Kansas City North Real Estate :: Fran White 816-682-3897

I was sitting on my deck going over a list of things i've jotted down for May blog topics... boy am I behind, it's JUNE! Time to get crackin'!

The weather here has blistering hot and humid which makes for great storm weather!

I'm sure you've heard about the devastating tornados that have his our area lately. The tricky tornado wasn't particular with it's distruction: businesses, restuarants, schools and homes.

The damage was eye opening and sad.

It made me think to blog about a couple of ways that we can make sure, as homeowners, we are prepared for disaster.

Do you re-visit your homeowners insurance policy each year to make sure that you have ample coverage in case of fire or tornado?

A quick conversation with your insurance agent could prevent you from being caught up in a nasty mess.

Another thing you can do is to take pictures of everything in your home and upload the pictures to one of the on-line photo storage sites like Flickr or Photobucket for safe keeping. Then should you need to access your pictures to make an inventory of your possessions they will be right there waiting for you from any computer.

Just a couple of ideas to help you be prepared.

Do you watch American Idol?

Are you a David Cook Fan?

David is a native of Blue Springs, Missouri, which is a suburb of Kansas City. Really nice town!

A Reece and Nichols agent has his childhood home for sale and she's using "David Cook's Childhood Home For Sale" to attract attention!

If you'd like to take a LOOK at where the possible next American Idol grew up, go here.

I personally like David and have been cheering for him from the get go!

I've been showing a lot of first time buyers lately that have been watching a lot of television shows that show home remodeling, home decorating, and home buying.

Don't get me wrong, most of those shows are full of useful information, remodeling and decorating ideas and they can even give you tips on things to look for when shopping for a home that could be problematic... so they can be useful.

But please keep in mind that these are nationwide shows, some are even shot in Canada, and not everything they say apply to every area of the country.

Remodeling projects that they say can be completed in a weekend would be a tough job for seasoned hands, let along two women single handedly.

One show suggests that when you find a home you want to make an offer on "low-ball them." In other words, if they are asking 225,000.00 go in and offer them 25,000.00 less right off the bat.

I'm an advocate for negotiating a good deal, but my experience has been that this type of low-balling offends the sellers. I've even had a couple of sellers even refuse to make a counter offer because they were insulted.

Work with your REALTOR®. Ask them to show you comps in the neighborhood of homes that have sold as well as those for sale. Compare them to the home you want to make an offer on and proceed with a sensible offer.

I hear more and more REALTORS® working with sellers stressing the importance of pricing homes properly to sell in this market of over abundance.

Then there are those sellers who are having to bring money to the table to even sell their homes and have very little wiggle room.

I understand everyone wants a deal but just because the television shows are telling you to "low ball and ask for your closing costs to be paid," doesn't mean that it always happens or it's the rule of thumb to follow. In my opinion that only happens every-time on television.

I work with buyers and sellers so I see, feel and understand both sides.

As a buyer if you really want the home and give an outrageously low offer on a home that is priced correctly and the sellers get offended and refuse to counter - then you have lost out on a home that you really wanted and you are disappointed. That isn't a win/win for anyone.

Work with your REALTORS® and as buyers and sellers make mindful decisions.... and remember everything that is seen on television isn't always the case.

I really feel like I've been missing a lot by not being around here... and I miss all of you!

But honestly when I said that Real Estate was picking up in Kansas City North, I wasn't kidding.

I've been showing houses like crazy! Every been in a house that was vacant and it was colder in the house than it was outside, or at least "felt" that way. My little mittens have been getting a work out.

Hopefully we are in for some warmer weather in the near future!

I'll be back shortly, but in the meantime if you need help with your Kansas City Real Estate needs, just give me a ring!

Well I can tell you that we have enjoyed some "sweet"
weather the past few days!

Not only has this given a boost to the general moral in North Kansas City, but the buyers are starting to bud!

Interest rates are at an all time low for about the last "2" years and there's a lot to select from!

If you have been trying to decide whether to take a look at some homes in the North Kansas City Real Estate market, now is the time.

Don't forget to get a complete home inspection on the home you are intending to buy.

Give me a call if I can be of assistance! 816-682-3897