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I'm going to venture out, away from real estate in this blog and share some recent decisions that had to be made that impacts the lives of people in our community. Being on the Harper City Council is a big responsibility. It would be easier to make my decisions and find fault in other decisions from my arm chair, second guessing and not having the facts. Having the facts is a burden. We have been in a situation for years as a council, knowing that someday we will have to take definite action on providing safe, clean, healthy drinking water to our community. Our drinking water has been threatened by nitrates. It is being monitored so we know where we stand. Years ago, council decided they did not want to raise the water rates in our area and put a hardship on the people. But most recent findings, showing the nitrates were not getting better and our wells are not hanging in there for the long term, brought about a tough decision. It was found out that to qualify for grant money (free) we would have to show that we were first helping ourselves by keeping our water use rates up to what is determine normal. We were below normal, which threatened getting a grant. Having the opportunity for a grant, relieves the financial burden so of course we want to go for a grant. But have to raise the water rates. This week, we voted to raise the water rates by $10 for every household. No council member wanted to do this, but as I say, the facts are a burden, so we had to make the decision. Keep in mind this decision also impacts each of us, some more than others as some have businesses. Many would find a $10 increase on their monthly bill to be a BIG additional charge to be burdened with. Others will see that $10 a month is acceptable to insure that their family has safe, clean, drinking water. This is how I see it. It is an investment in a much needed commodity. I remember a while back that Mulvane, Ks I think it was, gets their water from ElDorado and there was some kind of blockage in the system so Mulvane resident's water supply was threatened. I would hate to see our community faced with that threat. Tough decisions come with business. It would be great if we could all put on our superman capes and stand against injustice and rising water rates. But we can't, we have to make the tough decisions and be unpopular. I am thankful for some of the council members we have that choose to face the facts rather than ignore them and try to make themselves look better to the public. Many difficult decisions are made more difficult because of those that refuse to see the big picture and focus only on how they will appear. We also have a new relocated library because of the council members who wanted good things for our community. If you want to know who on your city council is actually wanting our city to grow and provide for our community, you can check the minutes of past meetings. You will see consistent opposition by the same people. It will open your eyes. It reminds me of a saying, "Your talk talks, and your walk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks." Just sayin. Mary
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Wikipedia's definition of the pace car "pace car or "safety car" is a car which limits the speed of competing cars on a racetrack in the case of a caution period such as an obstruction on the track. During a caution period the safety car enters the track ahead of the leader. Competitors are not allowed to pass the safety car or other competitors during a caution period, and the safety car leads the field at a pre-determined safe speed, which may vary by series and circuit. At the end of the caution period, the safety car leaves the track and the competitors may resume racing." There are down times in any business. Fact. But if you remember what your thoughts and goals were when you started, you will never find yourself behind the pace car. The pace car sets the speed. You can't do anything but keep up. At that time, you aren't in the lead nor are you gaining anything, you are just maintaining until you can break out of the crowd and resume racing and win the race. Business is like this if you allow it to be. If you choose to follow the pace car and never take a challenge and venture out, you will be caught on the same track as those just keeping up. Sometimes opportunities come and people will jump into it full heartedly wanting to succeed. But you see them not doing anything any different that anyone else. Just behind the pace car. They don't go the extra mile to make sure they stand out from the crowd. I'm thinking they never really thought the plan through. They just thought everything happens by osmosis. Kind of the build it and they will come way of thinking. It doesn't work that way. Work is work. Planning for success is hard work. It takes drive. It takes resolve. It takes a committment. How many times have I heard a new person thinking of going into business and this is their thought process. "I'm going to TRY this or that." TRY? Then give up now, because if you are just going to TRY something, it will never work. You will find that you can't get anyone else excited about your business venture either if you are not committed to it. When you made that big decision to get married, were part of your vows "I will try to live with this person". Of course not, hopefully you made a committment, the same is true for business. You make a committment to make it work. You don't sit behind the pace car waiting for an opportunity to break out of the crowd. You break out of the crowd. YOU take the initiative. YOU commit, YOU resolve YOU will make it work. Could it fail? Yes. Would that make you a failure? No. I've been around business all my life. I've seen success. I've seen failure. But, I have never seen failure in people who committed, were driven, and weren't afraid to launch out ahead of the pace car. It really is mind over matter. Mary Welch-Broker/Owner Preferred Choice Realty 1403 Central Harper, Ks. 67058
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Wichita Area Association of REALTORS Congress has passed an extension of the Homebuyer Tax Credit closing deadline, the Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act (H.R. 5623). The extension applies only to transactions that have ratified contracts in place as of April 30, 2010 that have not yet closed. The legislation is designed to create a seamless extension with September 30, 2010 being the new closing deadline for eligible transactions.
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I do not forward any information until I have the truth from reliable sources. Truth is, you may have heard that the tax credit will go on until end of September of this year for first time home buyer's. This is not true. Here are the facts from Luke Bell, Vice President of Governmental Affairs with the Kansas Association of REALTORS.  | KAR Special Notice |
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Over the past few weeks, you may have seen several articles in the media that the United States Senate had extended the closing deadline to qualify for the $8,000 first-time homebuyers’ tax credit and the $6,000 homebuyers’ tax credit. Unfortunately, these media reports have been premature and no legislation has been passed by Congress that modifies the closing deadline for the homebuyers’ tax credits. For the time being, you should notify your clients and customers and proceed with the knowledge that the closing deadline for the homebuyers’ tax credits will continue to be June 30, 2010.
As you will recall, an individual must have entered into a binding written contract on the home prior to April 30, 2010. Once that requirement was satisfied, that individual had until June 30, 2010 to complete the closing on the purchase. If the home is not closed prior to 11:59 PM on June 30, 2010, then that individual will not be eligible to claim the homebuyers’ tax credit. The amendment to the statute (which has not been approved by Congress) would extend that closing deadline until 11:59 PM on September 30, 2010.
The National Association of REALTORS® is actively pursing all available options with senior Congressional staff to secure passage of legislation that would extend the closing deadline for the homebuyers’ tax credits to September 30, 2010. However, it is uncertain at this time whether those efforts will ultimately be successful. If Congress does extend the closing deadline for the homebuyers’ tax credits, we will be sending you immediate notification. In closing, please be aware that nothing has changed for the time being and the current closing deadline for the homebuyers’ tax credits remains at June 30, 2010. |
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is typically telling the potential seller that the price they have in mind to list their home and the price I have data for are...two different things. It is then finding the happy medium. As a seller it is very important that you listen to your agent when he or she gives you the data on recent sales and comparables of properties that have sold within the last 6 months in your area. You can't argue the facts. Yes, you have more square feet, and yes your home is newer than so and so's, and that all figures into the final price. But sometimes your data is based on rumors not fact. The mls shows what the property sold for and sometimes something you wouldn't have ever thought of is in the mix. Such as the seller contributed $3000 in closing costs for buyer. You wouldn't have known those details. It is tough to bust that bubble though when someone has a certain amount they think they can get from the sale of their home. But if your agent goes along with your price, with the data showing it should list much lower, your agent is doing you a great disservice. Maybe your agent will take any listing just to get a listing. That is not good for you, or the agent. But as in all aspects of life, honesty is the best policy and as they say "it is what it is". Data doesn't lie. Overpriced listings don't sell. Sometimes as agents, we have to be the bearer of bad news. But sometimes we are the bearer of good news-like you can get more than you thought for your house! Love it when I get to say that...and it happens, just on rare occassions. Mary Welch Broker/Owner Preferred Choice Realty, Harper, Ks.
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Under remodel
• 1,743 sq. ft., 2 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story "Bath on both levels" -  MLS® $79,900 Harper, Harper County - Two story, 3 bed, 2 bath, bath on both levels. New, new, new. Kitchen cabinets with self closing drawers, new sink, countertops, floor, total remodeled kitchen, comes with all new appliances. Formal dining, eating bar, large living room with new carpet, exposed wood floor in formal dining. Bay window, pocket doors, this home has lots of vintage charm even with all the upgrades.
Master on second level, all bedrooms have large walk-in closets.
New HVAC system. Agent owned. Call Broker for showings. Property information
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You still have time: First-time home buyers who bought after January 1, 2009 and before April 30th 2010 (with closing to take place by or on June 30, 2010), would get the $8,000 home buyer tax credit. This means you need to have purchased on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed on or by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed (closing, final inspection etc) by June 30, 2010 will qualify. Make sure you attach a copy of the pages from the signed binding contract to make a purchase showing all parties' names and signatures, the property address, the purchase price and the date of the contract. - For the purposes of claiming the tax credit, the purchase date is the date when closing occurs and the title to the property transfers to the home owner. If you and your spouse claim the credit on a joint return (both of you must meet the income and past ownership criteria to qualify), each spouse is treated as having been allowed half of the credit for purposes of repaying the credit. So the total amount claimable is still only $8000 Mary Welch Broker/Owner Preferred Choice Realty Harper Ks.
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Everyone wants to have respect and trust. But both are earned. They don't always come easy. Respect is earned from what we DO, not from position, status or power. Because as you have noticed, some in power don't deserve our respect. Unless they do respectfull things. People who are disrespectful, don't earn respect back. Trust happens from a series of events when people SEE that we are sincere and transparent. Some think that being sincerely wrong is the same as being sincere. No, it isn't. This is where transparency comes in. People are not ignorant of your motives when your motives are wrong, or personal as a personal agenda based on personal feelings, not fact. Truth is, spend enough time with a person and you will see who they truly are. This is demonstrated by what they say, how they treat others and how they think. Some people can be very very mean. This is why deserted islands were created. This is where mean people should live, until we get that living on other planets thing down. We can greatly increase our chances for earning trust and respect when we choose to suspend judgment of others-and keep our minds open to considering other perspectives. Sometimes it comes down to agreeing to disagree, which is how most groups function. You can't be in total agreement with everyone all the time. Case in point, marriage. I'm sure that said it all. There are just times you aren't in sinc because you have differences of opinion. Talk it out and may decide you still dont' agree, doesn't mean one of you need to go. You realize everyone is different, raised differently, different perspectives and opinions. It is normal. Character is a persons observable behavior. If a person is always nit picking, never problem solving, always finding wrong, but never having or wanting resolve, you can pretty much tell their character. These are people you run across time to time that think everyone is wrong because they don't agree with me. They are in denial if confronted with something they did wrong, instead of owning up to it. They justify it. We have all done this to some degree. Character is developed over a long period of time. A strong leader is a good thing, but a strong leader with a bad character would be a gang member. Not good. You can take good character qualities such as respect, responsibility and trustworthiness, but if not combined with the other pillars of character, such as fairness, caring and citizenship, you have an incomplete package. Not good character. Some great points, but not adding up to a good big picture. How charismatic was Jim Jones? At least this is what has been told about him, I don't know from personal experience. He must have had respect, he must have had trustworthiness and alot of responsibility, was he caring? Truth played out. He cared for himself and his agenda, only.He purposely sought out weak people he could manipulate. It is a study in human nature to see how easily people can be manipulated. Manipulators seek out these types of people. The manipulators can eventually talk them into anything. To the point the manipulated doesn't have a thought of their own. They voice the opinion of the manipulator. People who cannot be manipulated, make the manipulator mad. Probably because they saw right through them. Over time. I'm here to tell you, DON"T DRINK the KOOLAID! Think for yourself. See that you are being manipulated by someone you probably respect and trust, but their character is off...way off. Their agenda is personal and not meant to benefit anyone but themselves. Selfish little people. I am reminded of the old old cartoon "Milton the Monster", anyone remember this? The mad scientist wanted a monster, but realized if he didn't add a little tenderness, the monster would destroy even him. So he added some tenderness and slipped up and added too much. The monster was created with an inbalance and way too much tenderness. Instead of being threatened, the mad scientist had created a wuss. Milton was a cute monster. Most monsters arent' cute. Mary Welch Preferred Choice Realty-1403 Central-Harper, Ks. Wow, life is one big human experiment. Isn't it?
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I had a meeting last night and I came away thinking of an old Twilight Zone storyline from years and years ago. It was a scenario that some "pod people" were taking over. They were like zombies, I guess. Hard to describe and only remembering the feeling I got from it. It was scarry. It followed I think, a couple of characters, that found these empty pods all over the place and they discovered if they went to sleep, they would also be replaced by "pod people". Unthinking people, just roaming around like zombies, don't even remember what they did. I don't recall them doing anything. But being young at the time, I was a little scarred. When I went to bed last night, after a very disturbing meeting, I was thinking if I go to sleep, I will be one of them. LOL. I know, ridiculous. I was thinking a while ago, if life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. If it gives you pods, are you suppose to make podcasts? I know, I'm tired, emotionally drained by someone who sucks the life out of me, while I'm awake. I will deal. Is there not a cause? Look around today, do you see pod people?? There is a funny poster at city hall one of the employees put up a while ago. It is like the movie the Sixth Sense. It says "I see dumb people, they don't know they are dumb". I love it. Mary Welch-Broker/Owner Preferred Choice Realty-Harper, Ks.
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So, just received another report/study that was done on home buyers, and the results are in. 78% of people who use the internet to look for homes, say the top 3 things they look for in their search for their next home are. 1. Virtual tours 2. Pictures 3. Property description Next, 6.1 million people use www.realtor.com each month to search for real estate. And, 86% of their online search time was spent on www.realtor.com. So, what am I trying to say? If you are a seller, and have your property listed with an agency, check to see if your home is showing up on www.realtor.com because that means 6.1 million people may potentially be viewing YOUR home. If your home is NOT showing up on that site, it indicates your agent is NOT a REALTOR and not exposing your property to the maximum number of buyers possible! Next, does your home show up on a virtual tour? Is that even offered by your real estate salesperson? ...or is that extra? Use a REALTOR next time you list your home, we "actively" market property. It is what we do, and we do it 24/7. Mary Welch-Broker/Owner Preferred Choice Realty-Harper, Ks.
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Pratt, Pratt County - Announcing a price reduction on 1304 E 5th, a 1,637 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story. Now MLS® $58,900 - . Property information
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Yes, "they" did a report and the score was terrible. They asked the question, "would you use the same real estate agent again?" Only 22% of buyers were happy with their agent. Bad percentage. But I certainly understand it, as an agent myself, I am only happy with about 50% of agents. Why? Agents don't return phone calls!! I understand busy, I can write a book on it, but common courtesy dictates you return a phone call. ESPECIALLY when another agent wants to show one of your listings!! But back to the report. There are alot of reasons why people are unhappy with the last agent they used to buy a house. It could be, they didn't have their own agent, just thought they did. The listing agent (the one who listed the house) cannot be your buyer agent too. It is illegal in Kansas to represent buyer and seller. So, chances are, the listing agent wasn't representing you, because they couldn't. Or, you just didn't get the deal you wanted. Maybe paid more for the property than you planned on. I guess this is the agents fault? Not really, market dictates price and if there is competition for the the same property, there might be a bidding war and the highest offer wins. That is not always the case either, sometimes the best terms win. So many variables in real estate. Sellers might not have budged. Sellers want the best deal as well as buyers. Maybe, the house you purchased, just didn't meet your expectations. Blame the agent? Yes! No! Really, the agent hasn't lived in the house, only knows what the seller told him/her and inspections (your agent better have told you to get) revealed. It was your decision. Unless you feel the agent pushed you, then you have a legitimate gripe. Maybe, just maybe your agent, if he/she was your agent, just didn't know HOW to represent you. Some agents don't want to be buyers agents and don't know the first thing about it. Or, maybe there was a lack of communication with you and your agent. Hard to know what the problem was. Whatever the situation, it is bad news for our industry that that only 22% of buyers are happy with their agent. That makes us all sad. Next time, use a REALTOR! Mary Welch Broker/Owner Preferred Choice Realty of Harper, Ks.
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Sunday, on March 11th, Interfaith Housing will have their new Harper house open to the public. Please stop by and see this great home. Staff will be present to explain the program options available to purchase this great family home! Located at the corner of Washington and 11th in Harper, Ks. Open house hours are from 1:00 to 2:30 this coming Sunday afternoon. So come out and see, you know you are curious. This is a beautiful home.
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Harper, Harper County - 1309 Oak, a 2,490 sq. ft., 2 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story. Listed at $60,000 - All this charm for that amount of money? Yes. Vintage charm outside and throughout the interior on this home. Hardwoods in the foyer, living room, dining room and maser bedroom have all been recently redone. Home is move in ready. Contact me today to see this property. Property information
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This IS the perfect time to get your house on the market so start getting ready to fix all the necessary things that need fixing and get your house polished and ready to showcase in the Spring market. Spring and Summer are the best times to get your house on the market. The weather is changing and Spring IS coming, no matter what the weathermen say. It is time! Let us know when you are ready to get it on the market. By "market" we mean ACTIVE MARKET. This is the only way to showcase your home. A sign in the yard and a broker's website isn't enough. You need to get it actively listed and put out there where EVERYONE can see. You need the expertise of a REALTOR, a real estate agent or broker who knows HOW to market your house. A real estate agent or broker who is a member of the Association of REALTORS, local, state and national. That would be us. We are the only office in Harper County who is a member of the REALTOR Association. We know how important it is to market your home. We realize that is our job! Your job is to get your house ready to sell. Ours is to get it the maximum exposure it needs! We can do this. Our online marketing allows your home to be exposed to buyers all over! Our Spring inventory is picking up! Someone asked last night how the market was doing. Well, we've had 3 closings this week if that tells you anything. One in Wichita, one in Anthony and a Harper house today!! I would say that was a good week! Smart buyers are out there checking out the inventory as we speak, they are aware the hot market season is coming up, so if you are a seller, give us a call, right now. We will give you an idea of what you need to do to get ready, give you a good marketable price for your home and get on our way to marketing your home, the way it should be done. By the way, there are other real estate companies out there, but the way we look at it, we have no competition. We work with other real estate offices and will also allow them to show your house as well. You see, it isn't about who sells it, it is about getting it sold. It IS however, all about who lists your house as you need to go with someone who can "market" it effectively. Again, that would be us. We advertise on all the major real estate sites, number one is REALTOR.com! Give us a call and we will get to work. It's what we do! Mary Welch-Broker/Owner Preferred Choice Realty Harper, Ks.
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