An organized closet is a simple pleasure in life; one that can bring productivity, peace, and a clear mind to any room. I’ve worked with professional organizers in the past and outlined their tips below. If you don’t want to do this yourself, contact Helen &...

There’s a lot happening right now in our wonderful city. Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s occurring, and different local developments, around you and your neighbors: Industrial Park Expansion Jackson County is experiencing some turmoil upon announcing that they’ll...

  We can’t express how grateful we are for the beautiful weather and fresh air lately! Who else has been spending a lot more time in their backyard? With the stay-at-home orders, having a backyard is a game changer for making your space feel just a bit bigger.  And now that summer...

We're all spending an awful lot of time at home these days, and it's easy to get bored or even apathetic with such little change in scenery.  So, how can you create a happy, healthy home environment during social distancing? Here are some ideas to get you started.  Raid Your Pantry...

In a time when home remodeling shows like Fixer Upper and Property Brothers rule the airwaves, many homeowners unknowingly adopt unrealistic expectations of the home renovation process. These shows are entertaining and can even be educational, but they are not an accurate depiction of what goes on behind...

For families with children looking for something fun to do, Friday nights used to be filled with decisions between hiring a sitter or resigning to a completely kid-centric activity. Thankfully, as young families increase in number in Kansas City, so do entertainment options that have something for every...

Spring is a time of celebrating all things fresh and new, and of course that includes having a fresh, clean home. “Spring Cleaning” is a centuries-old concept that we still observe today; while that annual purge does feel liberating, wouldn’t it be nice if there was an easier way to...

The landscape of Kansas City is constantly changing in exciting ways; it seems like some new project is popping up every day. Lately, though, it feels like a lot of these new developments are coming on the tails of some tough goodbyes. Shopping centers like Ward Parkway in Kansas City, Metcalf South...

It’s true, a good real estate agent is also a good salesperson; he or she can expertly match a person or family with the right home, steer clients away from making a risky purchase, and negotiate skillfully to ensure a happy ending. But just being a good salesperson does not make one a good real...

Spending money on a kitchen remodel or new living room set is certainly more exciting than foundation correction or pest control, but not nearly as important. After all, your new granite countertops are not going to prevent water from leaking into your basement and causing a nasty mold problem.   Performing...

A growing family is one of the main motivators to buy or move houses, and factors like the size of the home, school district, and proximity to childcare services play an important role. But what if your plans to add to your family are a little bit... furrier?  Kansas City...

Kansas City has been home to one of the hottest real estate markets in the country for the past two years. Once the underdog of the local real estate community, Keller Williams has competed with other well-known names to rise to the top of the market. As of October 2017, Keller Williams is nearly...

The changing of seasons is always marked with new colors, new temperatures and homeowners writing out new to-do lists. But before you get swept up in the excitement of decorating your home for the holiday season, make sure your home’s structure and mechanicals are in as good of shape as your...

Kansas City has become a mecca for java junkies and beer buffs alike, and the reasons go far beyond The Roasterie and Boulevard Brewing. While these establishments are well-known and loved, and for good reason, a new generation of craft breweries and coffee roasters is taking over the local scene. Many...

2017 has been a record-breaking year for Kansas City real estate: record sales, record prices, and record numbers of buyers battling for record low inventory. Many areas are starting to even out or even see a significant lull in market activity, but the real hotspots in northeast Johnson County and northwest...

Summer in Kansas City means two things: it’s too hot outside to do anything but relax in the shade with a cold cocktail, and before long you’ll be trading that lawn chair and margarita for a fire pit and spiked apple cider. In both cases, an inviting outdoor space is essential. Whether...

Kansas City and the home renovation industry have a lot in common: both are full of hidden treasures and historical value, both sources of incredible beauty and architecture, and both are getting some well-deserved recognition. So what could be more perfect than a home renovation show...

The current real estate market is yielding the lowest inventory that we have seen in years, down more than 25% from this time just last year. This climate is not only causing some fierce competition, but it’s causing a lot of fear for both buyers and sellers as well. Buyers get discouraged because...

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Like the morning sun during daylight savings, the days when Kansas and Missouri were thought of as no more than wheat fields and cow pastures are disappearing. Though the tradition of Kansas City pride is longstanding with residents, it wasn’t until a few years ago that our beloved city and states...

2016 was an incredible year for the Kansas City real estate market. We set records for sale prices and days on market, sellers loved it, buyers hated it, and agents couldn’t get enough of it. Heading into 2017, however, many industry experts were predicting a noticeable “shift” in...

You drive a fuel efficient car, recycle and bring your own reusable shopping bags to the store. But how can you work on reducing your carbon footprint at home?   For more Americans, heating and cooling your home accounts for nearly 50 percent of personal carbon emissions. And according to...

As Kansas City continues to enjoy a revitalization, new neighborhoods start to emerge that you may never have visited. Perhaps to kick of 2017, you could spend a day exploring The Westside area centered around 17th and Summit Street.  The eclectic, family-filled neighborhood is home to nightlife...

Selling your home during the winter may seem counterintuitive but in reality, if you’re motivated, you can take advantage of some special circumstances that come up for home buyers in the winter.  Even the budget guru, Dave Ramsey, who points out that “you’re actually in a great...

Pre-Inspect your way to SOLD Inspections are a standard part of the average real estate transaction, but in many cases they are also the deciding factor in whether the sale goes through. No house is perfect, and each one has its own unique set of quirks. Ideally, these things are small and easily...

For Kansas City, having affordable and suitable housing options for older adults is arguably the most critical part of having a community poised to allow its seniors the dignity of aging in place.  Many factors affect a person’s ability to stay in their home as they age including design...

New Housing Trend: Health  Many people imagine the greatest dangers to their health lurking outside their doorway: sick co-workers at the office, kids with runny noses at the playground, or even the lettuce in your Chipotle burrito. However, with most Americans spending up to 90 percent of their...

Today’s consumer is more connected than ever.  When you’re ready to buy a car, do you go straight to the dealership and ask the sales person to show you the 4-door sedan of your dreams?  Not likely.  Much more likely is you don’t walk into the dealership until you’ve...

Before you design a new home or remodel an existing one, consider investing in energy efficiency. You'll save energy and money, and your home will be more comfortable and durable. The planning process is also a good time to look into a renewable energy system that can provide electricity, water heating,...

The historic Kansas City River Market is a beautiful river front neighborhood that comprises the first and oldest incorporated district in Kansas City.  One of the most desirable and vibrant neighborhoods in the city, it boasts fine dining, modern industrial living spaces, world class events,...

Real estate technology has grown exponentially since the first Internet boom, and with every passing year the pace seems to accelerate even more. This past summer I attended multiple real estate conferences around the country and learned about a bunch of new technology that can help renters, home...

Remodeling: The 3 Improvements to Increase the Value of Your Home When it comes time to sell your home, many sellers look to remodeling as a way to not only attract potential buyers but to raise the value of their home. It’s important to note, however, that not all remodeling endeavors are created...

Full-Service Real Estate: More ‘Bang’ For Your Buck Technology and the “right now” mentality have vastly changed the way we function on a day-to-day basis; from shopping to traveling, we are all about convenience. Coupled with convenience and needing immediate gratification,...

The Kansas City area is known for many different attractions that draw in tourists and locals alike; great barbeque, a successful baseball team, and the Plaza, just to name a few. One of the most recent draws added to the list is none other than the Crossroads, which boasts a variety of things to do....

With the high demand for homes and low inventory it comes as no surprise that 2015 has been a seller’s market. Making up the largest chunk of home buyers this year (roughly 32%) are Millennials, individuals ranging from age 25 to 34. This may come as somewhat of a shock to many people because Millennials,...

Could this be the best time ever to Buy, Sell or Invest in Real Estate?  It just might be!  The Fall Market may have some hiccups on the way due to two key changes set to take place October 1st, 2015 by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).  Established in 2013, the CFPB wants...

When buying and selling a home, there are many factors that come into play. As a seller, it is pertinent to be aware of what some of these more deal-making or breaking needs are. As a buyer, it is important to be aware of the steps you can take to ensure you’re having as many as your wants and...

Thinking of buying a new home? Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that the process is smooth and frustration-free: Consider Working with a Buyer Agency: Working with a Realtor that is truly committed to helping you is key during the buying process. The ideal candidate should be someone...

Statistically speaking history shows three things tend to happen between the months of February and June: Lending changes Rates are lower Inventory is at an all-time low It’s therefore important to note that all home appreciation seems to happen in the four months between February...

Starting August 1st, 2015, the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s new TILA-RESPA regulations will take effect. Issues like poor communication and confusing numbers helped bring about these changes that have been in the works since 2012. The new guidelines will help to ensure that consumers know...

Spring Forward: Why the Spring Market Starts Early Back in the day, things were a lot simpler when it came to keeping track of your children. Parents would simply open the door, tell their children to go out and play, and then expect to see them only when dinner came around. Due to the fact that parents...

Come join us! Learn the ins and outs of purchasing your first home this Thursday, 2/26, 6:30pm-8pm at our office: 4200 Somerset Drive, Ste 101, Prairie Village. Food & Gift Giveaways ~ And, it's free! Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/home-buyer-seminar-tickets-15803511729 ...

The Importance of Consulting your Tax Adviser To the majority of us, understanding taxes is like attempting to read something written in a foreign language; it’s confusing and oftentimes stressful. So it comes as no surprise that you’ll hear many people, including your realtor, say “consult...

Our Kansas City market has seen a number of changes over the past years. We’ve seen the good times, we’ve seen the not as good times. Now we’re all wondering what’s on the horizon for 2015. Let’s take a look back: Here we see that, in our area, sales have increased...

Have you seen what’s happening in the Real Estate business world?  Mergers and acquisitions are occurring left and right. Even Rupert Murdoch’s company, News Corp (owner of Fox and the Wall Street Journal among others), is getting in the game by purchasing Move, Inc., operator of Realtor.com,...

The idea to buy or sell a home can start as a very small spark: you’re tired of sharing your restroom with teenagers, you’re ready to downsize, you really want that dream kitchen.  It can be very tempting to strike out on your own, feeling unsure if you will actually end up buying or...

They have very different political orientations but Steve Schmidt, a top Republican political strategist, and David Plouffe, one of his counterparts on the Democratic side, are in lockstep when it comes to the importance of home ownership in anchoring a growing U.S. economy and building strong communities. The...

Most homebuyers and sellers think of Spring as the traditional time to buy a home but the trends are showing that Fall is turning out to be a fantastic time to purchase a home.  With summer vacations over and holidays on the horizon, homebuyers finally have a moment to look at the market and make...

  As summer is winding down, many of us are looking for a last minute vacation spot to relax before the fall a holidays take over. Would this not be the perfect time to get out and enjoy yourself truly? There are many really great locations very near to us in Kansas, Missouri and surround...

It may sometimes seem appealing to navigate real estate on your own: sellers may think they can save themselves money and buyers can utilize the internet to see all the listed houses in their area. The National Association of Realtors annual studies tell a different story: Sellers f paying...

The real estate market, across the board, isn't what we'd call “traditionally hot” at the moment. Yet we have a proposal for you that has to do with a little bit of research, some smart questions, and surprising potential rewards. In Kansas City, today, there is an active property...

            The property market in Kansas City is teeming with buyers – it's a fact. A fact that may be changing the way houses are bought and sold in our area. MLS and broad catalogs offer the rote approach to known prospects, but there’s...

    There are many people across Kansas who are doing away with real estate agents and selling their homes independently. While it can be a very attractive proposition to sell your home and not have to pay any real estate commission, the bottom line is an agent is likely going to...

                  America’s biggest real estate franchise is offering U.S. consumers the opportunity to win a big check with no strings attached. To help Keller Williams agents share their personally branded mobile apps...

We’ve all seen episodes of House Hunters; this house won’t work because the dining room is painted pink.  Or maybe this house is perfect because of the low price, but have they overlooked the fact that its dirty (is that even important)?  Buyers often come prepared with certain...

“The chief beauty about time is that you cannot waste it in advance. The next year, the next day, the next hour are lying ready for you, as perfect, as unspoiled, as if you had never wasted or misapplied a single moment in all your life. You can turn over a new leaf every hour if you choose.” -...

Imagine the different kinds of expertise involved in helping a first-time buyer purchase a home, versus helping a last-time seller to downsize and choose from among an array of housing options for the next stage of his or her life.   I think we can all agree that first-time buyers and senior...

And We’re Not Talking About The Internet. Negotiating Seller Paid Closing Costs When Selling Your Home   You may think of winter as a surprising time to sell your home but consider this: those that are needing to move (either for work, space, or a myriad of other reasons) would...

If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one. The simultaneous demands of work and family are taking a toll. And what’s the cost? Second-rate work, missed deadlines, smaller pay checks, fewer promotions and lots of stress. But you also want more. You want more productivity from...

  Big changes may be coming for home buyers. In front of Congress are two new bills that promise consumer protection but may deliver exactly the opposite. Both the Housing-Finance Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2013, and the Protecting American Taxpayers and Homeowners Act, take aim at...

The housing market is booming. If you’re in the right place, that is. One industry study recently predicted that nearly 90% of U.S. markets will see a price appreciation over the next year. That’s great news, but not enough to help you make buying and selling decisions. As the market...

Wood Shake Roofing and Insurance You don’t have to look far in Johnson County to see whole neighborhoods with housetops clad in wood shakes. Its textured, natural look has been a favorite among high-end developers for years, giving homes a more distinctive look—at a much higher cost—than...

Safe Rooms They’re getting a lot of buzz, and after this spring’s tornadoes, it’s no wonder. Safe rooms are the latest must-haves in housing, and for good reason. When built to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) standards, the agency says they offer “near-absolute protection”...

As the real estate market heats up, a new strategy is catching the attention of home sellers. It’s known as speed selling, and it’s a great way to way to generate multiple purchase offers in a short period of time. One house in Leawood recently generated 13 offers in one weekend, and sold...

Now is a great time to buy and sell. Like any market, the real estate market fluctuates. Sometimes it’s a seller’s market, other times it’s a buyer’s market. Rarely do the factors that determine this line up in a way that gives everybody an advantage. Until now, that is.  Today...

It’s never been more affordable to own a home than now. Take a look at the research and you’ll see that’s not just idle talk; it’s a fact borne out by historical data.  Over the past few years, the percentage of family income going toward mortgage payments has steadily...

Nature takes care of the hard work: sending up colorful arrays of flowers, thickening the crowns of trees with leaves, greening up the lawns. For all the rest, you’re responsible. It’s March--time to freshen things up. Banish the Clutter One of the most rewarding tasks of spring cleanup...

Making our homes energy efficient is a little like cooking with kale: we know it’s good for us, but that doesn’t mean we’re actually going to throw it in the soup. Until now, that is. By this spring, most of the municipalities on the Kansas side of the metropolitan area will...

In last month’s article on real estate investing, we discussed what to look for when considering the purchase of a house as an investment property, including location, condition and the surprising upside of outdated decor (to read this article again, visit my blog listed below). Next, we’ll...

“Don’t wait to buy real estate; buy real estate and wait.” In today’s economy, it’s hard to beat the case for using real estate as a way to grow wealth. Just ask Warren Buffett, who recently recommended the investment strategy of buying single-family homes--complete...

In last month we discussed a powerful new tool to help you sell your house, the Listing Condition Continuum. By gauging where your home falls on the continuum--1 if it’s suitable for tear-down, 10 if it’s in top-notch shape--you can better predict both how much your house will sell for...

“For Sale” signs dot every neighborhood. Some you notice because they’ve been there so long they seem to have become a permanent fixture, right next to the pink flamingo that never flies away. Others stand out because of the swift arrival of a “Sold Fast!” addition...

If money management--making more of it or spending less of it--made your list of New Year’s resolutions back in January, here’s a gentle reminder that the clock is ticking away on 2012. Have you put your good intentions into action yet? With the Dow failing to gain traction on its uphill...

We’ve all heard that today’s low interest rates and affordable housing prices make this an ideal time to buy investment property. But if you’re new to the world of real estate investing, the idea of parting with your hard-earned savings for a rental house can be downright terrifying....

  In last month we discussed a powerful new tool to help you sell your house, the Listing Condition Continuum. By gauging where your home falls on the continuum--1 if it’s suitable for tear-down, 10 if it’s in top-notch shape--you can better predict both how much your house will sell...

Every day, Keller Williams real estate agents help people in their communities undertake one of the biggest and most rewarding challenges in life: buying or selling a home. Several weeks ago, however, tens of thousands of Keller Williams agents across the U.S. and Canada put down their For Sale signs,...

The media may be diligent about reporting negative news, but they’re not as reliable on follow-up when things improve. Although the local housing market has become more robust in recent months, the media’s gloom-and-doom message still holds sway over the less-informed. Today, many potential...

This holds true for airliners, bubbles, the heels of people in love, and the price of homes.  And while there may be no good way of drawing a trajectory to measure the average rise and fall of the first few items, solid statistics can help us predict the course of the housing market.   Studies...

Like most things in life, the current state of the housing market is a mixed bag. Historically low interest rates and affordable choices make buying easier, but today’s sellers are often getting less than they might have gotten if they had sold their home five or six years ago. For those of you...

  Curacao, Chongqing, Bay of Bundy...Kansas City.  Yes, that’s our town ranked by Frommer’s as a Top Ten Destination of 2012. As the only American city among a roster of decidedly exotic names--Fukuoka, Girona, and Ghana all made the list--we’re getting some much-deserved...

Real estate gurus like to talk about the state of the market and whether it's balanced or not. If the total number of houses for sale is low, it's considered a seller's market. Too many houses on the market? Buyers have the advantage. Several years ago we saw the cost of houses soar, making it difficult...

  Common wisdom has it that spring is the best time to buy or sell a house. But in today’s topsy-turvy economy, that wisdom gets turned on its head. Bargain-basement interest rates now are just one reason you shouldn’t wait to buy or sell your home. Here are a few others. Winter...

Things to DO in Kansas City Whether you are looking for a DATE NIGHT… or for a FUN ACTIVITY with the KIDS… you’ll find LOADS of options right here in the METRO! FUN WITH KIDS . . . (and grown-ups, too)! The Polar Bear Passage is now open at the Kansas City ZOO – Your...