March Sales Activity -  Kansas City Area

Here is a summary of the residential real estate sales for March in the Kansas City area. ..still proving it's a slower market.

Jackson County

Pending Contracts:  933/down 17% from last year.

Average Sales Price down 7% from last year.

New listings down 23% from last year.

Inventory slightly up at 2.5% from last year.

Johnson County

Pending Contracts: 782/down 22% from last year.

Average Sales Price down .25% from last year.

New listings down 18% form last year.

Inventory up 2% from last year.

March through August  are typically the biggest months for residential sales in this area.  NOW is the time to buy, or if you are a seller, NOW is the time to make sure your home shines above the rest and is priced better than the competition!

Staging Your Home--It's Tax Deductible!

Staging works...as any viewing of HGTV's Designed to Sell knows!  Of course, on that show they do not count labor costs-just materials.  However, most staging professionals work their magic with decor and furniture you already have in the house, and the results can be amazing!

Paying a stager to stage your home is part of the marketing of the property-and therefore tax deductible.  The stager's services are a write off, not any supplies that are used (for example, paint, new rugs, curtains, etc.)  Keep the receipt and add it to the deductions you will have when the home purchase is completed.

Many Realtors include the cost of staging in their services--so be sure to ask about that when you are interviewing agents. Remember, when you are selling your home, don't think of it as 'your' home--you want buyers to imagine themselves living in the house.  A stager will de-personalize and freshen up the look for an overall  minimal cost--that is worth it.