About Chesterfield's Villages At Baxter Ridge

Baxter Ridge Market Report July-August 2011 Chesterfield, MO

Baxter Ridge has been quite active over the past 2 months. The above activity shows

current properties on the market and what has sold in both the single family homes and the condominiums during that time. We have been busy listing and selling homes during the summer. As you can see, 4 of our 5 recent listings are already sold with only 1 home currently for sale. Of course, we need more Baxter Ridge listings.

From the market data listed above, it is clear to Baxter Ridge residents that prices are down from last year. While several years ago, home prices topped out at nearly $500,000, the market has definitely corrected and homes are more in the mid $300,000s now. Condos are also down with townhomes taking the largest drop to well below $200,000. Our listings continue to sell quicker than other agents listings. Three of the four listings that we recently sold were under contract in less than 10 days. That tells us that homes and condos in Baxter Ridge that are priced right are still selling quickly.

Baxter Ridge is a very popular subdivision for many reasons. First, the location is convenient to shopping, restaurants, and highway access. A grocery store is within walking distance! Secondly, the schools that serve Baxter Ridge are top notch. The elementary school, Highcroft Ridge, is a highly sought school by elementary school parents. Parkway Central Middle and High Schools are on a combined campus only about 10 minutes away. Bus service is provided. Subdivision amenities are very popular here too! In the summer, families gather at the pool to meet each other and let the children play together. The Baxter Ridge Barracudas, the subdivision swim team, is a force to be reckoned with. It is very popular with kids ages 5-18 and boasts a roster of about 90 kids.

Baxter Ridge home values are sure to turn around quicker than other subdivisions nearby as the market recovers. The care Baxter Ridge residents take to maintain their homes, the schools, location and amenities make Baxter Ridge an ideal place to raise a family.

Baxter Ridge Condominiums - Chesterfield MO

Many people in Chesterfield are unaware of the condominiums located within the Villages at Baxter Ridge subdivision. Better known as Baxter Ridge, there are approximately 135 condominium units tucked away at the back of the subdivision. Featuring all different styles, Baxter Ridge condos offer many different size units.

There are condos that range in size from 1500 SF to over 2500 SF. These units are perfect whether a buyer is trying to purchase a first home or for downsizing from a larger home. Residents are young professionals, young families and retired couples. All are welcome here. One reason for the diversity of the residents has to do with the amenities available for Baxter Ridge residents. Subdivision facilities include a swimming pool, 2 tennis courts and a subdivision clubhouse that is available for rent. These amenities are available for an annual fee of $338 per year. This fee is in addition to the monthly condo fee that is charged. The condo fee is charged on a sliding scale based on the size of the unit and covers the majority of the exterior maintenance of the condos. This includes utilities except for electricity and gas, all lawn maintenance, snow removal, exterior materials maintenance (roof, siding, etc.) and insurance on the building.The larger the condo, the larger the share of the monthly condo fees. The smallest units pay approximately $180 per month while the largest units pay approximately $328 per month.

Built between 1985 and 1987 the floorplans include ranch models, townhome models and 1.5 story models. One of the most popular models is the ranch condo that offers all one level living. There are 2 different floorplans, one with an attached garage and the other with a tuck under garage. Recent condo prices range from $170,000 to $250,000.

In general, the condos in Baxter Ridge offer either a courtyard or a deck for outdoor living. The courtyard is a private outdoor living area that connects the detached garage to the living unit. All units have a 2 car garage.

The complex is managed by a condo board made up of condo residents. In addition, the Board is assisted by an outside management company that collects monthly fees and assists with exterior maintenance of the units. The Board and management company work diligently to maintain the high standards of the appearance of the complex.

When working with condo buyers, many are surprised to learn of the existence of the Baxter Ridge condos because of their location at the back of the subdivision. Many prefer these condos over other complexes because of the suburban/subdivision feel. There is very little pavement and lots of green space that really contributes to the home-like feeling in the area. It is very common to see lots of walkers and people walking their dogs.

Chesterfield is a popular place to live and Baxter Ridge condominiums are a wonderful place to call home. Located close to restaurants, shopping and highways, Baxter Ridge is ideally located for young and old.

The Easter Bunny visits Baxter Ridge subdivision in Chesterfield, MO. Last weekend, the Easter Bunny made a visit to the Baxter Ridge subdivision. With promises of candy, pictures and fun, the Bunny really delivered.

Balloons showed families the way as they arrived at the Baxter Ridge clubhouse for the fun. While at the clubhouse, families visited with the Easter Bunny and had their pictures taken. Some pictures were impromptu and others were taken sitting with the Bunny or on the Bunny's lap. Some children were anxious to have their pictures taken while some of the younger children weren't quite sure.

Other activities included a coloring contest, a guess the number of candy pieces contest and lots and lots of bubble blowing. Many beautiful coloring contest entries were created. There were many interesting guesses about the number of candy pieces. The Easter Bunny guessed 9000 while some of the younger guests guessed 10. The actual number was somewhere in between!! Bubbles were given out but many bubbles were blown on site. Many of the children giggled when told that they were allowed to blow bubbles indoors because they couldn't do it at home. In case the guests were hungry, Easter cookies and juice boxes were available. And of course, Easter eggs full of candy. While an Easter egg hunt had been planned, very cool and wet weather cancelled the hunt. Filled candy eggs were available for all of the children to enjoy at the clubhouse or to take home for later enjoyment.

The ages of the children who attended the event ranged from a few years to many. Visiting with the Easter Bunny is an event that is fun for children of all ages. Photos of the event are below.

Easter 2010 was fun for all in attendance at Baxter Ridge!

Villages at Baxter Ridge sales statistics - year over year comparison 2008-2009/2009-2010.

The two charts above compare residential sales at the end of 1^st quarter 2009 vs end of 1^st quarter 2010. The number of sales in each one year period are similar - 6 at the end of 1^st quarter 2010 and 7 at the end of 1^st quarter 2009. Average days on market were 61 days in the previous period and 44 in the most recent period which represents an 18% improvement. Average sale price in previous period was $413,143 and $379,167 in the most recent period which represents an 8.3% decrease in price. The list price/sale price ratio of homes in the previous period was 96.73% and 95% in the most recent period representing a drop of 1.73%. This trend shows that while homes are selling faster, they are selling at a lower price and sellers are still not understanding the market value of their homes and are not pricing accordingly, thus resulting in the lower list price/sale price ratio.

Overall, buying a home in Baxter Ridge has always been a good value. While there has been a price adjustment that is reflective of the wider market over the past year or so, Baxter Ridge remains very affordable in the area. In addition to being a good value, Baxter Ridge also offers amenities that other nearby subdivisions don't offer. One of the most popular features of Baxter Ridge is the community pool. Adjacent to the pool is the subdivision clubhouse and 2 professionally sized tennis courts. During the summer, the pool hosts swim meets that resident children can participate in via the swim team - the Baxter Ridge Barracudas.

In addition to single family homes, Baxter Ridge is also home to approximately 130 condominiums. These condos vary in size from 1500 SF to just over 2500 SF.

This subdivision is popular, not only for the amenities offered, but also because of the proximity of the subdivision to churches, schools, shopping and restaurants. Additionally, Highway 40 is only minutes away. The Parkway School District is a AAA rated school district and serves the subdivision. Award winning Highcroft Ridge Elementary is also a sought after elementary school.

When a buyer considers all that Baxter Ridge has to offer, Baxter Ridge is often at the top of their list of homes to look at. When you want to look at homes in Baxter Ridge with agents who know and sell Baxter Ridge, call Jim and Linda at 314-422-2762. After helping more than 30 families move into and out of Baxter Ridge, Jim and Linda are your Baxter Ridge specialists!

Baxter Ridge Barracudas get ready to swim in Chesterfield, MO. The Baxter Ridge swim team the Barracudas kicked off their preseason activities on Sunday, March 28 with sign ups at the Clubhouse. New families arrived for orientation at 1 PM followed by a meeting for returning families at 2 PM. A representative from Kids' Sportsworld was in attendance to help with team swim suit fittings.

Ever popular, the Barracudas are a force to be reckoned with. Open to all Baxter Ridge families - condos or single family homes - the Barracudas will swim five conference meets and one intrasquad meet. The intrasquad meet starts the swim meet schedule on June 7^th at 5:30 PM. This intrasquad meet is new for the Barracudas. It will give new members to the team an opportunity to get a feel for swim meets before regular competition begins. If needed, time trials will be held over the next two mornings, June 8^th and June 9^th to make sure that all swimmers have enough timed events to qualify for the conference meet later in the summer.

The home pool for the Barracudas is the Villages at Baxter Ridge pool. Located at the intersection of Baxter Ridge Drive and Cedarmill Drive, the pool is the site of both practices and home swim meets. On home meet days, the pool will close earlier than normal to allow for the setup and execution of the meets.

2010 Home Swim Meet Schedule is as follows:

•· June 7 Baxter Ridge intrasquad meet Warm ups 5 PM, Meet at 5:30 PM

•· June 8 and 9 Time Trials (if needed) in the AM

•· June 14 Home Swim Meet vs Chadwick Warm ups 5 PM, Meet at 5:30 PM

•· July 5 Home Swim Meet vs Robinwood West Warm ups 5 PM, Meet at 5:30 PM

•· July 12 Home Swim Meet vs Villages at Cherry Hills Warm ups 5 PM, Meet at 5:30 PM.

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Any family interested in the swim team that might have missed the orientation meetings should contact one of the parent representatives: Kathy Phelan (kphelan2@yahoo.com) or Kim Matzdorf (KAM@KimandKevin.com). We will be at the home swim meets helping with event starting. See you there!