Metropolitan Lawn & Garden Show

This past weekend I went to my first Lawn & Garden Show. It was held at the American Royal by Kemper Arena in downtown Kansas City. There were rooms for Lawn & Garden, Home Remodeling & Green Living. We didn't have time to go to the Green Living area. I had never been before. I was a little dissapointed in the number of booths and such but I did get a lovely Orchid (see above) that I am hoping to keep alive. I also have an appointment on Monday for a free estimate from a landscaper about my front yard. (if you remember, I had all the bushes torn out last summer after I got poison oak!). I'll keep you posted on the landscaping project!

Cable Update

...well, I TRIED. I TRIED to save over $20/month by switching to Dish Tv. Unfortunately, I have way too many trees around my house and there is NO sight view for the dish. Darn. I was afraid of that but had hopes that they'd be able to figure something out. Guess I'm back to square one and Time Warner Cable. I don't HATE TWC, I do have a few issues, but my biggest concern was the high price tag.

Maybe another cable provider will come to my area soon!

I'm cutting the cord...

...on my home phone!!

Yes, I'm really going to do it. After much thought, I'm going to get rid of my home phone line! It's been a hard decision, but I think I can do it! My contract with Time Warner Expires Febuary 7th. BOTH of my home phones have issues. I could go out and buy two additional phones ($80+) or get rid of them both and cut back on my bills in the processes. Very few people call me on my home phone line - my Gram doesn't even use it! Many of my friends and my parents will usually try the home phone first and then call my cell. And I've gotten HORRIBLE about checking my home phone voice mail since my phone downstairs stopped flashing to alert me of a new call. My dad learned a while ago that if I don't return a call for a few days it's usually b/c I forgot to check. He'll just call back if it's important! (I DO check my cell phone voice mails!)

So, I'm getting rid of the land line. I am also considering switching my cable service. Uverse is not availabe in my area so that isn't an option. I haven't heard anything good about Direct TV so that's a no as well. I'm highly considering Dish TV for my cable service after talking with them today. Their current deal is $25/mo for the first year and $40/mo for the section year. The similar package with Time Warner Cable is almost $95/mo!! (it's cheaper if you bundle). I will of course have to have them come out and determine if a dish can be put on my house and not blocked by my large trees.

I'll keep you posted on my decisions! I hope to make a decision by the end of the week...if not, definiately by the first week of February!

20 Positive Trends

Good news seems hard to find these days. I was flipping through my Good Neighbor magazine that State Farm sent me and found the following 20 positive trends:

1. We are safer
2. We use less energy
3. We give and give
4. WE conserve fuel
5. We live longer and feel better
6. You people make smart decisions about their well-being
7. We network with wonderful results
8. We can connect easier...even in the air
9. Our bonds are stronger
10. We give away before we throw away
11. Our forests are growing
12. We breathe cleaner air
13. We drive more carefully
14. We grow more of our own food and enjoy the benefits
15. Our hearts love anti-smoking laws (my allergies do as well!)
16. We buckle up
17. Bees make a sweet comeback
18. Women are healthier
19. We move more
20. We know the power of positive

Rose Brooks

Rose Brooks is a local battered women's shelter. This morning, Paula & I volunteered our time to help them set up a qiosk at Ward Parkway Mall to help raise money and collect donations for the women & children they service. Their booth is located by the Sprint Store in the mall and they will be around until Christmas accepting new, unwrapped gifts.

The 12 Diva's of Christmas

I love experiencing new things! Friday night I went with some friends to The Folly Theatre for the Heartland Men's Choir's "The 12 Diva's of Christmas". What a GREAT show! Two of my co-workers were in the performance. Other than being a little warm in the theater, the performance was amazing and very entertaining! I would highly recommend them!

The Many "Events" of December 1, 2010

Today is December 1, 2010. The fact that it is the first day of December is nothing compared to ALL of the other "events" that are celebrated today.

* It's the "Pay It Forward" day

* It's the 55th Anniversary of Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on the bus

* It's AIDS Awareness Day

* It's the first night of Hannukah

Whew, that's a LOT for one little day! I was thinking about what I could do to at least honor some of the days events. The only thing I could really think of for "pay it forward" was to go through a drive thru or to Starbucks and pay for the person behind me. Then my co-worker Wes came up with a great plan. Donate to AIDS awareness day (amfar.org) as my "pay it forward". He also said I could tell my family that I'd donated in their honor for their Hannukah gift (so, happy Hannukah Mom, Dad & Jer!). I guess I didn't find a way to honor Rosa Parks, but hopefully she'll understand!

I hope you found a way to honor at least one of these events!

10 Ways to Say Thank You this Veteran's Day

10 Ways to Say Thank You this Veterans Day
RISMEDIA, November 9, 2010--More than 20 million veterans currently live in the United States. Although their military experiences cross decades and continents, one thing remains constant: Their service deserves our honor, recognition and gratitude.

In an effort to encourage acts of recognition this Veterans Day, philanthropic business Products for Good has compiled 10 simple tips to honor those who have served.

1. Acknowledge active members of the military by sending a thank-you to troops overseas via a tweet! Tweets using the #wearegrateful hashtag are screened and printed onto postcards distributed to troops worldwide.

2. Spend time volunteering at a local VA Medical Center. A small amount of time can make a big difference. Sign up here: http://www.volunteer.va.gov/apps/VolunteerNow/ .

3. Take a five-minute break from your daily routine to personally thank a co-worker, neighbor or loved one who is a veteran. A heartfelt thank you accompanied by a smile may just make their day.

4. Not every veteran is lucky enough to have someone at home to honor and thank them for their service. Products for Good launched the Honor One in a Million Project to change that. When you buy a coin from the Honor One in a Million Project, the coin is hand-delivered to a veteran under VA care. Each coin comes with the opportunity for you to personalize a note to the recipient thanking them for their service. In turn, you will receive a letter confirming the receipt of your gift. Learn more here http://bit.ly/ajJDJi.

5. Take advantage of the Veterans Day holiday to teach kids about our nation's history and sacrifices of those who have served. For a listing of fun, kid-friendly activities, visit http://www4.va.gov/kids/.

6. Plan a trip to Washington, D.C. to partake in national Veterans Day events or check out your local news and chamber of commerce community calendars to learn about parades and events in your area.

7. Bring patriotic-themed baked good or cards to a local retirement home and help staff distribute to veteran residents.

8. Change your Facebook status to honor a veteran in your life: Today I Honor and Thank (Rank, First Name, Last Name, Branch of Service). Don't know a veteran? Check out the Veterans History Project to find an individual to honor, http://bit.ly/cVw4OO.

9. There are 1.8 million female veterans in the U.S. Honor the women in your life who serve and the women who face their own battles at home as their loved ones serve.

10. Veterans Day is a great opportunity to give a loved one who has served an unexpected call. Have your kids call and thank a grandparent or cousin who has served, and you'll feel the appreciation through the phone.

Real Estate Bar Camp Kansas City - #REBCKC

I love experiencing new things! Wednesday I went to my very first Bar Camp. What is a Bar Camp you might ask? Well, it's really just a group of people getting together and sharing ideas. They happen all over and on various topics. I went to a Real Estate related Bar Camp. There were various topics including facebook, twitter, SEO (search engine optimization), video, YELP, etc. I learned a lot AND best of all got to meet some great people. The most exciting thing for me was to meet IN PERSON a few of the people I was already following on twitter.

Here are just a few things I learned. (If you'd like all my notes, just let me know and I can email them to you!!)
- Make yourself accessible online
- The one thing to remember is you can't do everything
- Twitter is the best way of "bookmarking" yourself. Make sure you include links to your website at least once a month
- Google yourself often to make sure you come up!
- When taking a video of an areas, make sure it's non-perishable. You don't want it to be obvious if you use it years later
- A video of your listing is support to entice the buyer to come and see your listing. Don't show them everything or tell them the obvious
- Do not make your videos too long
- YELP is a great site for writing and receiving reviews of people and businesses




I am so glad I was able to experience this great event. Later that night I went and met a few of the great people out for more bonding! I'm so glad I got to meet some great new people and learn some good information!!

I finally went to the Kansas City Zoo!!

Can you believe I'd never been to the Kansas City Zoo?? I've lived in KC since 2001 but never made it to the zoo. One reason is that I grew up in St Louis and we had a fabulous zoo! Even though it's been YEARS since I was at the St Louis zoo, I didn't want to be dissappointed when I finally went to the KC Zoo. When I was in college, I went to the Topeka Zoo and was very dissappointed.



Kansas City currently has a polar bear exhibit at the zoo so I went with Wes, Carrie, her girls Maddie & Cami and Nick to see the polar bear and the rest of the zoo animals. The first hour was a bit dissapointing, we didn't see many animals, but after over 4 hours at the zoo, I can safely say we saw almost everything - well, except an elephant! The KC Zoo is HUGE, so bring your walking shoes!! PLUS, all Kansas City residents get in FREE in October AND November with proof of residency!

I'm glad I finally got to the KC zoo!

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony @ VooDoo Lounge KC

I have been to the VooDoo Lounge in Kansas City before (great 30th birthday party) but I had never been to a concert...until last night!! One of my twitter/facebook friends is the "official tweeter" for Harrah's North Kansas City & VooDooKC. She posted on her facebook wall on Wednesday that she'd be tweeting at the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony concert on Thursday night and needed to do some research on their songs. I listended to Bone Thugs back in high school and love some of their songs! I quickly let her know that I would LOVE to go with her. Knowing that I would tweet live from the event, she invited me along!!



The concert was suppose to start at 8pm but the opening acts did not go on until about 845pm. Since I got there before 8pm, I was standing in the front row!! I think I saw every "wanna be rapper" (as my mom calls them) in the Kansas City area. Some were pretty good..others, not so much. I DID score a free cd from one of the rappers!!!




Finally, around 11pm the Bone Thugs FINALLY took the stage. It was a good performance - over and hour!! I learned that you DO NOT wear heels (even your "comfy" ones) when you are going to be standing at a concert for over 4 hours!). I was exhausted when I left but was so happy for this opportunity to see the Bone Thugs and tweet live from a concert!!!

Real Estate Auction

I've already heard about Real Estate Auctions but had never been to one. That all changed on Tuesday!! One of my co-workers got asked to help write-up and read over contracts at a REDC Real Estate Auction that was going to be in Kansas City. They needed additional Realtors so I signed up. Not only was it a great experience, they paid us! :)

There were about 40+ homes that were being auctioned off mostly in the Kansas City area. REDC is a national company that travels from city to city auctioning off bank owned properties (mainly Fannie Mae). I'd like sometime to sit in the main room and see the properties and the actual auction process. I did get to take a quick peak at the begining while we were waiting for buyers to come into the back and sign contracts. Since there were about 10 of us and a little more than half of the properties sold, I only ended up writing up two contracts. REDC had this process completely streamlined and we did not even get the buyer until their financing (or bank statement since many of these were cash only) was approved. Once the buyers got to our tables, we filled out the contract and had them sign/inital where needed. There was no going over the contract - it was available online ahead of time - which definitely sped up the contract writing process a lot.

It was crazy how cheap some of these homes were being auctioned for! Many of the properties had been previously listed and the bank had refused higher offers! Of course all contracts we wrote as still subject to bank approval but the first buyer I helped may have saved an additional $10,000 from his highest dollar he would have offered the bank previously!

It was a great experience and I'm glad I got to be a part of it. I would definitely help out again (but bring things to do and have a fully charged cell phone since there was a lot of down time!) and hope to maybe help a client purchase cheap property to rehab!!

Real Estate Goes to the Dogs!

I admit, when I was looking for a house one of my "pre-requisits" was that it had a nice fenced yard for Maddie (I didn't have Abby yet).

Real Estate Goes To The Dogs
RISMEDIA, August 13, 2010--Sending Rover to the doghouse is no longer the punishment it once was because many of today's pooches of panache live lifestyles of the woof and famous.

According to a recent review of properties by Move, Inc. (NASDAQ:MOVE) , a leader in online real estate, man's best friend today receives more than just bones for treats as many homeowners are rewarding their dogs with custom-built doghouses, deluxe dog runs, custom "doggy-doors", pet-friendly landscaping, private patios with personal fire hydrants, and other features that add value to their master's property with many buyers.

"Pets have become important members of the family, and their needs are often high on the list of must-haves for many buyers, sometimes even higher than priorities of the two-legged members of the family," says Eileen Healy at Prudential Rocky Mountain Realtors® in Colorado. "Calling out features or local pet-friendly amenities can make or break a buyer's interest in a particular property. If a buyer knows a home they love already has features the family dog or pet will also love, they'll be more inclined to give that home a second look and consider it more than others on their list."

While proximity to dog parks, doggy day-care centers, or pet fashion stores are often priorities for dog owners interested in city properties, suburban properties generally have ample space for seemingly unusual pet-friendly features. For the sophisticated canines, this Victorian dog house that matches this $10,995,000 home listed on Realtor.com in California is a must see. If country living is for you and your 'dawg' needs a warm place to chill after a long day of sheepherding on the prairie, consider a heated doghouse with a deluxe dog run listed on Realtor.com at $520,000 in Idaho. Or, for pooches in need of alone time or a quiet space, consider this secluded cottage on Realtor.com at $524,000 in Illinois.

While spaces customized to a dog's specific needs are not uncommon according to Shari Guess, a Realtor with Buy Wise Real Estate in Texas and active member of the Great Dane Rescue of North Texas, many dog lovers do go the extra mile when it comes to creating a pet-friendly environment at home.

"We have one particularly enormous Dane named Sampson, and we couldn't find a pet door big enough. So we made our own out of a semi-truck mud flap. It's a few years old now so we'll be duplicating our efforts and replacing it soon," said Guess. "We also put in a small outdoor patio so when it's muddy Sampson and our other dogs can go outside for whatever reason and come back into the house without us having to wipe 16 muddy paws! It has a short three-foot fence, pea-gravel with fire hydrant and can be accessed via the dog door from the dog room."

As the nation heads into the Dog Days of Summer, and in honor of National Dog Day on August 26th, Move celebrates man's best friend with information, tips and guides from pet experts and top Realtors specializing in pet-friendly homes. Whether it's building a pooch palace or installing a bone-shaped pool, Move offers advice on how to celebrate your canine and improve the value pet-loving buyers will give your property as they search for their next home. Interesting topics available now for pet lovers and home enthusiasts to explore on the Move Network include:

-- Properties for sale with fantastic pet-friendly features: As more people consider themselves "pet parents," Move showcases homes for sale perfect for adapting their lifestyles to their furry family members.

-- Dogs go green: Have you ever thought about your dog's carbon "paw print"? Find easy ways to go green with your dog, including using environmentally-friendly dog products like biodegradable toys.

-- Celebrity and presidential dog homes: Celebrities love to shower their dogs with love, affection... and doghouses. Heard about Paris Hilton's two-story kennel mansion built for Tinkerbell? Or what about Drew Barrymore naming her dog 'Flossie' in her property trust valued at $3 million?

-- Realtor tips on benefits of pet-friendly homes: Realtors share experiences in working with pet owners in the market for a home and explain that Fido plays a larger role in finding a home then one might think.

-- How-to build a doghouse: Want to build an abode for Fido on a budget? Here are steps required, tools needed, and instructions for building a doghouse for under $75.00.

-- Moving tips for your pet: Moving can be stressful for pets, so prepare a room for your pooch while you're packing everything up, ensuring hazardous materials are tucked away. Find a vet near your new home and a list of pet-friendly hotels in case you need to stay at one while getting settled into the new place.

-- Streets named after famous dogs: Wondering how some streets were named? The famous dog Nipper in the RCA Victrola ads lived in Bristol, England, and visitors there will find a small road named "Nipper Alley."

-- Landscaping tips to create a pet-haven in the yard: Is your garden going to the dogs? Man's best friend can be a gardener's worst headache until you learn how to peacefully coexist with your canine companions.

-- The Top 10 Dog Parks in the U.S.: If you love to play at the park with your dog, you'll love Dog Fancy's list of top 10 dog parks. The Jackass Acres K-9 Korral in New River, AZ topped the list this year; it is completely green, and recycles dog waste to create other usable materials.

-- Pet friendly hotels: Traveling with your dog has never been easier, as hotels across the country are increasingly offering pet-friendly rooms and activities. According to www.BringFido.com, some of the most popular cities for pet travel include Myrtle Beach, SC and Santa Barbara, CA.

-- Pet friendly apartments: Finding an apartment that allows dogs is not always easy. Check out the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in your area, you'll probably find a list of local pet-friendly landlords.

In addition to offering expert advice on pet-friendly properties, Move, Inc., has partnered with top breeders at Breeders USA in California to provide facts and statistics relative to top breeds by city, and the most popular breeds in America.

"We're pleased Move is helping homeowners identify ways to transform a home into a pet-friendly environment because it's a great way to maintain a pet's health and vitality," said Daniel Hect, Master Dog Trainer and owner of BreedersUSA.com in California. "By identifying the needs of your pet while you're searching for your next home, whether it's with an outdoor play area or "doggy-doors," the property is not only enhanced esthetically, but the upgrades can also become a viable marketing feature when selling or buying a home."

As part of the campaign, Move, Inc is pawing to get a glimpse into the most luxurious doggy dwellings by asking pet owners to submit their favorite photo of their pets' home on the Realtor.com Facebook Fan Page and be entered to win $250 gift certificate for Petco. Visit Move.com, Realtor.com/blogs or join facebook.com/realtor.com for additional details on the Dog Days of Summer campaign!

10 Low-Cost Tips to Improve Your Home's Appeal

For Your Clients: 10 Low-Cost Tips to Improve Your Home's Appeal
By Paige Tepping

RISMEDIA, August 10, 2010--When selling your home, the goal is to sell it quickly for the highest price while investing as little as possible in renovations. With a limited budget and a little effort, you can greatly increase your home's appeal by focusing on what prospective buyers can see on their first visit. The experts at BuyOwner.com offer the following recommendations for preparing a house for sale and staging it for showings.

Tip #1: Refresh the exterior
First impressions count when it comes to selling a home. Most buyers won’t even leave their car if they don’t find the exterior appealing. The best ways to improve your home’s exterior include:
-Repairing and/or replacing trims, shutters, gutters, shingles, mailboxes, window screens, walkways and the driveway.
-Painting siding, trim and shutters and lamp and mailbox posts.
-Pressure washing vinyl siding, roofs, walkways and the driveway.
-Washing windows.

Tip #2: Spruce up the lawn and landscape
Home buyers associate the condition of your lawn and landscaping with the condition of your home’s interior. By improving the outside, you affect buyers’ impression of the entire property. The best ways to enhance the yard include:
-Mowing and edging the lawn.
-Seeding, fertilizing and weeding the lawn.
-Keeping up with regular lawn maintenance by frequent watering.
-Trimming and/or removing overgrown trees, shrubs and hedges.
-Weeding and mulching plant beds.
-Planting colorful seasonal flowers in existing plant beds.
-Removing trash, especially along fences and underneath hedges.
-Sweeping and weeding the street curb along your property.

Tip #3: Create an inviting entrance
The front door to your home should invite buyers to enter. The best ways to improve your entry include:
-Painting the front door in a glossy, cheerful color that complements the exterior.
-Cleaning, polishing and/or replacing the door knocker, locks and handles.
-Repairing and/or replacing the screen door, the doorbell, porch lights and house numbers.
-Placing a new welcome mat and a group of seasonal potted plants and flowers by the entry.

Tip #4: Reduce clutter and furniture
A buyer cannot envision living in your home without seeing it. A home filled with clutter or even too much furniture distracts buyers from seeing how they can utilize the space your home offers. If you have limited storage space, you may want to consider renting a temporary storage unit to place items you wish to keep. The best ways to declutter your home include:
-Holding a garage sale to prepare for your move, getting rid of unnecessary items.
-Removing clutter such as books, magazines, toys, tools, supplies and unused items from counter tops, open shelves, storage closets, the garage and basements.
-Storing out-of-season clothing and shoes out of sight to make bedroom closets seem roomier.
-Removing any visibly damaged furniture.
-Organizing bookshelves, closets, cabinets and pantries. Buyers will inspect everything.
-Putting away your personal photographs, unless they showcase the home. Let buyers see themselves in your home.
-De-personalize rooms as much as you can.

Tip #5: Clean, clean, clean
The cleanliness of your home also influences a buyer's perception of its condition. The appearance of the kitchen and bathrooms will play a considerable role in a buyer's decision process, so pay particular attention to these areas. The best ways to improve these areas include:
-Cleaning windows, fixtures, hardware, ceiling fans, vent covers and appliances.
-Cleaning carpets, area rugs and draperies.
-Cleaning inside the refrigerator, the stove and all cabinets.
-Removing stains from carpets, floors, counters, sinks, baths, tile, walls and grout.
-Eliminating house odors, especially if you have pets.
-Considering air fresheners or potpourri.

Tip #6: Make minor repairs
The small stuff does count, especially with first-time home buyers. Without dismissing the importance of repairing major items such as a leaky roof or plumbing, you do not need to spend money on replacing these items. Instead, focus on the minor repairs that will make your home visually appealing. The best ways to improve your home include:
-Repairing ceilings and wall cracks.
-Repairing faucets, banisters, handrails, cabinets, drawers, doors, floors and tile.
-Caulking and grouting tubs, showers, sinks and tile.
-Adding fresh paint to ceilings, walls, trim, doors and cabinets.
-Tightening door handles, drawer pulls, light switches and electrical plates.
-Lubricating door hinges and locks.

Tip #7: Showcase the kitchen
The heart of any home is the kitchen. If you are going to spend any money on renovations, this is the one area where you will see the greatest return. Even with a modest budget, focusing on a few key areas can make a great difference in getting the asking price for your property. The best ways to showcase the kitchen include:
-Replacing cabinet doors and hardware.
-Installing under-cabinet lighting.
-Replacing light fixtures.
-Replacing outdated shelving with pantry and cabinet organizers to maximize space.
-Baking cookies or cupcakes for a showing, to create a homey smell.

Tip #8: Stage furniture
Furniture placement can enhance the space of your home while giving buyers an idea of how to best utilize the space with their own belongings. Take some time to rethink how different areas in your house could be used. Some ideas to think about include:
-Moving couches and chairs away from walls in your sitting and family rooms to create cozy conversational groups.
-Creating a reading corner in the master bedroom.
-Clearing an empty room to set up a reading space.
-Turning an awkward space into a home office.
-Setting the dining room table with your best china.
-Set wine glasses in front of the fireplace or next to a Jacuzzi tub.

Tip #9: Light up the house
Create a sense of openness and cheerfulness in your home through its lighting. To improve the lighting try:
-Opening shades and drapes to let the sunshine warm and brighten rooms.
-Installing brighter light bulbs in rooms that tend to be dark.
-Adding additional lamps for ambient lighting.
-Turning on all the lights for a showing.

Tip #10: Add fresh touches
You can easily add color and style to your home by adding fresh touches throughout. Some ideas to consider include:
-Placing fresh floral arrangements in the entry and master bedroom.
-Placing bowls of bright-colored fruit in the family room and the kitchen.
-Filling an empty corner with a potted leafy plant.
-Setting new hand soap in the bathrooms.
-Displaying fresh towels near sinks.

Kansas City All-Star featured in People Magazine!

Check out this Kansas City All-Star who was featured in People Magazine!!! Dustin Miller is Royals stadium chef.

FHA Launches Short Refi Opportunity for Underwater Homeowners

Have I mentioned lately how much great information I get from the Lowe's Daily Real Estate News?? This could be GREAT for home owners!!!


FHA Launches Short Refi Opportunity for Underwater Homeowners

RISMEDIA, August 9, 2010--In an effort to help responsible homeowners who owe more on their mortgage than the value of their property, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provided details on the adjustment to its refinance program which was announced earlier this year that will enable lenders to provide additional refinancing options to homeowners who owe more than their home is worth. Starting September 7, 2010, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will offer certain ‘underwater’ non-FHA borrowers who are current on their existing mortgage and whose lenders agree to write off at least ten percent of the unpaid principal balance of the first mortgage, the opportunity to qualify for a new FHA-insured mortgage.

The FHA Short Refinance option is targeted to help people who owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth – or ‘underwater’ – because their local markets saw large declines in home values. Originally announced in March, these changes and other programs that have been put in place will help the Administration meet its goal of stabilizing housing markets by offering a second chance to up to 3 to 4 million struggling homeowners through the end of 2012.

“We’re throwing a life line out to those families who are current on their mortgage and are experiencing financial hardships because property values in their community have declined,” said FHA Commissioner David H. Stevens. “This is another tool to help overcome the negative equity problem facing many responsible homeowners who are looking to refinance into a safer, more secure mortgage product.”

FHA published a mortgagee letter to provide guidance to lenders on how to implement this new enhancement. Participation in FHA’s refinance program is voluntary and requires the consent of all lien holders. To be eligible for a new loan, the homeowner must owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth and be current on their existing mortgage. The homeowner must qualify for the new loan under standard FHA underwriting requirements and have a credit score equal to or greater than 500. The property must be the homeowner’s primary residence. And the borrower’s existing first lien holder must agree to write off at least 10% of their unpaid principal balance, bringing that borrower’s combined loan-to-value ratio to no greater than 115%.

In addition, the existing loan to be refinanced must not be an FHA-insured loan, and the refinanced FHA-insured first mortgage must have a loan-to-value ratio of no more than 97.75 percent. Interested homeowners should contact their lenders to determine if they are eligible and whether the lender agrees the write down a portion of the unpaid principal.

To facilitate the refinancing of new FHA-insured loans under this program, the U.S. Department of Treasury will provide incentives to existing second lien holders who agree to full or partial extinguishment of the liens. To be eligible, servicers must execute a Servicer Participation Agreement (SPA) with Fannie Mae, in its capacity as financial agent for the United States, on or before October 3, 2010.

2010 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Yesterday was the Kansas City Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure! What an amazing event!! Thousands of Kansas Citians (and I'm sure a few out-of-towners) come out for this great event to benefit Breast Cancer Awareness.

For the second year in a row, I helped out on the teams committee. It's not a big time comitment, but it does make me feel good to help in some way. My friend Miranda decided to join Carolyn, Paula, Alana (and her girls) and I this year. I'm so glad she joined. She recently lost a good friend to Breast Cancer. I am lucky to say that my grandma is a SURVIVOR along with a few other people I know.

I can't wait for next years event!

It's still a great time for first-time buyers!

Marketing Homes to First-Time Buyers - Show Them What's Important
By Paige Tepping

RISMEDIA, August 6, 2010--In spite of all the frenzy over selling to first-time buyers this past year, many are still hesitating. While some first-timers aren’t ready to own a home, others would be wise to invest now.

Many first-time buyers want to own a home and can afford to own a home, but they're worried that the market is going to continue to decline and the home won't be worth what they paid for it. However, short-term future value should not matter if the other circumstances are right.

Here are some points from Marte Cliff, a copywriter who specializes in writing for real estate and related industries, that you can use when talking with first-time buyers or when writing prospecting letters.

-First-time buyers aren't investors. They're buying to own a home for themselves to live in and enjoy. If the home falls in market value a little, so what? They aren't planning to sell.
-Money paid for rent buys a house for someone else to own.
-Rents do rise with supply and demand.
-Homes in most areas are now so inexpensive that first-time buyers may be able to make their payments and set aside a few dollars for maintenance for less than their current rent.
-Interest rates are still low, making inexpensive homes even more affordable.
-With interest rates so low, a few extra dollars per month on a 30-year mortgage could mean a first-time buyer could own the house free and clear within 15-20 years.
-Hesitation could cost big dollars. Just a 1% rise in interest rates will add several hundred dollars per year to even a moderately-priced home. And interest rates are expected to rise.
-This tide will turn, and homes will begin appreciating in value. That trend has already begun in some markets and will begin in others as the foreclosures and short sales are sold.
-Over time, first-time buyers will be earning more while their house payment will remain stable.

Once a first-time buyer has determined that they are ready to take on the responsibility of homeownership, their primary concerns should be:

-Their desire to remain in the home for several years.
-Their ability to make the payments and take care of maintenance without having to give up everything else they now enjoy.

Keeping Your Home Cooler

6 Tips to Keeping Your Home Cooler
By Stephanie Andre

RISMEDIA, August 3, 2010--Wow, it's hot outside! The summer's in full swing with no signs of cooling. And while you may be tempted to crank up the A/C, remember - you won't be nearly as excited to see that electric bill next month.

To save some money -- and, don't forget, energy! -- here are six tips that might just help.

1.Avoid heat build-up in your home – The best way to keep your home cool is to keep the heat out. This can be done by closing the drapes on windows facing the sun (east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon). You should also try to avoid heat-generating activities, such as cooking, on hot days or during the hottest part of the day. If you are cooking, use your range fan to vent the hot air out of your house. By reducing the amount of heat in your home, you will have to use less energy to cool it.

2.Use ventilation and circulation to cool your home – Instead of automatically turning on the air conditioner on hot days, try cooling your home with window and ceiling fans. Circulating air can make your home feel cool and comfortable in a much more efficient way than air conditioning. There is also the option of a whole house fan (a large ventilating fan installed in you attic that expels hot air out of your home) which can circulate air throughout your entire home.

3.Keep air conditioning efficient and to a minimum – When you do have to use air conditioning, there are ways to make it more efficient. First of all, turn up the temperature setting on your air conditioner by a couple of degrees. Most people keep the temperature setting lower than it needs to be, hence using more energy than is needed to keep your home cool. It is recommended that you keep the temperature at about 25° C (77° F). Also, remember to turn off your air conditioner once your home has reached a comfortable temperature. By coupling minimum air conditioning with reducing the amount of heat entering your home, you can keep it cool without using excess energy. It isn’t recommended that you leave your air conditioner on when you leave your house, but if you’re going to do so, turn the temperature setting up a few more degrees while you’re gone to about 28° C (82° F). Also, remember to turn off your air conditioner if you’re going to be away from your home for more than a day. It is also important to make sure your cooling vents aren’t blocked so that the energy being used is going towards actually cooling your home and not being wasted. Furthermore, keep rooms that don't need cooling, such as closets, closed off when you're air conditioning.

4.Make sure your home isn’t losing cool air – By weather-stripping and caulking around windows, doors and electrical outlets on outer walls, you can prevent losing cool air from your home and prevent hot air from getting in. Improve your home’s insulation on outer walls, again to keep cool air in, and hot air out. You should also consider installing storm doors for the same reasons if your home doesn’t already have them. If you have a fireplace, keep the flue closed. These provide an extra barrier against the escape of cool air. All of these options will make cooling your home more efficient and will save you money on your energy bill.

5.Select energy-efficient cooling systems – If you’re in the market for a new cooling system, there are many new technologies that are much more efficient than older versions. As with other appliances, you should look for the Energy Star logo and compare the amount of electricity each uses.

6.Use the coolest parts of your home – On hot days, parts of your house will naturally stay cooler than others. For example, if you have a basement it will remain cool even during the hottest part of the day (this is because the cool air in your home will sink down to your basement). One way you can reduce the amount of energy used to cool your home is to do more in cooler areas of your home. This way, you won't have to use energy to stay cool.

The new way to get around - a SEGWAY!!

When I originally started this blog I was "touring" Kansas City. If slacked quite a bit in the last year or so on those adventures...BUT I went on a fabulous adventure last Friday! I toured The Plaza on a SEGWAY!!!



It was my friend Terri's Birthday so I took her along with me! There were two other people on the tour along with our guide Sam. We had the "watered down" tour of the plaza. I wish I could remember all the cool facts he told us, but of course I forgot most of them. The most important - JC Nichols was a KU fan!! Oh, and Kansas City has a sister city in Italy that has many of the same fountains and buildings.



I won't lie, I was the last to get on my segway (therefore the one with the least amount of practice) and I was a bit crazy at first!! I couldn't figure out how to slow down or stop. I "may" have run into a light pole to stop. haha. BUT, I did quickly get the hang of it (it helps when your feet are centered!!!) and had a GREAT time. I can't wait to go back again!!



If you are interested, check out www.segwayexperience.com. They offer FOUR different tours in the Kansas City area. My office bought a bunch of groupons so let me know before you go in case we have some left! And I could be easily persuaded to go again!!!