Sarah Lies RE/MAX Elite, Realtor

02/27/2026

They did it! Congratulations to my buyers who closed on their first home this week! From renting to owning in under 90 days.

Ready to experience closing day for yourself? Lets talk about how to get you there!

Sarah Lies
REMAX Elite, REALTORS
[email protected]
816-352-3778 (cell)
816-373-8400 (office)

02/27/2026

Mortgage rates fell this week to their lowest level since September 2022, with the average 30-year fixed rate dropping to 6.01% from 6.09% last week, according to Freddie Mac. 🔗⬇️

02/24/2026

I don't often leave a listing appointment or have a phone call with potential sellers without putting my sign in the yard - and it does sting.

Usually, I can say it’s for one of two reasons:
1. My *recommended* list price was lower than what they wanted to hear.
2. They found "a guy who would do it cheaper"

Here's what I see happen next:

1. The the property hits the market at that higher price point—the one I advised against
2. One week passes, then two or three.
3. Then comes the first price reduction, then the next, and maybe next in random $5-$10k increments.
4. They may even take it off the market temporarily

As they’re "chasing the market" down, I can’t help but wonder if they’re thinking:
- “Hmm... now we’re right at (or even below) where that other agent suggested we start.”

My goal isn't to just get the sign in the yard, it never stops there. The goal is to get to the 'under contract' status ASAP while my seller keeps the most money in their pocket.

*Over promising and under delivering, is nowhere in my business model*

The sad part? Had they listed *fairly* from day one, there’s a good chance they’d be closed or at least under contract.

My go to line in these situations (in more words) is:

"You are in the driver seat, we can list wherever you would like. How are you going to feel in XX days/weeks if your house is still on the market? Are you prepared for that and to lower the price?"

I have actually had a seller call me back weeks later after the agent they chose over me that suggested a higher list price couldn't get their home sold. It was kind of funny the wife and I were able to laugh- her husband made the final call and now he's eating crow because she wanted to use me.

Bringing that family across the finish line was incredibly rewarding!

The Bottom Line: Pricing fairly from day one - not low, and not "high so we can lower it later" is A L W A Y S the best move. Pricing too high almost always takes longer to attract the right buyers, and results in an offer lower than where you would’ve been if you’d started realistically.

Trust me, I’ve done this just a few times. 🏠 Lead the market - don't chase it.

02/17/2026

Well, it's finally happening - it looks like the market is crashing.
...JUST KIDDING. Whewww, just look at the average sale price jump from January 2025 to January 2026.

🔹Home values are still steadily climbing but last month they sat on market slightly longer before receiving an offer. My theory is the weather had something to do with that.

🔹From Dec - Jan we saw a huge spike in pending sales which is a great sign sales are still moving - in fact, picking up rapidly

🔹Inventory is still lower than we like, but up from last year this time.

🙌🏼Based on chatter from lenders saying their phones are going nuts, and what I'm seeing in the market we are about to see a lot more signs in yards and buyers entering the market.

📲If you're ready to explore what buying or selling looks like for you and if now is the right time I'm happy to chat!

Sarah Lies
REMAX Elite, REALTORS
[email protected]
816-352-3778
816-373-8400

02/13/2026

Sometimes a win starts with a loss....Last Friday what looked to be the ideal home for my buyers came on the market. Friday wasn't an option for us to view it, so the plan was go to the open house on Saturday.

By Friday night? Above asking cash offer. Perfect close date for the sellers. Open house canceled.

It was disappointing. Especially when you had every intention of writing a strong offer.

I picked up the phone and called the listing agent. Not to argue. Not to push. But to understand and be able to provide insight to my buyers. Sometimes knowing even had we had the opportunity to give it our all, our all still wouldn't have been enough.

What made that offer win?

What are you seeing in the market right now?

How many showings did you have?

How many other offers were there?

Information takes the sting out of disappointment and helps us prepare better for the next time.

But the bigger win?

She mentioned a very similar home nearby getting ready to list. Not in MLS. Not in pre-MLS. Just inside info from REALTORS communicating and networking (doing our jobs) She gave me the listing agent’s info.

So I called him.

Now I get to preview a home for my buyers (and potentially secure) it before it ever hits the market. Win for everyone!

No bidding war.
No 27 showings in 24 hours.
No chaos.

Just relationships and a phone call.

This is the part of real estate that doesn’t show up on Zillow. The conversations. The rapport. The willingness to ask questions instead of just accepting defeat.

I’m grateful those agents picked up their phones and were open. Collaboration still exists and when it does, the best thing happens - clients win!

If you’re house hunting (or thinking about selling), this is why having an agent matters. Sometimes we know things before they’re public. Sometimes we can create opportunities that weren’t obvious.

And sometimes the house you “lost” is the reason you find the better one.

If you want that kind of strategy in your corner, let’s talk.

Sarah Lies
REMAX Elite, REALTORS
[email protected]
816-352-3778
816-373-8400

02/02/2026

We've seen what's on the market or coming soon and nothing is "just right" for these buyers. I'm looking to play match maker real estate style - it's worked before! Please help me help these eager buyers.

If you (or someone you know) have a home that fits these descriptions and want to skip the traditional listing method I might have your buyer waiting. Lets make a match.

Sarah Lies
REMAX Elite, REALTORS
[email protected]
816-352-3778
816-373-8400

01/22/2026

Since we are expecting anywhere from 1 - 10" of snow this weekend and some sub zero temps here are some reminders of way to help you protect your home and save thousands of dollars later.

*** Also, if you plan to park your car (outside) for several hours or days starting and letting it warm up would be a wise decision. These temps are quickest way to zap your battery, or learn its weak.

Stay safe and stay warm. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need a recommendation for a local plumber, HVAC tech, or snow removal.

01/21/2026

So very happy for my clients who kept and open mind to a new neighborhood they were unfamiliar with because they ended up loving this home most of all!

After just a couple days on the market and against another offer they got it (under asking)! Congrats to the future owners - they'll be settling into in just a few weeks.

Stepping out of your comfort zone doesn't come easy for most, but they did and trusted my guidance, and it paid off. Super happy for these first timers, can't wait for them to love it even more.

Sarah Lies
REMAX Elite, REALTORS
[email protected]
816-352-3778 (cell)
816-373-8400 (office)

01/20/2026

Just because your family and love grows, doesn't mean your walls grow with you. If you're thinking. "We'll make it work" - lets chat! You may be able to keep your home office/spare bedroom and still have space for a nursery! I've seen it and lived it, eventually, "we'll make it work" turns into "we can't breathe in here!"

I'm not a fortune teller...but statistically we're about to see a lot of baby announcements. August and September are the busiest months for babies, I even had September baby.

If you or your friends starter home home is about to get a lot more crowded 1. Congrats! 2. I'm here for you! Let's chat and and see what's possible.

Sarah Lies
REMAX Elite, REALTORS
[email protected]
816-352-3778 (cell)
816-373-8400 (office)

01/13/2026

🗣️Rates are lower...grrreattt, but what's that actually mean?? If you're friends with a REALTOR or your algorithm has caught onto your late night Zillow or realtor .com scrolling, you've seen the headlines - "LOWEST MORTGAGE RATES IN 3 YEARS" But lets look at what that actually means because not all of us speak REALTOR, mortgage lender, or percentages, and "low" doesn't pay the bills.

December 2024
- Rate: 6.87%
- Average purchase price: $363,651
- 5% down payment: $18,182
Payment: $2,269.48

December 2025
- Rate: 6.0%
- Average purchase price: 370,961
- 5% down payment: 18,548
Payment: $2,112.89

The difference is $1 5 6 . 5 9 /mo! OR $1,879.08/yr.
That's a hefty chunk of change to me!

That's:
🥑 A grocery bill
☕️ Several coffee runs
🚗 Your car insurance
🏝️ Small trip with the yearly savings
🎥 A night out with the family every | month
👗 lots of new clothes

I'll take that! 💰 Plus there are additional 'hacks' to keep even more of your money in your pocket each month. 📉

➕The Pro: Your buying power just got a boost. You could afford more house for the same monthly payment. The market right now has about reached equilibrium.

➖ The Con (because there always is): You aren't the only one seeing this. As rates dip more buyers are coming into the market - that might mean your savings could be eaten up by increased prices...this is how the market works. It's called supply and demand.

👋🏼 I'm always here to help find what works for you and when. Anyone can throw a rate at you or just show you houses or put a sign in your yard. I'm here to translate those numbers into real life and provide clarity and strategy. If you're looking for an agent who values your bank account as much as your floor plan - you've found the one!

Sarah Lies
REMAX Elite, REALTORS
[email protected]
816-352-3778 (direct)
816-373-8400 (office)

01/09/2026

🚨 III T H R E E III year Mortgage Rate LOW. Curious what this means for you? It looks a lot like keeping more of your money in your pocket.

Let's chat on how to make the most of this opportunity!

View today's current mortgage rates with our national average index, calculated daily to bring you the most accurate data when purchasing or refinancing your home. Follow our daily market analysis with Mortgage Rate Watch and we'll tell you where and why rates are moving.