Welcomehome by The Examiner

It’s high time to make your own clock Hot glue Compass Lightweight cardboard

By DENA FISHBEIN

Scripps Howard News Service

admit I was intimidated at the thought of making a clock. It seems complicated, right? Well, this is seriously one of the easiest, quickest projects I’ve ever done. And the clock looks so professional when it’s finished. I highly recommend this project for a craft night with the girls. You’ll all be so impressed with yourselves. Choose papers that express your aesthetic and a simple frame that you might find at a garage sale or flea market. The clockmovement kit costs about $6 — so, no excuses.This is a fabulous project you’ll be proud of. Gather: Scissors Spray Adhesive Picture frame (you will not need glass, but a round, square or rectangular frame with a minimum 8- x 8-inch opening) Clock-movement kit (purchased from a craft store) Decorative paper for the clock face (vintage paper scraps, photos, scrapbook paper, etc.) Buttons, numbers or other small charms (to be used in place of clock numbers)

Create: 1. Take out the backing of the picture frame and cut the cardboard to that size. 2. Using spray adhesive, collage paper scraps on top of the cardboard in a pleasing layout. 3. Make a hole in the dead center in the cardboard with small scissors. 4. Take a compass and put it in the middle of the hole and draw a little circle (this will show where the clock-face numbers/buttons go). 5. Attach the clock piece to the center according to the directions. 6. Following the circle made with the compass, attach buttons, charms or numbers with hot glue to represent the clock numbers. 7. Put it in the frame with no glass... and voila! (Dena Fishbein is the designer and artist behind many home, gift and paper products found at your favorite stores. To ask her how to embellish anything, visit her blog at denadesigns.com.)

1257 S. 7 highway | Blue SpringS, mo

816.229.6391 R EAL ESTATE

M ORTgAgE

TiTLE

i N Su RA N C E

Visit our website: ReeceAndNichols.com THE NEEDLE IN THE HAySTACK

3 CAR gARAgE, HOME UNDER $80K

3BR, 1BA home with attached and detached garage. Home is full of NEW and updated items. Carpet, countertops, tiled shower, etc. STEVE ADAMS 816-589-2687 SteveAdams@reeceandnichols.com

ENgLEWOOD RENTALS

3 rentals – $110,000. could live in one & have cash from other 2 units. unit A has new carpet; units A&B have new paint! Call... KATHy ELLIS-MOONEy 816-582-0160

NEW BRICK HOME ON THE MARKET! This is a great raised ranch! Brick front, newer paint, carpet, garage drs, deck, new roof, dry bsmnt & more! CHRISTINA BROWN 816-896-8916 www.TheBrownTeam.com

Once you see this home, you’ll look no further. Convenient to schools, shopping in Blue Springs. Cozy and warm with new tiltin windows and carpet. New kitchen and bath updates from tile to faucets! Come visit today! go ahead, take advantage. Someone else has done the hard part, just move in! Call Pat Carlson...Let’s go see it! PAT & BRUCE CARLSON 816-665-1371

NEW ON THE MARKET IN INDEP.!

Salisbury Meadows. Wonderful space in this spacious, expanded side to side split. 4BR, 3.5BA, first floor master suite, newly remodeled kitchen with hearth area and many updates. Finished rec room in lower level, Ft. Osage Schools. $149,900. THE McgRAW TEAM 816-655-6526

mcgrawteam@reeceandnichols.com

40 SECLUDED ACRES

Awesome acerage, ready for a home. Half woods, lots of fruit trees. Nice secluded area to build. Lafayette County. CAROL KEITH 816-699-1096

OUTSTANDINg 1.5 STORy

Open and inviting, well-maintained home, large eat-in kitchen and a formal dining room. Main living has 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths, plus the laundry room. JANE MCLAIN 816-289-0293

BEAUTIFUL ESTATE 5BR HOME

On 3.5 acres. This is a fantastic opportunity. This all brick home could not be built for the price we have it listed at. For 24 hour info, call (888) 203-3708, ext. 02 TRAVIS HAgEWOOD 816-699-1096 www.thagewood@reeceandnichols.com

gREAT NEW LISTINg!

Darling 3BR raised ranch. Eat-in kitchen with all appliances and formal dining. Finished basement. Privacy fenced yard with huge deck. SALLy gROVES 816-655-6515

Call one of our agents to help you find your dream home!

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY by sandy turner | Special projects editor

y grandma, who was an artist, could not only paint with either hand, but could create something out of nothing. Many of my most prized treasures are clocks she created herself. Old wooden cases, hammered a little too rough around the edges, hold clocks with backgrounds made of tin, embroidery and even decoupage. Amazingly, they all still run and will keep time like nobody’s business. It’s not as difficult as one might think and with the instructions on page 2, I may even give it a try. Only time will tell! There are some people who wear their emotions on their sleeve and you never have to guess what they’re thinking – good or bad. I actually appreciate these kind of folks because you always know where you stand and you know they’re going to tell you the truth. Kelly Sloan, owner of Home Sweet Home Realty in Blue Springs, is one of the most boisterous and energetic people I’ve ever met. She’s loud, she’s bossy and

she is really good at what she does. In her sixth year as owner of Home Sweet Home, this Realtor will tell you how it is and make darn sure the house you’re selling will be sold as well as the home you want to buy is affordable for your budget. I’ll take loud and bossy anytime over someone who isn’t disclosing the entire truth, especially when it comes to the biggest investment of your life – a home. Read more about Kelly on page 10 and 11 and if you don’t believe me, tune in your radio to KCXL 1140 AM on Mondays at noon and you’ll hear what I’m talking about. Gardener Joe Lamp’l suggests winter as a time to begin making a plan for landscape designs. Although we mapped out the 100x100 foot garden (before it shrunk in size) I’ve never put down on paper where I wanted to plant the various annuals I tend to over indulge in. I imagine a little planning will go a long way in color coordinating and giving the landscape a better opportunity for visibility. Read

inside January 27, 2011

Peak At Home celebrates with grand opening.............5

more on page 8. If cabin fever gets the best of you and decisions are made for some home improvement, a new and exciting store has opened in the Kansas City area that was made just for the weekend do-it-yourselfers. From doorknobs to cabinets to flooring and lights, Peak At Home will celebrate a grand opening on February 12. Read more on page 5. Although our dogs each weigh around 70 pounds each, they tend to think they’re lap dogs and that’s been a real problem lately with all the snow on the ground. I can’t seem to teach them to wipe their paws off on the floor mat before blasting onto my lap so I’m going to check into the nifty boots for paws on page 16. If you see a black lab roaming around with pink florescent booties on, you’ll know he belongs to me! Thanks for stopping by,

Sandy Turner

If you have a question that you would like a professional to answer, questions or comments in general, or if there is something that you would like to see covered in WelcomeHome, please e-mail Sandy Turner at sandy.turner@examiner.net or call her at 816-350-6314. Sandy looks forward to hearing from you.

Fate sealed for new floors damaged grout....................7 Develop landscape basic designs now.........................8 Create a spa experience in the comforts of home ........9 Realtor celebrates success through tough love ... 10, 11 Tips for getting your house sold fast...............................13 Are two furnaces really necessary............................14 A little help for Fido for outside fun..........................16 House plan of the week....17 Alka Seltzer isn’t always just for people....................18 Classified............................ 19

For advertising, call 350-6383

WelcomeHome, a premier home magazine for eastern Jackson County, is a weekly publication owned and operated by The Examiner, a locally managed division of

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Publisher 816.350.6311 steve.curd@examiner.net

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GateHouse Media. WelcomeHome is published once a week and distributed in the Thursday’s edition of The Examiner, in portions of The Extra’s circulation and in racks throughout

Take a peek at “Peak At Home” By SANDY TURNER

WelcomeHome

n the historic west bottoms of Kansas City, Kan., “Peak At Home” celebrates a grand opening on Saturday, Feb. 12, offering the public the opportunity for a one-stop shopping experience when giving their rooms a face lift. Peak expands it services, after selling building materials at auction for more than 25 years, by opening a 3,000-squarefoot storefront to showcase bath, kitchen, flooring, lighting, entry doors and lifestyle needs for any special project. Peak Auctioneering specializes in selling doors, windows, lumber, trim and mouldings, kitchen cabinets, vanities, flooring products, hardware, and all other building specialties at public auctions, and now, by opening “Peak At Home” consumers have the chance to not only shop in one location for all of their home or business remodeling needs, but can accessorize to items bought at a Peak Auction, such as adding handles to cabinets. “The online store (www.peakhomeproducts.com) has grown so fast we knew it

was time to bring it all together in a storefront,” Trish from Peak said. “When you can supply your customers with good quality merchandise at low pricing, the re-

sult is exactly what has happened - we are expanding and growing the business as we fulfill the needs of our consumers who are doing a remodel and are looking for

quality while being affordable.” The store also includes a large sampling of flooring products from exotic hardwoods to tile as well as countertops from marble to concrete. To light the way, Peak has a large inventory of outdoor lighting and for the exterior of the home, they carry a variety of unique mahogany entry doors. “We are very excited to host the grand opening,” Trish said. “We will be offering giveaways as well as some really fantastic special deals. Peak Auctioneering is the nation’s oldest and largest building material auction company, with thousands of happy customers from Kansas City to the east coast.” Along with a well stocked store, “Peak At Home” also supports local artists by displaying their artwork in the showroom. Located at 47 Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, the historic building sits on the corner of Central and James. For more information visit www.peakhomeproducts.com or call 913-232-9169 or toll free 866-320-7325.

heritage 816-224-8484

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1308 SW Skyline dr. blue SpringS $109,000

Bank owned property in good condition! A lot of home for the money. New roof, new thermal windows, fresh paint and a finished basement are nice updates. Enjoy the screened room. dAVid WieSeMAnn 816-309-9445 www.davidwiesemann.com

Down payment assistance for first time home buyers! call today!

michelle ekstam-gordon 816-554-5611

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

MICHAEL BAILEY 816-503-4685 L DE MO

Y! AIL D EN OP

21513 E 32ND TERRACE

This amazing rach style home features an open floor plan, graite throughout, hardwood floors, walk-in pantry, wood mantel with stone accented fireplace, huge master suite with jacuzzi and walk-in closet, and plenty of room for fentertaining. This is a model home that can be customized for your needs or choose one of our other floor plans. Conveniently located 2 blocks north of Pink Hill Road on R.D. Mize Road.

RESALE HOMES

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5714 NW PLANTATION LANE

809 NW ARLINGTON PLACE

This well-maintained home sits on a quiet cul-de-sac. The home features a finished walk-out basement, formal dining room, walk-in pantry, stainless applianes, tile surrounds in bathrooms, 170 sqft deck with stairs, newer A/C & water heater and beautifully designed archways. Updates include new sump pump, expanded deck, and shower door in master. $125,000.

MICHAEL CHAMPION 816-503-4666

One of he best homes in the area! Very wellmaintained condo, features 2 bedrooms, 2 full and 1 half bath, and just two blocks away from Voy Spears! Backs up to an open field! Severla amenities added, including bathroom hardware and a total kitchen overhaul!

MICHAEL CHAMPION 816-503-4666

6316 E. 138TH STREET

2212 MCBRIDE STREET

Raised ranch, 3 bedrooms, huge extra family room, very well kept home. Large fenced yard on a quiet street. Relax on the deck and entertain your friends. Independence School District. Basemet is partially finished.

ROBIN CLARK 816-220-6513

Solid 3BR, 2BA tri-level with LR, FR, frplc, 2 car gar, level fenced lot, patio. This home has a new concrete driveway and steps, newer roof and dishwasher. Family room on garage level walks out to patio. MBR has bath and 2 closets. Located on a short, quite street with little traffic.

ROBIN CLARK 816-220-6513

9001 SW 10TH STREET

1316 S 6TH STREET

Adorable 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch in Atchison, KS! Almost new too! Nice and open kitchen/dining and great room. Nice corner fireplace. Fabulous master bedroom with large master bath and walk-in closet. Great lot with lots of trees and no neighbors! Newer barn/shed right next to your new garden.

ROBIN CLARK 816-200-6513

313 PECAN TREE AVE.

Extra large rooms in this four bedroom, 2.5 bath home located in Lone Jack. New interior paint, carpeting and vinyl throughout. Central Vac, Alarm System, 3 car garage with third door larger than most. Home sits on nice level lot. Office on main floor off the kitchen. Tons of cabinets and pantry. $195,000

ROBIN CLARK 816-200-6513

Custom built home. Open and spacious floor plan with plenty of room for your family to grow. Wood floors, built-in pantry, walk-in closets, whirlpool tub and more. 3 car garage, full walk-out basement, 3 full baths, A MUST SEE!

ROBIN CLARK 816-220-6513

321 N. QUEEN RIDGE AVE.

Well maintained raised ranch that is the vest value in the subdivision. This BUILDER TRADE is priced to sell. The 3 bedroom, bath home features a finished basement and lots of upgrades. Come see your new home.

MICHAEL BAILEY 816-503-4685

609 NE COUNTRY CLUB DR.

You will LOVE the remodel on this one! BRAND NEW KITCHEN! Newer roof, windows, carpet, wood floors, heating and cooling and siding. Stainless Steel appliances, finished basement, great backyard. All the big ticket items are done! A must see to believe!

ROBIN CLARK 816-220-6513

Q&A

ASK TV HOST ED THe PLUMBeR

Master Contractor/Plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book “Ed Del Grande’s House Call” and for hosting TV shows on Scripps Networks and HGTVPro.com. Visit eddelgrande.com or write eddelgrande@hgtvpro.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.

Fate sealed for new floor’s damaged grout

Ed, I made a big mistake in my shower with some bad floor sealer. I see no way around it: We will need to redo my beautiful new tile shower. The grout has been contaminated with a dark sealer and there is no way to get the discoloration out of the grout. I’ve tried every cleaning product I could think of, with no luck. Is it possible to tile over the existing shower-floor tiles? I can’t imagine, or afford, doing this job completely over. What options do I have for solving this problem as painlessly as possible? Any advice or suggestion will be greatly appreciated.

You basically have three ways to approach this problem, and hopefully you’ll have good luck with one of the first two options, before you’re forced to go with the third. Not on my suggestion list would be to put new tile over the existing shower floor. In all my years working on tile showers, I have never seen putting new tile right on top of existing tile used as a successful option. Here are my three suggestions. • Plan A: Never assume that you’ve tried everything when it comes to tile-cleaning products. I once had a similar accident with a tile floor in my sunroom. I thought that I had “tried everything” until I consulted employees at a local tile-supply house. They gave me a small amount of special cleaner that was only sold in bulk. It worked and the floor looked brand-new. So, actually make a trip to a professional tile distributor in your area with a photo of your shower floor. Maybe you’ll get lucky and they’ll sell you a strong professional cleaning solution.

• Plan B: You may be able to chip out or grind out all the discolored grout from between the tiles. Once you carefully remove and clean out the grout, you may be able to totally regrout the floor. Just be careful not to crack the tiles, or disturb the shower pan membrane. • Plan C: Unfortunately, if nothing else worked, this may be your only choice left. Hire a professional to break out the tile floor, grout and concrete “mud” base from the shower pan. Once the pan and drain are determined to be in good shape, a new shower floor can usually be installed without disturbing the walls. While the first two options are relatively inexpensive, the last option can be a bit pricey. If you go with Plan C, request price quotes first before you seal any deal.

Grout stories from The Carey Glow-in-the-dark grout Is ugly tile grout making you crazy? Want a high-tech look for your kitchen or bath? The ‘latest’ that blends both science and art? Today you’ll learn that new styling is making its mark with nifty grout that glows in the dark!This new grout installs just like any other, but it also has a little ‘something extra’ in the mix. It glows beautiful electric blue for 8 to 12 hours in complete darkness and is totally recharged in just 6 to 8 hours by exposure to sunlight or incandescent and fluorescent lighting. It can be mixed and blended with other grout colors and can be used on floors, walls and counters, making it an interesting option for both design and safety applications. Consider a counter with edges that glow at night or a sidewalk that shows the way in the dark. How about a hallway that guides one safely without a light? What seems frivolous at first just may be one of tomorrow’s better “bright ideas”!

Cracked and stained grout not only is an eyesore, but can lead to damage hidden beneath the surface of the tile, as well. Improve the appearance of the grout and prevent water damage by installing a new layer of grout. Start by removing an eighth of an inch of the uppermost layer of existing grout with a grout saw (a tool about the size of a toothbrush that is used to remove grout). Next, rinse the area thoroughly with fresh water to remove dust or loose grout. Apply a new layer of grout using a rubber float, wiping off the excess with a damp sponge. Finish the job by polishing the haze that remains with a soft dry cloth. Seal the new grout after it has had a few weeks to cure. And that’s the On The House tips for the day from www.careybrothers.com

with joe lamp’l

hether you want to start from scratch or improve an existing site, designing a landscape can be one of the most rewarding and enlightening projects you’ll ever do. And dreaming of spring can really help you hang on through the dead of winter. Good gardens don’t just happen; they’re the results of careful planning. As anxious as you’ll be to rush to the garden center, now’s the time to pause and develop a real understanding of your property’s features and how they can be used to create an enjoyable outdoor space. Start with a base map. This is a sketch of your existing yard showing property lines, the placement of the house on the land, driveways and paths. Using 18- by 24-inch grid paper and a 100-foot tape measure, start at the front corner of the house and measure the distance to the curb and across to the nearest property line. A scale of 1 inch equalling 10 feet works well. Continue measuring from all house corners to property boundaries to get the correct orientation of the house on the land. Draw an arrow indicating north. Locate existing features like doors and windows; gas, electric and cable utilities; trees and shrubs; and any neighbors’ features near the property line that might affect your design. Next, use the base map to make a site analysis, a basic inventory of the property’s strengths and weaknesses. A site analysis can be sketched in an afternoon, but it would be more useful to get a feel for how

the area changes through the year. Note all significant features like sunny and shady spots, drainage problems, existing vegetation, good and poor views, and all utilities and easements. Make several photocopies of the base map. Now the fun starts. Come up with three or four preliminary designs. Let your imagination run wild with patios, vegetable gardens,

flower beds, whatever. For each design, draw a bubble diagram roughly indicating the shapes and locations of these features. Exact items and perfect graphics aren’t necessary, just “bubble in” rough ideas. Pay attention to your site analysis, though. A vegetable garden, for example, needs lots of sun and a flat, open space. Don’t place it under a huge tree. Consider how the elements relate to each other and the house, too. For example, a compost pile should be

Develop landscape basics for design now for summer fun close to the vegetable garden, but out of view. A patio shouldn’t get blasting, summer sun without some kind of cover, etc. It’s going to take several tries to fit the odd pieces smoothly into the puzzle, but finally a plan will emerge that blends dreams with practicality. Aren’t you glad you made so many photocopies? Look over your preliminary designs and

note the features you like from each. Put them all together on a new base map. And pay attention to that site analysis. It’s critical that the garden’s features all cooperate. Here is where you need accurate dimensions, too. Find the mature spread of that shade tree; measure exactly how long that front walk will be; count the number of shrubs needed for the hedge. You may find you have to make a hybrid of several different ideas to get everything to work together. Above all, consider the mature size of plants and trees you want to add. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for lots of extra work and expense later. When you find your perfect design, draw it on a clean base map. Also, color the different features for easier visual reference. Then show it to other gardeners or even a professional landscape designer. A fresh set of eyes is something of an insurance policy, to help make sure you haven’t overlooked something that could cost you later. Speaking of cost: It’s time to develop your budget. Actual costs might mean a change in the design. But instead of going back to the drawing board, consider phasing the plan in over time. Figure what you most want and can do immediately, and what can wait until next year. You may find you can have it all, just not all at once. Good landscape design is the result of a definite process, but it’s not that difficult. Planning and patience are the hallmarks of gardeners, anyway.

A spa experience at home Metro Creative Services

eople looking to escape stress often turn to spa treatments for rest and relaxation. However, if trips to the spa for massages and facials aren’t in the budget, create a spa experience at home. Stress is a big health problem. More than 50 percent of Americans are concerned about the level of stress in their lives. And 62 percent of Americans say that it’s their jobs that contribute to the most amount of stress. Stress can exacerbate existing health conditions and lead to new ones. Individuals may feel fatigued, irritable, depressed, overeat, undereat and suffer other consequences if overstressed. Doctors often suggest therapies to combat stress in people’s lives. One such therapy can be massage or spa treatments popular in many salons. But these services can be expensive and might be an indulgence better left as an occasional splurge. Those interested in reaping some of the benefits of spa treatments

at home can try the following ideas. • Invest in the right equipment. Purchase an ultra-soft and thick robe and slippers. Stock up on loofah sponges, long-handled bath brushes, wash cloths, bath salts, and moisturizing creams. Simply using professional products can seem indulgent. • Homeowners with a spa bathtub can indulge in soothing jet-propelled massage whenever they desire. If installing a new tub is not in the cards, purchase a spa mat that can be suction-cupped to the bottom of a traditional bathtub. An external pump blows air bubbles through the mat, creating the same effect as a spa tub. • Rely on aromatherapy. There are many essential oils that can be added to bath water or applied to the body. Depending on the aroma, a person can induce calm and contentment simply by inhaling a few scents. • Ask a spouse to provide a massage. He or she can use unscented mineral or olive oil to rub down achy parts of the body.

20101 E. Jackson DrivE inDEpEnDEncE, Mo

816.373.9292 dAN O’NEIll gRI

ATTENTION FIRST TIME hOMEbuyERS!

cell: 816-786-0317

website: www.danielboneill.com e-mail: dano@reeceandnichols.com

Need 4% interest? 3 bedrooms and two full baths. Hi-efficiency furnace and A/C. Finished basement. Covered patio. Under $80,000! bARbARA bRIdgFORTh 816-898-3043

lIkE NEw MAINTENANCE PROVIdEd VIllA!

Spacious two bedrooms and two full baths. Deck. First floor laundry. Double garage. $160’s RhONdA dykAl 816-522-1124

ON ThE hIll! There’s plenty of charm in this two story, two bedroom, one full and one half bath home. Private setting with two car attached garage. Great for a large family. Very well kept home. lARRy lAgRECE 816-665-3135

the clemons home team Your Career. You Decide.

MOVE-IN REAdy RANCh hOME!

Cute home with neutral colors. New roof and new carpet. Big kitchen, rec room and play room in basement. Kids can walk to school. Call or text Jennifer at 699-0619 or kAThy lIggETT 816-616-4273

MuCh NEw hERE!!!

First floor laundry and two full baths in this remodeled 1.5 story home. Great neighborhood. glENNA luNCEFORd 816-517-9988

FANTASTIC hOME!

Ranch with kitchens up & down. Two fireplaces. Two car garage. Walkout basement. Low interest rate! bARbARA bRIdgFORTh 816-898-3043

RObIN

kElly

Call us for all your Real Estate Needs. We also specialize in Short Sales and Foreclosures.

RObIN ClARk: 816-200-6513 kElly jENNINgS: 816-695-1027 www.clemonshomes.com

Visit us online at reeceandnichols.com to find out more about joining our team of real estate professionals!

Home Sweet Home celebrates success

The driving force behind Kelly Sloan Listen to Kelly Sloan every Monday from noon to 1 p.m. on KCXL 1140 AM radio as she hosts the show â&#x20AC;&#x153;No Place Like Home,â&#x20AC;? covering topics that revolve around real estate and investments.

11 By SANDY TURNER

WelcomeHome

ot only can Kelly Sloan “talk the talk” but she certainly can “walk the walk” when it comes to making the most prevalent investment of your life – real estate. As owner of Home Sweet Home Realty in Blue Springs and host to talk radio show “No place like home,” Sloan’s deep commitment and passion for educating the public on making wise and solid investment decisions has built her a reputation of being the Realtor who practices tough love with her clients. “I’ll be the first to admit that I will, and do, wear my bossy pants quite often,” Sloan said through a smile and a hearty laugh. “I don’t work for the paycheck, I work for the referrals.” Counseling clients throughout the entire process of buying or selling their home is what has helped Sloan build Home Sweet Home Realty into a financially stable and thriving company, as she celebrates being owner of the company for the past six of its eigh years in business helping hundreds of buyers and sellers in the Kansas City area. For the third year in a row, Sloan has been awarded the Five Star Real Estate recognition from the Kansas City Magazine. The Five Star is the only service award based on a combination of direct client and industry professional feedback. Having just completed her most successful quarter yet, Sloan is more than willing to give her two cents worth when it comes to the housing industry in this area. “We are fortunate to be living in an area that has a stable housing market,” she said. “The Kansas City area is a place of transient. Many people want to move here and are looking to buy as well as many who are making lifestyle changes, whether moving up or downsizing.The opportunity has never been better to make a real estate investment with low interest rates and a surplus of inventory.” Sloan’s true calling comes in educating people about taking the steps to buy a home or just making an investment in their future. “It’s all about knowing the facts, making a budget, sticking to it and being comfortable with your decisions,” she said. “When my clients are closing on a house there’s no doubt in their minds it’s the right decision for them emotionally and financially. People should be married to people, not their houses.” Taking the approach of being aggressive in marketing and advertising, her clients’ listings are seen on more than 40 Internet search engines, in print media and radio. Her tactics are just as aggressive with buyers, showing an average of 40 houses each week. “I love the hunt,” she said as a discount broker who doesn’t charge additional broker or franchise fees. “I am always up front and

“We just want to say that if you want to get your home sold — CALL KELLY SLOAN — when it comes time to list your home follow Kelly’s instructions for the showing of your home, it paid off for us! If you want a “straight shooter” who will tell it like it is, you better call Kelly Sloan. She has worked harder for us to get our home sold than any other Real Estate Agent we have dealt with in over 30+ years of buying and selling homes. One last word, Kelly is VERY BUSY, but has ALWAYS answered phone calls, e-mails, text messages the same day, usually within a thirty-minute time period. Me thinks she works 24/7 and doesn’t know the meaning of the word - REST!!!” – Charles Kincaid, client

“Kelly has a special way of making Monday 12 o’clock noon listeners laugh as her energetic approach to real estate lightens everyone who has the chance to hear her. Even in this tough economy you can’t help but smile as she educates and entertains her KCXL 1140 AM radio audience in the ways of buying or selling a home. She also gives great tips to avoid making an investment disaster and has saved countless people from a lot of headaches. She knows her stuff, and that is why she is number #1, actually she treats people like they are #1. She feels she is just there to help navigate the way.”

honest with my clients and won’t hesitate to tell them what house not to buy and why.” Aside from a college education surrounding advertising, marketing and public relations and relentlessly studying the everchanging real estate industry standards and laws, Sloan is driven and focused on giving honest, straightforward and direct answers to questions many others may tiptoe around. “My goal is to keep people safe from bad investments that could cripple them financially,” she said. “Whether or not they use me as their Realtor or not, it’s about looking at the big picture and to understand the real estate market, and the loan process as well. It’s so important to understand the loan fees and costs of having different types of loans.” Along with her passion for people, Sloan also spearheads a fundraiser each year to help organizations such as Community Services League and this year, Midwest Animal ResQ is on the radar. “Midwest Animal ResQ’s main objective is to save as many abandoned animals as possible,” Sloan explains, “by nurturing these

stray dogs back to health and then helping them find a permanent home.” The fundraiser, with Sloan’s goal of raising $5,000, will include selling dog products such as doggie calendars, leashes, tote bags, and other fun items. “Erin Morse, founder, saved 283 dogs last year alone and pays for their surgeries and medicines out of her own pocket, and I’m looking for some willing soldiers to help me with this great cause. She needs our help. If someone is interested in adopting they can call her direct at 310-350-2053.” Sloan will again offer a scholarship opportunity to two seniors in the Blue Springs School District through choosing the best essay written on the power of positive thinking.

– Jonne Santoli, KCXL 1140 AM – Program Director

To talk with Kelly, contact her at 808-4000 or visit www.kellysloan.com

“We were so fortunate to have Kelly as our realtor, she worked REALLY hard to find us a great home! She was very straightforward from the beginning and told us what to expect. She also said in the beginning that we may not see eye to eye on everything but it was only for our best interest and that couldn’t have been more true. We looked at around 60 houses in 7 different cities all the way from Excelsior Springs to Odessa but Kelly never gave up on us. Even at the end when we found a house and the seller backed out after inspections and the appraisal, Kelly still remained dedicated to finding us a great home at a great price. And then, as if she hadn’t worked hard enough already...she took it the extra mile to make sure a new furnace was installed and some plumbing issues were resolved by the seller before we closed. During this whole process, she was always available for phone calls, text messages, or even last minute house hunting nights. For anyone buying a home, especially for your first time, Kelly Sloan will take great care of you!!” -Christana Holman, client

C ; ; F

www.McBeeCustomHomes.com 1st NAHB CertiďŹ ed

Home in Independence, Mo

Q Energy Star certified Improved air quality Q Renewable and/or recycled durable building materials Q Water and energy effiecient products and practices Q

G IN M CO

! ON O S

THE SULLIVAN

Y! AIL D EN OP L DE MO

THE RIVERTON

G IN M CO

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THE CAMBRIDGE

Conveniently located 2 blocks north of Pink Hill on R.D. Mize

For more information, please contact Michael Bailey at 816-503-4685

Home selling tips: put its best foot forward By Karen Caffarini

GateHouse News Service

efore you put your house on the market, make sure it’s picture perfect. More than 90 percent of home buyers go to the Internet first to peruse what’s available, and they choose the houses they want to see in person from there. With a huge inventory to choose from, it’s important to take lots of photos (at least 20) to get to the top of the listings and to stage the house to make yours stand out from the rest. No need to spend: You don’t have to rent new furniture or hire a professional stager. Staging could mean making a fireplace and large windows the focal point of the room instead of an entertainment center. Focus on the selling points. Declutter and depersonalize: You don’t want clutter in front of a sliding glass door leading to a beautiful deck. It’s distracting. Nor do you want family photos, doll collections or any other personal items on

display. The National Association of Realtors recommends stowing away most small decorative items, putting excess furniture in storage and removing out-of-season clothing that is cramping your closet. Toy storage: If you have young kids, keep a couple of large plastic bins in the garage where their toys can be stored during a showing and then easily retrieved. “You don’t want to take the toys away from them altogether if you only have one showing every three weeks,” she says. No pets allowed: Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside during showings, advises the NAR. If that’s not possible, crate them or confine them to one room, ideally in the basement, and let the real estate agent know where they’ll be. Eliminating pet odors by bathing them more frequently. Get rid of wallpaper: It’s out of favor. Neutral colored walls are best, but this doesn’t mean they have to be antique white or beige. You need to look at the big picture. If you’re in an area where young professionals live, color may work. Young people love color. ... blues are out, but a sunroom in soft

blues may work. It just has to be tastefully done and it has to fit the whole house. Get curb appeal: Trim bushes, mow the lawn and turn on the sprinklers for 30 minutes before the showing to make the lawn sparkle. Put one or two pots of bright flowers on your porch. Also, install new doorknobs on your front door, advises NAR. Sweat the small stuff: Don’t disregard minor repairs, says the NAR. Sticky doors, torn screens or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression the house isn’t wellmaintained. Keep it clean and bright: A clean house will make a strong first impression and send a message to buyers that the home has been well-cared for, according to the Realtors association. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates, mop and wax floors, and clean the stove and refrigerator. Polish your doorknobs and address numbers. Wash windows to let the light in.

FEATURE HOME OF THE WEEK 1420 N. LIBERTY STREET INDEPENDENCE • 4 bedroom • Hardwood floors • Fenced backyard • Corner lot

• 1 1⁄2 bath • Ceramic tile • Walk-out basement • New furnace, A/C, roof

$123,900 This home marketed by

RE/MAX HEARTLAND BILL VINYARD 816-200-6785

Do we need to utilize two furnaces for heating the entire house?

Six years ago, we purchased a two-story, gas-heated, centrally air-conditioned home built in 1970. The home had two separate furnaces (one in an unfinished basement and the other in the attic) and two separate central-air units for the two floors. From the home inspection, we knew that we would have to replace the central air. Four years ago, we replaced the central air and added heat pumps at the same time. We now heat using both gas and heat pumps. The system is set to heat with heat pumps at moderate temperatures and kick over to gas when temperatures drop below 40 F. We recently had a heat-system check performed by a local HVAC company. We knew that our basement furnace was 10 years old and that the attic furnace was older. The technician advised me that our attic unit is 20 years old. The technician was quite the salesman and frightened me a bit about the age of our attic furnace and the

hazards of carbon-monoxide leaks. Would it make sense to simply disable the second-floor gas furnace and heat the second floor exclusively with the heat pump? We would continue to heat the first floor with the combination gas/heat-pump system.

Most of the homes I inspect that have more than one heat pump normally have a heat pump and furnace for supplemental heat on the lower levels and a heat pump with only a blower system for the upper floors. A two-story home can be heated with just one furnace, but a lot will depend on the size and design of your home and the amount of insulation in the attic and walls. A 1970s-era home may or may not have wall insulation, but one furnace should still be able heat the home if the attic is insulated. A simple walk-through energy audit might determine if the home is insulated properly. A more thorough energy audit, which includes a variety of testing devices, would

Q&A

ASK A HOMe INSPeCTOR

Dwight Barnett is a master inspector certified by the American Society of Home Inspectors

determine how much insulation the home has and if additional insulation and other repairs would be cost-effective. The energy auditor uses a blower door to test for air leakage in the home as well as devices to test the ductwork for leakage. A thermo-camera is often used to check for heat loss at the ceiling-to-wall and floor-towall connections. The energy auditor would then recommend areas of the home that would require additional insulation and air sealing to prevent energy loss. A properly insulated and air-sealed home will use a lot less energy than a poorly insulated home of the same size and design.

The savings expected from an energy upgrade could be as much as 30 percent. Replacing the aging air conditioners with heat pumps was a good decision, and the heat pump for the second floor should be adequate without the heat from gas backup furnace. If you suspect the furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, do not simply turn the gas off to the furnace. Have the gas pipe to the furnace removed so that someone unfamiliar with the hazardous defect cannot operate the furnace. Carbon-monoxide poisoning is a real danger because it is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that can lead to death.

FEATURE HOME OF THE WEEK 1701 SE KENWOOD DRIVE BLUE SPRINGS • 3 bedroom • Fenced yard • Fireplace • Deck

• 2 bath • Open floor plan • Corner lot • Storm doors

$125,000 This home marketed by

REECE AND NICHOLS CHRISTINA BROWN 816-896-8916

Marcia Wallace real estate Group | 816.251.1745 Visit our website to take a virtual tour: Marciaw.reeceandnichols.com

laKeWOOd patiO HOMe Beautiful ranch reverse, tranquil setting on scenic Lakewood Oaks Golf Course #6 hole. Nestled on quiet, low traffic cul-de-sac. Finished lower level. $220,000

laKeWOOd laKeFrOnt tOWnHOMe

Spacious floor plan w/ soaring ceilings. 3bd 3 ba home featuring library w/builtins, finished walkout ll and sunroom. $300,000.

Blue springs

darling raised rancH

laKeWOOd priced tO sell!

This all brick 3BR home is located in a great neighborhood in Independence. Home features newer 30 year roof. Energy efficient heating and cooling and new thermal windows. $115,000

1.5 sty, 3 car garage, 5 bdrm, 4.1 bath - Large kit/ hearth room w/ woodfloors. Laundry room w/work station. Mst suite w/fp - fin daylight bsmt w/ built - ins & wet bar. $300,000

BeautiFully Maintained HOMe Open & spacious floor plan, featuring 2 liv. areas, large kit., w/pantry & brk. bar. MBR w/bay window, whirlpool tub & dbl vanity. BR level laundry. Unfinished daylight sub bsmt. $140,000

Grand Villa! Priced to sell – this lakefront villa has upgrades galore. Open floor plan, soaring ceilings, 4 fireplaces, 3 car garage, finished walkout lower level. Beautiful veranda overlooking lake. $650,000.

lee’s suMMit 2 stOry

laKeWOOd

raytOWn true rancH -This home is move-in ready. Wood floors throughout. 3 bdrm w/finished ll. Large lot with trees & fence. Close to Elementary School! $85,000

2 stry flr plan on a cul-de-sac. 4 bdrms, mstr w/sitting rm, tub, dble vanities & lg w/i closet. Great rm has a frplc & built-in bookcases. Screened in porch. $225,000.

luxury adult living

No maintenance here. Great location, near Indep. Center, Centerpoint Hospital & restaurants. Bsmt, 2 parking spaces & storage unit. 2 bdrm, 2 bath. 2 units avail. $129K & $140K.

Incredible Wellington 2 story w/4 BRs & 4.5 BAs. Beautiful kitchen/ hearth w/see thru FP & kitchen isl. Bonus loft/craft room or office on bedroom level. Awesome fin 11. $320,000

Darling 3 bdrm, 2 bath home. Situated on corner lot w/3 car garage. Open floor plan w/vaulted ceilings, large kitchen w/in pantry and island. Incredible finished lower level! $169,900.

WOOds cHapel acres

WHat a vieW! The entire interior has been updated! Kitchen w/custom cabinets + island, granite counters, & SS appls. Fin w/o w/wet bar, family rm, & bonus rm for crafts etc, & 3rd garage. Screened in porch. $550,000

creeKMOOr villa This home is situated across the street from the golf course! Beautiful kit. w/huge walk-in pantry & island. Master suite has all the amenities. Outstanding LL w/frplc, bar, & stereo system. Covered deck, sprinkler system, & 3 car garage. $300K

Maintenance prOvided villa Fairfield Woods Model now for sale. French Country Villa with quality features throughout. All stucco, 50 year timerline roof. Open Sat and Sun 1-5 p.m.

tHe Falls at laKeWOOd

ls address/Bs scHOOls

Interior looks just like new! New Carpet, paint, & wood floors throughout. Move - in ready. Large MBR with walk - in closet& private bath. F/ walk-out lower level. All app. stay, new roof. $122,500

Open floor plan with designer features & colors. Kit. features island, stainless applcs, and pantry. Awesome fin. LL – wet bar, frplc, & theater room! Backyard feels like you’re in the country. $225,00

Front/back split entry, 4 bdrms, 3bas. Great location, Lee’s Summit address, BS schools. Fin. walkout lower level w/stone frplc. Int. and ext. newly painted & newer carpet. $158,000

laKeWOOd laKeFrOnt Patio home. Enjoy lake front living in this rev. 1.5 story, 3BR, 3BA, patio home situated on a great lot. Open flr plan w/vaulted ceilings, 2BR on main level. $300,000

serene WOOded lOt

Beautiful 1.5 story lake front w/panoramic vies on cul-de-sac. Quality throughout! Large finished lower level w/built-ins, & fireplace. Side entry 3car garage. $344,500.

WHite ridge FarMs -Spacious home w/ 3 bd and 2.1ba. Finished walk-out lower level with fireplace & family room. Very well maintained in established neighborhood. $150,000

exQuisite Mediterranean estate

Situated on golf course. Private treed lot w/3 deck/patio areas & circle drive. Spacious flr plan w/soaring ceilings. Beautiful kit. w/slate, granite & SS appl. $600,000

New 2 bdrm ranch duplex w/2 car garage. Up to the moment decor, Friese carpet, gorgeous decorator colors, & fantastic cabinetry. Maintenance provided. Prices starting at $136,500.

raintree laKe This home is a MUST SEE! Absolutely pristine w/beautiful updates throughout. Wd flrs on main. Kit w/ island, granite, pantry & newer appl. 3 car gar. $205,000.

OaKs ridge MeadOWs Spacious 2 story w/4 bd on a treed, fenced lot. Kitchen has builtin hutch, pantry, & breakfast bar. Mstr suite w sitting rm, w/i closet, & wp tub. Fin ll. $240,000

laKeWOOd laKeFrOnt Gorgeous lakefront- pride of ownership shows! Updated kit w/island, granite counters. Fin w/o ll w/ fam rm,l bath, & FP. Large deck & paver patio. Newer roof. $475,000

Open floor plan with tons of extras! Spacious kitchen with granite counters, breakfast bar & pantry. Master suite with dbl vanity, whirlpool & walk-in closet. Beautiful sun porch off kitchen. Indep. Schools. $245,000.

laKeWOOd

Move right in to this gorgeous, updated home. 4BR and 2.2BA. Pride of ownership shows here! Home features vaulted ceilings, open floor plan. $200,000.

Blue springs scHOOls

Newer beautiful townhome Open floor plan with fp & walk-out bsmt. MBR has large walk-in closet & vaulted ceiling. The kitchen features an island, pantry, and all appliances stay with home. $120,000

rOyal vieW MeadOWs

FaBulOus 2 stOry HOMe!

grain valley

laKeWOOd patiO HOMe Nothing to do here but move in! Renovated kitchen, newer roof, windows, doors, paint, flooring and much, much more!!! $175,000

independence dOllHOuse Darling Tudor style home, situated across from Elementary School. Grt rm w/ stone fp. Spacious kit w/ lots of cabinets. Enclosed porch. $114,000

A little help for Fido By LINDA WILSON FUCCO

Pittsburth Post-Gasette

Milton Estates open house

sunday, January 30 • 2 – 4 p.m.

3731 Bryant Dr. - InDepenDence

Quality ranch, open floor plan, beautiful kitchen with more than 40 feet of cabinetry, screened porch. 3BR, 2.5BA, 3 garages. CAll FRAnkie with ReeCe & niChols: 816-804-5156

3704 s. kenDall Dr. - InDepenDence

5BR, 3.5BA, all brick ranch, completely maintenance-free! Many extras...2 laundry rooms, walk-in pantry CAll CinDy w/ReAlty PRoFessionAls heARtlAnD: 816-510-7833

3816 s. coachman ct. - InDepenDence

this home is a real show stopper! 4BR, 2.5BA, 12’ ceilings. Great curb appeal! sprinkler system, extensive landscaping CAll DAviD with Re/MAX At 816-309-9445

16525 e. 36th st. - InDepenDence

4BR, 4BA, Fabulous updated home with tons of space! 3 rec rooms, library, large patio & hUGe closets. CAll Penny with kelleR williAMs: 816-797-0111

showings by appointment only

3701 BeatrIce ct. - InDepenDence

two masters on main floor, walkout basement with patio, deck and screened porch. on culdesac with lovely backyard. CAll CinDy with white & AssoCiAtes: 816-665-8281

16501 e. DeBra st. - InDepenDence

this 3BR, 2.5BA true reverse 1.5 story is immaculate and very well cared for! 3 car garage and finished walkout basement. CAll lAnCe with Re/MAX heRitAGe: 816-616-3046

oe and Rosemarie Shirk e-mailed a picture of their white Havanese, Renfrew, wearing what appeared to be orange balloons on her paws. “You might want to look at this product. Our dog wears them year-round when outside,” the Shirks said. The balloons were PAWZ dog boots, described on the company website (http:// pawzdogboots.com) as disposable, reusable and waterproof, and made from natural rubber with no zippers or straps. “We’ve tried boots on other dogs but they were clumsy, they kept coming off and the dogs didn’t like them,” Joe Shirk said. PAWZ boots are “thin enough to let her feel the ground, and she isn’t aware she has them on,” Rosemarie Shirk said. Renfrew wears boots year-round because snow, salt, rain and mud would make a mess of the long white hair on her feet and legs, her owners said. PAWZ boots come in a variety of sizes and colors. Prices vary at stores and websites, but generally they are $13-$19 for 12 boots. The Shirks said a pair lasts up to three months. Online, the boots get glowing reviews from dog owners. Another tip came from Diane Markosky who said The PawPlunger “has been a lifesaver to my floors and carpeting” from the salt and dirt her dog Mike, a 55-pound border collie mix, can bring into the home. He gets a “pedicure” with this product every morning after his three-mile walk. At www.pawplunger.com, this product looks like a to-go coffee cup. A video shows how it works: Fill the cup with water and insert one paw at a time. Gently plunge the paw up and down. Brushes inside remove snow, salt or mud from the paw. PawPlunger comes in three sizes and costs $24.99-$34.99. Mike, 9, is well known in West Newton because of his daily walks and cross-countryskiing outings with his family. Mike is also well known in West Mifflin, where he goes to work every day with Doug Markosky, an attorney. Mike’s title is “director of public relations,” and he’s a popular icebreaker with clients, Diane Markosky said. The family adopted Mike three years ago from the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society. His adoption fee included training classes, and he earned a “Canine Good Citi-

zen” degree, which makes him a welcome visitor at senior-citizen living facilities where he visits regularly. Many winter-walking tips deal with protecting pet paws from harsh sidewalk icemelters. A number of manufacturers say their products will not hurt sensitive paw pads. Morton Safe-T-Pet was developed with veterinarians, and contains no salt or chloride. “Its urea-based organic formula is nontoxic and nonirritating to pets’ paws and stomachs,” according to a news release. Chlorides can be harmful or irritating to pets, say the Morton people, so read labels before picking a sidewalk de-icer. But you never know what product your dog is stepping into when you leave your own property, so wipe paws after winter walks.

The Belknap offers relaxed family areas

raftsman detailing adds nostalgic charm to this update of a countrystyle cottage. Specifically, notice the gridded window uppers and the stone veneer clad post supports. An old-fashioned wooden porch swing would be a nice fit on the Belknap’s covered porch, as would a suite of wicker furniture. On the ground floor, formal and informal gathering spaces fill the left wing. A den, utility room, half bath, and luxurious owners’ suite are on the right side, along with direct access to the garage. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a study are upstairs. The living room and den are well separated from the more relaxed family living areas at the rear. The foyer is totally open to the living room, while den access is around the corner to the right. Moving forward from the foyer takes you directly to the kitchen, while turning left at the stairs brings you into a bright and expansive twostory great room. Craftsman windows on two levels flank the fireplace. Twin sets of continental columns line the wide opening between the great room and vaulted dining room. During the warmer months, sliding glass doors at the rear of the dining room offer increased air circulation, plus easy access to a covered patio. An open passageway and a long raised eating counter bound the dining room and step-efficient kitchen. Standing at the cooktop, you can talk to people in the dining room and see out onto the patio. The kitchen sink offers a wide view of the Belknap’s rear yard. The vaulted owners’ suite, too, has windows that face the back yard, along with three slender side windows. Luxury amenities include a deep walk-in closet, dual vanity, a shower, spa tub, and totally private toilet. For a review plan, including scaled floor plans, elevations, section and artist’s conception, send $25 to Associated Designs, 1100 Jacobs Dr., Eugene, OR 97402. Please specify the Barrett 30-773 and include a return address when ordering. A catalog featuring more than 550 home plans is available for $15. For more information, call (800) 634-0123, or visit www.AssociatedDesigns.com.

Covered Patio 12' x 10'

Bedroom 11' x 10'4''

Open to Great Room Below Dn

Vaulted Dining 12' x 14'

Kitchen

Great Room 13' x 17'4'' Up

Living 13' x 13'8''

Vaulted Owners’ Suite 19'2'' x 13'6''

Study

Bedroom 11' x 10'

Vaulted Bedroom 13' x 11'4''

Belknap

Util.

PLAN 30-771

Foyer Den 13' x 16'

Garage 22' x 29'6''

Covered Porch

First Floor 2059 sq.ft. Second Floor 834 sq.ft. Living Area 2893 sq.ft. Garage 626 sq.ft. Dimensions 60' x 66' 2000 SERIES www.AssociatedDesigns.com

Pretty Good Ideas

Make a (back) splash!

Got a countertop with a tiny four-inch backsplash? You’re missing out on a hot new trend! Indeed, today’s designer kitchens feature backsplash walls that run from counter to cabinets and even up to ceilings with spectacular materials and designs like never before. If your kitchen is “backsplash-challenged,” it’s time to make a big splash design-wise with a bigger backsplash size! Here are some things to consider. The space above your counter is a blank canvas awaiting your artistic touch and any combination of spectacular new luxury tiles. Far beyond just choosing color and size, you can now choose from endless textures and materials, such as glass, hand-painted porcelain, gleaming metal, raised dimensional designs, and natural stone such as slate, marble and granite. There are also oodles of creative borders that you can mix and match like a designer pro! Take a look at your kitchen. Isn’t it time to make a big splash design-wise with a big– From www.careybrothers.com ger backsplash size?

tips&tricks Alka Seltzer: Plop, plop, fizz, fizz Got a clogged drain or a toilet that needs cleaning? Do you have pots and pans with burned-on grease? Did a bee just sting you? Grab an Alka-Seltzer; in fact, grab a handful. To clean a toilet, drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait 20 minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action cleans vitreous china sparkling clean. In water it cleans jewelry. It unclogs drains when three tablets in water are followed by some white vinegar. Two tablets will clean gooey flower vases, and a tablet wrapped in a moist cloth will soothe insect bites. And that’s the On The House tip for today.

BALL-POINT DISASTERS

– From www.careybrothers.com

Lazlo Biro patented the ballpoint pen in 1943. He then (we’re told) put it in his pocket and got a nasty ink stain on his best shirt. Biro’s ink invention is made of oil and dye, so quick action and special solutions are needed to remove it. It pays to plan ahead. With ink stains time works against you. Have solutions handy before accidents happen. For ballpoint ink, use solvents or alcohol-based cleaners first. Dry-cleaning solvent is best, but many other items such as hair spray and rubbing alcohol also will cut the oil in the ink. Then use a mild detergent and blot it out along with the dye. It works. And that’s the On The House tip for today.

– From www.careybrothers.com

fabulous inventory!

3BR, 2BA, 2 car garage in Blue Springs.........................Lease $850/mo...................................$99,900 All brick ranch, 3BR, 2BA, Independence...............New oveN ANd Stove! .........................$116,900 2BR bungalow on 1/2 acre, Independence....................... New PRICe!....................................$69,900 2BR, one car garage, Independence .................................................................................................$65,000 3BR, full bsmnt, Independence ...........................................................................................................$107,000 8.75 acres in oak Grove, 5BR....................................................Hot deAL! ....................................$220,000 $10,000 price reduction in odessa.....................................Lease $1150/mo ................................$129,000 Raytown, 3BR, 2 car garage, fenced........................................BARGAIN!.....................................$80,000 23rd/Ralston. darling 2 bdrm w/ massive bsmnt.........................................................................$60,000 Lotawana, 3 bdr, 2 ba, 2 car, 2nd tier...............................................................................................$1,300/mo. Lotawana, 1st tier, gorgeous, covered well dock................AvAIL Jan 1...................................$1,400/mo. Lotawana, 1st tier, possible 5 bedroom, covered dock................................................................$450,000 Lotawana, 1st tier, huge walkout basement, private dock .........................................................$260,000 Lotawana, 2nd tier dollhouse, all new, dock! ..................................................................................$132,000 we do ProPerty management! we need rental inventory! $800-$2200

record fourth quarter!

reduced rates to sell, amazing internet coverage! we’re working harder for you!

0WUM ;_MM\ 0WUM :MIT\a 816-808-4000 NHOO\VORDQ FRP KVKUHDOW\ FRP

19 HOME RENTAL

HOMES FOR SALE

BLUE SPRINGS

INDEP./SUGAR CRK

BLUE SPRINGS

RAYTOWN/KC

GRAIN VALLEY/OAK GROVE

Lotawana

Blue Springs. $800/mo, 3 bdrm, 2 full, fin walk out bsmnt w/ FP. 2 car, fenced, cal-de-sac lot. Easy access to I-70. Super clean, available immediately. Lee's Summit w/ Blue springs schools off W o o d s Chapel/Lakewood Blvd, 4 bdrm cal split, fin. walkout, 2 car, $1500 mo.

BIG PRICE REDUCTION!

Ranch on cul-de-sac in desirable Blackburn School District. Move-in ready. Thermal windows, C/A and FAG only Home Sweet Home 2 years old. Inside entrance to finished Realty walk-out basement. Call 816-808-4000 or text Jennifer at 6990619. Kathy Liggett For Lease! Blue Springs, 3/2, fenced 816-616-4273/503-4637 REECE & NICHOLS cauldesac, $800. EASTLAND Lotawana, 2nd tier, 3/2, private dock, $1,300. 1st tier, 2264 sq ft, covered dock, $1,500. 2nd tier, 3/3, $1,150. Odessa, 3/2, granite kitchen, priv fence, 1,200

Home Sweet Home Realty 816-808-4000

REALTORS

The Clemons Home Team Robin's Photo/Kelly's Photo Call us for all your Real Estate Needs. We also specialize in Short Sales and Foreclosures. www.clemonshomes. com Robin Clark 816.200.6513 Kelly Jennings 816.695.1027 Reece and Nichols

HOMES FOR SALE INDEP./SUGAR CRK

BOND MONEY WILL WORK! Great family home near freeway and shopping. Three bedrooms and two full baths. Finished Basement. Oversized garage. Level fenced yard. Nice deck. Barbara Bridgforth 816-898-3043/503-4626 REECE & NICHOLS EASTLAND

3 rentals - $110,000. could live in one & have cash from other 2 units. Unit A has new carpet; Units A&B have new paint! Call... Kathy Ellis-Mooney 816-582-0160 www.kathyellis. reeceandnichols.com Reece and Nichols

CASTLEWOODS EAST-TRUE RANCH!

Home Sweet Home Realty 816-808-4000

Salisbury Meadows, wonderful space in this spacious, expanded side to side split. 4BR, 3.5BA, first floor master suite, newly remodeled kitchen with hearth area and many updates. Finished rec room in lower level, Ft. Osage Schools. $149,900. The McGraw Team 816-655-6526 mcgrawteam@ reeceandnichols.com Reece and Nichols

ROOM TO ROAM! In this 1.5 story raised ranch. Three full and one half baths plus four bedrooms. Finished Basement. So much to see. Check it out!. Glenna Lunceford 816-517-9988/503-4639 REECE AND NICHOLS EASTLAND

HONEY, STOP THE CAR! All brick ranch with new roof, screened room,, two car garage, three bedrooms and one full and one half bath and a fireplace. Call for showing at 816-786-0317. Dan O'Neill 816-786-0317/503-4668 REECE & NICHOLS EASTLAND

$116,900. Enclosed porch, huge kitchen, finished downstairs, new roof, garage doors, acoil, h20 heater. Huge fenced yard w/ shed. Nicely manicured, well cared for home. All newer appliances stay incl washer/dryer! Warranty! MLS#1691776. 23rd street cutie, big 2 bdrm w/big basement. Nicely maintained. Great price! Warranty. $69K.

Home Sweet Home Realty 816-808-4000

RANCH WITH WALKOUT Three bedrooms and three full baths. Two car attached garage. Finished rec room. Two Fireplaces. Opportunity for you to get a lot space for little money! $114,900. Larry LaGrece 816-665-3135/503-4609 REECE & NICHOLS EASTLAND

OUTSTANDING 1.5 STORY Open and inviting, wellmaintained home, large eat-in kitchen and a formal dining room. Main living has 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths, plus the laundry room. JANE MCLAIN 816-289-0293 Reece and Nichols

NO WAY! FIRE DAMAGED!! Ranch on corner lot. All brick with full basement and two car garage. Great location near Freeway and shopping. House must be gutted. Cash $44,900. Barbara Bridgforth 816-898-3043/503-4626 REECE & NICHOLS EASTLAND

Independence, all brick ranch w/ new appliances, 3 bdr, 2 full ba, MASSIVE finished basement, huge, level fenced yard w/ enclosed sun porch. New roof, siding, A-coil, H20 heater, garage doors/openers, in super shape! Subdivision pool. Close to everything! nice neighborhood, 42nd/Phelps MLS #1691776

THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK

Home Sweet Home Realty 816-808-4000

HOMES FOR SALE BLUE SPRINGS

Lotawana 1st Tier Dock just steps from home. 2 nice decks. 4, poss 5 bdrm, 3.5 bath. Fireplaces in two bdrms, liv rm. Amazing lake views. Great space, layout. Covered well dock w/ lift. 2 car garage. Everything you'd want at the lake! $450K. 1st tier, 3 bdrm, 3 full bath, HUGE walk out bsmnt, level yard to private dock, new roof, windows, electrical, $260K MLS #1707115

Home Sweet Home Realty 816-808-4000

$220K for 8.72 partially timbered acres, 5 bdrm, 4 ba, 2 kitchens and a finished walk out basement! Only minutes North of 50 Hwy, Oak Grove Schools. Lots of work has already been done, new roof. Huge potential to capitalize in this market! This is one SWEET deal! MLS # 1643639.

Home Sweet Home Realty 816-808-4000

WOW, $116,900

Independence All Brick Ranch,

Basic three bedroom ranch with two baths. Full basement. Double garage on nice lot! Priced Thousands below county assessment! Only $144,900 47th/Crystler, Rhonda Dykal 3 bdr RANCH, 20 x 22 816-522-1124/503-4615 master suite w/ FP, slidREECE & NICHOLS ing door walks out to EASTLAND garden like, fenced yrd from master. 2 sheds, 90% eff hvac, new roof, Independence new water heater, vinyl Darling 2 bedroom with siding, must see! Easy huge full basement, wet to move Washr/Dryer bar, & pool table. upstairs. Full basement, 23rd/Ralston. Big bedpartially finished $107K. rooms and big liv This one has been rm...much nicer than loved!!! clint's cell what you're used to see816-519-4489. MLS# ing in a 2 bdrm! Really 1680214. good buy! $60K

Home Sweet Home Realty 816-808-4000

ENGLEWOOD RENTALS

NEW ON THE MARKET IN INDEP!

1 & 2 yr leases. 2nd tier 3 bdrm, 2 full, 2 car, sits on 3 lots, private dock, granite kitchen, gas stove, cool back yard, fin bsmnt, new carpet, beautiful slate tile, $1,300 includes assoc dues. Available immediately. $1,000 deposit. Get ready for the best summer ever! Available Jan 1, 1st tier, 2 bdrm, 3 ba, 2264 sq. ft, covered well dock yards from back door. Main floor laundry. $1,500/mo includes sewer, trash, lake rights.

Once you see this home, you'll look no further. Convenient to schools, shopping in Blue Springs. Cozy and warm with new tilt-in windows and carpet. New kitchen and bath updates from tile to faucets! Come visit today! Go ahead, take advantage. Someone else has done the hard part, just move in! Call Pat Carlson...Let's go see it! PAT & BRUCE CARLSON 816-665-1371 Reece and Nichols

HOMES FOR SALE

Raytown Rd, 68th Terr. Dollhouse! 3 bdrm, huge din/liv rm w/ gleaming hardwoods. Covered deck, fenced yard, shed. Big master. full bsmnt great shape, no piers, dry...a keeper! Best part, TWO CAR GARAGE for $80K! Won't last, MLS #1700546.

Home Sweet Home Realty 816-808-4000

HOMES FOR SALE OTHER AREAS

40 SECLUDED ACRES Awesome acerage, ready for a home. Half woods, lots of fruit trees. Nice secluded area to build. Lafayette County. Carol Keith 816-699-1096 Reece and Nichols

HOMES FOR SALE

Choosing a home is one of the most important decisions Call a

GRAIN VALLEY/OAK GROVE

RAYTOWN/KC

Lease Available $1,150/month. Oh, Oh, O, Odessa,

REDUCED AGAIN! GREAT NEW LISTING! $110,000 for a really nice ranch! Huge family room. Fireplace. Three bedrooms and two full baths. Three car garage. www.danielboneill.com Dan O'Neill 816-786-0317/503-4668 REECE & NICHOLS EASTLAND

Darling 3BR raised ranch. Eat-in kitchen with all appliances and formal dining. Finished basement. Privacy fenced yard with huge deck. Sally Groves 816-655-6515 Reece and Nichols

NEW BRICK HOME ON THE MARKET! This is a great raised ranch! Brick front, newer paint, carpet, garage drs, deck, new roof, dry bsmnt, more! CHRISTINA BROWN 816-896-8916 www. TheBrownTeam.com Reece and Nichols

3 CAR GARAGE, HOME UNDER $80K 3BR, 1BA home with attached and detached garage. Home is full of NEW and updated items. Carpet, countertops, tiled shower, etc. Steve Adams 816-589-2687 SteveAdams@ reeceandnichols.com Reece and Nichols

BEAUTIFUL ESTATE 5BR HOME On 3.5 acres. This is a fantastic opportunity. This all brick home could not be built for the price we have it listed at. For 24 hour information, call (888) 203-3708, ext. 02 Travis Hagewood 816-699-1096 Reece and Nichols

The cook will kiss you! Granite kitchen, tons cabinets, nice appliances, tile floor, travertine backsplash, big mster w/full bath, vaulted ceilings, privacy fenced level yard, lots of square footage! NEW PRICE, 129k! MLS#1690626

Home Sweet Home Realty 816-808-4000

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SALISBURY HILLS...ONLY $76,900!

Seller pays buyers closing costs! 1 level, 4 bedroom, 2 full baths + laundry! New master bath, fridge, paint, carpet and tile! Thermal windows and siding. Fenced yard + shed, double driveway. Home warranty. See photos at: www.LindaPringle.com | LINDA PRINGLE 816-807-2428

INDEPENDENCE RAISED RANCH 3 bedrooms, 2 car garage, living room + 1st floor family room with wbfp. So much home for $$$. Recorded info – 24 Hours 1-800-808-5509, ID #1426 JOHN COVERT 816-478-9555

SMALL STONE RANCH – 1 GARAGE

Meticulous 5BR home with hardwood floors galore, chef kitchen with stainless steel appliances, oversized pantry, hearth room, plus whirlpool tub & finished walkout basement. MLS#1704996 RACHEL HARRINGTON 816-529-4301

New cabinets, carpet, paint electrical, new appliances, stone home. Seller paid closing costs. Total payment less than $500. Down payment less than $2,500. JUDY ENGLE 816-589-8933 JUDYENGLE.COM

STUNNING $164,900 At 35th and Crysler, 3BR, 2.5BA, large master suite, tile. Updated kitchen w/granite counter, pantry, 2 fireplaces, new roof, pictures at ronvanfleet.com/1696057. Call for showing. RON VAN FLEET 816-721-4048 ronvanfleet@remax.net

INDEPENDENCE CAPE COD

3 bedrooms, beautiful hardwood floors, breakfast area + formal dining room, and finished basement. Recorded info – 24 Hours 1-800-808-5509, ID #1406 ANITA COVERT 816-478-9555

LIKE NEW IN OAKS RIDGE MEADOWS Beautifully decorated like new home in Oaks Ridge Meadows. To tour this home, or for more information, call Brian Reed at 816582-1682 or Mary Carol at 816-210-6731.

816-582-1682

$114,500 = $693 PER MONTH + TAXES AND INSURANCE

3BR, 2 car garage ranch w/full basement. 4.875% interest for 30 years. Taxes $1,439, APR 5.0956%. $4008 down payment. TERI CARTWRIGHT 816-285-8828 tericartwright.com/ KS1687659

BUYING? SELLING? NICE 2 STORY! 4 BEDROOMS! Great wood floors. Open floor plan! Huge master suite, jacuzzi tub, walkin closet. 4th bedroom has a bonus area space. Corner lot! $238,900 DENNIS HOEHN 816-588-1697 www.dennishoehn.net

26 ACRES GREAT 4BR, 2 BA HOME Lots of new! Roof, furnace, A/C, kitchen, wood floors, tile. Seller will look at ALL offers. Call me for showing today! BILL VINYARD 816-200-6785

This home sits on a treed lot with lots of privacy. Front gate needs code to enter. Home has great view and in good shape. All electric. Roof 2 yrs old. DAVID SANDERSON 816-373-8484, EXT. 367

For all of your real estate needs, contact Charlie!

CHARLIE ROGERS 816-260-7391

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LAKE FRONT! 5 CAR GARAGE! $350K Located in a quiet cove with great lake views. Boat dock! Fin. walk-out basement with 4th BR and Bath, Loft bdrm. REDUCED $50,000! Open Sundays 1 to 4. DENNIS HOEHN 816-588-1697 www.dennishoehn.net