MO Real Estate Blog

Check out this new Single-family property that I just posted on my Web site. It is at 2313 Malibu Dr in Saint Charles. This Single-family property has 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. When you find it you know it! You will know it when you enter this beautiful well cared for home with wood entry floor, living rm and dining rm, spacious family rm with wood burning fireplace and a built-in wood box with access to the outside so that you won’t track in dirt and woods chips when bringing in firewood. The updated kitchen is designer quality with upgraded wood cabinets, granite counter top, premium newer appliances, updated lighting and flooring. This wonderful kitchen just needs a cook. Addtl features include main flr laundry, bay window, large pantry, deck, walk out LL, large master suite with coffered ceiling, luxury bath with tub and separate garden tub, ceramic tile flr, some newer carpet in home, vinyl exterior, mature beautiful lawn and landscaping.

Check out this new Single-family property that I just posted on my Web site. It is at 101 Oak Forest Drive in Saint Charles. This Single-family property has 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. A dream come true for the next homeowner. This wonderful home features a large open living rm and dining rm, 6 panel drs, open kitchen with incredible view of a 3 year old in-ground heated pool w/patio surround. Pool is L shaped approx 36×42 with diving board, automatic pool vacuum w/salt water system for low maintenance. Newer vinyl fence secures pool area. Enjoy weekends on your brand new cedar deck! Addtl features are newer carpet, crown molding, alarm system, water softener, updated baths, newer windows, newer garage dr, updated kitchen, newer appliances, masonry wood burning FP, hearth rm, finished LL with a potential for a 4th bedrm and large media rm/rec rm, all on 1.2 park-like acres at the end of a gated street which backs to trees!

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Check out this new Single-family property that I just posted on my Web site. It is at 607 Big Horn Dr in O’Fallon. This Single-family property has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Just in time for summer fun! This house offers great living and entertaining space. Exterior features include 2 car garage, covered porch, stately archetectural columns on the front elevation, 2 tier deck (wood and vinyl) above ground pool, and escape door and slide from deck just for kids. The interior is ready and waiting with vaulted ceilings, new entry floor, breakfast bar, open floor plan, kitchen pantry, white 6 panel doors, fresh paint, family room on main level with rec room in finished LL that includes cozy fireplace, full bath and large bedroom…..wait till the kids see our make believe cave!!
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Check out this new Single-family property that I just posted on my Web site. It is at 607 Big Horn Dr in O’Fallon. This Single-family property has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Just in time for summer fun! This house offers great living and entertaining space. Exterior features include 2 car garage, covered porch, stately archetectural columns on the front elevation, 2 tier deck (wood and vinyl) above ground pool, and escape door and slide from deck just for kids. The interior is ready and waiting with vaulted ceilings, new entry floor, breakfast bar, open floor plan, kitchen pantry, white 6 panel doors, fresh paint, family room on main level with rec room in finished LL that includes cozy fireplace, full bath and large bedroom…..wait till the kids see our make believe cave!!
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Today’s MO Real Estate market has many buyers waiting on the side line. They are cautious, concerned, unable to make timely decisions, and uncertain how to approach the potential that may be in front of them. 

We are frequently approached with the “what if” questions that is associated with fear.  Such as “what if housing prices fall more”, “what if the seller won’t lower their price”, and “what if my house doesnt sell so I can move”?  These are all understandable questions, however, no one can predict the future…sometimes I wish I could.  But, what I do know is that what we have before us looks concerning in the real estate market but what I really see is great opportunity.  Here are the positives in the current real estate market:

• Home prices are dropping…means more affordable housing

• Interest rates are lower than ever…for those of you who bought a house in the 1980’s you know exactly what I mean

• Reasonable Financing Options

• New Construction offering huge discounts and incentives

• Homes are more detailed and prepped for showings…sometimes that means the home is better maintained

• Selling your home for less means you will also buy your next home for less as well

Here is another set of “what if’s” to consider:

• What if….Home prices don’t drop any further…what if our market is at the bottom 

• What if…rates do start to go up

• What if…homes prices start to rebound…can you still afford the same home

• What if…my landlord raises my rent again

• What if…you wait…what will if be like then

So the fact’s are don’t try to time the market…….any market…..because you will never be able to get in at the perfect time.  As I am reminded by my stock broker!  Do what makes sense for you and what feels right.  Regardless of what the media is saying buyers are buying homes…so when will you get in?

What if you could find the home you want today in the MO Real Estate Market?

If you’ve received an email that starts out something like this …

“This is an actual true story and not one of those Internet stories that are passed on and on. This actually happened to one of my dearest friend’s daughter.” It goes on to say that the girl was stopped by a “police officer” and evaded a potential rape by dialing #77 on her cell phone. Though there are several variations such as where it happened, the name of the girl, etc. the story is basically the same. The story has no basis of fact.

According to the urban legend research site, Snopes.com, this email began circulating around 2002. The claim is that a college student was able to evade a rapist who was posing as a police officer by dialing #77 on her cell phone. The problem is that dialing #77 does not automatically contact the local sheriff’s department. In some states this will connect you to that state’s highway patrol, but it is not a code that will work everywhere.

The best thing to do is to dial 911 to connect to the nearest emergency dispatcher for help.

Even though this email is erroneous, it is always good to remind anyone traveling alone – especially teens, the elderly and girls/women – that sometimes rapists and other villains DO disguise themselves as police officers to pull over unsuspecting victims in order to violate them.

So if you’re alone, police advise motorists to immediately pull over but keep your doors locked and crack your window to speak to the officer. You can demand to see their photo ID and ask where they work then call 911 to verify this information. And, because there are rare instances of actual police officers that commit such crimes, if you’re suspicious you can also slow down, put on your flashing lights and drive to a safe, well-lit, occupied spot.

Some states, such as
New York, are trying to deter this type of crime by preventing unmarked state police cars from stopping motorists for routine traffic violations.

You should never get out of your car for a minor traffic offense. If requested to do so, tell them that you’d rather stay inside and that you have 911 on the phone.

Safety and common sense rules whenever you’re in a situation that you feel is unsafe or suspicious.

By the way, it is ALWAYS a good idea to verify the accuracy of emails sent that plead for you to forward it. You can find urban legend-busting sites like Snopes.com by doing an Internet search by putting in the subject of the email or part of the email itself. Now go out there and stay safe!

I’ve just sold a Resale - single family property at 14 Old Hickory Trail in St Peters. Come and visit my site to see other properties in that area. If you are interested in looking for or selling your home, please Contact Me.

Trick of Treat

In just 2 short weeks you are going to have chills running down your spine, ghosts pounding at your door and goblins running down the street.  No no don’t worry…it’s not an IRS visit…it’s Halloween!

As many of know, I love to cook…even on Halloween.  I like to plan some spooky menu items as a surprise for my daughter.  We might eat Blood Shot Eyes (deviled eggs make this easy), Spiders and Webs (Spider Oreos and Cotten Candy), Mummys (Hot Dogs in Blankets and then decorate)…..you get the general idea…fun and gross.  Just what every kid likes.

So as I search for my Halloween Idea I came across something to share so you can make your own fun this year too.  Why should I be the only one who looks goofey!??!??

Attached is a file for your Halloween Happiness…Happy Haunting and Be Safe!

Trick of Treat

Most of us don’t like talking about ourselves………that includes me.  I feel I am fairly modest but I am truly no different than any of my clients.  Some of my clients have been divorced, bankrupt, foreclosed or wealthy.  Their situation could be mine at any time…..I would prefer the wealthy.  What I mean by their situation could be mine at any time is simply we all have the same problems at some time in our life and no one is better than the other.

I have been very lucky in my life that I have been married to the same wonderful man for over 22 years, blessed with one child, close family, and have experienced success and even failure….yes that is a lucky experience.  Without failure you can not appreciate success.

Life has not always been this good.  

As a child, I was adopted at the age of 3, when a man named Jim married my mother.  This was a great thing for both of us.  However, my parents were financially very strained.  My mother was very creative with money and just how far she could make it go.  My dad was a highly driven sales person…..this must be where I get it from.  Mom worried and Dad worked.  

So I understand what it can be like for some clients who are going through financial hardship….it literaly can take the life out of you.  Remember, it is only temporary…just like the current real estate market…it is only temporary.  What ever your situation there is a way to change it.  You may not be able to see it….so that is where I may be able to help.  I have investors that buy for cash, contacts that negotiate with lenders for a short sale and attorneys that help you avoid foreclosure.

No I have not experienced divorce first hand…after 18 years of marriage my parents divorced…that is as close as I want to come to a personal experience with divorce.  I saw the effects of a divorce on each parent and the financial burden that situation puts on each party.  Best advice…if you can not speak to each other use a mediator to settle these financial matters and not the high cost of hours of attorney fees.  

 The bottom line is as a REALTOR I understand where you are at in your situation.  I have spent 7 years in Real Estate helping others move on to something better, something bigger or something simpler.  I have developed a Team of individuals who are as compassionate towards my clients as I am.  Because of my values and the belief that people need a hand up not a hand out…I have seen some success in my  business.

Thanks to my clients I am:

Ranked in the Top 2% of the area Real Estate Agents

Recipient of Excellent Customer Service Award from St. Louis Homes Magazine

Ranked as one of the Top 10 Teams by the St. Charles County Business Journal

Recipient of Multiple RE/MAX awards 

Sell 10 million in Real Estate a Year

Feel free to read about my Team at www.CarolDanowski.com under the tab “About Us”.  We would like to meet you too.

Welcome to Carol Danowski’s Blog! This blog will provide you with valuable information, tips, and general insight into the real estate market in St. Charles and St. Louis County Missouri.