Real Estate

3 tips for navigating changing real estate market conditions in KC

Presented by a KCtoday Partner

Aerial photo over a Sacramento, CA home, driveway, and street.

While you can’t always count on a hot housing market, you can count on the certainty of a cash offer from Opendoor. | Photo provided by Opendoor

Location, location, location — that’s been the name of the real estate game for decades. These days, though, you may be hearing more: recession, economy, inflation… terms that definitely have less appeal.

The real estate market is cyclical, and today’s market is currently trying to find out where it will land (albeit a bit dramatically). The difference? Unlike big market turns of the past, this time we’ve swayed quickly from one extreme to the other.

In just two short years, we’ve seen outsized home price appreciation in most US markets, followed by a swift decline in housing demand. The whiplash of these fluctuations (and the uncertainty about what happens next) can be hard to wrap your head around.

The good news is, even though none of us can predict what will happen next, that’s okay. If you’re a seller or a buyer (or both) currently stuck in the loop of dreaming, hoping, anticipating + dreading, the experts at Opendoor have three tips to help ride the wave.

Wide-angle view of a woman walking a dog in front of a row of brick townhomes in Dallas, TX. — In the absence of bidding wars, you have time to get to know a neighborhood, look at different housing options, and narrow in on your “must-haves”.

Tip No. 1: Don’t worry about finding the “perfect” time to sell or buy.

Hint: It doesn’t exist. The perfect time is what works best for you and your life. Some factors, like a growing family or a new job in another state, are an easy call. But other reasons require you to dig deep. Think:

Will a move improve your day-to-day life?
Will you gain more time, be closer to friends and family, or be nearer to activities that bring you joy?

Tip No. 2: Research your financing options.

The good news: You’ve got options. Whether you’re getting a new loan, refinancing, or looking to lower your payment, a mortgage calculator can help you figure out how much you can afford in minutes. There are also rate buydowns, which can help you lower your rate. Pro tip: A lender can help you figure out what your options are.*

TIP NO. 3

This content was created in partnership with Opendoor and written by Garcelle Vierra Erdie.*

If you’re house hunting (or considering it within the next 6 months), would the state of the economy cause you to stop or pause your search?

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Monday, Dec. 5

Sensory Friendly Mondays | Monday, Dec. 5 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Johnson County Museum, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS | $4-$6 | Enjoy the museum and KidScape in a comfortable, low-sensory environment.
The Piano Guys | Monday, Dec. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland | $93-$143 | The viral YouTube duo brings their fantastic music and great humor to KC. 🎹

Tuesday, Dec. 6

KC Cyber Security Conference | Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS | $200 | This symposium provides the region’s IT executives an opportunity to gather for a day of networking, collaboration, and knowledge-transfer. 👨‍💻
The Family featuring Chloe and Lonnie McFadden | Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Kauffman Center | $14-$69 | Local jazz icons Lonnie and Chloe McFadden invite you to an illustrative “holiday dinner” where everyone is welcome. 🎶
“Pretty Woman: The Musical” | Tuesday, Dec. 6-Sunday, Dec. 11 | Various times | Music Hall, 301 W. 13th St., Kansas City, MO | $38-$121 | This film-based musical is part of the PNC Broadway in Kansas City series.

Wednesday, Dec. 7

Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift | Wednesday, Dec. 7 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Gem Theater, 1615 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO | $30 | Experience this superstar’s music by candlelight with other local Swifties. 🕯️

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

52º | Mostly cloudy | 16% chance of rain

Sports

Welcome back. Sporting KC announced the re-signings of MLS veterans Graham Zusi, Roger Espinoza, and Andreu Fontas. Zusi and Espinoza have signed one-year contracts through 2023 with options for 2024, while Fontas has signed a two-year deal through 2024. ⚽
It’s time to go bowling. The match-up has been set — the Kansas Jayhawks are facing the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Liberty Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 28 in Memphis, TN. Fun fact: this is the Jayhawks’ first bowl game appearance since 2008. 🏈

Announced

The Annual Johnson County Home + Garden Show is returning Friday, Jan. 6 through Sunday, Jan. 8 at the Overland Park Convention Center. The event will feature hundreds of exhibitors and celebrity guest Liz Fenwick — a DIY expert and blogger.

Drink

Looking for the holiday cocktail experience from the comfort of your couch? Check out Acre’s holiday cheer to-go — featuring bottled Acre heritage eggnog, swidden old fashion, and mulled wine punch. 🍷

Cause

Sweat for a cause. KC fitness studio Sweat Forum is partnering with Happy Bottoms, a local organization that distributes diapers and training pants for families in need, for a charity boot camp on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 9 a.m. Fun fact: the studio owners are both pregnant and due within three days of each other.

Seasonal

Your Monday morning holiday gift inspiration, courtesy of Etsy: For the person who loves bread. For the person obsessed with their pet. For the person who can take a joke. For the kid who loves to color. Plus, all you need is popcorn or all you need is marshmallows. 🎁*

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CROSSED WORDS

Hit us with your best guess.	Our last crossed words fooled some of you — let’s see how you do this time. Hint: This annual KC event takes place on Thanksgiving. Send your guesses to our inbox, we’ll reveal the answer tomorrow.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Bella.

Editor’s pick: Don’t forget that we’re running a holiday photo contest. Whip out your DSLR, smart phone, or even disposable camera and snap away. Email us your submissions by Friday, Dec. 16 to be considered.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Here’s a few of KC’s oldest restaurants.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Bella Rainey, Travis Meier, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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