St. Charles/WestPlex Appraisal Services, LLC

January 10th, 2023 6:41 AM

Welcome to 2023!!!!!

What is your plan for the new year?

I would like to set resolutions and be 100% positive that I would achieve each and every one with no struggle. I mean it is a new year, should be a new attitude and person, right?
WRONG!!!


No matter how hard we try or what great intentions we have, we do not change overnight. It is a process and a struggle and should be completed in small steps to make permanent changes. If you spend every night on the couch watching TV and you know you need more exercise, do you really believe on January 2nd you will suddenly begin a 4 day a week workout regimen and not have days you fail to complete this task? Of course, you will. It is human nature to put more pressure on ourselves than we can realistically handle. 

I would love to be the most organized person in the world. I should make list, write things down and definitely keep to the planned schedule. But after 56 years of winging it, I don't think I will be perfect at this overnight. So, how do we make the changes we want to make and meet the resolutions we always set for ourselves. 

I am sure, you can find 100's of articles and postings online to help you with just this issue, but they all boil down to the same point. Set smaller goals. Don't say "I am going to work out for 1 hour at least 5 days a week". Instead, try "I am going to start a new workout routine 1-2 days a week and build from there". This gives you time to adjust to the additional hour you need to complete the task and try out a few different workout regimens to find the one that works for you. After you achieve this smaller goal, adding a 3rd day and then a 4th, is not an issue. After a few months you have a routine that you are accustomed to and a workout that you might even enjoy. Not to mention a healthier happier heart!

In my case and probably many others as well. I can't say " I am going to finally keep a complete calendar and write down everything so I can be more organized". First of all, this is very broad. We have a HUGE Goal of Be More Organized, but we are very unspecific about how to get there. Maybe I should start with the calendar. I set a small goal to use a calendar, find a calendar that works for me, and I will review the calendar every other day to ensure it is updated. Smaller goal; keeping a calendar. This is first step in being more productive and organized. When I have that as a habit, I add another area of my day/life that needs work and set a small goal to fix it. 

The point of it all is no one is perfect, and we all have things we need or want to fix or change. Life is not perfect, and people will never be perfect. That is what makes it all so special. The world is constantly changing and evolving, and we need to work out ways to keep up. I would never say don't set a resolution. I think that is giving up in a way. I do however: completely agree with small goals and big celebrations. Be good to yourself, reward the small things and make your life everything you want it to be. 

Just food for thought until next time. As always, we are available to assist with any financial planning you have in store for 2023!!!! Please call today with questions or any other information we can provide. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! MAY IT BE FULL OF LOVE AND CHEER!!!
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Posted by Teresa Schneider on January 10th, 2023 6:41 AMLeave a Comment

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December 8th, 2022 3:21 PM
Looking for Something Fun to do?

Obviously, there is a ton to do in our community on a regular basis. You can start with my favorite, any of the local Casino's. Unfortunately, that is not really family friendly, so let's see what else is going on this weekend. 

Magic House is always a family favorite in St. Louis. Tons of things for the kids to do in a great indoor environment. Seems it is going to rain on Saturday. 

Main Street: St. Charles: always a good time but Christmas is extra special. Currently presenting "The Traditions of Christmas" you will find legendary characters from your favorite stories, carolers on the street, special Christmas treats and lots of decorations to help you enjoy day and get in the spirit of the holiday.

Celebration of Lights: O'Fallon: Family friendly drive through lights display through Fort Zumwalt Park. Display is open Sunday through Thursday 6-9 pm, Friday and Saturday 6-10 pm. Always a favorite for local kids and adults alike. Conveniently priced on a per car basis at $12 for most vehicles. 

St. Louis Zoo: St. Louis:  The Wild Lights event is always worth a night time walk through the zoo. Price includes entry to Wild Lights, Penguin & Puffin Coast, Insectarium and 4D Theatre. Just walking through includes crafts for kids, s'more stations and a wonderful display of lights. 

MO Botanical Gardens: St. Louis:  The areas most popular Christmas light display is open at the Botanical Garden and always worth becoming a family tradition. Walk through the gardens after dark for a fabulous display of celebration for the season. 

Holiday Night Lights: Wentzville: Open in Rotary Park from Nov 25 through Dec 30 (some exceptions). This annual light display includes a 1-mile walk-through Rotary Park. Tickets are available in advance online. Make sure you dress for the weather; this one is a walk-through. 

Hawk Point Christmas Parade: Hawk Point: This Saturday 12/10 at 4:00 pm the city of Hawk Point will have the annual parade ending with pictures with Santa. You can enter this parade by decorating almost any kind of vehicle or simply watch and enjoy. More information available through Troy Chamber of Commerce website. 

Magic Chef Mansion: St. Louis:  This amazing mansion is all decked out for the holidays. This is an amazing tour all the time, but Christmas is something special. Take an hour and walk through a historical home that is ready for Christmas and guest. 

Obviously, there is so much more to do in the area. It is rare we get bored around here. We at St. Charles/WestPlex Appraisal, LLC are hoping you enjoy the holidays, the winter and everyone is able to spend time with family, friends and maybe a few frenemies. We don't need a special time of year to appreciate our community!








Posted by Teresa Schneider on December 8th, 2022 3:21 PMLeave a Comment

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July 26th, 2017 10:29 AM
Oklahoma City, OK — a la mode announced today that Axios Valuation Solutions has now fully integrated their appraisal management operations with a la mode’s Mercury Network Vendor Management Platform (VMP).

Mercury Network is the premiere online appraisal Vendor Management Platform, or VMP, allowing lenders and AMCs to manage their entire appraisal workflow.  It’s been used by more than 200,000 mortgage professionals since 2002 to completely automate the full “round trip” of tens of millions of appraisals.

The seamless connection between Axios Valuation Solutions and Mercury Network will provide benefits to lenders and appraisers alike, in terms of compliance with FHA, GLB, Fed interagency rules, and pending Federal legislation.  The integration also gives Axios a clear advantage in terms of quality assurance, appraisal data security, cost, and flexibility.

With the integration, Axios can electronically place compliant appraisal orders via Mercury Network, which has the largest pool of appraisers in the nation, covering every county of every state.  “The caliber of appraisers using Mercury Network is higher and those are the appraisers we want to work with”, said George Heredia, Chief Appraiser of Axios Valuation Solutions.  “Geographic competency is the number one quality issue that lenders are finding with appraisals. Our integration with Mercury Network and our proprietary internal appraiser selection system solves the non-local appraiser problem.”

Bi-directional status updates flow through Mercury Network to Axios, providing a secure audit trail of interactions while reducing email and phone tag and other time-wasting status update activities.

A key Mercury Network capability is custom Axios appraisal report compliance and quality assurance.  Business and workflow rules which are executed on the appraiser’s desktop from within the Mercury plugin, preprocess the report before it’s delivered to Axios. The workflow scripting language uses TOTAL XML-based data analysis to run Axios Valuation Solutions’ business and regulatory compliance review rules specific to individual Axios lender clients. By running over a thousand standard and custom rules on the report before it leaves the appraiser’s desktop, Axios saves time by avoiding manual review processes to find missing or incorrect data.

a la mode and Mercury Network are in a unique position to offer the pre-delivery, customizable quality assurance checks because a la mode’s WinTOTAL is the leading appraisal formfilling software, and results in a desktop presence on over half the nation’s appraisers’ desktop PCs.

“The Mercury Network empowers Axios to deliver unparalleled service to our clients, and the highest quality appraisal reports from truly independent, expert appraisers, nationwide,” said George Heredia. He added, “It will also cut our costs, and provide scalable compliance and documentation solutions to satisfy any lender.” 

Adam Calvery, a la mode’s President of Mortgage Solutions added, “We’re proud to have been selected by Axios Valuation Solutions for this critical component of their strategic appraisal management plans. Appraiser independence, compliance with all the new regulations, and ultimately the quality of the finished appraisal report is our shared priority and I speak for both companies when I say that we’re proud of the immediate benefits this integration will provide to our respective customers.”

For more information on Mercury Network appraisal vendor management platform, visit www.MercuryVMP.com.

About Axios Valuation Solutions     
Axios Valuation Solutions is a division of eMortgage Logic, a leader in the delivery of valuation product solutions. Axios provides residential appraisals to a myriad of clients, from regional banks and mortgage origination firms to large national banks and the GSE’s.  Axios is located in Fort Worth, TX. For more information, visit www.myaxios.com.

About a la mode                      
Founded in 1985, a la mode develops desktop, mobile, and Web tools for the real estate and mortgage industries. a la mode’s mission-critical products are used by hundreds of thousands of appraisers, agents, inspectors, and lending professionals to complete the nation’s real estate transactions. a la mode’s state-of-the-art offices are located in Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, and Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.alamode.com.

All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.

AppraisalPress is published by a la mode, technologies, llc.  a la mode and its products are trademarks or registered trademarks of a la mode, technologies, llc.  Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.  |  Copyright © 2016 a la mode, technologies, llc.  |  www.alamode.com   |  1-800-ALAMODE (252-6633)


Posted in:AMC Integration
Posted by Teresa Schneider on July 26th, 2017 10:29 AMLeave a Comment

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September 9th, 2011 8:50 PM

Are you concerned with the effect foreclosures and short sales are having on your property? Obviously, these sales are effecting the market in the area. If you are concerned about how much they are effecting you directly, we can answer that question for you.

An appraisal can give you not only knowledge but peace of mind. We can show you what homes in the area have sold through true "arms length transactions". Although, we can not guarantee that your value has remained steady over the recent decline in values, we can let you know if things are as bad as you think.

Call us for a true estimate of value today.


Posted in:General
Posted by Teresa Schneider on September 9th, 2011 8:50 PMLeave a Comment

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January 7th, 2011 12:15 PM

Welcome to 2011. The new year is full of new possibilities. At St. Charles/Westplex Appraisal Svcs, LLC we would like to help you with any real estate changes you might be considering.

Many people start thinking about change this time of year, but have to wait for kids to get out of school or changes in employment to be completed. Whatever your reason for considering moving in the next few months, we can help you make sure you are making the right decision.

Happy new year to all and good luck in all your future endeavors.


Posted in:General
Posted by Teresa Schneider on January 7th, 2011 12:15 PMLeave a Comment

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October 29th, 2010 12:50 PM

At St. Charles/WestPlex Appraisal Services we are dedicated to serving our community in all areas of valuation. We know this is a difficult market and a difficult time for many people. We would like to help in any way we can.

If you are looking to refinance or sell your home but are not sure if your property has maintained its value, we will be happy to assist you. We can give you some information about your neighborhood before you take that first step.

Feel free to call us anytime.


Posted in:General
Posted by Teresa Schneider on October 29th, 2010 12:50 PMLeave a Comment

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