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There are several things to look for in a real estate agent, the person you trust to help you sell your house or land. Keeping in mind that one of the ways people will be searching for their next home is by doing an area search on a map, check this out: 
This is where the map is pointed to a house listed for sale in Kansas City, Missouri. Now, we do have a Kansas City Kansas as well but Kansas City is not in China. The Listing Agent either doesn't know how to place the pin in the right place or just didn't bother to check.
So, all the buyers who are doing map searches for houses won't see this one. Is this the agent you want to hire to help you sell a $350,000 house?
Maria Morton, Senior Real Estate Specialist,  ♫ ♪  Leading Edge Society 2010 .mobile:816-560-3758 www.MariaMorton.com .    ♫ ♪ Neighborhoods in Kansas City ♫ Historic Homes of Kansas City ♪ 2011 Market Reports Brookside, Waldo, Sunset Hill . ...*Information obtained from Heartland MLS is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. **This is an eclectic blog combining a little business with pleasure; please consult a licensed professional before making life altering decisions. ♪♫ . Maria Morton, Realtor©, SRES is a Kansas City Real Estate Agent licensed in MO & KS and affiliated with Prudential Kansas City Realty 816.410.5499.o Maria Morton Copyright © 2012 *How Do You Know If You Got A Good Real Estate Agent?*
Good news for home sellers - showings are up in Kansas City! The weather may be partly responsible for this as we've had sunshine and warmth instead of ice and snow this winter. 
Other factors affecting the 30% increase in showings this January from last is the still low interest rates and prices commensurate with those of 2002 - 2004 levels, depending on which area of Kansas City the home buyers are searching in.
The bad news for some sellers is that they are missing out on buyers for their house by waiting for the Spring market. The Spring market is already here! If you're thinking about selling your Kansas City home, now is the time to get it in on the market.
Call me to get your house sold now.
Maria Morton, Senior Real Estate Specialist, ♫ ♪ Leading Edge Society 2010 .mobile:816-560-3758 www.MariaMorton.com . ♫ ♪ Neighborhoods in Kansas City ♫ Historic Homes of Kansas City ♪ 2011 Market Reports Brookside, Waldo, Sunset Hill . ...*Information obtained from Heartland MLS is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. **This is an eclectic blog combining a little business with pleasure; please consult a licensed professional before making life altering decisions. ♪♫ . Maria Morton, Realtor©, SRES is a Kansas City Real Estate Agent licensed in MO & KS and affiliated with Prudential Kansas City Realty 816.410.5499.o Maria Morton Copyright © 2012 *Home Showings Are Up in Kansas City*
Do you show unqualified buyers into houses listed for sale?
One of the 'real estate gurus' called me today to personally answer some questions I'd asked in an email response to his offer of a new and exciting real estate site. (You know how I like to learn about anything new.)
The guru told a story of an agent using his site to sell a house to a buyer she'd never met until they went to look at the house. Okay. I ignored the safety issues, instead asking how the agent had qualified the buyer before showing the house. He replied "Oh, you're one of those. See, this is a different way of treating customers; you treat everyone like they're a five star buyer until they prove they're not instead of asking them to prove they're legitimate buyers up front." 
What's wrong with showing unqualified buyers into homes?
1. The sellers don't want unqualified buyers traipsing through their home. Sellers expect us to bring them people who are able to purchase their home.
2. Sellers have to leave the house during showings. This is, at times, an inconvenience they are willing to incur because someone may buy their house. No way do any sellers I know want to accommodate anyone who cannot buy their home.
3. Agents are responsible for the house while they are showing it. How can I, in good conscience, unlock the house and allow just anyone in? How do I know they are who they say they are? - Ever heard of houses for sale being targeted for robberies and burglaries?
4. Buyer clients deserve better. The guru is looking at everyone as a customer with a pocketbook; I work diligently for my clients. Buyer clients deserve a well organized showing trip focusing on homes that will meet their specific needs.
5. Buyers who can afford a $300,000 house will probably just love the $600,000 house down the street but then what? They fall in love with a house they cannot afford and then are disappointed with every house in their price range. How helpful is that?
Now, I realize that there are exceptions to every rule but, yes, I am 'one of those.' Sellers expect and deserve real estate agents to show qualified buyers into their home. Buyers deserve an agent who will take the time to find out who they are and what they need in a home before wasting their time showing them homes that won't work for them.
And agents should be smart enought to know that it's not safe to meet strangers at an empty house. Have you read the news lately?
What say you?
Maria Morton, Senior Real Estate Specialist, ♫ ♪ Leading Edge Society 2010 .mobile:816-560-3758 www.MariaMorton.com . ♫ ♪ Neighborhoods in Kansas City ♫ Historic Homes of Kansas City ♪ 2011 Market Reports Brookside, Waldo, Sunset Hill . ...*Information obtained from Heartland MLS is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. **This is an eclectic blog combining a little business with pleasure; please consult a licensed professional before making life altering decisions. ♪♫ . Maria Morton, Realtor©, SRES is a Kansas City Real Estate Agent licensed in MO & KS and affiliated with Prudential Kansas City Realty 816.410.5499.o Maria Morton Copyright © 2012 *Showing Homes to Unqualified Buyers*
Loreena tells it like it is! Home buyers often make the mistake of listening to outside sources instead of their own real estate agent. I look at it as a learning experience for them, albeit a sometimes painful one. Losing the home they really want is a high price but there will be another home they like and are able to buy because they've learned their lesson with the first one. Via Loreena Yeo, Realtor®| Frisco TX Community Ambassador (214)783-2210 (3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Frisco TX Real Estate Co.):
For the sake of Negotiating..... Lessons of Feet Dragging - yes, even in a Buyer's Market.
So, I've experienced the Lessons of Feet Dragging, Negotiating and Dragging just for the sake of Negotiating. It is not fun to witness buyers wanting to haggle just for the sake of haggling.
 In the end, when the counter offer is not accepted and a new offer is introduced into the picture, it would be very disappointing when you lose the house, the house you've been talking about and the house you've been spending your time visualizing in.
So many times I wonder why buyers cant be serious? What could $2,000 mean in a $200K transaction or better yet, $2000 in a $500K transaction? Is it worth haggling?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! After evaluating the pros and cons of going back to the sellers for a tiny pricehaggle, in the grand scheme of things, it will not make a small pinch in the monthly payment,
WHY OH WHY DO YOU RISK ANOTHER OFFER COMING INTO THE PICTURE?
Do you know until it's signed and executed, you - the buyer is still vulnerable and that you have not secured anything yet.
And agents, don't come back to tell me how your clients will now pay the price they originally agreed on. It may be too late. The seller may have signed and executed the other offer. The seller may be upset about the haggle, the seller wants to deal with the other non-haggling buyer.
I've personally experienced 2 back-to-back negotiations where buyers lost because of Negotiation for the sake of Haggling.
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Content & Photography Copyright © 2012 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY)
For the Sake of Negotiating... Oh How Much Fun It Is to Ride
Happiness is the Off Leash Dog Park in Kansas City.
Maria Morton, Senior Real Estate Specialist, ♫ ♪
Many seniors worry about the tax consequences of selling their home and moving to a condo, adult living community or even into a mother-in-law suite in the home of one of their children. There are a few rules that can help you. 
Every 2 years, the law allows you to sell a home for up to $250,000 and take a tax exclusion. This applies to anyone, whether they're living on social security and retirement savings or still working for a salary. To be eligible, the home you sell must have been your primary residence for 2 out of the last 5 years. The tax exclusion is $250,000 for a single person; $500,000 for a married couple.
Also, people who are over 55 years of age are allowed to take a one-time exclusion of $125,000 on the sale of a primary residence. The two exclusions can be combined once. So, a married couple could sell a home for $625,000 without incurring tax consequences.
What if your home will sell for $800,000? There's another rule that can help with that. If you kept your primary residence and rented it out, the excess money can then be rolled into another real estate property rental after the sale. In our scenario, that's a difference of $175,000. So, the $625,000 is tax free and the $175,000 can be used to buy a house, duplex, or multi-family building which would then be rented out for monthly income. If the sale of your home-turned-investment property nets more money, that amount can be rolled over into that amount of income producing real estate.
*Please check with your accountant, tax advisor, and real estate agent before making a move. Be sure that everyone is clear on where the money is going and how it will be declared on your tax return.
If you are considering selling your home, call 816-560-3758 for a private consultation to analyze value and condition in our current market.
Kansas City Real Estate Year End 2011 Market Reports: Sunset Hill, Brookside, Waldo - Protecting Property Rights.
Maria Morton, Senior Real Estate Specialist, ♫ ♪ Leading Edge Society 2010 .mobile:816-560-3758 www.MariaMorton.com . ♫ ♪ Neighborhoods in Kansas City ♫ Historic Homes of Kansas City ♪ Do You Know Jack? . ...*Information obtained from Heartland MLS is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. **This is an eclectic blog combining a little business with pleasure; please consult a licensed professional before making life altering decisions. ♪♫ . Maria Morton, Realtor©, SRES is a Kansas City Real Estate Agent licensed in MO & KS and affiliated with Prudential Kansas City Realty 816.410.5499.o Maria Morton Copyright © 2011 *How Much Does Uncle Sam Take When You Sell Your Home?*
Chairs and Vice Chairs of Committees met today at the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors©. One of the first things read was KCRAR's mission statement. "It is the mission of the KCRAR to be the advocate for Realtor© members, to advance the professionalism, integrity and competency of members, and to promote private property rights." We've all read that statement more than once but do we consider it's implications in our daily lives?
Many people may not realize that the National Association of Realtors© was formed in1908 and that Kansas City MO was one of the founding boards.
One of the first committees formed within the NAR was a committee on taxation. The committee's purpose was to ensure fair taxation for property owners.
Since it's inception, the NAR has been fighting to keep property taxes reasonable so that 'ordinary' people can afford to own a home and land. Every time congress wants to levy a new tax or fee on property owners, the NAR has been at the forefront to protect property owners' rights, freedom and economic welfare.
We covered many topics today but the one thing that kept coming back to my mind over the course of the day was the importance of protecting the property rights of our citizens. Sometimes we get caught up in business and forget how important this is. It's crucial to keep an eye on our elected representatives and their financial backers so that owning property remains an attainable goal for all U.S. citizens.
If you are considering selling your home, call 816-560-3758 for a private consultation to analyze value and condition in our current market.
Kansas City Real Estate Year End 2011 Market Reports: Sunset Hill, Brookside, Waldo - more to come as time permits!
Photos taken on iPhone while showing buyer client relocating from Australia to Kansas City around the real KC.
If you are considering selling your home, call 816-560-3758 for a private consultation to analyze value and condition in our current market.
Kansas City Real Estate Year End 2011 Market Reports: Sunset Hill, Brookside, Waldo - more to come as time permits!
This article by Lola Audu, Realtor© in Grand Rapids Michigan, puts a different light on what it takes to be a good salesperson. Like Lola, I don't appreciate the pushy, sleazy, fast-talking salesy type but I really appreciate a salesperson who can listen to my needs and then offer some sound advice or show me exactly what I need.
One day, while searching for new tennis shoes, I went to several different shops. At the first one, I spent about 5 minutes trying to attract one of the salespeople's attention. When I couldn't get anyone to pay attention and answer questions, I left.
At the second store, the salesperson just about jumped on top of me the instant my foot was in the door. You know how they do: come right up to your face with that huge learing smile and shout "Hi! What can I sell you today?" Then they just keep right on talking breathlessly while you're trying to figure out a graceful way to exit. It was like running with an inside pass trying to get out of there. Scary!
The third store was a shop in Ward Parkway that specializes in running shoes. The salesperson looked up and smiled at me as I entered but he didn't come right over. Instead, he allowed me time to walk slowly up the main isle looking at the various shoes as I went. I'd pick up a shoe, turn it around in my hand, then set it back down. In my mind, I was thinking what I liked or didn't like about each one and narrowing in on color choices. Finally, I had decided that I'd like to try on 1 pair from up front, 1 pair on one of the middle racks, and 1 pair from the far left wall display. I looked up and around the store to see if I could locate a salesperson. The guy who had smiled at me as I walked in looked over as if I'd called his name and nodded as he smiled again. He concluded his conversation with the other customer he had been speaking with and was by my side in an instant, He answered my questions, asked a few, then brought me the shoes I wanted to try on plus one other pair that he thought I might like. That's the pair I bought.
Maria Morton, Kansas City Real Estate Agent
Via Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate:
 Have you ever been in a class where the instructor asked the real estate agents to name what the public thinks of real estate agents? Inevitably, someone will raise their hands and say...they think we're like used car salespersons? The tone & subsequent commentary indicate that this is NOT a good thing...
In a recent class setting, the instructor went further and asked everyone to raise their hands IF they LIKED salespeople. Only a few brave souls dared to raise their hands. We all felt it...it was not cool to 'like' salepersons. One brave soul actually said he enjoyed a purchase when it was assisted by a good salesperson. Which got me to thinking...so do I!
Even though I often enter a store and respond to an initial inquiry for assistance with the proverbial, 'No thanks, I'm just looking,' when I want to make my selection, I'm always grateful when a salesperson shows up, particularly when they are a GOOD Salesperson.
So what's the difference between a good Salesperson and a lousy one? Well, one could write a book about that and since this is a short blog post, I'll just highlight a few key points which make a huge difference for me.
1. Good Salespersons LISTEN with two ears & TALK with one mouth
While, this may seem to be the nature of creation, I'm often amazed by how much talking a poor Salesperson does. I guess it's called 'Selling' me a product. Problem is, I don't need to be SOLD something, I'm already indicating I'd like to buy. I simply need assistance in making the right selection. To help me with that, you've got to listen more and talk less.
2. Good Salespersons NOTICE stuff.
A couple of years ago I bought a new car. I really wanted to purchase a particular brand of car, but when I walked into the showroom and started to look around, no one noticed. That's not to say, there were not sales agents there. They seemed occupied, talking to each other, walking around...in fact doing anything other than noticing that there was a NEW customer in the showroom who might be interested in buying a car. Well, after about 10 - 15 minutes, I walked out. Fortunately, the competing dealer down the street had Salespersons who noticed. Needless to say, I've been happy with my purchase.
3. Good Salespersons don't tell LIES
Sometimes, the truth can be a tricky thing. So what do you say when someone asks you if they look good in something and you really think they look awful? Not an easy situation, I know. Yet, integrity in sales is the cornerstone foundation of good business in my opinion. When people trust you, they feel comfortable with the fact that you are making a recommendation for their good, not simply to line your pockets. Sometimes the truth is hard to swallow. Like, 'Mr & Mrs Seller, your home has lost 30% of its value OR, you are not in the position to purchase a home right now. But, it's better to tell the truth, albeit with politeness, than to lead someone down a false trail.
We're ALL in Sales...
Yes, we are. Everyday, all of us are selling something. Many of us are not aware of this fact and consequently do a very poor job at it. If you're a parent, you're in the daily business of training a child to do the right thing and in a sense convincing them that doing so will be beneficial. We sell when we present ourselves to the world every morning.
We're selling even when we don't think people are watching. We're selling every time we convince or ask someone to do something. When selling is done from good intentions and motivations, it has the capacity to influence lives in a very compelling way. People want to know what is best and how to make quality decisions. They want to have the knowledge required to prevent mistakes. They want to know that you care about THEM, not just the product you're selling. When I meet a salesperson like that, irregardless of whether they're a REALTOR®,teacher or a clerk in a retail store, I for one, appreciate the service!
Lola Audu, is the Designated Broker & Owner of Audu Real Estate. Our company specializes in helping people buy and sell homes in the greater Grand Rapids, West Michigan area. We've had the privilege of helping hundreds of clients succeed in their goals of purchasing and selling property including demonstrated success in the negotiation of Short Sale Transactions. You can contact us via e-mail @ info@auduhomes.com or by phone at 616-791-0511.
  
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Maria Morton, Kansas City Real Estate
Kansas City,
MO
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Prudential Kansas City Realty
Address: 435 Nichols Rd. 3rd Floor, Kansas City , MO, 64112
Office Phone: (816) 410-5499
Cell Phone: (816) 560-3758
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