How Do You Leave Your Home For Another House?

As I was reading some the great posts from Ann Cummings contest about what makes a house a home, it reminded me of my own home. When showing homes, I speak to the buyers as "their new home". Sellers - "the house". Buyers have to feel they could live in the dwelling. Sellers have to disassociate themselves from the dwelling.

My husband and I have been doing some serious thinking about moving over this Memorial weekend. We live on 3 acres and we want to start doing other activities besides working after we come home. As we go thru all the pros and cons of moving, here's what we concluded:

PROS

1. We could build another home.

2. We could move back to the city that has city utilities.

3. Hire someone to mow the lawn.

CONS

1, My father helped build our home. I can't replace the memories.

2. Higher taxes.

3. Home would cost approximately $50,000 more.

4. Upgrades on existing home would cost approximately $10,000.

5. Trees I planted in memory of my family - Dad, Mom, Bill, Uncle Bill, Aunt Phyllis, Tom (My brother), Wauthena (My stepmother). I can't take them with me.

What really has made our house a home is the memories of all the family that helped us, the love that we have shared, and the grandchildren that have grown up here the past 12 years.

The thoughts of moving made us both reconsider. When the time comes, we'll have the yard mowed, update our home yearly, we have wonderful neighbors, we live in a great location and we still like our home. The money we would have used to purchase a new home will pay for all the vacations we plan to take when we retire (realtors don't retire). OK! When we take time off.

www.kayvankampen.com

Downstown Springfield is once again very alive each evening. Feeling time had turned back about 30 years, my husband and I attended a concert with the Ozark Mountain Daredevils at the Gillioz Theatre in Springfield.

This talented group of musicians started recording back in 1973. They play a variety of country/rock music that sets everyone's toes to tapping and hands a clapping. You can't help but join in with the crowd to keep from missing every beat. For you that have never heard of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, you have missed a wonderful local band that has more talent than any group around. (My Opinion).

One of my favorites: " If You Want To Get To Heaven, You Got To Raise A Little Hell" really brought the house down.



To enhance the evening, we were seated in the newly renovated Gillioz Theatre that reopened last year. A historic building just off the square in Springfield, this theatre is spectacular! Built in 1926, it seated 1200 people and is located on old "Route 66".



Tickets for the show sold out within 3 days of announcing the Daredevils would be performing together for the first time on stage in 26 years. The last time I remember them performing was at a July 4th Celebration in Springfield about 5-6 years ago. Not thinking, I checked a day before the concert and realized that I had no way of getting tickets.

I called an old friend that manages the Christian County Headliner News in Ozark and told him if he heard of anyone giving up tickets to keep me in mind. To my surprise, I received a call 5 hours before the concert and he had 2 tickets available. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!



We arrived well in advance and walked the Springfield Square. This part of Springfield is being rebuilt.

Loft apartments are springing up all over.

Many out-of-the-way restaurants and night clubs have relocated to the downtown area.



If you are planning a trip to Springfield Missouri, stop by and visit this beautiful piece of Missouri history. You will be pleasantly surprised at what is available to see and do.

www.kayvankampen.com

Springfield Missouri Real Estate Update - April 2007


I continue to read about real estate throughout the country and how some of the markets are suffering, prices are dropping and the increase of bank repossessions are increasing.

Through all the gloom and doom of the real estate market, sales in Springfield Missouri and surrounding areas still remain strong. Average sales for the Springfield Missouri real estate market still remain within 97% of the asking price. Below is a breakdown for April, 2007.


Residential Homes for Sale - 3518
Expired - 208
New Listing for April - 1119
Under Contract - 522
Sold - 584



An additional breakdown for single family residential homes sold by price range:

$0 - $100,000 - 179
$100,001 - $200,000 - 324
$200,001 - $300,000 - 54
$300,001 - $400,000 - 18
$400,001 - $500,000 - 5
$500,000 & Up - 5

January Statistics

February Statistics

March Statistics



Counties included in this survey include: Christian, Greene, Taney, Webster, and Stone. Information courtesy of Springfield Missouri Multiple Listing System.

Whether buying or selling real estate, give us a call. We'd love to help you with your next purchase. We service Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Rogersville, Republic, Willard, Strafford and surrounding areas.



Kay Van Kampen