Cork Floors Cork is quickly becoming an alternative to pricier tile and wood-plank flooring. Low-density cork is an effective insulator, plus it doesn't rot when exposed to water nor does it absorb dust. Premium cork flooring from a company such as Luxury Home Products will run $6.75 per square foot, assuming that you're looking to cover a space of 600 square feet or up. Bamboo Countertops Compressed to the thickness needed for a countertop, bamboo is significantly harder and more dense than woods such as maple--often used for cutting boards--which makes it last. Bamboo is sold in different swatches depending on how much space you need to cover. A good option from Totally Bamboo is the parquet model, which sells at the size of 96 inches by 30 inches for $517 LED Lighting Short for light... 04/06/2008

Do you want to own a home? or do you already own a home but want something better? Spring 2008 might be the best opportunity in years to buy your Overland park Kansas dream home.Right now  inventory of new & resale homes is the best it has been in a long time. Prices are stable and interest rates are once again near 40 year lows.The only thing missing is you. We have been in a buyers market for over a year now and a funny thing has happened, no buyers. I heard the compaints for years that home price we too high, bidding wars, we can't find the right house. Well, that is all over. Now is your time and all you have to do is participate.                                 Want to particpate? If the answer is yes click to here and start searching                                                ... 04/03/2008

Here are the population characteristics for Overland Park Kansas as of 2000 according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.    Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census - 2000Census of Population and HousingLand Area: 56.8 square miles (63.3 - 7/05) Population: 149,080 (166,917 - 7/05) Population Density: 2,624/sq.mi. Population CharacteristicsSexMales72,17048.4%Females76,91051.6% AgeUnder 5 years10,6467.1%5 to 9 years11,0457.4%10 to 14 years11,0277.4%15 to 19 years9,2616.2%20 to 24 years7,3915.0%25 to 34 years21,69514.6%35 to 44 years26,75817.9%45 to 54 years22,22714.9%55 to 59 years6,8254.6%60 to 64 years5,1713.5%65 to 74 years8,6795.8%75 to 84 years6,0574.1%85 years and over2,2981.5%Adolescent - 19 yrs. of age and younger41,97928.2%Career - 20 to 64 yrs. of age90,06760.... 04/03/2008

This Saturday (April 5, 2008) Overland Park will be giving away free tree and shrub seedlings to residents.  Overland Park residents can pick up their seedlings between 9 a.m. and noon, rain or shine, at the:Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, 11902 Lowell, or Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, 8909 W. 179th St. Get there early as there is a limited supply. A mix of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs will be available. All are bare root and come with instructions on planting and maintenance. "Our mature tree canopy is aging. By planting a tree, you help Overland Park replace those that are lost," said Sarah Patterson, city forester. "Plant a tree for the future." Varieties of trees distributed include: baldcypress, lacebark elm, Nort... 04/03/2008

The city of Overland Park puts out a quarterly newsletter for residents called "Overview".  There is a lot of great information about different city services and Overland Park current events.  Here is a link to the most recent copy of this newsletter in case you did not receive one.  Spring 2008 Overland Park Overview NewsletterOverland Park Real Estate 03/31/2008

All Overland Park City Services will be available to residents of the newly annexed areas of Overland Park starting today (March 31, 2008).  For more information about these services, the annexed area, or who to contact for specific services, click hereClick Here for a Map of the newly annexed areas of Overland Park.Search Overland Park Real Estate 03/31/2008

It is time for Overland Park's large item pick up, here are this years dates and coverage areas.This year the large item collection is for single through four-plex residences west of Antioch only.*March 29: North city limit to 99th Street/Terrace April 5: 99th Street/Terrace to 127th Street April 12: 127th Street to the south city limits * Collections occur every other year for homes east or west of Antioch. Pickups were made in 2007 at homes east of Antioch. 03/31/2008

Thinking about buying or selling a home in Overland Park? When choosing a Real Estate Agent, it is important to know who you are dealing with and what that Realtor has to offer.  Here is some information about Overland Park Real Estate Agent - Michael Pierce.   I have been selling real estate since 2001 and have been very fortunate to gain a great deal of knowledge from my experiences along the way.     One key to getting your home sold fast and for the most amount of money is pricing it properly from the start. I thoroughly study the comparable sold properties to get an accurate assessment of your homes value. For a brief video of some of the tools that I use to get your home sold, click here.  I am able to use vast amounts of internet marketing and my web presense to expose your home ... 03/30/2008

 Prudential Kansas City Realty's 8101 College Blvd office was awarded the Prudential Pinnacle Award at last week's Prudential Real Estate Affiliates Sales Convention.  The Pinnacle award is presented to the Top 10 performing Prudential Real Estate offices in North America for 2007.  This is the 17th consecutive year that Prudential Kansas City Realty's 8101 College Blvd office has received this award. Michael Pierce, RealtorPrudential Kansas City Realty8101 College Blvd.  Overland Park KS 66210Overland Park Real Estate 03/25/2008

Are you looking for an affordable home in Overland Park Kansas? Well, this foreclosure might be your home. Price at $106,900 this 2 bedroom ranch has refinished hardwood floor and a remodeled kitchen. If you would like more information on this great little starter home please contact Michael Russell at 913-681-1383 or email me at michael@russellhometeam.com . Are you looking for something else, there is a great selection of homes available including but not limited to foreclosures, HUD & VA homes. There are also a lot of great deals on New and re-sale homes. If you have been holding off buying, now is the perfect time to see what themarket has to offer. Do you want to see some homes? Click the link below and call me to get started.                                                        ... 03/21/2008

Shannon Valley Estates is a subdivision located just west of the North of College Blvd, West of Antioch in Overland Park, Kansas.  The Shannon Valley Estates Subdivision has five plats dated from 1977 to 1985.  There are approximately 571 homes among all five of the plats in the subdivision.  The subdivision is comprised mostly of 1.5 and 2 Story homes (with some ranches and split levels) built in the late 1970's to the early/mid 1980's.  Shannon Valley Estates is located in the Blue Valley School District with the schools for most of the homes in the subdivision being: Blue Valley North West High School, Oxford Middle School, and Indian Valley Elementary School.  The utilities that service this area are KCPL for electric, Atmos for Gas, and Water One for water.Shannon Valley is conveni... 03/17/2008

Summercrest is a Johnson County Kansas subdivision located south of College blvd, just west of Metcalf in Overland Park, Kansas.  The Summercrest Subdivision has seven plats dated from 1982 to 1986(with one replat in 1989).  There are approximately 401 homes among the six plats in the subdivision.  The subdivision is comprised mostly of Split Level and 2 Story homes.  Most of the homes were built in the mid 1980's.  Summercrest is located in the Blue Valley School District with the schools for most of the homes in the subdivision being: Blue Valley North High School, Overland Trail Middle School, and Valley Park Elementary School.  The utilities that service this area are KCPL for electric, Kansas Gas for Gas Service, and Water One for water.Summercrest is conveniently located within ea... 03/17/2008

Quail Valley is a Johnson County Kansas subdivision located south of College blvd, just east of Antioch in Overland Park, Kansas.  The Quail Valley Subdivision has six plats dated from 1978 to 1982.  There are approximately 312 homes among the six plats in the subdivision.  The subdivision is comprised mostly of 1.5 and 2 Story homes.  Most of the homes were built in the late 1970's to the early 1980's.  Quail Valley is located in the Blue Valley School District with the schools for most of the homes in the subdivision being: Blue Valley North High School, Overland Trail Middle School, and Valley Park Elementary School.  The utilities that service this area are KCPL for electric, Kansas Gas for Gas Service, and Water One for water.Quail Valley is conveniently located within easy access ... 03/17/2008

Rolling Woods is a subdivision located just east of the 116th block of Antioch in Overland Park, Kansas.  The Rolling Woods Subdivision has six plats dated from 1978 to 1985.  There are approximately 206 homes among the six plats in the subdivision.  The subdivision is comprised mostly of 1.5 and 2 Story homes (with a few split level homes).  Most of the homes were built in the late 1970's to the early/mid 1980's.  Rolling Woods is located in the Blue Valley School District with the schools for most of the homes in the subdivision being: Blue Valley North High School, Overland Trail Middle School, and Valley Park Elementary School.  The utilities that service this area are KCPL for electric, Kansas Gas for Gas Service, and Water One for water.Rolling Woods is conveniently located within... 03/17/2008

Indian Creek Estates is a subdivision located just west of the 116th block of Antioch in Overland Park, Kansas.  The Indian Creek Subdivision has five plats dated from 1978 to 1983.  There are approximately 264 homes among all five of the plats in the subdivision.  The subdivision is comprised mostly of 1.5 and 2 Story homes (with some split levels) built in the late 1970's to the early/mid 1980's.  Indian Creek Estates is located in the Blue Valley School District with the schools for most of the homes in the subdivision being: Blue Valley North West High School, Oxford Middle School, and Indian Valley Elementary School.  The utilities that service this area are KCPL for electric, Atmos for Gas, and Water One for water.Indian Creek Estates is conveniently located within easy access to ... 03/17/2008

The City of Overland Park offers an interactive crime map where you are able to view crime activity for any area of the city.  It is a great tool for people looking to move to a particular area of Overland Park but are unsure of the crime activity. Overland Park Interactive Crime Map Overland Park Real Estate 03/14/2008

 Below is a chart from the City of Overland Park of the 2007 Mill Levy Rates of the cities in Johnson County Kansas. As you can see Overland Park has the lowest Mill Levy of all Johnson County Cities.  For more Overland Park property tax and mill levy information check out the City of Overland Park website, it is full of useful information. RankCityCity LevyOther LevyTotal LevyDifferencefrom OP (mills) Percent of OP levy 1Overland Park3.2595.6308.8890.000100%2Shawnee4.6335.86410.4971.608118.1%3Fairway11.8221.03412.8563.967144.6%4Mission11.1472.02913.1764.287148.2%5Lake Quivira 13.7000.00013.7004.811154.1%6Mission Woods 13.8210.00013.8214.932155.5%7Prairie Village 14.4511.68216.1337.244181.5%8Westwood Hills 17.0100.00017.0108.121191.4%9Westwood 19.5510.00019.55110.662219.9%10Roeland Park... 03/14/2008

Are you looking for a good deal on a foreclosure in Overland Park Kansas? Take a look at this 3 bedroom 2 bath home in Milburn Fields. Located close to 72nd & Lowell. This home will need a little TLC but at $139,000 list price you will have plenty of potential for sweat equity.     If you want to see this home give me a call or email me to request a list of current foreclosures.Michael@RussellHomeTeam.com 913-681-1383Copyright 2008 The Russell Home Team www.MikeRussellHomes.comListing provided courtesy of Keller Williams 03/14/2008

Qualifying to buy a home in Overland Park Kansas just got a whole lot easier. The Federal Housing Authority has just raised the limit on FHA backed loans to $270,000. What does this mean for buyer's? Well it means that you can qualify for a loan with a 3% down payment with credit scores as low as 550. Using FHA also allows you to aplly for grant money. The grant money can be used for your down payment and closing costs. Essentially you can buy a house with no money down and no closing costs.For those of you sitting on the fence about buying a house, congress only passed this change temporarily. If you wait too long it might pass you buy.Remember that FHA backed mortgages are market rate, so you will not have to pay a higher interest rate to make up for less than perfect credit.Intereste... 03/12/2008

Brittany Park is a fantastic little know subdivision is Southern Overland Park, KS. It is Bordered by Metcalf at 151st to 159th and east to hwy 69. Brittany Park is one of Southern Overland Parks most affordable subdivisions. Brittany Park consists of mostly 2 story and split level homes. This is a great subdivision for first time buyers and feeds into the coveted Blue Valley School system. Brittany Park Home Sales for the last 6 monthsHomes Sold   7Average Sales price    $193,057Average days to sell    30area attractions- Jalepenos mexican grill, incredibowl, target, close to hwys. See Overland park Homes for sale      2008 The Russell Home Team 913-681-1383   www.MikeRussellHomes.com 03/05/2008