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Yes, it looks like that's the case in the Springfield, Missouri market.  Given the fact that house prices have dropped to the lowest levels in over a decade, many first buyers are realizing that they can get more square footage and living space in a home they can buy as opposed to renting.  Take for instance, an individual pays $520 per month for a tiny studio in Springfield to rent or can pay $700 per month for a 4 bedroom home with hardwood floors that they buy and can build equity in.  Compounded that with the lowest interest rates in over 40 years, currently around 4% fixed for 30 years, that is the perfect storm to a solid long term investment! 

If you don't believe me, I have plenty of first time home buyers, like Kiera who just bought her first home December 22nd, that can tell you now is the best time to buy and quit feeding the landlords.  Be your own landlord like Kiera!  Congrats Kiera on your new 4 bedroom home--you've earned it!

ST

When in town, check out the best of the local cuisine.  This is the top 5 restaurants in 2008 according to 417 Magazine.

1. Ocean Zen
It was already extremely popular, but when the Tan family’s Asian/fusion place moved from cramped Glenstone Avenue quarters to a revamped former Tony Roma’s on Sunshine Street last year, it suddenly became the It Restaurant of All 417-land. Audible oohs and aahs can be heard near its glass-and-metal wine cave near the restaurant’s entrance. As food goes, the Asian/ Western mix is consistently wonderful and inventive.

2. Flame Steakhouse & Wine Bar
This year, the Jalili family’s steakhouse has outclassed its original Springfield restaurant, Bijan’s, in readers’ rankings. Finely done beef is paired with an extensive wine list—also showcased in glass and metal—and ancillary dishes such as the Garbage Salad or the Boursin-topped appetizer cheeseburgers add fun fillips to classic steakhouse fare.

3. Bijan’s Sea & Grille
If you’re a newcomer to town wondering if this restaurant is somehow connected to the Bijan’s Bistro in Chicago, the answer is no: Our Bijan’s, which signaled a new era in Springfield when it opened in 1997—is both indie and serves higher-end cuisine than its Windy City sound-alike. Owned by the Jalili family, Bijan’s embodies the notion of “whimsical gourmet bistro” in Springfield’s imagination.

4. Haruno
Young Jun’s Japanese restaurant stands out for the quality of its fish, which is flown in from the West Coast on a six-hour turnaround. The restaurant expanded in 2003, adding a slick bar/dining area that prefigured the atmospherics of Kai, its new downtown outpost.

5. Metropolitan Grill
Could you eat flash-fried spinach all day long? For certain members of our editorial department, the answer is yes, please. When chef-owner Pat Duran took over the reins from former owner Fred Coco in 2005, Metro Grill began a journey toward updating itself with new dishes like pumpkin manicotti. This year, it became the social restaurant for the Millwood–Highland Springs set.

Well, all that research and looking has paid off.  You've negotiated the best your could, and now the clock is ticking down to the closing date.  You may wonder what steps are left--well there are quite a few.

For the buyer:  1.  I will deliver a copy of the signed contract to your lender, if you need one, and will check to make sure the title company has a copy as well.  2. A formal written application for loan must be completed within 7 days of contract acceptance (if a loan is required).  3. From the date the contract was signed, you have 10 days to have a home inspection completed and any repair requests sent over to the seller.    4.  If an appraisal will be done, that needs to be completed by time of closing as well, earlier if a loan is requiring it.  5.  Contact your insurance to set up a policy for your new home.  6.  Contact utility companies no later than 1 week from closing to set up utilities to be active on date of closing.  7.  Finally, pack, pack, pack, and set up moving arraignments.  That's  the hard part of the entire deal, but the most rewarding since you are getting a new home.

For the seller:  1.  I will deliver a copy of the signed contract to the title company to begin title work on the property.  2.  The buyers will probably have a home inspection and that will occur during the first 10 days after the contract was signed.  3.  During the first 2-3 weeks, the buyers may have an appraiser visit the home as well to take measurements and pictures.  4.  After any repair requests addendum has been negotiated, the remaining work to be done occurs with the title company clearing the title and preparing closing documents.  This is a good time to notify your utility companies of your last day, normally the date of closing, so they can take a final reading on that day for your final bill.  5.  Get your loan information over to the title company for your loan payoff no later than 1 week of closing so the correct payoff amounts will be printed.  6.  Notify your insurance company of the sale of the property and have your policy terminate on the day you release possession of the property. This is important since you will be getting a refund of the unused part of your policy.  7. Pack, pack, pack, and clean.  The reason I say clean is that no one wants to move into a dirty house and the curtesy of cleaning up after moving out for the new owners leaves the transaction on good terms. 

The important part as well is to use a good lender, a good insurance company, and a good real estate agent to make all of this a smooth as possible.  When this all goes smoothly, buying or selling a home can be a fun experience.

Shannon Todd

With the warmer weather, my thoughts are to spend what little free time I have out of the office and on the fairways.  Now my game isn't the best, so on the fairways is sometimes not the most attainable goal--but at least I have fun.  For those of you, like me, who want to hit the links, there are plenty of courses around the Springfield area.  I have listed the following courses for you to check out and with any luck, maybe you will see me on one of them in the future.

Millwood Golf and Racquet Club www.millwoodgolf.com

Fremont Hills Country club www.fremonthillsgolf.com

Hickory Hills Country Club www.hickoryhillscountryclub.com

Highland Springs Country Club www.highlandsprings.com

Twin Oaks Country Club www.twinoakscountryclub.com/home.html

Deer Lake Golf Course www.deerlakegolf.com

Springfield Park Board Courses www.parkboard.org/information/golf/.  This gives the entire list of public courses maintained by the Springfield Park Board.

Have fun and I'll see you out on the greens!

Shannon Todd