About Johnson County, KS

Let's stay up to date on what homes are selling for in Roeland Park KS. Here are just a few of the recently single family sold homes in Roeland Park KS per the local MLS:

One of the great things about February is that we get to focus on the color red during what can be a gloomy, middle of winter month. Whether it’s increasing awareness of women’s heart disease with the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women or just enjoying the red hearts that come with Valentine’s Day, vibrant red is everywhere!

However, here in the land of beige, otherwise known as Johnson County, there is no red to be found, or any other color, save brown and variations thereof, once we go home. Area home magazines seem to showcase the same living room every month with its requisite tan walls and mahogany accents. “Tuscan” style has become a catchall for homes that are tastefully neutral and although I’ve never been, I doubt they bear close resemblance to any region in Italy, unless we’re talking about the wine cellars.

When did we become so adverse to color? Was it the pink bathrooms of the 1950s? Did the avocado green and harvest gold appliances and matching carpet of the 1970s push us to go strictly vanilla at home? Have we over-compensated for the style mistakes of previous generations? Historically, wealthy landowners infused a rainbow of color throughout the home. One look at Mount Vernon or Monticello confirms that our founding fathers embraced color and in fact, selected a different hue for every room. While that may be a little over the top for 21st century sensibilities, a pop of color couldn’t hurt!

I am not ashamed to admit that I am addicted to color. I have a red dining room, a red couch in the hearth room, a lime green kitchen complete with green and red tile backsplash. Color is a mood-enhancer for me and red always seems cheery. Some believe red signals aggression but it puts me in my happy place! The key to color is balance. If the walls are a bright color, then furniture should be muted. If you have brightly colored furniture, tone down the wall color. The goal is to have striking visual elements but not so much that they compete with each other.

If colorful walls or sofas seem like too big of a leap, then start small with colorful art, pillows, or a rug. That pop of color will most likely become your favorite area of the house!

Facts from the 2010 census confirm what we already know as we go about our daily lives: the general population is getting old. As of April 2010, there were over 40 million people age 65 and older, that’s an increase of about 15% from 2000. Other interesting statistics show
the fastest growing group of adults is those aged 65-69, up one third from 2000 and in the past decade, the population of men aged 85-94 grew by one half.

These numbers will keep growing as the baby boomers are now turning 65 in rapid numbers. What does this mean for the housing market? The boomers will leave their large suburban homes, looking for a maintenance free lifestyle, close to city amenities, services, shopping and restaurants. These boomer buyers are attracted to the condo lifestyle and smaller, one level living homes. Many of the couples I work with that aren’t ready to retire are planning for a simpler housing arrangement by purchasing ranch or 1.5 story floorplan homes. They are thinking ahead of how to eventually ‘age in place’ by modifying their surroundings. Boomers don’t see themselves moving to designated senior housing communities---saying the residents are ‘old’ and not as active as themselves. I think these communities will eventually house much older and slower moving seniors--perhaps those 90+ years, while the more physically and mentally fit ‘younger’ seniors will try to stay put in their homes. Already we l see two generations of the same family on Social Security and Medicare—at the same time.

Boomers should start to plan their final housing moves now. There could easily be an excessive inventory of McMansions lingering on the market in the near future, as I don’t predict many Gen X and Y homebuyers will want large, energy-expensive homes. This generation is delaying marriage and focusing on building a career first—and when they do marry, they don’t plan on having several children. In addition, they have quite of bit of college debt to pay off—which will affect their ability to qualify for a home purchase.

As the baby boomers see the last child prepare to leave the nest, they think of downsizing but are often overwhelmed by starting the process. If this is your situation, think about creating a plan now as to how to move into the next phase of your life comfortably. Often that first step is downsizing to a smaller home!

Very well established neighborhood sitting just north of 4-35 between Antioch and Metcalf is Pinehurst! This neighborhood has a wonderful secluded feel with mature trees and many different floor plans to choose from. With great highway access and shopping, it makes Pinehurst and very sought after neighborhood. Currently there is 3 active listings with a average sales price of $322,467 and sqft of 2,842. The average days on the market for the active listings is 80 days. There is also 3 pending listing currently in Pinehurst. Average pending price is $229,650 with 3,743 sqft and 255 days on the market. In the past year 19 homes have sold. The average sales price is $240,984. Average sqft is 3,641 with 172 days on the market. If you are looking for a home in the Pinehurst subdivision or have any questions about a surrounding subdivision as well please let me know!! You can reach me at RonThompson@prukc.com or my office # is 913-661-1430 (this information was provided by Heartland MLS)

Ron Thompson Prudential Kansas City Realty

RonThompson@prukc.com 913-661-1430

www.MichaelPierceRealEstate.com

Roeland Park, Kansas - Fairway, Kansas Neighborhoods: Convenient Lifestyle

Roeland Park, Kansas - The Fairway Manor Neighborhood

From the Fairway Shops, restaurants and businesses - a home in Roeland Park, and Fairway, Kansas gives you unprecedented access to everything that you could ever need. There is always something to do within minutes of your home!

5 minutes to the Country Club Plaza, the Nelson Atkins Museum, beautiful Loose Park - and less than 10 minutes to busy downtown Kansas City including the Power & Light Entertainment District, the new Kaufman Performing Arts Center, The Crossroads Art District (First Fridays) and Crown Center - fun, restaurants and the arts are minutes from your front door!

In the Fairway Shops within 2-3 minutes of home, you can stop for a breakfast, or lunch at First Watch, or dinner at Houlihan's neighborhood restaurants. Even a quick trip to the Hen House grocery store, for shopping or a stop at the deli. Just minutes south are the Prairie Village Shops for more shopping including big stores (Macy's), and local businesses. Shopping, fun and services so close by make this lifestyle really easy. And then you are only minutes to the highway (I-35). A cozy neighborhood in Roeland Park and Fairway, Kansas that naturally extends beyond. So many options....so close by!

The Fairway Manor neighborhood is affordable with nice homes block after block. Here are the homes Actively on the market as of February 1, 2012. You will find small, cozy Ranches as well as some 1.5-2 Story homes and sprawling Ranches. If you want more information on these homes, or current homes for sale, please contact me for more details.