Local market updates from Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors (KCRAR) provide a closer look at the current market conditions in the Kansas City metro area. Whether you're a buyer or seller, visit Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Kansas City Homes' Better Living Blog each month to stay updated on the latest home sale trends.

Monthly Indicator Analysis from Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors (KCRAR)

In 2019 home prices were up again in most markets. Buyer demand continues to be strong but with tepid seller activity still in many locations, total sales are lower than they would normally be in a more balanced market. While up from their recent lows a few months ago, mortgage rates end the year close to three-quarters of a

Local market updates from Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors (KCRAR) provide a closer look at the current market conditions in the Kansas City metro area. Whether you're a buyer or seller, visit Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Kansas City Homes' Better Living Blog each month to stay updated on the latest home sale trends.

Monthly Indicator Analysis from Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors (KCRAR)

In November, the Federal Reserve reduced its benchmark rate for the third time this year. This action was widely anticipated by the market. Mortgage rates have remained steady this month and are still down more than 1% from last year at this time. Residential new construction activity continues to rise nationally. The U.S.

Local market updates from Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors (KCRAR) provide a closer look at the current market conditions in the Kansas City metro area. Whether you're a buyer or seller, visit Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Kansas City Homes' Better Living Blog each month to stay updated on the latest home sale trends.

Monthly Indicator Analysis from Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors (KCRAR)

In October, mortgage rates increased slightly from the three-year lows seen in September. While the Federal Reserve reduced the federal-funds target rate by 0.25%, this decline was widely expected and largely factored into mortgage rates already, which are still approximately 1% lower than this time last year. Fannie Mae is

Local market updates from Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors (KCRAR) provide a closer look at the current market conditions in the Kansas City metro area. Whether you're a buyer or seller, visit Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Kansas City Homes' Better Living Blog each month to stay updated on the latest home sale trends.

Monthly Indicator Analysis from Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors (KCRAR)

With the kids back in school and the weather cooling, the housing market begins its annual cooldown as well. Nationally, buyer and seller activity remained strong, buoyed by low mortgage rates and a strong economy. The market fundamentals suggest no significant changes from recent trends, other than the seasonally tempered

The Better Homes & Garden Magazine is ubiquitous nationwide. Since it was first published in 1921, it became a staple for homeowners looking for ideas to make life better. Currently, it’s the #1 home and lifestyle publication in circulation with a readership of 32,145,000. Even at that volume, each issue they put out is a love letter to the lifestyle of better living. A full 60% of the content in each issue is dedicated to home and lifestyle-related topics. 

We recently had the opportunity to see first-hand, the hard work, passion and craft that goes into every BHG magazine when a select group of agents and staff chartered a bus and traveled to the Meredith mothership (publisher of Better Homes & Gardens Magazine). They pulled back the curtain for us and

Do you know what your home's true value is? If you're thinking about selling your home you should find out. And you can with Kansas City Home's new Home Compare tool.

Home Compare shows how your home measures up to other homes around you that are for sale or have recently sold. Specifically, our comparison tool gives you detailed insights into:

• What homes are and aren’t selling in the area around you
• Photos of sold homes that show how updates and improvements affected the final selling price
• Valuable insights that you can’t get from Trulia, Zillow or REALTOR.com like the asking price and selling price of nearby homes
• How many days an area home has been on the market, if it’s had a price reduction or if its status has changed
  
  

Local market updates from Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors (KCRAR) provide a closer look at the current market conditions in the Kansas City metro area. Whether you're a buyer or seller, visit Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Kansas City Homes' Better Living Blog each month to stay updated on the latest home sale trends.

Monthly Indicator Analysis from Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors (KCRAR)

As the summer draws to a close, multiple opposing factors and trends are competing to define the direction of the real estate market. After the Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate on July 31, 30-year mortgage rates continued to decline, approaching all-time lows last seen in 2016. Yet most experts agree these

In Part 2 of this blog, we provided you with some tips for raising your home's value with a modest investment in improvements. These long-term solutions are meant to help increase what your home is worth now and in the future, when you may decide to sell. In Part 3 we'll show you how an even larger investment can mean even more ROI when you decide to sell. We'll also let you in on what improvements to avoid because they simply won't pay off when you sell you home.

Significant Cost. Significant Effort

Make Smart Decisions About Upgrades
Gadgets that enhance safety and convenience are becoming a must-have for many buyers. This is especially true of the younger and “techier” generations. Replacing existing devices in your home with ‘smart’ ones is

In Part 1 of this blog, we gave you some ideas about how to raise your home's value for no or little money. These long-term solutions are meant to help increase what your home is worth now and in the future, when you may decide to sell. In Part 2 we'll provide you with even more ideas to make your home worth more by investing a little more into it. These ideas are a little pricier but are intended to deliver a greater ROI in the end.

Medium Cost. A Little More Effort

Add Some Low-Maintenance Landscaping
This one is a great way to improve your curb appeal and save money at the same time. Everybody loves lush shrubs and colorful flowers. Try planting some near your front door. It makes your entrance more attractive and helps entice potential home

Home value is probably one of the top influencers for both whether or not your home sells, and how much it sells for. By now you probably know you can find your home’s value using Kansas City Homes’ Home Compare tool. But is that where it ends? 

No. Not even close. Once you find out your home’s value you can, and should, do what it takes (within your means) to raise your home’s value. Now we’re not talking a thorough cleaning and a little improvement to your home’s curb appeal for an open house or showing. It should go without saying that you need to keep your lawn mowed, your house clean, and your closets tidy. We’re talking about real changes that fundamentally improve your home and raise its value now and when you sell. Some things you can do aren’t