Two summers ago I was GREAT about my Kansas City Staycation - the reason I initially started this blog! These past two years, for whatever reason, I have not been good. I think my problem is I need a "partner in crime" to go on activities with me!! Anyone up for the challenge? I can have multiple partners in crimes for different activities! Come on, you know you want to experience Kansas City with me!!!
How about a Segway Tour?? A while back there was a groupon for Segway tours. (If you have not checked out: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu505239) My office bought a few thinking it would be a great office activity. The only problem is you can only go in groups of 8 (and we have way more than 8 agents in our office!). SO, I need some buddies to go with!! They are hour long tours and expire Sept 26th. Here are the choices:
For $20, you get a choice of one of four 60-minute tours with Segway Experience of Kansas City (an up to $50 value). For safety reasons, this Groupon is valid for riders weighing less than 350 pounds aged 12 and older. Children aged 12 to 17 years old must also have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
Your choice of Segway tours are:
• Urban Journey: Starting from palatial Union Station, explore Kansas City's most treasured historical landmarks, including Liberty Memorial (the nation's only World War I museum), before gliding up to the observation deck for one of the best views of this thriving, ever-changing Midwestern metropolis. ($40 value)
• Segway Safari: Tour the Kansas City Zoo by Segway, baffle Dumisani and his pride of lions with your curious mode of transportation, and bump through the Australian outback surrounded by bemused red kangaroos riding their own Segways. ($50 value, extra $11.50 admission fee required)
• Plaza: Starting from the historic Courtyard Marriott, glide through Mill Creek Park and find out why KC is the City of Fountains before continuing on through the stunning Spanish-inspired architecture and artwork of Country Club Plaza. ($50 value)
• Union Station: Tour the Station's 900 Beaux Arts-inspired rooms and learn the incredible history of the structure that helped put Kansas City on the non-piratical map, as well as what it was like during its heyday. ($40 value)
Available Tuesday through Sunday, Segway Experience's tours are a game-changing way to sightsee Kansas City for families, out-of-town visitors, and time travelers with a broken-down DeLorean. Don't worry about getting the hang of your Seg-legs, though. Each Segway is equipped with high-speed microprocessors, solid-state gyroscopes, and powerful electric motors that keep you balanced. Call ahead to reserve your Segway tour, and roll through KC while absorbing its history and beauty without the use of a shopping cart or hamster-propelled roller shoes.
In the event of bad weather, tours will be rescheduled.
Let me know if you are interested in joining me!!!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Getting Ready for Your Home Appraisal
Great information on appraisals. I know I had some issues earlier this year with one!
For Your Clients: Getting Ready for Your Home Appraisal
By Paige Tepping
RISMEDIA, July 16, 2010--Home appraisals are a necessary step in the process of selling or refinancing your home. While many homes today aren’t worth as much as they were when they were bought, it is crucial for homeowners to be realistic when it comes to getting their home appraised.
If you are in the process of getting your home ready to be put on the market or interested in refinancing, the experts at Equity Mortgage Lending offer the following things to keep in mind as you prepare for your home appraisal.
•The appraiser will need approximately 30 minutes to one hour to complete the inspection phase of the appraisal process, which includes: exterior photos of the front and rear of the home and a photo of the street in front of the property; measurements of the exterior of the home, garage and any outbuildings; a walk-through inspection of all rooms and levels of the interior of the home including the basement.
•Get organized. Put together a checklist that will help you get ready for your appraisal and get the results you're looking for.
•Be flexible when scheduling the appointment.
•Have a copy of your home’s blueprint to help verify measurements and lot size.
•Provide a list of improvements made to the property since the purchase. Improvements that should be noted include adding a pool, patio, updating your kitchen or bathroom and any room additions, etc.
•Allow your appraiser access to the entire property, including access to any crawl space or attic areas.
•Keep in mind that a clean home makes a good impression. Be sure to trim the lawn, clean the pool and garage, repair cracked windows or torn screens, check for leaky faucets and secure gutters and down spouts before your appraisal.
•Point out any amenities that may not be obvious to the appraiser: sprinkler systems, patios, pools, security systems, built in vacuum, etc.
•Provide a copy of last year's tax assessment information.
•Know what year the house was built and when improvements were made.
•The first thing appraisers look for is comparables, so be prepared and have a list of recent sales of similar properties in the immediate neighborhood.
For Your Clients: Getting Ready for Your Home Appraisal
By Paige Tepping
RISMEDIA, July 16, 2010--Home appraisals are a necessary step in the process of selling or refinancing your home. While many homes today aren’t worth as much as they were when they were bought, it is crucial for homeowners to be realistic when it comes to getting their home appraised.
If you are in the process of getting your home ready to be put on the market or interested in refinancing, the experts at Equity Mortgage Lending offer the following things to keep in mind as you prepare for your home appraisal.
•The appraiser will need approximately 30 minutes to one hour to complete the inspection phase of the appraisal process, which includes: exterior photos of the front and rear of the home and a photo of the street in front of the property; measurements of the exterior of the home, garage and any outbuildings; a walk-through inspection of all rooms and levels of the interior of the home including the basement.
•Get organized. Put together a checklist that will help you get ready for your appraisal and get the results you're looking for.
•Be flexible when scheduling the appointment.
•Have a copy of your home’s blueprint to help verify measurements and lot size.
•Provide a list of improvements made to the property since the purchase. Improvements that should be noted include adding a pool, patio, updating your kitchen or bathroom and any room additions, etc.
•Allow your appraiser access to the entire property, including access to any crawl space or attic areas.
•Keep in mind that a clean home makes a good impression. Be sure to trim the lawn, clean the pool and garage, repair cracked windows or torn screens, check for leaky faucets and secure gutters and down spouts before your appraisal.
•Point out any amenities that may not be obvious to the appraiser: sprinkler systems, patios, pools, security systems, built in vacuum, etc.
•Provide a copy of last year's tax assessment information.
•Know what year the house was built and when improvements were made.
•The first thing appraisers look for is comparables, so be prepared and have a list of recent sales of similar properties in the immediate neighborhood.
Eight Ways To Get More Out of Your Day
Here are some GREAT ways to get more out of your day. I LOVE the "don't reinvent the wheel" one and always say (and try to follow) that one! I think in this day and age, we should use each other as resources and NOT competition. I also did #1 just last week! I had a past client who is wanting/needing to sell and it's going to end up being a short sale. I'm not as knowledgeable about short sales, but there is an agent in my office who is. I sent the referral to her and I feel happy knowing my client is going to get the BEST service possible!!
Eight Ways To Get More Out of Your Day
By Lisa Kanarek
RISMEDIA, July 17, 2010--As a business professional, you undoubtedly wear many hats—from that of juggler (of yours and others' projects) to firefighter, putting out the fires (crises) you face each day. Ideally you should be able to walk into your office each morning, cross everything off your to-do list and go home with a sense of accomplishment. In reality, that's not always possible. Your day is filled with tasks and interruptions that devour your time, talents and energy. There are several ways to make each minute count, starting with these tips.
1. Before you agree to handle a task from a client, make sure that you're the most qualified person to handle it. If a client wants to hire you for something outside of your field of knowledge, rather than jeopardize your reputation, recommend someone else who could handle the task better. Don't be surprised if several months later, the same client calls you again to utilize your expertise.
2. Throughout the day, ask yourself if what you are doing is the best use of your time. You may not be working on an activity you enjoy, yet if it is a top priority, continue doing it.
3. Don't assume; ask questions. When a client asks you to do something, don't do it automatically. Ask questions to ensure that you understand what your client wants and in what form. If you complete a task then realize that it wasn't what your client had in mind, you'll waste more time and energy redoing your work. Get a clear understanding of the request, then start to work on it.
4. Don't reinvent the wheel. If your client asks you to do something that you or someone else has done previously, let him or her know. Your client may have forgotten that the same project was completed the year before. There is no sense in replicating something that has been done already.
5. Get off the phone as soon as possible. When a caller keeps you on the phone longer than necessary, gently prompt him to end the call. You could tell them that you have another call, that you are on a tight deadline or, if they have requested something, tell them that you want to get started on it immediately.
6. Make your environment conducive to working. This covers two areas: your actual work space and the area surrounding it. If your office is disorganized, you will waste time throughout the day searching for files, replacing lost information and "running in place." Take the time to clear your desk of any distractions, from magazines to knick-knacks, that could be placed on your credenza or shelf near your desk. If you only use an item on your desk every few months, move it to a space that is not in the main flow of your office.
7. In retail they say, "Location, location, location." The same is true in a home office. A desk located in a high-traffic area is as welcome as a marching band in a library. If your desk is in the kitchen, you will soon notice a few of your office supplies missing. If possible, move to a new location that is away from the flow of traffic but not so far away that you feel isolated.
8. Stay focused on the activity at hand. When you're tired of working on something, move on to something else, but avoid jumping from project to project.
Home office expert Lisa Kanarek is the founder of HomeOfficeLife.com and the author of Organizing Your Home Office For Success (Blakely Press) and 101 Home Office Success Secrets (Career Press).
Eight Ways To Get More Out of Your Day
By Lisa Kanarek
RISMEDIA, July 17, 2010--As a business professional, you undoubtedly wear many hats—from that of juggler (of yours and others' projects) to firefighter, putting out the fires (crises) you face each day. Ideally you should be able to walk into your office each morning, cross everything off your to-do list and go home with a sense of accomplishment. In reality, that's not always possible. Your day is filled with tasks and interruptions that devour your time, talents and energy. There are several ways to make each minute count, starting with these tips.
1. Before you agree to handle a task from a client, make sure that you're the most qualified person to handle it. If a client wants to hire you for something outside of your field of knowledge, rather than jeopardize your reputation, recommend someone else who could handle the task better. Don't be surprised if several months later, the same client calls you again to utilize your expertise.
2. Throughout the day, ask yourself if what you are doing is the best use of your time. You may not be working on an activity you enjoy, yet if it is a top priority, continue doing it.
3. Don't assume; ask questions. When a client asks you to do something, don't do it automatically. Ask questions to ensure that you understand what your client wants and in what form. If you complete a task then realize that it wasn't what your client had in mind, you'll waste more time and energy redoing your work. Get a clear understanding of the request, then start to work on it.
4. Don't reinvent the wheel. If your client asks you to do something that you or someone else has done previously, let him or her know. Your client may have forgotten that the same project was completed the year before. There is no sense in replicating something that has been done already.
5. Get off the phone as soon as possible. When a caller keeps you on the phone longer than necessary, gently prompt him to end the call. You could tell them that you have another call, that you are on a tight deadline or, if they have requested something, tell them that you want to get started on it immediately.
6. Make your environment conducive to working. This covers two areas: your actual work space and the area surrounding it. If your office is disorganized, you will waste time throughout the day searching for files, replacing lost information and "running in place." Take the time to clear your desk of any distractions, from magazines to knick-knacks, that could be placed on your credenza or shelf near your desk. If you only use an item on your desk every few months, move it to a space that is not in the main flow of your office.
7. In retail they say, "Location, location, location." The same is true in a home office. A desk located in a high-traffic area is as welcome as a marching band in a library. If your desk is in the kitchen, you will soon notice a few of your office supplies missing. If possible, move to a new location that is away from the flow of traffic but not so far away that you feel isolated.
8. Stay focused on the activity at hand. When you're tired of working on something, move on to something else, but avoid jumping from project to project.
Home office expert Lisa Kanarek is the founder of HomeOfficeLife.com and the author of Organizing Your Home Office For Success (Blakely Press) and 101 Home Office Success Secrets (Career Press).
Monday, July 19, 2010
7 Lawn Care Tips for the Summer Season
Lawn care tips always come in handy. I happen to have bad allergies, so I have some great guys that take care of my lawn for me and help it look great. I just got rid of all the bushes in front of my home (I've always disliked them but after getting poison oak they were really going!) so I look forward to working on the front and making it beautiful!
For Your Clients: 7 Lawn Care Tips for the Summer Season
By Stephanie Andre
RISMEDIA, July 17, 2010-The summer is officially upon us. And what that, comes weeds, bugs and, of course, more time needed to tend to your lawn.
Here, learn how you can make the most of the season with these summer lawn care tips:
1. Proper watering and water conservation is important at any time of year, but particularly when heat and a lack of rain lead to water deficits and drought.
2. Evaluate your lawn regularly for signs of irregular color and texture. These can be signs of damage that may result from pests or disease.
3. Proper year-round lawn care keeps a lawn healthy and prevents weeds, disease and pests. But sometimes, insects you may not notice can travel from the yard to your home. To stop them, hire pest control to keep the bugs on the outside. You can also reduce their outside presence by treating the lawn for insects such as fleas and ticks and fire ants.
4. While lawns are generally the focal point of most yards, don't forget about trees and shrubs. Well-maintained landscaping adds dimensionality to a home and increases its value.
5. In the heat of the summer, you may be tempted to mow your lawn in shorts and flip flops, but remember, you need to stay safe: wear long pants and closed-toed shoes.
6. Also, no matter what outdoor activity you're enjoying, be sure to stay hydrated with plenty of water.
7. The essentials of good summer lawn care are watering, fertilizing and proper mowing. However, sometimes an underlying problem (such as bare spots or severely damaged turf) requires additional measures.
For Your Clients: 7 Lawn Care Tips for the Summer Season
By Stephanie Andre
RISMEDIA, July 17, 2010-The summer is officially upon us. And what that, comes weeds, bugs and, of course, more time needed to tend to your lawn.
Here, learn how you can make the most of the season with these summer lawn care tips:
1. Proper watering and water conservation is important at any time of year, but particularly when heat and a lack of rain lead to water deficits and drought.
2. Evaluate your lawn regularly for signs of irregular color and texture. These can be signs of damage that may result from pests or disease.
3. Proper year-round lawn care keeps a lawn healthy and prevents weeds, disease and pests. But sometimes, insects you may not notice can travel from the yard to your home. To stop them, hire pest control to keep the bugs on the outside. You can also reduce their outside presence by treating the lawn for insects such as fleas and ticks and fire ants.
4. While lawns are generally the focal point of most yards, don't forget about trees and shrubs. Well-maintained landscaping adds dimensionality to a home and increases its value.
5. In the heat of the summer, you may be tempted to mow your lawn in shorts and flip flops, but remember, you need to stay safe: wear long pants and closed-toed shoes.
6. Also, no matter what outdoor activity you're enjoying, be sure to stay hydrated with plenty of water.
7. The essentials of good summer lawn care are watering, fertilizing and proper mowing. However, sometimes an underlying problem (such as bare spots or severely damaged turf) requires additional measures.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
I HEART Twitter
I Heart Twitter :)
8 Ways You Should Be Using Twitter for Your Business
By Stephanie Andre
RISMEDIA, July 14, 2010—By now, we all know that Twitter is one of the most-trafficked and used social media platforms…for both consumers and business professionals. But what’s the secret to getting more consumers to follow you…transitioning them from just followers to clients.
From the simple to the complex, there are a number of methods that real estate professionals should consider to improve their following on Twitter. Here are eight tips to consider, courtesy of Twitter.com:
Tip 1
Include in your Bio and/or custom background the names (or @usernames) of the people twittering from your company account. It’s also a good idea to include additional contact info, like email addresses.
Tip 2
Listen regularly for comments about your company, brand and products—and be prepared to address concerns, offer customer service or thank people for praise.
Tip 3
Use a casual, friendly tone in your messages.
Tip 4
While you shouldn’t feel compelled to follow everyone who follows you, do respond to some questions or comments addressed to you.
Tip 5
If you like a particular message, retweet it. People often appreciate the sharing and amplification of their ideas, so look to retweet cool stuff.
Tip 6
Post links to articles and sites you think folks would find interesting—even if they’re not your sites or about your company.
Tip 7
Make sure your tweets provide some real value. Here are few examples to spark ideas:
•Offer Twitter exclusive coupons or deals
•Take people behind the scenes of your company
•Post pictures from your offices, stores, warehouses, etc.
•Share sneak peeks of projects or events in development
Tip 8
Don’t spam people. Twitter’s following model means that you have to respect the interests and desires of other people here or they’ll unfollow you. The most common way to run afoul of that understanding—and to thus look like a spammer—is to send unsolicited @messages or DMs, particularly when you include a promotional link.
8 Ways You Should Be Using Twitter for Your Business
By Stephanie Andre
RISMEDIA, July 14, 2010—By now, we all know that Twitter is one of the most-trafficked and used social media platforms…for both consumers and business professionals. But what’s the secret to getting more consumers to follow you…transitioning them from just followers to clients.
From the simple to the complex, there are a number of methods that real estate professionals should consider to improve their following on Twitter. Here are eight tips to consider, courtesy of Twitter.com:
Tip 1
Include in your Bio and/or custom background the names (or @usernames) of the people twittering from your company account. It’s also a good idea to include additional contact info, like email addresses.
Tip 2
Listen regularly for comments about your company, brand and products—and be prepared to address concerns, offer customer service or thank people for praise.
Tip 3
Use a casual, friendly tone in your messages.
Tip 4
While you shouldn’t feel compelled to follow everyone who follows you, do respond to some questions or comments addressed to you.
Tip 5
If you like a particular message, retweet it. People often appreciate the sharing and amplification of their ideas, so look to retweet cool stuff.
Tip 6
Post links to articles and sites you think folks would find interesting—even if they’re not your sites or about your company.
Tip 7
Make sure your tweets provide some real value. Here are few examples to spark ideas:
•Offer Twitter exclusive coupons or deals
•Take people behind the scenes of your company
•Post pictures from your offices, stores, warehouses, etc.
•Share sneak peeks of projects or events in development
Tip 8
Don’t spam people. Twitter’s following model means that you have to respect the interests and desires of other people here or they’ll unfollow you. The most common way to run afoul of that understanding—and to thus look like a spammer—is to send unsolicited @messages or DMs, particularly when you include a promotional link.
Monday, July 12, 2010
How to Stay Hydrated in the Summer
I try to follow a bunch of blogs. Some of them are Real Estate related, some are Health & Fitness related and some are just fun (People of Walmart, It Made My Day, etc). Below is an article from Diets in Review. I'm pretty good about drinking a lot of water. I try to always have a glass by me (at home or at work) and I keep my water bottle in the car so I never forget it when I head to the gym. I can drink 32 ounces in an hour spin class. Here are some tips on staying hydrated!
How to Stay Hydrated in the Summer
by Margaret
With the hottest part of summer here, staying hydrated is even more important. Dehydration can lead to vomiting, dizziness and palpitations. Even if you’re not out sweating in the sun, these tips from FitSugar will help you stay in top form.
1. Be sure to hydrate before you workout, but don’t chug before you jump on the treadmill. To avoid compromising your workout, sip on two to three cups starting 60 minutes prior to exercise.
2. Replace soda with sparkling water. Most flavored versions are calorie-free, and still have that refreshing bubbly taste.
3. Carry a reusable water bottle. Refilling a water bottle is cheaper and better for the environment, plus, you’re more likely to get all the liquid you need if it’s always on hand.
4. Keep track of your consumption. In normal healthy adults, usually drinking when thirsty is enough to stay hydrated. But when you’re sweating more than usual, it’s good to keep in mind that the recommended daily intake of liquids is 9 cups for women and 12.5 cups for men.
5. Hydrate at work. Even if you’re not out in the sun, it’s important to keep water at hand throughout the day. Plus, air conditioning can reduce the ambient humidity, making sticky days more bearable but also drying out your skin.
6. Make your own sports drink. Try out our easy electrolyte water recipe to naturally replace electrolytes.
7. Drink water on the plane. If you’re traveling by air, it’s also good to try to avoid caffeine and alcohol during the flight. The humidity on board an aircraft is super low, drying out our bodies faster.
8. Plan ahead when you set out for the day, whether you’re just running errands or going on a long hike. Water may seem cumbersome to carry around, but it’s more important to avoid dehydration.
9. Drink a glass of water before meals. Not only will you have plenty of H2O for proper digestion, you’ll be less likely to overeat.
10. Eat your water. Stock up on fresh fruits and veggies like watermelon, celery, lettuce, and cucumbers. Not only are they in season, they will keep your body hydrated.
How to Stay Hydrated in the Summer
by Margaret
With the hottest part of summer here, staying hydrated is even more important. Dehydration can lead to vomiting, dizziness and palpitations. Even if you’re not out sweating in the sun, these tips from FitSugar will help you stay in top form.
1. Be sure to hydrate before you workout, but don’t chug before you jump on the treadmill. To avoid compromising your workout, sip on two to three cups starting 60 minutes prior to exercise.
2. Replace soda with sparkling water. Most flavored versions are calorie-free, and still have that refreshing bubbly taste.
3. Carry a reusable water bottle. Refilling a water bottle is cheaper and better for the environment, plus, you’re more likely to get all the liquid you need if it’s always on hand.
4. Keep track of your consumption. In normal healthy adults, usually drinking when thirsty is enough to stay hydrated. But when you’re sweating more than usual, it’s good to keep in mind that the recommended daily intake of liquids is 9 cups for women and 12.5 cups for men.
5. Hydrate at work. Even if you’re not out in the sun, it’s important to keep water at hand throughout the day. Plus, air conditioning can reduce the ambient humidity, making sticky days more bearable but also drying out your skin.
6. Make your own sports drink. Try out our easy electrolyte water recipe to naturally replace electrolytes.
7. Drink water on the plane. If you’re traveling by air, it’s also good to try to avoid caffeine and alcohol during the flight. The humidity on board an aircraft is super low, drying out our bodies faster.
8. Plan ahead when you set out for the day, whether you’re just running errands or going on a long hike. Water may seem cumbersome to carry around, but it’s more important to avoid dehydration.
9. Drink a glass of water before meals. Not only will you have plenty of H2O for proper digestion, you’ll be less likely to overeat.
10. Eat your water. Stock up on fresh fruits and veggies like watermelon, celery, lettuce, and cucumbers. Not only are they in season, they will keep your body hydrated.
Best Places to Live 2010 - CNN Money
CNN Money just came out with their top 100 places to live and THREE cities in our area made the list!! #7 - Overland Park, KS #27 - Lee's Summit, MO #49 - Blue Springs, MO Check and see if any cities in your area made the list:
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