Won't you be my REALTOR® Valentine? Happy Valentine's Day to all our friends and clients in Springfield MO!  We LOVE selling homes to folks in Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, and surrounding areas of SW Missouri. We also LOVE referrals so if you know anyone who needs to buy or sell a home in the area please let us know. We'll take good care of them! XXXOOO   Its a great time to sell your home in Springfield MO! 02/13/2013

Real Estate Sales in Springfield MO are… UP! Real estate sales in Springfield MO are on a tear! That’s not to say that we’re totally off to the races, but things are looking up.  There were 178 sales of homes in Springfield in January compared to 122 in the same month last year.  That’s a 45.9% increase!  Wow! (Just as a point of comparison, there were 247 homes sold in January, 2005, at the height of the boom. That's almost 40% higher than last month.)  Real estate sales in Springfield also should be up considerably in February as pending home sales rose sharply as well.  233 homes went under contract in January compared to 172 homes in January, 2012, a 35.5% increase. Click here to search for real estate in Springfield MO Now, at the same time that actual and pending real estate sales... 02/08/2013

FHA SHORT SALES IN SPRINGFIELD, MO As I stated in my previous post FHA Short Sales in Springfield MO,  FHA short sales are likely here to stay in the Springfield/Ozark/Nixa/Republic market area for some time to come just due to the sheer number of FHA loans made over the last few years combined with falling home prices.   HOW DOES AN FHA SHORT SALE WORK? In many short sales, the process can seem very opaque. The lender can ask for conditions and documents that may seem completely arbitrary.  The beautiful thing about FHA short sales is that the process is very regimented and streamlined.  That doesn't mean it always goes fast, but comparatively speaking, FHA short sales can be among the easiest to complete.  In fact, you can view the complete guide to an FHA short sale here (you will ne... 02/08/2013

 How To Buy A HUD Home In Springfield MissouriHUD homes are a popular choice among home buyers in Springfield, Ozark, and Nixa who are looking for an affordable home, want to buy a larger home at a price better than generally available on the open market, or for investors looking for rental properties. Since we are dealing with a government agency here, things can get a bit complicated but we're here to help you every step of the way.What is a HUD home?HUD homes are owned by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. They are sold strictly "AS IS", with no warranty. They will not make any repairs and also will not let buyers make any repairs before closing. Since they are sold “AS IS” they strongly recommend that you need to get a home inspection to find out about any repairs... 02/06/2013

Is Now A Good Time To Sell A Home In Springfield Missouri? Everybody wants to know how the real estate market is in Springfield MO. Is it improving and are we out of the real estate bust? Real estate is local.  Let's take a look at the current market statistics. As you can see from the chart, homes sold in Nov 2012 were 219 and Dec 2012 were 192 - a slight decrease. But Dec sales in 2011 were 182 and Dec 2012 were 192 - a slight increase. Dec vs Dec two years was up 16%.  This next chart shows available inventory in months of homes sold. Note that the number of properties available is way down for the 1 year, and 2 year comparisons. What this means is there are a lot fewer homes to choose from and less competition. Interest rates are still at historic lows and this makes homes much more... 02/01/2013

FHA short sales in Springfield, Ozark, Nixa and the surrounding area have increased in recent years and should continue to run strong for years to come.  Why?  Because there have been so many purchases made with FHA loans during and after the bubble with low to no down payment and now prices have fallen well below the prices most of those homes were purchased at.    Prices for homes in the Springfield, MO metro area hit their peak in early 2007 and then fell by around 5% per year (plus or minus) through 2011.  About 15% of all sales in Springfield from 2005 through today were completed with FHA financing, totaling somewhere around 4,000 loans. Generally speaking, prices are now around 2003 prices after hitting bottom in 2011.  What that means is that the vast majority of homes purchased... 01/25/2013

  There are so many Things You Can Do "In and Around Springfield, Mo"  January 25, 26, and 27th.    Hopefully we will have beautiful  Saturday weather!     Get out and enjoy all the fun of the Ozarks!!   Friday, January 25 Friday Flix: "The Breakfast Club", presented by Mother's Brewing Co. and Moxie Cinema, 8pm at the Gillioz, 325 Park Central East.   Admission: $5.   417-863-9491.   "Jekyll and Hyde the Musical", presented by the Tri-Lakes Community Theatre, 7pm at Americana Theatre, Missouri 76.   Tickets $16, $8 students and children.    417-335-4241.   Giordano Dance Chicago, 7:30pm, at  the Juanita K Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, 525 John Q Hammons Parkway.   Tickets $15, and $25.   417-836-7678, or 888-836-7678.      Art Reception, 6-9pm in Walnut Shade.   Reflections of ... 01/25/2013

There are so many Things You Can Do "In and Around Springfield, Mo"  January 18, 19, and 20th.    Hopefully we will have beautiful weather!     Get out and enjoy all the fun of the Ozarks!!   Friday, January 18 Third Annual Winter Carnival, presented by the OC family development department, 5:30pm to 8pm, Ozark Community Center, 1530 West Jackson St. Enjoy a night of games, activities, rock climbing, prizes, and a silent auction.  Free child ID kits will be provided by the Missouri Child Identification Program. Tickets are $.50 each or three for $1. Bring in 2 canned goods in exchange for two free tickets. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Least of These, Inc. 417-518-7002.All You Can Eat Dinner, 5-7pm, VFW Post 7628, 104 S. 1st St. 417-581- 5553.Art Reception for the Visual Artist... 01/17/2013

Springfield Area Home Sales and Prices Rise Sales in the Springfield market area were up 12.2% in 2012, the first rise in annual sales since 2005. There were 6057 residential homes sold through the Greater Springfield Board of Realtors MLS system in 2012 compared to 5,397 in 2011.  The 2012 sales number is the highest since 2008.  Similarly, sales in December increased 15.1% compared to the same month in 2011. Total sales were 457 units in Dec, 2012 compared to 397 units in Oct, 2011.  While these sales numbers are certainly nothing close to what we say at the peak of the bubble (8,915 homes sold in 2005) it is nice to finally see improvement in the market.  Median selling prices also rose in 2012 by 3.84%, the first rise in annual median prices since 2006.  The median selling price in ... 01/15/2013

Buying a home for sale in Springfield Missouri? How do you choose? Buying a home isn't always fun and games, but here's a 1 minute video that shows it doesn't have to be a stressfull experience.    01/07/2013

                    What is “Going on In and Around Springfield, Mo”?     It is the First Friday of the Month!   It’s First Friday Art Walk Time again.    Check out one of the local restaurants, one of my favorites is Big Whiskey’s as they have half price appetizers.   The weather sounds like mid 40’s with sunshine, perfect for a wintertime walk in one of our many nature centers and trails.   Have a Great Weekend Everyone!!! Friday, January 4   First Friday Art Walk, A self-guided art gallery tour, 6 to 10pm, downtown Springfield, Mo.   Features, art, live music, hands on activities at several venues.   Exhibits remain at the galleries throughout the month.   Click Here for Map of Art Walk.  FREE, 417-862-2787 ext. 25.  Nixa: Live Band Dance, 7pm-9:30pm, Nixa Senior Center, 404 S. Main ... 01/04/2013

Amazing price of only $24,000 on this diamond in the rough! Great opportunity on this investment property or affordable residential home located on a corner lot in Springfield MO. This property needs TLC but has so much potential! Seller has priced it to move quickly. It's a 2 bedroom, 1 bath with a possible 3rd bedroom. It has newer permanent siding and newer windows. This house won't last long at this price. Call today for more information or to get your offer in.  12/31/2012

Check out our free iPhone App to search homes in Springfield MO. Ever see a home you like and wonder what it's priced at? When you are driving around Springfield, Ozark, Nixa and surrounding areas and see a home for sale, you can get the details and pictures on the go! Then if you like what you see, we'd be glad to give you a personal tour.  Our iPhone/iPad app shows homes for sale on a google map based on your location. Just click on the little red house and you can view all the details and photos from the MLS! You can even view as a map, hybrid, or list.  Download the app for free and enter the code 12913 to activate. It also works on the iPad and iPad2.    12/31/2012

If you are buying a home for sale in Springfield Missouri, make sure to use two sets of eyes! In other words, people purchase properties using both emotions and logical thinking. Let’s get emotional! Sometimes you look at a home and immediately think, hot dog this is the one! Let me get my checkbook and let’s write an offer! Whoa there Hoss, let’s think this over. Buying a house is an emotional experience. You love the color of the paint and the carpet, you can't get enough of the beautiful cabinetry and granite counter-tops. I'm with you! Did you see the size of that beautiful master bathroom and covered deck with hot tub? Purchasing a new house is an exciting time in your life and it's fun too! While cosmetic items are certainly very important, don't forget to use a little rational th... 12/26/2012

We would like to take a moment to wish all of our friends, family, and real estate clients a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We hope you get to enjoy some fun and food with your family this holiday season. Are you really going to eat that fruit cake? This has been a great year for people both buying and selling a home in the Ozarks. Thank you so very much for letting us help you buy a home in Springfield or sell a home in Springfield. We want to thank you for your support, bussiness, and friendship during the past year and also sincerely appreciate all of the referrals to your friends and acquaintances. We look forward to a great 2013! Best regards, Betty & John Knowles Spouses Selling Houses!   12/24/2012

What's Going on In & Around Springfield, Mo December 14, 15 and 16, 2012 It is the Christmas season here in the Ozarks! Here is What is Going on In and Around Springfield, Mo this gorgeous weekend. There are so many events to choose from.   Silver Dollar City $30 ticketsThursday, Friday, and Sunday during theChristmas season! Friday, December 14 Nixa: Live Band Dance,7pm-9:30pm, Nixa Senior Center, 404 S. Main St. 417-725-2322 There is a cover charge. Comedian Mike Birbiglia, 8pm, at the Gillioz Theatre, 325 Park Central East.    Tickets: $29-$19.   417-863-9491.    Tablescapes!   The Dickensian Christmas, presented by Peter Longley, 6pm, Springfield Botanical Center, 2400 S. Scenic Ave.   Ages 16 and older.   Fee: $8, pre-registration required.   417-891-1515.  Saturday, December 15 C... 12/14/2012

Southfork Subdivision Has Nice Variety! Southfork subdivision in Springfield, MO has a nice variety of properties for buyers that you don't always get with a lot of the new Subdivisions that you see going up these days. Most of the homes in Southfork and the surrounding subdivisons south of Plainview Rd are mostly custom built and have a unique look to them. It's a great area to live in with great schools like Cherokee Junior High and Kickapoo High school and you are close to everything but still on  the outskirts of town. You will find a range of home prices and sizes in this area, anything from $100k to $300k. One of the great feautures of the subdivision is it's park and pool area located in the center area of the neighborhood, the subdivision is old enough however that you can still... 12/10/2012

                                            Silver Dollar City offers a GREAT DISCOUNTED ADMISSION TICKET for $30 for the Christmas Season!!!!     You have heard about it, and you always wanted to go?      Or, you have a family tradition and you want to go!      Step back into time, and see some gorgeous lights, some great shows including Charles Dicken's Christmas  Carol, watch the Christmas Parade, rcatch a ride on the train known as the Silver Dollar Frisco Line, see the Saloon show, and even ride the rollercoasters in the dark weather permitting.    Also vailable, Lunch with Santa!!  Fried Chicken, Yum!!   It's a fun time, and you can do it for only $30 per ticket good on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.                 See what is Going on This Weekend In and Around Springfield, Mo.  ... 12/07/2012

It is the Christmas season here in the Ozarks! Here is What is Going on In and Around Springfield, Mo this gorgeous weekend. There are so many events to choose from.   Silver Dollar City $30 tickets Thursday, Friday, and Sunday during the Christmas season! Friday, December 7 Nixa: Live Band Dance,7pm-9:30pm, Nixa Senior Center, 404 S. Main St. 417-725-2322 There is a cover charge. Bob Hammons and Wildwood Band, 7pm at the Ozark Senior Center, 727 N. Ninth St.  Admission $3, 417-581-2538. Forth Annual Reindeer Run 5K, 7pm at J.R. Martin Park, 300 E. Hines St.  Fee $20, or $10 with a gift donation. A Christmas Carol, presented by Skinny Improv Comedy Theatre, 8pm, December 7 and 8th, at the Skinny Improv, 306 South Ave.    Tickets, $12, $10 for students.    417-831-5233, or email. First ... 12/07/2012

Deer Creek Subdivision, Springfield, MO If you're in the market for a nice home in a good subdivision in Springfield, MO you should check out homes in Deer Creek Subdivision. Deer Creek is a small subdivision with only 29 lots but it has the amenities that alot of larger subdivisions have like a swimming pool and basketball courts. It has a nice range of home sizes and prices and many of the homes are custom built so none of the houses are based on a "cookie cutter" model that you can find in a lot of subdivisions these days. It has little traffic so it is a nice safe neighborhood for the kids to play in. The best part is the location, just off of Weaver and farm rd 139 in desirable south Springfield and in the Wanda Gray, Cherokee and Kickapoo school districts. Give Deer Creek subdivis... 12/04/2012