Featured

Pay No Seller’s Commission in a Seller’s Market?

I have added another tool to my real estate tool belt to assist clients maximize their Return on Investment for residential or commercial property.  My Auctioneer’s License is valid anywhere in the State of Missouri.

WHY?

My initial thought was this:  if a buyer is willing to pay over list price, why not take the guess work out and let the market decide who will pay what for a property.  The online bidding system handles multiple offer scenarios along with supply and demand, notifying buyers when they are outbid, so they either up their bid or back out.  In addition, in this case, the buyer pays a premium for the auction and their agent, the seller does not pay the traditional selling commission percentage.

Our focus remains on the traditional method; however, if there is a way for me to make you more money via Auction, we’ll discuss it.

Further, I have partnered with Auction Mobility to provide an online bidding dashboard for ease of use and to help drive the market value of property.  No, I will not be standing on the steps doing an Auction, this is 2021, not 1991, it will all be done digitally online.

If you are a buyer/investor that is interested in auction properties, please contact me or visit the site to register: https://auctions.aspiresellskc.com/register. You may also find us in the Apple App Store.

You will receive an auto email anytime a residential, commercial, or land property has listed for auction.

Here is a short synopsis of Auction vs Traditional listing method:

Auction Method

  • Marketing Plan Tailored for Your Property (same as traditional listing method). We still put forth the same effort and plan.
  • Entered in MLS system for maximum exposure
  • Process Allows Price to Exceed Seller’s Expectations Based on Demand (buyer’s bid online and notified when they are out bid)
  • Less Costs Paid by Seller (especially in a Sellers’ Market, the buyer pays a premium, seller does not pay traditional %)
  • Sold “As-Is, Where-Is”
  • Pre-inspected for Buyer Assurance if seller elects
  • Pre-qualified Bidders / Buyers
  • Predetermined Sale Date; Meets Seller’s Timeline
  • No Contingencies for inspection, appraisal, sale of another property.  Buyer puts down a non-refundable deposit.
  • If Property is Not Sold at Auction, Negotiations May Continue with Interested Buyers or Convert to Traditional Listing
  • Capacity to auction other personal property items of value

Traditional Listing

  • Marketing Plan Tailored for Your Property (same as auction listing method). We still put forth the same effort and plan.
  • Entered in to MLS and other platforms for maximum exposure
  • Occasionally Sellers Want Price to Absorb Commission
  • Broker Typically Absorbs Marketing Fees
  • Post-Sale Contingencies, Inspection Period, Appraisals allow buyers to potentially move-on and cancel
  • Inspection Items Typically Need to Be Addressed/Resolved. In a sellers market, buyer may offer over list price, but then expect inspection related items to be addressed.
  • Possible Financing Contingencies and Marketing Delays
  • Sale Date Unknown. Holding Expenses and Marketing Changes Become a Factor

A real estate auction may not work for every property, which is why we came up with a formula to determine which method, auction or traditional, will get you the most money in your desired timeframe. 

Contact Derek Espeer to discuss further:  derek@aspiregroupkc.com, 816.588.5745

Featured

Factors Influencing Neighborhood Choice, by Location

I hope this post provides some insight to our followers, as I used the current situation with our neighborhood as an example. As always, please contact me with questions or comments.

My Thoughts as 14 Year Fountain Hills Resident and 12 Year Real Estate Professional

It’s taken me a while to gather my thoughts and formulate a post in regard to Fountain Hills (a neighborhood we’ve loved for 14 years) and the recent Master Plan Development regarding the 152 corridor, soccer fields, new schools, our entrance, etc.

Some of my thoughts for what they are worth:

Potential Cons, let’s get them out of the way and end positive:

  • Construction traffic (temporary).  Yes, it will be a temporary pain in our ass, but I know of other things (and people) that are much worse.  Further, it is my opinion that the development will work to keep construction traffic to a minimum as much as possible within Fountain Hills and around our entrances; similar to how construction is supposed to avoid our main entrance.  “But they do it all the time!”  So do teenagers (and their adult parents) speeding through our streets.
  • Commercial traffic (TBD).  We don’t really know the impact until the area is developed.  Platte Purchase will be divided and have four lanes like Tiffany Springs, so at least it won’t be a total cluster.  The soccer fields won’t be occupied 24/7, nor will the new middle school or future high school campus (in the future based on growth numbers).  Have you seen MODOT doing their surveys?  MODOT is in charge of the Platte Purchase bridge over 152.  They will be working to make it more convenient, less dangerous, and easier to navigate.
  • Commercial Development at our entrance.  Remember this one, because it will show on the Potential Positives later.
    • People missing the turn lane and driving in to our neighborhood, having to turn around.
    • More people at our entrance. 
    • Noise – when have you last sat in a parking lot for a movie theater and/or restaurant and heard noises like the 4th of July?  Car noise?  Yes.  But then again, it’s right next to a busy highway.
    • Lighting – positive side, more lighting equals better for video identifying crime in the commercial area.  Further, potential to identify cars for neighborhood crime (which car break ins have happened for all 13 years I’ve been here, not just lately with the development).

Positives, I’ll be as objective as possible. 

Here are the top factors that influenced buyers’ decisions in 2019 according to the National Association of Realtors (I’ll update as 2020 data comes out, but I think we all agree to forget 2020).  I will be using this with our current environment/climate, mainly the Suburb/Subdivision Column.

  1. Quality of Neighborhood.  Does anyone really feel we don’t have a quality neighborhood?  Argument:  but the commercial area will bring it down.  Keep reading. 
  2. Convenient to Job.  We have great proximity to get around
  3. Affordability.  Debatable, depending on location, but our neighborhood will continue to appreciate regardless of the latest developments.  FOUNTAIN HILLS values range from $250,000-new phase build jobs in the HIGH 500s! 
  4. Friends/Family.  Thank you to those that have helped me bring in more great people to our neighborhood. 
  5. Design of neighborhood.  One of the best pools in the area.  Sidewalks and trails.  Access to the Tiffany sidewalks.  B+ in my opinion.  What would make it an “A”?  Get us sidewalks so our children may safely walk to school without worrying about traffic.
  6. Quality of School District.  We are in close proximity to the elementary and middle schools.  Add in the fact this new Master Plan has a brand-new middle school and future high school in “x” years (depending on residential, and, yes, commercial expansion).  Voting YES on April 6th means the new middle school will address some of the inequities currently between Barry and PC Middle.  I know there are many who wanted a high school, and full disclosure I do, too; but right now the population density isn’t there.  When will it be?  I’ll be bold and say in 5-7 years (economics staying constant).
  7. Convenient to entertainment/leisure.  Hmmmm.  How nice will it be to walk, ride a bike, ahem take your golf cart, etc. to go pick up donuts on Saturday at the convenience store.  Leave the pool and get a cocktail with friends at a restaurant?  Use a restaurant like our personal neighborhood clubhouse?  I think that sounds awesome.
  8. Convenient to schools.  See number 6.
  9. Convenient to parks/recreation.  Soccer fields coming soon.  Walking and biking trails/paths coming soon for commercial development and connection to Line Creek Trail.  Hopefully golf cart paths, coming soon…
  10. Larger lots, acreage.  We’re in a subdivision.  Trust me, I hear it all the time “I want land”.  You know what, so does everyone else right now.
  11. Walkability.  Currently NOT FOUNTAIN HILLS.  I’m pushing for the private walk way over the highway to schools and Costco.
  12. Last 6, we’ll lump together.  Aside from public transit, CHECK.  We’re in a suburb, not urban, so public transit is not a factor for me when selling our neighborhood. 

From a real estate perspective, our neighborhood will continue to be a go-to neighborhood now and in the future. 

I plan on being here a long time, especially now with the new developments; I think its terrific for our community, schools, $$$ appreciation in housing, and yes, Fountain Hills. 

I don’t want this to be an advertisement for me, I just want you all to realize the good things we have going, and I’m here to answer questions or provide my professional insight, for what it’s worth.

What do you all think?

Derek Espeer

14 year Fountain Hills resident

derek@aspiregroupkc.com

http://www.aspiresellskc.com

Featured

Love Where You Live

If the first part of 2020 taught us anything, it’s that our clients, friends, and families need a safe, enjoyable place to love and live.  Over the past couple months during the trying times, and in the future, we will continue to help people find the place they love or sell their property.  

We implemented protocol to be safe, sanitary, and still sell properties and find new homes for buyers.  We will continue some of this protocol as necessary.

Congrats to our clients below who have listed or purchased in 2020:

If we may be of service to you or someone you know who may be interested in buying or selling residential or commercial real estate, please let me know.  Further, if we may provide additional information about your neighborhood, we’re here for you.

Featured

Kansas City Opoly

Would you like to own Union Station for $375?  How about Arrowhead Stadium for $230?

Now you can, thanks to the ASPIRE Group!

To commemorate our Kansas City Chiefs winning the Big Game, the ASPIRE Group is giving away 54 Kansas City Opoly Games!

Here’s your chance:

  • Visit www.aspiresellskc.com and Register for an account
  • Once Registered, your email will be entered in to a random drawing for a Kansas City Opoly game, front row seats to a Royals game, and more throughout the year
  • By Registering, you will also receive our monthly newsletter, market updates, etc.  with tips, recipes, and more.

Questions or need help getting Registered?  Please email derek@aspiregroupkc.com and I will get you registered.

Who knows, maybe we’ll have a Kansas City Opoly tournament to see who the King of KC is!

Boost Your Appeal – Don’t Curb a Buyer’s Enthusiasm

We’ve posted on curb appeal before, but let’s revisit, now that the spring housing market is upon us…finally!

Do you have a neighbor that you drive by their house, and you make a face like you just sucked on a persimmon? Namely, you can feel neighborhood values dipping. What do you think your neighbors or prospective buyers are saying about your property?

Use these few, simple ideas to spruce up your curb appeal.

Paint
Let’s get it out there, painting your whole house can be expensive there’s no doubt. Focus on the less attractive components of a house like utility boxes, cable junctions, wires, etc. Paint them the same color as your house. Consider it homeowner camouflage. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes when those components blend in.

Send the A/C to Witness Protection
We were guilty of this one, too. If your A/C faces the street, build or purchase a lattice type fence, plant large shrubs or bushes, or paneling to shield it from view. It really depends on your setup, but wouldn’t you rather see the decorations or landscaping that your 10 year old A/C unit?

Take Care of Landscaping
In addition to a well-groomed lawn, a well thought out, planned landscape goes a long way. Save money by planning out your ideas to make your exterior fun and inviting. Try picking a theme for your new plant additions (tropical, perennials, annuals, etc.). Incorporate the colors of your landscaping with the colors of your home.

Update Hardware
An inexpensive, quick fine tuning of hardware will go a long way. Get new house numbers to match your landscaping, a new mailbox to match the numbers, and a new door latch to match all of it. Be creative, but make sure you’re prepared to change these items if your tastes don’t match what potential buyers may expect.

Front Door Make-Up
Add beauty with an antique door. Add pizzazz with some faux painting. Or, if you’re like the rest of us, a fresh coat of paint will cover up those door dings, grimy fingerprints, and/or weather related aging.

Outdoor Lighting
The planned installation of solar outdoor lighting can increase the interest in your home, in addition to adding safety for you and your guests. Keep a path of lights to your door and accent your new landscaping.

Uncle Sam Sending You a Refund? We hope so!
If you are expecting some money back from your tax return, you may replace damaged siding, install new siding, and/or add architectural highlights such as balconies, a new porch, or decorative shutters.
As always, if you’re concerned about the return on your investment for any items of your home, consult with a professional. Most professionals will provide a free estimate of what to expect.

Derek Espeer is a licensed real estate Broker in MO and KS. All rights reserved and reproduction prohibited without prior written consent.

LISTING SOLD

We made this as easy as possible for a seller with a POA for the current owner. POA is a Power of Attorney, in which a designated signer takes on the duties and powers of another.

Taking on the responsibility of a loved one is stressful enough. Our professionalism, processes, and experience will ease the burden as it relates to real estate, whether commercial or residential, as well as maximize property values.

Seeking Your Input for a New Logo

Looking to update our Aspire Elite logo. I ran a contest and had over 291 designs submitted! I could use your help voting on the finalists!
Please check it out and let me know your thoughts.
Which would you like on a yard sign, commercial billboard, commercial building, etc.?
Click link below and thank you!

https://99designs.com/contests/poll/60d2df69e3

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