We can’t do it all ourselves. Below are some resources I recommend and use myself for homeowners.
This one is at the top of the list for a reason. Our homes will inevitably need some sort of repair or maintenance and, unfortunately, it can be a daunting task to find a reputable contractor to help service our home. You’ll find reviews of local service providers for anything from plumbers to accountants. The site does charge a fee, however it can be worth every penny. Avoiding the heartache, stress and lost time that comes with having a bad contractor easily makes this site a valuable resources.
If you are going to buy anything for your house – curtains, furniture, toilets, etc. – you need to check out Raise. I’ve used it when renovating my investment properties and have saved a significant amount of money using it. You can even buy restaurant and clothing stores! Raise is a gift card marketplace where people sell their unused and unwanted gift cards for cash. The deal is, you get a discount to the face value of the card. For instance, you might be able to purchase a $100 gift card for $90. And even better is that you can use your own credit cards to make the purchase (think cash back, airline miles, points).
If you’re looking for a mortgage, certificate of deposit, or even insurance, BankRate.com will help you find the right one for you. The site provides details on the average interest rates any area in the United States.
How could I not put the largest home retailer in the country here? Home Depot has it all.
St. Louis County Real Estate Info
Here you can find out how much tax you owe on your home for any given year. The site also shows what the county believes is the value of your home. This is very useful information if you need to print a copy of your real estate taxes paid receipt.
St. Louis conveniently offers maps of the County and City that illustrate data such as population, zip codes, highways, major shopping centers, parks, and hospitals all available for download as PDFs.
Rockwood School District information
Parkway School District information
Valley Park School District information
Links to Local School District pages
ASHI Certified Home Inspectors
You need a home inspection. Here is a list of professional inspectors who are ASHI Certified by the American Society of Home Inspectors in the St. Louis chapter. I highly recommend you use someone from this list. Ask your Realtor for a recommendation.
Disclosure: Please understand that I have experience with all of these companies and continue to use them on a regular basis, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your real estate goals.