- Overland Park, KS. police department has planned a DUI checkpoint
-
From Overland Park Police Department: The Overland Park, Kansas Police Department is conducting a DUI Saturation Patrol on Friday, April 2, 2010. It is the police department’s goal to reduce alcohol related auto accidents and discourage impaired driving within the Overland Park community.
The DUI Saturation Patrol will begin at 11:00 PM, and the enforcement will not end until 3:00 AM. The Traffic Safety Unit will hold a briefing at the Myron Scafe Building, 8500 Antioch, Overland Park, KS, prior to initiating the enforcement.
Drinking and driving is not smart. Drinking and driving in Overland Park on Friday, April 2nd is definitely not smart.
For more information, go to:
Crime Scene KCLet us know what you think or add to our blog by writing a comment.
- Olathe, Kansas home buyer is upset - Why is searching for Olathe, real estate so hard?
-
An Olathe, Kansas home buyer called me yesterday and took out her frustration on me. She wanted to know why it is so hard to find homes for sale. Her problem was that nearly every time she got around to calling a Realtor about an Olathe home for sale, the home was sold.
The Olathe home buyer explained to me that she would spend countless hours combing through the ads on Realtor, Zillow, Trulia, Craigslist and a couple other real estate websites. She would then drive by the homes of interest. When she found a home of interest, called the Realtor who had the listing. Her problem was she was finding homes to late. Does this sound familiar?
If this sounds like what you have been doing or know of someone that is on this path, you may want to read on.
First, I pointed out to her, that the Realtor who had the listing, was representing the seller. She knew that but didn't understand agency in Kansas. The listing agent will communicate everything she says to the home owner. I suggested she find a buyer's agent. She said she, "didn't want to pay the commission."
Good question. Did you know the home buyer does not pay the commission. She didn't.
Next, I suggested that she get hooked up with listings from the Kansas City MLS. Why? Because she can be one of the first home buyers to the property. Rather than finding a home that has been on the market 35 days, she can be notified the first day the home comes on the market. That should give her plenty of time to driveby and qualify the property, right?
A Realtor can also tailor a search to her specific needs and interest. Filtering out the properties that do not fit her specific needs and interest. Does that sound good? Matter a fact, she could have listings with multiple pictures delivered to he living room the day they go on the market.
If you need help finding a buyer's agent or getting hooked up with listings from the Kansas City MLS, maybe we should talk. I'm not a buyer's agent but I know some really good ones.
Let me know what you think or add to our blog by writing a comment.
Be our fan Facebook
Friend us on Facebook
Network with us on Ning
Follow us on Social Media
- Did you know that Daylight Saving Time Saves Lives?
-
If you are like most people, you have been tired so far this week. many of us are adapting to the change of time I wanted to through out some facts.
Did you know that the Daylight Savings Time Saves Lives?
In 1975 the U.S. DOT conservatively identified a 0.7% reduction in traffic fatalities during Daylight Savings Time, and estimated the real reduction to be 1.5% to 2%.
In 1995 the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimated a reduction of 1.2%, including a 5% reduction in crashes fatal to pedestrians.
I heard that Daylight Savings Time was started to conserve energy. Now I found out it also saves lives.
Let us know what you think or add to our blog by writing a comment.
- Johnson County, Kansas DA warns about false sweepstakes
-
If the Reader's Digest calls and says you've won a giant cash prize in their sweepstakes, you should probably be skeptical, the Johnson County, Kansas District Attorney's office reports. Olathe, KS. police say they've been contacted by people who were allegedly contacted by the sweepstakes -- and were then advised by the IRS that they'd need to pay 9 percent of the prize to cover taxes.
The District Attorney cautions individuals to protect themselves from these types of con games by discarding offers from sources that ask you to pay fees, taxes or other charges to claim a prize. Before you start giving out cash to win a prize, do some investigating. A legitimate company would not ask you to pay for fees and taxes prior to receiving the prize.
Let us know what you think or add to our blog by writing a comment.
- Kansas City homeowner has decided a real estate foreclosure is the best option
-
I met a Kansas City homeowner last year who needed help. Not only did she owe more money on her home than what it was worth, she couldn't keep paying the current mortgage.
As I sat down and heard her story and how it was affecting her kids, I couldn't help by digressing to similar stories I have heard from other Kansas City homeowners.
I suggested to the homeowner a short sale, but that meant giving up the home she has lived in for over 10 years.
The path the homeowner decided to travel was to negotiate a loan modification or to receive a forbearance. Since both of these options included keeping her home, the homeowner decided this would be the best path. Although I explained to the homeowner that I was quite sure the lender would not negotiate a loan modification or forbearance because of her inability to meet the monthly obligation, she still wanted to rely on hope.
Now fast forward to today. This homeowner has been denied a loan forbearance and a loan modification by the lender. Now she is a week from the foreclosure sale and she wants my help. In this particular homeowners situation, negotiating a short sale is to late.
The best scenario would have been to work all solutions at the same time. Now this homeowner does not have enough time to negotiate a short sale and she has decided that a foreclosure is her only option.
Although I referred her to an attorney who may have the ability to help her, this homeowner is stressed from working with the lender and being fed false promises.
If you or someone you know is in a similar situation, contact an experienced professional early. Waiting to long will decrease the number of options.
Did you know it is almost impossible for a lender to foreclose on a home in Kansas? Find out why . . .
Let us know what you think or add to our blog by writing a comment.
Be our fan Facebook
Friend us on Facebook
Network with us on Ning
Follow us on Social Media
- The Olathe Police Department wants my opinion . . . What should I say?
-
Today, I received a letter from the Olathe Police Department regarding they want my opinion.
You see, a couple weeks ago I reported a theft at one of my clients homes. A worker drove by my clients home and removed some items from the yard. The worker was not performing work at my clients home. I gave the police department a slam dunk case due to having a really good description of the vehicle with the business name on the side.
Four days after reporting the theft to the Olathe Police Department, I called the police department to get a updated status.
Guess what? The police officer assigned had admitted that they hadn't done a single thing to pursue the thief.
So I took it upon myself, to contact the business who was on the side of the vehicle. The business what caught blind and after a brief discussion, I concluded that the only involvement the business had was that an employee used their vehicle.
A couple hours after my meeting with the business, I received a phone call from a guilty person. They explained that a friend did the theft and they wanted to know if they gave back the stolen items if I would not pursue their friend.
I said, "Sure."
I did my part, the thief had not.
Now the Olathe Police Department wants my opinion. What should I say?
Be our fan Facebook
Friend us on Facebook
Network with us on Ning
Follow us on Social Media
- Why do people act like you have coffee breath when you post a tweet of Facebook status update?
-
This analogy came to me this morning. My daughter wanted a hug this morning. As I moved toward for the hug my daughter said, "ewe". She then moved at a road runners pace away from me.
At first I thought she was taking this K-State- KU thing a little far. Then she said what is that smell.
You see I got up early and I had already downed 8 cups of dark black coffee.
Now back to social media. If all you are doing is posting sales statements and boasting about yourself, your audience will move away from your message.
Start by knowing your audience or customers. Tweet and post on Facebook information that they want to hear. Add content that will create a relationship.
If you attended a networking event and the discussion was about which search engine is best to use, Google or Yahoo, would you stand up and say "You need to buy this widget because it will help you sleep better?"
If you answered no, then why would you do it online? If you answered yes, then you are beyond help.
When you are posting a tweet or status update, post content that your audience or customer will find useful. Try to create a relationship by asking a question or adding a "Call to Action Statement." Make your message interesting to your audience or customer.
If you need a test, run your tweet or status update by a friend and ask them to be honest. If this doesn't work. run it by me.
It is ok to mix a little sales and info about you. It is when you say the same thing over and over.
Social Media is more than advertising on a billboard. It is advertising with social interaction. If you are not getting any interaction, then your message is boring to your customer.
Let us know what you think or add to our blog by writing a comment.
Be our fan Facebook
Friend us on Facebook
Network with us on Ning
Follow us on Social Media
- What Is A Tweetup? I hear Kansas City Networking is doing them
-
Someone just emailed me a question. What is a "Tweetup"?
As everyone probably does in Kansas City, my first response when I heard the term ‘tweetup’ was to pretend I already knew what it meant. Now that I have actually been to a few tweetups (kudos to the Social Media Club of Kansas City) I can honestly say it is an amazing extension of our virtual network. To put a face to someone you have heard online is amazing.
A tweetup is an event where people who Twitter come together to meet in person. At a tweetup you meet the people you might only otherwise know virtually. Like finally putting a name to a face, a tweetup is a great opportunity to really connect with the people in your network and share just a little more than 140 characters at a time. A tweetup is an excellent opportunity to network and share ideas. The advantage with a tweetup is participants will continue the conversations on Twitter.
I stopped by the Social Media Club of Kansas City's tweetup this past Thursday at the Kansas City Cafe. It was another great meeting that I absorbed tons of ideas. There were experienced tweeters there and also newbies. There was even one person there who had never tweeted before. It was nice to meet more tweeters of Kansas City. Special kudos of Lisa Qualls (@LisaQualls) for pulling the event together.
As twitter grows, you'll hear more about tweetups. The first tweetup you may feel the need to observe. The second tweetup you may have the courage to add. That is great. Go at your pace. There is no right or wrong way.
Let us know what you think or add to our blog by writing a comment.
- As Olathe Economist predicts depression is looming, Kansas City Realtor says those using social media will weather storm
-
If you have been skimming the headlines on Twitter, Facebook, or your Google reader you might have seen a handful of post about an Olathe Agricultural Economist, Bill Helming, predicting a depression is looming.
Bill is making a dire prediction of a beaten-down stock market, a jobless rate at 12 percent, widespread debt defaults and a deflationary price spiral.
Bill has made many predictions in the past. Some of come true and other predictions have not. Will this prediction come true? Bill hopes not.
What do I think?
There are to many people that are seeing the writing on the wall and have been working on correcting the economy. Whether it is for themselves or for a group of of people.
I think for those people who have not started recession proofing their businesses, they will see very hard times. What do I mean? Technology has passed many people up and their are to many people who have not adapted to the changing times.
For those people who have a strong social network, this Kansas City Realtor believes you will see good times ahead.
How do you have a strong social network? You use social media to market, advertise and communicate your message with your customers. Doesn't it make sense that a business with 25,000 people in its network will probably weather the economy better than a business with 100 people in its network?
Businesses that have created a social media strategy to their business plans will weather the storm. Need help, contact a social media strategist or connect with a social media group like Kansas City Networking or the Kansas City Directory.
Let us know what you think or add to our blog by writing a comment.
Be our fan Facebook
Friend us on Facebook
Network with us on Ning
Follow us on Social Media
- Looking for nuts and bolts? Nuts and Bolts True Value is opening in Overland Park, Kansas
-
Nuts & Bolts True Value has announced plans to open a new store in Overland Park, Kansas by the spring of 2010. The 30,000-square-foot store, a Destination True Value (DTV) format, will feature a central service station, high-definition video to show products and prices, and interactive touch screens to let shoppers hunt for product details.
The new store will be in the Shannon Valley Shopping Center, The owners also operates two other units in the Kansas City market: one in Independence, Mo., and a second location in Overland Park.
The Shannon Valley Shopping Center across the street from Corporate woods at College and Antioch.
Do you plan on visiting Nuts and Bolts True Value when they open?
- Would networking benefit you? Checkout Kansas City Networking
-
Kansas City Networking is slowly growing. This past week the group has grown to over 1600 members on Facebook. Yeah!
With this growth, we are looking to provide more networking opportunities to our members including tweetups and social media seminars.
This past week we hosted our first tweetup/meetup and had 82 members participate. We received many fabulous reviews and we will be working to insure future events are beneficial for our members.
If social media would benefit your Kansas City business, maybe you should visit us.
Let us know what you think or add to our blog by writing a comment.
Be our fan Facebook
Friend us on Facebook
Network with us on Ning
Follow us on Social Media
- Olathe Police Department warns of burglars tactics
-
The Olathe Police Department is warning the residents of Olathe about a possible scam going around. They've been contacted by residents of Olathe who say they've received calls that claim to be from the federal government or a delivery service. The callers want to know when the resident will be home so they can drop off a package. The Police believe the callers are actually burglars trying to figure out when Olathe residents might not be home.
The Olathe Police Department recommends getting a name and a number to call back, preferably through a main company number, and double-check that listing before calling back.
Let us know what you think or add to our blog by writing a comment.
- Four adults arrested after woman says she was robbed in the Olathe Walmart parking lot
-
A woman was allegedly beaten and robbed by a group of young adults in an Olathe Wal-Mart parking lot Friday evening. The suspects were arrested shortly after the attack.
Olathe Police were called to the Wal-Mart at 13600 S. Alden St. around 6:45 p.m., according to Lt. Scott Russell.
A 42-year-old woman told them she had been physically assaulted by three people who also stole her purse. Her minor injuries were treated at the scene.
The police arrested the four adults down the street from the Olathe Walmart, shortly after spotting the suspects car. The four adults included 2 women and 2 men. The stolen purse was found inside the suspects car.
- Kansas and Kansas State will get #1 seeds in the NCAA tournament
-
Have you ever heard "Be careful for what you wish for"?
That is so true for me. I have been wanting the Kansas State Wildcats to meet the Kansas Jayhawks in the Big 12 final. Now here it is. My dream is coming true.
It's big. Look at how many top 20 teams have vanished in the NCAA mens basketball? And my two favorite teams are tops in the Big 12. The Jayhawks are a lock for a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament, win or lose. My Wildcats could sneak in and grab another #1 seed.
This is a dream year for college basketball fans from Kansas. Isn't it?
How big is the game tonight? ESPN grabbed the coverage and will feature the game tonight moving another tourney game.
If you are watching twitter, you'll notice thousands of tweets about the matchup.
Andy Katz, and ESPN sports writer, wrote on his twitter that " You can debate all you want but Kansas-KState in KC will have the best atmosphere of any conference tourney title game in 2010."
A ticket scalper was quoted before the Wildcats victory with "Big 12 has half of its dream final. If Kansas State beats Baylor tickets will go for $300 to $400 Sat. night."
Now my split household will watch the game. Yes you heard me right. I married a Jayhawk. We have fun, even to the point of dividing the decor in our sports room.
My next dream is to see KU and KSU as #1 seeds in the NCAA tournament and meet in the final game.
Let me know what you think or add to our blog by writing a comment.
Be our fan Facebook
Friend us on Facebook
Network with us on Ning
Follow us on Social Media
- Why is "Your the Best Dad Ever" always followed by a question
-
Why is it when I used to hear the phrase "Your the best dad ever" from my kids, there is always a question that follows?
Did or does this happen to you?
It is usually came after a thorough clean of their bedrooms, pickup of their toys or a long discussion of a game a friend got. It actually kind of became comical and after my years of parenting and now having teenagers, I can typically predict when those words would come out.
Now I could quickly meet the demands of my kids and remain the "best dad ever" or I can take another approach.
What is that approach you ask?
I could show my kids how to earn money and let them decide how to spend it wisely. I did this and now my kids have a great understanding of the economy.
How do you deal with this?
Let me know what you think or add to our blog by writing a comment.
Be our fan Facebook
Friend us on Facebook
Network with us on Ning
Follow us on Social Media
