Have fun with this colorful indoor teepee

I remember when my kids were young, how they loved to make indoor "forts!"  Take a look at this weekend project that involves no sewing...

Wouldn't it be fun to read books, play with your toys (for the young at heart), or have an indoor sleepover inside this?  Here's what it looks like with Christmas lights strung inside the teepee.

Here's a link to making this...

The Handmade Home

I have a cute listing in Moberly with a similar idea...a "book nook!" 

Here's how the owner transformed a simple closet into a fun kids' corner...

I hope this spurs new ideas for you and your family!
Here's where you can see this in Moberly:  http://www.flexmls.com/share/5jSz/939-W-REED-St.-Moberly-MO-65270

Country at Heart?

I meet so many people who want a place in the country, but for some reason can't find what they are looking for.  Often times it's price related!  Let's face it, there's only so much of America that is available, and they aren't making any more.  It makes rural properties more of a commodity.

Well, check out this recently transformed home...

It's got a huge backyard with views of country in back.  Plenty of room for the kiddos to play...room for a large garden, and whatever you'd like to do (well almost!).

One of my favorite rooms is the kitchen...it's one of the largest kitchens I've seen in this price range.  Room for all the furniture you'd dream of putting there.  I'd probably have a little "den" setup here...or maybe a spot for the kids to do their homework, where you could keep an eye on them.  What would you do with all this space?

And stainless steel appliances are included!

My other favorite room is the master bedroom...you could change your bedroom furniture around on all the walls!  It's HUGE!  Plus a very large walk in closet.  And did I forget to mention the nicely refinished wood floors?  Immaculate!

Here's a floor plan image of the main level, the office could be a small bedroom if you'd like. Upstairs are two bedrooms and another bathroom.

 Here's the transformed bathroom.  A nice cedar lined linen closet too...

The living room ...

If you'd like to see more, here's the listing:  http://www.flexmls.com/share/5dze/700-ST-CHARLES-St.-Moberly-MO-65270

Thanks for stopping by!

Love all that natural light...

Oh...do you love those "older" homes all fixed up?  Well, check this one out...

It's had a facelift on the inside with new floors, walls, ceilings...
Here's what greets you when you first walk in...

 Then the dining room is next

This set of windows really makes the rooms come "alive!"

 Love the quaint kitchen which opens up to the rest of the house as well as the back deck.

Here's the downstairs master bedroom with lots of light.

Upstairs there are two bedrooms with dormer style ceilings...both have good sized walk in closets!

What little girl wouldn't love this window seat in her room? (and storage cubbies under the pillows)

This main level office area with stairs to the upper level.

This is the entrance to what the owner's call the "book nook."

Here's what's inside at the top of the stairs...

A great area to relax and watch the family fun from the back deck...

Interested in more information?  Here's the listing... http://www.flexmls.com/share/5bhh/939-W-REED-St.-Moberly-MO-65270

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!