The technology plans is to give students digital content as interactive software, applications and website as a supplement to more the traditional sources. Plus they are intending to do some replacement of technology to keep pace with today's technology.  

Blue Valley school district projecting the cost of a homeowner of a $250,000 property, will be approximately $75 year.

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (913) 312-3614 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.

If you, friends, relatives, or colleagues are considering buying or selling a home, condo, or land, please consider contacting Cindy for assistance in your search. Cindy coverage area includes: Overland Park, Leawood, Olathe, Stilwell, Prairie Village, Lenexa, Shawnee, Fairway, Mission, Roeland Park.  We also offer a complimentary referral service, called "Anywhere Agents," to assist folks who are looking to buy or sell outside our coverage area, including international locations. We will interview prospective agents in the area(s) you or a family member are considering to assure you get the most knowledgeable Real Estate Professional to assist in your home buying/selling needs.

Kansas City does have some incredible attractions now!  This coming July 2012 - Kansas City will be hosting the All Star Baseball game!  That's going to be huge boast! Of course now the Wizards have an incredible stadium out by the Legends! LiveStrong Stadium holds 18,000 guest for the soccer games.  There's plenty of shopping and dining at the Legends! Cabela's, Nebraska Furniture Mart, all the outlet stores & Schlitterbahn for family fun!  Of course NASCAR!

Plus everyone knows about the new Kauffman Performing Art Center!  What an incredible theatre!  It is the best in the world - right here in Kansas City!   It's home to the KC Symphony, the KC Ballet and the Lyric Opera!  So plenty of fabulous, world class entertainment!

The Sprint Center holds so many wonderful concerts all within the Power and Light District! Of course there is the Country Club Plaza for shopping and dining. 

This is just a few of the attractions in metro Kansas City!  So stop by and enjoy our city!  We love all the amenties that are here!

Your ship has come in, and, like TV’s “ The Jeffersons” back in the day, it’s time to “move on up” to the better life. But where can one go when they have the freedom to choose where they wish to live and the money to pay for it?  For many the answer can be found in Johnson County, Kansas which is listed as one of the most affluent areas in the United States. Its most populous city, Overland Park, was ranked 7^th by Money magazine in their 100 Best Cities in the United States survey. Johnson County has the highest per-capita income as well as highest median household income in the state of Kansas. So for the buyer wishing to move up in the world, Johnson County should make the list of places to go.

Johnson County Housing Statistics

The availability of quality education, transportation, and proximity to Kansas City makes Johnson County one of the best places to live in the country. While it has been hit by the recent upheaval in the housing markets, like much of the nation, Johnson County continues to be an attractive place to buy a home.

Currently there is a good supply of younger homes to meet the seasonal demand. While the amount of newly listed homes is low, the average days on the market shows homes are moving quickly, a good indicator of the quality of the homes involved. However, most sellers begin to list their houses in the spring so the current housing market and Johnson County home trends are not as active as they will be in a few months. Comparing 2010 with 2011, here are some key data points: The number of properties sold was down 6% while properties listed for sale were down by 15%. The good news is that the average number of days on the market for homes in 2011 was down 3% over 2010.

Real Estate Trends

Like much of the country, Johnson County has seen a decline in many sectors of the housing market over the last twelve months. However the drop in home prices and number of days on the market show how quality homes of the area are still being snapped up by smart buyers.

That the supply of homes has remained constant over the last year is a good sign the area is capable of sustaining growth even in this troubling economy. As economic indicators continue to improve, it is reasonable to believe that spring will bring more potential sellers into the market. However, with the prices down from a few years ago, now is an excellent time to shop for that dream home in Johnson County, Kansas!

Christmas is in the air!!!

We're now into December and Christmas is almost upon us!  One of the most cherished things is the wonderful music of Christmas!  This year the Kansas City Symphony has some spectular programs for us.  The last several years the Kansas City Symphony have had chamber music shows during the holiday season.  But this year the symphony is doing something different to help celebrate the opening of the new Kauffman Center!  The Kansas City Symphony has planned their Christmas Festival on Dec 16-18th! They'll be playing the songs of the season!!!   The Symphony Chorus will be there also!  Which will make the concert extra special!!  Friday Dec 16th there will be 1 event, on Saturday and Sunday will have 2 concerts!  Plus a special visit from Santa at each concert!  Take in a couple of hours of fabulous holiday music!!  Ticket range from $25-75 depending on availability.

This weekend  - the Kansas City Ballet opens for the Nutcracker Performance Dec 3 -24th!  It should be awesome on the new stage at the Kauffman Center!  Make sure you get a chance to see this majical Tchaikovsky’s music!

Enjoy the Christmas Season!!!

Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City MO is having several holiday concerts! The William Baker Festival Singers the weekend of Dec 15-18th. Plus the Messiah - annual sing along!  

Also the KC Symphony - has the upcoming concerts the weekend of Dec 16-18th! They will be presenting their Christmas Festival with the Chorus for the music of the season!!  Another fabulous event not to miss! 

Everyone knows about the Christmas Carol at the Repertory Theatre!   That is an annual event which is fabulous too!

Of course the Mayor Christmas Tree down at Crown Center - was so much fun to be at for the opening ceremony!  The biggest attraction is the Plaza lighting on Thanksgiving evening!  What a way enjoy the holidays - to be in the Plaza during the holidays but when they turn on the lights - it's magic!!!

This week - Roeland Park - having their ceremony tonight - Nov 29th at 6 pm at Sweany Park at Neosho and Wells!  They'll have Christmas carolers and more!  Roeland Park is having a special visit from Santa! Breakfast with Santa at the Roeland Park Community Center Dec 3rd, 8:30-10:30 am! $5 per person! RSVP/reservations

Lenexa - Old Town is lighting up!  Their event on Dec 2 at 6:30 pm at the Lenexa Community Center! They'll have school choir performances & Santa is coming!!  He'll be showing up for photos and listening to the kids wishes!  He's anticipated to arrive around 6:45 pm!!!  

Olathe is doing their Winterfest - Lighting of the Christmas tree Dec 2nd at 5:30 pm.  On hand will be several of the Olathe school choirs, ice sculpeting, sale of christmas ornaments - with the proceeds going to local charities, Santa will arrive and so much more! 

Don't forget - the local Christmas Tree farms!  What a way to make memories!! Getting your tree with a cup of hot chocolate!

So come on out and enjoy the festivities!  There's so much to do and enjoy here! 

Merry Christmas!!!!

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (913) 312-3614 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.

If you, friends, relatives, or colleagues are considering buying or selling a home, condo, or land, please consider contacting Cindy for assistance in your search. Cindy coverage area includes: Overland Park, Leawood, Olathe, Stilwell, Prairie Village, Lenexa, Shawnee, Fairway, Mission, Roeland Park.  We also offer a complimentary referral service, called "Anywhere Agents," to assist folks who are looking to buy or sell outside our coverage area, including international locations. We will interview prospective agents in the area(s) you or a family member are considering to assure you get the most knowledgeable Real Estate Professional to assist in your home buying/selling needs.

If you want to learn more about selling your home visit: http://www.kansascityrealestatevalue.com/
If you want to get our 450 ways to sell your home fast visit: http://www.cindydteam.com/450-ways-to-sell-your-home-faster

View our Videos: anything from short clips on cities, interviews with appraisors, home warranty representatives & more!

Considering buying or selling a home, condo, or land, please consider contacting Cindy for assistance in your search. Cindy's coverage area includes: Johnson County, Overland Park, Leawood, Stilwell, Olathe, Lenexa, Shawnee, Fairway, Prairie Village, Northeast Johnson County, Kansas City & others!   We also offer a complimentary referral service, called "Agents Across the World," to assist folks who are looking to buy or sell outside our coverage area, including international locations. Cindy is in several networking groups & ReMax International.  We will interview prospective agents in the area(s) you or a family member are considering to assure you get the most knowledgeable Real Estate Professional to assist their home purchase or sale.  Let us know how we can help!

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (913) 312-3614 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.

All you have to remember are your ABCs:

Add insulation to your attic:
Heat travels up, so keeping your attic properly insulated is an easy way to keep more heat from escaping your home. You should have a minimum one foot of insulation, no matter how cold it gets.

Bundle up your pipes:
You can pick up pre-molded foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation from your local hardware store and wrap up any pipes that aren’t already. Also, drain your garden hoses, and shut off your garden spigots.

Clean out your chimney:
Make sure to call your local chimney sweep well before the season begins, as they get booked up quickly. Also, consider investing in a chimney cap to keep obstructions from entering your chimney in the first place.

Detect and prevent drafts:
Seal up drafts with weather stripping, and replace any cracked windows, since a great deal of heat is lost through them. Investing in door sweeps is also an inexpensive way to save money on your heating bill.

Enhance air duct performance:
What good is central heating if the warm air is not properly circulated? Check your air ducts for pinches, as air can escape there, making your heating system less efficient. And, for air flow and cleaner air, it’s always a good idea to have ducts cleaned.

Free up your gutters:
Clogged gutters can cause water to back up and freeze. Once the leaves have stopped falling, and before winter really sets in, clean them out. While you’re up there, make sure there is no debris on the roof.

Gear up your furnace:
Make sure your furnace is in proper working order. An annual tune-up and cleaning is advised. At the very least, make sure to change furnace filters frequently throughout the winter.

Head for your alarms:
As you begin to use your fireplace and furnace more, it’s critical that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order. Give them a quick test!

Every homeowner should winterize for safety and comfort. However, owners leaving their homes vacant for long periods of time, due to vacationing or selling their home, should especially winterize, as problems may not be detected as quickly.

The KC Zoo is the winner from yesterday!  The voters in Jackson & Clay counties were out to support our Kansas City Zoo!  A 1/8 cent sales tax was passed to support the zoo.  This will be the first ever for the zoo to have a steady stream of income!  This will continue to help expand our facilities & exhibits. As an example in 2004, the voters passed a bond issue to bring pack the polar bears!  They did!!  Look at the cool exhibit there that is now open year round with outdoor and indoor facilities for the polar bears.  There is a 140,000 gallon pool that is climate controlled with multiple viewing angles!   Ask any kid who has been there recently - they unanimously agree that the polar bear exhibit is terrific!  The talk is now adding penquins back to the zoo with this new passage for income!  Look for some great changes in the future to making our zoo a great place to visit!!  Plus the Jackson County and Clay county residents now will get a discount tickets to get in to the zoo since they have passed the sale tax.

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (913) 312-3614 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.

In Artworks, children explore their artistic side in a tour de force of self-expression. With an abundance of materials, there is virtually no limit to what they can create. As you might imagine, H2Oh! is all about water—how it flows and where it goes. Children can experiment with the buoyancy of different objects, how water pressure affects squirting distance, and how to change the direction of flow. Similarly, Amazing Airways harnesses the invisible wonder of air in its huge network of complex air tubes. Raceways gives children the opportunity to experiment with the properties of gravity, speed and centrifugal force, all cleverly disguised as games like Loop the Loop and Roller Coaster. These are just a few of the many exhibits housed at Wonderscope.

Additionally, Wonderscope hosts numerous special events and programs throughout the year, such as Sand in the City, a sand sculpting contest that annually transforms the Wonderscope parking lot into a beach with 350 tons of sand.

So, bring the whole family and see for yourself the Wonderscope way of playing to learn! Keep in mind, there is a discount rate for groups, so think of Wonderscope first for birthday parties, field trips and other special events. And don’t forget to check out the calendar of upcoming events.

Wonderscope is open Tuesday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m.  to 4:00 p.m.; Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Admission for children 3 years old to 63 years young is $7. For additional information about admission, click here.

In an effort to save this culturally and ecologically significant vegetation, the Nature Conservancy established the preserve in 1996, hoping to allow tourists to enjoy this magnificent natural relic, while protecting it for generations to come. In 2009, The Nature Conservancy brought in a small herd of bison to live in the Preserve, restoring yet another species impacted by our ancestors. Since then, the bison have thrived and grown in number, with the third generation of bison calves being born this past spring. The bison are a popular fixture in the preserve, as they are the largest land animal in North America today. Also on the preserve are a historic ranch house, barn, and schoolhouse, complete with self-guided tours.

As the United States’ second newest national preserve to be established, Tallgrass Prairie is in the developmental stage, with its visitor center and other accommodations still under construction. However, you can hike any of the three trails in the preserve: the Southwind Nature Trail, the Bottomland Trial, and the Fox Creek Trail. Each trail supplies hikers with grand views of the vast tallgrass, Flint Mountains and Fox Creek.

During the summer months group tours are also available, in which visitors can learn about many of the 700+ species of plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals that call Tallgrass Prairie home.  A great day trip from Kansas City!

We al l know that having a wonderful bathroom changes the whole feel of home!  We all love the chic style because normally that is the room that will lack style of it's own. But doing some updates can make a huge difference.  Several years ago - I took a bath in the home made it look so different! An updated feel to it!  We took on a big project to get new tile, and then do some different things.  Today in many of the homes - you'll find that they border the mirror with a wood trim!  Which gives that flat mirror a bold look.  But I decided to do something different. I thought if I'd spend a few more dollars and purchase some extra special tile that was long & narrow with a unique styling to it.  I trimmed out the mirror with that tile! WOW! What a difference!  That mirror popped and looked like a frame mirror and not a fixed one on the wall!  Of course - tile is not an easy project.  But again - I wanted this smaller bath to have some details. On the tile project, I took the 14" square tiles and did the walls and floors to match  But - I added a little pizazz.  I did it by taking the tile placing 2 as diamond shapes on the wall and bordered it with smaller 2" tile to match in color! Now - I've taken a typical square tile and added a new dimension to it.  Plus I mirrored that same pattern in the shower on the floor.  So both areas of tile have some design to it!  You don't have to go to such a dramtic project to make changes to the bath. Especially if you are considering to putting the home for sale in Johnson County.  There are so many things that don't cost nearly as much.  Changing out items can make a huge impact!

• mirror
• new faucets
• towel bars
• light fixtures
• towels & rugs
• paint
• new accent pieces on the cabinets

I had noticed in the Kansas City Home and Garden site and the HGTV site also had some great ideas on the latest trends for the bath.  Before you go to spending more than necessary to update a room, give us a call - we can help you with some tips on which ones will give you a better pay back on return for the money!  Plus I have the Remodelers Magazine Cost vs Value Remodeling Projects in the Midwest availabe for you!

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (913) 312-3614 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.

Before you can begin carving, though, you have to get out and find your pumpkin; and there are plenty of local farms with pumpkin patches for just such as thing. You'll also want to plan ahead and keep these tips in mind before cutting open that pumpkin.  Of course - Worlds of Fun is having their annual Howl-O-Fest!  Go to our page and get discounted tickets if you are planning on going!

• Safety first!
  • Do NOT let young children use a knife.
  • When carving, keep your hands away from the direction of the knife.
  • Use a sawing motion; never "force" the knife through the pumpkin.
  • Pumpkin carving knives are highly recommended.
  • For indoor pumpkins it is recommended to use battery operated lights inside your jack-o-lantern.
• Select the design you'd like to carve.
• Be sure to pick a design that matches your pumpkin's shape and size.
• Transfer the design to the pumpkin.
  • Poking small holes into the pumpkin where the design will be is a great idea.
• Start carving from the middle of the design working your way out.
  • As you remove pieces of the pumpkin it becomes weaker.
• Take your time!
  • This may be your most important step.
  • It's important to understand that quality pumpkin carving takes time, so don't rush.
• To prolong the life of the jack-o'-lantern, seal in moisture by coating all cut surfaces with petroleum jelly or vegetable oil, or cover it with a damp towel when not on display.

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (913) 312-3614 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.

• Location:  We always here the old verbage - Location Location Location!  It does mean so much!! You can always make a change to the interior & exterior of your home - but you can't move the house to a new location! Is it inside the subdivision or along the edge?  what's around the home?  Proximity to amenties?
• Curb Appeal:  Does the outside of the home entice you to come inside and call it home?  Does it reflect your lifestyle?  
• Size and Floorplan: We all want the most amount of home for the money. But you need to consider, where do you spend the most time?  Does it fit your needs?  Do you like all the bedrooms upstairs away from the family activities?  Do you enjoy using the outdoors as extra living space?  Or is a finish basement really helpful?   Put together a needs and want list. It's a great place to start to help you begin to pinpoint the important features to you!
• Windows and Lighting:  We all love "letting in the sunshine".  It actually makes the home feel larger.  Look at each room - how many windows are there?  Do you like the placement of the windows?  Is there plenty of wall space for furniture.
• Closets:  Is there enough room for your needs? 
• Kitchen:  It's one of the most important rooms of the home!  Everyone wants an awesome kitchen! Awesome is different to everyone!  Consider the space and updating that is there!
• Special touches:  We all know that details and key features of a home is what helps makes it special.  So look to see if there is something that stands out! Decorating to your taste can make a home special.  Just remember every home can use a little change - updating, touch up - becaiuse it's an ongoing process.  But that is one of the special things that makes a house a home!  Your touch & personality! 

Hopefully these tips will help you get started! Let us know if we can help educate you on the homes for sale in Johnson County and find that dream home! 

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (913) 312-3614 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.

As a Real Estate agent here in Kansas city metro, I enjoy meeting new people and also those I know.  Whether it’s those interested in buying or selling a home in kansas City, Overland Park, Leawood, or other local business owners - getting out in the community and making connections is one of the aspects of my job I thoroughly enjoy. But I truly enjoy helping the community in many way!  As many of you know - I have been teaching first time home buyer classes at Johnson County Community College now since 1991.  It's one of my community service aspects!  I find it fun and enjoyable to help others in educating them about the real estate apects of the market.  But two years ago - in 2010, I took on a new fun adventure!  It's called ReBARCAMP KC.  It's a real estate event that is put together on a non-conventional conference. It's more of a discussion of technology!  2010 was the first year we had one here in KC and I had co-chaired the program!  And what fun!!!  It was such a huge success!  We took the project on again this year - Sept 29,2011.  We had over 250 attendees show up to have a day of sharing of how to use some of the latest technology especially in the real estate field!  It was a blast!!  We all learned something but we also all gave something too! (This is one way, I help keep myself updated in the latest technology to use and help my clients with the real estate needs.) Once the bills are all paid, accounting and budget is balanced for the day, we'll be making a donation to Harvestors!  Last year (2010) we gave over $700 to Harvestors and over 50 meals to City Union Mission!!  We're hoping to do the same!  We'll keep you posted!!

If you're searching or selling a home in Overland Park/Johnson County, the Cindy D team makes it easy for you!! This FREE, NO-OBLIGATION service can help you find the home of your dreams! Simply visit http://www.cindydteam and - go to the search for homes tab, fill out the form to start your auto-email home search today! It's just that easy! The Cindy D Team is always willing to help and will always respect your privacy; we leave it up to you to contact US when you're ready to buy or sell in the Leawood, Overland Park area.

Don't forget, there are a few racers with local ties: Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer and Jamie McMurray. Carl Edwards is in the thick of the Chase for the Sprint Cup as one of the leaders.

This weekend's schedule is as follows:

• OReilly Auto Parts Qualifying & Kansas Lottery 98.9 (ARCA race) - October 7, 2011
• NASCAR Nationwide Series - October 8, 2011
• NASCAR Sprint Cup Series - October 9, 2011

If you haven't puchaed your ticket yet, be sure to do so by calling 866-460-RACE (7223) or by visiting www.kansasspeedway.com.

Kansas Speedway is located at 400 Speedway Blvd., Kansas City, Kansas 66111