2009 Mega Agent Program - Inspiring Words from Liz Murray
If you haven't seen any of the guest speakers at a Mega Agent Camp, you are really missing out. These strong and passionate individuals will provoke thought and pull at both your heart and your mind. After listening to these speakers, there is but one single conclusion - "The only thing holding you back is you."
Meet Liz Murray
Liz Murray is no ordinary young woman. She was born into a loving family. However, her parents were addicted to drugs and at age 15 she found herself homeless. She ended up sleeping in subways. Without a strong (or any) family support system, she was able to finish high school and enter Harvard on a full scholarship from the New York Times.
Stop Waiting for Change to Come to You
Liz Murray has a compelling story. She understood that that you have to stop waiting for change to come to you. She created a personal vision of where she wanted to be and set out to reach her goal. She saw with great clarity that education mattered and summoned the courage to achieve her goal of going to Harvard. In her speech, she described how she tackled what seemed like an insurmountable goal with small steps. In the end, she refused to be a victim of her environment and took control of her life. It wasn't easy and it wasn't without sacrifice. Her message can be boiled down to one simple word - perseverance.
For more information (including videos), visit her websites: Lead the Life You Envision - Homeless to Harvard.
Interested in joining a new sales team selling homes in St. Louis, Missouri? Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381 or send an e-mail to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.
2009 Mega Agent Program - Inspiring Words from Nick Jujicic
If you haven't seen any of the guest speakers at a Mega Agent Camp, you are really missing out. These strong and passionate individuals will provoke thought and pull at both your heart and your mind. After listening to these speakers, there is but one single conclusion - "The only thing holding you back is you."
Meet Nick Jujicic
Nick Jujicic is no ordinary young man. He was born with no hands and no legs. Before he was born, doctors told his parents that their baby had severe birth defects and that the pregnancy should be terminated. They refused. His parents were told that he should be institutionalized. He refused. From an early age, he and his parents challenged limiting assumptions starting with basic decisions such as attending regular schools.
Dream Big and Never Give Up
Mr. Jujicic is a truly remarkable individual and explains in simple terms how he approached his physical limitations. He used his religious beliefs to strengthen his resolve. His mantra is pretty simple - "Attitude Determines Altitude." In his speech, he explained how he views obstacles as opportunities and how fear of unknown can be self-limiting. He further explained how he came to understand that fear was really "false evidence appearing real." Although the video was not from the Mega Agent program, elements of the story shown in the video were certainly a part of his speech and give a pretty good insight into the individual and his philosophy.
For more information (including videos), visit his websites: Life without Limbs and Attitude is Altitude.
Interested in joining a new sales team selling homes in St. Louis, Missouri? Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381 or send an e-mail to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.
Things To Do in Austin Before and After the 2009 Keller Williams Mega Agent Camp
I just returned from the 2009 Keller Williams Mega Agent Camp in Austin, Texas. It was my first visit to Austin so I was excited. Time, however, was limited. In a short three days with very little unscheduled time, I was able to tour the city and get a good feel for its sights and sounds. Austin certainly didn't disappoint.
Day 1 - A Brief Tour of Austin - Texas State Capital and Warehouse District
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
We arrived in Austin at 3 p.m. at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. It is less than 10 years old, is clean and welcoming, and created a great first impression of the city. Given that Austin is the self-proclaimed "Live Music Capital" and offers so many great restaurants, it wasn't surprising to see music and food as a focal point of the airport with a number of restaurants at the airport offering live music as well as good Texas BBQ and Tex Mex. Now, I always knew that Kansas City, St. Louis and Memphis had some great barbecue. However, before we departed on Day 3, we tried the Salt Lick Restaurant. It has a small (but crowded with long lines) kiosk serving a limited BBQ menu right along the concourse to the gates. It was worth the 15 minute wait for the BBQ sliced brisket sandwich with potato salad and slaw. From the colorful piano on stage to the painted Gibson guitars, the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport provides a quick sampling of some of the reasons that make Austin a great place to visit - namely, great food, live music, and eclectic artwork. Whether you call Austin the "Live Music Capital" or "Guitar Town", you didn't have to look far in the airport to see the role that live music plays in this town. Like the city, the airport was easy to navigate and it took only a few minutes to get from the arrival gate to taxicab.
Four Season Hotel - Austin Skyline and Hiking & Biking Trails 
The drive from the airport was uneventful. However, as we turned on to Congress Avenue, we saw the Austin skyline. It offered a nice mix of historic structures to high rise skyscrapers of glass and metal. We stayed at the Four Seasonslocated on San Jacinto Boulevard 2 blocks East of the Congress Bridge and 2 blocks West of the Austin Convention Center on the banks of Lady Bird Lake, which is a great location for real estate agents attending the Keller Williams Mega Agent program to stay.
Although I didn't use the hotel pool and spa, they definitely were inviting. The terrace of the lobby bar overlooks Lady Bird Lake (or maybe its Town Lake). The lawn from the Four Season to the boat dock on Lady Bird Lake was dotted with hammocks on its landscaped grounds. For those interested in a long walk, run, or bicycle ride along Lady Bird Lake, the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail runs along the Four Season property. For the record, I don't have a clue whether there is one, two or three lakes in Austin as it seems that the water outside my hotel was alternately called Lady Bird Lake, Town Lake and Lake Austin.
In addition, the accommodations at the Four Seasons were excellent and the service was impeccable. If you ever have a question or need assistance, just ask for Sara at the front desk. She definitely gets the idea of customer service and made things easy.
Walking Tour of Downtown Austin
After checking into the Four Seasons, the large group from St. Louis headed to the hotel restaurant for lunch. Given that the trip was fully booked with events, my business partner and I decided to take a walking tour of Downtown Austin. When in a city as beautiful as Austin, there is no way that my wanderlust would let me stay to eat at a hotel restaurant. So, we set off for a nice walk of Downtown Austin.
For those who are new to Austin like me, Congress Avenue serves as the East-West dividing line and Lady Bird Lake serves as the North-South dividing line. There may be more districts. However, it appeared that Downtown Austin was broken into a series of districts or zone like the Warehouse District located parallel and adjacent to the Colorado River, the Market District just West of the Warehouse District, Soco or South Austin across the Colorado River along Congress or the other North-South arteries, and Sixth Street.
So, not knowing the area, we headed North and meandered a bit West. Once we hit Congress Avenue and saw the Texas State Capital, we stayed on Congress Avenue. Congress Avenue appears to be old town Austin with few new skyscrapers and more than a few architecturally significant buildings.
Art Museums
Along the route, we discovered the Art House at Jones Center/Contemporary Art for Texas and Austin Museum of Art. The Art House featured a number of contemporary artists with unusual pieces of art work. The Austin Museum of Art featured the photographs of Chuck Close which combine photos, poetry, and woven tapestries. Unfortunately, the Austin Museum of Art doesn't allow photos. It did however have a great children's art room and an interesting museum store. Justin, a young lady who worked in the museum store, was a great ambassador for Austin and gave us some great restaurant and live music venue suggestions as well as a detailed map of Downtown Austin. We were short on time so we didn't make it to the Blanton Art Museum.
Texas State Capital
The Texas State Capital is one of the most architecturally significant state capitals in the United States. It is located North of Downtown Austin and South of the University of Texas at Austin campus and commands sweeping views of Austin. The Texas State Capital was constructed in 1888 and is primarily built in the Italian Renaissance Revival style. It is noted for its height and the red granite exterior from local quarries. In 1993, the an underground annex was built. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986. The Texas State Capitol was ranked ninety-second in the "America's Favorite Architecture" poll commissioned by the American Institute of Architect and ranked number-one for state capitols in a subsequent poll. A state law protects the public view of the Capital's dome by prohibiting the construction of buildings that obscure its sight.
Although the Texas State Capital is an imposing structure, its lawn surround the Capital is over 22 acres in size and includes an interesting collection of 17 monuments such as a tribute to the Ten Commandments, the Heroes of the Alamo, Volunteer Firemen, Confederate Soldiers, and Terry's Texas Rangers.
Just inside the State Capital, there are free tours of the Texas State Capital that are simply fantastic. Although time did not permit a full tour, I did take a short detour to see the rotunda and to take the stairs to the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives chambers. While in the Texas Senate, I had the opportunity to view paintings of the Battle of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto Valley. The battle of the Alamo resulted in the deaths of famous frontiersmen Davey Crocket and James Bowie. It also resulted in one of the most patriotic messages sent when commander William Travis wrote in his final dispatch "I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country. VICTORY OR DEATH." For 12 days, a small force of 200 Texans held off a superior force of 1800 Mexican army soldier until they were overrun and slaughtered leaving all 200 Texans dead and 600 Mexican soldiers dead (approximately one-third of their entire force).
The second portraits shows the Battle of San Jacinto. The battle of the Alamo, instead of causing the demoralization of the Texans, only provided stronger incentives for the volunteers to join the Texans in their revolt to Mexican rule. At San Jacinto, a force of Texans led by Sam Houston attacked a Mexican encampment during the siesta hour and, although outnumbered six to one, killed 700 Mexican soldiers and wounded 750 Mexican soldiers in a battle that last only 18 minutes. With this decisive victory, Texas secured its independence from Mexico.
Although I wasn't able to take the full tour, I enjoyed the history lesson regarding the Texas Revolution and was fascinated to learn that the Texas Legislature meets every other year for 140 days. It was a great tour and I would highly recommend it. In addition, we planned to visit the Texas Supreme Court, but were unable to do so due to our arrival at the Texas State Capital so close to closing time.
St. Mary Cathedral
After we visited the Texas State Capital, we proceeded along Brazos Street and viewed the massive and intricately designed St. Mary Cathedral. Surrounded by offices and government buildings, it was an interesting architectural sight. As we walked past the Catholic cathedral, we then saw its neighbor - an all glass building that caught the reflection of the adjoining all brick building.
The Austonian
After a short walk on West side, we cut over to Congress Avenue and took refuge in Starbucks as respite from the heat and to refresh our tired legs. Although I typically prefer a local coffee shop, it was located on the street that we were searching for the new construction display for the Austonian. Although the display office closed early for the day, the builder's representative was helpful over the telephone. For those not familiar with Austin, the Austonian located at Second Street and Congress Avenue is now the tallest building in Austin with 56 floors and over 350 residential condominiums.
Warehouse District
Before heading back to the Four Season, we toured the Warehouse District. After visiting Sixth Street, I can tell you I enjoyed the upscale and even trendy feel of the Warehouse District over the gritty feel of Sixth Street. The Warehouse District featured restaurants and club converted from former warehouses. I may have preferred it based on its older, more tame crowds or just because it was closer to our hotel. We initially visited Oilcan Harry's and the Spaghetti Warehouse. Later that night, we enjoyed Qua with a group from Keller Williams which has a dance floor over a shark tank and later enjoyed tapas at Saba. Saba is a great people watching place because it overlooks an outdoor music venue featuring the Spasmodic every Wednesday night. This band was fabulous and Saba allowed you to watch the show without venturing into the human moshpit of twenty somethings. We ended up finishing the night by listening to bluegrass music at Six which has a rooftop deck overlooking the Austin skyline.
Bats at Congress Bridge
In early evening, we went back to the hotel to change before heading out with our Keller Williams group to the Warehouse District. At 7:30 p.m., we saw what seemed like thousands of bats stream from the Congress Bridge heading West over the Colorado River.
So, in the course of several hours on our first day, we saw the Texas State Capital and explored the Warehouse District, which are two the best sights in Austin.
Day 2 - A Brief Tour of Austin - Sixth Street
Chuys - Lunch with AR Member Jason Crouch, Steve Rosenbaum and Garreth Wilcock
On our second day in Austin, we had very little free time. Most of the day was spent at the 2009 Keller Williams Mega Agent program, tech expo, a short speaking engagement and the National Association of Realtors' technology seminar. However, we were able to have lunch with ActiveRain membersJason Crouch, Steve Rosenbaum and Garreth Wilcock. After a terrifying cab ride that featured a cab driver lost in Austin looking for a restaurant he had never heard, two near misses on the road, and a poor pedestrian who jumped out of the crosswalk, we had a leisurely lunch at Chuys. As much as I enjoy their blog posts, these guys were even better in person.
Sixth Street
After a long day of seminars, speaking and more, I then headed to the Old Pecan Café on Sixth Street. Although I arrived almost two hours late for the cocktail reception and dinner, I did have the opportunity to briefly speak with Jay Papasan, co-author of the book The Shift. It a very nice dinner sponsored by the Keller Williams - Kirkwood Office and Chris Fox - Realty Mortgage. As the group headed out to Sixth Street, I called it a night and headed back to the hotel. Sixth Street is a bit younger and a bit more crowded than the Warehouse District. It was a long day and I had little energy left.
Movie Stars - Robert DiNiro
When I returned to the hotel, I was asked whether I was a "special guest". Well, I thought everyone staying at the Four Seasons was a "special guest." Later, I discovered that Robert DeNiro and Jessica Alba were in Austin filming Robert Rodriguez action movie "Machete." As parts of Congress Avenue were blocked off on Thursday, the filming apparently had started and the stars of the movie were staying at the Four Seasons.
So, on our second day in Austin, we got to meet several authors, radio personalities, and some superstars of Activerain.
Day 3 - A Brief Tour of Austin - SoCo
Before we left Austin, we decided to visit SoCo or South Congress. It seems that every visit to Texas or Arizona has resulted in a purchase of a pair of cowboy boots so I was determined to find Allen's Boots to purchase a boots as my grand finale. So we walked to South Congress and headed for the SoCo shopping district. The area definitely offers a wide variety of eclectic stores from vintage clothing to trendy designer stores to street merchants peddling screen print and much more.
So, as you can see, Austin, Texas is a great long weekend destination for St. Louisans looking to escape the cold weather of St. Louis.
Interested in relocating to Austin, Texas? Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381. I would be happy to refer you to some great real estate professionals in Austin, Texas to assist you with your home search in Austin, Texas.
Guess the Photo?
Hint #1 - It is used for receptions.
Hint #2 - It was made in Texas.
Hint #3 - The star represents the State of Texas.
This photograph was taken on a recent trip.
Can you guess what is depicted in the photograph?
Where the photograph was taken?
Post your best guess in the comment section.
Interested in selling your home in St. Louis, Missouri? Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381 or send an e-mail to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.
If you are considering to list your home for sale by owner ("FSBO") and intend to employ a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker to have the property listed on the local multiple listing service ("MLS"), there are 8 questions to ask before hiring a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker in St Louis:
Question #1 to Ask Before Hiring a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker in St. Louis
Do you have sufficient information to adequately price your home for sale? Before you elect to proceed with a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker to list your home for sale in St Louis, it is important to gather sufficient information regarding the proper pricing of the home taking into consideration home sales in the area, homes listed for sale, and expired or canceled sales. This information is important to properly price the home. After gathering this information, you should make adjustments based on the difference between these homes. Improper pricing coupled with a MLS Only Listing or a Flat Fee Listing may result in little or no traffic or showings for your property. Generally, a MLS Only Broker or a Flat Fee Broker is unlikely to provide you with a comprehensive comparative market analysis. Often, the MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker has not visited the property and isn't familiar with the property, neighborhood or local market conditions.
Question #2 to Ask Before Hiring a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker in St. Louis
Do you fully understand how to prepare the home for sale? Before you elect to proceed with a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker to list your home for sale in St Louis, you should review the home and perform those repairs that are likely to be identified or discovered by a building inspector or that are likely to enhance the curb appeal for the home. The home that has great curb appeal is going to sell at a premium over a home that has little landscaping, needs paint or other repairs, etc. Generally, a MLS Only Broker or a Flat Fee Broker is unlikely to provide you with much personal assistance or guidance as to how to prepare your home for sale.
Question #3 to Ask Before Hiring a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker in St. Louis
Are you prepared or willing to make your home easy to show? Before you elect to proceed with a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker to list your home for sale in St Louis, you must first make a commitment to make your home easy to show. Limited service listings offered by MLS Only Brokers or Flat Fee Brokers often are more difficult to show. As a result, some real estate agents are unwilling to show these properties where there are alternative comparable properties listed for sale. Common problems include unreturned calls or untimely responses to showing requests, lack of use of a SUPRA, restrictive showing times, and by appointment only showings. Unless your property is extremely desirable and priced well, these practices will create an impediment for real estate agents who want to show your property. Before selecting a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker to list your home for sale in St. Louis, you may want to ask the MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker whether or not there is an option to use a showing service to receive telephone calls and schedule showing appointments. Difficulty in scheduling showings means less showing traffic. Less showing traffic generally results in more marketing time or days on market. If you want to sell you home quickly, then it would be advisable to make it easy to show.
Question #4 to Ask Before Hiring a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker in St. Louis
What services are being provided by the MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker? Before you employ a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker to list your property for sale in St. Louis, it is important to understand what service are being provided by the MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker. Under Missouri law, even MLS Only Brokers or Flat Fee Brokers must provide a minimum level of service that includes the following services:
Before signing a listing agreement with a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker, you should verify that the requirements set forth in Sec. 339.780 R.S.Mo. (2008) are expressly included in the terms of the listing agreement.
Question #5 to Ask Before Hiring a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker in St. Louis
Are you willing to market the property on the internet? Send out announcements? Send out e-blasts to agents? Are you familiar with restrictions and penalties associated with the sending of unsolicited e-mails or unsolicited facsimiles? Are you familiar with the fair housing laws? Before you employ a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker to list your property for sale in St. Louis, it is important to consider whether you have the time, ability and technical expertise to effectively market the property for sale. Here are three considerations:
Question #6 to Ask Before Hiring a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker in St. Louis
Are you willing to offer a competitive commission rate to the cooperating or selling agent? Before you employ a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker to list your property for sale in St. Louis, you should verify that the MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker is offering a fair and reasonable compensation to the selling agent or broker. If your MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker is offering inadequate compensation to outside agents, your property is less likely to get shown regularly by outside agents.
Question #7 to Ask Before Hiring a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker in St. Louis
Are you willing to go it alone without assistance? Notwithstanding the "minimum service" provisions under Missouri law, it is not uncommon for inexperienced or unsophisticated sellers to complain that they have been abandoned by their listing agent. Often, they receive a sign to place in the yard, a data sheet to prepare the entry into the MLS, and a checklist of suggested practices. However, what is missing is often knowledgeable, personal assistance. As a result, the owner often turns to the buyer's agent to perform what traditionally have been the role or duty for of the listing agent. An extremely common occurrence is a request for the buyer's agent to draft counteroffers, offer assistance on valuation, provided advice on negotiating strategies, or explaining the terms and legal impact of the provisions of the sales contract. Our standard is: sorry, I represent the buyer and can't help you. Now, it is important to understand that I want to get the sales transaction closed. However, I represent the buyer and limit my role to the duties performed by a buyer's agent. If you need assistance, you need to contact your listing agent. When you select a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker to list your home for sale in St. Louis, you need to understand that you are generally representing yourself in the transaction.
Question #8 to Ask Before Hiring a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker in St. Louis
Do you understand the provisions of the sales contract and your obligations under the sales contract? A real estate agent representing the buyer can't advise you regarding such issues as valuation, your rights under the sales contract, the advisability of specific provisions of the sale contract, the ability to enforce specific terms, etc. Although state law requires that the listing agent provide you with assistance in these areas, the reality is that you must be able to handle most, if not all, of the aspects of the sale on your own from drafting the sales contract to providing access for building inspections, municipal inspections, and gas appliance or utility inspection to negotiating the resolution of building inspections to providing payoff and other information to the title company, etc. Just because you aren't represented by an agent doesn't excuse non-performance of your obligations under the sales contract. Before you select a MLS Only Broker or Flat Fee Broker to list your home for sale in St. Louis, you must consider whether you are prepared to handle the paperwork and fully understand your rights and obligations under the sales contract.
Before you select a MLS Only Broker or Flat Free Broker to list your property for sale in St. Louis, PREA Signature Realty would like the opportunity to discuss alternate listing service packages. Under these programs, you pay a base commission plus a flat fee for each additional add-on service. For more information, contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381. Or, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com.
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Full service real estate brokerage & consulting firm serving Lafayette Square, Soulard, Central West End, Washington Avenue Loft District and the other historic neighborhoods of St. Louis.
WE WANT TO BE YOUR REAL ESTATE PARTNER IN LAFAYETTE SQUARE - PREA Signature Realty is a full service real estate brokerage and consulting firm located in Lafayette Square. Our sales staff includes both listing agents and exclusive buyer's agents who stand ready to assist you with all aspects of the sales process from the home search through the closing and more. If you a looking for new construction, we also are the exclusive listing agent for single family homes, townhouses, condominiums and lofts developed by Gilded Age in Lafayette Square and have a wide selection of inventory units - both in terms of styles and price - ready for immediate occupancy.
OUR COMMITMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICE - At PREA Signature Realty, we are committed to providing prompt, knowledgeable and professional customer service. In today's competitive real estate market, we recognize that it is simply not good enough to identify or offer well constructed homes with the finest materials and innovative products, premier locations and home sites, or even affordable prices and creative special incentives. We understand that purchasing a new home is the single largest investment that a family can make so we strive to add "value" at each step in the sales process. Whether it is making the sales process simple and understandable or developing solutions to meet your real estate needs, our staff of experienced real estate professionals is ready to assist you and to meet and exceed your expectations.
YOUR PURCHASE - AN INVESTMENT IN A LIFESTYLE - When you purchase a new residence in Lafayette Square or the other historic neighborhoods of the City of Saint Louis, Missouri, you are not just purchasing a new home. You are investing in your future. Contrary to national housing trends, the fashionable Lafayette Square neighborhood has experienced strong sales growth and price appreciation with an average increase in median prices of 18% per year over the past 3 years or 24% per year over the past 10 years. Request our Quarterly Market Report to see the current market trends for Lafayette Square. More importantly, when you purchase a new home in Lafayette Square, you are purchasing a lifestyle. Our properties are located near Highways 44, 55, 64 and 70 and are minutes from Downtown St. Louis and Clayton. With the shortened commute times, you will have more time to live life. Whether it is a casual stroll on tree lined streets, playing in Lafayette Park, shopping at local businesses or dining al fresco, Lafayette Square offers an elegant, casual lifestyle.
BUY NOW - With historic low interest rates, I encourage you to take advantage of the current market conditions to purchase the home of your dreams today. I invite you to browse our Listings and hope that you will schedule a tour of our properties to discover what Lafayette Living is all about.
Sincerely,
Ryan S. Shaughnessy, Associate Broker-Principal
Specialties: New Construction Sales, Condominium and Loft Sales and Rentals, Listing Agent Services, Buyer Representation, Relocation Services, Developer Services, and Consulting Services.
Service Areas:
City of St. Louis: Lafayette Square, Lafayette Towne, Soulard, LaSalle Park, Benton Park, Benton Park West, Downtown/Washington Avenue Loft District, Forest Park Southwest, Central West End, Tower Grove East, Tower Grove South, Compton Heights, Shaw, The Hill, Dogtown, Carondelet, Dutchtown, Holly Hills, St. Louis Hills, and the other historic neighborhoods of the City of St. Louis.
St. Louis County: University City, Richmond Heights, Maplewood, Clayton, Kirkwood, Webster, Ladue, Olivette, DesPeres, Affton, Lemay, Mehlville, Oakville, and other area of St. Louis County.
PREA SIGNATURE REALTY LISTINGS: To view our listings, click on: PREA Featured Properties.
GILDED AGE LISTINGS: For floor plans and other information on Gilded Age properties, click on: Gilded Age Website.
OUR CURRENT DEVELOPER LISTINGS - We represent Gilded Age in Lafayette Square. We have a wide range of housing styles and prices to meet your housing needs and desires. Our current projects include:
Useful Real Estate Links
Articles by Ryan S. Shaughnessy (July, 2009)
Real Estate Tech Gadgets - Whether Dating or Surfing the Net, Get their Real Names - Tools to Decode Shortened URLs Before You Click the Link - 07/31/09 09:02 PM 
Recently, I have read several ActiveRain posts and articles regarding the use of URL shortening services to spread malicious software. Alerts from McAfee and other security companies note the spread of worm viruses like Koobface on social networking.
As an example, it start with a link sent via Twitter to a ... (7 comments)
Real Estate Sales Training - The Words and Philosophy of Yogi Berra - Communication is the Key - 07/31/09 08:24 PM
Words and Wisdom of Yogi Berra
Over the next month, I will be taking a brief look at the words and philosophy of Yogi Berra as it relates to real estate sales training. Prior installments of the Yogi Berra Real Estate Sales Training Series included:
Installment No. 1 - When ... (0 comments)
PREA Signature Realty Welcomes New Businesses to Lafayette Square (Lafayette Square - St Louis, Missouri) - 07/31/09 12:37 AM PREA Signature Realty would like to welcome some new businesses to Lafayette Square.
V Fit Studio will be opening a new fitness center at 1807 Park Avenue. Bankers & Lenders Title will be opening their new title office at 1107 Mississippi Avenue. Edward Jones will be opening a new investment office ... (3 comments)
Real Estate Sales Training - The Words and Philosophy of Yogi Berra - Healthy Competition is a Good Thing - 07/30/09 11:15 PM
Words and Wisdom of Yogi Berra
Over the next month, I will be taking a brief look at the words and philosophy of Yogi Berra as it relates to real estate sales training. Prior installments of the Yogi Berra Real Estate Sales Training Series included:
Installment No. 1 - When ... (8 comments)
Real Estate Sales Training - The Words and Philosophy of Yogi Berra - Gimmicks Don't Work - 07/29/09 11:47 PM Words and Wisdom of Yogi Berra
Over the next month, I will be taking a brief look at the words and philosophy of Yogi Berra as it relates to real estate sales training. Prior installments of the Yogi Berra Real Estate Sales Training Series included:
Installment No. 1 - ... (34 comments)
World Team Tennis - Anna Kournikova and the St. Louis Aces at the Dwight Davis Tennis Center in Forest Park - 07/29/09 08:55 PM Anna Kournikova and the St. Louis Aces
I have always enjoyed professional sporting events. Often, it is the minor leagues that provide the greatest entertainment for me. So, when World Team Tennis and the St. Louis Aces are in town, I always try to see a match or ... (4 comments)
How to Sell Your Home - Make It Easy to Show - 07/28/09 12:14 AM
STEP 1 - MAKE IT EASY TO SHOW
Over the past week, I have had the opportunity to work with a great buyer who has been an absolute pleasure to work with from start to finish. She has clearly defined housing criteria and will make her final decision this week having ... (23 comments)
Real Estate Sales Training - The Words and Philosophy of Yogi Berra - Importance of Role Players - 07/27/09 11:29 PM Words and Wisdom of Yogi Berra
Over the next month, I will be taking a brief look at the words and philosophy of Yogi Berra as it relates to real estate sales training. Prior installments of the Yogi Berra Real Estate Sales Training Series included:
Installment No. 1 - When ... (5 comments)
Real Estate Sales Training - The Words and Philosophy of Yogi Berra - Learning Sales Skills - 07/23/09 05:33 PM Words and Wisdom of Yogi Berra
Over the next month, I will be taking a brief look at the words and philosophy of Yogi Berra as it relates to real estate sales training. Prior installments of the Yogi Berra Real Estate Sales Training Series included:
Installment No. 1 - ... (8 comments)
Real Estate Sales Training - The Words and Philosophy of Yogi Berra - The Art of Public Speaking - 07/21/09 12:03 AM Words and Wisdom of Yogi Berra
Over the next month, I will be taking a brief look at the words and philosophy of Yogi Berra as it relates to real estate sales training. Prior installments of the Yogi Berra Real Estate Sales Training Series included:
Installment No. 1 - When you ... (10 comments)
Real Estate Sales Training - The Words and Philosophy of Yogi Berra - The Importance of Physical and Mental Conditioning in Real Estate Sales - 07/20/09 08:02 PM Words and Wisdom of Yogi Berra
Over the next month, I will be taking a brief look at the words and philosophy of Yogi Berra as it relates to real estate sales training. Prior installments of the Yogi Berra Real Estate Sales Training Series included:
Installment No. 1 - When you ... (6 comments)
Real Estate Sales Training - The Words and Philosophy of Yogi Berra - Dealing with Sales Slumps - 07/20/09 01:42 PM Words and Wisdom of Yogi Berra
Over the next month, I will be taking a brief look at the words and philosophy of Yogi Berra as it relates to real estate sales training. Prior installments of the Yogi Berra Real Estate Sales Training Series included:
Installment No. 1 - When you ... (8 comments)
Speechless Sunday (More or Less) - Public Art in Lafayette Square - 07/19/09 11:54 PM
Public art in Lafayette Square ranges from fountains to plazas to sculptures in Lafayette Park and much more. However, at the entrance to Downtown St. Louis and the Lafayette Square neighborhood near Highways 44/55 and the Truman Parkway, stands a public art installation entitled "Treemonisha." The art installation is a ... (9 comments)
Real Estate Sales Training - The Words and Philosophy of Yogi Berra - The Importance of Teamwork - 07/19/09 11:13 PM Words and Wisdom of Yogi Berra
Over the next month, I will be taking a brief look at the words and philosophy of Yogi Berra as it relates to real estate sales training. Prior installments of the Yogi Berra Real Estate Sales Training Series included:
Installment No. 1 - When you ... (27 comments)
Real Estate Sales Training - The Words and Philosophy of Yogi Berra - There is No Such Thing as a Perfect Game - The Art of Learning from your Mistakes - 07/19/09 12:32 PM Words and Wisdom of Yogi Berra
Over the next month, I will be taking a brief look at the words and philosophy of Yogi Berra as it relates to real estate sales training. Prior installments of the Yogi Berra Real Estate Sales Training Series included:
Installment No. 1 - When you ... (8 comments)
Real Estate Sales Training - The Words and Philosophy of Yogi Berra - The Art of Making a Decision - 07/18/09 03:25 PM
Words and Wisdom of Yogi Berra
Over the next month, I will be taking a brief look at the words and philosophy of Yogi Berra as it relates to real estate sales training. The first installment of this Yogi Berra Real Estate Sales Training Series will start with the now ... (19 comments)
Product Review - PEX Water Lines Now Approved for Use in St Louis - 07/17/09 04:56 PM Recently, I viewed a renovated home that had PEX water lines. I had not seen the use of PEX water lines in the St Louis area.
So, after seeing PEX water lines installed in a recently renovated home, I contacted the Building Division of the City of St. Louis and confirmed ... (2 comments)
Vespa St Louis Hosts All-Star Scooter Sale for the Benefit of Local Rider MJ - 07/17/09 04:08 PM Vespa St Louis hosts All-Star Scooter Sale for the benefit of Local Rider MJ. As many in the St Louis scooter community already know, local rider, ride organizer and Vespa St Louis employee MJ is currently battling cancer and is unable to work. The St Louis scooter community is a tight ... (2 comments)
Developer Summer Sale - The Georgian - Condominiums for Sale in St Louis Mo - 07/15/09 09:50 PM
Developer Summer Sale - The Georgian
Luxury Condominiums for Sale in St Louis, Mo
PREA Signature is pleased to announce the start of the Developer Summer Sale at The Georgian located South of Downtown St. Louis offering 104 luxury condominiums for sale in St. Louis, Missouri. From ... (4 comments)
Baby Blues - The Myth of Sales Training - The Agent Has to Want to Learn and Some Real Estate Agents Simply Aren't Trainable - 07/15/09 05:45 AM
Baby Blues - Are New Real Estate Agents Really Trainable?
For a real estate professional, professional development is a lifelong commitment to a search for knowledge, the assimilation of new information and skills, and the incorporation of the new knowledge and information into one's business plan. Professional development comes from ... (41 comments)
Public Art on Parade - This Summer, University City (Mo.) is Cat Country - Take a Look at the The Roaring Lions of University City (St. Louis, Missouri) - 07/13/09 10:47 PM PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS
PUBLIC ART PROJECTS...
In 1999, Chicago, Illinois started the Public Art on Parade trend with the extremely popular "Cows on Parade." I had the pleasure to see this Public Art on Parade as well as Louisville, Kentucky's "Gallapalooza" and St. Louis, Missouri's "The People Project." Now, there is another ... (15 comments)
For Sale - Eden Lofts - 1720 Chouteau Avenue (St. Louis, Missouri - Lafayette Square) - St. Louis Hosts All-Star Game... Gilded Age Offers All-Star LineUp at Eden Lofts - 07/10/09 01:35 AM ... (2 comments)
St. Louis Dog Parks - All-Star Game Marketing, The New Busch Stadium, and Dog Gone Good Fun - 07/09/09 08:15 PM
Well, this week St. Louis plays host to the 2009 MLB All-Star Game. The game will start with the momentous words "Let's Play Ball." Now, for baseball fans, these words signal the start of the game and precede the first pitch. However, for our furry friends, these words ... (10 comments)
For Sale - The Georgian, 1515 Lafayette Avenue (St. Louis, Missouri - Lafayette Square) - St. Louis Hosts All-Star Game... Gilded Age Offers All-Star LineUp at the Georgian - 07/09/09 05:13 PM Update: For new pricing, click: The Georgian - Developer Summer Sale. For sales brochure, click on: The Georgian Sales Brochure.
Need information on the Summer Developer Sale at the Georgian? Contact Ryan Shaughessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381. Or, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com.
... (2 comments)
The Business of Real Estate Sales - Real Estate Agents are their own Small Businesses - Online Business Training Classes from the SBA - 07/09/09 04:13 PM
Recently, Katerina Gasset posted an article entitled "Is Real Estate Your Job Or Your Business? What They Did Not Teach You In Real Estate School!" which pointed out the simple fact that real estate agents are not employees. Real estate agents are business owners in charge of their own brands. ... (26 comments)
St. Louis Hosts Major League Baseball's 80th All-Star Game - 07/09/09 05:05 AM
ST. LOUIS HOSTS MLB ALL-STAR GAME
Over the next five days, St. Louis plays host to Major League Baseball's 80th All-Star Game with a week long schedule of events ranging from fan related events to concerts to charity events and more. It is a great week for St. Louis to ... (6 comments)
NAR Must Not Want You To Succeed - 07/09/09 12:32 AM
Via Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates LLC):
I am not an NAR member, but many of you are. However, you might want to think about the following when renewing or maintaining your membership.
First, the provisions in the "ACES" (Cap and Trade" bill) that ... (0 comments)
St. Louis Snapshots - St. Francis Xavier College Church (St. Louis, Missouri) - 07/08/09 02:07 PM
Photograph: St. Francis Xavier College Church - 3528 Lindell - taken on July 7, 2009 Website: St. Francis Xavier College Church The Architectural History...
The architect, Thomas Walsh, had drawn the preliminary plans for the new church. He also designed DuBourg Hall which for a long time was the sole ... (13 comments)
"Social Media Edge" is Now the #1 Show on BlogTalkRadio in Our Category! - 07/08/09 02:56 AM Great show - knowledgeable hosts, interesting guests, and a wealth of social media and marketing tips. Highly recommend listening online. If you miss the show, check out the archives.
Via Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653) (Austin Texas Homes, LLC):
I am pleased to report that our weekly radio show, ... (4 comments)
Getting Started with Twitter - 6 Great Twitter Video Tutorials - 07/08/09 01:56 AM New to Twitter.com? Here are six great Twitter video tutorials to jumpstart your Twitter experience. Topics include:
Twitter in Plain English: Video describes the appeal and uses of Twitter. Twitter Tutorial - Getting Started: Video describes how to set up your account and getting started with using Twitter.com. Twitter Tutorial - ... (19 comments)
Apathy Can Be Very Dangerous - And Costly - 07/07/09 09:35 PM
Via Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates LLC):
I have posted extensively about the injurious and dangerous "Cap and Trade" bill that was passed with blinding speed in the House on June 26th and arrived in the Senate today.
I use those adjectives to make ... (4 comments)
What is Wrong with the Simple Approach - We Just Do One Thing. We Sell Real Estate and We Do It Right. - 07/07/09 05:50 PM When we opened our real estate brokerage, we had a very simple philosophy. We wanted to focus on Lafayette Square and other historic neighborhoods. We wanted to focus on selling townhomes, condominiums and lofts. We wanted to keep it simple - we sell city real estate.
Since we opened, I receive ... (40 comments)
Real Estate Tax Appeals Deadline for St. Louis City - July 13, 2009 - 07/07/09 04:05 PM DEADLINE FOR TAX APPEALS
For residents of the City of St. Louis, appeals from your 2009 real estate tax assessment must be filed with the Assessor's Office by no later than the second Monday in July - July 13, 2009.
Forms for filing the tax appeal can be obtained at the ... (0 comments)
CityGarden - New Urban Sculpture Garden Makes its Debut in Downtown St. Louis - 07/06/09 09:44 PM
CityGarden is now open...
CityGarden, a new 2.9 acres sculpture park in Downtown St. Louis, located between 8th Street and 10th Street and between Market Street and Chestnut Street, made its debut on Wednesday, July 1, 2009. The CityGarden is a new urban sculpture park and is a great addition ... (21 comments)
The Cap and Trade Bill is Bad For The Housing Market & Sellers Wallets - 07/04/09 02:23 AM
Via brokerforyou.com:
As part of The Cap and Trade Bill HR 2454, The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, adds another layer of conditions for selling personal real estate (your home) in the United States.
The American Clean Energy and Security Act, a whopping 1,200+ pages defining a cap-and-trade program ... (5 comments)
NEW REAL ESTATE ENERGY USE MANDATES INCLUDED IN THE ENERGY BILL - 07/03/09 02:04 AM
Via Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate:
I've been reading the NEW CLEAN ENERGY LEGISLATION. New home builders and consumers will see dramatic changes in new home construction and/or new home prices.
Energy Efficiency Provisions
Building Standards.
ACES establishes new standards for building efficiency, requiring new ... (6 comments)
Forbes.com Ranks St. Louis as the 6th Best Place in American to Purchase a New Home (St. Louis, Missouri) - 07/03/09 01:15 AM Forbes.com recently ranked the top 25 cities in America to purchase a home. To view the story online, click on: Forbes Top 25 Places in America to Purchase Now. As you will read, St. Louis, Missouri ranked No. 6 in the survey.
In ranking the cities, Forbes examined three critieria: (1) ... (4 comments)
Celebrating Independence Day - More than Just Fireworks, Music and Barbecue - 07/03/09 12:34 AM
"Hero Tales from American History" was written by Theodore Roosevelt and Henry Cabot Lodge in 1895. The book tells a series of short stories representative of how American servicemen secured our freedoms through selfless and heroic acts. The book is still in print. However, it is also available for free download from the ... (4 comments)
Public Service Announcement - Firework Safety - Have a Safe 4th of July - 07/03/09 12:05 AM PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
For St. Louisians, the Fourth of July is a celebration of Independence Day with Fair St. Louis, backyard barbecues and much more. However, for some, Independence Day can also bring tragedy. In 2008, more than 31,000 firework related fires were reported on July 4, representing the single day with the most fires. In addition ... (0 comments)
Fireworks Photography - How to Take Photographs that Capture those Great Bursts of Light and Color - 07/02/09 09:05 PM Everyone loves a fireworks show. In fact, so much that many people will attempt to capture the explosions with a great photograph. However, it is easier than it sounds. Here are six tips from the experts:
Find a Great Location. Before you take you photograph, pick the perfect spot. Be aware ... (8 comments)
2009 Fair St Louis - St. Louis Celebrates 4th of July with Fireworks, Live Music and More (St. Louis, Missouri) - 07/02/09 01:36 AM
World Famous Fourth of July Fireworks over Downtown St. Louis, MO. This is the most spectacular event being held on the Levee along the banks of the Mississippi River. Looking for something different to do this 4th of July? Entertainment, Great Food, World Famous Fireworks Display, ample parking, and more all located ... (6 comments)
Wake Up People, Stop Cap And Trade Or It Will Stop Us - 07/02/09 01:06 AM
Via Steve Hoffacker - Real Estate Sales & Marketing Consulting and Strategies (Hoffacker Associates LLC):
Regardless of where you stand on energy use, climate change, alternative energy, or similar matters, the cap and trade bill that squeaked by in the House is set to ruin our livelihoods if it passes the Senate. ... (1 comments)
Save the Date - July 11, 2009 - 2009 Movies in Lafayette Park - Second Installment - The Sandlot (Lafayette Square) - 07/02/09 12:18 AM
The Arts Council of Lafayette Park presents the second installment of the 2009 Movies in the Park series on July 11, 2009.
Featured Presentation: The Sandlot (1993)
Before the featured presentation, enjoy the following activities:
The Muny Kids Face Painting Professional Juggler Meet St. Louis Cardinals Pitching Ace Andy Benes Silent ... (0 comments)
Estimated Impact of the American Clean Energy & Security Act on Missouri - How Your Congressional Delegation Voted - 07/01/09 03:28 PM When gas prices hit $3,00, I heard rumblings of a popular revolt. Now, consider this fact, from 2011 to 2035, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 will cost the average family over $20,000.00. However, this figure is extremely low because it only estimates the costs associated with the "cap ... (6 comments)
From Ben Lieberman / Heritage Foundation - The American Clean Energy & Security Act is an Energy Tax that will Cost Average Families over $20,000 through 2035 - 07/01/09 02:55 PM Testimony before theSenate Republican ConferenceJune 22, 2009
My name is Ben Lieberman, and I am the Senior Policy Analyst for Energy and Environment in the Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation. The views I express in this testimony are my own, and should not be ... (5 comments)
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Opposes Energy Bill - The Reasons Should Be Pretty Obvious - 397 New Federal Regulations, 1060 New Mandates, $170 Billion Drop in GNP, and 3 Million Jobs Lost - 07/01/09 06:26 AM June 26, 2009 U.S. Chamber Calls House Climate Change Bill Wrong Approach to Slowing Emissions Says Congress has "Fallen Short"
WASHINGTON, D.C.--The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today expressed opposition to climate change legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, cautioning that it is an unrealistic approach that could further harm ... (7 comments)
What does everybody think about the new green energy bill (Part 2)? - 07/01/09 12:54 AM
Via Steve Rosenbaum (That Web Marketing Guy):
OK, let's here what everybody thinks. This post is TX Congressman John Carters views on the energy bill that passed the house. Post your comments below, and then visit my previous post where I posted Obama's Weekly Address about the same energy bill and post ... (6 comments)
How Will Cap and Trade Effect Your Real Estate Business? - 07/01/09 12:52 AM
Via Nestor & Katerina Gasset Realtors® Wellington Florida Luxury Homes (International Properties and Investments, Inc.):
Real estate is local when it comes to market conditions and market trends. Real estate differs from region to region in styles, architecture and amenities generally speaking. For instance; in Florida fireplaces are not the norm whereas ... (8 comments)
American Clean Energy & Security Act of 2009. Thanks Henry. - 07/01/09 12:51 AM
Via Gene Wunderlich - Selling Southwest California Homes / Temecula & Murrieta (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage):
What a day. I've got 9 pages of notes from today's Real Estate Forum convened by NAR and a couple more pages from our Land Use Committee meeting so I'll divide this post into a couple ... (2 comments)
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