THE LAFAYETTE REPORT

Missouri Real Estate News: Ballot Proposition Sponsored by the Missouri Association of REALTORS to Ban Transfer Taxes on Sale of Real Estate Rejected by Missouri Secretary of State due to Insufficient Signatures

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:10:04 -0400

The Missouri Association of REALTORS, sponsor of a proposed state constitutional amendment to prohibit transfer taxes on the sale of real estate, announced today that it would file a lawsuit challenging the Missouri Secretary State's rejection of the ballot petition due to insufficient signatures. On Monday, the Missouri Secretary of State announced that the ballot petition, known as Vote “YES” To Stop Double Taxation, failed to secure enough signatures of registered voters to qualify for the November ballot.

The Vote “YES” To Stop Double Taxation Committee collected thousands of petitions across six of the state’s nine congressional districts. The Committee plans to file a lawsuit in Cole County Circuit Court, asking that the petition signatures be declared sufficient. The suit will also ask the court to count signatures rejected by the Secretary of State due to petition circulators not being registered with the state.

“With the large volume of thousands of signatures of supportive voters and the deadline pressure scores of local election authorities faced to check the signatures, there will inevitably be mistakes, and we believe mistakes happened,” said Chuck Hatfield, attorney for the Vote “YES” To Stop Double Taxation Committee. “We owe it to the tens of thousands of Missouri voters who signed the petitions and worked hard on the issue’s behalf to go out and review the signatures and correct the mistakes,” Hatfield said. “We are committed to putting this important question before voters, so they have a chance to protect themselves from double taxation.”

Missouri remains among just 13 states that do not impose a transfer tax on real estate sales. The past legislative session included several proposals to impose a transfer tax on new construction. Lafayette Square REALTOR Michelle Silies commented "the imposition of a tax on the on the sale of real estate will only increase the costs associated the sale of one's home." Ms. Silies further stated "proposals for transfer taxes could not come at a worse time for homeowners already trying to sell their home in this challenging market."

Learn more about the amendment at www.YesToSaveHomes.com.

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PREA SIGNATURE REALTY

PREA Signature Realty is a full service brokerage located at 1709 Park Avenue in the Lafayette Square neighborhood of the City of St. Louis. PREA Signature proudly serves the following city neighborhoods: Lafayette Square, Soulard, Benton Park, Benton Park West, Downtown Loft District, Forest Park Southwest, Central West End, Tower Grove East, Tower Grove South, Compton Heights, Shaw, The Hill, Dogtown, Carondelet, Holly Hills, St. Louis Hills, Dutchtown, and the Other Historic Neighborhoods of the City of Saint Louis, Missouri.

The opinions expressed herein represent the opinions of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of PREA Signature Realty. All photos and written content were produced by PREA Signature Realty. All Rights Reserved - PREA Signature Realty (2009). This content may not be reproduced or reprinted, except for Active Rain re-blogging, without express written permission of PREA Signature Realty.

For more information, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an email to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

@Home in Historic St. Louis - Speechless Sunday - N. Grand Water Tower - St. Louis, Missouri

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 23:23:48 -0400

HISTORY OF WATER TOWER: This 154 foot Corinthian brick column, known as the North St. Louis Water Tower, is located at North Grand Blvd. and 20th Street in North St. Louis. The water tower was built in 1871 at a cost over $45,000. From 1871 to 1912, the water tower was used to create pressure to pump water from the Mississippi River at Bissell's point to the Compton Hill Reservoir at South Grand Blvd. and Arsenal. It was taken out of service in 1912 when electric water pumps replaced the original stealm pumps at Bissell's point. In 1929, it was put back into service as an air beacon. After being threatened with demolition, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

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PREA SIGNATURE REALTY

For more information, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an email to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

Recycling Electronics in Lafayette Square

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 22:44:14 -0400

This month, we focus on a local non-profit Web Innovations and Technology Services ("WITS") who is the largest non-profit electronics recycler in Missouri. Under Missouri law, electronic equipment such as computers, televisions, cell phones, cordless telephones, and monitors are classified as "hazardous waste" and must be collected and disposed by regulated collection sites because electronic equipment often contains heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and even PCBs. Although there are a number of commercial electronics recyclers in the St. Louis area, there is only one with a strong track record of re-use and recycling.

Here are some of WITS' achievements:

In 2009, WITS refurbished and reused over 3,500 computers and other electronics. Since 2004, WITS has refurbished and reused over 20,000 computers and electronics. These refurbished computers and electronics have been sold or given away to residents in local communities.
Over 8,000 volunteers and residents have helped promote or support WITS or donated to WITS programs.
In 2009, WITS diverted over 6.5 million lbs of electronic components from landfills and waste streams by refurbishing electronics, by disassembling electronics, and by re-manufacturing products for other uses. Since, 2004, WITS has diverted over 20.5 million lbs. of electronic components from landfills and waste streams.
65% of electronic items donated to WITS are reused. 35% of electronic items donated to WITS are demanufactured and sold for new product uses.
WITS has created over 365 new jobs since its inception.
1,250 low-income families have volunteered at WITS events to earn a computer, TV or other working electronic item.

Here are some of the ways that St. Louis real estate professionals can benefit from WITS' recycling programs:

Electronic Disposal: Dispose of old, used and inoperable electronic equipment in a safe, environmentally friendly manner. Other commercial recyclers charge disposal fees. WITS does not charge for the disposal of most electronic items delivered to the WITS' facility or delivered to a WITS' collection site.
Tax Donation: Receive a charitable donation letter summarizing the fair market value of the donated item for use as a charitable tax donation
Onsite Electronics Pick-Up: If you require pick-up service, WITS charges $50-$100 per box truck for all business pickups, $30-75 for residential pick-up with a 1 hour drive.
Purchase Refurbished Electronic and Other Items: Purchase refurbished computers (from $60), laptops (from $100), and LCD Monitors (from $25). Other items including televisions, radios, stereos, fans, heaters, lawn equipment, etc. are available starting at $5.
Home CleanOut: If you work with seniors or sell home in probate estate, WITS offers a low flat fee ($100) pick-up service of all household items. WITS then repackages and delivers such non-electronic items as clothing, household furniture, etc. to other non-profits.

Other WITS's programs:

Volunteer for Computer Program: Volunteers who agree to work at WITS' facility or WITS' events for 65 hours receive a free computer or other electronic item. Senior, veteran and disabled volunteers can work from home placing telephone calls and earn a free computer after 45 hours of volunteer time.
Student Program: Eligible low income students accepted to college and maintain a B+ average receive a free computer.
Kids with Kancer Program: Chronically ill children age 8 to 18 suffering from cancer and hospitalized or receiving full-time home care are eligible to receive a free laptop.
Seniors Program: WITS receives applications from seniors and donates 1 computer system per month to seniors in need of a computer.
Computer Exchange: Non-profit organizations, schools and churches can exchange used, old and inoperable computers for new computers.
Revenue Sharing: Non-profit organizations, schools and churches can act as event organizers or collection sites and receive a percentage of the income generated from the recycling of electronic items.

If you are interested in learning more about WITS, visit their facility at 647 E Holly Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63147 (2 blocks from N. Grand and Hwy 70), their website at www.witsinc.org, or their upcoming recycling event in Belleville, Illinois on August 8 or Chesterfield, Missouri on August 28.

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PREA SIGNATURE REALTY

For more information, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an email to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

What is Your Home in the City of St. Louis Worth?

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:20:55 -0400

This site provides you with an estimated value based on modeling. The comparable sales used to determine the estimated market value may or may not be comparable and the estimated fair market value may not reflect recent changes in market conditions. In addition, the estimated market value and the optimum list price may be different. Data provided by First American Core Logic. Home valuation provided courtesy of PREA Signature Realty.

Need a more precise analysis of the optimum list price for your historic home, townhome, condominium or loft in the City of St. Louis? Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381 or via e-mail to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

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PREA SIGNATURE REALTY

For more information, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an email to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

Recent Missouri Court Cases - Legal Update

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:01:32 -0400

The following recent court decisions may be relevant to your real estate practice in Missouri:

City's real estate "for sale" restriction requiring a certificate of code compliance prior to marketing a home for sale declared invalid. City of Bellefontaine Neighbors v. Scatizzi, Appeal No. 92965 (Missouri Court of Appeal Eastern District)
Attorney's fees incurred to clear title due to filing of invalid mechanic's lien claim recoverable as special damages in slander of title case. Lau v. Pugh, Appeal No. 29289 (Missouri Court of Appeals for the Southern District)
Lender may sue original owner for fraud and negligent representation for non-disclosure of flooding problems - even though there was no privity of contract between lender for purchaser and original owner/seller. White v. Bowman, Appeals No. 29631 (Missouri Court of Appeals for the Southern District)
Assignment by original purchaser of misrepresentation claim against original seller held valid even though assignment occurred after original purchaser sold home to third party. Adams v. Cossa, Appeal No. 92601 (Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District)

NEED A SPEAKER TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF CURRENT CASES AND LIABILITY TRENDS OF INTEREST TO ST. LOUIS REALTORS? Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381.

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PREA SIGNATURE REALTY

For more information, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an email to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

MISSISSIPPI BLUFFS - TRULY A ROOM WITH A VIEW

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:28:33 -0400

Just want to share with St. Louis buyers a short clip of the tranquil river views offered by Mississippi Bluffs.

INTERESTED IN LIVING ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BLUFFS WITH VIEWS SPANNING FROM DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS TO THE JEFFERSON BARRACKS BRIDGE? Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty to schedule your tour of the Mississippi Bluffs, a gated new home community in historic Carondelet.

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PREA SIGNATURE REALTY

For more information, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an email to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

TECHNOLOGY TIP - EMBEDDING YOUTUBE AND OTHER VIDEOS IN YOUR CRAIGSLIST AD

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:40:54 -0400

For real estate agents, Craigslist is an invaluable marketing tool. However, it isn't exactly technologically advanced platform, visually pleasing or even user friendly. It does, however, generate leads. As with any marketing medium, it is important to differentiate yourself from your competition. The text ads offered by Craigslist offer little visual appeal. Craigslst ads created using html code - whether cutting and pasting html from Postlets or your ActiveRain blog or some other html editor - are more visually appealing and project a more professional image.

Despite the title of this post, Craigslist doesn't support embedded YouTube or other videos. If you attempt to embed a video, Craigslist simply strips it out of your ad when it is posted to the site.

However, there is a simple solution.

Step 1: Take a screenshot of your YouTube video
Step 2: Upload the photo to your favorite photo hosting site.
Step 3: Using your preferred html editor, upload the photo and then create a link to your YouTube video URL.
Step 4: Cut and paste the code into your Craigslist ad.

The code should look something like this: <a href=”[insert YouTube URL here” rel=”nofollow”><img border="0" src="Insert Photo URL here" width="480" height-"295" </a>

By following the steps above, your Craigslist ad has the look and feel of an advertisement with an embedded video. As a result, you have distinguished your advertisement from those of your competitors on Craigslist. More importantly, you increase the likelihood that the ad reader will watch the video. An embedded video (or even a pseudo embedded video) is more likely to be watched than a video linked to the ad by a hyperlink. The method described above is effective because the ad reader is accustomed to clicking on the start arrow to see a video. The second advantage offered by this method is that it captures the ad reader. By clicking on the image, the ad reader is then taken from the Craigslist site to the site where your video is hosted. If your video is hosted on your YouTube channel, website or blog, you have increased the likelihood that they will view other videos or information from your hosting site.

To see an example, visit: http://stlouis.craigslist.org/reb/1828371425.html

INTERESTED IN SELLING YOUR HOME IN ST. LOUIS USING? Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381 or by e-mail to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com to discover how to use technology to more effectively market your home for sale.

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PREA SIGNATURE REALTY

For more information, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an email to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

@HOME IN HISTORIC ST. LOUIS - MEET THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK - MISSISSIPPI BLUFFS - 5306 S. BROADWAY (CARONDELET)

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:31:58 -0400

MISSISSIPPI BLUFFS - SIMPLY STUNNING
5306 S. BROADWAY

DISPLAYS OPEN DAILY
3 "A" UNITS REMAIN IN BUILDING 1- AVAILABLE FROM $430,000
NOW TAKING RESERVATIONS FOR BUILDING 2

TO SCHEDULE A PRIVATE SHOWING, CONTACT:
MICHELLE SILIES 314-397-3182
RYAN SHAUGHNESSY 314-971-4381

PREA SIGNATURE REALTY
THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR CITY LIVING

WWW.PREASIGNATUREREALTY.COM
WWW.MISSISSIPPIBLUFFS.COM

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PREA SIGNATURE REALTY

For more information, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an email to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

TOP 10 REASONS TO PURCHASE A NEW TOWNHOME AT MISSISSIPPI BLUFFS TODAY

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 17:39:38 -0400

PREA Signature Realty is proud to announce that we have added Mississippi Bluffs to the list of new home communities that we represent in the City of St. Louis, Missouri. The Mississippi Bluffs community is located South of Downtown St. Louis in the historic Carondelet neighborhood.

The Mississippi Bluffs community features:

34 Contemporary Townhomes
Gated Community
6.2 Acre Private Park
Civil War Era Shot Tower - Now Serves as Community Terrace
Planned Plunge Pool, Walking Trails and Community Garden
Contemporary Architecture and Finishes
Smart, Sustainable Construction Methods and Materials
Sweeping Views of Downtown St. Louis Riverfront to the Jefferson Barracks Bridge
3 "A" Units Remain in Phase - Priced from: $430,000.00

To see why it is a great time to purchase a new townhome at the Mississippi Bluffs, watch our Top 10 video:

For more project information and floor plans regarding the Mississippi Bluffs community, visit www.MississippiBluffs.com or www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381. The Mississippi Bluffs' display is located at 5306 S. Broadway and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday).

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PREA SIGNATURE REALTY

For more information, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an email to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

WCR LIVE - SALES TRAINING WITH STEVE HOFFACKER

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 01:37:18 -0400

This month's WCR LIVE - BROKER CONFERENCE CALL featured an interview by hosts Klaus Bank and Ryan Shaughnessy with sales and marketing strategist Steve Hoffacker. In this segment, Steve Hoffacker discussed the importance of "scoring" your customers and working smarter. Topics discussed on the show included:

Qualifying the Customer
Using Objective Criteria to Rate your Customers
Rate, Score and Rank your Customers
Prioritizing Customers Based on Likelihood of Purchase
Structuring Work Based Customer Score

If you haven't read Steve Hoffacker's books "Making the Grade" and "Knowing the Score", this month's show gave a brief introduction to the sales training concepts discussed in these books and how these concepts can be used to grow your business by closing more sales in less time and with less effort. The central premise is that "all customers are not created equal" and you need to focus your sales activities on prospects that are most likely to purchase. The show can be heard at www.BlogTalkRadio.com/WCRLive. Steve Hoffacker's books are available for purchase from his website at www.SteveHoffacker.com.

Again, thanks Steve for appearing on the show and sharing your wisdom collected over your more than 30 years in the new construction home industry.

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PREA SIGNATURE REALTY

For more information, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an email to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

MISSOURI BLUE BOOK - YOUR GUIDE TO YOUR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:08:42 -0400

For over 100 years, the Missouri Secretary State has published the Missouri Blue Book (also known as the “Office Manual for Missouri”). It is an invaluable guide for real estate agents and brokerages that handle relocations, specialize in the marketing and sale of historic or commercial properties or that market to a niche group such as senior housing or low income housing.

It is also an invaluable tool for those who simply want to keep abreast of political developments impacting the real estate industry. The manual includes such information as descriptions and contact information for elected officials, state government offices, regulatory agencies and county and municipal information. The manual is more than a simple directory. It also includes a wealth of information on Missouri ranging from statistical information to essays on Missouri attractions and history.

To view the Missouri Blue Book online, visit: http://www.sos.mo.gov/bluebook/2009-2010/default.asp. Or, if you prefer your own free copy of the Missouri Blue Book, visit: http://www.sos.mo.gov/publications/onlineordering/

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PREA SIGNATURE REALTY

For more information, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an email to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

SPOTTING REAL ESTATE TRENDS - FEDERAL RESERVE BANK PUBLICATIONS

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:53:55 -0400

The Federal Reserve Bank offers a wealth of information on the housing market, financial markets and the economy generally. By visiting its website, you can view current and past issues of their publications to track tends and spot business opportunities. Here are some publications available from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis:

PERIODICALS

Annual Report: current issue | subscribe | past issues - Preserving the independence of the Federal Reserve is as important today as it was when Congress created the Fed in 1913. Read about why a well-designed central bank needs to be independent, credible, accountable and transparent in The St. Louis Fed's 2009 Annual Report.

Bridges: current issue | e-mail alert | subscribe | RSS | past issues - Is a quarterly review of regional community development issues, projects and regulatory changes for lenders and community groups.

Burgundy Books: These reports provide anecdotal information along with formal data for each of the regions (or zones) in the St. Louis Fed's Eighth District. Released four times per year. Example – St. Louis Economic Data: http://research.stlouisfed.org/regecon/burgundybooks/10/03/BB0310StL.pdf.

Central Banker: A quarterly overview of Fed policies, initiatives and news affecting financial institutions in the Eight District. Example: In-Depth: Look Near and Far To Cover CRA Assessment Lending Areas

Liber8 Newsletter: A newsletter written for librarians, students and the general public on current economic topics. Includes links to relevant data and articles. Published nine times a year, August - November, and January - May. Example: What Does Foreclosure Entail? or What Does Foreclosure Entail?,

Regional Economic Development: A journal of local and regional economic development, with particular focus on the Eighth Federal Reserve District.

The Regional Economist: A quarterly publication that addresses national and regional economic issues and their impact on the Eighth District. Example: District Overview: Decline in House Prices Slows Down; District Still Faring Better than Nation or Why HARM the Subprime Borrower?.

Review: A journal of articles about the national and international economic developments -- particularly their monetary aspects. Example: Nonlinear Effects of School Quality on House Prices.

WORKING PAPERS

Economic Research Working Papers: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis working papers are preliminary materials circulated to stimulate discussion and critical comment. Papers appear in Acrobat PDF format

Supervisory Policy Analysis Working Papers: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis working papers are preliminary materials circulated to stimulate discussion and critical comment. Papers appear in Acrobat PDF format.

RESEARCH REPORTS

Casino Gambling in America and Its Economic Impacts - PDF 656 KB - Will a casino be a boon or bust for your community? Fed senior economist Thomas A. Garrett explores the effects of casino gambling on local employment, tax revenue and retail business in this research study.

The Impact of Local Predatory Laws on the Flow of Subprime Credit - PDF 717 KB - Starting in 1999 with North Carolina, 24 states and other local governments have enacted laws to curb predatory lending in the subprime mortgage market. How do these laws affect the flow of subprime credit in those areas? A new report from Anthony Pennington-Cross, a research economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, suggests that the typical law has little impact, as measured by loan origination and application.

Light-Rail Transit in America: Policy Issues and Prospects for Economic Development - PDF 1489 KB - Over the past several decades, cities across America have constructed light-rail systems as a means of reducing traffic congestion and promoting economic development. In this research report, Fed senior economist Tom Garrett discusses whether light rail has lived up to these expectations.

Local Crime and Local Business Cycles - PDF 956 KB - Do business cycles affect crime rates? A report from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis provides some answers to that question by presenting information on local business cycles and crime rates in 23 major cities. Written by Fed economist Thomas A. Garrett and senior research associate Lesli S. Ott, the report includes data for four cities in the Bank’s District: St. Louis, Little Rock, Louisville and Memphis.

Neighborhood Characteristics Matter... When Businesses Look for a Location - PDF 2470 KB

What is it about a neighborhood that attracts businesses? Economist Christopher Wheeler studies the issue in this study that looks at the data from a neighborhood level. The report looks at ZIP codes across the country and then focuses on the St. Louis Fed’s District, with data from St. Louis, Little Rock, Louisville and Memphis.

Passive Policies for Entrepreneurs - PDF 1477 KB - A study by St. Louis Fed economists Thomas A. Garrett and Howard J. Wall finds that the absence of government intervention creates a better climate for entrepreneurship. Although policymakers often pursue active policies when recruiting businesses, such as targeted tax breaks or other incentives, more passive policies lower the general cost of running or starting a business and increase rates of entrepreneurship.

Urban Sprawl, Urban Promise: A Case Study of Memphis, Tennessee - PDF 1352 KB - Prepared by David Ciscel, a professor of economics at the University of Memphis. Related to the economy of Memphis and the Delta region.

GUIDES

Coming Up with the Money - view online - Published in 2002, this self-study guide explains the basics of launching a community development project. Available as an easy-to-use online tool or in a series of printable PDFs:

Introduction (PDF 138 KB)
Unit 1: Core Principles (PDF 206 KB)
Unit 2: Go/No Go (PDF 226 KB)
Unit 3: Case Study No. 1 / Case Study No. 2 (PDF 365 KB)
Glossary (PDF 193 KB)
Web Sites (PDF 106 KB)

Credit Scoring - The Federal Reserve System's Mortgage Credit Partnership Credit Scoring Committee has produced a series on this increasingly popular underwriting tool. The series was published in installments in 2001 and 2002 by the St. Louis Fed as a project of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, San Francisco and St. Louis, as well as the Board of Governors. The series examines many of the controversial elements of credit scoring. Each part is available as a separate PDF.

Introduction (PDF 552KB)
Part 1 — Credit Scoring Overview (PDF 1.09MB)
Part 2 — Credit Scoring Model Development and Maintenance (PDF 232KB)
Part 3 — Third-Party Brokers (PDF 506KB)
Part 3 — Supplement (PDF 400KB)
Part 4 — Staff Training, Loan Pricing and Data Accuracy (PDF 535KB)
Part 5 — Overrides and Second-Review Process (PDF 816KB)

Foreclosure Survival Guide - PDF 433 KB | order copies - This publication from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis is intended for homeowners who are having difficulty paying their mortgage. The guide provides basic information on when to worry about a loan, how to get help from a housing counselor and pitfalls to avoid in choosing a counselor. The free publication also includes a national hotline number (1-888-995-HOPE) and a list of local counseling agencies.

Innovative Ideas for Revitalizing the LIHTC Market - PDF 636 KB - In the current economy, with homeownership more difficult to attain, the need for rental housing has become increasingly important. However, the market for Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs), a major source of capital for the development of rental housing, has experienced a serious downturn. This publication, produced by the Board of Governors’ and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ Community Affairs functions, features six short articles by experts with their ideas for bolstering the LIHTC program.

Learn Before You Leap - The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis' Learn Before You Leap brochures list counseling agencies, customized by Eighth District Branch, that provide advice on every step of the home-buying process, from budgeting income to negotiating a contract to closing on a loan. Available as printable PDFs in both English and Spanish. Multiple hard copies can also be ordered from each District Branch contact: St. Louis (call Cynthia Davis, 314-444-8761) English (PDF 292 KB) Spanish (PDF 238 KB).

The Resource Guide for Small Businesses: Where To Go for Money and Advice - PDF 258 KB - Business assistance and alternative capital resources available in the St. Louis metropolitan region are listed in this booklet. Designed for owners of small businesses and microenterprises, the guide is intended to be a starting point for those opening a new business or wishing to expand an existing business. The Resource Guide is a project of the St. Louis County Economic Council, US Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The booklet is available online and can also be ordered free of charge from Cynthia Davis at the Federal Reserve, 314-444-8761.

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PREA SIGNATURE REALTY

For more information, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an email to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

JUST LISTED - Mississippi Bluffs - 34 Contemporary Townhomes on 6+ Acre Private Park Overlooking Mississippi River in Historic Carondelet (South of Downtown St. Louis)

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 02:11:32 -0400

PREA Signature Realty is proud to announce that we have added Mississippi Bluffs to the list of new home communities that we represent in the City of St. Louis, Missouri. The Mississippi Bluffs community is located South of Downtown St. Louis in the historic Carondelet neighborhood.

The Mississippi Bluffs community features:

34 Contemporary Townhomes
Gated Community
6.2 Acre Private Park
Civil War Era Shot Tower - Now Serves as Community Terrace
Planned Plunge Pool, Walking Trails and Community Garden
Contemporary Architecture and Finishes
Smart, Sustainable Construction Methods and Materials
Sweeping Views of Downtown St. Louis Riverfront to the Jefferson Barracks Bridge
3 "A" Units Remain in Phase - Priced from: $430,000.00

To see why Mississippi Bluffs is sure to make waves in the St. Louis real estate market, watch the short Mississippi Bluffs community video:

For more project information and floor plans regarding the Mississippi Bluffs community, visit www.MississippiBluffs.com or www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381. The Mississippi Bluffs' display is located at 5306 S. Broadway and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday).

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PREA SIGNATURE REALTY

For more information, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an email to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

Real Estate Technology - Facebook Fan Page Series - Creating Your Facebook Fan Page - Creating a Custom Facebook Fan Page Tab

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:05:51 -0500

In this series on How to Set Up a Facebook Fan Page for Real Estate Associations, Brokerages and Agents, we will discuss the basics on how to set up a Facebook Fan Page. Here are the topics in this series:

How to Set-Up a Basic Facebook Page
How to Create Customized Tabs for Facebook Fan Page
HTML/FBML Code, Cheap Tricks and Short Cuts, and Other Design Ideas
Strategies for Using Facebook Fan Page to Market and Sell Real Estate

In today's installment, we discuss how to create customized tabs. As discussed in the prior post, Facebook Fan Pages have six tabs with two tabs universally dedicated on every Facebook Fan Page - Wall Tab and Info Tab.

Step 1 - Install Static FBML Application. Go to Wall Tab. On left side, click on "Edit Page". The bottom section is labeled as More Applications. Click on "Browse More". On Applications Page, enter "FBML" or "Static FBML" into search box. The search results should include an application called "Static FBML". Click on "Static FBML". On the Static FBML under the Application icon, click on "Add to My Page". There will then be a pop up showing your Facebook Fan Pages. Click on the Fan Page upon which you want to install the custom tab.

Step 2 - Create Custom Tab. Go to Wall Tab and click on "Edit Page." Go the FBML Application. Click on "Application Settings". Click on "Tab Available Add."

Step 3 - Create the Page Content for the Tab. Now, click on "Edit". There will be an elongated rectangular box. In the first section, enter the name of the custom tab in the "Box Title" section as you want it to appear on the Facebook Fan Page Tab Bar. In the second section, cut and paste the HTML/FBML code into the box entitled "FBML".

Step 4 - Creating HTML/FBML Code. There are three divergent methods on how to create the Page Content for the custom Facebook Fan Page Tab. Here are some of the methods:

HTML Code: If you are an experienced programmer, you simply write the HTML code necessary to create the page content. For this method, you want to employ a professional such as Mike Mueller on Activerain. Here is a link to his website describing his custom Facebook Fan Page Business Services.

HTML Editor: Use an HTML editor to create the intended design and look and then click on the source code to obtain the HTML code. NVU is a free and easy to use HTML editor and can be downloaded for free. Or, if you blog on ActiveRain, use their WYSIWYG editor, save as draft, and then open again click on HTML. To join ActiveRain under a free membership, click on New Member. Cut and paste the code into the Static FBNL box.

NVU Editor

Design on Screen

Click on Source at the bottom of the design screen to obtain HTML code.

Cut and paste HTML code.

ActiveRain Blog

Design on screen using WYSIWYG editor.

Save as draft.

Click on edit to open blog post. Click on HTML to switch from WYSIWYG editor to HTML editor. Cut and past HTML code.

Image Only HTML: Create your intended content using any program such as Microsoft Publisher. Use a screen image capture service like the free Snagit Editor to capture the image and then save the image as a .jpg file. Upload the jpg file into a free photo hosting service like Photobucket. Edit the photo to create an image a maximum of 760 pixels wide. Cut and paste the HTML code from the photo hosting service into the Static FBML box.

Create item. Use screen capture like Snagit to capture the image. Save as a .jpg.

Upload .jpg file to Photobucket. Cut and paste HTML code for image.

To see a recent Facebook Fan Page set up for the Metropolitan St. Louis Chapter of the Women's Counsel of Realtors using all of the methods described above, click on: WCR-St. Louis Fan Page. It is still a work in process but you will get some ideas.

In the next post, we will discuss how to create more specialized boxes and tabs using simple HTML code.

For more information on how to create your customized Fan Page, contact Ryan Shaughnessy at PREA Signature Realty at 314-971-4381. Or, visit www.PREASignatureRealty.com and click on the "Technology Toolbox."

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PREA SIGNATURE REALTY

For more information, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an email to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

Real Estate Tech Gadgets - Content Distribution Using Podcasts - Convert Blog Text to MP3 Files and More

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:39:40 -0500

For real estate professionals looking for ways to create podcasts, Odiogo.com offers a quick, easy, and free way to convert the text from blog entries into spoken words that can then be listened to online, can be listened to as streaming audio, or can be downloaded as MP3 files. It also will syndicate all of your posts so that they can be added to one's RSS reader and pulled down as podcasts for listening on a portable music player

Sometimes technology can be tedious to test and install. I was able to register, set up the feed, convert the posts to audio files, and install our website in about an hour. There are several installation options depending on the blog platform that you use - including plug-ins, JavaScript code and Html code.

Here were the steps:

Step 1 - Go to Odiogo.com. Register your blog by providing your e-mail and URL link.

Step 2 - Receive confirmation e-mail with your feed identification number, link for RSS feed with audio files, and link for blog podcast subscriptions, downloads or online listening.

Step 3 - Install subscription link or button on blog, website, etc. by creating hyperlink or using plug-ins, JavaScript code, or Html code.

Step 4 - Install listen button on blog, website, etc. by creating hyperlink or using plug-ins, JavaScript code, or Html code.

Although the the digital voice used by Odiogo is an improvement over the last generation of computer generated speakers, the digital voice can be tiresome to listen to after several minutes and has some quirky inflections and pronunciations. However, it remains a great alternative for distribution of podcasts - especially if you don't have the tools or time to record your own voice on podcasts.

PREA Signature Realty is pleased to announce that the blog Lafayette Report, written by Ryan Shaughnessy and hosted by ActiveRain.com, may now be heard online using streaming audio feeds powered by Odiogo.com. To listen online, download podcasts, or subscribe to the podcasts, visit our website PREASignatureRealty.com or go directly to our blog subscription and podcast download page. Within the first day of installation and use, we had favorable comments from several of our customers and a few new prospects

At PREA Signature Realty, we strive to stay ahead of the trends and hope that you will allow us to show you how the use of technology can be used as a tool to assist in the marketing and sale of your home today. For more information, please contact Ryan S. Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or via e-mail at Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

If you have used this technology or a similar service, please share your insight and post a comment mentioning the service and how you used or incorporated it into your marketing plan.

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GENERAL DISCLAIMERS

Review Note: The opinions and statements contained herein represent my personal opinions and observations. These blog entries are not reviewed, endorsed or approved for publication by Gilded Age, L.L.C., Gilded Age Sales, L.L.C. , Preservation Real Estate Advisors, L.L.C. or any affiliated companies.

Real Estate Licensure Note: Ryan Shaughnessy is a licensed real estate attorney and Preservation Real Estate Advisors, L.L.C. is a licensed real estate brokerage in the State of Missouri. The contact information for the brokerage is: 1802 Lafayette Avenue, Suite 200, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, (314) 771-7233 x13 (office), (314) 771-4085 (facsimile), or ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com. The website pages and blog posts are provided for informational and discussion purposes only and shall not constitute the listing or offering of any property for sale or rent or the performance of any activity for which a license is required outside of the State of Missouri.

Legal Advice Disclaimer: The author is a licensed attorney. However, the opinions and statements contained herein are for informational and discussion purposes only and shall not constitute the provision of legal advice. Nothing contained herein shall establish an attorney-client relationship. Readers are cautioned to seek legal counsel in their state before using or relying upon any of the information contained herein.

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General Notice: The materials available through this blog and other websites owned or provided by Preservation Real Estate Advisors, L.L.C. are the property of Preservation Real Estate Advisors, L.L.C. and are protected by copyright, trademark and other intellectual property laws. You may view, copy and print pages from the Website only (1) for personal use, provided that you maintain all copyright, trademark, and other proprietary rights or notices, (2) for republication by Activerain members, provided that you maintain all copyright, trademark and other proprietary rights or notices, (3) as a personal home search resource, (3) for communicating with Preservation Real Estate Advisors, L.L.C. about our listed properties, products or services. You may not otherwise use, reproduce, download, store, post, broadcast, transmit, modify, sell or make available to the public content from the this blog or other websites owned or provided by Preservation Real Estate Advisors, L.L.C. without the prior written approval of Preservation Real Estate Advisors, L.L.C.

Trademark/Service Mark Notice: PREA Signature Realty, the logo, and other trademarks are trademarks of Preservation Real Estate Advisors, L.L.C. and may not be used without permission. The names of other companies, products and services used in any blog post or contained on any website page are the property of their respective owners.

Photographs and Graphic Materials Notice: Photographs and other graphic images are the property of their respective owners and are used with the express permission of the owner of photograph or graphic image.

Digital Millennium Copyright Act Notice: Preservation Real Estate Advisors, L.L.C. respects the intellectual property rights of others and is committed to complying with U.S. copyright laws, including the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 ("DMCA"). The DMCA provides recourse for owners of copyrighted material who believe their rights under U.S. copyright law have been infringed on the Internet or other telecommunications networks. As a provider of transitory digital communications in the form of the comment section of any post, Preservation Real Estate Advisors, L.L.C.'s activities are protected by the safe harbor provision of the DMCA (see 17 U.S.C. 512 (a)). Preservation Real Estate Advisors, L.L.C. is therefore not obligated to respond to a copyright owner (or the owner's agent) nor does Preservation Real Estate Advisors, L.L.C. have a duty to remove or disable access to material transmitted, routed or connected to the Preservation Real Estate Advisors, L.L.C.'s network(s) that is initiated and/or directed by an individual user. If you believe that Preservation Real Estate Advisors, L.L.C. has infringed your copyrighted work in a way that does not fall within the applicable DMCA safe harbor provision, please provide notice to our Copyright Agent. The notice must include the following information as required by the DMCA (see 17 U.S.C. 512(c)(3)). In addition, the notice should include the basis for your belief that Preservation Real Estate Advisors, L.L.C. is not merely providing transitory digital communications under 17 U.S.C. 512(a) of the DMCA: (1) A physical or electronic signature of a person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed; (2) Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed, or, if multiple copyrighted works at a single online site are covered by a single notification, a representative list of such works at that site; (3) Identification of the material that is claimed to be infringing or to be the subject of infringing activity and that is to be removed or access to which is to be disabled, and information reasonably sufficient to permit the service provider to locate the material; (4) Information reasonably sufficient to permit the service provider to contact the complaining party, such as address, telephone number, and, if available, an electronic mail address at which the complaining party may be contacted; (5) A statement that the complaining party has a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; (6) A statement that the information in the notification is accurate and under penalty of perjury, that the complaining party is authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed. NOTE: The Copyright Agent should only be contacted with respect to copyright-infringement matters. The Copyright Agent will not respond to general inquiries. Copyright Agent: Shaughnessy & Silies, L.L.C., 1802 Lafayette Avenue Suite 200, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, By fax: 314-771-4085, By email: ryan@shaughnessylaw.com.

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PREA SIGNATURE REALTY

For more information, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an email to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.