Home Buyer Help Part 2:  Be Smart Don't Go at It Alone Purchasing a home is a gigantic step. The average person spends about 1/3 of their income on a home. The home you choose has a huge impact on your life and your finances. Do not attempt to "go at it alone" because mistakes happen.  A good Buyer's Agent is an invaluable resource to a Buyer and can be the difference between a wonderful transaction and a nightmare.  Here are 5 reasons to use a buyer's agent: 1) They have Full Access to the MLS The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a powerful tool only Realtors have full access to.  The database contains nearly 99% of homes for sale in the market.  The MLS is an extremely powerful search engine your buyer's agent uses to enter in search criteria.  It only finds homes matching those spec... 08/20/2009

Sunshine Kids Golf Tournament September 10, 2009 8th Annual Prudential Select Properties golf tournament to benefit the Sunshine Kids.  Where:  the Courses at Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri When:  September 10, 2009 Time:  11:00 check in, 12:30 shot gun start Price includes:  Greens fees, cart, BBQ lunch, dinner and beverages all day!  4 auction raffle tickets All this for only $110 entry fee. This is event is so much fun.  Even those of you who do not play golf can participate.  It is a four person scramble, so only the best shots are played.  It is for the kids with cancer and they need a helping hand. The auction/raffle is going to have a basket from each of the Prudential Select offices.  Our office is putting together a wine and cheese bucket.  It looks like an awesome prize righ... 08/18/2009

Westglen Woods Subdivision in Ballwin Missouri Westglen Woods subdivision in beautiful Ballwin Missouri is situated south of Manchester Road/ Highway 100 east of New Ballwin Road or west of Reis Road.  Westglen Woods is close to many shopping centers and restaurants.  Just up the road is The Ballwin Plaza which houses Mi Lupita Mexican Restaurant for some authentic Mexican fare.  Or if you are in the mood for ice cream Maggie Moos is also in this shopping area of Ballwin not to mention a Joann's Craft Store, Office Max, Borders, Walgreen's and various other small shops. On Manchester Road, one can find nearly everything you can imagine.  A little farther west and you will find Outback Steakhouse and a Shop and Save grocery store in addition to Schnuck's Market, Sear's Paint and Hardware... 07/27/2009

Wildwood Missouri Summertime Fun in St. Louis Missouri 1) Visit the St. Louis Zoo.  Spend a day with the animals of the world.  You might find you have more in common than you thought.  It is free and fabulous.  You can even enjoy a train ride through the zoo with purchase of a ticket.  2) Check out the Anheuser Busch Inbev Brewery.  Yes, the tours are still free and they are awesome.   3)  Take a trip to the St. Louis Science Center.  Spend the day learning in a fun and cool environment. 4)  Get the kids and spend the day at Grant's Farm.  Here you can learn some history of the area and enjoy a lovely tram ride.  There is a parking fee but the ride is free.  Don't forget to visit the Clydesdale's Stable at the other end of the parking lot. 5)  Plan a trip to Purina Farms.  Located appr... 07/26/2009

Just Sold....315 Wembley Lane Ballwin, Missouri 63021 Awesome Ranch home in Ballwin Missouri 63021 closed on Friday June 26, 2009.  My sellers are so happy to have the deal closed.  And the buyers are very excited about their new home.   Congratulations to the buyers and sellers! Contact Ann Hayden www.SelectAnn.com today to get started on owning your own home or to sell your current residence. © Ann Hayden, 2008-2009.  All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Ann Hayden, real estate agent with Prudential Select Properties Chesterfield, Ballwin, Wildwood Office.  Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Real estate needs:  www.SelectAnn.com .   For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area.  Updated daily.  Sign on fo... 06/30/2009

32nd Annual Ballwin Days This Weekend June 26th, 27th and 28th in beautiful downtown Ballwin Missouri. This will be a fun event for all.  There are games, rides, food, arts and crafts, a pretty baby contest,  fireworks, music, demonstrations, etc.  The event takes place at Vlasis Park 14811 Manchester Road, Ballwin, 63011.  Admission is free and shuttles will be available from 4:30 until midnight on the 26th and 27th and until 6:30 p.m. on Sunday from the Target parking lot on Manchester Road. Festival Dates and Times Friday: June 26th    Festival 5:00 pm to 11:30 pm     Fireworks 9:30 pm Saturday: June 27th    Parade 9:00 am     Festival 11:00 am to 11:30 pm     Fireworks 9:30 pm Sunday: June 28th     Festival Noon to 6:00 pm The parade will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday the 27th at Kehrs M... 06/25/2009

Yard Sale to Benefit "For His Glory" Orphanage This Wednesday from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. at 205 Robin Hill Rd. in Ballwin, Missouri.  Directions:  Highway 100/Manchester Road just east of Reis Road go south on Lark Hill Road to left on Robin Hill Road proceed to 205. The orphanage is in located in Haiti.  Pat stated it was in desperate need of funds so her daughter decided to have a yard sale and send the proceeds to the orphanage. If you have time, please stop by and help a good cause. Contact Ann Hayden www.SelectAnn.com today to get started on owning your own home. © Ann Hayden, 2008-2009.  All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Ann Hayden, real estate agent with Prudential Select Properties Chesterfield, Ballwin, Wildwood Offi... 06/22/2009

April 2009 Market Update Parkway South Ballwin Missouri Single family homes:  Active:  182                                Pending: 36                                Sold:  25 Condos:  Active:  76              Pending:  6              Sold:  13 Lots for sale:  Active:  4 Houses or condos for lease:  Active:  12 The market appears to be picking up.  This is good news for both buyers and sellers.  If you are in the market to buy or sell in another school district and would like a market report, please contact Ann Hayden at www.SelectAnn.com or 636-399-7544. © Ann Hayden, 2008-2009. All photographs and/or written content produced by Ann Hyden. All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Ann Hayden, real estate agent with Prudential Select... 05/05/2009

Stop by this Open House in the Parkway School District Ballwin MO  63021 315 Wembley Lane Ballwin Missouri 63021Updated 4 bedroom ranch ~ ONLY $215,000Sunday April 26th, 20091 to 3 p.m.   For more details: www.SelectAnn.com/90009956 Open House ~ Parkway South School District Ann Hayden, 2008-2009. All photographs and/or written content produced by Ann Hayden. All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Ann Hayden, real estate agent with Prudential Select Properties Chesterfield, Ballwin, Wildwood OfficeReal estate needs: http://www.selectann.com/ . 04/20/2009

      Q: Please introduce your family?A: Brian & Rachel Yost (and girls)Q: Where is your new home located?A: Ballwin, MO / Parkway West School DistrictQ: Describe your situation when you decided to purchase your homeA: Our goal was to move closer to the Christian school where our girls were going to attend. We originally found a house we liked and were moving forward without an agent. However, that deal fell through and we were racing against the clock to find another house. We wanted to be moved in before the girls started school. One of Grant's team members, Cary Knobbe, spent numerous hours helping us locate another house. We wouldn't have gotten through it without him. He was patient, insightful and kept us laughing (which we needed from time to time). Q: What concerns/fears did yo... 04/14/2009

After months of doldrums and buyers sitting on the sidelines, Ballwin, MO has some great news!  It appears as if things are looking bright   Prices are shooting up! View This Chart:   Inventory is Way Down!   If you want more information on real estate market data Click Here For Homes in Ballwin, MO Zip Code 63021 Click Here For Homes In Ballwin, MO Zip Code 63011   To Search Any Home For Sale In the St. Louis Metro Area Click Here 04/08/2009

To the inspectors here in the Rain, let's talk about aluminum wiring.  I was showing a home today and as we were standing in the basement, I noticed this orange and black warning label on the electric panel.  It stated the home had aluminum wiring and this was a potentially dangerous item.  Of course, my buyers are not happy about this since the house has met their criteria.  I want to know, on a home 40+ years old, how bad/dangerous is aluminum wiring?   Should the buyers beware?  Should they ask for the home to be re-wired? Thank you in advance for your time. Original article by Ann Hayden agent with Prudential Select Properties Wildwood/Chesterfield/Ballwin Office.  Ann Hayden is committed to your goals while educating you in the home buying & selling processes.  Please call or text ... 01/20/2009

Wordless Wednesday...to Active Brad, you have a St. Louis Connection? Photo taken in Ballwin, Missouri. Photo by Ann Hayden Wildwood Agent for Prudential Select Properties.  Ann Hayden is committed to your goals while educating you in the home buying & selling processes.   Call Ann today to get started 636-399-7544 Search for your real estate at www.SelectAnn.com.  24/7 Real estate needs:   www.SelectAnn.com. © 2008 Ann Hayden, All rights reserved 12/31/2008

Mold Remediation is a foreign term to many...that is until they encounter the problem of mold.  Many of our customers are very well educated by the time I have the opportunity to meet with them.  The internet allows them to research the issue and know what they are getting into. Balance is the name of the game.  If you look enough, you will find "Miracle Mold Treatments" by the dozen.  Everywhere you turn people will tell you that you can just spray something on mold and it will magically disappear.  It's a wonderful thought to think you can avoid the expense and headaches of proper mold remediation by simply spraying something or powering on a machine of some kind, but it just doesn't make sense. At Rivercrest Restoration we are "old school" enough to know that there are long-standing ... 12/15/2008

Answers to commonly asked questions about granite, marble and other natural stone countertop material, will be posted to a new blog   St. Louis, MO - Bob Gasiorowski, owner of Rock Tops Granite, recently led one of the tours in the Maryland Heights showroom.  They lead tours to inform the public about natural stone countertops, their durability and great looks.   Bob showed the customers a wide variety of stone slabs in various colors and containing different grain patterns.  Bob said, "Notice the uniqueness of each slab of granite, made by nature; no two will be exactly alike.  If you choose a granite kitchen countertop, it is guaranteed that no one else will have one just like yours."   Bob also explained the process of cleaning and maintaining granite and natural stone countertops, "... 12/12/2008

At a recent tour of Rock Tops Granite showroom consumers see evidence of quality control procedures and their 100% customer satisfaction policy    St. Louis, MO - Bob Gasiorowski, owner of Rock Tops Granite, was recently interviewed by Mark Maupin, a real estate investor, mentor and college instructor.   Mark said, "I love what Rock Tops Granite, one the largest granite and marble countertop fabricators and installers in the United States has done to ensure customer satisfaction. This company has completed over 10,000 installations during 2008 alone; therefore, they must be providing a great service."      Rock Tops Granite has been recognized as one of the nation's fastest growing companies.  They began in Southeast Michigan as a supplier to large home improvement stores.  Since they s... 11/27/2008

Every week the St. Louis Real Estate Voice takes a bird's eye view of the entire St. Louis County and St. Charles County Real Estate Market.We occasionally zoom in on an area and take a closer look at the detail for a local community. This week we are featuring Ballwin, MO. This is the second time Ballwin, MO has been featured and it is interesting to compare the reports. You'll note that the report has now been expanded to include Ranch, Multi-Level and Condo/Villa single family residences. Ballwin, MO Market Watch 5/10/07Ballwin, MO Market Watch 9/07/07Ballwin is: CONTINUE READING   Tags: Ballwin+Missouri, St.+Louis+Real+Estate, Home+Buyers, Home+Sellers, Market+Watch, CMA   09/11/2007

 Successfully pricing homes in a shifting Ballwin Missouri Real Estate market.As a complement to our weekly Market Watch Report for the entire St. Louis County Real Estate Market, the St. Louis Home For Sale Team is highlighting an area of St. Louis County each week. This week we are taking a snapshot of the Ballwin, Missouri Real Estate Market.This report reviews the Ballwin Missouri Real Estate market during the past 6 months and features ranch homes that were listed and sold. For a detailed report specific to your property you can request a Comparative Market Analysis(CMA) from the St. Louis Home For Sale Team. This service is absolutely free and without obligation.Market Statistics for Ballwin, Missouri  05/11/2007