No, EIFS isn't a distant cousin to Snuffeluficus.... it stands for Exterior Insulation and Fisnish Systems... in other words Synthetic Stucco which has been used on the exterior of homes and evidently is causing a problem in this area.We had a guest from HomeServices at our office meeting this week and she told how less and less insurance companies are wanting to insure homes that have EIFS.Evidently there have been so many moisture problems here in the Greater Kansas City area that it's being brough to the forefront in the Kansas City Real Estate market.My advice, do a GOOGLE search on EIFS.  Read and educate yourself, you can also find information on how to determine whether you have a problem and what to do about it.Knowledge is Power. 03/21/2007

The Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors announced Tuesday that home sales in the Kansas City Real Estate Market are UP!That's good news!There was an increase of 16% in February from January of this year.New housing increased 6% in February from January and existing housing rose 18% in February compared to January.If you need assistance or have questions about real estate in Kansas City feel free to email me: franwhite@kc.rr.com or give me a call 816-682-3897.It's a good time to get MOVING ! 03/21/2007

Criteria.  It is my favorite subject when it comes to discussing investment property ownership here in Kansas City.  Knowing your criteria makes making a decision a breeze.  Stumbling through what you want makes my job and your results more futile.  Today I had a meeting with a nice couple who called me after finding me on a Google search.  They are in a great cash position and are looking to increase their real estate portfolio.  We spent nearly two hours discussing what it is they want from their investment holdings.  Are they looking for cash flow?  Appreciation?  A mix of both?  How much money do you want to invest?  What amount of leverage do they feel comfortable with?  What style/level/income of tenant are you after or feel most comfortable with?  Then there are the issues of wha... 03/19/2007

I had a real reality check yesterday....As some of you know my husband and I are looking for a new home... shopping theKansas City Real Estate market for something a little smaller and newer and in a certain part of Kansas City, MO.Yesterday we started out on an adventure to begin looking.Needless to say we didn't find the ONE that when we walked in it grabbed us and said "you can't leave..."But I did have the opportunity to mix with a few fellow REALTORS® during our adventure yesterday... and I had a real reality check!How we come off to prospective clients is amazing!  Yes, I introduced myself as a REALTOR®... but these folks continued to want to dazzle me with their BS.  I really thought hard about how I come off to prospective clients and I think that my way is a way I'm going to st... 03/18/2007

As an owner of income property sooner or later you will be asked if you accept Section 8 tenants. Before you answer the question it is my hope that you will have thought about the question in advance. Because my answer to prospective tenants is not a simple "yes" or "no". It goes deeper than that.To many landlords all Section 8 is the same. But nothing could be further from the truth. I'll give you a for instance at the risk of recurring wrath. In my future dealings I will never again recommend to my clients, or myself, to take on a tenant from the Kansas City Housing Authority. And sadly, my decision has nothing to do with the tenant! It has to do with the KCHA. In my dealings with them, and I swear I am not making this up, I have called them over 80 times for every 1 phone call I get ... 03/13/2007

I love the calls I get from both coasts concerning real estate here in the Greater Kansas City area.  When I get these calls they are almost always from investors, or would be investors, who have found that with all of the benefits that investment property has it simply cannot be afforded anymore by the average investor on the coasts.  Specifically I'm speaking of California and the Seattle area.  But Washington, DC and Boston fall into the same category.  Florida, too.  Here in Kansas City we have a great variances in housing, affordability and rental returns.  We have affluent areas such as Mission Hills, Kansas and low income areas such as a great portion of eastern Kansas City, Missouri.  But the one thing both of those areas have here is a steadiness to their appreciation and relia... 03/09/2007

I previously wrote about how you should get your homeowners insurance during the inspection period when you are buying a home.Now I SEE more than ever  the importance of that when buying a home in Kansas City, Missouri.At sales meeting this morning we were discussing how more and more insurance companies are using individuals credit scores to determine their insurability and their premium rates.We all know it's important to pay our bills on time to keep our credit as healthy as possible, and now it's even more vital!Insurance companies are lining up to look at your credit score to decide if they want to insure you and if they do what the likelihood is that you will have a claim.Do I feel this is right?  Well, not really, but they are doing it.Again let me stress the importance of gettin... 02/27/2007

 What is Networking? Networking is relationship building for profit.Why do we network? We network so eventually someone we know or someone that knows someone we know will do business with us. Why do people do business with us. Is it because we are the only person or company offering the product or service they want or need? Probably not. Is it because we have the cheapest or best product or service in the marketplace? Sometimes, but rarely. The biggest reason people do business with us or refer business to us is because they like us! Why do they like us? Generally their opinions of us are based not upon their vast knowledge of us but instead they are based upon how they feel after interacting with us.  Have you ever gone to a store, car dealership or other establishment to do business a... 02/25/2007

I've been watching the MLS listings for the Kansas City Real Estate market and SPRING has SPRUNG in Real Estate!Each day there are more and more new listings coming on and there will be more and more folks looking at those listings!Here's some ways you can make your home sell more quickly!10 Ways to Make Your Home Sell Fast1. DEJUNK!  Throw out or file stacks of newspapers and magazines. Pack away most of your small decorative items. Store out-of-season clothing to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage. Have shoes that hurt your feet and don't wear them... donate them.2. Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior. If a buyer is inside looking out, clean windows impress them!3. Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop a... 02/21/2007

First Important Step... Get Pre-Approved The first step in beginning to shop for a home is to get pre-approved.  If you don't know who to go to, ask your REALTOR.  More than likely they have three or more mortgage people that they work with on a consistent basis and know which ones have a good track record for excellent customer service to the buyers.I had a gentleman call me this week. He'd driven by a house and wanted to see it.  "Great, I'd love to show it to you! Are you pre-approved?"  He said no he wasn't, so I suggested someone for him to call.  It doesn't cost anything to get pre-approved, it's FREE.  It's also free to get second opinion from another mortgage lender too!Well, unfortunately, when the gentleman went to get pre-approved there were some dings on his credit that need... 02/10/2007

 The Allen Memorial Fountain is located almost in the center Country Club Plaza (Kansas City) on Nicholas Road.  My daughter and I were out strolling (ok, we were not strolling as it was too cold...we were walking rather quickly), on our way to Starbuck's for a hot cup of coffee when we went by this fountain.  In the warmer months I have seen it with the water trickling down on the child but today there, of course, was no water.  So, what I saw was the detail work of the statues.  How beautiful.We are very fortunate to have so many such lovely works of art here in Kansas City. I hope you have an opportunity to make a trip to Kansas City...and the Country Club Plaza. Jacqueline McCroy ElbertRE/MAX Realty Suburbanhttp://www.jacquelineelbert.comhttp://www.realestateforspecialneeds.comP.S. ... 02/06/2007

  Just south of downtown Kansas City is the Union Station.  It was built in 1914 as a working train station.  Each year tens of thousands travelers went through that station.  During World WarII more than a million people utilized Union Station.  Within the building were businesses such as restaurants, barber shop, cigar shop, etc.Years past and in the 1980's Union Station sat empty.  There was talk of tearing down the landmark.  But in 1996 a bi-state initiative saved it from demolition.  The project was completed in 1999 with an Amtrak service, shops, restaurants, Science City, the KC Rail Experience, Gottlieb Planetarium, and a theater.So, the next time you are in Kansas City, plan a trip to the Union Station.Jacqueline McCroy ElbertRE/MAX Realty Suburbanhttp://www.jacquelineelbert.c... 01/30/2007

How are property taxes figured in your County? There's hope on Jackson County's horizon!For about the last two years Jackson County, Missouri taxes have been climbing at an enormous rate due to a process called the C.O.V. (Certificate of Value).When the Jackson County Executive seat was up for re-election, I wanted to make sure that we got someone in there that would do something about the Real Estate tax situation.I took a look at all the candidates and Mike Sanders was concerned that high property taxes were making it difficult for middle class families to live in Jackson County. He confirmed when county had adopted a certificate of value standard to assess the market value of property, that approach made property taxes jump. He wants to reevaluate the COV approach. (My comment:  It m... 01/11/2007

Spring starts early in real estate!  I'm already working with buyers and sellers that are preparing to buy or sell in spring!If you are planning on selling your home in the spring, now is a great time to get busy making a to-do list of things you need to accomplish before your home is ready for the market.I'm sure you've heard the expression you only have one chance to make a great first impression.  That not only applies when you are trying to get a job, but also when you are selling your home. Curb Appeal = First ImpressionIf you have your home on the market and someone drives up and their first impression isn't good... unfortunately I've had buyers say, "I'm not going in."  That's not good.  You don't want them welcomed by chipping paint, leaves from last fall in the yard, un-manicur... 12/18/2006

There seems to be some ragged roofs in Kansas City Mo real estate market and insurance companies are refusing 100% coverage to buyers!Being in tornado alley, this doesn't really surprise me.  In spring and during the summer we get more than our share of severe thunderstorms that include high winds and golf ball sized hail.  More times than not these weather conditions culminate into tornado. (this is from my eye's view not a meteorologist)Evidently some home owners aren't having their roofs inspected by their insurance company for possible damage after these storms.One seller (who'll go unnamed to protect the innocent) was in the process of selling his home and had not had his roff checked after our last bad hail storm in June 2006.During the inspection process roof damage was called ou... 11/22/2006

The real estate company that I work for, Reece and Nichols, is going to start requiring that buyers get an insurance commitment with a binder during the 10 day Inspection Period... and I think it's a great idea.I have to say that I have been telling my buyers for the past 8 months that this was coming.  I haven't had any last minute problems with clients not being able to get their prospective homes insured because I've been suggesting that they contact their insurance company during the 10 day inspection period.It saves a lot of time and hassles and you are not hung out to dry one week before closing because the insurance company went out to take pictures and prepare for insuring the property and they found something not pleasing.  There isn't anything worse than a call from your insur... 11/22/2006

Are you of the mind set that the interest rates are too high?  Perhaps the information below will help... Folks these ARE the good ole' days.                                                         October 2005                          October 2006Interest Rate                                       5.75%                                    6.37%Sales Price                                          $200,000.00                           $185,000.00Down Payment                                      $40,000.00                             $37,000.00Loan Amount                                      $160,000.00                           $148,000.00Monthly P & I                                             $933.72                               $923.30 There it is in black and white...... now IS the ... 11/11/2006

Surely you’ve heard that infamous song that’s been sung by a variety of artists… “Goin’ to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come…. They’ve got some crazy little women there, and I’m gonna get me one…”Well I’m one of those Crazy Little Women who’s crazy about Real Estate and Kansas City.My hometown, Kansas City, has been called many things…we are called The Heart of America because of our location.  My favorite would be The City of Fountains and my least favorite would be Cowtown.Kansas City is called the City of Fountains because it is the home of more fountains than any city in the world, except Rome. The majority of our famous fountains are found on the Country Club Plaza.  The streets of that area decorated with artwork from around the world and the fountains there are the city’s most... 11/04/2006