Is the Real Estate Market Turning?

It’s December and Kansas City residents who have been keeping an eye on the real estate market may be beginning to see renewed signs of life. The stirrings are still relatively minor, but those of us who have studied the ups and downs of real estate markets for the past decade or two know this is what happens right before substantial activity gathers wider attention.
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Five Questions to Ask When You're Interviewing Agents

You don’t have to be real estate expert to offer your home for sale, but especially in today’s ever changing and challenging market, it’s all but a necessity to join forces with a real estate agent who is. Residential real estate in Kansas City is still selling, but the market is not one which favors those who leave the details to chance. As much as any time in the past, success belongs to those who prepare for success. And one of the most important steps in the process is also one of the first steps -- choosing your greatest ally, your listing agent. Thorough preparation will mean interviewing at least three real estate agents. Keep in mind...
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Mortgage Rates are Great & You do Qualify!

Running through my daily news this morning caused me to finally get agitated enough to write a blog post. I've referenced an article where the author claims over 90% of the public can't get a sub 4% mortgage. I've not done any studies, but anecdotally it's entirely false. Every one of my buyers this year has been within .25% of prime regardless of their credit score or down payment, and most have been at prime!
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Business is Slow... I know, lets lobby Congress!

To me there is a real problem with this headline.  It isn't the American way!  I read an article this morning which is referenced and you can see HERE speaking about the National Association of Home Builders lobbying Congress for stricter energy efficiency standards on older homes.

This is of course mostly because they're concerned with the environment and saving our resources, and not because they aren't building as many houses I'm sure.  Most of you will see the sarcasm in that sentence.  There once was a time in American business where owners and associations would innovate, differentiate and make the public demand their service or product.  Now so many want the Government to mandate their product or service on the public.

This is absolutely backward from the real vision for America.  There is also the potential far reaching impacts on the real estate market if such a mandate were to be passed.  Some people buy new homes for the energy efficiency aspect.  If their old home is no longer drafty, or if they can now heat/cool it for 50% less there is now one less incentive to move.  

Perhaps I'm off base, but I'd like to see American business on all levels get back to the American way of doing business!  Get out and compete!  Innovate, not legislate!  It's the only way to be... Am I wrong?