As REALTORS® in Springfield Missouri, we do a LOT of driving. One useful tool to make it easier to get around is the handy GPS. Ever wonder how it works? High above your head are 24 satellites in orbit to allow your device to do its thing. Your GPS receives signals from these satellites that tell them their location and measures the distance between any three satellites to triangulate your exact location. It's kind of like big brother on steroids except that your GPS doesn't transmit; it only receives signals.      The big question is, is it useful to you? Personally I don't miss the days of trying to decipher driving directions on the MLS to homes for sale. Yes I still use the written directions but it's very nice to have the GPS to get me in the ballpark, and usually right in front o... 12/17/2009

Before listing your home for sale in Springfield Missouri, you need to find an expert REALTOR® to help you along the way. Here are some important questions to ask when you interview potential candidates to list your home.  1.      Do you work as a full-time REALTOR®? You wouldn't go to a part-time doctor, even if they were of your friends. 2.      How many homes did you sell in the last 12 months? Of the homes sold, how many were "normal" sales compared to foreclosures and short sales? You want someone that has experience in your personal situation. It doesn't matter if they work for a large or small company, what matters is results. 3.      Do you have a comprehensive marketing plan designed specifically to sell my house? Some other REALTORS®  may only use the 5 P's. Put your home on ... 12/17/2009

The Elfindale Mansion is a beautiful old home in Springfield Missouri that is now Missouri's largest bed & breakfast with 13 suites and is host for many weddings and parties throughout the year. It has been authentically restored from top to bottom and is filled with interesting architectural features and fine woodwork. There are also many mysteries and legends surrounding this historic home. It's kind of spooky at night! If you ever get the chance to visit, I highly recommend it. You can visit their website for more information and to learn more about the history of Elfindale.  Its kind of spooky at night! Stairs to the Tower 12/16/2009

Are you thinking about buying a home in Springfield Missouri? Here's why you should strongly consider signing a buyer's agency form with a REALTOR® to assist with your home buying process. ADVANTAGES OF A BUYER AGENCY AGREEMENT SPRINGFIELD MISSOURI Your interests are professionally represented. Enlisting the services of a professional Buyer’s Agent is similar to using an accountant to help you with your taxes, a doctor to help you with your health care, or a mechanic to help you with your car. If you had the time to devote to learning everything about accounting, medicine, and automotive mechanics, you could perform these services yourself. But seriously, who has time for such endeavors? This is why you enlist the help of proven professionals. Your real estate agent will take care of t... 12/14/2009

Are you thinking about buying a home in Springfield Missouri? Let a REALTOR®  be your guide. A licensed real estate professional provides much more than the service of helping you find your ideal home. REALTORS® are expert negotiators with other agents, seasoned financial advisors with customers, and superb navigators around the local neighborhood. They are members of the National Association of REALTORS® and must abide by a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. A professional REALTOR® is your best resource when buying your home. Before starting your new home search, you need to choose a REALTOR® to work with.  You will spend a lot of time with them during the home buying process so it is important to work with someone who is knowledgeable and you are comfortable with. • A knowledg... 12/14/2009

Springfield Missouri Real Estate Market Statistics as of Dec 2, 2009. There was a big spike in home sales in November for homes priced less than $140,000. This is due to the first time homeowner tax credit and hopefully an upturn in the general market. As you can see, the absorption rates are very good for the lower price ranges indicating a seller's market for that price range. The higher priced homes are still a buyer's market with much higher supply than demand. 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                                     12/03/2009

Bank of America has just released a press releasing stating it is going to refund the U.S. Government $45 Billion in TARP funds, plus interest.  Under the terms of the TARP agreement, Bank of America is repurchasing the 600,000 share of preferred stock it issued to the U.S. Treasury.  It plans to repay the $45 Billion using $26.2 Billion in excess liquidity, as well as $18.8 Billion in proceeds from the sale of "common equivalent securities" it plans to convert into common stocks.  It also plans to increase liquidity by $4 Billion through "asset sales" by June 30, 2010. Could this be a sign that the company most notorious for dragging their feet on short sales could possibly be in a position to improve the speed by which they handle short sales?  Does this mean we might actually see som... 12/02/2009

A large crowd of well wishers braved the bitterly cold weather to camp out in front of Border’s Book Store in Springfield Missouri last night. They are here to get their books signed by Sarah Palin and maybe get a few words in with the popular political figure. Sarah is very popular with ordinary people, women, and conservatives. Her book “Going Rogue” is a best seller and is being promoted on her state-to-state book tour. This evening she will be the keynote speaker at College Of The Ozarks to a packed house. We would like to be there but unfortunately the 4,000 tickets went extremely fast. There is a lot of speculation that Palin will make a run for the white house in 2012 as an independent or possibly a Republican. From the support she’s getting, she may very well be the first woman... 12/02/2009

New construction is a segment of the industry hit the hardest in the housing market.  Builders and developers quickly became the first targets of the banks once federal regulators walked in and began trying to shore up trouble assets.  New construction in the outlying communities of the Springfield, MO, area practically came to a complete stop.  Finding a new construction home for sale in an affordable price range is rare now. Looking at the national stats on new construction spending through October, it appears that we might just have found a bottom.  While new construction spending did not increase significantly, it also did not fall.  The graph below represents private construction residential spending v. private construction non-residential spending (courtesy of www.calculatedriskbl... 12/02/2009

As a listing agent I often get to give my 2-cents opinion on what to 'DO' with the over flow from cleaning a property to sell or from a re-model project.  I have a great place to share with my customers/clients. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Springfield, MO, accepts donations of new and used home improvement supplies, furniture and appliances. Great thing is that your donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE!  and.... Proceeds from the ReStore help build Habitat for Humanity homes locally. I don't want to sound like an add but when you find a group that is doing so much to help the community it is hard not to call a little attention to them. Open to the Public:  Mon-Sat  8:30am--5:00pm  2410 S. Scenic Ave, Springfield MO Give them a call @ 417-829-4001 to schedule a FREE Pick-Up on donations ... 12/01/2009

As REALTORS® in Springfield Missouri, we've seen and smelled just about everything. Lets face it. When you are trying to sell your home, people don't want to walk in the door and get hit in the face with unusual smells. At best it's distracting but at it's worst it will absolutely prevent anyone from seriously considering buying your home. Here are some common odors that can kill the deal. Pet smells. You may be used to the aroma from Kitty's litter box, but your buyers aren't. Make sure it's kept clean. Ammonia is not a pleasant smell. Smoke. If your home smells like an ashtray, people will label your home the "smoker's home" and probably won't come back. Mold. Mold is serious business. If people see or smell it, the party's over. Gas. No, not that kind of gas, propane or natural gas. ... 12/01/2009

Casa Grande Drive - North Valley Estates Open House - Springfield Mo Real Estate Here's a sneak preview of eight homes we will be marketing this week in North Valley Estates.  North Valley Estates is a newer subdivision on the northwest side of Springfield.  Prices will start from $105,000 - $115,000.  Open house will be in a few weeks, giving us time to spruce up these foreclosures.                        There will be a few 3 bedrooms, but the majority of them are 4 bedrooms.  Seven of the eight homes are ranch style homes.  One has a finished walkout basement. If you are planning to purchase a home in Springfield, take a look at these great homes.  Call and we will be happy to help you with your real estate needs. 11/29/2009

Have you ever wondered how safe your Springfield MO neighborhood is?  Are you moving to Springfield, MO, and wondering how safe a particular neighborhood is? The City of Springfield has a wonderful website where you can view crime reports for burglary, vandalism, rape, domestic violence, automobile accidents, etc.  You can access it at Crime Seen. Here is an example of the burglaries in a portion of South Springfield.  Simply zoom in on the map to the area of interest and check which crimes you'd like to search for. Search for Springfield MO Homes For Sale 11/29/2009

According to the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts, bankruptcy filings are up 34% over last fiscal year.  To find out how your state ranks in bankruptcy filings, see the chart below provided by The Calculated Risk Blog. I was talking with a family member on Thanksgiving Day about how professions that you wouldn't think would be affected by the current economy are suffering.  It seems that nobody is safe anymore.  My response was, "The only occupations that are truly safe in a poor economy is funeral director and bankruptcy attorney." 11/28/2009

This is the fifth installment in a series to guide you through buying a home in the Springfield, MO, area.  If you missed the first four installments, I'm including the links here: Buying a Home in the Springfield MO Area - Part 1 - Getting PreApproved for a Loan Buying a Home in the Springfield MO Area - Part II - Selecting a Realtor Buying a Home in the Springfield MO Area - Part III - Choosing Your Area/Community Buying a Home in the Springfield MO Area - Part IV - Search For a Home Now...you're preapproved for a loan, you've selected your Realtor, you've chosen your area/community, and you've looked at homes...what's next?  Researching your home of interest. This is where working with the right Realtor is invaluable.  Your Realtor should be able to research your home of interest and... 11/28/2009

This is the fourth installment in a series to guide you through buying a home in the Springfield, MO, area.  If you missed the first three installments, I'm including the links here: Buying a Home in the Springfield MO Area - Part 1 - Getting PreApproved for a Loan Buying a Home in the Springfield MO Area - Part II - Selecting a Realtor Buying a Home in the Springfield MO Area - Part III - Choosing Your Area/Community Now...you're preapproved for a loan, you've selected your Realtor, and you've chosen your area/community...what's next?  LOOKING FOR HOMES! This is the fun part!  When searching for a home, it is important to tell your Realtor what your needs and wants are.  Many people these days prefer to search online themselves.  There are many excellent online resources for you.  My w... 11/28/2009

Welcome To Springfield Missouri - A Tour Down Memory Lane - Visiting Springfield Mo Real Estate My daughter and her family were here for Thanksgiving this week, so today we took a tour through Springfield to show her the many changes that have taken place since she moved away over 10 years ago.       We started at Springfield Lake capturing the beauty of the calm lake and the new subdivisions that surround it now.  Lexington Square was one of the many new subdivisions that have developed in the past few years.       We traveled up National Avenue, where we stopped to view Missouri State University and the new stadium.  My grandson is turning 16 soon and is beginning to look for a college he will be attending.  Near the university, we passed the John Q Hammons arena. Home of the Bears an... 11/28/2009

This is the third installment in a series to guide you through buying a home in the Springfield, MO, area.  If you missed the first two installments, I'm including the links here: Buying a Home in the Springfield MO Area - Part 1 - Getting PreApproved for a Loan Buying a Home in the Springfield MO Area - Part II - Selecting a Realtor Now, you're preapproved for a loan, and you've selected your Realtor...what's next?  Choosing Your Area/Community.  If you're new to the Springfield, MO, area, you're probably unfamiliar with the various communities and areas. I always recommend spending at least one day with your Realtor driving through the different areas.  Get a feel for the different communities in your chosen area.  Ask yourself some of the following questions: What is the housing mark... 11/28/2009

I met a REALTOR® recently at a home closing and really had to do a double take! Is this the right person? I've seen their picture on their business cards, Internet,  and advertising and I was really surprised how different they looked than their picture! It was almost like the pictures you see on late night infomercials.  Results not typical!   Don't these people realize that their clients notice this and have a chuckle behind their back? Face it, we all get older and get different hairstyles or maybe a little bald so it's important to update your picture every couple of years so people know who you are! You wouldn't want to be accused of false advertising! Are you looking for a REALTOR® in Springfield Missouri? We promise you will recognize us from our picture! 11/28/2009

If you want to buy Christmas cards and support a good cause at the same time, consider buying CASA Christmas Cards. CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates of SW Missouri is a non-profit orginazation that helps abused and neglected children in Springfield Missouri and the Ozarks. All the card designs are drawn by the children! Buy your cards here. 11/27/2009