FOR SALE: Gorgeous 2-Story in Platte City

• 12530 NW Riley Court Platte City, MO 64079

• $285,000

• 3 bed/3.1 bath

• Finished Walkout Basement

  Better than NEW! Don't miss this rare 2-story home in the Brookfield neighborhood.

High-end finishes throughout including granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, ceramic tiling, oil-rubbed bronze fixtures, and wrought iron balusters. Features a spacious walk-in pantry and master closet! Laundry room on bedroom level with built-ins and sink for convenience. Extra space in the finished walkout basement with additional full bathroom. Enjoy a covered deck with the privacy of a treed lot and fenced-in backyard!

This location offers great highway access and is less than 15 minutes to the airport. You can also enjoy walking on the nearby trail!

Call Liz to setup a showing: (816) 287-0055

"Right-Size" Your Lifestyle

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Summer weather is upon us and so are the countless weeks of mowing ahead! Did you know that there are communities with lawn care and snow removal provided? If you're looking for a change of lifestyle where mowing and hours of lawn work are behind you, consider moving to a maintenance-provided community!

Many maintenance-provided communities are made up of villa-style homes for those looking to downsize, or what I like to call "right-size" their lifestyle. Typically, these communities provide ranch homes with main floor living that includes the majority of bedrooms on the main level, including the laundry room. The idea here is no stairs for you; you can live your day-to-day life on just one level. Many times, basement finishes are optional. Some homeowners like to have the area finished for visitors, or just for additional recreation space!

The idea with this move is to get rid of unneeded space (and maintenance) in order to gain it in just the right spaces---which is why we call it "right-sizing." The provided maintenance allows homeowners to enjoy travel or other activities for just a low monthly HOA fee. It's a big move for people, and an exciting one! 

Have you been thinking about right-sizing but don't know where to start? Has it been so long since you bought a house that you don't even know what homes cost in this market? Are you curious about how much you could sell your current home for in order to buy without a mortgage payment?

As the listing agent for The Villas at Tiffany Woods for 4 years, I've heard these questions from hundreds of Buyers! I understand the great demand for homes like these in the Northland and the communities that offer it. If you don't know where to start, I'd love to meet with you and hear what you're hoping to gain with your next move. I'd love to share with you my map of the Northland maintenance-provided communities, organized by location, price, and amenities. Together we can start the process of not just imagining, but achieving a maintenance-free lifestyle for yourself! 

Just message me here to start the conversation! 

FOR SALE: 3 bed/2 bath in Staley Schools!

• 11105 N Central St. Kansas City, MO 64155
• Listing Price: $169,900
• 3 beds, 2 baths
• Finished Walkout Basement
• MLS #2109127

  NOW AVAILABLE in the Staley School District! This adorable 3 bed, 2 bath home offers Northland convenience with major highway access.

Major upgrades done prior to Seller buying home including new HVAC, sinks, and flooring! Finished walkout basement with wood-burning fireplace functions great as 4th non-conforming bedroom or recreational room, you choose! Home features a fenced in backyard, great for privacy! Sits on a large, corner lot near cul-de-sac.

Just follow the walkway to your future home- this won't last long!

Call today for a private showinG: (816) 287-0055

How to be a Competitive Buyer in a Seller's Market

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Let’s face it, we’re in a Seller's market. Data shows inventory is drastically low and therefore home prices still high, making it a difficult market for buyers to not only find homes but ones that are affordable. Talk about intimidating. With stories of bidding wars and homes selling over asking price, how in the world do you compete in this market as a Buyer? 

1. Stop putting your hope in Zillow

Zillow has become an informative and free resource where people can casually browse houses without having the pressure of house-hunting. Over the past couple years, it's become more advanced by providing neighborhood information, comps, and home estimates called "Zestimates." I hate to break it to you that although convenient, Zillow is rarely accurate. I can’t count how many times I’ve been sent a Zillow link from a client and the home's been sold for 4 months and isn’t available anymore, or the "Zestimate" (thus the information used to create it) is way off from what it actually should be. This data just doesn't stand in the real estate market today. When seriously looking for a home, you need the most accurate data and you need it quick. Get MLS listings directly sent to you inbox by using a trustworthy real estate agent. In this market, you can't afford not to.

2. Use a Realtor

I've heard numerous people tell stories of Realtors who have been unhelpful, unprofessional, and greedy. I've also had my share of negative experiences with agents who represent the professional poorly, more than I wish to say. When your only impression of Realtors is based on the faces you see on billboards coated in red lipstick and 80’s bangs (don't get me started), it can be a major turn off. All that to say, there are talented and trustworthy agents out there who can successfully assist you through the home-buying process. We go to school for this stuff and have worked multiple deals, giving us the experience and knowledge to guide you smoothly through the transaction. An agent does more than just find you a house. A {good} agent gives guidance on price, market, negotiates on your behalf, facilitates appraisals and inspections, and works with all of the parties involved. So, find a solid agent and have them work on your behalf--- it's our job. 

3. Get pre-approved

If you’re a serious buyer, get all of your ducks in a row regarding financing before you start looking. Chances are that if you find the perfect house, it will sell quickly! So to make an offer fast, you'll need the pre-approval or proof of funds in hand. Why? Sellers need to know that you’re a serious buyer and can afford the house you’re making an offer on. It's also important to know that you are not only pre-approved, but for the right amount! You don't want to be shopping around for homes that cost more than you're able to afford. Getting pre-approved pronto can save everyone involved a lot of time and headache in the long run.

4.  Get your act together at home

Do you need to sell your current house in order to buy? Are there projects you still need to do around the house? Given the competitive and quick moving market, it’s important to have a plan for your current living situation. If your house hasn't gone on the market yet, invite a Realtor over to discuss a listing price as a way to help you plan financially for both the sale and purchase of your home. An agent can also provide tips on getting your home ready to sell fast. To make your offer even more attractive to Sellers, have your house already under contract when making an offer. This way, you’re that much closer! In the end, non-contingent offers are the most ideal for Sellers but if that's not your story, don't worry. There are several other ways to make your offer more attractive to Sellers. 

5. Strategize

With Buyers finding themselves in multiple offer situations, it’s especially important to emphasize the strong points of an offer you're making on a home. If a Seller is choosing between 8 contracts, why should they choose yours; what makes you stand out? Whether it’s flexible timing, the ability to close quickly, or the fact that it's non-contingent or cash offer, these factors are important. Your Realtor will know how to craft the perfect offer to get you the house of your dreams!

Finally, don't panic. If you're out to find the perfect home, work with a trustworthy Realtor who will answer your questions, provide the most accurate data, and fight for you to get you into your future home. True: there may not be many homes to choose from and they may sell fast, but there are plenty of ways to make yourself a competitive Buyer in this Seller's market! 

5 Projects to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

With warm weather (finally) here to stay, Sellers are in full gear preparing their homes to go on the market. It's the perfect time of year to tackle yard work, painting, and other projects around the house. Although it can be exciting, the thought of selling can be daunting to many homeowners. Many people only see the countless projects and updates ahead of them to get it market-ready. It's true---doing a major overhaul on your home can be expensive, time-consuming, and overwhelming. It's also unnecessary!

What if I told you that there were a few, simple projects that would do wonders to help sell your home fast? I've had many Sellers ask me, "If I were to just do a few, inexpensive things to enhance my home's value, what would those be?" So, here they are: Five easy projects that will go far in helping showcase your home to prospective Buyers!

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For more advice on preparing your home to sell, contact me here! I'd love to share what your home is worth and how to get the most out of your investment.

Spring Inventory Low

With the official arrival of spring, many Buyers in Kansas City are hopeful that the warmer temperatures will bring more available homes to the Kansas City market. With inventory drastically low, the demand for homes continues to rise!

Have you been thinking about selling your home? Have you wondered what it could sell for in this market? Now could be the opportune time to make most of your real estate investment! With Buyers simply waiting for a home like yours, this spring could be the perfect time to sell. You at least owe it to yourself to have the conversation, no strings attached.

For a free consult about what your home is worth and what homes in your neighborhood have sold for, contact me here.