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A live Christmas tree offers so much more than an artificial tree, but once the tree begins to dry and lose it's needles, it's time to recycle it. What do you do with your beautiful tree once Christmas is over? Here in the Ozark's, Bass Pro Shops collect them and use them for fish habitats in Tablerock Lake. With the help of the US Army Corp of Engineers and the local Boy Scouts, and with a small donation, these trees end up in their new home. Not only do you clean up the environment, … (3 comments)
Stop and Thank YOur Team Members For A Great 2009! - 12/24/09 09:08 PM
Stop And Thank Your Team Members For A Great 2009! Selling real estate today has become a challenge. Homeowners want to buy and close quickly to take advantage of the Government Stimulus Package. But delays occur, without blame to any of the parties. It takes Team Work to successfully close real estate sales. Buyers must work with the lenders to insure the paperwork is completed prior to the closing date. Any delays could result in the offer being extended of falling through. Title companies must research the title to insure the title will pass without flaws to the new buyer. The Seller must schedule … (0 comments)
Winter Energy Saving Tips - Springfield Mo Real Estate News - 12/24/09 08:14 PM
Winter Energy Saving Tips - Springfield Mo Real Estate News Looks like we are in for our first snow storm the next few days. My hubby hauled in wood to keep dry, in the event our power goes off, bought extra fuel for the generator and nestled down for a few days of winter weather. When we built our home in 1997, our electric coop gave us extra funds if we upgraded to save energy over the life of the home. We installed a Kozy Heat Fireplace, added extra insulation, including the floor and installed a heat pump with a back-up propane unit. What … (0 comments)
WORKING WITH A FIRST TIME HOME BUYER IN MO read this !!!!!!!!!!!! - 12/24/09 07:24 PM
Missouri First Time Home Buyers can purchase a home with as little as 3% down, of which the down payment can be borrowed. Darren Stewart has some great information concerning MHDC Bond Money Program. Via Darren Stewart:
Re-blogged by 0 agents MHDC Bond Money program Missouri Bond Loans -First Time Home Buyers Bond Loan -Need downpayment for your first purchase this is the Loan program for you! REALTORS WORKING WITH FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS IN MO READ THIS !! (edit/delete) Missouri Housing Development Commission has announced the new rates for 2 very successful loan programs that assist first time home … (1 comments)
Christmas Memories - A Great Lesson And Reflection Of Our Lives! - 12/22/09 08:02 PM
Christmas Memories - A Great Lesson And Reflection Of Our Lives! This time of year is sometimes hard for many people. But for others, it is a time to remember the loved ones that enriched our lives. Years ago, my father had a massive heart attack and survived. He was an inspector for a major pipe line in Oklahoma. Not being able to work, laid off from his job, with no income, he started walking. Picking up tin cans along the highways, golf courses, football stadiums, schools and any other place that might throw away cans. For a number of years (I … (13 comments)
212 Pheasant Lane, Willard - Another Short Sale Successfully Closed! - 12/21/09 10:01 PM
212 Pheasant Lane, Willard - Another Missouri Short Sale Successfully Closed! This was one of those short sales, you thought would be really easy.......a piece of cake. Only one bank, great house, excellent location. And it would have been, except for the loan company handling the transaction. I started a year ago placing the home on the market. The sellers lived out of state, bought the home as an investment and had never seen the home. With no keys, the first task at hand, was to gain access to the home. The sellers said the home had never been lived in, but once we … (1 comments)
Losing A Springfield Mo Real Estate Short Sale To Foreclosure - Not Because We Didn't Have A Great Offer! - 12/20/09 08:00 PM
Losing A Springfield Mo Real Estate Short Sale To Foreclosure - Not Because We Didn't Have A Great Offer! After working for the past 4 months and presenting the bank with a great offer, I received a call from the negotiator that the home is going to foreclosure, due to a few FHA guidelines: Home was vacated. Regardless of what type of loan the seller has, I encourage the seller to remain in the home. This is a sign to the lender that you have not abandoned the home. The seller had rented the home, but after receiving an accepted offer, the … (4 comments)
$150,000 Beautiful Ozark Missouri Home For Sale Nestled among the trees, you will find this beautiful home in Ozark on oversized lot with loads of curb appeal. Outdoor spaces complete the perfect package. This home has a formal dining, formal living and so much character to boot! The best of both worlds, feels like country living but so close to shopping, travel and entertainment. Stop by and see this wonderful home!
The home offers a finished walkout basement, with 2 living areas, a nice corner lot, back patio, fenced back yard, with brick/permanent siding. A bargain at $171,000. If you or someone you know is facing FORECLOSURE, call me TODAY. You may have another option; a Short Sale. I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert and can explain, and help you, through the Short Sale process. … (2 comments)
Highlights from the 2009 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers - 12/17/09 06:40 AM
Interesting report of sales between July 2008 and June 2009. Not surprising that 47% of the buyers were first time buyers. Thanks to Jason, the report was simplified. Via Jason Burkholder, Broker/Sales Manager, ABR, e-Pro, Lancaster Pa Homes for Sale (Weichert, Realtors - Engle and Hambright): NAR has recently released the 2009 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. The report compiles the results of 9,138 surveys returned by buyers and sellers who sold or purchased a home between July 2008 and June 2009. The surveys were sent to buyers and sellers based on deed transfers and other public records. The complete report is … (2 comments)
Two Missouri Cities Still in Overpriced Housing Market - Springfield Market Report - November 2009 - 12/16/09 08:25 PM
Two of Missouri's cities are still Top 40 Overpriced Housing Market. According to Forbes.com, two of Missouri's cities still most overpriced, stay on the market longest, and sell for less. Springfield Missouri is not on the list. Checking out some other cities around the country, buyers and sellers in the Springfield real estate market have no reason not to purchase or sell real estate. Homes prices are gradually falling, home sales have increased, number of days on the market are up, and listings are down.
The way I see this market, buyers can get more for the money, but the good … (4 comments)
Four Great Reasons To Buy Missouri Real Estate! - 12/15/09 10:35 PM
There are four great reasons to buy Missouri Real Estate! I've been selling Missouri real estate for 22 years and I've never seen the market like it is today. Anyone interested in purchasing Missouri Real Estate should be looking now and buying before April 2010. Here are a few reasons to consider for buying Missouri Real Estate: Low Interest Rates Lower Home Prices Increased Numbers of Foreclosures and Short Sales Tax Credit Incentives Low Interest Rates While interest rates continue to be around five percent, consider the amount of money that can be saved with a 30 year mortgage. I recall … (0 comments)
Changes to the FHA Short Sale Process - 12/13/09 08:48 PM
FHA Short Sale Process is being changed by our federal government. Here's a post from Brad & Traci Brusenhan about the changes. Homeowners need to know how to avoid foreclosure and and opt to work a short sale. Via Brad & Traci Brusenhan (Brusenhan & Associates Realty - Dallas, Texas): Essentially, HUD (our federal government) has determined that their way of helping the homeowner is to dramatically reduce the opportunity for FHA borrowers to successfully complete a short sale. The 82% net to lender rule that has always been in place is out the window now. Is this what they are doing with our … (5 comments)
Planning For A Great 2010 - Selling Springfield Mo Real Estate - 12/13/09 08:40 PM
Planning For A Great 2010 - Selling Springfield Mo Real Estate I've tried the past few weekends to stay home and plan our business for 2010. However, you know what they say........plan to do something and the phones will ring and buyers will appear. And they have. It's been a record setting month. December 2009 will be a year we'll never forget. Usually, the market slows, the office is vacant, realtors take vacations or move to new offices. Listing Springfield foreclosures and short sales has been productive for the entire office. Many of these new listings are a result of blogging here … (1 comments)
Caring For Pets During The Cold Winter Months - 12/12/09 09:14 PM
Getting home early today, I spied a large cold cat sitting on my front porch, all curled up on the front swing. It's rained all day and the poor feline was trying to get out of the rain and cold, before going home. I wasn't sure if it was a stray or a neighbors cat, but my hubby went out and spent time making sure it was ok, before it wandered on home. I just read an article by Lottie Kendall talking about Moving With The Pets. She has some great tips on caring for your best friends while starting a new life in … (3 comments)
HSA Home Warranties and Technology - Selling Springfield Mo Homes - 12/12/09 08:37 PM
Home Warranty's have been around for years and I do not advise closing a home without one....no matter the age of the home. We recently sold a home to a client that is stationed overseas. They bought the home for a rental, did some remodeling and are getting ready to rent it out while they are gone. The seller had not lived in the home for many years and provided the buyer with a home warranty at closing. This evening the new homeowner called and reported the furnace in the new home had quit working. Thanks to the new system we … (2 comments)
Are You Asking For Referrals- Your Springfield Real Estate Referral Base - 12/09/09 08:29 PM
Are You Asking For Referrals from your clients? Normally, I do when I'm growing my Springfield referral base. It's one of the best ways to increase your business and obtain new leads. I also have " We Love Referrals" on our business cards. One of my clients unexpectedly stopped by the office today to check on his contract. He is closing in a week and just wanted to be reassured his home was closing. He was referred to me last year, from a client that was moving to Ohio. I made a few phone calls and gave him peace of mind … (4 comments)
Business Networking Group - Better To Give Than Receive? - 12/08/09 08:33 PM
Business Networking Group - Better To Give Than Receive? After attending an Ozark business networking group with my daughter for the first time, I was pleased to see many familiar business owners that I knew. As the meeting progressed, their main objective, I realized, was they were all there to give referrals.......not to receive. I assumed they were there to receive business. And they are required to bring something of value to the table once a week. Missing more than 3 meetings in a 6 month period, is an automatic dismissal.........that's where I come in. I'm the stand-in for my daughter. What a wonderful … (6 comments)
Beneficial Short Sale Changes Are Coming - New Home Affordable Foreclosure Guidelines - 12/06/09 09:20 PM
I'm looking forward to the changes in the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Working Springfield short sales this year has been a trying time, yet rewarding when we successfully close a transaction. I am pleased to see new guidlines that will take effect in April, 2010 that will expedite the short sale process. Many homeowners bury their heads in the sand thinking there is no alternative to foreclosure and never try to save their credit. Yet, today's market is allowing homeowners to successfully sell their homes and mend their credit. Here are a few of the new guidelines:
If you are a … (4 comments)
100% Financing for Springfield Mo Real Estate - USDA Rural Development Loan Program - No Down Payment - No Monthly Mortgage Insurance - 12/05/09 09:50 PM
I recently read an article by Darren Stewart about the possibility of purchasing a home with no money down and no monthly mortgage insurance. Missouri's USDA Rural development program is still a wonderful program for buyers that are short on down payment money. Here's a short version of his post. Communities such as Ozark, Repubic, Willard, Rogersville, Strafford, Bolivar and Fair Grove are eligible for this program. Springfield, Nixa and Battlefield Missouri are not eligible Interest rates are 30 year fixed morgages, no payback penalties or tax recapture for the Guaranteeed Program. Read Darren's post. … (4 comments)
Expanded Tax Credit - What Has Changed With The New Law? - 12/05/09 09:19 PM
Expanded Tax Credit - What Has Changed With The New Law? Springfield Mo homes for sale just became more profitable. Now, home sellers and buyers in the Springfield real estate market welcome the news that Congress added new changes to the Home Buyer's tax credit to help the economy to get a jump start. First time home buyers have until mid-next year to purchase a home and also creadte a tax credit for repeat buyers. Some of the changes are: Deadline: Buyers must have a contract to purchase a residence in place before May 1 2010, and the deal must close … (0 comments)
Running errands in all over Springfield today, my hubby and I stopped by a new listing at 4596 W Minota, in Vintage Hills Estates, to make sure the signs and lockbox was up and ended up showing the home to a couple just getting ready to put their home on the market. I let them know the home is already under contract (2 days on the market), but there was another home next door … (1 comments)
Another Springfield Short Sale Successfully Closed - Springfield Mo Real Estate - 12/05/09 08:04 PM
Another Springfield Short Sale Successfully Closed! Springfield is slowly beginning to accept short sales as an alternative to foreclosure. And with the large number of homeowners still in need of saving their homes, word isn't spreading fast enough.
This home was a little difficult to sell. The tenant refused to allow the home to be shown. After finally getting him to evacuate the home, we quickly received an offer. However, the bank decided to start the foreclosure process and the day of foreclosure, we were able to get it postponed.
Springfield real estate always slows during the holidays and most sellers don't want to be bothered having their homes shown or moving. But this year, with the government incentive programs available, this may be the best winter ever. Instead of taking your home off the market, leave it on. Take advantage of the smaller inventory. Buyers will continue to look for the best homes a the best prices. Foreclosures and short sales will continue to be the most popular home, so make yours as appealing. … (2 comments)
The latest news according to Kay about real estate in Springfield Missouri and surrounding areas including, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic, Willard, Strafford, Highlandville, and Clever.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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Christmas Tree Recycling At Bass Pro Shops 
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