April 2012 Market Snapshot of My ESA

Market Snap Shot of My Effective Service Area (ESA)

of Fox, Seckman, Oakville and Mehlville Schools for April 2012

Property Sales

April 2012 property sales were 159 units, up 12.8% from 141 in April of 2011 and 37.1% higher than the 116 sales last month.  April 2012 sales were at a mid level compared to April of 2011 and 2010.  April YTD sales of 453 are running 6.1% ahead of last year's year-to-date sales of 427.

Prices

The Median Sales Price in April 2012 was $147,000, up 2.1% from $144,000 in April 2011 and up 12.2% from $131,050 last month.  The Average Sales Price (ASP) in April was $154,495, down 0.7% from $155,558 in April of 2011 and up 8.2% from $142,763 last month.  April 2012 ASP was at the lowest level compared to April of 2011 and 2010. 

Inventory & MSI

The Total Inventory of Properties (TIP) available for sale as of April 2012 was 1,030, down 0.2% from 1,032 last month and down 26.2% from 1,395 in April of last year.  April 2012 inventory was at its lowest level compared with April of 2011 and 2010. 

A comparatively lower Months Supply of Inventory (MSI) is more beneficial for sellers while a higher MSI is better for buyers.  The April 2012 MSI of 6.5 months was at its lowest level compared with April of 2011 and 2010. 

Market Time

The average Days On Market (DOM) shows how many days the average Property is on the market before it sells.  An upward trend in DOM tends to indicate a move towards more of a Buyer's market, a downward trend a move towards more of a Seller's market.  The DOM for April 2012 was 95, down 20.2% from 119 days last month and down 24.6% from 126 days in April of last year.  The April 2012 DOM was at its lowest level compared with April of 2011 and 2010. 

Selling Price per Square Foot

The Selling Price per Square Foot (SPSF) is a great indicator for the direction of Property values.  Since Median Sales Price and Average Sales price can be impacted by the 'mix' of high or low end Properties in the market, the selling price per square foot is a more normalized indicator on the direction of Property values.  The April 2012 Selling Price per Square Foot of $93 was down 2.2% from $95 last month and up 0.8% from 93 in April of last year. 

Selling Price vs. Original Listing Price

The Selling Price vs. Original Listing Price reveals the average amount that Sellers are agreeing to come down from their original list price.  The lower the ratio is below 100% the more of a Buyer's market exists, a ratio at or above 100% indicates more of a Seller's market.  The April 2012 Selling Price vs Original List Price of 97.0% was up from 95.8% last month and up from 95.6% in April of last year. 

Inventory / New Listings / Sales

This last view of the market combines monthly inventory of properties for sale along with New Listings and Sales.  The graph shows the basic annual seasonality of the market as well as the relationship between these items.  The number of New Listings in April 2012 was 284, down 9.0% from 312 last month and down 13.7% from 329 in April of last year.  

Source - MarketQuest.

 FYI - The goal of this blog is to provide general information related to the buying and selling of residential real estate. The reader is highly encouraged to consult the services of a professional real estate agent during the transaction. This blog is not a substitute for any type of professional assistance which may be required.

Making your move EASY!

So you decided to move. Great! Now what? When moving most people aren’t sure where to begin, they just start packing and hope for the best. Here is a brief checklist to help you make the most of your move.

Ö	#	Steps
	1.	Decide if you are moving yourself or having professionals do it
	2.	Contact a moving company, ask for a binding estimate.
	3.	Prepare list of people, organizations and businesses who need to know of your move such as friend, family, memberships, medical providers, etc.
	4.	Notify the post office of your new address and date it becomes effective
	5.	Prepare list of medications and locations of new pharmacies to transfer prescriptions to
	6.	Dispose of unwanted items though charity pickup or garage sale
	7.	If moving yourself begin to collect moving supplies, boxes,  packing material, shipping tape, markers,  moving vehicle arrangements, etc. and of course friends
	8.	Use up items that can’t be moved and buy only what can be used prior to the move
	9.	Check insurance policies to verify your items will be insured during the move and in your new home
	10.	Establish dates to cancel utilities at current location and turn on at new location.
	11.	Have pets health checked and records updated for the move
	12.	Return borrowed or rented material such as library books or videos
	13.	Arrange transfer of medical records and school records
	14.	Arrange for financial records transfers
	15.	Pick up anything left at the dry cleaners or tailor
	16.	Pack a supply box with things you may need upon arrival, such as medication, cleaning supplies, hand tools, snacks, etc.
	17.	Have your vehicle serviced for the trip.
	18.	Enjoy your new home

I hope you find this checklist useful as a place to start your moving process. As always if I may be of assistance, contact me.

Make it a great day!

Bob Weibrecht

Office Tour 05/22/12

Office Tour 05/22/12

We had a short tour today of only two exceptional homes. I'd be happy to provide additional information to you. If you like visit my website at www.BobWeibrecht.com and you can learn more about them.

1500 Meadowbrook Ct, Arnold 63010-4551

Gorgeous ranch home offers lots of space w/finished lower level situated on 1/4 acre lot in cul de sac! Features include: 3 Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths; Huge Great Rm w/cathedral ceiling & gas fireplace w/brick hearth & surround w/wood mantle; Updated Gourmet Kitchen w/granite counter tops, custom cabinetry, smooth top range, cathedral ceiling, & ceramic tile flooring; Formal Dining Room; Awesome Sun Rm w/windows all around to enjoy the private yard & trees; Master Bedroom Suite w/walk in closet & a luxury bath w/separate shower & a garden tub; Main Floor Laundry; Updated ceiling fans & light fixtures; Large Entry Foyer w/tile; Finished Lower Level w/full bath & plenty of rooms for office, craft room, play room, media room, hobby room, or anything you choose; Covered Front Porch; Oversized 2 Car Garage; Beautiful Landscaping; Fully fenced & level rear yard; Large Deck; Newer Roof(08); Well maintained home; Great neighborhood & great location close to everything! Call today!

 5194 Romaine Spring Dr, Fenton 63026-5843

Lovely 2-sty w/loads of space for all your needs. Wonderful lot w/home further from street than most & a 3-car garage. Home backs to woods for added privacy & nature watching. The 2-sty entry has a stairway that splits at the landing. The other wing of stairs is near the kitchen. Formal living rm & dining rm flank the foyer that leads to 2-sty family room with soaring window wall and wood burning fireplace. The kitchen and hearth room are next with lots of cabinets, new laminate flooring in 2012, center island w/granite top, sliding patio doors leading to the deck & a vent free gas fireplace in hearth rm, great for family gatherings. Don't overlook the half bath. Upstairs, the Master BR is HUGE!, with walk-in closet, Master BA, featuring separate jet tub & shower & double vanity sinks. The rest of 2nd flr consists of laundry, a second full BA and 3 more lge BRs. The basement is a walkout to a concrete patio. Egress window & bath rough-in are ready for future plans. Move right in!

Make it a great day!

Bob Weibrecht

CBG's Real Estate Outlook

The Best Cities  to  Buy a Home Right Now – St. Louis Ranks in the Top 10

St. Louis was ranked tenth in the top ten cities to buy a home right now according to Realtor.com. The best places to invest in real estate was determined on sales data, inventory trends and the job market. If you are looking to buy or relocate to St. Louis, you’ll find that the area has a lot to offer. 

“A lot of what we read is national but you have to take housing down to the local level and look at the reasons why a market may be turning around, may be a good place to buy,” says Steve Berkowitz, chief executive of Realtor.com.

Forbes.com,  April 12, 2012

Buyer  Urgency  Improves,  More  See  Now  Good  Time  to Buy

More home buyers may jump off the sidelines this spring as they get more urgent about purchasing a home, fearing that home price and mortgage rate increases are on the horizon. Housing surveys in recent weeks have shown that more Americans are seeing now a great time to purchase a home.


 In the most recent survey, 73 percent of Americans say now is a good time to buy, according to the latest Fannie Mae Housing Survey conducted in March. That’s up from 70 percent in February who said it was a great time to buy. 


"Conditions are coming together to encourage people to want to buy homes," says Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae’s chief economist. "With an increasing share of consumers expecting higher mortgage rates and home prices over the next 12 months, some may feel that renting is becoming more costly and that home ownership is a more compelling housing choice."

 Daily Real Estate News, April 11, 2012

March  Pending  Home  Sales  Rise,  Market  Recovering

Pending home sales increased in March and well above a year ago, another signal the housing market is recovering, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.


Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said 2012 is expected to be a year of recovery for housing.  “First quarter sales closings were the highest first quarter sales in five years.  The latest contract signing activity suggests the second quarter will be equally good,” he said. 


“The housing market has clearly turned the corner.  Rising sales are bringing down inventory and creating much more balanced conditions around the county, which means home prices will be rising in more areas as the year progresses,” Yun said.

Daily Real Estate News,  April 26, 2012

Report from Coldwell Banker Gundaker Real Estate Outlook

Success Stories

Success Story #1

Bob and Norma had a vacant residential lot to sell. With my resources we quickly found a buyer for it. During the title work process a problem arose with the title.

With the experience of my support staff from US Title the problem was corrected and continued with the closing!

This made Bob and Norma very satisfied, stating I made them feel like they were my only clients!

Who do you know that has property to sell that needs a quality agent?  Please let me know with their name and situation. I promise they’ll get the excellent service they deserve!

Office Tour 05/08

We had a great tour of new listing at my office today. Here are this week's exceptional homes!

27 Anawood Dr, Arnold 63010

Awesome updated ranch with mostly maintenance free exterior. Located close to major highway, shopping, hospital and yet a private setting. Very open freshly painted floor plan with view of woods from breakfast area. Lots of counter space and cabinets in updated kitchen. Large master bedroom with updated full bath and newer carpet. Open stairwell leads to finished walk out LL with play area, family area, half bath and office/den space. Very bright & cheery. 14x22 cedar deck, gutter guards and enclosed soffits. Upgraded HVAC, electric panel, windows, patio doors and more. All you have to do is move in.

 2704 Old Frisco Hill Rd, Imperial 63052

4-bed custom log home on 6+ HORSE FRIENDLY acres! Dramatic 22’ entry into great room; knotty pine cathedral ceilings, skylights & stone fireplace. Breakfast bar, granite counters, walk-in pantry & custom oak Kabinar cabinets in kitchen. Relax on the huge exposed aggregate patio, on the covered wrap-around porch, or in the hot tub on the 20x30 deck. Master suite has built-in cedar shelving in walk-in closet; master bath, features soaker tub & over-sized cultured marble shower. LL perfect for in-law quarters, w/kitchen, bdrm, office, rec area, & stone fireplace & plush carpet in family room. Home features 10’ ceilings, double-hung low-e tilt-in Anderson windows, central vac, alarm system & whole house generator. Energy efficient - zoned heating & Icynene spray foam insulation! Outside speakers, stone veneer, solar lighting, & copper accents add to the charm of this rustic paradise. Also an area to the side of the house for an outbuilding, riding ring, etc. 1-year home protection plan.

2208 Mastodon Ct, Imperial 63052

Wild life abounds around this custom built 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath atrium ranch on 3+/- acres. Wooded setting overlooking Mastodon Valley, just minutes from Hwy. 55 and nearby shopping, and one mile from Seckman Schools. Fantastic special features include open floor plan with cathedral ceilings, 42'' custom cabinets, luxury master bath with 6' jetted tub, exposed aggregate driveway, porch, patio, and walkway. Beautifully finished walk-out lower level atrium provides more room for entertaining, offering rec room with surround sound, deluxe wet bar, full bath and plenty of storage. Must see to appreciate! this all electric home with heat pump keeps utility costs at around $ 100 per month on average year round! Seller is offering 1 yr home warranty protection package.

2418 Driftwood Ct, Imperial 63052-4301

Welcome home to 2418 Driftwood Ct. Beautiful entry foyer w/wood flrs, & display shelves. Carpeted great rm has marble 42” wood burning fireplace w/gas logs, display shelves & wall of windows. Separate carpeted dining rm w/bay window. Kitchen w/breakfast rm, center island, double pantry & vinyl flr. Main flr laundry w/cabinets. Media/sitting rm located outside of the 3 bedrms, all w/carpet flrs. Master bedrm w/walk-in closet. Master bath w/double sinks, separate tub & shower, linen closet. 6 panel doors throughout. Vaulted ceilings in great rm, dining rm, & kitchen. Finished lower level w/most exterior walls insulated includes rec rm, workshop/studio, office, storage. 3 car gar w/insulated walls, doors. Professional landscaping in front. Backyard backs to wooded area w/small cedar deck. Sprinkler system. Dishwasher, microwave, electric range, washing machine & gas dryer stay – all in “as is” condition. Exclude kitchen refrigerator. Subdivision fishing lake & swimming pool.

For more information on these and other homes available, contact me.