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Author: Cami Jones

Don’t Miss Overland Park’s Fireworks: Star-Spangled Spectacular!

Metro Kansas City loves its fireworks displays, and there are no shortage of them to take in!  One of the really great displays (that also makes for a fun family day) is at Overland Park’s Corporate Woods (College Blvd at Hwy 69).  The specific address, for those of you new to the city, is Corporate Woods Founders’ Park, 9711 W. 109th St., Overland Park, KS 66210.Star-Spangled Spectacular is sponsored by Corporate Woods, Renewal by Andersen and McCownGordon Construction.Live musical performances will include the Overland Park Civic Band and The Elders, a local Celtic rock band.Food trucks will be on hand all evening, leading up to a fireworks performance once the sun goes down. 

Schedule leading up to fireworks

5:00 p.m. – Park opens for event6:00 p.m. – Overland Park Civic Band performs8:00 p.m. – The Elders performApproximately 9:45 p.m. – Fireworks beginRain date – July 5 (fireworks only, no concessions or live music)

Parking

Parking is available in Corporate Woods, but it rather difficult unless you are there early!  There are many businesses and offices in the surrounding area, but check signage before parking in their lots.  Many people choose to park in surrounding neighborhoods and walk across College Boulevard to the celebration, or even catch the fireworks display from a little west (Quivira) or a little east (Antioch) of Corporate Woods.  Do NOT stop on nearby Hwy 69 or I-435 to take in the scene!

What to bring

This is an outdoor event in a city park, please plan on bringing a lawn chair and blanket. No pop-up tents or canopies are allowed.  Give yourself and your kiddos a liberal helping of bug spray! There are lots of trees around…and lots and lots of mosquitoes.Note from the city to obey leash laws: if you want to bring your dog and they aren’t bothered by fireworks, please remember they need to stay leashed even if they are small or well behaved.

Other activities

Thanks to our friends at KC Kids Fun, we have some additional ideas to keep you and your families busy over the holiday!  For even more of their great info, click here.If a swim is more in line with your plans, Blue Valley Activity Center is hosting a Star Spangled Swim for littles ages 2-5 on Friday, June 29.  Kiddos can sing and to patriotic music, participate in a parade around the center, decorate a flag cookie, then splash around in the indoor pool! 10am-12:30pm at Blue Valley Activity Center, $20/$25 (non-resident); for ages 2-5 with participating adult.Booms & Blooms – Powell Gardens, Kingsville, MO.  This features tons of hands-on activities for kids begin at 3pm,  Saturday, June 30.  You can also take in the Lee’s Summit Symphony at 7:30pm and fireworks at 9pm.4th of July at the Farmstead is at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, Overland Park, KS.  There are activities from 9am-noon including bike parade, pig calling, and more for your little ones.There is the Community Days Parade in Lenexa, KS on July 4.  It begins at 10am in Old Town Lenexa.

Many displays aren’t actually on the 4th, and some are on July 3

Overland Park is a great community that several of us on the Cami Jones Collaborative team call home.  We are knowledgeable about properties and neighborhoods on BOTH sides of the state line and can help you with your buy or sell.

Give us a call today!  You can reach the Cami Jones Collaborative team at 913.402.2550.  Want to come see us?  Our new office is conveniently located at 5000 W. 135th St. Leawood, KS 66224.

Have a safe and happy Independence Day with your family and friends.*images provided by opkansas.org*activities info provided by KC Kids Fun

2018 Artisan Home Tour Greater Kansas City

Have you been to the Artisan Home Tour? The Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City is proud to present the Artisan Home Tour, a showcase of Kansas City’s finest custom home builders and the unique and impeccable qualities of their one-of-a-kind homes and featured products.  If you’re looking for the latest and best in home design and construction, this is for you!  Even if you’re simply browsing for design ideas, you’ll be sure to find lots of Pinterest-worthy inspiration.Home shows and tours often spur people to tackle small (or major) home improvement projects or even look for a new home to purchase.  And new construction continues to be as big as ever.  We recently blogged about the hot market and how it’s led to low inventory.  Listings are moving quickly and properties are hot, both new construction and resale.

There are six builders featured on this exclusive Tour:

Rocky and Lindy Rhodes, Allure Luxury HomesJeff Ashner, Ashner Construction Company, Inc.Russ Groshans, Casa Bella ConstructionDon Julian, Don Julian BuildersBrian Rodrock, Rodrock HomesKit and Gerry Starr, Starr Homes

The Artisan Home Tour hours

This marks the second and final weekend of the tour.  The Artisan Homes Tour is open today (Thursday), Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from noon until 7:00pm each day.  It is a ticketed tour and there are 7 homes featured. Stop by the HBA at 600 E. 103 St., Kansas City, MO 64131 to pick up your Artisan Home Tour Guide or pick one up at any of the Artisan Tour homes.The seven homes are in Parkville, Stilwell, Overland Park, Loch Lloyd and Leawood.

HBA helps Ronald McDonald House Charities

This year, the HBA is partnering with charitable partner Ronald McDonald House Charities. A portion of the tour’s proceeds will benefit this wonderful cause and enable them to keep helping families at their greatest time of need; during an illness.

The Artisan Home Tour goes mobile

The HBA has made it easy to find your favorite homes and map your route!  There are apps available for download on both Android and Apple.  Here’s what you can do and expect from the app, and these features sound totally amazing!

  • Buy Tickets
  • See the listing of all seven homes and select a home to view more details including photographs, home descriptions, location and builder information.
  • Use the mapping feature for convenient driving directions.
  • Let the HBA know what you think by rating homes in variety of categories or make a comment in the comment section.

 *images and information provided by https://artisanhome.kchba.org/*featured image:  Starr Homes / Sundance Ridge / 17605 Adair Street

Noble Designs: The Wonders of Wallpaper!

In case you missed it, last month we announced our partnership with Sara Noble and the Noble Designs team!  Sara will be guest blogging for us each month on things like up-to-date design trends, decor and more.  We’re excited to pair up with one of the best designers in town!  Sara has been designing for lucky Kansas Citians for 16 years and has grown her company to include a team of five designers plus additional staff.

Wallpaper, updated

This piece by Sara is all about the Wonders of Wallpaper!  As always, she’s right on trend. Wallpaper is one of those updates that can be (relatively) simple and inexpensive.  Of course, you can quickly lose yourself in gorgeous wallcoverings that cost a pretty penny!  If the word “wallpaper” evokes images of stodgy florals and animals, think again!  Today’s patterns feature things like:

  • retro patterns and artwork
  • embellished art deco designs
  • abstract and unique graphic prints
  • natural imagery with a modern twist

The Wonders of Wallpaper

“Hello!  I’m sitting here working on my first blog for Cami Jones Collaborative and I’m thinking about my bag of tricks.   I started reviewing some of the work we have done I found a theme!  I LOVE wallpaper!  It transforms a space.  It’s daring and fun.  I will be the first to admit it can be dated and awful but the new papers are fresh and instantly update any space.

My first experience with interior design was when I was 14 years old and got the opportunity to decorate my new room. We had moved to a new city which (was not part of my teenage plan). I’m guessing my mother encouraged a room makeover to divert my negative attitude.  And it worked!I loved my pink heart paper separated by a chair rail and the delicate pink flower paper on top. The perfect backdrop to my teddy bear collection.  Makes me sound like a real goody two shoes!  And in retrospect, it does seem a bit immature.

Wallpaper WOW!

But I digress, today’s paper has the ability to create a wow factor, and, despite what our parents might say, it is not permanent.  Today’s wallpapers are made to not tear down the walls if you change your mind in 10 years.  I especially love the look in a powder room.  I think people are willing to be more daring in this space and the size means you don’t need a lot of material making it a budget-friendly possibility for almost anyone.Some of my favorite brands are Schumacher, Thiabaut, and Cole and Son.  If you are in the market for a quick makeover give us a call and we will be happy to show our stash of samples and help you find the perfect design.”

Be sure to bookmark our blog and check back often as Sara will be contributing content each month and give us tips and trends on all things decor and design!  Like what you see?  Follow Noble Designs on Instagram at @nobledesigns!  Look for the crown! 

Our Real Estate Team is Growing

It’s been an exciting month for the Cami Jones Collaborative team!  We have added two phenomenal women to our team, and this is nothing but great news for our clients.  We can deliver even more of the personalized, concierge-style service that we are known for.Cami’s team promises to be flexible and dedicated, working together to ensure that every property garners the attention it deserves.We handle every step of the transaction, through innovative marketing strategies, professional photography, first class staging services, and fearless negotiation skills.  Team members will work quickly and efficiently until your goals are met.You’ll recognize familiar faces on our team; we bring decades of real estate experience to the table and are anxious to help you with your purchase or sale.  We have an intimate understanding of the housing market and will be with you every step of the way!

Meet team member Dacia Rosner

Dacia brings her unique relationship building skills, customer service savvy and powerhouse work ethic to our team. She will serve as Cami’s Executive Assistant.  Dacia will assist Cami’s clients by streamlining processes and providing high-level client support and care.She helps others by building meaningful relationships through communication, trust, and support.Dacia calls Overland Park home along with her husband Wyatt and two dogs Brach and Bailey. 

Meet team member Kathryn Sloan

Kathryn knows how rewarding the real estate industry is and has been passionate about helping buyers and sellers since 2002. She feels that your home should be your sanctuary and she has the necessary skill set to find a perfect space for you and your family. “Your home is so much more than just a house. Finding the perfect community for you and your family can be life changing. I will work with you through every step of the process to find your perfect fit.”

Her strong sales background and business savvy combined with her drive to find people the right home to suit their unique needs leaves her clients feeling confident and comfortable with their decisions.Kathryn lives in southern Johnson County with her husband and two boys, Taylor and Parker. Kathryn leads a book club and organizes charitable events for her neighborhood.

Check out some of our current listings

Looking for a home to call your own this summer? We’ve got listings and open houses for you!  Take a peek and if anything sparks your interest, please contact us!  If you don’t see what you’re looking for, we’re happy to hunt high and low on your behalf until we find it!

Fairway, KS

Listing #2107101
Charming, updated Fairway home nestled on a tree lined street in sought after Mission Highlands neighborhood. This home features 3 bedroom, 2 bath with finished lower level and complete with 2-car garage. Updated inside and out with newer exterior paint and interior paint, new roof in 2017. Updates include kitchen, baths, lighting, hardwoods & tile floors on first floor and brand new carpet in the basement. Don’t miss the stamped concrete patio and fenced backyard. Sprinkler system & brand new sewer line.

Falcon Ridge

Listing #2103107
Impressive Reverse 1.5 story on the golf course This open floor plan is light, bright, inviting and great for entertaining. 4 spacious bedrooms, 4.1 baths, side entry garage, finished lower level w/ loads of entertaining spacewhich includes bar w/ full kitchen. Don’t miss the 2 non-conforming finished rooms under the suspended garage, great for a hobby room/work-out room or play room. This gorgeous 1/3 acre of a lot sits on a cul-de-sac & has a beautiful view of the golf course from the patio or covered deck.

Mills Farm

Listing #2107562
Stunning Larson 6 bdrm 1.5 story home you have to see to believe! New finishes and luscious granite through out, gleaming hardwoods, 2 main floor bedrooms and a spa like Master Suite Retreat with a fireplace, Gourmet kitchen with Thermador appliances, 2 laundry rooms, 6 full baths and 2 half baths. All bedrooms are en suite with walk in closets. Enormous finished lower level with gorgeous built ins.

Give us a call today!  You can reach the Cami Jones Collaborative team at 913.402.2550.  Want to come see us?  Our new office is conveniently located at 5000 W. 135th St. Leawood, KS 66224.

  

Meet Sara Noble: Our Featured Design Partner!

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Sara Noble and the Noble Designs team!  Sara will be guest blogging for us each month on things like up-to-date design trends, decor and more.  We’re excited to pair up with one of the best designers in town!  Sara has been designing for lucky Kansas Citians for 16 years and has grown her company to include a team of five designers plus additional staff. We absolutely love her modern classic design aesthetic.  Sara says, “I think it’s important to ground your space with some classics but equally important to add in a fresh twist so it stays current.”  We couldn’t agree more.  Think classic with a punch, simple but elegant.  Another thing we love about Sara’s sensibilities is that even though she adds fresh twists to stay current, her designs are really timeless and her homes and spaces are designed to last.

Sara Noble’s Inspiration

We asked Sara where she draws her inspiration.  She said, “Inspiration is everywhere.  I am a certified Instagram junkie.  Pinterest has good ideas as well.  And then we travel for fun and for work.  The market at High Point (North Carolina) is always inspiring and builds up our enthusiasm!”  She also notes being inspired by fashion, photography and style icons Jacqueline Kennedy and Kansas City’s Kate Spade.

Sara’s Family…in her own words

“I have two kids who are currently racing around preparing for finals which kills their mother who would prefer they didn’t wait until the last minute.  My daughter, Eleanor, will be a senior next year and is heavily involved in volleyball.  My son, Andrew, will be a sophomore and loves soccer. They are good kids and most days I’m happy to not only claim them but show them off.  My boyfriend Vince works as an appraiser.  It allows for a good mix of conversation on design and finance and how the two affect each other.  My parents are two doors down, and I’m happy to report that I love it!  They are easygoing, supportive and always ready to make cocktails. My brother and his two kids aren’t far away either, which is great.”

Tell us about YOUR home!

It goes without saying that everyone want to know about the designer’s home!  What does it look like?  (Same thing goes for chefs…everyone wonders what they cook when at home and what sort of appliances are used!)  “I built a home in Olathe 4 years ago near my kids’ school.  I love it.  It’s not huge, and like any home, I have things I wish I could have afforded, but the style is all me.  I have a white colonial home on the outside and made the inside more modern with an offset fireplace that has sleek marble floor to ceiling.  I have some bright wallpaper on the kitchen wall and fun, interesting lights everywhere.  My next move will be downtown when the kids are out of high school.  I’m excited to build something for a different life phase.”We also asked Sara to tell us 3 inexpensive things that homeowners can do to transform or update a room.  Here’s what she said:

  • Paint – One of the cheapest and most dramatic transformations. We are seeing light colors becoming more and more popular.
  • Fresh Flowers – Trader Joe’s is my secret weapon. You can buy a cheap bunch of flowers and then snip some greenery from your bushes at home to mix in.
  • Lighting – Really this should be #1, lighting is the most important thing you can do to transform a room. However I’m not sure I would put this in the inexpensive category. Lighting is so important I think it’s where you should start with your budget and it’s where you should be willing to splurge.  (See our previous post on lighting.)

She said that if she had to come with another inexpensive update, she would go with new kitchen towels!  “There are so many fun patterns now and people forget how gross their old ones get.”

How Sara will help Cami’s clients through our blog:

“I am thrilled to be working with Cami and her team.  We love the homes she sells. So anytime we get to peek at one, we get a good look at the Kansas City market and those who care about their homes.  I hope to share some fun tips with everyone and remind them that sometimes it makes sense to bring in a professional. We are ready to share with you what we can do!”Be sure to bookmark our blog and check back often as Sara will be contributing content each month and give us tips and trends on all things decor and design!  Like what you see?  Follow Noble Designs on Instagram at @nobledesigns!  Look for the crown!

Testimonials: Let our clients do the talking!

Whether you’re buying, selling or both, it’s a good idea to research real estate agents.  We let our happy clients do the talking for us with their testimonials!  We are confident that you will blown away by the unparalleled customer service you receive when you work with us.  Cami Jones Collaborative delivers a customer-focused boutique experience, every single time.  Our first-time buyers receive the same level of care and true concierge experience that our luxury buyers expect.Our team is led by Cami Jones.  Today, we’ll profile two of the agents on our team, Mandy and Becca, and share a few client testimonials about each.  Check back for profiles on and testimonials about our other amazing agents!

Mandy Doull

In her nearly 15 years of experience, Mandy Doull has done it all: short sells, foreclosures, resells, and new construction. Her talent lies in crafting think-outside-the-box marketing strategies for the homes she lists.  “I love my hometown and truly want my clients to feel the same way when they find a home in a community that is perfect for them,” Mandy says. “My goal is not to just sell you a house. It’s to find you the right house that I know I can sell for you again.”

Testimonials:  Mandy

Client Brent Scott had this to say about Mandy:  “Mandy is amazing. She went above and beyond. She spent nearly a full day helping me stage an empty house, helped me move heavy furniture and even brought her own personal furniture for us to use. I could not be happier and have recommended her to everyone I know.””I have dealt with Mandy on numerous properties and I am still amazed how fun and easy the whole process is!!! She is the real deal!” – Clients Philip and Ashley Rice

Becca Kyger

Rebecca (Becca) Kyger has a promise she makes to each of her clients: That she will deliver the best in service and professionalism when you work together to buy or sell your home. Her business and sales background have taught her that it’s all about SERVICE…and she delivers every single time! “I want my clients to always walk away feeling like they have a friend they can call anytime. I’ll always have a solution for you, whatever it may be.”

Testimonials:  Becca

“Becca helped us get our house on the market within 4 days of deciding to put it on the market. She had a quick eye for what needed to be done, and the house was sold within 2 weeks. She was able to negotiate the price fairly so we didn’t lose any money on the house. For our new house, she gave referrals for businesses that could assist with paint, carpet, hardwoods, etc. Trusting her experience, this saved me a tremendous amount of time easily moving into our new home. I’ve moved several times though the military, and she has been the best realtor I’ve ever used.” – Clients Steven and Heather HolmesClients Jeff and Julie Ralston had this to say about Becca:  “From the moment we hired Becca we felt she went to work for us, from planning the sale to staging the house if it needed (to be) done, she did it. During the contract portion of our sale, Becca stayed in touch with us, even while she was on a family vacation. That level of attention is unheard of, and was very much appreciated. We could not have asked for more from her and would recommend her to anyone without hesitation. Thank you Becca!!”The Cami Jones Collaborative team is committed to helping our sellers realize top dollar for their homes!  We offer best-in-class marketing support, and you can expect things like professional staging services, photography, expertly-made flyers, postcards, and a smart social media strategy.  Contact us here or call us today at 913-402-2550 and let us show you how we use the latest and most effective technology to market it in a variety of ways.  

5 lighting trends we love

Lighting is something that you typically notice when it’s really good or really bad.  Many homeowners make the mistake of not having enough when it comes to lighting.  Sometimes, certain events at your home call for different lighting.  (Think an evening cocktail party.)  People often wonder if they can mix finishes in their rooms (do the light fixtures in my kitchen need to match the cabinet pulls?).  With so much to consider, we thought we’d highlight some of the trends we are loving now!

Chandeliers:  Lighting with big impact

The classic overhead fixture has come a long way!  Chandeliers can be had in contemporary designs with updated finishes.Warm metals are popping up everywhere!  Think of fixtures made of rich copper (hammered or raw copper exude a natural beauty, while a satin finish feels luxurious) or brass.  Brass fixtures can be polished, aged or burnished.  The varying patinas give totally different looks!  Brass is definitely making a comeback.  A few weeks back, we shared an awesome photo of a powder room with a mosaic tile floor and brass bath fixtures.  Check it out on our Instagram account!Gold tones (especially rose gold) are also hot this year.  Like its brass counterpart, gold doesn’t always have to be shiny and bright.

Vintage Vibe:  Upgraded

“Vintage” is one of those oft-overused words.  When it applies to this year’s lighting trends, there’s a little “upgrade” from the typical looks that celebrate an older, industrial age.  This year’s fixtures really showcase sleeker materials and modern technology.  Sure, fans will still see the natural colors, rustic finishes and simple designs that have come to define vintage lighting.The sleeker materials make the lights feel more thoughtful in design and less “I found this old bucket, hung it upside down and screwed a lightbulb in it!”.  Vintage lights work well in the kitchen (think above the island or work space) and as wall lights or sconces. (Image:  Library Pendant by Troy Lighting, via Bellacor.)

Mixed Metals

It’s like wondering if you can wear a brown belt with black shoes.  Can you mix metals when it comes to your lighting choices?  The short answer is yes.  Mixing metallic design elements can be achieved by doing it within a single lighting fixture or even within a larger design environment (an entire room).The key?  Make your choices look intentional.  Put some thought into it.  One of the areas you can look to “mix” it up is the actual texture of the fixtures.  Consider mixing hammered, matte and even polished finishes for a layered, rich look.  You might also consider mixing warm metals (gold, copper) and cold (silver, chrome) metals.

Energy-Saving bulbs

As with many areas of their lives, homeowners are choosing to go green and conserve energy wherever possible.  It comes as no surprise that choosing energy-saving lightbulbs helps homeowners create a more earth-friendly home.  LED and CFL bulbs are currently the most efficient choices.  These use up to 80% less energy and last significantly longer than incandescent bulbs.  Before purchasing bulbs, make sure you light fixture is compatible!

Star light, Star BRIGHT!

Starburst fixtures catapulted onto the scene last year and they are still making major statements everywhere you look.  You can see this bold fixture combines the WOWS of the gold and the starburst. (Image:  luxxu.com)Often, like a quick paint makeover, lighting is an inexpensive way to dramatically update your home.  We often have sellers look at their lighting before we list and a) make sure there’s enough to highlight the home, and b) that it is updated and works with the aesthetic of the home.  Read more about staging here.The Cami Jones Collaborative team is committed to helping our sellers realize top dollar for their homes!  We offer best-in-class marketing support, and you can expect things like professional staging services, photography, expertly-made flyers, postcards, and a smart social media strategy.  Contact us here or call us today at 913-402-2550 and let us show you how we use the latest and most effective technology to market it in a variety of ways.*Photo Credit:  allen + roth Collinwick Pendant lanterns over the island via Lowe’s

New Listings and Open Houses- Sun, Apr 22

It’s spring (at least according to the calendar!) and we’ve got listings and open houses for you!  Take a peek and if anything sparks your interest, please contact us!  If you don’t see what you’re looking for, we’re happy to hunt high and low on your behalf until we find it!For those of you putting your property on the market, you can be assured that the Cami Jones Collaborative team will go above and beyond to sell your home.  The reason we consistently move more real estate in Kansas City than other teams is because we know marketing and we intimately understand this market.There’s much more to marketing a home than simply inputting the info into MLS, watching and waiting.  Our team has decades of combined experience and multiple tools at our disposal to market your home.

Traditional Offline Marketing Support

Offline (traditional) marketing support can encompass anything from hosting Open Houses to regular communication with other agents.  Sometimes, we are able to feature our listings on Tuesday agent tours, which ups the exposure to the agent community.  We offer professionally prepared marketing materials to highlight your home and showcase its features to potential buyers.  This includes best-in-class photography and staging opportunities.  You have the wonderful property…it’s up to us to highlight it and sell it for you!

Online and Social Marketing Support

We are committed to helping our clients achieve maximum exposure for their listing.  This includes maintaining active social media accounts.  We regularly post and promote our listings on our social media channels.  You can  like us on Facebook , follow us on Twitter and Instagram.  We’re even on LinkedIn, as Cami Jones Collaborative, ReeceNichols.  We have an established network of colleagues who look for and anticipate our listings and are ready to share our content.  This sort of “viral marketing” often leads to offers early in the process!

Here are four of our featured listings; feel free to take a look!

Mission Creek Estates

Listing #2099784
Stunning Todd Hill Home on hard to find treed 1.3 acre estate lot in Mission Creek Estates (180th Terrace and Mission Road)! Inviting front porch welcomes you into this home bursting with extras. Gorgeous mill work, craftsman-style trim, built-ins galore, newly refinished hardwoods throughout entire main floor which includes dining room, study, sun room, office, & living room. Gourmet chefs kitchen boasts built in Frigidaire, double ovens, retractable wall mount pot filler, walk-in & butler’s pantry. Oversized master bedroom & closet with built-in dresser & vanity. Luxurious master en suite…+ SO MUCH MORE!

Mills Farm

Listing #2098518
Gorgeous 2 Story in Mills Farm! This home is loaded with upgrades and boasts an amazing amount of space with over 6000 sq. ft finished. This home is great for entertaining! Large living room with beautiful stone fireplace. Coastal-inspired kitchen with large eat-in area. First floor office, huge mudroom and pantry. 3-car oversized garage with epoxy floors. Don’t miss the spacious master bedroom & bathroom with his & her vanities. All secondary bedrooms are generous sized with great sized closets.  Open House:  Sunday, Apr 22, 2018 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Wilshire Farms

Listing #2092259
WILSHIRE FARMS PRICED BELOW APPRAISAL! $125k in upgrades/updates! You’ll find this meticulously maintained one-owner home tucked away on an interior subdivision street. Amazing outdoor entertaining space including screened in lanai, separate grilling deck & brick patio/fire pit off the finished WALKOUT lower level. Great floor plan – huge kitchen/hearth area (seller paid extra to expand) with gorgeous split staircase. Main level office. Wet bar, 1/2 bath (stubbed for shower), media and billiards room in LL plus plenty of storage.

Wyngate

Listing #2098669
Stunning home in the sought after Wyngate subdivision. This open floor plan features soaring ceilings and kitchen boasts island with granite tops, 2 ovens, walk-in pantry & beautiful hardwood floors. Large master suite with huge walk-in closet. Secondary bedrooms are generous in size with walk-in closets and baths. Finished lower level has a huge family room, 9ft ceilings, fireplace, built ins & walk behind wet bar. Plantation shutters. Covered screened in deck, stamped patio w/ fire pit.
Open House:  Sunday, Apr 22, 2018 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Give us a call today!  You can reach the Cami Jones Collaborative team at 913.402.2550.  Want to come see us?  Our new office is conveniently located at 5000 W. 135th St. Leawood, KS 66224.

2018 Spring Parade of Homes

It sure doesn’t look and feel like spring, but the 2018 Spring Parade of Homes is right around the corner!  The Spring Parade is presented by The Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City (HBA) and is sponsored by Stewart Title.  Every year, thousands of area homeowners tour the Spring Parade for the latest in home design and construction.  Therefore, the annual event has become highly anticipated and kicks the already hot spring buying season into full-on overdrive!  Homeowners looking to upgrade to a larger home, downsize to a smaller one or just browsing for design ideas will be sure to find lots of inspiration.

Spring home shows and tours often spur people to tackle small (or major) home improvement projects or even look for a new home to purchase.  And new construction continues to be as big as ever.  We recently blogged about the hot market and how it’s led to low inventory.  Listings are moving quickly and properties are hot, both new construction and resale.

The Spring Parade of Homes hours

The event runs April 28 through May 13, 2018. Homes will be open from 11 a.m to 6 p.m with free admission.  You can pick up a guide outside the HBA at I-435 and Holmes or at any of the homes on the Parade.

Harvesters Hammer Out Hunger

This year, the HBA is partnering with Harvesters to Hammer Out Hunger — more specifically childhood hunger — during the summer months. From April until the end of the Spring Parade the HBA will be accepting non-perishable food items at its headquarters at 103rd and I-435 as well as donations at its website.

The Spring Parade of Homes goes mobile

The HBA has made it easy to find your favorite homes and map your route!  There are apps available for download on both Android and Apple.  Here’s what you can do and expect from the app, and these features sound totally amazing!

  • Browse the homes and their features, choose your favorites and build a custom tour with driving directions.
  • Quick access to the most important features to help you find homes fast with the most up-to-date information available.
  • Advanced Search: Search for homes by location, subdivision, price range, style, amenities and much more.
  • Use the interactive map to see the entire parade at a glance. View and navigate to homes directly from the map.
  • Quickly find homes that are closest to you. Sort the homes by distance from where you are currently to save time.
  • Save your favorite homes and the app will create an optimized GPS route to get you from house to house the most efficient way.
  • View the award winning homes after they are announced. Search to quickly find the the winners.

If you’re a desktop person, no worries.  You can still search by location, price range, builder, subdivision, school district, etc. using this link.  As of now, there are 373 entries!*images and information provided by https://kchba.org/kc-parade-of-homes/spring/

8 staging tips to get top dollar for your home

Staging.  It’s kind of a buzz word when it comes to listing your home.  When we talk about staging, we’re describing a method of decorating meant to showcase a home’s best assets, impress buyers and sell it quickly for the highest possible price.  A big part of it has to do with making it possible for buyers to visualize themselves in your home.   It’s almost a way of depersonalizing your home, which is the opposite of what an interior designer would do.You know that feeling…when you walk into “the one” and immediately think “Tommy will sleep here…and this will be Emma’s room,” etc.  It’s easy to see yourself living in that property and you’re hooked and ready to move in!  So what staging tricks can you do as a seller to get top dollar for your home?

8 Staging Tips

  1. Add mirrors.  Mirrors make a dark room look lighter, and a small room look larger by multiplying and reflecting light.  For added impact, put three or four identical mirrors side-by-side to create a large display.
  2. Stick to natural, neutral colors with pops of accent color.  The accent color(s) and rich fabrics are where a little personality can show through and make things look less sterile.  Don’t be afraid to break up that beige and gray!
  3. Even though you want to make your house stand out, keep the neighborhood and area trends in mind.  Exposed brick walls and rustic Edison bulbs might look great in a downtown loft, but might feel out of place in your suburban home.  Keep with the vibe and design of your home when staging for others to see.
  4. Get rid of clutter!  This includes furniture, accessories and photos.  Clear off those countertops!  Free the fridge of all the kids’ artwork!
  5. Try floating your furniture.  By “floating,” we mean pulling it off the walls and creating conversation groupings.  It can make a room feel much larger.
  6. Try hanging drapes that start higher than the window molding and go all the way to the floor.  This makes a room appear larger, too!
  7. Pay attention to lighting!  Most homes are darker than they should be and homeowners just get used to it over time.
  8. Decorate with the “rule of 3s” in mind.  For your accessories, try to group in threes, with varying heights.  The items shouldn’t be lined up soldier-style, but arranged in a triangle formation, with one object at each point.  Put the largest item in the back.

8 inexpensive upgrades to try!

Try these and get some big bang for your buck.

  1. A fresh coat of paint
  2. New throw pillows
  3. Add a new blanket or throw
  4. New scented candle (one scent throughout house works best)
  5. Paying for a thorough professional cleaning
  6. Making minor repairs
  7. Changing out kitchen hardware
  8. Change your light bulbs to a higher wattage

The Cami Jones & Company team is committed to helping our sellers realize top dollar for their homes!  We offer best-in-class marketing support, and you can expect things like professional staging services, photography, expertly-made flyers, postcards, and a smart social media strategy.  Contact us here or call us today at 913-402-2550 and let us show you how we use the latest and most effective technology to market it in a variety of ways.*image from HGTV.com