Christopher Thiemet and David Nelson
Flipping through Kirkwood real-estate records, Andrew Bauer of Janet McAfee Real Estate finds one property after another with zero days on the market and multiple offers. “We have buyers coming out of the woodwork,” he says. “A lot of the older homes are being snapped up fast and torn down for new construction. We still see people who want that Kirkwood charm, but there are those families who want the McMansions.”
Builders are also buying sites in Kirkwood. Among those making the biggest waves is Lewis Homes, which has sold approximately 160 new, predominantly Cape Cod–style houses in the past decade. In 2013 alone, the company built and sold 16 homes in Kirkwood, with prices ranging from $500,000 to $1.1 million. And at press time, Lewis Homes had eight more houses under construction. “I would say it is going to be an extremely good year,” says Mary Lewis, who owns the company with her son, Mike.
The hottest market in the 63122 ZIP code is a tad cheaper than the Lewis-built homes, though, says Bauer. “We are seeing a lot of new homes crop up from $150,000 to the $400,000-to-$500,000 range,” he says. “That is what is moving most quickly.” In Glendale, houses are also in high demand. “Glenbrook and Glenmoor [avenues] are really hot right now,” adds Bauer.
In Webster Groves, there’s considerably less new construction. “There are additions and renovations all over the city that range from major projects in the historic-home neighborhoods to projects in our newer-housing neighborhoods,” says Webster Groves Mayor Gerry Welch. One area of great activity, she notes, has been housing for seniors, including the recently opened assisted-living community Provision Living at Webster Groves.
For younger buyers, Bauer points to Webster Acres as one of the most in-demand areas. “If it is priced well and is a great house, it has a quick turnaround,” he says. “We can’t keep them, because they get sold so quickly.”
