Don Rogers REALTOR®, CDPE, GRI O'Fallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

OFallon MO Real Estate Month over Month Statistics January 2010 vs January 2011

In 1956, O’Fallon Missouri’s 100th anniversary, the census showed the population to be 1,327 people, and the town measured about 20 blocks square. By 2000, the U.S. census put O’Fallon Missouri’s population at 46,169 people, and the city had grown to 26 square miles. Today, O’Fallon’s population is over 70,000.

In 2006, the City of OFallon MO celebrated two milestones – first, its 150th Sesquicentennial anniversary. This included many events throughout the year for all to enjoy. And secondly, a New Year’s Eve party on December 31, which included filling a time capsule with predictions for the next century. I wonder where our fair city will be in 2106. It is sure to be far different than we know it today!!

In late July of 2006, the City of O’Fallon MO was named as a “Best Place to Live” by Money magazine. To celebrate the honor, the City partnered with local businesses and the O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce and held several events to thank residents and businesses, and raised funds that were donated to a community charity. In addition, an annual program to recognize outstanding residents, “O’Fallon’s Citizens of Achievement” was established.

When it comes to amenities, O’Fallon Missouri’s 475 acres of parks include some of the best outdoor practice and playing fields in the region for soccer, baseball, softball and football, plus playgrounds and picnic pavilions, walking and jogging paths, historic sites, landscaped beds and natural areas.
For indoor recreation, the Renaud Spirit Center offers state-of the-art fitness and game facilities, an aquatic complex, and a multitude of recreational programs for all ages and abilities.

The average list price of homes that closed in O Fallon MO in January 2010 was $213,604.
The average list price of homes that closed in O Fallon MO in January 2011 was $199,605.

The average sale price of homes that closed in O Fallon MO in January 2010 was $204,648.
The average sale price of homes that closed in O Fallon MO in January 2011 was $191,837.

The average market time for the homes that closed in O Fallon MO in January 2010 was 100 days.
The average market time for the homes that closed in O Fallon MO in January 2011 was 124 days.

There are currently 518 homes in for sale in O Fallon MO. These homes range in size from 2 bedrooms to 5+ bedrooms all of which are in various price ranges.

*All information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed per mls dated 2/7/2011

So if you are considering a move OR you are relocating to the Greater St. Louis metro area why not look into making OFallon MO your new home.
For more information on OFallon MO or if you are interested in buying or selling your home here, please call Don Rogers at 314-954-6776. Or you can click here to email me with your inquiries.

O Fallon MO Home Sellers Do You REALLY Know What Buyers Notice….

……….After they drive up in front of your home? Yesterday I wrote a post about the curb appeal of your home. This post will assist you with getting your home ready for sale and getting an offer that is acceptable and help you move to your next level of home ownership.

Buyers are more educated today than they have ever been. They look online at home after home and choose from the pictures they see. So this will help you improve your standing both in pictures and in person.

So, what do you have to do with the interior of your home to have it stand above your competition? Here is a list of eight (8) things to help you:
1. Buyers take special notice of light & bright homes. Buy high intensity light bulbs and be sure to clean all light shades and covers. Don’t forget the ceiling fans and lights either.
2. Buyers notice especially clean homes. Do a “Spring cleaning” throughout….no matter what the season is. Give special attention to the following: windows and screens, counter and appliance tops, mirrors, ovens, sinks, toilets and tub/shower areas.
3. Buyers notice freshly cleaned carpets and waxed floors. Replace or repair damaged areas of the floor or floor covering.
4. Buyers notice clean windows, freshly laundered drapes and curtains. This may sound a little funny BUT please don’t forget to iron them before hanging them up.
5. Buyers notice spacious rooms; arrange furniture and decorations to improve each room. Remove unnecessary items that don’t fit in.
6. Buyers notice colors that will blend with their décor and furnishings. Consider brightening things up with a fresh coat of paint. Neutral colors are normally suggested because they tend to make the room look bigger and brighter and these colors are most likely to go with the new buyer’s furniture.
7. Buyers notice closet & cabinet space. Neatly arrange everything in your closets, cabinets and other storage areas including the basement and garage. Get rid of all unnecessary items.
8. Buyers pay attention to the tiniest of details. Fix all of the “little things”…..loose door knobs, leaky faucets, towel racks, clean and repair caulk areas.

Remember this is your “second” chance to make a good “first” impression. So don’t let it cost you a good buyer. Be ready and stay ready through the whole selling process.

That’s right O Fallon MO home sellers, right NOW while it is still Winter, is the time to for you to be thinking about the Spring buying season. Your O Fallon MO home has gone through all the snow and ice and everything else that Mother Nature had to throw at it. So, as the temps start to go up in OFallon MO, it is time to walk around the exterior of your home to make sure things are still in the same place and in the same condition as they were before the winter weather set in.

With that in mind here is a list of 10 exterior items that will help make your OFallon MO home look its best:
1. Keep your lawn cut and edged. Trim trees and shrubs, removing all dead limbs and debris. I heard that comment. I know that there is still snow on the ground so, clear off the snow and ice from the driveway and steps and the porch. Pick up those dead limbs and other debris while walking around the house.
2. Add color to your yard and front porch with flowers and/or hanging plants. It may be a little early but you can start planning what bulbs and other plants you want to put in the ground when it warms up.
3. Arrange outdoor furniture and stack firewood neatly. Put away all lawn equipment, bikes and other toys.
4. Repair any broken areas of your fence, deck, patio, etc. Make sure these areas are clean and in good shape. Think about staining the deck and check for nail pops and reset them.
5. Check the exterior items like siding, window sashes, trim and shutters. Clean these areas and/or paint as needed. Give special attention to the front door area. Maybe this is the year for that new front door you have been thinking about for the last three years.
6. Make sure your gutters are clean of debris. Wash or paint as needed. Realign the gutters if they look crooked.
7. Check the roof for shingles or flashing that needs replacing or repair.
8. Replace broken windows, doors and screens. Make sure each looks clean and in good condition.
9. Wash driveways and sidewalks. Patch holes and try to remove stains.
10. Touch up the “little things”….house numbers, mail box, door bell, etc.

Remember, you only get one chance to make a good first impression and you do want to sell your home don’t you?

I know that it is still Winter but, O Fallon MO home seller you should be thinking about the Spring buying season?

Today February 10th is Umbrella Day............

The umbrella was invented about four thousand years ago. There is some evidence of umbrellas being used in ancient Egypt, Assyria, Greece, and China.

These umbrellas or parasols were first designed to offer shade from the sun. The Chinese, doesn’t it figure, were the first to waterproof their umbrellas for use as rain protection.

Starting in the 16th century umbrellas became popular to the western world, especially in the rainy weather of northern Europe. At first it was considered only suitable for women. Then the Persian traveler and writer, Jonas Hanway, carried and used an umbrella publicly in England for about thirty years, popularizing umbrella use among men. English gentleman during this time referred to their umbrellas as a "Hanway."

Early European umbrellas were made of wood or whalebone and covered with alpaca or oiled canvas. Artisans made the curved handles for the umbrellas out of hard woods like ebony, and were well paid for their efforts.

In 1852, Samuel Fox invented the steel ribbed umbrella design. Fox claimed to have invented the steel ribbed umbrella as a way of using up stocks of farthingale stays, steel stays used in women's corsets.

And the rest, as they say, is history………….

………..You can celebrate Umbrella Day in a couple of ways. First, make sure your umbrella is handy. Second, use it, or walk around with it. If you don't have an umbrella, isn't it time to get one?

Lake St Louis MO Real Estate Month over Month Statistics January 2010 vs January 2011

Lake Saint Louis MO began in 1966 as a private recreational lake community envisioned by developer Mr. R. T. Crow. In June of 1967, the Lake Saint Louis declaration of covenants and restrictions was signed and recorded. For the next 12 years, the sole governing entity in the community was the Community Association. It was not until May of 1975 that the community also became a city under the Revised Statutes of Missouri.

Lake Saint Louis MO offers municipal services to the residents, including police, parks, public works, community development, municipal court, snow removal, building inspection and code enforcement. There is a beautiful new Civic Center located at 200 Civic Center Drive to serve the residents. It is home to both the City Hall and Lake Saint Louis Police Department.

The average list price of homes that closed in Lake St Louis MO in January 2010 was $320,950.
The average list price of homes that closed in Lake St Louis MO in January 2011 was $246,187.

The average sale price of homes that closed in Lake St Louis MO in January 2010 was $309,000.
The average sale price of homes that closed in Lake St Louis MO in January 2011 was $234,688.

The average market time for the homes that closed in Lake St Louis MO in January 2010 was 214 days.
The average market time for the homes that closed in Lake St Louis MO in January 2011 was 144 days.

There are currently 129 homes in for sale in Lake St Louis MO. These homes range in size from 2 bedrooms to 5+ bedrooms all of which are in various price ranges.

*All information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed per mls dated 2/7/2011

For more information on Lake St Louis MO or if you are interested in buying or selling your home here, please call Don Rogers at 314-954-6776. Or you can click here to email me with your inquiries.