The Perfect Thanksgiving Getaway...

...or, the perfect vacation home.

Located on Hideaway Island in the Noosa region of Australia’s Sunshine Coast is this house designed by local architect Frank Macchia.

The 4 bedroom / 4 bathroom house is currently for sale, and the agents at Richardson & Wrench will be auctioning off the house on January 10th, 2009.

Check out the listing with Richardson & Wrench - here.

Who Wants to Convert A Firehouse?

As a teenager, I always thought it would be awesome to convert a firehouse into a single residence. Specifically, the house at Lansdowne and Donovan next to what is now LeGrand's Market. My lack of real estate knowledge prohibited me from realizing, at the time, that I wouldn't need over 10,000 square feet, but even today, I still think you could do some remarkable things in coverting an old firehouse into several residential units.

The old firehouse at 2000 Washington is up for sale. It's right next door to the Sporting News lofts and The Tudor Lofts, and other recent developments. Too bad I don't have $900,000 laying around...

So, who does? Let's start rehabbing!

Now is the Time!!!

If you have been thinking about making a move, or buying your first residence, it's time to get off the sidelines. Rates dropped like a rock today!

Conventional, 30-year Fixed rate: 5.25%
FHA, 30-year fixed rate: 5.50%

All of the past FHA closings I have had in the past few months have been in the 6.75% to 7% range. 5.50% for FHA is absolutely unheard of!

Now is the time!

Drop me a line if you are ready to make the move!

Great New Listing in Florissant!

Brand new to the market! This beautifully maintained 2BR/1BA home is nestled on a quiet block in beautiful Florissant. As you approach the home you are welcomed by the covered porch to enjoy the evenings.

Once inside the sparkling hardwood will capture your attention and lead you through the living room & dining room, with beautiful custom paint and dazzling light fixtures.

The huge kitchen located in the back of the home boasts sprakling new appliances and light fixtures.

Down the hallway are the bedrooms, with fresh paint, sizable closets, and gorgeous hardwoods.

The lower level is adorned with a huge bar that makes it the perfect spot to entertain. A lower level office, family room or additional bedroom would be perfect in the basement.

Out back, a covered patio and permanent gas grill is perfect for lazy Sundays and backyard barbeques. Updated electric, plumbing, HVAC, siding, gutters, and soffits make this the perfect home to move right in and enjoy!

This home is being offered at $109,900. If you or anyone you know is interested, be sure to contact me!

I'm Back!

Geez, what a fiasco that was. Blogger locked my account, as I was suspected of being a "spam blog." How their robots decided that, I have no idea, but the blog review process took far longer than it should have.

I am back and better than ever!

Absolutely Ridiculous

The Shady Oak theater - which has sat vacant since 2000, when it closed its doors - is being demolished. You know what's coming next...

It's being torn down so that a parking lot can take its place.

Far too many buildings that possess charm and character are demolished in our city - and cities everywhere. Surely this building could have been been adapted for re-use.

The irony of it all: one of the reasons Shady Oak closed was because of lack of parking...

Check out the Post-Dispatch article

For Sale: The Sliver House by Boyarsky Murphy

Want to spend $1.66 million and move to London? The Sliver House that Boyarsky Murphy designed and built in Maida Vale for Geoff MacCormack (who was once a backup singer for David Bowie) is up for sale.

Check it out at The Modern House Estate Agents.

I Need Your Help! Vote For Me!

I have been nominated for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Top Real Estate Professional. BUT, I need your help to win!

You can vote once EVERYDAY, online until 12-31-08, at: http://www.stltoday.com/homes

In the upper hand right corner, there's a graphic that says "Does Your Real Estate Agent Rock? Vote for the 2008 Reader's Choice Top Agent." You DO have to register on the site to vote, but it's quick, easy and painless. Please help support me and vote everyday if you can. As the winner, I get the recognition, as well as $7500 worth of advertising with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch!!!!!

I can't win without your help!! Vote Daily!!

I greatly appreciate it!

Federal Reserve Cut Has Little Benefit For Mortgages

From Matt McHugh at The Private Bank:

As we have seen all year, when the Federal Reserve cuts it's benchmark Fed Funds rate as it did this past Wednesday bringing that rate to just 1.0%, mortgage rates rose slightly. Contrary to consumer expectations, these two lending rates are technically unrelated, although Fed cuts do have a larger impact on the economy which will eventually affect mortgage rates, we just can't be certain what that impact will be. Over a longer term (say several months) mortgage rates should mirror changes to Fed Funds rate, so we have reason to believethat lower mortgage rates are in our future.

It is interesting to note that the last time Fed Funds was at 1.0% was June 2004. The 30 year fixed rate was around 5.5% and the 3 year ARM was just 4.0%.

A second factor also contributed to this week's rise in mortgage rates. The federal government's takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in September left mortgage investors with the impression that there was explicit government backing of the debt and guarantees issued by Fannie and Freddie. Government officials have been sending mixed messages, however, raising some concern about whether the two companies really will have the long-term backing of the government. Due to the uncertainty, investors, particularly important foreign investors, have been reluctant to invest in Fannie and Freddie guaranteed mortgage backed securities. Yields required by mortgage backed security investors directly affect most mortgage rates. If the government were to unambiguously convince investors that it will stand behind Fannie and Freddie guarantees, then mortgage rates could be expected to move lower.