Community Demographics

Find out about age, income, percentage of home ownership, and other pertinent information.

Johnson County KS Census info http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/20/20091.html

Johnson County KS Muni Net guide http://www.muninetguide.com/states/kansas/Johnson.php

Johnson County KS Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson_County,_Kansas

Jackson County MO Census info http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/29000.html

Nationwide Community INFO www.bestplaces.net

Community Rehabilitation/Revitalization Loan Programs

Many Communities provide incentive loans/grants to qualified participants who make improvements to the homes they own in certain target areas. See links below for plans by community.

Lenexa, KS: Neighborhood Revitalization

www.ci.lenexa.ks.us/Planning/NeighborhoodRevitalizationPlanPrograms.html

Merriam, KS: Home Improvement Assistance Program

www.merriam.org/living/home-improvements.htm

Olathe, KS: Deferred Loan Program www.olatheks.org/NHS/HousingServices/HousingPrograms/Applications

Johnson County Home Program – The HOME Program assists eligible elderly Johnson County homeowners with rehabilitation of their homes to bring them into compliance with local housing codes.

www.humanservices-aging.jocogov.org/housing/revitalization.shtml#1

County Information

Johnson, KS http://www.jocogov.org/

Wyandotte, KS http://www.wycokck.org/

Jackson, MO http://www.co.jackson.mo.us/

Cass, MO http://www.casscounty.com/

Clay, MO http://www.claycogov.com/

Platte, MO http://www.co.platte.mo.us/

Crime Statistics

Your local Police Station can provide information regarding specific areas as well. In addition, the KC Star publishes weekly crime stats by neighborhoods.

Johnson County

Johnson County KS JCCC Profile www.jccc.net/home/depts/6111/site/profile

Vision for Johnson County Report www.ucsjoco.org/trends/NAV-SAFETYfs.pdf

Overland Park, KS http://opkansas.org/_Res/Police_and_Fire/Police_Department/crimemap.cfm

Lenexa, KS www.ci.lenexa.ks.us/Police/index.html

http://www.hellolenexa.com/crime.cfm

Jackson County MO Crime Stats

Kansas City MO http://www.kcpd.org/

Energy Efficiency

What is the difference between Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation? http://www.ase.org/content/article/detail/938

Energy saving tips for consumers:

http://www.ase.org/section/_audience/consumers http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/save_energy.html

What the Energy Policy Act of 2005 Means to You (Tax Breaks) http://www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm

Financing Information

*Preferred Mortgage Lenders www.key2kc.com/lenders

*Community Grant Programs (FREE MONEY!)

www.kchomeprograms.com Website with assistance programs in the KC metro area for mid-income buyers

Johnson County:

American Dream Down payment Initiative (ADDI)

http://humanservices-aging.jocogov.org/housing/addi.shtml

Jackson County:

Independence MO: http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/comdev/FTHB.aspx

Kansas City, MO: Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) http://www.mhdc.com/homes/index.htm

Foreclosures:  

Avoid Foreclosure Scammers:  http://www.bbb.org/alerts/article.asp?ID=593

Glossary of Real Estate Terms

Find out what all those terms mean… www.key2kc.com/realestateglossary

Green Living

A hot topic these days- and rightfully so. If you are concerned about the environment and what you can do to help keep things green, these links should help you. Support our local economy. Check out the KC area specific list first!

Kansas City Specific Green Living:

Local KC Source for Organic Clothing and Bedding http://www.itsonlynaturalonline.com/

Habitat Restore- recycled building materials http://www.restorekc.org/

Local KC Bakery using local and organic ingredients http://www.breadoflifebakery.net/

Locally owned Dry Cleaning that uses an environmentally safe cleaning solution http://www.hangerskc.com

Bridging the Gap- Information on Community recycling programs among others: http://www.bridgingthegap.org/

Everyday “Green” Products http://greenfinds.com/

Learn how you can reduce your environmental impact http://www.lowimpactliving.com/

The Power Scorecard is a useful tool that helps assess the environmental impact of different types of electric power generation http://www.powerscorecard.org/index.cfm

Handicap Accessible Homes

http://homeaccessprogram.org/index.html

Home Staging

Staging Checklist www.key2kc.com/stagingchecklist

Local Home Stagers www.refreshkc.com

* We are strong believers in Staging properties For Sale and we include staging services in our listings.

Home Warranty Providers

A Home Warranty can offer valuable peace of mind to new and experienced Homeowners wary of potential big ticket maintenance bills. Warranties have different coverage options at different price points.

Old Republic Home Warranty www.orhp.com

First American www.ehomewarranties.com

American Home Shield www.ahswarranty.com

2-10 Home Warranty www.2-10.com

HMS National Warranty www.hmsnet.com

Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

See links to HUD Homes for Sale* and other pertinent information

Hud Site http://www.hud.gov/homes/index.cfm

HUD Property search site:  www.bidselect.com

*Gamble Real Estate Professionals are experienced in Dealing with HUD home purchases

Inspection Topics

How do I know if an Inspector is qualified?

ASHI(American Society of Home Inspectors) http://www.ashi.org/
NACHI (National Association of Certified Home Inspectors) http://www.nachi.org/

What does a “typical” Home Inspection Cover?

www.key2kc.com/wholehouseinspection

Additional Items/Conditions to Inspect or Test:

Asbestos http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/

Lead Based Paint http://www.epa.gov/lead/

Masonite Siding http://www.masoniteclaims.com/

Mold & Microbials http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html

Mold & Microbials testing http://www.moldpro.net/

Polybutylene Pipes http://www.plumbing911.com/ http://www.polybutylene.com/

Radon Gas http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/

Septic system http://jced.jocogov.org/onsite_sewage/os_index.htm

Sewer Line and Drains: Video Pipeline Inspection house to street. http://www.hydro-physics.com/

Swimming Pool, Sauna, Hot Tub http://jced.jocogov.org/swimming_pools/pool_index.htm

Synthetic Stucco (EIFS) http://www.envirospec.net/

Water Quality http://jced.jocogov.org/onsite_sewage/os_index.htm

http://www.tetratech.com/portal/site/TetraTech/

Newspapers - Kansas/Missouri

Lee’s Summit Journal: Lee’s Summit, MO www.lsjournal.com

Liberty Sun News: Liberty, MO area www.libertysun.com

The Belton Star Herald: Belton, MO area www.thestar-herald.com

The Examiner: Eastern Jackson County www.examiner.net

The Gladstone Sun News: Gladstone MO www.gladstonesunnews.com

The Kansan: Kansas City, Kansas www.kansascitykansan.com

The Kansas City Business Journal: Weekly Business information www.kansascity.bizjournals.com/kansascity

The Kansas City Star: Kansas City Metro Area including Johnson, Jackson, Clay and Platte Counties www.kansascity.com

The News/Media Directory for the Kansas City area: Specialty publications and resources:

www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/publications/newsmedia/newsmedia.pdf

The Pitch Weekly alternative newspaper featuring news, arts, entertainment www.pitch.com

The Raytown Tribune: Raytown, MO http://www.kccommunitynews.com/raytown_tribune/

The Wyandotte Echo: Wyandotte County http://www.wyecho.com/

Property Search

REMAX www.key2kc.com/homesearch

Realtor.com www.realtor.com

Property Mapping Sites

Johnson County Automated information mapping system aims.jocogov.org

Google Maps Aerial Property view maps.google.com/maps

Property Taxes

Johnson County Kansas http://appraiser.jocogov.org/

Jackson County MO http://www.co.jackson.mo.us/ FYI- Property taxes in Jackson County are NOT pro-rated, so if you live in Jackson County for even one day of a calendar year, you would still owe taxes for the ENTIRE year.

Realtor Information

www.gamblerealestateprofessionals.com

National Association of Realtors Did you know that not everyone is a Realtor? www.nar.com

Kansas Association of Realtors www.kar.com

Missouri Association of Realtors www.mrec.com

School Information Kansas/Missouri

2007 MO School information reports http://dese.mo.gov/schooldata/school_data.html

General Information about public schools http://www.greatschools.net/

http://www.schoolmatters.com/

National Center for Education Statistics http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/

School Research and Data Consultation http://www.schoolmatch.com/

Kansas Public Schools

Shawnee Mission School District: Northern Overland Park Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission, Shawnee, Lenexa http://www.smsd.org/

Olathe School District http://www.olatheschools.com/

Blue Valley School District http://www.bluevalleyk12.org/

Kansas City Kansas Public Schools http://www.kckps.org/

Turner School District http://www.turnerusd202.org/

Compare Schools in KS http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/go/KS

Missouri Public Schools

2007 MO State School information reports http://dese.mo.gov/schooldata/school_data.html

Kansas City Missouri School District http://www2.kcmsd.net/Pages/default.aspx

Independence Public Schools http://www.indep.k12.mo.us/

Liberty Public Schools http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/

Park Hill Public Schools http://www.parkhill.k12.mo.us/

North Kansas City Schools http://www.nkcsd.k12.mo.us/

Blue Springs Public Schools http://www.bluesprings-schools.net/bluesprings/gen/blue_springs_generated_pages/Home_New_p1591.html

Lee Summit Public Schools http://www.leesummit.k12.mo.us/

Compare Schools in MO http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/go/MO

Private Schools in KS and MO

Kansas City MO Private Schools http://missouri.privateschoolsreport.com/schools/MO/KansasCity.html

Kansas Private Schools http://www.privateschoolreview.com/state_private_schools/stateid/KS

Sex Offenders Listing

Kansas Sex Offender List http://www.accesskansas.org/kbi/ro.shtml

Missouri Sex Offender List http://www.kcpd.org/

Utility Information

www.key2kc.com/utilityinfo

Voter Registration

www.key2kc.com/utilityinfo

Wireless Providers in the Kansas City/Overland Park Metro Area

When moving, be sure and check out the cell phone coverage in your new area. For instance, if you work at home and cannot get good service, you may need to consider changing service providers prior to moving.

www.att.com/wireless

www.cingular.com

www.sprint.com

www.tmobile.com

UPDATED 6-9-2008