Latest Blogs

A Fourth of July Decor Guide

By Missouri REALTORS posted 4 days ago
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If you’re hosting the Fourth of July festivities this year, the pressure is on. Since a lot of us missed out on the previous year’s barbecues, pool parties and firework shows due to safety precautions, we are expecting an all American, all out extravaganza with food, drinks and decorations to match. To help out, we have curated a list of patriotic decoration ideas that will leave your houseguests feeling extra proud to be an American this weekend! A Patriotic Front Porch This is a fantastic opportunity to turn the entrance of your home into the perfect patriotic display. Add some red, white and blue pops of color with patriotic flower pots, plants, wreaths, ...
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Avoiding Fair Housing Act (FHA) Violations Involving Alleged Wrongful Conduct

By Lisa Scoble posted 6 days ago
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Avoiding Fair Housing Act (FHA) Violations Involving Alleged Wrongful Conduct With the end to the moratorium on evictions due to COVID-19 coming soon, 1 fair housing laws may be tested in a variety of situations. Potential issues may relate to the millions of renters who fell behind in their payments because of COVID-19. For instance, how will landlords respond to renters who are still behind even after they receive rental assistance? Or what if a renter had COVID-19 and asks for more time as a “reasonable accommodation” to get caught up? On the flip side, if a renter never suffered from COVID-19, they may have a more difficult time evading eviction. All this ...
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April 2021 Market Statistics

By Missouri REALTORS posted 27 days ago
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Statewide market statistics for April of 2021 are in. Across the board, Missouri’s housing market continues to see an increase in residential properties sold, residential sale price and total dollar volume. While these double digit increases from 2020 are jaw dropping, there is still a dangerous decrease in inventory and a surge in pricing and competition across the state. A quick look at the numbers reveals that the unprecedented, relentless demand for housing in April created a red hot marketplace yet again. Home sales in the state of Missouri increased since last April. Missouri REALTORS ® sold 7,783 residential properties. This was a 26.8% increase ...
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Happy National Homeownership Month

By Missouri REALTORS posted 27 days ago
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From everyone at Missouri REALTORS ® , to our members and homeowners across the state, happy Homeownership Month. The United States marked the first annual Homeownership Month back in June 2020 . It was established as an opportunity for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Housing Administration and others to “recognize the importance of homeownership and its impact upon the lives of American families, local neighborhoods, and the national economy.”  “For generations, homeownership has sustained and empowered Americans. Recently, we have been reminded that our homes are central to our health, our independence, ...
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Member Spotlight: Beatrice Covington

By Missouri REALTORS posted 27 days ago
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Missouri REALTORS ® are so much more than just real estate professionals. They dedicate their time to serving on school boards and running for elected positions. They educate, serve on panels, volunteer and facilitate industry discussions. Their philanthropic efforts are inspiring, and the difference they are making within their communities is significant. Our Member Spotlight series highlights these efforts and introduces some of our wonderful members. This month, we are shining the Member Spotlight on Beatrice Covington. Beatrice, from The Covington Connection LLC and St. Louis REALTORS ® , dedicates an extensive amount of her free time to serving ...
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Capitol Update: May 21 | 2021 Legislative Session Highlights

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 05-21-2021
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Missouri REALTORS ® , As you can imagine, it was a very hectic conclusion to this year’s legislative session. Let’s dive right in… updates that further explanation on the license law issues since the original post have been inserted in red. License Law Issues: The General Assembly approved both of Missouri REALTORS ®  license law priorities. The first, language allowing a licensee to own an unlicensed LLC that can receive commission payments. The second, advertising guidance. Both priorities were included in HB 476 and in HB 273. These were omnibus professional registration bills and REALTOR ®  legislators initially sponsored both bills; Rep. Derek Grier’s ...
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2021 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings Review

By John Sebree posted 05-17-2021
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Missouri REALTORS ® , I hope you had the opportunity to tune in to this year’s virtual REALTORS ® Legislative Meetings. While we look forward to being back on Capitol Hill next year, I am happy to share that Missouri REALTORS ®  leaders had a very successful virtual conference this year. Before we jump into meeting highlights, I first want to recognize Larry Keating. During Friday’s Board of Director’s meeting, Larry, a past president of Missouri REALTORS ® , was named a 2021 Distinguished Service Award winner for the National Association of REALTORS ® . This award is the highest honor outside of the presidency bestowed to a NAR member. Congratulations, ...
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When Do Past Repairs Become “Defects” To Be Disclosed?

By Lisa Scoble posted 05-14-2021
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When Do Past Repairs Become “Defects” To Be Disclosed? If there was one true answer to every question, think how easy conducting business or living life would be. Unless you’d like to change your chosen profession to mathematician,* then you’re in the same boat as most of us who need to make the best decision possible based on numerous factors. Here’s a real-world scenario providing some parameters for making tricky decisions in real estate transactions that will help limit your risk of a possible claim. SITUATION A seller contacted a real estate agent to act as the seller’s agent in a residential home sale. The seller had owned the property for several ...
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Capitol Update: May 3 | CFA to Increase Highway Funding, LLC Commission Payments, and LLC/Advertising Language

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 05-03-2021
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Missouri REALTORS ® , This past Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Small Business and Industry heard testimony on HB 162. In addition to Representative Viet’s original language regarding LLCs, this bill contains changes sought by the Office of the Secretary of State and our language allowing a real estate licensee to own an unlicensed LLC that could accept commission payments from their associated broker. The Senate Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee took up HB 476 on Wednesday. The underlying bill deals with reciprocity for members of the military. It allows a MOS (military occupational specialty) to be accepted as a type of occupational ...
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Capitol Update: April 26 | LLC Commission Payments, Motor Fuel Tax, and More.

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 04-26-2021
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Missouri REALTORS ® , This past week was a hectic week at the Capitol but since there are now only three weeks left in this session of the General Assembly, that's expected. A rare event occurred this past Monday. When I say rare, I mean I have only seen it happen a handful of times in my entire career which spans over fifty years. A petition was filed on Monday with the chief clerk of the House under House Rule 35, asking that House Bill (HB) 275 (Missouri Nondiscrimination Act) be taken from the House Committee on Children and Families and placed on the House Calendar for consideration. As provided in the Constitution, a petition was signed by fifty-five ...
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Member Spotlight: Jared Ritter

By Missouri REALTORS posted 04-26-2021
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Missouri REALTORS ® are so much more than just real estate professionals. They dedicate their time to serving on school boards and running for elected positions. They educate, serve on panels, volunteer and facilitate industry discussions. Their philanthropic efforts are inspiring, and the difference they are making within their communities is significant. Our Member Spotlight series highlights these efforts and introduces some of our wonderful members. This month, we are shining the Member Spotlight on Jared Ritter. Jared Ritter, from Ritter Real Estate, is a young, talented Missouri REALTOR ® and broker/owner who has already made enormous waves in the ...
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The Benefits of Using a REALTOR®

By Missouri REALTORS posted 04-26-2021
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The Benefits of Using a REALTOR ® Missouri REALTORS ® are essential. This was proven long before the pandemic. While consumers may be tempted to work through online real estate markets like Zillow or Opendoor, collaborating with an agent well-versed in the nuances of the industry is hands down the best real estate practice.  From providing expert opinion to decoding confusing real estate jargon, there are a plethora of reasons to conduct real estate business with an agent’s help. Here are several. Every REALTOR ® must adhere to a strict code of ethics. You can expect honest and ethical treatment in all transaction-related matters that adhere ...
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March 2021 Market Statistics

By Missouri REALTORS posted 04-26-2021
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Statewide market statistics for March of 2021 are in. Across the board, Missouri’s housing market continues to see an increase in residential properties sold, residential sale price and total dollar volume. This continues to indicate a dangerous decrease in inventory across the state, driving competition among buyers and prices way up. A quick look at the numbers reveals that the unprecedented and increased demand for housing in February had major implications on the marketplace. Home sales in the state of Missouri increased since last March. Missouri REALTORS ® sold 7,001 residential properties. This was a 12.1% increase compared to March 2020, when ...
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Happy Earth Day!

By Missouri REALTORS posted 04-22-2021
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Take some time today to consider your daily habits at home, at work and in your community. By adapting simple aspects of our day to be a little greener and a little more environmentally-conscious, we can effectively reduce our carbon footprint as homeowners, community members and REALTORS ® .  In honor of Earth Day, we have curated a list of small, impactful things we can all implement into our regular routine that will make a big difference. Celebrate Earth Day at home. Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs. Update your windows to cut down on heating and cooling. Install energy-efficient appliances around your house. Plant a garden. ...
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2021 REALTOR® Days Recap

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 04-21-2021
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Missouri REALTORS ® , We’re excited to announce that over 200 REALTOR ® members from 18 Local Boards/Associations throughout the state attended our annual REALTOR ® Days in Jefferson City, early February through mid-April. REALTOR ® Days are small group visits to the capitol every Tuesday and Wednesday during the state legislative session. It’s an opportunity for REALTORS ® and association leaders, along with local leadership academies and governmental affairs committees, to come together and communicate with elected officials. Throughout this session, legislators heard directly from REALTOR ® members on issues important to the real estate industry and ...
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Capitol Update: April 19 | With Only Four Weeks Left in Session…

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 04-19-2021
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From left to right: Jason Zamkus, contract lobbyist; Loren R. Coleman, MREC member; Senator Barbara Washington, 9th District (Kansas City); Sam Licklider, Missouri REALTORS ® Chief Lobbyist; Terry Moore, Executive Director of MREC Missouri REALTORS ® , We have only four weeks left in this session. With little time left, I expect we will begin to see most of our progress take place. To be honest, I had hoped we might have a breakthrough with at least one of the MONA bills. I expect I was too confident. As always, there is still a possibility, but it appears to be a long shot now.  In other news, we have a new member of the Missouri Real Estate Commission. ...
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Love Letters Are For Romance, Not Real Estate

By Lisa Scoble posted 04-14-2021
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Love Letters Are For Romance, Not Real Estate The housing market is one sector that has seen tremendous activity, and in most cases growth, over the last year despite the pandemic. Especially in hot markets with low inventory, we are seeing bidding wars force buyers to compete in nontraditional ways. One such method that has gained popularity is buyer love letters. It is not against the law for a buyer to write a letter to a seller. However, such a practice can lead to an increased risk of a claim for real estate professionals. SITUATION To entice a seller to choose their offer, buyers will write a love letter to describe the many reasons why the seller ...
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Capitol Update: April 12 | MONA, Amendment to Cut Assessed Value of Residential Property, and More

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 04-12-2021
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Missouri REALTORS ® , I’ll lead with good news. Last week, Senator Bernskoetter agreed to add language from SB 435 (LLC) and SB 473 (Advertising) to HB 476 (military reciprocity). The last is out of the Senate Committee on Professional Registration so as soon as the House and Senate begin cooperating again, it should go on the calendar. Yes, occasionally groups within both houses become irritated with the other body. Things get slowed down which generally begins after Easter because it’s more dramatic due to only a few weeks left of session and so on. This conflict is nothing new and has been happening as long as I’ve been there. Things generally work out, so ...
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Hybrid April Business Conference Recap

By Janet Judd posted 04-09-2021
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Dear Fellow Missouri REALTORS ® , Our recent hybrid April Business Conference was a tremendous success! We had over 400 REALTORS ® across the state in attendance, either in-person or virtually. In-House Physicians did a superb job of coordinating daily temperature and wellness checks for conference participants. On Tuesday, I welcomed Missouri Governor Mike Parson to the stage for the conference’s Opening General Session. I had the pleasure of speaking with him as he addressed a number of legislative issues and infrastructure initiatives that will impact the real estate industry. Governor Parson also discussed the state’s recovery from the Coronavirus Pandemic. ...
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Member Spotlight: Hank Vogt

By Missouri REALTORS posted 04-05-2021
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Missouri REALTORS ® are so much more than just real estate professionals. They dedicate their time to serving on school boards and running for elected positions. They educate, serve on panels, volunteer and facilitate industry discussions. Their philanthropic efforts are inspiring, and the difference they are making within their communities is significant. Our Member Spotlight series highlights these efforts and introduces some of our wonderful members. This month, we are shining the Member Spotlight on Hank Vogt. Hank Vogt, with RE/MAX Jefferson City and the Jefferson City Area Board of REALTORS ® , is a leader at heart. He works diligently to further ...
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