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Giving Back to KC: Supporting Community Causes

One of the pillars of Cami Jones Collaborative is giving back and supporting local causes that we care about.  We know we are blessed beyond measure with family, friend and a successful real estate business.  What better way to celebrate our successes than by giving back?  We thought we’d profile a few areas and organizations where we have chosen to spend our time.We have supported the Shadow Buddies Foundation, participated in Red Nose Day and fed the homeless at Micah Ministry.  Most recently, we are looking forward to sponsoring the Callyn’s Course for Hope.

Supporting a Cure for Childhood Cancer:  Callyn’s Course for Hope

Callyn’s Course for Hope is special evening all about wine and raising money for childhood cancer.  On August 25th, attendees will receive the Riedel VERITAS tasting set which features four grape varietal specific wine glasses.  Bar service and light hors d’oeuvres to follow.All proceeds to to Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.  The event takes place on Saturday, August 25, 2018, from 7 until 10pm at Ironhorse Golf Club in Leawood, KS. Cami Jones Collaborative is honored to be a presenting sponsor of this important event.

Supporting KC’s hungry:  Micah Ministry

Micah Ministry provides dinner and essential personal articles to more than 700 people on an average Monday evening. This urban ecumenical feeding program relies on volunteers to serve the poor and needy in the historic Northeast area of Kansas City, Missouri.There are no lines to stand in here — guests are invited to sit at a table and be served their meal similar to a sit down restaurant. In addition to waiting on tables volunteers also shop for guests from the clothing pantry. For examples if they need toiletries or footwear you’ll go to the pantry and bring the items back to the guest.It was our team’s pleasure to spend a Monday evening at Micah Ministry.  There were many different job assignments for the volunteers to choose from!  It’s so rewarding, we will be going back.

Supporting Childhood Illness:  Shadow Buddies

Since 1995, The Shadow Buddies Foundation has been bringing smiles, hope and companionship to medically challenged children across the country and around the world in the form of cuddly, plush Buddies.Shadow Buddies are a representation that your child, regardless of any illness they may have, is never alone, that they can proudly proclaim they have a friend “just like me.”  We were able to provide 200 children at Children’s Mercy with a personal “Buddy.” Each Buddy mimics the child’s illness, i.e.) a Buddy with an insulin pump will go to a diabetic child or a Day Surgery Buddy will go to a child having outpatient surgery. They are valuable when used as teaching tools as well useful for friends and family.Hope, compassion and friendship is what this is all about!  We had the pleasure of working to create these one-of-a-kind buddies which would find their way into the arms and hearts of sick kiddos. We will continue supporting our local neighborhoods and schools and look forward to being visible community partners.  With Cami Jones Collaborative our commitment to community doesn’t stop when the sale closes!  

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

Happy Holidays from Cami Jones Collaborative!

As December winds to a close, the holidays remind us of the year’s blessings, while we anxiously look forward to 2018.  On a professional note, 2017 saw record real estate sales for our former team.  December brought the formation of Kansas City’s Boutique Real Estate Experience; Cami Jones Collaborative.  As we look back over the year, we offer a few notes of thanks.

To our clients:

Thank you for trusting us to help you, whether you are buying, selling or both.  Your home purchase is likely the biggest of your life and we’re honored to be a small part of it.  You and your family deserve a remarkable concierge experience and that’s exactly what you will get. We are honored to provide a hands-on real estate experience while caring for each detail of your transaction from beginning to end.  We value the friendships we’ve made with each of you over the years and thank you for your repeat business and referrals.

To our team:

We are blessed with the hardest-working real estate team around.  Each person on the Cami Jones Collaborative team demonstrates on a daily basis how she will go the extra mile to make it all happen.  We support one another and cheer on each other’s successes- what a team!  Thanks to Christine Carlson, Rebecca Kyger, Missy Hutton, Stacy Vollmar and Mandy Doull for always going above and beyond to deliver KC’s best real estate experience.

To our family and friends:

Thank you for supporting us in what can be a crazy, hectic and fast-paced career that we all love!  We couldn’t do it without your love and support.  “I feel truly blessed to have found the perfect fit for my family in this community.  I take great pleasure in helping my clients achieve the same result,”  said Cami.

To our amazing city:

Kansas City is home to so many wonderful people, unique neighborhoods, awesome restaurants, terrific sports teams and so much more.  It’s so much fun introducing out-of-town transplants to KC- we know you’ll love it as much as we do!  You can see by our current team listings that we help clients buy and sell throughout the metro; if there’s an area you’re curious to learn more about, ask us!Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season filled with good health, family, friends and endless joy!  Happy New Year to you and all the best for a happy, healthy 2018 filled with family, friends and all good things. 

Let’s help the kids at Children’s Mercy Hospital with Shadow Buddies!

ReeceNichols Overland Park Office is partnering with local The Shadow Buddies Foundation, to provide 200 children at Children’s Mercy with a personal “Buddy.” Each Buddy mimics the child’s illness, i.e.) a Buddy with an insulin pump will go to a diabetic child or a Day Surgery Buddy will go to a child having outpatient surgery. They are valuable when used as teaching tools as well useful for friends and family.How is Cami Jones Collaborative going to help? Each Buddy costs $20 to make for a child. With your $20 donation, you will be helping support a child through their difficult time.

Contact us to make your donation!  Thank you!

Overland Park tops metro when it comes to real estate markets

According to an article in yesterday’s Kansas City Business Journal, WalletHub’s “Best Real Estate Market” report puts Overland Park, KS head-and-shoulders above other communities in the metro.  Overland Park, with its population of 188,966, ranked No. 18 in the new study.  The study included 300 U.S. cities.So what was measured?  KCBJ’s Andrew Vaupel points out that two overall dimensions were examined, “real estate market” and “affordability and economic environment,” and specific metrics in each dimension included the following.

Real estate market

  • home value forecast
  • percentage of homes underwater
  • average number of days until a house is sold
  • percentage of homes selling for a gain
  • median home-price appreciation
  • home sales turnover rate
  • rent-to-sale price ratio
  • foreclosure rate
  • mortgage delinquency rate
  • number of bank-held homes
  • vacancy rate
  • the point at which buying a home becomes less expensive than renting the same home
  • percent of homes built between 2010 and 2015
  • building-permit activity

Affordability and economic environment

  • housing affordability
  • maintenance affordability
  • population growth rate
  • job growth rate
  • unemployment rate
  • underemployment rate
  • median credit score

This comes as no surprise to us; we have moved thousands of clients to Overland Park over the years.  It is coveted for its affordability, proximity to jobs, terrific schools (Overland Park residents attend Blue Valley, Shawnee Mission, Olathe and Spring Hill public schools), quality of life and more.  Contemplating a move?  Get in touch with us today!  Call us at 913-402-2550, or if email’s your thing…message us here!  Thanks from everyone at Cami Jones Collaborative.

Your luxury listing specialists!

You may have seen Cami’s listing in south Overland Park that is a finalist in the HGTV Ultimate House Hunt 2017 contest!  (Hurry- online voting ends July 18, click here to vote!  You’ll want to scroll down to the “Eat-in Kitchen with Dual Dining Areas” entry.)  If this gorgeous home has piqued your interest…we want to share our current luxury property and estate listings with you.Our team of experts serves buyers and sellers at all price points; from the first-time home buyer to those looking for the finest luxury properties in the area.  Our team members provide the same stellar customer service and attention to detail for each and every one of our clients.These exceptional homes represent the finest in luxury and craftsmanship.

5 Things You’ll Love About Overland Park, Kansas

Whether you already live in Overland Park or are planning to move there in the near future, it’s a terrific city and we move a lot of real estate there!  It’s no wonder- the city ranks high on many lists for livability, affordability and culture. With an estimated population of 187,699 and a location only 20 minutes from downtown Kansas City, it’s easy to see why so many call on us to help make Overland Park their home!

  1. The Schools.  Overland Park residents enjoy a high quality of life. As the city grows older, it is becoming increasingly diverse, and that diversity adds to an amazing public school system.  The Blue Valley School District serves most of Overland Park, and all 5 Blue Valley high schools made it onto the Washington Post’s list of most challenging high schools in the U.S., as well as onto the Newsweek list of top American public high schools. Blue Valley SAT scores routinely exceed the national and state averages—sometimes by as much as 300-400 points (ReeceNichols.com).
  2. The Sports.  Overland Park is home to the nationally-recognized Scheel’s Soccer Complex, which boasts 12 lighted, regulation size synthetic turf fields and offers a cooling system to control the temperature of the turf plus many more amenities.  The city hosts tournaments year-round.  Topgolf is a new golf entertainment experience, and folks can enjoy the 102 climate-controlled hitting bays, a restaurant, and 3 bars year-round!  Blue Valley Recreation recently opened a new Recreation Center at Hilltop on 143rd Street.  The 100,000+ square foot facility offers fitness classes, basketball and volleyball leagues, practices and open court, dance classes, special populations activities, enrichment programs, pickleball, and 55 GO (ages 55 and up) programs offered along with drop-in facility usage.
  3. The Business Opportunities.  It’s home to many large employers (think Sprint, YRC Worldwide and Black & Veatch, for example).  Technology continues to drive the make-up of the businesses in many different industries such as healthcare, financial services, and marketing, with College Boulevard serving as a main artery for many businesses.
  4. The Outdoors.  Overland Park has a wonderful Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, which even has spectacular programming in the winter.  In addition, there are many biking and walking trails, and many neighborhoods boast their own paths and lakes.  Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is a real highlight, and draws visitors from all over the metro. The Farmstead is open daily, April 1- October 31, and has nearly 200 animals and birds of prey, vegetable and flower gardens, a one-room country schoolhouse, an old-time fishing pond, pony rides and more.
  5. The Food.  Overland Park (like all of Kansas City!) has become a destination for foodies.  The city boasts a ton of delicious Indian restaurants and ethnic markets, and other favorites include Jack Stack Barbeque (95th & Metcalf), J. Gilbert’s Wood-Fired Steaks (92nd & Metcalf), SPIN Neapolitan Pizza (multiple locations) and Q39 (second location coming soon to College Blvd and Antioch).

There’s lots to love- give us a call today and we’ll help you find your dream home in Overland Park!

Residents receive notices of valuation from Johnson County Appraiser’s Office

 Notices of valuation have been hitting Johnson County mailboxes this week.  Did you get yours?  If so, you likely noticed that property values jumped 7.9% on average, accounting for the biggest increase since 2012.  A home’s appraised value is used to determine the amount homeowners pay in yearly property taxes to Johnson County and to their city of residence.An increase of 7.9% (residents in Spring Hill, KS saw a 16.49% jump!) can be credited in part to a robust housing market.  As we’ve noted in previous blog posts, the market is HOT and sellers are often receiving multiple full price, cash-in-hand offers on Day 1.  Inventory is low.Homeowners are given the opportunity to appeal their home’s appraised value, and must do so through the county no later than March 29, 2017.  You would do this if you think the stated appraised value is more than you would reasonably get if you sold your property today. Click here to visit the county’s site and learn how to submit an appeal.  For even more info, see the state’s website “The Property Tax Appeals Process in Kansas.”

The American Royal BBQ- a KC tradition

 It’s here!  “The Royal” as locals fondly refer to it– “it” being the American Royal World Series of BBQ.  The 2016 American Royal World Series of Barbecue® presented by Smithfield will be held October 26-30, 2016 at the Kansas Speedway, which is a new location this year. In years past, the American Royal and the biggest, best party of the year was held down in the West Bottoms.  Last year, it was moved to Truman Sports Complex, and this year finds it at Kansas Speedway.For those new to Kansas City (or maybe you’ve just never made it down!) this weekend is all about FUN.  If you’ve just moved to town, this is a terrific opportunity to get a real KC-style welcome and get your fill of the BBQ that we’re so famous for!  800+ teams from across the globe will be competing for bragging rights.  The weekend has been featured on Food Network and you shouldn’t be surprised if you see Guy Fieri or other celebs making their way through the meat and the parties!Fair warning to the uninitiated:  Friday night’s party is FUN and while open to all, it’s probably best to leave the kiddos at home and let them enjoy Saturday’s festivities which are definitely family-oriented.Enjoy the beautiful weather and delicious food, KC!  We hope to see some of you there!