Urban KC Living Real Estate Blog

Katherine and her son, Andrew, close on a perfect townhome

Katherine and her son, Andrew, came to me wanting to find the perfect new home. They were at a point they wanted to stop renting and become home owners. I was confident we could find them the perfect home and we did!

It took us a few months of looking north and south of the river but in the end, they knew they liked the Northland location they had been renting an apartment at. It took a few months of looking at options that were not right to wait to find the right option that came on the market. When the right option did come on the market, they move fast and got the winning contract!

Congratulations, Katherine and Andrew. I hope you enjoy sitting on your new secluded deck enjoying your view of the lake!

Stephanie and Paul invest in a foreclosed Plaza condo

Stephanie and Paul owned a condo on the Plaza and have used it as an investment property for the past few years. Having great success with renting the property out to great renters, they decided it was time to purchase another investment condo they could rent out. We searched a few different communities but they decided to purchase another condo in the same community as their other investment property since it offered one of the best locations, a good floor plan, nice community and was a deal being a foreclosure. They have plans to change the counter-tops, appliances and hang some blinds and it will be ready for the new renter!

It was such a pleasure working with Stephanie and Paul! If anyone is looking to rent a great 1 bedroom Country Club Plaza condo, it will be ready for the new tenant in June. Congratulations, Paul and Stephanie!

Congratulations on your new home, Frances!

Frances came to me wanting to buy her first home. She was renting a loft in the River Market and with rent going up, she knew she wanted to take advantage of the very low interest rates and buy now. She had a goal of finding a home she could own for less than rent and we did just that. We started looking at condos in the Plaza area but she soon realized there is quite a bit of the budget that goes into monthly HOA dues so we switched to houses as her primary search. She applied for an MHDC loan and even got 3% of the purchase price given to her in the form of a grant for her down-payment.  I try to find the best options for each individual buyer!

After looking at several house options in Waldo, she found the right home that had everything on her wish list including newer mechanics including the roof, HVAC and appliances! We even did it within a comfortable budget for her.

I feel lucky to work for all of my clients and while I try to help them and teach them the ins and outs of real estate, I also try to take something from the experience and the time spent together. Frances got me on my new "green" way of thinking. I am now using refillable water bottles with the filters inside the bottle. I am done with plastic bottles of water! Plus, she got me an oversized "green" shopping bag perfect for my Costco trips (the large bags are hard to find!).

I wish you many years of happiness in your new home, Frances! Thanks for the opportunity to assist you!

The Brookside Art Fair is this weekend and its year 27 for this grand event!

As I was driving from the Plaza to Waldo this afternoon to show a buyer properties, I noticed a lot of white tents going up in Brookside which could mean only one thing. The Brookside Art Annual is this weekend! Brookside will celebrate its 27th year for this great event. If you haven't been yet, be sure to stop by May 4, 5 or 6.

You can find hours and additional details at:

http://www.brooksidekc.org/bba/art-annual

Hope to see you there! We are supposed to have great weather for it.

 

Kyle finds the right home in Waldo

Kyle was a first time home buyer that came to me looking for the perfect new home. He knew he liked the Brookside/Waldo area the best so it made the first decision in the buying process simpler, area.

After viewing just a handful of options, we not only find him the space he wanted in a location he loved but also a "deal"! 

He successfully closed today and is starting some of his plans he has for his new home immediately.

Congratulations, Kyle! Enjoy that champagne!

I am running this year! Help support a great cause by joining me in my efforts to support the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired!

Imagine this: you are taking a vacation to Italy, and you board the plane ready for your European vacation. You have done all the planning and research so you will be prepared once you arrive. You step off the plane, and you are in Egypt. You weren't expecting the sudden change, and you feel very unprepared and anxious. This is a place you know nothing about. 

This is how most parents feel when they receive the news that their child has a visual impairment. They have prepared by reading books and taking classes, but suddenly they are faced with an unexpected future. The Children's Center for the Visually Impaired (CCVI) is there to help prepare children with visual impairments, including those with multiple disabilities, to function at their highest potential in the sighted world. They provide each family with the best resources possible to help them succeed.

I am participating in the Sabates Eye Centers Trolley Run on April 29, 2012, to help raise money for the children of CCVI. By donating, you will help provide vital programs and therapies to the almost 400 children CCVI serves annually. Help me reach my goal by visiting my fundraising page and donating to this year's event. You can also read about the event and learn more about why CCVI is so important.

Donating through my personal fundraising page is simple, fast and totally secure. It's also the most efficient way to contribute! You may also mail in donations to CCVI at 3101 Main Street in Kansas City, MO 64111; please just place my name in the memo line of your check.

Please forward this email on to your friends and family so they can help us raise as much money as possible.

Thank you for your support!

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Children's Center for the Visually Impaired

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AJ Gentry

Zac and Carrie find that certain areas prove to be a sellers market

Zac and Carrie contacted me a few months back looking for the perfect home. They knew they wanted a foreclosure they could put some "sweat equity" into. After looking from Olathe to Kansas City, KS we found a few options that they really liked. However, most of the foreclosures we viewed that they liked already has multiple offers in on them.  After putting offers in on 5 or 6 different homes, we finally found a home that we got a winning offer on. There can be a lot of competition when buying a home right now in certain areas of Kansas City and also when the homes are priced to sell. 

Congratulations Zac and Carrie! I can't wait to see photos when you have finished the updates you have planned!

Mihaela and Josh find the space they need in Overland Park

Mihaela and Josh contacted me a couple of months ago looking for the perfect maintenance free space. As first time home buyers, they knew the most important thing in their search was location. We looked at a target area in Prairie Village and Overland Park. In the end, after walking away from negotiations on another property, we got the right property, got under contract and the rest went very smooth. They got their keys today!

Congratulations, Mihaela and Josh. I hope you find much happiness in your new home for years to come!

Zach finds his new home at the Bella

Zach came to me looking for his first home. He knew two things. He wanted space and a deal. We found him the perfect two story property option, after viewing around 20 homes, that offered plenty of space and was a short sale (deal). He did have to wait a while for the sellers lien holder to respond to his offer and then the sellers lien holder put some pressure on us to get closed in half the time it normally takes to close a loan. However, in the end, we got keys in his hands and he is a very happy new home owner.

Enjoy that pool this summer, Zach. Job well done. Congratulations!

Welcome to your new home, Liz and Dennis

Once Liz and Dennis got their condo sold, it was time to move to the next step and find them their new home. We searched some great options from Independence to Waldo but in the end, location was most important to them and helped with their final decision. They found a very nice option in Waldo that had most everything on their wish list including a fully updated kitchen. The only thing they have to do is remodel the bathroom and they will be ready to move in and call this new home their home.

Congratulations, Liz and Dennis! It was a pleasure working with you again and I hope you have years of happiness in your new home!