Would you let a client out of a contract? - 05/31/07 10:27 AM
I have to recognize that as a female real estate agent in Olathe, KS who deals primarily in residential real estate, I may not be a great fit for a real estate investor who is strictly business.  I love to have fun with my clients.  I love to joke and take a lot of time to show homes.  It just seems logical to me, but apparently my views aren't held by everyone.
I recently got a call on a listing of mine from a very nice couple.  I showed them the property last night and they loved it!  When I asked them … (3 comments)

The Fortune is in the Follow-up! - 05/30/07 08:45 AM
How many times have we heard that!?  I bet if you were to look at all of the "successful" agents across the country, the thing they are the best at is following up!  For me, sometimes this can be a difficult thing.  I want the prospect to call me... is that so much to ask! (She says playfully)
In today's real estate game, it seems like we are bombarded with NEW and FLASHY "tricks" to dazzel people and our business is supposed to explode.  Unfortunately (or fortunately- depending on how you look at it), it just doesn't work like that, at least … (2 comments)

Tough Market (Venting) - 05/29/07 09:01 AM
So... I'm sure that we have all had listings that we just "knew" were going to sell right away.  You would think after 9 years in the business and being an experienced real estate agent in the Kansas City area, I would know better!
I have some sellers who are also buyers and are very conserative for the most part.  We found them their dream home and waited to list their current home until we knew the deal would go through because, again, we just knew their current home would sell quickly.  It is a ranch with a laudry room on the main level. … (6 comments)

Taking Time Off - 05/24/07 09:55 AM
I have been a real estate agent in Olathe, KS for over nine years and one thing I've learned is, you have to take time for yourself.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my clients, but sometimes I have to treat my business like a business and keep normal hours of operation.  When I first got started in real estate I was an "Of Course" girl.
"Of course I can meet with you until 9 pm" Even though I had little ones at home.  "Of course I will drop everything and take you to go look at a house RIGHT NOW" … (3 comments)

One Year Pay Off - 05/22/07 10:54 AM
I have been working with a buyer for over a year in Olathe, Overland Park and across the state line in Kansas City, MO!  This poor woman!  Some people just have all the bad luck.  Not only was she recovering from a divorce, but right when we started looking for homes, she got laid off. 
I continued to send her properties that I felt matched her criteria hoping that maybe it would help motivate her and also keep her in the game.  We would email back and forth and talk from time to time, but I had no idea what would … (2 comments)

Marketing to Women - 05/15/07 08:45 AM
According to an article in the Canadian Financial Post, Canadian Condo Builders are marketing their new building projects more towards women.  The article goes on to say that never married women make up 30% of home sales.  Also, over 45% of divorced women own their own homes and a surprising 64% of widows do, too.
I recently had the opportunity to tour some luxury condos and lofts in our downtown Kansas City area and while they were wonderfully built, there were some very important things missing.  Very few had bigger walk-in closets, large kitchens, big bathrooms etc. It was like they were … (1 comments)

Women in transition? - 05/14/07 11:52 AM
I was once one.  Without delving too terribly far into my personal life, lets just say that at one point in my life, I found myself in a position that I never, in my wildest dreams, thought I would be in... going through a tough divorce. 
I had been a homemaker for almost 20 years, very active in my children's lives and very proud of the home I had helped to build.  Unfortunately, life has a funny way of keeping you on your toes. 
Here I was, in my 40's with little work experience and I had to sell the home … (1 comments)

Script for foreclosures - 05/11/07 09:40 AM
If any of you are like me, you want to be as well rounded of an agent as possible.  That includes always being trained and ready for each situation.  I specialize in helping people in Olathe, KS and the Kansas City area buy and sell homes in foreclosure.  I work with more people who want to buy foreclosures and live in them rather than just invest... that is Chris Lengquist's job here in our office and they are two very different animals. 
Farming for people who may be in financial distress, can be tricky.  You don't want people to feel like you … (1 comments)

How to Avoid Foreclosure - 05/10/07 06:53 AM
Foreclosure is something that nobody ever wants to happen, but in today's changing ecomony it never hurts to always be educated.  Unfortunately, in Johnson County and especially here in Olathe, foreclosures are at an all time high.  Here are some ways to avoid foreclosure according to www.hud.gov:
Q: What Happens When I Miss My Mortgage Payments?
Foreclosure may occur. This is the legal means that your lender can use to repossess (take over) your home. When this happens, you must move out of your house. If your property is worth less than the total amount you owe on your mortgage loan, a … (2 comments)

Integrity First - 05/09/07 08:37 AM
Have you ever turned down business?  I have and man, it is hard to do, but in this business ingerity may be all you are left with at the end of the day. 
I recently had a past client come into my office.  She and her husband had recently gotten divorced.  She wanted to know if it would be in her best interest to sell the home I had helped them buy just two years prior.  Keep in mind, her call to me could not have come at a better time.  The market was slow here in Kansas City and I … (6 comments)

Short Sales in Olathe - 05/08/07 08:42 AM
Short Sales are foreclosures, but not all foreclosures are short sales.  Have you had your coffee yet?  Are you still with me?  Here's the difference:
According to Elizabeth Weintraub of About.com, A short sale occurs when a home owner is in foreclosure but before the property goes to public auction. Under a short sale, a lender must agree to accept less than the amount that is owed on the property.
So you may be thinking, "Why doesn't everyone ask for a short sell before his or her home goes into foreclosure?"  Good question.  A few reasons may be that A) he or … (1 comments)

Customer Satisfaction - 05/07/07 10:58 AM
Customer satisfaction is crucial part of my business, in fact one could argue that is the THE most important part of my business.  If I am not keeping my clients happy, whether they are buying a residential home in Olathe, a foreclosure in Missouri, or a bank owned property in Lenexa,  then I'm not doing my job.  That being said, there must be some kind of expectations set between a real estate agent and his or her clients and they must be realistic. 
When I first sit down with a new client who is looking to buy a residential home, a … (1 comments)

What are bank owned properties? - 05/04/07 10:19 AM
Having been a real estate agent for over nine years, sometimes it is easy to forget that some people aren't clear on what bank owned properties are exactly.  Take a look at this article by Walt Harvey.  He does an excellent job explaining exactly what these properties are all about. 
If you or someone you know is interested in these types of properties in Olathe or the Kansas City Area, please feel free to contact me any time.  I would love to answer your questions.  Also, contact my assistant Layna.  I actually helped her buy a bank owned property! 
… (6 comments)

Home in Gardner, KS - 05/03/07 03:34 PM
18390 Butternut St Gardner, KS
Shows like a model!  Kitchen island and hanging pot rack stay.  There is a huge walk-in pantry and beautiful heatilator fireplace.  Also, the large corner lot with 3 car garage is amazing!  Additional room in the basement could be used as a bedroom!  Home is very well maintained!
Contact me for price. 
Special Features:
# OF BEDROOMS = 3,  #BATHS = 2 ½,
GARAGE (CARS) = 3
YEAR BUILT = 2003
EXTERIOR = Frame
ROOF TYPE = Composition Shingle
… (0 comments)

Instant Equity? - 05/02/07 02:37 PM
Instant Equity. What does that mean really?  I just did a quick search for homes in Olathe, that are selling under appraised value.  I found over 20 homes, just in Olathe!  So why would homeowners sell under appraised value?  Here are some possibilities:
1.  They have owned the home for many years or have paid their mortgage down so quickly that they have more "wiggle room" than most.
2.  Maybe they have to make a quick move for a job or other personal reasons.
3.  Like a lot of us, maybe they have run into financial difficulties and need to get out from underneath … (1 comments)

 

Marti Shuey

Olathe, KS

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Keller Williams Diamond Partners Inc

Office Phone: (913) 322-7496

Cell Phone: (913) 221-8494

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