One month down!

I don’t know about you, but this year is chuggin’ along! We’re almost halfway through February…!

Please enjoy the second edition of Porch Talk - a newsletter where I share worthwhile places to explore in Kansas City, tips to help you be a better homeowner, and strategies to build wealth through real estate.

Not sure about you… but with warmer weather on the horizon, I’m excited to get back into my fitness routine. Kelsie and I have been doing F45 and taking advantage of Class Pass to discover some awesome health and wellness spots around town. I have a FREE month trial I can share with you — details are below.

What’s Happening in KC Real Estate

The Greater Kansas City real estate market is already heating up as we approach the spring season. Charming homes priced between $250,000 and $450,000 are flying off the market, often attracting multiple offers and selling within their first weekend. However, buyers still have great opportunities with homes that are lingering due to pricing missteps, offering potential value and negotiation leverage.

This activity highlights the importance of preparation for both buyers and sellers. For buyers, it’s never too early to start getting your finances in order, securing pre-approval, and defining your goals for the spring market. For sellers, pricing your home strategically is critical to ensure you don’t miscommunicate its value in this competitive environment.

While rates are holding steady around 7%, uncertainty surrounding the broader economic outlook means now could be a great time to explore lender incentives or creative loan products. If you’re curious about how these trends impact your plans, let’s connect and strategize your next move.

Spring is just around the corner, and the market is ready—are you?

Leveraging Your Home’s Equity with a HELOC

A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) can be a powerful tool for homeowners looking to maximize their investment. Whether it's funding home renovations, covering major repairs, or making strategic real estate moves, a HELOC allows you to tap into the built-up equity in your home to put that money to work.

One of my good friends used a HELOC to make some key cosmetic upgrades—fresh paint, updated fixtures, and new countertops before listing their home. The result? Their home stood out in the market, attracted strong offers, and ultimately sold for top dollar. The upfront investment paid off significantly.

My wife and I used our HELOC to move into our new home. We tapped into the equity from our first home to purchase and renovate our second. Now that renovations are done, we plan to refinance our second home at its new, higher value and pay off the HELOC. Then, we’ll put that capital back in play for our next investment property. This cycle of leveraging equity, improving properties, and reinvesting is a great way to build wealth through real estate.

If you think a HELOC could help you, let’s talk through the numbers and your long-term goals to see if it’s the right move for you!