What is going on this weekend  “In and Around Springfield, Mo?”   There is A LOT going on, “In and Around Springfield, Mo”,    September 22, 23, 24, and 25, 2011.   There are things to do for FREE and for a price!   No matter what you choose do this weekend, make it a fun and exciting weekend and most of all memorable! September 22:   There is the Ozark Farmer’s Market Downtown on the Square, Thursday beginning at 5pm.  839-5668. September 22 - October 2, Wed-Sun see Hair Spray at the Springfield Little Theater.   Tickets are $22 for adults and $15 for anyone under the age of 14.    September 23-24  Consider, Civil War Lantern Light Tour at Smallin Cave.   Cost @29.95.  Pre-registration and $5.00 deposit required.  www.SmallinCave.com or email SmallinCave@suddenlink.net Sep... 09/22/2011

Greater Springfield MO New Construction Home SalesThe Greater Springfield, MO, area has been the fastest growing area in the State of Missouri for the past 10 years.  With the downturn of the real estate market, new construction was the first segment of the market to be affected.  Most builders stopped completely.  Others tried to continue on, but were caught in the continued downturn and eventually went bankrupt.  Those builders that survived continue to build, but not at the rapid pace of the real estate boom from 2003 to 2006.  It is becoming increasingly more difficult to find a new construction home, or even a home less than 5 years old for that matter.The chart below details the number of home sales for 2010 v. 2011.  You can see the reduction in the number of new construction hom... 09/21/2011

                        National Place Subdivision in Springfield, MO, will be having their Association Garage Sale this Saturday,  September 24, 2011.               National Place is located on the southwest side of Springfield, Mo.   From Campbell and James River Expressway,  go South on Campbell to Weaver Rd.  Go East (L) on Weaver  to the entrance of National Place located on the south side of the Road.   National Place is located fifteen minutes from Nixa, and ten minutes to James River Freeway.   National Place is minutes to the Library, Sams, and within 15 minutes to Cox South Hospital.                  Love  National Place Subdivision in Springfield, Mo?   If you are interested in seeing what houses are available to buy in National Place  Subdivision and other comparable neighbo... 09/21/2011

            Carriage Park Subdivision in Springfield, MO, will be having their Annual Fall Neighborhood Garage Sale September 23 and 24th, due to a rain out last weekend.   Carriage Park limits garage sales to only a few weekends a year, unless a hardship request is made, making it desirable because of the quantity of garage sales  in one great neighborhood on one weekend.              Carriage Park is located on the southwest side of Springfield, Mo.   From Campbell and Republic Rd go west (R), to south on Cox (L) to Carriage Park Subdivision, located on the West side (R).    Carriage Park is located ten minutes from Nixa, and five minutes to James River Freeway, right off of Kansas Expressway and Republic Rd.              Love  the Carriage Park Subdivision in Springfield, Mo?   If yo... 09/21/2011

Greater Springfield MO Real Estate Market Single Family Home Sales - 2010 v. 2011     Want to know how the 2011 real estate market in the Greater Springfield, MO, area compares with the real estate market in 2011?  Below is a chart which shows the total number of single family home sales per month for each year. I was surprised to see that until the past couple of months, our sales were actually down in comparison with last year.  Much of this is attributable to the first-time homebuyer's tax credit.  Once the tax credit ended, it was literally months before we began to see first-time home buyers have much of a presence in our market again.  It appears that we have turned a corner, and a new market is emerging with the re-introduction of the first-time home buyers in the game.  This wi... 09/20/2011

Current statistics show that about 80% of all Internet users view video online. Furthermore, 30 percent of all Web traffic is devoted to video. That number could be as high as 70 percent by 2020. Today's home buyers and sellers place a premium on video. However, only 3% of all real estate agents have a YouTube channel or use video to market homes and their businesses.  Its really interesting to note that 73% of the sellers are more likely to hire an agent who uses video in their business. It just makes sense when you consider the statistics above.  As REALTORS® in the Springfield MO area, we really enjoy producing video of homes for sale, community events, local items of interest, and parks and outdoor activities in SW Missouri. Not only is it part of our marketing plan, its a lot of fu... 09/20/2011

LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE in Springfield, Mo           is currently hosting its first Job Fair, September 19 to 25th, 9am to 6pm.  After breaking ground June 8, 2011, LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE is now hiring a full staff to open their Steakhouse, October 10, 2011.    Wondering if LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE is a great fit for your future employment?   Longhorn Steakhouse is opening over 20 new restaurants this year.   They have done just as many remodels in 2011.   This is a booming company!   Longhorn Team Benefits   ·         Weekly Pay ·         Day One Medical Coverage ·         Retirement Plans ·         Eye Care Savings Plan ·         Paid Vacations ·         Dining Discounts ·         401K Savings Plan ·         Life Insurance Longhorn Management Benefits are attractive as well.  According to their w... 09/19/2011

                    Are you looking for a HUD house in or around Springfield, MO?   I see A LOT of properties, some that are GREAT PROPERTIES, this one grabbed my attention in the MLS, and I went and looked at it.    It is worth sharing with anyone who is considering buying a house in Springfield, MO in the $150,000 to $185,000 price range and want to see the HUD properties.                        Located at 5463 S. Dayton, in El Chateau, in Springfield, Mo, this home has 4 Bedroom, 3Full Bath, 2 Car Garage, and 2840 sq. foot.  Great  Floor plan,  Lots of Windows, Roomy Kitchen, and close to south 160 and James River Expressway in Springfield, MO.    HOA fees are currently $350 per year.              Priced at $170,000!         YOU NEED TO KNOW EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT IS ONE PERCENT (1%) ... 09/19/2011

SPRINGFIELD CIRCUS SPECTACULAR! The Springfield Circus Spectacular is scheduled for Thursday, October 6th, through Sunday, October 9th, 2011, at the John Q. Hammons Arena on the campus of Missouri State University.  This year's performers will be: Michelle Audrey - Ringmistress Bruno Blaszak - Lion & Tiger Tamer The Marinof Duo - Trapeze Artists The Mighty Bo - Largest Performing Elephant on Earth! Cavorting Clowns The Georgettes Magic Extravaganza All proceeds benefit Champions Committed to KIDS, a local charity formed in partnership with Cox Medical Centers and St. John's Hospitals to benefit children battling chronic illnesses, such as cancer, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis or diabetes, and places them with area athletic programs to allow the children to forget about doctor ... 09/18/2011

                    Are you looking for a HUD house in or around Springfield, MO?   I see A LOT of properties, some that are GREAT PROPERTIES, this one grabbed my attention in the MLS, and I went and looked at it.    It is worth sharing with anyone who is considering buying a house in Springfield, MO in the $175,000 to $250,000 price range and want to see the HUD properties.                        Located at 854 N. Woodbury, in Pearson Meadows, in Springfield, Mo, this home has 4 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 3 Car Garage, and 2200 sq. foot.   I love Back Yard, Lots of Windows, Roomy Kitchen, and the layout, which is ideal for Entertaining.    Close to Hwy 65 and minutes to I-44 and James River Expressway in Springfield, MO              Priced at $215,000!         YOU NEED TO KNOW EARNEST MONEY DEPO... 09/18/2011

Springfield Mo Homes With Two or More acres - Springfield Mo Real Estate Located in the Southwest part of Missouri, Springfield is the fourth most populated county in Missouri.  Springfield is one of many towns in Greene County.  Other cities include Battlefield, Republic, Willard, Strafford and parts of Rogersville.   Adjacent counties include Christian, Polk, Dallas, Webster, Lawrence and Dade.   Springfield has grown at a rate of 1.9% over the past 10 years and now has a population of over 430,000 people. Homes with acreage in Springfield Missouri include homes in established subdivisions.  Today, building codes only allow new homes to be built with 5 acres or more, unless they include city water and sewer. Search for Springfield Mo Homes with acreage now. 09/18/2011

We had the privilege this week of visiting College of the Ozarks with Dr. Danita L. Frazier, Associate Professor of Teacher Education. Danita is also my best friend from high school. We had a great time touring the campus and reminiscing. College of the Ozarks, also known as Hard Work U, is a private, Christian school that overlooks Lake Taneycomo in Point Lookout, Missouri which is about 40 miles S of Springfield. This university always ranks very high on the best colleges lists. One thing that sets College of the Ozarks apart is that 90% of the incoming students must show financial need to be accepted. Students then work 15 hours per week on campus at various job such as the cafeteria, the Keeter Center, dairy, museum, fire station, power station, and others. In turn for their hard wo... 09/18/2011

Charlie Daniels Is Coming To Drury University! Charlie Daniels is scheduled to perform live at the O'Reilly Family Event Center on November 17, 2011.  Opening acts will include Springfield, MO, native Chris Cavanaugh, and Noe Palma from Kansas City.It's hard to believe that he has been performing for over 50 years now.  His classic "Devil Went Down To Georgia" has been a favorite of mine since I was a little girl.  It's one of those songs that I can't help but turn the radio up when it comes on, it just never gets old. Tickets go on sale on September 23, 2011, at the O'Reilly Family Event Center box office, or at www.drurytickets.com.  Ticket costs are $29.50, $39.50, and $59.50 plus handling.     09/17/2011

                  Academy Sports and Outdoors in Springfield, MO opened its doors for business today, September 16, 2011. It is their soft opening with their Grand Opening September 30 to October 2, 2011.                 Conveniently located on the southwest side of Springfield, Mo, Academy Sports and Outdoors had a large turnout as it opened to the public.    Fresh and clean isles, with so much to choose from, it definitely will be a place that everyone in the car has on their wish list.   With guns, apparel, which I thought was very competitively priced, sporting goods, camping gear, electronics and so much to choose from, you are sure to buy something or put it on your Christmas /Birthday/Honey, I LOVE YOU Wish List!          Academy Sports and Outdoors has been in business for 74 ye... 09/17/2011

                         So YOU are MOVING TO SPRINGFIELD, MO!!    Here is the list of phone numbers for turning on utilities.                                  Welcome to Springfield, Mo!               I have compiled some helpful phone number's and websites that will make your move to Springfield, Mo  a little easier!   City Utilities 1-417-863-9000 ext. 0        CLick Here to Arrange Service on the internet. Electric Rates,  Water Rates, Sewer, Gas Rates                                       Level Pay is Available Great Tip:   When moving, Check with current owners for information on their choice of trash service.      AT and T             1-800-464-7928 Centurytel         1-800-201-4099 Mediacom          1-417-875-5500 Dish Network     1-888-609-5982 DirecTV               1-800-280-4... 09/15/2011

We are doing more and more video to market our homes for sale and were inspired to make this video for the Activerain Talent Competition! For this contest we decided to do something fun and show off our video making skills at the same time. Who says REALTORS® don't have fun? Warning: its hard to hold a camera going this fast! Let us know what you think! 09/15/2011

Springfield MO Living – Are you prepared for natural disasters? Living in a modern world with instant access to anything via the internet, cell phones, TV, and other conveniences we sometimes forget to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.  When the unexpected happens, we can’t rely on electricity, water, or even food to be available when we need it. Living in the Midwest we have our share of tornados, floods, ice storms, and historically earthquakes. Did you know the New Madrid earthquakes in 1811 and 1812 were the most powerful earthquakes in US history? They were felt as far away as New York City, Boston, and Washington D.C. An earthquake of this magnitude today would cause billions of dollars in damage. Here in the Ozarks we are generally a self-reliant group of individuals a... 09/14/2011

                What is going on this weekend In and Around Springfield, Mo, Septembr 15, 16, 17, and 18th?   There is A LOT going on In and Around Springfield, Mo,    September 15-19, 2011, free and for a price!   No matter what you choose, MAKE IT A FUN AND EXCITING WEEKEND AND MOST OF ALL MEMORABLE! September 15:   There is the Ozark Farmer’s Market Downtown on the Square, Thursday beginning at 5pm.  839-5668. September 15 - 17:   Rummage Sale by Finley River Fine Artist, 8am to 3pm.   Sale is located at 205 E. South Street in Ozark.   581-8222 September 15 - 17:   Attend 51st Annual Hootin and Hollarin’ Festival on the Gainsville square.   Free!      679-4493 September 15 – 18:  The 50th annual Ozarks Steam Engine Association Steam-o-Rama, 9am at the Republic Show grounds on Hwy 60 ... 09/14/2011

Karpet KO Carpet CleaningProfessional Carpet Cleaner in the Springfield, MO, Area So often, I'm contacted by a homeowner to list their home for sale, and arrive only to have the homeowner say, "I know, I need to clean the carpets."  Yep....you do.  Dirty or smelly carpeting can not only send a signal to a potential buyer that the home has not been maintained properly, it can have a direct impact on the value of your home.  The condition and cleanliness of your carpet is one aspect of your home that buyers pay close attention to.  If your carpet is a living memorial to your new puppy, your toddler's first experiment with an open cup, residue from your latest shop project, or your teenager's most recent mud football adventure, many buyers will choose to skip any attempt at cleaning the ca... 09/13/2011

  I received a tidbit of information today through an email from Carla Green at Arvest Bank in Springfield, Mo.   Interesting information, for sure, thought i would share. Social security #'s began being assigned in 1936 to track workers' earnings so that proper benefits could be paid. These 9 digit numbers were created from a specific formula. This year, that formula is changing.  Social security numbers have always been comprised of 3 number sections; the 3 digit area number, followed by the 2 digit group number, and then a 4 digit serial number. The area number reflects the state in which the card was issued.  This sequence creation has begun to pose some problems. 1.     Because the first 3 numbers indicate the state the number was issued (look at this chart to see the numbers by st... 09/13/2011