Sheree Wilkerson

Q:  I have retro appliances in my kitchen, original to the home.  I think they're kinda groovy and are a bonus, but agents have said these will hinder my sale.   What do you think - groovy or old-school?


A:  To be honest, it depends on your buyer and how well it's presented.   If the retro appliances are in great shape, work wonderfully, and there's no mechanical need to replace them - that's one thing.  However, if the appliances are half working, half not, don't function at all, or are merely being used as extra cupboard space at this point - that's a whole 'nother animal.  

If the appliances are working great, and they don't build them like they used to so most run like champs, then you need to consider the decor.  Do the appliances stand out as crazy retro in an otherwise updated or sedate kitchen?  Do they blend in well or provide an accent that is aesthetically pleasing or stand out like a sore avocado green thumb?  

Most of us simply can't pull off a retro style kitchen, but if done well, it can help your home!   Overall, agents will recommend updating and going modern - green is the go-word of the day but they do mean energy-efficient, not color!  It's easier to for most folks than pulling a good scheme together, and appeals to more buyers anyway.  A lot of youngster first-timers are turned off by "grandma's kitchen."  



All in all - the overall recommendation is to update the appliances at the minimal with new epoxy if possible to erase the very retro colored (avocado, harvest gold, pink, etc) enamel, and preferably to update the items or price accordingly.  If you can pull off a groovy kitchen and do it well, with fully functional appliances, by all means go for it!  You'll find a special buyer that really appreciates it, even if you have to wait a smidge longer!

And don't think I'm dissin' on the Groove - we have some pretty Groovy agents at our office!

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So far there's been no promise from the government to extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit, much less increase it as was earlier rumored. If nothing is done, the deadline for the original credit is still the end of November!

That means your home must CLOSE by December 1st. Closed, done, completed. Not under contract, not in process, but all the way done.

With loans currently taking around 45 days to complete, this means you'll need to be under contract on a home by mid-October, in order to close by the end of November.

If you're picky, you'll want to be looking for a home by mid-September, yes - that's next month!

We fully expect a minor-rush as we near the deadline for the credit. This means more homes going faster and with multiple offers as you beat against some of your fellow first-timers to secure. Already we're seeing certain price ranges getting multiple offers. The last deal I put in was one of 6 offers, 2 went over-asking!

So if you're looking to cash in on that tax credit, don't be waiting till the last minute. Go ahead and get pre-qualified and start looking (with me of course!) so that you have time to get the home you want and close in time!

You can start your home search here at My Website ! or just catch me directly and let me know what you're looking for in a home.

Don't put this off any longer if you're wanting to get in on the tax credit!

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Sheree Wilkerson

Realty World Alliance

316-461-0575 call/txt

sheree@rwwichita.com

http://www.KansasHomeBuzz.com

Beautiful, classic College Hill - one of the more sought after areas of Wichita, KS!

Originally the area for affluent WSU professors to build, the area is now a great collection of vintage homes from the 1920's and 1930's era.

Generally the area is defined as between Hillside and Oliver, and between Kellogg and Central. Some folks try to carry this across Oliver, but that's actually considered Crown Heights area. Just a couple of miles north is the Wichita State University campus. And of course, the southern boundary of Kellogg makes it very easy to get anywhere in the city. Another mile or so down Douglas and you'll pass through the Eastborough area and to the Towne East Mall. So on top of being a classy vintage area, it's also convenient and features a good selection of its own eclectic shops in the Douglas Design District.

College Hill Park is a beautiful, peaceful, grassy park with established trees, great walking paths and large open areas for playing or picnicking! It's located on the southern end of College Hill, south of Douglas, in one of the few hilly areas of the city.

As far as the homes of College Hill, look below and see many of the features of the area that you'll find. Keep in mind that these are vintage 20's and 30's homes. You'll find a lot of original features, many which may seem odd to us these days, smaller yards and garages, rough basements, and generally higher maintenance homes. Ah, but if only WE could look so good going into our 90's and beyond!



And are you looking for a vintage College Hill home to call your own? Click below to see all the homes currently on the College Hill Market, including the condo's at Douglas/Hillside.

College Hill for Sale HERE!

Ready to talk more about your goals for a vintage home or are you ready to put yours on the market? Drop me a line!

~Sheree

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Sheree Wilkerson
sheree@rwwichita.com
316-461-0575

Realty World Alliance - www.KansasHomeBuzz.com

It's that time again, but with a twist!!

Sedgwick County recently mailed its tax valuation notices. This important little piece of paper tells you what the county thinks your home could sell for as of December 31, 2008. This value is derived from the past 2 years of comparable home sales in your area. An increase in value simply means that homes like yours are selling for that percent more, not necessarily that you have made that much more in improvements.

The twist? This year Sedgwick County announced that 72% of homes will see NO increase in their value at all.

Increasing property values are generally good for everyone! It means your property is increasing in value, so your investment is growing and worth more. However, it does hit your pocketbook tax-wise. In this market, even flat values are good - that means our properties have not LOST in value like many other areas of the country. From that value they assign your home, your property taxes are then developed!

From that Appraised Value, a small percentage (11 1/2% for Residential) results in your Assessed Value (the amount they base taxes off of). That value is then multiplied by the mill levy in your area to determine the property taxes that you will pay for 2009.

For example, your house is valued at $100,000:

The Assessed Value is $11,500.

The mill levy in your area is 118.05.

Your taxes would then be 11500*.11805 = $1357.57 roughly

So if your value increased by the typical 3% for the area - your taxes roughly went up $40/year.

NOW then. You might happen to not agree with the Appraiser's Office as to your value. Keep in mind that the Appraiser's Office operates off the data it has on record, and only visits a property typically once every 6 years. So any changes, for better or for worse, might not be on their record.

If you want to appeal your property valuation, here's what to do:

1. Fill out the form on the back of your valuation notice and mail it in. Include any days/times that are not good to schedule you on and indicate why you don't agree with the value. This must be done before MARCH 31st!
2. You will receive a letter with a date and time for an informal hearing. If you can't make that, call as soon as possible because times fill up quickly.
3. The hearing is informal. You will meet face to face with one of the real estate appraisers who actually goes out and does the evaluations of property.
4. Bring any supporting documentation - if you disagree about the condition of the property then bring in photos, bids for repairs, etc. If you've had it independently appraised or recently bought it, bring those in. If you disagree about size, amount of basement finish, or such, you'll need to request that they re-inspect the property in person.

They're fairly reasonable people and understand that they do "mass" appraisal and individual homes may vary. They typically have a 60% change rate - meaning that they do change values for 60% of those that appeal. But appealing is the first step!

Now if you get "no change" in value from the hearing, you can appeal to the next level.

For more information, do visit the Appraiser's Office website, or call them at 316.660.9110. You can also look up your property's appraised value at this site, if you don't already know it.

And if you do decide to appeal - Good Luck to you!

And if you get your valuation and decide that you're ready to sell that gold-mine of yours, give me a hollar. I'll get those taxes out of your name and into someone else's! :)

~Sheree

316-461-0575 ............. sheree@rwwichita.com ................ www.KansasHomeBuzz.com

Autism... in Wichita, KS!

You may or may not know how you are affected by autism, but it's around you. That child screaming in the restaurant nearby, that parent pulling her hair out, that family next door that never comes out, the mother missing work constantly, that kid in the principal's office.... You just never know.

With 1 in 150 children here being diagnosed with some form of autism spectrum, it's around you somewhere.

Today in Wichita, we celebrated learning and autism with the 2nd Annual Heartspring Autism Care Walk - a great time for families with autistic spectrum children and their supporters to get together in an understanding environment and share, learn, and have fun!

We had another, more personal, experience with Autistic Wichita this week. If you know anyone here with autism, you probably have heard the name of Dr. Kerschen. She is the one and only Pediatric Deveopmental Doctor in the area, and considered to be our local expect on Autism.

As the one and only, her wait list is huge. We got on it over a year and half ago. And just had our appointment. It was worth the wait, frustrating as it was!

We are anxiously awaiting his follow-up appointment, and have a lot of homework, but I feel like we finally found a doctor that understands us, and that feels good.

If you are moving to the Wichita metro area and have a child on the Autism spectrum - even if it's months in the future - go ahead and get on her waiting list! It will make your move smoother!

For other local Autism resources and questions, feel free to drop me an email or pick up the phone and cal me. When my son was diagnosed, I knew nothing. I still have a ton to learn, but I would be happy to help share those here that I've found helpful in my search!

Happy Autism Awareness!!!

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Sheree - proud Mom of a 5yo Autistic Wonder-kid!

sheree@rwwichita.com 316-461-0575 Realty World Alliance