Important Election Ballot Question for Homeowners in USD 232

The USD 232/De Soto school district is seeking voter authorization on April 2, 2013, to adjust its Local Option Budget by one percent of its state financial aid, from 30 percent to 31 percent. In return, the district will draw fewer taxes and homeowners would see a slight decrease in the mill levy.  Take a look at the picture above to see how the district would draw fewer taxes with a 31% LOB.

What's in it for you?  

Check out the following links for more information, then go out and VOTE:

http://www.usd232.org/localoptionbudget

http://www.usd232.org/strongschools

Home Buyer Tips: Purchasing Power

Even though homes have appreciated, a monthly payment on the average house is actually less than it was in 1989. To learn what your dollar can buy you today, give us a call or send us an email.

Western Shawnee: What's Going on in Your Neighborhood? OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT!

What's Going on in Your Neighborhood?

OPEN HOUSE

Wednesday, March 27th

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Monticello Trails Middle School, 6100 Monticello Road

Residents, community leaders, church members, parents, students, business owners, service providers and all who live, work, visit, appreciate, and serve in western Shawnee are invited to attend. This is an open house event, come and go at your convenience. Stop by to learn about the many things going on in western Shawnee, now and in the future. Your kids can play at the Shawnee Town 1929 play area while you browse. We look forward to getting your feedback and we hope to see you there!

• Where is the new park going in western Shawnee and what will it look like?
• Where does the new trail section connect? When will it be completed?
• What is the layout of some of the future developments that are planned? What businesses might be coming?
• What are future plans for K-7 Corridor?
• Is there a Library in western Shawnee’s future? What programs is the Library offering now?
• What roads are going to be repaired this spring/summer?
• What are the ideas for improvements to Monticello Road?
• What can I do to prevent crime in my neighborhood?
• How can I be more in the loop on things going on in my neighborhood?
• What volunteer opportunities exist with the City?
• Learn how to Go GREEN and $ave Money!

Homes Selling Faster

We've noticed it in our own business.  Homes that we've listed within the past 30 days have received offers and gone under contract in 10 days or less.  This doesn't happen every time, but right now Buyers are out and inventory is low...and you're more likely to see fewer price reductions and more multiple offers.  For more details on this fast-moving market, check out this article from USA Today.

Mortgage Rates are Rising

As the sayings go...

All good things must come to an end.

or...

Nothing good lasts forever.

The same appears to be true for the historically low mortgage rates we've seen in the past couple years.  Mortgage rates for a 30-year fixed loan jumped to 3.85% last week, the highest since it was 3.91% back in August 2012.  The last time rates were above 5% was back in 2011. 

If you're waiting to list your home or waiting to sell your current home to try to cash in on a higher offer before you buy your new home, you just may be paying out on the buying end if rates continue to climb.

At Pickett Property Group, we are committed to helping you make the right real estate decisions for your needs.  If you're thinking of buying or selling, visit Pickett Property Group for more information.

New Roof Guidelines for Homeowners

Due to the increasing numbers of insurance claims as a result of inclement weather, many insurance companies are changing the guidelines by limiting or declining coverage with older or wood roofs.  Beginning this year, some of these guidelines include:

• Composition over Wood Shake Shingles: 
•  no longer insurable
• Composition over Composition:
•  insurable up to 3 layers.  Top layer may be subject to Composition Age Guidelines
• Wood Shake Shingles: 
• 10 years or newer - insurable at full replacement cost with $1000 deductible
• 10-15 years - subject to higher deductibles
• 15+ years - subject to higher deductibles and Actual Cash Value Loss Settlement
• Composition: 
• 20 years or newer - insurable at full replacement cost with $1000 deductible
• 20 years+ - subject to higher deductibles and Actual Cash Value Loss Settlement

If you have any questions regarding your coverage or whether the guidelines have changed on your policy, contact your insurance agent today.

Buyers: Advice from Sellers

As Real Estate Consultants, we do just that: consult. We will educate you about pricing, condition, showings, and more...but ultimately, it's up to you to decide what you want to do with that information.

Here's Part 2 to the article I posted earlier, Sellers: Advice from Buyers.  Definitely, some good suggestions to keep in mind in this one as well!

5 Tips Sellers Would Give Buyers if they Could

Get Weather Alerts on your Phone!

Severe weather months are just about here and that means strong storms, damaging hail, and possibly even tornadoes.  Sign up today and get weather alerts on your cell phone for FREE!  Check out NotifyJoCo for more information.

Home Seller Tip: Better is Better

Want to sell your house for more money in less time? Check out this Seller Tip for information on pricing, staging, and making the most of any market!





Ready to put your home on the market?  Give us a call!

Learn about Monticello Road Project in Western Shawnee

If you are a resident of one of the several communities that line Monticello Road in Western Shawnee, then you are VERY familiar with the line of traffic that forms near Clear Creek Elementary School and Mill Valley High School from 7am-9am and then again from 3pm-4pm.  The City of Shawnee is inviting the public to attend their presentation of the Monticello Road Project on March 14th from 5-7p.  They will be discussing traffic flow and how a new roundabout (to be built this summer) will be more efficient.  For more information, visit Monticello Road Project.

Home Buyer Tips: Get What You Want

Finding a great agent who can help you narrow your focus can go a long way to getting exactly what you want?  PRICELESS!

Home Seller Tips: Going it alone??

It might be tempting to save some money by trying to sell your house on your own, but consider this: almost one third of all sales come from agent-to-agent or past client referrals. 

This Month in Real Estate: March 2013

According to KW research almost half of sellers who price their house according to their real estate agents' interpretation of its market value sold almost twice as fast and for more money than the competition. 
If you're selling your house, the idea of pricing high to test the waters might sound appealing. But if your house is priced too high, you may be highlighting for buyers what a steal the house down the street is.





When you're ready to Buy, Sell, or Invest...give us a call.  We are here to help!

JUST LISTED! 5 Bedroom Home in DeSoto...Nearly 1 Acre Lot!

Website: http://pickett7.View24Hours.comFor more pictures instantly: Text "79902" To 79564 Call 913-787-1870 for an immediate showing or more information on the area, plus other homes for sale from all listing companies. Call or Text us to find out when the next Open House is. Great lot (near 1 acre) surrounded by forest & creek! 4th & 5th Bedroom on basement level (non-conforming) share a closet. 5th Bedroom currently used as an office. Expanded plan with huge Master suite, private Master bath & large walk-in closet. Large eat-in Kitchen features brand new countertops, tile backsplash, paint, and lots of cabinet space. Newly finished basement, all tile, plenty of room for play inside & out. Brand new septic system too! Sqft approx. Award winning DeSoto schools! NEW septic 2012, NEWER HVAC. Backyard workshop REDONE with new siding & roof. Easy highway access via K-10 or K-7. Call 913-787-1870 24hr to schedule an immediate showing and find out when the next OPEN HOUSE is.     5 bedrooms 3 bathrooms 2,488 approx sq.ft. 5 Bedrooms Nearly an acre lot HUGE Master Suite TONS of privacy Large eat-in Kitchen Large back deck Finished Basement EASY highway access   Offered at: $190,000

The Details

A g e n t   I n f o r m a t i o n S p o n s o r   I n f o r m a t i o n   Kim & Brett Pickett Realtor KS & MO Mobile 913-787-1870 Office 913-825-7577 brett@PickettPropertyGroup.com Keller Williams Key Partners, LLC 4200 Somerset Prairie Village, KS 66208 Keller Williams Realty Key Partners, LLC Office 913-825-7500 admin@kwkey.com 4200 Somerset, Suite 101 Prairie Village, KS 66208, KS 66208

Sellers: Advice from Buyers

As Real Estate Consultants, we do just that: consult. We will educate you about pricing, staging, showings, and more...but Ultimately, it's up to you to decide what you want to do with that information.

I stumbled upon this article and felt it was interesting enough to share. If you're thinking about or in the process of listing your house, check out this article:

5 tips Buyers would give Sellers if they could

11404 W. 68th Street  -  Shawnee  Offered at: $115,000 See Website: pickett20.View24Hours.comFor more pictures instantly: Text "347166" To 79564   P r o p e r t y   I n f o r m a t i o n Bedrooms:  2 Bathrooms:  1 Square Feet:  888 County:  Johnson Year built:  1951 MLS Nbr:  1816188 Property type:  Single Family Detached Property Description Great Shawnee location! Close to shops activities. Good schools nearby. This home is ready to MOVE-IN! Fresh paint & hardwood flooring throughout. Inside laundry off extra large eat-in Kitchen. Enjoy the huge fenced backyard with deck & firepit...Plenty of trees for shade! A/C, heater & roof all under 10 years old! 2 blks to Gum Springs Park.   A g e n t   I n f o r m a t i o n S p o n s o r   I n f o r m a t i o n   Kim & Brett Pickett Realtor KS & MO Mobile 913-787-1870 Office 913-825-7577 brett@PickettPropertyGroup.com Keller Williams Key Partners, LLC 4200 Somerset Prairie Village, KS 66208 Keller Williams Realty Key Partners, LLC Office 913-825-7500 admin@kwkey.com 4200 Somerset, Suite 101 Prairie Village, KS 66208, KS 66208 Copyright © ePropertySites, LLC 2008-2013 E.H.O.  Information believed accurate, but not guaranteed