What does the color of your front door say about you?

The color of your front door can be a real attention-grabber... or not.

Sometimes an easy coat of fresh paint can make a difference in getting people through your front door when selling.

Front doors should be an accent color. In other words, they should be a strong, dramatic, bold shade.

Purple is a new color for me, but on this door, I think it works!  They say your front door color should not be repeated anywhere else on your house although I have seen some exceptions to that rule.

What do you think about red?  Red conveys passion, excitement, & energy!

I love this brownish-black door framed by the greenery.  Black projects power, strength, and authority.

Green projects health, tranquility,and harmony.

Blue conveys a place of refuge or retreat...

I'm not sure I can pick a favorite...maybe I'll paint my front door come spring!

Fascination Disney!

I had a wonderful opportunity last week to attend the National Association of Realtor's Convention & Expo in Orlando, FL!  Of course, I made a few new friends...

If I didn't know I was at a REALTOR conference, I'd swear they were just normal people!  All joking aside, it's fun to get away from the crowd back home and just learn and absorb new knowledge.  I was bound and determined to put this time to good use and I did.  So here's what I learned (among other things)--

Learned about a "fascination" technique...about making a good first impression during the first few seconds.  Our websites, especially our mobile websites have to capture someone's attention to keep them there.  This also pertains to greeting someone in person.   I remember this saying..."if them liking you was going to determine if your kids ate next week, would you greet them differently?"  Boy, we can all relate to this one!  I learned years ago to smile (or at least put a friendly look on your face) when you go anywhere, and people smile back at you! 

Every day is sunny...some days it just depends on the cloud cover.  That might be a good Facebook post! 

Learned some cool photo taking techniques.  It's odd that there are so many poor quality photos on our real estate sites these days...what with programs that can touch up your photos.  I always wonder if the seller is seeing their listing online and approving.  I learned how to have that blue sky in the background behind the house!  Pretty awesome stuff! 

I've learned that technology tools change frequently and to learn to use what works.  In 5 years we will probably rely on technologies that have yet to be invented!

We (at Advantage Real Estate) invest in technology to promote our listings in the best light...Would a Virtual Tour/Floor Plan help sell YOUR home?  We have had the opportunity to help put many buyers into a new place to call home that have told us it was BECAUSE of the floor plan/tour that they felt confident enough to purchase the home.  They got the support from loved ones back home, from their spouses deployed overseas, etc. 

Had some fun eating out too!  Went to a restaurant in Tampa (while visiting my sister) that was featured in "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives!"  Universal Studios one night too.  Always good to come back home!  There's no place like home!

Your chance to own a piece of history...Moberly, MO

 I had a wonderful opportunity years ago to help try to sell a turn of the century 3 story Victorian home in Moberly, MO.  It was used by a former owner as a bed and breakfast!  Built in 1876, there were lots of stories of it's past...there were rumors about an "underground tunnel" connecting the house to the former barn during slave days.  You see, Moberly was built around the railroad and being not far from the tracks, it makes sense that this could have happened.

Here's what the house looked like around the early 2000's.

 In 2008, when I listed it, the house had some deferred maintenance, but it was quite the showpiece still!  The property included 3.02 acres, a 40 x 40 detached shop (which I've heard a former owner used to run a carpet business out of his home).

This is what it looked like in 2008 when I listed it. 

Large w/ bay window. Closet has quaint transom
window. Wood burning fireplace.

 Third floor bedroom with custom crafted mahogany
 & tin tub - a favorite of guests!

12 ft ceiling, fireplace, operable pocket doors. The hutch was original
to the house and has bins instead of doors in the front.

Well, this owner had a series of unfortunate incidents happen, and much to her dismay, was not able to continue making payments to the bank.  As time went on, the roof leaked.  Yes it leaked from the third floor to the second floor to the first floor.  It was so sad watching this happen...The property was not sold.

Later, the house was foreclosed and more time passed, the roof leak worsened.  Black mold was throughout.  I was fortunate to have an interested buyer who hired a mold inspector from the big city.  They were not intimidated; this couple purchased the property with grand plans to restore the house to its former glory.


He installed a new roof, installed a drain system to prevent the basement from flooding when it rained, and began the process of removing the plaster and sheet rock (used to patch the plaster by former owners).  Much to his dismay, when removing the wall paper and wall coverings, the mortar pulled out from between the bricks!  You see, the gutters had not been properly maintained through the years, and water had not been drained away from the walls properly.

When the current owner removed the kitchen cupboards (as part of the mold remediation step), this is what the interior kitchen wall looks like.

You can see under the window where the bricks are no longer supported. 

View of kitchen wall from the outside. 

It's so sad to see a piece of history in this sad shape...

This is the former laundry room and main floor bathroom
outside the kitchen area. 

View of back of home today.

Now it's being sold once again, this time as a beautiful 3.02 building site.  The current owner considers the highest and best use to be to bull doze this property and start again.  There's a 40 x 40 detached garage/shop that is part of the sale.  Unless we find a history loving buff who has deep pockets and is able to restore this gem!

See it online for sale here:

http://www.flexmls.com/share/48pl/516-W-Urbandale-Dr.-Moberly-MO-65270

Gotta love those built-ins

I just love storage; you can never have enough.  My motto is that if you fill up the storage in your house to overflowing, maybe it's time for a garage sale!  LOL.  And that coming from a Realtor! 

Have you seen built-ins like this?  Or maybe YOUR house looks like this?

With some ingenuity and craftsmanship, wouldn't THIS look good in your living room?

I really love the baskets where the TV used to be...
Honey, what are you doing next weekend?  LOL!

Last weekend's project

Anyone who knows me knows I like to keep busy.  Well, I'm helping an out of state seller sell his home here in Moberly, and (with his permission), I put a fresh coat of deck stain on his deck.  Sure made it pop! 

It surprises me that people will pay top dollar for turn-key move-in homes, yet with an hour or two of work and minimal costs like paint, stain, new light fixtures, etc. those changes can really transform a home!

What projects are you looking at for Labor Day Weekend?

Is Renovating for You?

Have you ever wanted to renovate a house?  Take a look at this midwest cottage...the before's and after's are amazing.  My husband and I renovated a house once.  It's not for the faint of heart.  There's a lot of hard work that goes into it.  Especially if you work full time and do this on the side. 



This is the "before."  You can't see the forest from the trees...

I love it when I show houses to prospective buyers.  Most people I've learned will pay top dollar for a house that has been painted and updated, but even if it just needed a fresh coat of paint inside and a few light fixtures to be updated, many people have a hard time envisioning it.  Hmmm...it makes what you'll see in this next picture simply amazing!



This is what was behind that "forest!"  What do you think?  Wouldn't you love to live here?



Here's the living room "before."

and after!

Here's the dining room:


and now a much more pleasant place to dine...



You could make a few changes to the kitchen...


and turn it into something like this...



This makes it all seem so easy.  I think I'll go ask my husband to help me on a project at home...let's see if he is finished with his round of golf yet!  Enjoy your day!

How about living in a former firehouse?

San Francisco’s Firehouse 33 was in the business of fighting fires from 1896 to 1974. Up until 1921, it had two horses, a steamer, a Dalmatian and a rotating crew of firefighters. When bigger fire engines were built in the 1970s, Firehouse 33′s doors could not accommodate the wider girth and so, the original Firehouse 33 became obsolete and a new Firehouse 33 was built around the corner. A new family bought the firehouse and turned it into a home/business It has two bedroomss, two baths and 4,000 sq ft of space, plus interesting amenities such as the original redwood lockers the firemen used, lots of closet space, a garage that can fit six cars (and a firetruck, if you had one) and of course, a fire pole!

Wouldn't this be a fun way to come downstairs when dinner was served?

Looks like some awesome memorabilia here...

Unique Houses: Have you ever wanted to live on the Lake?

Unique Houses: Have you ever wanted to live on the Lake?: Have you ever wanted to live on the Lake? Well take a look at this unique home! It's been restored and updated for a modern lifestyle......

Have you ever wanted to live on the Lake?

Have you ever wanted to live on the Lake?  Well take a look at this unique home!  It's been restored and updated for a modern lifestyle...It sits on almost an acre at Holiday Acres Lake in Cairo, MO and you can make it yours for $259,950.  There's 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, an open living area with expansive decking. 

Here's the view of the lake.  You can use jet skis and a skidoo.  Or maybe a pontoon boat is more your style...

A gorgeous kitchen with most every conceivable amenity!  Awesome wood flooring that's immaculate!

An open living room which exits onto the deck and the sunroom (which leads to the screened in hot tub area...)

Here we're looking down from the master bedroom loft...

Imagine waking up to this view from your master bedroom window in the morning...

Located in a 4-season vacation land, you’ll get a world of quiet pleasures and glorious sunsets! Views from the upstairs master bedroom seem a part of the living space… the tranquil waters of Holiday Acres! This home has been thoughtfully planned to provide the ultimate lifestyle for those accustomed to the very best. You’ll love entertaining family & friends on the multi-level deck, the screened in area with hot tub or taking them for a spin on the lake. Dock is complete with slide, ladder,& boat slip. 3 car detached garage plus 24x20 storage building for your ''stuff!'' Seller says there is wooded acreage for association members to hunt on.

The "kids" will enjoy summer fun...bring on the BBQ!

For more information, Advantage Real Estate in Moberly, MO would love to tell you more.
Here's a link (until March 12, 2012). http://www.flexmls.com/link.html?wvnb6rxyni4,4,1
Or go to http://www.askadvantage.com/ and look under "virtual tour  317 Shoreline Drive." 

Unique Houses: Real Estate can be funny...

Unique Houses: Real Estate can be funny...: I'm learning that there's something funny about how other people live. Often times people simply like to come to open houses just for somet...

Real Estate can be funny...

I'm learning that there's something funny about how other people live.  Often times people simply like to come to open houses just for something to do...now they can "look" online! 

These folks have a few "pets," wouldn't you say?

And wouldn't the owner of this house just love to see her bra in the MLS photo?

The MLS description of this home said "light and airy."  Go figure!  Maybe it was decorated for Halloween?

And some people might call this a "kid-friendly" kitchen!

And the view from the upstairs window overlooking the pool and deck in the backyard...oops, never mind the owner trying to stay out of the way!

Yes, real estate can put a smile on my face...I love making a difference in people's lives!
Enjoy!

Your house...as seen by others!

 Have you ever wondered why your taxes are so high?

This is my house...or it could be :)

This is what a buyer would perceive my house to look like...

This may be how the lender perceives the house...

You've heard of the trouble with appraisals?  Well this is the value the appraiser might give...

And the tax assessor...wouldn't want to leave him out!

If you'd like to know the market value of your home in today's market in Moberly, MO, get in touch with me!