Real Estate Information

The Missouri Housing Development Commission just passed a $35 Million economic development initiative to provide tax relief to middle and low income Missouri homebuyers who purchase a home in 2010. 

 1. $15 million to pay the first year of property taxes for qualified homebuyers who purchase a new or existing home after January 1, 2010. This has the opportunity to help between 9,000 and 11,000 Missouri families making less than $100,000 a year.

 2.  $5 million in assistance to qualified homebuyers to help with down payments and closing costs. This helps potential homebuyers overcome the obstacle of coming up with enough cash for a down payment and closing costs. MHDC has been a national leader on this front.

 3. Additional assistance to homebuyers who purchase an energy-efficient home or purchase energy-saving appliances. This is an opportunity to raise energy-efficiency standards in Missouri, making a positive impact on both the economy and the environment. It's a win-win.

This economic development package provides property tax relief to thousands of Missourians at a crucial time in our economy without spending Missouri tax dollars. This will be paid for entirely out of MHDC's reserve fund and federal recovery funds already in our possession. This comes in addition to more than $100 million in recovery funds and more than $19 million in reserves already allocated to boost Missouri's economy and put Missourians back to work.

If you have been thinking of buying a home and waiting for "the bottom", now is the time to make that move.  Call me for a list of qualified Mortgage Lenders and let's find you a home. 

The Webster-Kirkwood Times presents the 9th Annual Jazz and Blues Festival in historic old Webster Groves Saturday September 19 from noon until 11 p.m.  It's FREE!!  This year they feature the music from the jazz scene of Las Vegas from the 1960's.  11 different bands will be featured throughout the day.  Fabulous food vendors all day and night along with a variety of spirits.  The happening streets are Gore, Allen and Lockwood.  Last year Paul and I rode our bikes into downtown Webster to save the hassle of parking and traffic.  Peruse the schedule at http://www.oldwebsterjazzfestival.com/. 

And save the date for Art in the Park in St. Louis Hills neighborhood of Southwest St. Louis City.  More than 65 local artisans & food vendors plus live music around the lily ponds of Francis Park will have you dancing in the streets! Sunday, September 27, 2009 from 10 until 6 p.m.  St. Louis Hills is bordered by NOTTINGHAM, DONOVAN, TAMM AND EICHELBERGER. 

Paul and I just returned from a FUN-FILLED 3 day weekend at Eagle Hurst Ranch (www.EagleHurstRanch.com).  This piece of history in Steelville, Missouri is owned by our friends, Steve & Angie Butz and Norbert & Elaine Butz (who are also our long time insurance agents at Crawford-Butz Insurance Agency www.CrawfordButz.com). The Butz Family took their vacations there every year with their 11 children for 30 years and bought it from the owners in 2003. 

 It's completely family-oriented so that mom and dad can relax and not worry while the kids are busy on the 78 acre compound playing softball, badmitton, ping pong, tether ball (my favorite) washers, shuffleboard, or horseback riding with the owners.  Hot days will find you at water's edge in the crystal clear waters of the Huzzah Creek lazily floating on an innertube where the owners will pick you up downstream a few hours later;  if you prefer, there is also a large swimming pool for the puritans.   

Your cabin is simply for sleeping with minimal amenities (but includes air conditioning!) and a screened in porch if you'd really rather commune with nature & read.   Nothing glamourous, but that's the best part!  Breakfast, lunch and dinner are prepared by the resident chefs and served by the friendliest group of young adults in a large air conditioned dining hall.  They won't allow you to leave the table feeling hungry!  No cooking, no clean up and no choices to make!

Each day and night there were activities like badmitton tournaments, Bingo, ping pong tournaments & softball tournaments.  We enjoyed an excellent fireworks display, 4th of July barbecue with outdoor buffet adorned in red, white & blue! Steve Butz is also an excellent singer, dancer and musician so we had some square dancing & Electric Slide one night with the 140 strangers who stayed over 4th of July weekend as we celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. 

Just a quick 1.5 hour drive from St. Louis down 44 west to the Cuba exit.  Stop at Missouri Hicks and try their barbecue! Out of this world! 

My husband Paul and I are in Week 12 of the 13 week Financial Peace University here in St. Louis offered by Dave Ramsey, best selling author of Total Money Makeover and talk show host of The Dave Ramsey Show  (www.DaveRamsey.com/FPU).  I have to admit that when Paul broached the idea of going, I wasn't interested.  I didn't really think we had a "debt" problem but after much urging, I went to appease my husband.  I have been really impressed with the program and have fully embraced what I've learned. I should listen to my husband more often!

It's all about "baby steps" like setting up an emergency fund first, getting a budget in place (a what???), then funding 6 months of living expenses in a liquid account, cutting up credit cards, (ouch) etc.  Each week is a different topic and Dave Ramsey is highly entertaining (via video) at the same time being very direct and passionate about turning the tide of Amercians spending above their means. His mantra is you will "live like no one else so later you can LIVE like no one else!"

We now pay with cash divided into special envelopes marked for groceries, dining out, hair care, clothing, etc that we don't go anywhere without.  Sure, we used to pay off our credit card every month too, but now that we pay cash, it hurts more to part with it so we spend FAR less than we used to.  We have actually spent 1/3 less on groceries than we used to because with credit I never cared how much it cost or how much we might waste.  We still eat well but we don't waste food anymore. Some women can't help themselves in a clothing store...I cannot help myself in a grocery store!

There are numerous classes coming up at various churches around St. Louis Metro area.  Even if you think you don't "need" this class, I encourage you to check out his website for yourself. 

Many older condominium complexes in St. Louis Metro area are not FHA approved meaning the buyer will have to buy it with a conventional loan.  Typically the non-FHA-approved condos are not in new complexes but tend to have more amenities like clubhouse, pool and tennis courts. Their landscaping is more desireable because it's mature and the complexes are very well maintained.  The loan pricing is a little different as well.  For any borrower that does not put down at least 25%, your rate will be slightly higher at 5.125% rather than 4.875% as of today.  If you put down at least 25% or more, your rate will be the typical conforming 30-year fixed rate.  For more financing options, contact Mark Widdicombe at Heartland Mortgage at 314-512-8915.  Tell him Sandie sent you!

Connect with families across the nation for a truly radical message: HOPE.

Tired of hearing the fear, doom and gloom that’s filling the airwaves? Join Dave Ramsey for a nationwide town hall meeting and discover what’s happening with the economy, how we got here, and where we’re going. Plus, Dave will answer your questions live throughout the event! 

This free event is being held at numerous locations throughout St. Louis.  Just find one closest to you by clicking here   Learn more.  I'll be at Gateway to Grace Fellowship in 63109 and look forward to seeing you there.   

http://www.townhallforhope.com!

• IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT SCORE
• Pay your bills on time.  Delinquent payments and collections can really hurt your score.
  
• Keep balances low on credit cards.  High debt levels can hurt your score.
  
• Pay off debt rather than moving it between credit cards.  The most effective way to improve your score in this area is to pay down your revolving credit.
  
• Apply for and open new credit accounts only when you need them.
  
• Check your credit report regularly for accuracy and contact the creditor and credit reporting agent to correct any errors.
  
• If you have missed payments, get current and stay current.  The longer you pay your bills on time, the better your score. 

It is very important to make a great first impression to the potential buyers of your home. Every seller wants their home to sell fast and bring top dollar. Does that sound good to you? Well, it’s not luck that makes that happen. It’s careful planning and knowing how to efficiently unclutter your home that will excite buyers. Here is how to prep a house and turn it into an appealing and marketable home.

Get rid of those items that have been sitting around for years without being used or even handled. This is the hardest thing for most people to do because they are emotionally attached to everything in the house. After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in such a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. However, it does affect the way buyers see the home, even if you do not realize it. Buyers and real estate agents should see your house in its best condition from the very first day it’s on the market.

Here are a few approaches to take to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell. Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room’s purpose and plenty of room to move around. You don’t want buyers scratching their heads and saying, “What is this room used for?”

Another way to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell is to make those minor repairs and best of all, make the house sparkle! Only do one room, or even one small area, at a time so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Your best friend is the trash bag; when in doubt, throw it out. Many find it easier to use boxes to sort items, so you don’t have to find a home for everything as you unclutter. Most important, be quick and decisive when sorting. Tell yourself:

• If you don’t need it, why not donate it or throw it away?
• Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
• Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.

If you are getting your house ready to sell in the St. Louis, Webster Groves, Kirkwood Missouri areas, then take a step back and pretend you are a buyer. Let a friend help point out areas where you can unclutter your home and let myself, Sandie Hea, your agent help you to get your house ready to sell.

         ST. LOUIS HILLS ART IN THE PARK

                      FRANCIS PARK
                SUNDAY, SEPT 28, 2008
                     10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This will be a great way to spend your Sunday afteroon... wandering from booth to booth perusing great works of art in wood, cloth, metal, beads, pen and ink, paper...the handiwork of some of the top talent in St. Louis, all in affordable price ranges! 

Lister to live music all day, the smell of LeGrand's bratwurst wafting from the grill, or The Pitted Olive's gourmet to go...grab a glass of wine from Bartolino's Osteria...or a bag of popcorn from us...The Sandie Hea Team!  We will be there meeting and greeting those who want to discuss real estate, enter our drawing for gift certificates from local vendors, talk to Mark Widdicombe of Heartland Bank about new lending requirements or simply wait for fresh popped corn from our old fashioned popper!

Francis Park is bordered by Tamm, Nottingham, Donovan and Eichelberger Avenues, St. Louis, Missouri 63109. 


Please come by and introduce yourself, we'd love to meet you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT7x3VnrqbA