kansas city real estate: Kansas City Home Show - 03/30/09 12:46 AM

The Kansas City Home show was this past weekend and we went on the first evening it opened.
There were a lot of vendors there with different things:  windows, siding, housewares, guttering, roofing, more windows and more siding, fountains and all sorts of different things.
We chatted with the gentleman that was there from an invisible fence company because we are considering doing that for our little furry friend we adopted the end of January.
It was an interesting evening... unfortunately due to the weather here in Kansas City, they were reporting on the television that it drastically effected the … (0 comments)

kansas city real estate: My Mittens Are Getting A Workout! - 02/27/08 02:41 AM
I really feel like I've been missing a lot by not being around here... and I miss all of you!
But honestly when I said that Real Estate was picking up in Kansas City North, I wasn't kidding.
I've been showing houses like crazy!  Every been in a house that was vacant and it was colder in the house than it was outside, or at least "felt" that way.  My little mittens have been getting a work out.
Hopefully we are in for some warmer weather in the near future!
 
I'll be back shortly, but in the meantime if you need help with your Kansas … (2 comments)

kansas city real estate: Would YOU Show A Home To A Buyer Who Said, "I'm Not Pre-Approved, But I Want To See The House Anyway" - 02/11/08 10:36 AM
I had a call today from someone who was looking to buy a home, well he said he wanted to buy a home and we made an appointment for him to see one..... but when I mentioned in the meantime he needed to get pre-approved... he didn't like that idea.
Things that make you go Hmmmmmm....
I have been much busier lately with willing and ready buyers.... and I'd love to have more clients!
But I'm sorry, I am not going around and showing homes to folks that don't like the idea of getting pre-approved.  My first thought is "what are they hiding?"
He thought … (95 comments)

kansas city real estate: Yes!! Now Is The Time To Buy In North Kansas City! - 01/28/08 01:20 PM
Well I can tell you that we have enjoyed some "sweet" weather the past few days!
Not only has this given a boost to the general moral in North Kansas City, but the buyers are starting to bud!
Interest rates are at an all time low for about the last "2" years and there's a lot to select from!
If you have been trying to decide whether to take a look at some homes in the North Kansas City Real Estate market, now is the time.
Don't forget to get a complete home inspection on the home you are intending to buy.
Give me a call … (6 comments)

kansas city real estate: The 3 Ugly Boxes Are Being Implemented On Appraisals In Kansas City - 01/23/08 02:59 AM
Now mind you we've been told  this has only happened in condo/loft section of town.... but it's something to think about.
There evidently are three boxes on appraisals here in this part of the country that have just been sitting there and not being used. 
   Declining Market   Over Supply   Over 6 months marketing timeIt's my understanding from yesterday's sales meeting that any of these three little boxes are checked by the Appraiser during the appraisal and the buyer was acquiring a conventional loan and was putting down 5%, upon the checking of one of these boxes the buyer will be required to … (11 comments)

kansas city real estate: One Way To Deal With Your Rotten Neighbors - 01/22/08 03:10 AM
I was totally shocked when I saw this on msnbc.com and they give you the option of embedding it in your blog or website, so I'm sharing it with you!
There was this guy and he and his wife moved into a new place and they had a smelly neighbor.  I guess they tried several different ways to remedy the situation.  When nothing worked he made a website called www.rottenneighbor.com. 
I've tried to get on the website to check it out, but it must be receiving so much traffic that you can't access it.
Evidently the idea has really taken off!  Watch this … (15 comments)

kansas city real estate: How To Succeed In 2008 - 01/17/08 07:45 AM
Sometimes we give up before we should.... and don't accomplish what we could!  My Broker is a wonderful woman who had the following video clip shown at our sales meeting this week.  She's always encouraging us to do the best we can and this video really sent it home! In this time when things are more difficult that we are accustom to, we must try harder for success.
Make it a GREAT 2008!
 
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kansas city real estate: How We Can Be The Mouthpiece for the Industry - 01/09/08 02:58 AM
I was poking around over on Chris Lengquist's Kansas City Real Estate Investing blog reading his blog on 2007 and it got me to thinking!  (Imagine that!)
We can be the mouthpiece for the real estate industry. 
You hear on the news that "oh the housing market is bad" and immediately prospective buyers/sellers think "Oh I shouldn't buy or sell a home now."  That's ridiculous!
Yesterday in sales meeting they said that 30 year fixed rates were at 5.75%.. people are you listening?  That is the lowest the rates have been in the last 2 years and 6 months.
What's wrong with this picture?  Rates are … (16 comments)

kansas city real estate: Happy Holidays!! - 12/23/07 03:30 PM
Happy Holidays to each an everyone of you, may you reach your destinations safe and enjoy the love and closeness of your family.
Edit: Whew!  The holidays and company have come to an end.  It was really wonderful spending quality time with all our relatives.  The next wave comes tomorrow.  I hope you all had a special holiday and enjoyed your time with those that are close to your heart.  Now comes the New Year!!!
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kansas city real estate: Re-New Year and North Kansas City Real Estate - 12/23/07 04:36 AM
Greetings!  Tomorrow is Christmas eve and we have family coming.  Then Christmas Day and we have more family coming........ then New Year's Eve.
Not only is New Year's Eve the wonderful husband and my anniversary (everyone celebrates our anniversary), but the time when we all make those New Year's resolutions.
There was a time when I thought New Year's resolutions were kind of corny.  I thought everyone made them and no one followed through.
So what I try to do on New Year's Eve is renew my dedications to the things I already do and think about how I could do them better.  Or … (6 comments)

kansas city real estate: GE Recalls Microwaves Due To Fire Hazard - 12/13/07 12:12 AM
I subscribe to recall announcements from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and recently received information that GE was recalling microwaves due to a fire hazard.
In their press release they said:
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Built-in Combination Wall and Microwave Ovens
Units: About 92,000
Manufacturer: GE Consumer & Industrial, of Louisville, Ky.
Hazard: The door switch in the microwave oven can overheat and ignite plastic components in the control area, posing a fire … (2 comments)

kansas city real estate: Utterly Ice in Kansas City - 12/10/07 11:27 AM
12/12/07 U[date: Time for digging out 


 
Guess what.........it's nearly noon and it's STILL raining and ice is accumulating steadily.
 
 
*Update: We kept our electricity all through the night. I don't think there is a school in the city that is open. Currently at 7 AM we're at 34 degrees but they are expecting that to drop. We're suppose to receive freezing rain into the afternoon. Luckily we do not have to go anywhere and will just be staying here at home.
Update#2: Here are a couple of pictures from our deck
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Iced Asparagus Fern
Update #3:  I removed the Utterz holiday card because it was … (12 comments)

kansas city real estate: Say "Thanks" To Our Troops! - 12/07/07 12:04 AM
"Say THANKS to Our Troops"
Something cool that Xerox is doing If you go to this web site, http://www.letssaythanks.com/you can pick out a Thank You card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if … (7 comments)

kansas city real estate: Snowy Kansas City - 12/06/07 10:51 AM
Today it really started looking like Christmas!
This morning about 9AM we began getting snow.  It was really pretty nice plump flakes that gracefully covered our grass.  It was beautiful... and still is. 
We're in store for more snow and some freezing rain between now and next Tuesday, seems we're in a constant weather pattern.
I'll try to get some pictures up so you folks in California can feel the season. :)
 
 
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kansas city real estate: I Just Couldn't Resist - Toronto's Smallest House For Sale - 12/02/07 10:59 AM
I received this from a dear friend of mine who is originally from Toronto but now lives in Las Vegas.  I thought everyone associated with the real estate business would enjoy it!
He said:  I've been in this house... before it was renovated... you could stand in the middle of the house and touch both walls with your fingers...  
                                                
 
 
Toronto's Smallest House is Up for Sale!
    If....
You live alone or with one other person (or an extremely small dog!!!) You don't have much stuff (barely more than a homeless person!!) You miss that cute little apartment you lived in while teaching … (10 comments)

kansas city real estate: 6 Great Christmas Tree Safety Tips - 12/01/07 06:47 AM
 This time of year when we are all excited about the holidays and decorating it's always good to remember safety. 
I was talking to my best friend since 4th grade and she told me once she turned her lights on for the season, she didn't turn them off.
I suppose it was because it was such a pain to climb behind the tree and unplug them.  When I was out today I bought her a remote control unit for her lights.... she'll laugh at me, but be glad that I thought enough to do that for her.
   
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kansas city real estate: Kansas City Mortgage News - 11/30/07 09:33 AM
I received this today from my mortgage gal and thought I would share it with you.
Our House of Representatives have passed the FHA Modernization Act of 2007, s.2338, and now awaits a vote by the senate which is coming up.  Some of the highlights of the legislation include:
Increase limits to the same as conforming, $417,000. Eliminate or modify 3% downpayment. They are actually looking to lower to 1.5% down. Increase the loan term, adding a 40 year amortization option. Revise definition of "mortgage" to insure condominiums as a single family unit. Align to industry standards and make underwriting simpler. Upfront Mortgage … (2 comments)

kansas city real estate: The Holidays in Kansas City Are Officially Jump-Started!! - 11/25/07 10:17 PM
The Holidays are officially kicked-off in Kansas City.
Thanksgiving is over, the Plaza Lights are shining bright. The Mayor's Christmas Tree is sparkling and Zona Rosa is all a twinkle with those beautiful crowns that use to call downtown Kansas City home.But is it time to buy home in Kansas City?
Of course it is!
There are many amazing homes on the market at utterly amazing prices, now is the time. If you've even remotely considered buying a home in the last 6 months NOW is the time to do it, you'd be shocked at what you can get for your $$$!If you'd … (0 comments)

kansas city real estate: The Beauty of Living in the Mid-West.......... Variety - 11/21/07 08:23 AM
I find it utterly amazing, even though I've grown up here in Kansas City, that yesterday we were celebrating 78F degree weather....... and today, freezing rain and snowy and 28F.
One thing about Kansas City's weather, if you don't like it... hang around a day or so and it could really change.
 
 
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kansas city real estate: I Just Couldn't Resist - 11/20/07 09:51 AM
OK, this is a wonderful little poem that was sent to me and I couldn't resist but share it with you.
MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY, MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP. MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP, MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS, MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE, MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS.Happy Thanksgiving!
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