Property Management Services

• Who do you contact? 
• Where do you find the right person? 
• Will they protect my interests? 

We all know the best person to find is one by referral.  Someone who has used this person for the type of service you are needing.  So... where do you start to find a property management company that will work with you and protect your interests as if they were your own.

Well, right here!  Heritage Partners - Real Estate and Property Management.  Ready to talk with you in person, provide you with references, give you the kind of professionalism you are desiring with the services to go with it.  

References include our fellow real estate agents, clients, friends, referral groups, current tenants, current owners, and other personal contacts. 

Give us a try, we really do want your business and will do our best to meet your expectations!

Heritage Partners - Real Estate and Property Management Services - dbritt@heritage.net

Over 600 Kansas City Homes on Display

One of my favorite times of the year is the Kansas City Parade of Homes where 640 homes are on display through out the Greater Kansas City area.  The dates are from September 16 - 30^th with open times from 11:00 am to 6:00pm.

This event is the 60^th annual Parade of Homes and is free to the public for admission.  Location of homes are scattered through out eight counties with 338 homes in Kansas, 141 homes in Missouri North, 146 homes in Missouri South, and 14 homes in the urban living section of downtown Kansas City.

The sponsor of the Parade of Homes is the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City.  And there are free copies of the guide of the Parade of Homes, this book is full of homes and sponsors of this event.  Need a copy, visit one of the parade homes or contact the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City.

The homes are marked by orange and white directional signs and participating homes have the number of the home listed on the home and directional signs. For a map you can look here, or inside the guide.

Home prices range from $99,950 to $1,8 million and should you want to view renderings or floor plans, look at the http://www.kcparadeofhomes.com/ site.

Check it out!  Or Call if you need further information!

David L. Britt, MBA
Olathe, Kansas
David L. Britt Real Estate
Heritage Real Estate
The Heritage Real Estate Team
Olathe Neighbors 

Guiding You HOME!

While some clients talk about downsizing, they still are wanting the amenities!

As we mature and grow into the years of enjoyment, the thought of downsizing tends to come up as a topic.  But downsizing doesn't mean giving up on the amenities of comfort, convenience and class.

So what are some of these amenities your buyer may want in their dream home? 

Well, how about a customized exercise room.  Use that spare bedroom to place that weight training equipment, the cardio machines, soft mats, surround sound and a HDTV.  If you have space, how about an outdoor/indoor lap pool and hot tub, that could provide a way to relax and stay in shape.

Next is the master bedroom which may include a fireplace, large walking closets with space for heated mattress pads, warming blankets, robes, towels and of course your wardrobe.  For convenience, you could add a laundry room next to the master, remote controlled window treatments and lighting, and a music and the HDTV.

Another feature that seems to be catching on is a convenient, assessable place for storing the quick get away luggage.  This way you don't have to stuff that luggage away in attic, basement, or hard to get to closet.

How about converting the bathroom into your own private spa?!  Seating in the shower, and extra long hose for the shower head for convenience, and low silhouette showers for easy access.

What about a heated driveway and sidewalks for that home?  This could be a lifesaver as well as convenience for preventing slips and falls during the winter, spring or fall (no pun intended!).

Finally, this one was one I hadn't even considered, no-mow lawns.  Not rock gardens, but actually green grass that you only mow maybe once a year!  Now this one I could get excited about the kind of yard even now!  These no-mow lawns are a mix of several slow-growing fescue grasses that create a dense, tough turf.  The grasses develop deep roots that allow a tolerance for drought and thrive in shade.  These grasses are low maintenance; need no fertilizer, and no watering.  What could be more convenient!

Now what are some of your client wants and wishes!

Tips for lowering your energy costs!

With the fall approaching and then winter around the corner, what are you doing to protect your wallet and save the green backs?  We could be in for a mild winter, or maybe not.  At least it would be a good idea to test your heating system before the cold gets here, you don't want to wait until you need to, then don't have it.

So here are some tips to consider.

• Clean your furnace filter - Make sure your furnace filter is clean and replaced with a new one.  This is one of the most overlooked and yet easiest to fix.
• Add insulation - Your attic could use a layer of insulation, this again is an area where you can create a big saving.
• Replace your light bulbs - with all the energy savings features available, there are many energy-efficient bulbs such as the fluorescent ones that us 75 percent less electricity.
• Protect your pipes - insulating your water lines in crawl spaces and the attic are sometimes overlooked.  Hot water lines lose heat and can be wrapped to prevent this heat loss.  The distance from the hot water tank to your shower may be long enough to allow a great deal of heat loss.
• Install a programmable thermostat - so many to choose from today, these are fairly inexpensive and provide a great deal of benefit.  Lower the heat late at night can create a significant savings.
• Redirect the heat - here's a easy one, if you use the ceiling fans, reverse the direction of the fan during the winter to run counterclockwise pushing the warm air away from the ceiling and down the walls to the living area.  Close down vents in less used rooms but not all the way.  Check the basement duct work for a change in the flow of heat from your furnace.  Many new homes today have a directional flow in the duct work that allows more air flow in upper areas of the home.  You may see a winter and summer setting on your duct work.
• Use Special Paint - there now is a non-toxic ceramic powder you can put in your paint before you paint that room with a fresh coat of paint.  This allows a reduction in the amount of heat passing through the walls.  It creates a radiant barrier that reflects heat back into the room.

There you go!  Something to think about the next time you don't have anything to do!

David L. Britt, MBA
Olathe, Kansas
David L. Britt Real Estate
Heritage Real Estate
The Heritage Real Estate Team
Olathe Neighbors 

Guiding You HOME!

Do you feel your privacy is being invaded?

With so many developments since 9/11 there is definitely a reason for us to do what we can to protect ourselves, yet we must also give up some things.  Living in the digital world has provided many benefits that can be taken for granted.  One such technology benefit is the digital camera.

Camera's are everywhere today.  If you are in London, I heard there is one digital camera for every six people who live in London.  New York also is placing camera's in many areas of the city to help protect us.  Everywhere you go; stores, malls, businesses, there are camera's taking pictures of you and your face. 

Are these pictures then stored for viewing later?  If so, how long are they kept?  Are they then stored in a database that is part of an even bigger organization that stores this information for later use?  Who will be allowed to tap into this database?  Will it be used for our good?  Will this database then be connected with our private information, address, phone, date of birth, social security number, credit history, etc...?

What is the trade off for our convenience and safety?  Experts say this information is crucial for the ability to track and trace people.  Those who could be terrorists, criminals, etc...  But then, there are web sites like MySpace and Facebook that provide a social network to connect with friends and strangers.  The youth of today seem to accept this as a part of their life.  Those of us who are older tend to be more cautious.  What is the next step?

So what do you think?  How will this digital world change our lives?

David L. Britt, MBA
Olathe, Kansas
David L. Britt Real Estate
Heritage Real Estate
The Heritage Real Estate Team
Olathe Neighbors 

Guiding You HOME!

The 76^th Annual Plaza Art Fair

This event is one that is really an awesome event here in Kansas City.  Our Plaza area is really unique and one of the main attractions in Kansas City.  Especially, during the Christmas season when all the unique buildings are light up with Christmas lights.  I will write more on this later, but for now we will discover the Plaza Art Fair!

The Plaza hosted its 76^th Annual Art Fair where 230 artists displayed their art work under tents stretched from one end of the Plaza to the other and streets were blocked off for standing room only down on the Plaza. 

Along with all the beautiful art on display were culinary, performing and interactive works of art!  Four live music stages allowed for entertainment for kids and adults.  The culinary arts provided tastes from 29 restaurant booths located in three areas of the Plaza.

This outdoor autumn event attracts artists from all over the country and ranges from intricate sculptures to contemporary mixed media and absolutely wonderful works to art.  Visitors can interact with the artists and learn more about how and why they created their works of art. 

If you haven't had the opportunity to visit this Kansas City event, plan to put this on your calendar for your next visit to Kansas City!  If you love art, you will enjoy this event!

David L. Britt, MBA
Olathe, Kansas
David L. Britt Real Estate
Heritage Real Estate
The Heritage Real Estate Team
Olathe Neighbors 

Guiding You HOME!

Just Push 

I wish I could take credit for finding this one, but my wife sent this to me and I couldn't help but pass this on.  Too often we try to rationalize in our human intellect, not understanding what God is asking from us. 

I have trying too hard to make things happen by myself and I have failed to give God the credit He so justly deserves. My wife would say that I'm a workaholic, and she would be correct in saying this, but I just can't seem to sit still.  I have to be doing something.  Well, over the past couple of weeks I began to once again realize this is not about me, my efforts, my time, etc...  It is about God working through me, on His time, His efforts and His talents in me.  I have made a commitment to focus on time with God, so when my wife sent the quote to me, I found this to be very motivational.  My understanding is the author is unknown, but this is a quote, not my writing.  Still worth the read.

"JUST PUSH

A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light, and God appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin.

The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.

So, this the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sunup to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might!

Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Since the man was showing discouragement,
the Adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind. (He will do it every time)!

"You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn't moved" Thus, he gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure.

These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Satan said, "Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough."

That's what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of Prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.

"Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in Your Service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"

The Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed.

But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back shiny and brown; your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. True, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My Wisdom. That you have done. Now I, my friend, will move the rock."

There are times in our life when we need to hear from God, however, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He Wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the Faith that Moves Mountains, but know that it is still God Who moves the Mountains."

I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!  It really puts things in perspective, don't you think!

David L. Britt, MBA
Olathe, Kansas
David L. Britt Real Estate
Heritage Real Estate
The Heritage Real Estate Team
Olathe Neighbors 

Guiding You HOME!

Want to build a high efficiency home, don't know where to begin?  How about considering building a home out of ICF's?  What are ICF's?  Insulated Concrete Forms! 

Okay, so what is that?  Well, in the basic form it looks like Styrofoam blocks (large Lego blocks) that you put together then pour concrete in the middle.  You use rebar and must only pour the concrete four feet high at a time before it needs to set, then you can pour more and so on, until you get to the height you need.

When, I worked on the Habitat for Humanity projects, we used the ICF system to build several homes.  The insulation factor is much greater, the strength is very high and the structure can withstand high winds if built properly.  Below is a list of the benefits of using ICF.

Better Energy Efficiency & Environmental Responsibility

• Strong, effective insulation quality provides energy efficiency far superior to other building materials.
• Low air infiltration through finished ICF wall
• Permanent performance with no downgrading over time
• Shifts thermal loading from peak periods
• This level of energy efficiency reduces dependence on fossil fuels and represents a sound, proven green building practice.

Better Durability & Improved Safety

• High wind resistant
• Fire rated assembly
• Strength is permanent
• Will not rot or decay
• Resistant to termites (the concrete)
• Impact resistant (the concrete)
• Low maintenance requirements
• Building structures to last hundreds of years

More Cost Savings

• Lower cost to heat and cool providing energy savings that provides monthly dividends for decades to come
• Tax incentives due to energy efficiency
• Lower property insurance rates (in some areas)
• Reduced HVAC requirements
• Higher home resale value

Enhanced Comfort & Health Benefits

• Extremely quiet
• Naturally comfortable temperature
• Fox Blocks walls, due to their inherent performance as an effective air barrier, provide a building envelope that can be more easily designed to provide improved interior air quality with an appropriate HVAC system
• The Fox Blocks wall system is not a cavity wall system. The building materials used in the Fox Blocks wall assemblies are stable in high moisture environments, and are not conducive to rot or to the growth of mold or mildew
• Non-toxic materials
• No toxic products are off-gassed, however, for a short time after the ICF is made, small amounts of pentane are released
• Peace of mind during high wind events as testing has confirmed that ICF walls provide enhanced resistance to penetration by wind blown debris

Enhanced Constructability

• Design versatility
• Energy efficient
• Structurally capable
• Block reversibility minimizes construction waste
• Sound deadening
• Quick installation (depends on experience of installer)
• Most interior and external wall finishes can be readily installed and attached to the furring strips embedded in the EPS panels
• Permanence
• Fully code accepted cast-in-place concrete walls
• ICFs are time tested and proven

Here are a few manufacturers you may want to consider in using ICF's.  Check them out!

• http://www.quadlock.com/
• http://www.foxblocks.com/
• http://www.ownerbuilderalliance.com/icf/index.htm

So, would you build a home out of ICF's?

David L. Britt, MBA
Olathe, Kansas
David L. Britt Real Estate
Heritage Real Estate
The Heritage Real Estate Team
Olathe Neighbors 

Guiding You HOME!

New versus Remodeling, some thoughts to consider!

Sometimes you just like the neighborhood you live in, you really like most everything about your home other than you want a sunroom, or an extra bedroom, updated kitchen and bathrooms, etc...

Well when you get the project completed, you might forget about something that could cost you more later, increasing the value of your homeowner's policy. 

I'm not any different than anyone else, I don't like paying more than I need to for the insurance on my home, but if you have replacement cost coverage and want to be able to repair you home if a disaster occurs, you are required to have coverage at 80% of the value of your home.

So, here are some questions you can use to determine if you have adequate coverage.

• What is the replacement value of your home, not the market value.
• Have you made any significant changes in your home?  Major upgrades are a given, but remodeling the basement, upgrading fixtures, adding expensive wall finishes, window covering and landscaping can add value.
• Have you taken a home inventory?  It's a good idea to take a video camera and just walk around your home creating a video of everything you can think of.  Talk about the significance of the furnishing and other items.  You should even take out jewelry and lay it out on a black cloth and video it as well.
• Have you recently purchase valuable fine art, precious metals, jewelry, computer equipment, furs, etc...?  More than $1,000 may be considered "scheduled" items and could require a separate rider.
• Have you started a home based business?  Enough said here.
• Have you purchased a home safe?  This may qualify for a reduction in your rates.  Call your agent.
• Have you installed an alarm system?  This is so easy today with wireless, again, could provide you a discount on your rates.
• Combining your home and auto policies with the same company also provides you a discount.  This discount could also help with other members of your family if they live at your home.

My best to you!

David L. Britt, MBA
Olathe, Kansas
David L. Britt Real Estate
Heritage Real Estate
The Heritage Real Estate Team
Olathe Neighbors 

Guiding You HOME!

Refreshing Lemonade 

After reading several posts on great dishes, I thought I would provide a refreshment

Berry Refreshing Lemonade 

This berry lemonade will add instant refreshment to those hot summer days.

Preparation Time - 5 minutes


* 4 cups cold water
* 1 can (11.5 oz.) Berry Flavor LIBBY'S JUICY JUICE 100% Juice Non-Frozen Concentrate
* 1 cup fresh lemon juice
* 1/4 to 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 2 cups ice cubes
* 4 to 6 lemon slices (optional)


COMBINE water, Juicy Juice, lemon juice and sugar in large pitcher; stir well. Serve over ice; garnish with lemon slices.

Serving Size: 4

David L. Britt, MBA
Olathe, Kansas
David L. Britt Real Estate
Heritage Real Estate
The Heritage Real Estate Team
Olathe Neighbors 

Guiding You HOME!