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Monday, July 1, 2013

Interview with Angie Ripley, Cottonwood Canyon Realtor

Happy Summer to everyone! Well, paired with the weather, interest in lot buying has sure heated up these past few months at Cottonwood Canyon! This last week, we got a chance to ask our very own Angie Ripley a couple questions about all the activity out at Cottonwood Canyon as of recent! With Summer finally upon us, we've seen lot reservations, building contracts and much more out at the Canyon.

Below is our Questions, followed by Angie's Responses:

Q. What kind of activity have you seen out there? Are people building houses? Buying lots?

A. Cottonwood Canyon has seen a high volume of people looking for their next home. People looking to find the most beautiful scenery possible to wake up to everyday. They begin with choosing a lot that fits their desires and lifestyle! Once they do that its a plan, a builder, and we are under way.

Q. What do you think are some of the factors leading to this spike in activity?

A. There is a trend right now for getting in the "right size" home. This term holds different meanings for each buyer. It is about how you live, where you spend your time, main floor living, etc. But there is also a large number of our buyers that are at the do we remodel or do we move crossroads. This is a very important decision. But a new kitchen can not lower your utility bills or make your home more energy efficient like a new construction home can. And utility bills are nothing to overlook when considering your options.

Q. What are some benefits to moving to Cottonwood Canyon over another residential subdivision?

A. One vast benefit of choosing Cottonwood Canyon over any other community is you will find that 99% of our lots back to golf course, green space or the lakes. It is absolutely amazing and you have to see it to truly understand, it is a Kansas City GEM. As a buyer when you choose the right location, lot and views you set yourself up for maximum investment return. The real estate saying "location location location" will always be a hot button.

Q. Do you expect this activity to continue throughout the summer?

A. I do expect this activity to continue throughout the summer. I think we are all happy to see the market doing so well and everyone's confidence returning. Traffic will continue to increase, but the most important thing to keep in mind is that increased demand usually equals increased costs so I would encourage anyone considering a move to come talk to us sooner rather than later. : )

The bottom line is this: If you are interested in building the home of your dreams, you MUST come out to our beautiful Lenexa, KS community, Cottonwood Canyon!

-Cottonwood Canyon Community Team

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Cottonwood Canyon Welcomes Its' Newest Team Member!

Now that we’re in April, it’s easy to anticipate the change to warmer weather and time spent outdoors enjoying our beautiful surroundings in Lenexa! Our team here at Cottonwood Canyon, is especially excited about the busy spring real estate season and some recent changes that will help boost our communities’ presence throughout the Kansas City area and beyond!

The catalyst for this increased awareness of our beautiful Lenexa golf course community is the newest member to our team, Re/MAX real estate agent Angie Ripley of 360 Realty Partners. Angie’s passion for excellence, real estate and people gives her a dynamic blend of service and expertise that are hard to find!

Beginning her career in medical sales, Angie thrived on the person to person interaction and was very successful working with high profile clients. She never imagined switching careers, but after a first hand, home buying experience; she found something was missing in the agent to client interaction. Armed with her passion to work with people and provide them with exceptional service, Angie got her real estate license, and twelve years later has never looked back.

As we talked with her, Angie mentioned that she recently came across an article in Forbes magazine that voted being a real estate agent as the #1 happiest job, and she couldn’t agree more! “I love what I do,” she noted, “I don’t ever think about doing anything else.” It’s this type of dedication and genuine love of her profession that makes Angie such an asset to our team here at Cottonwood Canyon!

We went on to ask what drew her to work with our community and one of the first things Angie mentioned was just how beautiful Cottonwood Canyon truly is. “There are not many communities laid out like this community. Typically, some homes may back up to green space, but at Cottonwood Canyon, there isn’t one home that backs up to another home!” The fact that every home has either a view of the golf course, a lush green space or the lake makes Cottonwood Canyon very unique. “Here you feel that your home is on the golf course!”

She went on to talk about the level of integrity of the homes, and the fact that Cottonwood Canyon is working with some of the best builders in the area. There’s a sense of quality in the workmanship with the materials used and the skill involved that Angie feels “makes it one of the Top 5 communities in the Kansas City area.” We couldn’t agree more!

This coming year, Angie’s goal is to highlight these unique aspects of our Lenexa golf course community and bring her level of excellence to marketing Cottonwood Canyon. With the backing of the trusted Re/MAX brand and the experience of 360 Realty Partners; we’re excited for what lies ahead!

If you’re considering visiting Cottonwood Canyon this spring to see some of the stunning model homes, or you’re interested in learning more about building the custom, luxury home of your dreams; we’d love to hear from you! (You’ll probably even get a chance to meet Angie!)

Cottonwood Canyon Community Team

Saturday, March 9, 2013

5 Tips for Creating an Ideal Outdoor Living Space in Your Cottonwood Canyon Home!

It’s been an interesting winter here in Lenexa with the large snowfall this past month. And, while the snow continues to melt, the time change this weekend offers an encouraging look ahead at spring!

Here in the golf course community of Cottonwood Canyon in Lenexa, residents breathed a sigh of relief during the winter storms knowing that all snow removal would be taken care of by Cottonwood Canyon’s HOA! The thick white blanket that covered this pristine golf course communities’ rolling hills was beautiful, and able to be enjoyed even more with efficient snow plowing and the clearing of driveways. Just one of the many perks of choosing to live in Cottonwood Canyon!

In fact, the exceptional Home Owners' Association doesn’t stop with snow removal, but will take care of landscaping all year long! As we begin to see signs of spring and lush, green grass; it’s great to know that you can retire your lawn mower and sit back while your lawn is neatly manicured. It’s this carefree and convenient lifestyle that draw many to build their dream home in Cottonwood Canyon.

If this will be your first spring living here, you may be thinking of ways to further enhance your outdoor space. Thoughts of spending time outdoors watching the sunset over the Golf Club of Kansas golf course or enjoying a leisurely afternoon sipping ice tea and reading your favorite book on your patio may have you planning out your outdoor living space. As you plan, here are a few tips you’ll want to keep in mind!

1. Keep it Close- Be sure to create your space close to the house. It’s more convenient and will be easier than hiking through your backyard with drinks or food.

2. Set Realistic Goals- You may love to cook and would enjoy an outdoor kitchen or you may want to install a beautiful water feature. And, while these can be a great addition, they can be costly at the same time. Whatever your plans are, be sure to think through every scenario. Your Cottonwood Canyon builder can talk with you about what you’re envisioning for your outdoor living space and can advise you on what would work best!

3. Create a Focal Point- You’ll want to create a focal point for the space. Whether it’s an interesting piece of furniture, a firepit or water feature, this will spark conversation as well as “anchor” the space.

4. Accessorize- Bring the same warmth and detail that you would indoors to your outdoor space. It’s best to accent with “earthy” pieces such as stone features, wooden furniture and natural colors. Of course, you can add splashes of vibrant colors for interest, but keeping it natural will enhance the outdoor space instead of being a distraction.

5. Offer Shade- We all know that Lenexa summers can get pretty hot, so you’ll want to offer shade. Whether you choose to build a pergola or merely have a large patio umbrella, this chance to cool down will be a welcome retreat.

We hope these tips are helpful as you begin to envision your outdoor living space in your Cottonwood Canyon home!

If you’d like to learn more about the Cottonwood Canyon lifestyle, the Home Owners’ Association or about building your dream home in Cottonwood Canyon; please feel free to contact us today!

We would enjoy the opportunity to talk with you!

Cottonwood Canyon Community Team

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

10 Tips to Help Sell Your Current Home

2013 is off to a great start in the Lenexa Real Estate market and for those building their dream home in Cottonwood Canyon. Building projects are well underway and the cities top builders are going above and beyond to ensure those moving into Cottonwood Canyon are pleased with every detail of their new home.

You may have come by one of our open houses or have seen our ads and are interested in taking the next step in building the custom home you’ve always wanted surrounded by the beautiful and serene setting of the Golf Club of Kansas. However, you know that building and moving into Cottonwood Canyon will require you to sell your current home.

Whether you live here in Lenexa, in Kansas City or are planning to relocate from another state, our team here at Cottonwood Canyon wanted to highlight ten things you can do to help sell your current home.

1. Examine your Front Door: Lenexa winters, as well as wear and tear from use, can leave front doors looking dingy and weak. Replacing doors with a more energy efficient door looks great and saves money on heating and air. Don’t want to spend a lot? A simple paint job will give your old door an updated and refreshed look.

2. Clean Gutters: Gutters are a breeding ground for insects, mold, mildew and algae spores that can enter your attic and allow biological growths to enter your home. Scoop out debris and run water down the gutter with a hose. Invest in a gutter cap or screen. Scrub out the inside with a gutter brush.

3. Check the Foundation: Inspect the foundation of your home for large cracks and shifts in the blocks. Seal large cracks and gaps between the foundation and concrete/earth and directly on the concrete.

4. De-Clutter: It’s easy to collect things in your home during the winter months, but spring is all about having a fresh start! Take time to evaluate the things you really need to keep and those things that you can part with. Then, establish an organization system. Hardware stores offer a range of affordable shelving solutions.

5. Check the Basement: Scan everything in the basement of your home. Check the water and sewer pipes for leaks, mold and tearing and pests. Address problems immediately either with a water vacuum, dehumidifier or new gutter drains. Drain sediment from hot water heaters and change your furnace filter.

6. Clean the Deck: Warm weather in the Lenexa area means spending a lot of time outdoors on your home’s deck or patio! You want this area of your home to really shine and reflect how you care for your home. Remove grime, pollen, fungus and mildew by scrubbing the surface with a deck or patio cleanser. Of course you’ll also want to brush off your outdoor furniture and create the living space that you’ll enjoy for months to come!

7. Get Rid of Mold: Examine your ceilings, attic, walls and bathrooms. If you do notice mold, you must identify the source of the mold before repainting. Ask a local contractor for help. When you are ready to repaint, use mold growth inhibitor paint made for high moisture areas.

8. Exterior Paint: Carefully scrape, prime and paint peeling spots on trim or woodwork. You'll protect wood against summer's heat and moisture and prevent a more difficult paint job come fall.

9. Reseal: Caulk and other sealants safeguard your home against rain and snow at vulnerable points such as cracks and open joints. Winter can rip caulk apart. Scrape out old caulk using a painter's five-in-one tool. Clean and disinfect with one-part liquid chlorine bleach in three parts warm water.

10. Add some green: The first thing guests notice when approaching your Lenexa home is color, light and symmetry. When adding new shrubbery, keep it symmetrical. Change outdoor light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs. It is amazing what some flowers, light and fresh paint can accomplish!

While these tips may seem simple, they can make a huge difference in the sale of your home! Buyers want to know that they can move right in and won’t need to do any major work.

As you consider selling your current home and taking the next step in building your custom home in Cottonwood Canyon, we hope you’ll contact us with any questions you have!

We look forward to hearing from you!

Cottonwood Canyon Community Team

Friday, December 21, 2012

Lenexa Receives National Recognition This Holiday Season!

As we take time to reflect back this holiday season on 2012 and look forward to all that the new year has to bring, we thought we’d take some time to highlight the great city that Cottonwood Canyon calls “home.”

Lenexa Kansas may come as a surprise to those not familiar with the area, and who are considering relocating or retiring to the scenic setting of the prestigious Lenexa golf course community of Cottonwood Canyon. But, to those who’ve lived in Lenexa for some time, the recent national recognition that Lenexa received would be deemed "a recognition a long time in coming."

Recently, Bloomberg BusinessWeek named Lenexa as one of the “Best Places to Raise Kids in 2013.” Each year, Bloomberg creates this list with one city per state that receives this title, and with a variety of factors that play into naming the best city; we’re proud that our city was crowned the winner for Kansas! Lenexa Mayor Mike Boehm boasted that “We have always known Lenexa is a great place to live and raise a family. Inclusion on this prestigious list is an independent validation of this fact.”

So, what are these factors that determine the winner? Public school systems performance, safety, county-level unemployment, housing costs, median income, and commute time are just a few at the top of the list; and Lenexa proudly stands with only 50 other cities in the nation to receive this great recognition.

Here at Cottonwood Canyon, we can’t help but be proud of our city as it gives us just one more reason to showcase the excellent lifestyle that can be found at Cottonwood Canyon. Not only are you building your dream home in one of the most luxurious and beautiful golf course communities in the Kansas City area; you’re building a lifestyle that exists in an acclaimed and ever growing city.

Whether you choose to raise your family in Cottonwood Canyon, are empty nesters looking for a peaceful community with outstanding amenities or are hoping to retire with every comfort at your fingertips; you’re settling into the right place at just the right time!

In fact, just to prove how great Lenexa is for families, we thought we’d point out all that Lenexa is doing for kids as they enjoy their holiday vacation. Lenexa Parks and Recreation has put together a Winter Wonder Weeks program that allows kids to get involved in a variety of fun activities in the community! Events like Open Gym, Soccer and Tennis Camps, Zumbatomic and much more will keep kids from Christmas break boredom. Feel free to view more information about the Winter Wonder Weeks program!

As you can see, there are a number of great reasons to settle into Lenexa and Cottonwood Canyon! We are always here to answer any questions you have about building your dream home in Cottonwood Canyon, the lifestyle offered and about the city of Lenexa.

We would love to see you become a part of the Cottonwood Canyon Community in 2013!

Have a Merry Christmas!

Cottonwood Canyon Community Team

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

An Interview with Cottonwood Canyon Builder Bruce Rieke- Why NOW is The Time to Build!

We hope you had a great Thanksgiving with family and friends! Whether you were able to celebrate with family and friends in your beautiful, custom built Cottonwood Canyon home in Lenexa KS or you are looking forward to the holidays in a Cottonwood Canyon home in the future; it’s always a great time of year to reflect back on all we have to be thankful for as well as a time to look forward to the future.

As we look ahead to the future of Cottonwood Canyon, we see new builds on the horizon and a building momentum to this up and coming golf course community in Lenexa! In fact, if you’ve been considering building a custom home on one of our stunning 125 lots located on the Golf Club of Kansas; now is the perfect time to do so!

We recently spent time talking with one of Lenexa’s most reputable builders, Bruce Rieke of B.L. Rieke Custom Home Builders, regarding the current state of custom home building and what the future holds for creating the home of your dreams. As one of the most active builders in Cottonwood Canyon, we’ve seen first hand how Bruce works with clients and proceeds through the entire home building process.

With his reputation preceding his outstanding work, we wanted to share with those of you considering a custom home build his perspective on the market, why now is the time to build and a few tips from a trusted source about the home building process.

When asked about the possibility of construction costs rising, Bruce jumped right in with his answer. “No question about it,’ noted Bruce, ‘construction costs are already going up.” He continued by talking about the shortage of experienced labor, which means all facets of the building process are rising in cost.

Manufacturers also play a part as supplies are by order only and there’s limited inventory. Lumber mills and other suppliers have closed down plants to cut down on their costs and to be able to raise prices on installation, drywall, etc... It’s a game of supply and demand. For example, there’s a current drywall allocation which allows drywall companies to only make a certain amount, which forces prices up.

“In the next year, 2013-2014 and for sure by the end of 2015, we’ll see an increase in home building by 20-30 percent,” said Bruce. “Because companies are working to stay open right now and not really making a profit, along with the rising costs of supplies, builders will have to continue to raise their prices.” Even within the next six months, new codes will be put into affect which will raise prices anywhere from $6-10K per home. As you can see, now is the time to build in Cottonwood Canyon!

The good news? Mortgage rates are currently at an all time low and costs are still fairly low.

If you are considering building your custom dream home in Cottonwood Canyon, we wanted to share with you these four tips that Bruce provided about finding the right builder... they’re worth repeating!

1. Reputation- A good reputation is imperative when it comes to a builder. Ask around and find reviews to ensure their work is solid and other clients have been pleased with their home building process.

2. Relationship- You’ll be spending a lot of time with your builder as they work with you to make your dream home a reality. Make sure your personalities fit and they’re someone you could work with.

3. References- Don’t be afraid to ask a potential builder for references, and make sure to follow through with checking them!

4. Review- Take time to review their work. Whether you spend time on their website to view homes they’ve built, or you take the opportunity to drive by the homes; seeing the finished result will give you a good idea on if they’ll fit your needs and style. Here at Cottonwood Canyon, we have a few model homes open that we invite you to come by and tour! You’ll be able to see the ins and outs of the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into our homes.

We hope this has been helpful and has provided you with the boost needed to take the next step in designing and building your custom home at Cottonwood Canyon! Please feel free to contact us anytime to get started!

Cottonwood Canyon Community Team