Three Ways to Ease Your Hesitancy About Making a Move

With low inventory in our current market, many homeowners are afraid to sell their homes because they’re concerned that they may not be able to find a new one.  This can be a real problem, but if you are seeking to sell…whether to upgrade, downsize, or find a new neighborhood…there are a few ways to combat the low inventory.

Look to Buy First – It could be a real mistake to put your home up for sale before you start looking for your new property.  Identify the geographic area where you are interested in buying.  Even if you don’t see anything of interest on the real estate websites you use, doesn’t mean you can’t or won’t find the right home.

Think Outside the Box – Keep in mind that there are many people like you who want to make a move but are hesitant, as well.  As your real estate agent, I would send a heartfelt and personal letter to the neighborhoods in the geographic areas where you want to live, announcing that you are ready to buy a home in that neighborhood.  We could find you a home to buy that may not even be currently listed for sale.

Protect Yourself Legally -  When we find a home you want to purchase, I would ensure a clause is added in the purchase contract for the home you are selling that will enable you to not sell the home if you cannot find a suitable home to buy.

Million Dollar Home For Sale in St. Charles County - 1 Windcastle

Million dollar homes for sale in St. Charles County need to offer a bit more when competing with high-end homes across the river.  A personal tour of 1 Windcastle Drive in zip code 63304 provides amenities all luxury homes should display.

1 Windcastle Drive - 63304

Click Here for pictures and info on 1 Windcastle Drive

Listed at $1,299,000, this lusciously designed home (originally built for an executive at Monsanto), offers a unique interior design tailored toward family life and entertaining.  The kitchen has been elegantly re-designed to fit today's expectations of a chef's gourmet kitchen.  Off the kitchen, is one of the nicest and coziest hearth rooms I have encountered.

Updated stylish kitchen with attached hearth room

This home features two master bedroom suites; one on the main level and one on the upper level, separated from the other three bedrooms on the 2nd level.  The upper level master is the nicest of the two, with a luscious master bath.  Both masters features a bay window alcove.

Upper level master suite overlooking swimming pool

There is also an ensuite bedroom in the lower level, along with a huge playroom/gym area.  Phenomenal entertaining can ensure from this lower level with a nicely equipped bar area, media room, and walk-out to the pool.

The grounds are exquisite with lush landscaping, black iron fencing, play area, patio, firepit and more.  Love the placement of the driveway with a circle/drive-around in front and extension to rear entry 4-car garage.  Did I mention the home is 4-sided brick?

Rear view of 2 acre property - 1 Windcastle Drive

There are a few quirky interior design elements to this home, which can be easily remedied.  Mainly,  faux texture paint, specifically on the ceilings of some rooms.

If you are looking for a luxury home in St. Charles County that stands up to its title of being "luxury", you need to see this property.  Just give me a call at (314) 348-4033 for a private showing of this upscale home that is conveniently located to major highways for access anywhere in the St. Louis area.

Judy Wrozier

Coldwell Banker Premier Group

(314) 348-4033       Judy.Wrozier@Coldwell Banker.com

The 5 Most Expensive Homes for Sale in St. Charles County

Check out these five most expensive homes currently on the market in St. Charles County, along with the luxurious amenities they have to offer.  Note that #5 is the most expensive home for sale in the State of Missouri.
For more information and to view more pictures of the interior and exterior of these properties, just click on the addresses.
Naturally, when you're ready to personally tour any of the homes, just call JUDY WROZIER at (314) 348-4033.  But, be prepared....you'll have to prove you can afford it, just to enter the door!

1.     461 Matts Way - Defiance - $1,650,000

This French manor style home, located in Defiance on 4.3 acres is owned by Brian Boettler, President of Atlas Building Group (construction) and is only three years old.  With a total of 7,254 square feet, it features 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths.  Stunning sweeping staircases greet you as you enter the home.  Fabulous setting just off Highway 94 with privacy to enjoy the heated pool.

2.     6 Upper Whitmoor Drive - Weldon Spring - $2,490,000

This elegant estate home was built and owned by Robert Whittaker, founder of Whittaker Homes, a major home construction firm focusing on properties in St. Charles County.  Mr. Whittaker passed away this past January.  This family home, located in the Whitmoor Country Club community,  features hand-cut limestone exterior, slate roof, and copper gutters.  The architect was Timothy Busse.  Situated atop a bluff on 4 acres, this 19 year old home has a total of 10,146 square feet with four bedrooms and four full baths, along with three half baths.  There is also a total of 10 fireplaces and a wine room that holds 5,000 bottles!

3.     10000 Turkey Hollow Rd. - Augusta - $3,800,000

That's right....you're looking at a historic 160 year old home on a whopping 196 acres, originally purchased from the successors of Daniel Boone and now known as Stone Ledge Country Estate.  The property went through extensive restoration and updating in 1986.  The current owner is J Eggss Realty.  The property includes a 4 acre stocked lake and a zipline tower.  The main house features four bedrooms and 5.5 baths.

4.     4 Slate River Way - Wentzville - $3,900,000

This estate has it all....fabulous house, saltwater pool, sports court, putting green, playground, and even an equestrian center....all situation on 10.6 acres.  This property is owned by George Roman, a retired Boeing executive.  With over 19,000 square feet of living space, this property is truly a treasure.  It has six bedrooms, seven full baths and three half bath; six fireplaces and is only nine years old.

5.     1 Upper Whitmoor Drive - Weldon Spring - $6,999,000

This is it....the most expensive private residence for sale in Missouri!  The architects for this brick and stone beauty were Schaub & Srote.  With a total of 25,000 square feet of living space on seven acres atop a bluff overlooking the Missouri River valley, this home has five bedrooms, six full baths and two half baths and amenities galore....sweeping staircases, a 15 person Otis elevator, an indoor basketball court, 6+ car garage with car wash, seven fireplaces and incredible views.  The property is owned by Gerry Chastelet, Chairman and CEO of Dominus Innovations.

Don't Make These Mistakes That Decrease the Value of Your Home Sale

If you are planning to sell your home in the near future, you don't want to make any mistakes that will cause you to decrease the value of your home.  Once your home is on the market, what a buyer sees as a mistake may not be what you consider a mistake.

Here are a few mistakes home sellers will want to avoid to ensure you won't de-value your home.

Not Maintaining Appliances - You can sell a home "as is", which means the property in the condition to which the buyers initially see it.  Having lots of issues and repairs needed will definitely decrease the home's value.  Cleaning up appliances that are part of the sale is important.  If they are in bad condition, it's worth replacing them.

Going Wild with Color - Generally speaking, home buyers like paint colors that are neutral.  This conveys as a blank canvas for them which, upon moving in, they can paint the way they want.  Extra bold, bright, or non-traditional colors can scare them off.  Therefore, do not paint with neon green walls nor purple shag carpet.  If you have some bright colors going on, change to neutral.

Following Trends - We all get caught up in the latest design trends, but do we really know how long they will last?  If the trend is difficult to change, it could decrease the value of your home when you put it up for sale.  Home buyers will be thinking about how much money they have to spend to fix the trendy mistake.  Do make your home your style, but if you have plans to sell in the future, think about how renovations may impact the sale of your home.

Not Keeping It Cool (or Warm) - If you want buyers to come in and rush out of your home, either overheat or freeze them.  On hot days, make sure the home is aired out so that stale air can escape.  Hot, muggy, stifling homes are not fun to tour.  Turn the A/C on to a comfortable temperature to make sure your potential buyers are comfortable and take their time to really see your home.  This, in turn, should also apply to cold weather.  Keep the furnace at a comfortable temperature so they will linger and feel comfy.  (Realtor Hint:  69 degrees is the best temperature, for both A/C and furnace).

Not Sweating the Small Stuff - You do have to care enough to tend to smaller issues such as fixing a faulty light switch or replacing burned-out light bulbs.  Home buyers go through the home turning on lights, flicking switches, opening closets, cabinets, and drawers.  Keep small things like these in good working order...it's easy and it can help ensure an overall better opinion of your home.

Avoiding some of these mistakes can help prevent home buyers from thinking your home should be worth less than you do.

2015 Homeowner Tax Benefits

Hopefully, you will are taking advantage of the tax deductions allowed to you regarding owning your own home.  These deductions include:


Property tax deduction:  Any money you pay to city, county, and state property tax assessor is tax deductible. 


Mortgage interest deduction:  Your mortgage interest on both first and second loans is tax deductible.  Any points you paid to get a lower interest rate are deductible.  Private mortgage insurance payments are also deductible.


Closing costs:  If you purchased your home or re-financed your mortgage in 2015, some fees to the mortgage lender are deductible.  Ask your tax professional for guidance.  Also, you may deduct some moving expenses, such as items for your home office, if you have one.  Be sure to show your tax professional your H:UD-1 form.


Home office deductions:  If your home is your principle place of business and you meet other IRS guidelines for home businesses, you can take a deduction on workspace dedicated to your business.  The space cannot be used for any other purpose.  You can also depreciate that portion of your home over 39 years.  All improvements to the workspace are tax deductible.  In addition, your security expenses, phones, internet costs, computers, insurance and utilities can be deducted or depreciated according to IRS allowances.  Percentages and limits apply, so consult with your tax professional.


Energy Star:  If you purchased an energy efficient system or appliance for your home and it meets government Energy Star standards, you may deduct a portion of your expenses.  Save your receipts.


Property sales deductions:  If you purchased a home, occupied it as a primary residence and sold it in 2 years, you could be eligible for some capital gains exclusions up to $250,000 if you're single, or $500,000 if you're married.
There may be other deductions for you to take advantage of that are associated with your home, so be sure to save all receipts throughout the year for repairs, parts, purchases, remodeling, etc.  Some allowances and special circumstances apply, so be sure to talk to your tax professional.


Save your tax records up to 7 years, as you have to be able to support the deductions you take with documentation, such as receipts, credit card statements, cancelled checks, and online banking.


Ongoing tax deductions are another advantage to home ownership.  If you are renting, it's your landlord who is benefitting from them.