Welcome!

After a short wait, The Local Harvest Cafe is now Open inside the grocery store. It’s the only cafe in town who’s menu offers local ingredients in at least 50% of their offerings. It’s located at 3137 Morgan ford across the street from the new 3 Monkeys Restaurant and Bar. Offering a full coffee bar (with only organics and fair trade), the freshest salads you’ve ever tasted, soups to die for and in house bakery products. Closed on Sunday and Mondays, open til 2 on weekdays and 3 PM on Saturday. I’ve heard there are lots of plans for this eclectic cafe including an expanded menu.
Before stopping by The Cafe make sure to see the Tower Grove Farmers Market located behind the pool/pavilion. Open every Saturday May through October from 8AM til Noon. The market offers a nice selection of local produce and meats.
While at Tower Grove Park make sure to also visit the Lilly Pond, one of my most favorite pre-teen hangouts, cica 1964.
Property values in the Tower Grove South area continue to remain stable. Homeowners are updating their properties and crime has been minimized. The boundries of Tower Grove South (dependent of who you ask) generally are Kingshighway on the west, Arsenal on the north, Grand on the east and Chippewa on the south.

See you next time on the corner

Tags: 3 monkeys, arsenal, chippewa, kingshighway, mo, south grand, st louis, tower grove park, tower grove south

Moving is one of the highet stress levels you can put yourself through. It ranks third behind death and taxes. In order to help relieve your stress a little we’ve developed some tips to help with renting a truck if you plan on moving yourself.

Although moving to a new place or starting a new phase in your life is exciting, nobody enjoys packing everything they own. Finding a truck rental service is not the most pleasant process of moving, either. It’s kind of like trying to find a honest car salesman and a reliable auto mechanic at the same time, while transplanting everything you own and starting your life over. Once you’ve decided you’re ready to talk to a local truck rental service company, here’s a couple things you can expect from the process and a few tips to make the process easier

Planning Ahead Will Save You Money

The price of renting a moving truck varies widely from company to company, from day to day, from month to month, from state to state. The price of renting a truck works almost purely on supply and demand—the fewer available trucks, the more people asking for one, the higher the price, and vice versa. Here’s the extreme: Moving from Los Angeles to St. Louis,MO, leaving on a Friday afternoon, at the end of the month, in the middle of winter, plan on working an extra year before you can retire and maybe throwing in one of your kidneys for a deposit. Still, one thing you can do that will almost always save you some money is to plan ahead and get an early reservation. Truck rental services are more likely to give you a lower price if they know they still have half a dozen other trucks to rent out that day or week. If possible, try to avoid moving at the end of the month. See if you can rework your leasing agreement or the terms of closing on your new home to reschedule the move-in date. Try to rearrange your work schedule, too, so you can move during the week. The more of these conditions you meet the less expensive renting your moving truck is likely to be. If you’re really on the ball, you might try talking to truck rental services to see how much each condition will save you in overall cost.

Requirements for Renting a Moving Truck

A deposit is required before renting a truck. Some companies insist upon a credit card deposit, others will accept a cash deposit. The requirements for renting a truck vary by company, but all renters must have valid drivers’ licenses. If the renter is handicapped, they must bring proof that the person who will be driving is licensed. Some require the driver be 18 years old, 21 years old or 25 years old. The person who rents the truck is responsible for the truck in case of an accident or theft, even if someone else is driving the truck. Some companies allow more than one person to be covered if arranged in advance and/or for an extra fee

Tags: mo, Moving Tips, moving truck, rental truck, st louis

CARRIER - Company transporting your household goods.

DECLARED VALUE - Usually a value you place on all of the items you are moving. It’s better to over estimate than to under estimate because any insurance will be based on this amount.

ESTIMATE, BINDING - This is an agreement made in advance with your mover. It guarantees the total cost of the move based upon the quantities and services shown on the estimate. Note: you should ALWAYS try to get a written moving estimate, even if it is non-binding!

ESTIMATE, NON-BINDING - This is what your mover believes the cost will be, based upon the estimated weight of the shipment and the accessorial services requested. A non-binding estimate is not binding on the mover. The final charges will be based upon the actual weight of your shipment, the services provided, and the tariff provisions in effect.

EXPEDITED SERVICE - Expedited service is an upgraded service that guarantees delivery by a specific date. This is NOT standard and if you do not opt for expedited service, you should treat the “delivery date” as a VERY ROUGH estimate. Always estimate an additional 30% if long distance move.

FLIGHT CHARGE - NOT an airplane trip! This is a charge for carrying items up or down flights of stairs. Charges for these services may be in addition to the line haul charges.

FULL REPLACEMENT VALUE COVERAGE - Insurance coverage that fully covers the entire replacement value of your goods. This is NOT standard and will cost you extra (generally quoted in dollars per $1,000 of replacement value). The best coverage to take.

FULL SERVICE MOVE - The most common kind of move, in which the moving company moves all of your items out of your current residence and into your new residence.

GUARANTEED PICKUP AND DELIVERY SERVICE - A premium service that guarantees pick up and delivery dates (your mover will provide reimbursement to you for delays). Often subject to minimum weight requirements.

HIGH VALUE ARTICLE - These are items included in a shipment valued at more than $100 per pound ($220 per kilogram).

LINE HAUL CHARGES - The charges for the vehicle transportation portion of your move. These charges, if separately stated, apply in addition to the accessorial service charges.

LONG CARRY - A charge for carrying articles excessive distances between the mover’s vehicle and your residence (for example, if your driveway is inaccessible). Charges for these services may be in addition to the line haul charges.

MOBILE CONTAINER - If you do not have a full-service move you may be offered a mobile container, a large container in which you can load your stuff, usually wooden with a canvas cover. This is a less expensive way to move a small apartment, but requires more labor on your part. Great for a college move. Check out ABF or Pods.

OPERATING AUTHORITY - This is the official certification awarded by the government that allows a mover to move your belongings between certain areas.

ORDER (BILL OF LADING) NUMBER - The number used to identify and track your shipment.

PEAK SEASON RATES - Higher line haul charges applicable during the summer months. This is why our checklist recommends you book early if you plan on moving during the summer!

PICKUP AND DELIVERY CHARGES - Separate transportation charges applicable for transporting your shipment between the storage-in-transit warehouse and your residence.

SHUTTLE SERVICE - The use of a smaller vehicle to provide service to residences not accessible to the mover’s normal line haul vehicles.

STORAGE-IN-TRANSIT (SIT) - The temporary warehouse storage of your shipment pending further transportation, with or without notification to you (this is DIFFERENT than temporary storage). If you (or someone representing you) cannot accept delivery on the agreed-upon date or within the agreed-upon time period (for example, because your home is not quite ready to occupy), your mover may place your shipment into SIT without notifying you. In those circumstances, you will be responsible for the added charges for SIT service, as well as the warehouse handling and final delivery charges.

NOTE: Your mover also may place your shipment into SIT if your mover was able to make delivery before the agreed-upon date (or before the first day of the agreed-upon delivery period), but you did not concur with early delivery. In those circumstances, your mover must notify you immediately of the SIT, and your mover is fully responsible for redelivery charges, handling charges, and storage charges.

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD - An agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation that regulates household goods carrier tariffs, among other responsibilities. The Surface Transportation Board’s address is 1925 K Street NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001 Tele. 202-565-1674.

TARIFF - A document (in whole or in part) containing rates, rules, regulations, classifications, or other provisions. The Surface Transportation Board requires that a tariff contain three specific items. First, an accurate description of the services the mover offers to the public. Second, the specific applicable rates (or the basis for calculating the specific applicable rates) and service terms for services offered to the public. Third, the mover’s tariff must be arranged in a way that allows you to determine the exact rate(s) and service terms applicable to your shipment.

VALUATION - The degree of worth of the shipment. The valuation charge compensates the mover for assuming a greater degree of liability than is provided for in its base transportation charges.

WAREHOUSE HANDLING - A charge may be applicable each time SIT service is provided. Charges for these services may be in addition to the line haul charges. This charge compensates the mover for the physical placement and removal of items within the warehouse.

Adapted from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

MLS Search Here

Tags: glossary, MLS, mover, moving

Locating not only a dependable but honest and capable handyman in St. Louis, Mo can be a bit challenging. But with these ideas and tips it might become a little easier for you.

1. The first place I always go is friends and family and ask for a referral. Someone they’ve worked with in the past. They will always be glad to share any success they’ve had.
2. Try Angie’s list. But always, always ask for multiple references and check them out, even ask if you can drive by and see the work they may of done. (Like decks, block walls,etc.) Most good handyman will have pictures of their work.
3. Call local Non-Profit organizations like Habitat for Humanity. Normally they have a good list of volunteers that are competent.
4. Verify, who is going to do the work, the person you’ve spoken with or a subcontractor.
5. Contact the St. Louis BBB; to verify any previous consumer complaints.
6. Verify bonding and or Insurance with the Insurance Company provided by the contractor. While speaking with the Insurance Agent ask if there have been any claims made by previous customers.
7. Take pictures before the start, throughout the process and the finished project.
8. Never ever pay up front for labor. If the Handyman wants you to pay for the material, get a list from him of what he needs and you go to the Home Center and purchase all the material.
9. A written agreement/contract that details every item being repaired, the time to be completed and exact cost will help if legal representation is required.

Following these tips will insure that the project on your home will be completed on time, with no surprises

See you next time on the corner

Tags: Add new tag, handyman, home, mo, referral, st louis

Buyers need to be as prepared as they can be when they enter the buying market. Although there are a lot of houses on the market right now, the educated buyers are the ones getting the best homes at the best prices.

The St. Louis, MO Real Estate Market is one market where an educated buyer who knows what they want, can benefit by avoiding these common mistakes most buyers make;

1. Fail to find the Right Real Estate Agent, One that is willing to help you through the home buying process, hire a Buyers Agent!
2. Fail to think about Resale Value, First time home buyers only stay in a home for four years
3. Fail to ask enough questions, of the lender and miss out on some of the best deals
4. Fail to act quickly, Want to sleep on it and someone else buys the house
5. Fail to make offer appealing, make sure not to ask seller for the stars and the moon

These few tips will help you get the house you want at the price you want to pay. If you are looking to hire a Buyers Agent in the St Louis, MO market don’t hesitate to contact us today. There is never a fee when The “H” Team is your buyers agent.

 
See you next time on the corner

Tags: buyers agent, first time home buyer, home, house, missouri, mo, real estate, st louis

Although the list to prepare for home ownership could be endliess, here are a few of my suggestions.

1. Contact a Realtor Of course. An experienced, knowledgeable agent can help you through  a process that may be filled with potholes. Normally the seller pays any commission due to your buyer’s agent. Interview at least 3 agents before deciding or ask a friend for a referral.
2. Get Pre Approved Most lenders will pre-approve you over the phone. Ask your Realtor for a knowledgable, experienced lender or ask a family member or friend for a referral.
3. Decide on a price range  Normally two to three times your gross income.
4. Decide on the area Select three or four neighborhoods you’d like to live in. Consider the schools, commuting distances, crime, community events and any issues that may effect your resale value.
5. A wish list of the major features you have to have and a list of the ones that you would like to have
6. Calculate the costs of owning a home Including property taxes, insurance, maintenance utilites and any subdivision or condo fees.
7. Check for assistance Can you qualify as a first time home buyer, neighborhood grants, goverment grants, special loans for school teachers, police officers, sellers offering closing costs assistance etc.
8. Start saving  You’ll need a minimum down payment, plus closing costs, moving costs and costs associated with painting, blinds and drapes for your new home.

Although this list is just a few of the things you need to do to prepare for home ownership I feel as if this 9 items are some of the most important. Happy House Hunting

See you next time on the corner

Tags: home, ownership

Arnold MO is a community just south of St Louis MO
Arnold’s campaign to redevelop itself hss resulted in Arnold, Mo being placed on the TOP 25 most affordable cites as reported by CNN Money

With a wide selection of restaurants, entertainment, shopping and employment. Located on the I-55 corridor it offers easy access to I-44 and I-270. Minutes away from Lambert International Airport and only 20 minutes from Downtown St. Louis, Arnold has become one of St. Louis, Mo. best kept secrets.

With numerous City Parks and a brand new Water Park offering an outside pool, inside pool and a rec center with personal trainers and classes the residents of Arnold, MO flock to this venue throughout the year.

Fox C-6has a number of campus’ including the brand new Seckman Junior High.

Here are some statistics on the current real estate trends.

If you’re considering a move to or from the Arnold, Mo area please contact the Helderle Team today.

See you next time on the corner

Tags: 63010, arnold, mo

As a child growing up I remember my parents watching the Olympics. I was always a winter guy, but this year I gotta tell you, there are some amazing things going on over in Beijing.

From the unbelievable opening ceremonies until last nights 4X100meter relay, its been a joy to watch. Did you know that Jason Lezak is 32 years old? His determination and stamina is what turned a bronze medal into a gold and  shut the Frenchies up.  He swam a 46.06 leg, the fastest in history and he started the leg behind the Frenchies. The US Team shattered the old World Record of 3:12:23 by almost 4 seconds at 3:08:24. I don’t think I could walk/run the length of the 50 meter pool 8 times in under double that time.

And how bout the basketball team. Who expected such a blowout? And our players professionalism is so great to see. I would of enjoyed seeing Katie Hoff win the 400 meter free style. She missed the gold by only7/100’s of a second. Thats like two blinks of your eyelid.

Needless to say I’m into this years Summer Games and the USA Teams. I’ve moved my POW flag off center and placed ny American Flag front and center.

GO USA

See you next time on the corner

Tags: basketball, gold medal, olympics, swimming, usa

Moving is such a stressful event and it can become very expensive. By not taking some basic precautions, it can become a real nightmare. So how do you find a mover or moving company you don’t mind seeing driving down the road with everything you own?

My recommendation is to move it yourself or use a u-pack we drive company like ABF or one of the companies that drop off a Pods that you pack and they haul and drop off at your new home. Using one of these services insures the price your quoted stays the same, everything arrives that was packed, and with minimal damage, dependent on your packing knowledge.

If one of those options isn’t going to work, then you need to get away from the computer, according to The BBB. Most of their complaints filed have dealt with moving companies found on line. Surely, there are some good companies on line you say. But finding one before your furniture is loaded up and rolling down the street with an unscrupulous mover, the chances are not in your favor.

After you get off line pick up the Yellow Pages or call your real estate agent or request a referral from someone you know. Locate at least three local companies who have been in business for at least five+ years. Stay away from moving brokers who job out your move. For consumer protection the selected mover needs to be a member of the Motor Carriers

Have them come over to the house to look at the items to move and give you a written estimate. If they won’t come out for a bid find another company. Check with their represenative if they will be doing the move themselves are jobbing it out to another company. Again, if they’re not going to do it find another mover. Make a point to visit their local office to make sure their legit, signs on the building, trucks painted with the company logo.

Never hire a mover who gives you a quote based on cubic feet. Never, ever sign blank paperwork, and know what you’re signing. Read the document, understand it and don’t worry about making the moving company wait.

• Full company name and any DBA names
• How long they’ve been in business
• Local Address
• Phone Numbers both local and toll free
• DOT and Motor Carriers numbers (Verify at Motor Carriers Council Website)
• Web Site Address
• E-mail addresses
• References (and call them)

While checking their license status you can also check on their insurance and one more thing to check on  call the FMCSA’s Safety Violation and Consumer Complaints hot-line at 1-888-368-7238 and ask them about the complaint history of your moving company. They are open from 10am to 6pm EST Monday thru Friday and it’s worth the call.

Finally, if anyone other than the moving company that you hired shows up on moving day, fire them on the spot. This is worth repeating… never, ever sign blank paperwork, and know what you’re signing. Read the document, understand it and don’t worry about making the mover wait.

Hopefully, this information prevents you from becoming a victim and losing hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Let us know about any bad experiences you may of had with a mover or any movers you’ve had good results with.

Tags: abf, bbb, movers, moving, moving company, pods