I got a call today from a buyer, a savvy buyer who is looking to purchase apartments in Kansas City . I talked with her at length, her goal is to own less than 5 years and liquidate to move up. Currently looking for about a twelve unit property of more, her goal is to leverage.Good strategy, moving up is a great plan, so I am looking for about twelve units in the KC market that will provide upside potential. None of the usual over-inflated rent rosters, none of the "projected" income crap that I see everyday. If you have a small multifamily property that fits this criteria, give me a call 816-313-8876.She mentioned the Northeast Kansas City area, Northeast Kansas City is a diverse, complicated market. There are areas of intense crime, drugs and prostitution are a real issue. We have man... 05/07/2008

I got an email today from some SEO promoter telling me I had no ranking under the search term "Kansas City Real Estate" Seems this guy Gabe figures I'm willing to pay for ranking by that term. So the question is; am I willing to pay someone who sent me an email for his efforts to improve my SEO score with a particular keyword? NO! I've done a lot of reading, and put in hundreds of hours building keywords that are relevant to me. While I am involved in Kansas City Real Estate, I have focused on having keyword success in more specific markets. For instance, if you Google terms like Kansas City Investment Property or Kansas City Property Management, I hold very high rankings and have worked hard to get them. Here's the email: I was looking at websites under the keyword Kansas City Real Est... 05/07/2008

Darn kids! I was visiting a listing of mine today and I noticed this sign nearby. The first thing I thought was where the heck are the parents! I often encouraged some of my neighbor kids to go play in the street, our city is now posting signs to warn us of the practice. 04/18/2008

Scott Finley | Remax | 816-885-6901 5603 NW 92nd Ter., Kansas City, MO This home is our past model, which means the extras and style that most need to bring in to their new homes over the first 5 years is already done for 4 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $379,000 Year Built 2008 Sq Footage 3,600 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial Floors 3 Parking 3 Car garage Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $400 per month DESCRIPTION Buy this fantastic two story floorplan with all the extras, including finished basement with a bar! see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Fireplace High/Vaulted ceiling Walk-in closet Hardwood floor Tile floor Family room Living room Bonus/Rec room Dining room Breakfast nook Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Granite count... 04/09/2008

Timing is crucial! The deadline for filing your 2007 taxes is quickly approaching, but you may want to be early if you want your tax rebate sooner, rather than later. That's because tax rebates will start going out on May 2... but only to taxpayers who have their returns processed--not just sent--by April 15. The closer it gets to mid-April, the more the IRS gets backed up to process the flood of returns. Sometimes it takes a couple of weeks to complete. E-filers will get their rebates more quickly, since electronic returns can be processed faster. However, even e-filers should have their returns in by April 10 to be safe. Would You Like Paper? Or Electronic? Tax rebate checks will start going out on May 2. But here's the deal... taxpayers who chose direct deposit will be first in line.... 04/08/2008

With spring in full swing and summer fast approaching, I know I want to have my car looking good. Driving a nice clean car just feels good, but did you know that it can also help to preserve its appearance and resale value.What's the Best Way to Clean Your Car... at the Car Wash or at Home?Believe it or not, an automatic car wash is not only more convenient, but it can also be much safer for your car than washing the car at home. Why? If your car is washed by hand in direct sunlight, the drops of water turn into mini magnifying glasses, which can cause the sun's rays to burn spots into the paint--and this could cost you big when going to resell the vehicle. Additionally, many people use harsh household soap products, which remove protective wax and leave a chalky residue on the surface.... 04/08/2008

Investing in Real EstateForeclosures Fixer-Uppers Condos, Apartments & Single Family Vacation Homes ForeclosuresAre foreclosures a good investment?A foreclosure property is a home that has been repossessed by the lender because the owners failed to pay the mortgage. Thousands of homes end up in foreclosure every year. Economic conditions affect the number of foreclosures, too. Many people lose their homes due to job loss, credit problems or unexpected expenses.It is wise to be cautious when considering a foreclosure. Many experts, in fact, advise inexperienced buyers to hire an expert to take them through the process. It is important to have the house thoroughly inspected and to be sure that any liens, undisclosed mortgages or court judgments are cleared or at least disclosed.Are there ... 04/04/2008

I continuously monitor local real estate statistics to keep my clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends.  Below you will find real estate statistics for the South Platte County area for the month of MarchNew homes on the market: 165Total homes Active on the market: 746Average Listing Price: $266,557Number of homes sold: 71Average Sales Price: $211,745Number of homes taken off the market:155To find the value of your home with a free, over-the-net home eval, please visit: http://www.scottsellskc.com If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood, would like more information about Kansas City, or would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then call or email:Scott Finley  - ScottSellsKC@gmail.com - 816-885-6901 04/03/2008

If you're considering a Home Purchase, here are  8 Steps to Getting Your Finances in Order: 1. Develop a family budget. Instead of budgeting what youd like to spend, use receipts to create a budget for what you actually spent over the last six months. One advantage of this approach is that it factors in unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, illnesses, etc., as well as predictable costs such as rent.2. Reduce your debt. Generally speaking, lenders look for a total debt load of no more than 36 percent of income. Since this figure includes your mortgage, which typically ranges between 25 percent and 28 percent of income, you need to get the rest of installment debtcar loans, student loans, revolving balances on credit cardsdown to between 8 percent and 10 percent of your total income.3... 04/02/2008

About a year ago on my radio show Door 2 Door with David Van Noy Jr. on Hot Talk 1510 I featured a series of shows outlining the future of downtown Kansas City and all the tenants that the Cordish Group were in talks with and the commitment from the huge developer and the city to bring BILLIONS of dollars worth of construction and development to the once blighted area. About the time the gentrification seemed inevitable to me I bagan to talk about it with local residents and business owners. I am not claiming that I am at all responsible for it...dont get me wrong. I just mean to say that it was a good topic of discussion then and now it is undeniable. EVERYONE is talking about it now and I cant say I blame them. The Kansas City Power & Light District or Power & Light District is a sho... 03/22/2008

Kansas City Power & Light District: Two Thumbs UpThe Kansas City Power & Light District gets a thumbs up from me and an another from by buddy.  We spent the day there yesterday hanging out in KC Live with all the festivities for the Big XII Tournament.  As you can see from the photo, there was not only a sold out Sprint Center but literally tens of thousands more came down to drink beer or sodas, hang out with friends and watch the game on the 12-15 foot television screen that you can see in the upper right hand corner of the photo.I have no idea on whether or not this will be a long term economic success.  I can tell you from a civic pride perspective that I felt like I was in a real city, again.  The whole atmosphere reminded me very much of Baltimore's Inner Harbor area. (Yes, I know... 03/15/2008

LARGE ESTATE, CONSIGNMENT & SCUBA AUCTION.Saturday March 22nd - 10:00am8253 Wornall Road; Kansas City, MO 64114Indoor Climate Controlled Facility - Bring The Whole Family! Custom Harley Davidson Motorcycle with Sturgis Package, Motorcycle Trailer, Buddy 125 Series Italia Scooter, Lowe Suncruiser Fish and Ski Boat with 115 hp Johnson Outboard, American Star 26 Foot 5th Wheel Camper, 1995 Dodge Ram 2500Brand New SCUBA Gear: Cressi, Cressi-Sub, Mcnett, Armour, Trident, Aqua Craft, Xcel, Spear Guns, Dive Bags, BCD's, Dive Knifes, Masks, Dive Computers, Dive Computer Watches, Dive Fins, Regulators, Wet Suits, Dive Gloves, Dive Boots, Consoles & More...Native American Artifacts, Hopi Woven Blankets, Navajo Sand Painting, Collectible Wood Eskimo Dolls, Southwest Clay Bowls, Vintage Mechanical ... 03/11/2008

New Page 1 According to an article by USA Today, the economy in Kansas City is actually considered in expansion! That is a far cry from what we have been hearing from a lot of the media. The information was gathered by Moody's Economy.com and is based on four factors: employment, industrial production, retail sales and income. In fact, only six states are facing a "recession" and most see it as linked to the housing market: "That's mainly because a marked contraction in housing is leading the overall economy down this time. Housing had been instrumental in boosting many regions, particularly the Southwest, in recent years. During the housing expansion, job growth in related industries flourished, and consumers tapped their growing home equity to buy everything from cars to couches. But... 03/10/2008

We here at Fine Finley Homes continuously monitor local real estate statistics to keep our clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends.  Below you will find real estate statistics for Platte County for FebuaryNew homes on the market: 143Total homes Active on the market: 960Average Listing Price: $302,441Number of homes sold: 101Average Sales Price: $199,614Number of homes expiring:14Number of homes cancelled, withdrawn, or temporarily off the market: 34To find the value of your home with a free, over-the-net home eval, please visit: www.ScottSellsKC.comIf you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood, would like more information about Kansas City, or would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give me a call:Sc... 03/08/2008

Selling Your HomeSometimes, life just hands us the inevitable: just when everything seems right with your home, something happens and you have to sell your dwelling.  No matter what your reasons are for selling, remember that now is no time to dawdle, the process of preparing a home for sale can take a month or more. So, here's how to start:1. Take a Fresh Look at Your HomeYour home looks great to you, but a buyer wants to see it since he and his family will be living in it -- so take a fresh look at your dwelling. Hop in your car, drive around the block, and then scrutinize your home as a prospective buyer will see it for the first time. First, consider what's called "street appeal;" does it need washing or painting? Does the driveway need repair work? Is the landscaping in good shape?... 03/06/2008

Top 10 Tips to Successful Home BuyingTip #1: Research Is The Key To DiscoveryHome sellers won't call you with an offer to buy a maintenance-free home with a wonderful mortgage. You have to find the gems yourself! Only by reading available materials, talking to friends and experts, and spending time looking at different homes, schools, and neighborhoods will you end up with your American dream. Avoid the nightmares by learning how best to buy and maintain a home.Tip #2: Make A Plan And Get Pre-QualifiedEvery important decision needs to be clearly thought out. Developing a home buying plan can help you focus on the important factors and organize the entire process. You may even want to use a binder with sections on house hunting, home financing, service providers, etc. Loan pre-qualifying... 03/06/2008

Shermans Travel ranks Kansas City the #4 most underrated city in the United States.  As someone who was not raised in Kansas City, I can agree with that. Before moving to the Midwest, I (like many East coasters) really did not know how much Kansas City really had to offer.  Kansas City Real Estate 03/05/2008

The US News and world report compiled a list of "America's Most Miserable Airports" and this is one list where it is better to be at the bottom.  Fortunately Kansas City International was pretty close to the bottom.  It was the 3rd least miserable on the list of 47 major US airports.  For the frequent traveler, another good reason to call Kansas City home.Kansas City Real Estate 03/05/2008

As someone with personal ongoing experience in the Kansas City marketplace as both a Kansas City Realtor and Lender, this recent article distributed to the news media by McClatchy-Tribune  Information Services suggests that buyers and sellers look to Realtors who have forged strong relationships with ethical lenders. "Realtors take their responsibilities quite seriously and can provide valuable insight to the home buyer for just about every aspect of the transaction.  Each home purchase has things that make it distinctive from any other home purchase.  There are physical differences in each home as well as variations in the way the home has been kept.  But the most dramatic difference brought to each home sale is the buyer's qualification for financing." The article outlines the Three "... 02/28/2008

Kansas City Music Hall Schedule The Kansas City Music Hall is having some big name shows coming up! With all the buzz about the new Kansas City Power & Light District, this season would be the perfect time to catch a show. My wife already has her tickets for Rent (March 14-16) and the nearly sold-out Wicked (May 7- May 25), but they also announced their regular season shows and it's quite a line up! Season tickets range from $128 - $439. Tickets can be purchased through Tickmaster here or call the box office at (816) 513-5000 The Lion King: Oct. 2 through Nov. 9 Annie: Dec. 30-Jan. 4, 2009 Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy: Feb. 24-March 1, 2009 Phantom of the Opera: March 25-April 19, 2009 The Color Purple: April 28-May 3, 2009 Riverdance: May 19-24, 2009   Brad Papa RE/MAX Stateline 913-5... 02/27/2008