Kansas City Real Estate Home

Buyers who wait may have a lot to lose in Buying their homes

Cindy — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:41:59 +0000

Potential home buyers who delay the purchase of a home have a lot to lose if they don’t make a move on finding their dream home by April 30,2010. The tax credit will be ending soon.

According the article in Money Magazine: “1st home buyer and move-up tax credits worth $8,000 and $6,500, respectively, will expire April 30, 2010. Buyers who qualify get a dollar-for-dollar reduction in taxes or a cash payment if they don’t pay enough taxes to cover the credit.

Other factors that should get the attention of buyers:

Low mortgage rates today! If the Federal Reserve stops buying mortgage-backed securities at the end of March 2010, 30-year rates will almost certainly rise to more than 6 percent.

Rising prices. About 30 percent of markets are already experiencing price increases. Prices are falling in 12 percent of markets, says Fiserv (but that only helps if you want to live there).”

Source: Money Magazine, Beth Braverman (03/02/2010)

To Find Your Dream Home:

www.HomeInfoKansas City.com

Post from: Kansas City Real Estate Home

Johnson County Real Estate Market Update Jan 2010

Cindy — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 03:16:27 +0000

January 2010 Johnson County real estate sales were slower than expected. I think weather had a little bit to do with it. We’ve had more snow this winter compared to other years, the local weather forecaster said it was 1962 since we’ve had a winter like this! WOW! But, it does have an affect on people! In Johnson County, we have 2788 resale homes on the market, with 320 going under contract, that’s 11% that sold! The largest price range % of sales–of course was the 1st time buyers. The 160-180K had 10% sold, the 180-200K had 9% sold!

With Tax Credit ending April 30,2010, we see the next few months to be very Active!! People are out there looking for Value! So Don’t Wait!, more and more buyers are checking things out. So the homes that offer Great Condition & are Priced very well–are Moving Very Quickly!! So Don’t Delay!

Buyers should do a little homework to maximize their purchasing power before buying. We make sure our buyers have their ducks in order via having their credit reports up to date, all of their mortgage loan information in order, and we do plenty of research on the housing information and housing conditions!

As for our sellers need to continually study their marketing position as current housing is sold and as new inventory enters the marketplace. Properties that are sitting a long time send out a negative message, so the right priced properties that show well and that have easy access are the ones that buyers will most likely want to see. With the timer running out soon on the tax credit incentives, all parties have to be ready to make their decisions or lose the transaction. My advice to sellers is to review the current marketing position with your agent. Take a close look at sales & inventory of homes that come on the market & arrive at a more realistic and competitive pricing range. Sellers need to do what’s necessary to attract serious buyers and get their property sold in Overland Park real estate.

Our goal is to get our sellers the best prices we can and helping our buyers get into the market while prices are down and interest rates are at historic lows. As our motto says…..Experience Matters!!

To find your dream home to go:
www.HomeInfoKansasCity.com

Post from: Kansas City Real Estate Home

Owning Investment Property in Kansas City

Cindy — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:27:10 +0000

Being a Landlord Can Be Increasingly Profitable

Owning Investment Properties in Overland Park is still a good viable opportunity! We haven’t seen the huge losses in prices in the residential properties. In fact, recently there has been a few lenders that has opened up their guidelines to loaning on the rental properties in Kansas City! I have just helped a couple of my investors refinance their properties down into the mid 5% ranges! it’;s awesome! Which has made it so affordable for them!!

According to the Wall Street Journal:
Despite falling rents and rising vacancies, the profitability of residential rental property is improving.

Investments in apartment complexes are generating annual returns of 7-8 percent immediately because purchase prices have declined.

Buying a rental property isn’t for everyone. Buyers need to be able to hold the property for at least three to five years or more to give the investment time to gain value.

Local Market Monitor, which analyzes real estate investments, identifies these good and not-so-good markets for landlords:

Good Markets

Columbus, Ohio
Washington, D.C.
Raleigh, N.C.
Greenville, S.C.
Columbia, S.C.
Kansas City, Mo.
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Fort Worth, Texas
El Paso, Texas

Bad Markets

Detroit
Cleveland
Wilmington, Del.
Dayton, Ohio
Orlando
Tampa-St. Petersburg
Boise, Idaho
Stockton, Calif.
Las Vegas
Phoenix

Source – WSJ.com on Feb 20,2010. So it looks like Kansas City – is still the best kept secret!! If you are looking for investment properties in Overland Park - let us know! We’re happy to assist!

Post from: Kansas City Real Estate Home

We missed the Snow Event in Kansas City

Cindy — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:18:03 +0000

Wow! We missed the bulk of the snow storm again here in Kansas City! The brunt of the storm went north of I-70. YEAH! According to our local weather forecaster, Joe Lauria, Kansas City has had the most snow this year since 1962! Joe mentioned that we have had 14 snow storms with over an 1″ of snow – which has given us about 35″. That’s more than most of us Kansas Citians prefer! We’ve been so spoiled with 15-17″ of the white stuff a year. So it makes looking at homes in Overland Park and Kansas City a little harder than usual! But with the internet, we’re fortunate we still can do the online looking! In case you have cabin fever, you need to do some online looking go to www.CindyDTeam.com

Post from: Kansas City Real Estate Home

Take in a day at the Nelson Atkins Museum

Cindy — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:43:20 +0000

For Valentine’s day, we took a few hours off to enjoy the Nelson Art Museum in Kansas City! This year is their 75th Anniversary and many new artifacts were brought into the museum! What a treat! They had some outstanding items that were added to their American Indian Collection! For example: A 18th-century Ojibwa Coat! It was just awesome! They had so many new gifts that were donated to the Museum this year!

Of course, since the museum open in 1933, they have one of the best Chinese collections! “With over 7,500 works of high quality, the Chinese collection comprises masterpieces from every historical stage and in every medium of China’s artistic activity – from Neolithic times to the 20th century.” It’s something to see to enjoy! Whether you live here or are a visitor to the area, take the time to visit our fabulous museum!

Kansas City is so fortunate to have such a quality museum for the residents and visitors of the area! I hear it said so many times, Kansas City is the best kept secret! This is “one” of the many reasons!!

Post from: Kansas City Real Estate Home

Johnson County Dec 2009 Market update

Cindy — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:52:02 +0000

Johnson County Real Estate Market Update

December 2009 sales for properties in Johnson County turned out to be a little slower than expected for closed sales. For the month of December,we were down for resale closings 11%, but for the year – ending ahead in resale sales were up 6%. That’s great news!! Meaning – we have seen some stabilization!! We saw that 13% of the resale homes in the Kansas side sold during December, with 28% of them sold in 30 days or less! So again for our sellers–Offer Value! Great condition & right pricing can equal Quick Sales!! The 1st time buyers are fueling these sales. The price range of 180,000-200,000 Had the most activity in sales of 15% of inventory sold! 50 Homes out of 328 sold in December of 2009. In December we had 2586 resale homes for sale in Johnson County available with 382 of them sold & closed.

With the Tax Credit available until April 30, 2010, We anticipate seeing a very active late winter/early spring market! SO-Don’t wait! More & More buyers will be out there-including move up buyers as the next few months move in!! This tax credit extension for both first time buyers and trade up buyers is a real boost to the marketplace, and what that means is that with stabilized pricing and a new deadline on the tax credit program, serious buyers and sellers will have to be very prepared during the negotiation process.

The first quarter of 2010 will be driven by the tax incentives which will create stronger competition for inventory. That said buyers should work with their agents and their loan originator to be completely pre-approved for their mortgage. Pre-approved buyers command more confidence for sellers, especially when there are multiple offers on the table.

My advice to sellers is to review the current marketing position with your agent. Take a close look at year-end sales to arrive at a more realistic and competitive pricing range. Sellers need to do what’s necessary to attract serious buyers and get their property sold in Overland Park real estate.

I am very proud to say that again in 2009 my team is one of the ReMax’s top home selling team in the Kansas City area! We are working very hard at getting our sellers the best prices we can and helping buyers get into the market while prices are down and interest rates are at historic lows. As our motto says…..Experience Matters!!

To find your dream home to go: www.HomeInfoKansasCity.com

Post from: Kansas City Real Estate Home

5 new Remodeling Trends for 2010

Cindy — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:41:41 +0000

According to Realtor Magazine there are 5 trends for Remodeling your home in Overland Park this coming new year! Here’s the scoop they offered:

Classic Colors are in! The deep gray browns & gray blues are the popular shades to look for!
Backyard Living: Well, I think they have been in for a couple of years. Many Overland Park homeowners have been making the outdoor living much more inviting. By adding fireplace pits, outdoor kitchenettes for the BBQ days and outdoor fireplaces too! It’s an extension of our lifestyle to enjoy the outdoors just like inside!
Backyard Gardens: It’s all part of that outdoor living event! Since we have wonderful springn & fall weather it just adds a new dimension to our homes!
Environmentally Green: Everyone is enjoying the green from outdoor furniture to lighting & more
Made in America: It’s back with style!

Adding extra flair to our outdoor living sure adds extra resaleablity to our homes. Since Kansas City has several months that we can enjoy the outdoors, everyone enjoys the extra features of outdoor living. Anything from screen in porches to paving brick patios, open fire pits to the awesome outdoor fireplace with kitchenettes. There’s something for everyone and their budgets! So make sure you add a little flair to your backyard!

Post from: Kansas City Real Estate Home

Sell a home in Johnson County in the Spring, now’s the time!

Cindy — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:33:58 +0000

I’ve been many times in the last week, think we should wait till spring to put our homes on the market for sale in Overland Park? Isn’t it slow during the holidays thru Feb or March of the the next year?? Think not!! This won’t be a typical year & winter for homes sales in Overland Park and Johnson County. With the tax credit extended only until April 30,2010, all home buyers are to be under contract & must close by June 30,2010 to qualify for the credit. I feel that the beginning of the year will start out with a bang – unless our weather is really nasty. Homebuyers are going to want to see what is on the market & feel they can get a jump start before many others. Sellers get your home ready now! During the holidays do some of the little extra things that need to be touched or spruced up. Enjoy it during the holidays & then call an expert to put your home for sale in Johnson County! Inquire on getting a market analysis on your home! Just look at our numbers of closed sales in October. It’s telling the story! Listen to our podcast or check out our blog post about it.

Post from: Kansas City Real Estate Home

Johnson County Resale Homes Sales Quick Report for October 2009

Cindy — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:01:34 +0000

For the month of October, we saw an increase for Johnson County Homes Sales! It’s refreshing to see the homes for sale in Overland Park finally see an upward trend in sales! The $8000 tax credit for first time homebuyers in Overland Park & Johnson County was one of the main reasons for the increase of sales! The price range that had seen the most increase activity was 160,000-200,000. Which is understandable! With the extension of the tax credit to April 30,2010, I’m sure we will continue to have quite abit of activity – even thru our normally slower time of the year. Now that homeowners in Johnson County will also get a break! The extension of the $8000 credit for the buyers – but now the current homeowner of 5 years or more can potentially be eligible for a $6500 tax credit. This could be a important time for those homes in Overland Park, Leawood & Johnson County that are above the $250,000 price range should expect to see uptick in activity. But don’t forget, the homebuyers are still looking for value! Price and Condition are king! Take a few moments to listen to our podcast to hear the interview on Market Conditions in Johnson County!

Post from: Kansas City Real Estate Home

Kansas City Chiefs made the USA Today Headlines!

Cindy — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:39:23 +0000

Todd Haley has helped the Chiefs make the headlines on USA Today taking them to a win in overtime on Sunday! It’s giving the Kansas City fans some hope of a good future. We might be in the beginning of seeing a turn around from a losing team for a couple of years to a great team. We’ve missed those days of when Dick Vermeil was our coach! We have some of the most loyal & awesome fans! Let’s hope the rest of the games this year will be winners!

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