Check Out the New website Look!

Hey Kiper Fans we have just made some new tweaks to the website and plan on making quite a few more! We have added fresh content and some important stats from the last two years that you will find very interesting.  We also plan on adding new information from housing market reports, information on short sales, foreclosures and tips on real estate.  If you think there is anything that you would like to see on our site let us know here or send us an email we would be happy to hear your opinion.  Bookmark our site and watch as we grow bigger and bigger!  Check out what we have changed! CLICK ME

WCR - METRO ST. LOUIS' 2010 MAN AUCTION IS JULY 15, 2010!!

Women's Council of Realtors is having a MAN AUCTION on July 15, 2010 TOMORROW! (6-8 pm)- Jive and Wail Dueling Piano Bar off Manchester at the Maplewood locations. Door open at 6:00 pm, Man-Auction will begin at 6:30 pm

and dueling piano entertainment starts a 8:00 pm and goes until 1:30 am.  There will be Complimentary food and cocktails! Come have a great time with you friends you will be able to bid on items services and men to raise money for the Womens Council of REALTORS. Tons of great items and prizes. Tickets for event General admission $25.00 and VIP is $50.00 HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Happy 4th of july From the Kiper Team

Happy Independence day everybody!  The 4th of july in St. Louis is always an awesome one. Even if you don't head downtown to the riverfront there are about a dozen other places you can watch the fireworks, and every place is just as fun as the next. 

O Fallon has some of the best bands show up to there festival. They have been known to pull out all the stops. This year Five for fighting, Eve 6 and Toad The Wet Sprocket will be playing on sunday. for more information visit:  Hertiage & Freedom Fest, O'Fallon, MO .

St. Charles always has a great parade and usually some good cheap food.  If you like crafts it is probably the festival to go to. They always have tons of booths full of neat and sometime unusual decor. What I have always liked about St. Charles Festival is you can sit anywhere and have a great view of the fireworks. You are so close you feel like you can reach out and touch them! for more info visit St. Charles Riverfest

Webster Grove is another great festival. Webster grove is know for it's four day festival the love to party hard.  They start on July 1st and go through the 4th. They always have some great BBQ booths and a full size carnival with some awesome rides for the kids. If you go early you can get discounted wristbands to ride as many rides as you want (1st and 2nd Only i believe). for more info visit: Webster Groves Community Days

Last but not least is Fair St. louis.  Downtown St louis use to be one of the biggest 4th of july festival in the country and for good reason.  They alway have big name headliners, an air show that is unbelievable, a firework display that last for almost an hour.  The landing after party goes on usually until 2 a.m. WOW!
festival usually start on a Friday. Most people plan on arriving when their favorite band is playing. If you want a good spot for fireworks I suggest getting there early. for more info visit: Fair St. Louis

There are several other festivals around the St. Louis area that I haven't mentioned, and have their own unique flavor to add. Which ever you choose I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Always remember to drink lots of water and have a good time. (drink responsibly) Have a Happy 4th of July from the Kiper Team! Hope to see you there!

Heat Up Your Home’s Value in a Cooling Housing Market

If you’re ever trying to sell your home in a cooling housing market or simply looking for an affordable, value-enhancing renovation project, adding a fireplace can be a smart bet. Several studies point to the increased value a fireplace brings to a home.
A recent six-year study by the National Association of Realtors® suggests each fireplace in a home yields a 12 percent increase in home value.
According to the study, only adding an additional full bath or a garage increased the value of a home more. In addition, the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers indicates homeowners without fireplaces can potentially raise the selling prices of their homes by about six to 12 percent simply by adding a fireplace.

Because of their warmth—both literal and figurative—fireplaces are one of the features that potential homebuyers inevitably gravitate toward.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports that fireplaces rank among the top three features desired by new homebuyers. An NAHB survey also found that 77 percent of homebuyers want a fireplace in the family room, where they’ll spend most of their time.

50 percent of homebuyers would like a fireplace in the living room, where they do much of their entertaining.

One of the most attractive, convenient and cost-effective options is a direct-vent gas fireplace. Direct-vent gas fireplaces can be installed in virtually any room of the home at a fraction of the cost of a masonry fireplace. Homeowners can turn them on or off with the flip of a switch and some models actually operate with a remote control.

Besides adding value to your home, direct-vent gas fireplaces can cut heating bills by reducing dependence on the central furnace. They burn efficiently with up to 70 percent of the heat they generate remaining in the house.

A fireplace also adds intangible value by helping buyers see your home in a better light.

For even more tips and frequently asked questions visit The Kiper Team website where information doesn't cost you a thing. Call us today: (636) 898-1231 The #2 Re/max team in St. Louis.

Mortgage Rates Drop to Lowest this Year!

On Fri June 11th interest rates fell to the lowest this year as reported in the Wall Street Journal

The average rate on on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage fell to 4.8%

Adjustable mortgages fell below 4%

These low rates now make up for the difference of those who did not take advantage of the Federal Tax Credit.

Rates change on a daily basis. Call me or send an email to find how low rates are and how much house you can qualify for today!

kevino@equityonemortgage.com (314)517-5737

Good Luck with your home search!
Kevin O'Connell

Home Maintenance Checklist

Older homes especially, and new homes as well, need regular maintenance. Here is an annual checklist of areas that need to be inspected to keep your home in top condition.

Exterior Maintenance

* Gutters and downspouts need year-round attendance to make sure they are operating properly. Improper water drainage can ruin a foundation and cause other costly damage.
* Window and door caulking should be secure. If it’s missing or pulling away, it could lead to water infiltration and eventually damage the substructures.
* Check the grade around the foundation. Over the years dirt may settle and a layer of topsoil may need to be added to maintain a slope away from the house. Don’t allow low areas to remain and collect water. Fill them immediately.
* Watch for broken or missing roof shingles. Your roof is your home’s only defense against inclement weather.Keep it in top form.The only sure way to stop a leak in a rooftop vent is to replace the flashing. If you see what looks like a sloppy mess of tar around the vent it usually means the flashing was not replaced.
* Keep all your receipts for permanent home improvement projects such as new siding. You’ll need them for documenting warranty claims and replacement costs for insurance purposes.

Interior Maintenance

* Keep the caulking around the tub and sink in good repair. If deteriorating, it could leak water into substructures.
* Bathroom flooring that is cracked or does not fit tightly against fixtures can allow water to seep through to the subfloor. Even if you’ve never had a toilet overflow, condensation from it and wet feet stepping out of the tub is enough water to cause damage over time. A soft, spongy spot in the floor is an indication of water damage to the subfloor.
* Check your basement for peeling paint on exterior walls. Does the basement smell musty? Are mold and mildew present on exterior walls? These are all indications of moisture in the basement. Take steps to stop moisture with dehumidifiers, sump pumps and de-watering systems in addition to the exterior maintenance methods mentioned above.
* Tub surrounds should have grout and tiles intact. Missing grout or loose tiles can lead to wall damage from water. Pay particular attention to the area around fixtures.
* In the kitchen, again it is water that causes the most damage. Check around the edge of the sink where it meets the countertop. Does it have a good seal? Next check where the countertop meets the backsplash. A leak there could cause wall or cabinet damage.
* Walls and ceilings are prone to mildew if not ventilated properly. Look for irregular brown spots. A brown ring can signify water damage; a thorough investigation is needed to locate the leak and repair it.
* Electrical boxes should be in good repair at all times and free from rust. If you notice a rusty panel, call an electrician immediately and don’t touch it.

It is a good idea to keep all the maintenance manuals for appliances, furnaces, water softeners, fans, wood burning stoves, etc. They contain valuable information on operation and safety. Many have problem-solving areas for the homeowner and contact information for parts and supplies. Be sure to return the warranty card if one is provided.

Protect your money by protecting your home. No matter how long you plan to live in the house, good repair will aid in appreciating its value. For more in depth information about repairing your home and other helpful information visit the Kiper Team.

Opportunity Knocking for Many Buyers, But Timing is Key

Many media reports about trends and developments in the housing market are on a national level and don’t capture what’s happening in individual communities across the country.

As local real estate market conditions continue to evolve, savvy consumers rely on the guidance of real estate professionals who are immersed in the industry. With their insight and experience in their local markets they add real value in today’s dynamic real estate environment.

As inventories rise, many buyers have increased negotiating power, but are unsure of how to structure the best deal. Sellers need help positioning their homes in a competitive marketplace and in attracting and engaging serious buyers.

The percentage of consumers surveyed who are more likely to hire a Realtor® has risen from 51 % in 1999 (the first year of the survey) to 64 % in 2006.

In some parts of the country, it is the best time to buy a home since 2001. Homebuyers should act now before their window of opportunity closes, and sellers need to think about how to prepare and market their home effectively. Calling a Realtor® is the best move people on either side of the real estate transaction can make.

For more helpful information about your possible opportunities or any question you may have contact our agents 636-898-1231 or visit our main website The Kiper Team