Tower Grove South- Creating Neighborhood Longevity and Stabilty by Using Diverse Local Businesses as Anchors

Hartford Coffee, where I hold all my business meetings 

Tower Grove South has seen a huge renaissance in the past decade, let's explore part of the "why?". 

Tower Grove South is bounded by Arsenal St. on the north, Chippewa St. on the south, Kingshighway Blvd. on the west, and Grand Blvd. on the east. Within these borders are several unique Mainstreet and Cornerstore destinations, holding the 'hood together like Superglue.


Historically, in this neighborhood you could command a higher price for your home the closer you were to Tower Grove Park & South Grand. Housing prices tended to severely decrease the closer you got to Morganford, due to lack of commercial development at the time. However, in about the last 2-3 years new businesses have arrived in the Morganford Business District, and housing prices in the blocks connected to it are starting to reflect that fact. 

Arsenal faces into Tower Grove Park. Tower Grove Park offers its guest beautifully diverse vegetation, a 3.3 mile strolling path, historic buildings, pavilions, statues, several elaborate gated entrances, a playground, fountains, gazing pond and so much more. Not to mention it plays host to several cultural festivals a year, a seasonal farmer's market and adult team sports leagues. 

S. Grand Business District is a destination for boutique shopping, international cuisine, electric nightlife and yummy treats!

Morganford, In my opinion is still struggling a bit to find its identity and fill its available spaces. However, it is doing much much better than a couple years ago. It now plays host to some boutique shopping, a local food market (yummy), several restaurants and some unique bars.  

Within the neighborhood, you have several delightful destinations that are popular with the locals. Just to list a few...Hartford Coffee, A Walk in the Park, Gustine Market, Black Thorn Pub & Pizza, The Civil Life , Friendly's,  Parkside Cakery and Oak Hill Hardware.

I think what is important to point out about the success of Tower Grove South, is that the neighborhood offers a little something for everyone. The types of businesses are diverse, and they include services that people residing within the neighborhood need. There is a local dog groomer, salon, barber, dry cleaners, grocery stores, gas stations (maybe too may of these), health food store, a spa offering massages, a stationary store, an optometrist...I could go on. The people of the neighborhood patronize these places, sometimes paying a bit more here and there, but the money gets pumped right back into the local economy.  

Castle Ballroom is Back on the Market at $325,000!

Built to Last in 1908: What a truly rare opportunity! Originally named Cave Hall, and now known as the Castle Ballroom this corner building was recently placed on the National Register for Historic Places. A stunning yellow brick Renaissance Revival building with many of it's original features, mainly the ballroom intact. The first story in comprised of commercial spaces and the upper 2 floors are what makes up the ballroom, stage and balconies. Once an elegant dance hall, this property can be used in many ways: event space, catering hall or an elegant office with a historical twist. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination. Property is eligible for historic tax credits that are transferable, restrictions do apply. Revive an important piece of Saint Louis' musical and cultural history. Priced to move, and it won't last long.Agent can provide a copy of the nomination to the National Register upon request. Serious buyers may even get a tour of the property by a local historian!

A Bit about the history of Castle Ballroom:

Nomiantion and Summary Below Provided by:

Lynn Josse
Public History Consultant
(314) 229-0793

Built in 1908 as Cave Hall, the venue was designed as a dance hall and
dancing academy. The owners, Cornelius Ahern and Herman Albers, built the hall
when their previous venue closed. Cave Hall became one of the major venues for social
dancing and dance instruction in St. Louis prior to the dawn of the Jazz Age. By the 1930s,
changing tastes in music and the nature of social dancing had transformed the city’s dancing scene into one that was driven by jazz bands rather than dance orchestras, and the renamed Castle Ballroom hosted many of the most famous acts of the 1930s and 1940s. 

Located at the edge of St.Louis’ storied Mill Creek Valley neighborhood, the Castle became one of the only traditionally“white” halls to allow black customers. As the Castle transitioned into a black venue, it became one of only a few major halls that catered to an African American clientele. Since the Mill Creek Valley neighborhood was demolished almost in its entirety beginning in 1959, the Castle is one of the few extant buildings with significant associations to that community.

Here's the link to the Castle Ballroom nomination:
http://www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/nps-nr/11000024.pdf

Accidental Gal for the Job!

I am not sure how I became the Real Estate Agent who seems to get Saint Louis' "challenge" properties that just so happen to be on the National Register of Historic Places, it just seemed to fall in my lap. True, I have only really had 3 listings on the Register up until this point, and only successfully have sold one (so far). That is besides the point, kinda. My goal is to start moving more into the marketing, selling and preservation of these properties as a sub-niche is you will. After spending over a year on Sugar Loaf Mound, I think I can handle just about anything.

So here is the story:

One day, sitting at my old RE office I picked up the phone and it just so happened to be someone wanting to list their property. I was excited, I mean really excited. It is what every junior agent dreams of, getting the opportunity to list a property off of an office call. However, I don't think that I knew what I was getting myself into. The owner's daughter on the other end of the line, was wanting me to interview for selling Saint Louis' Last Remaining Prehistoric Native American Mound. How in the heck do you sell something like that? How do you come to a value? I mean, the house sitting atop the mound was probably worth $50,000. How much value did the mound itself hold? Does it's value increase because it was the last one? What made it valuable  Who would buy it? What would they do with it?

Nervous and a bit scared I took my broker with me. Truth be told, I don't think he was much up for the challenge (at the time) and was a bit puzzled himself. Not liking to say, "NO" he agreed to let me take the listing because I was chomping at the bit to dig into the history.

I allowed the owner set the price, and I went to work on Google-ing, researching and making phone calls.  I soaked up all I could from the owners, neighbors, websites, archaeologists, the people at Cahokia Mounds, Landmarks Saint Louis, the National Registry Nomination and the list goes on.

Armed with all my info I had to now discover how to market the property. I mean my previous broker was a marketing whiz, but all the knowledge he had previously shared with me was how to sell residential property, and do it well. However, who in the hell is looking to buy a MOUND on Zillow? Survey says, "They're NOT".

In cases like this one it is best to contact all the historical preservationists and press you can. People can't buy what they don't have an awareness of. The public will not help preserve what they are not aware of. Saint Louis' historical sites & properties are disappearing at an alarming rate. Luckily for me, there are TONS of people interested in a MOUND. I answered more phone calls, dealt with special interest groups, Native American Ceremony Groups, Politicians, Press, TV crews, Preservation Groups, Native American Tribes , Bloggers & New Age Groups than you could shake a stick at. The open house had close 150 people through it.

SIDE NOTE: did you know that once information about a mound goes public you have to watch the property for looters? Much like people in Egypt that dig around in tombs and steal treasures? Well, YOU DO. There are actually groups of people who do this. 

So , there is how I stumbled into this whole scene. Google Sugar Loaf Mound St. Louis. I dare you. You will see what pops up.

Quick Tips for Sellers-How to Close on Time

GET MOVED ON, AND DON'T FORGET TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS!

1. Be Flexible as to when the purchasers can access the home for inspections and walk-through.
2. Make sure that the house is picked up for inspections, make is easy for the inspector to gain access to all windows, doors, gates, garage, electrical panel, furnace, AC condenser and have the lawn freshly groomed.
3. Order the occupancy inspection no later than 4 days after the contract has been ratified.
4. Order Laclede Gas Inspection as soon as possible after buyers provide loan commitment.
5.  Have all agreed upon repairs completed at least 1 week prior to closing date.
6.  Have all personal belongings removed from property (if possible) 4 days prior to closing.
7.  Make sure all repairs required by the contract have receipts, lien waivers and have been completed in a workman like manner. Provide these receipts to your agent as soon as possible.
8. Make sure you keep all utilities on until the day AFTER closing. Buyers will need to test certain things during their walk-through, and they need to be able to flush toilets, turn on lights, inspect the repairs that were supposed to be done and test the Furnace/AC.
9. Be communicative with your title company and assist them in ordering the payoff for your loan.
10. Be prepared to take off of work for the day of closing, and close as early as possible during the day!

MO' Magnesium, MO' Money- How a Top Real Estate Agent Copes With Stress

I asked my friend Morley to write a guest blog for me about Magnesium, my favorite supplement. I know what you all are thinking, "What the FLIP does this have to do with real estate?". You would be right in thinking I have veered a little off track (or that my train has slid off my track), but from conception this blog was meant to be more about a lifestyle, not just pictures of houses. I felt that this blog was especially important since 90% of my clients are hard working, full throttle professionals whose schedules were just as crazy as mine. Magnesium is a HUGE part in how I cope with a crazy schedule and life. I want to share with all of you how I am reducing stress, reducing prescription meds and getting my life not only on track...but making it better.

“Mo’ Maggie, in 3…”

By Morley M. Robbins (aka “MgMan!”)

Leigh invited me recently to put some added spotlight on Magnesium (Mg) – I jumped for joy! Then she said: “Please limit your remarks to the just three things you like most about Mg!” “Three, I gasped!?! But…” She put her foot down, and said again, “Yes, only three!...”

Well for anyone’s who’s caught my Magnesium-oriented jabs, from time-to-time on FB, you know that I’m hardly brief. But I’m also compliant. So here goes… three things.

One of my all time heroes in the world of promoting Magnesium is the internationally known trainer, Charles Poliquin. He’s an absolute rock star when it comes to understanding and promoting the value of enhanced Magnesium stores in our body.

Now, his 1^st article of note on this topic is almost three years old (I know, it’s woefully out of date…), but it sets the stage beautifully for my charge – I would strongly recommend you read it as a Mg primer…

He does a masterful job of outlining many notable functions and dysfunctions that Mg corrects, among the following:

• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Insulin Sensitivity
• Hyperactivity
• Inflammation
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Memory
• Osteoporosis
• Sleep (Leigh’s obsession…;-) )
• Stress
• Control Obesity

Sort of reads like a “Who’s Who” of modern chronic disease, right? All from just this one vitalizing mineral that’s AWOL. Given that, here’s what I admire most – in three leaps.

1.      Mo’ Energy: It’s estimated that we have 100 Trillion cells in our body. And each one has a power plant called the Mitochondria where ATP is made and metabolized to create energy. What you may NOT know is that you can’t manufacture, position or properly metabolize ATP unless it is fused or activated with Mg.

In fact, whenever you see ATP on a biochemical flow chart, just know that Maggie is powerfully bound to this Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) molecule. So if you have any “energy” issues, it’s likely that Mg deficiency is more likely the cause, rather than Iron deficiency. And why would I say that? Because Mg is easily lost due to *S*T*R*E*S*S* -- not so with Iron. (And the form of Iron that’s typically used to “correct” this alleged energy issue, causes further Mg loss – pretty clever, eh?) In any event, if it’s energy you be lacking, it’s Magnesium you be needing. And a cell without energy is a cell that’s inviting disorder, dysfunction, and ultimately disease – guaranteed.

2.      Better Sleep: Sleep is a rapidly disappearing concept in society today. The rising dependence on coffee is a clear indication that we’re losing our natural ability to attain rest and relaxation, which are the very qualities that define the Parasympathetic Nervous System. And why are we stuck in Sympathetic mode (aka, fight or flight)? Because our Sympathetic Nervous System is ruled by Calcium, which is why folks in North America are locked in hyper-sympathetic mode, and thus having difficulty shutting it down.

But I need all that Calcium to avoid Osteoporosis… Right? And if you really believe that, I’ve got both a used BMW, and a bridge, that I’d like to sell you… Osteoporosis is purely a Mg deficiency issue. And what you may not know is that Mg regulates ALL three Hormones (Calcitonin, PTH and Hormone-D) that dictate the location and the level of Calcium throughout our bodies.

And the ultimate issue, the last step to forming Melatonin is Magnesium-dependent. And while I understand the temptation to use Melatonin is great, I’m far more in favor of giving my body the raw mineral materials and letting nature take its course. My $$$’s on my Hypothalamus, not somebody else’s synthetically-derived Hormones.

3.      The Rosetta Stone of Chronic Disease: We live in challenging (think *S*T*R*E*S*S*F*U*L*) times. We’re constantly seeking ways to simplify our lives. And what I’ve noted on the web is a propensity of health practitioners to talk one day about this disease, and another day about that disease, and yet another day about a 3^rd disease as though they are completely unrelated metabolically. What they fail to do is inform their followers that each of these conditions, and many others, have a common origin – Mg deficiency. I know what you’re thinking: it’s got to be more complicated than that, right? I thought so, too. It’s not.

It’s widely recognized that ALL chronic diseases, including Cancer, have as their origin: Inflammation. The very 1^st step of the Inflammatory Cascade is brought to us by Substance P (which stands for “Production,” btw). Well the research team of Weglicki and Phillips from GWU rocked the medical and scientific worlds when they proved that the cellular trigger for Substance P is Mg deficiency.

Armed with that knowledge, I’ve now read over 450 scientific articles on Magnesium and Mg deficiency. I’ve also catalogued them along 18 different chronic diseases. In fact, I had one client (82 yrs young) who rang the bell on ALL 18, and when she realized that her entire lifelong litany of conditions related to a mineral imbalance, a giant weight lifted, and was replaced by a glimmer of hope.

It’s hard to fathom Mg’s reach within our bodies. 80% of our metabolism depends on Maggie for optimal performance. In my humble opinion, the big three for day-to-day survival are Air, Water, and Magnesium. Yup, it’s that important. And without it, as most of us are, our bodies create a laundry list of conditions that on the surface appear completely unrelated, were it not for this multifaceted mineral Rosetta Stone. And for those who doubt that, bring up your favorite Search Engine, put the condition you’re most worried about, followed by “Magnesium Deficiency,” and be prepared to be surprised.

OK, I’ve had my fling. One, two and three. (But please don’t tell Leigh that I snuck in a dozen others with my opening remarks.)

So, I’ll leave you with one last thought. Charles Poliquin won’t work with a client until their Mag RBC level is above 6.0mg/dL, because he knows that they can’t perform at their peak without optimal levels of Maggie. So what’s your level? When was the last time you had it tested? To know your blood lipid levels, your blood glucose levels, you’re Thyroid marker levels, and your 25-Hydroxyvitamin-D levels and not know your Mg levels is unfortunate, especially when you learn that all those classic blood markers are related to your Mg status… Maybe it really is the Rosetta Stone…

A votre santé!

* * * * * * * * * * *

Morley M. Robbins                            

 

Morley Robbins has been actively serving the healthcare field for the last 32+ years, as a hospital executive, healthcare consultant, and now Wellness Coach. Following a successful career managing and consulting to hospitals and health care systems, he realized that he could no longer stand the revolving door mentality of these “sick care” centers.

He is dedicating the balance of his career to “saving one starfish at a time” by coaching clients about how to eat “real food,” restore their mineral balance, especially their Magnesium status, and thereby, facilitate the process of natural healing. He has discovered the “fountain of youth” in his newfound persona of “Magnesium Man!” and is proud of his efforts to raise awareness about the importance of Magnesium via the efforts of his recently formed Magnesium Advocacy Group (www.magfor.org).

He is delighted to be preaching to others what he has practiced for the last 30 years. He can be viewed on Youtube, reached online at morley@MagnesiumMan.com or contacted by cellphone at 847.922.8061.

SHHHH, It's a SECRET. How to Snoop on Real Estate in the City of St. Louis

WHO'S HOUSE IS THIS?

SHHH...I am going to tell you all a real estate secret, and quite possibly lose some of my Rock-star status with some of you. Quite often I get questions like, "How long has that been vacant?", "Do the neighbors always keep their grass like that?", "Who owns that property?", "How big is the lot, really?" "How much were the taxes on that property 3 years ago?". I will usually go home, and look up the answer and email it to my client. However, you can do it too! There is a little known website that is INVALUABLE to City of St. Louis residents, or wannabes called, GEO ST. LOUIS. On this site you can find information on virtually any property, as long as you know the address. It can tell you who has paid their property taxes, when the last time they did, how many Citizen Service Bureau Complaints it has had, when the complaints were made, what permits have been pulled on the property, what the lot looks like, the increase in taxes over a period of time and MUCH MUCH MORE!

Very often, I have clients wanting to do in depth research before purchasing a property, and this is the perfect way to do it! I suggest that everyone interested in buying or selling a property to go to this site, and become familiar with the FACTS!

4138 Haven, 63116- Holly Hills Home with 2 1/2 CAR GARAGE FOR SALE!

Leigh Maibes | RE/MAX Results, 4700 Hampton Ave., St. Louis, MO 63109 314-352-7770 | (314) 324-3322 4138 Haven St, Saint Louis, MO Oversized garage, Stained glass windows, Finished Basement, 2BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $154,900 Year Built 1937 Sq Footage 1,056 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors Unspecified Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 3,920 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Built to Last: 1937. This adorable 2 bed/2 bath brick bungalow is loaded with historic details and charm. The front has recently been professionally landscaped, and promises to grow into a lush low maintenance show piece. Do not be fooled by its cozy appearance, this place has space. In addition to the main floor, this house boasts a finished basement , partially finished attic with additional storage and a 2+ CAR GARAGE. The interior features gleaming hardwood floors on the main level, decorative mantel, tons of stain glass accents throughout, crown molding in the living room & dining room, newer windows, pottery barn paint palette, stunning original deco bathroom and so much more. The back yard has a deck that is perfect for entertaining and a rustic vine covered arbor that serves as a private oasis on sunny days. Did I forget to mention the HUGE GARAGE? Located in the popular Holly Hills Neighborhood. You are just a skip away from Carondelet Park, restaurants, shopping & HWY 55. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Attic - Basement - Bonus/Rec room - Dining room - Laundry room - Living room - Storage space - Dishwasher - Dryer - Stove/Oven - Washer - Balcony, Deck, or Patio - Fenced yard - Lawn - Yard - Ceiling fans - Central A/C - Central heat - Cable-ready - Garage - Detached - Off-street parking - Fireplace - Hardwood floor - Wet bar ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6 Photo 7 Photo 8 Photo 9 Photo 10 Photo 11 Contact info: Leigh Maibes RE/MAX Results, 4700 Hampton Ave., St. Louis, MO 63109 314-352-7770 (314) 324-3322 For sale by agent/broker Posted: Oct 22, 2012, 8:10am PDT