Come join us today on For the Love of Real Estate as we chat with Mike Conners, a realtor based in Kansas City and the author of the book, Things You Didn't Know You Didn't Know About Real Estate. We won't be sharing your typical, knowledge-based concepts in this podcast. Instead, get ready to have fun as Mike and Jill share their craziest stories about showing homes to clients. From birds and pigs to ghosts, some houses have it all. But don't let that scare you away from your home shopping journey! Tune in for a hilarious episode that you won't want to miss. 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [01:50] Mike tells of a house with many different animals inside and an odor outside 
• [07:45] Jill shares her story of a home that reminded her of Amityville Horror  
• [09:58] What were some of the “weird” feelings the house was “expressing.” 
• [12:48] Being attacked by an animal while showing a house and someone needing stitches 
• [17:11] Sellers not admitting there are raccoons in the house 
• [21:07] Mike shares his haunted listing story 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Not all showings of houses are the Better Homes and Gardens dream homes. Some are downright scary. 
• People don’t all live the same.  Some of us are neat freaks; some live with ghosts and don’t seem to mind. 
• If you are considering getting your real estate license, you will enjoy this podcast. However, there is information here you won’t find in your training. 

RESOURCE LINKS: 

Jill Elliott Homes - Website 

For the Love of Real Estate Website 

Mike Conners - Website 

Mike Conners - Facebook 

ReeceNichols - Website 

BIOGRAPHY: 

Mike Conners has lived in Kansas City for the past 25 years. Before becoming a real estate agent, he spent 15 years as a regional manager with two leading medical companies. During these years, he developed his client-centric mentality and overall sales philosophies. After years of driving winning behaviors from his sales teams, Mike now embraces that same attitude for himself. Mike played college and semi-pro baseball and roots for the Royals and Chiefs. However, his biggest joy these days are not traveling for work anymore; instead, he spends time with his family. 

Join us today as I visit with Mike Conners, a realtor in Kansas City and author of the book, Things You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know About Real Estate. Today we will dive into the pros and cons of having a home inspection. When the housing market was “hot,” buyers had to forego a home inspection to close the deal. Learn why that is not the case in most markets and what top five areas should always be inspected. Mike shares the advice he gives his clients, both sellers, and buyers. Don’t miss this episode of For the Love of Real Estate. 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [02:29] Mike is an advocate of both buyers and sellers having home inspections 
• [05:06] Mike feels that real estate agents should prepare their clients for what could happen without an inspection 
• [10:03] The five parts of a home that should have an inspection 
• [14:45]  Mike identifies the reason why buyers did not have home inspections a year ago 
• [19:00] The trend in building homes in Kansas City and why the footprint and floor plan make a difference in the price 
• [24:42] New construction and the need for a punch list and inspection 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• A home inspection before you purchase a home is a good use of money. There are hidden aspects of the mechanics of a home that you never see in a walk-through. You cannot over-inspect. 
• Sometimes you need to walk away from purchasing a home you love only because of the work and expense involved in fixing all the defects. 
• A home inspection will give insight on what is going on with the house at the time of inspection, but the report can be used as a punch list in that first year to make sure the buyer takes care of the little things that could need attention later if not addressed. 

RESOURCE LINKS: 

Jill Elliott's Phone Number: (469) 500-1300 

Jill Elliott’s Website 

For the Love of Real Estate Website 

Mike Conners - Website 

Mike Conners - Facebook 

BIOGRAPHY: 

Mike has lived in Kansas City for the past 25 years. Before becoming a real estate agent, he spent 15 years as a regional manager with two leading medical companies. It’s during these years that he developed his client-centric mentality and overall sales philosophies. After years of driving winning behaviors from his sales teams, Mike now embraces that same attitude for himself. Mike played college and semi-pro baseball and roots for the Royals and Chiefs. However, his biggest joy these days is not traveling for work anymore; instead, he spends time with his family. 

Today I talked with Brooks Kelly about interest rates, jumbo loans, renting versus buying, and other topics affecting decisions in the real estate market. Brooks is a Senior Loan Officer with Mortgage Link in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area and deals with these issues daily. In addition, Brooks reflects on the hyper-competitive housing market of the last few years and the opportunities available today. Listen as Brooks shares insight on these topics and his prediction of the real estate market in 2023.    

IN THIS EPISODE:  

• [02:26] Strengthening your buying power, enabling a jumbo loan for high-end properties.  
• [04:33] Required down payments have changed. Should you put all the money you have into a down payment. 
• [06:01] Looking at interest rates from a historical point of view, do you base a decision to purchase on interest rates? 
• [11:58] The importance of keeping a credit score of 700 or above. 
• [17:37] Qualifying for the loan. You may qualify for more than you expected.  
• [24:11] The truth about the housing market and the fear generated by the media. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:  

• Interest rates have been low during the past few years. However, historically they have been much higher. Therefore, it’s an adjustment for borrowers to accept that current rates are still lower than several years ago. 
• Your credit score is the determining factor of the terms of a home loan. In addition, credit scores affect the interest rate and the loan package obtained. Therefore, keep your score at 700 or higher and pay your bills on time. 
• Deciding to rent when you can purchase is making the property's owner's payment.  As you make the payments, the owners' equity increases while you have gained no equity. Buying a home is much wiser than renting. 

RESOURCE LINKS: 

Jill Elliott’s Phone Number: (469) 500-1300 

For the Love of Real Estate Website 

Facebook - Brooks Kelly 

LinkedIn - Brooks Kelly 

Instagram - Brooks Kelly 

Website - Brooks Kelly 

BIO: 

Brooks Kelly is the EVP of National Sales and Mortgage Loan Originator with the Mortgage Link. A boutique mortgage lender who provides their partners and clients with the consultation and service clients expect when making the largest purchase of their life. Mortgages are the only thing Brooks knows. Coming out of college at Texas Tech into the new home business and then quickly transitioning to mortgage in 2007, he has helped thousands of clients achieve their dream of homeownership. In his spare time, he loves to play golf and coach his two boys on the baseball field.