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Voting starts today! HGTV Ultimate House Hunt! Vote for Cami’s local listing!

The HGTV Ultimate House Hunt contest opens TODAY! Don’t miss your chance to vote online for Cami Jones‘ listing, 10706 W. 164th Terr in Overland Park, in the Kitchen + Dining category. It’s the ONLY #KC listing in the contest!  The luxury home is being recognized on a national level and voting just started today!VOTE HERE: http://www.hgtv.com/…/2017-ultimate-house-hu…/kitchen-diningThis contest is only open to companies affiliated with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and Luxury Portfolio International. ReeceNichols is the only Kansas City Brokerage part of the RE. Cami’s listing is representing KC Real Estate.This stunning home is located 10706 W. 164th Terrace in Overland Park’s The Farm at Garnet Hill.

Contact any of the real estate pros at Cami Jones Collaborative— we are your luxury listing specialists!

5 ways to get ready to have an Open House

The summer buying season is in full swing!  If you’re looking to move, chances are your Realtor will host an Open House to show off your property.  There are several things you can do to ensure that it’s looking its best…and maximize your chances of reeling in a quick offer!

  • Clean everything.  And then clean it again!  Don’t just straighten.  Dust light fixtures, blinds and wash the baseboards.  Make sure the windows sparkle!  Make sure the shower door sparkles! You want to get top dollar for your home, and curb appeal on the outside coupled with a sparkling inside will go miles toward getting you there.
  • Declutter everything.  Potential buyers don’t want to see your stacks of mail, newspapers and your children’s school work.  Pull things off the refrigerator, clear off those kitchen counters and coffee tables.  Family photos on the tabletops or countertops?  Put ’em away.  You want buyers to imagine themselves living in their NEW home, with their belongings!  The less of your stuff they see…the more this is possible!
  • Think about fresh flowers.  Flowers set a wonderful mood.  A bud vase on your bedroom nightstand coupled with fresh flowers in the kitchen makes a great statement!
  • Have pets?  Figure out what to do with them during the open house!  Nothing will turn a buyer off faster than a) a house that smells of its pet, and b) a pet that is present during the showing.  Again, you want the buyers to imagine themselves in your property, so if you are at all able, send the pet(s) to a neighbor, or to pet day care or let them drive around in the car with you during the showing!
  • Don’t forget to turn on the lights and angle the blinds so natural light comes in!  Light makes everything look brighter and really sets a stage for your showing.  If you’ve cleaned and done everything we’ve recommended, you will want to show off every nook and cranny!

TheCami Jones Collaborativeis anxious to meet with and help you make your listing a success!   Give us a call today! You can reach Cami Jones at 913.206.2410

Cami’s listing- HGTV Ultimate House Hunt 2017 finalist!

We are so excited to announce that our very own Cami Jones‘s listing has been selected as a finalist in HGTV’s Ultimate House Hunt 2017! This luxury home is being recognized in the Kitchen + Dining category.This contest is only open to companies affiliated with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and Luxury Portfolio International. ReeceNichols is the only Kansas City Brokerage part of the RE. Cami’s listing is representing KC Real Estate.  Voting will take place online on HGTV.com starting June 13.This stunning home is located 10706 W. 164th Terrace in Overland Park’s The Farm at Garnet Hill.

Contact Cami at 913-521.8883 for additional information or to schedule a showing! 

5 reasons why you should use a buyer’s agent in a new construction

The Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City (HBA) is hosting the 55th Annual Spring Parade April 22 through May 7, 2017. Homes will be open from 11 a.m to 6 p.m with free admission.  This year the HBA is partnering with Harvesters to help alleviate child hunger during the summer months. From April 14 until the end of the Spring Parade (May 7) 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 HBA is hoping to raise 55,000 meals (or $18,500) for area kids this summer — donate now and help the HBA hammer out child hunger!With so much to look at on the Spring Parade, it’s the perfect opportunity to note why it’s important to use a buyer’s agent in new construction.Many people don’t realize that the builder’s agent only represents the builder.  Sure, they know a lot about the neighborhood and the builder…but they are the builder’s agent.  You need representation (as a buyer) by a licensed, knowledgeable agent.Here are five reasons why you should use a buyer’s agent on a new construction purchase:

  1. Your agent will discuss all options with you; new construction and resale.  Once you determine that new construction makes the most sense for you, she will help you evaluate and select a building lot and options.  Lot location and certain options/upgrades absolutely come into play when it comes to future resale value.  It might make sense to wait and install some options after construction, while others end up costing you more if not done during construction, before closing.
  2. As mentioned above, a buyer’s agent truly represents YOU, the buyer.  Your agent will negotiate on your behalf.  “Representing you” means that your agent might be able to negotiate terms/conditions that are more favorable to you, but still acceptable to the builder.  An experienced agent will have many new builds under her belt, and know what to look for and where to negotiate.
  3. A buyer’s agent can (and should) check on the property and building progress during construction.
  4. A buyer’s agent will attend a final walkthrough with you before settlement to make sure that all items are completed to your satisfaction.  If items remain undone, your agent will create a list for the builder with terms, to make sure that the items are completed post-settlement.
  5. As with any purchase, resale or new construction, your buyer’s agent will obtain and review a preliminary HUD-1 settlement statement to be sure it is accurate, while advising you of the amount of money needed for settlement/closing.

There are even more ways your Realtor® can assist you with your new construction purchase.  We have experience with builders on both sides of the state line and would love to help you with your dream home…from the ground up!  Give us a call today! You can reach Cami Jones at 913.206.2410.

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!

5 reasons to use a Realtor® when listing your house

We are often asked why someone should use a Realtor® when putting their home on the market.  Probably the most-often heard argument is this:  “I can just sell it myself FSBO and save a ton of money!”  There are several important things to consider when listing your home, and listing with a licensed real estate agent makes all the sense in the world.  It’s no secret, but every homeowner wants pretty much the same things out of a house sale- they want to sell the property (obviously), the want to sell it for the best possible price, they want to sell it with the least amount of hassle and inconvenience, and they want to sell it within a certain time frame.  Sound about right?So, why list with a real estate agent?

  1. Realtors® are trained professionals.  You use professionals for many aspects of your life; bankers, builders, repairmen, stockbrokers, educators, etc.  Why take a chance when it comes to one of your most important investments?  Use a skilled and objective negotiator in what can be an emotionally-charged experience.
  2. Real estate agents have access to the vast majority of available buyers! According to the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) 2016 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends Report, 87% of all buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker.
  3. Experienced agents, like Cami Jones Collaborative, bring pricing expertise, negotiating skills, and market access to the table- and can often land you a higher selling price as a result. They know the ins and outs of the local market, what it will bear and what the comps are. Pricing right is everything!
  4. In a hot market like we’re seeing this spring- we are seeing many homes with multiple full-price offers on Day 1.  Amid a flurry of activity, you win when you have a professional managing multiple offers and buyers.
  5. Exposure- you want your home to have maximum exposure to as many potential buyers as possible.  This exposure includes professional marketing (online and offline) materials, hosted open houses, and regular communication with buyers’ agents.

Let our team help you!  We make the listing process easy and will have you on the road to selling your beautiful home in no time!  Give us a call today!  You can reach Cami Jones at 913.206.2410.

5 things to look for when buying a home

Are you in the market to purchase a new home?  Perhaps you are going to be selling one and buying another one.  In either case, there are lots of things you should be looking for and that’s why it pays to hire a licensed Realtor® to represent you.  (Read more on why using a Realtor makes sense here.)  Here are 5 red flags that should make you take another look– and at least get to the bottom of things!FOUNDATION OR WALL CRACKSSome cracks are a normal part of a house settling that occurs with time. Others can indicate major structural issues or even previous water damage. Foundation work is a costly repair, so consult with a good home inspector before buying.  Some clients even hire multiple inspectors with different specialties.LAYOUT AND LOCATIONOne thing that absolutely can’t be “fixed” or altered after your move-in date is the physical location of the property.  Before buying, get out and walk around the house.  Go at different times of day, to get a feel for the “after school” traffic and rush hour traffic.  Look and listen around you.  The layout of the home is another thing you can’t easily fix after purchase. Sure, if you’re buying a tear-down or intend to gut and remodel, this isn’t a big deal.  But in general, you’ll want to walk the rooms and see if the layout works for you.  Is it open enough?  Do you have enough space to entertain?UNWELCOME PESTSYou’ll want to inspect for past and current evidence of termites.  In addition, roaches, mice and spiders are troublesome.  Granted, some of these pests can be seen as part of home ownership, especially if your property is situated near a wooded area or creek, but you’ll want to do your due diligence and go in with eyes open!IF YOU SMELL SOMETHING BADBad odors could be coming from pets, and if they have soiled the carpet, chances are you’ll be replacing the carpeting and padding as well.  Bad odors could also signal something much worse, like mold or even plumbing problems.  Again, when you are walking through the home, try to use all of your senses when observing and making notes.  And take notes/photos so you can point out to an inspector if you have any questions.TOO MANY ‘FOR SALE’ SIGNS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODIt could just be a sign of a hot market, with lots of properties moving.  BUT- you want to ask your Realtor to study comps and neighborhood market trend reports to     make sure property values are holding in the area and that there’s nothing causing everyone to leave!Let our team help you! We make the listing process easy and will have you on the road to selling your beautiful home in no time! Give us a call today! You can reach our team here.

4 reasons to use a Realtor® when selling your house

We are often asked why someone should use a Realtor® when putting their home on the market.  Probably the most often heard argument is this:  “I can just sell it myself FSBO and save a ton of money!”  There are several important things to consider when listing your home, and listing with a real estate agent makes all the sense in the world.  It’s no secret, but every homeowner wants pretty much the same things out of a house sale- they want to sell the property (obviously), they want to sell it for the best possible price, they want to sell it with the least amount of hassles and inconvenience, and they want to sell it within a certain time frame.  Sound about right?So, why list with a real estate agent?

  1. Realtors® are trained professionals.  You use professionals for many aspects of your life; bankers, builders, repairmen, stockbrokers, educators, etc.  Why take a chance when it comes to one of your most important investments?  Use a skilled and objective negotiator in what can be an emotionally-charged experience.
  2. Real estate agents have access to the vast majority of available buyers! According to the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) recently released 2016 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends Report, 87% of all buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker.
  3. Experienced agents, like Cami Jones Collaborative, bring pricing expertise, negotiating skills, and market access to the table- and can often land you a higher selling price as a result. They know the ins and outs of the local market, what it will bear and what the comps are. Pricing right is everything!
  4. Exposure- you want your home to have maximum exposure to as many potential buyers as possible.  This exposure includes professional marketing (online and offline) materials, hosted open houses, and regular communication with buyers’ agents.

Let our team help you!  We make the listing process easy and will have you on the road to selling your beautiful home in no time!  Give us a call today!  You can reach Cami Jones at 913.521.8883