St. Louis County MO Under Contract & Snapshot April 24 2008

The outlook of housing stabilizing may be on the horizon. A report below from Marketing Strategy Group indicates slower housing starts, but forecasts the stabilization of the housing industry may be in near.

Today's 24 hour watch...
New Listings 246
Back on Market 68
Price Increases 44
Price Reductions 276
Contingents 61
Pendings 158
Solds 108
Expireds 67
Inactives 59

This is a snapshot of Contingent Pending Option Status properties on April 24, 2008 single family homes and where the homes are selling. Today 49 properties in St. Louis County listed here. Note the areas & price ranges cover a wide variety of properties.

$199,200 9915 Affton Plc Affton Affton 4 2.50 1416 9801 1.5 Story
$87,178 9528 Dana Ave St Louis Bayless 3 1 888 7344 Ranch
$109,900 3709 Cleves Ave St Louis Bayless 3 1 1008 7200Bungalow/Cottage
$339,900 500 Vista Hills Ct Eureka Eureka 3 3.50 2814 11892 1.5 Story
$29,900 118 E Arlee Ave St Louis Hancock Place 1 1 784 3750 Ranch
$199,900 141 Jost Manor Dr Florissant Hazelwood Central 4 2.50 7500 2 Story
$74,900 12101 Jerries Ln Florissant Hazelwood Central 3 2 1618 10000 Ranch
$79,900 4955 Evelynaire Dr Florissant Hazelwood East 3 2 1124 7501 Ranch
$89,000 5075 Craigmont Dr Florissant Hazelwood East 3 2 1958 20090 Multi-Level
$199,900 1242 Edlor Dr St Louis Hazelwood East 3 2 2320 50530 Ranch
$9,900 7203 Albright Ave St Louis Jennings 2 1 864 5320 Ranch
$9,900 5253 Hodiamont Ave St Louis Jennings 2 1 791 6400 Bungalow/Cottage
$45,000 9133 Saint Cyr Dr Jennings Jennings 2 1 875 6795 Ranch
$385,000 129 W Glenwood Ln Kirkwood Kirkwood 3 2.50 2321 12110 2 Story
$525,000 8 Hill Dr Glendale Kirkwood 4 2.50 2749 9365 2 Story
$283,500 7 Ridgegate Dr Olivette Ladue 3 2 1953 21423 Ranch
$374,900 14 Midpark Ln Ladue Ladue 2 2 1674 7200 Ranch
$949,900 9742 Mansfield Dr Olivette Ladue 4 3.50 3753 19646 2 Story
$450,000 17643 Westhampton Woods Dr Wildwood Lafayette 4 3.50 3452 21344 1.5 Story
$219,900 2279 Hill House Rd Chesterfield Marquette 3 3 1660 10450 Ranch
$344,900 234 WILDHORSE SPRINGS Ct Chesterfield Marquette 3 2 14026 Ranch
$579,000 8 Wilson Ridge Ct Chesterfield Marquette 4 2.75 2906 32234 Ranch
$90,000 305 N Harvey Ave St Louis McCluer 4 2 1624 15682 2 Story
$104,900 75 Derhake Rd Florissant McCluer North 2 1 792 7535 Ranch
$89,900 337 S Marguerite Ave Ferguson McCluer South 2 1 840 8470 Ranch
$29,900 8501 Midwood Ave St Louis McCluer South 3 2 1288 7800 Ranch
$99,900 4719 Kerth Dr St Louis Mehlville 3 1 1519 8540 Split Foyer
$128,500 2801 Mohattan Ln St Louis Mehlville 2 1 925 5998 Ranch
$214,900 248 Golden Valley Dr St Louis Mehlville 3 2 1589 9148 Ranch
$219,900 4571 Towne Centre Dr St Louis Mehlville 4 2.50 2066 8494 Ranch
$24,000 3450 Oakdale Ave St Louis Normandy 2 1 900 6242 Bungalow/Cottage
$99,900 7501 Hillsdale Dr Greendale Normandy 3 1.50 1380 6750 2 Story
$6,900 3734 Manola Ave St Louis Normandy 2 1 864 7500 Ranch
$145,000 8319 Knollwood Dr Bel-nor Normandy 3 2 1350 7500 1.5 Story
$239,000 14332 Rainy Lake Dr Chesterfield Parkway Central 4 2 1934 12800 Ranch
$155,000 1877 Calamaide Dr Maryland Heights Parkway North 3 2 1432 6636 Ranch
$219,900 1222 Treetop Village Dr Ballwin Parkway South 5 3 8092 Bi-Level
$119,900 10727 Oak Ave St Louis Pattonville 4 2.50 1470 37500 1.5 Story
$144,900 2466 Meadow Run Ct Maryland Heights Pattonville 3 1.50 1480 7405 Split Foyer
$81,000 9814 Zykan Dr St Louis Ritenour 4 1 1265 6000 1.5 Story
$59,900 670 Bagnell Dr St Louis Riverview Gardens 3 1 1008 8470 Ranch
$159,900 2010 Gladiator Dr Fenton Rockwood Summit 2 2 7501 Ranch
$249,000 746 Clairfield Dr Fenton Rockwood Summit 4 2.50 1958 10062 2 Story
$39,900 6603 Crest Ave University City University City 3 1 1514 4382 2 Story
$248,000 851 Berick Dr University City University City 3 1.50 1795 9100 Ranch
$349,900 7453 Amherst Ave University City University City 3 2.50 2145 5227 2 Story
$374,900 827 Crescent Springs Ct Valley Park Valley Park 4 3.50 3042 13068 2 Story
$409,900 210 Papin Ave Webster Groves Webster Groves 4 2 1922 12001 2 Story
$179,900 7616 Suffolk Ave Shrewsbury Webster Groves 2 1 1152 9383 Ranch

Search Criteria

Property Type Residential Transaction Type Sale County St Louis
Statuses Contingent (4/24/2008 or after) , Option (4/24/2008 or after) , Pending (4/24/2008 or after)

Quick Stats - Averages
Quick Stats - Averages
Listing $ SqFt Listing Pr/SqFt CDOM
Residential (49) $201,455 1648 $105 85



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Housing, while remaining challenging as evidenced by lower home sales and rising inventories,
appears to be stabilizing.
• Existing Home Sales—Sales of previously owned U.S. homes—reported yesterday—fell 2%
in March to an annual rate of 4.93 million units and 19.3% below year-over-year levels;
equally telling, the inventory of homes increased 40,000 to 4.06 million home. While housing
remains an overhang for many consumers and overall economic growth, housing-pundits are
increasingly encouraged with the March results, believing that the industry is stabilizing (not
getting any much worse). Importantly, additional time is seemingly required before
declaring that housing is recovering (versus stabilizing). With approximately 18% of all U.S.
homes for sale having negative equity—implying high future foreclosures or “short sales” in
which the lender writes off some of the original loan—housing is likely to yet remain an
issue for weeks and months to come.

From PiperJaffray Daily Commentary April 23, 2008

Evan Zalders Home Run Derby Champion Eastern IL U 2008

St. Louis Missouri native, number one son, Evan Zalders, wins Eastern Illinois University 2008 Home Run Derby Championship April 19! Slugger reported to have competed with up to 200 tough competitors! ...Congratulations to the Eastern Illinois University Sig Ep Fraternity as the 2008 IM Fraternity Softball Champions! Sounds like it was a fun season this year! Evan Zalders is pictured holding bats. I know they are all cracking the books as well as the bats!

President Bush adding assistance to Homeowners through FHA Secure

Well, the FHA Secure Subprime market pain relief has been expanded the rescue options for some homeowners. They must qualify with ability to pay and 90-97% loan amounts. Lenders may amend the terms of loans either in the amounts or interest rate terms. They must also have been late or missed payments for two or three of the past twelve months. One source said the plans are expected to help a half million families in 2008 and President Bush reports a million have been helped. FHA loans are very attractive options for both the refinance and purchase financing for homeowners and Buyers these days.

President Bush at cabinet meeting today stated, "The other thing we've been very active on is helping people stay in their homes -- whether it be the HOPE NOW Alliance, or FHA Secure. Over a million people have been helped to renegotiate and/or to find ways to stay in the home that they own.

Congress can help. Congress needs to modernize FHA; they need to modernize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. I mean, there's constructive things Congress can do that will encourage the housing market to correct quickly by encouraging -- helping people stay in their homes. I don't think we ought to be bailing out lenders or speculators. I think we need to be helping hardworking Americans who are creditworthy stay in their homes."

Unfortunately, the crunch of the economy and housing market has impacted many more that are not currrently elgible for the relief programs. I don't recommend missing your payments to become eligible. I do have concerns for the people caught in the middle... again on a slippery slope with unstable employment, vanishing savings, increasing property taxes & healthcare costs. People on fixed or inconsistent incomes cannot confidently weather the storm. I have seen enough rain in St. Louis and the USA economy. Today was sunny & hopefully the Spring and new growth is just around the corner.

Multiple Offers Back in Vogue? Everybody Wants, What Everybody Wants!!!

Well it really is Spring in St. Louis MO real estate market! I have been busy with Buyer activity since the return from the Atlanta, GA area.

As is typical in Spring, Buyers are out & about. Two of my educated & qualified Buyers I am working with, in the same day, looked at property they wanted to buy and both were turn away with competition getting the property. Both were under contract prior to our showings. Unfortunately, it wasn't updated in the system yet. It has been some time since I have experienced this. Although, the best & well-priced properties will always sell. One was a one day on the market, value price and opportunity in an desirable area with multiple offers. The other was one that was on the market for over 200 days and must have turned on the Universal Magnetism. It is very interesting how that seems to occur.

The rule is "Everybody Wants what Everybody Wants!" Quoted from Barbara Corcoran. It is so True! So this is encouraging in our market for Sellers. Create what everyone wants or wait & eventually someone will make you an offer! With a caveat, the carrying costs & offer may not be pretty if the property isn't. Buyers need to be alert and not rest on the Buyers market. Remember, it isn't closed until it is closed, so may decide to stay in touch. We can make dreams and goals happen!

Planned Communities in St. Louis MO and Atlanta GA

Enjoying a wonderful visit in the Atlanta Georgia area.

Specifically we are enjoying Vickery Park in Cummings, Georgia. It is a suburb northeast of Atlanta. The community is designed with wide variety of classic historic exteriors and modern top notch interiors. None of the homes look alike, all have great connections to outdoors spaces with porches, terraces, balconies, patios, loaded with natural stone features and lush landscaping. The homes meet needs for many types of property owners with townhomes, attached homes, single family and loft styles. The entry area has a wonderful shopping and restaurant delights. The walking neighborhood amentities include ponds, saline pool, tennis courts, offers minimal lot lines and spacious common areas. In additon, the community is adjacent to grounds of the elementary school. It is charming beyond words. Most people have golf carts to buzz round the neighborhood. It is like living in a resort village. Truly amazing!

In the St. Louis Area we have St. Charles New Town built with the same lifestyle in mind. Though one of the hottest markets for some time, looks like the slowing market is also impacting the continued growth rate. The future green development Fox Run in Eureka is expected to offer a similar historic style with the golf course as the centerpiece. The St. Louis market has pockets of great green building going on everywhere! The loft market and downtown are exploding with property development. With St. Louis being a city of so many community areas, it has been challenging to control effectively the expanding and contracting of neighborhoods to meet all the needs of the property owners. I hope we see more areas like these and perhaps may sustain a better way of living sharing spaces while, creating community. Please send me links to green and planned unit developments to highlight! Bringing the past, presnt and future together can be done. Wonderful to see so many people working on the vision together with Economic Development, Home Builders Association Green Builders and Realtors. I want to see the BallPark Village project be the diamond of downtown St. Louis! For those with the connections... I am passionate about that mission!

Dreamspark FREE Microsoft Software

Want a deal?!? Check out this Dreamspark software opportunity. link http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2008/feb08/02-18GSDPR.mspx
For select educational purposes of course.

Big ticket full version software now FREE, as of February 18th, yes FREEEEEE, not reduced prices. As a parent of a student with an ID provided, we downloaded about $500 retail website tools. You can download multiple copies, as backups for your use. We can get creative with his www.Fazanas.com website and www.HotStLouisHomes.com to learn creation of websites using Web Expressions.

Thank you Bill Gates! Some people have expressed the opinion that students are growing up with freeware so feel a diminishing need for the big brother Microsoft. Now they are showing a kinder gentler persuasion technique. Isn't that what they used to say drug dealers did back in the day? Nevertheless, while working within the pc world system, it is appreciated to have an opportunity to utilize the common tools for free. College life costs enough!

What about competion Google pages, Apps, gblogs, etc... this internet web world is zooming! Very cool too! Tough to keep up with the learning curve. The ever increasing speed of evolution is beyond my comprehension. But I am enjoying the ride!

Golden Properties Report St Louis MO Area Homes 1st Quarter 2008 Status & Statistics Report

Some Home Sellers and Home Buyers are getting happier! Email request for charts of report regarding 2008 first quarter Home Sales, Status & Statistics of the St. Louis County and St. Louis City home sales! If you would like more details, please indicate specific markets requests by area, school district, type, size, price, or other criteria, etc... whatever, meets your needs.

General Information for 1st Quarter of 2008:
45% Active listings
21% Expired
21% Sold
13% Pending Sale

Basically as many sell as expire their listing period. Keys are right condition, presentation & motivation to get it done. If you haven't had a sale and you meet these criteria you need my help. I will tell you why your home hasn't sold, if you want to get it sold with me. I will be honest with you and get you moving in the right direction with a success strategy.

The list price to sale price and days on the market percentages are below:

0-30 days highest at 96.5% when sold within 25% sold in first 30 days.
31-60 days LP/SP is 95.1 and 30% sold during this period.
61-90 days LP/SP of 93.8 and 14.2% sold.
91-120 days LP/SP of 95% (which could include a price adjustment) and 13.4% sold
120+ days LP/SP 93.7% and 30% (which may include some of the 1/4 listed that became expired listings)

Two closings this week using free money the smart Missouri has available for first time buyer qualifiers. If you are considering buying for the first time or haven't owned a home for awhile, may want to check in & get yours, too... if you fit the target. Call me & I can help you get connected to the biggest MHDC lender in the St Louis MO market. They provide great service and results. Of course, I can help with the home search or connect you to a Realtor that fits your needs.

Statistics from MARIS Rappatoni Multiple Listing System through St. Louis Association of Realtors from January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008.

Jane Gallagher WPI Golden Properties Direct 314-629-6929

Call me if you want it DONE RIGHT & RIGHT NOW!

ARGH!!! Rain out Fooled Cards winning 5-1 in the 3rd of Opener Mar 31st... Cards Lose April 1st Official Opener 2-1

No Prank! We were robbed! That was no FUN! http://cardinals.mlb.com
How is that FAIR? Come on... poor Albert didn't even get to count his HR!!!

Not my fav April Fools Day. No good pranks.
Send some fun this way!

I found these links with some gags that impressed.

Please enjoy with my disclaimer, these are for entertainment purposes, I haven't read them all and DON'T TRY THESE AT HOME! :))

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/aprilfool/

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,143657/article.html

http://www.april-fools.us/