Meet Nate and Summer:

This winter Nate and Summer asked me to find them a dream home. But this dream home is not like many asked for. They wanted me to find a dilapidated old home they could completely redo. When most people ask me to help with this I am cautious. It can be a great dream to fulfill but without experience, time, and money this dream can quickly turn into a nightmare.

Nate and Summer were different however because not only was this a dream, but a reality they had created previously. No one knows better what it takes than someone who has fulfilled this before so we set out to locate the perfect property.

We found it at 646 Rhode Island. The pictures in the visual tour are exactly what we saw when we drove up and walked in the door. The great thing about this project, lots of demo has already been completed as you will see. Over the next year Nate and Summer have agreed to let me document the changes, procedures, decisions and all the ups and downs.

I am excited to watch this young, energetic couple take a shell of a home and create a masterpiece.

Stay tuned because this will be a great adventure. If interested in seeing the home they completed previously, please see the listing information for 904 High Street in Baldwin City.

Please see the full visual tour here.

Number of homes currently on the market:  558
Number of homes currently under contract: 130
Number of homes that were put under contract in March: 94
Number of homes that sold in March: 56

How today’s market compares to One year ago:
In 2011 we had 40 additional homes on the market and over 40 fewer under contract.
In March 2011 we only put 69 homes under contract and 50 closed.

We are projected ahead of 2011 as well but it is still most definitely a buyers market.
Sellers must continue to prepare their homes for sale and agree to price competitively.

$865,000

This selling season is when all the home buyers and sellers emerge. Some are eager, some are gathering information, some are scared, be they all are interested in housing. Since I can always talk housing,homes, trends, market conditions, and more, this is my season!

Here are a few questions I am regularly asked this time of year.

1. What is the busiest time of year for buying? April is historically our number one month for putting homes under contract and July is normally the largest closing month.

2. Is it to soon to put my house on the market? Absolutely not. It is better to have your home on the market the minute the first crocus pops through the ground.

3. I am in a lease until July, should I wait to look. No, most sellers are very well aware that some buyers will not be able to close immediately. The best homes will come and go if you are not ready when the market is the hottest.

4. What is my first step if I want to buy? Talk to a lender and get pre-approved. The most important item in buying is knowing what you can afford.

5. What is the first step if I want to sell? De-clutter, De-clutter, De-clutter.

The next step, give me a call and let’s discuss your goals in housing. Whether buying, selling, remodeling,or questioning the market I am always happy to talk Real Estate.

As all areas of our homes, we need to maintain these great outdoor living and dining rooms.
I am always a bit surprised and a little disappointed to show homes with weathered looking decks (much like
the picture below marked, “Old”). I know that keeping a deck stained is work and a bit
time consuming, but the rewards are plentiful. Stained decks last longer, they look better, are less likely to
splinter, and resell better.

If staining just is not your thing, then a good power washing after harsh winters or before putting a home
on the market is a must. I love how this photo represents the difference a little bit of work will create.

The variety of decks is as varied as every yard. They can be built off a two-story home, surround a pool,
built for entertaining or for enjoying morning coffee. The size and design are really only limited to your
budgetary goals. The do not need to be intricate or large to be useful or enjoyed.

Composition decking has become quite popular over the past several years. Composite decking is as strong as real wood but is made of a variety of materials most commonly wood fibers and plastics.

The reason for this growing trend is they are cost effective to build, the do not need regular maintenance and are considered “green” since most are made from recycled materials.

So if you are ready to bring you inside outside it may be time to consider vamping up your deck. If you have questions on decking, materials, sizes of decks or more don’t hesitate to give me a call. I am always happy to help.

Though it is true that most foreclosed homes will be considerably less expensive than an owner-occupied home,
you must remember you will get what you pay for.

The first thing to realize, foreclosures take a long time to occur. Home owners do not get behind two or
three months and bam, the house is on the market and owned by the bank. Most commonly, a home will go
through months of non-payment. Sometimes as many as six to eight months before foreclosure proceedings
will even begin. At this point, a legal auction on the court house steps will occur. The home owners do
have a 90 day right of redemption in which they can become current on their home. At this point, there
may be a year of no payments on the property. Remember, if a home owner has not made payments for
a year they are also not doing a lot to repair deficiencies along the way.

At the time the bank gets a home back and can legally put it on the market to sell, the home may have been
vacant or fallen in disrepair. Most foreclosed homes we see need quite a bit of work. Lenders make no
warranties on these homes and sell “as is”.

Most commonly we see homes that have many items completely removed such as all appliances,
sometime light fixtures, anything of value.  Water damage also seems to be a common theme in
unoccupied homes which can lead to mold problems.

So if you are thinking of picking up a great deal and looking for a foreclosed property, be prepared. You
must be knowledgeable regarding home repairs and maintenance, have money to put into the home
and be realistic this great deal may not be such a great deal after all.

Questions regarding foreclosed homes give me a call. Information is not to provide legal advice but to
provide insight into foreclosure properties.

$650,000

Beautiful 5 bedroom, 5 bath home. Soaring ceilings, master with 2 walk in closets and sitting area. 3 bedrooms 2 baths upstairs, finished daylight basement. Dining room. Covered deck. Well appointed kitchen. 3 car extra deep garage. Treed backyard.

$419,900