Monday, March 21, 2011

Did You Know...?

...in the 1830's, ketchup was sold as a medicine. In an effort to boost sales, one enterprising manufacturer bottled it as Dr. Miles Compound Extract of Tomato, reputed to cure anything from baldness to athlete's foot, and all points in between.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Did You Know...

Many people assume that pizza boxes are recyclable because they are made of corrugated cardboard.  And in most cases, they really are.  However, it's what goes inside that pizza box that makes parts of it non-recyclable...the grease, leftover toppings, and cheese from the pizza.   Unless you remove the tainted portions, you're causing more harm than good.

Food is one of the worst contaminants in the paper recycling process. Grease and oil are not as big of a problem for plastic, metal and glass, as those materials are recycled using a heat process. But when paper products, like cardboard, are recycled, they are mixed with water and turned into a slurry. Since we all know water and oil don't mix, the issue is clear.

Grease from pizza boxes causes oil to form at the top of the slurry, and paper fibers cannot separate from oils during the pulping process. Essentially, this contaminant causes the entire batch to be ruined. It's for this reason that other food related items are non-recyclable (used paper plates, used napkins, used paper towels, etc).  Some estimates put the costs of irresponsible contamination around $700 million per year!

So the next time you go to recycle your pizza box (or any recyclable container for that matter), take a good look inside, dump or rinse out any food particles and cut or tear out any soiled portions.  Put those in your trash and recycle any remaining parts.  The extra steps may take a few more minutes, but you'll be recycling with a guilt-free conscience.


Saturday, March 19, 2011

Market Stats for Grey Oaks in Shawnee, KS

The MLS we Realtors use here in Kansas City has come out with some new tools and I thought I'd share one of them with you today.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  Well, I'll let you be the judge in this case:

All of the charts below are for the Grey Oaks subdivision in Western Shawnee.  Keep in mind, that since this is still a community with new construction, there may be a few stats missing or skewed here and there, but overall, you can get a good idea what the market is like here.


If you live in Grey Oaks or are looking for homes in this area and have a question, please feel free to give us a call or send an email.  We're here to help!

Friday, March 18, 2011

Three Savvy Strategies to Selling Your Home

Today's market is more of a buyer's market, meaning that there are more homes for sale right now than there are buyers.  Homes typically take longer to sell and prices can fall.  If you want to make sure that your home sells faster and for a higher list-to-sell percentage, then follow these steps:

  1. Prepare the property to sell.  
    • Consider a prelist home inspection to address any possible issues before your house goes on the market and take care of any repairs that may be needed.  This will eliminate any surprises later on.  
    • Upgrades always attract buyers...the most common include flooring, paint, light fixtures, appliances, and plumbing hardware.
    • On average, staged homes had 2 more showings and sold for a significantly higher list-to-sale percentage than homes that were not staged.  This is more true for homes at a higher listing price.  The most commonly staged rooms are the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom.
  2. Price the property to sell.
    • The top factors when pricing your home are recently sold comps, active comps, condition of home and your motivation.  Even price per square foot and age of the home can play a role.
    • Listen to your Realtor's [my ;)] advice.  Sellers who followed Keller Williams associate's recommended price sold their homes 38 days faster.  This translates to a savings of $1101.31 for a seller who originally bought their $200,000 home with 20% down and an interest rate of 6.5%.
  3. Present the property to buyers.
    • Put yourself in the buyers' shoes.  Believe it or not, 90% of buyers report using the Internet as a tool to search for homes that were for sale.  And the buyers first impression are the pictures of your home.  Before the Realtor takes photos of your home for the listing, take some yourself of each room in your home.  How does your home look to you?  If you're not impressed, the buyers won't be either.  If you can't afford a stager, use the photos as a tool to see where your opportunities lie...clear out the clutter, dust, paint, etc.  Your agent can help you in this area as well.
    • The top marketing tools we at Pickett Property Group use include: MLS, for sale signs, online placement (Trulia, Realtor.com, Craigslist to name a few), Open Houses, web listings with virtual tours, fliers, feedback forms, email, social media (our Blog, Twitter, Facebook), and QR codes.
    • Improve your curb appeal.  Most buyers will drive by to view the home after seeing your listing online.  So your curb appeal needs to draw potential buyers to want to see the inside of your home as well.  Things like trimming bushes, adding fresh mulch or new landscaping, power-washing, washing windows, painting the exterior, updating door hardware, and even planting new sod can make a huge impact.
What does all of this mean for you?  By applying these 3 strategies, it could potentially translate into more money in your pocket at closing time.

When you're ready to sell your home, contact us for a professional, yet straight-forward presentation.  We put YOU first!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Kansas City Market Report for February 2011

Here's a breakdown on the housing market in the Kansas City area:

We saw a decrease on the average new home price in February ($279,802), which was 4% lower than the same month last year.  However, the average existing home price for last month is 4% higher at $127,449 than one year ago.  






New home sales decreased 22% from last year and 2% from last month.  Existing home sales also saw a decrease...down 7% from last year, but up 4% from last month.




There is still a slight buyer's edge present in the new home market, existing home and combined markets.  Interest rates are still at historic lows, but are predicted to rise in 2011...so if you're currently "on the fence" this information may be of benefit.  To see any of the available homes in nearby communities in Shawnee, Overland Park, Olathe, Leawood, DeSoto, Lenexa, Mission, Prairie Village, and more, email, text, or give us a call.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Just reduced!! Perfect 3 Bedroom Ranch in Overland Park now at $125,000!!

Your New Home!!  Great 3 Bedroom Ranch only $125,000!!!



Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
1
Home Size
912 sq.ft.
Garage
1
Lot Size
9,202 sq.ft.
Community
Maple Crest
County
Johnson
Property Type
Single Family Detached
Year Built
1953
MLS Number
1704148
Property Description
Here's your next home. Well cared for Overland Park Ranch with a large eat-in Kitchen, big bonus mud room/laundry room, and huge back yard and deck for entertaining or relaxing with family and friends. Just a block from Sante Fe Trails Elementary ... GREAT location. Call us to take a look or find out when the next Open House is.

All measurements and sqft are approx.

Call 24hrs to 913/787-1870 for more details on this or any other property in the area.  Schedule your showing today!
 Visit www.PickettPropertyGroup.com for more info and helpful FREE BUYER INFO.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Update to the March K-7 and Johnson Drive Interchange Project Update

We've had a lot of rain, and a little snow, and as a result, the new traffic changes set to begin at the latest this week, have now been pushed back to the week of April 4th.

What do you have to look forward to?  First of all, northbound and southbound K-7 will be reduced to one lane...moving you over to the new northbound lane so that crews can complete construction on the new southbound lanes.  This will last through late fall, weather permitting.

Second, and this is a biggie, the east leg of Clear Ceek Parkway will be closed for bridge constuction that will take Clear Creek traffic over K-7.  In other words, no more direct access to K-7 from Clear Creek.  Detours will take you to either Shawnee Mission Parkway or 47th Street, depending on where your destination is.

Lastly, access from southbound K-7 to 55th Street will be closed through June 2011 (again, depending on the weather) while crews complete construction on the new southbound lanes.

I'll keep you posted on any other traffic updates for this ever changing area.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email or give me a call!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Open House 3/13: Great 4 Bedroom Raised Ranch in Overland Park, KS...Come Say Hi!!

If you're looking for the perfect home with 4 bedrooms, lots of space, and in a great neighborhood, then you must come by this Sunday, March 13th, and check out this one!


I'll be here from noon-4pm tomorrow to share info about the home and community, and to answer any questions you may have.


Come see the updates for yourself: freshly painted, granite counters, new flooring, and more!  And talk about location!!  Just minutes from popular shopping and restaurant destinations with quick and easy access to I-35, I-69, and I-435.

At $190,000, this is a must see!  Call for directions: 913.787.1870.  See you there!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Just Listed! 4 bedroom Raised Ranch in Overland Park only $190,000!


Just $190,000!!




Bedrooms4Bathrooms3.5
Home Size2,480 sq.ft.Garage2
Lot Size11,001 sq.ft.CountyJohnson
Property TypeSingle Family DetachedYear Built1960
MLS Number1717279
Property Description
Call 913-787-1870 24hr to schedule an immediate showing and find out when the next OPEN HOUSE is.

Wonderful raised Ranch in the heart of Overland Park on large treed corner lot. Well cared for and nicely updated. New Granite Counters, new paint, new doors, new flooring, updated bathrooms. Eat in Kitchen & Dining Rm. Main Level Laundry. FINSHED BASEMENT & upstairs HUGE bonus dormer bedroom or rec room with half bath. READY TO MOVE IN! Call Brett & Kim for an immediate showing or more information on the area plus other homes for sale from all companies.


Why Home Ownership is Good for You

Studies show that owning a home not only instills a sense of comfort and pride, but it also brings higher academic achievement, more cohesive communities, better connected families, improved health and safety, and a stronger economy.  Home owners:

  • are 15% more likely to vote
  • live 4 times longer in a community
  • are 16% more likely to belong to parent-teacher organizations, book clubs, etc.
  • are 1.3 times more likely to read the newspaper
  • are 10% more likely to attend church
  • have a net worth 45.9 times that of a renter's
For more information, check out the National Association of Realtors' Field Guide to the Benefits of Home Ownership.

When you are ready to buy or sell your next home, please give us a call.  No matter the need, Pickett Property Group can help!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

K-7 and Johnson Drive Interchange Project Update-March 2011

If Mother Nature decides to play nice over the next week or so, new traffic changes will be set to take place on the K-7 and Johnson Drive interchange project in Johnson County the week of March 7th or March 14th.

What do you have to look forward to?  First of all, northbound and southbound K-7 will be reduced to one lane...moving you over to the new northbound lane so that crews can complete construction on the new southbound lanes.  This will last through late fall, weather permitting.

Second, and this is a biggie, the east leg of Clear Ceek Parkway will be closed for bridge constuction that will take Clear Creek traffic over K-7.  In other words, no more direct access to K-7 from Clear Creek.  Detours will take you to either Shawnee Mission Parkway or 47th Street, depending on where your destination is.

Lastly, access from southbound K-7 to 55th Street will be closed through Aprill 2011 (again, depending on the weather) while crews complete construction on the new southbound lanes.

I'll keep you posted on any other traffic updates for this ever changing area.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email or give me a call!