Friday, August 14, 2009

Sugar LOaf Mound has found a new owner!

Sugar Loaf Mound in Saint Louis was sold to it's new owners on August 1, 2009. The Osage Nation Tribe has purchased the property for the purpose of historical preservation and possibly a cultural center. It was always the wish of the previous owners to pass this property on to someone that was interested in its preservation. The buyers and sellers were very cooperative with one another and sailed towards a smooth closing to benefit all. The mound sold for $235,000.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

$7,500 tax credit for first time homebuyers can be used as downpayment


Many of you may have heard that there is a $7,500 dollar tax credit available to first time homebuyers. It is true! There are a couple restrictions that come with it. Here are the basics:



  • You have to be a first time homebuyer. A first time homebuyer is someone that has not held ownership interest in a primary residence in the last 3 years.

  • You cannot have an income exceeding $75, 000 for an individual and $150,00o for a couple.

  • It must be re payed over the next 15 years.

  • You must be closed on the property by July 01,09

Now, of course there are more details that aren't listed here. Also, there is a new program that allows you to borrow the amount in advance to use towards your down payment and closing costs. Once you get your tax return you must pay the loan back with the tax credit.


Here is some additional reading on the tax credit


http://www.realtor.org/gapublic.nsf/files/hbtaxcreditqa2008.pdf/$FILE/hbtaxcreditqa2008.pdf


Here is information on the tax credit advance


http://www.mhdc.com/homes/tca/index.htm


If you would like to take advantage of this call me 314-324-3322


Thursday, January 29, 2009

Native American group has pipe ceremony at Sugar Loaf Mound.

A local chapter of the Native American Association held a pipe ceremony at Sugar Loaf Mound on Sunday. Out of respect for the religious nature of the ceremony no pictures were taken. We were so very honored to have this special group as guests on the property. The ceremony was to cleanse, bless and honor the ancestors of the mound. It was a beautiful ceremony to watch and participate in. Honor the past and look to the future

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Loved so much, it was never lived in.




Circa has a new and interesting listing:


Almost everything in the house is original from 1955. Loving the house, and wanting to preserve it for the future the family resided in the unfinished lower level. Kitchy and cute, it takes a special eye to see value in a house like that with the "Update and Beige" culture that is now dominating real estate. While HGTV is helpful for keeping up with trends it tends to de-value vintage. If you were an agent and got called to this house would you suggest removing the furniture and putting in new kitchens and bathrooms? If you answered, "yes" you are in the majority. However, with as well put together and immaculate this home is, it turns out that virtually nothing was needed to be done to generate tons of buzz on this house. Kudos to the listing agent Christopher Thiemet for having an eye for style.

I am thrilled to work with a small group of people that thinks outside the box. We are encouraged to see the potential in the quirky and unusual. I am not ashamed to say, "I value vintage". Don't get me wrong I love a great gut rehab...but I also feel like preservation is important to our future.