<![CDATA[Nathan Paradis' Blog]]><![CDATA[Too Good Not to Share: Any Discriminating Home Buyer's Must-Have Amenity]]>
Came across this artifact showing homes in Lawrence, Kansas awhile back and got a real kick out of it. Obviously from a time long past. Makes me wonder - where are the TP holder/iPod docks?

]]><![CDATA[Lawrence, Kansas Visitor's Center]]>Doing some photo file housekeeping and came across these shots from late summer, 2010.  Check out those ornamental peppers!  The Visitor Center at the Union Pacific Train Depot (North 2nd and Locust Streets) is a great place to start if you’re looking for some Lawrence, KS information: maps, history, events, attractions, etc… See the full gallery at Facebook.com 









Thanks for looking!

- Nate Paradis
785.550.8947
www.SweetHomeLawrence.com



]]><![CDATA[How a Broker's Price Opinion Can Affect Your REFI]]>While we may have seen the low for mortgage rates, homeowners with a mortgage a few years old may still be considering refinancing their loans.  We closed on our new loan last month and were able lower our interest rate and monthly payment with only a nominal effect on our principle balance.  Perhaps you too are planning to stay in your home at least 5 more years?

But not so fast… just as your lender needed assurance of the property’s value before issuing the original loan, you can bet they’re concerned this time around too.  There’s a good chance they’ll use a tool called a Broker’s Price Opinion (BPO) to make sure your loan-to-value ratio is within their guidelines.  If the bank isn’t satisfied with the value as determined by the BPO, they may not approve your new loan.  This opinion of value is usually determined via an exterior, drive-by inspection of your home, a few hastily snapped photos and a look into currently listed and more importantly, recently sold properties.  These will be homes of similar age, style and total living area — all within 1 mile of your home if you live in the city.

The point is, you’d do well to evaluate your home’s current market value before getting too far ahead of yourself.  Before spending the money for a loan app and waiting for your BPO to be completed, you might consider calling your real estate consultant and asking for a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for your property. The comparable (“comps”) sales may or may not surprise you but at least this way you’ve done your homework before committing much time or any money.

Call me today your free CMA.  Empower yourself with information before taking that leap!

- Nate 785.550.08947

P.S. As I mentioned, your home will probably be photographed for the BPO.  This means the outside condition and curb appeal might weigh heavily on the broker’s opinion of value.  First impressions, right?  So consider tackling those small projects and display your home at its best!

]]><![CDATA[Watkins Community Museum – “Helping Preserve the Rich History of Douglas County, Kansas”]]>If you haven’t been yet, I’ve got to recommend a trip through the Watkins Community Museum at 1047 Mass St. here in Lawrence.  Set in a breathtaking 120 year old bank, the museum offers a look through Douglas County’s rich history.  Two highlights are the displays on poet Langston Hughes and John Naismith (inventor of Basketball). Admittedly, I may have been more captivated by the building itself than the artifacts so I plan to revisit soon.  Here are a few shots from October 9th 2010: 

Jump stright to the full gallery at Posterous.com:
( http://sweethomelawrence.posterous.com/watkins-community-museum-helping-preserve-the )















]]><![CDATA[How's Your Credit?]]>If you’re about to buy real estate or another big ticket item requiring financing, your credit score may be a big factor.  Scratch that, your credit score will be a big factor.  Many buyers and refinancing home-owners are enjoying record low rates but they won’t stay that way forever.  Besides being impermanent, rates as low as 4.375% are simply not available to everyone due to lack of credit or credit problems.  Regardless of market conditions, you and your family need to be prepared so that your credit score doesn’t keep financing opportunities out of reach. 



If you haven’t checked your credit scores recently, it’s a great idea to jump over to AnnualCreditReport.com and take advantage of a free report from the three major bureaus.  If you do find some undesirable or inaccurate information, take action ASAP to correct these issues.  It can take up to 6 weeks to dispute or comment on your credit history, but the process is straightforward and your effort is essential to repairing your credit.  Credit issues should be pursued and resolved quickly since negative remarks can remain on your report for up to 7 years!

If you need assistance or just direction, give us a ring — we’ve got an outstanding team of professionals who can help.  In the meantime, consider requesting a free report — while doing so you can pay a small fee ($7-15) to receive your credit score as well.  You may be surprised at what you find.  It’s always better to be surprised now and have time to address it as you approach your next big purchase.  No one else is going to fix it for you, so stay proactive my friends!


Nate Paradis, REALTOR ® 
Chief Properties
Lawrence, KS
785.550.8947



]]><![CDATA[Lawrence, KS Horseshoe Club!]]>A few months back, when the summer was just getting started and I was probably feeling nostalgic, I had this urge to throw some horseshoes around.  I grew up at VFW Halls, Moose Clubs, and Eagles Clubs, where my dad was a fixture on their horseshoe courts.  Since those days, I've never pursued horseshoes as a competitive venture, rather just occasionally enjoying it as a purely recreational activity.  After speaking with the Lawrence Horseshoe Club's organizer, Wynne Mihura, I was encouraged to join them at Broken Arrow Park the following Tuesday.  Rain and life kept me from attending for a couple weeks, but once I made it out to the park's expansive (18) lighted horseshoe courts, I was welcomed and quickly ushered into a crash-course on how to really pitch horseshoes.  Apparently, the guys at my dad's Eagles club had no grasp on the official rules of the game!  I was a little intimidated at first.  Clay pits are a lot different than the sand/dirt mix I was familiar with!  And these Lawrence pitchers are good. Really good.  Member Ken Martin recently placed fourth at a World Championship in Iowa.  Despite the high skill level, play at the club is friendly and inviting to newcomers. 

So I began making 6:30 on Tuesday evenings a fun and challenging part of my week.  But as I sought out to find other players and gauge the presence of horseshoe pitchers in Lawrence, I was sure I would encounter a sizable group.  Granted, horseshoe throwing isn't as exciting as say, Kickball, but I thought it had/has enough broad appeal that it might  garner a decent local following here in Douglas county.  The turnout each week is a little low compared to what the facility can handle and what the group itself would like.  Wynne is working hard on that though.  Every Tuesday she reminds me to tell my friends and bring them along - so there it is, your official invitation.  Who knows, even if you are no good (like me), you have a chance to win.  With the aid of my particularly generous handicap, I actually beat two world-class players last week! :)

What: Lawrence Horseshoe Club

Where: Broken Arrow Park, Lawrence KS

When: Tuesdays @ 6:30 pm

Who: Open to the public

If you don't own horseshoes, don't worry - we'll share.

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