Latest Blogs

Love Letters Are For Romance, Not Real Estate

By Lisa Scoble posted 4 days ago
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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 6 days ago
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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 8 days ago
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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 13 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 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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Capitol Update: March 26 | Advertising Guidance and LLC Commission Payments Quickly Approaching the Finish Line

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 23 days ago
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Missouri REALTORS ® , We are moving along with both the LLC and Advertising issues. As previously mentioned, we amended the LLC issue onto Representative Rudy Viet’s HB 162. The House Rules Administrative Oversight committee reported it out today. The next stop is the House Perfection Calendar. Both Representative Hannah Kelly’s HB 1124 (advertising) and Representative Dan Houx’s HB 695 (LLC) are now in House Committee Substitute for HB 695. The bill now goes to House Committee on Rules-Administrative Oversight. In the Senate, Senator Denny Hoskins’ SB 435 (LLC) and Senator Justin Brown’s SB 473 (advertising) are out of committee and awaiting calendar placement. ...
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Women’s History Month

By Missouri REALTORS posted 23 days ago
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March is Women’s History Month. To mark the occasion, we have gathered stories and advice from the women who once served as president of this Association. Past Presidents Kay Gerken (2004), Elizabeth Mendenhall (2010), Sharon Keating (2013) and Brenda Oliver (2019) shared with us their favorite memories, greatest achievements and best lessons learned during their terms. What was the best lesson learned during your term as president? Kay Gerken: All the initiatives, issues or problems will not be resolved during your presidency. Keep your Leadership Team apprised of your goals and expectations and look to them for input and execution. Elizabeth ...
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Springtime Renovations

By Missouri REALTORS posted 25 days ago
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Now that Spring has officially sprung, you may be feeling extra inspired to roll up your sleeves and get some hard work done around the house. It’s time to refresh and renew your living space. So let’s take advantage of the warmer weather and longer days and start planning out your 2021 home improvement plans. Whether you’re taking on a personal project or trying to increase a listing’s value, we have curated a list of home improvement ideas that are guaranteed to refresh a space just in time for Spring! Transform your backyard with a freshly stained deck . Whether you want to refresh the old stain or change the color altogether, a new coat will ...
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February 2021 Market Statistics

By Missouri REALTORS posted 25 days ago
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Statewide market statistics for February 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. However, this also indicates a major decrease in inventory across the state, driving competition among buyers 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 February. Missouri REALTORS ® sold 5,430 residential properties. This was a 15.3% increase compared to February 2020.  Of ...
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Operating Outside Your Usual Territory? Be Extra Careful.

By Lisa Scoble posted 25 days ago
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Operating Outside Your Usual Territory? Be Extra Careful. Many real estate professionals have a geographic area where most of their transactions take place. It’s an area they are familiar with and are confident in their knowledge of the market. Operating outside of your normal area requires a higher degree of diligence to ensure you cover any gaps in understanding that could lead to a claim. In this real-world example, the number of parties involved and unsubstantiated information being passed off as fact, leads to a complicated claim that could have been avoided. SITUATION A real estate agent lists a property situated on a major road outside of his usual ...
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President’s Blog: Looking Ahead to the Hybrid April Business Conference

By Janet Judd posted 03-17-2021
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Missouri REALTORS ® , The time is almost here. Our 2021  Hybrid   April Business Conference is right around the corner, and I’m elated to share some exciting event details. We have a stellar line-up of speakers and special guests that will cover a range of thought-provoking and timely real estate topics. First of all, if you are joining us in person or watching virtually, you may notice that our April Business Conference is a bit more bright and colorful than usual. Spoiler alert. This, of course, is intentional. It’s a nod to our conference theme,  No boundaries. No borders.  And it’s a nod to the pillars on which our theme stands, diversity ...
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A Year of the Pandemic in Review

By Missouri REALTORS posted 03-17-2021
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This March marks one year of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Over the last twelve months, the world has been forced to totally reinvent the ways we communicate and conduct business. We’ve been introduced to social distancing, to mask wearing and to taking meetings over Zoom. Although it has been isolating, confusing and downright difficult at times, the staff at Missouri REALTORS ® wanted to take a moment to applaud the members of this Association for their flexibility, optimism and perseverance over the last year. We wanted to remind you of the wonderful things we achieved together, despite the pandemic. Here are some important highlights from the past year: ...
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Capitol Update: March 12 | With Spring Break Just Around the Corner, Industry Legislation is on the Move

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 03-12-2021
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Missouri REALTORS ® , The week before spring break is always a hectic one in the General Assembly, and this week was no exception. On Tuesday, the House Committee on Emerging Issues heard HB 695. This bill allows a real estate licensee to own an unlicensed LLC that can accept commission payments. When the House returns from spring break, the committee will hear HB 1124 on advertising guidance. Following the committee hearing, both bills will likely be merged into a House Committee Substitute and move forward accordingly. Additional issues of interest:   HB 162 which contains the LLC provisions in now in the House Committee on Rules and Administrative ...
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International Women’s Day

By Missouri REALTORS posted 03-08-2021
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Happy International Women’s Day, Missouri REALTORS ® ! March 8 is an annual reminder to celebrate and honor the women in this Association and in the industry at large. When women fully participate and actively lead in the real estate industry, we are better for it. By empowering and encouraging the women around us to speak up, to lead and to drive progress forward, we see positive results and growth across all aspects of real estate. Women are essential in building up the American Dream of homeownership in Missouri and across the country. The National Association of REALTORS said it best: “Historically, women have been involved in real estate almost since ...
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Capitol Update: March 5 | Commissions, Tenant Lockout, PACE, and More

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 03-05-2021
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Missouri REALTORS ® , It was a busy and productive week! On Monday, March 1 the Senate Professional Registration Committee took testimony on SB 473. Sponsored by Sen. Justin Brown, this bill provides guidance for real estate professionals when describing themselves or their team. It prohibits the use of the words “realty,” “brokerage,” and “company,” or other terms that might lead a person to believe they are dealing with a company other than the licensed entity with whom the licensee is associated. The bill is one of two developed by the License Law PAG which was appointed by Missouri REALTORS ® Past President Jeff Kester. On Tuesday, March 2 the Senate Small ...
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Employee Appreciation Day

By Missouri REALTORS posted 03-03-2021
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Just a friendly reminder from Missouri REALTORS ® that Friday, March 5 is Employee Appreciation Day. We believe it’s the perfect opportunity to make a meaningful gesture to your support staff. Show them that their hard work does not go unnoticed and that they play an essential role at your brokerage. We’ve curated ten ideas that will celebrate your staff and make them feel seen and valued. Give support staff a half day. Let them take off early this Friday to enjoy the nice weather or take an afternoon nap. They’ve earned it. Write Thank You notes. An oldie but a goodie. You can’t go wrong with handwritten, personalized notes to your staff ...
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Now Accepting 2022 02 Leadership Applications!

By John Sebree posted 03-01-2021
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Missouri REALTORS ® , Although we are still early in 2021, it’s time for us, as an association, to begin planning our 2022 governance structure known as Outreach & Output (02). This structure was designed to align our governance work with our mission and provide a variety of opportunities for members to participate in the process of leading our association into the future. To get involved, I encourage you to sign up for a role within a leadership or mission committee , output group, and/or  statewide professional standards committee . The deadline to apply for all 2022 leadership positions is May 7, 2021. Remember, you can become a member of an output ...
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Proud of My Women's Council of REALTORS History

By Barb Keathley posted 02-26-2021
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When I first became a REALTOR​ in 2001, my broker husband told me to join WCR.  He said it would give me something I could not get from him- other women connections in the industry.  I had no idea when I joined how it would enrich my real estate career with knowledge and life-long friendships all over the country!  Right before one of my installations he actually joked, "I didn't mean for you to get this involved!" Ha!  But that's what you do when you love it!!  I know that much of my confidence in this industry came from the involvement and many offices I held up to 2005 Metro St.Louis President  and those up to the 2010 Missouri President.  I remember those ...
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Capitol Update: February 26 | Opposing Increase of “Fee” on Real Estate Recordings

By Missouri REALTOR Party posted 02-26-2021
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Missouri REALTORS ® , With very few to no meetings in the House and Senate last week due to inclement weather, both bodies attempted to make up for the lost time this week, including REALTOR ® members officially kicking off REALTOR ® Days at the Capitol. First, the Senate met until after midnight on both Monday and Tuesday.  The Senate Third Read SS2 for SCS for SB 51 and 42; COVID liability. They could not adopt the emergency clause so the bill, assuming similar House action, will not become effective until August 28, 2021. There were two hearings this week on issues that impact real estate. The first was Senator Lauren Arthur’s SB 368. The Missouri Housing ...
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January 2021 Market Statistics

By Missouri REALTORS posted 02-24-2021
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Statewide market statistics for January of 2021 are in, and the year is officially off to a stellar start. In comparison to January 2020, Missouri REALTORS ® have sold more houses at higher prices. Across the board, our market statistics reveal significant growth —growth in residential properties sold, residential sale price and total dollar volume.  A quick look at the numbers and an analysis of national statistics reveal that January had very little impact on this red hot real estate market. Home sales in the state of Missouri experienced a major increase since last January. Missouri REALTORS ® sold 5,403 residential properties. This was ...
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Celebrating Black History Beyond February

By Missouri REALTORS posted 02-23-2021
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We hope that members of Missouri REALTORS ® took some time to celebrate and honor Black History Month. We hope you reflected on the central role that the African American community has and continues to play in United States history. We hope you spent time and resources with Black-owned businesses in your community. And as REALTORS ® , we hope you took a moment to educate yourself on the Fair Housing Act and lingering housing discrimination. With just a few days left of Black History Month, we urge you to continue the celebration through the rest of 2021. Make it an essential part of your business. Keep learning. Keep supporting Black-owned businesses. And ...
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