Tracy Ellis Magazine Issue 19

Celebrating Our 20th Year in Real Estate

The Markel’s

Welcome Us Into Their Home

The Rick & Tracy Ellis Show

Meet The Rick & Tracy Ellis Team!

Tracy Ellis 636.299.3702

Rick Ellis 636.699.2197

Pat Daffron Buyers Specialist 314.704.5672

Nikki Thompson Buyers Specialist 314.707.0731

Scott Surgener Buyers Agent 314.285.6651

Lynne VanGels 636.386.4233

Janet Henrichs 314.603.1756

Sheri Wolfe 314.609.7792

Pat Moxley Agent Attraction Specialist 210.414.9605

Faye Schubert Branson Team Lead 417.699.4557

2 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

CONTENTS 2 The Rick and Tracy Ellis Team 4 Editorial 8 Leading a Life of Value 10 Current Listings Welcome to the Home of 20 Randy & Stacy Markel

20

26 Holly Hills 30 Buying and Selling:

Which Should You Do First?

34 New Decade, New Trends— What to Expect in 2020

36 What Does a Title Company Do? 40 Why Did The Rick & Tracy Ellis Team 44 46

Choose eXp Realty

Preparing Your Landscaping for Spring

44

26

A Home Makeover in Lafayette Square

Rolwes Co: Building 50

Community and Trust Through Homebuilding

56 60 62

iving in a Community with a L Homeowners Association VIP Vendors

46

Marketing Approach

Editor in Chief: Tracy and Rick Ellis

Art Direction: Tracy and Rick Ellis, Laura Merchant Head Copywriter: Tracy Ellis

Copywriter: Caitlin Stephenson Design: Laura Merchant

Photography: Aaron Kranz and Karen Thaemert

TracyEllis.com Tracy@TracyEllis.com C: 636.299.3702 O: 636.699.2197

On the cover: Photo by Karen Thaemert

TracyEllisTeam RickandTracyEllisTeam Tracyellisrealtor TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 3

Editorial

Tracy Ellis it doesn’t even seem possible to say that out loud. It’s hard to believe that our career in real estate began 20 years ago when Rick and I had two small kids at home. So much has changed since then for all of us.

If you pick up our magazine and read my editorials, you know that I try to always make them personal. It’s always been important to us to share our lives with our readers and the listeners of our weekly radio shows. As I always say on our shows: our clients allow us to come into their homes and share their families with us, and we want to share our family with you as well.

We’ve already started 2020 off with a bang! The Rick and Tracy Ellis Team had our best year yet in 2019 with over $40 million in closed sales, and our team continues to grow. We were so excited to be ranked the #1 eXp team in St. Louis and the #2 eXp team in the state of Missouri for sales volume.

In March, we will be featured on the cover of Real Producers magazine, along with the story of how our real estate careers began. I have shared that story many times, so I won’t go into detail here again. I do want to discuss how important the year 2020 will be to our family.

As I mentioned earlier, Rick and I both obtained our real estate license in 2000. At the time we had a 10-year-old and a 4-year-old but knew we would soon be adding another child to our family. It was important to me that I get my real estate career established before the arrival of our third child. I did just that, and on February 20th, 2002 we had our third son, Zackary, who was born at 8:02 pm weighing in at 8 pounds, 2 ounces. Rick and I immediately thought that the number 2 is obviously going to be his lucky number, and I remember our discussions when we realized that he would also graduate from high school in the year 2020. It felt so very far away at the time, and now that time is upon us. It is something that I still can’t believe.

Since I was a new real estate agent who always wanted to be available to our clients, I remember calling clients while I was in active labor with Zack. I gave them feedback on their showings and answered any questions I could. When you’re in real estate, you don’t get any days off. I figured the more I got done while I was in labor, the more time I would have to spend with my new baby when he arrived. Boy, did he arrive! Because Zack was our third child, we felt like parent pros. Unfortunately, we weren’t prepared for what the next six months had in store for us, as Zackary developed colic.

I spent many evenings making dinner while holding a screaming infant, and I cried right along with him. My poor husband would attempt to

4 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

is giving you the edge you need in Real Estate!

get up with him during the night, but, like most mothers, I couldn’t rest if my child wasn’t resting. So, of course, I would get up and tell Rick to go back to bed (although I’m sure he didn’t sleep much either). I would just sit with Zack all night and we would cry together. Even though it was horrible to see my child so uncomfortable, there are times I would give anything to go back and just hold and rock him a little bit longer.

We took Zack to a specialist at Children’s Hospital who told us that as soon as his stomach muscles strengthened, and he was able to sit up on his own, the colic would suddenly stop. Of course, we thought that they were just giving us some hope to help us survive. I’m sure at that time we looked like walking zombies. Zack started sitting up on his own around 5 months of age and suddenly we had a completely different child. The crying had completely stopped, and he smiled almost all the time. I rarely recall Zack crying again after that period and he was an absolute joy to our family – and still is! Like most toddlers, Zack always had many questions. What I wouldn’t give to hear that tiny voice again while holding his little hand in mine.

To this day, I don’t think I’ve ever heard Zack say anything negative about anyone or ever get angry at anyone.

The tears are flowing as I type this because I remember all the milestones so vividly. Zack truly was, and still is, such a handsome, kind, selfless young man. Zack was about four years old when we had our first professional photo shoot at the beach (picture shared below). He was so handsome and photogenic, I always thought he could’ve been a model.

Of course, all parents think their kids are perfect, but Zack has always had that gorgeous, thick, blonde hair and those hazel eyes that can see through to your soul. You can see those stunning, hazel eyes in his high school senior picture below as well.

Although we think that Zack is incredibly handsome, he is even more beautiful on the inside. Zack cares more about everyone else than himself and is always doing everything he can to help Rick and I, even if we haven’t ask him to do so. Zack has always loved reading and has read hundreds of books with history being his favorite subject. This young man can tell you anything you could ever want to know about any war or president. He is so incredibly talented. Not only does he enjoy painting and building beautiful wooden bowls for us, but he is also very talented with metal. This year he tried welding for the first time, and he made a gorgeous fire pit. Rick and I are so proud of Zack for many reasons, but we were thrilled when he decided he wanted to work with his hands and take up a trade for his career.

He decided to spend his senior year of high school going to Lewis & Clark Tech School and working in the electrical field. Zack

was having so much fun and was so looking forward to the first of the year because they were going to start building a home, and it was the perfect opportunity for him to try out everything he has learned. Unfortunately, they were about a week into tech school when he had the accident. Zack fell off a ladder into the basement, causing him to fracture between seven and ten bones in different areas of his foot. Here was my child, who had never broken a bone and never been seriously sick since he had colic as an infant, who now could not put any weight on his leg for six to eight weeks. Obviously Zack was most disappointed that he would not be able to finish building the house until the last quarter of the school year.

We are so thankful that he will heal and be able to walk on the stage without crutches when he receives his high school diploma this spring. Zack is looking forward to continuing his love of working with his hands in either the electrical or welding field. Regardless of what he chooses to do with his career, we know he will be so successful because he gives his all with everything he does. I’m so grateful to have four wonderful sons. After what we went through the first six months of Zack’s life, we always joke with our youngest, Drake, that it’s a miracle he is here. We could not even imagine life without any of them, and the youngest plans to join us in real estate when he graduates in 2022. Look out!

You may be wondering why I am sharing all of this in a real estate magazine. Like most working parents, I feel guilty most of the time wondering if I did enough. Should I work so much? Do my kids know that they are more important to me than my work? When our oldest two sons graduated, Rick and I were so excited as most parents are. I couldn’t wait to write my personal note to our children and share their photos in a page we bought in their yearbooks. This year, unfortunately, I failed – epically! I missed the deadline and completely forgot to send everything in on time. I felt like the worst parent ever.

I certainly didn’t want Zack to think his graduation wasn’t as important or special to us, as his older brothers. As I was lying in bed brainstorming ideas for my editorial, it came to me. I choose to honor our wonderful son Zack in my magazine editorial like I should have honored him in his senior yearbook! I give my all to my work, and many times my family misses out on me being, my best self, because of it.

My family is everything to me. My family is why I do what I do every day, so that I can be present with them as much as possible. Real estate is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, but we love it. There isn’t anything else

I’d rather do for my career. We’ve been blessed to work with so many amazing families, and we never take it for granted. Sometimes, with all the deadlines I deal with daily, I miss my own personal deadlines.

Zack, I may not have made the yearbook in time, but now, many more people will know just how incredibly special you are to us. Your dad and I are so grateful to call you our son. We love you so very much and can’t wait to continue watching you grow into a wonderful young man! Thank you for everything you do for us and so many others, but my wish for you is that you take care of our Zack. There is only one Zackary Scott and you, my son, deserve the very best. I know God has you in the palm of his hand. Always remember that despite your hands being bigger than mine now, and despite me having to look up at your beautiful, hazel eyes, you will always be our baby boy!

To our readers. thank you for allowing me to honor our son and thank you for always trusting The Rick and Tracy Ellis Team with your largest investment: your home. We never take for granted our awesome responsibility to take the absolute best care of you, all of our clients.

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 5

6 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

The Rick and Tracy Ellis Team are excited to announce the newest addition to our team and eXp Realty...

Pat Moxley

AGENT ATTRACTION

Pat has had 35 successful years in residential real estate, not only locally at Laura McCarthy but also in Texas as well with Keller Williams. During her real estate career with Keller Williams, Pat achieved top production in the brokerage for several years and was ranked among San Antonio’s Platinum Top 50 Realtors since 2005! She also earned a place on the Agent Leadership Council for 12 years and served as Training Chair. In addition, Pat taught three Continuing Credit Courses at the San Antonio Board of Realtors and held leadership positions in multiple community and school organizations. We look forward to Pat assisting us with educating agent’s through out the area about eXp Realty.

Education BS, Social and Community Service, University of Missouri-Columbia MA, Human Resource Development, Webster University-St. Louis

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Visit quackerswaterproofing.com or call 636-281-3735 for a free estimate

quackerswaterproofing.com 636-281-3735 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 7

Leading a Life of Value Rick & Tracy Ellis, eXp Realty

R

ick and Tracy Ellis’s journey into real estate is the story of a couple who have put their values first every step of the way. At each stage of their life, they remained clear in what they truly desired and allowed their life to grow around those values. As Rick and Tracy reflect on the past two-plus decades, they couldn’t be more grateful for how their life has unfolded.

“We’ve always been parents first,” she begins with a telling smile.

Tracy and her husband, Rick, have been together since they were 15 years old and have four sons together. Today, Brett is 29, Austin is 24, Zack is 18, and Drake is 15.

“We never wanted to leave our kids with a stranger,” Tracy continues. “We wanted to be at home with them as much as we could.”

8 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

At the time, Rick worked in a corporate setting, managing IT departments. Tracy worked in telemarketing.

“My husband and I always worked on separate schedules. He worked third shift, and I worked days, so we didn’t have to leave our sons in daycare.”

“With our first son, I didn’t go back to work until he was a year old,” Tracy explains. “When I had our second son, I went back to work, but it was difficult to be away from him for such long periods of time. I just couldn’t do it. My husband said, ‘What are you going to do?’ I didn’t know, but I knew I was going to figure it out.”

When their son was seven weeks old, Tracy decided to quit her job in telemarketing. She took the newspaper out to search for new work—

something that would allow her to stay at home with her children.

“I found an ad for a real estate agent looking for a part-time telemarketer looking to work out of her home. I got lucky. We worked out terms that worked for me,” Tracy recalls. “I did that for two years.

That worked out well, and after doing that for a few years, I thought, ‘Why am I doing this for someone else?’”

Tracy decided to get her real estate license. She concluded it was time to work for herself. It was only months later that Rick had his license as well, and that’s how it all began.

Tracy continued to work part-time in real estate until her youngest son was in school full time. At that point, she decided it was time to go all-in on her real estate career.

“I always said, ‘When our youngest son is in school full-time, that’s when I’ll take my career to the next level. Until then, being a mom was and is my primary goal,’” Tracy explains.

Creative Marketing It’s been ten years that Tracy has been focused full-time on real estate, and in that time, she’s proven herself to be a master of her craft.

She’s a creative marketer, a staunch client advocate, and is always willing to go above and beyond to get the job done right.

Rick got his real estate license alongside Tracy all those years ago, but until six years ago, he kept his corporate job and worked in real estate in a supporting role. But six years ago, Rick and Tracy decided that it was time for Rick, too, to make the move to real estate full-time.

“We never had an admin; we never had assistants for the first eighteen years,” Tracy says.

Over the past decade, Tracy and Rick have gotten creative with their marketing. One way that they’ve gotten out into the community is through radio.

“For nine years, we’ve been doing weekly real estate radio shows,” Tracy says. “Now, we do four weekly radio shows.”

The Ellis’s also produce a quarterly print publication called Tracy Ellis, Real Estate Magazine, which can be found in grocery stores and over 100 businesses throughout the St. Louis area.

“We feel our marketing is one more way for Rick and me to make sure our clients are getting the most we can give them for their money,” Tracy says.

Real (Estate) Value Before Rick joined the business full-time, Tracy was closing about $15 million per year. In 2019, The Rick and Tracy Ellis Team more than doubled that number to over $40 million sold. “We are growing rapidly,” she says. “It’s been a very successful year for us.”

“We made the move to eXp Realty less than a year ago. I wish we would have done it eight years ago. It’s been the best thing for our career. We’re hoping to show other real estate agents in our area why it’s such a great company.”

For both Tracy and Rick, family remains the most essential component of their lives. It’s why they began their journey into real estate, and why they continue to go to work every day.

“Our family. That’s what it’s all about. It’s why we do what we do every day,” Tracy smiles. “And to work with my husband every day… he’s my biggest supporter and has been here every step of the way. It’s a great blessing.”

In real estate, The Ellis’ expand their vision of family to their clients; they aspire to treat everyone they work with like family.

“My dad and Rick’s mom passed away a couple of years ago.

In the past five years, we’ve lost a lot of family. Going through those losses reaffirmed what we already knew: real estate, although its an investment, it’s so much more than the walls that we live within. It’s where all the memories are made. Losing so many loved ones recently, when I go back and reflect, when I think back on the memories, they’re usually in your home.”

“For Rick and me, that’s our most important thing: treating our customers like family. We truly care.”

Dianne Collins with Real Producers Magazine reached out to Rick and I recently. We had a wonderful conversation and were honored they requested to feature us on the cover of their magazine with an inside story as well. It was a wonderful experience and their photographer (Karen Thaemert) did a photo shoot with our team at Union Station and the new St. Louis Aquarium. We were also interviewed by Real Producers Content Creation, Zach Cohen. We decided to share the story and photos that will also be featured in the March issue of Real Producers with Tracy Ellis, Real Estate Magazine readers as well.

Photos by Karen Thaemert

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 9

SOLD 1103 Highland Pointe Dr St Louis, MO 63131 $2,000,000

SOLD 12848 Horton Lane Town and Country, MO 63131 $2,000,000

SOLD 951 Norrington Way Fenton, MO 63026 $1,475,000

PENDING 934 Norrington Way Fenton, MO 63026 $1,399,900

ACTIVE 975 Stonecastle Dr O’Fallon, MO 63366 $1,345,000

SOLD 7 Lindworth Dr Ladue, MO 63124 $1,199,900

PENDING 403 Tudor Trace Ct Weldon Spring, MO 63304 $1,099,000

SOLD 150 Homestead Ridge Defiance, MO 63341 $1,025,000

SOLD 13016 Pingry Place Town and Country, MO 63131 $950,000

SOLD 729 Highway H Troy, MO 63379 $1,410,000

PENDING 970 Cedars Valley Rd St Albans, MO 63073 $849,900

ACTIVE 23 Appaloosa Ct Wentzville, MO 63385 $849,900 More information on page 32

Ask us why we made the move to eXp Realty! www.tracyellis.com 10 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

THANK YOU FOR A RECORD BREAKING 2019!

SOLD 107 Barton Creek Blvd Wentzville, MO 63385 $810,000

ACTIVE 801 Craig Forest Lane Kirkwood, MO 63122 $799,900 More information on page 32

ACTIVE 907 TBB Thorn Crown Ct Kirkwood, MO 63122 $721,990

SOLD 11448 Conway Rd St Louis, MO 63131 $685,000

ACTIVE 927 TBB Thorn Crown Ct St Louis, MO 63122 $672,990

SOLD 12824 Ladue Rd St Louis, MO 63141 $650,000

ACTIVE 4791 Fox Mountain Rd Wildwood, MO 63069 $649,900 More information on page 29

ACTIVE 858 Cabernet Lane St Albans, MO 63073 $625,000 More information on page 29

PENDING 966 TBB Chapelwood Ct St Louis, MO 63122 $612,990

SOLD 24 Forest Club Dr Chesterfield, MO 63005 $605,000

SOLD 270 Churchill Lane Ballwin, MO 63011 $584,000

SOLD 9016 Spy Glass Place O’Fallon, MO 63368 $572,000

Tracy Ellis | 636.299.3702 Rick Ellis | 636.699.2197

SOLD 819 North Mosley Rd Creve Coeur, MO 63141 $550,000

SOLD 866 Cabernet Lane St Albans, MO 63073 $549,900

SOLD 1033 Brook Mont Dr O’Fallon, MO 63366 $540,000

SOLD 95 Brookfield Crossing Dr Lake St Louis, MO 63367 $519,350

ACTIVE 9335 East Vista Dr Hillsboro, MO 63050 $499,900

ACTIVE 816 Aston Way Dr O’Fallon, MO 63368 $499,900 More information on page 33.

SOLD 2935 Kandahar Dr St Charles, MO 63303 $490,000

SOLD 944 Kiefer Ridge Dr Ballwin, MO 63021 $490,000

SOLD 410 Holden Rd Defiance, MO 63341 $485,000

SOLD 333 Sturbridge Dr St Charles, MO 63303 $485,000

PENDING 530 TBB Roaring Fork Ct. Cottleville, MO 63376 $481,575

SOLD 3 Sage Meadows Ct O’Fallon, MO 63366 $472,900

Are you looking to buy or sell a home?

Contact us! www.tracyellis.com 12 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

ACTIVE 2 Kandahar Ct St Charles, MO 63303 $475,283

ACTIVE 435 Cerny Ave Eureka, MO 63025 $468,672

SOLD 5323 Wilson Ct Oakville, MO 63129 $451,200

ACTIVE 5330 Wilson Ct Oakville, MO 63129 $451,132

ACTIVE 645 Oak Crossing Dr Villa Ridge, MO 63089 $449,900

SOLD 5311 Wilson Ct Oakville, MO 63129 $446,665

SOLD 4132 Alt Rd Wildwood, MO 63025 $445,000

SOLD 4545 Lindell Blvd #18 St Louis, MO 63108 $435,122

SOLD 113 Wake Forest Place O’Fallon, MO 63368 $427,000

SOLD 243 Mason Glen Dr Lake St Louis, MO 63367 $408,500

ACTIVE 492 TBB Dana Meadows Ln Ballwin, MO 63021 $405,990

SOLD 1127 Water View Lane O’Fallon, MO 63366 $405,000

Tracy Ellis | 636.299.3702 Rick Ellis | 636.699.2197 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 13

PENDING 418 TBB Cerny Ct Eureka, MO 63025 $400,990

SOLD 314 Country Orchard Dr Lake St Louis, MO 63367 $420,000

SOLD 2 Horizon Ridge Ct St Charles, MO 63303 $399,900

ACTIVE 5331 TBB Wilson Ct Oakville, MO 63129 $396,990

ACTIVE 5314 TBB Wilson Ct Oakville, MO 63129 $396,990

SOLD 100 Emke Rd Augusta, MO 63332 $396,000

ACTIVE 409 TBB Mason Creek Dr Lake St Louis, MO 63367 $384,990

PENDING 488 TBB Dana Meadows LaneBallwin, 63021 $383,990

ACTIVE 104 Wilmer Valley Dr Wentzville, MO 63385 $379,900

PENDING 330 TBB Cerny Ave Eureka, MO 63052 $378,990

SOLD 21088 Prairie Haven Lane Warrenton, MO 63383 $375,000

ACTIVE 512 Roaring Fork Ct. Cottleville, MO 63376 $372,912

Ask us why we made the move to eXp Realty! www.tracyellis.com 14 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

THE RICK & TRACY ELLIS TEAM RANKED THE #1 EXP ST. LOUIS TEAM & #2 EXP TEAM IN THE STATE OF MO FOR VOLUME!

SOLD 4570 Laclede Ave #206 St Louis, MO 63108 $366,000

SOLD 969 Bentley Park Cir O’Fallon, MO 63368 $365,000

SOLD 511 Country Chase Dr Lake St Louis, MO 63367 $365,000

SOLD 15 Crooked Stick Ct O’Fallon, MO 63366 $360,000

SOLD 2017 Montclair Manor Dr St Charles, MO 63303 $359,900

SOLD 1092 Pierpoint Lane St Charles, MO 63303 $355,000

SOLD 511 Roaring Fork Ct. Cottleville, MO 63376 $354,000

SOLD 3053 Leesburg Place Imperial, MO 63052 $352,570

SOLD 5307 South Bellerieve Lane Imperial, MO 63052 $350,900

ACTIVE 205 TBB Mason Glen Dr Lake St Louis, MO 63367 $336,990

SOLD 2229 Cournier St St Charles, MO 63301 $332,000

SOLD 6512 Franks Rd Byrnes Mill, MO 63051 $325,000

Tracy Ellis | 636.299.3702 Rick Ellis | 636.699.2197 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 15

SOLD 1630 Duvall Ct Dardenne Prairie, MO 63368 $325,000

SOLD 304 Shadowbrook Dr Labadie, MO 63055 $340,116

SOLD 2805 Tayson Way #4 Washington, MO 63090 $320,500

PENDING 543 Legacy Pointe Dr St Peters, MO 63376 $315,000

SOLD 507 Rifle Ridge Lane Wentzville, MO 63368 $314,990

SOLD 121 Sanctuary Dr Dardenne Prairie, MO 63367 $312,500

SOLD 4101 Bassett Estates Dr Pacific, MO 63069 $312,500

PENDING 120 TBB Brookfield Crossing Lane Lake St Louis, MO 63367 $312,990

PENDING 1053 TBB Fairfax Ave Imperial, MO 63052 $310,990

PENDING 164 Hartford Ct Fenton, MO 63026 $309,990

SOLD 252 Jacobs Way St Peters, MO 63376 $308,000

SOLD 9373 Southtowne Farms Dr St Louis, MO 63123 $305,000

Are you looking to buy or sell a home?

Contact us! www.tracyellis.com 16 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

SOLD 1852 TBB Oak Dr Festus, MO 63028 $305,691

SOLD 1043 Johanna Dr Ballwin, MO 63021 $301,000

SOLD 923 Daffodil Ridge D O’Fallon, MO 63366 $297,500

PENDING 1486 TBB Arlington Heights Lake St Louis, MO 63367 $297,990

ACTIVE 108 TBB Brookfield Crossing Dr Lake St Louis, MO 63367 $297,990

SOLD 256 Jacobs Way St Peters, MO 63376 $295,000

SOLD 9 Osperey Way O’Fallon, MO 63368 $289,900

SOLD 1010 Crystal Creek Pkwy Wentzville, MO 63385 $287,000

ACTIVE 105 TBB Hartford Glen Ct Fenton, MO 63026 $283,990

PENDING 1147 TBB Crystal Creek Ct Wentzville, MO 63385 $281,990

SOLD 10564 Larkspur Dr St Louis, MO 63123 $281,900

SOLD 1021 Annabrook Park O’Fallon, MO 63366 $277,500

Tracy Ellis | 636.299.3702 Rick Ellis | 636.699.2197 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 17

SOLD 1145 Evans Ave Kirkwood, MO 63122 $275,500

SOLD 3421 Commonwealth Ave Maplewood, MO 63143 $275,000

ACTIVE 3010 TBB Leesburg Place Imperial, 63385 $273,990

ACTIVE 914 TBB Pittsburg Landing Dr Wentzville, MO 63385 $274,990

PENDING 161 Hartford Ct Fenton, 63026 $268,823

SOLD 308 Country Trail Dr Lake St Louis, MO 63367 $274,900

PENDING 1511 TBB Arlington Heights Way Imperial, MO 63052 $258,990

ACTIVE 700 TBB Grand Teton Dr Troy, MO 63379 $252,990

ACTIVE 737 Woodbriar Lane St Charles, 63303 $249,900

ACTIVE 1131 TBB Crystal Creek Pkwy Wentzville, MO 63385 $247,990

ACTIVE 1153 TBB Crystal Creek Pkwy Wentzville, MO 63385 $244,990

ACTIVE 15 TBB San Marino Pkwy Fenton, MO 63026 $242,990

Ask us why we made the move to eXp Realty! www.tracyellis.com 18 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

THANK YOU FOR A RECORD BREAKING 2019!

ACTIVE 1149 TBB Crystal Creek Pkwy Wentzville, MO 63385 $242,990

ACTIVE 169 TBB Cedar Heights Festus, MO 63028 $236,990

PENDING 1485 TBB Arlington Heights Way Imperial, MO 63052 $236,900

ACTIVE 42 TBB Stone Bridge Dr Moscow Mills, MO 63362 $229,990

ACTIVE 430 TBB Rocky Mountain Dr Troy, MO 63379 $219,990

ACTIVE 456 Hwy FF Jonesburg, MO 63351 $214,900

PENDING 141 Cedargate Dittmer, MO 63023 $199,990

ACTIVE 2 TBB Stone Bridge Ct Troy, MO 63362 $193,990

PENDING 810 Daffodil Ct O’Fallon, MO 63366 $159,900

ACTIVE 521 Maple Meadows Dr. Arnold, MO 63010 $149,000

ACTIVE 1131 Wilmington Ave St Louis, MO 63111 $142,500

COMING SOON! 3601 Hollow Hills Ct. Wildwood, MO 63069 $775,000 More information on page 33

Tracy Ellis | 636.299.3702 Rick Ellis | 636.699.2197 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 19

Welcome to the Home of Randy & Stacy Markel

O

ne of the many perks of real estate is seeing so many unique styles throughout the St. Louis area. Rick and I are blessed to work with clients at every price point, giving us so many decorating ideas for our own home.

We would like to feature some particular clients, Randy and Stacy Markel, with whom the Rick and Tracy Ellis Team has bought and sold about $10 million in real estate throughout the past few years. Rick and I love seeing the different styles and floorplans in our clients’ homes, and we wanted to give our readers the chance to explore some of the beautiful artwork that the Markels have on display. In fact, our own home now features pieces from the very artists they love, and the Markels have become some of our closest friends.

Hopefully you will be inspired to find some artwork for your home too that has a special meaning to your family.

The artwork featured in the Markel home is reflective of their travels and their sharp eyes for unique pieces. When I asked Randy how he first became interested in art, he explained that it all began when he was 22 years old and living in Dallas, Texas. He noticed an ad in the newspaper for a man selling some artwork in his home. Curious,

20 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

Randy visited to see what was for sale. Once he arrived he found that he wasn’t interested in the primary piece for sale, but he did notice another piece: a painting by LeRoy Neiman. He fell in love with the vibrant colors and was able to negotiate a price. He found that he was able to sell the painting for a profit three years later, and his love for the visual arts industry was born.

LeRoy Neiman continues to be Randy’s go-to artist, and he fondly considers Neiman to be the artist that started it all for him. The Markels have accumulated all of his iconic pieces throughout the years, including Polo Lounge, 18th at Pebble Beach, and Elephant Stampede. Neiman is famous for his sporting event pieces and nightlife depictions. He has paintings of the Olympics, the Super Bowl, and the World Equestrian Games as well as several bar scenes featuring celebrities and cameos of himself tucked away into corners.

The Markels’ passion for artwork is also inspired from their time living in New Orleans, a city known for its vibrant colors and Mardi Gras spirit. Bright colors and the festive spirit of New Orleans are themes that are prominent throughout their home. The Markels love everything about New Orleans, from the food and music to the archi-

tecture and the traditions. Another of their favorite artists, Jamie Hayes, hails from the Mardi Gras city, and his work is proudly displayed in their home. Randy found Hayes’ gallery on Charter Street after noticing a large painting titled Party Animals sitting in the main window. It’s hard not to feel joy looking at Hayes’ work. The driving force behind most of his pieces is the desire to evoke happiness from the viewer, and he gives most of his subjects’ large smiles. He is also known for his whimsical styles and bold colors despite being color-blind himself. It is these elements that so embody the spirit of New Orleans and Mardi Gras for the Markels, and they welcome art into their home that exemplify these qualities.

Liudmila Kondakova is another artist that plays with color as well as lighting. Inspired by traditional art and the painters of Byzantium and Russia, Kondakova has several pieces that feature Paris. Paris is another city the Markels love, and they suggest that everyone should go at least once in their life if given the chance.

With one of her Paris scenes on display in their great room, Kondakova is able to bring Randy and Stacy back to the iconic Paris streets whenever they relax.

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While the Markels have several colorful works around their home, they also have some pieces that reflect their love for sports and pop culture. Hanging in their study is a painting of The Godfather by artist David O’Keefe. O’Keefe is known for his concentration on pop culture icons and his ability to capture both their stardom and their humanness.

Renowned for his Godfather and Caddyshack tributes, his work has been featured in Sports Illustrated, Mad Magazine, and TIME. While in Sarasota, Florida, Randy and Stacy were walking down Main Street one night when they noticed the The Godfather piece in O’Keefe’s gallery. Randy knew he had to have it, and he returned the next day to purchase it.

The Markels got to know O’Keefe personally and ended up purchasing a piece featuring Caddyshack as well as a commissioned Animal House print. Currently Randy is eagerly awaiting another commissioned piece on his beloved New York Yankees.

In their basement hangs Stacy’s favorite artwork: a beautiful painting of Busch Stadium by William Lobdell.

When I asked how they found the print, Randy explained that his friend recommended he explore a furniture store in the Central West End. He went with his then new girlfriend Stacy to see what they could find. They noticed the painting hanging on the wall and were immediately interested. Stacy loves the Cardinals, and this painting is a one of a kind and took several hundred hours to produce. As an artist, Lobdell plays with

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While the Markels have several colorful works around their home, they also have some pieces that reflect their love for sports and pop culture.

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 23

viewpoints to capture unique perspectives. He uses objects within his scenes to give context to the viewer, and he is frequently inspired by man-made, urban environments. His Busch Stadium piece has been with the Markels since they visited the shop in the Central West End, and it holds a special place in Stacy’s heart.

The Markels know the value that art holds, and they are experts at spotting a good deal. Jay Strongwater is another favorite artist of theirs, and they explained that some of his works can be found on sale at Neiman Marcus around Christmas. Their home hosts a stunning lion by Strongwater, who is known for his crystal and gem works. Strongwater is famous for his big, bold jewelry collections, but he also has been releasing home decoratives since 1995 and Christmas ornaments since 2001. Randy mentioned that they were able to purchase the lion for 25% off simply by acting at the right time of year.

Randy also highlighted the value in exploring resale shops. I noticed some gorgeous elephant statues and a knight proudly displayed in their study, and Randy explained that these particular statues were all from Encore Consignment Gallery. The story behind the elephants is an interesting one, and it shows that patience is a key virtue in art collecting. Randy first noticed the elephants for sale about a year before he purchased them. There were only two made with an original selling price of $30,000. While he passed on them initially, Randy noticed them each time he returned to the store. As the months passed, he noticed the price continue to drop. He finally inquired about them about a year after he originally spotted them and was able to purchase them for $5,000.

It has been an absolute joy working with Randy and Stacy for the past few years, and Rick and I have learned so much about art through the Markels. Randy and Stacy show the value in art collecting from a decorative, emotional, and financial perspective. Dallas is where Randy’s art collecting truly began, and cities from their travels, including New Orleans and Paris, continue to fuel their passion for art. The Markels continue to source pieces from Dallas, including a 1,600 pound grand table that sits in their hearth room.

When asked who his favorite artist is, Randy said O’Keefe’s works are his favorite to look at. In all of his pieces are so many small, hidden details that are easy to miss. Rick and I appreciate O’Keefe as well, and we so enjoy the opportunity to learn about new artists through our friends and clients. We hope that our readers enjoyed this opportunity to peek into the Markel home and learn about their artwork, and that it inspires you to find pieces that you love too.

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Holly Hills T

he area where Holly Hills sits today was originally founded in 1767 by Frenchman Clement Delor de Treget. This settlement was known as Carondelet and was primarily known for being a farming and grazing community. This area grew over time, and by 1803 there were 250 villagers in the area and 50 houses. The town of Carondelet was incorporated in 1832, and at this time it had closely held onto its French and Creole heritage. However by the end of the 19th century, several German immigrants began to move into the village, adding to its cultural diversity.

The city of St. Louis experienced a devastating cholera outbreak in 1849 that killed one-tenth of its population. To protect their families, residents began seeking isolation from the disease outside of town bringing several new residents to the town of Carondelet. Because the population of Carondelet largely evaded the epidemic and provided a safe place to wait out the disease, the town experienced a boost in popularity in the area. It finally merged with the city of St. Louis in 1870.

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The neighborhood also has its share of national history. Ulysses S. Grant, head of the Union Army during the Civil War and former President of the United States, lived with his family not far from Carondelet.

He lived as a farmer in south St. Louis County at the time and delivered firewood periodically to Carondelet. He returned to visit Carondelet while he was president in 1876. Additionally, Carondelet native Susan Blow created what is widely believed to be the first kindergarten in the United States. The school was created in 1873, three years after Carondelet became part of the city of St. Louis, and was part of Des Peres School at 6300 Michigan Avenue.

The neighborhood as we know it today was developed in the early 1920s by William Federer, Gus Arendes, and Don Livingston.

Enthralled by the glamor of Hollywood, they wanted to build a neighborhood that had the same elegance and sophistication. This brought forth the name of Holly Hills. The developers purchased land in northern Carondelet from the Missouri Pacific Railroad and received their first building permit for a home in 1926. Unfortunately, as the Great

Depression hit, Federer began to scale back the designs of the homes he envisioned for Holly Hills. Today this means that the neighborhood features a range of home styles and sizes from large, German-inspired homes to comfortable cottages.

The architectural style of Holly Hills largely displays the revival styles of the 1920s, including Tudor Revival. Colonial Revival, and variations of American styles. Most of the residential buildings are single-family homes, however there are also plenty of two-family and a few multi-family homes within the neighborhood. The homes in the neighborhood retain much of their original integrity, and very few demolitions have taken place since construction in the 1920s. Holly Hills claims the oldest active neighborhood association in the city of St. Louis. It is the Holly Hills Improvement Association and was founded in 1927.

Today Holly Hills is a St. Louis gem and remains a thriving neighborhood in St. Louis. It’s a 131-acre neighborhood that is located about six miles southwest of downtown. Carondelet Park, Boulevard Heights, Bevo Mill, Dutchtown, and the Carondelet neighborhoods are all a part

of the immediate surrounding the area. Federer’s original home is maintained by his daughter and her family.

If you’re interested in viewing properties in the Holly Hills community, the Rick and Tracy Ellis Team is proud to have Scott Surgener on our team.

Scott lives and specializes in the Holly Hills neighborhood and can provide expertise and community insight for those looking to move to the area. With the variety of architecture styles and homes sizes, Scott can help ensure you find a property that is right for your family in this historic neighborhood. * Information provided by the National Park Service and “History of Carondelet” by NiNi Harris

Scott Surgener The Rick & Tracy Ellis Team 314.285.6651

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Ready to Move?

Let Golden Oak Lending Help Find the Home Loan that Fits Your Needs What makes Golden Oak different from most lenders is certainly our low rates, but also our commitment to the customer. That 17-year commitment led us to launch ZipLine Mortgage – the easiest way to apply online for your home loan.

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NMLS #114937 www.goldenoaklending.com 28 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

111 Westport Plaza, Ste. 1150 St. Louis, MO 63146

4791 Fox Mountain Rd Wildwood, MO 63069 – 5 Beds, 6 Baths – 1.5 Story on beautiful 3+ acre lot.

– Next door is a beautiful equestrian facility where you can board your horse

$649,900 Call or email for more info: 636.299.3702 Tracy@TracyEllis.com 636.699.2197 Rick@TracyEllis.com

858 Cabernet Lane St. Albans, MO 630734 • 4 Beds, 5 Baths • Gorgeous 1.5 story with brick and stone exterior

$625,000 Visit www.TracyEllis.com for more information or contact: 636.299.3702 | Tracy@TracyEllis.com 636.699.2197 | Rick@TracyEllis.com

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 29

Buying and Selling:

Which Should You Do First?

M

oving can be a stressful time with so many involved parties in each transaction. The difficulty of buying and selling homes all at one time can make moving an overwhelming process for some people. In an ideal situation you would just buy your next home, move in immediately, and then wait patiently to sell your previous home at the highest possible price. Unfortunately, transitioning into your next home doesn’t always go smoothly. We completely understand that most families can’t afford to pay for two mortgages. Of course, there are some buyers who can afford to take on both payments for a short period of time. Unfortunately, as we all know in real estate, timing is something that is beyond our control. This leads to the difficult question that all sellers face at

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some point in their life: should they buy their next home first or sell their current home before moving?

This can be a tricky decision that requires a game plan. Before choosing what to do, you should carefully think about the costs and benefits for each path as well as the factors at play. I strongly encourage you to hire an experienced Realtor to help you navigate through this process.

The Rick and Tracy Ellis Team have over two decades of helping buyers and sellers in the St. Louis area, and we offer significant experience to help guide you through the processes of buying and selling real estate without breaking your budget. If you work closely with your Realtor and have a moving plan in place, you’ll find that your stress levels will be much easier to keep in check.

One of the first things you should investigate is the housing market activity in your area and the area where you’re looking to buy. This activity can help guide your plan significantly.

Of course, your Realtor will have upto-date knowledge of how the market is behaving, but it can help calm your nerves if you understand it as well.

If the market in your area is in favor of sellers, then you’ll know that your home may sell faster than usual. This can indicate that you shouldn’t have major roadblocks buying a new home and moving in before selling your current home. If the market in your area is favoring buyers, then you’ll probably be able to find a new home relatively easier. In this case, you may want to make sure you sell your home first since it can take longer to sell, and you’ll have more options to buy later. Whichever path you decide to take, there are costs and benefits to consider that you can talk through with your Realtor.

The biggest benefit of selling your home first is that it will be easier to obtain a mortgage. You’ll also not be in a position where you need to pay for two mortgages for an uncertain amount of time. It could also be easier for you to come up with your down payment for your next home purchase. The biggest drawback, however, is that you’ll most likely need to find temporary housing after selling your home. But, if you have a game plan for this and set some money aside for rent, then this doesn’t have to be a big upset. Your Realtor can also help you navigate this transition process as well.

On the other side, if you buy a new home before closing on your current home, then you could set yourself up for a smoother moving process. By already having a new place to live, you can take your time settling in and don’t have to worry about finding a temporary place to live

after your previous home sells. The biggest drawback of this process is that you’ll be paying for two mortgages simultaneously, which may not be possible for everyone. You also won’t know how long it’ll take for your previous home to sell. It may be harder to get a competitive mortgage if your debt-to-income ratio is skewed too, and you’ll have to be sure you have money set aside for a down payment without the sale of your home. Fortunately for homeowners considering this path, The Rick and Tracy Ellis Team has aggressive marketing in place. We market our listings on all our weekly real estate radio shows in addition to featuring them in our magazine that you’re currently reading. Along with our social media audience with all the agents on our team, we offer maximum exposure to all our clients. The type of marketing we provide can be significant in getting your home noticed on the market and sold quickly.

Luckily there are a few options that you can discuss with your Realtor that can help make buying a new home while holding onto your current home easier. You can consider applying for a bridge loan to cover the down payment. A bridge loan is a short-term loan to serves as a down payment on a new home while you still own your current home. These are repaid once your old home is sold. Additionally, you can consider putting in an offer with a contract contingency. Contract contingencies allow you as a buyer to place an offer on a new home that is contingent on the quick sale of your current home. Some sellers may be skeptical of these offers since there’s not always a strong guarantee your home will sell as fast as they’d like. I do think having your agent explain the marketing plan and activity in your area can give you a much better chance of having an offer accepted with a contingency on a sale of your current home. Your Realtor will be able to help guide you through these processes and come up with the best game plan for your timeline and finances.

It’s tricky to list your home and buy a new one at the same time but coming up with a plan is the best way to prepare you, your family, and your finances for success. Whether you decide to sell first and then rent while looking to buy or buy first and sell later, you need to make sure that you have money for rent and an additional mortgage set aside so you’re not caught off guard. You never want to rely too much on perfect timing, but you also don’t want to feel pressured to make decisions you may regret. By mentally planning to rent short-term or make double mortgage payments, you won’t feel pressured into accepting a low offer on your home or buying a house that doesn’t match your wants and needs.

While this all may sound overwhelming, The Rick and Tracy Ellis Team has invaluable experience to help determine what makes the most sense for your move. Whether you choose to buy or sell first, we will be there to help you make the best decisions for your family. The reason we started doing radio to begin with is to ensure all our listed properties have maximum exposure in our marketplace. With over two decades of experience helping buyers and sellers in the St. Louis area and working with all types of budgets, we are confident we can help ensure you have a smooth moving experience. Although moving can be a stressful time in your life, having an expert in your corner can help make the process much easier on a financial and emotional level.

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 31

23 Appaloosa Ct. Wentzville, MO 63385 • 5 Beds, 6 Baths • Stately curb appeal in this 1.5 story home with a stunning main floor master suite.

• Terrific opven floor pan.

$849,900 Call or email for more info: 636.299.3702 Tracy@TracyEllis.com 636.699.2197 Rick@TracyEllis.com

801 Craig Forest Lane Kirkwood, MO 63122 • 5 Beds, 5 Baths • Located in an enclave of Craig Forest • Open floor plan and an incredible finished walk out lower level

$799,900 Visit www.TracyEllis.com for more information or contact: 636.299.3702 | Tracy@TracyEllis.com 636.699.2197 | Rick@TracyEllis.com 32 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

3601 Hollow Hills Ct. Wildwood, MO 63069 Custom built estate on over 3 acres with your own private cul-de-sac, over 7,000 finished sq/ft and an 8 car garage.

This would be the perfect home for a multi-generational family with a huge greenhouse that would be the perfect place for an indoor pool as well.

$775,000 Call or email for more info: 636.299.3702 Tracy@TracyEllis.com 636.699.2197 Rick@TracyEllis.com

816 Aston Way Dr. O’Fallon, MO 63368 Incredible 1.5 Story, Clement Construction home boasts 5,000 finished sq ft, 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths and a finished walk-out lower level. Loaded with upgrades including 3 fireplaces.

$499,900 Call or email for more info: 636.299.3702 Tracy@TracyEllis.com 636.699.2197 Rick@TracyEllis.com

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 33

New Decade, New Trends— What to Expect in 2020

W

e all want our living environment to best reflect our personal styles, and what better time to redecorate than the start of a new decade. As trends come and go, it’s fun to change up your decor to reflect the changing times. 2020 will be all about soft tones and comfort with bold accents. A lot of the trends in 2020 are about creating a sophisticated, zen foundation that makes room for a splash of bright color or a striking pattern. Another common theme is an updated take on a classic design scheme. Some of these trends are a continuation of what’s been popular for the past year or two while the others are new to the scene in the new year. So what exactly will be trendy in 2020?

Neutrals Neutrals have been on trend for a while now, and they still will be going into 2020. That being said, neutrals with cool undertones are out while those with warmer undertones are in. But don’t confuse neutral with plain and boring! Feminine tones including blush, millennial pink, bronze, and taupe all bring a soft warmth to a space and create a serene environment.

These tones help elevate a space and provide a good backdrop for bold accents, such as a piece of furniture or art piece, that you’d like to highlight.

Velvet Velvet accents are a trend that may surprise some, but this doesn’t refer to stuffy, old school velvet pieces from the Victorian era. You can find velvet couches and chairs in a wide array of fun colors to match your space that all blend luxury and comfort. While velvet couches and chairs are leading this trend, you can also add velvet to your space in more subtle ways. Think throw pillows and bed comforters as a way to freshen up a space without needing to invest in new furniture. Corduroy is also a way to put a spin on this trend going into the new year without sacrificing comfort or luxury.

34 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

Black and White Contrasting black and white, especially in the kitchen, is a classic trend that will continue to be popular in the coming decade. Sharp, black kitchen cabinets that contrast with glossy, white marble counters is an elegant and sophisticated way to dress up a kitchen and stay on trend. If the idea of renovating your kitchen sounds too daunting, then you can also play with this style in simpler ways. Try bringing in new white chairs with black throw pillows or vice versa. If you have white tile flooring, consider adding a black accent rug or adding black picture frames to a white wall.

bringing in an ornate vase, hanging up a grand mirror, or having a large, metal tray placed on your living room table.

Earthy Vibes Playing into the theme of comfort and zen are earthy elements.

Deep, rich greens and textures that mimic wood, metals, and foliage are all going to be popular this year. Clay colors and taupes can also help create a zen environment that serve as a neutral backdrop. Find pieces made out of materiales like terracotta and rattan and bring in oversized plants and succulents to bring in earthy elements. Garlands draped over a table or hung on walls are also a fun way to play with this trend.

Geometric Patterns Bold, geometric patterns are in for 2020, but this is a trend that can be easy to overdo. Remember: the decorative theme of 2020 is all about creating soft, luxurious, and zen spaces. That being said, geometric patterns are an easy way to bring some life to an otherwise neutral-colored spaced. An easy way to do this is to find some artwork to add to a room or you can pick an area of your home to dedicate to a bold pattern.

Bright, geometric bathroom tiles, an empty wall with a new wallpaper, and a vivid kitchen backsplash are all fun ways to play with this trend.

It’s also a great stylistic choice for a kid’s room!

Floral Wallpapers This is a throwback trend that has been revamped. The florals that are in for 2020 look much different than the outdated, dull patterns from decades past. Big, bright patterns and colors are in this year. Much like the black and white trend, contrasting colors that pop are the goal. This can be done as a wallpaper on a single wall, a pattern on a large rug, or a backsplash to bring life and personality into a space among soft neutrals.

Mixed Metals This is another trend that will continue to reign into the new year.

These metals include gold, silver, tin, and copper and play on a subtle industrial theme. Find furniture pieces that have exposed metal framing or find picture frames that incorporate these metals. New door knobs and cabinet handles are another way to make a small, updated change to a room. Just be sure that you don’t mix more than three of these metals in one space, otherwise it can look messy!

Maximalism As we leave 2019 behind, we’ll also be saying our goodbyes to minimalism. With 2020 comes maximalism. This trend embraces the grandeur, but be careful to not make a space too busy and cluttered. Like some of the other trends, think big, bold, and bright colors and patterns.

A large floral printed wallpaper or a bright geometric kitchen backsplash is a fun way to bring in maximalism. You can also consider creating a gallery wall in a living or dining room by hanging up several paintings and photographs of differing sizes with metal frames on a single wall.

Large, old timey decorative pieces can bring this trend to a space, like

Curves Curved accents are associated with softness and classic design, and it can give modern furniture a retro twist. Rounded corners, wavy design, and arches are all elements to look for in this trend. This is a simple way to make furniture feel more inviting and give a room a comfortable atmosphere.

Whether you’re looking to completely change your space for the new decade or just looking to make a few small changes, it’s easy to combine these trends for a refreshing aesthetic in 2020. Find some nice, brightly colored velvet chairs with metal legs or clay pots to house some fresh plants. Bring in black and white elements to your kitchen to highlight a lively, geometric backsplash. The trends as a whole for 2020 are all about soft bases that allow room for splashes of bright and bold. It’s all about creating the best space for you, and making sure that your home is a place of comfort and sophistication going into the new decade.

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 35

What Does A Title Company Do?

A

title company works to ensure that someone purchasing a property receives clear title to the propertyand it is free and clear of all things that may hinder their ownership, such as liens, past mortgages, andunpaid taxes. A title company also makes sure all the money handled in a transaction ends up where it is supposed to go, such as money received from lenders as well as payoffs to lenders and sellers. Fundsreceived are held in escrow, which is a “middle ground” between the provider of the funds and the intended recipient. The title company acts as escrow agent and disburses the funds as directed by theparties so everyone who is supposed to get paid does indeed get paid. At the end of the transaction, a title company will issue a title insurance policy to buyer and lender. Thispolicy provides a guarantee to the insured party that they own the property free and clear of everything other than any

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named exceptions on the title policy. The policy holder is covered against anything on the property such as claims of liens and challenges to ownership, from the Louisiana purchase all theway up to the date of the policy.

How is a title insurance policy different from other insurance policies? I have homeowners insurance,why do I need a title insurance policy? Aren’t they the same?

A title insurance policy insures that the policy holder has clear title to the property in question, and willdefend the insured against liens and competing claims of ownership which arose at any time prior to the insured taking title to the property. Unlike homeowners insurance or car insurance (typically called“Property and Casualty Policies”), title insurance covers anything prior to the date of the

policy; propertyand casualty insurance covers acts that occurred after the date of the policy. Title insurance does not protect the insured from injuries sustained on the property, nor does it cover theft or fire damage.These are items typically covered by the homeowner’s insurance policy.

Why is it important to make sure there aren’t any liens on the property from the current seller?

Any lien holder who has an interest in the property and is not paid has the right to foreclose their lien or judgment against the property.

In this foreclosure sale, any interests which originated after the date of the lien would be wiped out, and the property sold to the foreclosure sale buyer. In short, the buyerwould lose their ownership rights in the home if a foreclosure occurred.

Why do I have to sign so many documents when I buy or sell a property?

While there are several documents to sign at closing, each has a distinct purpose. The seller will need to sign a conveyance deed to the buyer. This is the document which conveys ownership where the seller grants their rights in the property to the buyer. The seller will typically also sign a final affidavit, where the seller discloses some information the title company needs to issue a policy to the buyer.

The seller will also sign a Settlement Statement, which is a ledger that spells out where all the money is going. The buyer will need to sign a Closing Disclosure, which itemizes the fees involved in the loan. Buyer will also sign a Promissory Note, which is the promise to pay back money borrowed to the lender, and a Deed of Trust, which grants the lender a security interest in the property in return for the loaned money. Buyer will also sign their side of the Settlement Statement, which directs where the money from the lender should go, and spells out how much, if anything, the buyer needs to bring to closing to complete the purchase.

Why is a seller required to provide paid receipts and lien waivers for all work completed in the past year?

Any contractors who have performed work on the property have the right to file what is called a Mechanic’s Lien under state law.

These liens can date back to the day the work was first performed on the property, and if not paid the contractor can foreclose their lien and wipe out a purchaser’s interest in the property, as well as the mortgage.

If someone is buying a property to flip, what should they do if they know they aren’t going to be able to provide all paid receipts and lien waivers?

They will likely be asked to provide funds for the title company to hold in escrow, to protect the buyer against any lien filings. As indicated above, the contractors have six months to file a claim of mechanic’s lien, so the title company will want the seller provide sufficient evidence that all of the contractors have been paid and provided lien waivers. Since a lien can be filed after closing but dates back to the time period the work was performed, the title company will need this evidence or other security to protect the buyer and the buyer’s lender.

The seller may also be asked to sign an indemnification agreement, should any funds held in escrow be insufficient to pay potential claims.

A way to avoid all this is to timely record what is called a Notice Of Intended Sale (NOIS) which states an estimated sale date 45 or more days in the future from when it is recorded. If an NOIS is properly recorded, any contractors who have not been paid must record their Notice of Rights at least 5 days prior to the expected sale date, or their lien claims have been extinguished.

Are surveys important if the property already has a fenced yard? Wouldn’t that mean the previous owner already had the yard surveyed?

Yes, they are very important even if there is a fence. No, it would not mean the previous owner had a survey done. While a fence company typically tries to keep the fence within the lines, human error and measuring mistakes occur. It’s also possible that the property owner did not obtain a survey prior to installing a fence, as this is not necessarily required by the fence installer.

Frequently, we see that even though there is a fence on the lot, portions of the fence cross the lot lines.

A survey will tell a buyer if their fence is within their lot, or conversely will tell if a neighbor’s fence is within the property being bought. These issues are fairly common, and can often be resolved with an easement agreement between the parties to allow the fence to remain until it needs to be repaired or replaced, and at that point it can be moved within the proper boundaries.

While there are several documents to sign at closing, each has a distinct purpose.”

Contact TITLE PARTNERS AGENCY, LLC at titlepartnersagency.com 314..835.3600

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 37

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975 Stonecastle O’Fallon, MO 63366

$1,345,000 4 Beds, 5 Baths Luxury Living in Stonecastle’s gated exec. community. Oversized 5 car garage. You’ll find an open floor plan with a wall of upgraded, arched tinted windows that overlook 3 private treelined acres with a large, beautiful in-ground pool, stocked Koi pond, covered patio, pergola & fire pit. OVER 2200 square feet unfinished

Contact us for more information: 636.299.3702 | Tracy@TracyEllis.com 636.386.4233 | Lynne@TracyEllis.com www.TracyEllis.com

Why Did The

Rick & Tracy Ellis Team Choose eXp Realty?

40 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

We are not with eXp Realty because of the stock.

We are not with eXp Realty because of the health insurance benefits.

We are not with eXp Realty because of the International collaboration.

We are not with eXp Realty because of the KV core lead generation platform that is provided to all agents along with their own website.

We are not with eXp Realty because of the ICON program that allows me to be paid back my CAP in stock.

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 41

We are not with eXp Realty because of the most aggressive revenue share plan in the business.

We are not with eXp Realty because of the cloud office .

We are not with eXp Realty because of all the amazing tech tools.

We are not with eXp Realty because of the iBuyer program.

We are not with eXp Realty because of the best training calendar and education curriculum in the business, in my opinion.

We are not with eXp Realty because of the enlightened leadership and the training we receive from top agents all over the world.

42 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

We are not with eXp Realty because of the fun events, including ringing the bell at Nasdaq.

We are not with eXp because of all the amazing people I have met around the world and have weekly collaboration meetings with through the cloud.

WE ARE with eXp because they are AGENT OBSESSED! They make it their mission to provide more VALUE to our business and our life than any other brokerage that we’ve worked. eXp Realty is giving our family an opportunity to BUILD A LEGACY so that we, along with our children, will have something to show for a life in sales.

Are you a real estate agent who would like to know more about all of the amazing opportunities that eXp Realty has to offer? Please contact Rick or Tracy Ellis and let’s have a conversation.

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 43

Preparing Your Landscaping for Spring

C

an you believe it won’t be long till spring! It’s that time for us to start preparing our landscaping and shrubs. As many of you know, Rick and I moved in 2019 and took on a lot more lawn and landscaping work. The home we purchased had such a beautiful yard with over a 100 bushes and shrubs, so we wanted to make sure that we took the best possible care of them. After much research, we found the best company in Selz Gardening. Kathy Selz is the owner and after just one meeting with Kathy and her team we knew they were the perfect fir for our home. The knowledge and love for what they do every day truly shows. One of the many things we loved about Selz Gardening is the way they repurpose the trimmings to create beautiful arrangements in our flowering pots. The Selz Gardening Team truly has a vision and will make your home stand out from the rest. Kathy wanted to share a few tips with our readers to help your yard look it’s best this spring.

Pruning, edging, mulching, fertilizing and planting all help beautify your yard and bump up your curb appeal. So, let’s hope we will soon be saying goodbye to snow and the winter blues and greet the colors and warm weather of spring with open arms.

Edging If you want to prepare your landscape for spring, edging is a must.

Edging helps to define the line between your landscaping and lawn.

Edging will prevent your grass from growing into your beds and keep them both looking neater. Clean edging will give your landscape a sharp and well-manicured appearance.

Pruning Pruning is essential to prepare your landscape for spring. Pruning just before spring or during early spring provides the best results for your trees and shrubs. Pruning improves your trees’ health and removes dangerous limbs, as well as helping to shape it into a more pleasing shape. Pruning your bushes can help revitalize them in spring and keeps their size and shape under control which is essential for keeping up your curb appeal.

Fertilizing Fertilizing your grass is key to prepare your landscape for spring.

Fertilizing gives your grass nutrients to grow strong and healthy.

You should fertilize shortly after or before a light rain if you can. If there’s no rain in the forecast you can water your grass, wait two days for the waters to be absorbed, and then fertilize and follow up with a light watering. When you fertilize you can also apply pre-emergent

44 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

Mulching Mulching can improve the health of your plants and keeps your landscaping looking fresh. Mulching improves plant health by helping to control moisture absorption by the plants and by preventing weeds.

Mulch helps moisture control by absorbing water from heavy rains and releasing it over time. Mulch prevents weeds from growing by keeping them covered and weighted down. To mulch properly, you should pull off your fall mulch before you apply the spring mulch. This is important until your plants have started to come up, that way you know where they are and don’t cover them and prevent them from growing.

For these reasons mulching is an important factor when you prepare your landscape for spring.

herbicide. Pre-emergent herbicide prevents crabgrass and other weeds, but be careful, it works by stopping all seeds from germinating. So, if you’re seeding your grass don’t apply pre-emergent herbicide and be careful about spreading it around your flower beds.

Planting Spring is the perfect time to plant. When the ground has thawed and is easy to work you can plant to your hearts content and really prepare your landscape for spring by planting beautiful annuals and perennials.

Prepare Your Landscape for Spring with Selz Gardening.

If you want to prepare your landscape for spring, call Selz Gardening.

Selz Gardening is a full service landscaping company, providing maintenance, design and construction.

To get your free quote today, give us a call at 314-610-2620 or contact us via our web site at www.selzgardening.com and see how we’re growing!

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 45

46 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

Nettie White Interiors: A Home Makeover in Lafayette Square

N

ettie White has always had a gift for style. Her mother instilled in her a love of design, furniture, and the finer things in life. Before starting her business, Nettie taught herself to create styles and finishes that she loved at a lower price without sacrificing quality. She would spot finishes and designs that she loved and learned how to recreate them. This is a skill that she has honed over the years and has become an expert. Growing up, her mother would save her money and do without until she was able to find something magnificent, and she passed this eye for high quality pieces on to Nettie. To this day, Nettie firmly believes in the value of owning fewer, higher quality designs than having more lower quality, generic pieces that aren’t truly what you want. She is well known by her clients for her gorgeous custom colors and finishes as well as her ability to completely redesign a room to match her clients’ tastes.

Nettie didn’t realize that she would one day be able to turn her passion into a thriving business.

It all began after she first redesigned a wall in

her home. She did the wall with metallics, and her friend asked if Nettie could do work in her bedroom too. Word quickly spread, and Nettie found herself blessed to turn her passion into a full time business. People fell in love with her designs, and, when her business first started, she found herself with more projects than business cards. Her talent for design was greatly recognized.

There are several ways to give a room a fresh new feel, and Nettie can help you achieve your look through something as simple as putting in an island counter or as complex as redesigning a room’s floor plan. She can help clients at all price points and project complexities. Her talent with woodwork and paints can give a kitchen a fresh new look with her special techniques to create custom paints and finishes without completely gutting the kitchen. Her ability to layer color and finishes can make even the bulkiest, out-of-place appliances look like built-in pieces of furniture.

Nettie has had clients across the country, and she is able to provide her talent wherever a client may be. She has experience working in older homes as well as brand new ones that new

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 47

buyers want to mold to their taste. She has a special ability to turn generic and manufactured rooms into refreshed and stylish spaces that cater to each client’s personal style. Everything is custom, and no two projects look the same. This does wonders for property value, and it creates special spaces for her clients and their families so they feel right at home in their household. Farmhouse and rustic styles have become so popular throughout the years, and Nettie is able to make all of her woodwork unique.

One of Nettie’s latest projects is a gorgeous kitchen inside of a Lafayette Square home. The home is over one hundred years old, and it was important to Nettie that she keep an element of age to respect the historic home without sacrificing modern style. She implemented

48 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

an elegant architectural piece into the refrigerator to give it some height. She also added a custom made hood with custom carvings and paint layered to achieve an aged look.

Additionally, a furniture piece to support a television was added as well.

Nettie truly is able to work in all aspects of remodeling, including granite and architectural restructuring.

Not only did she put in a custom, ten-foot long island with a triple waterfall granite top, but she was able to work with a contractor to ensure the floor could support the heavy marble. The granite is designed to look like three different pieces of granite to truly create something one of a kind. She was also able to work with contractors to pull the kitchen walls out and add an archway leading into the dining room to give the home more open space. She has an ability for visualizing floor plans so that each client can get the maximum space out of their home. With this project she was able to add a large wine cooler and create a new area for serving and entertainment to pair with it.

This was a large project, and Nettie’s clients trusted her enough to make many of the decisions herself. This particular remodel included much drawing, restabilizing, and discussions with the homeowners to achieve the best outcome for their style. Large remodeling projects like this feature typically take three to six months to achieve, but Nettie is able to work with clients on a range of projects. Her more typical remodels

that require millwork, new flooring, and new countertops take closer to three months while smaller projects where these aren’t required can be achieved much faster. Her team is always ready to take on new projects and deliver high quality outcomes. And they aren’t limited to kitchens. Nettie’s team can work on any room in a home that a client desires, and they can even work on exterior projects as well. Part of their exterior expertise includes creating customer shutters, front doors, and garage doors. She can even add architectural features to your home, like added ceiling beams or built-in shelving.

Nettie’s team always uses high quality products that last and will always layer paints to achieve depth and dimension. She is able to use her custom paints to create faux wood and faux stone patterns that are on par with changing colors trends. Her whole team is amazing, and they are always pleased to collaborate with their trusted and talented contractors and artisans on their projects. She has an excellent team at her store, The Porch, who is always able to help her clients with decorating and furniture choices. If you’re thinking of remodeling a room in your home or simply want to make a few simple design changes, Nettie and her team are always happy and ready to accept new clients.

nettiewhiteinteriors.com 314.780.6195

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 49

Greg Rolwes

Rolwes Co: Building Community and Trust Through Homebuilding

The Rick and Tracy Ellis Team are excited to exclusively represent Rolwes Co.

T

he Rick and Tracy Ellis Team are excited to exclusively represent Rolwes Co. We have been in the real estate business for over 20 years and have worked with several builders. We’ve always loved the affordable pricing Rolwes offers, along with excellent customer service. Our team sat down with founder Greg Rolwes and asked him to share more about his company, creative process, and the Rolwes difference.

Tracy Ellis: I’d like to start by asking you to tell us about the story behind Rolwes. How did the company get started?

Greg Rolwes: Well, I always say home building is in my blood.

My grandfather was a home builder and then, of course, my father was a home builder. So, it was kind of a natural progression that I would be in the industry since I enjoyed watching them so much growing up. What truly excited me was seeing a raw piece of dirt become a community where homeowners are able to raise and enjoy their families and the homes that were built for them. That feeling proved to me that I wanted to do this for a living by taking what I had learned and starting my own company.

50 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

Tracy Ellis: Take us through the visualization process when you’re looking at a piece of property to develop.

Rolwes: You kind of get this visual picture in your mind of how the streets would lay out, where the homes would be, and the scenery the homeowners will experience from their windows or backyards.

We’re looking at lifestyles, really, and it’s important to us to appeal to that lifestyle our buyers are looking for.

Tracy Ellis: How do you name each community?

Rolwes: There is no real direct science for it! Sometimes it’s the street the community is going to be on, sometimes it’s the previous landowner’s name, such as Wilson Estates, and sometimes it’s places around the world or places within our own communities. You know, it varies -- it’s nothing to be exact.

“I always say home building is in my blood.”

Tracy Ellis: What do you think sets Rolwes apart from other builders?

Rolwes: We pride ourselves on building quality homes, and with that comes a well-designed home that families or individuals will live in and enjoy for years to come. We try to do it at a very fair price, which we call the value; we want our homes to be of the best value out there. We do that by combining quality with design and price, which is the value proposition that we try to fulfill.

We serve each other, and all of our employees are accountable to one another. We strive to have happy employees who are proud of where they work and want to serve their customers by delivering a great product to them. We also believe in quality over quantity and apply that to everything we do, which makes our work stand out and shows our customers that we are committed to building what they want.

Tracy Ellis: How do you keep up with the latest styles and trends?

Rolwes: We find out about trends and styles by simply listening to our clients to find out specifically what they’re looking for! Then, we decipher that and turn it into a home style that they can enjoy.

Tracy Ellis: Tell us about some of the new communities readers can be looking out for!

Rolwes: We always have new communities - we have Chapelwood Place which is in St. Louis County off of Big Bend. Then, we have Kingston Hills which is going to be right at the St. Louis County/ Jefferson County border and is off of 141. We also have Devonshire Estates that is going to be in South County. We are starting development now and look forward to having those ready soon!

The Rick and Tracy Ellis Team would like to sincerely thank Greg for taking the time to tell us more about his company. If you’re looking for affordable housing by a detail-oriented builder who excels at customer service, Rolwes Co. should be one of your top choices.

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 51

COMMUNITIES FROM ROLWES COMPANY Building on a Rolwes family legacy of homebuyer satisfaction since 1955, St. Louis home builder Rolwes Company has a reputation for delivering innovative floor plans, quality craftsmanship and proactive service.

FOX RIDGE

Price Range: From the low $200’s | Schools: Wentzville R-IV Fox Ridge is conveniently located just off Mexico Road, which provides quick access to Interstate 70. Rolwes Company is proud to introduce our Classic Series of homes to this great community, which features open concept ranch floor plans, elegant 3 and 4 bedroom two story plans, and a 1.5 story plan that can’t be beat. Fox Ridge offers fabulous homesites and energy-efficient, low-maintenance, brilliantly livable home designs. Phase II now selling, stop by our NEW Model Home Located at 205 Barrington Ridge Lane.

New Home Specialist: Christie Sabo

ENCLAVE AT PARK HILLS

Price Range: From the upper $100’s | Schools: Troy R-III Location: Troy, MO NOW SELLING! Located in Troy MO, Rolwes Company is excited to announce their new community Park Hills! Now offering our Classic Series of homes to this great community, which features open concept ranch floor plans, elegant 3 and 4 bedroom two story plans, and a 1.5 story plan that can’t be beat. Park Hills offers fabulous homesites and energy-efficient, low-maintenance, brilliantly livable home designs. Move-In Ready ranch-style Rockport available March 2020! New Home Specialist: Michelle Barteaue

KENSINGTON ESTATES

Price Range: From the upper $300’s | Schools: St. Charles City Location: St. Charles, MO Large Estate homes on 6 over sized Homesites nestled in a quiet existing community. Located a few minutes from hwy 94 and 1-70. Close to shopping and historic downtown St. Charles as well as minutes from Lambert Inter-national. We offer open concept plans including Ranches, 2 story and 1-1/2 story plans with a variety of standard features that are sure please. Don’t have time to build? Move-In Ready ranch-style Waverly available Spring 2020!

New Home Specialist: Steve Lane

MEADOWS AT CROOKED CREEK

Price Range: From the upper $100’s | Schools: Troy R-III Location: Moscow Mills, MO NOW SELLING! Rolwes Company is excited to announce another elegant community in the highly sought after Lincoln County. Now offering our ranch, 1.5 story and 2 story Classic Series homes with a full line of standard features! Model Home coming soon, please visit our offsite sales center located at Crystal Creek in Wentzville for more information!

New Home Specialist: Michelle Barteau

52 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

HARTFORD GLEN

Price Range: From the low $200’s | Schools: Fox C-6 Location: Fenton Conveniently located near Highway 141, 30 and 270. Cul-de-sac living for privacy and safety-no thru traffic. Located Just minutes from Gravois Bluffs for convenient shopping and dining. This community is comprised of stunning family-sized homes with convenient ranch and two story floor plans with a remarkable value. Final opportunity, don’t miss out!

New Home Specialist: Carole Gerretsen

HERITAGE POINTE

Price Range: From the mid $200’s | Schools: Wentzville R-IV Location: Wentzville, MO Heritage Pointe has only a few home sites remaining! Located about half-way between 1-70 and 1-64/40, and just minutes from 364, Heritage Pointe has it all, including a neighborhood pool! These walk-out home sites are ready for your new dream home. The community offers a variety of ranch, 1.5 story, and 2 story plans starting in the mid $200’s. Heritage Pointe offers the sought-after cul-de-sac neighborhood design offering residents security and privacy, while still providing the benefits of area amenities such as state of the art healthcare, exquisite shopping, dining and entertainment. Stop in to our NEW display located at 1002 Crystal Creek Parkway.

New Home Specialist: Michelle Barteau

WILSON ESTATES

Price Range: From the high $300’s | Schools: Mehlville Location: Oakville, MO Schools: Melville School District Elegant cul de sac enclave featuring 1 s home sites and our popular Estate Series floor plans. Ranch, Two Story and 1.5 Story floor plans come well appointed with 9’ ceilings, 3 car garages, 5 1/4” base boards, wood burning fireplace, and more. Move-In Ready ranch-style Canterbury coming spring 2020!

New Home Specialist: Steve Lane

www.rolwesco.com 314.499.6700 | info@RolwesCo.com

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 53

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS

Price Range: From mid $200’s | Schools: Fox C-6 Location: Imperial, MO Upon arrival of this “hidden gem” as many call it, you’ll be amazed by the craftsmanship and detail even at the entrance! As a leading home builder In Jefferson County for more than half a century, Rolwes Company is dedicated to offering superior quality at an affordable price with homes starting from the mid $200’s. With modern floor plans designed and created by the Rolwes family with livability in mind, we offer private homesites and customizable options to suit your own unique lifestyle whether you are looking for a single, 1.5 or 2 story home. Now selling Phase II with 39 new homesites available!

New Home Specialist: Danielle Tucker

SCENIC VIEW ESTATES

Price Range: From the upper $100’s | Schools: Festus R-VI Location: Festus, MO Scenic View Estates is one of the most sought after locations in Jefferson County and right in the heart of Festus and In the Festus School District, only a few short minutes off of Hwy 55 and the Herculaneum exit. The name of this community didn’t happen by chance -you’ll fall in love with the rolling hills, lush trees, and breath-taking views of the city that span for miles. With a variety of single story, 1.5 story, and 2 story plans to chose from. we are confident that your Rolwes Company home will serve your lifestyle now and for many years to corner. Phase II now selling!

New Home Specialist: Carole Gerretsen

BROOKFIELD CROSSING

Price Range: From the low $300’s | Schools: Wentzville R-IV Location: Lake St. Louis, MO Brookfield Crossing is a gorgeous community in Lake St. Louis. This neighborhood is comprised of stunning luxury homes with convenient floor plans, remarkable value and expert craftsmanship. Every component of each new home has been meticulously designed and crafted to meet the expectations we have set over more than half a century. Browse our many floor plans and models to imagine the way you and your family will live in Lake St. Louis for many years to come. Whether you are looking for a ranch, a 1.5 story or a 2 story, we have the plan for you. We even offer customizable options to suit your own unique lifestyle! Be sure stop in and tour our NEW Model Home located at 103 Brookfield Crossing Drive.

New Home Specialist: Terra Sherman

COMING SOON

Kingston Hills - Fenton, MO Wyndgate Meadows - Lake St. Louis, MO

www.rolwesco.com 314.499.6700 | info@RolwesCo.com

54 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

CHAPELWOOD PLACE

Price Range: From the low $600’s | Schools: Parkway South Location: Kirkwood, MO NOW SELLING! Rolwes Company’s newest community, Chapelwood Place is tucked in an intimate, privately wooded enclave of 11 homesites just west of 270 in Kirkwood, MO. Chapelwood Place offers gorgeous, oversized, fullysodded and abundantly landscaped homesites with large, open floor plans and many upgrades included as standard features. Be sure to visit our sister community, Chapelwood just minutes down the street. Two opportunities remain in this private community with pricing starting from the mid $500’s.

New Home Specialist: Steve Lane

CRYSTAL CREEK

Price Range: From the low $200’s | Schools: Wentzville R-IV Location: Wentzville, MO Crystal Creek neighborhood offers a sought-after cul-de-sac designed for privacy and safety, eliminating drive-through traffic. Parents can rest easy knowing their children are receiving a world-class education at Heritage Elementary, Wentzville Middle School and Holt High School. Enjoy this location near great shopping and restaurants with easy access to Wentzville Parkway, which provides a convenient commute to 1-70 or 1-40/64. Beautiful, fully-sodded, walkout homesites provide the foundation for a great outdoor lifestyle. With intelligent, forward-thinking floor plans, Rolwes Company provides the most energy-efficient, low maintenance, brilliantly livable home design in Wentzville, MO. Crystal Creek offers a variety of ranch, 1.5 story and 2 story homes. Be sure to stop by and tour our NEW Model Home located at 1002 Crystal Creek Parkway. Final phase coming Soon!

New Home Specialist: Michelle Barteau

YOUR LAND OUR PLAN

Price Range: From the $200’s Style of homes available: Various to suit every budget Rolwes takes the stress out of building one of our custom designed homes. One of the biggest hurdles to overcome when trying to build a home outside of a traditional community is the construction loan and disbursement process through a title company. Rolwes Company eliminates this process and makes building on your land as simple as building in one of our established communities.

For More information contact: St. Louis & Jefferson County - Carole Gerretsen at (314) 332-3377 St. Charles & Lincoln County - Terra Sherman (636) 925-0550

FINAL OPPORTUNITY

Don’t miss out on the last chance to own in some of Rolwes Company’s most desirable communities! Move-In Ready homes available in Cerny Estates-Eureka, Aspen Meadows-Cottleville and Bristol Ridge-St. Charles visit www.rolwesco.com for more information.

www.rolwesco.com 314.499.6700 | info@RolwesCo.com

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 55

Living in a

Community

with a Homeowners Association

A

re you looking for a new home and wondering if a community with a homeowners association is the right fit for you? Living in a community that has a homeowners association has several advantages. The elected board members are obligated to ensure compliance is in place for each of the community’s regulations, which promotes the health and safety of its residents. Those who are first time home buyers may not know the benefits a homeowners association can provide or exactly how they work, but it is fairly straightforward.

Each member of the community pays a monthly fee that can vary between neighborhoods (although it is typically around a couple of hundred dollars a month per property), and these funds are used for everything from landscaping the shared community spaces to any legal disputes that may occur. The fee varies depending on the type of neighborhood you’re buying in and the type of décor and common space within that community. Financials are provided to the board members on a quarterly basis which go over each accounting item line-by-line.

All of this spending directly benefits home buyers, and members of the community are able to see where the money is spent for full transparency. Members are also able to voice any questions or concerns at annual board meetings. After all, this is money that the members are paying, and that money goes towards what they care about most.

Not only can a homeowners association upkeep the aesthetic of a neighborhood, but they can also help protect the value of your property. When a neighborhood is built, the builder typically designs it

56 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

with a specific aesthetic in mind that creates cohesion. When people move in and start building fences that don’t match or meet regulations, have several animals, or keep personal property like large RVs in the driveway it can scare off potential buyers. If regulations are consistently broken, it can easily have a negative effect on the average home value within the neighborhood. By enforcing these regulations, a homeowners association can help protect the value of your home over time. This can provide great peace of mind when making such a large financial decision.

Before purchasing a home, it’s easy to research if a home is part of a homeowners association community and what regulations are enforced.

Your first move should be to check the ordinances of the city or county you’re looking to buy in, and it’s safe to assume that any homeowners associations follow the same guidelines set in place by the city or county.

This helps to alleviate any issues, and a buyer should get a full copy of these ordinances before closing on a home. Most cities and counties have these ordinances available online, and buyers can also get a copy from the local city hall. Additionally, Realtors are very familiar with ordinances set by cities, counties, and homeowner associations. Board members are also happy to share information with potential buyers.

Regardless of a buyer’s interest in living in a homeowners association community, it’s important to carefully review these codes. For example, if you want to have a purple front door or have four dogs, you’ll need to be sure that a purple front door is acceptable in a community or that you aren’t moving into a neighborhood that only allows three dogs per home.

These are rules that board members can vote to allow exceptions for when needed (there needs to be a two-thirds majority), however, to ensure safety and to set a standard across the community, board members typically need to take a hard stance to uphold the rules. This is to dissuade more people from straying from the codes.

Homeowners associations are designed to reflect the desires and standards set by the community as a whole, and they’re run very democratically. This means that each member of the community has a strong and equal voice when deciding what issues are important and who is representing them. There are typically three board members who have a maximum of three year terms. These members host an annual meeting that is open to their representatives where any issues and financials are discussed. Of course, if there are pressing issues that need to be addressed, like an issue with speeders on the road or if handicap enhancements need to be made, then community members are encouraged to reach out to their board members. Board members always welcome a chance to help their constituents.

When you’re working with a Realtor, your buyer’s agent will use proper documentation to ensure that you have an opportunity to review the bi-laws of the subdivision where you’re purchasing a home. You’ll be allowed a period of time to review the bi-laws to make sure that they’re acceptable for you and your family. If they’re not, then your Realtor will take the necessary steps to have you released from your contract. This is one of the many reasons why it’s important to have an agent representing your best interests. A mem-

ber of the Rick and Tracy Ellis team welcomes the opportunity to represent you in finding the perfect home for your family. With over two decades of experience helping buyers and sellers in the St. Louis area, and you can rest assured that you’ll have the best representation during this crucial time.

St. Louis' Educated Roofing Professionals

(314) 800-0426 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 57

Silver Senior Program A concierge service assisting seniors transitioning to their new lifestyle of independent or assisted living.

SSWe can assist you and your needs when choosing a senior community and provide one on one meeting to create your personalized timeline.

SSFacilitate and assist you with finding a senior relocation specialist. This professional company will help you sort and decision make personal property, pack, arrange the move, organize charity donation pick-ups, estate sales and garage sales. They can even unpack boxes and arrange your new home.

SSWe will assist you with preparing your home to be sold by getting it market ready through our vendor list of expert contractors and service companies. We will facilitate any repairs needed after your approval.

SSWe will assist you in finalizing the disconnection of your homes utilities SSDo you not feel comfortable with computers, you don’t have to be.

We can come to you when documents need to be signed. One of the many processes we handle through our concierge service.

We want you to know you’re not in this by yourself. You have a team of trusted professionals to assist you and if you have a question or a concern we have the answer or the solution.

58 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

List with The Rick & Tracy Ellis Team!

Your home could make the cover, but ALL listings go in the magazine! Also be featured on FM Talk 97.1 and 590 The Fan. For more information, call: Tracy Ellis 636.299.3702 Rick Ellis 636.699.2197

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 59

VIP VENDOR LIST DECKS

Decks and Beyond LLC

314-539-1225

618-660-8711

BASEMENT WATERPROOFING

Quacker’s Waterproofing

and Basement Repair

ELECTRIC

Paramount Electric

Roberts Electric

314-226-6551 636-256-8170

636-281-3735

BLINDS

Two Blind Guys

The Blind Broker of STL, LLC

ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECTS

Criterium- Haroy Engineers Architect

314-878-0806 314-640-4447

636-537-8008 636-970-7283

BUILDING SUPPLIES

Arrowhead Building Supply

Tree Court Builders Supply

ESTATE SALES

Davis Estate Sales

M.J.’s Estate Sales, LLC

314-330-0004 314-440-5175

636-970-1976 314-568-3300

FINANCIAL ADVISORS

Daniel J Henrichs, CFP, CIMA President & CEO

Integrated Wealth Advisors 314-230-8262

APPLIANCE VENDOR

Pacific Kitchen and Home

314-443-5048

ASPHALT AND SEALING

A1 Professional Asphalt and Sealing

BUILDING INSPECTORS

Pillar to Post, Patrick Dickinson 636-928-0760

Denny Arnett Home Team Inspection 3 14-732-5954 CARPET CLEANING AND AIR DUCTS

Aim Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning 314-941-1340

Dalmation Cleaning and Restoration 314-423-0101

AdvantaClean 636-219-3877 CLEANERS

Saint Louis Sparkle Clean

Merry Maids

314-518-0672 636-825-9650

CONCRETE

D.M. Terrill Concrete

Rick Thomas Concrete

Hoffman Concrete LLC

636-458-4555 314-698-0391 314-544-3484

CONSTRUCTION

ARC Construction

Lifetime Roofing and Renovation

Titan Construction

Absolute Exteriors

636-946-7855 636-336-6951 314-243-8802 314-713-9800

CREDIT REPAIR

Phoenix Credit Consultants

314-429-2040

60 TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

FLOORING

Edwards Carpet

St Louis Wood Floor

314-993-0808 314-369-6857

GARAGE DOOR REPAIR

Anco Overhead Door

636-343-9167

HANDYMAN

All My Girls

636-697-2805

HOME STAGERS/DESIGNERS

Inhance-IT

Yours By Design

Heather Hannick Designs

314-486-5354 314-283-1760 314-814-2577

HOME WARRANTY

HSA Home Warranty

Home Warranty of America

636-346-5237 314-562-5099

HVAC

Academy Air

Swiss Air Heating and Cooling

314-720-3580 636-978-7800

RADON

Quacker’s Waterproofing

and Basement Repair

St Louis Radon Test and Mitigation

AdvantaClean

636-281-3735 636-200-2875 636-219-3877

636-466-5324

JUNK REMOVAL

Dirt Cheap Hauling and Demo

RETAINING WALLS

Retaining Walls LLC

314-608-1982

636-579-6081

KITCHEN REMODELS

Nettie White Interiors

314-780-6195

ROOF AND SIDING

Lifetime Roofing and Renovation

Signature Exteriors. INC

Crown Restoration LLC

636-336-6951 636-248-9418 636-358-4962

LAWN CARE

Green Elements

314-764-5296

MOLD REMOVAL

AdvantaClean

Moldman St. Louis

636-219-3877 314-282-9791

ROOF/SIDING CLEANERS

Mid West Softwash

Clean Roof STL

Curb Appeals Pros

636-614-0375 314-221-9255 314-698-3282

MORTGAGE

St. Charles Mortgage

Golden Oak Lending

USA Mortgage

SEPTIC REPAIRS

Turnbull Contracting

573-470-6741

314-607-8551 314-590-6815 314-497-7435

TUCK POINTING

Galati and Sons Tuck Pointing

St Louis Brick and Tuck-pointing

314-220-7012 636-253-8096

314-223-8301 314-405-8228 636-916-5333

WATER/FIRE RESTORATION

Belfor by Belfor USA Group, Inc.

Crown Restoration LLC

Fast Help

636-728-0580 636-358-4962 314-278-6050

WATER PURIFICATION

Trionics Superior Water

636-928-0601

INSURANCE

State Farm Jim Schilkoski

Ben Hagan Farmers Agency

Lanham Agency LLC

636-978-4800 314-635-9300 636-779-5976

IRRIGATION

Henry’s Irrigation

MOVING COMPANIES

Renew Transfer

Goodfellas Moving

Simple Moves

PEST CONTROL

Richardsons Pest

Blue Chip Pest Control

636-387-2400 636-970-1180

PLUMBING

MCX Plumbing Inc.

Sewer Pros

314-713-3977 314-821-1600

POOL INSPECTIONS

Unique Pool Management

Pool Tron

314-280-3451 314-575-5720

WINDOW CLEANERS AND POWER WASHERS

Midwest Softwash 636-614-0375

Window-Brite 636-577-3325

WINDOW REPAIR AND BROKEN THERMAL SEALS

Floyd Glass 636-922-3569

Glass Guru (St. Charles) 636-980-1616

CONTACT RICK OR TRACY ELLIS FOR MORE INFO: 636.299.3702 • Tracy@TracyEllis.com | 636.699.2197 • Rick@TracyEllis.com | www.TracyEllis.com

TRACY ELLIS: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 61

MARKETING APPROACH THE ELLIS TEAM LISTINGS:

STRATEGIC MARKETING:

✦✦ The Ellis’ have 2 professional photographers and feature their listings with HDR photography, aerial and sunset photography along with video.

✦✦ You’ll find billboards all over St. Louis promoting The Rick and Tracy Ellis real estate radio shows to bring more attention to our listings.

✦✦ 3-D imagery and videography ✦✦ The Ellis’ listings are showcased on www.tracyellis.com, www.rickandtracyellisteam. com, and 157 additional web sites.

THE ELLIS TEAM MAGAZINE: ✦✦ Publisher, creator and editor of Tracy Ellis: Real Estate Magazine. ✦✦ You’ll find the magazine in over 150 businesses in St. Louis, St. Charles County, Lincoln, Lake of the Ozarks and Illinois ✦✦ The Rick & Tracy Ellis Team will write a story about your property, not just a paragraph in the MLS. ✦✦ Your home could be featured on the cover, but will definitely be featured in our magazine

62 TRACY ELLIS MAGAZINE

✦✦ Tune in to the The Rick and Tracy Ellis show on 590 The FAN every Saturday at 9 am. ✦✦ The Rick and Tracy Ellis show airs every Saturday at 9 am and Sunday at 10 am on FM TALK 97.1, 98.7 FM, & 1490 AM in St. Louis. ✦✦ All of our listings are promoted on all of our weekly radio shows on 3 different stations. ✦✦ Sandy Miller from FOX 2 News joins us every Saturday at 9 am and shares our show on her social media. ✦✦ The Ellis will be creating a new vlog series highlighting their homes with client interviews about their properties along with local vendors ✦✦ Rick and Tracy also have a Podcast of all of their shows. ✦✦ We have many websites to generate traffic, including our own pages on FM TALK 97.1.

✦✦ The Ellis Team Post and target ads daily on all social networks including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. ✦✦ Advertising in Ladue News ✦✦ Morning LIVES/ Commercials with Marc Cox and Denys Schaffer from The Marc Cox Show on FM TALK 97.1, you’ll also find a video testimonial from Marc Cox on www. tracyellis.com ✦✦ The Rick and Tracy Ellis Team have had properties featured on Show Me St. Louis and FOX 2 News in the morning. ✦✦ The Ellis’ plan social/ charitable events to target the right audience. They planned an event for 150 guests at their listing at 1126 Wings Rd. in St. Albans that benefited MMMF. Tracy Ellis is on the Executive Board of Directors of several charities in the area and heads up the Committee for Events and Fundraising on two charities, The Base Foundation and the Keira Strong Forever Foundation. This allows the Ellis’ to host events in their properties and bring even more attention to their

listings including local media coverage. The Ellis’ recently had Josh Flagg in town from Million Dolllar Listing LA for an event at a $30,000,000 home in Lake St. Louis to benefit Little Patriots Embraced.

PARTNERS/NETWORKING: ✦✦ The Rick and Tracy Ellis Team have received The Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist™ (CLHMS) designation. This assures affluent buyers and sellers that real estate professionals have the knowledge, experience, and unique skills to meet their needs. Members of The Institute who hold the CLHMS designation have documented performance in the TOP 10% of their residential markets and have successfully demonstrated their expertise in the luxury home and estate market. ✦✦ We work with top real estate agents all over the USA and other countries and currently have almost 40,000 real estate agents in our direct referral network.

ADMINISTRATIVE MARKETING ✦✦ The Ellis Team has a marketing assistant who creates all of our marketing materials such as post cards, door knockers and brochures. ✦✦ The Ellis Team has a full time office manager who currently handles the paperwork on all files, direct contact with all clients and all administrative work. ✦✦ We have a full-time contractto-close coordinator who will handle the transaction from contract to close. ✦✦ The Ellis Team has a social media expert to handle all of our social media needs to make sure our clients homes are receiving maximum exposure. ✦✦ The Ellis Team has experienced, full-time agents on our team who specialize with both buyers and sellers.

The Ellis’ have many years of experience with Relocation buyers and have worked with several of the National Relocation companies as well.

THE RICK & TRACY ELLIS TEAM EXPERIENCE ✦✦ Rick & Tracy have both been in real estate for over 20 years. They’ve hosted their own weekly radio show for over 9 years and created/ published their own real estate magazine for over 6 years. You’ll find their magazine, Tracy Ellis: REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE in over 150 businesses throughout the St. Louis area year round.

Rick and Tracy Ellis have sold over $250 million in real estate. The Ellis’ have a passion for marketing and have enjoyed telling the story of their properties. It’s very important to The Ellis’ to do everything they can to make sure their properties are marketed to the largest audience. Each agent on The Ellis Team takes pride in educating their clients about our great city, while helping them find their perfect home.

✦✦ The Ellis Team has a terrific, professional designer who creates our magazines and team literature. ✦✦ The Ellis Team has two writers on staff for stories in magazine, MLS and social media.

Looking to buy or sell?

Allow us to help you...

Call the Rick & Tracy Ellis Team at 636-699-2197 or 636-299-3702.

TRACY ELLIS MAGAZINE 63

You now tune into our radio Saturday can 9 Sunday 10 show on even more s tations! at

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Real EstateRadio Network

Rick& TracyEllis

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Real Estate Radio Network

Real Estate TheRick& Radio Network TracyEllis

Real Estate Radio Network Saturday at 9 AM

Saturday at 9 AM & Sunday at 10 AM Saturday at 9 AM at 10 AM | Sunday Listen on Saturday at 9 am and Sunday at 10 am on FM TALK 97.1 and Saturday at 9 am on 590 The Fan

Sandy Miller joins us on Saturdays at 9 am on FM TALK 97.1 and 590 The Fan

Lear n more at w w w.Tr ac yEllis .com