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.