

Will other companies and organizations make the same discoveries in the future. Simple supply and demand factors for available workers and managers will dictate the individual and collective answers to this question. Our federal and state governments may also step into this equation, perhaps even with tax incentives to companies to hire men and women above a certain age. Already, a growing number of states in the US have also passed exclusions on state income taxes for retired military staffers in a bid to capture this talented group of workers in their 40s and early 50s, who have been trained in a variety of ways at US taxpayer expense. Obviously, our retiring military men and women will need to know which states want them the most in the future, as they factor this additional input into the equation when they leave active military service.

In conclusion, while it hard to say when this shift will happen, we do know that it will gradually take place as more and more companies and other organizations realize the full dimension of our coming labor shortage and exactly how it will affect them. This shift will also be a positive one for Baby Boomers and Active Seniors alike since it will create a greater demand for them and for the continued use of their skills.

For this reason, www.NowWhatJobs.net was set up to better inform individuals and employers about the current and coming labor shortage facing America. In addition, as one of our staffers recently put it to me. "It would be great just to see them (i.e. companies and other organizations) be neutral" in the hiring of older workers. On this point, our team agrees wholeheartedly.

Relocate-America.com recently declared O’Fallon, Missouri, one of the top ten places in America to relocate.

2007-08-28T11:42:00.001-05:00

O’Fallon, Missouri, is a booming town in one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. A commutable distance to downtown St. Louis, O’Fallon is home to beautiful parks, the St. Charles County Fair, excellent schools and universities, nationally recognized sports teams and more.

Growth is the name of the game in O’Fallon. Beautiful subdivisions with community amenities and homes ranging from $90,000 to well over $500,000 are popping up all over the place. A network of well maintained roads provides access to retail establishments, popular restaurants and Top 50 hospitals and medical centers. O’Fallon is a great place to live.

New industries are moving into St. Charles County. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, St. Charles County ranked No. 17 among the 318 largest U.S. counties for its percentage change in employment growth from June 2003 to June 2004.

77 million baby boomers in America are preparing to retire over the next few years. Many of them don’t want to. But they may have to because many businesses prefer younger workers (read: lower-salaried workers). But the pool of available younger workers is small. Jobs will become available, but the number of younger applicants will be minimal. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has reported that the percentage of older workers in the workforce is presently increasing at the same time younger worker percentages are decreasing.

As these older workers retire, we will see a labor shortage. Says David T. Ellwood, a respected Harvard professor of government: "CEOs, labor leaders, community leaders, all came to the unanimous conclusion that we will have a worker gap that is a very serious one." The trouble for many boomers is this: according to the Center of Disease Control, the typical 65 year old can expect to live 18.7 more years. Many of these seniors want to continue working. And they can.
Baby Boomers who want to continue working will have jobs available for them. They may have to look, but they will be there. Progressive employers will create positions for post-65 workers. Some of these positions will be structured as part-time or consultant positions. But they will exist – we will simply have too great a need.

And this brings us back to O’Fallon, Missouri. As one of Relocate-America.com’s top communities and one of the fastest growing job markets in the United States, O’Fallon is a great place to search for your new post-65 career.

My company, Nolting Real Estate, enjoys helping older Americans search for homes. More importantly, we are committed to providing jobs for older Americans who are looking to reinvent themselves with a real estate career. In fact, the marketing methods that we use in our extensive, New Agent Training Program are especially beneficial for older individuals who have extensive spheres of influence.

For more information, please contact RTNolting@NoltingRealEstate.com. You can also visit us on the World Wide Web at http://www.noltingrealestate.com/.

Is the market really that bad?

2007-08-27T15:00:00.000-05:00

Each Monday, I pull sales data for the St. Louis area that I can distribute to my agents. You know, we keep hearing the media telling us that the real estate market is in the toilet. I'm here to tell you that it isn't. At least it isn't in my market.

The past 90 days in St. Louis county has seen 3840 homes sold. They sold on average at 181K within 47 days.

During the same time period in 2006...4365 homes sold. Average price...$173,900 within 42 days of going on the market.

Homeowners in St. Louis county -- don't be fooled. Real Estate is not going down the tubes. The above data is real -- and it shows an average increase in sales price of 4.43% for this summer as compared to last. Don't buy into the media hype that says the sky is falling.

Work with a Realtor who knows the facts...Long live the Seller's Market!

5 Pointers On Summer Rentals

2007-07-09T12:23:00.000-05:00

With the summer vacation season in full swing, rentals of beach homes and condos is on many families minds. These 5 tips can help you save money, time, and headache's when it comes to rental vacation property.

1. Beach? What beach?
- Don't trust just any website when it comes to vacation homes. Book through a reputable
website like VRBO.com or HomeAway.com.

2. You'll pay extra for Grandma.
- Beware of extra charges or hidden cost when you rent a vacation property. Ask for an
all inclusive price before signing any contract.

3. The baby has a fever? That's too bad.
- If your trip runs the risk of being cancelled after booking it is very smart to buy trip
insurance. Trip insurance will run about 5% of the total cost of the trip. This can save
you a lot of money

4. Your new best friend likes with a z.
- Staying in a group home can save lots of money in large cities like New York, but be
very careful to get everything in writing including the sleeping arrangements and
how costs will be shared.

5. Renters are slobs.
- If you are an owner of vacation rental property it is recommended that you include
a cleaning fee included in the price and also require a reservation deposit that
converts to a security-and-damage deposit when renters arrive.

Let the Nolting Real Estate team put you on our most prestigious list of clients and give you the monthly items of value that all our top clients receive.

Nolting Real Estate
14272 Manchester Road
Manchester, Mo 63011

NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

10 Secrets To A Perfect Lawn

2007-07-03T11:05:00.000-05:00

This article is very helpful especially during the summer months when your lawn is strained the most. These 10 tips will keep your lawn green and growing while your neighbors is just holding on.

Tip #1: Mow frequently with sharp blades

- By mowing often and with sharp blades your lawn thickens up and keeps out weeds.

Tip#2: Don't go too short

- The rule of thumb is never to cut more than 1/3 of the grasses height in one cutting.

By cutting less length; your need for water decreases and the likelihood of the grass

resisting diseases increases.

Tip #3: Don't mow a wet lawn

- Mowing when the lawn is wet causes the soil to compact which in turn doesn't allow

the roots to breath.

Tip #4: Mulch clippings into the lawn

- By bagging your clippings you take natural fertilizer off the lawn. If the clippings are

short enough they will eventually work there way back into the soil.

Tip #5: Water deeply -- and infrequently

- Watering your lawn an inch at a time is suggested. A good way to track how much you

are watering is by putting an empty tuna can in the area that you are watering and

once the can is full, an inch has roughly been distributed.

Tip #6: Avoid nighttime watering

- By watering at night the chance of diseases increases. The best time to water is

pre-dawn or early morning. This will allow the sun to evaporate the excess water.

Tip #7: Don't over fertilize it

- By over-fertilizing your lawn you promote fast growth that is unsustainable. This

causes the excess fertilizer to runoff into our water supplies which often causes

contamination.

Tip #8: Don't mix your fertilizers

- Mixing fertilizers often gives mixed results that won't be consistent

Tip #9: Grow thick grass -- and stay on top of your weeds

- The best defense against pests, weeds, and diseases is to grow thick grass.

Tip #10 Choose the right herbicide

- There are two types of herbicides.

1) Pre-emergent - these prevent weeds from germinating and are often

applied once a year

2) Post-emergent - these are used to control broadleaf weeds

Let the Nolting Real Estate team put you on our most prestigious list of clients and give you the monthly items of value that all our top clients receive.

Nolting Real Estate
14272 Manchester Road
Manchester, Mo 63011

NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

Population Growth

2007-06-28T09:20:00.001-05:00

The population numbers are in from the Census Bureau for population growth from 2000 to 2006. The fastest growing area by percentage in the state was the Wentzville area. According to the numbers Wentzville's population rose from 6,896 in 2000 to 20,749 by July 2006. This increase is more than 200%. Wentzville leaders add they believe by 2015 the population will be in the neighborhood of 46,000 if the growth trends in St. Charles County continues.

Based on growth by the number of people, O'Fallon, Mo led the St. Louis area in population growth from 2000 to 2006. O'Fallon grew by 26,308 people, or 57%, to 72,477 during this period.

In Lincoln County, Troy grew by 4,248 people from 2000 to 2006, putting its population last July at 10,985, an increase of 63.1%.

Nolting Real Estate
14272 Manchester Road
Manchester, Mo 63011

NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

Whitaker Music Festival

2007-06-22T12:08:00.000-05:00

With the many beautiful parks spread throughout the St. Louis area, residents have many opportunities for park enjoyments not found in many cities. One beautiful place unlike any other is the St. Louis are The Botanical Gardens. This 79 acre spread in the Shaw district in South City is home to some of the most exotic and rare flowers found throughout the U.S. One event that many aren't aware of though is the Whitaker Music Festival. This music festival now in its 13th year, presents ten free Wednesday-night concerts from some amazing artists in an an open aired environment. The festival runs through August 8 and all information can be found at http://www.mobot.org/.

Nolting Real Estate
14272 Manchester Road
Manchester, Mo 63011

NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

Budget Billing

2007-06-21T13:50:00.000-05:00

With the change of spring to summer happening today, it is essential to review your utility bills and how they are calculated. With summer being the warmest season of the years, most homeowners find there electric bills taking a steep hike to cool their homes. One way to stabilize your bills is using budget billing. This is very simple to do and it will eliminate those very large bills throughout the summer months. Here is a web-site with some information that might help.

http://http://www.ameren.com/AboutUs/ADC_eNewsletterAUE0507.asp

Nolting Real Estate
14272 Manchester Road
Manchester, Mo 63011

NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

Streetcars

2007-06-18T11:02:00.000-05:00

The New Town development in St. Charles county is chaming and unique. Whittaker Builders Inc. has arranged for 9 Vintage 1940 Model Trolley cars that were origanally used throughout St. Louis fro the late 1940's to early 1960's to be restores and used throughout New Town starting in 2009. These relics from the golden age of design and craftmanship have been hibernating on a California mountainside for the last 25 years in an area close to Lake Tahoe. Now they are back in the st. louis region to be converted for use as a diner, suchi bar, or arcade eventually throughout the New Town development. Check out there pictures at newtownstcharles.com.

Nolting Real Estate
14272 Manchester Road
Manchester, Mo 63011

NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

Looking to add a little pizzaz to your walls?

2007-05-28T18:58:00.001-05:00

Last month, Heather and I decided to "freshen" our kitchen with a little help from one of our clients. Erica Watterson, of The Painted Wall, took our tired cabinets and cleaned, sanded, and repainted them. They look great. In fact, the whole kitchen has been transformed from drab to bright and cheery. Erica was referred to me by one of my best clients -- as you know, we work strictly by referral.

In addition to kitchen cabinet makeovers, Erica does all sorts of faux finishes, murals, and other techniques for walls. Even though we were only looking to refinish our cabinets, Erica convinced us to re-do our old tile backsplash with a product called Weathered Stone. You can click here to go to the Weathered Stone website! This amazing product has so many applications -- check the website for more details.

Erica's portfolio includes some of the most amazing nursery and children's room transformations. She has great ideas for updating old-fashioned brick fireplaces. The ideas are endless and her taste is flawless. Her work can be whimsical or it can be elegant. If you would like more information, just give me a call at 636.391.9997. You can also reach Erica at 314.221.1089.

Five Great Plants You Can't Kill

2007-05-07T09:33:00.000-05:00

After a beautiful weekend like this last one, all I can think about is how long will my plants and yard stay as healthy and beautiful as they are right now. Spring brings the life and beauty back to our yards and plants but summer can bring thier demise without proper treatment. As I was walking around my yard this weekend, I wondered what type of flowers were the most hardy and could withstand the hottest climates while still providing the beauty that we expect. I found a great article that covers this very issue. Here are 5 plants that are very hardy in tough climates.

1. Daylilies or (Hererocallis) -
Daylilies are great in all types of climates. They are very hardy and can be planted in both shade and full sun. They are used for ground cover in many cases but can be planted on hillsides or out in the open by themselves. Daylilies can be divided after growth slows. These plants come in all different types of colors and varieties.

2. Perennial Salvia or (Salvia x superba) -
Salvia are among the most hardy of all perennials. They can withstand drought conditions that most plants can't. They will start to bloom in the early spring and will continue all the way throughout the summer and into the late fall. There growth happens at a very fast pace during the summer and will need to be cut back in the late fall. They com in many varieties but most have a purple or blue color to them.

3. Stonecrop or (Sedium) -
Stonecrops are hardy because of their tap roots. These cause them to survive drought like conditions by storing water in there roots. These plants are easy to reproduce by just plucking a leaf and planting it in some good planting soil. Stonecrops love full sun and are very drought tolerant to the point that you don't have to water them very often at all. They bloom in late August or early September. With blooms that start as a pale pink and grow deeper red as the fall progresses.

4. Hostas or (Hosta) -
These perenial favorites are known for there large leaves that can vary in many different shades. Hostas like a variety of both sun and shade and can survive will little amounts of water. Optimal conditions include 6-8 hours of sun and a rich acidic soil, but as many other hardy perennial plants can withstand large variations from ideal. They come in many different varieties that produce both large and small leaves and come in color such as blue, green, gold, or yellow.

5. Shasta Daisies or (Leucanthemum x superbum) -
These beautiful yellow and white colored flowers are well known for their hardiness. They are very drought hardy and are grown well in hot full sun conditions. They are good to divide once well established and will attract bees, birds, and butterflies. These add a beautiful touch to your other full sun planters.

Let the Nolting Real Estate team put you on our most prestigious list of clients and give you the monthly items of value that all our top clients receive.

Nolting Real Estate
14272 Manchester Road
Manchester, Mo 63011

NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

First time home buyer

2007-05-01T23:18:00.000-05:00

MHDC (Missouri Housing Development Commission) funds are scheduled to be released next Monday, May 7, with rates of 5.95% for a 30 year fixed with no money down, or 6.4% with a free 3% toward down payment and closing costs. For a 1-2 person household, the income limit is 57k. For a 3+ household, the limit is $65,500. The maximum purchase price is 237k, and as long as they haven't owned a home in the previous 3 years, there should be no problem in qualifying.

Call Russell Nolting at 314 267 2636 for more information.

7 Home-Buying Traps

2007-04-30T15:27:00.000-05:00

With first-time home-buyers facing an unfamiliar road when purchasing there first home, here is a great guide to guiding them through the potholes. A person is inevitably going to have to go through some challenges but you can keep your regrets to a minimum by avoiding the following seven traps.

1. Blindly using your agent's inspector -
Don't always take your agents advise and use there referred home inspector. He or she might be a well qualified inspector but they might have too close of a relationship to give an honest opinion. Make sure that the inspector belongs to the American Society of Home Inspectors, which requires its members to complete at least 250 inspections.

2. Taking advice about what you can afford -
All parties including your agent, broker and lender don't know what you can truly afford. Only you know what you can truly afford to spend on your mortgage. A good rule of thumb is to limit your housing cost including mortgage, property taxes and homeowners insurance to 25% of your gross income. This will allow you enough money left over to cover other goals, like retirement savings.

3. Getting a 'temporary' loan -
In markets where appreciations have escalated out of control, to where first-time home-buyers can't afford a conventional fixed rate loan in most cases even when there credit scores are good. Many times in these cases home buyers are talked into more risky loan types that cause them to have lower payments but cause low appreciation rates along with higher percentages of foreclosures.

4. Opening or closing credit accounts -
By either opening or closing any credit accounts borrowers endanger there overall credit score which is the driving force in both the interest rate charged for the loan and the amount that a bank will finance. It is smart not to do anything with regards to running your credit while in the home buying process.

5. Failing to investigate the neighborhood -
It is smart for a buyer to look at the property and the neighborhood at various times of the day and the week. This will give the buyer a better idea of changes in the traffic during different times of the day and also give the buyer a better sense of how kids affect the neighborhood while off of school on the weekends.

6. Buying when you're not ready -
Buying a home is a great way for the average person to build wealth over the long run, but it's not for everyone in all circumstances. If your finances are uncertain or your job prospects are up in the air, you might want to wait. Renting is also a better option if you're planning to move in a year or two.

7. Not buying when you are ready -
With all the last 6 tips suggesting you do your homework before buying, you shouldn't let fear or uncertainty keep you on the sidelines if you're otherwise ready to buy a home.

Let the Nolting Real Estate team put you on our most prestigious list of clients and give you the monthly items of value that all our top clients receive.

Nolting Real Estate
14272 Manchester Road
Manchester, Mo 63011

NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

5 Remodeling Projects Under $10,000

2007-04-06T15:45:00.000-05:00

I recently have been doing some research on cost friendly options for upgrading your home and I found this very good article this morning. Myself like many other young homeowners, come to that point where that first house that you purchased just isn't what it once was and you find yourself yearning for something new. But you find yourself torn whether to buy new or take on a new remodeling project. With money typically having a say, another option might be less expensive minor makeovers to various areas of the house. Here are 5 minor remodeling projects that cost less than $10,000 each.

1. A basic bathroom makeover -
Unlike adding a bathroom, which between plumbing and all the rest runs $30,000 and up , a basic makeover can be done for a third of the cost and offer more bang for the buck.

2. A deck is a simple way to add space -
With the many types of weather resistant decking products available at lower prices today, decks are the next best thing to whole new room additions. These new products are more expensive than traditional redwood decking but the maintenance and up keep is incomparable.

3. A garden fit for a queen -
Landscaping is the cheapest, most underrated way to improve a home's curb appeal. But instead of simply resodding a weed infested yard, consider planting an English garden of flowers, trees and stone. Another idea for yards in arid climates might be desert plants, which can reduce water consumption by 60%.

4. New windows will brighten your outlook -
It's amazing what new windows can do for your perspective and for your home's curb appeal. In recent years vinyl windows have improved in quality while dropping in price. You can replace windows in stages, instead of doing it all at once. By replacing them 10 at a time, you can save that one big hit to the pocket book but complete the job in a days time.

5. Sprucing up your kitchen -
Often when remodeling a kitchen you can spend as much as you dream of. But when you have a budget you have to be very careful on product quality. A kitchen remodel for under $10,000 is possible if you head to the closest IKEA superstore, where a set of 18 replacement cabinets will run you about $4,000 and up. If you add $3,000 for installation and about $1,500 for new Formica countertops, you have that like-new kitchen. Another cost efficient option might be cabinet refacing.

These are some great cost effective ways to update that house while on a budget.

Let the Nolting Real Estate team add you to there most prestigious list of clients and give you the monthly items of value that all our top clients receive. All you have to do is call or email us with your name and address. Would would love to help you with any Real Estate transaction and would give you the personal service you deserve.

Nolting Real Estate
14272 Manchester Road
Manchester, Mo 63011

NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

How to Attract Wildlife

2007-04-02T15:37:00.000-05:00

Wow as a look out the window at the office today I think about how thankful I am that the spring is here. One of the best things that spring brings besides the warmer weather is the sweet sounds of all those different types of birds. But birds are like all other types of wildlife; they only come after the right type of conditions arise. Which means that anyone that enjoys these kind of animals needs to put for the effort to provide the right conditions. Here are some helpful tips on how to attract wildlife to your garden and linger year round.

- Diversity - The more diverse your garden is, the more wildlife you are likely to attract.

- Don't be to tidy - Humans appreciate neat gardens, but animals thrive in messier places.

- Provide cover - Most animals need a protected area like shade trees.

- Garden organically - Chemicals throw off nature's balance and can kill helpful as well as harmful creatures. Many organic practices attract wildlife.

- Go native - Most native plants help feed or host local wildlife.

As for Attracting Birds

- Don't feed breadcrumbs - They are low in fat and actually aren't good for birds.

- Start feeding in the fall - Most over-wintering birds establish their food supply in the fall. So keep the feeders filled, even while on vacation.

- Experiment with birdseed - Try all types of seed to see what birds you attract.

- Make water available - A birdbath is a great way to attract birds, but by adding something special like rocks, you are sure to have a bird haven.

- Put up birdhouses - Buy a birdhouse specifically designed for the birds you want to attract.

Let the Nolting Real Estate Team show you ways to build a wildlife friendly sanctuary. Also let the Nolting Real Estate team put you on our most prestigious list of clients and give you the monthly items of value that all our top clients receive.

Nolting Real Estate
14272 Manchester Road
Manchester, Mo 63011

NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

2006 Cost vs. Value Report

2007-03-28T13:08:00.000-05:00

ADDITIONS Cost Recouped
- Mid Range
1. Adding a 2nd story - 73.3%

- Upscale
1. Adding a Master Suite - 64.9%

Remodels
- Mid Range
1. Bathroom - 74.7%

- Upscale
1. Bathroom - 70.0%

Replacements
- Mid range
1. Siding (Vinyl) - 80.6%

- Upscale
1. Siding (Fiber Cement) - 81.3%

Check out the whole report at the above link before you make that next major home improvement.

Let the Nolting Real Estate team put you on our most prestigious list of clients and give you the monthly items of value that all our top clients receive.

Nolting Real Estate
14272 Manchester Road
Manchester, Mo 63011

NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

Selling When Getting a Divorce

2007-03-19T14:33:00.000-05:00

It is very important to protect your personal credit in the case of a divorce. Here are five tips on how to do this while protecting your largest asset, which is your home.

1. Obtain a current credit report

2. Inventory your credit

3. Separate joint accounts from individual accounts

4. Call joint credit cards lenders and cancel all joint accounts

5. Sell or refinance all secured assets

Refinance your home
- Record a new deed
- Obtain a new mortgage with only one spouse on it.

Let the Nolting Real Estate team put you on our most prestigious list of clients and give you the monthly items of value that all our top clients receive.

Nolting Real Estate
14272 Manchester Road
Manchester, Mo 63011

NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

Top 10 Things to Do to Get Ready for a Home Inspection

2007-03-15T13:00:00.000-05:00

With the upcoming selling season on the way, sellers will have to face that dreaded day of the Home inspection. There isn't too many things that can kill deals faster than home inspectors. This is why it is very important for homeowners to prep their homes for inspection day. Here are 10 things to do to get ready for a home inspection.

1. Clean the house -
Home inspectors are people before inspectors which means they are influenced by a clean house in many cases. This shows you take care of your house and care about the appearance.

2. Be on time because the inspector will -
It is important to have the house ready a half hour before scheduled because this gives you time to leave and let the inspection start smoothly.

3. Leave the utilities connected -
The inspector will need to test all the appliances and all the systems of the house which means its essential to have the utilities on. If the utilities are off the inspector can't do the inspection, and will have to re-schedule after they are turned on. This will push the closing back and will cause more headaches. Just turn the utilities on and save yourself the headache.

4. Provide workspace around the furnace and water heater -
Provide three to four feet of work space around the furnace and water heater.

5. Keep the pilot lights ignited -
Most inspectors won't light the pilot light if it is un-light because they are not covered with this liability. This will delay the inspection of anything that needs pilot lights to work correctly.

6. Provide access to the attic and garage -
Leave a clear path in both the attic and garage. It is important to vacuum the spider webs up also.

7. Leave keys for any outbuildings & electric boxes -
Inspectors will need to see inside any outbuildings and in all electric panels and sprinkler systems. Leave all of these open or leave keys for all of them.

8. Clear away any brush from any inspection points -
It is important to keep a path around the house free and clear from any brush or any objects.

9. Provide any repair documents -
By providing all documentation for repairs or upgrades gives the buyers peace of mind that all the upgrades have been accounted for.

10. Prepare to be away for three hours minimum -
It is important to expect the buyer to accompany the inspector, which means to cause less awkwardness the homeowner needs to leave.

Let the Nolting Real Estate team put you on our most prestigious list of clients and give you the monthly items of value that all our top clients receive.

Nolting Real Estate
14272 Manchester Road
Manchester, Mo 63011

NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

Weekend Front Yard Facelift

2007-03-09T08:42:00.000-06:00

With the weekend on our doorsteps and the forecast calling for lots of sun and temps. in the 60s; take the opportunity to do some yard work. Spring is a great time to give your yard that much needed facelift while enjoying the beautiful weather. Here are 7 easy steps how to make this happen.

1. Mow the Lawn Regularly -
Everyone knows how important it is to keep you lawn cut but most don't know that different types of grass need to by cut at different heights. It's also important that you don't cut more than the top third of the blade in one cutting.

2. Edge the Sidewalks and Driveways -
To make your yard have that finished appearance it is important to edge your driveway and sidewalks. You can do this with a string trimmer or a gas-powered or electric-powered edger.

3. Trim Overgrown Bushes and Hedges -
The spring is a good time to trim back those overgrown bushes and shrubs. It is important not to trim them back too much but enough to get rid of damaged branches and promote new growth.

4. Clean Up and Prepare Flowerbeds -
It is important to clean out all flowerbeds and remove all the dead growth from the year before and turn the soil with a shovel to loosen it for planting. It is also important to pull all weeds and grasses and remove as much of their roots as possible. This will ensure a good flower bed for planting.

5. Start Planting -
Once you purchase your plants place them in the bed inside their containers in the design before planting them. It is important that you get them in the ground as soon after purchasing as possible.

6. Mulch Flowerbeds -
By using mulch you help control weeds, keep the soil moist, and keep ground temperatures cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

7. Water, Water, Water -
It is important not to waste all the time and effort spent planting by not watering properly. Look at the plant instructions and adjust watering accordingly.

Let the Nolting Real Estate team put you on our most prestigious list of clients and give you the monthly items of value that all our top clients receive.

Nolting Real Estate
14272 Manchester Road
Manchester, Mo 63011

NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

Choosing and Planting Trees

2007-03-08T11:51:00.000-06:00

A big part of a beautifully landscaped yard is the trees that are included. Before planting trees a homeowner needs to do their homework and figure out the best tree for the situation. Trees are a type of plant that uses alot of attention the start with but once established bring many years of joy. Here are a few tips to consider before purchasing and planting that favorite tree.

Selecting the right tree

1. Choose trees from two different general categories
A. Deciduous trees include large shade trees that provide shade in the summer and allow sunlight to pass through in the winter to warm your home. These include many different varieties that produce all types of foliage for homeowners to choose from.

B. Evergreen or coniferous type trees produce dense vegetation that are ideal for privacy or windbreaks for homeowners. These can be planted together for a backdrop for flowering trees or shrubs or by themselves.

Buying a Tree

1. Bare-root trees come inexpensively in the the mail and need to be planted immediately and not allowed to dry out.

2. Container-grown trees come from nurseries and can be planted immediately and often will establish quickly

3. Balled-and-burlapped trees are good when buying a 10 to 15 foot tall tree. It is recommended that a homeowner hires the grower to plant this type tree.

Choosing the Right Site

It is smart to place strong-wooded shade trees at least 50 feet apart and 15 feet away from buildings and utility lines. If you are planting a soft-wooded shade tree it is smart to add an additional 10 feet away from buildings and each other. This will allow for future growth and also allow the buildings to stay safe in stormy situations.

Maintaining a New Tree

- only apply fertilizer when necessary in the second growing season
- Mulch trees to conserve moisture and reduce weeds
- Wrap tree trunks to help prevent winter damage from weather and varmints
- Stake young trees, especially bare-root trees and evergreens, to give strength against high wind

Let the Nolting Real Estate team put you on our most prestigious list of clients and give you the monthly items of value that all our top clients receive.

Nolting Real Estate
14272 Manchester Road
Manchester, Mo 63011

NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

7 Deadly Landscaping Sins

2007-03-07T07:58:00.000-06:00

With the warm weather approaching and landscaping on everyone'e minds, today we are going to talk about 7 things that are referred to as the seven deadly landscaping sins. Don't be surprised if your guilty of one or more of these.

Sin #1: The meatball shrub
Don't prune your shrubs or bushes into boxes, balls, squares, triangles, or rectangles. This makes the entrance of your house uninviting and fortress like. The curb appeal of a house is the wow factor and invited buyers into your home, but by pruning your shrubs this way make it unappealing.

Sin #2: Marching flowers
Don't plant flowers in a straight row both individually or in a group. This looks unnatural and nature doesn't work in strict rows. The only time you want to plant singularly is when you plant a tree and you want it to stand out.

Sin #3: Dyed mulch
Don't used dyed mulch when landscaping. By using dyed mulch you take the attention away from the plant or shrub that you are planting by using unnaturally red or orange colored mulch. The human eye is naturally attracted to the bold color or these type mulches and takes the attention off the plant that you are trying to show off. Use natural colored mulches or rocks.

Sin #4: Too much -- of everything
Don't over plant with a hodgepodge of different colored plants that don't complement the house. Like many homeowners that like to clutter up there house this same problem happens often when planting plants and flowers. It is important to remember to use a scattergram effect when planting and think about using complementary colors on the color wheel.

Sin #5: Bad proportions
Don't be unaware of what size plants or lawn features would best suit your home. It is important to ask a landscaping professional before making that big investment. Homeowners often use plants that are too small or front yard features like gardens or islands that are way too small. This will undermine what the homeowner was trying to achieve and be overlooked by future buyers.

Sin #6: Skinny sidewalks
Don't resort to those skinny standard-issue sidewalks that contractor originally installed when you house way built. These small sidewalks that are only wide enough for one person aren't landscape friendly when trying to layer plants and make it look natural. By widening these sidewalks a homeowner can get more welcoming and natural look for a walkway.

Sin #7: House-hugging plants and their bad beds
Don't plant flower beds too close to your home. Be creative when planting flower beds and don't settle for those small house hugging beds that contractors like to plant when selling spec homes. A good rule of thumb is to have a flower bed that is one or two thirds as wide as the height of the house at that location.

Let the Nolting Real Estate team put you on our most prestigious list of clients and give you the monthly items of value that all our top clients receive.

Nolting Real Estate
14272 Manchester Road
Manchester, Mo 63011

NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

Top 10 Do It Yourself Mistakes

2007-02-26T11:02:00.000-06:00

With spring on the horizon and home projects back on the agenda after the long winter months, here are 10 "Do It Yourself Mistakes" that should be avoided.

1) Buying Too High or the Wrong Location -
Before ever starting that home remodeling project owners need to be careful that they haven't shot themselves in the foot. Buyers need to be careful that comparable homes will be able to support the improvements that the owner intends to make.

2) Not Researching Code and Obtaining a Permit -
Although sometimes getting permits is a hassle and time consuming, they are important to get because they protect the investment. Without obtaining a permit, home owners run the risk of having to tear out there work if caught and also the protection of knowing the quality of work done.

3) Failure to Prepare a Written Work Plan -
When starting a job put together a time line of the steps involved and the realistic time it will take to finish. A good idea is to get a daily calendar and write in each day what is expected to be finished within that day.

4) Under Budgeting -
Be very detailed when putting together a budget for improvements. Figure in everything and then add up to 30% for wasted usage and material price increases.

5) Tackling Jobs for Which You are Unqualified -
Don't be so bold to think that you can do more than you actually can. Hire people to do things that you are knowledgeable at and skilled at. Time is money and the time saved is well worth the money spend.

6) Not Planning for the Unexpected -
When demolition starts on that new project expect the unexpected. There always seems to be that one things that throws your home remodeling project for a loop and adds time and money to the bottom line. Always expect for the unexpected.

7) Waiving a Home Inspection -
The most costly mistake for homeowners is not to get an inspection by a certified inspector when purchasing a home. This mistake can cost money and put the new home buyer in financial jeopardy.

8) Using the Wrong Tools -
Buy the right tools for the job. If inadequate tools are used the job will take longer and quality of work won't be as good.

9) Buying Cheap Materials -
By chimping on materials the future sale of the home is in jeopardy. Buyers will notice the small things and by using cheaper materials quality will be noticed. Spend the money for quality and the improvements will hold their value.

10) Under Estimating the Resale Value -
Be vary careful in thinking that all your improvements will produce over appreciation. In many cases looking at comparable properties and their conditions before starting an improvement project is important. Don't ever over improve your property above what the neighborhoods standard.

Let us give you the service you deserve from a professional Real Estate Team

Nolting Real Estate
14272 Manchester Road
Manchester, Mo 63011

NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

Profit from the foreclosure boom

2007-02-19T13:15:00.000-06:00

The word foreclosure is synonymous for distressed or as-is real estate. But in today's changing market with rising adjustable rate mortgages, savvy investors or do it yourself home buyers are able to purchase these undervalued properties faster and more often than ever. But before purchasing a foreclosed property, buyers need to know the process and what to look for. Today I will cover the 4 basic ideas and steps to take when starting this process. As the week continues we will dive deeper into the subject of foreclosures.

1. The Process -
The process begins when the owner falls more than 3 months behind on payments. At this time the lender will send a default letter to the owner and the county that the property resides in, stating that unless all outstanding balances aren't brought current the foreclosure process will begin. At this time the financial institution will set a date for public auction and from this auction the first mortgage and lawyer fees will be paid first. If there is any money left over from the purchase at the auction the money will go to the foreclosed homeowner.

2. What's available -
Every type of home or real estate has the ability to be foreclosed on. This gives investors and homeowners the opportunity to buy anything from vacant land to high rise commercial buildings. There are many options for buyers to find these properties but many charge a fee for their information. Web-sites like ForeclosureNet.com provide info. about bank owned properties for about $30 / month while RealtyTrac charges $50 / month with email services for similar properties.

3. Legal Issues -
Buyers of these foreclosed properties need to beware that sometime there might be outstanding leans on the property that will have to be paid off after their purchase. This leaves buyers in the dark sometimes and cost time and money to fix before owning outright.

4. Investment Stages -
There are many ways to find and purchase foreclosed properties but investors need to be ware what they are getting into before starting the process. There are different levels of risks associated with the way that the properties are purchased and buyers need to know that before hand.

Let the Nolting Real Estate team help you find that foreclosed property. Call or e-mail us anytime. We would love to give you the service that you deserve and that is hard to find.

Nolting Real Estate
140 Enchanted Pwky. Suite 203
Manchester, Mo 63021

www.NoltingRealEstate.com and/or
(636) 391-9997

Home, the mother of all tax shelters

2007-02-16T15:19:00.000-06:00

As homeowners know, owning a house allows for many different types of deductions. Uncle Sam has also allowed real estate investors deductions that no other investment vehicle ex. (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc...) is allowed. Taxes are what keeps the middle class and upper middle class from being independently wealthy and smart investors look to real estate as a way to pay lower taxes. Here are some deductions and ideas for those smart investors that are looking to get ahead.

1. Taxes -
The government allows all real property taxes including local and state taxes as deductions. If your taxes are escrowed into your mortgage you get the deduction when you bank pays the taxes. The government doesn't have restrictions on the number of properties that you deduct taxes on.

2. Interest -
Uncle Sam allows for any interest paid on your home loan to be deducted. This is also allowed on any second or vacation home. The personal-interest deduction is limited to the first $1 million of debt. One item that is very important is that also as much as $100,000 worth of home-equity is allowed also.

3. Gain Exclusion -
As we have talked in the last 2 blogs, the government allows for up to $250,000 in gains for single owners and $500,000 for married couples when going to sell your primary residence. This exclusion is only allowed if the owner has lived in the property for 2 of the last 5 years. One thing that most people don't know is that the owner can get a partial exclusion if :
1. You have a change in place of employment
2. You have health reasons
3. There are unforeseen circumstances

Allow of these circumstances allows for partial exclusion if you have lived in the residence less than 2 years and have documents proving these circumstances.

4. Home Offices -
This is were the government has given the homeowner the upper hand. The government allows for a part of a homeowners square footage up to 25% of the total square footage be classified as a home office, while allowing you to deduct depreciation and expenses for working in this part of the home. This deduction is smart for anyone that has a home office and uses it.

Let us show you more ways that owning your own home saves you money on your taxes.

Nolting Real Estate
140 Enchanted Pkwy. Suite 203
Manchester, Mo 63021

(636) 391-9997 and/or
NoltingRealEstate.com

How to Sell Your Highly-Appreciated Home Tax-Free (or Almost)

2007-02-14T10:59:00.000-06:00

With appreciation sky rocketing over the last 10 or so years for most Real Estate, sellers are looking for ways to lower there tax burdens. With tax season upon all of us, everyone is looking for ways to lower our tax burdens. There are a few great practices or changes that can make a homeowner lower the amount owed from highly appreciated properties when the time to sell comes. There are a few options that homeowners have and here are 3 that this article dives into.

1. If it is your permanent residence you can get a $250,000 tax break on the gains if single & $500,000 if you file as married status
- This tax break has a very friendly clause that you only have to live in this residence for the last 2 of the 5 years
- Along with this clause is another item that you only have to live in the residence for 2-3 weeks/ year to meet the requirements

2. Covert the residence into a rental property and sell it at fair market value (FMV) into a business structure that you own. A good choice is a limited liability company (LLC).
- The tax free exclusion still remains for this property when you sell
- This property becomes a source of income that can be loaned against if needed
- You still get the benefit of appreciation

3. Because the LLC paid FMV allows for the "step-up" in basis
- One of the largest benefits of real estate is the depreciation factor. Because the LLC owns the property, the government looks at it as loosing value and allows for depreciation. If it is a commercial property you can depreciate it over 27 years and 39 if it is residential.

These are some very good tips that can save homeowners lots of money when it comes to the tax burden of estate appreciation.

Let us give you the personalized service you deserve and expect from a true and honest real estate team.

Nolting Real Estate
140 Enchanted Pkwy Suite #203
Manchester, Mo 63021

(636) 391-9997 and/or
NoltingRealEstate.com

5 Homeowner Tax Myths

2007-02-12T14:00:00.000-06:00

With tax season fast approaching the deadline of April 15th, all are on the move to get there taxes done. This week we are going to talk about issues regarding tax advantages and tips for homeowners. Today's article covers 5 myths that most homeowners have regarding tax advantages.

1. My mortgage interest will reduce my tax bill
This is true for most, but if you don't itemize this is false. The standard deduction in 2006 for single taxpayers will be $5,150, $7,550 for head of households, and $10,300 for married couple filling jointly.

2. All costs related to my home are deductible
The simple answer is no, you can't use homeownership related cost as deductions. Some believe that PMI payments, association fees, property insurance cost, and repair cost are all deductible. All 4 of these are not deductible. However it is important to keep track of these expenses because if you decide to rent out or sell your house, these expenses will affect the properties tax basis.

3. I must use money from my home sale to buy another residence
The tax laws changed in 1997 to were if you sell your house anywhere between 2 to 7 years after your purchase, you can take up to $250,000 in profit untaxable. If you file married you can differ $500,000. The only clause to this is you have to purchase a similar property and can't change property uses like selling a house and purchasing raw land.

4. Putting my child on my homes title is a smart tax move.
This is a myth that is very complex. To avoid confusion over estate taxes and residential taxes, I advise to consult an attorney. The misconception of being able to just transfer your house into your child's name before death and allowing them to avoid taxes is false.

5. If I take a capital loss when I sell my home, I can write it off.
Real Estate unlike other assets that depreciate during down turns, doesn't give an invester the ability to write the losses off. This is a misnomer that was probably started by wishful homeowners.

Feel free to contact us anytime with questions regarding Real Estate transactions you are facing.

Nolting Real Estate
140 Enchanted Pkwy. Suite 203
Manchester, Mo 63021

(636) 391-9997 and/or
noltingrealestate.com

Which backyard improvements pay off?

2007-02-09T09:27:00.000-06:00

With this weeks theme being staging your landscaping for the spring, today's article is great for those backyard improvements. When you think about landscaping for a successful sale you have to think about your backyard also. Many sellers forget the element of the backyard and in today's market "a couple of lawn chairs and a portable grill just don't cut it."

The growing trend over that last 10 years is the outdoor living room. Since 1994 there has been a 366% increase in patios and terrace purchases. One element of this growing trend that people need to realize is some items add value and some are strictly luxury items. Here are some additions that can be more luxury items and some that will add value.

1. A covered patio (Add Value)- Remember that just a slab of concrete won't cut it. A good option is a pavers patio which is a brick-like material that is made of concrete but has a more finished look.

2. Fireplaces (Luxury Item) - Portable firepits are a relatively cheap way to create a cozy outdoor setting.

3. Kitchens (Add Value) - An outdoor kitchen can add value to a home where entertaining is very important. With cooking being such a big part of entertaining, an outdoor kitchen is the newest trend that often pays off.

4. Television (Luxury Item) - Most T.V.'s are bad to put outside because during the day it is too bright to see the screen.

5. Swimming Pools (Questionable) - "Pools are one of those features that can be both functional and aesthetic and can add value -- or detract -- depending on the type of pool and type of home buyer or owner."

6. Water Features (Questionable) - Most times water features such as waterfalls or ponds are not worth the money because 50% of them are abandoned or ignored after the first four years.

If you have any questions how you can make your own backyard more buyer friendly, feel free to mail, call or visit our web-site anytime at.

Nolting Real Estate
140 Enchanted Pkwy Suite #203
Manchester, Mo 63021

(636) 391-9997

www.NoltingRealEstate.com

17 ways to landscape on the cheap

2007-02-07T09:39:00.000-06:00

With the continuing topic of landscaping for a successful sale this week, we will talk today about 17 ways to landscape on the cheap. Some expert say that you should expect to pay anywhere from 5 - 15% of your homes value on landscaping. This mean that with the median home value around $213,000 your looking to spend around $10,500 at the low end. This show that being smart with your landscaping decisions can save you lots of money. Here are the 17 ways to save.

1. Take advantage of freebies
- Your city & Friends - Cities give away trees, compost and mulch
- Demolition sites - Demolition sites are great for getting bricks and stones
- Fellow Gardeners - set up a seed exchanges with neighbors

2. Avoid costly exchange
- By planning your project out you can save lots of money

3. Work with what you have
- preserving what you have can save time and money

4. Hire yourself
- Doing the work yourself can save lots of money

5. Know when to hire the pros
- Things like designing or very physical labor is smart to hire out

6. When using the pros, try to get a packaged deal
- Most nursery's have landscaper that will also give you discounts to buy the plants from them

7. Hire a consultant
- It just depends on the size of the job but if it is a big job a consultant will save time and money by giving you advise on plant types and ways to maximize the most bang for your buck

8. Take a phased approach
- By dividing your project into phases you can pay with money on hand and not use those dreaded credit cards

9. Time your purchases
- Buy your shrubs, trees, and other plants in late season when retailers are trying to get rid of them

10. Check alternative resources
- Look beyond retailers for bargains and find botanical gardens or plant societies that are willing to sell plants.

11. Buy small
- Purchase smaller 1 gallon plants instead of 3 or 4 gallon plants

12. Protect foundations
- Roots can damage foundations so keep trees at least 30 feet from foundations

13. Divide
- By dividing larger perennials that are already established can save lots of money

14. Compost
- Save money by saving your yard waste and food scraping in a compost pile

15. Think about maintenance
- Larger yards are nice but if you pay someone to cut it factor that into your landscaping budget

16. Be water smart
- Look for plants that are drought hardy so that your water will isn't sky high

17. Get the most visual bang for your buck
- With a small budget experts agree that planting trees and improving the soil is most important

Feel free to call us with any questions you have on landscaping tips to sell your home fast at

Nolting Real Estate
140 Enchanted Pkwy. Suite 203
Manchester, Mo 63021

(636) 391-9997 and/or
noltingrealestate.com

Secrets of instant-gratification gardening

2007-02-06T09:44:00.000-06:00

With the cold weather taking a hold over our area, everyone is dreaming and planning for those warm spring and summer days. With the theme of staging and preparing your home for the the spring selling season one very important aspect is landscaping.

This week we are going to cover some key points when it comes to landscaping for a successful sell. There are six key points to make your garden/landscape look great right now.

1. Use pots right in your garden beds
- This idea of using pots not only around decks and patios but also to decorate your flower beds is great in the winter because it adds height and color during the early spring months.

2. Clean up
- By giving the garden/landscaping a good clean up everything looks better instantly.

3. Use quick-fix plants
- By using ornamental grasses and early spring annuals, colorful foliage takes hold of your garden sooner.

4. Add structure
- By adding a birdbath or garden sculptures, one can break up the monotony of most gardens .

5. Go for the seasonal zip
- When buying flowers look for the heavier blooming varieties.

6. Don't garden, decorate
- By thinking of your outdoors as adding living area one begins to see it as area to also decorate. By using things like water features, indoor-outdoor rugs, outdoor fabrics, and lighting one begins to see instant gratification.

2007-02-01T13:22:00.000-06:00

With the continued topic of staging your home here are 10 Great Tips to improve showings. By improving the staging of your home, you will spend less time showing and increase your chances of a quick sale. To get more detail on these 10 tips click on the link above.

1. The Gracious Welcome
2. Check the Temperature
3. Create a Mood
4. Play Down the Scent
5. Play Up the Visual
6. Light up the House
7. Encourage Touching
8. Provide Thoughtful Cards
9. Top It Off With Food
10. Encourage Feed Back

To learn more about staging and showing your home feel free to give us a call anytime.

Nolting Real Estate
140 Enchanted Pkwy. Suite 203
Manchester, MO 63021

(636) 391-9997 and/or
www.NoltingRealEstate.com

How To Get The Best Price In A Slowing Market

2007-01-31T08:37:00.000-06:00

While staging your house is very important while selling during the slower winter months, there are other things to think about as well. Staging is very important year round but in a slower market there are 5 other key point to think about. Read this article to get more details on these 5 key points.

1. Buyers are scarce relative to home supply.
2. Remember that cash is still an issue.
3. Choose the right broker.
4. Numbers Count.
5. It's a business deal.

To learn more about what your home is worth call

Nolting Real Estate
140 Enchanted Pkwy. Suite 203
Manchester, Mo 63021

(636) 391-9997 and/or
www.NoltingRealEstate.com

13 Tips for Selling Your Home In The Winter

2007-01-30T09:43:00.000-06:00

During the winter months selling a home becomes tougher. Here are some very important tips to make your house stand out and sell faster. For more detail on these 13 tips click on the article link.

1. Keep snow and ice at bay.
2. Warm it up.
3. Take advatage of natural light.
4. Get the windows washed.
5. Play soft music in the background.
6. Make it comfortable and cozy.
7. Emphasize winter positives.
8. Set up timers.
9. Make it festive.
10. Give the home a nice aroma.
11. Protect your investment.
12. Use the season to your advantage.
13. Consider the area.

To learn more about what your home is worth call

Nolting Real Estate
636-391-9997
and/or www.NoltingRealEstate.com

Post Boom Second Home Buying Strategies

2007-01-26T06:48:00.000-06:00

As the rise of purchases increases on second homes many find themselves signing on the dotted line to fast. The same time and research needs to be put into your second purchase as your first and here is an article that could help you start.

Location, Location, Location

2007-01-24T10:15:00.000-06:00

Real estate is a business of Location, Location, Location.

Ultra high-end property home prices have sky rocketed throughout the entire world. London's borough's of Kensington and Chelsea are no different. Over the last year year prices have increased by 61.8% to a jaw-dropping average of $5,900 per square foot.

Similar properties in New York can go for $5,300 per square foot, while those in Hong Kong sell for $3,900 per square foot.

To learn more about what your house is worth call

Nolting Real Estate
636-391-9997
and/or www.NoltingRealEstate.com

Seller Financing Makes A Comeback

2007-01-16T09:37:00.000-06:00

We have learned that seller financing has become a bigger topic in probable real estate transactions. According to Walter Molony (National Association of Realtors), property owners show more willingness to negotiate terms that will help seal a deal with a buyer who may not be able to meet the requirements of a regular mortgage lender.

Further, high lending rates in the teens made seller financing — in which the seller finances part or all of a home sale — popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s. But high residential prices threaten to keep many prospective buyers out of today's market.

Some real estate and mortgage lending officials express concern about the home financing strategy if the seller is not financially stable. A home owner who has other assets stands a better chance of not being completely depleted by a delinquent buyer.

To learn more about Real Estate in your area contact Nolting Real Estate at 636-391-9997 and/or www.NoltingRealEstate.com

2007 Proves High Consumer Confidence

2007-01-15T09:14:00.000-06:00

The new year has brought consumers a lot more confidence than they have had in months, which proves to be good news for the housing market.

The RBC Cash Index, created by the international polling firm Ipsos, showed U.S. consumer confidence at 95.3 in January. That was up from 86.9 in December and was at its highest since February of 2006. The "expectations" index soared to 83.8 in January from 55 in December. This reading was at its highest in more than two years.

Consumers continue to feel particularly good about the job market. The January reading came in at 126.3, virtually unchanged from December's 126.5, the highest on record. "A lot of the fears people had about the economy seem to be dissipating — fears about inflation and soaring gas prices. Fears about higher interest rates and the housing bust," says Mark Vitner, an economist at Wachovia Corp.

To learn more about Real Estate in your area please contact us at Nolting Real Estate at 636-391-9997 and/or www.NoltingRealEstate.com

Another Good Reason Why It's A Good Time To Buy

2007-01-10T08:51:00.000-06:00

From The Wall Street Journal... With spring right around the corner, many housing industry experts are hoping the real estate market will see some noticeable improvements. However, there is one snag that can potentially keep prices down — the large number of vacant homes for sale and rent.

In the third quarter of 2006, there were 5.7 million vacant housing units, accounting for a record 4.6 percent of all U.S. homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The average in the 1990s was about 3.5 percent. To get this ratio back to normal, 1.3 million vacant homes would need to be occupied.

The tendency being that the great amount of empty homes is pushes home prices downward. Owners of un-rented, unsold homes must pay for insurance, lawn service, taxes and, often, a mortgage. Seeing those costs pile up can motivate an owner to sell or rent at much lower prices. When a house sells at a lower price, other would-be buyers expect lower prices as well.

To find out about local listings call us at Nolting Real Estate 636-391-9997 and/or http://www.noltingrealestate.com/.

30-Year Mortgage Rates Hold, Others Mixed

2007-01-08T09:20:00.000-06:00

According to experts - financial markets during the first week of the year were still trying to determine how much the economy is likely to slowdown. For the second consecutive week, Freddie Mac reported 30-year fixed loans averaged 6.18 percent.

However, other rates remained mixed. Interest on 15-year, fixed mortgages rose slightly to 5.94 percent, rates on five-year adjustable-rate mortgages moved up to 6.02 percent, and one-year ARMs slipped to 5.42 percent.

Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac chief economist, recently said "Currently, the market is waiting for a clearer signal on the direction in which the economy is headed.” Rates on 30-year loans declined over much of the second half of 2006 as the housing market continued to falter.

To learn more about Real Estate in your area please call us at 636-391-9997. Thank you!

So When Can You Write Off A Home Office?

2007-01-03T09:03:00.000-06:00

If you own a home business and do your work on the kitchen table, sorry, you probably can’t take any deductions. The IRS is very specific as to what constitutes a home office. There are three words to remember: exclusive, regular and principle.

EXCLUSIVE - The part of your home used for business must be used exclusively for business. Ex: You run a home business form a spare bedroom. And you also email your PTA committee, share the office space with a spouse and sometimes catch up on your favorite show form that bedroom. Because the room isn’t used exclusively for business, you won’t be able to write it off.

REGULAR – The part of your home used for business must be used on a regular basis. Ex: You rent an office or studio downtown. Once in a while you bring home a client to view samples. This does not constitute regular used of the room.

PRINCIPAL – Your home office, studio or workshop must be your principal place of business. Ex: You have a dog-walking business. But you’ve dedicated your den just for bookkeeping for your business. You can write of this space even though most of your business occurs at parks and fire hydrants.

To learn more about this subject contact us at Nolting Real Estate at 636-391-9997. Also contact us about Real Estate in your area!

Your Home as Your Biggest Tax Advantage!

2007-01-02T10:42:00.000-06:00

Did you know that your home is more than just one of the biggest investments you can make; it can be a windfall when you file your taxes as well? The U.S. tax code is especially generous to homeowners, allowing them to deduct the interest of their home mortgages, and it also allows for deductions on a number of transactions that are made when buying or selling a home.

Sorting out the tax code regarding home ownership can be confusing. That’s why this month’s Client Appreciation Program is all about the tax advantages of homeownership, how it affects your tax return, and how you can avoid paying more than you should on your taxes. In addition, you’ll find details about when you can (and can’t) use your home office as a deduction on your taxes. In order to receive this mail out please contact us at Nolting Real Estate by calling 636-391-9997. We wish you the best in this “taxing” season!

Sincerely,
Russell Nolting

Why is it a GREAT time to buy a home?

2006-12-28T11:16:00.000-06:00

…because low rates and amazing supply have created superb conditions for home buyers. For those of you who did not know these are things to know in regards to Real Estate right now;

1. You now have more homes to choose from then ever before.- Currently there are 3.75 million homes for sale in the United States. These record levels offer consumers the greatest choice in decades.
- However, inventory levels are falling, and the selection of homes will become limited once again. Former Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan recently said, “Most of the negatives in housing are probably behind us. The fourth quarter should be reasonably good, certainly better than the third quarter.” According to these results, 2006 will be the third-best year on record for home sales.

2. Interest rates haven't been this low for nearly 40 years
- At 6.4 percent, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate remains near 40-year lows. This is more than an entire percentage point below 2000 levels. For example a $250,000 loan, a drop from 7.5 percent to 6.5 percent means an annual savings of $2,000.

3. Real estate is a great investment
- The average home value increased by 88 percent over the last ten years.
- In the decade to come, the number of US households is expected to increase by 15 percent, which means housing will stay in high demand.

While conditions for buyers are perfect now, that is likely to change next year as sales pick up, prices gain traction, and conditions improve for sellers. In today's real estate market, the best time to buy is now. For advice on Real Estate in your area please contact us at Nolting Real Estate by calling 636-391-9997 and/or visit us on the web www.NoltingRealEstate.com.

Rates Continue to Climb

2006-12-27T10:45:00.000-06:00

For the second week, Freddie Mac puts the average 30-year fixed rate at 6.13 percent, up a from 6.12 percent last week. The 15-year fixed rate, popular among refinancing borrowers, also rose to 5.89 percent from 5.86 percent. All of this follows a month long downward trend. Initial interest on five-year adjustable-rate loans increased as well, rising to 5.96 percent from 5.92 percent. One-year ARMs, however, fell from 5.45 percent to 5.44 percent.

But overall we see that interest rates remain low. Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac chief economist says, "This could bode well for housing in the new year," He goes onto say, "Indeed we have seen a spike in refinancing activity over the past few weeks as rates have come down. Borrowers who have adjustable-rate mortgages that are scheduled for a rate adjustment in 2007 may want to consider refinancing those loans now."

More on this subject, click here. To learn more about Real Estate in your area contact Nolting Real Estate www.NoltingRealEstate.com and/or 636-391-9997.

An Attitude of Gratitude

2006-12-21T09:00:00.000-06:00

The theme around NRE this holiday season has been "An Attitude of Gratitude." We have so very much to be thankful for this holiday season. Most of my blog audience is from the St. Louis metro area. How grateful am I to be in this beautiful city! The media has made a big deal about St. Louis being the most dangerous city in the country. There may be some statistical significance to the report. But my experience with St. Louis has been fantastic. Born in Town and Country, I continue to live within 1/2 mile of my childhood home. I love the wide open spaces of my aptly named community.

St. Louis is a town of wonderful restaurants, reasonably priced museums and cultural sites, and eclectic shopping. My St. Louis is a place where the cashier at the local Straub's knows my girls' names. My St. Louis offers me an outlet for my cooking passion through courses at the Kitchen Conservatory. My St. Louis is friendly, clean, and orderly. The hospitals are world class. The schools are without peer. It's a great place to raise a family.

I am grateful for teachers this year. So many educators spend their days toiling with our nation's youth for little compensation and less acknowledgement. This year, I want to remember and recognize their gifts and passions.

I am also grateful for family. I have been blessed with a loving wife and three beautiful little girls. Each holiday season, we take a photograph of the girls to use with our holiday cards. At the risk of being too cliche, I can't believe how big they are getting.

During this holiday season, I intend to spread my gratitude to others by being thankful and expressing gratitude to those around me. I have a large stack of "Thank Yous" scheduled to go out each day. The act of showing a little kindness to those around you can multiply to many more than just the intended recipient. And, you know, it makes you feel good too.

10 Best Real Estate Books of 2006…

2006-12-20T10:01:00.000-06:00

According to Bob Bruss – St. Louis Post Disptach – these are the 10 best real estate books of 2006.

1. "Trump-Style Negotiation," by George Ross
2. "The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner," by David Bach
3. "Buy Even Lower," by Scott Frank and Andy Heller
4. "Real Estate Debt Can Make You Rich," by Steve Dexter
5. "Bubbles, Booms, and Busts; Make Money in Any Real Estate Market," by Blanche Evans
6. "Success as a Real Estate Agent for Dummies," by Dirk Zeller
7. "Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Co-Op, Condo, or Townhouse," by Ken Roth
8. "Who Says You Can't Buy a Home?" by David Reed
9. "Confessions of a Real Estate Entrepreneur," by James A. Randel
10. "The Reverse Mortgage Advantage," by Warren Boroson

For a complete description and further mention of this list, click here. For all your Real Estate Needs contact www.NoltingRealEstate.com and/or 636-391-9997.

Rebound Expected in Real Estate (2007)

2006-12-19T12:00:00.000-06:00

We should expect a rebound in Real Estate according to chief economist for the Mortgage Bankers Association, Doug Duncan. He expects the 30-year mortgage rate to hang around around 6.5 percent for the remainder of the year, but climb to 6.8 percent by the end of 2008. Duncan is positive about a bounce back in the housing market next year, citing still-low long-term interest rates, robust capital expenditures, and rising equity prices, among other factors.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Realtors expects existing-home sales to slip just above 6.4 million in 2007 from an estimated 6.47 million this year but recoil in construction will spark an 8.7-percent decline in new-home sales to 975,000 from 1.07 million over the same time span. Also the median resale price will likely edge up 1.7 percent to $227,500 next year, and the median new-home price is forecasted to climb 1.3 percent to $241,400.

To learn more about this expected rebound, click here. For all your Real Estate needs contact Nolting Real Estate at 636-391-9997.

Makeover Planned For Historic St. Louis Area

2006-12-18T10:41:00.000-06:00

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch;

We have recently learned that Lenigan Development of Oak Park, Ill., plans to build a $34 million single-family housing development in the Ville, a section of north St. Louis that was home to the city’s black professionals from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s. The area has since become dilapidated.

Lenigan’s founder, who was born in St. Louis says, "In order to preserve the future, we must remember our past.” Lenigan plans to rehab some of the homes. Others will be newly built. Prices will start at $200,000, and the homes will range from 2,200 to 2,600 square feet. The subdivision will be gated.

To learn more about such developments contact us at Nolting Real Estate by calling 636-3991-9997.

What Women Look For When Buying A House...

2006-12-13T08:59:00.000-06:00

Women make up 21% of all recent home purchases, according to a recent study by the National Association of Realtors. Beyond this statistic women are estimated to be responsible for making the final decision about home purchases 87 percent of the time. It is because of these statistics that we have noticed that home builders are designing home layouts with the woman buyer in mind.

Home builders have been asking women what kinds of layouts and amenities they prefer. In response to its surveys of women buyers, they have created separate workspaces for men and women. They have also added open loft areas on the second floor and located laundry rooms and craft rooms near the kitchen. These floor plans were created specifically for mom or females who are working from home.

Also since mothers are such big voices in the renewed popularity of urban living there has been a concentration on in-fill developments. They also are building homes with porches that encourage neighborliness, and they are paying attention to the proximity of parks.

For more information on this development, click here. For local real estate contact us at http://www.noltingrealestate.com/ and/or 636-391-9997

Mortgage Insurance Fees to be Deductible

2006-12-12T09:28:00.000-06:00

According to the 109th Congress - beginning in 2007 fees for mortgage insurance will be tax-deductible for a large number of homeowners. Mortgage insurance makes home purchases possible today and thus is the key to homeownership for millions of buyers. Lenders have traditionally wanted homebuyers to purchase with 20 percent down. The logic for this requirement is fairly clear: If something goes wrong and the home must be foreclosed, the lender is still likely to get back most or all of its loan balance.

Mortgage insurance help those buying a house get around the problem of having little money to put down on a house. Instead of putting up dollars buyers get insurance coverage. Lenders accept mortgage insurance because it performs the same function as 20 percent down: If a property is foreclosed lender risk is reduced because mortgage insurance pays for much or all of the lender's possible loss.

And now it seems that with this new legislation – Mortgage Insurance will become tax-deductible. For the specifics of this new legislation, click here. For all your Real Estate needs contact Nolting Real Estate at www.NoltingRealEstate.com and/or 636-391-9997.

Making Your Life Easier in the Holiday Rush!!

2006-12-11T13:37:00.000-06:00

Since 1984, Nolting Real Estate has been focused on providing the best customer service possible to our clients. We are committed to continue this tradition of excellence. At Nolting Real Estate, we continue working hard to enhance our Client Appreciation Program (CAP). Hannah Wood has recently taken over this program.

Through Hannah's hard work, we are now offering the NRE Perks Program (that was spoken of in the previous blog entry). This innovative service rewards our past, present, and future clients with services that make their lives easier. Please call us to set up the following free services. Or just stop by, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm;

Notary
Fax
Copy
Package mailing through USPS, FedEx, DHL, UPS
St. Louis, St. Charles County Courier
License renewal through DMV
Annual Analysis of your home's value
NRE's Annual Referral Directory
Two-hour interior design consulation
A personalized pre-payment plan for you mortgage
Seasonal coupons and miscellaneous "freebies"

We would love to speak to you about your needs. Please contact Nolting Real Estate at 636-391-9998 and/or www.NoltingRealEstate.com.Thank you for your time,Russell Nolting

Making Home Improvements Pay II

2006-12-07T12:27:00.000-06:00

Realtor Magazine is looking at cost vs. value in home remodeling as seen in the previous blog. Here is there same look but at bathrooms.

National Average
Job Cost - $12,918
Resale Value - $10,970
Cost Recouped - 85%

St. Louis
Job Cost - $13,924
Resale Value - $10,395
Cost Recouped - 74.7%

To learn more about cost vs. value reports, click here. For all your Real Estate needs contact http://www.noltingrealestate.com/ and/or 636-391-9997.

Making Home Improvements Pay

2006-12-06T09:49:00.000-06:00

Realtor Magazine asks the questions, "What's the return for remodeling?” They found the answer through Remodeling magazine’s annual report which compares construction cost with resale values for 25 common remodeling projects in 60 U.S. markets. They call these the cost vs. value reports. For example a minor kitchen remodel for a 200 square foot kitchen;

National Average
Job Cost - $17,928
Resale Value - $15,278
Cost Recouped - 85%

West South Central
Job Cost - $18,354
Resale Value - $13,471
Cost Recouped - 73%

St. Louis
Job Cost - $18,819
Resale Value - $13,530
Cost Recouped - 71.9%

To learn more about cost vs. value reports, click here. For all your Real Estate needs contact http://www.noltingrealestate.com/ and/or 636-391-9997.

November Housing Statistics

2006-12-04T09:53:00.000-06:00

Nolting Real Estate focuses on the Central Corridor of St. Louis County - In the Central Corridor there are 1717 homes currently listed on the MLS with an average listing price of $925,651 (Average days on the market: 132). In November 2006, 215 homes were sold with an average sale price of $484,202 (Average days on the market: 58).

To learn more about Real Estate in this area contact us at 636-391-9997 and/or www.NoltingRealEstate.com.

Greenspan Says the Worst is Over for Housing

2006-11-30T11:41:00.000-06:00

From the Associated Press;

Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan says that the worst of the housing adjustment is over and “sales figures have stabilized.” He predicted that inventory levels will come down at a "reasonably rapid pace.” He also foresees housing price declines that will have an impact on consumer expenditures. “We haven’t see it yet,” he says.

Greenspan also announced he is preparing to publish an analysis of the effect of mortgage wealth on consumer spending. The paper will include data on gross equity extraction dating to 1968 and a more detailed analysis of data from 1991 to the present. The thesis, he says, is whether extracted equity is "acting as a proxy for all types of financing of goods that would've been bought anyway."Greenspan didn’t say when the analysis will be available.

For all your Real Estate needs contact Nolting Real Estate at 636-391-9997 and/or www.NoltingRealEstate.com