Tag Archives: St Louis Realtor

March 20 – Match Day for Medical Residents!

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Today may be the biggest single day that hundreds of people find out at the same time that they will be living in St. Louis for the next 3-6 years.  Almost like the military giving orders or the NFL draft, new MD’s pick their favorite residency programs and locations, and likewise, the residency programs at SLU, WASH U, St. Lukes, MERCYresidency relocation to St. Louis and St. Mary’s pick their favorites.  The matching service does the rest.

This organized chaos is something we’ve helped medical residents and fellows with for several years.

Truly, a home buying process for a medical resident is nothing like the traditional home buying process.  Without a buyer’s agent that has a unique understanding of the needs fo an incoming resident, there could be problems.

Last week I showed a home in West County.  I was told by the agent that the owner was a physician that had to sell because he had purchased too far away from the hospital.  Another physician we assisted in the selling process had a buyer’s agent that put him in a community he never liked at a price he would never be able to resell in.  Lots of problems can arise if the process isn’t handled correctly.  Knowing the unique criteria and timelines that residents have, along with their special financing requirements is crucial.

We started a section on our website especially for medical residents to help them avoid the pitfalls of home buying that can take place due to their difficult and fast paced process of relocation.  Visit it or pass it on to a medical resident!

7 Tips for Buyer’s in a Shifting Market

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home buying tipsMarkets in transition are an interesting thing to deal with in real estate.  When markets shift, the rules change.  What was gospel last month is all of the sudden thrown out and new practices have to be used.

The new market is competitive and swift.  The “right” properties are out there, but only stay on the market for hours in some cases.  Check out this list and your chances for landing the perfect house will be much improved.

1.  Work with EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS.

Real estate is a business where on the job training reigns supreme.  The only way to get that training is to be active in the current market.

2.  Work with Agents that have PAPERLESS CAPABILITY.

To beat out other buyer’s with similar desires, having an agent that can put together an offer on a tablet, get your signature, then email the offer can make the difference between getting the right house, or the runner up.

3.  Get pre-approved in advance and have a digitized copy available.

This has been an old rule for many years, but during the housing slump, it became less important.  New urgency requires the need to impress that seller once again.

4.  Know where you stand financially

Aside from getting a pre-approval, lots of buyer’s seem to be confused about what is a comfortable payment for them due to all the other bills and expenses they have.   Despite having gotten a pre-approval and working with a lender, they sometimes hesitate due to lack of awareness of things like when their lease ends, and what their home will cost with taxes and home owners insurance added.

5.  Make a ‘Community Wish List’

Most buyers have wish lists for home features, but often times looking at the type of neighborhood isn’t something that’s explored as much.  Giving your Realtor general ideas about the type of community you want to reside in can go a long way in helping find perspective homes.  It can also help to narrow down listings or decide between homes.

6.  CALL YOUR INSPECTOR QUICKLY

Most of your contract contingencies are based on the execution date of the contract and the first one is generally the inspection contingency.  In years past, getting an inspector in a few days wasn’t a problem, but in this market, inspectors are swamped.  Call them the minute you’re aware you’re contract has been accepted and get a list of good inspectors from your Realtor.

7.  Once you’ve found the right place, DON’T HESITATE!

This is a good rule any time, but particularly now when buyer’s are finding themselves in competition  more frequently.  Sometimes pausing seems like the right thing to do, but if you’ve done your home work and have used the information to make the best decision, waiting only increases the chances of loosing out.  Remember, “he who hesitates is lost!”

St Louis real estate is our specialty! If you’re looking for real estate anywhere in the St Louis, MO area, including St Louis City, St Louis County, St Charles, Ballwin, Chesterfield, Kirkwood,Webster Groves, or one of the other areas we serve, simply click the “Search St Louis Real Estate” link at the top or bottom of this page to begin your home search now.  Follow Chris Grus @