Brenda Noffert

BURNING YOUR BOAT......in Wichita, Kansas?

I was at a seminar recently and the speaker was talking about becoming successful and the mindset of successful people.

He told a story about an ancient commander that knew how to motivate his warriors so well (I can't remember which ones - the players don't really matter, it was the message that got me) that they gained a reputation for their incredible bravery and unwavering commitment to victory.

How'd he do that? When they would offload the army onto the shore that they wanted to attack, the commander would give the first order:

"BURN THE BOATS!"

The warriors would watch the boats go up in flames and all thoughts of retreat or surrender were removed from their minds and hearts because they knew that their only way home was through victory. Their only possibility of retreat was now a pile of ash floating on the water.

Talk about being highly motivated! WOW!

This story has been rolling around inside my head for about a month now and it seems to be burrowing a hole into my physique.

Hang with me, I've had an epiphany:

I have determined that this is why I enjoy short sales so much!

I know "enjoy" and "short sales" shouldn't be in the same paragraph, let alone the same sentence.

But follow me on this:

A short sale is the pinnacle of "boat burning".

• There are really no other options that are favorable
• The future only looks better once that battle is won
• The "commander" has to be the best to make it happen
• The victory is so awesome

So, with happiness and great excitement, I am burning my boat for my clients in Wichita, Kansas

(Thank goodness its a metaphor because I can't find a big lake or an ocean anywhere in Kansas!)

Wichita Kansas Area Home Sales Are...Not too Shabby!

While the rest of the country continues to run screaming from the tragic real estate sales figures; Wichita, Kansas and the surrounding areas are "holding their own".

Here are the stats for August 2011:

• Existing home Sales increased by 2.6% from July
• Exisitng home Sales are up 32.2% from last year at this time
• New homes sales decreased by 19.9% year over year
• New Home inventory is 32.3% lower than a year ago
• New and Existing home combined inventory is 9.9% lower than a year ago

"What's it all mean?!" you ask?...Well, its good! Check this out:

• 18 more families are enjoying their recent home purchase this month than last month
• 56 more families are celebrating in their recently purchased home this year than last year at this time
• There are fewer Buyers for New construction and custom homes
• There are fewer new constrcution homes available
• If not another home were listed, we only have enough homes available for 5.8 months. A "balanced market" in our area is 5-6 months worth of inventory.

This is good news for The Greater Wichita area. We have seen only a small decline (average) in property values over the last 24 months. Less than 2% -

and in some areas, we have seen inreases of 1.5%.

Looking to buy or sell? Seriously now is the time! Interest rates rock!, the market is good and great things are on the horizon for our area.

MAIZE KANSAS GIVES HUGE NEW HOME TAX INCENTIVES

Last night (ok it was 2 nights ago; but it's still is really cool!), the Maize, Kansas city council approved a set of tax incentives to encourage new home construction as well as other kind of building in the city.

The net result, according to the city administrator, will be that new homebuyers will get the lowest tax rates in the area over 10 years.

THIS IS HUGE! Here's how it works:

The Housing Grant Program is for new single-family homes located within the city limits. Homebuilders AND Home buyers are eligible for the grant as long as the C of O (certificate of Occupancy) is granted on or before Dec. 31, 2012.

Homeowners will receive a grant equal to 100% of the Maize Property tax for the first 3 years, then see the grant reduced in steps to 40% by the 10th year.

PLUS, Maize still has the fabulous utility incentive program, which grants new homebuyers utility credits of $2,000, $4,000 and $6,000.

If you ever wanted to have a custom built home in an incredible school district with amazing city ammenities; now is the time.

FREE TAXES! YOU CAN"T BEAT THAT!

Find out more at www.cityofmaize.org

OR Call Brenda!

Brenda Noffert

Associate Broker, ABR, GRI, ITTI, CCREC, PSC

Realty World Alliance

Direct: 316.871.4586

Fax: 316.634.0089

cbnoffert@cox.net

"The floors aren't "bad", they are just dirty!" "How did it not work for your buyers?.....well, that's just stupid!" "It's not overpriced, it's $5000 less than the they paid for it 2 years ago!" "I don't appreciate your negative feedback!"

Yes, these are actual statements that I have been told when providing feedback to other area agents.

Right now in Wichita, there are more agents with less to do. Less agents with full schedules and more homes without showings. Yet, I am running at a 48% feedback success rate. Of the feedback I receive, most of it is negative in one way or another. Let's face it, if it weren't; I would have an offer along with the feedback.

I give feedback on every listing I show that asks for it. I feel like its part of showing the house. I want it on mine, so I'll give it on yours. But something has happened recently that makes me understand why some agents have stopped giving feedback. I've been getting heckled!, called names!, even yelled at as the agent tries to dispute the feedback I provided! Everytime it happens, I think to myself,"did I seriously just have that conversation?"

Feedback is a gift. A gift provided to an agent that makes the job of talking to a seller about why their home has not yet sold easier. Is there any agent that honestly believes fighting with a showing agent is going to bring an offer, or change the mind of the buyer? Does it help to say to a seller, "They said your house smelled like cat pee, but I yelled at them and told them that it was only on humid days and that they were stupid!"

I encourage feedback in any form and for any reason. I understand that "the kitchen was too small" is not something that can be fixed. But it fills the seller with a little hope that there is SOMETHING going on and someone did look. I promise, no matter how weird, small or seemingly redciulous the feedback is, I will always be gracious and thankful that someone took the time to provide it.

So, I am begging, stop yelling at me because it didn't work for my buyers and talk to your sellers about how to make it better for the next showing.

Happy real Estate -ing

A Wild Man In Wichita

When I first saw the keeper of the plains, it was broad daylight and I was driving 40 MPH. I was less than impressed. It was a giant tin sculpture that was kinda cool, but not a show stopper.

BOY WAS I WRONG!

We visited The Keeper of the Plains after dinner one evening. We parked and walked along the beautiful foot bridges and enjoyed the history presented along the paths. As the sun began to set, the magic started. The "giant pile of tin" came alive as the shadows from the sunset brought out the colors, details and life of this magestic creature. Then the ring of fire was lit. I got chills! It was absolutely amazing!

This is something everyone should experience. The nightly display is full of emotion. Every guest experiences the awesome strength, the incredible pride and the amazing grace that is the history and power of the American Indian.

The Keeper of the Plains is a 44-foot tall steel sculpture standing at the point where the Big and Little Arkansas rivers join together in downtown Wichita. This land between the two rivers is sacred ground to the Native American people and is also home to the All-American Indian Center.

The Indian Warrior sculpture was created by Wichitan and Native American artist Blackbear Bosin (1921-1980). This icon of Wichita was erected on May 18, 1974 to celebrate the United States Bi-centenial and has kept a watchful eye on the city ever since.

Decades later the Keeper of the Plains now has an even larger view of Wichita. A complete renovation of the sculpture and instalation of the Keeper of the Plains Plaza now brings people out each evening to see the Keeper and the "Ring of Fire."

The 5-ton Keeper of the Plains statue is now 30 feet higher than before with it's new pedestal. There are also two suspended foot bridges allowing people to cross from the north and south directions to the plaza at the base of the Keeper. Part of the $20 million dollar river corridor improvement project, the statue can now be seen over the trees and buildings that have sprung up over the years along the river.