Terra is looking good

Terra had a buyer before we were ever finished or put her on the market. Not a bad record for Starke, who sold and closed on Ginger last Monday. Put out a good product, and get good buyers. Do good business, and business is good to you.Terra is what everybody is looking for. She is the last unicorn, so to speak. 3 bed/ 1.5 bath, Tower Grove South and a 2 car garage for 210K. Since Circa sells so much in that area, finding a buyer wasn't hard.

So, that brings us to a very good logistical question....How do you schedule closing and inspections on something that isn't yet finished? You write in the contract that NONE of the contingencies are to begin until completion. Notice of completion must be given to buyer's agent in writing. Well, that is at least how we did it this time.

So, now we are on a race to finish and it seems like the closer we get, the further away we actually are. I am not sure why, or even how this rule applies but: The LAST 10% OF THE PROJECT TAKES 90% OF THE TIME. At least I think it does, if you are doing it right. There are always little bumps in the wall that need smoothing, a line that needs to be sharpened or a fixture the plumber forgot to seal. Those finishing touches make a huge difference. I can't stress enough....STAGING STAGING STAGING. It does a property and your pocket good.

In all honesty, this time around Mother Nature has been our biggest enemy. You can't finish things outside when she is dumping gallons of water on your head. Try cleaning up the inside with people tracking mud all over the floors. Some days are just a wash...Literally. I thought last night I may dress up in my best island style sarong and do an ANTI RAIN DANCE, but it was raining....So, I stayed inside. In between drops I have been running outside, screaming at the sky and shaking a fist, to no avail. So, I figured I would provide you with pretty pictures to help the day pass.

HAPPY MONDAY!

Pay for it in Advance and get it... NEVER

Important lesson learned. Early on in the project we head to Home Depot to pick out things like toilets, sinks, drawer pulls, lighting and various other things. There are 3 reasons for things being done this way...

1. You get a discount when you buy in bulk.
2. You pick things out at the same time so they all match or at least have a theme
3. Pay in advance and pick up when needed

What we learned this time around was....You can order it, pay for it and NOT be guaranteed to be able to pick it up. That is right, I said it....HOME DEPOT will not hold things for you that have ordered in advance and paid for. This was more than likely always the policy and we just never caught on until now. On Ginger it really affected us. They were out of our ceiling fans, toilet and chandelier causing us to scramble to pick out new stuff that is suitable and goes with the other stuff already installed. I am sure that it doesn't seem like a big deal, but it is. It takes quite a while to pick things out and when we have to go back to the drawing board in the final completion phase it SUCKS!

Where were we?

In my frantic run around to get people what they need for the tax credit I have been a bit lax in blogging. Now, I am back and have plenty a story to get you caught up on. Ginger went on the market on Easter weekend and people scoffed at the idea of holding a Saturday open house. Who is going to shop for a home on Easter weekend, right? I'll tell you who...Someone VERY serious. That Saturday we held the open and only 2 groups came through. Just two, and I was bummed. Seriously. Not to be kept down for long though we threw a party for all the people who helped get Ginger to market and personal friends of the Starke, Inc. gang. During the party and in between flowing cups of wine and mini cheesecakes we received an offer. Just one, one is all it takes.

The following day, Easter: I walk out of my house with contract at hand to meet the owner of Starke for brunch. I could tell you where, but then I would have to kill you...Let's just say it is one of my favorite CWE spots. He signed the contract on the spot. I can't tell you how much it was for, because we haven't closed yet and that would be BAD. Still, I am very proud to say that our list price was one of the highest in that area for what we had and I am sure we will be one of the highest closed sales. We pushed the envelope a bit, but put out a phenomenal product.

We close on Monday and I am proud. Proud of the team and that little house. We made it past 2 appraisals, a Laclede inspection and City occupancy to become legends (in our own minds).

HERE IS THE FINISHED PRODUCT, ENJOY! http://www.3929meramec.com/