01/21/2010 by admin.

We are living during a pivotal time in history. The paradigm that Americans once understood is now in flux. This is true economically, politically and socially. It’s the social part that has Realtors stumped.

Being a Realtor,  I, too, have been stumped. What stumps me is how to connect with people. The old way of connecting with people who need to buy or sell a home is less effective now. Connecting used to mean marketing. And marketing used to mean newspaper ads, cold calling on the phone, and radio and TV ads. No longer.

Even the NAR realizes the old way is ineffective.  But, I had to prove it for myself because I’m hard-headed. So, last year, when I moved to the new Brokerage and had to give up all my listings, I was essentially starting from scratch. The first thing I did was start with newspaper ads and post cards.

I discovered that what the experts say is true. The post cards have been more effective than the newspaper ads. Newspaper: Passe’. I needed to learn some new tricks. That is why I now have the new website,  Get-Out-Of-The-City.com and this blog.

Let me tell you after all the work of getting this set up, I learned just today that websites are now ineffective and becoming passe’. Oh, yippee! More late nights to come!

However, I am glad to now know what many competitors do not and will set my feet on the new path. Hmmm….That will be 3 news paths in just the last 6 months. Don’t let anyone tell you the world is not speeding up and spinning out of control.

The Facebook posting seems to be doing well. And my Twitter posts are being watched by more people every day.

I think I’m going to actually enjoy this new paradigm because as much as clients don’t like being “sold”, I don’t like selling. This way, I just get to make friends. And if some of them happen to need to sell or buy a home, that will be icing. The best thing is having the relationships.

This pivotal time could turn out to be wonderful thing.

Posted in Behind The Scenes - Getting Personal | No Comments »

01/21/2010 by admin.

To view this home, call Kimberly Rogers at 417-849-7991.

	Click photo or this link to see complete details of this property.
This is a cute and cozy lakeview cabin perfect for any kind of lifestyle whether just weekends or full time. The lake is only a 5 minute walk away and it has pretty winter lake view. Great for investors because this has been an income producing property. Or keep it for your own use. All this place needs to someone to love it and do the cosmetic work. Property is propane ready with a 500 gal tank for easy installation of gas appliances. Call for a showing today.
$79,900
Square Foot Range:	1200 - 1399
# Bedrooms:	2
# Baths:	1.00
Cape Fair

Posted in Properties For Sale | No Comments »

01/21/2010 by admin.

This is a fabulous property! It’s a place where you can live where the deer, turkeys and other wildlife roam wild. And there is plenty of wildlife! This is a well-loved home with lots of nice extras like jetted tub, ceramic cooktop stove, custom kitchen and bathroom cabinets, a water softener on the shared well, humidifier on the heat pump and 2 garages - one attached, on detached - plus a storage shed. The detached garage has 10′ doors, an extra workshop and is for RV, boat and other “toy” storage. The circular drive provides easy, convenient access. The home is easy to find and close enough to town for shopping, schools and activities while still being in the country. This place is perfect for a private country lifestyle. There are 4.6 acres total that are currently being subdivided. The house and 1.6 acres are listed for $179,900. The other 3 acres can be purchased for $19,900. The boat is also for sale: $16,000. Public boat launch only 1 mile away. Call Kimberly Rogers at 417-849-7991 or Tony Reid at 417-338-2549 to schedule a showing today!

Street view upon approach to property.	Lake view.
Circular drive approaching home.	Front of home.
Side view of home.	View #1 of land.
View #2 of land.	View #3 of land.
Feeding troughs for the deer that visit.	One of several birdfeeders for the birds that visit.
A stand of trees where the deer and turkey play.	Another stand of trees for the deer and turkeys.
A beautiful old and healthy cedar tree.	The front porch.
Walkway to the front porch and entry.	Another view of the front porch.
Living room view #1.	Living room view #2.
Breakfast nook in kitchen.	View of ceramic cooktop stove/range.
View of sink and dishwasher area.	Full kitchen view and view of custom cabinets.
Dining area.	Master Bedroom.
Master bath.	Whirlpool jetted tub.
Custom bathroom cabinets.	Bathroom counter and custom cabinets.
Bedroom #2.	Bedroom #3 being used as office & storage.
Back patio.	2-car attached garage.
2-dar detached garage with 10′ doors for RV entry.	Another view of detached garage.
Side door to shop area of detached garage.	Interior view of detached garage from side door.
Detached garage interior.	Another view of detached garage interior.
Boat for sale. $16,000. 2006. 75 horse. 4-stroke. Call for details.	Additional storage building next to detached garage.

Posted in Properties For Sale | No Comments »

01/21/2010 by admin.

The new FHA guidelines may bring consternation to most sellers, but it shouldn’t. Tightening the money will have a good effect on the real estate market. Expect prices to stabilize instead of falling further and expect these new guidelines to bring better qualified buyers to your home.

Posted in Branson/Tri-Lakes Market, Advice For Sellers, News | No Comments »

01/21/2010 by admin.

These two stories:

FHA plans to require borrowers to produce more cash for down payments
The Federal Housing Administration plans to increase the amount of up-front cash paid by all new borrowers and to require higher down payments from those with the poorest credit, according to agency officials

and

FHA Increases Upfront MIP Fee; Raises Credit Score Requirement; Reduces Seller Concessions
As promised in December, the Federal Housing Administration has announced the details of changes intended to strengthen its capital reserves which were reported to be headed into dangerously low territory late last year

may be causing buyers some consternation.

Buyers with poor credit will be the most impacted in the short term, but in the long term, buyers will be helped if FHA’s tactic works. Why is this? It is because the market will tighten up again, the dollar will strengthen and home prices will stabilize. This will make it possible for buyers with poor credit to establish good credit and will also give them time to save money for the down payment.

We must not think that the Aermican dream of homeownership is dead. In the early days of America, buyers bought homes with cash. There were far less mortgages in those days. And we may be headed there again.

It wasn’t until after WWII that the mortgage expanded to what we see today. So in the long run, buyers will find themselves in a better position than their parents in that the current economy will have forced them into frugality and saving, habits that will allow them to pay cash for homes or pay larger down payments  and have less mortgage to pay off.

Every downturn has a benefit and I believe this future benefit to buyers will be significant.

Posted in Branson/Tri-Lakes Market, Advice For Buyers, News | No Comments »

01/21/2010 by admin.

I am sometimes asked by people who are not in the real estate market to buy or sell why I send this information. My answer is that there are only two true economic market factors. These are real estate and metal prices (gold and silver, especially gold). The rise and fall of these two markets are indicators of the actual value of the dollars in your own pocket. It is these that more directly influence the inflationary prices on the grocery store shelves than any other indicators, including the stock market. Know what your dollars hold in store for you by watching these two markets.

These headlines pertain mostly to real estate because gold has begun to stabilize. See the report at Reuters.com. This could be good news for a strengthening dollar, which in turn is good for consumers looking to avert further inflation.

This newsletter is designed to help you stay informed at a glance so that you can prepare for the possibilities.

Housing starts fall, but permits soar
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Home construction fell in December, government data showed Wednesday, while the number of building permits issued in the month rose. Construction of new homes fell to an annual rate of 557,000 during the month, down 4% from the revised November rate of 580,000, the Commerce Department said.

Harder to get an Uncle Sam mortgage
Federal Housing Administration tightens standards for loans to reduce risk and restore its ravaged finances. But the downpayment remains a low 3.5% for most borrowers.

Homebuyer tax credit: No e-file and four-month delays
Good news homebuyers: You can file for your $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit again.
Bad news: You still can’t e-file your taxes if you want the cash. And there are long delays.

Going Green Trims Taxes
Installing energy-efficient home improvements like windows and doors in your principal residence will qualify you for a tax credit.

FHA plans to require borrowers to produce more cash for down payments
The Federal Housing Administration plans to increase the amount of up-front cash paid by all new borrowers and to require higher down payments from those with the poorest credit, according to agency officials.

FHA Increases Upfront MIP Fee; Raises Credit Score Requirement; Reduces Seller Concessions
As promised in December, the Federal Housing Administration has announced the details of changes intended to strengthen its capital reserves which were reported to be headed into dangerously low territory late last year. 

Entrepreneurs turn housing bust into boom
One of the most far-reaching results of the market fall was a tidal wave of sheer bias against any businesses involved in the housing market. Some businesses re-branded successfully, but many more failed and closed shop. Some businesses, however, were able to ride the waves of change rather than drowning beneath them.

Get more information at my blog and at my website. And you can follow me on Kimberly Rogers

and

.Your friend in the business,
Kimberly Rogers
417-849-7991

Posted in Branson/Tri-Lakes Market, News | No Comments »