If They Can Smell It, We Can't Sell It

This is serious! If a buyer walks in a home that smells they can immediately be turned off and leave. I've seen this happen even if the home fits their needs perfectly!
With the movement towards a "smoke-free America" more and more buyers are turned off by the left over smell of stale cigarettes.
If you are selling and you'd walk a mile for a camel - think about your potential buyers and bring in a company to professionally refresh your home.
When it comes to pets... if Rover has been all over, you might consider bringing someone in to deodorize. Believe it or not, some folks just don't like pets.
If you have pet stains, hire a professional to removed the stains. If you know there are stains on the hardwoods under the carpet, I suggest declaring that on the seller's disclosure to save you a possible headache later.
There are also those people who like pets but are allergic to them. Another suggestion would be to have Rover or Fluffy out of your home during showings. Your furry friends could be scaring off buyers who sneeze their way right out the front door.
Just remember when listing your home for sale in Kansas City, MO - if they can smell it, it will be hard to sell it.
Fran White, REALTOR 2006


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Stay in a High Rise Condo and Feast on Prime Rib

Stay in a High Rise Condo and Feast on Prime Rib
Next year the Kansas City Zoo will have two visitors from the San Diego zoo.
The visiting koalas will spend their summer vacation in the new Discovery Barn that was expanded this past year.
Their vacation will cost the zoo about $35,000 and eucalyptus flown in twice per week to quench their palette. (Sounds to me like they will be enjoying a high rise condo and feasting on prime rib.)
Those fuzzy visiting dignitaries go on exhibit on March 31 and will be quite a pleasing temporary addition to the zoo.
The Kansas City Zoo celebrates it's 100th anniversary in 2009 and has seen massive improvements over the past few years.
Too bad we couldn't find them a permanent home for sale in Kansas City, Missouri.


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Posted by: Fran White, REALTOR, 2006

Going to Kansas City

Surely you've heard that infamous song that's been sung by a variety of artists Goin to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come. They've got some crazy little women there, and I'm gonna get me one.

Well I'm one of those Crazy Little Women who's crazy about Real Estate and Kansas City.

My hometown, Kansas City, has been called many things,The Heart of America because of our location but my favorite would be The City of Fountains.

Kansas City is called the City of Fountains because it is the home of more fountains than any city in the world, except Rome. The majority of our famous fountains are found on the Country Club Plaza. The streets of that area decorated with artwork from around the world and the fountains there are the city's most popular and decorative. For more information on the fountains visit this link http://www.experiencekc.com/fountains.html or this link http://www.360kc.com/Attractions/KansasCityFountains.html

Kansas City also has many jazz and blues clubs plus several wonderful concert venues.

According to Dean Hampton of http://www.webjazz.net/ "You could stay busy listening to live jazz most every night of the year and it would all be world class.

KC has more jazz & blues support organizations than any other city in the world. Start with the 400+ member KC Jazz Ambassadors, then the KC Blues Society, the CODA Jazz Fund, the UMKC Friends of Jazz, and the Elder Statesmen of Kansas City jazz.

KC is where jazz and blues met. That resulted in the development of a sound is jazz unique to jazz and that sound is recognized as a major milestone in the development of jazz."

Kansas City is just a JAZZY place to live and has a great selection when it comes to realestate in Kansas City MO!

It may be Holiday time in Kansas City, but real estate is beginning to heat
up!

How do I know? No, I didn't put my head to the ground and hear footsteps.... but I have been experiencing more calls for listing appointments and much higher hits on my website!
This is all very good news! Because this is the time to buy or sell. Interest rates are at a good point, there are rumors that they will stay this way a short while.
If you have considered buying, it's time to start looking! If you are considering selling it's time to get your house in order for the market as I discussed in my post When does Spring start in Real Estate.
Happy Holidays!!!
Posted by: Fran White, REALTOR 2006 www.kansascity-realestate.net

Daylight Saving Time

Need more time during the day to work on your Kansas City home?

Daylight Saving Time

I previously wrote about When is Spring in Real Estate
Today I was pleased to find out when we will be SPRINGING FORWARD and going into Daylight Saving Time this year!
That means more daylight time to look for a home in Kansas City Missouri!!
Webexhibits.org says since 1966, most of the United States has observed Daylight Saving Time from at 2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday of April to 2:00 a.m. on the last Sunday of October.
Beginning in 2007, most of the U.S. will begin Daylight Saving Time at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and revert to standard time on the first Sunday in November.
That's great news I think!

When is SPRING in Real Estate?

Spring starts early in real estate! I'm already working with buyers and sellers that are preparing to buy or sell in spring!

If you are planning on selling your home in the spring, now is a great time to get busy making a to-do list of things you need to accomplish before your home is ready for the market.

I'm sure you've heard the expression you only have one chance to make a great first impression. That not only applies when you are trying to get a job, but also when you are selling your home.

Curb Appeal = First Impression

If you have your home on the market and someone drives up and their first impression isn't good... unfortunately I've had buyers say, "I'm not going in." That's not good.

You don't want them welcomed by chipping paint, leaves from last fall in the yard, un-manicured bushes or screens hanging off the window. And you certainly don't want it to appear you are growing a crop of maple trees in your gutters! If this is what welcomes your prospective buyers, their first impression is going to be YUCK!

Get those leaves from last fall bagged up, touch up that trip around the windows, and give those shrubs a little haircut.

Another important point to focus on is your front door. Spruce it up whether it be with a fresh coat of paint or a shiny new door knob... make it look inviting!

Another good thing to do is wash those windows, inside and out! Sparkly, crystal clear clean windows are important!

We have some days here in Kansas City where the weather is tolerable to be outside in the winter, so sit down and make yourself a Seller's To-Do list of things that will help your home sell quickly.

Posted by: Fran White REALTOR http://www.kansascity-realestate.net/

Wake up!!

What's your favorite morning waker upper?
I don't know about you, but when I get up in the morning I like a good cup of coffee!! I thought I would share with you my favorite coffee and it's in Kansas City! For me it's The Roasterie
It all started in 1978 when the now "head bean baron" was in Costa Rica as a foreign exchange student.. and his love for coffee was born when he picked his first coffee beans in the mountains around the Poás volcano.
Fifteen years later he founded The Roasterie in the basement of his Brookside home.
I have to say that one thing this company does besides have FABULOUS coffee, is give back to the community!
To this day, nobody else does it like The Roasterie. They've always supported the world's small, specialty farmers and their communities, which is why they get first chance at the world's best beans.
Coffee at it's finest! Coffee and Kansas City Real Estate, a natural combination!

Home Owners Warranties...Are they a good thing?

What about Homeowners Warranties?
When negotiating a deal I suggest to my buyers to ask for a Home Owners Warranty from the sellers. It's sense of security for the buyers.
In return I always suggest to my sellers to offer a homeowners warranty to buyers, again it creates a sense of security.
But I also tell my buyers about a personal experience I'd had when purchasing a home with a homeowner's warranty. One of the first things I suggest they do when they get into their new home is call a good heating and air conditioning company and have them service the furnace and air conditioner.
When my husband and I purchased our current home in 2002 we negotiated a homeowners warranty.
It was a chilly April and one week after moving in the furnace motor went out.
We called our Home Owners Warranty company (their name will go un-mentioned) and they sent out one of their contract service people. The service man went in, looked at the furnace and said it hadn't been maintained and that's why the motor went out.
I was sure to tell him we'd only lived in the home a week, but that didn't matter he told me it wasn't covered because it hadn't been cleaned and maintained.
Had I called for someone to service the furnace immediately upon moving in the furnace wouldn't have been filled with an accumulation of dust and dirt and would more than likely been covered.
Do I feel homeowner's warranties are valuable? Yes, I do, but I always suggest to my buyers to have their heating and cooling maintenance done immediately upon moving in!
Posted by: Fran White http://www.kansascity-realestate.net/


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Kansas City Real Estate Phone Policy

Kansas City Real Estate Cell Phone Policy
Boy that sounded corporate didn't it? Well that wasn't my intention, I guess I just wanted to make sure you understand the importance I put on answering my cell phone.
Sometimes in Kansas City Real Estate moments matter! When I first got into this business and started thinking about my own policies and how I wanted to operate I thought about cell phones. Everyone has one...so why does it seem that every time I call another agent I need to leave a message?
This is really a pet peeve of mine. Yes, voice mail is great, but I hate waiting for the call back after you've left a message.
I decided that my own personal policy would be to answer my cell phone 99.9% of the time and I do. (This is not a personal invitation for all of you to test this policy *smile*)
Another thought.... How do you answer your phone? I think it's only professional to answer your phone using your name so the caller immediately knows that he reached the correct person.
How are you answering your phone?
Fran White, REALTOR 2006

Seller's Disclosures: EXAMPLE of the Importance

Importance, again, of Seller's Disclosures
Last week I wrote about the importance of Seller's Disclosures.
This past weekend I had a prime example. I was showing Mr. And Mrs. Buyer a really nice patio/villa home with a lake view in the 340K range. There were no seller's disclosures in the home which I knew since this was our second showing. I called the listing agent for it at 9 AM and she faxed it to me after noon. When we received the seller's disclosure each page had been X'ed through and not completed. In addition there was an engineer report because there had been heaving in the basement floor, repairs made by the owner, and of course no warranty on them. These two documents managed to totally turn my buyers against the property even though they were ready to make an offer. Not to mention the agent calling me and telling me that she just got word that another agent was sending her an offer. I can't stress the importance of Seller's Disclosures! Granted the current owner (the builders of the community) bought the property back from the owner and did the repairs on the basement.... And still didn't update the Seller's Disclosure after doing the repairs. It literally killed the deal!
This showing was Sunday. Today (Tuesday) the listing agent calls me and says, "what happened to you, you fell off the face of the earth".... She continued with, "well we're hammering out the details of this offer I got from the other agent and........" I just told her that my clients were no longer interested and why they weren't. I said it in a really nice way...... but as we hung up I had to wonder..... was she shopping offers?
Here's a taste of a home for sale in Kansas City Mo area. And it has a Seller's Disclosure.
© Fran White, REALTOR 2006

Seller's Disclosures in Kansas City MO

It seems lately I have seen a drastic amount of information missing on the sellers disclosure. When I say missing ... I mean left blank.
I don't know about you but when I am getting ready to show buyers the Sellers Disclosure is EXTREMELY important to me as a showing and selling tool.
In my neck of the woods, Kansas City MO, rarely do the buyers ever come in face to face contact with the sellers - so there's never an opportunity for the buyers to ask the sellers questions... so the sellers disclosure pretty much answer the basic major questions.
If I turn to the sellers disclosure and the age of the furnace or central air unit isn't filled in - my mind normally says "really old" especially if none of the rest of the house has been updated.
If there is information not complete, I really begin to wonder to wonder what else they don't want a prospective buyer to know. I guess it suits to say lacking information puts me on guard.
As a listing agent I go through the sellers disclosure with a fine toothcomb to make sure everything is completed.
I also make sure there are extra copies left in the home should the buyers agent not have one.
Another situation that I have come across ... if the sellers had a contract on the home and the sale fell apart during the renegotiation process after inspections - I always have the sellers update that sellers disclosure!
Take a look at this home for sale in Kansas City MO

©Fran White, REALTOR 2006


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Buyers Get Insurance During Inspection Period

Acquiring Insurance During the Inspection Period
The real estate company that I work for, Reece and Nichols, is going to start requiring that buyers get an insurance commitment with a binder during the 10 day Inspection Period... and I think it's a great idea.

I have to say that I have been telling my buyers for the past 8 months that this was coming. I haven't had any last minute problems with clients not being able to get their prospective homes insured because I've been suggesting that they contact their insurance company during the 10 day inspection period.

It saves a lot of time and hassles and you are not hung out to dry one week before closing because the insurance company went out to take pictures and prepare for insuring the property and they found something not pleasing. There isn't anything worse than a call from your insurance company that says:

"Houston we've got a problem!" (I guess that would be Kansas City in this instance :)

Surprisingly enough, yesterday in sales meeting our broker told us that with the contract changes for the upcoming year, he's heard changes that include the requirement that the insurance commitment with a binder will be required within the inspection period.

Quite frankly I'm glad! I guess when you lead the industry in Kansas City Real Estate, you should lead by example.







© Fran White, REALTOR 2006

Kansas City Real Estate / Real Estate Network

Kansas City Homes for SALE !

14400 Bristol, Grandview, MO 149,900.00

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This beautiful well maintained home is spacious, roomy and just what you are looking for. The sellers have loved this neighborhood for a number of years but are downsizing and moving to a home with no stairs. Berber carpet, thermal windows, a gorgeous rock fireplace, three bathrooms and an XXX large rec-room downstairs with a fabulous sized garage. If you would like additional information on this home, please call me, Fran White, Reece and Nichols Residential 816-682-3897
Make this home your home today!

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6810 E 144th Place, Grandview, MO JUST LISTED

6810 E. 144th Place
Grandview, MO 64030

This sophisticated split-entry Russell Construction Signature Home is extremely impressive and quite affordable for new home construction. The dramatic elegance of the kitchen with beautiful oak cabinets and astonishing hardwood floors is any chefs dream!

The master suite offers double vanities and plenty of room.

The lower level finished room can be used for a family or media room with easy access to the garage.

Vinyl siding and thermal windows .... this home is a STEAL for new construction! $152,900.00. Builder offering 2,000 towards closing costs with full price offer. 60-90 days till completion as of 9-7-06.

Fran White, Reece and Nichols Residential
816-682-3897

Affordable Ways to Make a Home Sparkle.

Affordable Ways to Make a Home Sparkle

A home seller doesn’t have to spend a fortune on redecorating in order to impress buyers. But it does take a little creativity and a clear understanding of the main goal: to remove personal clutter and make everything else shine.Here are a few simple (and affordable) suggestions for making a home more impressive to potential buyers:

Outside: Spread fresh mulch on the flowerbeds; paint the front door; and buy a new "welcome" mat.

The mudroom: Get rid of the litter box and the pet food bowls; put cleaning supplies out of sight; and hang coats in the closet, not on hooks.

The bathroom: Hide personal items such as athlete’s foot powder or laxatives; put toothbrushes in the medicine cabinet; buy a new shower curtain.

The closets: Ruthlessly thin out clothes and shoes; hang what’s left on matching hangars; and replace the light bulbs with 100 watts.

The kitchen: Get rid of all but the basics in the cupboards and clean everything off the counters.

Source: Universal Press Syndicate, Michael Walsh (08/20/2006)

How to Prepare for Closing Costs

How to Prepare for Closing Costs
by Brandon Cornett

Most home buyers understand the basics of home mortgage loans. They know what a mortgage loan is, how interest works, and other fundamentals of the home loan process.

But when it comes to the closing costs associated with buying a home, many of these same home buyers get caught off guard – by both the variety and total amount of closing costs. By understanding and preparing for these costs ahead of time, you can avoid such surprises.
What Are Closing Costs? Closing costs are the total cost of completing the transfer of ownership of a house. These costs do not include the purchase price of the home. Rather, they are the extras -- fees and expenses aside from the purchase price.

On average, closing costs range between 3% and 5% of the total loan amount. So for a loan of $200,000, closing costs might run $6,000 to $10,000 (3% and 5% respectively of $200,000).
What's Included Within Closing Costs?Closing costs vary depending on where you live and what mortgage lender you choose. But closing costs often include fees for the following
(this list is not all-inclusive):
* Loan origination
* Loan application
* Appraisal
* Document preparation
* Attorney's services* Escrow agent's services
* Pest inspection
* Credit report / processing

Getting an Estimate of Closing CostsThe Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, or RESPA, requires that mortgage lenders give you a good faith estimate of all the loan-related fees you're likely to pay at closing. They must give you this estimate at the time of loan application. Keep in mind, however, that these are just estimates. Actual closing costs may be more than the good faith estimate closing costs.

Shop AroundIt's a good idea to obtain good faith estimates from multiple lenders. Don't choose a lender based on their interest rates alone. Shop around for estimated closing costs as well.
Just realize that large discrepancies between estimated and actual closing costs are not uncommon. You can prepare yourself for this by having enough money in the bank to cover the good faith estimate amount and then some.

A few days before closing, you will receive another document called a settlement statement, or "HUD-1 statement." This document will give you a more exact tally of the closing costs you'll be expected to pay at closing.

ConclusionClosing costs include a wide variety of fees and charges. They can add up to a sizable amount, so it's important to prepare for them in advance. Be sure to factor closing costs into the equation when looking for a mortgage lender. Proper planning can help you avoid unpleasant surprises on closing day.

Questions Buyers Should Ask Home Inspectors

10 Questions Buyers Should Ask Home Inspectors(July 5, 2006) --

Help your customers enjoy a high level of service from the service providers involved in their transaction. With inspectors, they should ask:

1. Will your inspection meet recognized standards? Ask whether the inspection and the inspection report will meet all state requirements and comply with a well-recognized standard of practice and code of ethics, such as the one adopted by the American Society of Home Inspectors or the National Association of Home Inspectors. Customers can view each group’s standards of practice and code of ethics online at www.ashi.org or www.nahi.org. ASHI’s Web site also provides a database of state regulations.

2. Do you belong to a professional home inspector association? There are many state and national associations for home inspectors, including the two groups mentioned in No. 1. Unfortunately, some groups confer questionable credentials or certifications in return for nothing more than a fee. Insist on members of reputable, nonprofit trade organizations; request to see a membership ID.

3. How experienced are you? Ask how long inspectors have been in the profession and how many inspections they’ve completed. They should provide customer referrals on request. New inspectors also may be highly qualified, but they should describe their training and let you know whether they plan to work with a more experienced partner.

4. How do you keep your expertise up to date? Inspectors’ commitment to continuing education is a good measure of their professionalism and service. Advanced knowledge is especially important in cases in which a home is older or includes unique elements requiring additional or updated training.

5. Do you focus on residential inspection? Make sure the inspector has training and experience in the unique discipline of home inspection, which is very different from inspecting commercial buildings or a construction site. If your customers are buying a unique property, such as a historic home, they may want to ask whether the inspector has experience with that type of property in particular.

6. Will you offer to do repairs or improvements? Some state laws and trade associations allow the inspector to provide repair work on problems uncovered during the inspection. However, other states and associations forbid it as a conflict of interest. Contact your local ASHI chapter to learn about the rules in your state.

7. How long will the inspection take? On average, an inspector working alone inspects a typical single-family house in two to three hours; anything significantly less may not be thorough. If your customers are purchasing an especially large property, they may want to ask whether additional inspectors will be brought in.

8. What’s the cost? Costs can vary dramatically, depending on your region, the size and age of the house, and the scope of services. The national average for single-family homes is about $320, but customers with large homes can expect to pay more. Customers should be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.

9. What type of inspection report do you provide? Ask to see samples to determine whether you will understand the inspector's reporting style. Also, most inspectors provide their full report within 24 hours of the inspection.

10. Will I be able to attend the inspection? The answer should be yes. A home inspection is a valuable educational opportunity for the buyer. An inspector's refusal to let the buyer attend should raise a red flag.

Source: Rob Paterkiewicz, executive director, American Society of Home Inspectors, Des Plaines, Ill., www.ashi.org.