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real estate: Embroidered, personalized items for the home add a sense of elegance and self - 12/19/11 09:39 PM
I’ve had the privilege to visit many homes throughout my career as a REALTOR. Certainly the old adage “Home is where the heart is” comes shining through. Many homeowners take that extra step and add personalized items to their home. I find this adds elegance to any room and a sense of self and pride in homeownership.
The opportunity to personalize is wide open as embroidered monogramming goes below the traditional bath towels and linen. Anything you touch can be personalized to add flair and pride to your home! If the center of your home is the kitchen, think about monogrammed … (0 comments)
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real estate: Short Sales? Sometimes not very short. Buyers should enter the process with lots of patience and an agent trained in short sale negotiations. - 09/27/11 10:36 AM
The term short sale has woven its way into the homebuyer lexicon during the past year. While not a foreclosure property, short sale homes have their own special financial issues that require a real estate agent who is trained in this type of sale.
What is a short sale? When a homeowner is in financial difficulty, can’t keep current on mortgage payments and may see a foreclosure in the near future, the owner and the lending institution decide to sell the home for less than owed on the mortgage.
Buyers are attracted to short sales hoping to score a property at … (0 comments)
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real estate: Getting sellers and buyers together for a happy ending: Current market value will determine a sale, not emotions - 07/26/11 03:37 PM
The real estate market can be very complex these days; but mix in emotions and the occasional ego, and it can be even more complicated. Enter your real estate agent, who will sort out the best approaches for both buyers and sellers.For sellers, correct pricing is a must. A recent Zillow survey showed that homeowners who purchased their property in 2007 or later were overpricing their homes by an average of 14.1 percent, and homeowners who purchased between 2002 and 2006 were overpricing about 9.3 percent above market value.The key here is market value. The market has changed drastically since 2002 … (1 comments)
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real estate: Condos offer an option for homeowners who want to downsize or aren’t interested in home maintenance - 07/19/11 05:32 PM
Just the thought of going outside in the Missouri heat and humidity to mow the lawn, or repair the fence, can seem like a daunting task. For people who are no longer enthralled with home maintenance or are ready to downsize, purchasing a condo is the logical choice.
When you buy a condominium, or condo, you are purchasing ownership in the whole building, not just your unit. You privately own your residence, but you also have ownership in the building and the common areas, including the grounds. In addition to the unit purchase price, you will also pay a monthly fee … (0 comments)
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real estate: Just don’t do that. Some over-the-top renovations won’t help sell your home or impress buyers. - 06/23/11 10:50 AM
Selling a home usually means some updating, possibly remodeling a few areas. Kitchens and bathroom renovations reap payback at closing time, but a word to the wise: don’t over improve. You’ll set yourself up for a yield of diminishing returns.
The smartest way to increase your home’s value is to bring it up to neighborhood standards. Leaping ahead of the Joneses will only stall your sale, especially in a market where buyers are cautious and want to see solid value. Always consider your neighborhood and research comparable properties before you jump into renovation projects.
Here are some don’ts and do’s.
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real estate: Are mortgage interest rates really ‘historic’ now? - 06/22/11 12:16 PM
We hear it all the time. Headlines trumpet “mortgage rates at historic lows!” Could this really be true, or is it hype? Curious to find out, we researched mortgage rates way back to 1981 to find out the real story. Which is to say, yes, our current interest rates are historic.
Back then, some 30 years ago, the interest rate was a whopping 16.70 percent (can you image that?) for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage in June 1981, according to mortgagenewsdaily.com. In between then and now, rates did moderate to averages of about 11.50% in 1983; 8.43% in 2000; 6.88% in … (3 comments)
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real estate: Yes you can sell your home this summer! Take a look at what buyers want and get your home ready to go. - 06/21/11 11:14 AM
We’ve all heard that this is a buyers’ market, there are plenty of real estate choices and buyers expect the lowest price possible. This can put sellers on the defensive. However, you can position your home in this market to satisfy buyers and get fair market value for your property.
Price. Your real estate agent will help you determine a fair price for your home. She will provide you with comparable homes in your area so you can be competitive as soon as your home is listed. Pricing your home too high will only turn away serious buyers and get yourself … (0 comments)
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real estate: Lake Saint Louis is one of the BEST places to live in America! - 07/15/09 07:08 PM
Congratulations to the residents of Lake St. Louis! The community placed ninth in the top 10 places to live in Money magazine’s annual listing of the best 100 places. SCHNEIDER Realtors’ own Jane Nicoletti can testify first hand–she’s lived there for more than 20 years and loves Lake Saint Louis.“Now my grandchildren can enjoy the pool, the parks and walk along the boulevard,” she says. “and there’s shopping galore. How great is it that we made it in the top 10 cities to live list!”Money magazine’s criteria for the top 100 list is based on school ratings, home prices, employment levels … (0 comments)
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real estate: Property Values and St. Charles Schools Get An A+ Report Card - 06/04/09 04:42 AM
One of the first questions potential home buyers ask their real estate agent is “How good is the school system?” Of all the local neighborhood amenities that can influence a buyer’s decision to purchase a home, proximity to good quality schools is one of the most influential, according to the 2007 National Association of REALTORS Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. School quality was listed as a deciding factor for 28% of home buyers. The St. Charles region is fortunate to have excellent schools that attract families who want their children to have the best educational experience possible.The St Charles School … (0 comments)
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real estate: 4 Tips to Make a Home More Inviting - 04/03/09 02:34 PM
Model homes are important tools for builders because they help buyers fall in love with a home.Phyllis Ryan, president of the model-home division of Interior Concepts, a Maryland design firm that specializes in furnishing new homes, has some tips that might benefit anyone who is selling a home.
A stylish kitchen appeals to many buyers. If a sellers has upgraded cabinets and granite countertops, that’s good. If they don’t, it may help to display some stylish touches like an espresso machine, a retro toaster or just some luscious fruit. Lots of light makes spaces feel larger. Turn on all the lights … (0 comments)
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real estate: MORTGAGE NEWS – Maximizing the Housing Tax Credit and mortgage rates - 03/28/09 09:34 PM
The real estate market has really started to rally and part of that success can be attributed to the new Housing Tax Credit for first-time homebuyers.Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, qualifying taxpayers who purchase a home before Dec. 1 receive up to $8,000 or $4,000 for married individuals filing separately. People can claim the credit either on their 2008 tax returns due April 15 or on their 2009 tax returns next year.For people who recently purchased a home or are considering buying in the next few months, there are several different ways that they can get this … (0 comments)
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real estate: A Gift - 02/27/09 04:59 PM
St. Charles Real Estate Expert
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real estate: Have you met our Partners? - 02/10/09 09:43 PM
The Grant Hickman Team is proud to have brought together a talented group of businesses that we trust and stand behind. We recommend each of these companies as they have proven their knowledge and expertise on a regular basis. They each continue to provide invaluable services to making a real estate and/or home purchase. Meet our 2009 Partners!
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real estate: Look For A Bit Of Sunshine In Your Own Backyard - 02/10/09 03:16 AM
Good news is out there, and rays of optimism are breaking through the gloomy clouds. Sure, we are in the throes of some of the most difficult financial times in recent memory. However, American homebuyers and sellers are a resilient group. Combined with a variety of proposed stimulus packages, responsibility and a never-say-quit attitude, the St. Charles area housing market will survive and eventually thrive again.According to the St. Charles County Association of REALTORS®, homes sales in September and October 2008 increased over the same period in 2007–9.7 percent up in September and 5 percent in October. Former Association President Keith … (0 comments)
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real estate: Around St. Charles - 01/24/09 04:51 PM
February 1- February 28: The Big Read “National Endowment for the Arts” - Foundry Art Centre, 520 N. Main Street, St. Charles, MO 63301 February 4-8: Cirque du Soleil Saltinbanco - St. Charles Family Arena February 7-8: Great Train Expo - Saint Charles Convention Center; $7.00 (adults & over 12 yrs.) / under 12 yrs. Free Februrary 11: 200 Years of Candy – First Missouri State Capitol Historic Site; 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. FREE February 10-21: Wizard of Oz - Lindenwood Center for Fine and Performing Arts Events, 7:30 February 13-15: Working Women’s Survival Show - Join us February 13-15, 2009 … (0 comments)
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real estate: Potential Home Buyers, 2009 is The Time! - 01/12/09 02:17 PM
Get off the sidelines if you are thinking about buying a home. Contrary to implications in the news, now is one of the best times to be a home buyer. No one knows how long this once in a generation, or perhaps once in a lifetime, window of opportunity will be open but there are several things working in the home buyers favor right now.
First, home prices in most markets have declined in the past year; therefore, you can get much more home for your dollar. The drop in values has been more modest in the Midwest compared to the … (0 comments)
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real estate: Around St. Charles - 01/12/09 02:08 PM
January 13: Oliver -Lindenwood Center for Fine and Performing Arts Events, 7:30 pm; $25-$55 January 15-31: Regional Acts - Ameristar Casino Entertainment, Thursday evenings; Free January 15- December 17: It’s a Grand Lunch at the Foundry - Foundry Art Centre, every Thursday 11am- 1:30 am in the Grand Hall; $10 January 16-18: All Canada Show - St. Charles Convention Center, Friday 5-9pm, Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday 10-4pm Admission; Adults $10, Seniors & children (13-16) $8, Children 12 & under are free; Free parking January 16-18: Boat Show- Fishing and Outdoor Expo - St. Charles Convention Center, Friday noon-10 pm, Saturday 10-8pm and … (0 comments)
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real estate: MORTGAGE NEWS – More great news for first time Home Buyers!! - 12/01/08 02:48 PM
Interest rates are great, real estate is selling at a discount …. which all adds up to a great time to buy a home!! And for first time homebuyers; the news just keeps getting better and better thanks to MHDC.The Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) releases money to first time homebuyers throughout the year and in the past this money has been non-taxable. But,in their most recent bond-issue, the monies they provide to first time homebuyers are taxable!At first thought, most people would think this is a bad thing; as the borrower has to pay taxes on the 3% down payment … (0 comments)
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real estate: St. Charles County is the Best Place to Live - 11/25/08 10:17 PM
Exactly what is happening in your neighborhood and your county? With theGrant Hickman Team Market SnapShot, you can know exactly what is happeningin your neighborhood. And, according to MLS, St. Charles County dipped byjust 103 fewer homes sold this year than in 2007 in September. In contrast,more homes were sold in the cities of O'Fallon and Wentzville this year inSeptember than last year during the same time.In fact St. Peters, St. Charles, and O'Fallon, Missouri were all chosen byMoney Magazine's Best Places to Live 2008. O'Fallon was also chosen as oneof Relocate-America's Top 100 Places to Live in 2008.
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real estate: The Truth About Home Loans - 11/25/08 10:13 PM
There are a lot of myths in the media right now regarding home loans; I’m here to set the record straight!
You’re told you can’t get a loan, there’s no money to loan, money is tight……The truth is lenders are making home loans every day! You’re told mortgage rates are high…….The facts are, mortgage rates are at, or near historic lows and have been for some time! You’re told getting a home loan is difficult……The facts are home loans are available and it’s not a difficult process! You’re told you must have perfect credit…….The facts are there are many financing options … (0 comments)
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Grant Hickman, Saint Charles Real Estate Pro
Saint Charles,
MO
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The Grant Hickman Team
Office Phone: (314) 558-9225
Cell Phone: (314) 265-1531
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