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Kansas City North, MO Real Estate News

By Darren Copeland, Darren Copeland
(Leader One Financial)
Homes For Heroes Kansas City It’s no secret that we’re keen on giving back to veterans and people who serve our country. With our specialty in VA loans, we feel honored to assist those who sacrifice for our freedom and get them into homes. So once we learned of the Homes for Heroes program, it was a natural fit. We couldn’t be any more thrilled to become involved as an affiliate mortgage lender in the Kansas City region and we're welcoming a local real estate agent: Jaime Hillbrand into this system, For those who use a local lender affliate and a Realtor affliate you may actually increase your financial savings!  if you're interested in getting a mortgage loan, get pre-approved with us today online or call (816)268-4025. Homes for Heroes was started by a real estate group out of Minneso...
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By Timo Yannopoulos, Buying and Selling Kansas City Homes
(Platinum Realty Licensed in Missouri)
Short Sale WHAT? Yes the rescue from a foreclosure The Short Sale the exit strategy that can help out some homeowners? I call this “The rescue from a foreclosure”  All the homeowners who are upside down and can no longer make their mortgage payment (because of either a job loss, divorce, health problem and bills, or even an option ARM that’s resetting higher), up to now the only option was, well, letting the bank foreclose. That’s not a good option since a foreclosure sticks on your credit record for at least 10 years. Some experts are now advocating a “short sale.” This is a case of a distinction with a difference: You hire a REALTOR® “ME & My Team” we talk to your bank. If your bank agrees to a short sale.We then find a buyer for the house.You sell the house for a loss and with the ba...
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By Timo Yannopoulos, Buying and Selling Kansas City Homes
(Platinum Realty Licensed in Missouri)
Cedar Ridge Neighborhood is a Kansas City Missouri in Clay County Subdivision. This blog will keep you informed in what is happening in the secluded neighborhood.  Cedar Ridge is located south of Barry Road in North Kansas City at the very south end of Platte Purchase Street across the the street from Cedar Hills Subdivision in Platte County. The East side of Platte Purchase Street is Clay County and the West side is Platte County. Kansas City, Mo Clay County Subdivision Cedar Ridge is on the East side of Platte Purchase. Cedar Ridge is a small subdivision of approximately 100 single family homes built on large lots. Cedar Ridge Homes were about build between 1997 & 2005, those homes are selling for approximately upper 100K to lower 200k $180,000 to $230,000 Kansas City, MO Clay County ...
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By Ron Henderson, Realtor in Kansas City
(Keller Williams Realty, Kansas City North)
I have a home in Northview Place in Kansas City North that was custom built by my sellers. They used a great builder and took one of his floor plans, then maxed it out with everything - granite, Wolf appliances, custom finishes, tons of trim, landscaping, security systems.  You name it; it's in this home. Anyway, it’s been a somewhat challenging sale over the course of the last year, but we started at what they had in it around $440,000. At the time there were 2 other homes priced higher than ours in the subdivision.  The seller is a doctor and moved to St. Joseph MO to take a partnership at the hospital there. They’ve been wonderful to work with and I’ve been disappointed that we’ve had to drop the price down to $390,000 to find a buyer.   We’re under contract at $387,000 and the sell...
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By Fran White, Kansas City North Real Estate, 816-682-3897
(North Kansas City Real Estate, Reece and Nichols Residential)
Looking for something different to do this weekend that is not that far away? We'll be venturing over to that quant little town of Lawrence, Kansas this evening for their annual Busker Fest. What is a Busker?  It's a street performer and they will be all over downtown Lawrence this weekend beginning Friday night and Saturday and Sunday. My favorite street performer Mama Lou will be performing tonight and tomorrow.  For more information about her visit strongwomanshow.com Mama Lou can tear a phone book in half, swallow fire, drive nails through her tongue and keep an audience entertained like never before.  Her website states "Phone books or your heart neither stands a chance." She's remarkably entertaining and extremely talented.  She's traveled from Australia to Seattle to North Caroli...
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By Fran White, Kansas City North Real Estate, 816-682-3897
(North Kansas City Real Estate, Reece and Nichols Residential)
As with each Memorial Day we should honor those who have protected our country and paid the extreme price of doing so  with their life. Last evening we attended a wonderful Memorial Day Celebration at Union Station and the fireworks were shot by the only WWI Memorial in our nation... Liberty Memorial. It was a great event, widely attended and music was performed by the Kansas City Symphony.
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By Fran White, Kansas City North Real Estate, 816-682-3897
(North Kansas City Real Estate, Reece and Nichols Residential)
As we gather tomorrow with our family and friends..... I want to wish everyone a very Happy Easter! In 2006 Zona Rosa in the Northland introduced an all time Kansas City favorite, the Easter Parade! It caused such enthusiam that it's become an annual tradition at the shopping area. The community is invited to participated in this tradition which features the Easter Bunny, a petting zoo, free giveaways and a best dressed contest. Our furry friend Buddy won't be in the best dressed contest but he certainly is festive! Happy Easter
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By Fran White, Kansas City North Real Estate, 816-682-3897
(North Kansas City Real Estate, Reece and Nichols Residential)
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 turnout of the home show. Here are a few shots I took there.....  I don't know why there were birds there....             <
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By Fran White, Kansas City North Real Estate, 816-682-3897
(North Kansas City Real Estate, Reece and Nichols Residential)
I have heard that here in Kansas City there have been a couple of instances where accountants have been telling their first time home buyers that they cannot apply for the $8000.00 tax credit until 2009. THAT is NOT TRUE!   I have a copy of the blank 1040.  Go to page 2, under line #69 where it says attach form 5405.  I also have also a copy of form 5405 that you will need.  You can look at  "C" at the top.  You can claim it now if purchased in 2009.  If they purchase in July, 2009, they can file an amended return and get their $8000 immediately. However, the drawback is that the EZ form which most of them would file does not accommodate this so they will have to file the regular 1040. I would be willing to share these forms with whomever wants them.......... just email me at franwhite@...
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By Fran White, Kansas City North Real Estate, 816-682-3897
(North Kansas City Real Estate, Reece and Nichols Residential)
Every once in a while we venture out of our neighborhood in the Northland and go to this fabulous spice store that carries nothing but SPICES!  I know I've mentioned before that my wonderful husband was a Chef in another life before he became a Pharmaceutical Robot Engineer........ and that the kitchen is HIS domain ! We have this special place that we go to in old Overland Park, Kansas, just a hop, skip and a jump from our neck of the woods. Upon walking in your mouth begins to water at the mere possibilities of what you could dress up with their array of spicies from all over the world.  It's truly delightful! You can get anything from vanilla from other parts of the world to mouth watering garlic to dried chopped celery..... We can't even go in the place without dropping fifty bucks!...
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By Fran White, Kansas City North Real Estate, 816-682-3897
(North Kansas City Real Estate, Reece and Nichols Residential)
Yes, you read correctly..... a lovely couple that I just worked with are getting $8000.00 for buying a home.Of course I'd love to tell you that it was just for the pleasure of working with me, but in all honesty it's due to the new American Recovery and Reinvestment ActThey qualified in every way...#1. They haven't owned a home in the last three years#2. They purchased between 1/1/09 and 12/1/09#3. Their combined income wasn't over $150,000#4. They intend to keep the house for three years.With anyone who is wanting to get a home, you need to have your credit in order in addition to all the requirements of the act.So if you have been sitting on the fence and not making a decision to buy a home ... Now is the time!If you need some assistance with your real estate needs, please feel free t...
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By Fran White, Kansas City North Real Estate, 816-682-3897
(North Kansas City Real Estate, Reece and Nichols Residential)
Yes, you read correctly..... a lovely couple that I just worked with are getting $8000.00 for buying a home.Of course I'd love to tell you that it was just for the pleasure of working with me, but in all honesty it's due to the new American Recovery and Reinvestment ActThey qualified in every way...#1. They haven't owned a home in the last three years#2. They purchased between 1/1/09 and 12/1/09#3. Their combined income wasn't over $150,000#4. They intend to keep the house for three years.With anyone who is wanting to get a home, you need to have your credit in order in addition to all the requirements of the act.So if you have been sitting on the fence and not making a decision to buy a home ... Now is the time!If you need some assistance with your real estate needs, please feel free t...
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By Fran White, Kansas City North Real Estate, 816-682-3897
(North Kansas City Real Estate, Reece and Nichols Residential)
I am a pet lover and the new ownere of a Kerry Blue Terrier.... I use mulch in my yard and so do some of my clients in the Kansas City North area.  I felt this important information to share to keep your pets safe.   With the Spring season upon us, please be sure and check the contents of the mulch you are putting in your landscaping. Checked on Snopes and it is true.   ( http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp)  Over the weekend the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from local discount store to use in their garden. They loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog Calypso decided that the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when sh...
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By Fran White, Kansas City North Real Estate, 816-682-3897
(North Kansas City Real Estate, Reece and Nichols Residential)
This just in from a Mortgage lady I refer to: The $7500 tax credit for first time buyers is a great thing to help stimulate interest.  There have been a lot of questions and little clarification.  The Tax groups are finally getting some information.  Here is a recent clarification:    Unmarried couples get a break on claiming the new credit for home buyers.  They can allocate the credit any way they want.  Example:  If one of the two unmarried purchasers has more than $95,000 of AGI, the credit can be allocated in full to the other buyer.  Similarly, if one of the buyers has owned a principal residence in the past three years and thus is not eligible to claim the credit, the entire credit can be taken by the other.  The maximum credit is 10% of the purchase price, but not more than $750...
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By Justin Ukaoma, Kansas City Real Estate Investments
(Vizion KC)
Project North KC Location: 5230 Manchester Ave (North Kansas City) 4 Bedrooms / 2 Baths / Granite Counters / Finished Basement Estimated Time of Arrival: Early January Estimated List Price: $130,000 This if the first house Vizion has done north of the river but with so many great communites in the northland I’m sure we will be doing several more.  This particular house is located about 5 minutes away from the popular theme park Worlds of Fun and is only about 15 minutes away from the Kansas City airport.  I should warn you that the before pictues of this house are pretty ugly but then again when aren’t they?  As I outlined in a personal side video this house has a whole lot of holes in the walls.  I’m not sure what exactly took place in this house but I’m willing to guess a baseball bat...
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By Fran White, Kansas City North Real Estate, 816-682-3897
(North Kansas City Real Estate, Reece and Nichols Residential)
It's that time again here in Kansas City when we pack up the kids for a day of events at one of the area Pumpkin Patches!  Weston Red Barn FarmThis farm was puchased in 1989 by Steve and Cindi Frey. They have a pumpking patch, orchards, sheep to pet and pony rides in beautiful and historic Weston. Johnson FarmsWith over 30 acres you can pick your own pumpkin or buy them already picked! The wagon rides and animal corral are great fun for the kids. They have gourdes, squash and flowers too. KC Pumpkin PatchHere you will find 10's or 1,000's of U-Pick pumpkins and many other activities to keep your children busy all day! Carolyn's Country CousinsIn Liberty, Missouri is just plain fun!  A "mega" pumpkin patch, animal barn, pig races and you can even make your own scarecrow! Pumpkins Etc.Loc...
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By Fran White, Kansas City North Real Estate, 816-682-3897
(North Kansas City Real Estate, Reece and Nichols Residential)
Yes, you read right..... The Kansas City Zoo is offering free admission to Kansas City, Missouri residents for the months of October and November. Of course you have to prove that you live in Kansas City, Missouri and rightfully so. You will need proof of residence and a state-issued ID which is required at the admissions gate. You can also verify that you are a resident with a bill or credit card statement, even a bank statement, with your name and Kansas City, Missouri address. It is free during normal zoo hours.
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By Fran White, Kansas City North Real Estate, 816-682-3897
(North Kansas City Real Estate, Reece and Nichols Residential)
Luckily here in Kansas City we didn't have a really hot summer like we've had in the past... but prepare yourself for next year! Kansas City Power and Light (KCPL) is seeking to raise electrical usage by 17%.  Yes you read right! We've just experienced an increase from Missouri Gas Energy (MGE) and now KCPL is going to raise their rates! The rate increase is suppose to take place next summer and they have filed in Missouri and Kansas to raise rates for 800,000 customers.  
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By Fran White, Kansas City North Real Estate, 816-682-3897
(North Kansas City Real Estate, Reece and Nichols Residential)
Ay, Top of the mornin' to ya! Are you looking for something to do in Kansas City over the Labor Day weekend? Well my little leprechauns you can't afford to miss the Kansas City Irish Fest! Since my wonderful husband has Irish in him this is an event that we never miss! This year it's back at Crown Center and it's expanded to have THREE stages and includes even more Irish fun! All of the Irish Eyes will be smiling with all the entertainment that's packed into this weekend, including my very fav....... The Elders! There's fun for the entire family and don't forget to bring the wee ones! For more information visit their website: www.kcirishfest.com Here's a little taste of The Elders that I found on YouTube
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By Fran White, Kansas City North Real Estate, 816-682-3897
(North Kansas City Real Estate, Reece and Nichols Residential)
While visiting my Aunt and Uncle in Branson I saw a story about the new Missouri Drug Card Program on television. The website states that as a resident of Missouri you have access to a FREE prescription drug card program. If you go to www.missouridrugcard.com you can download your Prescription Card after putting in some simple information and supposedly have a savings of 75% at over 50,000 national and regional pharmacies. The card is pre-activated and can be used immediately. * I haven't personally tried this but thought it would be good information for anyone that needs assistance with prescription drug costs.
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