Buying A Home • Selling A Home • January 25, 2022

What Is A Zestimate?

by Ellen Kirchdoerfer

What is a Zestimate? It’s Zillow’s estimation of your home’s worth. You can look your home up on Zillow and see this number right now! But is it even accurate? Can you trust it, especially in a market as volatile as this?

What Is A Zestimate and Can I Trust It?

Zillow gets that estimation from an algorithm it’s developed that looks at many factors, including the recent sale of homes in your area. And, to be honest, it’s gotten a LOT better over the last few years, mainly as Zillow has gathered more and more data on homes in every city.

But the reality is that Zillow’s estimation of your home’s worth is only as good as the data it has. Yes, Zillow knows what other homes sold for in your neighborhood. It most likely knows the square footage of your home, and how many bedrooms and bathrooms it has. But does it know that you recently updated your kitchen? Or that you just put on a new deck? Or that your roof and furnace are only 2 years old? No, of course not!

And to further complicate things, Zillow has a more difficult time estimating value if you live in a neighborhood with varying ages of homes. Old homes and new homes mixed together, or older homes with newer additions, confuses the algorithm and muddies the waters.

Bottom line, the BEST way to get an accurate estimate of your home’s real market value is to set up a quick appointment with a trusted Real Estate Agent. I can take into account all the updates and work you’ve put in, and get a real snapshot of your neighborhood and the current market conditions to give you a MUCH more accurate picture of your home.

Would you like a more accurate idea of what your home is worth? Send an email to Ellen@CapeCountyLiving.com and let’s schedule a time for a free market analysis on your home.

Thinking about selling your home? Here are some tips to get your home ready to place on the market to sell quick:

Home Maintenance • January 5, 2022

January Home Maintenance Checklist

by Ellen Kirchdoerfer

As winter sets in around Cape Girardeau County, you will probably hear someone say, “Baby, it’s cold outside.” That is when January home maintenance is the last thing on your mind.

We still have a few home maintenance items to take care though…even when it’s cold. Remember, doing a little each month prevents the overwhelm of doing it all at once or even repairs caused by neglect.

January Home Maintenance Checklist

Most of the January Home Maintenance Checklist will allow you to stay inside where it’s warm. Let’s get started…

Check Furnace Filters / Change If Needed
Test Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors
Clean Range Hood & Filter
Vacuum Refrigerator Coils
Run Water & Flush Toilets in Unused Spaces
Check Water Softener & Add Salt if Needed
Clean Garbage Disposal
Inspect Fire Extinguisher(s)
Treat Septic Tank
Cut Back Roses & Rose Bushes

I love having roses around my home and if you are the same, January is the ideal time to cut back roses. All blooms have gone dormant at this point and new growth has not started. If you are brave enough to get outside for a while this month, find a warm day to take on rose care.

Just in case you missed December, you can find it here.

So there you have it, Cape County! A few January tasks to keep your home running smoothly all year long.

Events • Outdoors • November 24, 2021

Christmas Light Ceremonies Around Cape County

by Ellen Kirchdoerfer

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! That means the evening darkness will soon be filled with lights…Christmas lights everywhere. Don’t you just love it? Let’s take a look at plans for Christmas Light Ceremonies Around Cape County.

Christmas Light Ceremonies Around Cape County

Jackson Flip the Switch Event

Gather at the Jackson Civic Center Saturday afternoon, November 27, for the Jackson Flip the Switch party. The afternoon begins at 2:30 with games and family fun. Then, follow Santa and Mrs. Claus at 5:00 pm as they travel to the Jackson City Park as the park comes to life with Christmas Lights. It will be a fun-filled afternoon and evening. For more information, click here.

3rd Annual Old Town Cape Christmas Tree Lighting

Downtown Cape will begin the holiday season with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Friday, November, 26. At 6:20, Santa and Mrs. Claus will light the 30-foot tree in the Vasterling Suites Courtyard. Come a little early to grab a hot chocolate and treat from the food trucks while enjoying live music. Click here for more information.

Brazeau Old Fashioned Christmas Walk

Saturday, December 4, plans are set for an Old Fashioned Christmas Walk in Brazeau. Walk the pathway of over 300 luminaries while mailing letters to Santa, and visiting the live nativity, and a sing-along at the church. The event begins at 3:00 pm and continues until s’mores are finished at 8:00. This is what Hallmark movies are made of! Click here for more information and make plans to join this year’s Old Fashioned Christmas Walk.

29th Annual Parade of Lights

You will find 1,000’s of lights at the 29th Annual Parade of Lights in Old Town Cape on Sunday, November 28! The fun begins at 5:00 pm at Capaha Park traveling down Broadway to Main Street and ending in the parking lot of Hutson’s Big Sandy Furniture. This year’s parade theme is Ringing in the Holidays. Bring a blanket and some hot chocolate to stay warm while enjoying the Christmas lights! For more information, click here.

Uptown Jackson 2021 Christmas Parade

While we are talking parades, you won’t want to miss Uptown Jacksons Christmas Parade. The streets of Uptown Jackson will be lit up with Christmas Lights on Sunday, December 5, beginning at 5:00 pm. There will also be a chance for pictures with Santa following the parade. Click here for more information.

Do you have a ceremony to add? Drop a comment below!

Events • Outdoors • July 2, 2021

4th of July Celebrations Around Cape County

by Ellen Kirchdoerfer

Sunday is July 4th! That means the 4th of July Celebrations Around Cape County are happening this weekend!

Last year, we missed out on many celebrations. Let’s make the most of this opportunity to celebrate the independence of our country this year. We have several ways and places to celebrate…

4th of July Celebrations Around Cape County

Avenue of Flags

First, we will note that the Avenue of Flags will be on display at Cape County Park North from Saturday, July 3 through Monday, July 5. If you have been following our website for any length of time, you know how we feel about this beautiful display we are blessed to enjoy. Take a little time to drive by, or better yet, stop by to look at the flag display and the memorials at Cape County Park North.

Great American 4th of July Celebration

The City of Cape Girardeau is planning an afternoon and evening of events at Arena Park on July 4th. It all begins with food trucks at 3:00 pm. Enjoy mural displays, visits from state dignitaries, award presentations, and patriotic music. The grand finale begins at 9:00 pm with a fireworks display. For more information and a schedule of times, click here.

4th of July in Jackson

In Jackson, the celebration begins on July 4 at 7:00 am with a walk/run followed by mud volleyball, helicopter rides, car show, food stands, music and so much more. Drop by the Jackson City Park to catch up with friends and family all day long and stick around for the fireworks show at 9:30 pm. Click here for more information.

Oran Knights of Columbus #4311 July 4th Picnic

The annual July 4th Picnic in Oran begins at 11:00 am on the Knights of Columbus #4311 grounds. Enjoy the buffet-style meal and then walk through the antique tractor display or watch the horseshoe and cornhole tournaments if you aren’t throwing yourself. Music will fill the air and the fireworks begin at 10:00 pm. For more information, click here.

Marble Hill Independence Day Celebration

Join in the fun at Magnolia Park in Marble Hill on July 3 beginning at 4:00 pm. Food and craft vendors, yard games, music, and a BBQ Cook-Off will be featured. The Red White & Blue Parade begins at 7:00 followed by fireworks at 9:00 pm. Find more information here.

Sikeston 4th of July Fireworks Show

Get ready to enjoy the fireworks show on July 4 beginning at 8:00 pm (dusk) at the Sikeston Recreation Complex. Bring your lawn chairs or a picnic blanket and get ready for the show!

Bicentennial 4th of July Fireworks Display

Perryville’s annual fireworks display is planned for July 4 at 8:00 pm (dusk). It all takes place at the Perryville City Park. Join in this bicentennial celebration!

Do you have a celebration to add? Drop a comment below!

Selling A Home • February 1, 2021

Maximize Selling Price With Low-Cost Updates

by Ellen Kirchdoerfer

Most of today’s buyers are looking for a home ready to move into. Everyone seems to be pressed for time nowadays and most buyers are not interested in a fixer-upper. A weekend of small projects can speed up the marketing of your home and maximize selling price with low-cost updates at the same time.

6 Ways To Maximize Selling Price With Low-Cost Updates

Let’s take a look at 6 low cost updates that can help you home sell quicker.

Start Painting. A fresh coat of paint will give you the most bang for your buck when doing updates. Stay away from a bright white. Instead, choose a warm neutral color that will leave a blank but clean slate for your buyers to fill.
Light Up The Room. Update light fixtures if needed or just replace old bulbs with brighter LED bulbs. A well-lit room is much more inviting than a dark room as prospective buyers are walking through your home.
Fix the Fixtures. The quickest way to update the kitchen and bath is by updating fixtures. Replace faucets with a brushed nickel or bronze finish and replace cabinet pulls with an updated design. You can paint the cabinets if you have time and wish to change the color. I think you will find some fixture updates will do wonders.
Update Appliances. While we are in the kitchen, another quick update is replacing old appliances with energy-efficient stainless steel appliances. You can save a few bucks here by choosing floor or discontinued models that will still offer a fresh new look in the kitchen.
Clean The Carpets. Professional carpet cleaning is the best investment to make sure your carpets are as bright and stain-free as possible. If there are really worn areas in the carpet, consider replacing the flooring to help speed up the marketing time.
Organize Closets And Storage. A well-organized closet and storage area shows attention to detail and buyers will see that as a sign the home has been cared for well. Add modular storage is needed to get things organized.

Choose as many of these 6 options that you can afford or have time to complete. You will grab the attention of prospective buyers.

If you are thinking about making a move, I can help you through the process.

Send us a message or call and let’s start that conversation today!

Are you ready to sell your home? Perfectly pretty home listing photos will attract more buyers. Click here to learn more.

Real Estate • Selling A Home • November 21, 2020

Perfectly Pretty Home Listing Photos

by Ellen Kirchdoerfer

Are you ready to sell your home? Perfectly pretty home listing photos will attract more buyers.

I’m sure you have seen some gorgeous homes on Zillow and Trulia and other online websites. Those photos didn’t happen by accident. Most of these pretty home listing photos are professionally staged and shot.

You don’t haven’t spend thousands to stage your home. Follow these simple tips to make sure your home is ready for perfectly pretty home listing photos to hook a possible buyer at first sight.

4 Tips For Getting Perfectly Pretty Home Listing Photos

Here are 4 tips to ensure your listing photos are attracting potential buyers to your home:

Declutter, Declutter, Declutter. Open, airy spaces attract buyers. To achieve this look, remove excess furniture and decor as well as heavy drapes and window coverings. Let the sunshine in!
Turn off fans and turn the lights…all of them. A well-lit space always looks more welcoming. If the walls could use a touch-up, consider a light neutral color that will brighten the room. The brighter the better!
Decide the weather and time-of-day for the perfect shot. Does your home have an incredible sunset? Can you watch the sunrise while sipping your morning coffee in the kitchen? Whatever creates the magic for your home…that is the best time to take listing pictures. Allow potential buyers to “see” the special features of your home that you love the most.
Make sure the outside looks clean and organized. Put garden hose away. Put the kids’ outdoor toys away. Weed and trim the landscaping. The outside of the home is usually the first image a potential buyer sees… so make it count!

A picture says a thousand words. That is why my clients receive a complimentary staging consultation when listing their home.

Tips from the staging consultation will not only give you perfectly pretty listing photos, but also help to sell your home quicker.

If you are thinking about making a move, I can help you through the process.

Send us a message or call and let’s start that conversation today!

Restaurants • November 18, 2020

Cape Girardeau’s Best Italian Food

by Ellen Kirchdoerfer

Italian food is life. It makes me feel full and satisfied, and it’s all strangely nostalgic in the BEST way. Where is Cape Girardeau’s Best Italian Food?

Cape Girardeau is fortunate to have many excellent Italian Restaurants with authentic Italian food and each offers its own special features. You can choose from entertainment with your meal, a variety of beverage choices, and even cooking classes to learn how to craft your own Italian meal.

It’s, oh, so good!

Here is a list of spots to find some of Cape Girardeau’s best Italian food:

Bella Italia, 20 North Spanish, Cape Girardeau, MO
Mario and Angela’s Italian Cucina, 1740 Broadway Street, Cape Girardeau, MO
Gabriel’s Food + Wine, 127 North Main, Cape Girardeau, MO
Ciao Ristorante + Enoteca, 1650 North Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO
Rosati’s Pizza, 2136 William Street, Cape Girardeau, MO
Olive Garden, 3259 William Street, Cape Girardeau, MO
Pagliai’s Pizza & Pasta, 1129 Broadway Street, Cape Girardeau, MO

Don’t let the pandemic scare you away from this wonderful food. Carry out and delivery are also an option. Make a point of enjoying some of Cape Girardeau’s best Italian food today!

Not in the mood for Italian? Here are some more options:

Restaurants • November 3, 2020

Best Steak House in Cape County

by Ellen Kirchdoerfer

Did I hear steak house? All you have to do is say steak and I’m usually sitting down to the table. Do you feel the same way?

A juicy steak cooked just right is seasoned to enhance the flavor to a point that you are not tempted to smother it in some bottled sauce.

Everyone has their own favorite place to eat steak. In Cape County, we are fortunate to have several restaurants from which to pick. Here’s a list of the top steakhouses to enjoy in Cape Girardeau MO, Jackson Mo, and Gordonville MO:

Gordonville Grill – Gordonville
Texas Roadhouse – Cape Girardeau
Tractors Classic American Grill – Jackson
36 Restaurant & Bar – Cape Girardeau
Outback Steakhouse – Cape Girardeau
Delmonicos Steak House – Jackson
Grecian Steak House – Cape Girardeau
Katy O’Ferrell’s Publick House – Cape Girardeau

Where do you go for that perfect cut?

If you aren’t in the mood for steak, that’s okay. Here are a few more dining options:

Restaurants • October 15, 2020

Cape Girardeau’s SuperFresh Kitchens

by Ellen Kirchdoerfer

You are what you eat! That’s why I paid a visit to Cape Girardeau’s SuperFresh Kitchens. I came here for a fresh salad and instantly became a fan.

I love this place so much because they have Grab & Go fast and healthy food options. They even have fresh dressings for those yummy salads instead of the pre-packaged stuff. That is just the beginning of the fresh food here.

Have you ever been here before? What was your favorite a SuperFresh Salad Lunch Bundle?

Shopping • October 10, 2020

Summers Lane Boutique

by Ellen Kirchdoerfer

Discovered a new gem in Jackson MO this week! Have you heard of Summers Lane Boutique?

Summers Lane Boutique was a pleasant surprise in Uptown Jackson. I wasn’t sure what to expect when walking into the boutique. What I found was a beautifully arranged display of super cute tops and bottoms.

Summers Lane takes it a step further with lovely accessories of earrings, necklaces, bags and even cute face masks to help us get through this time of pandemic.

There was no way to leave the charming boutique without several new pieces for my closet. You will feel the same way when you visit.

I highly recommend you pay a visit to Summers Lane Boutique. Take a sneak peak on their website here and then start that trip to Uptown Jackson.