Watching the news is how I start every morning. A year ago it was all I watched. It had been my way of life for 4 years while my son was in the Marine Corp. When he was deployed in Iraq I even slept with the TV on Fox news. Even though I knew if something happened to him there was an agreement between the news stations andthe DOD not to report until the family had been notified. It became my addiction. He has been home for a year now and I have weaned my way down to first thing in the morning, 3:00 so I can see how the market closed, 6:00 just in case, and 10:00 what if the world stopped spinning and I didn't feel it. So what would it be like if they took the 24 hour news cycle and filled it with fun stuff like a good car chase in LA they always have the best ones. Or strange stories ab... 12/09/2008

The weather reports warned us the day before it was coming. Ice, snow, and 40 mph winds. I start planning a day of house cleaning, making a big pot of stew, relaxing in front of the fire place and playing video games until my thumbs fall off. Boy was I wrong. The phone has been ringing since 9:30 AM. It seems my idea of staying inside during bad weather is just that my idea. My couples who have been on the fence seem to have been blown off by the 40 mph wind. Hopefully by the end of the day the ice will be to thick for them to climb back up there. What brings people out in this kind of weather? Tomorrow the weather reports show a big happy full sized sun with no clouds or wind running through it. The things we are willing to do. Well I have to bundle up and head back. Wish me luck.   12/09/2008

Foreclosures in Wichita-Wichita Homes for Sale: As an experienced Real Estate Agent in Wichita, I am frequently asked about the possibility of buying a foreclosure in Wichita.   Currently there are 72 homes for sale in Wichita listed in the Wichita MLS that are foreclosures.   In many instances these Wichita Ks homes can be a good deal for the Buyer.   If you are currently considering a rental in Wichita, you may want to examine your options with regard to buying a foreclosure in Wichita instead.   There are restrictions placed upon the potential Buyer with regards to mortgage financing with a Wichita foreclosure.   An experienced Real Estate Agent in Wichita like myself can help guide you through the process.   If you would like a FREE list of foreclosures in Wichita emailed to you it ... 12/09/2008

Wichita Homes for Sale-Does Home Staging Really Work?  With all the homes for sale in the Wichita area, the idea of home staging is really more important than ever.   These days, you have to work hard to make your Wichita area home for sale stand out, or it might sit on the market for months. If you're selling, you want to captivate Wichita buyers so you can sell quickly and for as much money as possible. But there's a lot to do to get a home for sale in Wichita ready for the market. When you have a home for sell in Wichita, you have to think like a Home BUYER.   When your Buyer walks into your home for sale, it's my job as a Wichita Realtor to manage the experience that Buyer will have.   I have the skills to stage your home so that it will appeal to the broadest range of Wichita Home... 12/08/2008

Wichita Homes for Sale-Getting Pre-Approved for a Home Loan It's really important when you are shopping for a Wichita home for sale to visit your financial or lending institution before you begin shopping.  One benefit of this is that you'll quickly know the amount of mortgage you qualify for. This will allow you to search Wichita homes for sale in the right price range.  Most importantly however, you'll tell Wichita home sellers that you are a serious buyer. You'll have more negotiating power and put your offer in the best possible position to be chosen if you have gotten pre-approved for your mortgage first.  So before you begin your search for Wichita homes for sale, consider getting pre-qualified with a reputable lender. This is a very simple and quick process that you should be abl... 12/05/2008

For Sale by Owner Wichita-Is the MLS the "magic pill"                             Good Morning!   It's a cold day in Wichita, KS this morning.  In our current Wichita market you can still find "For Sale by Owner" signs in yards-not as many as the past couple years but there are still some brave Homesellers out there ready to tackle the market.   I have heard from the public that there can be the perception that a Wichita Realtor is just going to put a sign in the yard, put the home in the MLS and then you won't ever hear from them. Well unfortunately there are some inexperienced Agents out there who may do just that so it may seem just as easy to do it yourself.    Choosing the For Sale by Owner route may seem like a good option.  For a minimum investment and a lot of your personal time... 12/03/2008

Wichita Homes for Sale-Divorce and the House… From time to time I am asked the question, If I get divorced, what happens to the house?   If you are considering a separation or divorce and you’re trying to decide what to do with your Wichita home, there are a few things to consider.  If your main home is jointly owned with your spouse, there are a few common options when it comes to your property when you divorce.   Of course before you make any decisions regarding selling your Wichita home, you should always consult a divorce attorney to make sure you are in compliance with divorce laws in Kansas and to get additional divorce information.   Divorce court can be a stressful place and having a good divorce attorney on your side can help you through the process. Common alternatives when ge... 12/03/2008

Wichita Homes for Sale-Finding Money for a Downpayment: As a Realtor in Wichita I know I should not complain about the current state of mortgage lending. Wichita is experiencing a good housing market, one of the best in the country and homes are selling. Yet daily I am frustrated by the homebuyers out there who want to buy a home in Wichita but no longer have the mortgage loan options they used to. Without debating the reasons for the current state of affairs (I do have my opinions but will stay off my soapbox!) our Wichita real estate market has changed along with the rest of the country and it's due to the mortgage crisis. Gone are the days of NO MONEY DOWN home loans... Gone are the days of FHA Bond Money for down payment assistance... Gone are the days of Ameridream Gift Loan Progr... 12/02/2008

Wichita Homes for Sale-Increase Your Winter Curb Appeal! With cold weather upon us in Wichita, it's important to remember that curb appeal still makes a difference!  If you are selling a home in todays Wichita home market, you cannont neglect curb appeal.   There are many ways you can increase your Wichita homes' curb appeal-even in Winter.   Here are some simple ideas to boost your homes first impression Paint your front door a bright color to add visual interest Add a wreath to the front door Keep your walkways swept/shoveled and clutter free Change your front door hardware and doorbell for a fresh appearance  For more great ideas on getting your Wichita home ready for sale, visit my website at www.mywichitahome.com If you are considering selling your home and would like to know it's ... 12/02/2008

lastchance You Still Have Time to Purchase in 2008! But it's running out!  If you want to get moved, there's good news for you! There's still time!  Most homes do take 30 days to close, so you are cutting it darn close, but many lenders can manage some loans in 2-3 weeks.  Check with your lender!   There's plenty to choose from!  Currently, there are 3857 residential listings in our MLS system.  That's a lot of homes to choose from!  Rates are still phenomenal!  Today's Legacy Bank rates:  Product Rate** Points APR** 30 YR. Fixed 5.375% 0 5.433%1 20 YR. Fixed2 5.375% 0 5.453%2 15 YR. Fixed3 5.375% 0 5.474%3 FHA 30 YR. Fixed 5.500% 0 6.072% VA Financing 6.000% 0 6.026% Jumbo 5/1 ARM 7.625% 1 5.839% Rural Development 5.500% 0 5.748% 1 For Example: Repayment terms 360 monthly payments of... 12/01/2008

Wichita Homes for Sale-Increase Your Curb Appeal! If you are selling your Wichita area home, then curb appeal is of vital importance in today's market. There are lots of ways to increase your Wichita homes' curb appeal other than just the old "welcome mat" at the front door?   Here are some simple ideas to boost your homes first impression. Paint your front door a bright color to add visual interest Plant flower beds, flowering trees or shrubs near your front walkway Install a brick walkway or concrete paver Install awnings above windows Plant flowers in window boxes For more great ideas on getting your Wichita home ready for sale, visit my website at www.mywichitahome.com. 12/01/2008

Wichita, KS employers (mostly aviation companies) have announced 1,500 proposed Lay-offs for the next few months. The majority of these companies are taking a pro-active approach to tightening up their staff in the chance that they will have fewer sales in the next year and may lose some of the record orders they now have.  Another view was giving the companies an opportunity to get rid of some Dead Wood ( weak employees) that they no longer needed.   Because of these lay offs and the down turn in the national economy, Wichita State university has revised their 2009 Jobs forecast downward but at the same time they are still projecting an increase in jobs for 2009.  The projection now is 1,650 additional jobs with half being in the aviation field.   The WSU leading index has declined but... 11/30/2008

Wichita, KS Homes for Sale-Buyer Market Report Real Estate in Wichita, KS is red hot!  There are many homes for sale in Wichita, and prices have never been better! There are currently thousands of Wichita properties for Sale.   Home Buyers in Wichita are finding some of the best bargain homes for sale in all areas of Wichita.   Why pay rent when you can own a home in Wichita for less than $700 per month? As a licensed Wichita Realtor I can help you find and buy the right house in Wichita with the best price and terms. If you need help finding the right Mortgage Lender, then I can help with connecting you with a reputable, local lender. Call 316-409-1006 or visit my web site at www.buywichitahome.com 11/29/2008

Wichita Homes for Sale-Buyer Negotiation Strategies Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!  I hope you enjoy this day with your family and friends.  Wichita Home Buyers have indicated that having a skilled negotiator on their side when buying a home is extremely important to them.   My services as a Wichita Realtor include Professional Buyer Representation.   When you are searching for a Wichita Home for Sale, one of the key things you will want is a skilled negotiator representing you so that you will get the best price on your new home.   As an experienced Wichita Realtor I have assisted many Wichita Homebuyers with purchasing their new homes.   I have a SPECIFIC NEGOTIATION STRATEGY in place so that you save the most money when buying your Wichita area home for sale.   If you would like more ... 11/27/2008

Wichita Homes for Sale-Buy a Home for just $3000 Down! In these tough economic times many potential Wichita homebuyers don't think they have enough money to buy a home. With all the talk in the media about how hard it is to get a real estate loan and the "credit crisis" it is understandable that most people in the Wichita area just don't think they can qualify for a home loan. The truth is that now is a really great time to buy a home in Wichita.   Interest rates are low and home Sellers need to Sell. Wichita home buyers can find some really great deals. If you are currently paying $800 or more in rent, you can afford a home priced at $100,000 with a down payment of only $3000.00. Plus FHA loans are available to ALL buyers -not just First-Time Homebuyers and the down payment requiremen... 11/25/2008

Wichita Homes for Sale-Benefits of Listing with an Experienced Real Estate Agent   Have you ever heard that all Wichita Real Estate Agents are the same?   Actually there is a very big difference between an experienced Wichita Real Estate Agent and one who is not.   In Wichita, about 20% of the Agents sell 80% of the Real Estate.   That leaves 80% of the Agents selling the remaining 20%.   The first thing you want to look when hiring a Real Estate Agent for your home if one that is in the Top 20%!   Some other things to consider are this: -In 2008 my Wichita Home Sellers received 99.59% of their asking price...Would selling your home for thousands more than the Average Wichita Agent help you? -My listings sell on average 23 days faster than the other listings in the MLS...Would not havi... 11/24/2008

Wichita Homes for Sale-Bargain Hunters Market!Have you heard the expression "Buy Low, Sell High"?   Well now is the time in the Wichita Home Buyers Market to Buy Low, hold onto your real estate for a few years and Sell High!   If you are looking for Wichita Homes for sale there are many bargains to be found.   Interest rates are low and Wichita homes for sale are abundant so there are lots of choices, making this a Buyer’s Market.  While some loan programs are no longer available, FHA loans still are and they are not just for First Time Wichita Homebuyers-any Homebuyer can qualify.  FHA loans require little down payment and you can also use gift funds for your down payment.   There is another loan program for Rural properties that does not require any Down Payment.  As an experienced Wi... 11/23/2008

So our office building caught fire on TThursday Oct 30th.  Our office was mostly unharmed with the exception of smoke issues that still fill the building, but the office below us is completely toast (excuse the pun)  Due to a candle left burning in their offices they are at a total loss, and the whole building is without their offices until at least January.   But rolling with the punches like we do.... Within 24 hours of the fire our broker (and a little of my help) had our server up and running, had a temporary office found, a computer set up so agents can check email etc, a printer, and copy machine found that would get us by for the first few days.  With a lot of elbow grease, and a few bottles of cleaner and one very long weekend the office was at least decent looking.  Within two... 11/19/2008

What, your office doesn't have a shrimp?? Our move over to Realty World Alliance came with many awesome perks, but one of the top neato features has to be the opportunity to hang out with the office shrimp, Fred! Move over office kitties, a new star is taking over the front desk! Fred's been with Realty World's family for a long time, over 4 years!  When Fred arrived, he was given a life expectancy of 6 months, so this is a pretty cool feat to have gone so many years! He's been through a lot, with kids dropping him, shaking him, and more. Fred did spend one winter cryogenically frozen (well, he got left out one day....) but when the thaw came, he sprang right back into action! He comes from a neat line of products called ecospheres.  They are an all-in-one little ecosystem.  Fred doesn'... 11/17/2008

Wichita, Economic and city update   The United Way of the Plains has raised its highest total of funds via pledges in the history of the Charity.  Over $16,000,000 has been pledged to the United Way Campaign.  This is another indication of the strength of the Wichita and Central Kansas economy.   Wichita teacher, Vanessa Martinez was one of 80 educators across the United States honored by the Milken Family Foundation as top educators and teachers for 2008.  Martinez was awarded a check for $25,000 for her excellent work in an Elementary school.   The Wichita school system Bond Campaign passed during the November elections.  Over $350 million was approved for improving schools, recreation facilities, swimming pools, tennis courts in the Wichita area.  This bond issue is on top of a previ... 11/14/2008