The holidays are over and the New Year is well underway! Kansas City’s spring real estate market will be here before you know it. Spring may be a popular time to sell your home, but there’s a lot that goes into it. If you’re planning to sell your house this spring, NOW is the time …
REALTORS® sometimes get a bad reputation, and it’s not entirely undeserved. The barrier to entry in real estate is low, leading to a wide range of skill levels, ethics, and professionalism. But there are plenty of exceptional agents out there, and most I work with daily are outstanding professionals. When the emotions of a sale …
What is Market Value (Cost) When purchasing a home in Kansas City, it’s important to understand the difference between cost and value in real estate. In other words, the “FOR SALE” price doesn’t determine market value. The best way to illustrate my point is with an example like this: Which buyer got the better deal? It depends. To answer …
The Bureau of Labor Statics says that Americans across all income levels spend between 25-30% of their income on housing. That’s a massive portion of your income, no matter who you are. What if you were able to invest that money instead, or take an extra vacation each year? It’s actually possible. It requires a …
I believe buying real estate in Johnson County, KS is a fantastic way to build long-term wealth. It’s an especially great place for first-time home buyers, because of how relatively affordable it is to buy a house here. You can usually depend on home appreciation in Johnson County to stay just above inflation. Plus, the Midwest generally …
People often ask me: “Is remodeling my home a good investment?”. Other times it’s stated as fact: “Remodeling IS ALWAYS a good investment. Any money I put into my house, I’ll get back when I sell it”. My response is typically the same: “Well, maybe, but not likely”. In our article, Cost vs Value: What’s …
Having a good understanding of home buyers and sellers is a very important part of the real estate business. Learning about buyers and sellers has plenty of obvious advantages. Here are a few highlights from the National Association of Realtors® latest Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers: Buyers Sellers The main takeaways here are: If …
Believe it or not, when selling your home, no one makes more of an impact on a successful sale than you. A great Realtor will have a solid plan for attracting buyers, but without your cooperation, those showings won’t translate into offers written. Here are some important home showing tips that will contribute to a …
What is a Home Warranty? A home warranty covers things that your standard homeowner’s insurance policy will not cover. Smart buyers and sellers can look to home warranties as a hedge against unexpected, and often expensive, repairs. A seller can purchase a 6-month warranty for $350-$500. When the house is sold (within that 6-month period) …
Contrary to popular believe, major remodeling projects are not always a good investment. That’s not to say making improvements won’t increase the value of your home. However, it’s important to know there is a difference between cost and value. This is one of the most common misunderstandings in real estate. People want believe that they’ll always …