(From left to right): KCRAR President Lee McClelland, Joplin REALTOR® Relief Auction Chair Shawna Pyfrom, Ozark Gateway Association of REALTORS® CEO Kim Cox, HMLS President Monique Exposito, and Show Me Region Chair Mark Wilkinson.

 

A special thanks to everyone who attended last week's Joplin REALTOR® Relief Auction hosted by the Show Me Region. Because of your generosity and support, we were able to raise about $18,000 that will go directly to Joplin REALTORS® in need!

 

Kim Cox, CEO of the Ozark Gateway Association of REALTORS®, traveled from Joplin to attend the auction and thank KCRAR members for their support.

 

"I don't think you realize what this truly means," Cox said. "I don't think I've ever seen anything like this in my whole life. Not just the destruction, but the coming together of REALTORS® from all over the country in response. You are giving us lots of hope and KCRAR has been there for us since day one. You guys are like our sister organization now."

 

Thank you again for opening your hearts and your wallets for this very special event!

 

Despite the reported drop in values, Americans aren't turned off by home ownership. A recent survey shows a majority hold optimistic views about owning a home, even among those who are underwater on their houses.

 

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Mark your calendars and register now for the final RPAC Auction of the year hosted by the Sunflower Region! We'll gather on Thursday, July 21 at the Overland Park Marriott. The silent auction begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by the live auction at 7:00 p.m. Once again, we'll be joined by celebrity auctioneer Tanna Guthrie, radio host and a REALTOR® with Prudential Kansas City Auction Properties. 

 

$30 registration includes one drink ticket and heavy hors d'oeuvres. RSPV to attend - just login here to register for the event - or use this printable registration form and fax it to 913-498-1110. 

 

We need your help!
We're accepting auction items now! We are looking for gift baskets, gift certificates, event tickets, or even cash donations to purchase an item. We suggest that the items be new and have a minimum value of $25. If you are interested in donating an item or service to one of our auctions, contact Cristalle Bozarth at 913-266-5908 or cristalleb@kcrar.com. You can also go online for the donation form here.

Continuing a downward spiral, mortgage rates sank even further last week, reaching new lows for the year.

 

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Most agents do, some don't. If you don't think it's important to be there, check out this blog. Comments, pro and con, are welcome.

Show clients that you're a leader. Tweet free articles from NAR's REALTOR® Content Resource every day this week. Start with "7 Hot Home Improvement Trends That Make Your Home Work for You." Then follow up with four more articles on cool home features and hot trends.

 

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has updated old floodplain maps of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas to a digital format. The new maps were revised to better illustrate the extent of flooding on the ground, and the primary purpose of the updated information is to establish Flood Insurance Rate Maps. 

The Unified Government is encouraging property owners and real estate professionals to attend an Open House about the updated maps. The Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, June 21 from 4-7 p.m. in the Jewell Student Center Commons Area at Kansas City, Kansas Community College, 7250 State Ave. 

 

This is a come-and-go open house where copies of the maps and representatives from FEMA, the Unified Government and state of Kansas will be available. Questions may be directed to the Unified Government Floodplain Hotline at 913-999-7231 or FloodMapInfo@wycokck.org. Links to the old and updated maps are also available at www.wycokck.org/floodmaps, along with other information about the floodplain update.