Kay Van Kampen CRS GRI ABR Broker/Owner's Blog

How NOT To Buy A Home - Springfield Mo Real Estate

Kay Van Kampen, Broker, Springfield Missouri Real Estate (RE/MAX Solutions) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:16:11 -0600

Breaking News! Homebuyers Are Making Their Payments and Still Losing Their Homes

The Springfield Newsleader had breaking news today about a company in Springfield that are selling homes contract for deed, collecting the rents from the buyers and failing to forward the funds on to the investor/owners.

A Contract for deed allow a buyer to purchase a home by borrowing from the seller instead of the bank. With this type of transaction, the seller retains the title until the loan is paid in full by the buyer. This is a very risky way to purchase a home, especially if the buyer knows the payment is not being made directly to the bank holding the mortgage.

Many buyers, purchasing homes contract for deed, never have an appraisal or have their home inspected for material defects. Read more.

These companies have added approximately 200 foreclosures into an already saturated market.

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.

Springfield Mo Real Estate - October 2008

Kay Van Kampen, Broker, Springfield Missouri Real Estate (RE/MAX Solutions) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:56:17 -0600

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 September closing 498 homes.

2360 Springfield Missouri Real Estate agents continue to work in Springfield and surrounding areas, a decrease from 2007 .

Forty-nine percent of Springfield Mo homes are still being financed with conventional financing, followed up by VA and FHA. Fifteen percent paid cash.

Statistics for the end of September for Springfield MLS:

*September*	*2008*	*2007*
*Number of homes currently on the market:*	5,683
*Average Active List Price:*	198,642
*New listings on the market in September:*	1,318	1,453
*New listing average list price:*	175,275	185,084
*Number of homes closing escrow (sold):*	498	504
*Average Sold Price:*	136,825	141,093
*Average Days on Market:*	76	65

Springfield Missouri Real Estate - September 2008

Springfield Missouri Real Estate - July 2008

Springfield Mo Real Estate - June 2008

Springfield Missouri Real Estate - May 2008

Springfield Missouri Real Estate - April 2008

Springfield Missouri Real Estate - March 2008

Springfield Missouri Real Estate - January 2008

* Figures courtesy of MLS of Springfield. Number of homes currently on the market and average active list price is unavailable.

Real Estate is Not Always About Making Money

Kay Van Kampen, Broker, Springfield Missouri Real Estate (RE/MAX Solutions) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:51:32 -0600

One of the worst things recently happened to me.....my client passed away a few days before closing.

These weren't just clients. This was a couple I came to know and admire. I had the privilege of listing their home in March, 2008. After a few weeks, they received word that John (I substituted their names) had cancer. Knowing it was going to be a trying time, they decided to withdraw their listing.

I had completed a Visual Tour of the home. Changing the status to withdrawn, it remained on the list with all the my other tours. A few weeks went by and I received a call from a couple that had seen the tour and was prepared to buy this home. They had their home under contract and wanted to see the interior. Explaining to them that the home had been withdrawn, they asked if I would keep their name and phone number and call them back if the home came back on the market.

I stayed in contact with John and Mary after cancelling their listing. Mary ended up in the hospital, having major surgery. On the way to pick up Mary, John had a car wreck and ended up in a rest home.

The buyers called back in September, inquiring once again about the home. Letting them know that I wasn't sure this was a good time for the sellers, I called John and Mary. To my surprise, they wanted to sell the home. I arranged to show the home, the buyers wrote an acceptable offer and we prepared to close.

I arranged for my husband to supply John and Mary with numerous boxes for packing. (He became known as "the box man" to them. They couldn't believe the amount of work we were doing to make sure they did not have to worry about getting them moved. The family all chipped in, helping their parents move. I've never seen a couple blessed with so much help.

About a week before closing, I arranged to have the closing paperwork brought to the house. I didn't think John had enough strength to go to the closing. Everything went smoothly. But a few days later, John passed away.

The funeral was the same day of closing. The paperwork had to be redone and with connections thru another RE/MAX company, Mary was able to sign her paperwork and move into her new home, close to her children. The buyers, patiently waiting for the home to be vacated, are now getting settled. I have never seen so many great people pull together. Real Estate is not always about making money. It's caring for the people you work with. I will miss my good friends.

Country Living - Sparta Missouri - Springfield Mo Real Estate

Kay Van Kampen, Broker, Springfield Missouri Real Estate (RE/MAX Solutions) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:07:01 -0600

Maintenance free 3 bedroom, 2 bath home updated w/laminate & tile flooring, tile counter, dishwasher/disposal/electric range in kitchen, fenced back yard with deck. Great subdivision just minutes from Spfd!

4 Bedroom Finished Walkout - Oak Hill - Ozark Mo Real Estate

Kay Van Kampen, Broker, Springfield Missouri Real Estate (RE/MAX Solutions) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 13:15:24 -0600

Wishing won't cut it, But calling us to see this 4 bedroom ,2 full bath, adorable, finished walkout home can change your life. There's hardwood/tile/vinyl flooring, approx 1300 sq ft, family room on main level, master bath has claw foot tub, beautiful landscaping, new roof & playset.

Revitalization of Downtown Springfield - Springfield Mo Real Estate

Kay Van Kampen, Broker, Springfield Missouri Real Estate (RE/MAX Solutions) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 12:39:40 -0600

The new Hollywood Theatre College Station opened yesterday in Springfield.

Watching the construction of the newest Hollywood theatre the past few months, I am excited to see the new 14-screen theatre that seats 2000 people open. Revitalization of Downtown Springfield has been an ongoing project for the past several years. Great for any age group, a night out at the movies and dinner are one of the least expensive ways to enjoy a night.

Growing up, the downtown area housed local theatres like Fox,Gilloz and Landers. These beautiful historic buildings are still open and going strong.

Indulge yourself with a night out with dinner and movie and see downstown Springfield.

Offers Versus Asking Price for Springfield Mo Homes

Kay Van Kampen, Broker, Springfield Missouri Real Estate (RE/MAX Solutions) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 10:35:54 -0600

What kind of offer can I make on a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in Springfield priced at $180,000? It was purchased about 5 years ago and when I searched the previous listing, I found the owners paid only $165,000 for it.

The answer depends on the owners motivation and the amount of improvements they made during the time they have owned it. If the home is priced close to the original selling price, I may have a good buy at $180,000. The decision on how much to offer on any home is difficulto to answer.

Determining your offer price is definitely an art, not a science, but there is a systematic process you can undertake and specific factors you should consider to make your offer with maximum confidence and minimum regret.

There are a number of important considerations that should factor into your decision of what to offer. The biggest considerations is how much you want the home? Many buyers in today's market believe that all sellers are despirate to sell.......this is normally not the case.

There are a number of homes on the market in Springfield, however, the homes that are in "move in" condition, nicely staged and priced at "fair market value", normally sell in the least amount of time.

New Ranch / 3 Car Garage - Bent Tree - Springfield Mo Real Estate

Kay Van Kampen, Broker, Springfield Missouri Real Estate (RE/MAX Solutions) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:23:19 -0600

Kay Van Kampen | RE/MAX Solutions | 417-839-4534

1101 Red Cedar, Springfield, MO

New Ranch - Greene Country - Springfield Mo Real Estate

4BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $130,000

Year Built	2007
Sq Footage	1,843
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	3 Car garage
Lot Size	.22 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Home to be sold 'AS IS, WHERE IS.' New 4 bedroom, 2 bath home that offers 2 living areas, gas log fireplace, open floor plan, corner lot, maintenance free exterior & nice 3 car garage. Don't hesitate! This will sell fast. Contract contingent on banks approval of a short sale. For details go to www.kayvankampen.com.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Tile floor
Family room	Living room	Breakfast nook
Dishwasher	Microwave	Laundry area - inside
Yard

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Corner Lot

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Kay Van Kampen

RE/MAX Solutions

417-839-4534

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Nov 2, 2008, 4:56pm PST

Lower Gas Prices - Lower Home Prices - Ozark Mo Real Estate

Kay Van Kampen, Broker, Springfield Missouri Real Estate (RE/MAX Solutions) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:14:36 -0600

Lower Gas Prices - Lower Home Prices - Ozark Mo Real Estate

Passing an abandoned convenient store a few months ago, the sign said $3.43 per gallon for unleaded gas. Laughing, with gas prices so much higher, I wondered if we would ever see gas that low again.

Passing the same station today, I am amazed now that our gas prices dropped below $3.43 and are now down to $1.93 $1.86 a gallon for unleaded.

The New York Times published an article today showing the profits of Exxon Mobile Corporation for the end of the third quarter for 2008.

Living in Ozark, minutes from Springfield, Mo., driving to work costs less, along with the cost of homes. We enjoy Triple A rated schools. New businesses continue to open. Ozark Missouri real estate is better than ever. New homes are still available. Come see what Ozark Missouri real estate has to offer.

Springfield Foreclosures - The List Is Growing

Kay Van Kampen, Broker, Springfield Missouri Real Estate (RE/MAX Solutions) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:35:12 -0500

Springfield Missouri foreclosures are continuing to grow.

Living in the Mid States section of the United States, our market is sheltered by the conditions that are affecting the rest of the country.

Our economy steadily grows, fueled by small business, great medical facilities, average weather and it is a great place for retirement.

No area is free from all the "short sales" and bank foreclosures that are hitting the markets, including the Springfield Mo Real Estate market.

My business is now focused on helping homeowners salvage their credit and hopefully recover from the stress of loosing their investments.

Working Short Sales