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!

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!



Home Buyer Tips: Low Down Payment

Good news!!  If you are a first-time homebuyer, you may not need a 20% down payment.  According to a recent survey, nearly 75% of first time buyers only put down 3.5% or less.  Of course, with interest rates still low, now is a great time to buy!  Contact your mortgage professional for your situation; then give us a call to help get you started.   Check out this video for more info:

February 2011 Market Snapshot

Though we are only 2 months into the new year, signs are peeking everywhere that consumers are feeling better: an increase in the food & services industry indicate we're eating out more, vacations are on the rise due to an 8% increase in the travel industry, and believe it or not, household net worths are increasing thanks to a strong stock market and the focus on shrinking personal debt.  What does this mean for the housing industry?  For now, buyers can benefit from historically favorable buying conditions and sellers can enjoy increased stability in the market.

We are still seeing an upward trend in existing home sales activity.  Though sales remained 2.9% below the level seen last year, this trend is a welcoming sign.

Home prices softened in December, down 1% from the year before, but mostly due to the number of distressed properties, which accounted for 36% of sales for that month.  However prices continue to hold steady and mortgage rates remain historically low, offering favorable buying opportunities.

Keep in mind...as the ecomonic recovery stays the course, rates are expected to rise to keep inflation in check.  So if you are looking to buy, don't wait!  Now really is the time to take advantage of the market.  Give us a call or email to schedule your appointment today.

Market Stats for Lakepointe in Shawnee, KS

Lakepointe has several homes available right now if you're looking to live in Western Shawnee. Lakepointe currently has 8 active homes listed for sale ranging in price from $189,950 to $299,000, four to five bedrooms/2+ baths available. In the past 60 days, 3 homes have sold, with an average sale price of $244,333 and about 67 days on market. This is a great location and when the price is right, these homes will move.

Lakepointe is located in Western Shawnee, just off Johnson Drive and Monticello Road. This community is part of the Award Winning De Soto School District, has great highway access, and is close to restaurants and shopping.

To see any of the available homes in this neighborhood or any of the nearby communities in Shawnee, such as Crimson Ridge, Monticello Farms, Brittany Valley, Woodland Park, Brittany Heights, Grey Oaks, Woodsonia, Greens of Chapel Creek, Greenview Ridge, or Estates of Green View Ridge, email, text, or give us a call. As a resident of nearby Grey Oaks, Pickett Property Group is your Western Shawnee expert.

Why Now is a Great Time to Sell Your Home

Some interesting statistics out now explain it best....Don't wait until Spring!  NOW really is the time to sell your home.  For starters, 89% of all homebuyers start their search on the internet and catering to those buyers will give you a jump on those sellers waiting until Spring.  When there are fewer houses on the market, those that are priced right and staged well will stand out even more.  On average, it takes about 12 weeks to sell a home, so those listed right now are in a better position to market to buyers looking to buy now and close in the Spring.  Check out the video below for more information:

Snow and ice can be dangerous to your home

As I sit here witnessing a blizzard outside my window, it's only appropriate that I bring up how this type of weather can wreak havoc on your home as well.  Let's be honest, streets and sidewalks aren't the only areas that become dangerous when there's snow and ice.

According to many roofing experts, snow, ice, and strong winds could cause roofs to fail and collapse....think Metrodome in Minneapolis, MN this past December.  But this could happen to residential homes as well.

Approximately 16 inches of snow equals about 20 extra pounds of weight per square foot.  But if there's a layer of ice underneath, there's even more weight.

Growing up with winters in Minnesota as a child, I remember my dad climbing on top of the roof to shovel off snow and chip away at any ice in the gutters.  HOWEVER, I do NOT recommend any homeowners try getting rid of it themselves.  You'll just be adding even more weight to an already weighty issue and if the snow starts to slide, so will you!  Call a professional if you hear any cracking or see any leaking in your home.  They will have the right ladders, tools, and know-how.  If you must do it yourself, invest in a roof rake.  When used correctly, it's safe for your house and won't scratch your asphalt.

A Must See!! 3 Bedroom Ranch in Overland Park only $130,000!

Perfect 3 Bedroom Ranch only $130,000!!!

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 are approximate. Check out the neighborhood here: View Larger Map 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 Woodsonia in Shawnee, KS

If you're looking to be a part of this great neighborhood , there are a few to choose from. Woodsonia currently has 6 active homes listed for sale ranging in price from $169,900 to $235,000, three to five bedrooms available. In the past 60 days, only two homes have sold, from $154,000 to $218,000, with an average cummulative days on market of 85.

Woodsonia is located in Western Shawnee, just off K-7 Highway and Johnson Drive. It features a neighborhood park, community pool, part of the Award Winning De Soto School District, great highway access, and close to restaurants and shopping.

To see any of the available homes in this neighborhood or any of the nearby communities in Shawnee, such as Crimson Ridge, Brittany Heights, Brittany Valley, Lakepointe, Woodland Park, Grey Oaks, Monticello Farms, Greens of Chapel Creek, Greenview Ridge, or Estates of Green View Ridge, email, text, or give us a call. As a resident of nearby Grey Oaks, Pickett Property Group is your Western Shawnee expert.

Market Stats for Clear Creek in Shawnee, KS

Here is a community market snapshot of Clear Creek Community in Shawnee, KS.  Clear Creek currently has 4 active homes listed for sale ranging in price from $229,900 to $310,000, four bedrooms available. In the past 60 days alone, 4 homes have sold with an average days on market of 63 days, which is great for this price point.


Clear Creek is located in Western Shawnee, just off Shawnee Mission Parkway and Johnson Drive. This community is part of the Award Winning De Soto School District, has great highway access, and is close to restaurants and shopping.

To see any of the available homes in this neighborhood or any of the nearby communities in Shawnee, such as Crimson Ridge, Brittany Heights, Brittany Valley, Lakepointe, Woodland Park, Grey Oaks, Woodsonia, Greens of Chapel Creek, Greenview Ridge, or Estates of Green View Ridge, email, text, or give us a call. As a resident of nearby Grey Oaks, Pickett Property Group is your Western Shawnee expert.

Market Stats for Lakepointe in Shawnee, KS

Lakepointe has quite a few homes available right now if you're looking to live in Western Shawnee. Lakepointe currently has 7 active homes listed for sale ranging in price from $189,950 to $350,000, four to five bedrooms/2+ baths available. In the past 60 days, 6 homes have sold...ranging from $173,000 to $292,859 with an average of only 102 days on market, which is great for this price range and time of year. This is a great location and when the price is right, these homes will move.


Lakepointe is located in Western Shawnee, just off Johnson Drive and Monticello Road. This community is part of the Award Winning De Soto School District, has great highway access, and is close to restaurants and shopping.

To see any of the available homes in this neighborhood or any of the nearby communities in Shawnee, such as Crimson Ridge, Monticello Farms, Brittany Valley, Woodland Park, Brittany Heights, Grey Oaks, Woodsonia, Greens of Chapel Creek, Greenview Ridge, or Estates of Green View Ridge, email, text, or give us a call. As a resident of nearby Grey Oaks, Pickett Property Group is your Western Shawnee expert.