by The Andy Blake Group | Jan 29, 2021 | Kansas City, KC Area, Monthly Newsletter
Whether you stay in or go out to your favorite place, take a trip down memory lane by re-creating your favorite date. It can be your first date or the one where you fell in love. Get creative and have fun falling in love all over again!
2. take out tour
Are you a foodie or have a lot of favorite local restaurants? Take a tour of your town and pick up some of your favorite local dishes to eat in the car, at a park, or bring them home and have a picnic in your living room. Don’t forget to grab the wine on your way home!
3. book a staycation or plan your next vaca
Craving an adventure but aren’t able to take a trip? Book a sitter for your animals, kids, or both. Grab your loved one and discover your town all over again. Enjoy time with just the two of you in a different environment.
4. go on a scavenger hunt
Did you fall in love in the city you’re currently in? Take your SO (significant other) on a scavenger hunt to all your past favorite memories or spots where you fell in love. Just moved to a new city? Have a scavenger hunt that takes you to all the fun new places you haven’t been to yet! Crank up those tunes and enjoy the journey!
Let’s get creative! Set out an array of different types of drinks, snack foods, and grab a paintbrush and canvas and have fun! Not sure what to draw? Check out youtube/Pinterest for some inspo or try to paint a portrait of your SO!
Regardless of what you do-the goal is to have fun and to spend quality time with one another!
Don’t miss out on all the updates.
Follow us on social!
by The Andy Blake Group | Dec 30, 2020 | Kansas City, KC Area, Monthly Newsletter, Uncategorized
RMHC keep families close to their sick children while they get the care and supportive services they need.
On any given night, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City (RMHC-KC) serves 87 families. In 2019, our Houses and Family Room provided comfort and care to more than 8,200 families as well as opened our doors to support over 40,000 visits from family and friends of in-patients at Children’s Mercy.
THEIR MISSION
The mission of RMHC is to create, find, and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families.
THE vision
A world where all children have access to medical care and their families are supported and actively involved in their children’s care.
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
At RMHC they believe in bringing communities together at the global and local level to support families throughout their health care journey.Whether you can fulfill a wish list or volunteer locally, they need you in order to help serve others.
Want to see how you can help them? CLICK HERE!
Address
4328 Jackson Ave
Kansas City, MO
by The Andy Blake Group | Nov 29, 2020 | Kansas City
The Holiday Season is upon us! Looking to get into a festive mood? Here are a few of our favorite Christmas Light Displays around the Kansas City Area!
–PLAZA LIGHTS | COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA | FREE
–MAYOR’S CHRISTMAS TREE | CROWN CENTER | FREE
-NORTHERN LIGHTS | ZONA ROSA | FREE
-VILLAGE WEST | LEGENDS OUTLET OF KC | FREE
-18TH & VINE | THE SOUL OF SANTA | CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.
-HISTORIC UNION STATION | FREE
–WINTER MAGIC | SWOPE PARK | $$ ($25 PER CAR)
-KC WINTER WONDERLAND | KC PUMPKIN PATCH IN OLATHE
-CHRISTMAS ON THE RIVER | PARKVILLE
-MAYOR’S CHRISTMAS TREE | THOMPSON PARK | DOWNTOWN OVERLAND PARK
–FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS | POWELL GARDENS | $ ($5-12)
–CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK | LONG VIEW LAKE PARK LEE SUMMIT | FREE
–SAR-KO-AGLOW | SAR-KO-PARK TRAILS IN LENEXA | FREE
–HOLIDAY LIGHTS ON FARMSTEAD LANE | DEANNA ROSE FARMSTEAD | FREE
–HOLIDAY LUMINARY WALK | OVERLAND PARK ARBORETUM | $$ ($15)
Happy Holiday’s and remember to eat, drink & be merry this holiday season! We hope it’s filled with the best memories.
by The Andy Blake Group | Nov 25, 2020 | Monthly Newsletter
2020 has been a year, am I right?!
This year has been hard for everyone, but some families have been hit harder by the events of this year than others. That is why this year we are adopting a handful of families from UCA to bring a little Christmas cheer to!
The Families
This year the ABG is hoping to adopt 10 families from Urban Christian Academy, but we need YOUR help!
Adopt or give
There are two different ways you can help out this year:
1) You, your family, OR even a bunch of your friends can adopt one of the 10 families we are helping this year by bringing them gifts from their wish list.
*Families range from 3-6 people*
2) You can donate money towards the families. Any family that is not personally adopted will get gifts hand selected by the ABG using your donations and then we will personally deliver the gifts to the families!
We know adopting a large family may not be in everyone’s budget, so if you still would like to get involved but can’t adopt an entire family, donating money that goes to a family to help buy gifts is also very helpful!
how to
Email [email protected] and tell us how you would like to get involved today!
Need a refresher on UCA? Watch the video below or read our previous blog post HERE!
looking for other ways to support!
Address
4328 Jackson Ave
Kansas City, MO
by The Andy Blake Group | Sep 23, 2020 | Monthly Newsletter
Urban Christian Academy is a private, Christian school in Kansas City. Their goal is to see students on a different trajectory than the one their zip code dictates. They believe that while Jesus is the linchpin to transformation, an excellent education is a vehicle to a myriad of life options that they believe their students deserve and are capable of. They believe that lack of financial resources should not inhibit students from the opportunity to receive a high-quality, Christian education.
THEIR MISSION
We believe God’s heart is about transforming and restoring what is broken, that he has deep love and compassion for all of His children, no matter their zip code.
THE GOAL
They are currently serving over 100 students in grades K-5. Their plan is to be able to add a new grade each year. They started in 2014 with one kindergarten class and have been adding a class each year since. They hope to be able to serve students and their families from pre-K through 12th grade.
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
UCA just moved! They always need donations in order to keep things running and growing. In addition to donations they also have a variety of ways you can volunteer, including the bus crew, breakfast crew, reading buddies, and much more!
They recently started a new fundraiser where you can help provide meals or snacks for a child. CLICK HERE to help get involved!
Address
4328 Jackson Ave
Kansas City, MO
by Freddy Stosic | Sep 5, 2018 | Uncategorized
The last thing in the world you would ever want is to spend a bunch of time searching for a home, finding that perfect place and then not being approved for your mortgage. There are also many common mistakes homebuyers make that could make the process much more painful than it has to be.
We’re writing this article because we know how stressful it can be to buy a house. In order to make your process easier, we are going to cover the 9 things you shouldn’t do when buying a home.
1) Don’t overestimate your budget.
Ever heard the expression “House poor“? Many homebuyers overestimate what they can actually afford and end up with very little wiggle room financially. Before jumping into buying, make sure you have a realistic idea of the yearly costs involved with owning a home.
Remember, there is your mortgage, property taxes, utilities, insurance and repairs. All of this before you even think about making upgrades. Factor in all the costs and leave yourself some room.
2) Don’t let your emotions run wild.
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions of your life. It’s normal to be excited and fall in love with a home. However, try to keep a level head. Falling in love with a home can cloud your judgement or end in disappointment. This can happen if unforeseen issues are exposed in the inspection or if someone puts in an offer before you.
If you don’t find a home… don’t get discouraged. Home searching can be a lengthy process. It will be worth it when you find the winner.
3) Don’t talk to sellers about plans for the house.
As much as you are excited to get in and put your personal touch on the home, it’s best to keep this to yourself. Sometimes home buyers meet and get to know the home owners. This is fine, but remember that the current owner will have an emotional attachment to the property.
It’s best not to make them feel like you’re going to come in and completely change the place. If you make conversation with the owners, just keep the conversation light.
4) Don’t withdraw or deposit a lot of cash.
Going further with your financial history, cash withdraws and deposits also play a part in your mortgage approval rate. Large quantities of cash going in or out of your accounts signals a warning sign that you do not have stability. Avoid any sporadic withdraws or deposits of large sums of cash.
5) Don’t apply for more credit.
The amount you are approved for on your mortgage comes down to your capital. How much money do you have at your disposal? Applying for extra credit increases your debt. This extra debt decreases the amount you will be approved for on a mortgage.
6) Don’t co-sign a loan.
While a loan may not technically be yours – it will still equally count towards your overall debt. Co-signing a loan can have an impact on not only the amount of your mortgage, but approval rate in general. Avoid co-signing any loans until you have purchased your home.
7) Don’t finance a car or furniture.
As financing is again a loan, it is therefore debt. Stay away from financing a car or furniture for the above mortgage approval reasons.
8) Don’t switch or leave your job.
Financial stability is one of the most important factors considered when a bank is approving your mortgage. The key to financial stability is having a dependable income. If you switch or leave your job, often or before applying for a mortgage, this may signal red flags.
If you are thinking about a move, hang tight with your job until after your mortgage is approved.
Ensure you don’t make these mistakes
There are many important things to consider when purchasing a home. It is one of the biggest decisions of your life.
In order to ensure that you get the house you want, when you want it, you need to understand and follow those above tips. Doing so will increase your chances of finding that perfect home and getting it. Remember that financials are very important when it comes time to apply for a mortgage. Make that your priority.
Also keep in mind the emotional aspects of purchasing a home and try to stay cool. It can be a draining process, but it will be worth it when you get the keys to the castle!
Are you looking for a home in the area? Give me a call. I’d love to help you find a home (and make sure you make none of the above mistakes in the process!)
by Freddy Stosic | Sep 5, 2018 | Uncategorized
Choosing whether to rent or own a home is not an easy decision. It requires you to carefully examine the factors and costs associated with each option. Which is better? That depends.
Your unique economic situation, lifestyle and goals play the largest part in deciding what is better for you. It’s important to go into your calculations with open eyes. As much as you want a home, you may not be able to afford it. Or it may not be the right decision for the way you like to live.
Factors To Consider When Buying/Renting a Home
The following four points are the largest factors to consider when weighing the pros and cons of home ownership vs. rental.
1) What are the total costs?
Many people look at the economics of home-ownership as a mortgage payment only. In reality there are insurance, repairs, property tax, homeowners association dues etc. that all have to be factored in to your monthly costs. Check out this calculator from the New York Times to see more.
Use a calculator and compare to see if:
- The monthly cost as a homeowner is less than renting.
- You can afford the monthly cost (if it works out more than renting in your area)
- Saving a 10-20% down-payment is feasible for you
If owning a home definitely the way to go for you, you need to be able to answer the above questions definitively.
2) What is important to you?
Are you more interested in building for the future, or reducing your financial risk until you can figure out a plan? You may want to own if you are thinking about starting a family. But as someone who is single, you may enjoy your freedom and having less financial debt. (Even if it is building your net worth in the long run)
Undoubtedly, buying a house only makes sense if you plan to set up roots. If you plan to move within (or every) 5 years, your transaction costs will likely bring the equity you build in your house to zero. Thus diminishing your upside while carrying all of the liabilities that come along with home ownership. Owning a home is a smart decision if you plan to stay for 10 years or more.
3) What is your preferred lifestyle?
Do you want to build a career in a specific city or travel around? Do you have long-term goals in mind? It’s okay if you don’t. The most important part is being aware of where you are at. You may want to get some international work experience or try your luck in another part of the country. Or not.
Really think about what you want. You could lose some serious money if you buy a house and sell within a few years because you decide it isn’t for you.
4) What are the opportunity costs?
Think about the pros and cons of home-ownership. On one hand, you will always have a home base. On the other, you have a property that ties you down to a geographical location. Can you make more money in another city? With a home, you can’t move to pursue those opportunities.
If rent is equal to monthly payments as an owner, think about the opportunity costs of having all of your money tied up in the house. For example, some investors may rent and opt to invest their money in the stock-market or other investments in their portfolio. Can you make higher percentage returns yearly with the money you would be using for a down payment?
The above were things you will want to consider. If you need to be realistic to make the right decision about renting vs owning a home. The below two situations may help if you aren’t able to come to a conclusion.
When is Renting a Home Better?
Despite popular belief, owning a home is not always the best decision. Let’s not be black and white. It depends on your particular situation.
You may want to rent if:
- You want to travel and set-up shop in different places every few years.
- You do not have the job or financial security to (realistically) guarantee payments for years to come.
- You have demonstrated the ability to make better financial returns through other investments.
There are other factors. However, this is a good starting point to help you determine your argument for renting versus owning a home. The benefit of renting is not being tied down to a geographic location and being able to leave when your lease runs up.
When is Owning a Home Better?
Owning a home is the long-term game. You need to have your goals in mind and understand if you can afford it.
You may want own if:
- You are okay with staying in one place for 10 years or more.
- You have the financial stability to afford the home (and float payments if you lose your job)
- You want to leverage your home as an investment property down the line (through rental)
Owning a home gives you an anchor. It helps you stay grounded by having a home base. At the same time, you can increase your upward potential by leveraging the home as an investment property.
Some food for thought
Choosing to rent or own your home is a big decision. It depends on your individual situation and vision for the future. In short, owning is traditionally the better long-term strategy. However, that’s not to say that you can’t do as good or better with the right investment portfolio.
Before jumping into anything, analyze yourself. Think hard about where you are and what you want for the future. Speak to a realtor and see if they have any advice for your individual situation.
If you are looking at purchasing property in the area, give me a call. I’d love to discuss your options and see if buying is the right path for you.
by Freddy Stosic | Feb 13, 2018 | Uncategorized
You want to make the most money possible when it comes time to sell your home. The way to do that is by improving and updating the things in your home that buyers look for the most.
We compiled this list for those looking to boost their resale value. It’s important to focus on the renovation projects that will net you the highest ROI. All of the projects on this list were chosen for their ability to produce high ROI as well as create a more desirable home. Remember – it’s important to make money. But it’s also important your house doesn’t sit on the market for a year.
Make these updates and you should fetch a high sale price, quicker than you would otherwise.
1) Remodel the Kitchen
The decision among real estate experts about where you get the highest ROI renovating your home is unanimous. The answer is in the kitchen. For some reason people just want nice kitchens and care about it more than the rest of the house… Maybe it’s because that’s where people like to entertain guests. Your main priority when renovating a kitchen should be layout. Creating a structure (or bones) that is functional and can easily be updated is super important. It’s one thing to replace a counter-top and cabinet doors. It’s a different story to completely renovate the whole kitchen.
Once you get the structure out of the way, search for materials that have a high quality look without a big price tag. You can make a space look modern and luxurious without having to use marble and granite.
2) Update Bathrooms
Bathrooms are the second place buyers typically place the most value in a home. The good news is that making updates to a bathroom doesn’t have to cost a fortune. En-suite/master bathrooms are the most important. As they say, it’s where the magic happens. Cast a spell on potential buyers with a beautiful en-suite. That was really corny I know…
3) Repair plumbing issues
Can we say structural problems? This is the #1 worry of all potential buyers. No one wants to move into a beautiful new house and have a disaster occur two or three months down the road. Re-doing your old piping and updating it to a newer plastic solution is a huge selling point. This removes some of the potential fear that comes with buying a home.
4) Remove paneling
Wood paneling and Stucco are common in older homes. Mainly because when it was popular, we didn’t have walls without imperfections like we do now. Not only are these two things ugly, they also show potential buyers that you lack the ability to update your home. “If you can’t update this, what is is lurking?”
5) Attic Renovation
Attic renovations are a popular choice among DIY projects as expenses can be minimized. In many houses you will have the bones for a room. All that is required of you is putting up walls and handling the cosmetics. Updated attics can sometimes be a stronger selling point than updated basements.
6) Replace Siding
Since curb appeal is so important, it makes sense to focus on the biggest factor. The outside of the house. Everyone knows the dingy, yellow siding that used to be white 60 years ago look. If your house looks like that – sorry. It’s time to update. For those on a budget you can also try power washing. Power washing sometimes brings better results than you could imagine. And it barely costs
7) New Garage Door
In addition to replacing/refreshing your siding and landscaping well, your garage door can play a big part in selling your house. It’s another element of curb appeal that can draw in or turn-off potential buyers. Luckily, new garage doors re-coup on average 80% of their investment in the long term. Basically, it will help you break even (or make money) while making your house more desirable.
Final thoughts
You want to sell your home in the least amount of time and for the most amount of money possible. The way to do this is by performing renovations with a high ROI. In addition, you want to focus on the most desirable updates. Doing so will ensure you attract more interest on your property.
Each of these on the list may not be necessary or feasible with your budget. Remember that curb appeal, kitchens and bathrooms are important. If you can focus on nothing else, focus on those things. These projects will reduce your risk of losing money in the renovation process and also help you sell quicker.
Need more information on selling your home in the area? Give me a call!