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

You will want to clear your calendar for October 13th because ReBarCamp is coming to Kansas City. The Town Pavilion conference center will play host to an incredible and unique day of idea sharing, networking and learning. To make the day even more special there will be some famous Kansas City BBQ to keep the tank topped off and the mind strong. 

Registration is now open for this free event and space is limited, so don't wait.

Register Now

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Everyone has their reason why they want to be a homeowner. For some it is a stable place to call home. For others it is an investment in their future. Since the $8,000 first time home buyer tax expired many would be home buyers are having a hard time to find the justification for buying a home. They are thinking that prices may go down or that the economy will slip back into recession. Well I am here to give 2.75 simple reasons on why you should buy now and I mean right now today. 

1. On October 4th 2010 FHA is raising it's monthly mortgage insurance. What the heck is that? Any loan that has less than 20% down payment charges you the borrower a monthly premium to purchase mortgage insurance and FHA is raising the rate on all loans after October 4th. This change will cost you the new home buyer anywhere from $35 to $75 more dollars per month. 

2. FHA mortgages are at there lowest fixed rates ever. I did say ever? If you are like most first time buyers you will probably only stay in your home for 5 years or less? So why not get an FHA 5 year ARM. The Rate is fixed for 5 years and you want to know what the rate is? You guessed it 2.75%. Now I know what you are going to say, "what if we stay longer" After the 5 years the rate can only go up 1 point per year. After living in your home for 7 years your max interest rate would be 4.75%.

and now the .75 reason to buy today and it is a very simple reason. There are a lot of awesome homes available. But to make it even better, you won't have to fight every tax rebate wanting buyer away from you favorite home like it was in April.

Below you will find links to all of the best homes in Johnson County Kansas and the Kansas City Metro Area, Click the link, find a great home then call Michael Russell at 913-735-7104 to see all of the best homes.

HUD homes are great opportunity for a first time home buyer that doesn't have a lot of money for a down payment. You can purchase a HUD home in Overland Park with only a $500 down payment. In addition to the low down payment requirement HUD guidelines allow you to request up to 3% in closing costs assistance. If you have been considering purchasing a home in Overland Park but have been holding off due to lack of down payment you might want to consider a HUD home. Currently there are 7 HUD homes available in Overland Park Kansas. HUD has 2 listing days each week were new HUD homes are listed if available.

To see a see a list of Available Overland Park HUD homes Click Here

Not just looking for Overland Park? We can help provide you with a list of HUD homes for Johnson, Wyandotte or Jackson County HUD homes for sale. Contact the Russell Home Team at 913-735-7104 or email us at info@russellhometeam.com  

It is official, RE Bar Camp is coming to Kansas City. Mark your calendars for October 13th and clear the whole day and possibly the evening to. So what is an RE Bar Camp?

ReBarCamp is a  Free ad hoc gathering of Real Estate marketing, social media and tech folks who share new ideas, listen and network in a laid back casual environment for one day of sessions and conversations.

The website is live and can be found at  REBarCampKC.com Come join us for an awesome day of learning in the BBQ Capital of the US. 

Just Listed

4436 Cambridge Street

Kansas City Kansas 66103

$125,000

• 3 bedrooms
• 2 full baths
• Hardwood Floors
• remodeled kitchen
• 2 remodeled baths
• adorable bungalow style home
• close to KU Med and the Plaza

• over 1000 finished square feet

for a private showing contact Michael Russell at 913-681-1383

For would be home buyers in Johnson County Kansas there are very few down payment assistance programs. You have HUD homes that are available with $100 down payment but the selection of homes is usually pretty low and many are in very poor condition. Another option is a VA loan but those are only available to current Armed Forces and veterans. 

One really good option has been USDA Rural Development Loans, these government loans require no down payment. The only stipulation is that the home has to be in a USDA Rural Development zone. For Johnson County Kansas that encompasses areas of Gardner, Stilwell and Spring Hill. Earlier this year the USDA ran out of money to fund these loans and while congress did add emergency funds to the program most banks were unwilling to underwrite these loans due to changes in loan guidlelines.

Well some recent changes to guidelines has reopened the door to USDA Loans and most banks are underwriting USDA loans again. 

If you are looking for a home and need down payment assistance or simply lack the 3.5% down payment needed for an FHA Loan then a loan backed by USDA might be a good option for you.

For more information on USDA Rural Development Loans contact the Russell Home Team at 913-681-1383

To view Gardner Kansas homes for sale click Here

To View Stilwell Kansas Homes for Sale Click Here

To View Spring Hill Kansas Homes for Sale Click Here

Birchwood Place and Birchwood Hills in Overland Park Kansas. Located near the intersection of 143rd and Antioch has remained one of Overland Parks favorite subdivisions. It's close proximity to Blue Valley Schools, shopping, movie theatre and more make it a very desirable place to call home.

Birchwood Place and Birchwood Hills offer a diverse selection of 2 story homes at very affordable prices. For more information on the Birchwood subdivisions contact the Russell Home Team at 913-735-7104

Last 6 months home sales in Birchwood Place & Birchwood Hills 

Homes Sold                                                  5

Average List Price                                   $295,190

Average Sales Price                               $289,490

Highest Sales Price                                 $322,500

Lowest Sales Price                                  $264,950

Average Days to Sell                              45

To see all Birchwood Place and Birchwood Hills homes for sale Click Here

To learn more about the Russell Home Teams Sell for Le$$ listing plan Click Here

Regency by the Lake in Overland Park Kansas is one of those few subdivisions that has been completely unaffected by the downturn in the real estate market. There seems to be 2 reasons for this, it's incredible location next to Lionsgate and the Lakewood Elementary and middle schools and its affordability.

It is very rare to find the combination of quality 2 story homes and affordabilty in such a incredible location. If you have never been through Regency you should take a ride through. It boasts a very nice community pool and a walking path around the lake. Located near 145th and Metcalf Regency is not only walking distance to Lakewood Elementary and Middle Schools, it is close to restaurants, grocery stores and so much more...

Last 6 months home sales in Regency by the Lake

Homes Sold                                                     10

Average List Price                                       $263,782

Average Sold Price                                      $259,486

Highest Sales Price                                      $277,500

Lowest Sales Price                                      $234,000

Average Days to Sell                                   45

To see all Regency by the Lake Homes for sale Click Here

To Learn more about the Russell Home Teams Sell for Le$$ Listing Program click here 

Do you live in the Green Meadows Subdivision? Want to know what homes are selling for? Well you are at the right place. Below you will find a market report for the first 6 months of 2010. If you have any questions about home sales in Green Meadows you can contact the Russell Home Team at 913-681-1383 or you can request a market analysis on your home by clicking here

Green Meadows Home Sales Report for January to June 2010

Homes Sold                                        6

Average List Price                           $240,773

Average Sold Price                          $236,523

Highest Sales Price                         $262,750

Lowest Sales Price                         $197,100

Average Days to Sell                      110

Click Here to see all Green Meadows homes for sale

Click Here for more information on the Russell Home Teams Sell for Le$$ Listing Program

Sylvan Lake in South Overland Park Kansas is a fantastic little subdivision.  Just a stone's throw from Blue Valley High School, Sylvan Lake is a nice mix of 2 story and split level homes priced in the low $200,000's. The homes in Sylvan Lake are highly sought after for their quality and affordability. Sylvan Lake is also close to many of South Overland Parks amenities, including a Super Walmart, Price Chopper, restaurants and more..

Here is a look at the Last 6 months of Home Sales in Sylvan Lake

Homes Sold                                                5

Average List Price                                   $227,600

Average Sold Price                                  $223,360

Highest Sales Price                                 $237,000

Lowest Sales Price                                 $176,800

Average Days to Sell                               55

To see all Sylvan Lake Homes for sale Click Here

To learn about the Russell Home Teams Sell For Le$$ Listing Program click Here

To schedule a no obligation market analysis on your Sylvan Lake Home Click Here or call Michael Russell at 913-681-1383