Overland Park KS Homes for sale & Johnson County Real Estate Blog: August 2007

It's that time again. No not the chiefs but The Blue Valley Tigers. You got it the undefeated defending state champions are ready to step back on the field. The tigers lost a lot of key players from last years 13-0 team but coach Steve Rampy in his 23rd season always finds a way to field an impressive team. Do yourself a favor and take in a game, the crowds are fantastic.

Blue Valley 2007 Football Schedule

August 31                  Manhattan                        7pm

September 7          @ Hays                                7pm

September 15        @ Bishop Miege                     2pm

September 21        @ St Thomas Aquinas            7pm

September 27          Blue Valley North                 7pm

October 5                Blue Valley Northwest           7pm

October 11              Ottawa                               7pm

October 19           @ Gardner                             7pm

October 26               Blue Valley West                7pm

The Russell Home Team are proud fans of Blue Valley Football.

It seems that everyday we are bombarded with bad news concerning housing. We are left to speculate which lender will go out of business next or how high will the foreclosure rate go? I wanted to take the time to help seperate fact from perception.

One of the things that drove the real estate market through the roof was the constant news reports about all of the money being made by home sellers, you know, buy a house live in it for six months and the sell it for 100k profit. Now the news media is intent on riding that wave right into the ground. But should you believe everything in the media? How do foreclosure rates in California affect the value of my home in Overland Park, well they don't.

Real estate is local, all has and always will be. While a state like Michigan is suffering from severe layoffs in the automobile industry, Kansas has had a unemployment rate in the 4.5% range for some time now. Kansas also has not seen the enormous run up in prices experienced by the coastal markets. As prices rose buyers in those markets buyers resorted to much riskier financing than buyers in our Local Kansas market.

So what do those number really look like: Nevada 1 out of every 199 mortgages are in some stage of default, California 1 out of every 320 and here we are Kansas 1 out of every 2700. Do you see the difference?

The perception is that real estate is in trouble but the reality is that the market is fine, actually it is better than fine. Kansas, especially Johnson County remains strong. Sales will do what they have historically done which is increase 5% a year. Think of it like this, the coastal markets are expesive sports cars they have the ability to get you to your destination quickly but when they break down they are reall expensive to fix. Now our market is like a Toyota Corrolla, it is not flash, it is not very fast but it will get where you want to go and when it breaks down the fix is usually cheap and easy.

Have you been considering selling your home but think the market is too risky? Let the Russell Home Team help seperate the Facts from perception for you. For many sellers there will be no better time to move up. Please take a moment to check out our website http://www.weselljoco.com/ you will find tons of useful information on buying and selling, mortgage calculators and yes lots and lots of great houses in Johnson county including Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa, Olathe and more...

When it comes time to look for a new home one pof the most important things to potential buyers is schools. The Blue Valley School District is usually the one that comes to mind. One of the biggest problems facing buyers is finding a home they can afford in Blue Valley. Well Willow Bend is the subdivision you have been looking for. Not only will you be in the Blue Valley School district but you can find a great home at an affordable price. Check out this months home sales stats.

Homes Listed      3

Homes Sold        1

Average Sales price     $199,000

Average days to sell     60

So for less than 200k you will get a great house and great schools. To see all of the great homes for sale in Willow Bend visit our website www.WeSelljoco.com or for a personal tour of the neighborhoos give Michael or Tracy a call at 913-681-1383

The Russell Home Team specializes in Overland Park and it communities like Wilderness, Wilderness Valley, Sylvan Lake, Green Meadow and Iron Horse.

Hampton Place continues to be one of Overland Park's most family friendly neighborhoods. Hampton Place has a fantastic mix of homes to choose from from existing homes in the 250's to new homes in the low 400's by well know builders Acuff, Dusty Rhodes, Dan Smith & Bickimer. Some of the other great features you will find is the large community pool and brand new elementary school on the east side of the subdivision. The local neighborhood has also had some great new additions with LLywyllens Pub and Cris Cakes opening recently. You can now take a virtual tour of the neighborhood and the local hot spots
http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1174742

Here are this months sales Stats

Homes Listed 3

Homes Sold 3

Average sales price $317,000

Average days on  market  56

If you are interested in  Hampton Place give the Russell Home Team a call, Michael or Tracy will be glad to give you the ten cent tour. If you want to see all of the great homes available check out our website www.WeSelljoco.com

The Russell Home Team specializes in Hampton Place and other great Overland Park neighborhoods like: Wilderness, Wilderness Valley, Blackthorne Estates, Iron Horse, Green Meadows, Willow Bend, Sylvan Lake and Liongate.

The Russell Home Team

913-681-1383

Your Overland Park Home Experts!

Do you find that whenever you turn on the television or ope the newspaper that there is yet another doom and gloom story about the housing market? While it may not be the most opportune time to sell a home in Miami or Phoenix, Johnson County remains a stable, saleable market. National Trends have no bearing on the sale of homes in a local market. Many would be seller are hesitant because they are hearing it is a buyer's market. The statistics for Johnson County simply don't bear this out. The existing supply for home here is 5.7 months. A balanced market for home sellers and buyers is defined as a 6 month available home supply. Our supply tilts slightly toward the seller. June 2007 marked the highest num ber of existing homes sold since June 2006. The average selling price for an existing home in Johnson County is $247,549, which is up slightly from a year ago. The bottom line is now is a prime time to put your house on the market! Waiting until winter with a wait and see attitude will not allow you to captitalize on the momentum of the market!

(Data supplied by the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors)

The Russell Home Team prides itself on being your Johnson County Real Estate experts! Visit our website www.WeSelljoco.com to find your Johnson County Dream Home. Whether you are looking for Overland Park, Olathe, Leawood or any of Johnson Counties fine communities, you will find it here. Do you want a personal tour? Give Michael or Tracy a call, let us show you why Johnson County is such a great place to call home.

Russell Home Team

Michael & Tracy Russell

913-681-1383

www.WeSelljoco.com

Like the song said, "Anticipation is making me wait". One thing I can tell you The famous Cris cakes is worth the wait. After years of traveling the pancake breakfast circuit for local churches and charitable organizations Cris cakes is finally ready to settle down into their permanent digs at the corner of 151st & Nall in Overland Park. For those of you who are familiar, Cris Cakes serves fluffy little circles of heaven. Their new restaurant adds a little twist though, they also have a full buffet with eggs bacon and all the trimmings. While you are filling up on some of the best cakes around, check out the show. Cris cakes has won several awards for being the fastest flipper in all america. They won a Food network challenge by flipping over 500 flaps in one hour. The kids will love it too, with pancakes shaped like rabbits pigs & more.. 

What are your favorite local hotspots? Let me know so I can feature them here. 

The Russell Home Team asks you to support yoour local business, they are the lifeblood of our community. If you think you would like to call Overlan Park Home give Michael & Tracy a call 913-681-1383 or check out some great houses at www.WeSelljoco.com  

For those who live south of 435 your dining options can be pretty limited to the National chains. Thats why it is so great to finally have a great local place to call our own Llywelyn's pub opened recently to rave reviews from the neighborhood. The former church has been converted to a beautiful English style pub that oozes old world charm. The decor is complemented by well placed flat screen tv's and a smoke free environement. The staff is super friendly and the beer selection is perfect. I would suggest the Goose Island pale ale. Lastly the food was tasty perfect pub food. Fish & Chips, Burgers and a great Steak sandwich. You can find Llyweyn's on 151st just east of Metcalf in Overland Park.

Tell me what your favorite place is, and I will feature it here. It doesn't have to be a restaurant, it could be a hair salon, coffee shop or any business who goes above and beyond for their customers. 

The Russell Home Team is dedicated to the neighborhoods of Overland Park. As a former restaurant owner I know how hard this business is. Please support you local businesses. We have plenty of great homes available. Go to www.WeSelljoco.com to see them all.

Take a  look at this fantastic ranch style villa. Great maintenance free community calls you. Ultra clean and move in ready with new carpet and fresh paint. This unit is priced to sell today at

$170,000

Dont miss the boat, call Michael or Tracy today at 913-681-1383 or go to our website to see more photos www.WeSelljoco.com We have tons of great homes for sale in Overland Park, Lenexa and more...