Remaking the American Dream

Perhaps you've been on the sidelines for some time now...living in an apartment or with your relatives.  It may have been six years or so since you encountered the big "F" word with regard to your home (foreclosure).   

I'm here to tell you there's hope! 

There's others out there in similar situations as you may be, and hopefully you've been working on rebuilding your credit and saving up for a downpayment.  I've learned in my brief life that most everyone has something in their credit story that they aren't proud of...that they don't want the world to know.  So you're not alone out there.  What matters is that you make positive changes and don't go back to what put you in the situation that caused you to hit rock bottom.  That is, if it's within your range of possibility.  In some situations it may not. 

If you haven't yet looked into Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, I'd highly recommend  signing up for his class, either online or in person if it's offered in your area.  The cost for materials is $89 plus shipping, but his teachings will revolutionize your financial life, that is, if you want to make positive changes for living within your means.  www.daveramsey.com/fpu



The rest of the "hope" story is that there are loans out there with as little as 3.5% down payment once you are 3 years out of foreclosure (and sometimes 2 years, depending on the circumstances).    You need a REALTOR who can walk you through the steps...it's a step-by-step process to prepare for the day you can return to the market.  You've been hearing about others getting their "good deals."   

To prepare for the day you can re-enter the market, keep paying down your debts, pay your bills on time, save money and watch the market.  Your local REALTOR will guide you through the steps to getting you pre-approved for your next place to call HOME.

Fascination Moberly

I've always been fascinated by renovated homes from the 1920's...

There's a mix of open areas between the living room/dining room

There’s a mix of both open, awe-inspiring spaces and cozy, intimate ones.

But my favorite part is the kitchen, completely renovated from top to bottom!

Check out the tin ceiling in the kitchen...

The owners love the respite of this screened in porch with updated slate tile...it's a favorite place to sip their favorite beverage after a long day!

Speaking of favorite places, who wouldn't love to take a shower in this updated bathroom?

Check out the floor plan and virtual tour for this quaint home, compliments of Advantage Real Estate:  http://www.flexmls.com/share/61m9/21-WINDSOR-Place-Moberly-MO-65270

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!