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!

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

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!

Sweet Storybook Tudor Cottage



 I smiled when I first saw the picture of this home...what's not to love?   We have several in Moberly, MO (where I'm from) that remind me of this.  See that brick sidewalk...gently curving toward the front door?  Oh, and I can hardly wait till spring, to start sprucing up the yard.  This gives us hope!  Now, let's take a peek inside...

love this white kitchen...

Here's another angle of the kitchen...would you add color?  What's your favorite for this kitchen?

I'd spend all my fair weather evenings out here...imagine having your friends over for cookouts, just enjoying life!

Well, it you're interested, it's for sale in Oakland, CA for only $699,000.  See the details here... http://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales/detail/180-l-932-4336986/storybook-cottage-oakland-ca-94610

The listing says it's a 1 BR 1 Bath with 3 square feet.  Did someone forget to proofread?  :)

Upside down cake

Do you ever come home from work and feel that everything's just "upside down" at home?  I mean, the dishes aren't done...no one's picked up after themselves... there's dirty laundry all over...the dog is loose?  And you're hungry, and no one's even offered to cook dinner?  I've certainly had those days (although we don't have a dog).   Now for those of you who know me, you know I like my life to be "in order."  Last week I watched my granddaughters while their parents took a much needed, well deserved trip away for several days. Although I had a memorable time with the girls, ages 5 1/2 and almost 3, I remember why God gives children to younger women!  We played and laughed and cuddled.  I became "the best" Grandma for those few days.  Ahh, grandchildren.  God's gift to grandparents. 

I wonder what it's like inside this "unique" home?  Looks like it "leans" a little...

Real Estate Investing has options

Many have made the transition from stock market investing to real estate.  But real estate investing is not for the faint of heart.  I've met some wanna-be landlords who fall prey to the "I don't have money for my kids' Christmas and can't pay the rent" saga.  Others let tenants move in with the "I promise to pay my deposit in 3 monthly installments."  You ought to sit down with me some time.  I have lots of stories to tell!  Some of them legal...

The biggest pitfall I've observed is renting to the first person who can fog a mirror.  Be sure to check out the potential tenant's references and credit history.  Maybe even go two landlords back - they have nothing to lose by telling you the truth.  The current landlord may want to get rid of them or else they'll be surprised to hear they've made an application with you.  I've known people who will even check with the local sherriff's department to see if the applicant has a history of passing bad checks.  All good things to check out.

But don't get me wrong...choosing the right property, and the right place and time can be a good investment.  I have learned lots of tips from working with investors through the years...There are some bargains out there with some foreclosures, but be sure you know what you're getting into.  Sometimes it may be worth more to pay more for a property with major improvements already in place.  It's hard to find those that only need carpet and paint...usually if it needs carpet and paint, it needs roofs replaced, ceilings repaired, frozen water lines repaired, etc.  You get the idea.  Working with a Realtor who knows the market can prove invaluable.  I'd love to teach you what I've learned!