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I’ve Got a Guy – Episode 3: Landscaping with Envision Lawn and Tree

Your favorite Brookside realtor is back with more insider tips!

In this episode of “I’ve Got a Guy,” Ellen asks the questions we’ve all been wondering about landscaping in the Brookside neighborhoods.

The first impression of a house rests greatly on its landscaping and exterior presentation; when buying or selling a home, it’s crucial to examine this influential aspect because as Ellen’s go-to landscaping guys claim “how it looks on the outside is usually what’s on the inside.” In this episode, Ellen talks with her landscaping go-to guys, John and Charlie Smith from Envision Lawn and Tree to bring you insight into how they address Brookside-specific landscaping challenges.

Check out the video below, plus John and Charlie’s ways to improve and maintain your yard’s appearance.

Brookside Landscaping Challenges

Brookside is essentially a park with well-established trees. While this creates beautiful views, Brookside landscaping can be a real chore!

  • KC’s unpredictable weather means that freezing rain and snow cause easily dead and broken limbs; these dead limbs are hazardous as they hang over houses and exposed power lines.
  • The tall, beautiful trees contribute to an overabundance of leaves in the fall, which can clog gutters and drains, leading to drainage issues.
  • The excessive leaf amount also means that without proper leaf removal, those leaves will suffocate your grass and plants come spring.
  • Many Brookside homes also struggle with wet basements and flooding. John and Charlie explain what “grading” is and how landscaping can help prevent a flooded basement!

Tips When Buying/Selling

  • Be Observant: the exterior of the home is a strong indication of any issues that may be inside the home.
  • Tidy the Look: Use fresh mulch, cut back shrubs, or even plant new ones to refresh the house’s appearance. Look into seeding versus sod for your yard and ensure green grass.
  • Check the Yard’s Grade: does the lawn slope down towards the house leading to flooding? Or does the lawn slope down away from the house?

Envision Lawn and Tree Services

John and Charlie have got your back! Envision Lawn and Tree can not only clean up the most untamable of yards, they can also address the wet basement issues by sloping the lawn and/or installing French drains! From tree removal to fresh mulch, there’s a reason Ellen counts on these guys to quickly and effectively assess and deal with any landscaping issues she encounters.

Are you looking for a house in the Brookside area? Ellen can’t wait to help you find the perfect home! Contact her today! Ready for some high quality lawncare? Contact John and Charlie at (816) 788 – 0808. Let them know that you saw this video and tell them Ellen sent you!

 

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New Year, New You – In Brookside!

Did you make New Year’s Resolutions about weight loss or fitness but don’t know where to start?

Maybe you aren’t keeping resolutions, but you have some fitness goals in mind. Whether you’re a fitness veteran and new to Brookside or a long-term resident new to the gym scene, Ellen knows just the local places to visit!

With the winter months still upon us, exercising outdoors is not a delightful prospect for most. Brookside offers indoor gyms that can help you find just the fitness program you need. Here are four of Ellen’s favorite gyms:

  1. Orange Theory (near 62nd Terrace and Main in Brookside)– With intentional coaches and the technological tools to monitor your progress, Orange Theory offers group classes with professional guidance to encourage you in completing your goals! Sign up for classes now; if you’re a first time visitor, you can take one class for free!
  2. Barre3 (on 63rd Street across from Brookside Real Estate office) – This unique fitness community blends ballet barre techniques with yoga and pilates to create a strengthening course easy enough for beginners! As an extra bonus, Barre3 also offers a “play lounge” day care setup so you don’t have to worry about your little ones while you’re working out – distraction free! Find a trainer and community here!
  3. City Gym –  (Located in in the heart of Waldo) City Gym offers everything from Spin to Zumba to Strength 360 classes. Check out their membership options here! Have any questions finding the right spot for you? Let them know!

If you’re not looking for a gym, just a little time outdoors, Ellen knows just the spots in Brookside for a lovely walk. The local Trolley Trail is four miles long and covers a historic section of the Brookside community. You can also check out Loose Park with its lovely views and excellent walking paths – with a small loop of just over a mile and a slightly larger loop so you can switch it up and enjoy a change of scenery while you exercise. Don’t forget the Brookside neighborhood streets are also quite walkable; most places in Brookside are dog friendly, but if you’re looking for off-leash options you’ll have to check out Swope Dog Park.

Whether you’re looking to start your fitness journey or you’re searching for a new community, Brookside has a wonderful selection of fitness options. Interested in becoming a resident of the beautiful Brookside neighborhood? Ellen can’t wait to help you discover your perfect home! Contact Ellen today and take the first step to joining the blossoming Brookside community.

 

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Buying in to Selling Your Home: Kansas City’s Growth Benefiting Sellers in 2020

The housing market in Kansas City has seen its fair share of growth over the last few years. High demand and low inventory drive up both prices and speed of home sales in Kansas City. A recent analysis by the Federal Housing Finance Agency found that Kansas City metro prices are growing faster than rates in most U.S. cities, including major cities like Denver, Nashville and Austin.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2020
New home construction is expected to stall next year, according to a 2020 real estate forecast from Wichita State University. With more potential buyers turning to existing homes, there is more opportunity for sellers thinking about selling their homes. Most experts locally and nationally predict more of the same growth for the Kansas City housing market in 2020. Stanley Longhofer, a professor and director of Wichita State’s Center for Real Estate, predicts that home prices in the Kansas City area will rise by nearly 5% next year. Longhofer said strong economic indicators, like low unemployment rates and growth in jobs, contribute to the growth of the housing market in Kansas City.

Here are the reasons why 2020 might be the year to sell your home:

LACK OF INVENTORY
The only real obstacle for homebuyers is supply: Low inventory has kept the number of homes sold in recent years nearly flat. Says Longhofer “there just are not enough homes available for sale in the neighborhoods and the price ranges that are the most popular people want to buy.” Longhofer said sellers of homes that cost less than $350,000 frequently put their home on the market on a Friday, and essentially have their pick of offers by the end of the weekend. This is an obvious advantage for sellers and chances are, you will get the full asking price. This stagnant amount of inventory often drives up the cost above asking price.

NEW BUYERS NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Overall buyer demand will remain very robust, particularly at the entry level, in 2020. According to a new Realtor.com report, millennials will increase their presence as homeowners and will account for more than 50% of all mortgages by the spring. A large portion of millennials will turn 30 next year, a time when many buy their first home. Millennials are anticipated to drive the U.S. housing market forward in 2020 more than ever, with large cohorts expected to either purchase their first home or decamp from city to suburb and trade up, according to an economic forecast published by Realtor.com on Wednesday.

FAVORABLE INTEREST RATES
The current inventory shortage is predicted to continue, possibly reaching a historic low. On the bright side, the Realtor.com report also predicts mortgage rates will stay reasonable, averaging 3.83% throughout the year. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate started 2019 at 4.68 percent and steadily declined before closing out the year at 3.93 percent. In 2020, rates are expected to remain mostly stable, not straying too much higher or lower from the 4 percent mark. According to a recent article by Bankrate, there is no immediate cause for concern for rising interest rates “We have been in a low interest rate environment for quite some time, and the current signaling from the Fed is that rates will continue to remain low,” says Alexander Akel, president of Akel Homes in South Florida. “Even if they tick up north of 4 percent, they will remain extremely attractive when compared to historical rates.”

Looking to sell your home in 2020? The experts at Brookside Real Estate are here to help! Give us a call at (816) 333-3330 or stop by our storefront office at 9 W 63RD ST – When the flag is up, we’re open!