17 Percent Decrease in Total Housing Inventory Over Last Year is what I read in the KCRAR newsletter.  What does this mean to buyers?  What does this mean to sellers?  When the number of houses to choose from decreases, several things happen: --Sellers end up selling their houses for more which of course means buyers are paying more for a house than when the inventory is high --Buyers end up having fewer houses to choose from --Houses sell faster --Multiple offers come in on a single house 17 Percent Decrease in Total Housing Inventory Over Last Year appears to be the trend for the next 12 months as well which will make a real estate purchase even more difficult next year. A sellers' market occurs when the housing inventory in a given price range and given features has 6 months or less ... 09/07/2012

Lawrence Kansas Real Estate   One of the great things about living in Lawrence, KS is the uniqueness that the community has to offer. The university of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University helps to bring a diversity of people and cultures that is unknown to most other Kansas towns. Nestled between The Kansas City Metro and Topeka, KS Lawrence is a prefect location for the person that wants to live in a unique community, be close to their job, and not have to deal with the hustle and bustle of the big city.    As unique as the cultures and people, the Lawrence, KS real estate market also has a wide diversity of home style from which to choose. Lawrence, Kansas real estate offers Luxury Homes for the executive, condos for those who do not want to have the headaches of maintenance ... 08/27/2012

Why Are We Running Out of Houses?  In July of 2011 we SOLD 86 houses of Lawrence Kansas Real Estate.  In July of 2012 we SOLD 121 houses of Lawrence Kansas Real Estate.  There was also a 38% increase in houses going under contract in July 2012 over July 2011.  Overall, there were area sales of 752 properties for sale from Jan 1 through Aug 15 2011 and 833 properties for sale from Jan 1 through Aug 15 2012 or a 10.7% increase in units SOLD and a 10.9% increase in volume SOLD. Why Are We Running Out of Houses?  Sellers have not been replacing houses onto the market fast enough and so we have a housing shortage in several price ranges.  Where a buyer may have had 4 to 6 homes for sale to choose from in 2011, in 2012 there may only be 1 or 2 in a given price range. The average DOM (Days on ... 08/22/2012

How Many Golden Grahams Squares in a Box?  You know what?  I could not find the answer to this question on the internet!!  Sometimes there just are not answers online to your real estate questions either. Besides "How Many Golden Grahams Squares in a Box?" now that this question is stuck in your mind, you probably have questions stuck in your mind about homes for sale that you have seen in Lawrence Kansas real estate and in the surrounding area. "What are the utilities?" is virtually never found online. "What are the dimensions of the refrigerator space?" is virtually never found online. "What are the DOM (Days on Market)?" is virtually never found online. "How old is the furnace, the A/C, the roof?" are virtually never found online. "What is the county's building material rating for a ... 07/31/2012

What Is an Exclusive Listing?  Also called a pocket listing, an exclusive listing is where a property is not listed on the MLS and therefore no cooperation or commission is extended to other real estate brokers or their agents. The major advantage is that only the listing broker is paid a commission when the property sells.  The major disadvantage is that only the listing broker is paid a commission when the property sells.   So why would a seller list their property as an exclusive listing when they will lose out on all the other agents and their buyers?  A seller usually makes this decision so the property could be listed at a lower list price.   Since the listing does not appear on the MLS and other brokers would not receive a commission if they bring a buyer, they will tend to show ... 07/24/2012

Exclusive Listing of 3317 Riverview Rd Lawrence Kansas Homes For Sale 3317 Riverview Rd has 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 car garage, 2154 finished sqft, and a full unfinished basement.  The property has a privacy wood fenced HUGE yard that sits on a 0.4 acres double corner lot. 10 reasons why you should buy this home: 1) Northwest side of Lawrence with easy access to I-70 Turnpike to KC or Topeka 2) Near Deerfield Elementary, in our (sellers') opinion the best Elementary School in Lawrence 3) Shopping and bus routes are very close 4) Last nine years upgraded, remodeled, all new energy-efficient windows, roof, sinks with connecting pipes, hot water heater 5) Renovated kitchen with all new pantry type hickory cabinets, with eat in counter, with track lighting 6) Recently completed termite inspe... 07/19/2012

Up 10.1% Over Last Year for Lawrence Kansas Real Estate Transactions!!  As of this time last year, 2011, we had 601 transactions.  2012's transactions to date according to Lawrence Board of Realtors is 662.   We also have 212 pending transactions.   We are down to only 851 single family residential properties in the whole MLS for the Lawrence Kansas area on the Lawrence Board of Realtors MLS.  In fact, for Lawrence only, we are down to only 530, for Eudora down to only 38, and for Baldwin City down to only 37. In the past year for single family residences we SOLD 758 for Lawrence, 57 for Eudora, and 33 for Baldwin. This means the number of houses for sale we have is 8.4 months worth of inventory for Lawrence, 8 months worth of inventory for Eudora, and just over 12 months worth of inven... 07/12/2012

Half Price Homes to Firefighters, EMT, Teachers, and LEO from HUD!!  HUD foreclosures has a lottery program for their houses for sale in the HUD lottery program.  The program is designed to provide law enforcement officers (LEO), firefighters, emergency medical technicians and teachers the opportunity to be home owners within the community.  It is a way of giving back to those who serve our community so well. NOTE:  See below if you are NOT a Firefighter, EMT, Teacher, or Law Enforcement Officer for ways on how you can be notified of other ways to save on buying homes for sale at a discount price. If more than one law enforcement officer (LEO), firefighter, emergency medical technician or teacher (pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers) submits an offer then a simple lottery is he... 07/11/2012

  As I mentioned in "Cheaper to Buy Than Rent Homes For Sale Example 1" and in "Cheaper to Buy Than Rent Homes For Sale Example 2", with interest rates this low, I have been able to find real properties which are cheaper to buy than to rent. I found 3 properties for sale, that are also available for rent.  I found out that their monthly PITI (Principle, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance) is less than monthly rent on a month to month basis after making the down payment and paying the closing costs at closing.  It may take a while to save up that amount of money, but there is the definite advantage of being able to call yourself a home owner rather than calling yourself a tenant.  It is well worth buying and paying your down payment and closing costs at closing.   3209 W 24th Ter is a 4 bedr... 07/06/2012

With interest rates as low as they are, it seemed reasonable to assume that it is now cheaper to buy than to rent. I took on the challenge to find out if that was the case.  I looked at my properties for sale that are also available for rent to see how each one fared. The first property is a 6 bedroom, 3 story, Victorian home, wood floors and lots of other wood such as wooden staircases and oak trim, that is very close to downtown Lawrence Kansas.  The price is $228,000 but seller will rent for $1800. In checking with John Ketchum, a Lawrence KS lender (contact info below), he provided the following information which shows for 1501 Rhode Island, that this Lawrence property, after down payment and closing costs are paid will have a monthly payment of about $1283.55.  Rent is $1800 and re... 07/06/2012

Rent or Buy?  Not Sure?  Only Move Once?  3209 W. 24th Ter in Lawrence Kansas is the best of both worlds. If you are not sure about whether to rent or buy, why not rent 3209 W. 24th Ter.  If you decide you like it and want to buy it, you will already be moved in. All you'll have to do is change your lease over to a purchase agreement. 4 BR, 2 BA, 2 car garage, basement, 1630 sqft, wood deck, more.... Videos at: http://youtu.be/O3Lx6a7451g  Directions to property http://youtu.be/1scRhSQQTXk  Exterior of property http://youtu.be/qZh4FFkN4mw  Interior of property If this one doesn't work for you due to price, layout, features requirements, give Rob Lang a call at 785-393-2274 for other possible rent/buy options.  Ask about other Lawrence KS homes for sale that can also be rented for $1800 ... 07/04/2012

Lawrence Kansas Real Estate, spacious homes for sale near Hy-Vee, walking paths/bike trails with easy access to K10 or I-70 with HOA’s open land/playground are hard to find, ext paint 2011, landscaped, 2008 rebuilt large deck, extra deep 2 car garage has shelving, new carpet and fresh paint throughout, large living room with access to the deck thru new sliding door, solid wood kitchen cabinets recently resurfaced, countertops, kitchen faucet, disposal, recently replaced, 3BR (new carpet and fresh paint), 2BA (countertops replaced, toilets and sinks rebuilt, rebuilt bathtub, master br with large closet, all windows have new blinds, basement large utility area, family room, 4th bedroom fresh paint, new carpet, 2008 furnace, AC and water heater under 15 years old 07/01/2012

Pending closings right now is 350 homes.  This is up 64.3% since June 2011's 213 pending closings.  So many houses are going under contract and not enough sellers are putting their house back on the market because they don't have enough equity in them due to so many of them having bought their house so recently in the past few years. Housing shortages and high demands drives prices higher which the median price increase in my last blog shows so if you are looking to buy a house, now is the time to buy as selections will be fewer and prices higher as time goes by.   06/25/2012

Market report and analysis: There has been an increase in sales for May 2012 of 25.90% from May 2011 to May 2012, which was 136 in 2012 vs. 108 houses for sale in 2011.  2012 median price of SOLDs was $164,500 vs. $163,450 in 2011. With fewer homes being listed for sale and median price increasing, We're Running Out of Houses to Sell--Seller's Market!! For email alerts of houses for sale in the Lawrence Kansas area, contact me today. For a report on what your home is worth, contact me today. 06/25/2012

There are really nice guys out there.  For a nice human interest story go to http://www.6newslawrence.com/news/local/company-goes-above-and-beyond-to-help-contest-winners/ A Lawrence, Kansas landscaping company, All-N-1 Landscaping held a Facebook contest for plans for sustainable, edible lanscaping.  When they met the young family the company went way overboard and made a huge difference in the yard and lives of this family. They not only made the plan but carried it out, installing french drain, a 300 gallon water cistern, planting, mulching, setting limestone, installing an outdoor faucet, graveling the drive.  All in all a whole crew worked for 8 hours.  A local garden center, Kaw Valley Nursery, donated plants. Let's hear it for the good guys! 06/18/2012

NOTE:  Sellers fixed the house up so nicely that they decided to stay there after all.  So, don't wait next time you see a house you like, call Rob Lang, At Home Kansas, 785-393-2274 to book a showing appointment.   It is "Dress Up Time" at 4716 W. 26th St. in Lawrence Kansas.  Sometimes photos of houses taken when a house comes on the market just don't do it justice.  Sometimes a seller will make improvements as they prepare to sell their house.  Here are some photos of 4716 W. 26th St. in Lawrence Kansas that shows some upgrades and that shows some flowers in bloom that weren't there when the listing photos were taken and there are also some photos taken just to see a room from a different angle. 4716 W. 26th is one of 8 similar houses on the MLS (4 bedrooms or more, 2 baths or more, ... 06/10/2012

Foreclosures Homes For Sale and Short Sale Properties For Sale  While Foreclosures Homes For Sale and Short Sale Properties For Sale is a list of foreclosed or short sale properties from the Kansas City MLS, but there are 3 MLS's that serve this Lawrence, Kansas area.  The other two MLS's are the Lawrence Board of Realtors MLS and the Topeka MLS. These lists are usually hard to find but thanks to agents like Rob Lang who use IDX indexed searches, they are getting much easier. If you are looking for the best bargains and want to pay 80 cents on the dollar, 70 cents on the dollar, 60 cents on the dollar, or even 50 cents on the dollar for the area of Lawrence Kansas properties, you will want to ask a REALTOR who subscribes to all three MLS's and Rob Lang does just that. Ask Rob to set you... 06/07/2012

Pumpkin patch in Lawrence, KS!  There are many pumpkin patches around the Kansas City area.  One of my family's favorites is the Schaake's Pumpkin Patch at 1791 North 1500 Road in Lawrence, Kansas.   Schaake's Pumpkin Patch in Lawrence, Kansas is free to visit.  There are no admission charges.  They offer free tractor pulled rides out into the pumpkin patch.  Schaake's has a nice variety of pumpkins from tiny jack-o-lanterns up to the mamothly huge sized pumpkins!  Check out the photo to the right for some of the varieties Schaake's carried last year. There is a nice playground for kids to play on after finding their perfect pumpkins.  Schaake's also offers other activities for kids such as animals to visit, a small hay barrel maze, and even a pumpkin launching game (requires small fee ... 06/07/2012

Links to Homes For Sale in Lawrence, Eudora, Baldwin City, Kansas Some buyers like to search for houses for sale by map searches, some by price range, some by address, some have found the MLS ID and want to search by it,  and some want to do a detailed search by searching for fenced yard, basement, fireplace, first floor master or laundry, and so on. Rob Lang, At Home Kansas, 785-393-2274, offers these searches to make your job easier in finding your new dream home. Some sellers like to search for other houses in their price range to see what their competition is and where their house ranks.  Calling Rob for SOLD data such as how many homes in a given price range and features SOLD in the past year also helps house sellers to know about how long it will take to "sell my house". PROPERTY ... 06/03/2012

Victorian 1501 Rhode Island Lawrence Kansas Real Estate Homes For Sale.  It is not often that a Victorian home in Lawrence comes on the market, let alone a 3 story, with 5 bedrooms, 6 bedrooms, 7 bedrooms, or 8 bedrooms (some non-conforming) as possibilities. Rob Lang would be thrilled to show you this Victorian home with lots of history that is still being learned such as first house in Douglas County that was ordered from a Montgomery Ward catalog in 1899!!  Also, that the house had been a doctor's office in the 1920's and that you can still see room numbers (faded) on some of the doors. This house is for sale at $228,000 or for rent at $1800; whichever happens first so don't delay on this 2,755 sqft Victorian house for sale with wood floors, 3rd floor master bedroom retreat, pocket d... 06/02/2012