2853 Sidney is OPEN, Sunday, April 19 from 1-3PM.

Reasons to BUY this house…

LOCATION: 2358 Sidney is located right at the intersection of Fox Park and Tower Grove East. Technically, the home is in Fox Park, but this intersection (Sidney and Nebraska) has seen a ton of grassroots development over the last couple of years. On the opposite corner there is a row of two story houses that have all sold for 198,000+. Just across the street, a former industrial building was converted into 4 condos upstairs and a live work space on the first floor. And just two doors west of 2853 Sidney there is commercial/retail space with 2 condos above. Visually this location is beautiful in an architectural sense because of the cohesiveness of the architecture. Look at the way these dutch colonials match in scale and aesthetics!

INTERIOR FINISH: This year 2853 Sidney was completely rehabbed and the owners made a significant improvement in terms of layout. They added a first floor half bath. I am really impressed at how well they pulled it off. They were interviewing agents while they were still under construction and I remember being hesitant when they said they were going to fit a half bath on the first floor. I have seen other homes that stole space from the first floor rooms and it always seemed to negatively alter the flow. I remember going in one house that just had a drywall box in the at the edge of the dining room. –very very wrong, not at all planned and very poorly executed. But walking through 2853 Sidney, you would never think that the half bath wasn’t there to begin with. It fits into the layout perfectly! The owners worked with a licensed and bonded general contractor to make sure all the details were in place. Other features of the home that I think will impress include the glass tile around fireplace, the breakfast bar in kitchen, and the upstairs full bath with the glass block ledge in the shower.

VALUE: Finding a home under 125K with 1.5 baths is difficult. An MLS search shows that there are only 4 homes priced between 100-125K that have an additional half bath in the 63104 or 63118 zip codes. Below is a snap shot of values in the 63104 or 63118 zip code of move in ready homes that had 2 bedrooms and 1.5 baths that have sold in the last year. Square footage for this group of homes ranges between 1100-1500. The average price per square foot is $102. At 1239 square feet Sidney is prices right at $100 a square foot.

This Sunday I will be holding 6405 Ruth open on Sunday from 1-3PM. Ruth sits at the edge of Christy Park. In  front of the home there’s a bike path that runs past, a connection from Carondolet Park to the Metrolink. The home itself is bright and peaceful, light floods in from all directions

From the outside you would never know how much space this home offers. The first floor has a living room, dining room, kitchen, three bedrooms, a full bath and a family room. The lower level is completely finished with a bar (is there a south city home without one?) a large but cozy family room, playroom, office and full bath. One of my favorite things about this home is that there are two FUNCTIONING wood burning fireplaces: one upstairs and one down.

The kitchen was recently updated and is large enough for a built-in desk and table. When it was remodeled every inch of the kitchen was thought through. There’s plenty of prep space and tons of storage.

Below is a photo of the finished lower level. Note the recessed lighting, crown molding and fireplace. Much nicer than you were expecting, right?

This a true ranch, built with pride, maintained over time and updated with a sense of history. If you think you don’t like “ranch style” homes, one tour through this one will change your mind.

This Sunday from 1-3PM, 2631 Nebraska will be open for viewing for the first time. The home is listed at 199,900. It has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a two-car garage. The home next door sold for 220K last Fall and the home on the other side is being renovated by the same crew.

30 year fixed residential home loans are at 5.625%!  That means that with a 10% down payment this home will have a monthly principle and interest rate payment of approximately $745.50. Isn’t that more than your rent?

There are so many things to like about this house. First of all, is its very affordable price. 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths in superior condition for less than 150K? Really? I guess there are some things to love about this market.

Anyway, as I sit in another particularly drafty old house, I think of the zoned HVAC which will efficiently heat the first floor during the day and then the second floor during the night, keeping the new owner warm and conserving energy use well.

What else? The idea of a warm, cozy home just in time for the holidays is not enough? What about the gorgeous wood floors, the ample light, the three LARGE, private bedrooms (each with its own closet and ceiling fan)

Still not enough? (What else could you possibly want for $142,500?) Office space on the first floor, tranquil color palette, updated kitchen and baths, blinds on all the windows (do you know how expensive, blinds can be?)

You want more? How’s the location you ask? Well, have you tried the scallops at The Shave Duck? Have you played kickball in Tower Grove Park? Have you ever spend an entire Saturday morning Bread Co. on South Grand drinking coffee and reading the paper? Well if you bought this house, you could do those things every single day and never have to get in your car.

Could you possibly find a better place to live? Well of course you could, but you would have to considerably increase your price range. So make an offer or this lovely, solid, well-located, AFFORDABLE home or else it will belong to someone who is not you.

I’m talking to you!
View all of this and much more at: 3003minnesota.com

There are so many things I like about this new listing. First is the price. For $154,900, you get gorgeous finishes with quality system updates. Between October of 2005 and March of 2006, this home was taken down to the studs and rebuilt with new wiring, new plumbing and new HVAC system. New wood floors were installed on the first floor and the original wood was sanded and refinished upstairs. The kitchen has 42″maple-stained cabinets and stainless appliances and the bathroom was completely gutted and finished with ceramic tile and new fixtures.

There are tons of renovations in the city. Many are so similar that they just blend together. This one, while being neutral, still has many significant details that set it apart from others.

View the site at: 3231hartford.com, or continue reading below…

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Come preview this beautiful renovation in Tower Grove East on Friday, September 21, 2007 from 5:30-7:30PM.

Inside it is a classic beauty with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, functioning pocket doors and granite, stainless kitchen. At $219,900, it is priced to sell before winter. Walking distance to parks and the amenities of Shenandoah crossings.

This house on one of my favorite blocks. You can only access it from Sidney in Tower Grove East. It is a beautiful tree-lined street which dead ends so it is extremely private. Just east of Compton, it is in a convenient location and is in walking distance of Shugg’s Coffee Shop, Van Gogh’s, Tanner B’s and Pestalozzi Place. Tower Grove park and Reservoir park aren’t far either.

Not long ago the home had some major updates including roof, electric, some plumbing. The kitchen has newer cabinets, a large pantry and dishwasher. All the appliances stay with the home.

The layout flows realy well on the first floor. The livingroom and diningroom are in the front of the house, the kitchen and bath are in the center and the private spaces are tucked away in the back. On the first floor there are two vedrooms plus a nursery or a den (however you would prefer to use it), the third bedroom is on the second floor and the basement is finished and is currently being used as game room and family room.

The yard isn’t large but it is level and fenced. Shaded at times but gets plenty of sunlight if you would like a garden. In addition there is a one-car garage that was re-roofed this summer.

Click here for the full slide show.