South West Missouri Real Estate and More!

What an incredible day!

I am working with a wonderful couple that have three daughters. They transferred to the Lebanon Missouri area a few years ago and have been renting since then. Feeling they will stay here, without another transfer in the near future, they decided to buy. They have been to the bank, they have been pre-approved and have money in the bank for a down payment. All the pieces are in place to make an offer on a home.

Earlier this week, we looked at a foreclosure in Phillipsburg Missouri. Our choices have been some what limited as they want to stay in the Laclede County R-1 school district. There isn't a whole lot for sale in this school district, as it ranks well in the State and has a very strong reputation in the area. There is limited turn over within the boundaries of the district.

So... back to my story. We look at the home. A few family members look over the home. The buyers made a list of potential repairs and went home to talk about an offer. They later called to say they would be in Friday morning, their day off, to write an offer.

This morning, we meet at the Lebanon MO office and I pull up the data sheet. I go on to pull up our state forms software, flipping back to the MLS data sheet. Upon doing so, the page refreshes...what do I see? The home is now under contract? What? Five minutes ago it still showed as "active."

Placing a call to the listing agent, I find out that the REO company did indeed accept an offer this morning from another local buyer.

My buyers lost a home that had everything they were looking for - the right school district, a little bit of land, no major repairs, a storm shelter or safe room and at least two full baths.

As of today, the home had been on the market 169 days. They thought they had plenty of time. They thought it wasn't going any where any time soon. They thought homes weren't moving - that is what the media told them.

The morning was an emotional roller coaster.

Our market has seen an increase in Internet traffic and an increase in telephone calls. It looks like we'll also see an increase in pendings and solds in the near future.

If you're thinking of buying or selling, why wait?

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Contact Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realty, at 417-468-5900 to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Marshfield, Conway, Phillipsburg, Lebanon, Long Lane, or Buffalo, Missouri.

Contact Debbie at: Debbie@ucvip.com

Copyright © 2009 By Debbie DiFonzo, All Rights Reserved.

My kids think I have totally lost my mind - but I am very excited: Driving home, I finally saw a LIVE armadillo crossing the street! (Hwy A in Phillipburg MO)

It was almost dark and I didn't realize how quickly an armadillo can move, so I wasn't able to grab the camera. I would have loved to preserve this "Missouri First."

Armadillos are relatively new to Missouri. making their way up to Missouri from Texas in the mid 1970's. I've lived here since January 2000 and until now, had only seen DEAD armadillos. The locals refer to to them as "Southern Speed Bumps."

They say armadillos can tear up a yard and do great damage. Just in case you can't run your problem armadillo over with your car, if you trap or shoot an armadillo, Missouri's Wildlife Code requires you to report the action to your state conservation agent within 24 hours.

To learn more about getting rid of an armadillo in Missouri, you can read a guide created by the University of Missouri Extension: "Armadillos in Missouri: Techniques to Prevent and Control Damage"