Light Bulbs Will Change Effective January 1

According to a USA Today article, your traditional incandescent light bulbs will be phased out beginning January 1st.  Starting on Sunday, the 100 watt bulb will no longer be able to be imported or manufactured, although stores can sell their inventories until they run out.  This same transition will happen for 75 watt bulbs on January 1, 2013 and for 40 & 60 watt bulbs on January 1, 2014. 

So, what are your options after the 1st?  There are currently 3 choices that meet the guidelines of the new legislation, which states that the bulb must be at least 25% more efficient than the standard incandescent bulb.  According to another article in USA Today, over a third of Americans prefer the traditional bulbs versus the energy-efficient option, so which bulb is best suited to match the old bulbs? Which one is the most affordable?  Here's a comparison of the 3 options.

• The CFL (compact fluorescent lamp): The "squiggly" bulb.

• Cost: $4.65 for a 2-pack 14w (traditional 60w) and will last an estimated 9 years. 
• Color of lighting: varies, so if you prefer the yellowish light that the traditional bulbs had, look for a lower temperature (measured in Kelvin), which will be a warmer color.  
• Drawbacks:
• Contains a trace amount of mercury so they need to be disposed of properly. However, the amount of mercury is not a health hazard--it's about equivalent to the mercury level found on a plate of sushi. 
• Cheaper bulbs are not dimmable, so if that is a priority for you, check the label.
• Doesn't last as long as other alternatives
• Benefits:
• They have the biggest range of color, so more to choose from.
• The cheapest option available, when totaling cost of purchase and cost of use.
• They now come in different shapes, like A-line and globe to offer options to the "squiggly" bulb.
• Halogen Incandescent:

• Cost: $3.50 for a 43w (traditional 60w) 2-pack and lasts almost a year.
• Color of lighting: Most similar to the traditional bulbs with soft white lighting.
• Drawbacks:
• They don't last near as long as the other options.
• They aren't as energy efficient as other options.
• Benefits:
• These bulbs are all mercury free.
• Cheapest to purchase.
• Most similar to the traditional incandescent bulb.
• Plenty of shapes & sizes to choose from.
• Most bulbs are dimmable.
• LED (light-emitting diode):

• Cost: $24 for 13w (traditional 60w) 1 bulb and lasts an estimated 23 years.
• Color of lighting: Most of these bulbs will be in the 3,300 to 5,000 K range, so lighting will be whiter than the traditional bulb.
• Drawbacks:
• The cost to purchase is by far the most.
• The bulb looks different than what we are accustomed to.
• Benefits:
• The most energy efficient--saving about 80% over the life of the bulb.
• Comes in two different shades--soft white and bright light for options.
• The future of lighting, and will hopefully decrease in pricing as it becomes more popular.
• The bulb is dimmable and contains no mercury.
• Offers many shapes & sizes.

Which is best?  That's up to you! If you are planning on staying in your home for 30 years, you might go with the LED's as you could save $200 per bulb over it's life.  If you want to emulate the old-style bulbs, you may choose the halogen.  The choice is yours!

JK

Source: USA Today Article, USA Today Article, Prices from Home Depot

New Year's Eve in CoMo!

Need ideas for New Year's Eve?  Why not try First Night, which is held annually downtown.  This family-friendly event is alcohol-free for the kiddos and offers lots of entertainment.  Over 50 performances, and lots of activities and art displays to view.  It's $7 for an admission button, which gets you access to all the events for the evening.  Children under 7 are free.  You can get buttons at Gerbes, the ARC & Streetside Records.

Listen to pop, jazz, or bluegrass, watch a juggling show, go on a carriage ride or make your own noisemaker!  All these activities and more are planned! You can even participate in the 5k, which occurs earlier in the day. 

Doors open at 6 and entertainment starts at 6:30.  There is a children's procession at 9:15 followed by fireworks and at 11:30 the grand procession will lead the crowd to the courthouse where they will have a ball drop followed by more fireworks. 

Visit www.firstnightcolumbia.org for more info, maps & schedule. 

Best of Columbia!

Want to take part in voting in the Best of titles for 2012?  Visit Inside Columbia's website at www.insidecolumbia.net or here to vote for the best people & places in Columbia, MO. 

From best restaurant, to hairstylist, to favorite weathercaster, you get to pick the best! 

JK

What's Going on In Your Neighborhood?

Curious as to the activity in your neighborhood?  Crane & Crane can provide a free service to you, by allowing you to see the new listings and any price changes in your neighborhood, so you can stay up-to-date. 

We will automatically email you with any new listings in your neighborhood (or area).  If you're interested, just email jessica@craneandcrane.com or your favorite Crane & Crane Real Estate agent and ask them to set it up for you. 

We never share your email address, and if you wish to not recieve the emails anymore, you just let us know!

Have a great weekend!

JK

Columbia's New Wards

The Missourian has a great article here that explains the new demographics in the six wards of Columbia.  Some housing-related highlights in Columbia are:

• The Third Ward has the highest percentage of vacant homes at 11.6%, most likely explained by unoccupied new construction homes.
• The Sixth Ward has the 2nd lowest home ownership rate at just over 27%, due to the high student population with the new student housing apartment complexes.  It also has the highest number of homes owned without a mortgage--explained by longevity of residents staying in their home, and also possibly due to investor-owned properties that were purchased with cash and are now being rented to students.
• The Fourth Ward has the highest homeownership rate and also has the oldest population--these two seem to correlate directly with each other. 

Some very interesting discoveries were made, I would highly recommend reading the article!

JK

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

With our first official snow of the season, it is starting to feel a lot like winter (& Christmas)!  So, we here at Crane & Crane have officially kicked off our Christmas Lights Contest!  Please post photos of your home, someone else's home, or any business in Boone County to our Facebook page all decked out in Christmas lights! We are taking photos from now until December 18th.  I will make a map of the top houses and post it so you can take your own Christmas Lights Tour!

If you don't have a Facebook account, feel free to email your photos to jessica@craneandcrane.com and I will make sure to get them posted.  And, include the address on all submissions so we know where they are!

JK

Christmas in Columbia MO

Need some ideas to get yourself in the holiday spirit?  Here are some great (& some free) ways to do that!

• First, get your own Christmas tree at the Downtown Optimist tree lot! Their two lots are on Grand Ave (behind Burger King on Business Loop) and on Stadium next to Macaroni Grill. Trees range from $21-$110 depending on type and size.  Profits go to the Optimists which fund kids' organizations throughout our community (click here for details).  Open from 1-8 weekdays, 10-8 on weekends!
• Visit the Magic Tree--two different locations, one in Cherry Hill and one at Shakespeare's Pizza downtown.  These are beautiful and make for great photos...the kids will love it!
• Take the Holiday Home Tour...tickets are $15 and 4 homes are open to view on December 3rd & 4th.  Benefits the Women's Symphony League.
• Stroll thru downtown on December 2nd as Living Windows takes place. Each store takes out window displays and stages with live holiday performances.  Free!
• Shelter Insurance will hold their annual Christmas lighting ceremony at 6 pm on December 2nd.  Holiday music from West Junior High and a visit from Santa with gifts makes this a memorable experience for all!
• Take a ride on the Children's Christmas Express.  A train ride with Santa and goodies! Go to www.dinnertrain.com for tickets & times.
• December 9-11 the TRYPS kids theater performs It's A Wonderful Life. Tickets are $10 for adults. Go to www.kidsintheact.org for tickets.
• Visit Santa at Bass Pro Shops from now until Christmas Eve--get your picture taken for free.  Each day they have free arts & crafts for the kids to create as well! Click here for the schedule of events.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

JK

Crime Reports in Columbia MO

A frequent question Realtors are asked when a buyer is looking for property is, "What's the crime like in this neighborhood?"  Especially if you are new to town, or new to the subdivision, you might not have an exact idea on what the crime is like in the area.  Thanks to technology, there are two sources of information in Boone County that prove to be quite useful when trying to find this information. 

crimereports.com in Columbia, MO

The City of Columbia Police Department reports their data to www.crimereports.com.  This website is very user-friendly.  You can search by location (specific address), type in a date range, and it shows a map of the different types of crimes in the area.  You can also select to receive alerts in your area; fees apply to this service, though. This website also maps the sex offender list and provides photos of the registered sex offender. 

The Boone County Sheriff's Department has their own website mapping system. By going to BCSD's website and clicking on "Incident Mapping" it will take you to a screen where you can narrow down by date, and search by address, neighborhood & area. You can zoom in on specific areas and it will map out the different crimes. It does not show the sex offenders on this map, but by clicking on "Registered Offenders" from the BCSD main website, you can search by address or see the full map of Boone County. 

Sex Offender Map from BCSD

Some crime statistics for you to digest (according to Missouri State Highway Patrol) for 2011:

• Boone County accounts for 2.72% of the population in Missouri, but total crimes in Boone County are about 2.66% of the total crimes in the state.
• Violent crimes are at 538 in Boone County, while just under 21,000 in the state, about 2.57%. 
• Homicides in Boone County are at 2 for the year, compared to 288 state-wide which is less than 1% of the total. 

I hope this information allows you to get an accurate picture of what crime is and where it's occuring in Boone County, and helps you make a more informed decision when purchasing your next home!

JK

Is selling your home in the winter a good idea?

For several reasons, some home owners decide to take their home off the market if it hasn't sold by November.  Not only is it cold and buyers seem to be far & few between, but the holidays are around the corner and sellers aren't as willing to keep their homes ready to go during the season.  But, is it really a good idea to take it off the market during the winter?  While some sellers may not have a choice, because of relocation or financial reasons, here are a few things to consider if you do have the option. 

1. There ARE still buyers looking for homes in the winter! Believe it or not, there are buyers always looking for homes, whether it is July or December, so you may miss out on those buyers if you take it off the market.

2. There is less inventory in the winter, which means less competition.  At the peak of the market, there were over 1,300 homes available in Boone County.  At the lowest point of inventory in January, there were only 980 homes on the market.  This is almost a 25% decrease in inventory!

3. Although the number of sales from November - February is about half of that from April - July, statistics show for the homes that do sell, Sellers aren't giving them away.  The average price for winter months is actually about $4,000 higher than in the summer months, at $179,500 vs. $175,600.  The price per square foot is actually identical in both the Winter & Summer at $84/sq ft. 

So, just because Old Man Winter is lurking around the corner, don't jump off the market...it just may be your lucky season!

JK

Foreclosures Up Nationwide, but not in Boone County

A report released today indicates an up-turn in foreclosures nationwide from September to October.  Although the Boone County Recorder's office reported a slight increase between the months, there is nothing out of the ordinary for the year, and Boone County is still fairing very well when it comes to the number of foreclosures available. 

Currently in Missouri about 1 in every 1100 homes is a foreclosure, and in Boone County only 1 in every 2900 homes is a foreclosure.  Compare that to the national average of 1 in every 563 homes being a foreclosure and Boone County and Missouri are both doing very well. 

In the last year, foreclosures represented about 8% of the sales in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).  The good thing about foreclosures is the rate at which they sell, with an average of 40 days on the market, compared to 85 days on the market for a "normal" listing.  This is explained by the bank's need to sell the property quickly, and in turn, they price it usually lower than market value.  The average price for a foreclosure is $107,000 and the average price for a "normal" listing is $170,000, a significant difference. 

To sum up, while the rest of the nation is still struggling with foreclosure rates, we in central Missouri seem to be recovering quicker and looking toward an up-swing in real estate in 2012. 

JK

Using Facebook for Business? Read this!

If you are a real estate agent, photographer, restaurant manager, business owner, etc., you may market your goods or services on your personal Facebook page.  To my great surprise, I found out this actually violates the Terms of Service on Facebook and you could lose everything because of it. 

Being a Realtor, our personal lives and professional careers often intermingle with each other.  We post our new listings, open houses, new sales, congratulations to new homeowners, etc.  In reality, this is illegal according to Facebook regulations. Specifically, Section 4-4 says you cannot use your personal profile for your own commercial gain.  This can be interpreted many ways, but there are cases where profiles have been completely deleted without notification because violations of these terms (and they couldn't get any of it back).  So, I'd rather be safe than sorry.  Here is Facebook's FAQ answer to the direct question of why someone's account was deleted:

Per our Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, Facebook profiles must represent an individual. Users aren’t permitted to maintain an account under the name of their organization, or use personal accounts to advertise or promote themselves professionally. If your profile was listed under a non-individual name, or was used primarily for professional promotion, this is probably why it was removed.”

To avoid your profile being deleted, I would advise starting a business or fan page to disseminate information about your business or to promote yourself. This would avoid the issue.  You can also keep your personal and professional "profiles" separate, which could be a bonus.  Post about your child's piano recital on your personal page to share with your close friends; then post your open house on Sunday to your business/fan page. 

JK

P.S. I'm not an attorney, so this is not legal advice...just trying to save some of you some heartache.  If you have questions, please contact your attorney.

The Career Center Offers High Schoolers Opportunities

I visited the Columbia Area Career Center (CACC) last week to discuss opportunities of having real estate courses available. While I was there, I got to tour the building and see all the different things going on there.  This is not your normal run-of-the-mill school! There are so many different hands-on learning experiences going on in this school.  It was so amazing to see all the students learning real world technologies & skills to improve their chances in the future. 

Our first stop was the kitchen where they teach all sorts of classes. We heard a story of one of the students who got to travel to London for the world competition in Culinary Arts. She placed 18th out of 40th participants in creating a 5 course meal. 

We viewed the health sciences area, where they have Surgical Technician Certifications, EMT courses, and CNA classes. So many options and the ability to have usable skills in the workplace directly out of high school. 

We also got to see the auto shop and welding center, which had all the tools that you see in a shop down the street.  They have cars that have real problems which are their project for the semester.  The welders create actual items, like firepits, and sell them. 

And, to think, this is all available to our high school students at any Columbia Public School, and Hallsville & Ashland are included as well. They are currently working with Tolton Catholic to come on board in the future. 

JK

10 states with the biggest houses

This Inman News article shows the top 10 states with the biggest homes, according to Realtor.com. Although Missouri places 44th on the list as a state with a median of 1650 square feet, Columbia would rank 10th if it were on the list. The median square footage for active homes in Columbia is 1,910, just above the #10 spot, Washington, with 1,903 square feet. If you want big, you should move west! The top 6 states are in the Western part of the U.S. with Utah holding #1 at 2,305 square feet. Check out the link below for specific state info!

10 states with the biggest houses

It's Halloween in Columbia!

Need a fun night with the kids in their costumes?  Check out these events for the whole family!

• Halloweenie in the District: Tonight from 4-6, participating businesses will be handing out treats. Over 50 restaurants & stores will be participating! 

• Haunted Maplewood Home: The historic Maplewood Home at Nifong Park will transform into a spooky tour with historic figures like you've never seen on Halloween night. Open from 6-9 pm on the 31st, it is $5 per child, but adults accompanying a child are free.  Family friendly!

• Tiger Night of Fun: The Hearnes Center will be hosting trick-or-treaters, 6th grade & under along with their parents.  Dress up in your costume, and come from treats, activities & games! 6-8 pm on Halloween night! Best of all, it's free!

Have a Happy & Safe Halloween!

JK

The Spending Cycle in a Home Purchase

Ever wonder why people say the Housing Market is the solution to our economy's crisis?  Well, here's a local look at how one home purchase can affect many different people, and it's in a very good way!

Seller Lists Home, Cleans Up Home, Makes Needed Repairs ---> Contractor for Labor, Carpet Cleaners, & House Cleaners. On average, probably $500 - $1,000

Realtor Lists Home, Provides Advertising, Signage, etc. ---> Newspaper & Magazine Revenue, Sign Companies, Website Advertising. Expense varies significantly.

Buyer Puts Offer on Home --->Home, Termite, & Radon Inspections completed. Average $500-$750

Buyer requests Seller Make Repairs ---> Contractor Fees and/or Labor. Cost Varies.

Buyer Obtains Loan for Home ---> Processing Fees to Lender $700-$1,500

Buyer Orders Title Insurance Policy ---> Premium Paid to Title Company $400-$1,000

Buyer Pays for Homeowners Insurance ---> Insurance Co receives premium. Varies.

Buyer Orders Appraisal --->Local Appraiser Completes. $400-$500

Home Closes ---> All parties are paid, Realtor receives commission, Seller Purchases New Home and Becomes a Buyer, and the cycle starts over! Endless possibilities!

JK

Getting Married? Buy a House!

FHA offers a great way to build a down payment for your next new home.  Instead of registering for the typical blenders, pillows & luggage, register at your local lender's office! You can open a savings account, that can accrue interest, and allow friends & family to make deposits in to that account to accumulate a down payment for your home. In just a few simple steps, you can have your own Registry. 

1. Visit your local lender and become pre-approved.
2. Open a bank account and name it your Bridal Registry Account.
3. Give friends & family the information to deposit funds directly to your account, or you can always deposit checks in to the account yourself. 
4. Once you have the amount you need, buy your home!

You don't have to be a first time home buyer to use an FHA loan, and the credit requirements are a little less than conventional loans.  FHA requires 3.5% down, one of the lowest down payment programs available because the loan is backed by the US Government.  There has always been an allowance for someone to receive their down payment funds as a gift, as long as it came from an immediate family member but it required a few extra steps, one being a gift letter.  With this program, no gift letters from the givers are required, just a separate bank account titled Bridal Registry Account.  

What better way to get a couple started than cash towards their own home? 

  

Home Prices: Story from KOMU

Second time I was in the news this month! Check out this video from last night's KOMU news!

Home prices have risen in the last few months, a strong sign the housing market is slowly turning around.  This usually signifies to buyers to go ahead and "jump off the fence" because prices will slowly start making their way back to normal.  It is also a positive sign for sellers, as some will see the equity in their homes increase and may be able to sell their home for a profit. 

JK

New Listing: Spacious Ranch on 2.18 Acres!

This very spacious walkout ranch home has great location, just east of Columbia, walking distance to the new high school and a stone's throw to the public golf course! It sits on a rolling, level 2.18 acres in Copper Creek Subdivision and was built in 2005.  Over 3,300 square feet, with 5 large bedrooms, 3 full baths, plus an office and the main level has an open feel with kitchen, dining & living room all connected.  The back covered deck is perfect for BBQ's and entertaining.  It also has ample storage, with a 3-car garage on the main level with pull-down stairs & storage above it, and a 1-car additional garage/workshop in the basement with a driveway wrapping around to the back! This home also has beautiful features including gleaming hardwood floors, a large center island in the kitchen, stained windows, doors & trim and so much more! The master suite has double-coffered ceilings, a master bath with corner jetted tub, walk-in shower & dual sinks, and an enormous walk-in closet.  The basement has a nice family room or rec room and walks out to a large concrete patio in the back.  Schools are Two Mile Prairie, Lange Middle, Oakland Junior & Hickman High.  Address is 8035 E. St. Charles Rd.  Priced at $289,900, this home is a great deal! Please call & schedule your showing today!

Click this link to view more info!

Lease Purchase vs. Lease Option vs. Owner Financing

	Lease Purchase	Lease Purchase Option	Owner Financing
Definition	Buyer signs lease for certain # of years and also signs contract to purchase home after lease is up.	Buyer signs lease for certain  # of years and also signs option to purchase, but does not have to buy at end of lease	Seller provides financing to buyer for the purchase. If seller has mortgage, they would have to pay off mortgage before this option was viable.
Terms of Contract	Lease: Rent & Terms Negotiable Sales Contract: Closing set for date after lease expires, but ties both buyer & seller to sale of home	Lease Signed: Rent & Terms Negotiable Option to Buy: Sets general terms for Buyer if they choose to purchase home after lease expires	Sales Contract: Price & Terms Negotiable Note/Deed of Trust between Seller (Lender) and Buyer (Borrower)
Lender of Funds	3rd Party Lender (Bank, etc.)	3rd Party Lender (Bank, etc.)	Seller
Length of Contract	1-3 years	1-3 years	30-60 days
Purchase happens	At end of lease	Possibly, at end of lease	Date of closing, usually 30-60 days
Money Down	Security Deposit (one month's rent)  + Earnest Money for Contract ($1,000 -10% down)	Deposit for Option ($500-$2,000) + Security Deposit (one month's rent)	Depending on Seller requirements (normally 10%-20% of Purchase Price)
Maintenance of Property	Landlord/Owner	Landlord/Owner	Tenant/Buyer
Taxes & Insurance	Landlord/Owner	Landlord/Owner	Tenant/Buyer
Utilities	Tenant/Buyer	Tenant/Buyer	Tenant/Buyer
Benefits for Seller	1. Income from Lease Payments 2. Guaranteed Sale at end of Lease	1. Income from Lease Payments 2. Possibility of Sale at end of Lease	1. Transfer of ownership 2. Not responsible for maint/taxes, etc. 3. Income from Mortgage Payments
Benefits for Buyer	1. Allows time to qualify for loan 2. May be able to build down payment from lease payments 3. Guarantees home will not sell to someone else	1. Not tied in to purchase in case of loan denial, market downturn, relocation, etc. 2. Allows time to qualify for loan 3. Secures purchase terms with a lower down payment	1. May not have traditional lending guidelines for loan 2. Buyer OWNS home & can make upgrades/repairs 3. All payments are mortgage payments-apply to Principal & Interest
Drawbacks for Seller	1. Responsible for any maintenance 2. Buyer may not qualify for loan at end of lease 3. Risk involved if Buyer does not make payments	1. Responsible for any maintenance 2. Buyer may not qualify for loan at end of lease 3. Risk involved if Buyer does not make payments 4. Buyer not locked in to purchase	1. Buyer may not maintain property 2. Buyer may not make payments which force Seller to Foreclose (more expensive process than tenant eviction) 3. Still carry debt on home
Drawbacks for Buyer	1. Rent payments may not be applied to down payment 2. Cannot make any upgrades to home (unless agreed upon by seller)	1. Rent payments will not be applied to down payment 2. Cannot make any upgrades to home (unless agreed upon by seller)	1. Make payments to seller, which will probably not report to credit agency

A Fall Favorite: Peach Tree Farm

Over this past weekend, my family visited Peach Tree Farm.  Located just West of Columbia, at the Wooldridge exit off I-70 (exit # 111), it is a great place for adults & children of all ages.  My son, Colten, is 16 months and he had a blast, signified by the long nap on the ride home. 

If you want pumpkins, they've got every kind you can imagine! From little gourds & squash to pumpkins that I couldn't pick off the ground if I tried...they've got a type for everyone. 

For the kids, they've got a straw maze and lots of animals to visit including goats, chickens, bunnies, catfish, donkeys & turkey! You can even feed the goats.  Most kids enjoy just being able to run around and climb on the horses made of corn stalks, stick their head thru a cutout of a scarecrow or daisies, or hang out in the teepee.  But, Colten's favorite part was the hayride.  Being pulled by a tractor on a huge wagon and visiting all the different spots on the farm, including a circle around the lake, was the highlight of his day. 

At $5 a person, its great affordable fun and you could spend several hours out there.  They are open for the Fall Festival from Oct 1- Oct 31, so make sure to plan your trip soon.  They are open 7 days a week, 10 am to dark Monday thru Saturday and 1 pm to dark on Sunday. 

Visit their website at http://www.thepeachfarm.com/ for more details!

JK

Columbia Housing Market Stays Steady | KOMU.com | Columbia, MO |

Watch this report on KOMU which includes, yours truly, discussing the housing market. Although reports nationally indicate a downturn, Columbia's housing market is steady!



Columbia Housing Market Stays Steady KOMU.com Columbia, MO

New Listing: Home on Acreage in Columbia Schools!

This ready-to-move-in home is located just north of Columbia and features a 2300 square foot home on 8 acres with a huge 84x40 barn that has 12' overhang on all four sides! Great location, just off of blacktop in Columbia schools! The home has been recently remodeled with over $70,000 in improvements including granite island, hardwood flooring, custom cabinets, new roof, new siding, HVAC & more! It also includes a separate 2-car garage. Priced at $265,000! Check out the link below for more photos and details!

Follow this link to see the page:

http://www.flexmls.com/link.html?uc8eh2q9228,4,1

Your Fall Home Checklist

Want some ideas to spruce your home up before the end of the outdoor season?  Here are a few pointers:

• Clean and store any patio furniture, umbrellas, kids toys, pools, etc. You don't want it lying around, and it will most likely rust, break or otherwise get ruined in the winter weather.
• Check caulk around windows and exterior doors to make sure everything is air-tight. You don't want any of that cold air slipping in!
• Clean gutters & downspouts of leaves & debris.  You don't want ice or snow piling up in those gutters and ripping them to the ground!
• Have your chimney cleaned & inspected for safety before you start using it again.
• Winterize your sprinkler system if you have one. Remove all hoses from outdoor hose bibs to prevent pipes from freezing. Put the hoses in a climate-controlled environment.
• Remember to plant your spring bulbs beginning now for beautiful tulips, daffodils, irises and other colorful buds. 
• Now is the perfect time to also plant blooming mums. Plant in a pot to tune up the color in your drive, or plant hardy mums in your flower bed for recurring blossoms every fall!
• Rake the leaves out of your yard, so your grass has fresh air to grow in the Spring!
• Change your furnace filter and vacuum out dust & lint if needed.

JK

Housing Market in Columbia for August 2011

Although the housing market is not all doom & gloom, it has not been the pretty picture that was predicted by some this year.  It looks like we are still sitting in a housing slump, but signs of life seem to be peeking around the corner.  The positive side is for those buyers who haven't purchased yet--prices are steady, interest rates are at record lows, and the summer selling season is coming to an end which means sellers will be more motivated than ever.  Here are some numbers to chew on.

Year to date, the median sales price is $151,000 compared to a 2010 figure of $147,500.  The median list price has remained unchanged from the previous year at $159,900. The average sales price also jumped this year from $171,647 to $176,062, a 2.5% increase.  So, prices seem to be leveling out. 

August was a banner month for sold homes--191 this month versus 134 in August 2010.  Although August was a good month for sales, overall the year has been slower with only 1190 homes closing compared to 1327 homes last year-to-date.

Year to date, the average days on market is up from 107 in 2010 to 123 in 2011, an almost 15% increase.  The absorption rate (see this blog post for explanation) is up from 7.81 months in 2010 to 8.59 months this year, an almost 10% increase.  So, it is definitely taking longer to sell the same house this year than last. 

The inventory (listings available) is down from last year, which is a good sign the market is starting to stabilize.  From year-to-year, it declined just over 7%. 

JK

Source: Columbia Board of Realtors, MLS, Statistics for Boone County Residential properties

Roots N Blues N BBQ!

The end of summer festival in Columbia is this weekend! Tonight the fun begins at 5 pm with several artists hitting the stage.  Entertainment continues until 11 pm.  Tomorrow, the festival opens at 11 am.  With three different music stages, there is plenty to see.  Tickets are available for purchase for $35 each day, or there is a 2-day pass for $60.  There will also be a free area at Flat Branch Park, which will have a stage, the family fun area and the BBQ Competition.  Although you can't partake in the sampling of the competitor's BBQ, there will be plenty of vendors to choose from for food & drinks. 

Besides the BBQ and blues, this weekend includes a half-marathon and 10k race and a wedding! So, there is fun to be had by all! Go downtown and enjoy the weekend!

JK

Putting Kids First: Downtown Optimist Club

Everyone has heard of the Optimist Club, but what do they really do?  I have been a member of the Downtown Optimist Club for over 5 years now.  It is a wonderful organization, full of people who care about our community, and care about kids.  This is the motto of the Optimist Club, "Bringing Out the Best in Kids." 

Over the past 75 years, the Downtown Optimist Club has been spreading money throughout Columbia to different kids' organizations and has put back over $1 million in the community.  We have donated to organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Buddy Pack Program, Blue Thunder Track Club, Hickman Review, Boys & Girls Club, The Intersection, Columbia Wrestling Club and many more.  The goal is to fund programs that help children in our local community, whether its after-school activities, sports, or scholarships. 

The Club also sponsors the Soap Box Derby Race every year in June.  They conduct a Bicycle Safety Week and Respect for the Law contest.  They also host an essay contest and oratorical contest for students, with the winners receiving scholarships for college. 

The two main fundraisers for the club are Koeze Nut Sales and Christmas Tree lots.  I'm sure you've seen the big jar of colossal cashews or milk chocolate puddles--each one of those helped a kid in need.  And, the Christmas Tree lots are a tradition for my family, and should become one for yours, too! The main lot is always at the clubhouse, on Grand St just off Business Loop 70.  It opens the day after Thanksgiving and runs until a few days before Christmas. 

They also sell $25 & $50 gift certificates to Murry's, Shakespeare's, Jack's, and Boone Tavern with a portion of the proceeds going back to Downtown Optimists.  If you are interested in purchasing one of these, just let me know!

JK

New Listing: River Bottom View!

Our new listing is a very unique 2-story home with over 3000 square feet, a full unfinished basement, and GORGEOUS views of the Missouri River bottoms! Sitting atop a hill on 8 acres, it features 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 living rooms, updated gourmet kitchen, & pot-belly woodburning stove. Only 30 minutes to Columbia and 10 minutes to Boonville! $225,000. Click the link below for more photos & info! 

Follow this link to see the page:

http://www.flexmls.com/link.html?ubzj1uodl8p,4,1

This link is valid until 10/2/2011.

It's Tailgate Time!

The first football game of the season is here! The Tigers will take the field against Miami-Ohio on Saturday at 11 am.  If you have never experienced a tailgate, I would highly suggest it.  From the great BBQ, to watching the band march thru the streets to Faurot Field, it will get you in the football spirit, I can guarantee it! Just get a group of friends together, find some tailgate fare, and stake your claim in a parking lot or along the street.  And, tickets for the home opener are on sale now for as low as $23 per person for a General Admission ticket.  What better way to spend your Saturday morning than cheering on the Tigers?? Make sure you wear your Gold--it's a Gold Rush game! And, the famous Tiger Walk at the Providence Bridge will be at 8:45 am.  GO TIGERS!

We are MOBILE!

Our Crane & Crane website is now mobile-friendly!  Search all of the listings in Columbia, and save your favorites, or your whole search! It's all easy to view on your smartphone, and loads quickly.  You can see all the details of any listings in the Columbia MLS--slideshows of pictures included! 

All you have to do is go to http://www.craneandcrane.com/ from any smartphone and it will recognize you're mobile and will load the mobile page. 

Have a great weekend, JK

SCAM: Mail offers For Copies of Deeds Sent to Boone Co Residents

The Boone County Recorder's Office today issued a press release warning Boone County residents about mailings sent from a Fulton-based company, Record Retrieval.  This mailer offers to send a certified copy of the Warranty Deed for your home for $87 or more.  This company simply turns around the public record from the Recorder's Office and mails it to the resident.  There is nothing special about what they do with the document. 

They are making a large profit on this, because they only pay the Recorder $1 per page plus $1 for certification.  Most warranty deeds are 1-3 pages, so the direct cost is probably around $5. 

If you ever need a copy of your warranty deed, you can go to the Recorder's office directly in any county, not just Boone County.  Or, the Boone County Recorder has a website at www.showmeboone.com/recorder to contact them directly to request your documents. 

Most homeowners receive a copy of their warranty deed at closing, and recieve the original, certified deed in the mail within a few weeks of closing.  Please be aware of this scam, and pass along to your friends & family. 

JK

School Districts Are Changing

Today is the first day back to school! So, what more appropriate topic than that of the school district!  Columbia is building a 3rd high school, Battle High School, which will be built on E. St. Charles Road but is not set to open until 2013.  Columbia also will be home to Tolton High School, the new Catholic High School, located off of Hwy 63 & Discovery Parkway which is starting its first class this Fall.

With the addition of the new high school, and while Columbia transitions to a three-level school system, these district lines are going to change.  The middle & junior high schools are going to be combined to be grades 6-8 and high schools will become grades 9-12.  According to the Columbia Public Schools website, the committee is planning on having the new high school re-districting lines done by the end of this year. And, currently some of the district lines are in transition.  If you are unsure about what school district your home (or future home) is in, this is the best link to use:  http://www.columbia.k12.mo.us/attendance.php. It could vary depending on what grade your child is entering, especially when it comes to middle & junior high schools.  And, there is a possibility it could change down the road.  If you are really concerned about districts, you can contact the CPS Administrative Office at 214-3400.

Best wishes for the upcoming school year! JK

Want to go GREEN??

Last night, I got to hear all about Energy Link, a local energy audit company.  "Wow, what a great service," were my exact thoughts after the meeting! Every year, it seems there are more & more pushes to the Green side of things...especially in our homes.  And, why not?  It is better for the environment and YOUR pocketbook!  You can also qualify for city and county grants to help with paying for those upgrades. 

The great thing about Energy Link is they offer a full home audit and show exactly where your home (or commercial building) falls short on green efforts.  Whether it be insulation in the attic, leaky windows, or an old furnace, they can tell you exactly where your money is drifting away.  They also can show what it would cost to repair or replace those items, what grants would be available for those upgrades, and how long it would take to re-coup the costs from lower utility bills.  You can also purchase those upgrades directly from them, and they will help you fill out the forms to get the grants available--they are a one-stop show to go GREEN!

And, guess what? The cost of the audit is only $150 (for <1500 sq ft)!  What a bargain! 

Check them out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/goenergylink or on their website at http://www.goenergylink.com/.  I think they are the new thing in evaluating your home & your budget, and I am excited about seeing the report on my home! 

JK

The MO State Fair!

I'm sure the small town of Sedalia, Missouri is all abuzz with the State Fair opening today.  With the fair running for 10 full days, there is so much to see and do!  And, the drive is only about 1 hour 15 minutes from Columbia.  Admission is $8 per person, and kids 5 & under are free (6-12 are $2).  If you want to attend the carnival, the best bet is the $27 wristband which gets you in to all the rides plus fair admission.

Special events include a Jimmy John's sub eating contest, amateur talent show, Missouri State Fair Queen pageant, a toy show, and a BBQ contest! Big names will also be performing at the Grandstand like Jason Aldean, Jerrod Neiman, Doobie Brothers & Luke Bryan. There will also be a monster truck show, tractor pull & car races.  So, there is some entertainment for everyone!

Go to http://www.mostatefair.com/ for more info, pricing & details! It should be a good time!

JK

Quickbooks, Fox Trot, & Cupcakes Oh My!

What do all of these things have in common?  Well, you can learn about each one of these and a whole host of other topics in the Columbia Area Career Center's Professional & Community Education classes.  There are so many different topics and most are under $150.  Want to polish up a second language? Take French, Spanish or Chinese courses.  There are Microsoft classes being offered, along with other technology courses like how to build your website.  There are some great cooking classes, like In the Kitchen with Your Kids! Or, get creative with Zumba dancing, guitar lessons, or making glass beads.  So many options, and at such an affordable price, it's hard to beat! But hurry, classes start next month. 

You can sign up online here. 

JK

Our Re-Designed Website!

We have recently altered our website at http://www.craneandcrane.com/ to make the ability to search for homes a whole lot easier!  You don't have to login or sign up to search.  You can, however, create an account to save listings or searches, or to set up an auto email that will alert you to any new listings that match your searches!

You can search by price, bedrooms, subdivision, school district (even narrow down to specific schools, i.e. elementary, etc.), city, age of home, and even more specific categories! 

Here's the direct link to the Property Search page! 


Property Search

I hope you have a great weekend, and may you find the home you're looking for! If you need assistance, just give me a call or email!

JK

New Land Listings!

Check out our 3 new land listings!  If you want more info, give Crane & Crane a call at 573.443.8591 or just message me!

View the listings here!

Feature: Shawn Von Talge, Flat Branch Home Loans

When selecting a lender, it's always important to ask your Realtor.  I always recommend to visit with a few banks or mortgage companies before selecting the best fit.  And, Shawn Von Talge is always on my list!  He is very professional, and always gets the job done on time.  He is so helpful for first time home buyers and every single client I have sent to him has been pleased with his customer service skills.  He really understands his business and when I call to ask questions, he usually knows the answer; if he doesn't he finds the answer and gets right back with me. 

The great thing about working with Flat Branch is they have local underwriting, so they don't have to contact someone out of state to get loan approval...they just walk down the hall.  It is very convenient.  They are located downtown at the corner of 5th & Cherry. 

You want more info on Shawn? Click here.

You want to apply for a loan with Flat Branch? Click here.

THE Real Estate Lingo

What is "price/square foot," "list-to-sale price," DOM, CDOM, and all those other slang phrases Realtors use everyday?  Here's a summary for you:

• Price per Square Foot: This is just the sales price divided by the number of total square feet. This number varies depending on age, location, and finish quality.  This year, the average in Columbia is about $85/sq ft.  Newer homes are closer to the $100-$120 mark and older homes that are in poor condition can be around $50/sq ft. 
• Sale/List Price Ratio: This is the sales price divided by the list price. It is an indicator of how much homes are selling for in relation to their asking price.  Right now, that ratio is at 96.5%. This means if you have a house listed at $100,000 you can plan on selling it on average at $96,500.  It is an indicator of how much "wiggle room" is in the list price and how negotiable sellers are in the current market.
• DOM/CDOM:  This is Days on Market and just indicates how long the property has been for sale.  The "C" stands for Cumulative and is an accumulation of the days on market for the same property. So, if the seller listed with another company, or took it off market for a few days for Christmas, etc. it keeps counting the DOM and arrives at CDOM as long as the off-market period was less than 90 days. Columbia's average DOM is 81 days and average CDOM is 115 days for 2011 for sold homes. 
• Absorption Rate: This is a number, usually in months, that tells how long it would take to sell all homes currently on the market, at the rate they are selling now without adding any additional homes to the market for sale.  As of last month, that number for Columbia was 10.64 months.  Meaning we have about 10 months of inventory right now on the market. 

Any questions? Just ask! Any lingo you want more info on?  Feel free to contact me directly, or comment on my post! JK

Boone County Fair Opens Today!

This is opening day of the Boone County Fair, which will run thru Saturday July 30th.  There are so many different activities at the fair this year including: 4-H shows, Boone County Fair Queen, Baby Contests, Children's Barnyard, Carnival, Demolition Derby, countless concerts, and even fireworks on the weekends!  It will be a fair for all ages and for the family.  Here's a link to the fair schedule. 

Some fun facts about the fair:

• The Boone County Fair was first held in 1835, only 15 years after Boone County & Columbia were founded.
• It was the first county fair west of the Mississippi.
• It was originally held as a stock show to show horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, etc.
• The first location was north of Broadway between Short St and Price Avenue (which now is the heart of downtown!)
• In 1897, the fair was held at the north end of 5th Street and became a large show for horse races. Entries were brought from Kentucky, California & Louisiana. 
• In 1910, the feature race was between a horse, an ostrich and an automobile...the ostrich won!
• The fair discontinued in 1918.  The first ham breakfast was held in 1946 and in planning the 2nd annual ham breakfast, there was interest in bringing the fair back. 
• From 1948 to 1991, the Boone County Fair was held at the fairgrounds on the corner of Clinkscales & Ash St (the location of the ARC now).
• In 1992, they traded the land at Ash & Clinkscales for the land formerly known as Cotton Woods Airport just north of Columbia on Oakland Gravel Road.  The fair is still being held at this location.

JK

Home Building Jumps in June Nationwide

News broke this morning that home building was up last month 14.6% from May which is a sign we're headed in the right direction. Although, it is mostly due to an apartment housing boom.  And, building permits were only up 2.5%, a fairly small number.  According to Fox News, an economy in a recession should have about 15 to 20 percent of its GDP coming from the housing market.  Right now, it is at 4%; the housing market is slowing economic recovery. 

The main reason behind this is foreclosures.  Because for every new home built, it generates about 3 jobs a year and about $90,000 in tax revenue, when building slows, so does the economy.  And, building has come to a halt because it is so much cheaper to purchase an existing home than a new home.  Foreclosures (and other existing homes) are priced cheaper than a contractor can build that home.

Nationwide, the median price on new construction is about 30% higher than that of an existing home.  This is exactly how Columbia sits as well, with about a 30% markup on new construction.  Median sales price in Columbia for the year for new construction is at $197,000 and for existing homes is at $138,500. 

It is good to see positive news about real estate in the media; I hope it tends to stay that way.  But, just know, it's only a small jump in the scale of the housing market. 

JK

Source: Fox News Article

Feature: Assured Title Company

As I taught my first-time homebuyer class this past week at the ARC, I noticed a lot of glazed & confused looks when it came to the discussion on title insurance.  Some people call it just another insurance policy, but it's insurance for the most expensive investment of your life.  All lenders require it. 

Just like your car, your home has a title.  That title has items recorded against it, like loans, easements, tax liens, etc. and those items follow the title (a.k.a. your home) and not the person that caused those items to be in place.  So, to ensure that all liens are paid off, taxes are paid, etc. the title company does an in-depth search on the title of that home.  At closing, all debts are paid off or settled.  If there is ever a claim, prior to  you owning it, against your home the title insurance policy is there to cover you.  It is a one-time premium when you buy your home, and covers you for the whole time you own the property. 

The feature business this week, Assured Title Company, conducts the title search process and issues the insurance policy that protect your home.  Heather Jennings & Suzanne Ayers are the closers who process the paperwork at closing and help every step of the way.  Dan Olsen is the examiner (title searching).  Tonya Schleeter is the main customer service & marketing rep.  They are some of the most knowledgeable title people in town, and I'm happy to do business with them.  Just give them a call and you'll see that customer service is their number one priority.  Their phone number is 573-875-5252.