Chesterfield's City Council agreed to extend until December 2012 an ordinance allowing open house signs on Saturdays, and with specifics on what the signs should look like, where it may be placed on public streets—in order to sell a residence.

The provisions cover both directional signs and open house signs.

The Home Builders Association requested an extension for Saturday "Open House" directional signs.

Here are some of the highlights.

Directional open house signs allowed only when an open house is ongoing:

Open house directional signs may be used only for houses in Chesterfield, or houses where the only access is through Chesterfield:

How not to use the signs:

Any sign that violates this ordinance may be removed by the city.

For the entire ordinance, check the city's website.

Chesterfield's City Council agreed to extend until December 2012 an ordinance allowing open house signs on Saturdays, and with specifics on what the signs should look like, where it may be placed on public streets—in order to sell a residence.

The provisions cover both directional signs and open house signs.

The Home Builders Association requested an extension for Saturday "Open House" directional signs.

Here are some of the highlights.

Directional open house signs allowed only when an open house is ongoing:

Open house directional signs may be used only for houses in Chesterfield, or houses where the only access is through Chesterfield:

How not to use the signs:

Any sign that violates this ordinance may be removed by the city.

For the entire ordinance, check the city's website.

The weather was beautiful, the track was fast, and, as usual, I was happy to break near even.

As I watched the highly trained animals strut and run, I realized that a home is a lot like a horse race.

Horse races have different “neighborhoods” of horses.

By this I mean horses are entered into races depending on their ability and past performances.

A faster, younger, sleek horse may run in a race that offers a higher purse (prize).

A younger, more modern home may bring a bigger “purse” (selling price) than a tired nag and the past performance of the neighborhood sales will be indicative of the price a home will bring.

Horse trainers can “claim” (buy) a horse from other owners if the horse is in a claiming race.

Again, depending on the horse’s ability, it will run in claiming races where they may be claimed for as little as $3,200.

A horse that is a proven winner will go for a much higher claiming amount and if the horse is unique, it may run in a handicap or allowance race where it cannot be claimed.

Homes can be bought from other owners (claimed) and the claiming price, much like a horse, depends on the past performance of the neighborhood, the condition of the home and the purse that the home will bring the seller. Some homes are in the allowance class or handicap class.

They are not on the market but the owner may sell if a substantial and attractive offer is brought to the owners.

Breeding plays a role in horse racing.

An offspring of Secretariat, the greatest horse of all time some say, will have a higher value than a foal of a claiming $3,200 mare.

The foals may look the same, but it is their papers that make the difference. And so it goes with a home. Two identically built homes will bring different values. If one homes deed (papers) have it on land in Scottsdale vs. Buckeye, it will bring a different value.

Horse races can be as little as a quarter mile to as long as 1.5 miles.

Naturally, the shorter races have faster times and the winners are quick out of the starting gate, making a beeline for the finish.

Homes that are priced properly will have a shorter track to run.

To get your home to the finish line, maybe you should consider a day at the races!

Ray Pugel is a designated broker for Coldwell Banker Bishop Realty. Contact him at (928) 474-2216.