Carrie Cowan Holder, Realtor at RE/MAX State Line

8 Tips to Use Twitter Successfully RISMEDIA, May 27, 2010--Social media is here to stay and everyone is using social networking sites such a Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. If you're worried about how to best use Twitter, propertyadguru.com's offers the following tips for real estate agents who are looking to get the most out of Twitter. 1. Understand what Twitter is and plan before you tweet. Twitter is about posting short updates of less than 140 characters. It's all about telling your followers what you're doing, so be sure to look closely at examples of how others use it before you begin. 2. Every word matters. You only have 140 characters-think carefully about how you choose to spend them. 3. Personalize your Twitter account, but keep it professional. Make sure to think business and include all your relevant contact details in your profile, choose a relevant name, add a photo, include a short bio and make new friends or follow other relevant businesses. 4. Tweet. ...

Tips on How to Fix Your House Up to Sell By Paige Tepping RISMEDIA, May 27, 2010--With the summer buying and selling season just around the corner, now is the time to think about how you can create a lasting first impression with potential buyers. Here are 8 simple tips that will help your home stand out from the crowd. Open the drapes and blinds. Sunshine is the world's best decorator and nothing is more depressing than walking into a home where shades, curtains and drapes are closed. Wash the windows - inside and out. For the same reasons as above, no other small improvement will give you more bang than this. Clean up the yard. Cut back overgrown shrubs, particularly those that obscure windows or make it difficult to get to the front door. Mow the grass, rake or pick up downed leaves and branches, put away lawn tools, kids' toys and discard or store any outdoor furniture that is rusty or ragged. If season and funds permit, put down some colorful annuals or put a few nicely pl...

10 Important Tips to Successful Real Estate Investing By Paige Tepping RISMEDIA, May 26, 2010--When it comes to investing, everybody has certain goals and aspirations. However, we have found that there are certain guidelines every aspiring real estate investor needs to know: 1. Compare property values and rents Financial statistics only go so far; the best measure of a property's market value is often the sale prices of nearby properties. The same holds true for area rents. A low price can often be justified by a reasonable rent; renters who can afford a high rent can afford to buy instead, so reasonably priced rent is a must. 2. Pay attention to tax laws Don't base your tax investment on current tax laws. The tax code is constantly changing, and a good investment is a good investment regardless of the tax code. The right property with the right financing is what you should look for as an investor. 3. Specialize in something you know Start in a market segment you know. Whether ...

Come see what’s going on with real estate downtown! Looking for a fun way to spend the weekend? The 10th annual Urban Living Tour offers an affordable and entertaining way to experience Downtown Kansas City living. This year’s event features 29 properties in nine Greater Downtown neighborhood districts; plus, new amenities and even a gift bag with over $1,000 coupons and discounts to downtown attractions. Shuttle buses will run continuously throughout Saturday and Sunday allowing people to enjoy the sites. Stop by the KCRAR booth at the shuttle stop to say HI! Presented by Boveri Realty Group, Downtown Council of Kansas City, DST Realty, Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City, Master Realty Properties, Power & Light District and 909 Walnut Friday, June 4 at 5:00 pm – VIP Tour Saturday, June 5, from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm Sunday, June 6 from 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm Main Street and 14th Street. On Saturday and Sunday, the public may conveniently park and ride one of the many s...

What Not to Pack RISMEDIA, May 24, 2010--When you're packing up your belongings for moving day, sometimes it's best to leave it to the professionals - or leave it behind entirely. These moving/packing tips will help you discern what not to pack. Items that Require Disassembly or Special Packaging Items requiring professional disassembly and/or crating (such as slate pool tables, chandeliers, or large glass table tops) are best left to the professionals. Heat-Sensitive Items Do not pack heat-sensitive items like candles, CDs, computer peripherals, etc. If you must take these items to your new home, bring them with you in your climate-controlled car or truck. Irreplaceable Papers and Objects Don't pack any irreplaceable items. Whether these items have significant monetary value, are financial/personal in nature, or have sentimental value, you'll probably want to keep these items on your person or have them shipped via a trackable shipping service: • Address books • Financ...

The Biggest Mistake Real Estate Agents Make And How You Can Avoid It By Dr. Maya Bailey RISMEDIA, May 24, 2010-- THE BIG MISTAKE: “The economy is so slow and I don't even know where my next sale is coming from.” How often have you heard someone say that when business is down and the economy is questionable? It seems logical, doesn't it, to tighten your purse strings? “Wait! Are you suggesting that I should invest in my business now?” Even though it seems logical to tighten up and constrict spending, this is actually based on a “scarcity” mindset. In a scarcity mindset you focus on lack in your business, and on lack in economy. The result is a constriction in the flow of energy to your business. In fact, when you focus your thoughts on lack in your business, you have a problem even before you begin. Hence, THE BIG MISTAKE. Are you constricting the flow of energy to your business? Here are some signs to watch out for: 1. What are your thoughts? · I don't have enough clients ·...

Leaky basement calls for thorough inspection Bill and Kevin Burnett Inman News Q: After a hard rain, we found water in our basement near where our chimney attaches to the house. We noticed that the caulking between the chimney and the house is dry and cracking. We also noticed that the basement's ceiling has water spots, which leads us to believe it has happened before. Is there a special caulk we can use after we remove the old material? And some of the mortar between the bricks is cracked. Our house is about 30 years old. A: A 30-year-old chimney needs a good inspection. You can do the inspection on the outside yourself. But we recommend that you get a chimney sweep for the inside. Over time, creosote, a byproduct of wood, builds up in the chimney liner. Creosote buildup is the main cause of chimney fires. If you use the fireplace regularly during the winter, an annual inspection and cleaning is a must. As for the chimney's exterior, get on a ladder and take a look. Pay speci...

Great information for Kansas City Condo Buyers For Your Clients: 7 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Condo RISMEDIA, May 21, 2010--You've found your dream condo, and you're ready to relax among the mango trees and swaying date palms. Hold everything. To keep from getting stuck with a lemon, you've got to do some homework. Here are the seven most important questions you need to ask before buying a condo. 1. "What's the Beef?" Take a look at the minutes of the condo association board meetings to see what the owners have been griping about. If everyone was complaining about the faulty plumbing or the gardener's absence, you know that the complex is having management difficulties. Even if there aren't any complaints, reading the minutes will reveal the sorts of projects that are under way at the complex -- projects the seller may have neglected to mention. 2. "Who's Been Naughty and Who's Been Nice?" Find out the delinquency rates of pre...

Great Artice by The New York Times on Travel in Kansas City. It is interesting to note that the Plaza is only mentioned in passing while they go into detail about downtown, crossroads, etc. Thanks to my client Ryan for making me aware of this artice. By CHARLY WILDER Published: May 16, 2010 KANSAS CITY is known for its barbecue, bebop and easy-does-it Midwestern charm. But a decade-long effort to revitalize the city’s downtown has transformed this former jazz mecca, which straddles the Kansas-Missouri border, back into a culturally rich metropolis. The city’s standing will be further bolstered next year when the much-anticipated Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts opens, giving a sleek new home to the symphony, opera and ballet. True, Kansas City is no backwater, but don’t expect high polish. In fact, it’s the city’s unvarnished grit that may be its best asset. Friday 4 p.m. 1) CROSSROADS REDEFINED Industrial stagnation and suburban exodus in the 1960s left the Crossroads neighbo...

Interesting article. Is anyone using DocuSign on a regular basis? What do your clients think about it? Federal Housing Administration to Accept DocuSign for Real Estate Contracts Nationwide Buyers, Sellers, Agents and Lenders Will Save Significant Time and Money on Mortgage Document Approvals with DocuSign eSignature Services SEATTLE - April 8, 2010 - DocuSign®, the leader in on-demand electronic signature solutions , today announced that e-signed third-party documents, including real estate contracts, are now being accepted by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). DocuSign spearheaded an industry-wide effort to move the FHA to formally recognize e-signed third-party documents. The April 8, 2010 dated FHA mortgagee letter is the first in what is expected to be a series of responses to this initiative. With this policy statement from the nation's largest mortgage insurer, real estate professionals can use DocuSign to get real estate contracts, addenda and other documents sign...