4 Reasons Homes Sell During the Holidays

by Chuck Roper 17. December 2018 04:33

It may surprise you to learn that the holidays are a good time to sell a home.  Holiday buyers are enthusiastic and emotional; they are serious buyers, less distracted by busy work schedules.  We find that buyers are motivated by the prospect of beginning a new year in a new home.  Consider these reasons:

 

#1. Year-end corporate transfers 

Corporate transferees schedule home buying trips over the holidays.  

 

#2   Buyers have time off work  

The reality is that when work commitments slow down around the holidays, buyers look online.  Holiday buyers have a sense of urgency to write an acceptable offer before the end of the year.    

 

#3   Homes look their best 

There is nothing like an abundance of lights, a fire in the hearth, the smell of fresh pine and a festive atmosphere to make a home look its best.  As long as it’s not overdone, holiday décor makes a house warm and inviting, which appeals to buyer emotions.

 

#4   Less Competition

Inventory is lower over the holidays; sellers face less competition; and serious buyers are quicker to make a strong offer.   

How to Sell a Historic Home

by Chuck Roper 29. November 2018 00:31


For some unique luxury buyers and sellers, the history of a house or property plays an important role in their home search. But, finding a real estate agent who knows how to navigate the historic housing market can be equally as important—if not more. Experienced Janet McAfee luxury real estate agent, Kevin Hurley, shares his advice about how best to sell an historic luxury home.


Is there anything luxury sellers should do before deciding to list?

I think the key for anyone selling a home, and especially an historic home, is to make sure the house is in great condition. Luxury buyers are critical buyers and expect a certain level of condition and presentation.


In the end, luxury homes are significantly different from most listings in that you must make a significant time investment to document the heritage, detail amenities and updates, and address lifestyle considerations.


What are luxury buyers looking for in historic homes?

I mostly list historic homes in the Central West End near Forest Park. There, buyers looking at one-hundred-year-old homes or older are generally looking for architectural integrity. They're looking for homes that have been well-maintained, updated to a certain degree and also enjoy a good location.


The West End that has a limited amount of these unique homes which are impossible to replicate. So, it's a very special buyer—one who likes history but enjoys today’s modern amenities.


What kind of updates are luxury buyers looking for in the Central West End?

Kitchens and bathrooms. More specifically, an updated master bath is typically the first thing on the list. But for the most part, they just want a home that’s in good condition because they’re buying these homes for the historic details and often have the resources to customize the updates.


Tell us about a recent luxury sale that you have made. How did it sell?

First of all, you have to have professional photography because that's how a home is first presented to a potential buyer. Then, it’s important to have good marketing materials, brochures, etc., especially because these are very complicated, extensive listings.


Luckily, I've lived in an historic house in the West End. I’m well-aware of both what people's concerns are and what attracts people in the area. It’s important to counsel potential buyers about those considerations.


Is there anything unique about the way homes in your area sell? How do your clients find you?

I've lived in the West End for 40 years.  I have a network of agents who regularly call to ask questions about my listed homes and see if there is anything else coming up. I place print advertising in the West End Word, I promote my listings on social media and I send out postcards of newly-listed and just sold properties. This helps solidify my reputation in an area.


I have former neighbors who refer me to clients with interests in the area. I am lucky because I've been in that specific area for quite some time which helps because I can keep my eye out and reach out to people when I know something’s coming up.



Are you looking to buy or sell a luxury home? At, Janet McAfee our real estate agents are seasoned experts in selling luxury homes. From how to research the value and market your home to helping stage for specific buyers, our luxury clients truly reap the rewards of working with a Janet McAfee agent—and you can, too!

Thankful for these 5 Kitchen Luxuries

by Chuck Roper 19. November 2018 08:31

With Thanksgiving feast fast approaching, which kitchen appliances are you

most thankful for? Here are a few luxuries which would make any cook

happy.

1. Warming Drawer – With oven space at a premium, what better solution

for keeping our favorite recipes deliciously fresh and warm?

2. Wine Refrigerator – This saves me from running down to the basement

every time we need to open a new bottle.

3. Task Lighting – When guests arrive and naturally want to congregate

in the kitchen, I can dim overhead fixtures and pendants while still having

light to work.

4. Glass Washer Drawer – A true convenience eliminating long nights spent

hand washing delicate stemware.

5. Recycle Cabinets – The easiest way to separate waste from recyclables.

What’s on your wish list for best kitchen appliance?

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

-Janet

What Constitutes Luxury?

by Chuck Roper 30. July 2018 09:03

If there’s one thing I’ve learned all these years as a luxury Realtor, is “Luxury” means something unique to each of us.  Luxury is personal.  

•  Luxury = Lifestyle.  Luxury buyers are inspired by amenities which enhance the home experience.  Lifestyle seekers are excited by outdoor kitchens, breathtaking pools and spas, wine tasting rooms, whole house media systems and over the top master closets. 

•  Luxury = Smart.  Technology has introduced a whole new landscape of luxury features for savvy home buyers.   Temperature controlled wine cellars, variable speed air conditioners and window glass which goes from clear to opaque are features which motivate this buyer.  Does our future include A.I. devices in every room?

•  Luxury = Aesthetic.  Buyers are seeking exceptional design and exclusivity.   Architectural provenance is important for the buyer looking for historic significance.  Haute home interiors include hand crafted draperies and authentic wall murals, which cannot be replicated.

What does luxury mean to you?   

-Janet Horlacher

Is the Market Heating Up?

by Chuck Roper 25. June 2018 06:54

Is the real estate market as HOT as our temperatures have been?  Every month, we monitor key statistics for all homes in our MLS as well as specific geographies.  Here’s a snapshot of all homes in the MLS this year through May 31, 2018 compared to last year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Closed Sales Dollar Volume          Up 6.5% 

Average Sold Price                       Up 4.3%

 

Average Days on Market               Down 3.6%

% List Price to Sale Price              Up .4%

 

New Listings                                Up 1.2%

Available Listings                         Down 3.6%

 

Our collection of fine listings has never been better. 

 

Janet Horlacher

Top St. Louis Communities to Live In

by Chuck Roper 26. June 2017 10:33

 

 

People move to different areas for a variety of reasons. St. Louis is unique in the fact it is home to many communities that appeal to different interests and walks of life. Each suburb and community has distinctive features that appeal to foodies, artists, outdoorsmen and women, and sports enthusiasts. Join us as we take a tour of the Top Communities in St. Louis!

 

 

 

CHESTERFIELD - If shopping is your bag, Chesterfield is the place for you. With new construction going up all the time and businesses moving in at a rapid pace, Chesterfield shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, there are over 4,000 total services with a number of shopping malls and outlets, including Taubman Prestige Outlets. You would think that they are all play and no work because of this… but you’d be wrong! The community has a 96% high school graduation rate! The houses range in price and style from colonial to craftsman to farmhouse. All of these features combined make this a big draw for growing families. Click to learn more and see houses in this area!

Link: http://www.janetmcafee.com/chesterfield-real-estate

 

 

 

CLAYTON - Everyone in St. Louis knows about Clayton, and for good reason. This historic community is known as being in the center of it all.  It’s less than 10 miles from downtown St. Louis, two miles from the St. Louis Art Museum and St. Louis Zoo, and sports easy access to many highways as well as the Metrolink. Not to mention, Clayton has so much to offer right within the community. You can sample more than 80 restaurants (Foodies, take note!) and walk to high-end boutiques and art galleries easily. If you like to live the luxurious life, this is the place for you. Click to learn more and see houses in this area!

Link: http://www.janetmcafee.com/clayton-real-estate

 

 

BALLWIN - Family fun is right outside your door in Ballwin. Many young families have been getting their start in Ballwin. They sport the massive North Pointe Family Aquatic Center, a number of parks for hiking and outdoor fun (Queeny Park, Lone Elk Park, and Castlewood State Park), and multiple golf clubs (Ballwin Golf Course and the Meadowbrook Country Club). To match the large number of recreational activities, the neighborhoods sport a variety of housing styles including craftsman, colonial, and ranch. Not to mention, you can typically get a lot of house for a good price. Click to learn more and see houses in this area!

Link: http://www.janetmcafee.com/ballwin-real-estate

 

 

WEBSTER GROVES - Historical architecture and rows upon rows of trees welcome you when you enter Webster Groves. Cottage, colonial, craftsman, and bungalow style homes are the most common in these quiet neighborhoods that surround Webster University. Webster Groves also boasts one of the best school districts in St. Louis and the 38-acre Blackburn Park (featuring a bird sanctuary, tennis courts, trails, and picnic areas), though you pay a little more for these amenities in taxes. In addition, various community events are held throughout the year such as the weekly Farmer’s Market and a Fourth of July firework display that may very be the second best next to the famous downtown firework show. Click to learn more and see houses in this area!

Link: http://www.janetmcafee.com/webster-groves-real-estate

 

 

KIRKWOOD - The high school rivalry between Webster Groves and Kirkwood is legendary, but it might be because these neighboring communities share many similarities. Kirkwood also sports a college (St. Louis Community College Meramec), lovely yards and trees, a Farmer’s Market, and a quiet neighborhood feel consisting of ranch, Victorian, and charming craftsman houses. What is unique is the still functional historic train station, and the famous Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park! Quiet, quaint, and classic. Click to learn more and see houses in this area!

Link: http://www.janetmcafee.com/kirkwood-real-estate

 

 

 

BRENTWOOD - Experience the feel of a small town, while still having Downtown St. Louis just 9 miles away. Brentwood and the neighboring Maplewood community make for a double dose of fun that appeals to families and young couples who enjoy shopping and nearby restaurants and breweries. Historic farmhouse, colonial, and craftsman style homes surround Memorial and Brentwood Park (which is home to a fabulous Summer Concert Series). Brentwood High School also has an astounding 96% high school graduation rate. Although it might not be the first community that comes to mind when you think of St. Louis, Brentwood acts as a little known secret that’s central to many parts of the city and county. Click to learn more and see houses in this area!

 

Link: http://www.janetmcafee.com/brentwood-real-estate

Who is Buying Our Luxury Listings?

by Chuck Roper 9. June 2017 07:46

This month we focus on marketing strategies for luxury listings, which we define as properties over $1 million.  As the recognized leader in this segment, the Janet McAfee reach is extensive, selling the finest homes in St. Louis County, St. Louis City, St. Charles and Franklin County (home of St. Albans Country Club).   You may be surprised to learn there are 356 listings over $1 million, and out of these, 66 have accepted offers to purchase.  So, who is searching for million dollar homes and what are they looking for?

Our Luxury Portfolio International website reaches 3 million high net worth visitors annually.  Among those planning to purchase a luxury home:

  ·         95% are homeowners

·         Average age is 36 years

·         97% are college educated

·         Average household income is $372,000

·         57% own a second home

 What is the affluent buyer looking for and how do we engage them?  Again, we draw upon our past experiences through years of marketing to this segment.

 

 1.       Lead with Brand Names.  Luxury buyers need to be convinced of quality in order to justify paying the high price.  Marketing brochures and special feature sheets include the names of architects, designers, high end appliances, uniquely sourced fixtures, cabinetry designers and craftsmen.  Luxury brands are important to luxury buyers.

 

2.       Invest in the Best Photography.  Technology has allowed us to present luxury homes with exquisite high definition images, twilight photograph, soaring aerial shots, drone videos and intricate floor plans.  The first property viewing is virtual, so the online representation must be absolutely flawless in order to bring them across the threshold.

 

 3.       Advertising should present an Inspired Lifestyle.  Buyers are looking to enhance their lifestyle, not be inundated with a tedious list of every factoid you can think up.  Our job is to show prospective buyers the experience of living in the home and how the amenities will enhance their lives.

 

 4.       Tell the Home's Unique Story.  Many historic and architecturally significant listings have remarkable histories about former residents who shaped St. Louis.   For a newer home, it could be a story about choices made during the construction or why a specific architectural element was selected.

 

 5.       Place Advertising to Reach Affluent Buyers.  Yes, it’s true that active buyers are all looking on line.  But, people are ALSO reading the Wall Street Journal, coffee table magazines and society pages.  It’s surprising how often someone, who is not actively looking to move will become a motivated buyer after seeing the right property in a beautiful ad.

 

 6.       Please, please DON’T “Test the Water” with your introductory price.  Affluent buyers are not stupid.  Yes, you may attract a wealthy Californian, but they are still going to do their homework and analyze comparable home sales.  They are not going to waste their valuable time going to see a listing which is overpriced and out of their price point.  Luxury buyers demand a good value and they’re not afraid to pay for it.

 

 

Janet Horlacher

Principal, Janet McAfee Real Estate

 

Exclusive member of Luxury Portfolio International

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