What masks clothes do I wear today? Masks are a funny thing and can, at times, make us feel very uncomfortable.  While at other times we get very comfortable wearing them, and we forget that we have them on. Several months ago I was going through my normal routine of reading and commenting on my friends blogs when I read a post or two that gave me reason to ask the question that is the title of this post. The first post that I read was Leesa Finley's post titled "I've got a Vibe - How about You?"  In her post Leesa talks about her job and her dress and where she fits.  Then I read good ole JL Boneys' post titled "Do You Look The Part" where he is talking about wearing a coat and tie suit 7 days a week to work and looking like a REALTOR®.  Gee, I wonder if he lists and sells REO or Forec... 03/07/2009

Why should I buy a home now? The reasons are as numerous as there are homeowners.  And I am equally sure that you will have some of your own.  So let me add just a couple more to your list. 1.   You are busting at the seams in your current home. 2.   Homes are cheaper today than they were a couple of years ago.  This is true but this will not continue to happen at some point they will begin to rise. 3.   Homes are a safer investment than the stock market.  I know, I know, home prices have dropped but, stock prices are falling even faster. 4.   Homes are a great tax shelter.  As a homeowner you have the opportunity to write off the interest on your mortgage. 5.   Real estate is finite.  It is here today and it will be here tomorrow and one thing is fore sure, they ain't making anymore of... 03/06/2009

Want to Chop, Slice and Dice Like the Professionals? March 24, 6:30-8:30pm we will have Chef Lauren here to do a presentation on Knife Skills--Reservations must be made in advance. They need 10 to hold the class. Price $15.00 and includes a welcome glass of wine and snacks. Chef Lauren will be making Panini's with the food she cuts up. She has asked that if you want hand's on experience that you bring your own knife(s) and cutting board for legal reasons.     In a Celebration of Spring Vintner’s Cellar will be hosting a Candlelight Gourmet Wine Dinner with Premier Catering April 4 at 6:30pm For those of you that have had Premiers wonderful dinners, you will not want to miss 'The Premiere Experience'! Bring your friends and share in this awesome celebration. Entree choices include Filet... 03/06/2009

Residential homes (including condos/villas) sold in O'Fallon, MO 2/1/08 - 2/28/08 : Minimum, Average, Maximum    Days On Market Analysis    Listing Price\Selling Price Residential homes (including condos/villas) sold in O'Fallon, MO 2/1/ 09 - 2/28/09:  Minimum, Average, Maximum    Days On Market Analysis    Listing Price\Selling Price Information courtesy of the MLS.  It is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Service you Expect from a Realtor you can Trust! GRI, e-PRO www.SelectMyHome.net   314-640-7061 (cell)   Prudential Alliance, REALTORS   636-887-3554 (office) Debi.Ernst@PrudentialAlliance.com 03/05/2009

Market statistics for the city of OFallon MO during the week of 02/22/09 – 02/28/09 The city of O’Fallon MO has a great selection of homes at really good prices and interest rates are at a great level too.  There are currently 539 homes on the market of various sizes and prices.  Check out O Fallon MO when looking for a new home for selection, style and price.  If you have been waiting for the right time now is the right time for real estate in OFallon MO.  With interest rates being at an all time low and the $8,000 tax incentive available now is a good time to buy a new home. Residential:           2 Bedrooms 3 Bedrooms 4 Bedrooms 5+ Bedrooms Active # Homes 30 257 235 17 Avg. List Price $155,075 $210,367 $300,798 $497,617 Avg. Days on Market 126 167 209 151           # Pending Home Sa... 03/04/2009

O Fallon MO, Vintners Cellar and MealThymes is doing it again....... MealThymes, a personal chef service in St. Charles County, Missouri is pleased to announce the newest culinary demonstration and class at Vintners Cellars in O'Fallon: Knife Skills - Fun and Safety in the Kitchen Date:  Tuesday, March 24, 2009 Time:  6:30pm Where:  Vintners Cellar, 973 Waterbury Falls, O Fallon, MO Your kitchen knives are your best tools in the kitchen. Come learn the same techniques the professionals use to prepare meals. We will cover all the basic cuts, some shortcuts to chopping and dicing, as well as how to sharpen and protect your knives, what to look for in a knife and resources for purchasing. If you would like a little hands-on assistance with your knives, please bring your own knives and a cu... 03/03/2009

Hey Don would ya watch my business? I was asked this question this week by an agent in the office.  He and his wife are going to go to Las Vegas for the coming week and attend the RE/MAX Convention.  Well of course I will Mr. Agent, I'd be glad to. Well today is day one and I am here to tell you that real estate agents do WEIRD things and I am talking about me only.  So, if story relates to someone you may know please understand that I am not going to apologize, we share something very special.  I was asked to take out one of this agents' clients and all I had to do is meet them at, of all places, the parking lot of Bass Pro Shop.  Hmmmmmmm   She will be driving a Black Honda Prelude!!!   So, here I am it's Sunday afternoon and I am staring at a Bass Pro store and 10,000 of their best c... 03/01/2009

Market statistics for the city of OFallon MO during the week of 02/15/09 – 02/21/09 The city of O’Fallon MO has a great selection of homes at really good prices and interest rates are at a great level too.  There are currently 499 homes on the market of various sizes and prices.  Check out O Fallon MO when looking for a new home for selection, style and price.  If you have been waiting for the right time now is the right time for real estate in OFallon MO.  With interest rates being at an all time low and the $8,000 tax incentive available now is a good time to buy a new home. Residential:           2 Bedrooms 3 Bedrooms 4 Bedrooms 5+ Bedrooms Active # Homes 26 235 221 17 Avg. List Price $154,896 $212,970 $305,356 $506,176 Avg. Days on Market 144 170 219 146           # Pending Home Sa... 02/25/2009

First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit……. As a home buyer in O’Fallon MO I am sure that you have heard a lot about the first time homebuyer tax credit and may have questions about what may be available to you. This tax credit for first-time home buyers was modified in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009.  The table below shows the modifications/changes* that were made to the original act of April 9, 2008.   FEATURE CREDIT AS CREATED JULY 2008 APPLIES TO ALL QUALIFIED PURCHASES ON OR AFTER APRIL 9, 2008 REVISED CREDIT- EFFECTIVE FOR PURCHASES ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2009 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2009 Amount of Credit Lesser of 10 percent of cost of home or $7,500 Maximum credit amount increased  to $8,000 Eligible Property An... 02/24/2009

Confirm Your Winnings!!!I have done it again, I have won another huge amount of money and I didn't even have to signup all I had to have was a presence on the web.  I must be the absolute luckiest person in the world.  Now my dilemma is whether or not to claim this wonderful prize.  You know with the market being down maybe I should go ahead and claim it.  It is worth $500,000.00 and it does look so official and all.  Not to mention it is a lump sum payment too.  Hmmmmm this is really tempting.  What do you think? We are happy to inform you that you have emerged a winner in the Sponsor Bingo Lottery new year promotion. Winners were picked by computerised system drawn from companies and individuals e-mail addresses worldwide. The draw was officially announced on 20th February, 2009.You h... 02/22/2009

A Friday Morning Sunrise in O Fallon MO........ I am not normally a romantic, for that matter I am not to sure many men are.  Although I do think that we could find a couple here in the Rain. That being said yesterday morning as I was driving in to the office, around 6am, these images begged me to capture them.   02/21/2009

O Fallon MO and St. Charles County MO Did You Know? F & M Bank and Trust Co. will be presenting a program titled "The Road to Home Ownership".  The program is scheduled for Saturday February 28th from 10am to 11:30am and will be held at the Residence Inn by Marriott located at 101 Progress Point.  The presentation will cover topics ranging from determining if you can afford to buy a home to the loan closing.  The purchase process will be addressed as well as what lenders need to see from you and how to obtain your credit report.  They will also have food and beverages for those that are attending.  F&M Bank does request that you call and make reservations no later than February 26th and the number to call is 636-379-3426. After attending the program and you are wondering what homes are ... 02/20/2009

Market statistics for the city of OFallon MO during the week of 02/08/09 – 02/14/09 The city of O’Fallon MO has a great selection of homes at really good prices and interest rates are at a great level too.  There are currently 490 homes on the market of various sizes and prices.  Check out O Fallon MO when looking for a new home for selection, style and price.  If you have been waiting for the right time now is the right time for real estate in OFallon MO.  With interest rates being at an all time low and the $7,500 tax incentive available now is a good time to buy a new home. Residential:           2 Bedrooms 3 Bedrooms 4 Bedrooms 5+ Bedrooms Active # Homes 27 229 217 17 Avg. List Price $158,583 $206,975 $305,342 $529,417 Avg. Days on Market 139 170 221 148           # Pending Home Sa... 02/16/2009

Home Sellers Is The Interior Of Your Home Ready For the Spring Home Buying Season? I have just finished a blog post talking about the exterior of the sellers' home.  As the weather begins to warm there are more buyers driving around looking for the perfect home in the perfect area, or as close as they can get to either of these.  So now you have done everything that you can to improve the "curb appeal" of your home and all is sparkling outside BUT what about the interior.  Once the buyer walks thru your front door what will they find?  Once they walk in to your home they will be looking at several things.  Some are obvious while others may not.  Let's look at 8 areas that buyers will notice and see how you measure up. Buyers take special notice of light and bright homes.  Buy high inten... 02/14/2009

Sellers are you ready for the Spring home buyers in O Fallon MO? It doesn't matter if you are selling a home in O Fallon Missouri or Fairbanks, Alaska.  When Spring is here so are the buyers and they are all doing the same thing.  They are searching online for a home and then they will drive by the homes that have caught their eye online.  So is the exterior of your home eye candy or something less than?  I am not sure when Spring comes to Fairbanks but I do know that Spring will be here in O Fallon Missouri real soon.  When the weather is warm folks want to get out.  So if you are thinking about selling your home here are a few ideas on how to improve your homes' "curb appeal".              Keep your lawn cut and edged.  Trim trees and shrubs, removing all dead limbs and debris.  Add c... 02/14/2009

Market statistics for the city of OFallon MO during the week of 02/01/09 – 02/07/09 The city of O’Fallon MO has a great selection of homes at really good prices and interest rates are at a great level too.  There are currently 507 homes on the market of various sizes and prices.  Check out O Fallon MO when looking for a new home for selection, style and price.  If you have been waiting for the right time now is the right time for real estate in OFallon MO.  With interest rates being at an all time low and the $7,500 tax incentive available now is a good time to buy a new home. Residential:           2 Bedrooms 3 Bedrooms 4 Bedrooms 5+ Bedrooms Active # Homes 32 240 218 17 Avg. List Price $176,525 $208,290 $302,679 $530,358 Avg. Days on Market 225 174 217 142           # Pending Home Sa... 02/10/2009

Residential homes ( including condos/villas) sold in O'Fallon, MO 1/1/08 - 1/31/08: Minimum, Average, Maximum    Days On Market Analysis    Listing Price\Selling Price Residential homes (including condos/villas) sold in O'Fallon, MO 1/1/09 - 1/31/09: Minimum, Average, Maximum    Days On Market Analysis    Listing Price\Selling Price Information courtesy of the MLS.  It is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Service you Expect from a Realtor you can Trust! GRI, e-PRO www.SelectMyHome.net   314-640-7061 (cell)   Prudential Alliance, REALTORS   636-887-3554 (office) Debi.Ernst@PrudentialAlliance.com  02/10/2009

So, Active Rain what have you done for me lately? As I was reading through my favorite writers this morning I came across a blog post by Richard Weisser titled A new real estate trend ... SELLERS are calling agents they find on the Internet! in which the point was raised that it is now the sellers that are checking out agents before listing or even changing companies when their listings expire.  This is an interesting point because up until now it has been the buyers that have done the searching for homes and agents online.  Now we are seeing that sellers are doing their "Home" work on line.  So let me ask you a very simple question, What are you doing with your on-line presence?  Are you giving potential clients what they want and need or are you just signed up and hoping that somethin... 02/10/2009

Two Wonderful Evenings at Vintners Cellar in O Fallon MO... As many of you know Vintners Cellar is one of my most favorite places to visit and next week they are featuring two enjoyable evenings however seating is limited and I would suggest that you call now to make sure that you have a seat or two. Tuesday evening February 10, 2009 starting at 6:30pm there will be a Culinary Demo with Chef Lauren a personal chef who so happens to own Meal Thyme will be there demonstrating how to make your own pasta and sauce.  The cost is $15.00 per person and includes recipes, welcome glass of wine, munchies and sampling the pasta and sauce.   Wednesday evening February 11, 2009 starting at 6:30pm come out and enjoy a Vintners Cellar Romantic Valentines Dinner.  They are featuring a romantic and quie... 02/06/2009

The Charter for the City of O Fallon MO ......... Has been completed after much work and it is up to the citizens of O'Fallon to approve it.  Oh, you haven't read it yet or even knew that it was going on the April ballot?  That's alright you may view it at http://www.ofallon.mo.us/pubs/charter/charter_draft.pdf OR you can read it at City Hall. There is also the opportunity to read the proposed charter at one of the three libraries in O'Fallon, Middendorf Krendell 2750 Highway K or Deer Run  1300 North Main Street or Library Express at Winghaven. So go out and read it and take the time to REGISTER to VOTE.  Then on April 7, 2009 go to the polls and VOTE.  02/06/2009