Lawrence, Ks homes for sale may not all be displaying their most attractive look. I recently spoke with Beth Riddell and Trish Van Vliet, Owners of Stylish Staging, LLC. Beth and Trish agree that sellers may not be doing all they can to get their homes sold in Lawrence, Ks. Just as you would put on your best dress or suit when interviewing for a job you really want, a home should be displayed in the best possible light when it's being marketed.
Beth said that all properties have unique assets as well as potential challenges. Whether you're still living in your home or it's currently vacant it can be transformed into an attractive, warm, and welcoming environment. Afterall, if your home is one of twenty similar homes in the same price range, it must stand out as being the cream of the crop when the buyers come through .
Trish said she and Beth offer a complimentary assessment of your home in which they'll explain the cost-effective and easy-to-implement recommendations that'll really set your home apart from the others. The National Association of Realtors estimates that an average staging investment of 1 to 3 percent of the list price generates a return of 8 to 10 percent!
If you're selling a home in Lawrence, Ks or anywhere in Douglas County Kansas, you owe it to yourself to investigate the benefits of staging your home. Beth and Trish are both accredited home stagers and are members of RESA. Check out the Stylish Staging website today at http://stylishstaging.com/.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
It's a Small World
This past week my husband and I were fly fishing at Lake Taneycomo in Branson, Missouri when we met a really nice couple, Dennis and Debbie. They were fishing the same great spot that Scott and I enjoy fishing. Debbie was delighted to show us her "big catch" of the day. She said that she and Dennis have been vacationing and fishing in Branson for years and that this was the biggest rainbow trout either of them had ever caught. It was probably 6 to 7 lbs and quite impressive. Scott could not resist picking up the fish for a nice photo. Don't worry, he wouldn't dream of misrepresenting this fish as his.
We talked some more of the wonders of fishing and/or fly fishing and about how the people you meet on vacation are all so nice. The funniest thing happened though after awhile. We learned that we all were from Lawrence, Kansas. I think it is remarkable how it is that you can be on vacation and still meet people from your own backyard.
It's always nice to get away for a vacation, but it's also very nice living in a place like Lawrence, Kansas where there are so many nice folks.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Life Beyond the Tax Credit Madness
Now that the deadline for getting a home "under contract" in order to qualify for the $8,000 or $6,500 tax credit has passed, how does my professional life as a realtor change? In my opinion and in my business it really won't change much.
I spent yesterday in a Topeka, Kansas in a leadership class for Kansas Realtors who've been chosen to go through a program called the Right Track. One of the instructors, Karen France, asked each of us to explain how we had been affected individually by the tax credits for first time and move up buyers.
The answers came from agents in the Topeka, Wichita, Hutchison, Salina and even the Derby, Kansas markets. Several agents said they saw little to no change in their business while others said they were impacted heavily by the last minute rush to buy. One agent reported having 17 clients either accept offers on the home they had listed with her and her husband or make offers that were accepted by other agent's seller clients. All in the month of April!
I did not see that kind of rush although my office was incredibly busy. I had a few clients that wanted to get in on the tax credits while others who are being very patient in order to find their perfect home.
The good news is that the home market has stabilized, not only locally but around the country. Believe it or not, this stabilization has also occurred in those markets that were hardest hit including Florida, Las Vegas, etc. I have all the statistics on the home sales available if you're skeptical.
So my conclusion and prediction is that Lawrence will continue to see strengthened home sales in the coming months. The interest rates are still very attractive and the inventory is still plentiful so the opportunity to find a great home remains. Also, in my opinion and many of yours, Lawrence, Kansas is also a fantastic place to live and work.
I spent yesterday in a Topeka, Kansas in a leadership class for Kansas Realtors who've been chosen to go through a program called the Right Track. One of the instructors, Karen France, asked each of us to explain how we had been affected individually by the tax credits for first time and move up buyers.
The answers came from agents in the Topeka, Wichita, Hutchison, Salina and even the Derby, Kansas markets. Several agents said they saw little to no change in their business while others said they were impacted heavily by the last minute rush to buy. One agent reported having 17 clients either accept offers on the home they had listed with her and her husband or make offers that were accepted by other agent's seller clients. All in the month of April!
I did not see that kind of rush although my office was incredibly busy. I had a few clients that wanted to get in on the tax credits while others who are being very patient in order to find their perfect home.
The good news is that the home market has stabilized, not only locally but around the country. Believe it or not, this stabilization has also occurred in those markets that were hardest hit including Florida, Las Vegas, etc. I have all the statistics on the home sales available if you're skeptical.
So my conclusion and prediction is that Lawrence will continue to see strengthened home sales in the coming months. The interest rates are still very attractive and the inventory is still plentiful so the opportunity to find a great home remains. Also, in my opinion and many of yours, Lawrence, Kansas is also a fantastic place to live and work.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Pleasant Grove Estates Spring Party
This past Saturday morning about 20 residents of Pleasant Grove Estates, Lawrence Kansas got together for a neighborhood gathering. Those attending the party enjoyed catching up with what's been going on in each others lives, the sharing of stories about the neighborhood and indulging in some really fabulous foods. This party was hosted by the gracious hostess, Cathy Wolfe.
Cathy said she finds great joy in hosting parties. In my opinion she is an expert and at 83 years young, she's certainly got the experience to back that assertion. Cathy had a bit of help from her daughter Jean Turvey and her dear neighbor, Nancy Jaeger.
I've been around this great neighborhood for over 15 years now and have had the pleasure of attending many of these gatherings. Many of the residents feel it is not only fun getting together once or twice a year, but they also know how important it is to have those close relationships with neighbors you can count on when the need arises.
I love my neighborhood and my Pleasant Grove neighbors. I'm looking forward to the next gathering at Brian's place. I can't wait to see his new kitchen and his outdoor fireplace.
Cathy said she finds great joy in hosting parties. In my opinion she is an expert and at 83 years young, she's certainly got the experience to back that assertion. Cathy had a bit of help from her daughter Jean Turvey and her dear neighbor, Nancy Jaeger.
I've been around this great neighborhood for over 15 years now and have had the pleasure of attending many of these gatherings. Many of the residents feel it is not only fun getting together once or twice a year, but they also know how important it is to have those close relationships with neighbors you can count on when the need arises.
I love my neighborhood and my Pleasant Grove neighbors. I'm looking forward to the next gathering at Brian's place. I can't wait to see his new kitchen and his outdoor fireplace.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Ready, Set, Go......Time to Buy is Now!
If you've been waiting with your engine running and your right foot ready to put the pedal to the metal, the time to buy a home is NOW! This goes for both first time home buyers and those who want or need to sell the home they're in now in order to up-size or down-size. If the 3rd time is a charm this is it. The $8,000 tax credit for first time buyers and the $6,500 for repeat buyers has been extended the third and final time by the federal government. The contracts must be signed by the 30th of April 2010 and the homes must all be closed no later than the 30th of June 2010. No exceptions.
With inventories plentiful, home prices greatly reduced, interest rates at historic lows and the added tax credits there has never been a better time to buy a home in this great country.
If you'd like to know if you qualify please visit my web site www.ShowAllHomes.com and click on the Tax Credit tab. You may also call me with questions at 785-393-7070.
With inventories plentiful, home prices greatly reduced, interest rates at historic lows and the added tax credits there has never been a better time to buy a home in this great country.
If you'd like to know if you qualify please visit my web site www.ShowAllHomes.com and click on the Tax Credit tab. You may also call me with questions at 785-393-7070.
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