Phillipsburg, MO

What an incredible day!

I am working with a wonderful couple that have three daughters. They transferred to the Lebanon Missouri area a few years ago and have been renting since then. Feeling they will stay here, without another transfer in the near future, they decided to buy. They have been to the bank, they have been pre-approved and have money in the bank for a down payment. All the pieces are in place to make an offer on a home.

Earlier this week, we looked at a foreclosure in Phillipsburg Missouri. Our choices have been some what limited as they want to stay in the Laclede County R-1 school district. There isn't a whole lot for sale in this school district, as it ranks well in the State and has a very strong reputation in the area. There is limited turn over within the boundaries of the district.

So... back to my story. We look at the home. A few family members look over the home. The buyers made a list of potential repairs and went home to talk about an offer. They later called to say they would be in Friday morning, their day off, to write an offer.

This morning, we meet at the Lebanon MO office and I pull up the data sheet. I go on to pull up our state forms software, flipping back to the MLS data sheet. Upon doing so, the page refreshes...what do I see? The home is now under contract? What? Five minutes ago it still showed as "active."

Placing a call to the listing agent, I find out that the REO company did indeed accept an offer this morning from another local buyer.

My buyers lost a home that had everything they were looking for - the right school district, a little bit of land, no major repairs, a storm shelter or safe room and at least two full baths.

As of today, the home had been on the market 169 days. They thought they had plenty of time. They thought it wasn't going any where any time soon. They thought homes weren't moving - that is what the media told them.

The morning was an emotional roller coaster.

Our market has seen an increase in Internet traffic and an increase in telephone calls. It looks like we'll also see an increase in pendings and solds in the near future.

If you're thinking of buying or selling, why wait?

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Contact Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realty, at 417-468-5900 to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Marshfield, Conway, Phillipsburg, Lebanon, Long Lane, or Buffalo, Missouri.

Contact Debbie at: Debbie@ucvip.com

Copyright © 2009 By Debbie DiFonzo, All Rights Reserved.

My kids think I have totally lost my mind - but I am very excited: Driving home, I finally saw a LIVE armadillo crossing the street! (Hwy A in Phillipburg MO)

It was almost dark and I didn't realize how quickly an armadillo can move, so I wasn't able to grab the camera. I would have loved to preserve this "Missouri First."

Armadillos are relatively new to Missouri. making their way up to Missouri from Texas in the mid 1970's. I've lived here since January 2000 and until now, had only seen DEAD armadillos. The locals refer to to them as "Southern Speed Bumps."

They say armadillos can tear up a yard and do great damage. Just in case you can't run your problem armadillo over with your car, if you trap or shoot an armadillo, Missouri's Wildlife Code requires you to report the action to your state conservation agent within 24 hours.

To learn more about getting rid of an armadillo in Missouri, you can read a guide created by the University of Missouri Extension: "Armadillos in Missouri: Techniques to Prevent and Control Damage"

The Phillipsburg Community Development Council (PCDC) will hold it's 2nd Annual Pig Roast this month.

Saturday, June 21st, 2008
6 pm
Dinner: $6.00 includes two sides and a drink
Kids: Hot dog, chips and a drink
Dessert: Homemade! $1.00

Live Music By:

Chester Wood and Band

Join us in the Phillipsburg City Park on Saturday the 21st for good food and good friends.

Processing of the pig was donated to PCDC by Spring Valley Meat Processng in Conway, MO

All proceeds of the event stay in Phillipsburg!

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Contact Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realty, at 417-468-5900 to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Marshfield, Conway, Phillipsburg, Lebanon, Long Lane, or Buffalo, Missouri.

To view all our listings and auctions, visit:
United Country VIP Realty
Debbie DiFonzo, Broker

Contact Debbie at: Debbie@ucvip.com

Copyright © 2008 By Debbie DiFonzo, All Rights Reserved. The information provided herein is obtained from multiple sources and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

I just finished reading a follow up post by Tracy Riba: Networking the "Good Ol' Boys"-Follow Up Tracy had been invited to a seminar designed to teach a person how to Network with the Good Ol' Boys in the South. If you haven't read Tracy's post, be sure to - it's very enlightening.

After I read what Tracy had learned, I just had to laugh. I've been networking with the Good Ol' Boys of Phillipsburg, Missouri and didn't really know it.

You see, Phillipsburg Missouri has a population of 201 give or take a few. They have six or seven churches, a post office, city hall, a new library, a boat sewing factory, a city park and two gas stations. Town is located at exit 118 on I-44; one gas station on each side of the Interstate.

The gas station on the "town side" of I-44 is owned and operated by a couple "not from here." You hardly see the locals around there.

The other gas station, Massey's Conoco, is owned and operated by Wes & Diane Massey - natives of the P-burg area. They have a nice business off the Interstate and all the locals patronize their establishment. (If you're in the area, be sure to try the homemade biscuits and gravy for $2.50)

In addition to the coolers of pop and bottles of water, there are rows of canned goods and snacky stuff. Between the booths and the ice cream cooler, you'll find the most important spot of Massey's: the round table.

It's here at the round table important decisions are made. The men gather around, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. (Unless of course it's raining - like today. Then the table is full all day, with the guys coming and going.) They discuss the local gossip, the county gossip, the political scene. They discuss who was at the last auction and who wasn't. They discuss who's road needs grated and who just thinks their road needs work. . . Don't let them fool you - the men gossip as much as the women do!

I try to stop by Massey's as often as I can. When I need gas, I try to time my purchase around these "unofficial" meetings. I enjoy hearing the stories of today and yesterday. I enjoy watching the interaction between the guys. I enjoy trying to figure out who has "rank" among those present. I've even promised a few of them United Country hats, that they will to wear to the local sale barn.

Last week, Wes Massey pulled me to the side - he heard about a piece of land. The owner doesn't want to "mess with a Realtor" but they would sell the property if I had a buyer.

I was so excited!

Believe it or not, when your not from here, "hearing" about a piece of property is progress. I'll never be one of them. With time, a few stories here and there and when asked, acting like I know nothing, I've become more accepted. That's networking, P-burg style.

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Contact Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realty, at 417-468-5900 to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Marshfield, Conway, Phillipsburg, Lebanon, Long Lane, or Buffalo, Missouri.

To view all our listings and auctions, visit: http://www.uctheozarks.com/

Contact Debbie at: Debbie@ucvip.com

Copyright © 2008 By Debbie DiFonzo, All Rights Reserved. The information provided herein is obtained from multiple sources and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.