Great Missouri Homes Real Estate Blog - Merla Turner

Realtor.com Says April 13-19 Is The Best Time To List - But Is That True in Kansas City?

Realtor.com analyzes housing market trends each year to pinpoint the best week to list a home. In 2025, they landed on the now widely publicized April 13-19 as this year's sweet spot for sellers.  But does this national trend hold up in Kansas City's unique housing market? Let's break down the data and see if mid-April is the golden window to sell your home in and around Kansas City.

Why Does Realtor.com Recommend April 13-19?

Realtor.com's recommendation is based on several key factors:

• Higher Prices: Historically, listing prices peak in spring, rising 6.7% above the start of the year by mid-April.
• More Buyer Interest: Listings see 17.7% more views per property during this week.
• Less Competition: Inventory is still 13.2% lower than…

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More Homes, More Leverage: Why This Spring Might Be Your Time to Buy

If you’ve been sitting on the homebuying sidelines waiting for the right moment, this spring might just be it. Two big changes in the Kansas City housing market are tipping the scales in buyers’ favor: more inventory and more price reductions. That means you have more choices and more negotiating power than you’ve had in years. Let’s break it down.

1. More Homes on the Market = More Choices

For the first time in over five years, Kansas City buyers have a larger selection of homes to choose from. According to Realtor.com, the number of active listings has increased by 27.5% in the last year alone.

Think about it: just a couple of years ago, buyers were scrambling to snag homes before they even hit the market. Now, you actually have the…

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Avoid Homebuyer Heartbreak: Why Mortgage Pre-Approval Matters

Suppose you're thinking about buying a home in Kansas City, Lee's Summit, or anywhere in the metro area. In that case, one step you absolutely should take before you start scrolling through listings online is to get pre-approved for a mortgage.

Skipping this step is like walking into a car dealership without knowing your budget—you might fall in love with something way out of your price range or, worse, miss out on a home because another buyer was more prepared. Let's break down why pre-approval matters and how it can help you land your dream home in today's market.

What is Pre-Approval?

Pre-approval is when a lender looks closely at your finances—your income, debt, credit score, and payment history—to determine how much they're willing to lend…

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Is the Kansas City Housing Market Finally Balancing Out?

For years, sellers have had the upper hand in the housing market. With limited inventory and high demand, buyers faced intense competition to get an offer accepted. But now, inventory is rising, and in some areas, the market is beginning to shift. Read below for the scoop and detailed Kansas City market data.

Is the Market Finally Balancing Out?

The big question: Does this mean buyers will have it easier in 2025? Well, that depends on where you're looking.

According to the latest data, some markets are still heavily favoring sellers, while others are becoming more buyer-friendly. This shift is happening as more homes hit the market, giving buyers in certain areas more leverage than in recent years.

What Determines a Buyer's Market vs. a…

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It's Okay to Feel Nervous Buying Your First Home

So, you're thinking about buying your first home? First of all, that's super exciting! But let's be real for a second—it can also feel overwhelming. You're about to make a considerable investment, and with that comes many questions. Am I making the right choice? Can I actually afford this? What if something unexpected goes wrong with the house? What if I lose my job?

Trust me, you're not alone in feeling this way. Every first-time homebuyer experiences these thoughts. But don't worry—those nerves are completely normal, and I have some tips to help you manage them while taking this exciting step.

Focus on What You Can Control

As a first-time homebuyer, you're looking at a lot of numbers right now, and it can get overwhelming. Between your…

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Mortgage Rates Hit Lowest Point So Far This Year

If you've been holding off on buying a home because of high mortgage rates, it might be time to rethink your strategy. Mortgage rates have steadily declined for seven straight weeks, hitting the lowest level this year. And that's a game-changer for Kansas City area buyers and sellers alike.

What's Happening with Mortgage Rates?

According to Freddie Mac, mortgage rates peaked above 7% in mid-January but have now dropped to 6.63% as of early March. 

That's earlier than expected—forecasters didn't anticipate rates dipping this low until later in the year. But they're dropping faster than anticipated due to economic uncertainty, consumer sentiment, and shifting market factors.

Why Are Rates Coming Down?

Joel Kan, VP and Deputy Chief…

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Waiting to Buy a Home Could Cost You More in the Long Run

At one point or another, you’ve probably heard someone say, “Yesterday was the best time to buy a home, but the next best time is today.”

That’s because, historically, home values tend to go up rather than down. And with mortgage rates still on the high side, you might be holding off—waiting for prices to fall or for that perfect interest rate to show up. But here’s the real talk: waiting could cost you big time.

Home Prices in Lee’s Summit Are Still Rising—Just at a More Normal Pace

If you’re hoping for a big crash in home prices, you might be in for a long wait. According to the Home Price Expectations Survey (HPES) from Fannie Mae, industry experts don’t see home prices dropping anytime soon. Instead, they predict prices will keep rising…

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Is Your Lee's Summit Home Worth More Than You Think?

If you own a home in Lee's Summit, MO, there's a good chance it's worth a lot more than you realize. Over the past five years, home prices have seen an incredible rise, which means your home's value has likely skyrocketed, too.

The Big Picture: Missouri Home Prices Are Up 56.4% Since 2019

According to the latest data from FHFA, home prices across Missouri jumped 56.4% since 2019. Yep, you read that correctly - 56.4%! That's a huge jump compared to the typical annual increase of 2-5%. Whether you're thinking about selling or just curious about your home's value, now is a great time to take a closer look.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you've been toying with the idea of selling your home, now might be the perfect time to take action. The…

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The Real Estate Impact of Remote Workers Going Back to the Office

It's no secret that remote work has exploded over the past few years. For many, the flexibility of working from home meant more than just skipping the daily commute—it meant the freedom to live wherever they wanted. People traded cramped apartments in the city for larger homes in the suburbs, or even made the leap to rural areas, enjoying more space and a quieter lifestyle.

But now, some companies are calling employees back to the office. As a result, workers face tough decisions about their homes and commutes.

How Return-to-Work Policies Are Impacting Housing

The rise of remote work allowed employees to rethink where they lived. No longer confined to expensive, crowded city centers, many found the charm of suburban neighborhoods, larger…

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Selling? Why a Pre-Listing Inspection Might Benefit You in Today's Market

Selling your home can feel like juggling a dozen things at once. The last thing you want is for a deal to fall apart because of unexpected issues uncovered during a buyer's inspection - it's wise to anticipate potential problems before buyers enter your home. One way to do that is with a pre-listing inspection.

What Is a Pre-Listing Inspection?

A pre-listing inspection is simply a home inspection you schedule before listing your house. It's similar to the inspection a buyer would have done once they make an offer, but it's in your hands first. This inspection looks for structural issues, an old or malfunctioning HVAC system, or any repairs that could impact the sale of your home.

While this can be a great option for those who like to avoid…

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