From Daydreams to Reality...

The Dangers of Working from Home - Captain Jamie Strikes Again!!

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:21:30 -0600

It's time for another adventure from Captain Jamie!!

It's been a while since we've heard from our mischievous toddler and that could be due to his growth from Daring Destructo-child to Finicky Four-year-old Finagler. However, with the introduction of his new sidekick, the Amazing Amelia, Captain Jamie has had a relapse.

Now I'm not in the habit of working from home with my children, but you do what you have to and with them out of daycare and my husband off on a remodel project, surely I could manage a few phone calls, emails, and such with my sweet children around. But alas, it was not to be. I had just returned from accepting a referral (thanks Roz!) from the quiet of our den when I heard the laughter. Giggling playfulness with no hint of the usual fighting and sibling rivalry. "Awwwww" I thought to myself as I rounded the corner. And stopped.

Captain Jamie had struck again!

After a moment of shock wore off, we had a shredded paper snowball fight and everyone had a blast. Note to self, next time we empty the shredder, it should go STRAIGHT to the outside trash with no pitstops! In the meantime, send a vacuum with that next referral, I'm going to need it!

~Sheree

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

October 2009 Wichita, KS Market Report

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:06:00 -0600

October 2009 - Wichita, KS Market Report

The Ocober WAAR (Wichita Area Association of Realtors) statistical report is out and those who have been watching a little too much TV news might be surprised. The Wichita market area is in a SELLER's Market with only 4.5 months of existing home inventory. 6 is considered a balance market, and more than 6 months is a Buyer's Market. Totally different from what you hear on tv, isn't it?

I agree with WAAR - it's a Seller's Market here... IN SOME PRICE RANGES.

Just like last months' report, you'll notice in the breakdown below that over 75% of all area sales were in the price range of $159,999 and under. Less than a quarter of all sales were over that! I would definitely say that the Under $160k homes are in a Seller's Market with less inventory, more sales, more competition among buyers. And yet again, as last month, the price range with the most sells is that coveted $120,000 - $139,999 range. That's our market's Sweet Spot!

However, I'd say with the very low number of sales above that, the over $160,000 market is still a Buyer's Market, with very long days-on-market and tons of inventory.

So if you're a buyer looking in the $160,000 and under range, better turn that tv off - it's a fight out there to get what you want and there's not going to be any houses in move-in condition priced 50% of value. If you're selling, you should be able to line up buyers as long as you've got the big 4 going for you (Location, Condition, Price, and Marketing!).

If you're wanting to buy over the $160,000 mark, the ball's in your court and there's plenty of choices. Selling? Make sure you're home is the best of the best for the price, easy to show, and ready to go!

For more information about the market report and how it relates to your situation, drop me a line!

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

NOW, the Tax Credit for First Time AND Move-Up Buyers has been signed! We have till April 30th folks!

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:11:26 -0600

NOW, there is an expanded Tax Credit for Homebuyers!

I'm sure you've been reading articles here and there about the proposed Tax Credit Expansion. Maybe you've wondered why YOUR Realtor(R) hasn't posted anything! Well here it is! I prefer to wait until a proposed bill actually gets signed before handing out information so that we're giving out good information and not just speculation!
It became effective when the President signed it, so here's a breakdown on the difference between the OLD tax credit and this NEW version!

Old Credit - must close by Dec 1, 2009	New Credit - Must be under contract by 4/30/2010, close by 7/1/2010
First-time buyers receive 10% of the purchase value, UP TO $8,000	This stays the same
Buyers who have owned a home within last 3 years cannot claim credit.	Buyers who have owned a home for 5 consecutive years of the last 8 years are eligible for a $6500 credit.
Income limit for singles: $75,000 Income limit for marrieds: $125,000 $20,000 additional phase-out	Income limit for singles: $125,000 Income limit for marrieds: $225,000 $20,000 additional phase-out
No limit on purchase price	$800,000 limit on purchase price
No documentation needed to file for credit	Must provide documentation of actual purchase on the tax return

There you go!

Now I've already had questions from current homeowners who had sold a home and moved up in 2009. Unfortunately they did not make this retro-active, so it is effective as of the day they signed this into law. However, for those of you currently listed for sale, you now have a chance at a tax credit too! Plus this will help ensure the buyer pool keeps coming out looking instead of fading into the usual winter slowdown.

For buyers, you've got a breather and more time to find the right house without worrying about losing the credit. The loosened income restrictions will also help more qualify as first-time buyers and obtain the credit as well.

If you have any questions regarding the credit, drop me a line and we will do our best to answer! As always, since this involves your finances and taxes, of course we suggest that you check with your tax preparer for specific questions about how this will affect you at tax time!

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

2509 N. Porter, Wichita, KS Home for sale! Fishing in your Backyard for $104,900!

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:15:55 -0500

Fishing in your Backyard!

2509 N. Porter, Wichita, KS 67204 View Map

Life on the river awaits you!

This 3 bedroom 1 bath home is ready for new owners! Featuring hardwood floors (under carpeting), remodeled bathroom and spacious open kitchen, this home is ready for you!

The back yard is huge and fully fenced, sloping gently down to your own spot on the river! Bring your fishing pole and come on over to check out this home!

Details

Asking Price:

$104,900

MLS:

263357

Sq. Feet:

1150

Lot Size:

.24 acres

Bedrooms:

Bathrooms:

# of Floors:

Garage Size:

1 car

Year Built:

1970

Property Amenities

Contact Info

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor

Main 316.927.2222
Dir 316.461.0575
Email | Website

All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

Vintage Style, Modern Convenience! 808 S. Holyoke, Wichita KS Home for Sale!

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:45:13 -0500

Fantastically Adorable Starter with Awesome Workshop!

808 S. Holyoke, Wichita, KS 67204 View Map

This absolutely adorable home features a lot of the charm of College Hill without the high prices!

You'll find a spacious living room with neat detailed ceiling, a remodeled kitchen and dining space that oozes charm and functionality (oh and all the appliances stay!). Be sure you note the enormous Master Loft Bedroom upstairs with walk-in closet, the bright and airy guest bedroom, and the nearby office/den space with sliders to the large deck outside!

You'll find storage galore in the unfinished basement area, and don't forget that Mammoth 2+ car garage and workshop out back, with heater, fridge, shelving, opener, and more!

All for a price that beats renting for sure! Come on down and check it out, you won't regret it!

Details

Asking Price:

$95,900

MLS:

263441

Sq. Feet:

1309+

Lot Size:

6376

Bedrooms:

Bathrooms:

# of Floors:

Garage Size:

2Car+

Year Built:

1927

Property Amenities

Contact Info

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor

Main 316.927.2222
Dir 316.461.0575
Email | Website

All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

Maize, KS and Garden Plain, KS Offering Thousands of Incentives to Build or Buy a New Build home in their areas!

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:59:07 -0500

Maize and Garden Plain offering incentives to NEW home purchasers

As noted in my previous article about the September 2009 Housing Market, homes over the $159,999 mark are having a very difficult time selling. The only homes performing worse right now are NEW built homes over $159,999. There is so much inventory on the market that if you're looking in this range, you're going to have your choice of homes! While most note the value to be found in buying a resale, or "used", home - there's definitely the option to be a home's FIRST owner, maybe still have the chance to pick out your colors, flooring, appliances, or even to build from scratch.

In an effort to spur these home sales, 2 of our suburb city areas are offering some pretty nice incentives!

Garden Plain is located on Kellogg/US-54 between Goddard and Cheney, just about 15-20 minutes outside of town. It's nice and quiet, with a small-town feel, but close enough to hop into Goddard or on into Wichita for fun and excitement. They have 2 new home developments, yet have not had any new homes built this year. The city has partnered up with a local construction supply business to offer these credits/rebates towards the city's water/sewer bills:
"The credit is $3,000 for new houses between $100,000 and $150,000; $4,500 on houses between $150,000 and $200,000; and $6,000 on houses over $200,000."

Earlier this week, Maize also announced an incentive tied into the Parade of Homes to stimulate new home sales in their area. Maize is located North-West of Wichita, right up against the Wichita border. Just hop on K-96 and get off on Maize Rd, or go north of 37th/Maize Rd. It's grown right into the Wichita area, and is very near to great shopping at New Market Square and of course is most known here for its school system.

Their incentives are limited to contracts signed by December 1st and are as follows:

"The city has put in place credits ranging from $2,000 to $6,000 on city water and sewer bills, but developers and builders say they will match that, said Deputy City Administrator Rebecca Bouska.

In effect, she said, homebuyers could get up to $6,000 off a lot, up to $6,000 off a house and up to $6,000 off their utilities for a house valued at over $500,000."

To read the full article about the credits, you can read it here at the Wichita Eagle's website or pick up your local copy of today's paper!

If you're thinking of buying a new home in these areas, drop me a line or start your home search below!

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

September 2009 Market Report for the Wichita, KS Area - Are we in a Seller's Market here? Really?

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:46:34 -0500

New WAAR report shows that our market has been a Seller's Market for a bit and although inventory has increased slightly, it's still leaning towards more of a Seller's Market. Totally different from what you hear on tv, isn't it?

I agree with WAAR - it's a Seller's Market here... IN SOME PRICE RANGES.

For instance, this chart was pulled from the marketing report and shows the breakdown of sales in price ranges for September.

You can see that out of 816 sales for the month, 584 or 72% of them were for homes under $159,999. That's the ones bracketed in Red for you. The ones in Green are what I call the "sweet spot" - 35% of ALL sales were between $100,000 and $159,999!

I'd say 100% that anything in the sweet spot is a Seller's Market, and pretty surely anything under $159,999.

However, I'd say with the very low number of sales above that, the over $160,000 market is still a Buyer's Market, with very long days-on-market and tons of inventory.

So if you're a buyer looking in the $160,000 and under range, better turn that tv off - it's a fight out there to get what you want. If you're selling, you should be able to line up buyers.

If you're wanting to buy over the $160,000 mark, the ball's in your court and there's plenty of choices. Selling? Make sure you're home is the best of the best for the price, easy to show, and ready to go!

For more information about the market report and how it relates to your situation, drop me a line!

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

Sweet and Sour Meatloaf Recipe - Cooking in Wichita, KS!

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:13:36 -0500

Sweet and Sour Meatloaf - Just like Mom used to make, sorta!

Those of you who know me are probably spewing pop out of your nose at the idea of me posting a recipe! Ha! Just because I happen to know how to burn water doesn't mean that I'm not married to someone who can do more than push Start on a microwave!

This recipe was one of my Mom's and happens to be my favorite meal. It was very often requested for parties, where she did a Meatball version. Meatball making is time-consuming work, so the preferred method is now a Meatloaf, but it's yummy yummy nonetheless! Evertime I mention he cooked this for me, I'm asked for the recipe!

Here you go!

Ingredients

1 egg	1 1/2 lbs beef	2/3 c Cracker crumbs
1/3 c chopped onions/green peppers (optional)	1 1/2 t salt	1/4 t ginger
1/4 c milk	2 Tbs cornstarch	1/2 C dark brown sugar
1 20 oz can pineapple tidbits in heavy syrup	1/3 c vinegar	1 Tbs soy sauce

Directions

Mix egg, beef, crumbs, salt, ginger, milk, and any chopped veggies. Shape into a loaf pan or 1/12 quart dish and bake at 400° for 1 hour or until done.

In a bowl, mix cornstarch and sugar, then stir in the pineapple juice from the can, vinegar, and soy sauce until smooth. Pour in a skillet and cook over medium heat stirring constantly until it thickens and boils. Boil and stir for 1 minute, then add in the pineapple tidbits.

Serve meatloaf slices over white rice with the pineapple/sauce mixture poured over.

Voila! Now, go off and make Meatloaf! But don't forget the final step - inviting me to dinner! Ha!

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

Two Great Country Acts coming to Play Wichita, KS!

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:37:20 -0500

Two Famous Country Acts Playing Wichita

If you're familiar with the Wichita area, you know we've spent a ton of time and money and breath in building our beautiful new Intrust Bank Arena! Whether you were for or against the building, noone can deny it's a very neat looking structure and destined to bring in some great talent to entertain the community!

First to bat, or the first listed so far, will be the award-winning Brad Paisley! I hear he puts on a great act with some pretty mean guitar-playing! Paisley will be the Arena's opening act on January 9th.

Probably not the next to play, but the next to announce for the area so far is Taylor Swift. Yes, THE Taylor Swift, one of few country stars to win an MTV VMA! Her music crosses genres and is played on country, pop, and many other stations. While she hasn't confirmed her venue being the Arena, she has at least confirmed she's coming to Wichita! She's aiming to be in town April 1st.

Ticket sale dates have yet to be announced, but you can find out more and keep up to date by visiting the Intrust Bank Arena's Website! Looking forward to a ton more great acts at our beautiful new facility - giving us even MORE things to do in Wichita, KS!

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

Vivacious and Bold - 5 Bed 3 Bath Newer home for sale in Wichita, KS!

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:28:50 -0500

Get a place with pizazz!
2621 N. Edgemoor, Wichita, KS 67220
	You'll love this vivacious contemporary home! Enjoy a family friendly home with vaulted ceilings, Master bedroom with double-closets, dual-vanity bathroom, and upgraded finishes. You'll drool over the sleek kitchen with new stainless steel appliances YOU get to keep! The finished basement has 2 more bedrooms, large bathroom, and hugefamily room! Out back you'll find maintenance free vinyl fencing around a lush lawn, new extensive playset for the kiddos, and a patio with eating bar for grilling out!Forget builder blah and get a home with some character!
Click to View Show
Details		Contact Info
Asking Price: MLS: Sq. Feet: Lot Size: Bedrooms: Bathrooms: # of Floors: Garage Size: Subdivision: Year Built:	$139,900 263043 1916 .14ac 5 2 1 2Car The Courts II 2006		Sheree Wilkerson Realtor Main 316.927.2222 Dir 316.461.0575 Email \| Website Other Shows
Property Amenities
- Range/Oven - Sink Disposal - Full Refrigerator - Microwave - Dishwasher	- Vaulted Ceilings - Basement - Patio - Fenced Yard - Central A/C	- Central Heat - Family room - Office/den - Stainless steel appliances

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

How To Give $69,500 Away When You Sell Your Wichita Home

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:56:41 -0500

For Sale By Owners - Please, this is why we give you our advice, representation, and services. It's not all about us, it is actually helping YOU out! Don't believe us, read below. This is not the only one of these happenings.

Via Kristina Pratt, REALTOR® - GoshenRealtyGroup.com (St. Louis' Illinois Suburbs - RE/MAX Preferred Partners):

I really enjoyed my cousin's wedding last Friday night. The bride was beautiful, the groom couldn't be happier, there was fabulous food and great music. There was also a lot of new people to meet.

While taking a break from the festivities on the outdoor patio, I overheard the following conversation take place...

New Home Owner turns to his buddy and says, "Yeah, we just got a heck of a deal on our new house. I looked around with an agent for awhile, but then I got this great idea. We passed a house with a For Sale By Owner sign in the yard and it dawned on me... they aren't paying a commission!"

New Home Owner's buddy, "That's a great idea. Dude, I bet you got a good deal."

New Home Owner replies, "Did I ever. Get this... since I knew they weren't paying an agent I figured that was at least $25,000 of the asking price right there. When I called, the chick gave me waaay too much information. Turns out that her husband was in the middle of a job transfer. He was already all the way out in Oregon and she couldn't wait to get out there to be with him. She told me they had already bought a house out there and they were making two house payments. She acted like the fact that they were the original owners was a selling point, but that told me they had wiggle room. They were asking $365,000 and most houses in that neighborhood listed with agents were closer to $385,000."

New Home Owner's Buddy, "No way. She didn't keep her mouth shut?"

New Home Owner, "Nope. I bet her husband was ticked. Now I knew I had a live one on the other end. We went to look at the house, and even though it was a ranch and we wanted a two-story we bought it anyway. They had no idea how to negotiate, so I got them down to $318,500. Can you believe that? I told them I knew they weren't paying a commission, so they should have lots of wiggle room."

New Home Owner's Buddy, "You got them down like $45,000??"

New Home Owner laughs and says, "Then I asked for the sun moon and stars when the inspection had issues. They gave me more money off the price of the house instead of making repairs. All in all I bought it for $315,500!"

I stopped listening at this point. It was almost too painful. To hear someone sit there and brag to his friend about ripping someone off made my stomach churn. The thing that really made me sick was that this whole thing could have been avoided. I'd like to take a second to point out some things that sellers with a For Sale By Owner sign in their yard need to remember...

1. NEVER, and I mean NEVER tell ANYONE your motivation for selling. You are guaranteed to lose your shirt on the deal.

2. NEVER let someone come look at your house if you are there alone. Don't tell anyone that your husband is thousands of miles away. These buyers are not working with agents, and it could be a ruse to come in and commit a crime.

3. Buyers are very savvy in today's market. Educate yourself on how to become a good negotiator. You have to emotionally detach, and that's very hard to do with your own home.

The moral of the story is this:

You're going to pay the commission one way or the other, so why not hire a professional? Between the listing price being too low, revealing their motivation and not being an expert negotiator this buyer just walked off with $69,500 of this owner's money. That's almost three times more than any agent I've ever known charges in commission.
About the Author: Kristina Pratt is a REALTOR® with Goshen Realty Group at RE/MAX Preferred Partners in Edwardsville, Illinois. She and Nancy Milton help their customers buy and sell homes and investment properties in St. Louis' Illinois suburbs of Madison and St. Clair counties with special emphasis on the communities of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Collinsville and Troy. For more information, visit their web site at http://www.GoshenRealtyGroup.com or e-mail Kristina@GoshenRealtyGroup.com

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

New Listing - Newer Wichita Home with Tons of Room

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:21:56 -0500

Deal Alert! Move-in Ready Rancher!

4140 S. Gilda, Wichita, KS 67215 View Map

What a deal!

2300 Square feet of move-in ready loveliness ready for you to enjoy!

Upstairs you'll find newer carpet, large living room, open kitchen/dining floor plan, eat-in bar, laminate flooring, private master bath, walk-in closet, and more!

Downstairs you'll notice a large family room with fireplace, 2nd Master/Guest Suite - huge bedroom with egress and attached bathroom, double-vanities, and walk-in closet!

And you're even going to love the outside! 2 car garage, privacy fenced yard, and one AWESOME deck!

This home is priced to sell fast and is a definite value! Call today to get in and see it!

Details

Asking Price:

$126,500

MLS:

263006

Sq. Feet:

2302

Lot Size:

.17ac

Bedrooms:

Bathrooms:

# of Floors:

Garage Size:

2Car

Subdivision:

Wheatland

Year Built:

1998

Property Amenities

Contact Info

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor

Main 316.927.2222
Dir 316.461.0575
Email | Website

All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

FHA 203K Rehabilitation Loan - Great for the Wichita, KS area too!

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:28:01 -0500

Aside from Arizona, the FHA 203k loan product is a great way to go if you're looking at purchasing a home here in Doo-Dah that needs a little help. Sure there's a bunch more steps involved and it takes a little longer, but it can be a great way for that ideal fixer-upper to be yours AND livable!

Read below for how this program works!

Via David Krushinsky (WJ Bradley Mortgage Capital, Phoenix AZ):

The FHA 203K Rehabilitation Loan was started as a tool to help the revitalization of neighborhoods and communities throughout Glendale, Arizona and the United States. This loan program offers borrowers the resources to rehabilitate they're home in Arrowhead Ranch that may be in need of limited repairs and/or upgrades without exhausting their savings. This can be used for either the purchase of a fixer-upper or the refinance of a home they currently occupy. One single loan is used to pay for the purchase (or refinance) and the cost of renovating the home.

The FHA 203(k) loan is available to borrowers of all income levels who plan to occupy their house in the Arrowhead Ranch area. This loan also opens the door for many Arizona first-time homebuyers and applicants with less than perfect credit, while still allowing for low down payments. Properties eligible for this product include any single family residences, condominiums, manufactured homes, townhouses and properties with one to four units located in the Arrowhead Ranch area in Glendale, AZ.

The Streamlined 203(k) program is intended to facilitate uncomplicated rehabilitation and/or improvements to a home for which plans, consultants, engineers and/or architects are not required. The repair costs can be up to $35,000 and there is no minimum requirement. (***Please note that there are also 203(k) loan programs available without a maximum repair cost amount and additional improvements capabilities.)

The following is a list of some of the eligible improvements and/or repairs:

•-      Repair/Replacement/Upgrades of roofs, gutters, HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical systems and flooring

•-      Minor remodeling of kitchens and bathrooms

•-      Purchase and installation of appliances

•-      Painting - exterior and interior

•-      Weatherization including insulation, weather stripping, storm windows and doors

•-      Window and door replacement and exterior wall re-siding

•-      Lead based paint stabilization and abatement of lead based paint

•-      Repair/Replace/Addition of exterior decks, patios and porches

•-      Repair to existing swimming pools up to $1,500

•-      Repair/Replacement of septic system and wells

•-      Accessibility improvements for persons with disabilities

•-      Finishing/remodeling of basements, not including structural repairs

The actual cost of the renovation is based upon the contractors' accepted contracts specifying the scope of work, cost of materials and labor and timeframe. All repairs must be completed by a contractor within 3 months of the closing date. Borrowers are required to have the necessary expertise and experience to perform work. Please feel free to contact the Krushinsky Team at 623-594-7600 for any additional questions related to the FHA 203K Rehabilitation Loan in Arrowhead Ranch.

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

FROG? TLC? WBFP? What does the agent MEAN??

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:11:23 -0500

Deciphering Real Estate Ads

Over the weekend, I received a plea for help from a friend located in another state. She'd been searching online for properties, and noticed acronyms that she just couldn't make out. The one she finally gave in and called me on was FROG. She was concerned that it was a new decorating style, like the roosters, chefs, or ducks that were popular!

In fact, it's generally a Finished Room Over Garage.

What other acronyms might you run across in real estate ads, why are they used, and what on earth could they mean?

Originally the purpose of them was due to the high cost for real estate ads and the need to squeeze as much info into as cheap an ad as possible. Another reason was the limited number of characters original MLS systems allowed as well. Hence the need to shorten terms.

Here's some frequent ones you may run across:

FP = Fireplace
WBFP = Wood-burning fireplace
GFP = Gas fireplace
Kit = usually kitchen
W/O or WO= Walk-out (as in a walk-out basement)
V/O or VO = View-Out (as in basement, windows are above grade, view out onto yard)
BR = Bedroom
BA = Bathroom
FR = Family Room or Finished Room
BSMT = Basement
TLC = Tender Loving Care (needs work)
FIN or UNFIN = whether a basement is Finished or Unfinished
Det = Detached, as in a building not attached to the house, such as a detached garage
Gar = Garage :)
Mstr = Master, as in Master bath or Master bedroom
Hdwd or wd = generally referring to Hardwood floors or wood floors
Fam Rm = Family Room
Lg = Large
Bldg = Building
HWH = Hot water Heater
HBPP = Home Buyer Protection Plan
Mn Flr = Main Floor
CDS = Cul-de-Sac
Appl or Appl'd = Appliances or Applianced, generally referring to kitchen
DW = Dishwasher
OS = Oversized
Cpt = Carpet
DOM = Days On Market - how long a house has been listed for sale
TFLA, AGLA, BFA = Total Finished Living Area, which is a combination of Above Ground Living Area and Basement Finished Area

Other Acronyms got you stumped?
Ask and we'll translate Realtor® Speak into Buyer-ese for you!

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

Country Living - 1 acre, 3 bed 2 bath, full bsmt, 2car, 2002 built, CHEAP!!!!

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:52:43 -0500

Back on the Market and Seller will PAY YOUR COSTS!*

The buyers lost their loan on this property so it is again available for YOU!
*Seller will pay up to $3500 of buyer's closing costs!

Over 1400 sq ft upstairs, plus 200 finished in the bsmt, for over 1600 sq ft!
Full basement could be finished out with a "bed"room, family room, and full bathroom! (bid on file for $6,000 to finish it all out through Air Capital Construction!)
2 car attached garage, polebarn style, with opener and extra storage!
1 Acre lot allows for 2 horses per County - lots of room to build or romp!
Norwich Schools are fabulous!

Large open kitchen, built in pantry, newer appliances!
Ample dining space!
Nearby main-floor laundry!

3 bedrooms and an office on the main floor!
Another bedroom with egress in the bsmt (no closet)!
Fireplace!
Deck!
Partly fenced area for pets!
Master bathroom has shower and garden soaker tub!

Drop a line or call today to find a time to see this one and put your offer in!

316-461-0575
sheree@rwwichita.com

http://www.kansashomebuzz.com

Listed by Sheree Wilkerson, Realty World Alliance LLC

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

Would Your Family Hear a Smoke Alarm? Consider Fire Sprinklers

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:47:56 -0500

Smoke Alarms are Great, but Should you Sprinkler?

Tornado siren tests, ambulances, fire truck sirens, police sirens, fire tests, tornado drills, and more!

In a world where alarms are norm, would you even notice if the smoke alarm went off?
Would your spouse? Your kids?

I can say that I sleep through alarm clocks daily - I don't know if I'd wake up. I have one child who requires medication to sleep (yes, requires. Otherwise he does NOT sleep AT ALL) - he wouldn't wake up if a train drove through the house. The other 2 kids - I know for certain the baby would, but my 4 year old... hmmm...

The point being that a Smoke Alarm, while loud and obnoxious, has a chance to be ignored. And obviously if you're not home, it does no good at all. You may have one that's wired into your home security - which is definitely a better upgrade!

But have you considered having Fire Sprinklers installed? You see them in hotels, schools, offices, and more, but should your home be protected as well?

Here are some factoids to consider:

Often, the sprinklers can contain or put out a fire before the fire department even reaches the house.
Having both sprinklers and smoke alarms cuts the risk of death by a fire in the home by 82%.
Insurance companies offer as high as 35% discounts for homes with fire sprinklers.
Sprinklers operate independently, only those near the fire will activate, protecting the rest of the house from both fire and water damage.

For more information about the benefits and cost of fire sprinkler systems, visit
The Home Sprinkler Coalition.

Photo by dvs on Flickr Photostream by Creative Commons license.

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

Fall Home Maintenance

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:46:28 -0500

As we enter a new season, it's always a good idea to check up on your home! We've found that the most damage is often caused by something that has simply gone unchecked for too long. Catch things early and get them fixed much cheaper!

As an extra note in our area, I'd like to add one more thing to your Fall To-Do List:

Winterize your sprinkler system!

Via John Mulkey, Housing Guru (TheHousingGuru.com):

As fall approaches, it’s time to do your seasonal home maintenance. While many of these items should be routine, some are often overlooked and have the potential to create serious problems. Make certain to check these items as you prepare for the coming season.

Fall Home Maintenance:

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms by pressing “test” button.

Change batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Clean dryer vent and check outside exhaust for excess lint.

Vacuum covers on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Inspect furnace, boiler, AC compressor, sump pump, and water heater for visible problems.

Replace HVAC filter.

Vacuum return air grills and HVAC registers.

Vacuum grills on bath vent fans.

Vacuum behind washer & dryer and inspect dryer vent hose for kinks/damage.

Vacuum behind refrigerator and vacuum front grill and coil.

Clean underside of kitchen range hood and wash filter if applicable.

Clean gutters and check for proper drainage away from foundation.

Check under sinks and vanities for leaks in supply lines or drains.

Have fireplace chimney checked and cleaned as necessary.

Check windows for proper operation/seal and check window caulking.

Check weather-stripping and caulking around exterior doors.

Pour at least 1 quart of water in drains that are not regularly used such as: guest bath tub and sink or floor drains in garage, basement and laundry room.

Inspect exterior covers for bath, kitchen, and dryer vents for proper operation and bird or insect nesting.

Check expiration dates on fire extinguishers and inspect for obvious defects.

The Housing Guru: The one source for all your housing questions

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

Listed or Not - You Must Disclose Material Facts!

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:38:45 -0500

Disclosure Q&A - The Law doesn't exempt FSBO's

Q. I was going to list my home with a real estate agent, but I was told that I'd then have to let buyers know about the water problems in my basement. If I sell it on my own, I don't have to do a disclosure, right?

A. One important thing that For Sale By Owners often forget, and traditional sellers too, is the rule of disclosure. By law, you have to disclose something of material fact about the property. That means that if you KNOW something is wrong with the house or area, you can't just hide it. As a Realtor®, we also have to disclose material facts about the home.

Sometimes, a seller thinks that since if he tells his agent and we HAVE to tell a buyer, they can get around this by either not telling their agent, or selling the home themselves. But this is just not true. Yes, you might get away with not telling this, in either case. However - should the fact be discovered during the transaction or even in the future after it's closed and changed hands, you could be sued beyond your wildest dreams for non-disclosure of a material fact. And that's really not fun. While Kansas does not have a specific statute addressing this in a real estate transaction, it is covered under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act, which can be found in statutes Ch 50, Article 6, and various statutes addressing fraud and fraud by silence.

Often, it's found during the listing period - agents are generally trained and attuned to spot signs of trouble for their buyer clients. We are not experts, but long experience and training has taught us red flags to point out for further research. Homes are also subject to a home inspection, during which a buyer can bring in numerous experts and check things out. Even if the defect is not uncovered during all this, that does not mean you are excused!

What's considered a material defect/fact about the property?
Anything that would affect the value or possibly affect the value of the home.

This includes things like leaks, broken items, cracks, recurrent water problems, frequent wind damage, particular dangers in a neighborhood such as landfills, water contamination, EMF fields, etc. The best thing to do is fill out that property disclosure form and fill it out fully, to the best of your knowledge, hiding nothing.

Remember what Momma always told you - Honesty is the Best Policy.

It can also help keep your little tushy outta jail!

Note: I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV. However, I did consult with Jon Davis, Attorney at Law with Wallace Saunders, and recommend any seller also consult with an attorney for their obligations under Kansas law for disclosures!

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

Isn't FICO a puppy's name? No - FICO is your LIFE!

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:45:43 -0500

Here Fico, here boy!

No wait - Fico isn't the family pooch, FICO is something much bigger and something many of us don't understand, but are affected by daily. Particularly those of us looking to buy a home or make any other financed purchase.

Here's a brief overview of what FICO is and what it means to you.

FICO is just another credit score. Your credit score is a number that summarizes your risk to anyone loaning to you, and FICO is just one of the corporations that calculates your credit risk. It stands for Fair Isaac COrporation - FICO! It's the most popular score used by lenders to determine your risk to them. When a lender orders a FICO score, they can order it from any of the three agencies that maintain credit reports. The FICO is calculated at that given time, based on the information on that agency's credit report right then.

Make sure you check your credit reports yearly for accuracy - it's free!
When YOU order your own score, make sure you're ordering a FICO so you see what the bank sees.

FICO scores can range from 300 - 850! The higher the score, the lower the risk you are perceived to be to the lender. This generally translates into better approvals and better rates and terms on financing. A person with an awesome FICO is considered to have a great ability at maintaining their payments, credit, etc. Someone with a much much lower score is seen to maybe not be ready for a checkbook much less a loan.

Here's some of the big things that go into calculating your FICO score:

Types of Credit you have (revolving, installments, etc)
New Credit - including inquiries
Length of overall Credit History
Payment History - this is the biggest factor
Amounts Owed - this is the 2nd biggest factor

From these and their importance, you can obviously guess that the recommendations are:

Have a mix of credit types to show your ability to handle various credit lines, but not too many!
Open credit you need, but don't open credit just for fun! Keep inquiries to a minimum - when applying for loans, do your inquiries as close together as possible so they register as one product search and not as though you're opening 10 mortgages.
Obviously the longer you have a history the more data they have to calculate and the more time you've proven yourself. This of course can only get better with time.
Pay on time, every time. As late payments fade in time, they'll affect you less. Set up automatic payments of at least the minimum on all your cards so that you are never late. Your FICO will thank you.
The more you owe, the more overextended you look, the more risk that one thing going wrong will send you into financial disaster and the banks will lose all their money on you. So basically, try to keep your balances down to less than 30% of your limit.

For more information about FICO and how it affects you, visit http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation

The more you know, the more power you have, the more you can do!

photo courtesy of Trinity Credit Services, creative commons license, Flickr.

For more information about getting ready to purchase a home,
drop me a line or call anytime!

Sheree Wilkerson

cell/txt 316.461.0575
sheree@rwwichita.com

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

When Choosing a Roof, Color Does Matter

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 11:24:42 -0500

The Lighter the Roof, the Lower the Bills?

Of course most of us know that a white car is cooler in the summer than a black one, white clothes are cooler than black, etc. But I personally had never thought of this in terms of roof colors!

Next time you look to replace your roof (oh you know, about every 3-5 years here in Hail-land!), consider lightening the color and see how your bills react! I'm going to give it a go, next time my dark green roof gets a wallop!

~Sheree

Via Robin Scott - Broker CRS ABR SRS Austin Texas REALTOR® (Amelia Bullock Realtors):

Have you ever given much thought about the color of your roof? I remember the first time I chose a roof color, It made no difference to me because I had never really paid any attention to how a roof looked. I advanced to understanding the esthetics of a roof color and now have an ecological and economic perspective as well.

At one time my nieghbor and I would compare electric bills (air conditioning being the biggest draw on our electric energy) because they seemed high to us, but mine was always higher than hers and she had a bigger house and more kids going in and out the door. The only conclusion we could draw from that was that her roof was a much lighter color.

The Secretary of Energy and nobel prize winning physicist Steven Chu said that painting all the roofs of all the buildings in the world white would significantly reduce global warming.

When my roof was damaged by hail and I had an opportunity to replace it, I chose a light color. Not white, but light tan. The roof went on at the end of July and with August temperatures in the 100's every day, I was concerned about my how my need for air conditioning would effect my electric bill. Surprise! My bill was $30 less than the previous month. Yes, $30 less.

Some neighborhood associations have restrictions about the kind and color of roof you may use so check with them before replacing your roof. If your HOA's choice is not energy efficient, it may be a good time to attend HOA meetings and lobby for change.

Keep cool and if you are planning to buy or sell a house, I want to be your REALTOR. If you don't live in the Austin area, I can find a reputable REALTOR for you in your area.

Robin Scott, BROKER. Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative, Seller's Representative Specialist. Amelia Bullock Realtors. 512.589.7988.

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

When Children Take Listing Photos...

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:49:40 -0500

(although I've seen grown up Realtors(R) do this too!!)

My darling autistic 6yo has decided he would like to work for our Real Estate Office! He sets up his own office everytime we're there and even had his own cubicle for a while! He adores all things Realty World and I recently got him his own RW logo embroidered kids shirt, and he wears my RW hat plenty!

My young charge has had plenty experience with buyers - those with kids often ask if I have any I can bring to help entertain theirs! (the more the merrier???). So I thought it was time to take the newbie out on a listing. ;)

I had to wait for the perfect opportunity - afterall it's not generally a good idea to unleash your 6yo into someone's home! Finally, a good friend looking for a way to involve her kiddo in the sale of their home as well! Awesome!

Loading our trusty digital cameras into the boys hands, we sent them off to get pictures of the house that they thought people would want to see and make them want to buy!

Needless to say - I came back later sans kids, to take actual listing photos but here's what the boys got!

Hey - they got some important features! What's a home without doorknobs and light-switches! His friend's hair unfortunately, does not convey with the home!

All in all it was a fun exercise that got the kids excited about selling the home! And they did a better job than a few agents I've seen, lol!

Get your kids excited about your move!! Use a Family Friendly Realtor who gets them involved!

Like oh, I dunno - me!

Sheree @ 461-0575

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

It's Not Easy to Be Groovy, Baby!

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:51:27 -0500

To Update or Not to Update - that is their question!

Q: I have retro appliances in my kitchen, original to the home. I think they're kinda groovy and are a bonus, but agents have said these will hinder my sale. What do you think - groovy or old-school?

A: To be honest, it depends on your buyer and how well it's presented. If the retro appliances are in great shape, work wonderfully, and there's no mechanical need to replace them - that's one thing. However, if the appliances are half working, half not, don't function at all, or are merely being used as extra cupboard space at this point - that's a whole 'nother animal.

If the appliances are working great, and they don't build them like they used to so most run like champs, then you need to consider the decor. Do the appliances stand out as crazy retro in an otherwise updated or sedate kitchen? Do they blend in well or provide an accent that is aesthetically pleasing or stand out like a sore avocado green thumb?

Most of us simply can't pull off a retro style kitchen, but if done well, it can help your home! Overall, agents will recommend updating and going modern - green is the go-word of the day but they do mean energy-efficient, not color! It's easier to for most folks than pulling a good scheme together, and appeals to more buyers anyway. A lot of youngster first-timers are turned off by "grandma's kitchen."

All in all - the overall recommendation is to update the appliances at the minimal with new epoxy if possible to erase the very retro colored (avocado, harvest gold, pink, etc) enamel, and preferably to update the items or price accordingly. If you can pull off a groovy kitchen and do it well, with fully functional appliances, by all means go for it! You'll find a special buyer that really appreciates it, even if you have to wait a smidge longer!

And don't think I'm dissin' on the Groove - we have some pretty Groovy agents at our office!

Did you manage to pull off an outstanding retro kitchen?
Please - share! Send pics to:
sheree@rwwichita.com

Submitted Kitchen photos!

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

Don't Procrastinate - It could cost you $8,000!

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:22:55 -0500

Time is running out!

Procrastination here could lose you $8,000!

So far there's been no promise from the government to extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit, much less increase it as was earlier rumored. If nothing is done, the deadline for the original credit is still the end of November!

That means your home must CLOSE by December 1st. Closed, done, completed. Not under contract, not in process, but all the way done.

With loans currently taking around 45 days to complete, this means you'll need to be under contract on a home by mid-October, in order to close by the end of November.

If you're picky, you'll want to be looking for a home by mid-September, yes - that's next month!

We fully expect a minor-rush as we near the deadline for the credit. This means more homes going faster and with multiple offers as you beat against some of your fellow first-timers to secure. Already we're seeing certain price ranges getting multiple offers. The last deal I put in was one of 6 offers, 2 went over-asking!

So if you're looking to cash in on that tax credit, don't be waiting till the last minute. Go ahead and get pre-qualified and start looking (with me of course!) so that you have time to get the home you want and close in time!

You can start your home search here at My Website ! or just catch me directly and let me know what you're looking for in a home.

Don't put this off any longer if you're wanting to get in on the tax credit!

Sheree Wilkerson

Realty World Alliance

316-461-0575 call/txt

sheree@rwwichita.com

http://www.KansasHomeBuzz.com

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

Staging The Litter Box & Other Kitty Tips When Selling

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:16:18 -0500

From a very smart lady - for years we've wondered about the perfect way to stage with cats in the home and she did a faboo job of summarizing up just what needs to be done. And I am amazed at the furniture options for the kitty boxes!

Via Teresa Meyer-Home Staging Cincinnati-OH. Stage a Star: Home Stager Cincinnati (Stage a Star Staging & Consulting Services):

Selling your house can be challenging when you have pets and I'm going to focus today on your CAT. Your furry friend and family member. I've got three myself so I understand and can empathize with my selling clients when it comes to this subject. I got plenty of inspiration to share some kitty tips when selling from my own experience over the weekend. I decided to move my cat's litter box from the basement to our first floor mudroom. See, my cats are senior citizens now and since I'm not planning to move into a ranch style home with no stairs for THEIR sake, I had to make some adjustments for them.

The dreaded 'litter box" can pose some challenges when you put your house up for sale. I've seen litter boxes in just about every room now in working with sellers over a number of years. I still remember when we were looking for a house to buy, we toured two houses with cats. The one house had about 7 litter boxes throughout the house including bedrooms. Hmmmm....do you think they had a problem? The other house had only one litter box and it was located in their family room right by the sofa. It reeked. Needless to say, we didn't buy either of those houses. Downplaying the presence as well as the location of the litter box really is critical when selling.

Location...Location...Location

I've found the best locations for a litter box is out of the way places like the basement and laundry/mudroom. I've seen them in bathrooms too but I've found that buyers really want to see the bathroom and not get distracted by a litter box. One way to help my kitties better transition when I moved their box was to put their food in close range of it. This worked perfectly.

What's That Smell?
If you have cats then you know that if you don't keep their throne pristine, it's going to smell. When selling, this is a no brainer. You may have to scoop 3-4 times a day but this is a MUST. Do you have a COVER for your box? If you do, great! Now make sure you turn the box to make sure the hole is facing a wall. If you don't have a "cover", think about getting one. If the box has to be present during showings, at least the box is covered up and the hole is against the wall. Buyers really do not want to see inside of the box even if it is pristine. They just don't.
I also recommend buying those "stick ups" they sell in the pet aisle or pet stores that help neutralize odor. Stick that baby on the side of the covered litter box. They really do work. And a quick spritz of Febreeze in the area before a showing is a good idea too. Remember I said "quick spritz"........NOT half the bottle.

Take It Outside
The BEST solution I give my clients is to place the litter box in the garage during a showing if at all possible. I know this doesn't work for some kitties that can't be trusted but I've found that it works for the majority. My own cats freak and run under a bed and hide when visitors come to our house so having a missing litter box for an hour is not a problem.

Creative Solutions
I came across an amazing idea on a forum while doing some research for this article. Someone was building a house and decided to incorporate the litter box into their laundry room cabinetry so it was out of the way and they could keep the room....ummm.....more "visually appealing" you might say. I jumped all over this idea and told my husband to break out the power tools and cut a side door into our sink cabinet that is in our mud room. The cats go through the door and all I have to do is open up the front doors to scoop and be done.
It's hidden and better than a covered litter box.

Talk About "Staging" Your Litter Box

Who knew there were such a wide variety of creative litter box options out there? (I'd just suggest turning that hole around to face the wall.)

What about these cool styles?

Okay...if you were freaking out like I was when I first saw this, you can relax when I tell you that I think they are trying to show another option here. I don't think most people would actually put a litter box beside their bed (but you never know!). A cozy hideaway bed for your cat is another way to use this piece of furniture. Feel better? I know I did.

For the modern cat:

Entry Table AND Litter box in one...Who Knew?

Need a Litter box in the Office? Just be careful that you get the right box when looking for that file....

I'm having too much fun with this...can you tell?

Here's some other Staging Tips For Kitty When Selling:

Princess Perspective:
This might be harsh, but when you are selling, kitty is NOT the princess (or prince) anymore. The castle is for sale and things cannot stay the way they are. That means that the cat jungle/scratching post tower has to put away, the million mouse and feather toys must be rounded up and the sunning window perch for cats has to be disassembled and stored away. Yes, I realize that it's your cat's favorite place but your potential buyers needs to see how pretty the window is, not looking at the pile of cat hair left on the cushion attached to the window.

Meow Mix Mayhem:
Did you know that kitty's dishes shouldn't be out during a showing? It's so much a part of our everyday lives that we don't think about it, right? But when selling, they need to be gone. This also goes for those cool plug in water fountains. The cat may love them but with their messy cord and location near a plug (which is usually in the kitchen) it's not a great thing to keep around when you're trying to impress buyers.

Not Everyone Loves Your Cat

I know, it's your baby. I understand. I have three furry children myself and I love them dearly. Not everyone is a cat person. Or likes pets at all. Many are allergic to cats as well. When you are selling, it is really important to see it from the perspective buyer's point of view.

Fur Ball Fiasco:
If you've got a cat, you've definitely got this: Cat Hair. Getting rid of as much cat hair as possible and staying on top of it by cleaning frequently is critical. Are you trying to use a lint brush to get rid of hair on the furniture or curtains? Forget it. The best thing to use is a rubber glove. A damp cloth works really well too. The Swiffer is another great product to use on the floors. I'm constantly amazed at all the invisible hair you can't see until you look at the bottom of the swiffer pad when you're done. Whoa.

Stay Or Go?

Have you been waiting for me to answer the obvious question: What the heck should I do with my cat during a showing? Don't worry, your cat will probably be fine staying at home. More than likely the cat will either go hide (like mine) or lay on a bed and look slightly annoyed at the interruption from strangers. If your cat is never to be outside, you may want to consider putting him in a cat carrier or taking him with you. Better safe than sorry.

Even though your pet is a huge part of your family, downplaying their presence while selling your house is a smart move. Remember it's all about the house and getting it sold. Follow these tips and ideas I've shared with you today so that it can help you better deal with your kitty when selling so that it doesn't cost you a sale.

Happy Staging!

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575

"Brokering" With Soul - A Broker Love Story

Sheree Wilkerson (Realty World Alliance) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:15:24 -0500

In a time when so many of our colleagues are struggling with closed offices, forced moves, and other business heartaches, I am reminded of how lucky I am to have an awesome broker.

It's almost like a marriage! He's there for me through sickness and in health, for better or for worse, and I believe until death do we part!

When my husband's father was ill and we were out of town, my broker was there - checking on my business, volunteering to watch my kids, and checking on me to see how we were doing. He asked the whole company to keep us in their thoughts and prayers, and while I'm not a religious sort generally - it was a nice feeling to know they were all thinking of us.

When my son had surgery, my broker and his daughter were there - again volunteering to help with the other kids, remembering that it was my birthday as well as surgery day! As a matter of fact, I think that outside of my husband, my broker and Brady, the office manager, were the first ones to tell me Happy Birthday!

When I had a rough week, just feeling burned out and down in general, it was my broker that teased me and expressed concern when others didn't notice I was down at all.

I am grateful for many things in my life - my husband, my kids, a home and a job I love. But right now, I am most of all thankful for a loving company and broker who cares for me not as a number or statistic or profit margin - but as a person and a part of the family.

Jennifer Allan talks about "Selling with Soul" and my company is involved in that program. But even before that, Greg was "Brokering with Soul" and it shows - in the relationships he's forged and the undying loyalty of his agents.

Greg - Hats off to you! We love you! You're the best broker we could ever have or want!

Sheree Wilkerson
Realtor®
Txt/Cell: 316.461.0575