Tag Archives: Johnson County Real Estate

No Slow Down Present With The Kansas Real Estate Market

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Checking The Pulse Of The Kansas City Real Estate Market


The most recently released real estate market stats (covering the month of November) show the state of Kansas had further improvements in both average sales prices and volume of home sold across the state. The volume of homes sold rose 23.2% in November in comparison to November 2011. This is another big jump that follows up last month’s 20.5% increase in the number of homes sold state-wide in Kansas.

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Average home sale price rose 5.0% compared to November of last year. This jump in home sale prices follows up last month’s 3.8% increase. Comparing November’s sales rate against the volume of homes for sale, there’s 5.4 months of inventory on the market — an improvement on last month’s 5.6 months of inventory. Both calculations represent a balanced real estate market and trending towards a seller’s market. This makes nine straight months that Kansas has been in a balanced market.

Here locally in Johnson County Kansas, the real estate market remains in a seller’s market. In the past 30 days there were 554  homes sold in Johnson County Kansas. Comparing this sales rate against the current volume of homes for sale, there’s 3.7 months of inventory on the market. This is identical to the 3.7 months of inventory at last month’s check. All of this is excellent news for our local real estate market. 


Posted by Jason Brown

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The Rally For Homeownership Across The U.S. Makes It’s Kansas City Stop

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Checking The Pulse Of The Kansas City Real Estate Market

Housing has led the way for every major economic recovery in U.S. history. To be sure our government is not overlooking the importance of housing, there’s a seven city Rally For Homeownership event across the U.S. and it’s making a stop in Kansas City next week. You can play an important role by attending the event next Tuesday 9/25/12 from 11:30am to 1pm. The free event is put on with cooperation of the National Association of Home Builders and as a former president of the KC Home Builder’s Association, my brother Mike Brown is chairman of the event.

Our lawmakers seem to have forgotten that housing generates jobs and stimulates our economy, so the objective of the Rally For Homeownership event is to ensure that our lawmakers DO remember that when they’re making decisions that affect our country’s short-term and long-term future. It’s up to us to remind Congress that Americans value the pride of homeownership, the investment that is homeownership, that owning a home is the American way and that it’s critical for our laws reflect these truths.

Speakers at the event will include Emanuel Cleaver (U.S. Representative), Nick Jordan (Kansas Secretary of Revenue), Kevin Stucker (President of the KC Home Builders Association), Don Reimal (Independence MO Mayor), Dave Lindstrom (Johnson County KS Commissioner) and Chris Koster (Missouri Attorney General).

The initial rally in Columbia South Carolina drew nearly 1000 citizens and spearheaded these additional 7 stops. The location for the Kansas City event is the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum in Independence MO and you can click here for directions. The event lasts 1.5 hours and I hope you’ll attend as this affects anyone who owns a home, hopes to own a home, works in a profession affected by the housing industry as well as anyone who simply cares about the great effect that the housing market has on our country’s economic recovery.


Posted by Jason Brown

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Improving National Home Sale Prices Are More Good News For The Kansas City Real Estate Market

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Checking The Pulse Of The Kansas City Real Estate Market

Across the U.S., home sale prices rose 3.8% in July and further improvement is anticipated when August’s stats are released, according to CoreLogic. The 3.8% improvement in July (compared to July 2011) is the largest yearly increase in more than 6 years. This is more great housing news for homeowners, who are looking to make continued gains in a real estate market that’s still more than 1/4 off 2006 peak values nationally. 

On a side note, it’s interesting to see which U.S. housing markets are doing the best and the states with the largest appreciation the past year are Arizona, Idaho, Utah, South Dakota and Colorado. Arizona is an interesting one on this list since it was one of the five states hit the hardest by the real estate downturn. Home values in Arizona have appreciated an impressive 16% the past year, a figure that’s still down nearly 43% from 2006 peak values.


Posted by Jason Brown

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Are We Nearing The End Of A Buyer’s Real Estate Market In The Kansas City Area?

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Checking The Pulse Of The Kansas City Real Estate Market

If you’ve been following my real estate updates on Kansas City, Johnson County, Overland Park and the surrounding area, you’ve probably noticed that the months of inventory in most areas has been improving for several months now. An improved home sale rate coupled with fewer listings hitting the market has cut the amount of inventory drastically. Just ask one of your friends or family members who’s been out shopping for homes and they’ll probably tell you there’s fewer options than they expected. It’s true that the past several years most buyers had so many options their heads would spin. But that trend has been changing in recent months.

Though home prices have still fallen slightly in the past year, the improved sales rate could be foretelling of what’s on the horizon. Before home sales prices begin an upward climb, an improved sales rate must first be established. Since it takes some time for a home to close and because it can take a while for buyers to comprehend that the market has changed, I think it will take at least 6 months after a recovery has begun before home sales prices follow suit. If we’re at that point now, waiting several months to buy a home could leave a buyer in a much more competitive market.

We’re already seeing some sellers pushing back more than they have in years. When a seller realizes there’s less competition on the market, they’re going to arch their backs more. They’ll begin providing fewer concessions to buyers and holding more firm on their price. A recent Bloomberg survey showed national home sales are at their highest level in two years. If these types of trends continue, it’s likely to lead us straight out of our current buyer’s market and into a balanced real estate market in the near future… And with interest rates sure to rise, there’s going to be a lot of home buyers regretting their missed opportunity.


Posted by Jason Brown

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Improvement In The Home Sales Rate In Kansas Far Outpaces The National Average

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Checking The Pulse Of The Kansas City Real Estate Market


The January real estate market stats have been posted by the Kansas Association of Realtors and they show a much improved sales rate state-wide. Home sales rose an astounding 15.5% in the state compared to January of 2011, far out-pacing the national average of a 0.7% increase. This increase continues the pattern of eating into the high inventory of homes experienced over the past several years in Kansas.

Despite the improving sales rate, the average sales price continues to be affected by the volume of distressed homes (foreclosures, short sales, etc.) on the market. The average sales price in January of this year was $138,180 compared to $144,552 in January 2011. This is a 4.4% decrease in the average home sales price in Kansas. There were 16,090 homes for sale in Kansas at the end of January. Compared against the January sales rate of 1,609 homes sold, that calculates to 10.0 months of inventory on the market.

Locally in Johnson County Kansas, the January stats were more impressive. There were 414 homes sold during the month and comparing that to the roughly 2,800 homes for sale in Johnson County Kansas, there’s 6.8 months of inventory on the market. This indicates a slight buyer’s market in Johnson County Kansas. With the spring market around the corner, we’ll see if the demand for homes outpaces the typical high volume of homes expected during the spring months.


Posted by Jason Brown

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Getting A Home Under Contract Is Great But A Big Speed Bump Could Be Straight Ahead

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Checking The Pulse Of The Kansas City Real Estate Market

If you’re selling your home, it’s easy to get caught up in the euphoria once you get your home under contract. Same goes for home buyers. It’s understandable to feel a sense of accomplishment because you really have achieved a critical step in the real estate process. But while many sellers and buyers will already be envisioning the real estate closing, a real estate agent is focused on something much more pressing… the home inspections.

The inspection process can derail the process quicker than most people realize. That’s why we advise our sellers to hold off on the celebration until we’re through the 10 day inspection process. Our buyer’s agents advise our buyers to do the same. I’ve heard many agents over the years say they dread the inspection process because so many of their deals fall apart at that point. That surprises me because we very rarely have a deal fall apart at the inspection process. The process can be worked through methodically and a resolution achieved that is satisfactory to both buyer and seller.

The formula for success in getting through the inspection process will vary from transaction to transaction, but generally I find there’s 6 key components. The first is having a competent home inspector who is capable and willing to take the time to explain the defects put in their report. The second is having a reasonable buyer who understands that minor items can be fixed on their own. The third is having a good buyer’s agent who who will explain to the buyer that asking for trivial items could lead to winning the battle but losing the war. A buyer’s agent will also be a great resource to help a buyer locate professionals who can take care of minor issues after closing.

The fourth component is having a reasonable seller who understands a home inspector is going to look the home over with a critical eye that the buyer and buyer’s agent aren’t able to do and will uncover things that the seller had no idea was wrong with their home. The fifth competent is having a listing agent who explained to the seller that there WILL be items come up that have to be repaired. This needs explained to the seller BEFORE they sign the contract and go under contract. Otherwise the seller will now feel they are being beat down after the fact. A listing agent can also provide a seller with professionals who can handle repairs at a reasonable price.

The sixth component is having a home that’s in good condition. If the home is in terrible shape, the home inspection process could be very trying for everyone involved. Because even if a buyer limits their requested repairs to mechanical, structural, health and safety issues with the home, the list could get very long if the home is in poor condition and/or has had a lot of deferred maintenance over the years. But even those situations can be overcome in most cases and a satisfactory resolution achieved that keeps the transaction moving on towards the closing… which is what the buyer and seller really wanted when they went under contract.

Posted by Jason Brown

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Kansas Property Tax Collections Are Still Rising Despite Lower Property Values In Many Areas

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Checking The Pulse Of The Kansas City Real Estate Market

More than 1/3 of all property taxes collected in the state of Kansas come from property taxes. In 2010, property taxes accounted for 35% of the taxes collected overall by both state and local governments across Kansas. According to the KS Department of Revenue, taxes increased 94% between the late 1990’s to 2010. These taxes brought in $1.97 billion dollar in tax revenues in 1997 with that figure jumping to $3.8 billion in 2010. Check out the startling trend of rising property taxes compared to inflation rates.

Though the short-term trend in the chart shows more moderate property tax increases since 2008, the Kansas Association of Realtors is concerned that some sort of property tax reform will be required if we are to avoid a continuation of this troubling trend. Should we see a similar doubling of property taxes within the next decade or so, that trend would not benefit hopes for a housing rebound in the near future. It would certainly put more homeowner’s under water and the dream of homeownership out of reach for many more.


Posted by Jason Brown

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Johnson County Kansas Real Estate Update – November 2011

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Checking The Pulse Of The Kansas City Real Estate Market

Real Estate Statistics On Johnson County Kansas
15 Day Glance At The Johnson County KS Real Estate Market

After calculating the absorption rate over the past 15 days in Johnson County Kansas, we find the area has 10.2 months of inventory currently on the market. This amount of inventory is considered a buyer’s market. When we looked at Johnson County’s real estate stats in April, we found 7.1 months of inventory at that time. There’s fewer homes on the market now than there was in April, so the increase can be completely attributed to a slower sales rate — during the past 15 days 167 homes were sold (closed), while during the 15-day period back in April 274 homes sold.

Type # Average $ Avg DOM
Listings Past 15 Days 367 $287,296 –
Total Active Listings 3,499 – –
Newest Contracts Written 264 $238,285 136
Newest Sold (Closed) 167 $254,518 151

* The Average $ of Newest Contracts Written considers the list price when the homes went under contract. Data pulled from Heartland MLS and deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Low samplings in a category can skew results. Stats cover approximately 15 days from post date. DOM = Days On Market.

The average priced new listing to come on the market the past 15 days was in line with the average sales price over the same period. This will provide many Johnson County home buyers with excellent options to consider. The volume of homes that went under contract the past 15 days was an impressive 264 and if all those homes make it closing, it should go a long way towards reducing the months of inventory of homes on the market.

If you are making plans to buy or sell a home in Johnson County Kansas, my group will guide you through the home buying or home selling process. Here’s info on how we can assist you with selling a Johnson County Kansas home and with buying a Johnson County Kansas home.  Please contact us with questions!

Johnson County Kansas Relocation Information

Search Johnson County Kansas Homes For Sale

View Additional Real Estate Stats On Johnson County KS

Our Johnson County Kansas Buyer’s Agent Services

Our Johnson County Kansas Listing Agent Services


Posted by Jason Brown

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Data Indicates There Could Be 4 Million More Foreclosure Listings On The Way

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Checking The Pulse Of The Kansas City Real Estate Market

Property data on distressed properties across the U.S. has been compiled by The McClatchy Company and findings indicate it’s very possible there could be another 4 million distressed properties on the market in the next year or two. If true, that would double the supply of residential real estate on the market and thus double the months of inventory home sellers are up against with selling their homes. It will certainly have an effect on home values across the U.S. and our local real estate market in Kansas City, Johnson County KS, Overland Park and the surrounding areas won’t be immune.

Consider that The McClatchy Company’s analysis finds there’s about 3.5 million homes currently for sale in the U.S. There’s 600,000+ homes currently owned by lenders but NOT yet listed for sale. There’s 2.2 homeowners who are 90+ days late and who HAVE received either an initial foreclosure notice or notice of default. There’s 1.9 million homeowners who are 90+ days late but have NOT yet received a foreclosure notice or notice of default.

Add it all together and that’s how we arrive at the estimate that there could be another 4 million in distressed properties hitting the market in the next year or two. Until the volume of homes for sale, along with the shadow inventory (likely foreclosure listings that are not yet on the market) get in check, it’s likely that the real estate market will remain volatile for at least a year or more. That means a continuation of our current buyer’s real estate market. As long as interest rates remain low, we’re likely to look back in 5, 10, 20… 50 years and find that the next year or two were the best time ever to buy a home.


Posted by Jason Brown

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Kansas City Area Real Estate Market Stats: Comparing Our Current Market To 1 Year Ago

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Checking The Pulse Of The Kansas City Real Estate Market

In comparing September 2011’s market stats to September 2010, we find there’s fewer homes on the market and more homes are selling. This is great news for Kansas City homes sellers as we look to achieve a balanced real estate market not seen for several years in Kansas City. In September of 2010 there were 19,770 homes on the market, while this September that figure dropped to 17,550. In September 2010 there were 1,883 homes Sold (closed) while this September that figure improved to 2,105 homes Sold.


These figures calculate to an improvement from 10.5 months of inventory on the market last year to 8.3 months of inventory on the market this September. 5 to 7 months of inventory is considered to be a balanced real estate market, not necessarily favoring Kansas City home buyers or home sellers. Shaving off more than two months of inventory the past year goes a long way towards stabilizing home prices.

Once the glut of distressed foreclosure and short sale listings slows, the months of inventory could get back below the 7 month range. When this happens, we’ll likely be well on our way to a real estate recovery and home buyers will find it unlikely to find the great deals available in today’s market and with today’s 30-year fixed interest rates that are in the 3’s.


Posted by Jason Brown

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