On the way home this evening, we saw a water utility truck and a backhoe parked on our street.  They were spray painting water and utility lines in the yard and I saw water where there shouldn't be water ( it is below 32 degrees).  The technician in the backhoe says there is a water leak somewhere - they are waiting for a water line schematic before they dig.  I sure hope the problem doesn't migrate across the street.                                                       This actually reminds me to remind all of our sellers about properly closing down a sprinkler system for the winter.  If you haven't winterized your sprinkler system, it may be too late.  With temperatures below freezing, your backflow device is very vulnerable to freezing and cracking.  None of this will be good news f... 12/04/2010

The Chesterfield Missouri Chamber of Commerce will be holding it's First Thursday Coffee at 7:30 AM on Thursday, December 9.  The meeting will be held at the Midwest BankCentre at 17050 Baxter Road.  Registration is required.  Call 636-532-3399 or visit chesterfieldmochamber.com by December 5.  Admission is free for members and $15 for non-members.  This is a great opportunity to network with other Chesterfield business people. 12/04/2010

The Chesterfield MO Chamber of Commerce Business over Breakfast meeting will be held on December 7 at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center in Chesterfield.  The meeting, starting at 7:30 AM will feature Ellen Moran of Leadership Dialogues who will be discussing "Motivating your Customers and Employees: Secrets of Business Communication."  Registration is required.  Call 636-532-3399 or visit chesterfieldmochamber.com by Dec 5th.  The cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. 12/04/2010

Working with a real estate professional can save a buyer time and stress.  It is of upmost importance that a buyer feel comfortable with their real estate professional and that they can communicate effectively with them.  A relationship that is built on open and honest communication can assist the real estate professional to find the buyer just the right home. Here are some of the services that a real estate professional will provide: Work with you to find properties that meet your specific requirements such as location, price and amenities Arrange for appointments and show you the properties selected Provide you with information regarding the price and value of properties Provide knowledge of the current real estate market and how it relates to your property purchase Educate you regard... 12/03/2010

The city of Chesterfield, Missouri is having a public hearing on the proposed budget for the 2011 fiscal year on Monday, December 6.  The meeting will be held at 6:30 PM in the Chesterfield Council Chambers at 690 Chesterfield Parkway West.  A copy of the proposed budget can be viewed at City Hall during the hours of 8:30 Am to 5 Pm Monday - Friday prior to the meeting 12/02/2010

The House has passed a bill to extend tax cuts for Americans earning between $200,000 and $250,000 but not for individuals and families making more. The 234-188 vote comes as negotiations continue to extend Bush-era tax cuts, which expire this month, for all income levels. The bill, however, will not clear the Senate, where Democrats need Republican support.  After the vote, House Republicans were furious that the current House leadership did not show more acknowledgement of the will of the people as reflected in the recent November elections.  Senator John Boehner was especially critical of the bill today. In today's House vote, 20 Democrats broke with their party to oppose excluding the wealthy from further tax relief, while three Republicans bucked their party to side with the middle... 12/02/2010

The following is the current market activity in Chesterfield, MO from November 1 - November 15, 2010 Chesterfield currently has 295 listings on the market.  The average days on market for these 295 listings is 146.  The lowest priced home is $189,900.  The highest priced home is $3,995,000.  The average listing price is $551,795 and the  median price is $419,000 There are currently 33 homes under contingent contract.  The average days on market for these listings is 112.  The lowest priced home is $189,900.  The highest priced home is $3,000,000.  The average listing price is $517,179 and the  median price is $425,000 There are currently 40 homes under pending contract.  The average days on market for these listings is 80.  The lowest priced home is $185,000.  The highest priced home is... 11/15/2010

November 13, 2010 from 9 AM to Noon will be the 14th annual America/Missouri/Chesterfield Recycles Day.  On this day, Chesterfield residents can bring a variety of items to the Parks Administration & Maintenance Facility at 17891 North Outer 40  to be recycled.  Confidential documents can be shredded with Cintas (5 box maximum).  E-cycling electronics can be done with WITS.  Used clothing, paired textile shoes and linens can be recycled with Remains, Inc.  Single stream recycling items will be collected by Allied Waste.  Compact fluorescent light bulbs and plastic garden pots will be collected by Home Depot for recycling as well.  The City's website www.Chesterfield.mo.us has guidelines for recycling.  This is a rain or shine event so mark your calendars now.   11/10/2010

Does YOUR Kitchen Need Remodeling?? If so, then read on....  Choice Cabinet has opened in Chesterfield, MO.  Choice Cabinets carries quality kitchen and bath cabinets for middle income homes.  The cabinets are made of wood, no particle board.  Justin Wilkinson, owner/designer, was kind enough to show me around the showroom and give me the specifics on his products.  The selection is limited, however, this means a faster delivery time.  If you order on Tuesday by noon, you can get your cabinets the same week!  Of course, odd sizes could take a little longer. In addition to an awesome cabinet line, Choice Cabinets also carries cabinet hardware and counter tops. For more information please contact Justin Wilkinson at 636-536-0771 or email:  cccabinet1@gmail.com  and be sure to mention wher... 10/20/2010

This is such an important issue to Missourians that I felt the need to share a new TV commercial that will start to run over the next 2 weeks.  While confusing, Missourians need to know that a YES vote on Amendment 3 is a vote AGAINST new taxes when you sell a home.  Missouri homeowners already pay annual property taxes.  A transfer tax would, in essence, be double taxation and an additional burden to already beleaguered homeowners whose home values have dropped. During these tough economic times, state governments are looking for new revenue sources.  Missouri Realtors are being proactive in seeking an amendment to our constitution to ban transfer taxes forever.  This video should help educate Missourians about the importance of this issue on November 2.    Remember, vote YES on Amendm... 10/19/2010

If you are selling your St. Louis home so you can buy another one, your dream might be to "sell high, buy low."  Even if your Realtor® tries to remind you that this doesn't often pan out, you might still be tempted to have the agent list your home higher than recommended to see what happens.  In a market where buyers are well prepared by internet research and other media to spot an over-priced home, this could be a bad move. Your agent suggests a price for you based on specifics about your house and comparable information about neighborhood sales.  If you own a palace in middle of a slum, you will have to ask less than you could if your home were elsewhere.  If you bought your homes for $200,000 and added $50,000 of the most reclaimable improvements (i.e., bathroom or kitchen upgrades, ... 10/09/2010

                                   As we head into fall and winter, being proactive about having the proper supplies for road trips is a great idea!  A car's trunk is the perfect place to store an emergency kit. The following is a list of essentials that might come in handy in case you get into trouble.  Smaller items listed could be carried in the glove compartment for easier access: •·         Flashlight •·         Spare tire •·         Jack •·         Four-way lug wrench •·         Water pump belt •·         Tire pressure gauge •·         Wrench and socket set •·         Utility knife •·         Both standard and Phillips screwdrivers •·         Jumper cables •·         Pliers •·         Fuses •·         Hose clamps •·         One quart of motor oil •·         A few dollars in quarte... 10/02/2010

November 13, 2010 from 9 AM to Noon will be the 14th annual America/Missouri/Chesterfield Recycles Day.  On this day, Chesterfield residents can bring a variety of items to the Parks Administration & Maintenance Facility at 17891 North Outer 40  to be recycled.  Confidential documents can be shredded with Cintas (5 box maximum).  E-cycling electronics can be done with WITS.  Used clothing, paired textile shoes and linens can be recycled with Remains, Inc.  Single stream recycling items will be collected by Allied Waste.  Compact fluorescent light bulbs and plastic garden pots will be collected by Home Depot for recycling as well.  The City's website www.Chesterfield.mo.us has guidelines for recycling.  This is a rain or shine event so mark your calendars now.   10/01/2010

                                           The 11th annual Turkey Trot is being planned for Thanksgiving morning, November 25, 2010.  The 5K run starts promptly at 8:30 AM.  The Fun Run starts promptly at 9:15 AM.  The 5K route is a 3.1 mile loop course along Chesterfield Parkway and around Chesterfield Mall.  The Fun Run is for ages 9 and under and is a special 1K race on a loop course that starts at Burkhardt Place and runs along Veterans Place Drive.  Both courses will remain closed until the end of the race.  Parking is available at West County YMCA or at Chesterfield Mall.  Registration is available on the Chesterfield, MO city website at www.chesterfield.mo.us.  Registration ends at midnight on November 21.  The fee to participate is $21 before October 29th and $25 beginning 10/29... 09/28/2010

    Tree trimming is an ongoing activity as the City's street tree population matures.  The Chesterfield, MO Street Maintenance Division of the Department of Planning and Public Works systematically trims trees along City streets to provide adequate clearance for vehicles and pedestrians.  Trimming is also necessary to maintain the health of the trees.  Please note that the City's responsibility is limited to those trees located within a public right of way.  Trees located on private property are the responsibility of the property owner.  Trees are trimmed on a 5 year cycle and are also trimmed ahead of scheduled street reconstruction projects, and in response to storm damage.  The trees are cut back to provide 12 feet of clearance over streets, and 10 feet of clearance over sidewalks.... 09/27/2010

                                           The first weekend in October is the time when Chesterfield, MO will host the popular St. Louis Strassenfest.  This event celebrates German hospitality with German music, beer, children's rides and bratwurst.  The Strassenfest will be located on the Chesterfield Parkway in Downtown Chesterfield, just west of  Chesterfield Mall.  Opening ceremonies will be Friday evening followed by bands playing a variety of German music.  A great aspect of the celebration is that non-profit organizations that participate can raise money for their causes.  Last year, participants raised almost $100,000.   Traditional German dancers are a highlight of the Strassenfest.  For more details about the event, check out the new website at www.strassenfest.org for up to ... 09/23/2010

The Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce plans the 9th annual Gumbo Flats Pumpkin Run/Walk  on October 23, 2010   There will be both 5K and 10K courses that are going to be located in the Chesterield Valley.  There will also be a half-mile Children's Fun Run for ages 8 and under.  Children are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes. Registration is $20 if received before October 8.  Register at the Chesterfield, MO Chamber of Commerce website at www.Chesterfieldmochamber.com. 09/21/2010

We attended a wedding last night at the Kemp Auto Museum in Chesterfield, MO.  It was a lovely venue and a great time was had by all.  The Kemp Auto Museum displays historically significant and artistically inspired automobiles from the earliest to the contemporary for public enjoyment and educational enrichment.  The Kemp collection includes rare and vintage European automobiles from the turn of the century to modern day.  Information about the museum is available on the museum's website at www.kempautomuseum.org. An upcoming event at the Kemp Auto Museum is a Porsche Auto Show.  It will be held on the Sachs Plaza in front of the museum on Sunday, October 17.  Two door Porsche sports cars will be displayed from 11 AM to 3 PM.  Admission is $5.  Food and beverages will be available for ... 09/20/2010

The Missouri Department of Transportation will close westbound Route 40 at the Missouri River (Daniel Boone Bridge) for more repair work the weekend of Sept. 17-20, 2010. MoDot officials say the closure will impact all drivers heading from Chesterfield to St. Charles County as well as fans heading to the Mizzou home game.  Crews will close affected lanes starting at 8 p.m. on Friday and will reopen them by 5 a.m. the following Monday.  During this closure, crews will continue to reset bearings, replace expansion joints and repair splice plates on the bridge. Access to St. Charles County using I-70, Route 364, and Route 370 will remain open. The detour for the closure is taking I-270 to I-70.  Eastbound Route 40 over the river will remain open.  09/14/2010

We just returned home from a 2 ½ day company real estate retreat.  It was a gathering of the top 100 producers in Coldwell Banker Gundaker - St. Louis.  There are multiple purposes for this retreat.  One is to provide a forum for networking within our own company.  Our company's associates are very generous in sharing best practices and great ideas.  Secondly, we get to hear market and real estate updates from the president of our company as well as from a representative of our parent company NRT.  It's important to stay in the know in this rapidly changing industry.  And last, but not least, a chance to rest and relax.  The resort where the conference was held is one of two major properties in our state that offers many different services and activities including a full service spa.  W... 09/10/2010