Kansas City Home trends

With all the news on network TV talking about how bad the real estate world is, that’s not the case here in Kansas City. Our real estate market in Kansas City is moving, but not at record levels.  That’s normal for Kansas City.  We don’t see the major up and down swings in the market as many areas of the country.  Our area tends to be more a steady market.  Yes, we’ve have the movements just not as severe. Last weekend the Kansas City Parade of Homes had just finished, and it proved that people are out looking at the new trends in home building in Kansas City.  This year, it seems that many of the homebuyers in Kansas City are searching for a home that will provide a lifestyle not just a place to live.  They’re looking for a home that has amenities.

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Kansas City Spring Homes Tour

We know its spring time when the Home Builders Association puts on their annual spring home tour in Kansas City!  It’s always so wonderful to look at the new decorating ideas & to see the wonderful homes for sale in Kansas City along with the new trends.  This is their 46^th annual parade, with over 320 homes available to view between the hours of 11am & 6 pm. The homes are scattered around the eight counties surrounding Kansas City. Homes for sale in Kansas City that are on the Parade of Homes Tour range from $100,000 to $2.6 million.  You’ll have the chance to view the American Dream Award, which are held in conjunction with the Parade of Homes.  The homes that are entered compete in categories determined by price, housing styles, & I believe energy efficiency.

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Eureka Springs is a weekend get away from your Kansas City home!

We recently returned from a few days of R & R in Eureka Springs Ark.  Its a short drive of about 4.5 hr drive from your Kansas City home.  Its a terrific little town that takes you back into the 19^thCentury village found in the Ozark Mountains!  Many arrive in Eureka Springs to spend the day shopping the art galleries, the one of kind specialty stores, wineries, along with great architecture! Each weekend in Eureka Springs has a numerous of entertainment festivals, concerts & more! The lure of romance is in the air because of the quaint & intimate feel of the city! Plus it is only 45 minutes Branson , MO.  So if you want to take in the entertainment of Branson, it is a great place to stay as an alternative to the hotels.  There is an incredible number of Bed and Breakfasts in Eureka Springs.  So youll have a choice from charm and character to the Victorian style.  We stayed at a replica of Victorian that was only 12 years, with all the comforts of your home in Kansas City.  Along the way¦ 

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Today’s market has made the real estate transaction more complicated and stressful for many of the Kansas City real estate sales.

With all the foreclosures and short sales, it’s having an effects on the appraisals.  It’s important that we give the bank appraisal just as much attention to detail and preparation.

Typically the appraiser and bank wants comparable homes sales in Kansas City in the same neighborhoods that have closed within the last 6 month. It’s important to chose homes that have comparable features. If not, the lender can reject or request for further justification on the comparable homes.

So its important to be realistic on values.  With all the attention on the short sales and foreclosures, those need to be detailed. If the properties have sold for less, then the lender will probably want to know the reasons & conditions. The lenders want to understand market conditions and how pending sales are also effecting the market.  Pending sales indicate the market conditions! Also, some lenders are putting declining markets on some zipcodes.

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The Best Kept Secret: Kansas City!  When relocating to Overland Park and Leawood, I help educate my clients about all the benefit of living in Kansas City.  As we search for homes in Overland Park, we discuss many of the amenities of living here! The excellent schools districts that are nationally known, the quality of lifestyle that can’t be beat, the affordable housing costs and world class shopping and dining!   Once you get accustom to the area, you’ll begin to see that Kansas City is truly the Best Kept Secret around! 

But I came across another great reason to be living in Kansas City. Today one of my clients had seen an article from US News & World Report that had ranked the top 47 largest airports. Of the 47 airports reviewed, Kansas City had ranked as #6 with on time flights according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics!  Wow!  Now isn’t that something to brag about!  We have a passenger friendly airport with plenty of affordable parking, easy passenger drop off and pickup, wi-fi and more. More reasons to enjoy the quality of living in Kansas City.