1. Customizable Pricing Packages
I have taken a backwards approach to selling a home, which has lead me to offer 6 different sales packages. I let my client pick the package that best matches their needs and goals. You have the opportunity to pick your plan and my commission!

2. Cancel at anytime
My philosophy is that you hired me, so you should be able to fire me. I give my clients the opportunity to cancel their contract at any time. My first-rate customer service skills ensure that once clients begin working with me, they will not need to look for other realtors. I will be the last realtor you will ever need! Click here to view an example of the Easy Exit Listing Agreement

3. Easy to Get A Hold of Me
This may be one of the biggest complaints I have heard, that people aren't able to get in contact with their realtor! I ensure my clients are always able to get a hold of me, as I never turn my phone off and I always have it at my side. If I do miss a phone call, I return it as soon as possible. In fact, I will reduce my commission for every occurrence in which I don't get back with them in a timely fashion. (This has never happened.) Click here to view Papa's Video's On YouTube!

4. Market Knowledge
I have lived in Kansas City nearly all my life, so I am familiar with the entire metropolitan area, especially Olathe real estate. From the Plaza to Olathe, I can offer extensive knowledge on your neighborhood. Selling is about much more than asking price, you are selling a lifestyle, not just a home. Click here for some Tips On How To Stage Your Home.

5. Weekly Contact
Many realtors get the listing, and then do not contact their clients until their get an offer. I take pride in keeping the lines of communication open with my clients. I call my sellers each Monday to give the updates as to the status of their home. Including how many showings, feedback from the showings and any ideas on how to improve the traffic to their home. Click here to view Client Testimonials from satisfied clients!

6. Showcase Listings on Realtor.com & Virtual Tours
I make sure my listings are marketed to their fullest potential by offering Virtual Tours and Showcase Listings on www.realtor.com Realtor.com is the #1 real estate web site and with so many homes on the market, it is essential to make sure your home stand out from the crowd. According to REALTOR.com, Showcase Listings on their site are viewed 299% more often than homes that only offer one exterior photo, yet very few real estate agents subscribe to this extra service. All my sellers receive Showcase Listings to ensure they get maximum exposure to help sell their home fast! Visit www.realtor.com to view Showcase Listings.

7. Full Time Agent
Unlike many other agents, real estate is my full time career, so I have many hours a week to devote to my clients. Whether it's during the day, evening or on weekends, I put my clients (not another job) as my number one career priority. Click here to read my blog for more information on Olathe real estate and beyond!

8. Monthly Contact
Many realtors assist their clients with the transaction, and then they never hear from them again! Not me! I keep in touch with all of my clients monthly either through a quick e-mail, a phone call on your birthday or a fun gift of movie tickets. My business philosophy is to invest in my clients rather than utilize ineffective advertising methods. I also keep my clients informed of what other homes in their neighborhood are selling for so they can keep track of their investment.

9. Financial Background
My background in finance and statistics gives me a leg up on many other realtors and helps me analyze the market to ensure you get your home priced correctly in any market. Click here to see how your home will be a Featured Listing!

10. Wal-Mart Relocation Program
I have a connection with the Wal-Mart Relocation Department. Whenever Wal-Mart is relocating someone to or from Kansas City, I am one of the first people they call. This helps me to nationally market your home instead of just limiting myself to the local markets

According to Money Magazine, Overland Park, Kansas is ranked number 9 and Olathe, Kansas is ranked number 11 in the 2008 Top 100 Places To Live! Shawnee, Kansas was also ranked number 39. This is definitely bragging rights for Johnson County!

The rankings are based on various data such as cost of living, home values, entertainment availability, job growth and other quality of living factors.

Click here for more information on Olathe real estate

Brad Papa specialized in Kansas City and Olathe real estate and can be reached at www.PapasInTheHouse.com, bradleypapa@remax.net or 913.526.4985.

Move over Overland Park, Olathe is catching up! According to the recent U.S. Census Bureau list, Olathe is ranked nationally at 24th for the fastest-growing city in the nation. During the pat year, Olathe's population increased by nearly 3%, in contrast Overland Park's population grew by only 1.6%. Overland Park still holds the title of the largest city in Johnson County, but Olathe is growing quickly and looks to continue will all the development still continuing.

Click here for more information on fast-growing Olathe

Brad Papa specialized in Kansas City and Olathe real estate and can be reached at www.PapasInTheHouse.com, bradleypapa@remax.net or 913.526.4985.

Starting this fall, individuals with multiple unpaid parking tickets might want to watch where they park in Olathe, Kansas. They will be targets of "the boot", which is a wheel clamp that is placed on the wheels of a car and makes it impossible for the car to move! According to an article in the Kansas City Star, there are more than 2,000 unpaid parking tickets in Olathe and the city hopes this will make the offenders pay up. The Olathe City Council felt that towing the cars was too costly for everyone, but they did just vote to purchase three of the boots for use in Olathe, which cost approximately $500 each.

To get yourself on the boot list, you have to have either $100 or more in fines or three or more unpaid parking tickets. The booting will cost you $50 and you only have 72 hours to pay your tickets, otherwise your car will be towed!

Brad Papa specialized in Kansas City and Olathe real estate and can be reached at www.PapasInTheHouse.com, bradleypapa@remax.net or 913.526.4985.

According to a recent report by the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors, the average area home price in May for the Kansas City Area was as follows:

New: $296,188

Resale: $147,481

Combined:$166,894

When comparing these numbers to a year ago, the new home average is up, but the resale and combined are down.

The good news is there are less homes on the market this May as the total number of homes for sale was 20,196 down from 21,036 in 2007. Other good news is these May numbers are definite improvement over the April numbers.

Click here for the full report

Brad Papa specialized in Kansas City and Olathe real estate and can be reached at www.PapasInTheHouse.com, bradleypapa@remax.net or 913.526.4985.

This weekend (June 27-28) is the annual Lenexa BBQ! The contest is always held on the fourth Saturday of June each year and the winner of the event is awarded with a $2,500 prize and named the Kansas State Champion.

The contest is held at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park (87th & Lackman Road). Here is a map of the event.

Friday night admission cost $5 and features kids activates, music and even a mechanical bull! Saturday is free admission and don't miss the free barbeque samples at 11:30!

HOURS:
Friday 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Click here for more information on the Lenexa BBQ

Anyone who used to shop at the Mission Mall knows that structure is long-gone and plans are in the works to build a new mixed use district. The Mission Gateway Project recently was changed from primarily shops and offices to include a 1.5 million gallon saltwater aquarium aimed at boosting tourism. This is a unique idea that the city hopes will set this district apart from all the other strip malls and entertainment districts that seem to be popping up around Kansas City. Building is estimated to being in the Fall of 2008 and be completed in 2010.

View the progress with photos of the area

Click here for more information on the Mission Gateway Project

If you are interested in living in Mission, Kansas contact Brad Papa at www.PapasInTheHouse.com, bradleypapa@remax.net or 913.526.4985.

It seems like there are more and more social networking sites popping up each week. With so many to choose from, it's hard to know which ones to use! I have created profiles on some of the most popular sites, so if you want to connect with me, please visit my site and be my freind!

Papa's MySpace Profile

Papa's Facebook Profile

Come To Papa Realty Facebook Profile

View Papa's YouTube Video's

Papa's LinkedInProfile

Brad Papa specialized in Kansas City and Olathe real estate and can be reached at www.PapasInTheHouse.com, bradleypapa@remax.net or 913.526.4985.

Olathe Gateway : 119th Street and Renner Road

Current stores include: Jason's Deli, Longhorn Steakhouse, Bass Pro and plans for Houlihan's and Hilton Garden Inn

Olathe Commons: 119th Street and Black Bob Road

32-acre site with both retail and town homes zoning

Heritage Crossings: Ridgeview Road and Kansas City Road

Wal-Mart Supercenter: Santa Fe Street and K-7

Ridgeview Marketplace: K-10 and Ridgeview Road

Current tenants include Watson's, Corporate Cafe and Johnny's Tavern

Shops at Sunnybrook: College and Lone Elm Road

Parkview: Harold and K-7

31-acre site with both retail and town homes zoning

119th And K-7: 557,000 square feet of retail with 70 ac res of residential

Coffee Creek: Black Bob and 175th

The development is not expected to begin for 20 years

More information from the City of Olathe : http://edc.olathe.org/business_in_olathe/growth_corridors/

More information: http://www.kansascity.com/news/neighborhood/olathe/story/671280.html

Brad Papa specialized in Kansas City and Olathe real estate and can be reached at www.PapasInTheHouse.com, bradleypapa@remax.net or 913.526.4985.

Relocate-America named Olathe as one of the 2008 Top Places To Live! They named only 100 winners and Olathe was the only Kansas city on the list! The interesting fact is, according to their website, this is the only list that is determined by statistics and feedback of the people who live, work & play in these communities. So it looks like some Olathe citizens are happy with their hometown and nominated us!

Olathe's information page has general information on the city. It also has a link that says "find homes for sale in Olathe Kansas", but I would not recommend using this link because it doesn't say which database it uses to do it's home search. For the most comprehensive search of Olathe real estate, please contact me and I can send you the latest homes!

Brad Papa specialized in Kansas City and Olathe real estate and can be reached at www.PapasInTheHouse.com, bradleypapa@remax.net or 913.526.4985.