Keller Williams agent Leah Taylor (above) at 3010 W. 84th Terrace, and Reece & Nichols agents Susan Fate and Diana Resnick (below) all showed off their listings in the Cloisters subdivision over the weekend now that the weather has turned for the better (and hopefully the economy). They especially wanted to point out the state-of-the-art kitchens in each of the homes in Old Leawood that have been completely updated. Residents who live in this small neighborhood just east of 83rd and Mission pay a small homes association fee each month that includes yard maintenance, trash, leaf removal and outdoor sprinkling systems.
Fate’s listing at 3011 W. 83rd Terrace features a remodeled kitchen with limestone countertops. The master bedroom has a 14×9 walk-in closet, big enough for any shopaholic.
Resnick’s listing at 3012 W. 84th Place is an all-brick home with a kitchen that boasts a sub-zero refrigerator and Thermadore professional gas range. The lower level is finished and big enough to invite the whole neighborhood over!
Sara Armer knows her old neighborhood
Keller Williams agent Sara Armer literally eats, breathes and sleeps in her listings – She grew up and now lives in the Prairie Village area that she now sells in. She even has sold and resold one of the homes she and her parents lived in. So she’s an advocate for older homes and the Shawnee Mission School District. This year marks Armer’s first decade in real estate, and the fun-loving agent – she and her architect husband Chris are known for winning Halloween costume contests – talked with Metrowire recently about some of her experiences in the field:
What’s warming up or moving in the market right now?
The “hottest” selling homes – and they’re selling FAST – are well-priced homes in pristine condition. While the market is stronger for the homes under $300,000 (less than 3 months inventory in Northern JoCo), homes priced right & in great condition will sell in the upper brackets, as well. There is a ton of pent up demand – families waiting for the market to improve – and with the government incentives, lots of people taking advantage of the moment before the April 30th deadline for the tax credits.
Any new or different features that buyers are looking for in a resale house now?
Buyers are very discriminating in this market, as there is more information than ever available to them. They look at homes and are savvy to values from extensive Internet research prior to ever stepping through the door. There is still a strong contingent of people wanting to find the “bargain” – a bank-owned, foreclosure or short-sale opportunity. The other group of buyers is looking for the house they can move into – and not do a thing!
What has changed most in the profession since you started in it?
I started in Residential Real Estate in 2001 – when the “new” MLS on-line system was first introduced. There have been tons of changes, both to the world of technology and the financial world since then. I think one of the biggest changes, as a profession, is the need for up-to-date & knowledgeable sales professionals, as people want to work with professionals who can guide them through the biggest purchase they will likely make in their lifetime (or at least until they move up!). By that I mean it’s imperative that agents respond to the changing technology, understand the key mortgage financing changes and how it can impact a buyer/seller & know the area.
What’s an example of how technology is changing the profession?
This past year, I held one of my listings open on a Sunday, had a few people through, and one couple I talked to for quite awhile were helping “scout” out some possible homes for an out-of-town friend. I sent him some possible homes to consider that fed to the schools the family was interested in and later that week we toured the homes I suggested. He showed me another home out South that his friends found online and were interested to know more about it, as well. We were able to get into it that morning, and both he and I knew it was the “right” house for this family. The dilemma – it’s difficult to encourage someone who has never met you to buy a house they have never seen. After all, the Internet can provide a semi-virtual tour of homes these days, but we all know it doesn’t show everything. Anyway, a week after the Open House, they were under contract to purchase their dream home in south Overland Park – with an agent they had never met.
Every sale has a story. Care to share any other unusual experiences you’ve had?
On one of my listings recently, I showed up at the inspection to hear the “summary” so I could relay the results to the seller. It happened to be one of those days when the sky was unloading rain – an absolute deluge of showers that day – and there were some leaks in the basement. After the inspector left, I was walking to turn out lights in the basement and the window well was a virtual in-house waterfall. And here’s the shocker – the buyer was not concerned!