What a great day for a parade.  There was snow on the ground, but it was sunny and warmer.  Compared to the cold of last year (I didn't go because of the cold) this year was like Spring.  It was a great crowd, too.  We took a shuttle to Soulard, as parking would be impossible, getting down there before 10:00 am to stake out a good spot.  The parade didn't start until 11:00. Kim, Gary, Dennis & I found a snow-free section of sidewalk on the parade route and prepared to grab beads.  Before the parade was over, we had so many, we were stuffing them in every coat pocket.  Gary was shoving them down the front of his coat, and they kept falling out the bottom.  Kim had so many stuffed down her front, she appeared to be pregnant.  Kim's mom, Jean, was on the Twister float - she was having a gr... 02/04/2008

The snow is coming down.  I think we are going to get more than originally expected.  I have a building inspection scheduled for 9:00 am tomorrow morning.  I don't know yet if the inspectors are going to cancel on me.  I don't have that far to travel; they are coming from south and west counties.  I know if it's snowing, the sewer scope will be postponed, as they cannot get their monitors wet.  Maybe I'll get a snow day!I wrote another contract last night with a young couple.  The house was vacant, so we sat on the living room floor to write up the offer.  Not very professional looking, I suppose, but it got the job done.  I have not heard back from the listing agent about a counter.  The home is located in a really nice neighborhood, Pasadena Hills, that's surrounded by areas that are ... 01/31/2008

Find out why the St. Louis community is in love with Forest Park.  See all that it has to offer including the Saint Louis Zoo, Art and History Museums, Fishing, Boating, Restaurants, Playgrounds, Golf and much more. http://www.forestparkforever.org/HTML/  01/29/2008

I received several local referrals recently, and I wanted to pass the information along.  I am not making recommendations here, just offering some additional contacts you may want to check out as the need arises:The first one is The Yuckbusters.  Kristy, the owner contacted me with information about her company, an all surface cleaning and restoration company.  They specialize in tile and grout cleaning, but also clean stone, garage floors, brick, vinyl, concrete, and carpet.  They use a process that can remove dirt, grime, oils, and bacteria from hard surfaces and grout lines, cleaning and restoring the surface to it's natural beauty.  They offer a free cleaning demonstration and a 100% money back guarantee.  You can contact them at their website:  www.theyuckbusters.com or call them t... 01/28/2008

Weather was beautiful today.  I showed a property at 1:00 to a new buyer.  The building was vacant and the heat had been turned off.  It was warmer outside than it was in the building.  I don't understand why sellers (and this seller is a Realtor/Owner) turn the heat off in the buildings they are trying to sell.  I know they are trying to save on heating costs, but at least keep the temerature at 45-50 degrees, not completely off.   The sellers had patched and painted walls, but because of the cold, all the cracks have reopened.  Any patching they have done will have to be redone.  That will cost more than if they just kept the temperature constant.  It's hard on buildings to remain vacant...I just created a Voki.  I saw this on another person's web site and thought it was pretty cool. ... 01/27/2008

 For all the animal lovers, tomorrow is the day where thousands of pets and their owners hit the streets of Soulard for the 15th Annual Beggin Strips Barkus Pet Parade.  Pets and owners alike parade in their Mardi-Gras themed costumes.  This year there is a new coronation ceremony that features local celebrity judges.There is a $10 registration fee that benefits Open Door Animal Sanctuary, a local no-kill animal shelter.Registration begins at 10:00 am and the parade begins at 1:00.  It should be warmer tomorrow, so it will be a great day for the parade.The coronation cermemony will begin at 2:00 pm in Soulard Farmers Market Park.  A King, Queen, Prince, Princess, and Jester will be crowned. For more information, visit: http://www.mardigrasinc.com/2007Events/Beggin-Strips-Barkus-Pet-Para... 01/26/2008

Following is the weekly (past 7 days) market report for single family homes in the City of St Louis - Areas 1,2 & 3.  These market statistics were gathered from the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and are provided as a service to our community.There were 108 new Active listings, with list prices ranging from $13,000 to $735,000.There were 16 properties that went under contract (Contingent/Option), with list prices ranging from $102,900 to $295,000.63 listings went Pending (on their way to closing), with list prices ranging from $5,440 to $399,000.There were 28 listings that Sold, with Sold prices ranging from $10,500 to $850,000.54 listings Expired from the market, with list prices ranging from $29,900 to $534,900.And 37 properties went Inactive (Withdrawn/Cancelled), with list pri... 01/25/2008

Following is the weekly (past 7 days) market report for condos and lofts in the City of St Louis - Areas 1,2,3.  These statistics were gathered from the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS).There were 41 new Active listings, with list prices ranging from $99,900 to $2,490,000 (this one is fantastic).There were 8 listings that went under contract (Contingent/Option) with list prices ranging from $148,900 to $289,000.11 listings went Pending, with list prices ranging from $63,500 to $589,000.Only 2 listings sold this past week, with Sold prices ranging from $129,000 to $170,000.8 listings Expired, with list prices ranging from $169,900 to $349,900.There were 19 listings the went Inactive (Cancelled/Withdrawn), with list prices ranging from $58,500 to $299,900.www.timtanzhomes.com  01/25/2008

Man is it ever cold outside.  I don't think it made it out of the teens today.  I feel really sorry for anyone who has to be outside in it.We've adjusted the price on 4253 Beck (ML#779072) from $69,000 to $66,000.  It really is a nice little home for the money.  Here's the front pic of Beck:I've taken pics of the inside pics of 3159 California Ave (ML# 80005005).  I've previously included outside pics, but the tiling has been completed and the house cleaned.  The tile is beautiful.  Monte Abbott was the contractor who laid the tile, and I think he did a great job.  He also does light carpentry, but his specialty is lawns, trees and landscaping.  His number is 314-865-4790, if you would like to talk with him about a smaller project at your home.I've created a virtual media presentation o... 01/24/2008

Following are the weekly (past 7 days) market statistics for Condo/Loft Listings in St Louis City (Areas 1,2,3).  These statistics were gathered from the St Louis Multiple Listing Service (MLS).There were 25 new Active listings with List prices ranging from $129,900 to $1,000,000.4 listings went under contract (Contingent/Option) with List prices ranging from $149,900 to $732,393.10 listings went Pending, with List prices ranging from $162,500 to $564,900.There were 5 listings that Sold, with Sold prices ranging from $154,900 to $375,000.28 listings Expired, with List prices ranging from $89,900 to $699,000.And 8 listings went Inactive (Withdrawn/Cancelled) with list prices ranging from $135,000 to $975,000.Heres wishing everyone a great weekend.  It's going to be a cold one!www.timtanz... 01/18/2008

Here are the weekly (past 7 days) statistics for single-family residential properties in the city of St Louis (Areas 1,2,3).  These statistics were gathered from the St Louis Multiple Listing Service (MLS). There were 111 new Active listings, with List prices ranging from $10,000 to $1,395,000.13 properties went under contract (Contingent/Option) with List prices ranging from $19,900 to $319,900.There were 42 properties that went Pending, with List prices ranging from $16,800 to $310,000.31 listings Sold, with Sold prices ranging from $7,500 to $825,000.57 properties Expired from the market, with List prices ranging from $8,900 to $339,900.And, 22 listings went Inactive (Withdrawn/Cancelled), with List prices ranging from $64,900 to 339,900.Wishing everyone a great weekend.  It's going ... 01/18/2008

In today's issue of the South Side Journal, was an article by John F. Williams, 2008 President, St. Louis Association of REALTORS.  It was titled, "Pricing For Any Market."  I feel it is a very important piece and wanted to pass along some of the main points.  This information is valuable if your are considering selling your home.The article stated that contrary to many reports about the real estate market, homes are still selling, just not at the pace they were a few years ago.  The National Association of REALTORS reports that 2007 will be the fifth best year on record for the housing market.  In St. Louis City and County, there were over 18,500 REALTOR sales of homes and condos.Mr. Williams asked the question, "Why does one property sell in a slow market while another property sits t... 01/16/2008

One of our two-family buildings went vacant this month.  Both the downstairs and upstairs tenants moved out at the same time - they are related.  They were supposed to move out by the end of December, but weren't able to accomplish that.  We allowed them another week to get moved out.  On the eve of January 6, they still did not have the last of their belongings out and were still trying to clean.  We told them that if the keys were not delivered to us by noon of January 7, they would owe us for another month of rent.  We got all the keys from the downstairs tenant, but the upstairs tenant lost all but one of his keys.Both tenants lived there for two years, and overall they were good tenants - they were late usually with their rents, but we did get it.  They didn't complain often.  I am... 01/15/2008

I know everyone has their Christmas decorations down already, but we are still working on it.  Our Client Appreciation Open House and Holiday Party was after Christmas this year - thank goodness, or I wouldn't have been ready.  The party was on Sat. Dec. 29th, and we were very lucky again this year.  The weather was beautiful; it was cold, but not so much that people couldn't gather outside around the firepit.  I really enjoyed the party this year, more so than past years.  Since it was after Christmas and not mid December, I think I was more relaxed and could just enjoy the company.  The crowd wasn't as large as last year.  We probably had 120-130 through the house over the course of the night.  I love having the house full of people.  The last stragglers left around 3:00 am.  By that ... 01/14/2008

According to the TimeandDate.com website, the temperature in St Louis is 73 degrees.  That's amazing for the first week of January!  Considering we had temps in the single digits earlier in the week, it's hard to believe we have springtime weather today.  It's supposed to be even warmer tomorrow and possibly break a record.  We took advantage of this warm weather and went bike riding in Tower Grove Park this afternoon.  We went with Kim and Gary and the Fox's.  Tyler, 6 years old, kept up with us, or should I say we tried to keep up with him.  We are really out of shape.  I'm hoping to work on that this year....This morning we worked on taking the outside Christmas lights down.  It always comes down so much faster than it goes up.  It looks so bare now, though; I find it rather depressi... 01/06/2008

We will be attending the funeral of our great-neice tomorrow.  Eve McNeely was born on Wednesday, January 2.  She lived for almost two hours.  I did not get to see her before she passed, but she was a special little girl.  During the pregancy, her parents found out that she suffered from a genetic disease that creates the worst form of dwarfism - I do not know the correct scientific term for the disease.   The prognosis was dim - she would suffer from multiple malformations of organ and extremities, and would also suffer severe mental retardation.  She would not live long.  I cannot know what our neice and her husband went through during the pregnancy, or the pain they are going through at losing their daughter, but I am glad they gave her a chance to live.  It seems we don't know what ... 01/04/2008

I hope everyone is having a great New Year so far!  Following are my weekly statistics for single family homes in St Louis City (Areas 1,2,3).  This information was gathered from the St Louis Multiple Listing Service:There were 69 new Active listings, with list prices ranging from $24,900 to $779,000.13 listings went Under Contact (Contingent/Option), with list prices ranging from $38,900 to $586,000.45 listings went Pending with list prices ranging from $14,000 to $858,000.29 listing Sold, with Sold prices ranging from $18,000 to $385,000.This is what is amazing - 349 listings Expired from the market, with list prices ranging from $14,000 to $1,250,000.  These agents better get to work and get these properties relisted...32 listings went Inactive (Withdrawn/Cancelled), with list prices... 01/04/2008

Welcome to the first week of 2008.  Following are my weekly statistics for condo/loft listings in the city of St Louis (Areas 1,2,3).  These statistics are gathered from the local multiple listing service:There were 10 new Active listings, with list prices ranging from $82,400 to $234,900.3 listings went under contract (Contingent/Option) with list prices ranging from $175,000 to $289,900.16 listings went Pending, with list prices ranging from $82,400 to $505,000.9 listings Sold, with Sold prices ranging from $97,159 to $354,000.This is amazing to me - 253 lisings Expired.  List prices ranged from $84,500 to $2,595,000.  These agents better get to work and get these relisted....3 listings went Inactive (Cancelled/Withdrawn), with list prices ranging from $136,000 to $249,900.Here's hopi... 01/04/2008

I'm not a huge fan of winter, and it arrived with a vengeance this past weekend.  It snowed all day on Saturday.  We had two Holiday parties to attend that evening - one was in Maryland Heights - and we were glad to have the 4-wheel drive; we didn't have to use it, but it made me feel safer knowing we could use it if we needed.  It wasn't much fun travelling on Interstate 270, but we made it.  The second party was here in the city, two blocks away from home, so that wasn't bad.  Then there was a blast of cold - we had temperatures in the teens.  It should be warmer this week, in the forties - it will seem like Spring...I can't believe Christmas will be here in a week.  We've been decorating like crazy.  I wanted to cut back on the decorating this year- I just wasn't into it - but once I... 12/18/2007

Listed at $69,000.ML#779072Why pay rent when you can be celebrating the holidays in this charming home. This one is larger than it looks & it's ready for immediate occupancy. According to tax records, there are 210 square feet of additional living space in the partially finished, walk-out basement. The owner used it as a bedroom, but it would make a great family room or office, too. All appliances (refrigerator, microwave, stove, dishwasher) remain with home, inlcuding the stacked washer/dryer & dehumidifier in basement. This home retains the beautiful woodwork, stained glass & nonfunctional fireplace, but has been updated with modern amenities. The large kitchen features really nice cabinets, countertop, a butler's cabinet & ceramic tile floor. The bathroom has also been updated with v... 11/23/2007