I got married on May 21st this year.  We received so many nice gifts (and a LOT of bottles of wine...LOL).  I had specifically told the guests that we did not want any gifts.  We've been together for 6 years now, we've already set up home, and just felt like we were too old for new toasters, etc.  My request was that everyone make a donation to Children's Miracle Network instead.A couple of weeks ago, I walked into my office and found THIS: I couldn't believe it!!!  This work of art was made by Cheryl Willis.  You've met her here on ActiveRain, and I had the pleasure of being her "cell mate" in my office for a few months.  Cheryl is one of those people that you meet in life and never, never forget!  She is always happy, always upbeat, and always has a witty comment for everything.  I ca... 07/25/2011

I do it all the time....when you're not looking.....   07/24/2011

1651 W Lennox Place Springfield MO - ***SOLD*** A rare find in Southwest Springfield MO. This beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 bath home is located in the popular Kickapoo school district. Better than new condition and you will appreciate the curb appeal as you drive up to this gorgeous home! This home is move in ready. Special features include a large family room, beautiful kitchen, large master bedroom and a very nice master bath. 07/24/2011

Is now a good time to buy a home in Springfield MO? You bet it is! Take a look at this graph of interest rates for the past 20 years. As you can see, interest rates are at historic lows. At the same time, home prices are down, making this housing market one of the most affordable in our lifetimes. But wait, I don't want to lose any money on my home! No one does, but you have to look at the big picture. At these interest rates you can save thousands over the life of your loan. Even if you lost 10% on the sale of your current home, if you buy a higher priced home it is also down 10% from a few years ago saving you more money. For example, if you sell a home in Springfield MO  that you paid $100,000 for at $90,000 you lost 10% or $10,000. But if you buy a $200,000 home for 10% off that's $... 07/21/2011

A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it. Jean de la Fontaine     07/20/2011

4458 S Holland Ave, Springfield Missouri         Remarkable home in Shadowood on park-like setting! This beautiful home is next to a Springfield Greenway and backs up to Twin Oaks Country Club. This home has been well maintained and has a great floor plan including three living areas, all on one level. Features include 3 bedrooms, two baths, woodburning fireplace, lots of storage, and built in cabinets. You will enjoy the big fenced-in backyard with mature trees, beautiful landscaping, and large deck for entertaining guests. New windows in '07. Home inspection has been completed and a home warranty is included for your peace of mind. Don't miss out on this opportunity to own such a beautiful property! 07/19/2011

2620 E Delmar, Springfield Missouri   Beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 bath home located in SE Springfield just N. of Sunshine. Features include spacious kitchen with large pantry. Nice sized living room with a corner wood burning fireplace and vaulted ceilings. A very special feature of this home is Electric Radiant Floor Heating in the kitchen, master bath and hall bath. Imagine stepping on to the warm heated tiles on those cool mornings! The master bedroom is large and the master bath is delightful with double sinks. Other features include two additional nice sized bedrooms on the main floor and an additional bonus/bedroom upstairs. For more information about this home just give us a call or text! 07/19/2011

I Accept Short Sale Referrals - Springfield Mo Short Sales Words out that I successfully work short sales in the Springfield Mo real estate market.  This week I was approached by another real estate agent I've known for years to take over one of her listings.  It started out as a regular sale, but as time went on, the sellers transferred and now are in a situation to short sale their home. When asked if I do referrals on short sales, I responded: Of course I do!  They are no different than any other referral. Yes, short sales are more time consuming, but the rewards are just as great.  The seller is saved from years of bad credit due to foreclosure and the market doesn't get another foreclosure that may sit for months without care. Knowing that the other agent hadn't completed many shor... 07/17/2011

Yesterday, I wrote a blog about Selling a Home in Springfield, MO, and showed an example of how we were able to stage the seller's living room, using only what they already had, to bring attention to the best selling feature of the room. Today, we returned to finish the rest of the home.  Here are some examples of how we did:                                                               If you're considering selling your home in the Springfield, MO, area, call me to for a free market analysis, and see how my team can help you prepare your home so that it is marketed in the best possible light, and sell for the most money.   07/13/2011

Selling a home in today's market can be tough.  I tell my clients, "It's a beauty pageant and a price war....all rolled into one."  Preparing your home for the market can be difficult.  It requires you to be able to step back and view your home objectively, as a buyer would. I received a call from this seller a week ago.  When I interviewed for the listing, I advised the homeowner to "declutter" and start packing.  We needed to clear out the space so the buyers would be able to envision their own personal belongings in the home, and to be able to focus on the best features.  They called me this weekend to tell me that they were done, and were ready to hit the market. When we arrived today, I asked if it would be okay for us to "stage" the home a bit more.  Initially, they were hesitant.... 07/12/2011

Today is much more than the 4th of July. It is so much more than fireworks, hamburgers and hotdogs, boating at the lake, or a day off from work. It is the day we celebrate Independence Day. We don't just celebrate our independence from the Britian Empire, we celebrate our sovergn right to our God-given freedoms outlined in the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. Fireworks and picnics are fine, just please don't take for granted how we got here and how important it is to protect our freedoms! 07/04/2011

Springfield Missouri Real Estate Market Statistics June 2011 There are currently 1749 homes for sale in Springfield MO. The best selling price range for June was $50,000 to $99,000. This is also the price range with the most current listings. Real estate absorption rates in Springfield continue to vary widely by price range. Values above 26 weeks supply indicate a buyers market while below 26 weeks indicate a sellers market. If you would like to know what the rate is in your neighborhood or specific price range give us a call today! Springfield Missouri Real Estate 07/03/2011

Below is the Springfield MO Real Estate Market Report for June 2011. The market is down for homes priced from $100-200K, but sales are up for homes priced at $200K and up.  It appears that the first-time homebuyer market still hasn't rebounded from the tax credit frenzy of this time last year.  Once the first-time homebuyers return, I suspect we will see the market flourish even more in the home priced above $200K.       Homes for Sale in Springfield, MO: Total Active Listings: 1651 homes Under Contract:  277 pending sales Total Sold Listings for June:  266 sales Springfield MO Sales Price Information Average Sales Price: $144,034 Sale Price to List Price Ratio: 97.77% Days on Market (for Sold homes) Average Days on Market: 109 days     Search Springfield MO Homes For Sale 07/03/2011

We have been really busy lately selling homes in Springfield, Nixa, and Ozark, and now we are almost out of listings! We really need your help!  If you have been sitting on the fence trying to decide wether or not to sell a home in Springfield MO, now is the time! Give us a call or text at 417-631-7234 and we would be happy to show you our comprehensive marketing plan to get your home SOLD!  07/02/2011

We just got an accepted contract on this beautiful home in SE Springfield MO. This nice home has four bedrooms and two baths and is like new. Outside features are large deck, privacy fence, and beautiful landscaping. We have been very busy selling homes in Springfield this month. If you would like to sell your home please give us a call. We'd be glad to help! 07/01/2011

Lately, I've had the displeasure of dealing with a couple of new agents who are so obviously NOT experienced enough to be handling their side of the transaction.  Let me clarify....my displeasure does not come from dealing with an inexperienced agent.  As a matter of fact, I will usually go out of my way to accommodate a new agent and assist them as much as I can without crossing the line of misrepresenting my own client.  My frustration comes from the irritating manner in which these agents try to disguise or compensate for the fact that they are inexperienced by being overly aggressive, argumentative, and just plain rude.  Do they believe that in order to represent their clients in the highest manner, they must fight a vicious, bloody and grueling fight of epic proportions on the fiel... 06/29/2011

Springfield Mo Search For Foreclosures - A New Link Recently, thanks to a new tab from our Springfield Multiple Listing System, they added a new foreclosure catagory. My website is now set up to search directly for Springfield Mo Foreclosures. Springfield Mo Foreclosures Combined with low interest rates.....I mean interest rates below 5%.....lower home values, Springfield Mo foreclosures are on of the best buys on the market. Here's an example: Recently I sold a Nixa Mo foreclosure.....an all brick walkout basement home built in 2006, with over 4000 Square feet. The buyer had been trying for several years and we received an offer the last day of his listing.  His payment was approximately $750.00 a month and 6% interest.  An older home, with less than 2000 Square Feet, in a great neighb... 06/25/2011

A Change Of Pace - Showing Springfield Mo Real Estate My job as a team leader is usually to list property, marketing, and answer the phone calls.  This weekend I am showing property. Showing property is like riding a bicycle.  No matter how long it's been, you start the wheel rolling and keep the bicycle upright.  Right?  I feel like a kid in a candy store.  I get to see more than one home in a day. Today, we looked at two homes.....vacant, so I didn't have to make appointments.  Tomorrow is a different story.  I have mapped out the homes I've selected that meets the buyers criteria, called the sellers to set up the appointments and printed out the disclosures and covenants for the buyers for each home.. I've shown my fair share of homes over the past 25 years, but I've learned that tod... 06/25/2011

Open House June 26th 2-4 pm  2620 E Delmar St, Springfield, MO 65804 Beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 bath home located in SE Springfield just N. of Sunshine. Features include spacious kitchen with large pantry. Nice sized living room with a corner wood burning fireplace and vaulted ceilings. A very special feature of this home is Electric Radiant Floor Heating in the kitchen, master bath and hall bath. 06/24/2011

Here in Springfield MO, QR codes are becoming more and more popular as mobile phone internet users are quickly overtaking the number of desktop computer users. With all the hype about QR codes, you may wonder if they are just the latest version of the pet rock or hula hoop. Well, it looks like they are here to stay.  Mobile Internet users want information fast. This is where QR codes come in! Simply scan the code and it takes you directly to a website with more information.  Some of the most common uses for QR codes are real estate fliers which take you directly to a virtual tour of a home, magazine ads with detailed information, business cards that scan to a home search page, sign riders for detailed home info, and promotional items. You get the idea. Here is a sample of our QR code on... 06/07/2011