How Walkable Is Your Neighborhood?

Walk Score (http://www.walkscore.com) is a fun website that let’s you know how walker-friendly your neighborhood is. This is great for people looking to go-green or live in an area with a more urban feel.

Kansas City, Missouri ranks pretty well, coming in at #34 on the America’s Most Walkable Neighborhoods. Kansas City Missouri’s Most Walkable Neighborhoods : Old Westport, Country Club Plaza, Plaza Westport, Hanover Place and Volker are the top five most walkable neighborhoods.

Not surprisingly, Kansas suburbs like Olathe come in very low. I typed in my home address in Olathe and got only 11 out of 100, which classifies my home as “car-dependent”. I typed in an old address near downtown Overland Park and got at 55 out of 100 or “some-what walkable”.

Check out Walk Score before purchasing your next home! http://www.walkscore.com/Kansas City real estate agent, Brad Papa has been helping people achieve their real estate goals full-time since 2005 and specializes as both a buyer’s or seller’s agent. Brad has resided in the Kansas City/Olathe area for his entire life and is an expert dealing with all areas of the metropolitan area.

Brad Papa
Realty Executives of Kansas City
913-526-4985
Brad@PapasInTheHouse.com
www.PapasInTheHouse.com

Use The $8,000 Tax Credit As A Downpayment For First Time Homebuyers On FHA Loans

Even better news for Kansas City first time home buyers in 2009, as of yesterday the government is going to allow first time home buyers to use the $8,000 tax credit as a downpayment on FHA (Federal Housing Administration) financed loans! No more waiting until next year’s tax return to collect on the money. Buyers will be able to capitalize on this tax credit at the closing table.

Since the FHA requires a minimum 3.5% down payment from buyers, having up to $8,000 would mean buyers wouldn’t have to immediately dip into their savings for the downpayment.

Buyers need to act fast though, this program ends December 1, 2009.  Sign up today for Papa’s FREE First Time Home Buyer’s Seminar to cover this topic in depth. Seminar is held the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Click here to register online now! 

Click here for the full story from realtor.org

 Click here for the full story from the  Wall Street Journal online

Click here for more information on Papa’s Free First Time Homebuyers Seminar

Brad Papa
RE/MAX State Line
913-526-4985
bradleypapa@remax.net
www.PapasInTheHouse.com
Come to Papa For All Your Real Estate Needs!

Fabulous Spring Hill Townhome For Sale – End Unit – Barely Lived In!

Brad Papa | RE/MAX State Line | 913-526-4985 21135 Millridge Street, Spring Hill, KS Rare End Unit 3BR/2.5BA Townhouse offered at $131,000 Year Built 2006 Sq Footage 1,426 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking Unspecified Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $75 per month DESCRIPTION Rare end unit in pristine condition! Barely lived in townhome with many upgrades: granite counter tops, frieze carpet, ceiling fans, upgraded fixtures, iron spindles & tile fireplace. Exterior maintenance provided, pre-wired for security system. So much space with this 3 bed/2.5 bath. see additional photos below ADDITIONAL PHOTOS End Unit Living Room Kitchen Open Floor Plan Master Bedroom Master Bath Contact info: Brad Papa RE/MAX State Line 913-526-4985 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: May 12, 2009, 4:25pm PDT

Must See Spring Hill Listing – End Unit Townhome – Video Up Now!

RE/MAX State Line real estate agent, Brad Papa has been helping people achieve their real estate goals for over five years and specializes as both a buyer’s or seller’s agent. Brad has resided in the Kansas City/Olathe area for his entire life and is an expert dealing with all areas of the metropolitan area.

Brad Papa

RE/MAX State Line

913-526-4985

bradleypapa@remax.net

www.PapasInTheHouse.com

Free How To Get Your Home Sold Fast Seminar

FREE HOME SELLING & STAGING SEMINAR

In this market, even the most gorgeous Kansas City home can sit for months on the market waiting to be sold. Avoid this problem by attending this seminar and learn tips to make your home irresistible and marketable. Learn how to get your home SOLD in the least amount of time, for the most money.

Topics include:

• Why effective pricing is so critical
• Which marketing options do/do not work
• Why an empty house sits on the market longer
• Furniture and accessories arrangement and color options

This course can help you maximize your profit and reduce your stress! Register online now!

Upcoming Dates:

Click here for upcoming dates or contact Brad at Brad@PapasInTheHouse.com or 913-526-4985 for a personal consultation. 

WHERE: Realty Executives of Kansas City, 11401 Ash, Leawood, KS 66211 

RSVP REQUIRED: Register online now!  or contact Brad Papa: 913.526.4985
or Brad@PapasInTheHouse.com

NEW: Let Papa Come To You! Brad will put on a free real estate seminar at your next company Lunch-N-Learn! He has already presented at multiple companies and has received excellent feedback, now it’s your turn! Simply put  Brad in contact with your H.R. representative that is in charge of scheduling the classes and he will take it from there! 

How To Find A Real Estate Agent In Olathe Kansas

It’s time! You are ready to buy or sell in the Olathe real estate market, but you are now wondering how to you find a qualified, professional Olathe real estate agent?

Here are some common ways people find agents:

• Word of mouth/referrals
• Family/friend in the business
• Someone You Know Is A Part-Time Agen
•  Agent Who Sold Your Neighbor’s House
• At An Open House

 

A real estate agent should not just be just handed the job, they should have to earn it. Before you got your current job, you had to complete a resume with your qualifications, interview for the job and make a great impression on the hiring agent and demonstrate why you were the best solution for the position. It should be the same when hiring an Olathe real estate agent.

As a client, you deserve to have the best representation. When you receive a referral or if you have a friend that is an agent, make sure that they are your best solution. A friend, family member or a referral can cost you thousands, if the agent does not fit your needs. I suggest identifying three to four agents in your area and interview them. Ask them similar questions such as:

• Are you a full-time or part-time agent?
•  How long have you been in the business?
• Can I call your previous clients for references?
•  How do you differentiate yourself form other Olathe real estate agents?
• Why should I hire you?

Make up your own list of questions! Then consider other factors important to you such as: experience, communication style, areas of experties etc. You deserve the very best representation! For more information on Olathe real estate agent, Brad Papa follow the below links!

Brad Papa Buyer’s Agent FAQ

Previous Clients Testimonials

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brad Papa
RE/MAX State Line

913-526-4985
bradleypapa@remax.net
www.PapasInTheHouse.com

Fabulous Olathe Home In Foxfield Village – 3 Car Garage – Move-In Ready

Brad Papa | RE/MAX State Line | 913-526-4985 21016 W 118 Terrace, Olathe, KS Fabulous home in Foxfield Village w/3 car garage! 4BR/3BA Single Family House offered at $235,000 Year Built 2001 Sq Footage 1,676 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 0 partial Floors Unspecified Parking Unspecified Lot Size 10,569 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Fabulous home in Foxfield Village w/3 car garage! Gorgeous master suite with spa-like bath & walk-in closet. Gleaming hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, tiled bathrooms, ceiling fans, bay window, two living areas & great appliances. Backs to greenspace w/walking trails. Five minutes from everything. Amazing neighborhood pool! see additional photos below ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Home Sweet Home Kitchen Living Room Master Bedroom Walk Out Basement Master Bath Contact info: Brad Papa RE/MAX State Line 913-526-4985 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Apr 15, 2009, 10:00am PDT

Fabulous Shawnee Home In Pristine Condition – Pottery Barn Decor

Brad Papa | RE/MAX State Line | 913-526-4985 6414 Chouteau Street, Shawnee, KS Fabulous Shawnee home in pristine condition! 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $193,000 Year Built 1991 Sq Footage 1,496 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors Unspecified Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 6,001 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Fabulous Shawnee home in pristine condition! Open floor plan. Gleaming hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, tiled bathrooms & upgraded light fixtures. Great room with tiled fireplace & large windows. Double walk-in closets in master. Finished basement for second living area & plenty of storage. Five minutes from everything. see additional photos below ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Front Kitchen Living Room Finished Basement Master Bedroom Master Bath Contact info: Brad Papa RE/MAX State Line 913-526-4985 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Apr 23, 2009, 7:04pm PDT

Fabulous Shawnee Home – Open Floor Plan – Pottery Barn Decor

RE/MAX State Line real estate agent, Brad Papa has been helping people achieve their real estate goals for over five years and specializes as both a buyer’s or seller’s agent. Brad has resided in the Kansas City/Olathe area for his entire life and is an expert dealing with all areas of the metropolitan area.

Brad Papa

RE/MAX State Line

913-526-4985

bradleypapa@remax.net

www.PapasInTheHouse.com

Tips And Secrets On How To Sell My Home Fast

Why hasn’t my home sold? Are there secrets to getting my house sold in today’s market? I hear these questions many times from sellers and while there are some things you can control, there others you can’t. It’s best to focus on what you can change! Click here for more information on Brad Papa’s free seminar – How To Get Your Home Sold Fast

Some things you can control:

Price: Pricing your home over the market value is the number on reason that a home does not sell. The most important factor to consider is that if a home is overpriced it won’t even show up in a buyer’s search! Buyer’s won’t even have the chance to fall in love with your home because it is just out of their range and they won’t even see it listed in their search. 

Condition: Is your home move-in ready? Has it been recently remodeled in a neutral color scheme or are there a lot of fix ups that are needed? The condition of the property can dramatically increase or decrease the price of a home. Check out my other articles for some great tips: Top 5 Tips For Getting Your Home Ready For A Showing or Top Tips For Getting Your Home Ready To Sale  

Availability: You control if a buyer has access to your property, so make sure that when an agent or showing company calls for a potential appointment, you make every effort to rearrange your schedule to accommodate them.

Appliances: Which ones are staying and which ones are going. This is especially important for first time home buyers who may not have certain appliances.

 

Some things you can’t control, but do affect how quickly your home sells:

Location: Is it in a good neighborhood that is highly desirable? Do you back to a busy street, are you near the train tracks, how close is the nearest grocery store.

Layout: Unless you plan on doing major renovations, the layout is something you cannot change. Here are some of the things that potential buyers might have on their “must have” lists: open floor plan, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms and their location, size of rooms and closets  

Yard: A lot of people look for a larger yard, and some are looking for a fence. Others require a deck or patio

Contact Olathe real estate agent, Brad Papa for more tips on how to get your Kansas City home sold fast! Click here for more information on Brad Papa’s free seminar – How To Get Your Home Sold Fast or Register online now!

 

Brad Papa
RE/MAX Stateline

913-526-4985
bradleypapa@remax.net
www.PapasInTheHouse.com