When the Ladue News Magazine sought examples of current luxury home opportunities, they turned to Heidi Long and Janet McAfee Real Estate.  Heidi’s listing at 11 Balcon Estates in Creve Coeur is an impressive example of the scale, proportion and custom finishes that speak to today’s discerning luxury home buyer.  In a Distinctive Home feature article by Staff Writer Katherine Comfort-Mason, the compelling highlights of the home follow:

A 5-bedroom, 4-bath home in Creve Coeur is listed for $989,000.

 By Katherine Comfort-MasonLadue

NewsThis custom-built, 1.5-story home is nestled on a lush, 1-acre lot in the Parkway School District. Open the 8-foot mahogany door to a barrel-vaulted foyer with inlaid wood floors, which leads to a study and a formal dining room with butler’s pantry. The foyer then opens into the two-story great room, which features oversized bow windows, a fireplace and built-in bookcases.

In the gourmet kitchen, you’ll find two sinks, an island, top-of-the-line appliances, a walk-in pantry and adjoining breakfast and hearth rooms. The main-floor master suite includes his-and-her closets and an opulent master bath. Upstairs are four more bedrooms with Jack-and-Jill baths. The walk-out lower level leads to a patio and private, manicured back yard.

 For additional photographs and more detail, follow the link:  http://www.janetmcafee.com/property/11-Balcon-Estates-Creve-Coeur-MO-63141/MARIS/13017556/ or contact Heidi directly:

Heidi Long  I  314.308.2283

Hallmark of Excellence

For twenty-seven consecutive years, Nancy Ferrillo has been recognized as a Janet McAfee Top Agent.  We believe her unparalleled success in not only noteworthy but deserving of further investigation.  So we asked her to share her insights and motivation with us.  Her comments reveal a great deal about the strength of her character and her commitment to her clients.

How do you stay on top of your profession?

“We are in a knowledge-based business with high service expectations,” says Nancy.  “Pricing is everything.  That means I drive neighborhoods, tour listed homes and study prices to insure I can address a client’s price versus value concerns.”

She continues, “I proactively research new listings, sales and price changes in my target market neighborhoods.  Clients expect me to know the market in depth.”

“To me, networking with other agents, appraisers, mortgage lenders and even industry outsiders has always been important,” says Nancy.  “It gives me additional perspective on the market and alternative approaches to customer satisfaction.  I am often able to transfer success in other industries to my practice.”

Nancy adds, “I always try to “think outside the box.   It helps me find unique ways to enhance my personal marketing and position my listed homes creatively such as the recent “blind” ad I did for a Ladue home.”

What personally drives your success?

“I believe my clients drive my success,” says Nancy.  “I am very fortunate because the majority of clients are loyal with their repeat business and generous with their referrals of family and friends.”

She continues, “The second driver of my success is pride.  I want to be recognized as an industry professional so I try to consciously implement ‘best practices’ in every aspect of my real estate business.  That covers everything from technology to client communications and it requires me to constantly adapt to change.”

How do you manage your priorities?

“First of all, you need to be ruthlessly organized in this business,” says Nancy.  “That means annual, monthly and weekly planning with daily ‘to-do’ lists.  We live according to timelines and we must manage our time and our tasks efficiently.”

What do you do when you are not working?

 “I spend time with those I love-George, my sister, close friends, and my dear Scottie, Ella,” says Nancy.  “She is ‘the dog of a lifetime’!  Whoever knew a dog could offer so much love and enjoyment!”

To learn more about Nancy Ferrillo, simply follow the link www.janetmcafee.com/nancyferrillo.

We are delighted to recognize Marcy Byrne as our March Agent of the Month.

With over two decades of experience, Marcy knows what it takes to be a consistent Top Agent at Janet McAfee Real Estate.  We recently sat down with Marcy to get her thoughts on the real estate business today and what it takes to stay at the top of her profession.  We asked several questions and noted her insights.

What does it take to stay at the top of your profession?

Marcy’s answer was short and to the point. “It takes hard work,” said Marcy.  She added, “Outsiders don’t understand how difficult and time-consuming real estate really is. You cannot sell real estate part time. You must be totally committed to your clients 24/7, offering them the best service possible. You need to be on top of the market and stay ahead of constantly changing technology.”

How have you been able to sustain your success?

 “First of all,” noted Marcy, “The industry has really changed. Today, there’s more paperwork, more inspections, more demands from buyers and sellers. You need to keep a good attitude and maintain a sense of balance. No matter how hard you try, some things are out of your control. If you can realize that but still go in there every day and do your best, that’s the key to success.”

On a personal basis, how do you cope?

“Well,” said Byrne, “To keep stress levels at a minimum, I try to run our big rescue dog, Sam, every morning and during spring and summer, I play golf as often as I can.  I don’t have a lot of free time, given present market conditions. I’m working harder than ever, but so are all of my peers.”

What do you do when you are not working?

Marcy is married to Bob Byrne, who owns Erker Catering Co.  According to Marcy, “We try to travel when our schedules permit, and “Bob-o” and I love to entertain friends and family.  We enjoy Saint Louis and are extremely grateful to all my clients for their trust and referrals.  More often than you’d think, real estate agents stay good friends with clients.”

To learn more about Marcy and to see her impressive property listings, go to www.janetmcafee.com/marcybyrne.

We are delighted to recognize Barbara Wulfing as our February Agent of the Month.

It has been written, “To profile Barbara Wulfing, you must first understand the scale and magnitude of her sales achievements. In a business dominated by hyperbole, Barbara's performance is both verifiable and remarkable. Since beginning her real estate career in 1973, Barbara has sold over $550,000,000. Accolades for her consistent performance include The St. Louis Business Journal, who has recognized Barbara as one of the elite Realtors in the Saint Louis community every year for the past decade.  For the past five years, Barbara has also been honored with the prestigious FIVE STAR Customer Satisfaction award sponsored by St. Louis Magazine.”

During her ten year tenure with Janet McAfee Real Estate, Barbara sold in excess of $267,000,000 with an average price in excess of $865,000. She is consistently a top producing Agent. Yet, you will never hear Barbara mention numbers, she is Client focused.  Perhaps Ted Thornhill, President of Janet McAfee, summarized it best when he observed, “The numbers and recognition simply do not convey the entire picture of Barbara's performance. Her success, while significant, is simply the end result of the personal investment Barbara has made in every Client she represents. She truly understands her Client’s needs and works the hours necessary to make their visions and objectives a reality.”

The majority of Barbara's business consists of referrals and repeat transactions. Her Client base keeps her focused on the luxury home market and its many segments. In addition to the resale market, Barbara also represents custom home builders and developers of high end luxury properties including town homes, garden condominiums and high-rise developments.

On the rare occasions when Barbara is not working, she and her husband, Charles, like to spend time with their children and grandchildren.  Barbara’s hobbies include golf, tennis and skiing.  She also enjoys the St. Louis Symphony, Repertory Theatre and Opera Theatre.

To learn more about Barbara and to see all of her fine listings, go to www.janetmcafee.com/barbarawulfing

2012 was a postive year for local housing and Janet McAfee Real Estate.  It's all in our Winter 2013 Market Report, located on 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.

Four consecutive quarters of positive gains has brightened our outlook for 2013 and the report details how our firm is well-positioned to serve our clients in the coming year.  

Since joining the firm seven short years ago, Julie Lane has been a consistent Top Agent, Ambassador for St. Louis on HGTV’s series My First House, a perennial FIVE STAR Customer service winner and on the short list of the Central Corridor’s Top Agents.

Lucky, you ask?  Those of us who know her also recognize her “instant success” is due to good, old-fashioned hard work.

Julie previously worked as a pharmaceutical representative for eight years before joining Janet McAfee Real Estate.  She states, “A manager at my former company taught her how to stay focused.  He advised me to always have a plan in mind and focus on outperforming the competition.”  Lane continued, “The advice has served me well in real estate too.  One of the challenges of this job is getting out there and building your own business.”  In the St. Louis market, it’s no longer enough to just have connections.  Agents have to really know this market and go the extra mile.”

With a husband and two daughters, Julie admits real estate can be demanding but at the end of the day, “ I can go home, hang my realtor costume in the closet, throw on some sweats and snuggle with the kids on the couch.  To them I am just Mom.”

Ted Thornhill, President of Janet McAfee quickly points out, “Julie represents the next generation of real estate professionals at our firm.  She works hard, has superb skills and has risen through the ranks to become our Top Agent in 2012.  It’s a tribute to her drive, intelligence and advocacy for her distinguished clients."

To learn more about Julie and her listed properties, go to www.janetmcafee.com/julielane

We are busy wrapping up 2012, evaluating our business results and market conditions.  Overall, we feel very good about residential real estate in St. Louis.  In virtually every price segment, we have experienced increased activity, stable pricing and declining inventory.   Importantly, house sales did not "fizzle out" after the summer selling season, as we experienced in 2011.  Whether it was the favorable stock market, a case of pent-up demand or perhaps it was just unseasonably warm weather, but whatever the reason, we continued to experience good sales through the Fall. 

Here are a couple of our observations.  The most positive news is that the number home sales is up 18% through November in St. Louis Central Corridor.  Second, we have experienced modest price gains in the 2-4% range.   Third, we are so pleased to see that inventory levels have come down from 9 months of inventory in the beginning of the year to around 5 months at the end of the year.

We are grateful for the support of our loyal clients, our hard working agents and the cooperation of lenders, surveyors, inspectors and all the professionals with whom we work to close each and every transaction.   

Thank you for a memorable year!

Janet

If you are looking for a quick face-lift throughout your home, consider giving your walls a new coat of paint.  Whether you prefer rich, bold colors or warm neutral tones, fresh paint can bring any average space to life.  Janet McAfee Real Estate has a few tips to think about before going wild with the paint brush.

Coordinate – Do you have a large, upholstered chair, an Oriental rug, or an ornate duvet cover in the space you would like to update?  Pull your color scheme inspiration from these pieces.

Personal Style – People often say that you should consider your own style when decorating your home.  Can’t decide if that fire engine red is a good choice?  Is it a color you would actually wear?  If not, it may be more appropriate for an accent color.

Design Vertically – Traditionally, you can make your space look larger by decorating with lighter colors near the ceiling and darker colors on the floor.  Be sure to choose a lighter colored valance and crown molding while opting for darker floors and rugs.

Use the Color Wheel – Colors nearest each other in the color wheel are the most complementary.  If it is color you are seeking, keep things light in the kitchen with yellows and oranges and cool and calming in the bedroom with blues, greens, and purples.

Remember that when it comes to decorating your home, your personal preferences trump any interior design “rule.” However, if you are selling your home, it may need additional preparation for open houses.  Contact the real estate professionals at Janet McAfee for more information about getting your property in the best condition possible for sale.

We all know that it is a great time to buy a new home – prices are competitive, mortgage rates are at all-time lows and the buyer has a decided advantage.  What may be news to the general public is that the housing market is seeing daily improvements.  The top-performing agents of Janet McAfee Real Estate have given their perspective on why they are seeing a change in direction and explain what this means for buyers and sellers in the future.

Twofold Competition – Our real estate professionals are seeing a trend in home buying – a movement that sees many homes with few buyers to having fewer homes with more buyers.  Thus, as our agent Julie Lane explains, “Many buyers found themselves in competition.”  Agent Ann Carter stresses that “multiple offers are being received…especially [in] Ladue and Clayton.”  Professional Katie Curran also notes that there haven’t been multiple offer situations like this in over three years.

Increasing Prices – As real estate agents, we loved the low home prices for those looking for a new home, but we hated to see the poor housing market taking a toll on those who were selling.  But there is great news for sellers! According to Kathleen Lovett and Laura Donovan, “Sales prices are increasing, which optimistically tells us we are in the midst of a rebounding market.”  Susan Holden explains that “First time buyers are active and taking advantage of the still great interest rates. When they buy, that allows more move-up buying from the sellers of the starter homes. The domino effect is then positive for the homes in the higher price ranges also. “ 

Enhanced Activity – Thanks to an improvement in the housing market, our agents have been busy.  Marianne Galt states that she “had an active May and June with many more showings and sales.”  Margaret Wright exclaims, “Houses are selling quickly! My most recent listing sold in only four days.”  With more traffic, buyers and sellers can expect quicker listing periods and greater peace of mind.

Things are looking up for sellers in the current housing market – and our successful agents couldn’t be more excited for them!  We would like to thank our top-performing women professionals for breaking down the current trends in housing and why we are on the fast track to a rebounding market.  If you are interested in buying or listing your home, contact the professionals at Janet McAfee Real Estate today.

As the largest independently owned luxury real estate company in St. Louis, Janet McAfee Real Estate feels it is our job to help make every move as smooth as possible for both our buyers and our sellers.  For the buyers, this means helping find the right house, in the right neighborhood, with the best schools.  For sellers, we focus on marketing their property to the right target audience – maximizing the home’s character and appeal.

Relocation can be both exciting and challenging.  We understand how to make that transition easier – and ultimately more successful.  Our clients directly benefit from a reputable, established network of contacts and our firm’s deep-rooted community presence.

As a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, Janet McAfee is qualified to offer exceptional relocation services, above and beyond others in the field.  As a departing transferee with a home to sell, the client services you will receive include professional representation from a dedicated agent, administrative oversight from the Director of Relocation Services, multi-channel marketing, and exposure for your home through online outlets such as Realtor.com, LeadingRE.com, HGTV’s FrontDoor.com, Trulia.com, Zillow.com, Google.comand Homes.Yahoo.com.   Luxury homes over a million dollars will also be featured on the top luxury real estate sites across the company including LuxuryPortfolio.com, LuxuryRealEstate.com and the wsj.com (The Wall Street Journal).

For incoming transferees, we go so far as to give personalized neighborhood tours, arrange preferred hospitality and transportation and even help coordinate employment contacts, community resources and school connections.

Our agents want to hear from you about the characteristics of a home and neighborhood that you desire.  We are ready to help you transition to a new life in the great city of St. Louis.  Contact us so we can assist you on your road to find your St. Louis dream home or for a referral to our network affiliate in the market you are relocating to.