The extension of the first time home buyer tax credit, the creation of the tax credit for existing homeowners, low interest rates, and low home prices are all converging to make the real estate market ripe for buyers, but what will happen once the tax credits expire?
Check out
http://kansascity.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2010/03/29/focus3.html
for more information on the blossoming Kansas City Real Estate Market and predictions on what is in store for the remainder of 2010!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Get Your Home Ready To Sell!
With the spring market in full swing I have some advice for the future sellers out there, some tips and tricks on preparing your home for the market!
De-clutter! Divide your items into 4 categories: Trash, Return, Donate, and Might Need.
For the Trash Pile: Be ruthless! Get rid of it as soon as possible! Some things to get rid of: dated phone books, sale catalogues, newspapers, magazines, broken things that you haven't gotten around to fixitng, projects you started but haven't finished, and obsolete electronics.
Return Pile: Return anything that doesn't belong to you. Don't add to your quantity of stuff by moving someone else's belongings.
Donate Pile: You will find things that are still in good condition but they're of no use to you. Give them to friends, family, charitable organizations, or advertise in the free section of the classified ads in the newspaper or on craigslist!
Might Need: Ask your self the following questions:
Decluttering your home is the first step, and an important one. Make a checklist for each room in your home with the above four categories and get everything out you no longer use, need, or want! This will help you restore rooms to their core functions and increase the saleability of your home!
For more tips and tricks visit: www.prepareyourhouseforsale.com
De-clutter! Divide your items into 4 categories: Trash, Return, Donate, and Might Need.
For the Trash Pile: Be ruthless! Get rid of it as soon as possible! Some things to get rid of: dated phone books, sale catalogues, newspapers, magazines, broken things that you haven't gotten around to fixitng, projects you started but haven't finished, and obsolete electronics.
Return Pile: Return anything that doesn't belong to you. Don't add to your quantity of stuff by moving someone else's belongings.
Donate Pile: You will find things that are still in good condition but they're of no use to you. Give them to friends, family, charitable organizations, or advertise in the free section of the classified ads in the newspaper or on craigslist!
Might Need: Ask your self the following questions:
- Would you go out and buy one today?
- Do you even remember what it does?
- Did you even remember you have it?
- Have you used it since your last move?
Decluttering your home is the first step, and an important one. Make a checklist for each room in your home with the above four categories and get everything out you no longer use, need, or want! This will help you restore rooms to their core functions and increase the saleability of your home!
For more tips and tricks visit: www.prepareyourhouseforsale.com
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
10 Great Ways to Add Curb Appeal
Some tips and tricks to creating a great first impression on potential buyers:
1. Create Symmetry: Symmetrical compositions of light fixtures or front door accents are easiest to arrange and most pleasing to the eye. For spring try potted plants on either side using flowers or plants that best match your existing landscaping.
2. Replace Old Hardware: House numbers, the front door lockset, a wall mounted mailbox, and overhead light fixture are all elements that can add style and interest to your home. Try oil-bronzed units for traditional homes and brushed nickel on more contemporary homes.
3. Dress Up Your Front Door: Give your home a burst of color by painting your front door a coordinating color, or swap out your normal front door for a custom wood door! Your entry should also match your home's interior so add a wreath or swag that reflects your decor.
4. Outdoor Lighting: Landscaping lighting can make a huge impact on your home's curb appeal. Accent trees, or illuminate a walking path to the home. You can even use solar lighting as a quick way to gain a little extra light, and not mess with wires and fixtures!
5. Add Shutters or an Accent Trim: both shutters and trim add a welcoming element of beauty to your home.
6. Replace Gutters and Downspouts: Replace older gutter systems that might have peeling paint, rust spots, or worse with newer snap-fit vinyl systems that go together with few tools and require no painting! Looking for an even better quality gutter system? Copper systems convey an unmistakable look of quality.
7. Dress Up Your Driveway: Upgrade your driveway without completely redoing it! Repair any cracks or stains, then dress it up by staining the concrete or affixing flagstones. Or widen with flare by adding brick or pavers to the sides!
8. Upgrade Your Railings: Porch railings can deteriorate rapidly, if your railings are past their prime be sure to replace them with something that fits in with the rest of your exterior decor.
9. Renew Paint, Siding, or Trim: This exterior facelift automatically transforms the look of your home! Make sure your home's paint or siding is in tip top shape!
10. Create a New Planting Bed: Add contrast and color by adding a new planting bed! Good locations for this would be the front corners of your yard, along driveways or walkways, and immediately in front of your home. Be sure to choose features that will complement your homes exterior!
For more tips and tricks visit www.betterhomesandgardens.com for home improvement ideas and more ways to enhance your homes curb appeal!
1. Create Symmetry: Symmetrical compositions of light fixtures or front door accents are easiest to arrange and most pleasing to the eye. For spring try potted plants on either side using flowers or plants that best match your existing landscaping.
2. Replace Old Hardware: House numbers, the front door lockset, a wall mounted mailbox, and overhead light fixture are all elements that can add style and interest to your home. Try oil-bronzed units for traditional homes and brushed nickel on more contemporary homes.
3. Dress Up Your Front Door: Give your home a burst of color by painting your front door a coordinating color, or swap out your normal front door for a custom wood door! Your entry should also match your home's interior so add a wreath or swag that reflects your decor.
4. Outdoor Lighting: Landscaping lighting can make a huge impact on your home's curb appeal. Accent trees, or illuminate a walking path to the home. You can even use solar lighting as a quick way to gain a little extra light, and not mess with wires and fixtures!
5. Add Shutters or an Accent Trim: both shutters and trim add a welcoming element of beauty to your home.
6. Replace Gutters and Downspouts: Replace older gutter systems that might have peeling paint, rust spots, or worse with newer snap-fit vinyl systems that go together with few tools and require no painting! Looking for an even better quality gutter system? Copper systems convey an unmistakable look of quality.
7. Dress Up Your Driveway: Upgrade your driveway without completely redoing it! Repair any cracks or stains, then dress it up by staining the concrete or affixing flagstones. Or widen with flare by adding brick or pavers to the sides!
8. Upgrade Your Railings: Porch railings can deteriorate rapidly, if your railings are past their prime be sure to replace them with something that fits in with the rest of your exterior decor.
9. Renew Paint, Siding, or Trim: This exterior facelift automatically transforms the look of your home! Make sure your home's paint or siding is in tip top shape!
10. Create a New Planting Bed: Add contrast and color by adding a new planting bed! Good locations for this would be the front corners of your yard, along driveways or walkways, and immediately in front of your home. Be sure to choose features that will complement your homes exterior!
For more tips and tricks visit www.betterhomesandgardens.com for home improvement ideas and more ways to enhance your homes curb appeal!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Sneak Peek from the 25 Under 25 Awards Gala
Waiting on a few more to come later in the week! We had such a blast and were so honored to be a part of the event!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Motivation
According to dictionary.com motivate means to "provide an incentive, move to action, impel" I was indeed shown the true meaning of this word yesterday when I was given the amazing opportunity and honor to speak as a Snow West Cancer Ambassador, to over 900 Genetech employees. This event proved to be one of the most motivating and awe-inspiring moments of my life. Early Sunday morning I flew out to San Francisco to prepare for my Monday afternoon speech, I was excited and a little nervous to speak in front of so many important people! These people go to work everyday to fight cancer, they are responsible for not just saving my life but THOUSANDS of lives! I started out the speech thanking each and everyone of them for their part in saving lives, and then went on to tell my story. After I was finished, the most astonishing thing occured, those amazing doctors, scientists, and engineers gave me a 3 minute standing ovation! Yesterday was one of the most overwhelming, yet motivational days of my entire life! Without those fabulous Genetech employees, thousands of women would lose their lives to breast cancer, and they were applauding me! I am even more motivated for my 2010 Avon Walk and hope to go above and beyond my goal of $50,000 raised for breast cancer! I know I can do it, with my wonderful support system and those wonderful Genetech employees motivating me to keep going, keep pushing, keep trying!
**KK
**KK
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
