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Lizzie Hartman-Thomas / Real Estate, Kansas City, MO (2026)

09/10/2024

I've known Bekah since she was born. Her parents have known me my whole life. 💑

We were neighbors in some form for years so I was so honored when she asked me to help her with her home hunt. Hopefully Bekah and Brett will find some new great neighbors for years to come in their new home. 🏡

Welcome home you too!! 🎈🎈 and I are so excited for your next chapter!!

08/21/2024

There's so much to think about when you are getting ready to sell a house. What to fix? What to upgrade? Should you do anything? If that's you, let Martha Stewart be your guide!!

https://www.marthastewart.com/what-not-to-fix-when-selling-a-house-7378007?utm_source=Lizzie_Hartman-Thomas_/_Marketplace_Sotheby's_International_Realty_(Woodinville)&utm_medium=Facebook

07/17/2023

You have a real estate agent and a lender to work with. Your finances are in order & you've been pre-approved. Now what?

- Attend open houses & schedule showings: These will give you a better idea of what’s available in your desired area & price range. Take notes & photos during your visits to help you remember the details of each property.

- Be prepared to make an offer quickly: In a competitive housing market, desirable properties can sell quickly. If you find a home that meets your criteria, be prepared to make an offer as soon as possible. Your real estate agent can help you determine a fair offer price based on comparable properties in the area.

- Get a home inspection: A professional home inspection can reveal potential issues with a property that may not be apparent during a showing. This can help you negotiate repairs or a lower price, or even decide to walk away from the deal if the problems are too significant.

- Be patient & stay flexible: The home buying process can be lengthy & sometimes frustrating. Be prepared for potential setbacks, such as losing out on a property or having to make multiple offers. Stay patient & flexible. Remember that finding the perfect home may take time.

By keeping these ten essential tips in mind, first-time homebuyers can navigate the home buying process with confidence & ultimately find the perfect property to call their own.

Photo courtesy of Maximillian Conacher.

07/10/2023

8 First Time Homebuyer Tips

1. Check your credit (and work on it)
The higher your credit score, the better the interest rate on your mortgage.

2. Work with a real estate agent
Make sure they are experienced in your area of interest & that you are comfortable working with them.

3. Nail down your budget
Think about how much house you can afford as well as recurring costs - mortgage, insurance & property taxes. Keep in mind utilities & possibly HOA fees as well as money for maintenance and unexpected repairs.

4. Consider your needs and wants
Make a list of what you absolutely need and what would be ideal to have but necessary.

5. Get finances in place
Your income and how much you earn monthly will be scrutinized by lenders, who will look for a two-year employment history & want to see consistent income.

6. Shop multiple lenders
Compare mortgage rates from at least three different types of lenders, as well as different types of mortgages, to help you decide whether this is a good time to lock in your rate. Consider your interaction with the lender, as well.

7. Get preapproved
A preapproval is an official letter from a lender stating exactly how much they will loan to you.

8. Look for down payment assistance
There are many first-time homebuyer & down payment assistance programs, including at the local, regional & national level, that can help cover your down payment or closing costs.

Photo courtesy of HiveBoxx

07/06/2023

If you’re looking to become a homeowner, here are some tips to keep in mind:

- Work with a real estate agent. Although the housing market is showing signs of cooling, now’s not the time to embark on a purchase without someone to guide you through the process, especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer.

- Shop around with multiple mortgage lenders to make sure you’re getting the best deal. It’s not just about interest rates, but the all-in costs & other terms/conditions on your loan. Different lenders have different programs available to match what buyers need.

- Make a budget. You don’t want to wind up with more house than you can afford. Keep that budget going once you move, too. In Bankrate’s survey, the top regret for millennial homebuyers was maintenance & hidden costs being more expensive than expected - a whooping 42%. Be ready to cover the ongoing expenses, plus whatever issues inevitably crop up.

- Be strategic in financing home renos. Using credit cards to pay for home improvements is a risky move, considering their double-digit interest rates: average interest rate on credit cards as of mid-May was just above 20%, according to Bankrate’s national survey of lenders. In contrast, the average rate on a home equity line of credit (HELOC) was around 8%. The interest could be tax-deductible as well, if you itemize on your return. You could also consider a home equity loan, which offers a slightly higher, but fixed interest rate.

Picture courtesy of jessebridgewater

05/18/2023

Here is the April 2023 Market Update from the Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORS® and Heartland Multiple Listing Service. Highlights from the April data include:

- April 2023 average sales price for new and existing homes combined ($344,255) is 3.2% higher than April 2022

- There were 2,795 home sales (new and existing combined) for April 2023, which is 21.6% lower than last April

- Home inventory (new and existing combined) for April 2023 (4,419) is 0.2% higher compared to April 2022

- The supply of new and existing homes for April 2023 is currently 1.4 months

For any questions you have about the Kansas City real estate market, let's talk.

05/15/2023

I was fortunate enough to have the trust of my seller to take care of her largest asset: her home. After living there for over forty years, letting go of a home can be incredibly difficult. I was happy to, as my client said, 'take on that pain and make it a painless process' for her.

Her home was on the market for only one day when we were able to take an offer that was above the asking price, all cash - an amount that will take care of her & give her peace of mind for many, many years no matter what situation may arise in her life. Taking care of my clients isn't only my responsibility as a Realtor, it's my passion and mission in life. While it was time for my seller to move on, this area is still incredibly desirable for others to put down some roots.

Shout out to for this beautiful custom watercolor painting. I am so excited to give this to my seller. I hope it brings nothing but good memories of her time in her home.

05/12/2023

Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 14th. Lost for ideas on where to treat the Mama in your life? Check out these fantastic local Kansas City spots!

💗Room 39 - Room 39 prepares farm-to-table breakfast, lunch and dinner with thoughtfully selected wines

🌷Succotash - Eclectic breakfast, brunch and lunch in the Longfellow Heights community of KCMO

🎀The Farmhouse - Locally sourced, farm fresh, for everyone

💄McLain's Bakery - a gathering place for the local community to meet and enjoy good company.

🌸Eggtc. - A local favorite for over 15 years, the best breakfast, brunch, and lunch in Kansas City.

💮Brookside Barrio - a laid back, taqueria-inspired restaurant and bar offering an array of specialty and Mexican "street" tacos as well as other Mexican-inspired menu items.

For more ideas, reach out!! Let's make sure your Momma gets celebrated right!

04/17/2023

Here is the March 2023 Market Update from the Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORS® and Heartland Multiple Listing Service. Highlights from the March data include:

- March 2023 average sales price for new and existing homes combined ($329,821) is 0.8% higher than March 2022

- There were 2,689 home sales (new and existing combined) for March 2023, which is 17.8% lower than last March (3,271)

- Home inventory (new and existing combined) for March 2023 (4,478) is 13.5% higher compared to March 2022 (3,947)

- The supply of new and existing homes for March 2023 is currently 1.4 months

For any questions you have about the Kansas City real estate market, let's talk.

04/13/2023

Traditional Kansas City home right off of Ward Parkway on the market for the first time in almost 50 years. The home contains all its original charm waiting for you to make your mark on it.

- Traditional floor plan is ideal for entertaining w/ large dining room and warm living room w/ fireplace and attached side room
- Eat-in kitchen
- 3 spacious upstairs bedrooms w/ 2 baths
- Ample closets
- 3rd floor expandable attic
- 4th bedroom, small, so great for bonus flex room, den or part of an expansion w/ full bath off kitchen
- Partially finished basement w/half bath and built-in bar
- Outdoor space is private - patio and enclosed back garden
- Semi-attached 2 car garage

Only minutes away from The Country Club Plaza, State Line, Mission Hills, Loose Park and so much more making this home's location ideal!

Reach out for more information or to set up a showing!

Lizzie Hartman-Thomas / Real Estate

09/10/2024

08/21/2024

07/17/2023

07/10/2023

07/06/2023

05/18/2023

05/15/2023

05/12/2023

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04/13/2023

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