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The Real Estate Answer

2008-04-04T11:41:21Z

I wanted to share something with you all in my absence, so here's the April version of my personal newsletter: "The Real Estate Answer." (The conversion glitched a little, but you can get the basic jist of it. )

See you soon! -MH

Be back soon...

2008-04-03T16:58:09Z

Hello everyone. I do apologize for the lack of material lately. I am working on my new blog which will be here, on the blogosphere soon. Thank you to all those of you who read and commented on my blogs. I really appreciate it. I believe blogging and residing in this environment is a continual learning process, and I sure have learned considerablly for you guys. I will be back soon, better than ever. Cheers! -MH

10 Steps to Prepare for Homeownership

2008-03-23T21:03:55Z

10 Steps to Prepare for Homeownership

1. Decide how much home you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income.

2. Develop a wish list of what you'd like your home to have. Then prioritize the features on your list.

3. Select three or four neighborhoods you'd like to live in. Consider items such as schools, recreational facilities, area expansion plans, and safety.

4. Determine if you have enough saved to cover your downpayment and closing costs. Closing costs, including taxes, attorney's fee, and transfer fees average between 2 percent and 7 percent of the home price.

5. Get your credit in order. Obtain a copy of your credit report.

6. Determine how large a mortgage you can qualify for. Also explore different loans options and decide what's best for you.

7. Organize all the documentation a lender will need to preapprove you for a loan.

8. Do research to determine if you qualify for any special mortgage or downpayment-assistance programs.

9. Calculate the costs of homeownership, including property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and association fees, if applicable.

10. Find an experienced REALTOR who can help you through the process. For answers to your questions contact Matt at: mhecker@kw.com, 785.393.MATT (6288)

As you can see, many steps need to be completed at the beginning of the home buying process. You may have other "items" that you believe should be added to this list, so go ahead... leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Thanks MH

Your Wish List

2008-03-16T08:45:06Z

This real estate blog will let you dream a bit. While your opinions on the type of home you want to own may change during the homebuying process, use this easy checklist to help you prioritize and make the shopping process less time consuming. The large number of active and "For Sale" homes we are experiencing presently may lend itself to finding many of these "ideal" priorities incorporated in many of the homes in your area. Also, an article published on CNNMoney.com on March 5^th, states that," Home values have declined across the country, giving homebuyers the best buys they've had since 2004..." http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/04/real_estate/markets_less_overvalued/index.htm?cnn=yes So let's go!

•How close do you need to be to: (a) public transportation _______ (b) schools _______
(c) airport _______ (d) expressway _______ (e) neighborhood shopping _______
(f) other_______?
•What neighborhoods would you prefer?
•What school systems do you want to be near?
•What architectural style(s) of homes do you prefer?
•Do you want a one-story or two-story house?
•How old a home would you consider?
•How much repair or renovation would you be willing to do?
•Do you have special facilities or needs that your home must meet?
Do you require a fenced yard or other amenities for your pets?
Prioritize each of these options into
Must have
Would prefer
Yard (at least_________)

Garage (size________)

Patio/Deck

Pool

Bedrooms (number_________)

Bathrooms (number_________)

Family room

Formal living room

Formal dining room

Eat-in kitchen

Laundry room

Basement

Attic

Fireplace

Spa in bath

Air conditioning

Wall-to-wall carpet

Hardwood floors

View

Light (windows)

Shade

Now go to: http://www.mattheckerhomes.com/ and receive your FREE custom Buyer Profile Service that will make your entire home searching process seamless and simple!

Know Your Budget

2008-03-15T09:20:24Z

Budget Basics Work Sheet

Buying a home requires much preparation before your become active in actually looking for that next home. This should be read to continue that preparation, and it fits nicely into my series: 8 Ways to Improve Your Credit, [pre-] First Things First: 8 Steps to Getting Your Finances in Order and First Things First: Pre-approval to Purchase a Home

The first step in getting yourself in financial shape to buy a home is to know what you make and what you spend now. Print this blog and list your income and expenses below.

Income

Take-Home Pay/All Family Members

Child Support/Alimony

Pension/Social Security

Disability/Other Insurance

Interest/Dividends

Other

Total Income

Expenses

Rent/Mortgage

Life Insurance

Health/Disability Insurance

Vehicle Insurance

Homeowners or Other Insurance

Car Payments

Other Loan Payments

Savings/Pension Contribution

Utilities

Credit Card Payments

Car Upkeep

Clothing

Personal Care Products

Groceries

Food Prepared Outside the Home

Medical/Dental/Prescriptions

Household Goods

Recreation/Entertainment

Child Care

Education

Charitable Donations

Miscellaneous

Total Expenses=

Remaining Income After Expenses=

Contact me for a FREE consultation and to find out what to do next today! Thanks. MH

8 Ways to Improve Your Credit

2008-03-11T14:48:07Z

8 Ways to Improve Your Credit

Credit scores, along with your overall income and debt, are a big factor in determining if you’ll qualify for a loan and what loan terms you’ll be able to qualify for.

1. Check for and correct errors in your credit report. Mistakes happen, and you could be paying for someone else’s poor financial management.

2. Pay down credit card bills. If possible, pay off the entire balance every month. However, transferring credit card debt from one card to another could lower your score.

3. Don’t charge your credit cards to the maximum limit.

4. Wait 12 months after credit difficulties to apply for a mortgage. You’re penalized less for problems after a year.

5. Don’t purchase big-ticket items for your new home on credit cards until after the loan is approved. The amounts will add to your debt.

6. Don’t open new credit card accounts before applying for a mortgage. Having too much available credit can lower your score.

7. Shop for mortgage rates all at once. Too many credit applications can lower your score, but multiple inquiries from the same type of lender are counted as one inquiry if submitted over a short period of time.

8. Avoid finance companies. Even if you pay the loan on time, the interest is high and it will probably be considered a sign of poor credit management.

I will be happy to share more ways to improve your credit quickly so you can take advantage of the present market. Contact me today and we'll get going! Thanks

[pre-] First Things First: 8 Steps to Getting Your Finances in Order

2008-03-09T22:16:45Z

This actually comes before my previous blog: First Things First: Pre-approval to Purchase a Home. Getting Your Finances in Order.

1. Develop a family budget. Instead of budgeting what you'd like to spend, use receipts to create a budget for what you actually spent over the last six months. One advantage of this approach is that it factors in unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, illnesses, etc., as well as predictable costs such as rent.

2. Reduce your debt. Generally speaking, lenders look for a total debt load of no more than 36 percent of income. Since this figure includes your mortgage, which typically ranges between 25 percent and 28 percent of income, you need to get the rest of installment debt-car loans, student loans, revolving balances on credit cards-down to between 8 percent and 10 percent of your total income.

3. Get a handle on expenses. You probably know how much you spend on rent and utilities, but little expenses add up. Try writing down everything you spend for one month. You'll probably see some great ways to save.

4. Increase your income. It may be necessary to take on a second, part-time job to get your income at a high-enough level to qualify for the home you want.

5. Save for a downpayment. Although it's possible to get a mortgage with only 5 percent down-or even less in some cases-you can usually get a better rate and a lower overall cost if you put down more. Shoot for saving a 20 percent downpayment.

6. Create a house fund. Don't just plan on saving whatever's left toward a downpayment. Instead decide on a certain amount a month you want to save, then put it away as you pay your monthly bills.

7. Keep your job. While you don't need to be in the same job forever to qualify, having a job for less than two years may mean you have to pay a higher interest rate.

8. Establish a good credit history. Get a credit card and make payments by the due date. Do the same for all your other bills. Pay off the entire balance promptly.

Now, read First Things First: Pre-approval to Purchase a Home

I will be happy to send you a 46-page, complimentary Buyer's Handbook [for free] (retail: $21) to become more familiar with the complete home buying process so you will be ready to go when you begin achieving the above steps. Simply leave your e-mail address in your response, or send me a private email: mhecker@kw.com Thanks!

Your information and e-mail address will be kept strictly confidential and will not be shared or distributed.

First Things First: Pre-approval to Purchase a Home

2008-03-09T07:36:57Z

Pre-approval is the first step in the home buying process. I know, I know, once you, the first time homebuyer, have decided it's time to go after your first home with full force the first thing you want to do is... start looking at homes! You see "For Sale" signs everywhere you turn. "Look at this!" "Look at that!"

So you see an immaculate home that you just must have. You find out what the asking price (list price) of the house is, and you mentally begin to run figures, "Income...savings...possible promotion..."Buying a house doesn't really sound like a bad deal!

STOP!!! Have you been pre-approved, or even pre-qualified yet? Do you or your realtor know how much you can afford? You see, I'm human, just like you. I sometimes get caught up in the moment, before I think the situation through in entirety. I've got a great job, am making a little money, and feeling pretty good about myself. Why not? Go out and splurge! Buying a home is a HUGE investment, one that many people will only do a couple times in their lives. This is a choice of mammoth proportions and you really need to think the entire through, from beginning to the complete end.

You need to know all of the steps to buying a home. You need to know what needs to come first, second, third... You need to know the many people who are involved in a single real estate transaction, the various timeframes, and the numerous pitfalls that can cause the deal and your dreams to crumble. Obtaining a pre-approval, or at least a pre-qualification is the first victory that can successfully lead you to the victorious title of "Home Owner!"

Now, pre-qualifying yourself before you start looking for a home gives you a general idea of the price range you can afford. A lender takes a look at your income and expenses and plugs them in to a debt-to-income ratio. (Click here for approved lender) This usually takes about 15 minutes and sometimes can be done by phone. It does not typically include an analysis of your credit report or an in-depth look at your true ability to buy a home. It will not nail-down an interest rate for you, nor will it take into consideration other factors that will affect the monthly payments a bank will allow you to make. A Pre-approval means a lender has looked closely at both your credit report and your income and determined that you qualify for a loan. The lender will tell you the maximum amount of loan it will make, which loan program(s) you qualify for, and will discuss the interest rates it will offer for different types of loans. Really, a seller will not even look at your offer on their home with any sincerity unless it is accompanied with a pre-approval, so let's get first things done first, and soon enough become an overjoyed first time home owner!

What does Olathe and Lenexa, KS real estate look like right now?

2008-02-11T12:03:55Z

"What does Olathe and Lenexa, KS real estate look like right now?" Well, here we go:

Dates: 11/11/07 - 02/11/08 (3 months)	Olathe	Lenexa
Number of Sales	447	185
Average Price	$217,493	$256,943
Active Listings (homes that are for sale now)	743	313
New Listings (1/1/08 - 2/11/08)	328	129
Average Days on Market	48	48

What this means to you:

If you're buying a home, it is important that you work closely with a highly-motivated realtor® who understands what's going on with the real estate market and local economy. I can advise you on how to get the most for your money and what homes you may want to avoid, as there are homes on the market that are not priced at their fair market value.

If you're selling a home, it's also important to work closely with a highly-motivated realtor® who understands what's going on with the real estate market and local economy. Your goal is to net top dollar - which you might not achieve if you over price or under price your home. Homes priced right and competitively sell.

So "What does Olathe and Lenexa, KS real estate look like right now?" Pretty darn good. mhecker@kw.com

Real Estate Sickness

2008-02-10T15:43:39Z

Real Estate Sickness

Olathe and Lawrence, KS real estate (locally) as well as across the nation we are suffering from a "down market," a slump, a sickness. Unfortunately, I think the source of this real estate sickness is partly due to "Misinformation." The real estate news gathered from TV, different housing sources and friends alike all say that NOTHING is selling; that your "House will be on the market not for days or weeks, but for months or maybe even years!" I believe that this preceding sentence covers the general thought of the misinformation that I'm speaking of. It gets right to the heart of the real estate sickness that we are all suffering from.

Now, it's Sunday afternoon, and I've actually got another sickness (a cold.) Nothing big, but while I'm "Laid-up," I thought I'd share my thoughts and attempt to briefly explain the parallel and remedy that I believe will help make it all better. For my cold, it's simple: take it easy and wait it out. For the real estate misinformation sickness: We each, as Realtors, need to inform and educate the local public that HOUSES ARE SELLING. Granted, those homes that are priced as if it's still the 2006 / 2007 real estate market have been sitting on the market for a while. But if we educate our Sellers on the present market, stressing that their home needs to be among the top 20% in visual attractiveness / staging, and be priced very competitively (among the top 20% of the comps) it will sell rather quickly. There are 2 markets out there: one is full of over-priced, stale properties, where sellers claim that, "Well, I know my home is worth $___,___, and I will not sell it for a penny less!" and one where good homes are selling for good prices quickly.

See the articles in Realtor® Magazine Housing Inventory Seen Stabilizing and Housing Prices Still Above Average. The revised monthly forecast from the National Association of Realtors, which followed nine straight months of downward revisions, calls for U.S. existing home sales to fall 12.5% this year to 5.67 million - the lowest level since 2002. Last month, the association predicted 5.66 million existing homes would be sold this year. The Realtors' group also forecast sales will rise slightly in 2008 to 5.7 million, up from last month's prediction of 5.69 million. The Spring season is coming; rates are low... (More on '...get Buyers...' later)

The real estate market is what it is. It presently is, more or less, depending on your location, a Buyer's Market. You might have two other words for the present real estate market: ?&*! and _*&%@^. My two words are "Stability" and "Affordability." Check it out! Look at the Olathe, Lawrence and Kansas City markets. (If there are any investors out there that are interested in KC investment real estate, drop me a line.) There have been similar market shifts in the past. Did all Realtors® throw up their hands and say, "It's time to look for a new job?" Nope. They shifted with it and continued to prosper.

I know, inventories are still high and prices might be down. But inventories are high and prices are down! Rates are still sub-6%. Go out and find some Buyers! Have your Sellers price their homes right and assure them that they will more than make up the difference on the Buyer side!

I saw a 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 2,320 SQFT Tampa home this morning that has dropped it's price $100,000! This statement might not support my thesis, when looking at it from the Seller side, but the house is MARKED DOWN $100,000. Who wouldn't appreciate a deal like that? The layout of this property even could allow a portion to be a rental. Monthly income baby!

In closing, help me help you, by educating, and doing our part to attempt to bring out the Sellers and Buyers. I know, this won't help the home loan implosion, but you can more directly be a part of the remedy, the solution. Help cure the misinformation sickness. Educate and prosper, my friends.

--> I wrote the entry, then found this story. Sums it up pretty well, I think... Use Your Know-how to Build Business

Exceptional

2008-02-05T21:30:01Z

A tip to making "Life-long clients": BE EXCEPTIONAL. A client's concerns always take precedence over our own. Always put your clients first. Go ahead, be exceptional.

It's that simple. You know, it feels greater-than-great seeing a client's face light up immediately following a closing. I'll never get tired of it. But you can also get your clients to give you a similar full smile when you show them that you are there to help them...ALWAYS. The transaction concludes, and you all know how to stay in touch (I hope! ) But it's more than just that. Treat them like you did when you were selling / buying their home. Serve them well and entirely. Sincerely. Always be exceptional.

Don't even approach each client or practicing real estate with this mindset. (As a side note, isn't this going to put you leagues ahead of 99.9% of your competition? Referrals anyone?)

Always think, "What else can I do for Mr. / Ms. __________?" Follow the routine, give more... and first, always, and due payment will soon follow. (And I'm not even thinking monetarily, actually) Be exceptional in 2008! Cheers!

What you Make It (part 2)

2008-01-13T21:55:17Z

What you Make It (part 2)

I ultimately intended What You Make It [Part 1] (posted Friday morning) as a single statement, to be taken, (more or less) as the market is "More challenging" presently, than it was in past, recent years. After reading an article earlier today, by Gary Keller, it spawned this previously unintended "Part 2." Part Deux has a slightly different notion, or comes from a somewhat different slant, but I see it as fitting continuation, more than anything else.

Now hear me when I say this: Now is NOT an awful time to buy and / or sell a house. Here is rationale. First of all, anyone who states that it IS, is simply "Uneducated," in the actual understanding of how residential real estate works. There is no singular market. Many, many local markets make up what is called residential real estate. When the, "Correction," began, prices in Miami, for example, fell further than, say, Kansas City. Only a very minute percentage of you readers can professionally and actually tell me, "What the present market in Eudora, KS is like." (Where???) Each local market deals with and is influenced by local characteristics, economics, population, politics, etc. The way I operate has nothing to do at all with what's going on in L.A.

Second, to partially answer one of my own opening questions in What You Make It [Part 1]: No one truly knows exactly when the market will "Swing back towards a Seller's market." All of your Buyers waiting, not wanting to, "Pay too much," for a house because it might be priced less in a week, or tomorrow, or whatever, need to buy that home that they want to buy, now (The home that they plan to stay in for 5 years or more and have already mentally seen themselves in.) Everything economically will work out.

Finally, regardless if it is presently a Buyer's Market, a Seller's Market, or a Transition Market, houses sell, period. Houses that are in good condition and priced right sell. It however is much more important now to stage and have your home in as good as a condition as the top 20% of your competitors. It is just as important to have your home priced more advantageous than 80% of you competition (Put another way: ...top 20%. ) Good, smart deals are still and will always be made.

All in all, I guess, bringing it back to my original thesis [Part 1], you and I still need to do some true, real work to make real estate truly profitable. But, with this new addition, my closing advice to you: Know your local market and educate your clients.

What You Make It

2008-01-11T07:33:08Z

"When do you think...?"

"How much longer...??"

"Why...???"

These, or at least versions, are questions ALL of us have experienced nationally since the, "Bubble burst." Clients that sold and bought with us when the markets were White Hot. Prospectives who are watching the nightly national news and repeatedly turn ghost white, with their frozen toes pulling continuously away from the, "Real Estate Cliff," and their hand perpetually distancing itself from their wallet. "Maybe I'll hold off for a bit..." On the plane, traveling back from sunny Southern Florida where I spent the holidays with my family (I live and work in K.C. (Olathe), KS) and overhearing, "I don't think it's EVER been this bad, has it???" We can answer some, maybe most, with some level of conviction. But, regardless of the eternal, "How long's," it all boils down to one thing: The market is what you make it.

Obviously, no one has any realistic and positive way of predicting when, "It will turn around." First of all, markets are different. Everywhere has, or is a local market. Some of these local markets celebrated at their monumental heights, and are now suicidal during their lows. The peaks were higher for some, and the lows are lower for the same. It is what it is, so what are you going to do about it?

I haven't been a Realtor® for ≈40 years yet (Since I'm in my 30's) so I haven't exactly seen the earlier transitions, or the fact that real estate is, "Cyclical," but I know exactly what the term / concept means and I know that real estate follows it. Personally, I have decided to approach this shift as offering me a, "Real job." One where I must work my butt off to continue my success, to get to the next level, as is similar with many jobs, rather than the, "I'm a Realtor® and I'm going to lie down in the middle of the street now and get hit with a dozen deals!" type of leisurely stroll I found a few years ago. Now know this, I'm still tuning and presently figuring out how to produce to my fullest extent during this transition, so I welcome tips and comments from you all. I, like many of you, am constantly learning.

My Broker seems to be relieved at the present state of our local market. "You have to work now to be a successful Realtor®. Many of us had their best years ever in 2007! There are lots who won't be here in 2008. That means higher market share!" You need to shift your mindset; attack it from a different angle. Follow systems that have been tested and succeeded in making many truly successful.

So roll up your sleeves, wipe the sweat from your forehead, and get to work. Best of luck to you all and I'll see you soon!

What a Weekend!

2007-11-13T15:27:12Z

What a weekend for the Kansas Jayhawks! "Rock Chalk, Jay-Hawk!" First of all, you will find as time goes on and through my various blog entries, that I am a tried and true, 100% KU fan (I actually graduated Undergrad from here, so there's a lot of personal history.)

Friday night: KU blew out Louisiana-Monroe in its season opener by 29 points on the basketball court (107-78.) Saturday night the football team kept its magical season alive with a truly confident win over the OSU Cowboys: 40-28. (Keep in mind the game was in Stillwater, Okla.) "10 and 0 baby!" This marks the first time KU football hit the 10-0 mark since 1899. Sunday, back to the ball court and the beginning of the Jayhawk Invitational: a "Not as pretty as some," but still a win, over UMKC: 85-62. The tragedy that occurred in the 2^nd half was that Sherron Collins (The Hawks top scorer) suffered a sprained ankle.

"That's not a tragedy?!" It is when you get your ankle x-rayed and it uncovers a previous stress fracture that you suffered who knows when! Fifth metatarsal of his left foot that will keep him sidelined for 6 weeks, said and done. This means a truly trying meeting with Arizona on Nov. 25^th, not to mention Southern Cal, DePaul and Georgia Tech. But fast-forward with me to the end of the year and the beginning of January, when both he and Brandon Rush (potential All American) are scheduled to return. Can you say "Added firepower???"

Now, here comes the part where I switch from being an unbiased sports-caster / giddy fan to a beligerant "My college is (/was) better than your college" act like I'm still in school for a sec. guy:

I actually overheard a man while I was waiting in a room in the Lawrence (KS) Memorial Hospital ER last weekend who had the stones to say, "I don't see the Jayhawks anywhere but the bottom of my shoe! HAHA" He was undoubtedly either a, "Whoops! I stepped in cow-dung again on my way to class" K-State fan, or a "Let's show the tape of us beating your basketball team to fire up our crowd right before the next meeting!" Missouri fan. Granted, the tape got the fans fired up. But wouldn't you think it may just fire our players up as well, to the point that, "There is no possible way we are going to let you do that again!" (Smart Tiger athletic program! ;) Anyway, first of all, you really shouldn't talk trash on a school in its HOME TOWN. Now I could have gone into the hall, i.d.ed the fool, and talked trash back at him, like the pre-teen he was acting like. But really, I didn't see any sense in it. It would have made no difference in my life's eventual path, or the cosmic rotations, or etc. etc. If you are a sports fan you should be able to appreciate what a team has accomplished, regardless of name or school. (And go ahead and call me a hypocrite. I never said that I wasn't.) These kids are busting their humps going to school, getting great grades, AND fighting for national championships. And what was this clown doing? He probably got hurt when the big, mean Jayhawk stepped on him! The KU football team has accomplished something that it hasn't in 108 YEARS! I was talking with a friend who said that after the OSU win the students were congratulating the KU fans, and they were all going down to Eskimo Joe's to relax, laugh, and probably share a beer, with no ties at all holding them apart. That, my friends, is what I like to hear.

I guess, I am glad that I am in a profession such as real estate and more importantly, a place, that being ActiveRain, where people are professional, curtious and helpful. I'll admit, I have just begun blogging a week ago or so, but I have already received so many great comments from you guys that I'm thinking I'll stay around for a bit. (I've only been warned once by the RainPolice. Sorry Gary.) You guys and gals are great and, don't be offended by this, but, "National Champs, Baby!" (Whoops, I just jinxed the Jayhawks! ;)

Come Out! Come Out!

2007-11-09T10:44:04Z

Come out, come out where ever you are! So tell me, where are all of the Buyers / Investors? Come out, come out! Alright, that is more of an "Over-reaching" statement or question, than anything else. I know that many "Clever" people got a steal on their next [investment] property recently by taking advantage of the falling market. But, here's my personal view: If you are investing right now, why aren't you investing more? If you're not investing at all, why not??? Come out, come out! The market is superb for Investors! Real estate home prices continue to fall, for the 15th consecutive month. (http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/08/22/home_prices_fall_for_15th_month/)

Sales of existing homes plunged by a record amount in September as chaos in mortgage markets added more problems to a housing industry in its worst slump in 16 years. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/24/business/realestate/main3401514.shtml Shouldn't this be enough? I realize that this hysteria further frightens Buyers (because of the possibility of additional foreclosures.) But, realistically, that's what investors want: more inventory (foreclosures.) Now pause for a moment, I feel TERRIBLE for those that got into the real estate market when it was white hot, purchased wwaaayyy too much house for themselves [with a 100% loan], and are now facing foreclosure. I'm deadly serious. This is a tragedy. But that's both another post and not my fault. This is about doing what you do for a living; coming at the real estate monster from different angle. Adjust and survive, right? This is about investing, and doing more of it...NOW! "Come out, come out!"

Sure, there's that lending industry meltdown, but the big, strong lenders are still alive and kicking, and are more than happy to qualify a worthy homebuyer for a loan (with good credit of coarse.) Those who are presently investing should have no problem at all receiving another loan or simply juggling finances around and coming up with a few percent down payment. Those that aren't investing, BUT SHOULD, have multiple options: good credit = get a traditional loan; seek private lending or owner financing; have your IRA "Purchase" the investment property. (Yes you can!)

I guess, in closing, if you have any comments or suggestions, I'm listening. If you have any referrals, I'm taking. If you would like to know how to build your clients' wealth and maximizing their return on investment, give me a call: 785-393-6288, or e-mail @: mhecker@kw.com (I'll share.) If you think that I'm just crazy, and "I see everyone investing!" then good for you. Just send those extras over to me in the Midwest (By the way, foreclosures are EVERYWHERE in NE Kansas / Kansas City, hint, hint. ;)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

2007-11-08T17:14:35Z

Ladies and Gentlemen; "Hello." My name is Matt and I am brand new to the blogosphere. This is my first blog on AR (picked that up reading all of your own blogs!) I am a Realtor® with Keller Williams Realty Diamond Group, Inc. in Olathe, KS. I really don't know how, or what, or who to write about, or if anyone is / will be interested in what I have to say...but I think this is a superb place to ‘Speak my mind', and, maybe, summon some assistance along the way. I got ~~into blogging~~, or rather, got my butt moving and becoming Active rather than Passive, by taking a small in-house class taught by Chris Lengquist a week or two ago (Great class Chris!) I knew that a vast majority of all real estate professionals, along with Buyers and Sellers alike, use the internet for countless tasks having to do with real estate. I figure that I spend a good part of my work day on the computer, so, "Why not?!" I have lots of thoughts, personal feelings and stories about real estate that I expect I will share with you, sooner or later. I've got a ‘Gary Larson "The Far Side"' (a riotous cartoon strip, for those who don't know) type of humor and I will surely let you see that (Intentional or not.) I love "Constructive" criticism so please, leave your comments and suggestions. As soon as I figure out how to respond to them, I will! So, Ladies and Gentlemen: "Hello, how do you do?" and I'll talk with you soon!

Prioritize each of these options into	Must have	Would prefer
Yard (at least_________)
Garage (size________)
Patio/Deck
Pool
Bedrooms (number_________)
Bathrooms (number_________)
Family room
Formal living room
Formal dining room
Eat-in kitchen
Laundry room
Basement
Attic
Fireplace
Spa in bath
Air conditioning
Wall-to-wall carpet
Hardwood floors
View
Light (windows)
Shade