Blogs

Consumer Guide: Pricing Your Home

By Brittany Rhoades posted 2 days ago
From NAR Pricing a home right is key to attracting buyers and closing deals efficiently. The NAR Consumer Guide to Pricing Your Home breaks down the factors that influence pricing and helps set realistic expectations for sellers. Key Factors in Pricing a Home: Property Features: Size, location, condition, and amenities all impact value. Market Conditions: Supply, demand, and interest rates affect pricing strategy. Comparable Sales: Recent sales of similar homes help determine a competitive price. What It Means for REALTORS®: Strategic Pricing: A well-priced home sells faster and attracts serious buyers. Client Education: Helping sellers ...

NAR Real Estate Forecast Summit on March 21

By Brittany Rhoades posted 2 days ago
The NAR Real Estate Forecast Summit brings top economists and industry experts together to analyze market trends, home prices, mortgage rates, and economic influences. Attend this virtual event on March 21 st and gain valuable insights to navigate the year ahead in residential and commercial real estate. READ MORE

Showcase Your Value as a REALTOR® with this Customizable Graphic

By Brittany Rhoades posted 3 days ago
We’ve created a consumer-facing graphic showcasing The Value of a REALTOR® with a blank space for your logo. Use this to reinforce your expertise and professionalism with your clients. Add your logo Share on social media, your website, or in marketing materials Show consumers why working with a REALTOR ® makes all the difference Click here to download the pdf: https://kansasrealtor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Ways-it-pays-to-work-with-realtor.pdf If you’d like to see additional graphics or content in the future, let us know—we’re always looking for ways to support your marketing efforts.

Flashback to 1995 in the Housing Market vs Today

By Brittany Rhoades posted 9 days ago
From NAR The real estate market in 1995? Think lower prices, higher interest rates, and plenty of first-time buyers. Fast forward to today, and it's a whole different ballgame. Key Changes: Inventory: 1995 had 1.58M single-family homes for sale (4.8-month supply); in 2024, only 1M homes (3.7-month supply). Home Prices: Median sales price was $114.6K in 1995 ($241K adjusted for inflation) vs. $407.5K in 2024. Mortgage Rates: 7.93% in 1995 vs. 6.72% in 2024. First-Time Buyers: 42% in 1995 (median age 31) vs. 24% in 2024 (median age 38). What It Means for REALTORS®: Low Inventory: More networking and sourcing strategies are key. ...

Help Clients Navigate Mortgages

By Brittany Rhoades posted 10 days ago
From NAR NAR’s Consumer Guide to Mortgages and Financing helps homebuyers navigate their loan options and understand key factors affecting their purchase. Key Mortgage Types: Conventional Loans: Require higher credit scores and down payments. FHA Loans: Government-backed option for buyers with lower credit and smaller down payments. VA Loans: Exclusive to eligible veterans and active-duty service members, often with no down payment. Factors That Impact Financing: Credit Score & Debt-to-Income Ratio: Affect loan eligibility and interest rates. Down Payment: Larger payments can improve loan terms. Employment History: ...

Market Stats - January 2025

By Brittany Rhoades posted 12 days ago
“The spring market is off to a strong start, with sales up year-over-year in most markets across the state,” said KAR president Jamie Sauder with with Coldwell Banker Emporia Real Estate in Emporia. January 2025 Market Highlights Home sales in Kansas rose 7.0% in January 2025 compared to the same period last year. National sales rose with sales rising 2.0% over 2024. Home prices continue to increase across the state. The statewide average sale price in January was $299,768 a 9.0% increase compared to last year. Midwest prices rose 7.2% and US prices rose by 4.8%. Mortgage rates decreased slightly. The national average commitment rate on 30-year conventional ...

"Serve, Lead, Succeed: How NAR Committee Involvement Can Transform Your Career"

By Brittany Rhoades posted 12 days ago
Wednesday, March 19 @ 1 p.m. This fun and interactive webinar will demystify the NAR committee application process while highlighting the personal and professional rewards of getting involved. Attendees will learn: 🎯 How to craft a standout application 🌟 The hidden benefits of committee service (from networking to leadership growth) 🤝 Success stories from REALTORS® who turned service into career opportunities 📅 Key deadlines and tips to maximize their chances of selection 💵 Support from KAR for those wanting to take the leap Registration: https://kansasrealtor.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RrCcNghATPe6d_ZxuOYZ4Q With a mix ...

The Rise of Single Women Home Buyers: Key Trends and Insights

By Brittany Rhoades posted 16 days ago
From NAR Single women have been a growing force in the housing market for decades, and today they make up about 20% of all home buyers—double the percentage of single men. What You Should Know: They’re Experienced and Goal-Oriented – The median age of single women for first-time buyers is 40, and many are looking for long-term stability and financial security through homeownership. They Buy on a Budget – On average, they earn less than single men and tend to purchase homes at slightly lower price points. Affordability is a major factor in their decisions. They Face More Challenges – Higher mortgage rates and potential lending hurdles mean ...

Privacy Tips to Share with Clients Using Voice Assistants

By Brittany Rhoades posted 16 days ago
From NAR Smart home tech is everywhere, and voice assistants are a big part of it. But with convenience comes privacy concerns—something clients might not think about. Key Tips to Share: Check Privacy Settings: Help clients adjust settings to limit data collection. Manage Recordings: Encourage them to review and delete stored voice data. Know the Policies: Different devices handle data differently—clients should be aware. A quick conversation about privacy can go a long way in building trust and showing the value of a REALTOR® beyond the transaction. READ MORE

Understanding Property Taxes: What Homeowners Need to Know

By Brittany Rhoades posted 17 days ago
From NAR NAR offers a consumer guide on property taxes, explaining their role in funding local services and their impact on homeowners. Key Points: Purpose of Property Taxes: Property taxes fund essential local services such as law enforcement, fire departments, and education. Calculation Factors: Taxes are based on a property's assessed value, with rates varying by location and influenced by factors like home size, location, and market conditions. Tax Variations: Property tax rates differ across states and municipalities, affecting the overall cost of homeownership. Understanding property taxes is crucial for homeowners to manage ...

Streamline Rentals and Close Deals Faster

By Brittany Rhoades posted 19 days ago
Rental Beast’s Apply Now is an online rental application and tenant screening tool designed to speed up transactions for real estate professionals. As a KAR member benefit, it helps agents streamline the rental process and close deals faster. Data shows "Apply Now" reduces median days on market from 25 to 19 days, renting properties 24% faster. Key Benefits: Faster Transactions: Prospective renters can submit applications instantly. Better Client Satisfaction: Quicker rentals keep property owners and managers happy. Increased Exposure: Listings with Apply Now get more visibility on Realtor.com and RPR. READ MORE

Expert Real Estate Guidance Shines in Season 5 of "First-Time Buyer"

By Brittany Rhoades posted 23 days ago
From NAR NAR’s "First-Time Buyer" returns for Season 5, featuring real-life homebuyers navigating the market with expert REALTOR® guidance. Episodes cover challenges like bidding wars, inspections, and budgeting, highlighting the value of professional real estate support. READ MORE

Consumer Guide: Pricing Your Home

By Brittany Rhoades posted 23 days ago
From NAR The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) provides a guide on factors influencing home pricing. Key considerations include: Home Characteristics: Size, location, amenities, and condition. Market Conditions: Current supply and demand, interest rates, and economic factors. Comparable Sales: Prices of recently sold similar properties in the area. Understanding these elements can help sellers set a competitive and realistic listing price. READ MORE

Webinar: "Mastering the Rental Market: A Game-Changer for Real Estate Agents"

By Brittany Rhoades posted 23 days ago
Discover the untapped power of rentals in our free webinar with J. R. Alexandre . Learn how to diversify income, grow your client pipeline, and target affluent renters for long-term success. Registration Link: https://go.rentalbeast.com/RESFebruary262025RegistrationPage.html Date: Wednesday, February 26th Time: 2:00pm EST Speaker: J. R. Alexandre, Global Real Estate Advisor, ΓEA ⅃

REALTORS® Give Back at Winter Advocacy Conference

By Brittany Rhoades posted 23 days ago
REALTORS® came together at the 2025 Winter Advocacy Conference to donate an impressive 607 pounds of food to Harvesters and the Food Recovery Network, helping provide meals for families in need. A special shoutout to Thomas Howe of Lawrence for leading the Harvesters food drive, which collected 549 pounds of food. Attendees also donated $117, allowing the purchase of 25 packages of meat for the pantry. Additionally, the Food Recovery Network partnered with the DoubleTree to recover 33 pounds of surplus food, including sandwiches and lunch kits. Thank you to everyone who contributed—your generosity is making a real difference!

Kansas Housing Market Stats – December 2024

By Brittany Rhoades posted 01-30-2025
“The strong sales in December meant that home sales activity for 2024 was up 0.3 percent compared to 2023,” said KAR president Jamie Sauder with Coldwell Banker Emporia Real Estate in Emporia. “For all of 2024, median sale prices were up 6.1 percent and total sales volume was up 5.6 percent compared to the prior year.” December 2024 Market Highlights Home sales in Kansas rose 10.2% in December 2024 compared to the same period last year. National sales rose with sales rising 9.3% over 2023. Home prices continue to increase across the state. The statewide average sale price in December was $321,914 a 10.2% increase compared to last year. Midwest prices ...

Consumer Guide: The Basics of Multiple Listing Services (MLS) in Real Estate

By Brittany Rhoades posted 01-30-2025
From NAR NAR offers a guide on Multiple Listing Services (MLS), explaining how they help real estate professionals access and share property listings across brokerages. MLSs centralize data to ensure accuracy and transparency, allowing agents to provide clients with up-to-date market information and better service. Key Points: Centralized Database: MLSs provide a platform for agents to share listings. Accurate Data: They ensure up-to-date and reliable property information. Client Benefits: MLSs help agents find the best options for clients quickly. READ MORE

KAR Welcomes Ana Mendonca as New Education Director

By Brittany Rhoades posted 01-30-2025
We are excited to announce that Ana Mendonca will be joining the Kansas Association of REALTORS® as our new Education Director! Ana brings over 20 years of experience in educational innovation and nonprofit management, with a background spanning academic and corporate settings. Originally from Brazil, Ana has led large-scale learning initiatives both internationally and here in the U.S., bringing a global perspective to education and professional development. She holds advanced degrees in education and business, including a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Kansas State University. Ana officially starts on February 10, but we’re thrilled that she will ...

Embracing 2025 Tech Trends: Transforming Your Real Estate Business

By Brittany Rhoades posted 01-30-2025
In 2025, several technological advancements are set to transform the real estate industry: Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is enhancing lead generation by providing agents with tools to identify and engage potential clients more effectively. Augmented Reality (AR): AR, combined with generative AI, allows real estate professionals to market and show properties in more sophisticated ways, offering clients immersive property experiences. Smart Home Technology: The increasing demand for homes equipped with Internet of Things (IoT) devices is reshaping buyer expectations, as these technologies enhance living experiences and offer greater control over ...

Trump’s Executive Order Addresses Housing Affordability and Supply Crisis

By Brittany Rhoades posted 01-23-2025
From NAR The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) commended President Trump's executive order aimed at addressing the housing affordability and supply crisis. NAR highlighted the importance of increasing housing supply, which is a major factor driving costs and limiting first-time buyers' access to homeownership. The association also emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to focus on property rights, affordability, and accessibility to help stimulate the economy and enable more Americans to build wealth. NAR looks forward to collaborating with the Administration on implementing these steps. READ MORE