Springfield Missouri Real Estate Blog

If you’re thinking about selling your home the first question is how much is your house worth?  A Realtor can give you a Comparable Market Analysis (CMA).  This report will provide you with all the homes similar to yours currently for sale and recently sold within your area.  Look closely at the average sold price of homes similar to yours (similar square footage, similar age of home, similar amenities).  This is what your home is worth in today’s market. Second, take a look at the current homes active for sale.  These homes are your competition.  You will want to position your home competitively in the market. 

There is a common mistake we see people make.  Sellers try to start their asking price too high.  Sellers often know they are a little high to start, but assume an offer will come in and they will be have more negotiating power with a slightly higher asking price.  In previous years, this strategy might have worked.  Unfortunately, in today’s market this strategy results in failure.  If a home is over-priced buyers will not even look at the house.  They review it online and immediately determine if it’s overpriced and mark it off their favorites list.  Over priced homes receive few showings and rarely receive contracts to purchase.

Pricing your home is critical in today’s competitive market. Don’t forget it’s not only the key to showing and selling your home, it’s also the key in receiving a good appraisal.  If the buyer purchasing your home is receiving a mortgage loan in order to purchase, the contract will be subject to an acceptable bank appraisal.  The bank appraiser will conduct a thorough report consisting of all the recently sold homes similar to yours in your area.  Does that sound familiar? If you priced your home competitively according to your Realtors CMA, then you will have no problem receiving an acceptable appraisal.  

Bottom line, contact your Realtor today and request a complete CMA on your home.  We’ll schedule an appointment at your convenience so we can explain the details of the report.  Call Team Thomas today at 417-575-1291. 

Bringing people together. Bringing details together:Team Thomas’ full-service approach to real estate. Recognizing the increasing demand for simpler and more efficient home transactions, our Team is committed to providing an unmatched level of service to consumers. With homes in Springfield, Ozark, Nixa and surrounding areas, Murney Associates produces more real estate sales in Southwest Missouri than any other real estate firm. Murney Associates is the largest independent real estate company in Missouri and ranked in the Top 100 in the nation by Real Estate Magazine. View all available listings, view our videos, or call today to talk to a knowledgeable member of the team. Team-Thomas Realtors (417) 575-1291.

Buying a Short Sale or Pre-Foreclosure in Springfield MO

Let’s begin by explaining what a short sale is.  A short sale is when the seller is behind in payments and is potentially facing foreclosure.  The seller then asks the bank if they will take less for the house than what they owe on the house.  For example, a seller has a mortgage on a home with a balance of $130,000.  The seller has come into hard times (job loss, death in family, medical issues, etc) and has missed a payment or two.  The seller decides to try to sell the home quickly before the bank starts foreclosure.  The seller lists the home on the market for $110,000.  A buyer comes along and offers $100,000.  The seller then presents the offer to the bank and requests the bank takes $100,000 for the sale of the house rather than going the foreclosure route.  The bank then determines if it will write off the $30,000 difference.  

It can be a win-win-win for all three parties.  The seller is able to avoid foreclosure.  The bank avoids the extreme costs of foreclosure.  The buyer gets a house well under market value.  Sounds perfect right? 

It can be a match made in heaven as long as you enter with caution.  As the buyer the downside to the short sale is that you’re working with two sellers; the actual home owner (that most likely still occupies the home) and the bank that has the lien on the property.  Both the seller and the bank have to agree to the contract before you have the home under contract.  This can take time.  The bank will go through a strict process before they will agree to take less for the home than what is owed.  The bank will send out a bank appraiser to value the property.  The bank will then calculate their loss to determine is the risk is too great.  All of this takes time.  As a buyer you should be prepared to wait three to six months for an ANSWER from the bank. Once you’re under contract then you can trust you’ll close and take possession in 30 days just like a normal home sale in Springfield MO.  

My best advice is to have an experienced Realtor to guide you through the process.  You’ll need someone organized and knowledgeable to stay on top of the sale. At Team Thomas we help buyers purchase short sales all of the time.  We also help guide sellers through the short sale process. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.  

Bringing people together. Bringing details together: Team Thomas’ full-service approach to real estate. Recognizing the increasing demand for simpler and more efficient home transactions, our Team is committed to providing an unmatched level of service to consumers. With homes in Springfield, Ozark, Nixa and surrounding areas, Murney Associates produces more real estate sales in Southwest Missouri than any other real estate firm. Murney Associates is the largest independent real estate company in Missouri and ranked in the Top 100 in the nation by Real Estate Magazine. View all available listings, view our videos, or call today to talk to a knowledgeable member of the team. Team-Thomas Realtors (417)575-1291.

Buying a Foreclosure in Springfield MO

Whenever anyone requests a list of foreclosures in Springfield MO the first question I ask is, what are you looking for specifically?  Are you looking for a good buy in Springfield MO?  Are you looking for an investment property in Springfield MO?  Are you looking for a home priced under market value?

I ask these questions, because people often assume the only good buy in Springfield MO is a foreclosure.  That’s NOT true!  The foreclosures have had an impact on our market which has resulted in ALL homes reducing their asking price.  I can find you a good deal in the market and it may or may not be a foreclosure.  Sometimes a seller is simply motivated (job change, relocation, etc.) that caused them to reduce their asking price well below market value.  You can trust that if there is a good buy out there, we’ll find it!

A second thought to buying foreclosures is your financing package.  Keep in mind that a foreclosure is sold as is.  The seller (the bank) is not willing to make repairs on the home.  There may be issues with the house, especially if it’s been sitting on the market vacant for months.  Depending on your loan package you may not be able to purchase a home that is in need of great repairs.  If you’re receiving FHA, VA or USDA loan packages the house may not pass the inspection process and therefore the bank will not loan you money.  Have a serious conversation with your mortgage lender and your Realtor before you look at any foreclosures. There is no point in looking at them if you can’t buy them.

There are a few scenarios where a foreclosure is a great buy. If you’re a cash buyer, foreclosures can be a gem for you.  Making an investment in a home, putting a few dollars in repairs to the home, equals automatic equity for you.  It’s a great way to build equity quickly.  Keep in mind, location is still the key in owning a good investment property.

If you’re looking for a foreclosure, let us know.  We can email you lists of foreclosure properties and other properties which match what you’re looking for in a future home.  Simply email us or complete the form to let us know the email address you’d like the properties sent to.

Bringing people together. Bringing details together: Team Thomas’ full-service approach to real estate. Recognizing the increasing demand for simpler and more efficient home transactions, our Team is committed to providing an unmatched level of service to consumers. With homes in Springfield, Ozark, Nixa and surrounding areas, Murney Associates produces more real estate sales in Southwest Missouri than any other real estate firm. Murney Associates is the largest independent real estate company in Missouri and ranked in the Top 100 in the nation by Real Estate Magazine. View all available listings, view our videos, or call today to talk to a knowledgeable member of the team. Team-Thomas Realtors (417)575-1291.

How to Sell Your Home in Springfield MO

Here are a few critical tips in selling your home in today’s market.

1.  Your house will sell faster if it’s updated and clean.  Today the market is full of “HGTV Buyer’s”.  They’ve watched so many HGTV shows and have seen homes that are professionally staged.  Now they enter your home assuming it will be in the same staged condition.  Remember that first impressions are important.  From curb appeal, to the front door to every inch of the home needs to be updated and clean.  Take the time to freshen the house up with paint.  De-clutter rooms and closets.  Re-position furniture to highlight the room size and appeal. To learn more about selling your home in Springfield MO visit our website for selling tips.
2. Price is still king.  We’ve been talking about price since 2009 and it’s still true today.  If your home is priced too high it will NOT get shown.  You will waste valuable time on the market missing good qualified buyers if the house is priced too high.  Start with your Realtor.  Your Realtor will supply you with a detailed market analysis so you can see where to price your home in relation to your competition. Contact us to receive a FREE home value analysis.
3. Your fist showing will be on the internet.  Today buyers narrow their search by surfing the web viewing photos and videos of homes for sale.  Once they narrow their search THEN they will come to your house to look closer.  This means your first showing is on the internet and your second showing is in person.  Take time with your Realtor showcasing the home for the photos.  Make sure the home is well lit for the photo shoot.  Supply your Realtor with off seasonal photos or photos you’ve taken of your home during different seasons. The better your home looks online, the more showings you’ll receive in person. Get your house show ready!
4. Buyers start their search on the internet.  If they start on the internet, your home had better be on the internet.  Make sure your Realtor has an aggressive internet marketing strategy for your home.  Your home should be posted on various sites advertised in a multitude of different ways. Not every Realtor is advertising on the internet.  Not every Realtor is the same.  Be sure to discuss the marketing strategy a Realtor will execute for your home.   How to sell your home in Springfield MO is outlined in our marketing strategies.
5. Technology is changing the Real Estate industry.  Today’s buyers expect to view your home online, view videos of your home, search on their cell phones,  use QR codes, and even receive text messages regarding your home. Technology is quickly taking this industry to a new level of customer service.  Just placing a sign in the yard and an ad in the news-paper will not sell your home.  To sell your home in today’s market you will need a real estate expert to blast your home into the virtual world. 

To find out how we will market your home, visit our website at http://www.team-thomas.com/Why-List-Your-Home-With-Team-Thomas.

Bringing people together. Bringing details together: Team Thomas’ full-service approach to real estate. Recognizing the increasing demand for simpler and more efficient home transactions, our Team is committed to providing an unmatched level of service to consumers. With homes in Springfield, Ozark, Nixa and surrounding areas, Murney Associates produces more real estate sales in Southwest Missouri than any other real estate firm. Murney Associates is the largest independent real estate company in Missouri and ranked in the Top 100 in the nation by Real Estate Magazine. View all available listings, view our videos, or call today to talk to a knowledgeable member of the team. Team-Thomas Realtors (417)575-1291.

How to Buy a Home in Springfield MO

Below are the top 5 things you need to know to purchase a home in Springfield MO.

1.  Work with a local mortgage lender. You will save yourself serious headaches, set-backs and delays if you choose a lender that works right here in Springfield MO.  Out of town mortgage lenders and their out of town underwriters don’t understand our local processes and deadlines.  This can often cause confusion.  It’s also a serious benefit to you if you can meet with your lender in person throughout the process versus calling and being treated like a number.  For a list of very qualified local mortgage lenders visit our list of lenders in Springfield, MO.

2. Search online for your new house.  One you’ve spoken with a local lender you will know what price range of home you can afford.  The next step is to start your home search online.  Keep your list of wants in your new home short and specific.  If you have too many wish list items you will narrow your search too much and potentially miss the right house! Start with location, number of bedrooms, price range and the age of the home. From there you can narrow your search online.  The easiest way to do this is to have your Realtor email you homes for sale that match your search criteria.  To have an agent send you all the active homes for sale within your criteria simply visit our website at SpringfieldHomeHunter.com.  We’ll email you a list of homes within a few hours.

3.  House Hunting in Springfield MO.  Now the fun begins! Select 7 homes from your online search you would like to view in person. My experience is choosing more than 7 will only leave you lost and confused.  Buyers can’t remember the first house after they’ve looked at 7 (let alone 10).  Take a pen and the house print outs with you on your visit.  Write down memorable things about each home.  Rate each home on a scale of 1-10. Be the end of your house hunting trip you’ll have three favorites.  Go back and view those three either the same day or a day or two later depending on market conditions and what your Realtor recommends.  If you didn’t find the right house on the first trip, don’t panic.  That’s what your Realtor is for!  Now that your Realtor has spent time with you, he or she can select homes that are a good match for you.  I guarantee if a second trip is needed, your Realtor will have a perfect match to show you.

4.  Making the Right Offer on a Home in Springfield MO. You’ve found the right house, the house you love and would like to call home.  Every buyer wants to make sure they get the best price for their future home. That’s only natural.  The word of caution is, to give a price that will not insult the seller, rather encourage the seller to negotiate with you. Ask your Realtor to provide you with a CMA (Comparable Market Analysis).  This will let you know what other similar homes have sold for within a recent amount of time.  This will be a good place to start.  Keep in mind, sellers in Springfield MO have reduced their prices to be more competitive on the market.  This means, most homes are competitively priced. As a result homes in the Springfield are selling for 94%-97% of asking price.  Your Realtor can help provide advice if the house you’ve chosen is priced correctly in today’s market.  Making an offer within 90% of the asking price will prevent you from insulting the seller. For more buyer tips visit our website at Team-Thomas.

   5. Buy a Home Warranty.  The moment you sign documents to close on your new home, you own the house.  If something quits working or breaks, it is your responsibility.  I encourage you to purchase a home warranty.  Even if you’re well insured and have an emergency savings account for life’s little hiccups, the warranty is great protection.  I’ve used my warranty of number of times and am always thankful I spent the money to purchase it.  By the way, in Springfield MO we, as Realtors, do not get paid for selling a home warranty.  I sincerely encourage my clients to purchase one because I’m looking out for their best interest NOT because I’m trying to earn a higher commission.  For an in depth look at buying a home warranty read more on our Team Thomas blog.

To speak directly with a qualified, experienced, full time buyer’s agent, please feel free to visit us at Team Thomas.    

Bringing people together. Bringing details together: Team Thomas’ full-service approach to real estate. Recognizing the increasing demand for simpler and more efficient home transactions, our Team is committed to providing an unmatched level of service to consumers. With homes in Springfield, Ozark, Nixa and surrounding areas, Murney Associates produces more real estate sales in Southwest Missouri than any other real estate firm. Murney Associates is the largest independent real estate company in Missouri and ranked in the Top 100 in the nation by Real Estate Magazine. View all available listings, view our videos, or call today to talk to a knowledgeable member of the team. Team-Thomas Realtors (417)575-1291

Some Sellers are so surprised when their real estate agent asks them to get out of their home during showings. First there is the concern that every viewing Buyer has light fingers, then the concern that they will touch the Sellers' stuff and finally, the concern that the other agent does not have the same skills to sell the house as they so - the owners. Be not afraid Sellers. These, while slight concerns, do not outweigh the benefits of you not being in the house. Get out and don't come back until the Buyers have left.

Now the question is - what can you do or where can you go. Here are five ideas.

1. Pull out of the driveway and park, facing the house, a half block away with the visor down and the window open a crack (so that you can breath and listen at the same time). You may feel a need to know who is going in your house. Maybe your neighbours have begged you to sell only to a small family and you are just doing community service by being a spy. Ha ha. If you can see them, they can see you. Surprise!!!!
2. Drop in on the neighbours with your kids in tow. Bring a bucket of cookies and toys. You may be there for an hour or longer. You might want to bring your camera so that you can take photos of the Buyers entering your home. Why? Who knows? Oh yes, don't forget that now is a good time to test your baby monitor to listen in on the Buyers. Remember, if you can hear the Buyers then your neighbor can hear you when you go home. Kinda scary, isn't it? What did you say at supper last night about their barking dog?

3. Go to the Mall. When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping. Remember to take your credit card and your cell phone. The former so that you can help the economy and the latter in case your agent calls to ask questions or tell you that there is an offer on your house. Put that credit card away - you are going to need money to decorate your new place.

4. Take a day trip to the beach or a theme park. Again, bring a bucket or basket of food and drinks and your cell phone. You still need to be in contact - just in case. Oh, if you have your kids in tow, don't forget your credit card. You are going to need to buy their good will with all of those trips and nothing stops whining as much as money.

5. Finally, go to your mom's house. You know your mom has to take you in and yes, those cupboards are loaded with food that surely must be just for you, for your and your spouse, for you, your spouse and all of your children. Lucky mom that your house is for sale and you get to grace her with your presence several times a week. Maybe you just want to leave the kids and run to the mall (see #3). If you are good, you will bring back a lunch or supper and a few flowers to show your mom that your consuming $200 worth of her groceries was appreciated. How that woman suffers!!!!

   Seriously, getting out of the house is not always convenient. Don't accept a booking if your child is sick or the flu epidemic has hit your home. Make every attempt to be reasonable. You are trying to sell your most valuable asset.

   While these are tongue in cheek ideas, think of some things that you can do that are cheap, interesting and will take at least an hour such as a walk in the park, a visit to the library or a visit to the zoo. Don't spy. You may see or hear things that make no difference to the sale of your home but for which you will take offense. Who needs to hear strangers commenting on their home? It can be insulting.

   Let the Realtor do their job and the job will get done.

About Team Thomas Realtors:
Bringing people together. Bringing details together: Team Thomas’ full-service approach to real estate. Recognizing the increasing demand for simpler and more efficient home transactions, our Team is committed to providing an unmatched level of service to consumers. With homes in Springfield, Ozark, Nixa and surrounding areas, Murney Associates produces more real estate sales in Southwest Missouri than any other real estate firm. Murney Associates is the largest independent real estate company in Missouri and ranked in the Top 100 in the nation by Real Estate Magazine. View all available listings, view our videos, create your personal search, or call today to talk to a knowledgeable member of the team. Team-Thomas Realtors (417)575-1291

I was on the way home from a conference in St. Louis when I received a text message from family that there was no hot water working in our house.  I was still three hours away from home.  My first thought was, how much this little disaster is going to cost me.

 We’ve been in the home for three months.  The home is only seven years old.  How a hot water heater could go out when it’s only seven years old, I thought.  My husband and I try to make good financial decisions, even though we are certainly not perfect.  We have an emergency savings account.  The savings amount has been precisely calculated so in the event of a disaster we would have what we needed.  We’re prepared for little events such as this, but it’s still hard to part with hard earned money for a lousy hot water heater! Thinking through our finances I suddenly recalled the day of closing for our new house.  In a last minute decision I decided to purchase the HSA Home Warranty package. 

I immediately reached for my cell phone to call HSA Home Warranty Services.  I spoke with a live representative (I purposely wrote live because talking to a machine is really annoying in times like this) who immediately dispatched a plumber.  The plumber called me promptly to let me know when he would be at my house later that day to repair the water heater.

The plumber was prompt and attentive.  He spent time cleaning the system and running several trial and error tests to determine the problem.  Unfortunately in our case, we needed a new hot water heater.  The plumber called HSA Home Warranty while he was in our home to report the problem.  I was so relieved to hear that HSA would pay for the new hot water heater! All I had to do was pay my $75.00 deductible. 

The best part of the story, my husband has referred to me as the Queen all day.  He is so thankful that I made the decision to purchase the HSA Home Warranty. If you’re looking to be the King or Queen of the house, I suggest purchasing the home warranty!

If you have questions about a Home Warranty call your Realtor.  If you don’t have a Realtor call, Team-Thomas at 417-575-1291! A Realtor is very helpful to you in making all the decisions through the home buying and selling process. 

Lots of WOW! Tons of updates in this charming 3 bedroom, 2 bath, ranch style home. Beautiful hardwood floors. LOTS of NEW; new countertops, new appliances, new light fixtures, new storm door and even a new roof. Home is freshly painted inside and ready! Beautiful custom landscaping in front and back, as well as a koi pond. Enjoy all this from the peaceful, covered back patio. Close to all the amenities in this great family neighborhood.

If you like the look of this home be sure to view our additional listing information and view our virtual tour photo slideshow.

Interior

Overview

Room Sizes (approximate)

Features & Equipment

• Floors/carpet
• Floors/hardwood
• Floors/tile
• Shade/Blinds/Shuttr
• Smoke Detector

Exterior

Extras

• Deck
• Deck/covered
• Fence/privacy
• Fence/wood
• Gutters & Downspouts
• Sprinkler/in-ground
• Storm Doors
• Thermopane Windows

Directions

W. Bypass and Mt. Vernon, W. to Kay Pointe, S. on Jonathan, R. on Harrison

Schools

Do you love Kay Pointe Subdivision and all the great amenities it has to offer? View more available homes available in Kay Pointe.

You can also view all of our available Springfield, MO homes or even create your own custom search from the entire MLS system.   We also created a special link that includes all of our available and comparable Springfield, MO homes for sale from $100,000 to $200,000.

Bringing people together. Bringing details together: Team Thomas’ full-service approach to real estate. Recognizing the increasing demand for simpler and more efficient home transactions, our Team is committed to providing an unmatched level of service to consumers. With homes in Springfield, Ozark, Nixa and surrounding areas, Murney Associates produces more real estate sales in Southwest Missouri than any other real estate firm. Murney Associates is the largest independent real estate company in Missouri and ranked in the Top 100 in the nation by Real Estate Magazine. View all of our available listings here, or call today to talk to a knowledgeable member of the team. Team-Thomas Realtors (417)575-1291 View our Videos

Virtual Tour: http://www.agentnation.com/vt/814678/

Perfect setting for this well designed contemporary flair home. Sellers added $15,000 in upgrades which includes granite counter tops, tile, hardware and lighting. Large kitchen open to both a dining room and living room. All the windows give this home a stunning presence. 3 bedrooms upstairs includes the master bedroom plus the two additional bedrooms have a Jack and Jill bathroom. 4th bedroom, bathroom, and an office in downstairs walkout basement. Downstairs also includes full sized wet bar, two living areas and great storage space. Cook smores in the outdoor fireplace while entertaining guests on the large back patio. Gorgeous trees and lots of privacy. Only a few short minutes to 65 Hwy.

Interior

Overview

Room Sizes (Approximate)

Other Rooms

• Bedrm-Mas.(Main Fl)
• Family Rm(Lower Fl)
• Formal Living Room
• Study/Den

Features & Equipment

• Drapes/Curtains-All
• Floors/carpet
• Floor/other wood
• Reserved Items
• Shade/Blinds/Shuttr
• Wet Bar

Exterior

Extras

• Deck
• Patio/covered
• Thermopane Windows

Directions

E. on 60 Hwy, L. on J Hwy to home on the right

Schools

View the Virtual Tour

You won't believe your eyes when you see this home!

New kitchen with granite countertops and hardwood floors.

The master bath is amazing after recent remodel; quartz countertop, jacuzzi tub plus a tiled shower room.

Plantation shutters in master bedroom.

Privacy fenced, beautifully landscaped backyard.

Enclosed sunroom with hot tub! 

New HVAC in 2009.

Interior

Overview

Room Sizes (approximate)

Other Rooms

• Living Areas (2)
• Porch(Encl. Glass)
• Sun Room

Features & Equipment

• Cable TV
• Drapes/Curtains-All
• Floors/carpet
• Floors/hardwood
• Floors/tile
• Reserved Items
• Shade/Blinds/Shuttr
• Other

Exterior

Extras

• Fence/privacy
• Fence/wood
• Gutters & Downspouts
• Outbuilding
• Storm Doors
• Thermopane Windows

Directions

Fort and Sunshine, South to Whiteside, West to Home.

Schools