5 Reasons Why You Want to SEE THIS HOME!

The cascading light, the historic character, the white brick & well . . . the list goes on and on.  I'm not sure what is my favorite part of this gorgeous property.  The large main living area looks especially cozy for a Monday.  Check out a few of our favorite reasons why you should take a private tour soon.  

1.png
2.png
4.png
5.png
6.png
7.png

Jacob Stallmann | 6362345838 | @stallmannrealestate

5 REASONS WHY THIS HOME WENT UNDER CONTRACT - IN **ONE** DAY

This beautiful Downtown Washington home left the active market and went under contract in only ONE day.  With old-school charm, circa 1947, and new-school flair, this meticulously maintained home had one day to find its new owner.  Take a look at my five reasons why this home said "bye-bye" to their current owners so quick.  

Is your home market ready?  Are you thinking of making a move?  Please don't hesitate to contact me to help your home move in this motivating housing market!  

 

Jacob Stallmann, REALTOR

636-234-5838

 

Welcome to the Smart Home Generation!

My wife and I just updated to a digital thermostat and a robotic vacuum cleaner.  We're not quite the Jetsons (even though our vacuum is nick-named, Rosie) but we are getting closer to some of those futuristic ideas.  

Millennials and new homeowners are becoming more and more interested in smart home technology.  Since our buyers and sellers are interested, we, too, thought we should up our game in this smart tech home lingo.


What do we mean by “smart homes”? Technology is now available that automates interior climate remotely, regulates custom lighting scenarios, locks and unlocks your doors, and orders groceries and household items on command!  You name the command station (Alexa, Siri, Google, Apple, Amazon, Echo - these gadgets seem to have all the answers!  

Here are some items we found interesting in our smart home search:

Climate: Nest Thermostat
 

shopping.jpg

Gone are the days where you set those complicated Honeywell thermostats with heating/cooling times for each day of the week in hopes of saving on your energy bill. The Nest, since 2011, was the first “learning” thermostat that connects to your smartphone to optimize energy usage using a few cool features. 

Lighting: Philips Hue Smart Light Bulbs

download.jpg

Not only are LED lights cheaper (long-term) to operate, these wi-fi-controlled bulbs can be customized with your smartphone to change colors, dimness, and have preset “moods” depending on what you’re in for. We even had one client that set their bulbs to flash red when receiving a text message!

Sound: Sonos

 

download (1).jpg


Sonos is by far one of the most-advanced yet the most-easily operable system of speakers designed for every possible scenario: movies, parties, easy listening in one room, etc. Controlled by a central app, users are able to select which rooms and at what volume for each that they would like to broadcast their Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, etc. 

Lock/Unlock: Kwikset Kevo Touch-to-Open Bluetooth Smart Lock

download (2).jpg


AND NOW TO OUR FAVORITE: This is definitely one of our favorites! Despite a normal deadbolt appearance, this next generation locking system allows “push-to-unlock” technology used when detecting your phone nearby. You’re also able to remotely check to see which member of your home has entered/left most recently with the Android and iOS apps. What’s even cooler, is the ability to email your friends/extended family temporary “e-keys” when you’re not able to be home to meet them! WOW!  We haven't seen too many homes in the Franklin County area move forward with this yet, but it will happen very soon.  Some of my STL listings are already on trend and really make a stylish statement for your front entrance.  

Kwikset brand has always been my "go-to" for locks.  Call me old-fashioned before, but this future lock is ready to impress!  I see my wife ordering a Kwikset Kevo in the near future!  

 

 

 

 

| 8 Reasons Why You Should Work With a REALTOR®

Not all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Here's why it pays to work with a REALTOR®.

  1. Navigate a complicated process. Buying or selling a home usually requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multipage settlement statements. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes.
  2. Information and opinions. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. They’ll also be able to provide objective information about each property. A professional will be able to help you answer these two important questions: Will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?
  3. Help finding the best property out there. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your REALTOR® to find all available properties.
  4. Negotiating skills. There are many negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession, and inclusion or exclusion of repairs, furnishings, or equipment. In addition, the purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.
  5. Property marketing power. Real estate doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. In fact, a large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, and family. When a property is marketed with the help of a REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
  6. Someone who speaks the language. If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with a professional who is immersed in the industry and knows the real estate language.
  7. Experience. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. Even if you have done it before, laws and regulations change. REALTORS®, on the other hand, handle hundreds of real estate transactions over the course of their career. Having an expert on your side is critical.
  8. Objective voice. A home often symbolizes family, rest, and security — it’s not just four walls and a roof. Because of this, homebuying and selling can be an emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll every make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on both the emotional and financial issues most important to you.

Contact me today via phone/text at 636.234.5838 or via email at jacob.stallmann@coldwellbanker.com.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a REALTOR®

Make sure you choose a REALTOR® who will provide top-notch service and meet your unique needs.

  1. How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job? While experience is no guarantee of skill, real estate — like many other professions — is mostly learned on the job.
  2. How many homes did you and your real estate brokerage sell last year? By asking this question, you’ll get a good idea of how much experience the practitioner has.
  3. How many days did it take you to sell the average home? How did that compare to the overall market? The REALTOR® you interview should have these facts on hand, and be able to present market statistics from the local MLS to provide a comparison.
  4. How close to the initial asking prices of the homes you sold were the final sale prices? This is one indication of how skilled the REALTOR® is at pricing homes and marketing to suitable buyers. Of course, other factors also may be at play, including an exceptionally hot or cool real estate market.
  5. What types of specific marketing systems and approaches will you use to sell my home? You don’t want someone who’s going to put a For Sale sign in the yard and hope for the best. Look for someone who has aggressive and innovative approaches, and knows how to market your property competitively on the Internet. Buyers today want information fast, so it’s important that your REALTOR® is responsive.
  6. Will you represent me exclusively, or will you represent both the buyer and the seller in the transaction? While it’s usually legal to represent both parties in a transaction, it’s important to understand where the practitioner’s obligations lie. Your REALTOR® should explain his or her agency relationship to you and describe the rights of each party.
  7. Can you recommend service providers who can help me obtain a mortgage, make home repairs, and help with other things I need done? Because REALTORS® are immersed in the industry, they’re wonderful resources as you seek lenders, home improvement companies, and other home service providers. Practitioners should generally recommend more than one provider and let you know if they have any special relationship with or receive compensation from any of the providers.
  8. What type of support and supervision does your brokerage office provide to you? Having resources such as in-house support staff, access to a real estate attorney, and assistance with technology can help an agent sell your home.
  9. What’s your business philosophy? While there’s no right answer to this question, the response will help you assess what’s important to the agent and determine how closely the agent’s goals and business emphasis mesh with your own.
  10. How will you keep me informed about the progress of my transaction? How frequently? Again, this is not a question with a correct answer, but it reflects your desires. Do you want updates twice a week or do you not want to be bothered unless there’s a hot prospect? Do you prefer phone, e-mail, or a personal visit?
  11. Could you please give me the names and phone numbers of your three most recent clients? Ask recent clients if they would work with this REALTOR® again. Find out whether they were pleased with the communication style, follow-up, and work ethic of the REALTOR®.

Do you have more questions before your choose a REALTOR®?  Contact me via phone or text at 636.234.5838 or via email at jacob.stallmann@coldwellbanker.com.

I look forward to helping you!