OPEN HOUSE 6/26!! Charming 3 Bedroom Ranch in Overland Park only $120,000!!

OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY 6/26 from 12-3pm!!

Great 3 Bedroom Ranch in Overland Park...Only $120,000!!

Perfect 3 Bedroom Ranch only $120,000!!!

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 measure & 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.

Market Stats for Grey Oaks in Shawnee, KS

The chart below is 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!

1989 vs 2011...Now really is the time to buy

The affordability of homes is lower today than it has been in years...and to top it off, mortgages hit a historic low in 2010 and continue to remain at relatively low levels.  Take a look at this chart to help put things in perspective:

The cost of a loaf of bread and a gallon of gas has more than tripled since 1989 and car prices have nearly doubled.  While the median price of a new home has increased by 70%, mortgage interest rates, which stood at 10% back in 1989, are now less than half of what they were back then.  The impact of today's super low interest rates is that the monthly mortgage payment on a median priced home in the US has increased by only $4 since 1989.

Unless a buyer is paying cash, the monthly payment tends to be a far more relevant number than the home's actual purchase price.  So for buyers waiting for home prices to hit the floor, pay attention...the possibility of a slight drop in the price of a home will have very little impact on your monthly payment, while even a slight rise in interest rates (a more likely scenario) will have a huge impact on your finances.

Timing the market is never possible and in today's market, staying on the sidelines is more likely to result in a missed opportunity than a small savings.  Buy now so you can look back and say, "I'm glad I did" rather than "I wish I had."

If you're looking to buy or are ready to put your home on the market,  email, text, or give us a call. As a resident of nearby Grey Oaks, Pickett Property Group is your Western Shawnee expert.

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

Attention, Western Shawnee residents!  Weather permitting, on Thursday/Friday, June 16-17, new traffic changes are scheduled to take place on the K-7 and 55th Street/Johnson Drive interchange project in Johnson County.  The traffic changes that are scheduled to occur are as follows:

·         On Thursday, June 16, after morning rush hour (weather permitting), access from northbound and southbound K-7 to Clear Creek Parkway on the west side of K-7 will be closed to all traffic.  Utility work as well as construction work will begin on the new bridge that will span over K-7 at Clear Creek Parkway.

·         On Friday, June 17, before morning rush hour (weather permitting), 55th Street will be reopened to traffic for all through eastbound and westbound movements from 55th Street to Johnson Drive.  Also, access from northbound K-7 to westbound 55th Street and from 55th Street/Johnson Driver to southbound K-7 will be opened to all traffic at the same time.  If there is any wet weather that occurs on Thursday, June 16, the 55th Street traffic changes will shift to sometime during the day on Friday, June 17, and will not be in place before morning rush hour. 

Stay tuned for more information as the construction progresses.

Selling your home...beating the odds in a buyer's market: Curb Appeal

If you're thinking of listing your home, bookmark our blog and don't miss this series.  Over the next few weeks, we'll introduce you to some statistics and tips to help you view your house not as your home, but as the future home of the buyer you need to attract.  Our first topic was Pricing to Sell Your Home...this week, it's all about Curb Appeal.  So here's the skinny!

KW Research shows that approximately 47% of sellers enhance their curb appeal.  Most spend between $150-1000 to make those first few seconds count for buyers who may be driving by or checking out photos  online.  What do they do?

• 73% trim trees and bushes
• 54% mulch
• 51% bring in new plants
• 44% wash windows
• 40% power wash
• 23% add a fresh coat of exterior paint
• 11% add new door hardware

For those sellers that DID enhance their curb appeal...

• Had excellent results compared to only 68% of home without enhancements
• Received their first offer 6 days faster
• Sold 7 days faster...
• ...for 1.23 percentage points higher in the list-to-sell percent

In other words, first impressions really DO count!  :)

Top 10 Most Common Home Inspection Concerns

Buyers and sellers may think that their home is unique, but more often than not, home inspectors find that most home defects are very similar.  Below are 10 common home defects that inspectors can typically identify.  And it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with them, so that you can start planning ahead for repairs or work you may have to do if you are on the buying or selling side.

1. Poor Drainage:  Inspectors will review whether water moves away from the house properly and/or whether the roof needs new gutters and downspouts. They will also check to see if ground-level drainage systems have been properly graded.
2. Faulty Electrical Wiring:  If electrical wiring hasn't been properly installed or grounded, a home may be susceptible to fire and inhabitants may risk electrical shock.  If you are looking at an older home, you will find they often need electrical upgrades, including new wiring and circuit breaker panels.
3. A Leaking Roof:  Leaking roofs often result from poor flashing or aging shingles and roofing materials.
4. An Aging or Defective Heating System:  Older heating systems may require maintenance and/or may be energy-inefficient.  Non-electrical heating systems also run the risk of emitting carbon monoxide fumes, so a carbon-monoxide detector may be recommended.
5. Poor Maintenance:  A DIY seller's "bandaid" fixes to plumbing, electrical, or other problems can sometimes do more harm than good.
6. Structural Damage:  A leaking roof or settling foundation may mean doorways, walls, and support beams are off-kilter.
7. Plumbing Problems:  Inspectors look for faulty pipes and fixtures, and also look at whether plumbing parts or made of compatible materials.  Leak-prone polybutylene (PB) plumbing pipes may have to be replaced.
8. Water Seepage Through Windows and Doors:  If there is evidence of water damage, then re-caulking windows and doors, adding weather-stripping or other more extensive repairs may be needed.
9. Poor Ventilation:  Installing ventilation fans and keeping windows open can help, but buyers may find that they need to replace walls or other structural aspects of a home.
10. Hazardous Materials:  Older homes may contain lead-based paint and asbestos materials.  Depending on structure and climate, homes may also contain unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide, radon gas, or toxic molds.

Selling your home...beating the odds in a buyer's market: Pricing to Sell

Now that school is out and summer is almost officially here, you'll start to see more and more homes pop up for sale.  Unfortunately, not all sellers will know how to make the most of today's market.  If you're thinking of listing your home, bookmark our blog and don't miss this series.  Over the next few weeks, we'll introduce you to some statistics and tips to help you view your house not as your home, but as the future home of the buyer you need to attract.  So let's get started!

Sellers can still get the highest possible list-to-sell ratio and sell their homes as quickly as possible if they are willing to put their trust in two time-tested principles of real estate:  condition and price.  These are the only two factors that sellers have control over, and they are the only two that buyers will care about the most.

Let's take a look at the top 10 pricing considerations first.

1. Buyer motivation - 75%
2. Condition of Home - 73%
3. School district - 66%
4. Updates/Upgrades - 62%
5. Seller motivation - 59%
6. Location - 59%
7. Features of home - 54%
8. Recently sold comps - 54%
9. Inventory - 44%
10. Price per square foot - 41%

As you can see, sellers have control over three: condition, updates, and price per square foot.  And this is where your agent is key...work with them to establish the most competitive price.  Here's why:

Based on Keller Williams Reasearch, 48% of Sellers priced their home according to their agent's interpretation of its market value.  As a result, the listing:

• Sold after 56 days on the market compared to 105 and sold 49 days faster.
• Sold for 6.7 percentage points higher in the list-to-sell ratio.  In other words, for a home listed at $200,000, that resulted in a list price-to-sell ratio of 96% vs. 89%.  That's a difference of $13,400!
• Sold for at least 1 less price reduction

Price your house right the first time and save yourself time and money!



A Must-See at this Price - Great 4 Bedroom Raised Ranch in Overland Park reduced to $180,000!

Don't Miss This One!! 

 Now Reduced to $180,000!!

Bedrooms: 4                      Bathrooms: 3.5                    Home Size: 2,480 sq.ft.                       Garage: 2

Lot Size: 11,001 sq.ft.                 County: Johnson         Property Type: Single Family Detached

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.

Great 2 story in Colony Woods only $215,000!!

Priced at $215,000

Perfect home and location for entertaining family and friends!  Don't miss this one...schedule a showing today!

Bedrooms: 3 / Bathrooms: 3.1 / Home Size: 2,704 sq.ft. / Garage: 2

Lot Size: 13,329 sq.ft. / Community: Colony Woods

County: Johnson Co., KS / Property Type: Single Family Detached

Year Built: 1978 / MLS Number: 1722811
Beautiful 2 story in popular Colony Woods on large cul-de-sac lot! Two blocks to neighborhood park with basketball and tennis courts and a swimming pool. Two Master suites, both with full baths; one has a jet tub with 2-sided fireplace, a separate shower, toilet room, & dual vanity. Finished basement has a non-conforming 4th bedroom w/full bath, recreation room, and wet bar. Large yard, sprinkler system & large deck with screened porch, great for entertaining.



Call 913-787-1870 24hr to schedule an immediate showing and find out when the next OPEN HOUSE is.



Nearly One Acre! Beautiful 5 Bedroom Home in DeSoto, KS only $200,000!!

Just listed at $200,000!!

If you're looking for space, but still want to live close to highways, shopping, and restaurants, then don't miss this one!

Bedrooms: 5 ~ Bathrooms: 3 ~ Home Size: 2,488 sq.ft. ~ Garage: 3

Lot Size: 37,461 sq.ft. ~ County: Johnson Co, KS ~ Property Type: Single Family Detached

Year Built: 1970 ~ MLS Number: 1722697

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 with lots of cabinet space. Newly finished basement, all tile, plenty of room for play inside & out. Sqft approx. Award winning DeSoto schools and just minutes from K-7, K-10, shopping and restaurants!

Call 913-787-1870 24hr to schedule an immediate showing and find out when the next OPEN HOUSE is.



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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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

Just $190,000!!

Bedrooms:	4	Bathrooms:	3.5
Home Size:	2,480 sq.ft.	Garage:	2
Lot Size:	11,001 sq.ft.	County:	Johnson
Property Type:	Single Family Detached	Year Built:	1960
MLS Number:	1717279
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!