Springfield Real Estate Chatter

Technology has allowed us to work smarter, not harder. 

Showing property back in the 80's was much more difficult than today's market.  We'd all jump in the car and spend days together looking for homes.  Without photos and visual tours,  we would have to physically see every home.

My out-of-state buyers have been searching on the computer for months now and they had narrowed down that they thought was their "dream homes".  When we met on Friday, they realized their search was still too wide spread.  Rather than spending days (and gas), we looked the smart way......we spent a few hours on the web.  Here's what we found:

Homes with 2-10 acres in the Springfield Mo area - 292.  Adding a basement - 163.  In Christian County - 55.  Ten years old and newer - 38.  Square footage between 2000 - 4000 -13.  We then eliminated listings without photos or visual tours and ended up with 8 homes. 

Now, folks, after looking at the number of homes on the market and the length of time it took to find the perfect home, my buyers are returning home to place their home on the market.  They are comfortable knowing that there is plenty of inventory to choose from, when they sell. 

Kay Van Kampen is a local Realtor serving Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic and surrounding areas in Missouri.  She is ready and available to help you with all your Springfield Mo real estate needs.  To contact her go to www.kayvankampen.com.

If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood, would like more information about Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic, Willard and surrounding areas or would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give me a call at:  417.839.4534.

 

  

Kay Van Kampen is a local Realtor serving Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic and surrounding areas in Greene, Christian and Webster Counties in Missouri. She is ready and available to help you with all your Springfield Mo real estate needs. To contact her go to www.kayvankampen.com. If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood, would like more information about Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic, Willard and surrounding areas or would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give me a call at: 417.839.4534.

Search For Springfield Homes

RE/MAX Solutions                                             www.kayvankampen.com Springfield, MO, 65721
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

Missouri is known as "The Cave State".  The only "drive thru" cave is located in Springfield..... Fantastic Caverns.

With wonderful walking trails, and several smaller caves, Fantastic Caverns was first discovered in 1862.

The park is also used for educational purposes. 

Ride the jeep-drawn tram completely thru.  It is a great attaction for both senior citizens as well as young children.  The temperate stay around 60 degrees year round.

Bring the family and enjoy a great day.

Kay Van Kampen is a local Realtor serving Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic and surrounding areas in Missouri.  She is ready and available to help you with all your Springfield Mo real estate needs.  To contact her go to www.kayvankampen.com.

If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood, would like more information about Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic, Willard and surrounding areas or would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give me a call at:  417.839.4534.

 

  

Kay Van Kampen is a local Realtor serving Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic and surrounding areas in Greene, Christian and Webster Counties in Missouri. She is ready and available to help you with all your Springfield Mo real estate needs. To contact her go to www.kayvankampen.com. If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood, would like more information about Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic, Willard and surrounding areas or would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give me a call at: 417.839.4534.

Search For Springfield Homes

RE/MAX Solutions                                             www.kayvankampen.com Springfield, MO, 65721
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

Springfield Missouri Real Estate, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic, Willard and surrounding areas.

 The Springfield Missouri Real Estate market is slowly re-adjusting with the month of April seeing a small decline in home sales.

Another 33 agents dropped their license, with 18 agents joining the Springfield Multiple Listing System.  2503 Springfield Missouri Real Estate agents continue to work in Springfield and surrounding areas.

 The majority of Springfield Mo homes are still being financed with conventional financing, followed up by VA and FHA.  Less than 10% paid cash.

Statistics for the end of April for Springfield MLS:

Kay Van Kampen is a local Realtor serving Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic and surrounding areas in Missouri.  She is ready and available to help you with all your Springfield Mo real estate needs.  To contact her go to www.kayvankampen.com.

If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood, would like more information about Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic, Willard and surrounding areas or would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give me a call at:  417.839.4534.

 

Information courtesy of Springfield MLS

 

  

Kay Van Kampen is a local Realtor serving Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic and surrounding areas in Greene, Christian and Webster Counties in Missouri. She is ready and available to help you with all your Springfield Mo real estate needs. To contact her go to www.kayvankampen.com. If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood, would like more information about Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic, Willard and surrounding areas or would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give me a call at: 417.839.4534.

Search For Springfield Homes

RE/MAX Solutions                                             www.kayvankampen.com Springfield, MO, 65721
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

I wrote an article this week about closing another short sale.  Knowing that most buyers and sellers don't understand the steps it takes to close a short sale, I want to explain more about the procedure and what to expect.  There is a definite difference between a bank foreclosure and a short sale.

Specializing in Springfield Missouri short sales and bank foreclosures was just another way to improve my business.  I didn't know it would be so difficult to help sellers communicate with lenders to sell their property to potential buyers.  Today, not understanding the procedure may cause the seller to lose their home, the buyer to miss a good buy and a realtor working for no pay. 

 Many sellers in the Springfield Mo Real Estate area are slowly getting behind in their payments and facing the fact that they will lose their home and destroy their once good credit.  This is a stressful time, which sometimes ends with the family having to rent, relocate to other parts of the country or even divorce. 

Purchasing a home in the past few years, with no money down and adding the closing costs to the purchase price of the home, allowed buyers to fulfill their dreams of owning their own home, however, they were unable to budget for any unforeseen problems.  Once the cycle begins, it quickly accelerates to the point of no return.  Most sellers do not know how to get help when they first realize they are spending more than they can make.

 Trying to sell their home quickly in today's market, the home must then be sold for less than they owe, including past due payments, late charges and penalties.  Contacting the lender before the foreclosure process starts, will allow the lender to send a "short sale package" to negotiate and work with the seller for a short sale.  Among the information required is:

Two years of financial statement

Tax Returns for the last 2 years

Any documentation that the lender will require - including a notarized letter to the lender giving permission for the realtor to help in negotiating the short sale.

Hardship letter explaining the reason for late payments.

Current bank statements for all open and closed accounts for at least 2 years.

 The procedure to find the right "person in charge" for final approval on the agreed sales price takes time.  The seller and buyer must know the transaction will not happen over night.  In the case of my last short sale, keeping the buyer from withdrawing their offer and the realtor pursuing the lender was stressful for all parties.  We were able to finalize the transaction after 2 months.

Also remember, if the unpaid balance in not "forgiven" or negotiated before closing, the seller must know that the bank can come back and collect any portion of the unpaid balance, late fees, attorney fees, or any other fee due. These are just a few issues to be aware of.  Each "short sale" is handled on an individual basis.

If you are facing the possibility that you will not be able to make up your payments, contact your loan company as soon as possible.  Negotiating to sell your home for a lower price than other homes of comparable value will actually save the bank more than they may lose if they end up foreclosing.  Contact a Springfield Realtor that is familiar with bank foreclosures and short sales.

Kay Van Kampen is a local Realtor serving Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic and surrounding areas in Missouri.  She is ready and available to help you with all your Springfield Mo real estate needs.  To contact her go to www.kayvankampen.com.

Another Short Sale Successfully Closed 

 

  

Kay Van Kampen is a local Realtor serving Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic and surrounding areas in Greene, Christian and Webster Counties in Missouri. She is ready and available to help you with all your Springfield Mo real estate needs. To contact her go to www.kayvankampen.com. If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood, would like more information about Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic, Willard and surrounding areas or would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give me a call at: 417.839.4534.

Search For Springfield Homes

RE/MAX Solutions                                             www.kayvankampen.com Springfield, MO, 65721
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

Springfield Missouri Attractions - Springfield Missouri Real Estate

Springfield Mo is loaded with wonderful attractions that draw newcomers and visitors.  Among one of the great parks is Wilson's Creek National Park.

This was the first weekend we didn't work real estate since the first of the year.  Perfect timing, with such a beautiful day.  Jumping on our trike, my chauffeur (my hubby) and I decided we needed more photos of the Springfield and surrounding areas.  Wilson's Creek National Park was our first stop.

Located 10 miles Southwest of Springfield, the Battle of Wilson's Creek, was fought on August 10, 1861.  Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River.   Today, it is a drive thru park with 5 walking trails, a 7 mile trail for horses, driving tour of the battlefield for cars, bicycles, and hiking trails.

Come join in the fun, bring your lunch and enjoy this beautiful park.  Picnic areas are scattered throughout the park. 

The National Park Service manages and operates the park today.  See a schedule of events and driving directions.

Jumping back on the trike, off we went to our next stop......  Fantastic Caverns.

Kay Van Kampen is a local Realtor serving Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic and surrounding areas in Missouri.  She is ready and available to help you with all your Springfield Mo real estate needs.  To contact her go to www.kayvankampen.com.

 

  

Kay Van Kampen is a local Realtor serving Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic and surrounding areas in Greene, Christian and Webster Counties in Missouri. She is ready and available to help you with all your Springfield Mo real estate needs. To contact her go to www.kayvankampen.com. If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood, would like more information about Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic, Willard and surrounding areas or would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give me a call at: 417.839.4534.

Search For Springfield Homes

RE/MAX Solutions                                             www.kayvankampen.com Springfield, MO, 65721
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

Springfield Missouri Real Estate - March 2008

The Springfield Missouri Real Estate market took a small decline through the month of March.  Some of this may be due to the rainy, cold weather......some to the slowing of the market.

At the end of March, over 300 Real Estate agents have now left the Real Estate field since January of this year.  Currently 2426 realtors remain as members of the Greater Springfield Board of Realtors, with 22 new members joining.

Springfield Missouri Real Estate Statics for March 2008

 If you currently have your home on the market, or getting ready to sell, remember to price your home competitively with the current market.

For additional information on the Springfield Missouri real estate market, or if you need assistance buying or selling real estate, I welcome your call.

Kay Van Kampen is a local Realtor serving Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic and surrounding areas in Missouri.  She is ready and available to help you with all your Springfield Mo real estate needs.  To contact her go to www.kayvankampen.com.

Figures courtesy of GSBOR

 

  

Kay Van Kampen is a local Realtor serving Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic and surrounding areas in Greene, Christian and Webster Counties in Missouri. She is ready and available to help you with all your Springfield Mo real estate needs. To contact her go to www.kayvankampen.com. If you would like a free list of homes for sale in this area/neighborhood, would like more information about Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic, Willard and surrounding areas or would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other buyers do, then give me a call at: 417.839.4534.

Search For Springfield Homes

RE/MAX Solutions                                             www.kayvankampen.com Springfield, MO, 65721
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!