Your neighborhood is more than just where you build your home; it’s where you build your community. Finding the right fit is key, and a large part of the process is choosing an informed and intelligent realtor. No one understands this better than Alex Thornhill. As part of Warner Hall Thornhill, Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty’s No. 1 real estate team, she works to make the complex process of buying or selling a home an easy and enjoyable one for clients. “In real estate, you need to know the area,” she says. “And the best way to do that is to experience it first-hand.”

Thornhill has the benefit of working on her home turf of Ladue. She says it gives her unique insight into the market, including fluctuations based on neighborhoods and area schools. “When selling or buying a property, you really need to know about the micro markets and how they allude to St. Louis real estate as a whole,” she explains. “Ladue is a niche market. Being a resident really helps me know the important factors when I’m presenting a property.” Living in the area also gives her knowledge of properties that may never have an MLS listing or be available to the public. “With any good Ladue agent, a lot of properties are sold off-market or by word of mouth,” Thornhill says. “I can get the first scoop on what is going to be available.”

A large part of Thornhill’s success is due to her ability to form lasting relationships with clients. She notes that she has a very hands-on approach that is grounded in trust, which equates to many repeat customers and referrals. Living in Ladue makes it easy to create and maintain these relationships. “My work is rooted in trust and caring,” she says. “My clients need to know that I always want to be present and am just as invested in their sale as they are. It really goes back to where I live and the people around me.”

Ladue is a unique market, according to Thornhill, with properties that appeal to a broad range of buyers. She notes that the amazing schools and proximity to Clayton make it attractive to both families and professionals, and it maintains a close neighborhood feel. “I love that whenever I’m out for a run, people wave and say hello,” she says. “Ladue is one of those places that feels homey and comfortable. It’s a slice of a small, hometown community in the middle of St. Louis.”

Thornhill is currently listing 00 Fordyce Lane, a Colonial with a resort-like pool and grotto. She says the home is quintessential Ladue, offering luxury, great proximity to schools, and an easy commute to Clayton and downtown. Like much of Ladue, it also features lush greenery that keeps the home private from its neighbors. “This property is really about the lifestyle,” she notes. “It’s a great home for entertaining, and it’s very easy to live in. Plus, it’s on one of the most prestigious lanes in St. Louis.”

Warner Hall Thornhill is Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty’s No. 1 real estate team. With more than 40 years of combined experience, the team provides an exceptional real estate experience for St. Louisans at every price point. Pictured on the cover: Alex Thornhill. For more information, call 314.239.4993 or visit dielmannsothebysrealty.com.

Cover design by Julie Streiler | Cover photo by Bill Barrett

Pictured above: Alex Thornhill in 00 Fordyce Lane
Photo: Bill Barrett