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.

$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

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

Loved so much, it was never lived in.

Circa has a new and interesting listing:

http://www.2204stephen.com/index.shtml

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.

Preservation Nation Magazine writes about Sugar Loaf Mound

http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/2008/todays-news/last-indian-mound-in-st.html

Last open house of the year for Sugar Loaf Mound this Sunday

Please stop by and join us for the last open house of the year at Sugar Loaf Mound this Sunday December 7, 08 from 1-3 PM.

South Side Tower-AKA-South Side National Bank Building

Most people do not know that there are condos in the South Side National Bank Building, but there are. Saved from demolition this building has seen a re-birth as a great mixed use space. There are 13 condos total in the building, of those 8 are sold. With only 2 units per floor and the residential units beginning on floor 3 you have tons of great views. The building is a National Historic Landmark that has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. All of the remaining units are 2 bedroom and 1 bath. Currently, the prices range from $166,900-$199,900 depending on elevation and if it has an east or west facing view. There will be a scooter ride there this weekend on Sunday November 23,2008 that starting at 3pm (registration beginning at 1). I hope to see you there!

Take a look at these links for more information on South Side Tower:

http://www.urbanreviewstl.com/?p=4361

http://www.romeofthewest.com/2008/11/view-from-top.html

http://maris.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Gstl&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=uJxSP%2FS8lZFgLNWBN12inbJVkmCEXUAHVAIu0P1nlvI%3D&KeyRid=1

http://www.southsidetower.net/