Welcome to Kansas City Homes & Style fourth annual Real Estate Executives, a special issue showcasing hometown real estate agents and teams in the Kansas City area. Turn the pages and meet the people who can make buying or selling your home a reality. Read their stories and learn more about these talented individuals.
Contributing Writer: Ann E. Butenas | Contributing Photographers: Matthew Anderson, Tom Barnhart, Matt Kocourek and Strauss Peyton
Click on the cover to read the digital edition or select a real estate agent/team below and read their story.
Wendy Foil Team: ReeceNichols Real Estate
Becky Harper: Keller Williams Partners
Lambie & Associates: Keller Williams Realty
Speedway Realty, LLC: Diana Bryan-Smith
Artful Purpose Design & Real Estate: ReeceNichols Real Estate
Suma Design & Construction and Chapel Hill: Mark Sumada and Bill Gerue
Sharon G. Aubuchon: RE/MAX Premier Realty
The Hayhow Group: Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate
Finding the Right Hometown Realtor
Whether buying or selling a home, there are ways to determine an agent’s potential, as well as credentials.
As you drive about town, you undoubtedly will see a variety of yard signs with real estate agents’ names and photos on them. You may see ads in magazines, such as this one, for Realtors or the listings they are promoting. You are probably inundated with a variety of contact information for multiple agents in your area. But how do you determine which one is the right one for you and your needs?
If you are thinking of selling your home and/or purchasing a new one, you probably have thousands of questions running through your mind. Getting your current home ready to sell, determining its asking price and setting out to find a new home in which to live. Simple on the surface, these are all daunting tasks, and flying solo through them may land you in unchartered territory. That is why it is vital to your success to partner with a trusted, reliable, honest and knowledge industry expert who is a licensed professional and who has the tools to maximize your home value, dive into the negotiations, and thoroughly prepare all of the requisite paperwork, leaving you the time and peace of mind to prepare for the next phase of your life.
Here are a few tips to consider when choosing the Realtor who can assist you in your journey.
- Speak with recent clients of the agent you are considering.
- Inquire about any professional awards the agent may have received.
- Check the agent’s credentials, licenses and any disciplinary actions.
- Find out how much experience the agent has.
- Research the agent’s current listings.
- Gauge the agent’s knowledge of the area.
A few other items to consider when choosing an agent:
How will the agent market my property?
Kansas City Realtors have access to large networks of buyers and sellers (including MLS). This helps connect you with people that are interested in your property as well as people selling what could be your dream home. Being able to make known what you have for sale and what you expect to as many people as possible makes it easier to find a buyer. Agents also use their networking skills to connect you to those selling their home, allowing you to find a place you will love.
How will the agent stage the property for the fastest sale and the best price?
There is nothing worse than the limbo of a house for sale with little attention from buyers. A major factor in deciding whether to buy a house is first impressions, which can be difficult to gauge for prospective buyers. Realtors know what people want when it comes to homes and can help you get it set up to appeal to a wide range of people.
Is the agent knowledgeable and thorough with all of the negotiations and paperwork?
Selling a home is a big job, and there are a lot of things to keep track of and a lot of contracts and forms to fill out. Knowing all the ins and outs of the industry is a Realtor’s job. When you work with an agent, he or she should be able to handle all of the tricky negotiating and complete all of the tedious paperwork for you.
We would like to introduce you to 8 Realtors who make up our 2018 Hometown Realtors. These talented people pour their hearts and souls into finding you the perfect place to live. Turn the pages and meet them, become inspired with their stories and let them help you find the home of your dreams.
