St. Louis Homes for Sale on a Cul-De-Sac

We have a new way to find St. Louis homes for sale on a cul-de-sac.

I grew up on a cul-de-sac … and loved it.  We could run, skateboard, hang out with friends and play catch in relative peace and tranquility and not have to worry about traffic blasting through.

My father recently passed away and every surviving neighbor who grew up on our cul-de-sac … showed up for his funeral.  Cul-de-sacs have a way of fostering good, long-term relationships.

How Do You Find a Home on a Cul-De-Sac?

It’s not easy.  Our web site is probably not the first one you’ve ever been on or searched for homes on. You know what I’m talking about.  Try and go and search on the hundreds of real estate web sites available and you’ll have a hard time finding one with the flexibility in search terms that you need.

Break Away from the Traditional Ways of Home Searching for Better Results

The link below will take you to the results you’re looking for: homes on a cul-de-sac. How did we do it, or better yet … how you can learn how search for better results is in the video below.  Have fun exploring the link below:

Video:How to Use this Powerful Feature to Become a Real Estate Search Ninja

Finding Homes for You is a St. Louis Real Estate Company that works for the buyer only.  We are Exclusive Buyer Agents here to serve home buyers.  We never list properties and will only represent the buyer 100% of the time.  Find out more about our services by clicking here and contact us at 636-532-4200 for more information.

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Using  a St. Louis Home Buying Checklist to Help You Find Your Best Home

Zeroing in on your next home can be fun and exciting.  But it can also be tiring and confusing.

So before you start looking at properties, write down what you want in your new home.  Start with the size of the home, number of rooms, most convenient layout, and desirable features.  Prioritize the list, noting beside each item whether it is “nice to have” or a “must.”

Plan for the Foreseeable Future

As you make your list, consider how long you will likely be in that home and how your family and lifestyle may change over time.

Keep Your Goals in Mind

Bring you list with you when we plan the first home-shopping tour, or just email them to us.

Be a Comparison Shopper

As you preview each property,  jot down how it compares with your list.  Fill in the blanks as you see fit – Yes/No, Good/Fair/Poor, etc.  Keep your notes on each property to compare homes until you find the the right one.  Also note the features you would like to change with each home.

Finding Homes for You Simple Home Buying Checklist

Simply click the image on the left to get a copy of our handy St. Louis  home buying checklist.

Feel free to print off as many copies as you want before you visit homes, bring it along with you, and make your job a little easier!  After you start seeing a lot of homes, they start to blend together.  Hopefully, this little tool will help you compare homes and guide you to your next home!

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Finding a 5 Star St. Louis Real Estate Agent

Clean up in aisle 4 please.  Attention shoppers Free food samples today in aisle 3! Real Estate Agents in aisle 10?

Next time you are in the grocery store you might find something you’re not even looking for… a recognized, proven, real estate agent.

No, you won’t find them loitering around in the produce department with their Blackberry or i-Phone looking for customers. What you will find is the newest edition of St. Louis Magazine and their annual listing of St. Louis 5 Star Real Agents.

What is a 5 Star Real Estate Agent and Why Should I Care?

(Please pardon a proud dad for a second and I will answer the question) My son, Sebastian Richert, and I (pictured above)were both 2012 winners of this award. Thanks everyone for your support!

So why should you care?  Because it can help narrow the field of potential agents you may choose to help you with your next home purchase.

Vetting an Agent

Webster describes the word “Vetting” as follows:

• to subject to usual expert appraisal or correction (like vetting a manuscript)
• to evaluate for possible approval or acceptance (vetting a candidate for a position)

Instead of an agent telling you how wonderful they are, the winners of this award were actually chosen because the people who  purchased a home through them used and loved their service.  A “vetted” real estate agent.

One of the reasons Yelp or Trip Adviser have been so popular is because people want to know what other people thought about  the quality of a restaurant before they waste an evening out, or before you book a room at a resort. People want to  hear feedback from somebody who’s been there, done that.  Click here to see what people are saying about us

How The 5 Star Real Estate Agents Were Chosen

The video will explain it really quick!

How will you choose your agent?  Will it be a relative, a friend of a friend, someone from your church, the guy on a road sign?

If you had a $100 to spend on a night out … would you eat at a 3 star restaurant or a 5 star restaurant?

You’ll be laying down a lot more money on a home than a meal out.

Why not choose a 5 Star Agent?

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Time-Saving Spring Cleaning Gadgets to Help Home Owners

From itchy eyes to gobs of grass and weeds Spring Time has arrived in St. Louis. How about some new technology to help you with the chores?

Nest-The Learning Thermostat

Most of us never think about our thermostats. Did you know that your thermostat controls 1/2 of your energy bill. Nest actually programs itself, learns your daily habits, what time you get up, go to bed, and will program itself according to your need for cooling or heating.  You can also control your thermostat remotely via your smartphone or Apple device.  Click Here for More Information

iRobot Looj Gutter Cleaner

One of my clients, a trauma surgeon, told me that the best medical advice he could give was to stay off of ladders as much as possible. iRobot has introduced the Looj robotic gutter cleaner.  It looks like a tank that you insert at one end of your gutter and it moves ahead clearing out the debris for you so you can minimize your time on the ladder … and your risk! 
Click Here for the Video and More Information

Black and Decker Cordless Lithium Battery Trimmer

The 1-hour fast charger means less waiting between tasks.
Two-in-one tool easily converts from trimming to edging along sidewalks and driveways.

Click Here for More Information

Dyson DC 39 Animal Dyson Ball

The only vacuum with a turbine in the head of the device.  Do you have a lot of pollen coming into the house, or the dogs bringing in all kinds of junk?  This device will handle it all!

Click Here for More Information

iRobot Scooba Floor Washing Robot

The Scooba 390 Floor Washing Robot has just been introduced. The manufacturer states that it works great on hardwood floors, preps, washes and scrubs and kills 98% of all germs.  It is also great for reaching tight spots around the home  like under sinks.

Click Here for More Information

Springtime in St. Louis

This is the time of the year where buyers and sellers are revving up for the home buying and selling season.  If you would like to know what’s for sale in your neighborhood without having to ask your neighbor or calling a real estate agent yet … Get our mobile search app for your smartphone.  All the listed homes gathered for your viewing based on your current location.  Call Finding Homes for You today if you would like to know more about the pulse of the St. Louis Real Estate market.

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Remodeling – Cost Vs the Value Report for the St.Louis Area

If you want to know the cost of remodeling in St. Louis vs the value for resale read on.
Remodeling Magazine just published their annual report with information that’s valuable to both Sellers and Buyers.  What remodeling projects return the biggest percentage for resale?  What is the average cost for replacing a deck, a minor kitchen renovation, etc?

The Value to Sellers

How much should you invest in your home to get it ready to sell?  What project will bring you the biggest bang for your money?

Example: Did you know that the average cost for a Sun room Addition is $74,119 yet you will probably only recoup 38.9% of your investment?  Maybe it’s better to redo your deck where the report says you’ll recoup an average of 59.5% of your investment.

The Value to Buyers

You’ve found a home you are considering for purchasing but it seems to be priced more than the comps are showing for the neighborhood.  You get a very specific list of the improvements that the Seller has made … but are there selling expectations really in line with reality?  The Remodeling Cost Vs Value Report is a helpful tool to have in your buyer’s arsenal of info weapons!

Data Samples from the Remodeling Cost Vs Value Report for the St. Louis Area

According to the Remodeling 2011–12 Cost vs. Value Report

You can now download the Remodeling App on iTunes.  Quick Demo

Finding Homes for You is dedicated to you the home buyer.  Our goal is to inform and provide you with tools to make the best home buying decision.  We only work for the buyer and never for the seller.  Your interests are safe, secured and protected through our Exclusive Buyer Services.  Click Here to Learn More About Exclusive Buyer Agents

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St. Louis Neighborhoods with a Pool

Looking for a St. Louis Home for sale in a subdivision with a pool?

View real-time search results for St. Louis Homes for sale in neighborhoods and subdivisions with access to a pool.

If you are not sure about handling the cost (anywhere from $500-$1000 annually) and upkeep of a pool then a St. Louis subdivision with a community pool might be a better option for you.  You might end up spending more time relaxing and less time working!

St. Louis County Homes for Sale with a Community Pool

To make it easy we have broken down the listing information by price for your review:

St Louis Homes for Sale with Subdivision Pool 100-200K

St Louis Homes for Sale with Subdivision Pool 200-300K

St Louis Homes for Sale with Subdivision Pool 300-500K

St Louis Homes for Sale with Subdivision Pool 500K Plus

St. Charles Homes for Sale with a Community Pool

St Charles Homes for Sale with Subdivision Pool 150-200K

St Charles Homes for Sale with Subdivision Pool 200-250K

St Charles Homes for Sale with Subdivision Pool 250-300K

St Charles Homes for Sale with Subdivision Pool 300-500K

St Charles Homes for Sale with Subdivision Pool 500K Plus

St. Louis Exclusive Buyer Agents Service Working for Buyers Only

We’d like to encourage you to take advantage of our services now, even if you’re not ready to buy just yet. Purchasing a home isn’t something you should rush into — or be pressured into. It’s a major transaction that requires forethought, patience and knowledge.

Finding Homes for You only works for you the Buyer.  We never represent a Seller or take listings makeing us your advocate and conflict-of-interest free agent working always … and only for you.  Click here to find out more about our services  You can always reach us at 636-532-4200.

If you are really busy right now and cannot call us directly just click here to leave us a voice mail with the best time to contact you.

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2012 Upcoming Events for Chesterfield Amphitheater

The Chesterfield Amphitheater just announced the 2012 list of upcoming events in Central Park. Last year was a tremendous success and the word is out that this is the place to be for live music, outdoor movies and family fun.

The natural setting is gorgeous, not to mention romantic, so mark your calendars now.  Here’s what’s happening:

Chesterfield Summer Concert Series

All performances will begin at 8 P.M. 

You can’t beat the price (free) or the setting. Coolers are allowed and you can bring your own food. Don’t want to hassle with food … there’s a concession stand available! You can bring your own lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the tunes.

May 12th  St. Louis Civic Orchestra - A collaboration of fine musicians under the guiding hand of Artistic Director Edward Dolbashian produces polished and sophisticated performances enjoyed by all. The orchestra will perform music by such masters as Brahms, Prokofiev, and Sibelius.

June 2nd  Honey Vox - Honey Vox is made up of a variety of talented musicians and entertainers that have provided musical accompaniment for several well-known local and national acts such as Chuck Berry, Oliver Sain, Ike Turner, Dennis Edwards, The Time, and Fontella Bass. This group provides a variety of music including Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop, Funk, Rock, Jazz, Country and Motown.

June 23rd  Trixie Delight - Imagine listening to your favorite songs from the 70′s, 80′s, and 90′s all in the same evening. This is what you can expect from one of the most popular cover bands in St. Louis.

July 21st  Flaming Pie - Flaming Pie plays British Invasion music including the Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who, Zombies, The Hollies and other great “invaders” from the 60s. The band also plays music from subsequent British Invasions in the 70s and 80s, including artists such as Led Zeppelin, Badfinger, Elton John, The Cure and David Bowie.

August 4th  Vote for Pedro - If you like a variety in music you will enjoy Vote for Pedro. They play tunes from The Killers, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jet, to classic rock by bands like Queen, Cheap Trick,AC/DC and Tom Petty. In addition they release that dancing machine within you with hits from the likes of Prince, Michael Jackson, Blondie, the B-52s, Lady Gaga, the Black-Eyed Peas and more…

August 25th  Contagious - A true party band from St. Louis. Contagious is a 5 member group that plays songs from the 70′s and 80′s along with todays’ tunes in a high quality replication that will make you think you’re listening to the original artists.

September 8th  St. Louis Big Band - The St Louis Big Band plays everything from The Glenn Miller Orchestra to The Black Eyed Peas, all with their own trademark 20 piece sound.

September 22nd  Well Hungarians - This group has performed for more than 2.5 million people in their career. Get ready to hear songs from the Eagles, Restless Heart, Alabama, and Crosby Stills, and Nash.

Did You Know that Chesterfield Was Named as a Missouri Top 10 Town?

Chesterfield Movies Under the Stars

What  better way to spend an evening than watching the sunset and a movie with your family or friends. Movies will be shown at sunset at the Amphitheater in Central Park. There is a combination of fixed seating and lawn seating . If you would like to stretch out on the lawn then don’t forget your blankets. You may bring your own refreshments (no glass bottles) the concession stand will be open!

The Muppets – Friday, June 8 – (Rated PG)
Happy Feet 2 – Friday, July 13 – (Rated PG)
Kung Fu Panda – Friday, August 10 – (Rated PG)

Video from Our Visit to the Grand Opening of the Amphitheater

Have we mentioned that the Chesterfield area is a great place to live? If you would like to check out the homes that are for sale click here. If you would like to know about current market conditions in Chesterfield click here

If you find yourself driving around the area and you would like to see what’s available click here for our Mobile Search App that works on most any phone. Wherever you are at the moment it will deliver MLS (listing data) right to your phone, including photos!

We hope that you will take advantages of these events in the following months. If you would like to chat about Chesterfield homes for sale just give us a call at 636-532-4200.

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5 Things You Should Do to Prepare for St. Louis Home Buying

It’s almost spring and the peak home buying season is almost upon us. What you can do to be prepared:

1. Get Your Financing In OrderWhen Buying a St. Louis Home

   
   Know what you can afford and what you are comfortable with for your mortgage payment. Speak with a lender and get pre-approved … not pre-qualified.  Finding out what you qualify for makes shopping for a home easier and will help you manage your expectations.  (Remember more expensive homes always look nicer)

2. Determine the Most Important Factors You Want in Your St. Louis Home

   Do you need more space, a certain school district, a bigger yard, a shorter commute to work, a certain number of bedrooms, etc.  Trying to determine these things upfront will help you eliminate the homes that don’t fit your needs.

3. Know Whether or Not You Want to Purchase a St. Louis Foreclosure or Short Sale Home

   Foreclosures and Short Sales can take a lot of time and usually require minor to extensive repairs completed before moving in.  Make sure that when you see the verbiage “Needs some TLC” that TLC doesn’t mean Tons of Loving Care!

   

4. Have a Heart-to-Heart Talk with Your Spouse or Significant Other

   If you are buying a home with your spouse or significant other, sit down and find out what each others wants and expectations are before you jump in to the hunt. Communication is key to relieving stress and minimizing conflict during the home buying process.

5. Get Professional Help

   No, we’re not talking about marital counselors or psychiatrists! Seriously, even though the Internet provides easy access to MLS data and listing information most buyers are better off using a professional agent. What kind of agent? Someone in my family, from my church, on a for sale sign, etc.? (Keep Reading)

Get a St. Louis Exclusive Buyer Agent Working for You

Articles keep appearing in the media about the wisdom of using an Exclusive Buyers Agent in your home search.
Kiplinger, Smart Money Magazine, CNNMoney, along with the department of Housing and Urban Development are suggesting this approach.  Why?  Because an Exclusive Buyer Agent only works for Buyers and never for the Seller.  This is one of the best ways to insure that your home buying experience will receive the highest level of protection and representation.  Your Exclusive Buyer Agent only works for you at all times and can help you avoid many common pitfalls experienced by home buyers.

If You Are Planning to Buy a Home in the Next 60-120 Days 

Call Finding Homes for You before you call a traditional real estate agent or the agent on the for sale sign. (636-532-4200)  We can help you find a lender, building inspector, discounts on title insurance and save you time and money. We will position you to win this spring and summer.  Call Now for Details! 636-532-4200  We are Exclusive Buyer Agents who only work for you!

Call 636-532-4200 today or email us at mark@findinghomesforyou.com

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Is Home Ownership an Aphrodesiac in the St. Louis Dating Scene?

If you’re single and didn’t have a date on Valentines day, you might need to come up with a new game plan.

Here’s an interesting idea: Buy a house!

1000 singles were recently surveyed by Harris Interactive regarding their preferences in the dating selection process.

Here’s the results:

• More than a 1/3 of all women stated they would prefer dating a home owner instead of a renter.
• 18% of men said they would rather date a home owner
• Only 2% of females said they preferred dating someone who rents
• Only 3% of men saith that they preferred dating a renter

Is Having a Roomate Detrimental to Your Dating Life?

No brainer here.  62% of both men and women preferred not having a roomate in the picture.

The Ultimate Deal Breaker When It Comes to Dating

Less than 5% of the singles surveyed said they would ever date someone who was still living in their childhood home with their parents. Ouch!

This is a problem when you consider the current economy and the number of boomerang young adults forced back into their parent’s homes.  We know that Mom and Dad will always love you … but this is the kiss of death when it comes to dating!

Home Features Most Attractive to Singles

Notice how the master bathroom ranks high with both men and women, while hot tubs are really a non-starter. Apparently more men seem to be interested in cooking as reflected in their preference for a gourmet kitchen.

Can Owning a Home Make You a Chick Magnet or More Attractive to a Potential Partner?

Finding Homes for You cannot guarantee that your dating life will change over night.  However, look at the numbers and take note.  Interest rates are at historic lows and home prices are also low.  Get a plan and get moving towards owning a home and see what happens! Call us at 636-532-4200.

Get Started Now

Here are a couple of links to get you started:

St. Louis Homes for Sale with a Pool

St. Louis Homes for Sale with 4 Car Garage

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Where to Find Homes with 4 Car Garages or More in St. Louis

Direct links to St. Louis Homes for Sale with 4 car garages or more … to good to be true?(Links are at the bottom of this page) 

Did you know that According to the Department of Energy, a quarter of Americans with two-car garages can’t park in theirs, and another third can only squeeze in one vehicle?   Sad.

Understanding the Life and Death Cycle of Things Cluttering Your Garage

I heard Jerry Seinfeld once say that the garage is the last place things go to die … before going to the garbage.

You know how it is. Around the beginning of the year you are not quite sure what to do with some of the stuff you’ve accumulated.  You don’t have the courage to pitch it so you compromise … and it goes to the basement!

Then the basement starts filling up, you start freaking out and take action by moving stuff to your garage (which has also been called the Intensive Care Unit for junk that is about to get pitched.  So now you (talking to the males here) are working in your garage (a man’s haven) and find it harder to navigate a path to your car (if you are fortunate enough to be able to have a car IN your garage) you continue this journey  tripping over more stuff that you don’t really need, but have not yet decided to make it a talking point in your relationship with your significant other.

You need an intervention. What are your options?

A.  Send in your application to appear on A&E’s “Hoarders”.

B.  Actually de-clutter the garage and join a support group to help you stick to your goal.

1. C.  Take advantage of Finding Homes for You’s “I’m Going Crazy and I Just Need a Home with More Garages” therapeutic program.

Finding Homes in St. Louis With 4 or More Garages

Call Now!

Operators are Standing By to Assist You!

Don’t Delay Call 636-532-4200!

Here are the links to garage heaven:

St Louis County Homes for Sale With 4 Garages or More

St. Charles County Homes for Sale with 4 Garages or More 

Note: The Finding Homes for You thereapeutic program “I’m Going Crazy and I Just Need a Home with More Garages” is not affiliated with any bona fide health-care facility and/or reimbursable health-care service covered by any insurance company.

However … our clients have expressed a feeling of stress relief by using our services to help them find a home. Click Here for Patient Client Reviews