A Kansas City Real Estate Blog by Realtor, Sarah Snodgrass

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I read an exciting post today on BlogKC.com about the City Council’s plan in Mission, Kansas to turn Johnson Drive into more of a pedestrian friendly “downtown” area. They plan to take the car lanes down to two (from four), and widen sidewalks and add benches and make it more of a community area. I think it is really a step in the right direction, and progressive thinking on the City Council’s part. This plan will help keep Mission home values strong and keep their town a desirable place to live in the metro.

If I had to live south of 435 in Johnson County (which I don’t), and this was in my price range (which it’s not), I would probably try to find something in Nottingham Forest. It’s a pretty neighborhood with lots of trees and winding streets and I like it because the styles of homes are all very different. They range from contemporary to very traditional. It is not at all the cookie-cutter beige-ville which many city folk associate with SoJoCo.

Here are a few that are for sale out there that range in prices and styles:

So, one of the first questions buyers always ask me is “how long has it been for sale?”. I think they want to know because they are hoping it will tell them how desperate the seller is becoming. If I say 200 days, are they going to severely low-ball the seller? Probably. In this market, however, it is becoming less and less of a surprise when a home has been on the market for a good, long while. Here are some numbers that might help you to see how “slow” our market actually is. It differs from area to area, so I just chose a few different ones to illustrate this.

Kansas City, Missouri: Currently, there are 4,571 houses for sale (that’s just single family homes, not any of the other types of housing). There have been 7,389 homes sold in the past 12 months. This tells me that at this rate that homes are selling, it would take us 7 months to sell the 4,571 homes that are for sale.

Brookside (64113 Zip Code): Currently, there are 137 houses for sale (that’s just single family homes, not any of the other types of housing). There have been 288 homes sold in the past 12 months. This tells me that at this rate that homes are selling, it would take us about 5 months to sell the 137 homes that are for sale. This is a healthy rate.

Condos in Kansas City, Missouri (from the River south to about 75th St): Currently, there are 834 condos/lofts for sale. There have been 563 condos/lofts sold in the past 12 months. This tells me that at this rate that condos are selling, it would take us 17 months to sell the 834 condo/lofts that are for sale.

This is called Absorption Rate - the rate at which properties are able to be sold in a given area. Always check with your Realtor if you are selling your home and take this very important number into consideration when you are pricing your home for sale.

Gary Lezak’s blog says the cold weather is coming, so make sure you take whatever action you need to protect your home against the weather. And you especially need to be diligent if your home is for sale. Here are some  great tips from an older post. One other tip I have to offer is to trim up your bushes and trees, making sure to remove old, dead growth, because they can break and damage the plant if we have severe weather, especially ice (which we usually do have).

I am happy to see some new modern homes being built in Kansas City proper. This one is currently under construction but it is for sale. It sits on a lot at 34th and Gennessee Street (just north of the restaurant and shopping district on 39th Street, near KU Med) which has a crazy view of downtown to the northeast. This view really adds so much value to the home. Feel free to contact me for more information!

This house is a nice traditional 2-story in the Brookside/Country Club district - it’s on 59th Street in between Ward Parkway and Wornall. It is immaculate, and very tastefully and professionally updated. Some of the nicer features are updated kitchen and baths, beautiful yard with stone path and patio, awesome front porch, double decks (that look new and well-built), and all the paint and trim work is is good condition.  It is for sale at $449,000 (as of today, 11/20/07). It is not my listing, but I can arrange a private showing or answer any questions about it!

Found a good blog recently called Mrs. Blandings. It’s a home design/decor blog in Kansas City. She posts often and generally has some good eye candy and it’s a good place to find inspiration.

In a follow-up to my recent post about Vintage Kansas City Postcards, the Kansas City Museum will host a lecture by Northeast News Publisher, Michael Bushnell, titled “Historic Postcards of Old Kansas City.” The lecture is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, November 18th at 2 p.m.

Apparently, Mr. Bushnell has quite a collection of interesting Kansas City postcards, and has even written a book on the subject.  See the Events Page of the Kansas City Museum website for more info on the lecture (be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page).

This home is truly incredible - not only because of how big and high-end it is, but also because of the labor of love it must have been to build (it was built in 1996). The architect designed it to replicate the historic homes in Colonial Williamsburg, and it is a great example but something about it feels also very modern on the interior. It has incredible details everywhere, high ceilings and about 7000 square feet of living space. The backyard is great too with its English gardens and brick patio. Plus, who can resist SIX working wood-burning fireplaces! Here’s a photo:

And look how closely it resembles the Governor’s Palace in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia:

Watch-out, I’m kicking butt with my new wide-angle lens camera. Check out the difference between my old photo with the regular camera of a regular condo-sized bedroom versus the photo with my new wide-angle lens camera. The photo is of the bedroom in a condominium that I have listed for sale in Park Castles on the Plaza. As a realtor, photography is becoming so important because all buyers start shopping for homes online by looking at photos. You gotta have the wide-angle lens because it really gives a much better spacial representation of a room, and it is especially important in smaller rooms like bathrooms or kitchens (or condo bedrooms).

Mistersnodgrass found a website with images of old Kansas City postcards that he knew I’d love. I’m a sucker for nostalgic photos and books of Kansas City.

We’ve got a new look around here! Blog remodeler, Mistersnodgrass, has been working some late nights on my new design. We’re still working out some kinks, but hang with us. Its getting there!