kansas: What Kinds Of Mortgages Are Available?
- 12/19/18 09:01 PM
Once you have signed a contract for the purchase of your new home (or condominium or cooperative apartment), and assuming you do not have all of the cash in your bank account, you will need to obtain a mortgage loan.
There are many different loans on the market - and many different loan programs from which to choose. You should contact at least three different lenders, and ask them to give you a list of the loans which they can offer you. Take careful notes, and remember one important thing: do not give any lender any money until you are absolutely certain … (0 comments)
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kansas: Ready to Talk About Real Estate?
- 12/19/18 08:50 PM
Just the other day, it happened again.
I ended up face to face with a real estate myth I thought had been debunked out of existence in the last century.
And yet, there I was in a popular "resto," waiting for my lunch companion and half listening to the two articulate couples chatting at the table behind me, when I heard it.
Like so many of us today, the two couples were raising lots of questions about what was up in the real estate market and concerns they had regarding what to do next with their homes. Then, one of them said: "I'd love … (1 comments)
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kansas: How To Get The Most Out Of Small Kitchens
- 11/26/18 08:52 PM
Many people complain about small kitchens but tiny spaces aren't always to be dreaded. If you're selling your home and your kitchen is, well, compact, know that you can find ways to achieve big appeal with a little creativity.
Bring in the light. Sometimes small kitchens can be dark, making them feel even smaller. But if you remove the curtains from any windows in your small kitchen, it'll let light in and open up the area. Instead of curtains, you can use small blinds that are recessed inside the frame of the window. These are easy to clean and still provide some … (2 comments)
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kansas: Don't Let Your Home Search Break Your Heart
- 11/15/18 08:53 PM
For those who are house-hunting, it can be a whirlwind romance that's hot from the minute you see the home's curb appeal. But don't let the seduction of a good-looking landscape make you want to tie the knot without a bit of courtship.
House-hunting for the "perfect" home in many ways is like looking for that perfect romance - very seldom does everything about your proposed mate match your desires. Things you love at first may later get on your nerves and become what you don't like so much later on. Does that mean the house is wrong for you? Not necessarily. … (1 comments)
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kansas: Keep Rodents Away In Your HOA
- 11/15/18 08:43 PM
Few pests evoke stronger revulsion than rodents. While the manager of an industrial facility may tolerate an occasional rat, not so with homeowner associations. The demand for action is immediate...Get rid of them and I mean Now!
Most people believe that rodents have limited value. Norway rats, roof rats and common house mice live off humans and offer the potential for spreading serious diseases like The Plague by way of fleas and ticks. They consume or contaminate about 20% of the world's food supply. They also like to gnaw on things, causing expensive structural damage and electrical fires.
Rodents are predictable so a … (1 comments)
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kansas: Before Your New Love Moves In
- 08/16/18 09:26 PM
When love goes wrong, real estate owners may have a lot to lose.
Don't take solo-ownership lightly no matter how you ended up owning your own condominium unit, house, or recreational property.
Inviting a new love to move in is much more complicated than asking someone to share a rental apartment or to lease a recreational property together. All the compatibility issues faced by two virtual strangers learning to live together apply in both ownership and rental situations. The difference is that the financial and legal ramifications of co-habitation can be more disruptive, expensive, and long-lasting where real estate ownership is involved.
Please search … (0 comments)
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kansas: What Do New Home Buyers Want? The Surprising Results
- 08/16/18 09:20 PM
When it comes to new home design, are current floorplans and features meeting or anticipating buyers' needs? A recent survey of future homebuyers - those who intend to purchase within 10 years - from Florida, Texas, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia builder Ashton Woods produced some interesting responses that could influence how new home builders approach home design and how buyers respond to them.
While we can review the survey results with a liberal grain of salt, knowing that different buyer segments in different areas may have varying wants and needs - and also knowing that what people say they … (0 comments)
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kansas: Maintaining Your Hot Water Heater
- 08/13/18 09:12 PM
Water heaters generally have a lifespan of 8-12 years, but as with anything, the better care you take of it, the longer it will last. There are several easy "set it and forget it" tips that you can use with your water heater, like keeping the thermostat at 120 degrees, and always maintain two feet of clearance around the appliance. You can also conserve money on your gas bill by setting your heater to its "vacation" setting when leaving town. This will keep the pilot light going without heating the water.
Water heater maintenance goes well beyond just checking the thermostat, however. … (1 comments)
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kansas: Tips For Growing An Urban Garden
- 08/13/18 09:09 PM
As families become more health-conscious and think more about the food they consume, family farms are on the comeback, regardless of the size. Whether driven to grow produce on their own to make sure their vegetables are pesticide-free, out of a passion for gardening or as a cottage industry for extra cash, city-dwellers are using innovative means to produce crops of their own.
Your ability to grow fruits, vegetables and a variety of herbs at home depends primarily on three things:Your climate zone, Available property, and Your desire.
Even an apartment-dweller in Alaska can raise edibles, given the right tools and motivation. Here … (2 comments)
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kansas: The Inside Workings of Credit Scores
- 06/25/18 04:25 AM
Consumers are encouraged to check their credit reports once per year. The primary reason for doing so is to make sure there aren't any mistakes. Unfortunately, credit reports are prone to contain mistakes. It's not really the fault of the three main credit repositories, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion because all three are just a database. Whatever is reported to them is what you see. Further, someone with a similar name can show up on someone else's report. If you're not the only Bob Smith in town, this is certainly possible.
Someone else's poor credit might very well be showing up on your … (1 comments)
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kansas: 1718 E 89TH Street Kansas City, MO 64131
- 06/24/18 10:18 PM
Multi-Family in Kansas City2 bedroom duplex on a large corner lot just east of Waldo area. both sides are rented. One is section 8. Home needs some TLC but is a good investment. Near newer townhomes and close to highways, shops & restaurants. One tenant is month to month and other is 1 year. Rents are $525 and $625
… (2 comments)
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kansas: The First Offer May Be The Best Offer
- 04/17/17 05:32 AM
Versions of this column have appeared before. It is still true. And for many, still relevant.
Sometimes when everything goes right we have trouble accepting that fact. Perhaps nowhere is this phenomenon more clearly illustrated than in the case where a seller receives a good offer right away.
The annals of real estate are well stocked with stories of sellers who refused to take a good, but not perfect, first offer, and who then waited a long, long time before finally accepting something else at a considerably lower price. And most agents who have been around for a while know to shudder when … (5 comments)
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kansas: Is This Home A Good Deal?
- 04/17/17 05:29 AM
There's no perfect home, but some homes are more ideal for your household than others. When you look for your next home, carefully consider these four criteria - price, features, location and condition. The closer you get to meeting all four criteria, the better your chances are of making a good buy.
Price
In any market, price has to come first. To determine what you can comfortably afford, talk to your real estate professional. He or she can recommend a lender who will prequalify you for a purchase loan. When you know how much you can spend, it will be easier to shop … (1 comments)
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kansas: Appraisals Can Be Challenged
- 04/13/17 10:05 AM
Question: We are refinancing our home to replace an adjustable rate mortgage with a good fixed rate loan. Unfortunately, the appraisal came in low and when I received the copy from the mortgage company I noticed many errors, some of which are significant.
For example, the appraisal statet my home is stone and frame instead of stone and brick. It also omits a finished bedroom in the basement and a porch. The appraiser is reluctant to make the adjustment and the loan officer just does not seem to care. They claim they are very busy, and have to rely on the appraiser.
Discussing … (1 comments)
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kansas: Tips For Moving Into Your New Home
- 04/13/17 10:01 AM
Congratulations, you've bought your home and it's move-in time. Wait! Before you move in, read on to get some practical and important tips.
Change the locks. You've closed escrow and the keys to your new home are yours.
The first thing you should do is change the locks. It's hard to say who may have access to your home. Anyone from real estate agents to the sellers or maintenance people: all could still have a set of keys to your home. Be safe and change the locks first thing.
If the home doesn't have deadbolts on the doors, install them. If the door has … (0 comments)
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kansas: Use Technology For Attracting Serious Home Buyers
- 03/06/17 05:19 AM
ERA Real Estate and HGTV reported 46 percent of consumers see smart-home technology as important for their current and future residences. But luxury homebuyers are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. According to Digital Interiors, 94 percent of buyers surveyed would sacrifice 1,000 square feet of living space for more technology in their new home. Oversized houses are no longer the driving trend in the luxury real estate market and agents are under pressure to respond to the demand. Here’s what affluent homebuyers are looking for and which gadgets are must-haves.
Get a Smart Thermostat
Outfit your listings for luxury with smart-home additions … (0 comments)
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kansas: Home Renovations On A Budget
- 03/06/17 05:15 AM
If you’re looking to get the best return on your investment or just improve your property to attract high quality tenants, a kitchen remodel is one of the highest value projects. The most recent cost vs. value report, released in January 2014, shows that property owners will recoup 82.7 percent of the cost on a minor kitchen remodel, an increase of more than five percent over 2013.
The good news is that high value renovations like these don’t have to break the bank. There are a number of options for making improvements to your property that can significantly better its appearance without … (0 comments)
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kansas: Taking Care of Routine Services Before They Become Costly Issues
- 12/14/16 05:43 PM
Your home is your castle. You want to make sure that it looks great on the inside and out. Just like an automobile, a home requires a great deal of maintenance. However, most people think that if it's not broken, then they don't need to fix it. You can save a great deal of money by doing preventative maintenance on the home. Here are some items you need to fix or maintain before they break.
HVAC System
Your home's heating and cooling systems are of the utmost importance. You rely on this unit to keep you cool in the summer and warm in … (1 comments)
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kansas: 7 Tips For A Clean And Organized Holiday Season
- 12/14/16 05:40 PM
The holidays are a magical time of year meant for enjoying the company of your closest friends and family. But playing host to your holiday celebrations can sometimes get a little stressful. Here are a handful of tips to keep your home clean and organized during holiday season.
#1 Prioritize Activities in Advance
It's tempting to overindulge in all things holiday themed. One of the biggest problems some homeowners face is a lack of organization. Start by prioritizing activities and events during the holiday period so you don't bite off more than you can chew. For example, plan:
*Shopping (food, gifts, etc.)
*Decoration
*Time … (2 comments)
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kansas: How to Make a Small Space Feel Larger
- 12/13/16 03:59 PM
Pages of glossy magazines are often filled with immense rooms and oversized spaces full of grandeur and twelve-foot ceilings. But the truth is that most of us live in houses, apartments or townhomes built on a much smaller scale. When faced with the size of some of these tiny rooms, it's easy to get frustrated when you're trying to decorate.
But what if those rooms could feel even bigger? What if you could visually add space with a few small changes? What if there were tips and tricks and ideas to make a small room appear larger?
Good news! There are.
If you're tired … (7 comments)
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Once you have signed a contract for the purchase of your new home (or condominium or cooperative apartment), and assuming you do not have all of the cash in your bank account, you will need to obtain a mortgage loan.
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