A Kansas City Real Estate Blog by Realtor, Sarah Snodgrass

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One of the modern prefab masterpieces constructed/designed by Studio 804, the design/build program at the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Urban Design (go hawks) is FOR SALE. Looks like this was the studio class’s 2006 project. It is located in a great spot in Strawberry Hill of KCK, high on a perch overlooking downtown KCMO skyline. And in case you didn’t know, S-Hill is a great neighborhood rich in history and ethnic diversity. Also, I know of some crazy artist types who have recently bought homes up there and are touting it as the next great neighborhood.

Saturday night should be awesome in downtown Kansas City. There will be people, energy, commerce and music! The Sprint Center will host its first big event - the sold-out Elton John concert. Also, nearby at Crossroads KC (the great new outdoor live music venue at 18th and Locust), the quite popular band Wilco will be playing. This should be one of the first times in a long time, that we actually have thousands of people downtown and not just because of a WalMart Convention… (hee, hee)

By the way - I’m not on board with this parking argument about the Sprint Center. I’m taking the bus downtown and so can you. It’s called “park and ride” ya’ll. If you want to park and walk two steps to your destination, then stay in the burbs and go to the movies. We’ll be having fun downtown!

This article in the Star today on foreclosures spurred some thoughts…
We’ve got a problem with foreclosures. There are alot of them. The lenders are to blame for originating so many risky loans out there, but the regulations of last month and the closing of all the sub-prime lending companies should put an end to the crazy lending for a while. But I also feel that the buyers should take some responsibility for their predicament. Just because someone will give you a loan, doesn’t mean you should just take it and ask no questions. Ultimately, these people are out of a house and have wrecked their credit (again presumably), because they didn’t educate themselves on the terms of their loan.

Now, we have a huge inventory of homes for sale out there, and nobody to buy them which is unfortunate because it is a great time to be a buyer. Rates are still low (though I think, hear and read that they will probably be heading up), and it’s a buyer’s market. But the people that are current homeowners that want to sell and buy something different are waiting because they are scared they won’t be able to sell their house because of the slow market. And people with credit issues can’t get loans. And now investors are also having a harding time getting loans because of the lending regulations related to the foreclosure/sub-prime mess. And there are probably alot of other people out there that want to buy a home, but are scared because of all the negative press real estate has been getting lately.

As a realtor, I hate foreclosures. I can say this with some authority because I have seen alot in our area, have purchased one myself, and have assisted several buyers in the purchase of a foreclosure. My reason for disliking them is twofold. The process is complicated, one-sided (the bank’s side) and unfair.  My other reason is that the houses are usually in a state of disrepair. Think about it. If these people can’t afford their mortgage, do they have money to fix and maintain the property? Not usually. And you can’t find out a thing about the history of these houses because the seller is a bank who is staying as far away from the home as possible. They don’t want to know, because if they know then they assume some responsibility.

So, now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, give me a call if you want to buy a foreclosure

This house in Central Hyde Park is so pretty. The owners have made some very stylish updates to the home, and the quality of all the work and the improvements is exceptional. The colors are great, it is very spacious, and the location is excellent. The home faces south on 36th Street, not far from Janssen Place. This part of Hyde Park is full of gorgeous large historic homes. It is such an important and distinctive neighborhood in our city - I always drive newcomers through here to give them a taste of the real KC.

Feel free to contact me for more info or a private showing!

This is bad news for those of us who don’t like our kitchens invaded by varmints, leaving their little “presents” for us to clean up in the bottom of drawers or on the counters. Keep those kitchens clean, and maybe have a trap or two on-hand this fall just in case…

Thanks to NBC Action News for finding a bright side to this news. Guess this lack of fruit and nuts in trees means that birdwatchers with feeders might be in for a good show this fall and winter.

I have a new listing on the Plaza. It is a very elegant condo in the old historic Park Castles building across from the Nelson on Emanuel Cleaver Boulevard. It’s 2 bedroom, 1 bath, with lots of storage and so much charm which can be attributed to the ornate moldings, hardwoods, nearly 9 foot ceilings, decorative archways and elegant decor.

It is priced to sell quickly at $150,000. Feel free to contact me for more information or for a private showing!