Every year, when February 14th rolls around we take the time to show our family and loved ones just how much we care about them. Chocolates, flowers, and cards are tried and true gifts for those we spend the most time with. But what about the one you spend the most time in? That’s right, showing some affection for your home on Valentine’s Day is not only okay… it’s a great idea! After all, home is where the heart is.

1. Bring in Some Bling

No one’s suggesting you buy your home a tennis bracelet or a ruby ring. But you can still get it something nice to make it look and feel pretty. A new piece of art, fancy end table or a decorative lamp may only be one gift on one day for your home, but you get to admire it all year long.

 

 

2. Spend

…

 

Kansas City is filled with foodie favorites and gastro pleasing goodies. While many are only known to locals, we've been fortunate to have others showcased nationally on the Food Network.

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives

Grinders

Grinders is an eclectic, local pizza place with a cult-like following. With its original location in the Kansas City Crossroads District, Grinders is known as the place "where food, art, and music collide." When featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, host Guy Fieri had this to say about Grinders, "Sculptor-turned-pizza-slinger Stretch has brought his creative touch to Grinders. Hand-welded Army helmet lamps hang above the bar, which features a draft-beer tower made from an oxygen tank. As for the pizza menu,

…

Whether you’ve lived in the Kansas City area all your life, just a short time, or somewhere in-between, you really can’t help but fall in love with it. Everything really could ever want is here… big city amenities, an exciting nightlife scene, highly livable suburbs, major league sports, arts, and culture… this list goes on.

But even in a city that offers so much, sometimes you just have to get outta town. They say ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’. So, getting away, even for just a quick day can be a healthy way to get a short change of scenery while getting to come home to KC.
When you get that urge to hit the road, stretch your legs, and see the sights, consider these five ‘close-to-home’ destinations.

Jamesport, MO

Jamesport is only about

…

In a city obsessed with BBQ, it’s easy to overlook all the other mouth-watering meal options in the area, especially for breakfast. Believe it or not, when you look past burnt ends and brisket choices, no matter where you live in the KC Metro, there’s a delicious breakfast waiting for you to try or rediscover. Since it is the most important meal of the day, we’ve showcased 5 restaurants around Kansas City that are worth waking up early for.

Foody's

18595 West 151 Street, Olathe, KS

Don’t be intimidated by this restaurant’s name or the haughty and refined imagery is may evoke. You won’t find any trend-chasing ‘grastrophiles’ dining on deconstructed gluten-free crepes. You will find a casual, comfortable and welcoming Olathe restaurant that serves…

Buying a new home is a very exciting life change, but the whole experience can be even more enjoyable and rewarding when you’re prepared! Working with a real estate professional with area expertise will not only open up a world of helpful resources, but you can also rely on your REALTOR® to provide expert advice and information throughout your search to keep you on the right track. We’ve compiled some useful tips from our agents over the years to share, so you can feel more confident during your next home purchase.

1. Location, location, location!

How far is the commute? How good are the schools, hospitals and local services? Keep these questions in mind as you consider which areas to buy your home.

2. Know what you want

Take the time to write

…

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Kansas City Homes, the number two real estate company in the Kansas City area, recently launched their brand-new website, completing a project that has been more than a year in the making. The primary aim of this ambitious new online endeavor is to give consumers a better way to search for homes on the internet.

“We’ve been looking at ways to bring a new kind of website into the market for some time now,” commented company CEO, David Cooper. “As much as consumers rely on the internet to research their next home, we knew we had to take our time on the website and get it just right”. Cooper concluded, “I think our customers will be pleased with the final product. We’ve brought something very special to the online real

…

1. Downtown Kansas City has experienced more than $6.5 billion in commercial, residential, and hotel development in the last 10 years.

• Streetcar
• Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
• JE Dunn Construction Headquarters

2. KC "ignored" prohibition in the 1920s, leading to an abundance of jazz clubs, brothels, and gambling halls. KC even earned the moniker "Paris of the Plains" after one journalist wrote, "If you want to see some gin, forget Paris and head to Kansas City."

• If there's one thing we love more than baseball and BBQ, it's alcohol. No shame.

3. Located in the heart of the country, Kansas City is only a three-hour flight from either coast.

4. At 142.2 decibels, the crowd at Arrowhead Stadium the Guinness World

…

How many hours do you lose each day scrolling through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter? Why not spend some of that time toward cutting costs on something we all spend probably too much money on each month: groceries? These seven tips can help get you started on a couponing journey.

 1. Start a stockpile
Extreme couponers have a stockpile of stuff in their garage or closet. The reason for having a stockpile is not to become a hoarder, but it allows you to buy stuff only when it’s on sale. 

2. Secure a coupon source
Find out which Sunday paper has the best coupons and subscribe to it! Set aside time with your scissors and sift through the paper each week to find the most beneficial coupons for your needs.

3. Compile your clips
Cutting coupons means

…

Back-to-school season is here, and school supply lists have taken over almost every store in town. Seeing those lists remind us that it’s also time to start thinking about morning routines, packing lunches, paperwork, practice schedules...you know the drill. There might be a lot to plan for, but don’t stress. These five simple tips will help make your life easier and get your kids off to a great start!

1. Clean out kids’ closets
   
   • Before you even think about back-to-school shopping…Know what you need to buy and what not to. Start three piles: trash, donate, keep. Throw away the worn-out clothes, and donate the ones that don’t fit anymore.
2. Enforce earlier bedtimes
• Start putting kids to bed earlier before school even starts, so the

…

Are you moving soon? Maintain a sense of order, and help keep track of important tasks with this moving checklist.

4 Weeks Out

• Contact and hire a trusted moving company
• Transfer school transcripts, medical, dental and other important records (if needed)
• Schedule the transfer of your home and auto insurance
• Send out change-of-address cards

2 Weeks Out

• Cancel and order utilities (gas, electric, water, telephone, cable/internet)
• Close or transfer bank accounts (if needed)
• Transfer newspaper and magazine subscriptions
• Arrange for transfer of vehicle and driver’s license(s)

Move Week

• Keep money, valuables and important documents with you
• On closing day, the home purchase documents will be recorded
• Move

…