Is Santa Skipping Your Chimney This Year?

Is Santa skipping out on your chimney and putting you on the "naughty" list because your chimney is a safety concern?

It that time of year where using a fireplace can be a necessity to keep your house and family warm without spending a fortune heating your home with a furnace.   Too often people neglect to have their fireplaces cleaned and maintained yearly.  This could become a huge safety issue.  Over time and non use chimneys accumulate creosote and ash build up, which raises the risk for a chimney fire.  Have your fireplace checked by a chimney inspector once a year, especially if you use it frequently.  If you haven't used your fireplace in a long time you might want to have an inspector check out the condition before starting any fires.

Some items you should keep in mind:
*Make sure your smoke detector batteries have new batteries
*Keep all items including holiday displays and decorations clear from the fireplace, you don't want your tree or stockings catching on fire.
*Think small on your fire size, you don't need a ton of logs to create a warm fire.
*Use seasoned woods that have been split for six months to a year
*Make sure you have a cap on your chimney to keep animals out
*Place logs in the back of the chimney for a safer fire.
*Don't leave fires unattended.
*Keep lots of wood in stock (you can get free wood off of craigslist most of the time, just need a truck and or trailer and someone with a chainsaw!)
*Enjoy!

Make sure your chimney is inspected so you will be on the "nice" list next year!

Happy Holidays!

Setting the Record Straight: Top Home Buying Myths

Setting the Record Straight: Top Home Buying Myths
Whether you’re a real estate professional or first-time home buyer, the home buying process and real estate transactions can be stressful.  There tends to be some common misconceptions in this process, so it’s very important that you’re well informed of what is fact and what is fiction.  We’re here to set the record straight.

Myth #1:  You don’t need a REALTOR®.

Before you bravely take on one of the biggest purchases or sales of your life, remember this: it’s not as easy as it looks.  REALTORS® know all the ins and outs of the local area as well as the market in which you’re looking to buy or sell.  Picking up the phone and calling a REALTOR® may be one of the best decisions you’ll make.

Myth #2:  The bigger the downpayment, the better off you’ll be.

Buyers’ immediate reflex is to put as much cash down as they can when buying a new home because they’ll borrow less, lower the monthly mortgage payments, and won’t need to buy mortgage insurance.  However, putting 20% down is not a requirement and it’s not for everyone.
Thanks to Federal Housing Administration Loans (FHA Loans), you can put as little as 3.5% down.  With this method, you’ll potentially have a lower interest rate, giving you more flexibility.  Your money is not all tied up in your house like in a traditional down payment that can leave you with little or no extra cash to spend on home care, improvements, or any other unforeseen circumstances.

Myth #3:  Appraisers set the value of a home.

The role of the appraiser is to produce a credible opinion of value that reflects the current market.  Appraisers are not responsible for setting the value of the home and they also do not confirm a home’s sale price.  According to David S. Bunton, President of The Appraisal Foundation, “Appraisers provide an analysis of the collateral, so that lenders understand the value of a property when making the loan decision.”

Myth #4:  You need perfect credit.

Most people assume that you must have absolutely golden credit in order to get a loan, but that just simply isn’t the case.  If buyers have less than perfect credit, lenders are often willing to work with them to get the best possible loan.
Credit is not the only thing that lenders look at when deciding to approve a loan, but your score will have an effect on the interest rate on your mortgage.  Make sure you review your credit report and if any errors are found, they should be reported to the credit reporting bureaus before applying for a mortgage.

Straight from The Real Estate Book: http://blog.realestatebook.com/2014/03/26/setting-the-record-straight-top-home-buying-myths/

Have You Thought About Taking the JO?

I have never thought about the JO (Bus) but have noticed they recently updated the amount of stops around the Johnson County Area and made the pick up shelters pretty nice. I received the Johnson County Government Magazine in the mail with additional reasons to use the JO.  I thought I would share because not a lot of people know much about the JO other than seeing the buses around town.

Things you might not know:

*Jo Trax gives you the current location of the buses so you can see where they are in proximity to your location
*They have created an online savings calculator that allows you to see how much money you can save by using the JO
*On Orange and Red Ozone alert days, fares are only $.75
*They often have FREE coupons on the back of receipts from HyVee and Price Chopper
*All buses have FREE Wi-Fi
*The JO Xpress can travel on the shoulder of I-35 when traffic is below 35mph
*Bikes can travel with you on the bus
Check out their website for more info

How to Save Money by Cutting Energy Use

*Clean or Replace Your Air Filters Monthly
*Have Your System Checked Once a Year By a Professional
*Place Plastic Over Windows (if you don't have double pane or energy efficient windows)
*Shut Doors to Rooms That You Do Not Use on a Daily Bases
*Close Vents in Rooms That Are Not Used or Used Very Little
*Utilize Ceiling Fans As Much As Possible
*Make Sure the Shades are Down During the Day (the heavier material the better)
*Unplug Items You Are Not Using (even though items maybe off, if they are plugged in they still draw electricity)
*Use Natural Light Instead of Turning Lights On During Daylight
*Reduce Oven Use
*Purchase Energy Efficient Appliances if Possible
*Use Cold Water (for laundry, showers, dishwasher- skip the drying cycle)
*Program Thermostat to Automatically Change the Temperature (have the temperature rise a little while at work or away, allow it to cool down in the evenings)
*Plant a Tree for (future)Shade
*Add Insulation (attic, walls, ceilings)

Fair Housing- Sellers/Landlords Are You Following the Law?

1968- Fair Housing Law- Unlawful to discriminate on the sale or rental of real estate based on:

Race
Color
Religion
National Origin
Sex
Handicap
Familiar Status

The following groups are exempt per Career Education Systems:

*A seller or landlord selling their own residence as a FOR SALE BY OWNER and the owner doesn't own more than three properties at once

*An owner renting a 1-4 unit property, where the owner is an occupant of one of the units, has to rent on their own- no agent involved

*A religious organization working as a non profit can only discriminate based on religion

*Retirement type properties can discriminate on familiar status (not allowing families with children under 18) if the unit is more than 80% occupied by residence 55 years or older, or all occupants are 62 years are old.

Even with the above exemptions you can NEVER discriminate on RACE no matter the circumstances, owner occupant or not, with or without an agent.

Always use third party services when finding renters, such as credit reporting agencies.  This way you have someone else providing information- less likely to discriminate on the protected classes if you base your decision off the third parties findings.

To learn more or to obtain additional details regarding Fair Housing Click HERE.

Happy Fourth of July!

Places to head to watch some spectacular firework displays:

Star Spangled Spectacular- 7/4- 4-11PM
Venue: Corporate Woods, 8717 W. 110th St., Overland Park, KS
Each year thousands of people attend the Star Spangled Spectacular at Corporate Woods in Overland Park. This annual event is sponsored by Overland Park Rotary, Corporate Woods, and the City of Overland Park, co-sponsor the event, which benefits local charities while offering a salute to our nation's veterans. RAIN DATE: Saturday, July 5. There will not be vendors or other activities, but the fireworks will go on - same time and place.
Admission: FREE

Celebrate Olathe- 7/3 9AM-10PM
Venue: Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm, 1200 Kansas City Road, Olathe, KS 66061
Celebrate the grand opening of the Olathe Community Center and end the festivities with 19th century fireworks at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm at 9:30pm. Special activities take place at 4:00pm and 1860's living history occurs all day. The Olathe Civic Band plays at 7:30pm followed by special music and a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Celebrate America- 7/4-7/5 10PM
Venue: Worlds of Fun, 4545 Worlds of Fun Ave., Kansas City, MO 64161
Worlds of Fun lights up the sky with a huge fireworks show on Friday, July 4 PLUS every Saturday in July including July 5!! Fireworks begin at 10 pm. July 4th Twilight ticket: $36.99 plus tax Please Note:On Friday, July 4th, Worlds of Fun Avenue will be closed from 7:30 p.m. to Midnight. The pick-up and drop off area will be moved to Oceans of Fun's parking area and will be accessible to guests of both parks.

KCRiverFest- 7/4- 4-11PM
Venue: Richard L. Berkley Riverfront Park, 1298 Riverfront Dr., Kansas City, MO 64101
KCRiverFest brings our community together for a fun, family celebration on our nation's birthday. Located at Richard L. Berkley Park, KCRiverFest has become Kansas City's Riverfront Tradition, known as the only place in downtown Kansas City to celebrate Independence Day weekend with fireworks and family entertainment. Enjoy great rock, alternative, country and ragtime music, delicious food, carnival rides and games, and one of the largest fireworks shows in the area. The festival also includes a special pecial children's activities in the Kids Zone. Come early before 3 p.m. either day and enjoy FREE admission!
Admission: $5

Longview Lake Shelter #13- 7/4- 5:30-10PM
Venue: Longview Lake Shelter #13
Celebrate your Fourth of July with “The Big Bang” – the largest and most colorful fireworks finale in the Midwest! Longview Lake's Shelter #13 is the site for this year's spectacular. Enjoy sweeping water views, sky divers, a kid's carnival with games and inflatables, military tribute, and a FREE CONCERT with rising country rockers Backroad Anthem. No outside coolers, pets or fireworks! TUNE YOUR RADIO TO 94.9 KCMO FOR THE LIVE SIMULCAST OF THE FIREWORKS MUSIC PROGRAM!
Admission: FREE

HAVE A SAFE FOURTH OF JULY!

Things To Do In Kansas City 6/27-6/29

Royals Games June 27-29:

Friday: 7:10 PM- Ladies Night/Cowboy Hats Given Out/Buck Night/Fireworks Friday
Saturday: 1:10 PM- James Shields Bobble Head/ 610 Sports
Sunday: 1:10PM- K-State Day/Family Funday Sunday

T-Bones June 27-29

Friday: 7:05 PM- Star Wars Theme- BOGO/Fireworks/Skydiving
Saturday: 7:05 PM- Military Appreciation Night/Boy Scott Campout/Fireworks
Sunday: 5:05 PM- Frank White Mini Figurine Giveaway

Lenexa BBQ June 27-28:

The 2014 Great Lenexa Barbeque Battle will be held June 27 and 28 at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. The two-day event, which includes children's activities and live music, attracts cookers from all over the country who compete for the coveted title of Grand Champion of the Great Lenexa Barbeque Battle, Kansas State Championship. Prizes and ribbons are awarded for the top 10 contestants in seven categories and top three overall winners.

Maker Faire KC June 28-29:

Kansas City celebrates things people create themselves — from new technology and electronic gizmos to urban farming and “slow-made” foods to homemade clothes, quilts and sculptures. This family-friendly event demonstrates what and how people are inventing, making and creating. It brings together Makers, Crafters, Inventors, Hackers, Scientists and Artists for a faire full of fun and inspiration.

Overland Park Arboretum: Stems: A Garden Soiree June 28th 7-11PM

Experience inspiring arrangements of fine wine, music, dance and art, all against the backdrop of the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, at Stems: A Garden Soiree.
Our gardens will blossom with food and entertainment stations for you to explore and enjoy at this popular social party (rain or shine

Other:
Legoland
KC Sea Life Aquarium
KC Zoo
Farmers Market June 28th- most cities
Worlds of Fun
Schlitterbahn

Building Your Own Log Cabin

If you own land with an abundance of trees, this might be your next project.  If you want to attempt to build a log cabin like the old days you will need minimal tools and lot of strength, patience and time.  The tools  you will need: a large hand saw, an axe, mallet, ogger, chisel, knife/blade sharpener and a pencil.   With a lot of HARD work and DEDICATION you can build your own Log Cabin the old school way.  If you aren't up for as much manual labor you might want to invest in some power tools: chain saw, hammer, sawza, and anything electric or battery powered that might assist at making the job easier and quicker!  I vote number 2!  See the video below for the old school way.  If you want to see him make his own hand tools you will want to start around the 4:00 minute mark. If you want to get right into the log cabin building, you will likely want to start around the 5:00 minute mark.  This is one guy building an entire cabin on his own with tools he made himself!  Its amazing to think he did everything by hand. Enjoy

No Soliciting

If you have ever questioned how to get rid of those annoying door to door sales people or the annoying flyers placed on your door daily you need to get a NO SOLICITING sign free from the city to post on your front door.  If the sales person ignores the sign, contact local authorities.

Specifics on no soliciting: ( the below could be different from city to city)

Door-to-door solicitation is the act of approaching a person or building in order to:

• canvass*
• sell or offer for sale, or attempt to take orders for the sale of goods or services of any kind
• request, directly or indirectly, contributions of funds
• advertise by the hanging of a flyer or handbill to any building or vehicle, regardless of whether a doorbell is rung or any physical or verbal contact is made

Are there any restrictions?
Certain restrictions apply to door-to-door solicitation:

• allowed only between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
• no more than one solicitation within any consecutive 14 days at the same location, unless invited back by the resident
• only at main entrance of residence or business

In addition, solicitors must:

• disclose who they are and why they are there
• provide a receipt if purchase or donation is over $5
• leave immediately if asked to do so
• not approach if a "No Solicitors" or “No Trespassers” sign is displayed
• not block traffic of any drive or street
• carry a government-issued photo identification card if the solicitor is 16 years of age or older and is engaged in commercial solicitation

You may not solicit or canvass if you've been convicted of a felony, misdemeanor or ordinance involving force, violence, moral turpitude, deceit, fraud or the violation of any law regarding the act of soliciting. (Moral turpitude is an act or behavior that gravely violates moral sentiment or accepted moral standards of community, such as prostitution, theft or embezzlement.)



Above contents copied directly from the city of Lenexa, KS site.

Pools- To add or Not to add...

Pools are a great luxury to have.  You can spend a lot of money having an in ground pool installed and not always see the return when you sell.  Getting a return on your investment definitely depends on the location of your home in the United States.  If you are in a warmer climate year round pools are more desirable due to the higher temperatures.  People also might expect a home to have a pool in the warmer parts of the county since all the other homes have one.  However if you put a pool in your backyard in the Midwest you may only get to use it half the year or less due to weather.  Not everyone wants a pool in the Midwest and might shy away from your home. Pools are a lot of work to maintain, expensive to fix, require higher insurance rates and take up a majority of peoples yards. It takes a certain buyer that may want to take on these responsibilities.  You will definitely want to weigh the good with the bad if you are thinking of having an in ground pool installed knowing you may not get value out of the pool as what you paid for it.  With this predicament it is becoming more popular to get an above ground pool.  It is way cheaper, less to maintain if something breaks because everything is above ground, can be moved to the next home or trashed at any point.  They are not as "pretty" but more practical in my opinion.  Remember if you ever decide to get a pool, above or below ground you will need to build a fence around the pool if your yard is not already completely fenced.  The fence is a REQUIREMENT, not and option.

Paradise

Infinity Pool (love the look of these)

 

Enclosed Pool

Most Common In Ground Backyard Pool

Above Ground Pool

Different Version of Above Ground

 

All photos were found on Google.

How to make your lawn GREEN!

First you will want to rake all the leaves and dead grass from your entire lawn.  This will open spots in the lawn that may need new grass. If you have a lot of weeds, now would be a good time to get a weed killer and spray the necessary spots.  After the weeds have died you may need to re-rake a few days after to insure they are eliminated.  Once the yard is all cleaned up you may considering aerating. This allows the grass roots to get air and water more easily. Aeration is typically done once in the spring and once in the fall.

Next, choose a grass seed that is the same as your current grass. If you are not sure ask your local lawn and garden store, they maybe able to match or get close to your current grass type.  You will want to hand spread or use a push spreader if available to spread the grass seed in the needed locations.  The more grass seed used the fuller the grass will grow in the desired locations. Thick grass pushes our weeds and makes it harder for them to grow back.

Once you have planted the new seed you will need to start watering your yard daily to insure growth.  Preferably around the same time everyday. Watering in the morning is the best time, but can be done any time depending on your schedule.  The new grass needs one inch of water a week or more depending on your geographical location. When watering daily, the water should penetrate 6 inches deep in the soil.

If you are wanting an even greener lawn, try putting a cup of Ammonia into a 5 gallon bucket of water along with a cup of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate), mix thoroughly.  Use a cup and throw on your lawn.  You will want to hose down your yard directly after to insure the chemicals reach the roots. This would be an alternative to fertilizer. If you are not able to find these products use a recommended fertilizer at your local lawn and garden store.

Ideally you will want to mow when the grass is a little longer.  This will make your lawn become more durable to different weather. Avoid mowing or stepping on new grass.  When mowing typically mulching the grass is better than bagging.  When you mulch the grass you tend to spend less on watering in the long run.

Soon you will see your new yard become transformed into a super GREEN lawn!   

Spring Cleaning Challenge- Are you up for it?

The weather is starting to get a little warmer and becoming a great time to start your Spring Cleaning you have been putting off for the last six months and beyond.  I challenge you to a Spring Clean challenge.  As Americans we accumulate a LOT of stuff over time.  Items sit in boxes untouched for months or even years. You probably have boxes in your basement or storage you don't even know what is in them.  Standard rule: If you haven't needed something in the box in the last year, you probably don't need the contents in the box unless they are mementos/photos/keep sakes.  Now is the time to de-clutter. 

STEP 1- Start Easy
You can start out small by going through your closet and donating clothing you do not wear or fit in an more. Remember there are others out there that are less fortunate and could use your clothes.

STEP 2- Down and Dirty
Its now time to enter the dreaded basement or closets filled to the max with boxes of unknowns.  You can still start out easy and make a goal to go through 2 boxes a days. You will want to start three different piles when going through the boxes, Keep, Throw away, or Donate/Garage Sale piles.  Just remember there is light at the end of the tunnel.  You will feel so much lighter once you have completely gone through all the boxes.  Keep with your goal of x number of boxes a day or spend an entire day and make sure it gets done.

STEP 3- Deep Cleaning
How often does your house get a good scrub down.... I don't mean vacuuming once a week or cleaning the kitchen.  How often do you dust everything?  From the baseboards to the ceiling fans.  Its not fun but will make a huge difference.  Its good to get all the build up over time out of your house.  Not only will it help with allergies but will make you feel a lot better. 

STEP 4- Back to the Basics
-Its time to replace all batteries in smoke detectors, carbon detectors, door bells
-Change out HVAC filters
-Clean out the gutters
-Water the foundation
-Add dirt around the home if needed
-Touch up paint throughout the inside of the home
-Clean up the lawn and get rid of dead plants

Its time to SPRING CLEAN!  The Challenge is on.... are you up to it?

Could Your Work Commute Change in Johnson County?

It's that time of year again where your commutes could be affected by all the road construction projects about to begin.  They are starting some large projects around the I-35 435 K-10 interchange and surrounding areas that will take the next 3 years to complete.  See the map below for more specific details regarding road work or visit this link for more specifics on phase information and road closures.

The photos above are taken directly from http://jocogateway.com/

Hot Market

If you are actively seeking homes in the Johnson County, KS area and bit outside, you maybe getting frustrated as a buyer, and loving it as a seller.  Homes are going back to multiple offers, selling at or near listing price in less than a week.  The good ones go quick, the average ones could take a bit longer and the over priced are still sitting.  There are likely a few "good" deals out there but could be hard to find or get snatched up quickly.  I am finding some buyers starting to look for new homes are thinking we are in a similar market we were in prior, more of a buyers market.  It appears we are probably even but leaning more towards a sellers market currently.  Its great to see a HOT market again!  Take a look at the first graph below and notice the available inventory difference the market was just one year ago, a lot more options for buyers last year.  Both of the below graphs are based on stats from Overland Park, KS resale homes from $0-499,999.  If you are considering selling, now would be a great time!

* All reports are published April 2014, based on data available at the end of March 2014. All reports presented are based on data supplied by the Heartland MLS. Heartland MLS does not guarantee or is not in anyway responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Heartland MLS may not reflect all real estate activities in the market. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Safe Rooms- Are You Prepared?

With our ever changing environment and natural disasters becoming more regular, is your home equipped to save your families lives?  Safe rooms can be installed in your home or in your backyard or garage.  It is an extremely sturdy structure that FEMA considers "near-absolute protection." Safe rooms are designed to protect during extreme storms including tornadoes and hurricanes.  There are different sizes depending on how much room you would need.  You will want to have enough room for your family and some essentials, such as food and water.  Safe rooms are extremely important if you don't have a basement.  With the devastating storms in Oklahoma last year, safe room proved to hold up. Entire homes were destroyed but the safe room were still standing.  A safe room could be the difference between life and death. To get more information in regards to safe rooms visit this link.  Now is the time to prepare.  Bad weather will be here before you know it.

Proof:

Painting Chevron

Chevron is extremely popular right now. I decided I would try this technique in one of our extra bedrooms. I learned you have to have a lot of patience and dedication.  It is a lengthy process.  Can take 2-3+ days.

Supplies:
10-12 inch level with a 45 degree level (extremely important as all levels don't have the 45 degree feature)
Pencil
Two gallons of paint, two different paint colors depending on your color scheme (a third gallon maybe needed if you have a large room for your main color)
Tape measure
2-3 Rolls of Frog Tape depending on the wall size
Exacto knife or straight blade

-First you will want to paint your base/main color on all four walls.  This would be the same color that will be a solid color for the remaining three walls and one of the zigzag colors. 
-Once the paint has dried you can start making your marks with pencil.  You will want to start by finding the center of the wall you are putting the Chevron design on, use your tape measure.  Measure top to bottom and left to right. Make a small pencil mark for the center point. 
-Once you have the center you need to decide what size Chevron you will want on the wall. (distance from one zigzag to the next zigzag)  I recommend doing 10 inch or 12 inches apart.  The wider the distance you choose the less zigzags and less taping off you will need to do.
-From your center point you will want to measure directly up and down the 10 or 12 inches you decided. Make sure your level is showing the bubble is in the center when making your next marks. You will complete this all the way up the wall and all the way down making a mark at each distance.
-Starting from any one of the points you just created, position your level at a 45 degree angle.  The tip of the level will touch the spot you just marked. Once you have the 45 degree angle where the level is showing the bubble is in the middle, you will drawl a line against the level measuring the 10 or 12 inches you determined. You will do this at a 45 degree angle down to the right and down to the left from the original point just marked, creating an upside down V shape. (It is extremely important to make sure the 45 is exact as possible so you don't have angled Chevron or the design starts going up or down hill.)
-You will then work from each new point completing a 45 degree angle in the opposite direction.  The next would complete the V shape, then an upside down V, back to a V- so on and so forth in both directions. You will complete this same technique for every row.
-Once you have penciled in all of your lines you will start putting your frog tape on the wall.  You will want to put the tape as close to the pencil line as possible without covering the lines.  When applying the tape note that every other zigzag will remain the color already painted on the wall.  This is where you will put the excess tape. (this side the tape doesn't have to look good)  You want to make sure you have straight lines with your tape where they will meet at the point. If you have excess tape you can use an Exacto knife or straight blade to cut any excess tape that goes over the line into the section that will be painted.
-After the entire wall has been taped off you can begin painting your secondary color.  You will only paint every other zigzag and only the sections with the perfectly taped off section.
-You may need to put 2-3 coats of paint on the way depending how dark your base color is
-Before the wall is completely dry, carefully peal off all the tape.
-You may need to touch up any excess paint after the tape has been removed.

You are done and probably exhausted. It is a lengthy process that has several steps between painting your first coat, marking the entire wall, taping the wall, painting your second color, tape removal and touch up.  It looks amazing once you have everything completed.  You are probably thinking you will never do that again. At least I did.  They also sell templates online that help create the Chevron- less measuring. They look extremely difficult to use and look to take way more time as you have to wait until each section is dry.  The best way I have found is by following the above instructions.  Good luck on completing a Chevron wall in your home!

See below for photos of progression on creating a Chevron wall

Room painted main color, then measured out and taped

Painted second color, every other zigzag 

Tape removed and zigzags touched up=Completed wall

Angle showing what the solid wall looks like next to the Chevron wall

 

 



Secret Spaces in Your Home

Secret spaces in homes are rare, however can be great opportunities for hide outs or storage that is not as noticeable.  I like the idea of the secret spaces in homes but never created one of my own. I have only seen a few homes with these features as it is very unique.  Below are some photos of where secret spaces can be found.  The first two photos are from a house I recently showed my buyers.  We were definitely intrigued.

 Entry to the "basement" more of a crawl space

Unique idea for what is typically unusable space.

 Or a moveable stair case going to an additional level using

a similar lift system to the basement door above.

Classic moveable book shelf.

Basement Bar hidden by a stone wall.

Bunk bed similar to the Murphy style beds.

Lastly a hidden garage below ground.

 

 

Photos provided by Google images.

 

 

 

How to Seal Your Driveway

Watch this video if you have an asphalt driveway

Watch this video if you have a concrete driveway

USDA loan

Are you looking to move to a rural community and not sure where the USDA eligible territory is?

Click on this link to transfer to a map.  It will help you see eligible properties if you are interested in USDA loans.  There is also additional information on requirements and restrictions to obtain a USDA loan.  USDA eligible areas are typically considered more rural in nature or outside of major metro areas.  The biggest benefit of a USDA loan is the 100% loan if applicant qualifies.  The down side is that USDA must meet higher standards than conventional loans.  The home can not be a complete disaster and need substantial repairs.  The home can not have any pealing paint or safety issues. There are some requirement and restrictions on manufactured homes depending on the age and how the home is attached to the ground.  The link above will give you more specifics based on the location you are looking to purchase and income requirements.

Possible Home Inspections

-Whole House Inspection
-Structural Engineer Inspection
-Termite Inspection
-Radon Inspection
-Mold Inspection
-Lead Based Paint Inspection
-Roof Inspection
-Chimney Inspection
-Plumbing Inspection
-Electrical Inspection
-Sewer Line and Drain Inspection
-Swimming Pool/Sauna/Hot Tub if present
-Sprinkler System Inspection
-Septic Inspection if present
-Well Inspection if present

The above is a pretty good list but not all inclusive of the items you can inspect when purchasing a home.  The most common is the whole house inspection combined with termite and radon.  You are looking around $400-450 for those three inspections.  Each additional inspection could be associated with a small fee as well.  You have the right to inspect as much or as little as you would like depending on your concerns.  If you have any doubt you should inspect, you don't want to end up with issues down the line that you have to end up paying for when you could have had the seller chip in or fix all together.  Most states limit the time you have to inspect with the right to renegotiate or back out.  Therefore you will want to make sure you can get all the people you want to inspect out in a timely manor.  A small inspection fee can save you thousands down the line or even get you out of home with a lot of issues.

Permits- A Must Have Before Any Projects

When completing home projects not everyone thinks about getting a permit.  However if you visit the city you live in you might find out that there are more items you actually need a permit for than no permit required.  Some permits are free or very minimal. The city would like to know about all updates so they can potentially up your taxes and to insure the work was completed in a workman like manor.  They typically inspect the items once completed to make sure they are to the original scope. Find your city below to see what your city requires.  If you don't obtain a permit you could be fined, which is more costly than the original permit.  Also for additions you will have issues refinancing or counting square footage if you do not receive a permit from the city.  This can be extremely important, especially if you are spending thousands you want to make sure the square footage is counted.  This will come up when you have your home refinanced or go to sell your home.  For more information check out the below info and visit the cities websites or visit the city buildings to obtain more information.

Overland Park,KS and Lenexa

Building permits are required for the following projects:

-constructing, enlarging, altering or demolishing a structure or space including new structures, additions, sign support systems, decks, fences, pools, etc.

-changing the use of a building or space regardless of construction operations

-installing or replacing any building wiring or equipment, including, but not limited to branch circuits, electrical panels, water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, etc.

Permit Exceptions

A building permit is not required for routine maintenance such as replacing plumbing and lighting fixtures, carpeting, painting, installing cabinets and shelving.

Visit the city website to obtain a permit for Overland Park.

Visit the city website to obtain a permit for Lenexa.

Olathe

Building permits required for:

-Room additions

-interior remodel

-garage (attached/detached) carports, sheds over 200 sqft, decks above 30”, deck with a roof covering, patio roof covering, gazebo, pools (in-ground and above ground)

Visit the city website to obtain a permit for Olathe. 

Leawood

The city of Leawood requires permits for just about anything done on the home, including paying to have an estate sale, replacing a water heater and any plumbing.  To see a complete list or to obtain a permit, check out the Leawood website.

Prairie Village

Permits are required for:

Additions, attic finish, basement finish, a/c furnace, chimney/fireplace rebuild, demolition, ductwork (new), electrical, fence/retaining walls, foundations, gas lines, garage, generator, handicap ramp, heat pump, hot tub, lawn irrigation, remodel, re-roof, she 120 sq ft max, solar panels, sump pump, swimming pools and tennis courts, water heater

Visit the city website to obtain a permit for Prairie Village.

Mission

Permits are required for most renovation or construction including alterations to electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems.

Exceptions:

May include minor non-structural exterior repairs, interior finish work, and flat work such as sidewalks and driveways.

Visit the city website to obtain a permit for Mission, KS.

Shawnee

Permits are required for basement finishes, block parties, decks, electrical plumbing, fence, lawn sprinkler, pool or hot tub, retaining walls

Visit the city website to obtain a permit for Shawnee.

Baby Proof your Home

Below are just a few precaution you may want to consider taking if you have a little one, this list is not exclusive but a good start:

Make sure your hot water is below 120 degrees to reduce scalding water.

Make sure you have new batteries in your smoke detectors and  Carbon-monoxide detectors.

Place a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, out of reach of small children.

Place plastic caps in the electrical outlets to insure children don’t put their hands in the electrical outlets.

Place safety gates at the head and/or foot of the stairs.

Dishwashers-  make sure knives and forks are pointed down and detergent is not added until the dishwasher is ran.

 

Place stove knob covers to prevent burners from being able to turn burners on.

 

Keep all detergents and cleaning supplies in top cabinets, along with plastic baggies or paper bags. (choking hazards)  If you do not have enough upper cabinet space make sure you have proper safety latches that will keep out your child.

 

Make sure cords from small appliances are not dangling at the reach of a small child.

Place cushioned corner guards on all sharp edges such as coffee tables, fireplace edges, side table, etc.

If you have the ability to purchase cordless blinds they would be ideal, at minimum make sure the cords are placed higher up out of reach.

 

Finger-pinch guards help for hinges on doors

Place locks on the toilets.

Make sure all plants are placed higher up and out of reach.

Cover Radiators and heating vents to prevent burns.

All of these precautions should be done before your baby can start crawling, some can be done before they start walking.  Better to over proof then risk an injury.  If there are things that look tempting to your baby they will grab and pull.  Make sure all book shelves and furniture not attached to the wall is secured, to prevent them from falling over.  You may want to hire a professional child proofer to take over your home.

How Much Home Can You Afford?

How much home can I afford?

This calculator computes the most expensive house you can buy based on the highest payment you can afford, but does not indicate whether you would qualify for the loan.

Monthly Payment Information
	Highest payment you can afford (include all taxes, fees, dues, insurance, etc.)
Payment Breakdown
	Monthly insurance and other costs
	Annual property tax	%$
	Monthly association dues (if any)
Loan Information
	Down payment	%$
	Loan term	MonthsYears
	Interest rate
Personal Information
	Combined state and federal tax rate

Show payment schedule without getting the tax benefit
Show payment schedule with the tax benefit

You can afford a home worth $229,474.11 without getting the tax benefit.
However, you can afford a home worth $284,561.73 with the tax benefit.

Click here to find out what you can AFFORD.

Housing Humor 2

Enjoy a little housing humor!

 

 

Photos taken from Google.com

Before and After Inspiration

I have added inspiring before and after photos to show you how old can be new again or torn out and become modern.  You can see what a big difference each of the remodels do for each house or room of the house.  The housing exteriors are most amazing to me.  The first photo looks like a completely different house. Enjoy!

 

 

In the kitchen changing out the cabinets and the counter tops are most common. What a difference it makes!  In the second photo they changed out a simple light and the room looks completely different.

 

 

 

In a bathroom changing out old tile or a vanity changes the entire look and feel.  You can also cheaply paint the vanity to make it look new again!  Painting a room can make a huge difference as well.

 

And lastly my favorite.  If you have kids and an old TV entertainment center you can make your kids a play kitchen!



Roof Styles and Materials



 

There are several different styles of roofs:

 

 

Several different varieties of roof coverings:



Roof Sustainability:

According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, the longest lasting roof covering is slate.  They state slate typically lasts anywhere from 30 to 100 years, asphalt lasts 15 to 20 years, clay 20 years or more, metal lasts 20 to 40 years and wood typically lasts 10 to 40 years.  The sustainability has a lot to do with the product used, environment/weather, and sun exposure.

Neighborhood Crime

Neighborhood Crime can take place anywhere.  Before purchasing a home it is a good idea to do as much research as possible to find out about the neighborhood and the crime rate.  You want to purchase in as safe neighborhood as possible.  Some cities have joined and released information to the public so residences can search their specific house or neighborhood to see what type of crime has happened near by.  Feel free to check out this site, not all cities have adopted this site so you may have to use other sites to search your local area.  It doesn't hurt to talk to the neighbors and check out local papers or new reports in addition.  Also, driving by the house at different times of the day to see the type of activities that take place on a normal basis may also help see what kind of neighborhood you are moving into.

Right Sized Buying

Many buyers can afford more home than they need, it doesn’t mean they should purchase the size they can afford.  There are lots of considerations that should be made when looking for a home in the city (buyers for farm properties have different needs and wants than typical city buyers):

 

Longevity:

You want a home you can grow into if you are a young person or a couple and plan to get married and/or have children in the future. That way you don’t have to move with every addition to the family.  The opposite if you are nearing retirement.  You probably want a ranch or a home with a first level bedroom in case of any potential unforeseen medical issues. That way you don’t have to purchase a new home in order to still live on your own.

Affordability:

You want to make sure you are not trying to stretch every pay check just to make a house payment.  Too many people live beyond their means just for the perception of a large home and life style.

The larger the home, the higher the utility bills, higher potential maintenance costs, more time spent cleaning/dusting.

If you purchase a smaller house with a lesser payment you could potentially pay off the home early and save thousands in interest.

Location/Conveniences:

Consider location and future potential of what could be built nearby.  You can check with the local city planning department to see what they have planned for a specific area.

Purchasing near well-known school districts and/or desirable locations typically helps resale as others want to be in the same area.  In these areas home values typically stay steadier due to the desire of others to be in that location.

Age/Updates:

When purchasing an older home make sure the structure and large expenses have recently been updated such as recent roof replacement, newer windows, new furnace/ a/c, hot water heater.  You don’t want to dish out a ton of cash right off the bat fixing the home unless you purposely purchased a fixer upper.  Also, you may want to make sure they have completed some recent updates to the kitchen and bathrooms. These can be large expenses you might have to upgrade when you resell in order to be competitive with the market.

 

There are many more must have or requirements for each individual which will also play in your home buying decision. Happy New Year, and Happy house hunting!