Memorial Day: What to do in CoMo

It's supposed to be a great weekend in Columbia...high's in the 80's and maybe no rain!  Here are some ideas to have fun with your family.  Enjoy the holiday weekend and remember the veterans and those who are currently serving our country. 

Salute to Veterans Memorial Day Airshow: Saturday & Sunday: It is free and open to the public. There is a shuttle running from the Hearnest Center for $3 per person. Just remember your lawn chair (and sunscreen)!  Airshow Official Website

Memorial Day Parade: Starts at 9:55 am in downtown Columbia on Monday May 30th.

Family Fan Fest with Mizzou Women's Softball: Saturday May 28th from 5:30-7:30 in the softball parking lot they will have face painting, balloon artists and food/drinks.  Then, enjoy the softball game at 8 pm! The Tigers will be taking on Washington in the NCAA Regionals. WEAR GOLD! 

Peter Pan is playing at Jesse Hall: Shows at 2 pm on Saturday & Sunday and 7 pm on Saturday night.  They are going to be flying and everything!

Happy Memorial Day! JK

Our Hearts Go Out

Our hearts go out to Joplin, Missouri and all of those affected by the horrible tornado that teared through the town.  The devastation that occured there is unimaginable.  Over 100 people killed in a town of only 50,000.

In Columbia, there are so many collection points, opportunities for donations, and lots of helping hands going to Joplin.  The Columbia Board of Realtors is conducting a shoe drive.  The Central Missouri Food Bank is hosting a food/non-perishable item drive.  It is amazing the support that one community can give to another. 

I am so proud to be a Columbian.  JK

What do you do with kids' clutter?

Because my son, Colten, is turning 1 today, I thought I'd make a special blog about how to make your home the most presentable with those little kiddos running around!

Before I became a parent, I didn't understand the necessary STUFF that came along with that kid.  Now, each room in my house has something extra in it that belongs to my boy.  I wouldn't trade it for the world, but for those parents who are trying to sell their home, it makes it a struggle.  On one hand, you want to de-clutter and get rid of the most you can, but one the other hand, its so hard to live without all those wonderful gadgets we've gotten used to.  Here are some easy, practical tips for each room that might help sell your home easier with all the kiddo's stuff:

1.  Kids' bedrooms: If you have a crazy color (like bright pink or dark blue), you may consider painting it a more neutral color--it really does help buyers visualize their stuff in there, whether they have kids or not.  If you have any decals or stickers on the wall, it's best to remove those too.  To declutter their room, consider adding a bookshelf with baskets to hide all the toys & books and make it look clean.  A toy box is a must--either use big woven baskets or even extra laundry baskets--at least they will have a place to be put away. 

2. Bathroom: Try to make it as neutral as possible.  Hide all the toys behind the shower curtain that you can close for showings.  Put extra toothbrushes, cups, & hair ties in a drawer.  Just keep the sink as clean as possible. 

3. Dining room: The huge highchair that takes up half your room is very nice, but would it be more practical to have a booster seat tied to one of the dining room chairs?  It hides very well--most aren't even noticeable when the chairs are all slid under.

4. Living Room: Keep as many toys as you can in the kids' bedrooms so the living room looks nice and de-cluttered. If you do have to keep toys in the living room, consider a bench with storage underneath or an extra shelf in your TV stand might provide good storage.

5. Kitchen: Most kids kitchen stuff can fit into a cabinet or drawer--just make sure and utilize it and if your kid doesn't use an item (bottle, sippy cup, etc.) anymore, put it in a box and store it (or sell it). 

6. Flooring: If your carpet is looking a little rough from grape juice and muddy shoes, consider throwing a throw rug down and offering a carpet allowance to the buyers. If you try to replace the carpet before you sell it, it may just end up stained again. 

Most of all, don't make your life miserable. Just do some small things and it will make a difference.  And, remember, about 50% of households already have children so they are looking at how your house will work for them and their children as well. 

I hope that helps! JK

Buying a Duplex as a First-Time Home Buyer

In Columbia, there are so many available investment properties that it should be on the top of the list of considerations for the first-time home buyers.  Whether you're a student, single, or just starting a family, it is a great option.  Here's why.

1. There are almost 100 different duplex/triplex/fourplex properties to look at that are listed currently.  That adds quite a bit of selection to choose from. 
2. Prices are affordable, too. Right now the cheapest is $59,900 for a duplex here in Columbia, so it opens a lot of doors for buyers. 
3. Because Columbia is a college town, they are not limited to one area of town--whichever direction you go, you'll find multi-family housing. 
4. The biggest reason...you can subsidize your payment with the other units' income.  For example, say you purchase a $130,000 duplex and your payment is $1,000 a month.  One side rents for $650 per month.  So, the unit you live in, you are only paying the difference--$350 per month. Wow! Pretty affordable, right?
5. After you've decided to move on to a different home, you can keep the same duplex above as your first investment.  Rent out the side you lived in--if it rents for the same as the other side, $650, you've just put your total income at $1,300. This actually profits you $300 per month! 
6. You've turned your owner-occupied property into an investment property and at a fraction of the down payment. Most investment property loans require 20%-30% down, which is unaffordable for a lot of people out there just wanting to get started in real estate investing. By owner-occupying, you can cut your down payment to 3.5% with an FHA loan. 

Potential drawbacks: 
1. Be aware that some loans, grants, etc. for home buyers require you live in the property for a certain time period.  It can vary from 6 months to 5 years or more.  It just depends, so make sure to check on that requirement when purchasing to know how long you have to stay put.
2. Obviously, real estate needs to be maintained.  With a duplex, you have to worry about the tenants living there and how well they take care of it (or the lack of care they provide).  You'll need a backup budget for any repairs needed so it's good to use the profit you make every month to build that savings plan. 

Any questions?? Just ask by email/phone/text!  JK

New Listings! It's that time of year!

Two very different properties, but both are amazing! Check them out below! This is what makes Crane & Crane so special...whether you are selling a cute slab in town, or a large horse property in the country, we have marketing techniques that suit both properties!  If you go to our website, you can also see Virtual Tours on these properties!

 5107 Chariton Drive, Columbia MO 65202

SO MANY EXTRAS!! Split bedroom design, upgraded appliances with convection oven, steam dishwasher, french door refrigerator! Raised gas fireplace in LR, breakfast bar & large dining area, huge master suite with walk-in closet. Large private backyard, great landscaping! 1462 Sq Ft, 3 BR, 2 BA, 2 car gar, MLS# 333569

13950 S. Robbie Forbis Rd, Ashland MO 65010

HEAVENLY HORSE PROPERTY! Over 3500 sq ft in this ranch walkout home! Beautiful views all around, pond, 48x60 horse barn with 7 stalls, prop is fenced! Home has large kit/dining area with formal DR, large living rm, vaulted ceilings. Master suite has dual sinks, jetted tub & huge walk-in closet! Full bsmt features wet bar, large rec room, family rm, & office/exercise rm! Oversized 4th BR in bsmt. 4 BR, 3 BA, 3 car gar, so much to offer! MLS# 333598

Offered by Crane & Crane Real Estate

573-443-8591

First Time Home Buyers in Columbia MO

What qualifies a person to be a first time home buyer?  In most cases, you qualify for grants, special loans, etc. if you have not owned a home for 3 years.  So, even if you have owned a home before, you may still qualify for programs designed for first time home buyers.  What are some of those programs?  The two main ones in Columbia are offered through the city or state government.  To see details follow these links:

MHDC: Missouri Housing Development Corporation

City of Columbia Housing Assistance Grants

MHDC provides either down payment or closing cost assistance up to 3% of your loan.  The City provides up to a $5,000 grant to purchases made within the city limits to individuals who qualify. 

Please let me know if you have questions on this...there are some great opportunities to get started now on buying your first home. 

JK

USDA Loans: A 100% loan in Columbia MO

USDA loans have been around for quite some time. These loans are 100% loan-to-value, meaning almost no money down.  They also do not have PMI (private mortgage insurance) tacked on in the payment like most conventional and FHA loans. What are the details, and how do I qualify?

Most banks or lending institutions offer the USDA program--I can provide a list if you need some references.  This is a great loan program, but there are a few restrictions, most importantly:

• The home must be located in a "rural" area, outside of the city limits of Columbia.  Some areas of Columbia do qualify, even a few subdivisions so its always good to check to verify if the house is in a USDA area. Areas like Hallsville, Ashland, Sturgeon & Harrisburg all qualify for USDA.
• There are some income limits.  For example, a family of 1-4 people cannot exceed $74,050 of annual household income in Boone County. 
• It has to be used for your primary residence.
• You have to qualify for a loan with your bank or mortgage company.

If you are interested in getting more info on this loan, speak to your mortgage specialist, or give me a call/email and I can help you.  This really is a great product for those looking in a non-specific area and don't have a lot of money to put into a down payment. 

JK

Is Columbia a "High-Speed" Town?

With all the young people in town, one would assume that Columbia is a great place for technology.  We have so many great opportunities with the University and it's extensions.  Even Google contemplated bringing their new breakthrough high-speed services to Columbia (we were marked off the list about a month ago, though).  It has taken a while, but we are starting to come up to speed with the rest of the country.  In large cities, they have city-wide wireless internet at cable speed. That's not available here...yet.  Check out this link for a map of all the places in Columbia that offer free wireless Internet access: Wireless access map.  What a great resource if you need that wireless capability!

Wondering if you have the ability for high-speed internet in your home or in a home you are interested in purchasing?  If the phone lines are serviced by CenturyLink, which is the case for a lot of the homes in the central Missouri area, you can check out this link which lets you select the address and find out if there is high-speed internet available: Centurylink High-speed check.  The access to high-speed internet, even in rural areas in growing stronger everyday.  If it's not available, there are other options. Satellite high-speed, or Internet through your mobile service provider could be options. 

JK

One of My Favorite Spots...

One of my favorite spots in Columbia to relax and enjoy the outdoors...Stephens Lake Park.  Over 116 acres to explore with two different walking paths; you can walk around each one once and log in almost 2 miles.  The beautiful lake offers a swimming beach during the summer (and it's FREE) which is great for the kids. Or, fishing is open as well.  There are plenty of pavilions you can reserve to throw a summer party, and 3 different playgrounds for the kids to play on.  And, there are several different activities that happen there throughout the year--from 5k's to Art in the Park to the Polar Bear Plunge, it seems there is always something fun for the family.  And, with the location at Broadway and Old Hwy 63 it's very convenient (only a couple of blocks from my office!).  If you love the out doors, then this park is for you!

You can check out the City's website for more info here: Stephen's Lake

Signing out for today! JK

Why Buyers Should Jump in Columbia MO

First, a math lesson from 7th grade! What is median vs. average? Median is the actual middle number of a group of numbers ranged from least to most.  Average is the sum of all the numbers divided by the total #.

Why do you hear Realtors(R) use median more than average?  Because it gives a more accurate picture of the actual "middle" sales price.  The Average can be skewed by either really small or really large numbers. 

So, what is the median sales price for Columbia residential sales in first quarter of 2011?  $158,750.  That's great, considering last year it was $145,750!  Although the number of homes sold are down, the dollar amount of homes sold is up, meaning prices may be starting the turn around.  All those buyers sitting on the fence, you better jump off before it's too late!

Say, you're new at this and you don't know where to start? Call.text.email me, jessica@craneandcrane.com or 573-673-5152 and I'll help you right along!

Where are all the foreclosures?

A question that gets asked every day...where are all those good deals on foreclosures I hear about in the media?  I can't find anything in Columbia that is screaming I'M A STEAL!! Well, while Columbia did see some affects from the housing bust, we didn't suffer so much like the other parts of the country.  This mainly is due to the fact that we didn't have the crazy inflation in housing prices like California, Arizona, Florida & Nevada, among others.  While we don't see homes listed for 50 cents on the dollar, there are still some good deals out there. They are just a little harder to find! 

How do I find them?  What are all these different sites asking me to pay for foreclosure info? Why does Zillow have foreclosures listed and I can't find them anywhere else? A lot of the websites that are claiming to have foreclosure houses listed are actually obtaining Recorder of Deeds information.  The properties have not been listed yet, and therefore, are not available.  Almost all banks that have taken on foreclosed property are listing the houses by a real estate agent to open them to the public and get closer to fair market value.  On the other hand, a lot of times the other websites are also out of date--if that foreclosure sells in record speed, like the good ones usually do, they don't update fast enough to show that sale.  In short, sometimes the websites that seem to have all the info, might not have the most accurate info. 

Want help finding those foreclosures, or just want to get an updated list once in a while to keep an eye out?  Shoot me an email (jessica@craneandcrane.com) or message, and I'll be happy to put you on the free foreclosure list.  No junk/spam mail, I promise!  JK