Susan Bonham

Focusing on the Light in the Housing Market!

2012-02-25T19:44:00.000-08:00

Finally some news that we all can feel positive about. It looks like the housing market for those who have Lawrence KS Homes for Sale and for Real Estate for Sale in Lawrence KS in general, may finally be seeing some signs of light at the end of the long tunnel. According to the Kansas Association of Realtors there's certainly news to feel positive about in the state of Kansas. The home sales were up in Kansas in January 2012.
This might very well be the time to get your home listed if you've been waiting for the right time to add your home to the list of Homes for Sale in Lawrence KS. The buyers are out and are actively looking for the right home. I held a Open House for a Homes for Sale Lawrence KS on February 25, 2012 at 403 Lincoln and had over 45 buyers come through from 1pm to 3:30pm. That's amazing and a very strong showing. That indicates that buyers are getting out early this year looking for their dream homes. Please don't wait too long to list your home. Call me today for a free comparative market analysis on your home. Your Lawrence Home for Sale could be featured on this site.

Read the entire article from the Kansas Association of Realtors below:

"January 2012 Kansas home sales rose by 15.5% percent in January 2012
compared to January of 2011, according to new figures released by the
Kansas Association of REALTORS®. Sales totaled 1,609 units in January,
up from 1,393 units in 2011. In comparison, sales on a national level rose
0.7% for the month.
Across the state there were 16,090 active listings at the end of the
month. Supply of new and existing homes on the market -- which is
determined by taking the number of active listings and dividing it by
the number of sales -- represents 10.0 months.
"We're seeing a really strong start to the new year," said KAR
President, John Brocker with Allen County Realty, Inc., in Iola. "Sales
were up more than 15 percent in January, and it looks like it will be a
very solid spring selling season."
The statewide average sale price last month was $138,180, compared to
$144,552 in January 2011. This represents a decrease of 4.4%. The
statewide median sale price last month was $120,000 compared to $124,000
for the same period last year. According to the National Association of
REALTORS®, the median home price in the Midwest fell 3.9% to $122,000.
The national median existing home price was $154,700 which is 2.0% below
last year. The median price is where half sold for more and half sold for less.
According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a
30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage was a record low 3.92 percent
in January, down from 3.96 percent in December; the rate was 4.76
percent in January 2011; recordkeeping began in 1971. For more
than 90 years, the Kansas Association of REALTORS® has been the “Voice
for Real Estate” in Kansas. Working for Kansas property owners, the
Association provides a facility for professional education, research and
information exchange among its 8,000 member licensees, as well as to
consumers, government and the media. REALTORS® agree to abide by a
strict code of ethics, and are held to a high ethical standard by their
peers through their association membership. The term REALTOR® is a
federally-registered trademark owned by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS®, and denotes membership in the non-profit Association."

2012-02-02T07:44:00.000-08:00

HARP Program Offers Refinance Options!

There's no denying that there are many homeowners out there with"under water mortgages" . Fortunately, there is hope for these people through the HARP program. They can still refinance their loans with a lowercost affordable mortgage by utilizing the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). This program was recently revised and extended until December 31, 2013. This should be seen as welcome news to many individuals who currently have their Lawrence KS Homes for Sale and are either selling on a "short sale" basis or are facing a foreclosure.

Established in 2009 for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-owned mortgages, the HARPprogram provides this option for homeowners to refinance "under watermortgages." The program addresses situations where the home owner'sproperty value has fallen below the mortgage balance causing the owner to nolonger qualify under traditional underwriting criteria. This could be a better option for those thinking about how they can sell their Lawrence KS Homes when they owe more than the market value shows.

New HARP guidelines were recently announced by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Bothof these (Government Sponsored Enterprises) GSEs have posted details of theprogram modifications and procedural changes on their websites. Please contact your preferred lending institution for more information. The guidelines on the websites will assist the lenders with getting your refinance completed correctly.

If we can slow down the number of foreclosed homes hitting the market and then being sold for less than market value, then we will have an increased chance of seeing the home values go up. For those currently marketing Homes for Sale in Lawrence KS area, this would come none to soon.

New Home Sales Stiil Sluggish

2012-01-31T16:45:00.000-08:00

The next time you see a home builder, please be careful to show some compassion. These people have been the hardest hit in the housing market crash. In the entire year of 2011 there were only 302,000 new home sales nationwide. That's the current data we in the real estate industry have been given and it's realy sad for buliders. For those of you looking to build Lawrence KS Homes to live in or to those of you wanting to buy brand new Homes for Sale Lawrence KS, you'll find the choices are limited.

The new home sales in the Southern regions of the country were the lowest they've been since 1996. However, it gets worse . Both the East and the West areas of the country saw the absolute worst new home sales in recorded history in 2011.

Part of the problem for Lawrence home builders and home builders in general, comes from a continuation of foreclosures on the market. This results in deeply discounted homes. I personally assisted buyers in 2011 with purchasing several "foreclosure sales" in 2011. I also helped several buyers with the purchase of Lawrence KS Homes for Sale and Lawrence KS Homes that were being marketed as "short sales". These homes are seen as "bargins" or "deals" by buyers looking to purchase Lawrence Ks Real Estate for Sale.

The threat of further price declines, continues to frighten buyers away from paying premium prices for new homes. Even though, there is evidence that a slight pick-up in home sales will be seen in 2012, buyers are still being cautious.

Local Housing Markets Place 1st and 2nd for 2012

2012-01-24T12:20:00.000-08:00

The news from HousingPredictor.com is very welcome for those attempting to market their Lawrence KS Homes for Sale. This story tells us that there is hope for the Midwest and specifically the Kansas City and Topeka areas. My hope is that if Kansas City is ranked #1 and Topeka ranked # 2 for the best 2012 housing markets, that Lawrence KS Real Estate for Sale will also feel the positive impact.

Rank	City	Forecast
1.	Kansas City, KS	5.8%
2.	Topeka, KS	4.7%
3.	Charleston, WV	4.5%
4.	Oklahoma City, OK	4.3%
5.	Minot, ND	4.2%
6.	Overland Park, KS	4.2%
7.	Wichita, KS	4.1%
8.	Huntington, WV	4.0%
9.	Wheeling, WV	3.9%
10.	Bismarck, ND	3.6%
11.	Casper, WY	3.5%
12.	Lake Charles, LA	3.4%
13.	Rapid City, SD	3.2%
14.	El Paso, TX	3.2%
15.	Cheyenne, WY	3.2%
16.	Nashua, NH	3.1%
17.	Monroe, LA	3.1%
18.	Buffalo, NY	3.1%
19.	Houma, LA	3.0%
20.	Bellevue, NB	2.9%
21.	Rochester, NY	2.9%
22.	Concord, NH	2.8%
23.	Omaha, NB	2.8%
24.	Gillette, WY	2.7%
25.	Syracuse, NY	2.5%

It appears as though the strong farming influence has much to do with this forecast. Many are claiming that land values and specifically farm land values have been rising in the past few months. That is welcome news. Buyers looking to invest in something that has lasting and intrinsic value should consider making a move before the prices start heading back up. Homes for Sale Lawrence KS can also be purchased with a very low interest loan.

Click on the links below to see the two articles in their entirety. Please give me a call if you have any questions about the current market value of your Lawrence KS Homes or your land.

http://www.housingpredictor.com/2012/best-markets.html

http://www.housingpredictor.com/2012/kansas.html

Good Start for the Spring Market!

2011-12-29T18:17:00.000-08:00

Couple the positive pending sales news with the increase in buyer inquiries that I've received the past few days and I see an early start to the 2012 spring housing market. Today the news coming from all the major news sources is encouraging. Great news for all those buyers looking to purchase one of the many Lawrence KS Homes for Sale currently on the market.

The National Association of Realtors reports that existing home sales rose in November and remain higher than this time one year ago. According to the Chief Economist for NAR, Lawrence Yun, the increase seems to be due, in large part, to home buyers finally taking advantage of an obvious "buyers market" going on across the country. With record low interest rates and extremely good deals on many of the homes for sale, one wonders why a buyer would not want to take advantage now before the trends begin to change. Increasing home values would certainly be a more favorable climate for the sellers.

I can speak to local sales data that pertains to Homes for Sale Lawrence KS. It too shows that sales are on the uptick. This is welcome news for all the sellers who've been waiting for the market to start the recovery. If you're a seller looking to list a Homes for Sale in Lawrence KS it may be time to seriously consider contacting a Realtor.

Most Realtors will give you a complete picture of the local market and what the market value of your home is relative to the your market. This is a free service that you should take advantage of. Once you've compared the reports, then you can begin the process of choosing the Realtor with the best and most comprehensive marketing plan for your Lawrence KS Home for Sale.

Also, please make sure that you only hire a real estate agent who is a "Realtor". Lawrence KS Real Estate Agents are not all the same. It's one thing to get a basic real estate license, but it is quite another thing to build on that basic foundation and understanding of the real estate industry. Therefore, you'll do yourself an enormous service if the Realtor you hire has taking the time, invested the money and put forth the effort to earn the following designations: Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and Graduate of Realtor Institute (GRI).

Reflecting on America's Blessings on Thanksgiving

2011-11-29T08:26:00.001-08:00

Many of us seem to forget how very blessed we are here in America. Even our President referred to us as being "lucky" in his Thanksgiving address this year. I'm sorry, but I disagree with that assessment of America and the American people. I do not believe that "luck" has anything to do with our prosperity and our greatness. I tend to believe in the facts about our nation and one of those facts is that we are a "Christian Nation".

We are indeed a "blessed" nation. Furthermore, those blessing have all come from God. The fact is that our country was founded on Christian principles. There have been many in the progressive camps for over 100 years who have worked tirelessly to distort the truth about our nation and our nations founders. However, the truth is there if you care to look and the truth has no agenda.

I know, I know, not all Americans are Christian and many have no religious beliefs at all. I'm fully aware of the diverse nature of this country and appreciate that these differences in people are part of what makes this country the greatest country in the world. Simply being able to worship in anyway you chose or being free to not believe is again a testament to the freedom that so many Americans have fought and died to retain.

In so far as my personal life goes, I feel blessed every morning when I awake. As a real estate agent in Lawrence, KS, I've been directly affected by the housing market crash and have experienced a decline in income. That does not mean that I'm not blessed beyond measure. Sure I may have to work a little harder to sell the Lawrence Ks Homes for Sale I have currently listed and my clients may be stretching their patience muscles more. I've still helped many sellers achieve success this year and have assisted many buyers in finding just the right Homes for Sale in Lawrence KS.

Now perhaps many people will claim that much of my real estate success is simply a matter of luck. Here again, I would disagree. I believe everything good that happens to me is God blessing me. I love the Thanksgiving holiday. It reminds me to be thankful for my blessings now and all year long. May God continue to bless America!

A Veteran’s Day Tribute to Home

2011-11-12T14:04:00.000-08:00

Click on the link below to read this article.

A Veteran’s Day Tribute to Home

I really enjoyed this article and wanted to share it with you. It's not often enough that we celebrate the profound sacrifices our men and women of the armed forces have made and continue to make everyday for us. God bless them and their families.

Let's all try to keep them in our thoughts and prayers everyday and please take the time to tell them "thank you" if you see a soldier in a bank, a coffee shop, a grocery store or even at an open house of one of the many Lawrence KS Homes for sale.

Still Good Time to Buy a Home

2011-10-29T15:26:00.000-07:00

NAR Chief Economist

According to Lawrence Yun, the Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors,
now is still a fantastic time for home buyers to buy Lawrence KS Homes. If you can get approved for a loan now at a decent rate, you are well advised to buy a home. Make your move now before the lending requirements become tougher and the interest rates go higher.

The current economic mess can be blamed on our government. As long as the FED continues to manipulate the monetary system things will continue to worsen. Homes sales will remain sluggish in the Lawrence KS real estate for sale market and markets all across the country. There are many reasons why American homes and Lawrence KS homes for sale continue to see more and more days on market. "A combination of weak consumer confidence and continuing tight lending criteria held back home buyers, even though the private sector added nearly 2 million net jobs in the past 12 months" said Yun in an article on the National Association of Realtors post on October 27, 2011.

Basically, the Federal Reserve's policies and their attempts to help our economy are actually hurting the housing market. Yun says the policies are "contradictory and confusing" to consumers. Until Americans stand up and demand that the Federal Reserve is audited and they are forced to stop printing and / or digitizing money, we are likely to see the problems in the housing market continue. Go to Realtor.org for the complete story and to watch a very informative video on the current housing market conditions across the country.

Fall is a Good Time for Furnace Maintenance

2011-09-30T11:23:00.000-07:00

The cooler daytime temperatures of the fall season have brought even cooler nights. Therefore, many of us have already felt the chill enough to reluctantly go to the thermostat and click on the furnace.

Whether you're living in a newer home or if your furnace is as old as mine, over 24 years old, you'll be well advised to have it serviced soon. For all the sellers of Lawrence KS Homes, fall is the perfect time to have their HVAC units checked and cleaned. HVAC units in Lawrence KS homes for sale that are vacant also should be serviced. It's recommended to have the A/C and heating units serviced in the spring and the fall each year. Therefore, if you failed to do it last spring you can still get some peace of mind by getting it done now.

There are so many things that could potentially go wrong with the HVAC unit inside our Lawrence KS Homes. Dirty air conditioning coils and filters could cause compressors or fans to fail prematurely. Bent fans can cause other components to fail or operate improperly. Corrosion of wiring and terminals can also produce major hazards. There have certainly been fires in homes for sale in Lawrence ks due to furnace issues. Clogged or blocked duct work can also lead to fire hazards.

Do yourself a favor and avoid these risks by having the HVAC unit in your Lawrence KS home serviced now. It'll save you money in the long run by allowing your furnace to operating efficiently. So go ahead and contact a professional HVAC company today. If you'd like a referral please call me and I'll provide the contact information for a qualified HVAC company. Also, if you have any real estate for sale in Lawrence KS give me a call. I'd love to show you my aggressive marketing plan and my record of sold homes for sale Lawrence KS this year.

Why You Need a Buyer's Agent

2011-09-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

I've been asked over and over again why buyers of Lawrence, KS Homes for Sale need an agent to help them with their real estate purchases? I find the reason for this question sometimes stems from the enormous amounts of information available to home buyers on the internet. The fact that buyers can find homes listings, property values, comparable data and sales information does not provide all one needs to know when making, what is quite often, the largest purchase of one's lifetime.

There are several other considerations which buyers may or may not be aware of. Much of the sales data on the internet is outdated. Sites like Trulia and Zillow are notorious for displaying outdated information such as sales data or current listing prices. Only a realtor can provide you with up-to-date and accurate sales data for Homes for Sale Lawrence, KS.

Many buyers just do not have the eduction or experience to interpret the sales and market data. For example I use absorption rates to compile and evaluate actual sales data that includes any seller concessions that might have been paid at closing. Lawrence, KS Homes for Sale data can be very confusing and buyers will do themselves a favor by making sure they understand it before making an offer on a Lawrence, Kansas Home for Sale.

Most buyers simply do not have the time to thoroughly research the housing market and may also not fully understand the best type of property to purchase based on their individual needs. It has been my experience that many buyers start out with a desire to have one type of Lawrence, KS Home or floor plan and end up changing their minds after looking at several homes with that plan. For various reasons buyers change their minds about their dream home once they start working with a professional.

Many buyers do not understand "buyer representation". So many buyers are surprised to learn that in many areas the realtor fees are all paid for by the sellers. So to have buyer representation costs the buyers nothing. The buyers also do not understand that the listing agents are legally obligated to the sellers of Lawrence, KS Homes to get them the most money and the best terms. The seller's agents simply cannot represent the buyer's interest. The sellers of Lawrence, KS Homes for Sale are counting on their agent to do their best to negotiate a great deal for them. Shouldn't you, as a buyer, get that same kind of representation?

Most buyers are unfamiliar with the residential sales contracts and all the other legal documents that are utilized in the real estate transactions. A buyer can literally save themselves thousands of dollars by having a professional advocate working on their behalf. A realtor can keep a buyer from making mistakes that could get them sued or from buying a home that will cost them huge amounts of money, disappointment and /or regret.

Realtors can provide buyers information about lending and lenders. This is really the first step in the home buying process. If you as a buyer have not been approved for loan, then you are doing yourself a big disfavor by looking at homes before you know for certain that you can buy a home. Furthermore, until you've been approved you have no idea what price range you should be looking in.

Realtors can provide buyers with answers regarding the zoning restrictions and regulations, building codes that pertain to their new Homes Lawrence, KS, school information, neighborhood history and many other valuable data regarding the community. Location does matter and it matters most to home buyers.

Buyer's should do their homework before selecting a buyer's agent. Be certain that your choice of a real estate agent is based on the following criteria:
The person should be a "Realtor". A certified realtor will also serve you better if he or she is educated as well as experienced. Make sure you check to see if the person has gone beyond the state required education and has earned the designations such as ABR (Accredited Buyer's Agent), CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) and GRI (Graduate of Realtor Institute). There are many other designations, but these are mandatory if you want the best service possible.

City of Lawrence, KS "Pooch" Friendly

2011-08-23T13:06:00.000-07:00

On August 22, 2011 the City of Lawrence opened the municipal swimming pool to all the canine citizens of Lawrence, KS Homes. The city closes the pool to the public a few days before this event every year. If you have a dog who loves water and loves to swim, you should mark your calander for next year.

I was on my way to see a buyer about some Homes for Sale Lawrence, KS when I first noticed the dogs heading to the pool with their owners. On the way back to my office, Realty Executives-Hedges Real Estate, I stopped and enjoyed watching the canine belly flops and the pooch plunges. It seemed that all the dogs were very social and enjoying all the canine company. It was a fantastic event for the pooches and their owners. I watched as the dogs all jumped in, dog-paddled around, got out, shook their coats and repeated the process. The dogs and the owners all seemed to have a ton of fun.

Buyers looking to purchase Lawrence, KS Homes will be fortunate to live in a community that is really "pooch" friendly.

Silver Lining in Midst of Stock Storm?

2011-08-09T09:44:00.000-07:00

For millions of Americans the decline of the stock market in the past few days has been a painful reminder of what can happen when we listen to our leaders instead of doing our own homework and being prepared. Many of us have seen this storm brewing for the past two years, while unfortunatley most did not. The vast majority of people are too caught up in their daily lives to take time out to seriously consider how the politicians, from the President on down, are taking our country in the wrong direction. Most Americans are good and decent people who just want to believe that the politicians have their best interest at heart.

The "leaders" of this great nation seem to have no problem mis-leading the American people. The policies they make for us does not affect their wallets or their retirement accounts. I, for one, would like to see them all take an immediate pay cut and start contributing to their health insurance and retirement systems. But that's a story for another day.

I'm hopeful that more and more Americans will WAKE UP, smell the proverbial coffee and either get their money out of the stock market or at least put some of it into precious metals and real estate. It is really a wise move to diversify. One way to do that is to look at purchasing Real Estate for Sale in Lawrence, KS.

For those looking to buy Lawrence, KS Homes for Sale, the opportunity couldn't be better. If you have good credit and you're applying for a loan to purchase one of the many Homes for Sale in Lawrence, KS you'll be pleasantly surprised at the low interest rates. Other than gas prices coming down, the continuation of low mortgage interest rates is the silver lining within the storm.

Think about diversifying your investment portfolio by adding a piece of Lawrence, KS Real Estate now while the rates and the property values are low. Many sellers of Lawence, KS Houses for Sale are very much in the mood to look at your offer. Just as owning silver is a good insurance policy, owning a home could help to shelter you from furture storms.

Dry Hot Weather Puts Damper on Lawrence, KS Home Sales

2011-08-04T07:52:00.001-07:00

For more than 3 consecutive weeks we've endured 100+ temperatures here in Lawrence, KS. Those who are struggling to find success in selling their Lawrence, KS Homes for Sale, have felt the heat in more ways than one. Lawrence, KS Houses for Sale have seen far less showings during this time and fewer offers and sales.
Today we finally have RAIN! I'm optimistic that with cooler weather the home buyers will be more inclined to go out to open houses and begin calling agents about the Lawrence, KS Houses for Sale they see online.
In addition, I'm hopeful that now that it's cooler, more and more buyers will be out driving through the neighborhoods and see all the Homes for Sale in Lawrence, KS real estate signs in all those Lawrence, KS Homes' yards and give the agents a call in order to schedule showings.

Will Raising the Debt Ceiling Help or Hurt Home Sales?

2011-07-15T20:02:00.000-07:00

When thinking about the issue of raising the debt ceiling, one might also wondering how that will affect, or not affect, the housing market. For sellers and buyers of Lawrence, KS homes for sale it could be a concern. Homes for sale in Lawrence, KS are already sitting on the market too long in many cases and the last thing sellers of Lawrence, KS Homes for Sale need is Washington maker matters worse.

The experts say that the connection between the debt ceiling, the housing market, the construction industry and the broader economy is the rate of interest paid on the US Treasury bonds and the mortgage rates. Failing to raise the debt ceiling, which is the maximum amount the government can borrow without additional congressional approval, would cause the interest rates to climb. The climb could be mild or more severe and could keep rates higher for some time.

Obviously, this is not something you want to see happen if you currently have a Home for Sale in Lawrence, Kansas. This would most likely prevent many buyers of Houses for Sale in Lawrence, KS to be unable to afford those Lawrence, KS Homes. Therefore, any rise in interest rates would have a negative impact on the housing market.

However, whether the debt ceiling is raised or not, there is no assurance that the housing market will be stable. There are too many other factors that are negatively impacting the housing market nationally as well as locally. Therefore, the decision to raise or not raise the debt ceiling will not destroy the housing market. It will continue to limp along either way.

What's "Up" with Lawrence, KS Home Sales?

2011-06-24T16:24:00.000-07:00

The May 2011 National Association of Realtors (NAR) home sales statistics were released a few days ago. According to Lawrence Yun, the chief economist for NAR, there are several factors that attributed to the decline. Read his article http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2011/06/may_decline

When I first read the article, I have to admit, my heart sank as I thought about all the Lawrence, Ks homes for sale and the sellers of those Lawrence, KS homes. I represent several of those sellers who are struggling to sell their Lawrence, KS houses. I have a responsibility to stay informed about what the housing market is doing in order to advise my seller clients on what steps they need to take in order to successfully sell their Lawrence, Kansas Homes. So when I read another article about how Kansas home sales were better than the national sales, I wanted to share it. You can read the article here: http://kansasreporter.org/75190.aspx.

I'm hopeful that Kansas homes sales and more specifically, Lawrence, Ks homes for sale will continue to sell at a stronger pace than some of the other areas in the country.

Lawrence KS Homes for Sale

2011-05-23T20:51:00.000-07:00

Many Lawrence KS Homes for Sale have been for sale for far too long. Sellers of Lawrence KS Houses are finding it increasingly difficult to find buyers for their Lawrence KS Homes. In order to successfully market a home there needs to eventually be a buyer bringing the seller a contract that will culminate in a closing.

How do a sellers accomplish the challenging task of closing their Lawrence KS Homes for Sale? They must take into account many factors affecting the housing market. Sure, sellers must look at their Lawrence Ks Houses for Sale and what the local market is doing, but they also need to consider what the housing trends are nationwide.

Equally important to sellers is the market plan for their Lawrence KS Houses for Sale. Internet market is key to getting buyers in the door. However, there are many aspects to a great marketing plan. In these times, sellers need to employ many or all of them.

The best way for sellers to figure all this out is to hire a qualified Realtor. They can be worth their weight in gold when it comes to analyizing the market trends. A really good Realtor can help sellers understand some of the reasons why certain Lawrence KS Homes for Sale have been on the market for over a year while others have sold in just a few days or weeks. This insight will aid all sellers with Lawrence KS Houses for Sale, especially those who may have been trying to sell their homes without the assistance of a qualified, educated and experienced Lawrence KS Realtor.

"To Stage or not to Stage", Your Home?

2010-08-04T11:55:00.000-07:00

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/.

It's a Small World

2010-05-19T09:42:00.000-07:00

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.

Life Beyond the Tax Credit Madness

2010-05-05T11:13:00.000-07:00

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.

Pleasant Grove Estates Spring Party

2010-04-26T14:53:00.000-07:00

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.

Ready, Set, Go......Time to Buy is Now!

2010-01-29T14:09:00.000-08:00

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.