Blog entries tagged On Your Side

Why Your House Hasn't Sold

Crystal Webster — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:22:37 +0100

Market Facts for Uncertain Times

Crystal Webster — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:34:17 +0100

The economy is growing, slowly.
The private sector is finally creating some jobs.
Consumer confidence remains low, through clearly off the bottom
The 30-year mortgage rate is at generational lows.

The national median-home price is stabilizing.
Other hRead More...

Money for Nothin' and Rental Properties For Free

Crystal Webster — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:42:41 +0100

At least it will feel like it's free. Below is an article from a personal financial blogger I follow occasionally. He puts together a very nice (and easier to follow) argument for why you should own investment properties in your portfolio.

Whether you're a first time home buyer or just looking for a second property take a look at this article. If you purchase the property properly to begin with and then have a great property manager and tax accountant on your team you'llRead More...

Want Cheaper Rent?

Crystal Webster — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:52:44 +0100

Yeah, don't we all :) Smart Money says that it could be getting tougher to negotiate lower rental rates - but that doesn't mean it can't be done.

Negotiating Rent Gets Tougher - by Kelly B. Grant

The clock is ticking for consumers looking to negotiate a more favorable rent on a home or apartment. Not only are landlords less willing to offer some of the price breaks common last year, but in many markets they are actually raising rents.

“The recovery of Read More...

Hire Hot Help!

Crystal Webster — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:06:21 +0100

(That got your attention didn't it?)

Sometimes 'common sense' doesn't always make sense says an article published by Smart Money.

Preliminary results show that both men and women may be willing to pay a higher price for a home if they find the seller's female agent attractive. (Although they wouldn't necessarily like to admit that they would fall prey.)
Out-of-Towners, especially those coming from higher cost of living areas, tend to pay more for a hoRead More...

Sell Your Home With These Landscape Tips

Crystal Webster — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:52:36 +0100

Curb appeal – or lack thereof – can make or break the sale of a home. So many people form a lasting impression based on the first impressions of a home. Yet, when we’re trying to sell a home, the last Read More...

Thinking Green When Shopping for a House

Crystal Webster — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:49:58 +0100

The move to improve the energy efficiency of the country's homes is picking up speed. As big home builders anticipate greater demand for green homes and seek to differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace, many are using green features to draw buyers.

For instance, Pulte Homes has built 10 communities that offer standard or optional solarRead More...

Plan Your Move and Save Some Cash

Crystal Webster — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:14:38 +0100

By Susan Johnston:

According to Moving.com, the months between May and August are the most popular for moving in the United States.

Whether it’s down the street or across statRead More...

Interest Rates Hit 50 Year Lows

Crystal Webster — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:29:45 +0100

Interest rates are super low these days so whether you're looking to purchase a new home or stay put for a while it may be worth a call to your bank.

Buying?

The average loan payment will decrease about $50 for every .5% the interest rate drops. That's an evening out a month you'll save!

Refinancing?

Don't jump quite yet. There are a few things you'll want to consider first:

How long do you plan on staying in your home?
Do you have the cash to pony up for Read More...

Tricks to Keep Your House Cool this Summer

Crystal Webster — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:07:21 +0100

I found this great article recently and thought I just had to share. Stay cool this summer!

By Paige Tepping

RISMEDIA, June 17, 2010--As the temperatures continue to rise this summer, so does the cost of keeping your home cool. While homeowners across the country come to depend on air conditioners to keep the temperature down during the warm summer months, there are other options that will keep you cool while keeping your energy bill low.

Fans and ceiling faRead More...

Free This Weekend - KC Strip Trolley

Crystal Webster — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:45:37 +0100

Kansas City is trying to 'tie' all the bar districts together, solve the dilemma of not being able to find a taxi, and provide a great night out!

Check out the new trolley system for free this weekend that connects:

Power and Light
Plaza
Brookside
Westport
18th and Vine
Waldo
Martini Corner

For more details check out the About.com article HERE.

Remember to take advantage of the Energy Tax Credits

Crystal Webster — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:17:52 +0100

Many people don’t completely understand the energy tax credits that are available to them through the end of 2010. The Kansas City Star published a nice article detailing what qualifies for the energy tax credit. And no, it’s not all furnaces and water heaters – think doors, windows, and even window coverings!

Take a look at the article here to see if the home improvement projects you completed in 2009 are eligible or befoRead More...

The Heritage Home Team Is Now Offering Property Management in Kansas City!

Crystal Webster — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:42:00 +0100

The Heritage Home Team is pleased to announce that we now offer property management services to our clients.

I discovered that, with the economy the way that it is, many people are choosing not to sell their homes when they relocate – to another area of the city or across the globe – when I was going out to discuss selling possibilities with my clients.

When I couldn’t recommend a company to manage theirRead More...

First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Likely?

Crystal Webster — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:54:19 +0100

It seems likely that the US Senate will approve a deal to extend the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, but the devil is in the details.

Florida Democrat Sen. Bill Nelson told reporters traveling to Florida with President Obama Monday that he thought that the extension would be approved, but both senators and representatives are among those who think that there should be some fiscal offset for the extension. Spending any more money on the stimulus effort also could stir up a hornets' nesRead More...

Top Ten: Ten Things You Should Know About Your Realtor

Crystal Webster — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Full Time - Your Realtor needs to be full time; not doing several thing - just in real estate. Real estate is a fickle market and can change on a dime. You need someone on your team that is keeping up with those changes. You need someone who's following the trends, viewing houses, attending seminars and workshops, and generally keeping up to date on the goings on in Kansas City. When someone does not commit fully to real estate it's the ancillary, yet very important, items that tend to be pusheRead More...

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension?

Crystal Webster — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Everyone in real estate has their mind on one thing: What's going to happen on December 1st?

Realtor.org reported yesterday that bills are pending in both the US House and the Senate to extend the current credit - but don't expect to receive more money or for it to be extended to all home buyers - if the bill is extended at all.

Home staging can make a home very inviting to buyers and get them swept up in the thought of living there - it helps to draw the eye to the focal point of every room to draw out the beautiful features of a home. Staging is so important that The Heritage Home Team has a resident home stager that is available to work with every seller on their home.

Realtor.com Homeownership Survey Results

Crystal Webster — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:00:00 +0100

In case you haven't already guessed homes are more affordable then ever. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that everyone is clamoring to purchase right now.

A family earning the national median income of $53,182 is able to purchase about 75% of the homes on the market today.

Want to know morRead More...

Where to Find Your Next Mortgage

Crystal Webster — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0100

If you're looking to get a mortgage be ready to spend some time (and maybe headache) in the process. There are lots of options but really three main catagories of lenders: local banks, direct banks, and broker.

Local Banks: Think credit union or KC's Cap Fed, they lend their own money (using their own rates and terms) so there is no 'middleman'. These loans are normally a little more conservative then the 'avRead More...

Hot Enough for You?

Crystal Webster — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0100

With heat indexes topping 100 degrees and very little relief in sight now would be a good time to remind everyone to be careful while out and about.

If you're like me and don't 'get' to sit in a nice airconditioned office all day then here are a few tips and tricks to cool you off.

DoRead More...