Blog
Three Years Ago, Our Entire World Changed
Three years ago on Saturday, March 21, 2020, I was running some errands late in the afternoon. I’d forgotten and left my phone in the car and when I got back into the vehicle, I looked down and noticed I had more than 20 voicemails and text messages on my phone! Most of the voicemails... Read More
My Many Travels
I had some changes in my life last year that caused me to give serious thought to what I want in this life. As I’m getting older, I realized there are many places I want to travel to and experience new things. In September, I threw this out to all my friends and family to... Read More
Methodist Communion and Welch’s Grape Juice
This last Sunday morning at Church, we took communion and the pastor explained they are offering cups with grape juice or wine, depending on your preference. He then gave a quick mention of how Welch’s Grape Juice got started with the United Methodist Church way back in 1800’s. I’m always fascinated by these little business... Read More
House Hunting Feels Like Online Dating
I was talking to one of our home buying clients earlier this week. He’s a single guy and he told me that buying a home feels a little like online dating. That made me laugh out loud, but then when he elaborated, I decided he might be right! I’M NOT SURE I CAN TRUST THE... Read More
Why Selling a House in the Winter May Be the Best Decision Ever
Nobody buys or sells a home in the winter, right? Wrong! In fact, if you check the numbers, you’ll find that a good chunk of home purchases happen during the coldest months of the year. Yes, spring is generally the most popular time of year to sell a house, with hordes of buyers looking to move... Read More
5 Quick Tips to Improve Your Credit Score
From time to time, our real estate team invites an industry expert to join us at our Friday morning team meetings and speak on a subject they’re passionate about. In two weeks, we will hear from Janna Fox, CEO of ReScore. Unlike other credit counseling companies here in Kansas City, ReScore doesn’t charge a monthly... Read More
The History of New Year’s Resolutions
The ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year’s resolutions, some 4,000 years ago. They were also the first to hold celebrations in honor of the new year—though for them the year began not in January but in mid-March when the crops were planted. During a massive 12-day religious festival known as Akitu,... Read More
Better Communication with People
A few weeks ago I was at a party and standing with a small group of people, chatting about various subjects. It was just small talk and nothing too serious, but one of the men in the group felt the need to respond to every statement that was made. And worse, no matter what the... Read More
When is the perfect time to get pre-approved for a mortgage?
I wish that homebuyers understood the importance of getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Too many times, they start looking at homes online, touring open houses and even talking to a real estate agent well in advance of actually getting that pre-approval letter. Look, I get it, digging into your financial situation isn’t the fun part.... Read More
Thousands of Realtors Quitting the Business
In March 2020 when the pandemic hit, the restaurant where Jennifer Smith was working as a waitress announced a temporary closure. By June, it turned into a permanent one. Unemployment was a shock for Jennifer, who had been working in the restaurant industry for 15 years. “That was heartbreaking,” she said. “Being in the restaurant... Read More