Don't miss out on this truly historic buying opportunity for first-time home owners! Here are several great reasons why now is the time to act. $8,000 tax credit! This is FREE money! Interest rates are around 4.75% Wow! Home prices are lower and more affordable! Better choice. There are a lot of homes to choose from! Foreclosures and shortsales provide even more affordable prices! You can tell we're excited! If you are even considering buying a home, contact us today for more information. We can walk you through the process and answer your questions. We're here to help! Serving Springfield, Ozark, Nixa and surrounding areas of SW Missouri. Springfield Missouri homes for sale             05/13/2009

Market Report - Residential Springfield Missouri April 2009 Real Estate         Single Family Total Sold 193     Date Range 4/01/09- 4/30/09    Sold Price Range $9,000 -  $475,000   Average Sold Price $135,024     Average DOM (Days On Market) 69     Under Contract 411     Under Contract Price Range $22,000-  $799,900   Average UC Listing Price $154,113     Active Listings 1603     Price Range $19,900-  $799,900   Average Listing Price $182,873        Data Provided by GSBOR on 5/01/09. Max price range included $800,000. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Prepared by John Knowles, REALTOR. Springfield Missouri Real Estate Listings 05/01/2009

Top 6 Reasons Now Is The Best Time To Buy A Home in Ozark, Nixa, Or Springfield Missouri! It's no secret it's a buyer's market. The selection of homes is good in all price ranges. This means you can get a great deal whether you are a first-time buyer or moving up to a larger home. Interest rates are very competitive.  With rates below 5%. This helps homes be even more affordable. Foreclosures, REO's, and short sales. While the real estate market in the Ozarks is much better than other parts of the country, there are still a good number of foreclosed and short sale properties available. If you are looking for investment property or just a good deal, now is the time to act. The real estate market moves in cycles. Historically when you buy a home in a slower market, when the market recover... 04/30/2009

I just watched the Dave Ramsey Town Hall of Hope broadcast to millions of people across the country. What an inspiration! He talked a lot about personal responsibility, work, politics and even real estate. He also compared our current recession to ones in the past.  He believes that the housing market will be the driving force to bring us out of the recession. I encourage everyone to check it out at townhallofhope.com     Springfield Missouri Real Estate Listings 04/23/2009

If you are thinking about buying a home in Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, or surrounding areas of SW Missouri, don't miss this opportunity! This $8,000 tax credit is free money that you can use for any purpose. Click here for detailed information on the new $8,000 tax credit available for Springfield Missouri!   04/12/2009

1. Interest rates are at historic lows below 5% It's incredible that rates are this low at the same time prices are affordable.  2. New $8,000 tax credit available for first time homeowners or if you haven't owned a home in the last 3 years you still qualify! This is free money that doesn't have to be repaid! You can file an amended 2008 tax return and get it now or wait until next year's taxes and get it then. It's your choice.  3. There is a good selection of homes to choose from in Springfield, Ozark, and Nixa. No matter what type home you are looking for, we can find it for you.  4. Prices are affordable. Although SW Missouri hasn't been hit nearly as hard as some parts of the country, there are still some great deals out there. Even if you sold your current home at a discount, you... 04/10/2009

Market Report - Residential Greene County Missouri  March 2009 Real Estate         Single Family Total Sold        231   Date Range          3/01/09 - 3-31/09   Sold Price Range        $13,500 - $949,000   Average Sold Price          $133,167   Average DOM (Days On Market)      77   Under Contract        485   Under Contract Price Range        $15,000 - $749,900   Average Listing Price          $150,505   Active Listings through 500k        2097   Price Range        $19,900 - $500,000   Average Listing Price          $169,389   Data Provided by GSBOR on 04/07/09. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Prepared by John Knowles, REALTOR. Search homes for sale in Springfield Missouri   04/07/2009

The Springfield Mo real estate market is over for 2008.  Across the country, prices have dropped, foreclosures have increased and short sales have become one of the best ways to market your home. I received an email recently from a Springfield resident requesting I continue with updates on the Springfield Residential market.  (Careful of what you write about......you never know who's watching!  LOL! Rumor has it that the market is very slow, Springfield homes are not selling and the market reports are depressing.  But that's for those consumers that are not willing to readjust their prices to refect today's market.  So far this year, 4,795 homes were on the market in January, 2009.  1,175 new listings were introduced to the market and 279 sold.  Remember, this is only 5% (FIVE PERCENT) ... 04/05/2009

 Springfield Missouri real estate has ended and we're now in the ending quarter of 2009.  Looking back for the past 4 years, here's a recap of the real estate market. 2008 ended with 16,331 residental homes listed on the market, with 6,082 homes selling.  Think of it this way: that's only 37% of the homes that actually sold.  The other homeowners (63%) were not fortunate enough to be able to relocate. In 2007 40% of the homes listed, sold.  In 2006, almost 50% home homes listed, sold, and in 2005 59% sold. Average sold prices now average the same as homes sold in 2005. What does all this mean to the average Springfield residential seller?  If you want to sell your home in 2009, you must be the best home on the market, it the best condition, at the best price.  RESIDENTIAL New Listings A... 04/05/2009

I get asked by customers all the time for names of good Lenders to work with.  I have a stack of business cards on my desk from good people in the industry that I have had successful working relationships with.  I try to keep names and numbers available so I can offer several (we don't want to play favorites!)  I am proud to say that I am ready to add Terri Snow of Guaranty Bank in Ozark, MO to my list. Terri has a work ethic that I can easily work with.   If one is looking for a home in Ozark or surrounding areas and has not secured a loan officer, I would like them to give her a call and see what products she can offer. Plz feel free to drop my name when you GIVE TERRI a CALL.  Make an appointment to discuss your buying needs and then give me a call to assist in finding the 'dream pro... 04/03/2009

HOME BUYERS 101 SEMINAR  EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE CENTER   910 W. BATTLEFIELD    7 APRIL 2009   6:45 - 9:00 P.M.    FEATURING    BRIAN CHICK BANK OF AMERICA   HOME BUYERS GOVERNMENT TAX REBATES FHA LOANS THE LOAN PROCESS  TERRI SNOW GUARANTY BANK USDA RURAL DEVEOLPMENT GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM HUD LOANS THE LO0AN PROCESS  CAROL COCKRELL   TITAN TITLE COMPANY   WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO HAVE A GOOD TITLE COMPANY WHAT DO TITLE COMPANIES DO  STEVE MIROWSKI   MIROWSKI HOME INSPECTIONS   WHAT DOES A HOME INSPECTOR REALLY DO ARE HOME INSPECTIONS NECESSARY  JOHN BISHOP   FARMERS INSURANCE   How to shop for Home Owners Insurance What does a good policy really do  RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY   CALL 417-631-7234 OR 417-818-7481     SPONSORED BY   LEE SKILES   417-818-7481                    BETTY KNOWLES  4... 03/22/2009

History has a way of evolving in our Springfield real estate area. Yesterday I read in the Springfield Business Journal that our wonderful business of of 141 years, Springfield Mill and Lumber is closing.  This family owned property is secumbing to the economic times that is forcing so many businesses to close. Personally, I never have been to Springfield Mill and Lumber.  However, many builders that I have worked with have helped to keep these doors open.  No doubt, these builders are struggling with their own futures and wonder how they are going to survive these economic hard times. No  doubt they will be sorely missed in the community.  For some employees, retirement may be ahead.  For others, we wish much success in finding new jobs.  We will overcome these hard times!  We Will Su... 02/24/2009

Here is the latest market report for real estate in Greene County Missouri. This includes Springfield Real Estate and surrounding areas. If you would like more specific information about homes in your neighborhood, give us a call today!  417-631-7234   www.teamknowles.com   Greene County Missouri Real Estate   Under Contract 380 Under Contract Price Range $13,500 - $799,900 Average Listing Price $150,722 Average Days on Market 82 Active Listings 2116 Price Range $28,500 - $889,900 Average Listing Price $185,656 Data Provided By GSBOR on 2/17/09. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Prepared by John Knowles, REALTOR.     02/17/2009

What To Expect From Lina Robertson When Selling Your Home in the Springfield MO Area Are you thinking of selling your home in the Springfield MO area?  There is much work to do and things to consider before hammering the real estate sign in your front yard.  The first step being preparing your home to put on the market.  Once your home is ready, it's time to interview prospective realtors.  Most people don't know how to properly interview a realtor, and what questions to ask to point you to the realtor who is most qualified and likely to sell your home in the fastest time possible for the best price possible. Nearly all realtors will put a sign in your yard and submit your listing to the Springfield MLS.  They might even hold an open house and place an ad in the local newspaper.  What d... 02/15/2009

Groundhogs (or woodchucks if you prefer) hibernate during the winter. - A lot of  real estate sellers hibernate until spring to sell their homes. Did you know, winter is actually a great time to sell a home because there is less competition out there! Groundhogs theoretically are afraid of their shadow - a lot of buyers and sellers are afraid to do anything because of fear.  Now really is a great time to buy because interest rates are low and prices are down. You can sell your home and break even and then upgrade to a better house at a great price! Groundhogs are big rodents that live underground but you don't have to! We can show you any property on the market no matter who its listed by.   Call TeamKnowles and we'll help you buy or sell your home. Specializing in Springfield Missouri... 02/01/2009

I am not a photographer, but every photo I take I try to turn into a Picasso.  I've take hundreds of photos of Springfield Mo houses for sale, and each one is as important to me as all the others.  Thanks to my digital camera, I can take as many as I want and discard the rest.  Well, I need lessons!  Everything I've tried never looks like a well designed, great color photo. I took this photo of the historic City Hall in Springfield, Mo last year and have had it sitting in my gallery of photos.  It's a great old building, built in 1894, currently being used for the cities administrative offices.        Here's the same photo, enhanced in Picasa.  Lots more color and detail.          And another with additional color added.         I just started using Picasa.  It's easy to use, can be lo... 01/31/2009

Many investors are taking advantage of the bargains on the market today.  Never before has there been so many values to choose from.  What most investors aren't aware of is the excellent incentives in Springfield, MO, for tax credits and financing to rehab these homes. The State of Missouri offers a State Tax credit equal to 15% of renovation or new construction of residential properties in certain qualifying areas.  The intent of the program is to provide an incentive to invest in upgrading or new structures in these areas in order to upgrade quality of housing and housing stock.  A home owner and or a developer may apply for the credits.  A developer must be intending to sell the property and not use it as a rental property.  Developers can apply for multiple properties.  The credits ... 01/24/2009

 The Pareto Principle originally referred to the observation that 80% of Italy's wealth belonged to only 20% of the population. Today we know this as the 80/20 rule. The Pareto Principle is the observation that most things in life are not distributed evenly. For example: 20% of the workers produce 80% of the output 20% of the stores get 80% of the sales 20% of the roads get 80% of the traffic But how can this principle help you in real estate? How about: 20% of the agentsproduce 80% of the sales 20% of the advertising produces 80% of the leads 20% of the websites get 80% of the traffic 20% of the blogs get 80% of the comments We need to make sure we are focusing our efforts on the 20% of things that create results! Evaluate what works and what doesn't and spend your time wisely. If you... 01/20/2009

After working for a month, I had a Springfield Mo "short sale" rejected today.  Defending the offer, I resubmitted all the latest listings and sales showing the bank the sales price of this home was well within the comparables on the market in the last three months.  The bank not only countered the offer $50,000 higher than homes that have sold.......identical floor plans, age, square footage, etc., they reduced commission.  The negotiator said it was due to Fanny Mae making the final decision.  And NO they will not do a new appraisal for five more months!  ARE THEY NUTS?  Do they realize this home is in foreclosure and due to a certain company in Springfield Missouri, this is only one of hundreds of homes now in the process of being foreclosed?  I know for sure there are at least eigh... 01/15/2009

I'm really not heartless.  I promise I am not.  But hey timing is everything.  We have a Tenant that has been behind in their rent payments and we have recently filed for a court ordered eviction.  Our attorney had a special process server serve the eviction papers and he tried to reach the Tenant at their home 4 times and she keeps avoiding service.  Unfortunately this isn't our first rodeo with Tenants avoiding service (some of them are starting to get really good at it), but that's a whole different blog post. So after the 4th attempt to serve this Tenant, the special process server calls me at my office and says "I'm trying to serve her, but she won't come to the door, do you want to come meet me with a key?"  I reply with an ecstatic "sure thing".  It's not that I really like evict... 12/23/2008