Chris Grus

Sometimes when I told people that I was packing up my family and moving to the city, people looked at me like I had two heads. "Aren't you going the wrong way?" an individual said. I understand those sentiments to a point. Some parts of the city aren't as safe, the schools in St. Louis City are struggling. Et cetera.

Besides the historic homes, cultural events, exponentially superior dining establishments, there are simply more and better events throughout the city than anywhere else. In the 6 years I lived in the suburbs outside of St. Louis, we never had events like this one. Our third Autumn Fest is going to be done right.

What Autumn Fest Consists of is a series of house parties. With horse drawn carriage rides (or a nice walk) from house to house, visitors can take a look at the various architectural style homes along Utah Place in the Tower Grove Heights neighborhood. The house parties have food, desserts and refreshments along with entertainment for both adults and children. Its a great chance to socialize and network with neighbors and to bring in visitors to showcase this awesome neighborhood.

Last year, we invited another couple with a child to come down and enjoy the festivities with us. It was nice, but it felt like it wasn't enough, so this year, we're inviting a bunch more friends. I can't wait.

For more information, respond to this post and you can be put in touch with the Autumn Fest Committee. The charge at the event is $20~which is well worth the food, beverage and entertainment (including the carriage ride). The pre-registration charge is $15.

This weekend is an awesome weekend to be in St. Louis! There are some great things to do and not enough time to do everything :( (unless you're the Funky Butt Brass Band)

My first pick is Taste of St. Louis downtown. It started today and runs through Sunday. Beyond the typical Foodie event, there's tons of Art and Music too. On my trips downtown I 've been watching them get ready for this for nearly a week now. I'll be disappointed if I can't make it over on Sunday!!

I'm mostly excited about another event, partially because its new and partly because its practically in my back yard. The Morganford Music & Street Festival is only one day, Saturday. On a side note, its exciting because I remember when this section of Morganford consisted of mostly board up run down ugly buildings with a 7-11 and a ratty car wash. Now the ratty car wash and 7-11 are surrounded by an up and coming walkable community. Grocer, cafe's, barbers, some great restaurants & bars and ending with the beautiful Marti's Garden ( a memorial garden for St. Louis activist and St. Louis City Realtor Marti Frumhoff).

I noticed that the Funky Butt Brass Band (a very cool local act) will be on Morganford in the Afternoon and then Downtown at 7:30pm. What a day! Since I'll be out of the area for the morning and most of the afternoon, I won't be able to make it until Javier Mendoza goes on at 7. Since they don't have a website, the fun is located at Juniata and Morganford in the Tower Grove South Neighborhood from 12pm to 9pm.

Lastly, the Historic Shaw Art Fair is not just another Art Fair. Growing up in the suburbs, I would attend art fairs on some vacant school parking lot and didn't get too excited. Going to the Historic Shaw Art Fair is nothing like that! Set in the street of Flora Place surrounded by gorgeous historic mansions, great entertainment and plenty of great HOMEGROWN ART, Its an event I attend annually. When the real estate market picks up, I look forward to an art buying spree there. Maybe next year :) This year I'll just have fun with my kids and start to scope out possibilities.

I was looking at a house for sale in the beautiful Tower Grove Heights neighborhood yesterday and noticed some activity in the old Gustine Market building and noticed the old awning was up again.

The building was undergoing a nice transformation and new coolers and equipment were being added.

For years, the Gustine Market was a great little "quick shop" with so many useful things. We didn't need to leave the neighborhood. The only problem was that it really seemed unsanitary in there. The place was a wreck. Now that has all been rectified.

A brief discussion with the new owner and neighborhood resident was positive. They are gaining their last needed city approvals and deciding upon the inventory. Things should be open soon!

Here in the midwest, people love the changing seasons. Since such a large number of homes are listed in the Summer, seeing the difference in curb appeal between spring or summer and fall really forces home the point that home seller's must consider the changing times more than anyone.

Since homes still sell in the fall, a well manicured yard and freshly landscaped beds will go far in the fall when many of the competing listings have lost the luster of early summer gardening.

Here are some tips for keeping a property in showing shape outside.

1. Remove overgrown and struggling summer plants in favor of a more hardy fall plant like mums.

2. Consider powerwashing and window cleaning (after late summer, the massive amounts of pollen can muck up a house.

3. Stay up on leaves!!! Keeping the lawn clear and the beds free of leaves on a weekly basis goes a long way towards a fall sale.

4. Re-seal, weed and edge around driveways and walkways.

5. Add a fresh layer of mulch for a clean new look.

6. Edge / trim around driveways & walk ways.

Taking the time to spruce up the exterior will help position your home above the competition.

One thing that many home buyer's do wrong is enter the buyer's market without learning about the process and what it entails. Our free home buyer's workshop was developed with the goal of providing new home buyer's with the basic information to build buyer confidence as they enter the market.

Topics include 'Perks' of Buying, the Role of a Buyer's Agent, Buying Process (Overview), and details about the Sale Contract plus key vocabulary that home buyers should know.

Time for questions and answers plus a special section on the current first time home buyer's tax credit are also included.

Refreshments will be served.

This is the best opportunity for buyer's in the St. Louis area to get a feel for the process of home buying BEFORE hitting the streets.

RSVP to http://www.4salestlouis.com/realtor_contact.shtml