If you're looking to be a part of this great neighborhood , now is the time. Woodsonia currently has 9 active homes listed for sale ranging in price from $135,000 to $245,000, three to five bedrooms available. In the past 30 days, only one home has sold at $225,000.     Woodsonia is located in Western Shawnee, just off K-7 Highway and Johnson Drive. It features a neighborhood park, community pool, part of the Award Winning De Soto School District, great highway access, and close to restaurants and shopping. To see any of the available homes in this neighborhood or any of the nearby communities in Shawnee, such as Crimson Ridge, Brittany Heights, Brittany Valley, Lakepointe, Woodland Park, Grey Oaks, Monticello Farms, Greens of Chapel Creek, Greenview Ridge, or Estates of Green View Ridg... 11/11/2010

Monticello Farms, a Rodrock Community, is cooling off in terms of real estate.  Monticello Farms currently has 3 active homes listed for sale ranging in price from $194,000 to $210,000, four bedrooms available. In the past 30 days, only 1 home has sold with an average days on market of 21 days. Monticello Farms is located in Western Shawnee, just off Shawnee Mission Parkway and Monticello Road. This community is part of the Award Winning De Soto School District, has great highway access, and is close to restaurants and shopping.  To see any of the available homes in this neighborhood or any of the nearby communities in Shawnee, such as Crimson Ridge, Brittany Heights, Brittany Valley, Lakepointe, Woodland Park, Grey Oaks, Woodsonia, Greens of Chapel Creek, Greenview Ridge, or Estates o... 11/11/2010

...The Multiple Listing Service dates back to the 19th century. On designated days, local real estate board members gathered at "real estate exchanges" to exchange and compile information about their listings. By the early twentieth century, the term "multiple listing" was in use. By the 1920s, hundreds of local multiple listing services were established throughout the country.   The fact that I've been busy as of late is definitely a good thing, but the quality of posts on my blogs have taken a hit as a result.  However, I refuse to deny you the little bits of "useless" information that I happen to come across...you never know when you might need it.  ;) 11/10/2010

I did a post on this a few months ago, but thought it was worth revisiting.  Pricing is critical.  Especially in today's market, pricing can either bring you many showings but no offers (bleh!), send you multiple offers from multiple buyers (which is ideal!), or it can put your home out of consideration all together (bad!!).  In simple terms, houses that are priced well and in good condition sell. Houses that aren't...sit...and sit...and sit.  And I make sure my clients understand this.  I'd rather be upfront and honest, than tell them what they want to hear. Check out this short video to see how a successful pricing strategy will make your house stand out from the crowd. When you're ready to list your home or if you have a question, please call, email, or text us...we're here to help! 11/09/2010

...  The U-Haul company recently celebrated 60 years of serving do-it-yourself movers. With a 1937 Ford and $5,000 in savings, Sam and Anna Mary Shoen launched U-Haul in the summer of 1945. By the end of 1949, it was possible to rent a moving trailer one-way from city to city throughout most of the U.S., and by 1955 throughout most of Canada. 11/09/2010

...The most common street name in the U.S. is Second Street. This is followed by Third, First, Fourth, and Park. Main Street is the seventh most popular street name. In the United Kingdom, High Street is the most common street name. c 11/07/2010

We've all heard it and several of us have even said it, "Location, location, location". Yes, it is a top item to consider when purchasing a home. However, new reports are showing it's not the only thing buyers are looking for...especially in today's economy. Watch this short :33 second video to see what recent studies show home buyers look for in their next home: 11/02/2010

Ok, I hate to post these back to back, but I couldn't resist.  This one is pretty interesting... According to a National Association of Home Builders study, the construction of 1,000 single-family homes generates 2,448 full-time construction and construction-related jobs, $79.4 million in wages, and $42.5 million in combined federal, state and local revenues and fees.   11/02/2010

...Thomas Jefferson is reported to be the first to install thermal insulation during home construction for the specific purpose of better heating and cooling. Jefferson used a cellulose type of insulation comprised of wood, paper, and plant-base in his large Monticello estate built more than 200 years ago. 11/01/2010

Cute Shawnee House! Overview Maps Photos $124,950 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms Location 10803 W 62nd St.Shawnee, KS 66203USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below: Kim Weis and Kelly Zarda (913) 735-7004info@kimandkelly.comhttp://kimandkelly.com    Listed by: Realty Executives of Kansas City Our recent listings New Ranch Homes in De Soto Kansas!Cute Shawnee House!Ranch Reverse 1.5 Story-Pristine Condition4 Bedroom, 3 car Garage Two Story Home under $220k 100% Financing Available100% Financing Fixed Rate 4.75% as of 8/7/10 No PMI Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby properties for sale 10/31/2010

Here it is, folks!  Your 2010 Kansas City Halloween Guide:   FREE Scary Face Pancakes October 29 at IHOP Restaurants across the Metro. Children 12 and under enjoy a FREE Scary Face Pancakes at IHOP. One per child, dine-in only. www.ihop.com/oct2010.html     Face It October 29 from 1-3:00 PM at Gregg/Klice Community Center. Halloween fun for all ages. Have a fun-filled time playing games, make a fun mask and receive a treat bag. 816.513.0651 www.kcmo.org/parks   Friday Fright Night October 29 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Oak Grove Park, 76th and N. Troost in Gladstone, MO. There is no charge for this event and it is open to the general public. Local vendors will pass out candy while kids enjoy scary and “non-scary” stories presented by the River & Prairie Story Weaver, and much more fun.... 10/29/2010

...The aging Baby Boom generation will produce approximately 35 million more elderly residents by 2030. Some of America's towns and cities are started to prepare accordingly. For example, Cobb County, Georgia created the nation's first "residential senior living zoning district". Many communities are developing building standards for seniors. Others are enlarging street signs, upgrading traffic lights, and revisiting street and sidewalk design. 10/28/2010

If you're considering a move to Johnson County in Kansas and were wondering about the education system, here is one more source to help you out. Students participate in the Kansas Assessments Program each year to measure academic progress.  Those interested in USD 232 should take special note:  Both High Schools (DeSoto and Mill Valley) scored at 95% or higher in all 3 categories.  Below is a chart highlighting the Kansas Assessments for Johnson County High Schools:     How do high schools compare in Johnson County?   2009-10 Kansas Assessments: Johnson County High Schools   Percentage of students meeting or exceeding state standards.     Reading   High School / Ranking %   1 De Soto - De Soto H.S.(3rd year in a row) 98.7   2 Blue Valley North 98.4   3 St. James 97.6   4 Spring Hill 97.... 10/28/2010

If you're considering a move to Johnson County in Kansas and were wondering about the education system, here is one little source to help you out.  Students participate in the Kansas Assessments Program each year to measure academic progress. The challenge of the No Child Left Behind legislation is the continuous raising of the achievement bar so that all students are proficient. The report cards are very detailed and provide data for each grade level participating in the assessments. The links below take you directly to each report, which is provided by the Kansas State Department of Education. REPORT CARDS District report card Listed by Schools When you're ready to buy or list your home, feel free to give us a call. We've helped hundreds of families find their perfect home and we'd ... 10/28/2010

If you're considering a move to Johnson County in Kansas, especially Western Shawnee, and were wondering about the education system, here is one little source to help you out.  The Kansas State Department of Education measures graduation rates for every school district. This information is released annually on each district's report card. Below is the 2009-10 graduation rate for USD #232, Blue Valley, Olathe, Shawnee Mission, Gardner-Edgerton, and Spring Hill. Class of 2010 De Soto USD 232 = 97.6% Blue Valley = 97.4% Spring Hill = 95.7% Olathe = 94.8% Shawnee Mission = 92.1% Gardner-Edgerton = 91.2% When you're ready to buy or list your home, feel free to give us a call. We've helped hundreds of families find their perfect home in a stress-free environment and we'd love to help you! Em... 10/28/2010

Nothing screams Halloween more than trick-or-treating.  The time honored tradition of dressing up in your favorite costume and trolling door-to-door for one sugary snack after another can be experienced in neighborhoods across the country this Sunday.  But if you happen to live in a neighborhood that lacks the "house light on" signal or if you'd like a little practice before the big day, there are plenty of "Trunk or Treat" activities throughout the Metro KC area.   What is "Trunk or Treat" you ask?  Simply put, it's trick or treating from car to car in a parking lot.  However, many organizations will have activities for the kids, music, snacks, and many car owners even decorate their cars to participate in the spirit of Halloween.   If you'd like to experience "Trunk of Treat" with you... 10/28/2010

It's that time of year...time to do a little upkeep on your home to make it more efficient through those cold winter months.  A well-sealed, well-insulated home is an energy-efficient home. Using the right energy saving products to insulate your attic and seal gaps and cracks in your home will help reduce your home heating and cooling costs by up to $220 a year. Here are some energy saving ideas to help you save money year-round. Insulate your attic.  Up to 65% of homes in the United States are under-insulated.  Adding insulation or making sure your coverage is adequate will cut drafts and energy loss...as well as your monthly heating and cooling bills. Stock up on sealants and caulk.  Even with home insulation, between 30% and 50% of the energy used in most homes is eaten up by energy ... 10/25/2010

    Things are slowing a bit at Grey Oaks in Shawnee, KS...but that's not too unusual considering the time of year.   If you're looking to be a part of this great neighborhood though, there's still a few to choose from. Grey Oaks has 5 active homes listed for sale ranging in price from $319,995 to $370,000, four to five bedroom floorplans for the picking.  In the past 90 days, however, 2 homes are currently under contract and only 1 sold at $289,500.  In this area especially, if the home is priced effectively, it will sell...and sell rapidly!!    If you haven't been to Grey Oaks in awhile, you should really check it out.  The next phase has opened and new construction homes are available starting at the low $300,000s.  Wooded views are among the many amenities available in this new phas... 10/25/2010

...that the real estate board game Monopoly was invented in 1934 by Charles B. Darrow? His first version of the game was rejected by Parker Brothers due to design flaws. After Darrow sold 5,000 handmade sets of the game to a Philadelphia department store, Parker Brothers agreed to sell the game. Since then, over 200 million Monopoly games have been sold worldwide.   Who knew?  :) 10/14/2010

Need a reason to get rid of those old jeans you no longer wear?  Instead of throwing them away, turn them into sustainable and eco-friendly housing insulation and save a little dough for yourself in the process! From now until October 20th, take advantage of the Gap's Recycle Your Blues campaign.  Simply bring in your old, ripped, tight, out of style jeans (any brand) and receive 30% off a new pair of Gap jeans.  And to sweeten the deal even more, "like" the Gap on Facebook and save an additional 10%!  The recycled denim will be transformed into UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber Insulation and donated to communities in need.  It takes approximately 500 pairs of jeans to insulate one home, so what are you waiting for?  10/12/2010