mary hutchison: The Best Way to Say "Thanks" to Your Realtor
- 05/17/11 08:04 AM
This past Sunday night my husband and I went to see the movie "Bridesmaids". I haven't laughed that hard at a movie since "The 40 Year Old Virgin" -- it's a very funny movie but with a story men and women can relate to. The theater was packed--unusual for a Sunday night. Since I enjoyed the movie so much, I wanted to spread the word. I posted a comment on my personal Facebook page recommending the movie, and chatted it up Monday at the office. Noticed the critics were raving about as well. And then I read it was the … (5 comments)
mary hutchison: Jackson County MO and Johnson County KS Home Sales Statistics
- 05/05/11 09:45 AM
I contemplated a more negative title for this blog post, as the news I have is not good. But I try to be an upbeat person, believing one can choose to have a gloomy attitude or a positive one. Still, the stats speak for themselves. Here in the Kansas City metro area, the two most populated counties are reporting a sharp drop in sales compared to 2010. Jackson County home sales down 31.5% in March 2011, compared to March 2010. There were 683 units sold this year ; 997 last year. Average sales price dropped 6.2%. The same for Johnson County: down … (0 comments)
mary hutchison: Vern Yip of HGTV in Kansas City!
- 05/04/11 10:06 AM
Who among us hasn't watched HGTV and wished 'oh, if only they could makeover my home!?' That chance may be one in a million, but what if an HGTV star came to you? Kansas City is lucky to feature an appearance by Vern Yip at the I.O. Metro store in Zona Rosa Thurday May 5, from 6:30-8:00pm. Stop in for a bit of design therapy, an autograph and 10% off one item purchased duriing the event! If you are an I.O. Metro VIP, you can attend the 30 minute design class at 6pm. Yip is partnering with I.O. Metro in upcoming … (1 comments)
mary hutchison: This Brookside Home Needs a New Owner!
- 04/26/11 05:36 PM
This is one of those homes that has so much of what Brookside buyers want..a location within walking distance of the shops and restaurants; a first floor laundry/mud room; a kitchen that opens to a family room; a two-car garage with private drive; a front porch and a back deck...where are you, my new owners?? 6323 Main Street, Kansas City MO 64113 Three bedrooms, office space, 2 baths, hardwood floors, pantry, fireplace, full basement. $264,900, seller paying $5000 in closing closts. Visit my website for pictures; this blogsite not allowing me to download pictures at the moment for some odd reason! … (1 comments)
mary hutchison: Motivated Sellers Attract Motivated Buyers
- 04/25/11 03:32 AM
Several days ago I listed a home near UMKC. Within a week, we had two offers. In this depressed housing market, how did that happen? One big reason: I had a motivated seller. What does this mean? Mr Seller didn't just say he wanted to sell his house, he realized the work that needed to be done prior to listing and he did it. He listened to my suggestions, had a few of his own, and spent the money to freshen up the home and make a few repairs. In turn, I paid to have the house staged, made sure the … (0 comments)
mary hutchison: Don't Be Rude, I'm Just Doing My Job
- 04/18/11 04:43 AM
Open houses....some agents like them, some agents refuse to do them. Personally, I enjoy open houses. If there isn't a lot of traffic, I always bring a book or paperwork to use during the quiet time. If lots of people come through--I enjoy talking with the guests, promoting the house, meeting the neighbors. Some people coming through are friendly and talkative. More often I sense a suspicion after walking in, almost a vibe of 'don't talk to me, I don't want to hear your sales pitch'. Those folks I leave alone. But their suspicion of an agent 'pouncing'' on them isn't … (5 comments)
mary hutchison: List. Cancel. Repeat.
- 04/11/11 03:12 AM
Last week while touring homes with another agent, we noticed three homes that were 'new' listings--but after driving to their locations we realized: this house was on the market last year. We had toured them before, obviously they didn't sell, so the sellers took them off the market for a while and have now relisted. Nothing wrong with this strategy--I've recommended it to my clients. If you are trying to sell your home and don't have any offers, eventually the busy spring/summer buying season is over, winter months lie ahead and typically there are fewer buyers towards the end of the year. Every … (4 comments)
mary hutchison: Does the KCMO Earnings Tax Discourage Home Buyers?
- 04/01/11 10:44 AM
Kansas City MO voters go to the polls once again next Tuesday to vote on the future of the earnings tax. (Actually this is a state wide election but I'm focusing on KCMO for this blog.) The opposition to the tax states one of the reasons it should be repealed is because it discourages buyers from purchasing homes in Kansas City. As a Realtor working in KCMO, here's my take: When I am working with buyers who are unfamiliar with the area, along with first time buyers deciding on a location, I always mention the Kansas City MO earnings tax. If the buyer … (0 comments)
mary hutchison: It's Officially Spring--Why Does Your Listing Show Holiday Decor?
- 03/21/11 09:28 AM
Today I am meeting with a seller about possibly listing her house, as the current listing period with another agent is almost up. (This is possible to do in Missouri--in Kansas, an agent must wait until the listing is expired.) I have toured this home, actually showed this home late last year, and am ver familiar with the neighborhood. So I looked up the listing to refresh my memory, check price history, disclosure, etc and what do I see? The front shot of the house has a large blanket of snow with a holiday wreath. Inside, the living room features … (4 comments)
mary hutchison: Real Estate Agents Make Too Much Money
- 03/12/11 12:41 AM
The perception is....most real estate agents make a lot of money. The reality is...they don't. This blog is inspired by the current national conversation of breaking up employee unions and demanding benefit concessions from public employees. I'm not going to comment on that discussion, but it does relate in a way to what many people think: real estate agents make too much money from selling a house. Let's look at a typical sale for a $200,000 house. The typical commission is 6%, split 50/50 between the seller's agent and buyer's agent. The commission check of $6000 goes to the seller's brokerage (i.e., … (4 comments)
mary hutchison: Two New Brookside Listings--Ready For New Owners!
- 03/07/11 01:56 AM
Two new listings to blog about today in my neighborhood of Brookside in Kansas City, MO. Brookside is part of the metro area that continues to be a desireable place to live...because the homes were built in the early 1920s with lots of charm and character. Also, the central shopping district of Brookside, concentrated at 63rd St and Brookside Blvd, offers an eclectic selection of shops and restaurants, along with everyday services like grocery, post office, gas station and drugstore. 6323 Main Street offers an inviting front porch, a two car garage with private drive, a large back deck and fenced … (0 comments)
mary hutchison: I've Given You My Time--Won't You Please Respond?
- 02/18/11 01:51 AM
Earlier this week I met with a seller who had contacted me via email. "Susan" and I had met last year when she had her house on the market as a FSBO and I was searching for a home in the area for some buyers. I was happy and flattered to get her email, as it said she was going to try again as a FSBO for a month--if no buyers, she wanted me to list it. While visiting with her at the home, we talked about the market and I made several suggestions on what she could do to make … (5 comments)
mary hutchison: It Took Two Years to Sell This House--Four Lessons Learned
- 02/07/11 05:23 AM
Finally, after two years, the house sold last week. Phew. Never thought the day would come. I first listed the house in May 2009 for about 6 months, then again in March 2010. Finally got a contract together in November 2010 and it closed last week. This is a 3 story, 4 bedroom, 3.1 bath home in a very desirable part of Kansas City. What took so long? My sellers and I learned some important lessons during the process..here are my thoughts. 1. Sellers bought at the top of the market and paid too much. They admitted they worked with an agent … (2 comments)
mary hutchison: Help, I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up!
- 01/25/11 08:10 AM
This post will be short and to the point...please shovel the snow from your sidewalk, drive, and front walk if your house is listed! Today I went on tour with another agent. We had a snowfall last week of about 4-5". We skipped three or four houses on tour because the steps or walkway wasn't shoveled. We were touring an older part of the city--several homes with steep steps, driveways, long walkways. Not only is this inconsiderate of your fellow agents when you want them to tour your listing, it's a real cause for concern regarding a slip and fall. I'm not going to … (1 comments)
mary hutchison: Is Picking a Contractor Like Choosing an Agent?
- 01/23/11 07:55 AM
Started our master bathroom renovation last week...I say 'master' bathroom with a laugh, this is a very small bathroom and it's not connected to the master bedroom! However, the second day of the project, a couple of issues came up that got me thinking ... the way my contractor is dealing with these problems should be similar to the way I deal with my customers regarding unforeseen problems. Although I had measured carefully when ordering the new vanity, once the contractor put it in place, we both realized it was too deep. Also, the sinks I had purchased were too large. I was about to … (0 comments)
I love to write about my neighborhood, the Brookside area of Kansas City, where I live in the Armour Hills subdivision.
I keep it short, simple, and to the point with articles about general real estate topics so you have current, useful information about real estate trends and news. Sometimes I write about local politics, new homes for sale, and of course, my clients!
Thanks for reading! I welcome your feedback.
This past Sunday night my husband and I went to see the movie "Bridesmaids". I haven't laughed that hard at a movie since "The 40 Year Old Virgin" -- it's a very funny movie but with a story men and women can relate to. The theater was packed--unusual for a Sunday night. 
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