How many times have you said; “…if I only knew” or “…if only someone had told me”?  These statements are all too true especially when making large, financial purchases.
Knowing the average homeowner lives in their home for 13 years, it’s important for you to look back and love this experience.
Here are our Top 5 Confessions, so you can properly plan to buy a home:
Time
You’ll be spending more time with your real estate agent than anyone else. A transparent relationship is key.
Credit
Clean up your credit and never miss a payment. Paying more than the minimum/in-full will boost your score.
Inspection
Good home inspectors reveal issues! That list may be lengthy, but important for maintenance planning.
Lifestyle
make sure the home fits your lifestyle. Check out common areas, neighborhoods, schools, amenities, etc.
Budget
Stick to a budget. Consider utilities, HOA fees, taxes, or miscellaneous fees. Your realtor should only present homes within your budget.
Tips of the Trade
We can all agree that spring is a beautiful time of year. As the weather gets nicer, the flowers begin to bloom—and warm weather pests start causing problems in and around your home. While spring insects are unavoidable, it doesn’t mean you have to live with them.
We put together a list of spring pest control tips so you can enjoy warmer weather without a pest infestation ruining your springtime.
Signs of Infestation
It’s hard to control infestation and pests if you don’t know what to look for. Some pests can infest your home year-round, but a few pests are more active during the warmer months. Here are the signs to look out for to catch common springtime house pests before they get out of hand.
- Droppings
- Chew Marks
- Nests
- Wood Damage
- Holes in Boxes or Packaging
Clean Indoors
Pests tend to be attracted to food that’s been left out, spills, and water sources like drains. The good news is sweeping and routinely cleaning your home can go a long way in preventing these pests from getting inside your house and causing issues.
Clean Outdoors
If you’ve got pests outside of your home, there’s a possibility that they’ll find their way into your home. Check the perimeter of your house for spots that could use a little tidying up.
Look out for these spots:
- Foliage
- Tall grasses & weeds or overly-grown lawns
- Crumbs from picnics and bbq’s on the patio
Keep your Trash Bins Clean
Outdoor trash cans and recycle bins are a major spot for small insects like flies and gnats to larger pests like raccoons and possums. Because these creatures are more active during the spring and summer, keeping your cans and bins clean and most importantly sealed is imperative.
Remove Standing Water
Hotter temperatures often mean more mosquitoes. Mosquitoes lay eggs near water, so one of the best ways to stop mosquitoes from swarming your yard is to remove standing water from your property regularly. Once a week, go around your yard and empty any standing water.
You’ll find accumulated standing water in these items:
- Flower Pots
- Trash Bins and Cans
- Children’s Pools and Toys
- Bird Baths
- Rain Barrels
- Ponds and Fountains
Our preferred vendor, Dave Johnson with Certified Pests Control is ready to take care of your interior and exterior pest control needs. Give him a call before it’s too late: 816-217-6630.
Relocating to the Area
The Gresham Group is proud to be apart of ReeceNichols Relocation Experts. Whether across the state or across the country, we can help new employees or team members settle into the area with ease.
We’re highlighting a couple counties, where our agents have deep roots and knowledge.
Cass County, Missouri
Nestled just 30 minutes south of the Kansas City, Missouri metro area, you’ll find Cass County! Many homeowners and families enjoy the numerous lakes, trails and outdoor activities. Some of the cities within Cass County are: Raymore, Lake Winnebago, East Lynne, Belton and Archie. These cities allow homeowners to enjoy a true, country-feel with quiet surroundings. One of The Gresham Group’s home office is located in Belton. Many of the agents spend time volunteering with local schools and organizations in the area while socializing at local spots!
Johnson County, Kansas
If you enjoy the hustle and bustle, Johnson County is located just minutes from the Kansas City, Missouri metro area. Known for many corporations, local businesses, award-winning schools and a local community college, Johnson County is growing tremendously. Some of the cities within Johnson County are: Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa, Mission Hills, Leawood and Prairie Village. The Gresham Group has an office located in Olathe. These cities have robust amenities for homeowners and families like Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, The Museum at Prairiefire, and tons of year-round farmers markets.
Question of the Month:
How is my home priced to sell?
At The Gresham Group, we assess a few important things when listing your home and consider your potential buyer in the process:
- Property Assessment
- Real Estate Agent Expertise
- Neighborhood Evaluation
- and, Local Comps
These items will give us our sweet spot to make sure you get the best deal possible.
Make the Extra Payment
Freedom from your mortgage is right around the corner with some strategic planning! Getting rid of your monthly house payment leaves you with a ton of extra money to save for retirement.
Putting a few extra dollars or even one monthly payment annually will knock years off your mortgage, plus save thousands in interest.
Crunch the numbers with us: Let’s say you have a $240,000, 30-year mortgage with a 7% interest rate and a monthly payment of $1,597 for your principal and interest. If you made an extra payment just once every quarter, you’d pay off your house nearly 15 years early! That would mean cutting the length of your mortgage in half and saving a whopping $184,000 in interest along the way.
Before you start making those payments, check with your mortgage company first and ensure anytime an extra payment is made that it applies to your principal balance.
Save Money Long-term
Build Equity Faster
Drop PMI Faster
Local Kansas City Events for Memorial Day Weekend
5/24 – 8/31: Disney100: The Exhibition at Union Station
5/24 – 5/27: Memorial Day Ceremony at World War 1 Museum
5/24 – 5/27: Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
5/25: Opening Day at Oceans of Fun
5/26: Celebration at the Station: with KC Symphony
5/27: Memorial Day Parade in Blue Springs
Cool for the Summer
Before you go diving into owning a home with a pool, consider these tips for pool maintenance.
Test the pH regularly, at least once a week.
Shock the pool after heavy rainfalls.
Vacuum weekly and remove debris regularly.
Brush the sides bi-weekly to remove build-up on tiles.
Real Estate Market Update
 The Greater Kansas City April market stats are available. Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORS® shows us home sales prices are still going up!
Now’s the time to get your home on the market, if you’re thinking about selling this summer!
Celebrating Mom
We had a bit of fun this month by celebrating Mom all month long! Listen to our Mother’s Day playlists on Spotify.
Client Testimonials
WORK WITH US
Buying and selling a house is an emotional process. Our agents are here to be your trusted advisor and lifelong friend. We’re dedicated to the people of Kansas and Missouri and believe everyone should be able to find home.
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