In a recent Ladue News Charity Awards Section, Staff Writer Julia Christensen profiled The Mission Continues as a 2014 finalist.  The Ladue News also recognized Janet McAfee Real Estate Agent Steve Johnson for his outstanding contribution to the organization.  A copy of the feature on Steve follows:

The Mission Continues Volunteer

Steve Johnston

Starting Today, April 29th thru May 27th we will be offering a chance to win 2 free Cardinals Tickets.  The Sweepstakes is exclusively through Facebook.  "Like" our Facebook page and you could win 2 Tickets to the May 30th game, with access to the Legends Club. "Share" our contest with your friends/followers and receive one bonus entry every time you have a friend enter the Sweepstakes.

Official Rules described below.

Follow the link below to go straight to our Facebook Page for your chance to win.  

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Janet-McAfee-Real-Estate/178891233395

 St. Louis Cardinals Tickets Sweepstakes

Official Rules

1.  NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN.  A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR ODDS OF WINNING.  SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND MUNICIPLA LAWS AND REGULATIONS.  VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

2.  Eligibility.  Subject to the additional restrictions below, the “St. Louis Cardinals Tickets Sweepstakes” is open to legal U.S. residents  of the City of St. Louis, Missouri and the following counties: St. Louis County; MO, St. Louis City, MO; Phelps, MO; Reynolds, MO; Jefferson, MO; Franklin, MO; St. Charles, MO; Warren, MO; Lincoln, MO; Pike, MO; Gasconade, MO; Crawford, MO; Washington, MO; Iron, MO; St. Francois, MO; St. Genevieve, MO; Perry, MO; Bollinger, MO; Madison, MO; Wayne, MO; Butler, MO; Carter, MO; Dent, MO; Camden, MO; Marles, MO; Cole, MO; Montgomery, MO; Audrain, MO; Monroe, MO; Shelby, MO; and Marion MO who are 21 years of age or older at the time of entry.  Employees, spouses of employees and dependents of employees are not eligible to enter or to win.  Agents, spouses of Agents and dependents of Agents are not eligible to enter or to win.  Individuals are eligible to win only one prize within any 365-day period, regardless of the number of Sponsor Sweepstakes entered. 

3.  How to Enter.  The contest will begin at 11:00 a.m. (C.T.) on Tuesday April 29, 2014 and end at 11:00 a.m. (C.T.) on Tuesday May 27, 2014 (the “Contest Period”).

4. Entry.  Enter by visiting Janet McAfee’s Facebook page at website https://www.facebook.com/pages/Janet-McAfee-Real-Estate/178891233395.You will be required to “Like” our Facebook page, with the option of “sharing” with Facebook friends and followers.  Promotion may not be shared with or posted to Timelines.  Completing all of the required information and following all posted instructions.  Complete the entry form and any other required fields and then submit your entry by clicking on the “SEND” button.  Your computer must accept cookies, or any successor or similar technology, which may be used for the purpose of entry tracking.  Ad blocking software on your computer needs to be disabled so that it doesn’t interfere with processing your entry.

Multiple entrants are not permitted to share the same email address or Facebook ID.  The authorized account holder of the email address submitted at the time of entry will be considered the entrant.  An “authorized account holder” shall mean the natural person assigned to such e-mail account by the Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with such e-mail account.  A potential winner may be requested to provide proof that he or she is the authorized account holder of the email address associated with a winning entry.  Sponsor will not be responsible for incomplete, lost, last, misdirected or illegible entries.  All entries become property of Sponsor and none will be returned.  By entering, you agree to the terms of these official rules and to receive e-mails from Sponsor.

Entries limited to only one (1) email address entry per person during the Sweepstakes Period.  One bonus entry will be awarded every time you have a friend enter the Sweepstakes.

Entries must be received by 10:59 a. m. (C.T.) on Tuesday May 27, 2014.

4. Winner Selection.  One (1) winner will be selected by the end of the “Sweepstakes Period” in a random drawing from all eligible entries received as of 10:59 a. m. (C. T.) on Tuesday May 27, 2014.

5. Prizes and Odds.  The winner will receive two (2) “Legends-Club” tickets to the St. Louis Cardinals Game (ARV: $200) on May 30, 2014 at 7:15 p.m. (C.T.).

6.  Winner notification and Acceptance.  The winner will be notified at the email address provided on the winner’s entry form.  The winner must respond to the Sponsor’s notification by email within 24 hours after notification.  Failure to respond to Sponsor’s email notification or return of email prize notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and an alternate winner may be selected from among all remaining eligible entries.  After verification of eligibility, the identity of the winner will be announced on Facebook.  To claim prize, each winner must personally visit the Sponsor’s office at 9889 Clayton Road, Ladue MO 63124 within two (2) business days after notification (office visits must be between the hours of 9:00 a.m. (C.T.) and 5:00 p.m. (C.T.) weekdays).  Valid photo identification will be required by Sponsor.  Winners may waive their right to receive prizes.  Prizes are not assignable and are nontransferable.  Prize is not redeemable for cash.  No substitutions allowed by winner.  Winners are solely responsible for reporting and payment of any taxes on prizes.  Prizes not won and claimed by eligible winners in accordance with these Official Rules will not be awarded and will remain the property of Sponsor.

7. Participation.  By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decision of Sponsor. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify persons found to be tampering with or otherwise abusing any aspect of this Sweepstakes as solely determined by Sponsor.  In the event the Sweepstakes is compromised by a virus, non-authorized human intervention, tampering or other causes beyond the reasonable control of Sponsor which corrupts or impairs the administration, security, fairness or proper operation of the Sweepstakes, sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the Sweepstakes.  Should the Sweepstakes be terminated prior to the stated expiration date, Sponsor reserves the right to award prizes based on the entries received before the termination date.  Sponsors will not be responsible for incomplete, lost, last, misdirected or illegible entries, or for failure to receive entries or votes or other electronic communications due to transmission failures or technical failures of any kind, including, without limitation, malfunctioning of any network, hardware or software, whether originating with sender or Sponsor.  In the event of a dispute, all online entries will be deemed to have been submitted by the owner of the ISP account from which they were sent.  For these purposes, an ISP account holder shall mean the natural person assigned to such ISP account by the Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization reasonable for assigning ISP address for the domain associated with such ISP account.  Any questions regarding the number of entries or votes submitted by the owner of an ISP account shall be determined by sponsor in its sole discretion, and Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any entries, or votes by persons determined to be tampering with or abusing any aspect of the Sweepstakes.  By participating in this Sweepstakes, each entrant agrees to fully release, forever discharge and hold harmless Sponsor, Facebook, and the St. Louis Cardinals from and against all claims, costs, liabilities, loses, injuries, and damages arising out of the Sweepstakes, including, but not limited to, any claims for personal injury, death or damage to or loss of property or any other harm arising out of entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes, the receipt, use, or misuse of any prize, or any travel or activity that is related to the Sweepstakes or any prize.  This Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook and/or the St. Louis Cardinals.

8. Construction.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these rules shall not affect the validly or enforceability of any other provision.  In the event that any such provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, these rules shall be constructed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or unenforceable provision was not contained therein.

9. Sponsor.  The “St. Louis Cardinals Tickets Sweepstakes” is sponsored by Janet McAfee Real Estate.  The decisions of Sponsor regarding the selection of winners and all other aspects of the Sweepstakes shall be final and binding in all respects.  Sponsor will not be responsible for typographical, printing or other inadvertent errors in these Official Rules or in other materials relating to the Sweepstakes.  For the list of the winner (available after May 27, 2014) or a copy of these Official Rules send a self-addressed , stamped envelope to “Winners List/Official Rules” (as applicable), “St. Louis Cardinals Tickets Sweepstakes”, 9889 Clayton Road, Ladue, MO 63124  If you have any questions regarding this Sweepstakes, please contact Jamie Godar jgodar@janetmcafee.com 314.983.2167.

Not long ago the Ladue News did a Real Estate Profile on Janet McAfee.  Below you will find the well-written article by Blaise-Hart Schmidt.

THREE DECADES AGO, JANET MCAFEE REAL ESTATE CONSISTED OF FIVE AGENTS WORKING OUT OF THE founder’s basement. Today, 100 active agents work from a corporate office in Ladue and maintain a significant presence along St. Louis’ central corridor. Janet McAfee Real Estate offers professional representation at its finest, with unequalled market insight, an award-winning digital presence enhanced by a mobile platform, strategic and integrated multi-channel marketing, and an in-depth knowledge about the communities it serves. Janet McAfee agents have experience with single-family homes, condominiums, villas and luxury estates, in areas including the central corridor and select South County and St. Charles communities. Clients trust and appreciate the hard work and dedication of the firm’s agents, leading to more than $3 billion in overall sales. 

According to the  MLS, for the first nine months of 2013 (within 14 select central corridor school districts),  Sells one-third of its listings within the first month.  Sells more than one-half of its listings within the first two months.  Enjoys the highest average sales price and second- Highest sales by volume of the top 10 offices.

For more information about Janet McAfee and our listings visit – www.janetmcafee.com

When Ladue News Magazine was looking to profile a Ladue Agent with a proven track record they looked to Gai Lowell of Janet Mcafee Real Estate. 

This feature article was written by Staff Writer Katherine Comfort-Mason.

For Janet McAfee Real Estate agent Gai Lowell, real estate isn’t just a job. It’s also a passion.  With a background as a certified public accountant, Lowell worked for Citicorp Mortgage before starting at Janet McAfee more than 20 years ago. Soon after, she teamed up with Marianne Galt, and the pair has been partners since. Working with a partner, growing up in St. Louis and having a background in finance all give her a boost in the industry, Lowell says. She’s also detail-oriented and persistent, two traits that have placed her in the top 10 Janet McAfee agents for more than 10 years. “I’m much happier finding the right fit for the client, no matter how long it takes, as opposed to meeting a sales goal,” she says. Lowell values the diversity of her clients, as it allows her the opportunity to take on challenges and do something new and different every day. Lowell’s clients also value her. One of her current listings, seen below, is a house she sold shortly after joining Janet McAfee. The owners are again trusting Lowell’s talent and passion, 20 years later.

For more information on Gai Lowell visit her webpage at http://www.janetmcafee.com/agent/Gai-Lowell/SGLOWEL/

Town & Style recently interviewed Julie Lane to talk Real Estate. Julie gave her perspective on real estate and shared how she stays a top agent despite the challenging market.  

Julie Lane had been in pharmaceutical sales for eight years when she decided it was time for a job that required less travel and gave her a sense of community. So she got her real estate license and joined Janet McAfee in 2007—just as the market crashed. What seemed like bad timing hasn’t stopped her from becoming a top agent, exceeding $45 million in sales despite the challenging marketplace. Lane, who grew up in New Berlin, Ill., now lives in Ladue with husband Rich and their two daughters. 

 “I knew almost immediately that real estate was the right career for me. My first sale, I helped a young couple buy their very first house. I truly felt as if I’d made a positive difference in their lives. 

 My least favorite part of the job is when my buyers end up in a multiple-contract situation.  It’s stressful and emotional for all involved. 

 Right now I know several buyers who are desperate to get into a new home, but the inventory in some markets is very low. So I think some segments of the market are improving. We’re simply out of homes  to show!

 If you trust your agent, listen to her advice. If you don’t, find someone you can trust.

 In any market, price, condition and location sell homes. We can control only price and condition. If your home has been on the market awhile without selling, you have to do something different to make it  stand out.

 To be a successful agent, you must be willing to do what the competition is not. That, and learning absolutely everything you can about the current market, are paramount.

 I work all the time. I’m constantly examining the market, the trends, etc., so I know what’s going on. It would be impossible for me to do what I do if I spent only a few hours a day focusing on it.

 This industry is competitive and very demanding. If you want to excel, you must put in the time—and a lot of it. I can’t recall a week since I began that I’ve put in less than 40 hours.

 It can be a stressful business. I’m still working on how to unwind at the end of a crazy day. It helps to spend as much time as possible with my girls and husband.”

To learn more about Julie Lane check out her webpage at http://www.janetmcafee.com/agent/Julie-Lane/julane/

Vitality and Verve

Earlier this year, we described Janet McAfee Real Estate Top Agent Katie Dooley Curran as a "Force Majeure."  Katie is a force of nature. She radiates vitality and verve which she converts into action as she advocates for her clients. Her unbounded energy has again, propelled her to a Top Agent status with the firm.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Katie to discuss the "secrets" of her success both in real estate and her personal life.　 Her insights, observations and sense of humor reveal a great deal about her professionalism and her client appeal.　 You will quickly learn why Katie represents the next generation of Janet McAfee professionals.

How do you stay on top of your profession?

Even with all the technological advancements in real estate, I never lose sight of the fact that we are in the relationship business. I love helping my clients and I am always available to them. I also feel they appreciate my honesty. If a purchase or sale of a home is not in the client’s best interest, I never hesitate to tell them and the reason why.　 When I work with buyers, I actually share my list of obstacles to avoid. I find total honesty really creates significant levels of trust. I am always excited at the closing table knowing we optimized a client’s sales proceeds or, in the case of a buyer, that we successfully searched for and found the perfect home.

Today, the majority of my real estate practice is from clients referring their friends, family and co-workers to me. One client affectionately called me "Ms. Execution!" This is the best affirmation you can ask for.

I do leverage technology to stay in contact with clients using social media and my iPhone.　 And, my iPhone, iPad and the proliferation of Wi-Fi networks enable me to office anywhere, respond quickly and offer great customer service. Technology also allows me to keep abreast of activity, inventory and price levels for St. Louis Central Corridor housing.

I also make it a point to routinely touch base with other agents to discover homes they may have in the pipeline or MLS exempt.　So much happens before a listing is published in MLS and you have to have a great network to give your client the inside track on great opportunities or know if additional competition is heading their way, when they have their home on the market.

What personally drives your success?

Like the flight attendant suggests, I always put on my oxygen mask first so I can take care of my family and clients. To maintain my high energy level, I start my day with a little bit of Katie time before the rest of my house wakes up and then one hour of a fitness regime. I am highly motivated and competitive. I live and breathe real estate every day, even on vacation. It seems everywhere I go; everyone talks about real estate which makes my job fun.

How do you manage your priorities?

I am task oriented. My calendar and daily to-do list reflect it. I prioritize it daily. Fortunately, all my planning and responsibilities are recorded digitally, so everything is always at my fingertips. Time management is my greatest asset. I always figure out how to squeeze a last minute showing request in my day. I never like to say no to a client and they appreciate it.

What do you do when you are not working?

I turn off the phone, unwind and do my best to be to fully engaged with the special people in my life. I enjoy dates with my cute husband, family gatherings, getting together with friends, travel and catching up with my family each evening on our veranda (my sanctuary).　 I am very blessed and continually try to pay it forward!

To learn more about Katie and to see her fine listings, visit

www.janetmcafee.com/katiedooleycurran.

Saint Charles residential housing was robust for the first two quarters of 2013. Our research suggests the real estate market continues to grow. The overall trend is encouraging and represents a continuation from the four quarters of growth in 2012. It’s all in our Summer 2013 Market Report for the Saint Charles Community. A link is furnished below.

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of residential housing activity including price levels for the Saint Charles community and is segmented by property type and school district.

The continued improvement in activity levels, modest price level increases and the relatively low inventory levels all contribute to our favorable outlook for St. Charles housing for the balance of 2013.

http://issuu.com/janetmcafee/docs/saint_charles_market_report

LAW AND ORDER

It's not a secret that Top Agent Christy Thompson artfully combines her legal training with her passion for real estate to successfully advocate for her clients. As a Top Agent at Janet McAfee Real Estate for the past five years, and a six-time winner of the prestigious Five-Star Customer Satisfaction Award sponsored by St. Louis Magazine, Christy offers a verifiable track record of success. She truly represents the next generation of the firm’s real estate professionals.

Christy took time out of her busy schedule to talk with us about the "secrets" of her success both in real estate and her personal life. Her insights and observations reveal a great deal about her professionalism and discipline, the hallmarks of real estate success.

How do you stay on top of your profession?

Market knowledge is the number one most important way to stay at the top. Happily, our market is showing improvement each month, and I do my homework to keep up to date with recent sales, list-to-sale percentages and statistics pertaining to various market segments. Knowledge of national and local housing trends, credit changes as well as legal and tax issues can be very important to clients.

What personally drives your success?

Quite simply, I’m in a business I love. I enjoy meeting clients each day and helping to solve their problems-whether it’s selling the house they loved or finding the perfect new property. I love touring our market and seeing the changes taking place around us. And most importantly, I love the "art of the deal." Negotiating the best possible position for my clients allows me to use my legal background and my market knowledge to bring everyone to the closing table.

How do you manage your priorities?

Our business takes some serious organizational skills. Here again, my legal training helps me focus on the topic at hand while still actively representing my other clients. I am a hands-on agent and it’s important to me that my clients have my undivided effort and attention. They don’t get passed along to a member of "the team." I am also a list person. I am able to identify the key tasks I need to complete daily, weekly and monthly. It also helps that I am one of those people who doesn’t require a lot of sleep!

What do you do when you are not working? Any surprises?

My favorite times are spent with my husband and son. We often spend time in and around St. Louis, playing tennis or biking. My four-legged family members (my horse and two dogs) help me to stop and enjoy the world around me every day. You may be surprised to know that in my spare time I am also a practicing real estate attorney. I have been negotiating contracts daily for the past twenty-one years.

To learn more about Christy and to see her fine listings, click on the following link:

www.janetmcafee.com/christythompson.

Housing was robust for the first two quarters of 2013.  Our research suggests the residential real estate market in the St. Louis Central Corridor continues to grow.  The overall trend is encouraging and represents a continuation from the four quarters of growth in 2012.  It’s all in our Summer 2013 Market Report on the home page www.janetmcafee.com. 

 The report provides a comprehensive analysis of residential housing activity including price levels for the Saint Louis Central Corridor and is segmented by property type and school district.

The continued improvement in activity levels, modest price level increases and the relatively low inventory levels all contribute to our favorable outlook for housing for the balance of 2013.