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March 2022 PUBLISHER S

Zach Traphagan | zach.traphagan@citylifestyle.com Jeron Traphagan | jeron.traphagan@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Katie Currid | katie.currid@citylifestyle.com

Finding refuge in our homes

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Home — we’ve been spending a lot of time there these days. And if you haven’t at least dreamed about renovating your home — or actually done it — then you haven’t 2020’d. March is our home issue, and boy, are our homes important these days. Of course, they serve the ol’ 2019 purpose as a place to sleep and make meals, but our houses are pulling all the duties lately. They’re places to work from home, entertain our kids, work out and probably socialize (if we can manage to squeeze any of that in without some sneezes at the moment). This month, we’ve got a few home-centered stories for you. For our cover story, I spoke with designer Savanna Nave, a single mom on a budget who has entertained me on her Instagram by adding whimsical character to her newly constructed home. Writer Kim Antisdel interviewed artist Sierra Cuda about the macrame business she started during the pandemic — all beautiful pieces to hang on your walls. Real estate agent Dani Beyer and her team talked us through the wild sellers’ market going on in the real estate world at the moment, and gives sage, calming wisdom on how to navigate it. And if your home feels chaotic right now, Cyndi Hamilton gave us all the tips on organizing your space to bring in some peace — and if you don’t have the energy to do it, looking at before and after photos is just as calming. I also received a few emails from readers about our February issue, where I missed some beautiful murals in our “Art All Around” story about public art in the Northland. I’m sure I still missed a few, but I tried to make up for it by featuring them here in our March issue. I always love hearing from readers — it brings a second perspective into what can sometimes feel like a one-way conversation with Northlanders! As always, thanks for inviting our magazine into your home, Northlanders – I hope it’s a place you find solace these days, and that our magazine helps brighten up your coffee table as we shine a light on our amazing community.

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Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Randy Radosevich DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise Proverbs 3:5-6 Northland City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Northland area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Northland City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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MARCH 2022

inside the issue The Home Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

16 Macra-making a New Life

Lifestyle Letter

Sierra Cuda started macrame to keep herself busy during the pandemic and found a new

City Scene

business along the way

Business Monthly

Local Experiences

Inspired By

Home Update

HO ME + DES I GN

Decor Trends

HO ME + DES I GN

Expert Help

Events

Local Limelight

22 Reigning in Chaos with Organization

Professional organizer Cyndi Hamilton aims to create peaceful spaces through organization

28 Boldness on a Budget

Designer Savanna Nave adapts her style from historic farmhouse to new construction

34 Navigating a Seller’s Market

Whether you’re buying or selling, the real estate market is wild these days.

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Savanna Nave Savanna Nave's bold living room in her Excelsior Springs home. Read more on page 28.

HO ME + DES I GN

R EA L ESTAT E

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city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen. 1

SPECIAL OLYMPICS MISSOURI

JOSEPH ANTHONY CAVALLARO

2 JOHNNA WALLINGFORD

7 SPECIAL OLYMPICS MISSOURI

SPECIAL OLYMPICS MISSOURI

1: Smithville Cub Scout Pack 412 held their pinewood derby on Jan. 29. 2: The Missouri River is dredged as seen from Parkville. 3: Students from Staley High School participate in the Polar Bear Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics. 4: Students from Smithville High School participate in the Polar Bear Plunge at Smithville Lake on Jan. 29. 5: People take part in the Polar Bear Plunge at Smithville Lake on Jan. 29 to benefit the Missouri Special Olympics. 6: Garrett Wallingford, 4, of Platte City builds a snow man. 7: The promotion team celebrates putting on Excelsior Springs' 16th annual Chocolate Tour on Feb. 5.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @northlandlifestyle

C I T Y SC E N E

MARCH 2022

business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Liberty Hospital names Regenia Stull Chief Nursing Officer

Parade of Homes returns to Kansas City for spring

Regenia Stull, DNP, MSN, RN, CNL-C, has joined Liberty Hospital as chief nursing officer. Stull brings more than 20 years of nursing leadership experience to her new role. Stull will assume responsibility for developing strategies for clinical quality, safety and patient experience. In addition, she will provide leadership for the recruitment and retention of nursing staff to Liberty Hospital.

The Spring Parade of Homes returns April 23 - May 8 and will feature hundreds of homes located around the Kansas City area that have been built by members of the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City. Parade homes will be open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and admission is free. Free Parade guides will be available for pickup at the KCHBA (I-435 & Holmes). More information is available at KCParadeofHomes.com.

Scan to read more.

Fashion fundraiser to benefit Northland kids LevelUp Kids, Inc. (formerly Miles of Smiles) provides free, comprehensive dental and vision care to children who do not have access to these services in the Northland. Its annual fashion show fundraising event will take place on March 31 at Argosy Casino, with proceeds benefiting their programs and helping kids in need. Watch local celebrities, students and community leaders walk the runway for a great cause! For more information and tickets, visit levelupkidsinc.org/events

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Northland

B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

MARCH 2022

local experiences The best places and things to do in our area.

Whether you are wanting to spruce up your home with new décor and finishes or just gather inspiration, we have you covered with what the Northland has to offer from design studios and shops that will help make your house a home.

Home Decor & Design HOUSE ON SCOTT: If you're not obsessed with rugs yet, one visit to House on Scott with change that immediately. We're also in love with their dish collection. 16 Main Street Parkville, MO TEXTUR ED HAUS: If you're a lover of the boho or minimalist aesthetic (or both!), Textured Haus in downtown Liberty is a must — they have beautiful blankets and ceramics. 10 W. Kansas St., Liberty, MO PETALS AND POTPOUR R I: We love curating lovely scents to fill our home, and Petals and Potpourri is the perfect spot for that with their seasonal fragrances and home decor. 1 E Kansas St Liberty, MO THE WAR EHOUSE: What's old is new again at the architectural salvage and antique shop The Warehouse in downtown Smithville. 117 N. Bridge St., Smithville, MO FAR M HOUSE COLLECTION: Your one-stop shop for the farmhouse aesthetic in Parkville, and they have amazing candles, too! 104 Main St Parkville, MO

Scan for more photos and the full list. Courtesy of House on Scott

Want to recommend a local experience? Scan the QR code and message us on Instagram.

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American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & Its Operating Companies, American Family Insurance Company, Life insurance products underwritten by American Family Life Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 ©2019 015967 – 2/19 – 10290415 MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/NO RT HL A N D

AN INTERIOR DESIGNER STARTED MACRAME TO KEEP HERSELF BUSY DURING THE PANDEMIC AND FOUND A NEW BUSINESS ALONG THE WAY

I NSP IR E D BY | HOM E + DE S I GN

MACRA-MAKING A NEW LIFE In March of 2020, professional interior designer Sierra Cuda had a problem. Covid-19 had just ripped her from the hustle and bustle of HOK — one of Kansas City’s most prestigious architectural firms — and planted her firmly at home with her dog and a computer screen. There were no happy hours to attend, no girls’ volleyball teams to coach, and no way to see family. Down but not out, Sierra would soon begin a new personal venture that would change her mindset and feed her artistic soul. We recently sat down so I could hear how she went from a little lonely to the master of her own online macrame shop, the q.collective.

would be upset or sad, I could throw on a podcast and work on a custom pattern. Time passed faster and my mind was focused on the art rather than missing my friends. I randomly posted a few completed pieces on social media and almost immediately started getting custom order requests.

Q: WHY MACRAME? THERE ARE SO MANY AVENUES FOR HOBBIES THESE DAYS. A: I’m always drawn to the boho aesthetic, so macrame fits that vibe for me. I was mentally stuck during lockdown and knew I needed a project to get my mind off all of the things I wasn’t doing. I had seen macrame in shops around town and thought, “I could do that.” One day I ordered a pattern on Etsy and just tried it out. And I realized I was actually pretty good at it.

A: As a designer, I often have to set personal taste aside for a project. I may not love the client’s color choice, but I listen to them. When I’m working on a macrame piece that is commissioned, I can set my personal aesthetic aside to create their vision. But for pieces in my own shop, I get to do what I want. It is 100% freedom. With my design background, I can straddle the line both ways. Additionally, as a designer, I take pride in detail and perfection and that certainly shows up in my work.

Q: WERE YOU TRYING TO CREATE A SIDE HUSTLE?

Q. WHAT IS AN UNEXPECTED RESULT FROM YOU STARTING THIS?

A: I was only looking for something to stay busy. I found that in the evenings, when I

A: I teach virtual classes. A lot of them! When I was first approached I never thought I

ARTICLE BY KIM ANTISDEL

Q. AND WAS YOUR DOG EXCITED? A: Leo is the biggest fan of macrame because it means I’m at home all the time working! Leo is head of the q.collective fan club.

Q. HAVE YOU FOUND THAT YOUR CAREER AS A PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGNER HELPS YOU WITH YOUR ART? IN WHAT WAY?

CONTINUED >

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JILLIAN BODE MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/NO RT HL A N D

could pull it off. How do you virtually teach macrame? Will people actually pay to do this? But they were a hit. And I think it showed people how difficult and time-consuming the process can be.

Q. I TOOK YOUR VERY FIRST VIRTUAL CLASS AND I CAN PERSONALLY ATTEST TO HOW HARD IT IS! ANY STORIES OF MACRAME GONE WRONG FOR YOU? A: Not wrong per se, but definitely not going to repeat! I had a client request a pink dip dye. I wanted to do a natural dye process and researched that you can do it by cooking down avocadoes. I know, it sounds crazy. The piece turned out great, but for the amount of time it took…it didn’t bring me enough joy. I still love dip dye but no more avocado!

Q: LET’S TALK SHOP. YOUR MACRAME SHOP, THE Q.COLLECTIVE. WHERE’D YOU GET THE NAME? A: In college, I was in rowing. We all went by our last names, and mine is pronounced Q-da, not Coo-da, and people

I NSP IR E D BY | HOM E + DE S I GN

always get it wrong. My team called me “Q” and I loved it. So I picked the q.collective because it leaves room for me to grow the business outside of macrame if I ever decide to expand.

Q. WHAT’S BEEN THE BIGGEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR YOU IN ALL OF THIS? A: I have learned so much about my worth as an artist because that’s what this is to me. It’s art. I used to see pieces on Etsy and couldn’t believe how much they cost and now I totally get it. The time, energy, love, and attention each piece gets — it’s a piece of me. I struggle with pricing my pieces because I never want someone to walk away, but I have to know what my time is worth.

Q: WHAT MAKES YOUR ART DIFFERENT THAN THE STUFF IN A STORE FOR LESS MONEY? A: I create this art myself, here in my home in Kansas City. Also, materials truly matter. I source a yummy cord from Unfettered Art & Supply that has so much dimension; you feel the difference versus a synthetic material. At the end of the day, the q.collective name is on this. It’s my art and I refuse to cut corners.

Q. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PIECE TO MAKE? A: Oh I love them all. Wall hangings, pacifier clips, plant holders, keychains, coasters, garland, ornaments, hat hangers, dip-dye stuff. I love every single thing and if I haven’t made something yet, I can’t wait to try it! You can see Sierra’s work at the-q-collective.com or on Instagram at @the_q.collective.

MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/NO RT HL A N D

REIGNING IN CHAOS W I T H O R G A N I Z AT I O N ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE CURRID

Professional organizer Cyndi Hamilton aims to create peaceful spaces through organization As a mom to four kids, Cyndi Hamilton didn’t have a choice but to get organized. “When you have two kids and you’re both working, the chaos — you can kind of muddle through,” says Cyndi. “But once I had the four kids, I had to come up with systems.” With a degree in interior design, a lot of experience in retail, and the manager of chaos in her own home, Cyndi has plenty of experience in getting organized and making spaces look and feel good. She’s owned her business, Organizing Spaces, for four years, and specializes in professional organizing. “When I go and work with people in their homes, they don’t have systems, and that’s why people struggle with disorganization,” she says. “So that’s what I specialize in — helping people figure out their systems.” Cyndi says having systems is key — it’s a way to navigate your space and ensure that everything has a place where it belongs. I tagged along with her while she organized the home of a young family, Cody and Kenzie Turnbull. Cody owns his own small business, a car upholstery company, and Kenzie is a nurse. They have two children — Jude, 2, and Simon, 5 months, and the four of them live together in a small 1,000-square foot home in Weston. As Cyndi navigated the Turnbulls’ home, I marveled at her ability to turn a large black hole of a drawer into a methodical, confined space with a purpose. She laid out her process for me.

H OM E U P DAT E | HOM E + DE S I GN

Step 1: Decide what needs attention the most Cyndi says the biggest mistake she sees people make is tackling an area that they don’t interact with every day. “The thing that people want to start with is a storage room, but for the most part, a storage room is not the area you’re living in,” says Cyndi. While a storage room might feel like a good place to start, Cyndi says that you get the most out of organizing a space you use every day. She says it’s important to feel like you’ve made an impact on your home, and something as simple as creating a landing strip by the front door, organizing your pantry, or even sorting a spice drawer — areas that are used often — can really make a difference. For the Turnbull’s house, Cyndi suggested organizing the bathroom, as the home only has one, one of the child’s rooms since it hadn’t been organized since their second child was born, and a kitchen cabinet.

BEFORE

AFTER

CONTINUED >

MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/NO RT HL A N D

Step 2: Declutter

Step 5: Label

After an initial consultation where Cyndi helps a client decide what area of their home they’ll organize first, the first meeting after that is decluttering. Cyndi says the key to effective decluttering is speed. “Make fast decisions,” says Cyndi. She doesn’t want clients to spend too much time waffling about what goes and brings boxes to sort the items that will leave. “I will bring 4 different boxes — donate, trash, go in another room, and go to a friend.” Cyndi also takes any boxes going to charities for her clients so they don’t have to. She knows it’s so easy to leave donated boxes in a trunk or mudroom for months.

Labeling is just as important as containment to Cyndi. “After we contain everything, we label things to make sure when you go to put things back, it’s labeled,” says Cyndi. She says if containers aren’t labeled, it’s easy to go back to your old ways of not putting things back where they belong, and labels prevent that. After all is said and done, Cyndi says the most important thing is making a space that relaxes the people that live there, as opposed to causing stress due to disorganization. “I think the biggest thing of getting organized is mentally what that makes you feel like when you come home to your house,” she says. After a stressful few years and a lot of time at home, we can all use a space that helps us feel at peace.

Step 3: Designate zones Not only does each space have a purpose, but there are hot spots in each space where Cyndi combines like objects. “For example, in pantry, I’ll divide things into zones — a baking zone, a cooking zone, snack zone,” says Cyndi. “Things are all separated and they have a specific home or a specific shelf. If it’s a closet — shoes, hanging items, folded items.”

Step 4: Contain After zones are decided, those zones get divvied up into containers, and Cyndi is passionate about the right container. “So many times, people will just go around and just find some oddly shaped containers and try to make it work,” says Cyndi. “If you don’t have the right shaped containers to fit on your shelf, you’re wasting space.” She’s especially fond of clear containers, and also likes turntables. In the Turnbull’s house, Cyndi used a turntable for the children’s craft supplies and in the bathroom cabinet for cleaning supplies. She also utilized small shelves to help divide up tall cabinet space, which doubles the area — as seen in the kitchen cabinet. Cyndi also says that often, in the containment phase, another layer of decluttering begins. “At that point, we have to make a decision that if someone has 25 bottles of Bath and Body Works lotion and they have a tiny bathroom closet, is it realistic?” says Cyndi. Once it comes time to contain all those items, “then we’ll say, ‘OK, now this [is the] container where all your Bath and Body Works is going to live,’ and then we go through a second level of decluttering [to make it fit].”

H OM E U P DAT E | HOM E + DE S I GN

“I think the biggest thing of getting organized is mentally what that makes you feel like when you come home to your house.”

BEFORE

AFTER

MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/NO RT HL A N D

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MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/NO RT HL A N D

ARTICLE BY KATIE CURRID | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAVANNA NAVE

BOLDNESS ON A BUDGET DESIGNER SAVANNA NAVE ADAPTS HER STYLE FROM HISTORIC FARMHOUSE TO NEW CONSTRUCTION

D E C OR T R E N D S | HOM E + DE S I GN

When Savanna Nave moved into her first home, a 1920s farmhouse in Lawson, she leaned into the aesthetic. The old home was full of character and charm, so Savanna, a designer and blogger, met the farmhouse style with a touch of romanticism and granny chic — soft textiles, floral wallpaper, and chandeliers. But when Savanna moved herself and her two young boys into their new home in Excelsior Springs in 2019 — a brand new build — she found that most of the furniture from their previous house did not jive.

SAVANNA NAVE

“I tried to keep with my eclectic, collected style, but find things that were more modern to tie it all together,” says Savanna. “It’s a big difference. My farmhouse and my new house, they look totally different, but they’re the same feel.” Though the homes were different, what’s similar about them both is Savanna’s approach to all-out design. She doesn’t shy away from a vision and commits to an aesthetic whole-heartedly, often with bold paint and patterns. She’s chronicled both homes and their transformations on her blog, SavannaBrooke.com, where she showcases her eye. Since starting the blog in 2016, she now works in the design sphere, such as decorating for commercial clients like The Elms Hotel during the holidays and even does e-design consultations for readers. Savanna specifically likes to design with a thrifty eye. As a single mom, she’s incredibly budget-conscious, and also has to make sure her home can withstand two small boys, Bjorn, 7, and Rowen, 4. “My kids know that they have their toys and I have my toys,” says Savanna. “My stuff is out and on display at all times. They’ve broken all kinds of things. I have to be relaxed about it and really not care. It’s either thrifted or from Amazon and I can easily replace it if I need to.” Savanna finds inspiration by scouring design books but also loves to look to movies and fashion to spark her imagination. Then, she searches thrift stores and the internet for deals to match those looks for a fraction of the price, often painting or repurposing items to match the aesthetic she’s going for. “Everything in my house has meaning to me,” says Savanna. “Everything I have is very affordable so I never really splurge on anything. If I want a certain style couch, I’ll find the couch I want, and then I’ll search until I find one that’s in my budget.” As a mom, it’s important to her that she doesn’t shy away from design just because she has to worry about things getting used by her children. Much of Savanna’s eye was inherited from her mother and grandmother, who always dressed very stylishly. Savanna’s adventurous approach to design was fostered by her mother at a young age.

CONTINUED >

MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/NO RT HL A N D

“My college dorm room was my first adventure that I went on with decorating and after that, I’ve been going ever since.”

D E C OR T R E N D S | HOM E + DE S I GN

“When I was growing up, my mom let me have free reign of my room, and any time I wanted to change anything — if I wanted to paint a wall — she was like, ‘Okay,’ and let me do it,” says Savanna. “She was very good at letting me express myself through my room. I was the kid that was watching Candice Olson on TV instead of cartoons and HGTV when it first came out.” Savanna remembers when her mother hired an interior designer to work on their home when she was a kid and was obsessed with the process. “I watched her like a hawk,” says Savanna of the designer. ”I was very drawn to it. Simple things like paint — it really caught my eye. My college dorm room was my first adventure that I went on with decorating and after that, I’ve been going ever since.” Perhaps Savanna is just the next line of women in her family to inspire the bold styles of future generations. To see more of Savanna’s designs, you can find her on Instagram @savannabrooke_com or read her blog at SavannaBrooke.com.

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MAR CH 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/NO RT HL A N D

Navigating a Seller’s Market ARTICLE BY KATIE CURRID | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY ELWELL

Whether you’re buying or selling, the real estate market is wild these days. Dani Beyer guides us through.

EXP E RT H E LP | R EAL ESTATE

Dani Beyer

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last two years, you know the real estate market is having a wild time. Low inventory prior to the pandemic combined with skyrocketing building material prices and construction labor shortages simply means there just aren’t enough homes being built or on the market. “In Kansas City, I think we have a .3-month supply of homes at the moment,” says Dani Beyer, a Kansas City realtor. “A balanced market is when we have a 6-month supply. So, there’s no inventory. We’re putting stuff on the market and we’re getting multiple offers right off the bat.” In short — supply is low and demand is high. It’s hard to find a home right now, and it’s a seller’s market. It can be tricky navigating the market right now, which is why we talked to Dani and her team about tips to steer through it — whether you’re buying or selling.

SELLING IN A SELLER’S MARKET It seems like there’s no better time to sell than right now — but is it as easy as taking some photos and putting your house on the market? Dani says there’s a little more to it than that. • Find an agent who will personalize the experience for you. “It seems really easy to put a house on the market and take an offer and be done with it,” says Dani. “There’s a lot more strategy behind it. Maybe our seller wants an easy experience. We really listen to our sellers and try to get them their unicorn.” • Throw away that project list. Dani says a few years ago, staging was really important in selling a home, as well as removing items to avoid a cluttered-looking space. “But now there’s nothing for people to buy,” she says. “We’re encouraging people to list sooner than wait. Any projects that they were thinking about doing, I always tell them that that will push their timeline out. Take advantage of the situation and put it on the market now.”

• Don’t wait. “Sellers don’t have to do anything at all (to their homes) because the inventory levels are so low,” says Dani. She says the most important thing right now for sellers is to get buyers in the door with enticing curb appeal and nice listing photos. “We want our photos to look great, we want our online presence to be the best as it can.” • Host an open house for competing offers. Dani says they do a lot of open houses these days, often putting homes on the market on Thursday or Friday and hosting an open house on the weekend. “We love them,” says Dani. “My goal is to have our listings appear in as many search results online as possible.” She says open houses can increase the number of offers to choose from, and also help listings stand out on real estate websites.

BUYING IN A SELLER’S MARKET Buying a home right now can feel like an insurmountable task, especially for first-time homebuyers. “I just don’t think there are enough houses in Kansas City, period,” says Dani. “Our market is so affordable that there are investors, not only throughout the United States but globally that have targeted Kansas City as a place to invest. So when we put something on the market in certain zip codes up north, we know that we’re going to get cash offers from these holding companies that are coming in and buying these properties and renting them out. These companies are investing in Kansas City because they know the value’s going to continue to rise. So that makes it challenging for our first-time home buyers and people that are trying to buy their home, too, with financing — going against a cash offer.” Sarah Montgomery, the lead buyer’s agent on Dani Beyer’s real estate team, gives some helpful tips on how to move through home-buying more confidently. CONTINUED >

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“Our market is so affordable that there are investors, not only throughout the United States but globally that have targeted Kansas City as a place to invest.”

• Find a lender who will work quickly. It can feel nearly impossible to compete with the rising trend in cash, as-is offers. However, finding a lender who will help you close quickly can help a buyer compete with a cash offer since cash offers don’t have to utilize lenders and are the quickest around. “Say it’s an investor’s house that (they) want to get rid of — they want to flip it and get the most money,” says Sarah. “If someone comes in with a cash offer, they can close in 2 weeks. The motivation is I want the most, quickest.” Dani Beyer and her team have been working with lenders who can close in 3 weeks, which can help compete with a cash-based 2-week close.

EXP E RT H E LP | R EAL ESTATE

• Add an escalation clause or appraisal gap. New tools are being utilized in negotiations when putting in an offer on a home because of the prevalence of cash offers. To combat these, Sarah has been utilizing escalation clauses, which can help a buyer automatically increase their bid to a point without going back and forth in negotiations or going over what is necessary. She also has put offers in utilizing an appraisal gap, where the buyer covers any gap between their offer and the appraisal with cash. Right now, it always helps to be cash-heavy, says Sarah.

• Know the value of a great house inspector. A good inspector who gives a thorough report can be an important tool in home buying negotiations, says Sarah. “A good inspector who is super thorough and doesn’t freak out buyers is a huge asset to have there,” she says.

• Work with the right agent. Finding the right realtor who represents your interests and works hard for you can make or break finding a home when there is so much competition. “Working with the right real estate agent (who) can network well, knows agents — that’s a huge advantage, someone who communicates well and actually calls the listing agent,” says Sarah. “Having that strong agent that can educate you in the process will make it a lot less stressful in general.”

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MARCH 2022

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A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area. MAR CH 12TH

Shamrock Shake-Up Indoor Triathalon

G L A DSTO NE C O MMUNI T Y C E NT E R | 7 :0 0 A M Great for beginners and seasoned triathletes. Start with a 10-minute swim. Next, cycle on a spin bike for 30 minutes. Then, finish with a 20-minute run/walk. Participants receive a T-shirt — $30 for community center members, $35 for non-members. The more distance you cover, the higher you will rank. Registration available through March 6th. MAR CH 12TH

Snake Saturday Parade

DOWNTOWN NO RT H KA N SAS C I T Y | 1 1 :0 0 A M The Snake Saturday parade is back in NKC this year. The parade begins at 14th and Swift and moves north on Swift. In addition to the parade, there is a festival at 18th and Howell that begins at 10 a.m. and includes a carnival, children’s petting zoo, children’s stage show, the Clyde Ellis race car show. MAR CH 18TH-20 TH

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Vintage Market Days

7 1 0 0 NW P R A I R I E V I E W ROA D, KA NSAS C I T Y | 1 2:0 0 P M Join us for a special shopping experience featuring the best local, regional, and national vendors, artisans, and makers! Our vendors feature vintage goods, antiques, original art, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home decor, outdoor furnishing, consumable yummies, seasonal flowers, food trucks and so much more! We can't wait to see you there! Tickets are available here: vmd-kc.eventbrite.com CONTINUED >

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MAR CH 26TH

Sippin’ Into Spring

DOWNTOWN E XC E L S I O R S P R I NG S | 1 1 :0 0 A M Out with winter and in with spring! Let’s celebrate by sampling wine throughout the eateries, drinkeries, shops, boutiques, and galleries of Downtown Excelsior Springs. For just $25 you can sample over 25 great wines. Become a VIP Ticket Holders for $50 and receive early check-in and a gourmet brunch at Ventana Gourmet Grill at 10:30 AM before the event. MAR CH 26TH

Moonshiners Car Club Cruise

DOWNTOWN WESTON | 5:00 PM The cruise takes place every fourth Saturday from March through October. Everyone is invited to come to see the cars and meet up with other auto enthusiasts. Market and Main St. in Weston, MO. MAR CH 26TH

Liberty Hospital Half Marathon and Jewell 5K

WI L L I A M J E WE L L C O L L E G E | 8 :0 0 A M Registration is open for the Liberty Hospital Half Marathon and Jewell 5K. Presented by Hy-Vee, the scenic race course starts and ends at William Jewell College and passes through historic downtown Liberty. Entry fees support community health education and programs through the Liberty Hospital Foundation. libertyhospitalhalf.org .

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JUNE 6 - AUGUST 5 | TODDLER (AGE 2) - 8TH GRADE Oakhill Fully Charged aims to create an environment that feels like a vacation every day through everything from field trips to campwide water balloon fights. Create lasting memories as we fill your summer with fun and excitement! Weekly Field Trips Themed Camps Before/After Care Lunch Offerings Optional Swim Lessons Fees Start Under $50/Day

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murals

we m i s s e d WE FORGOT SOME NORTHLAND MURALS IN OUR PUBLIC ART ROUND-UP LAST MONTH. HERE ARE THE ONES WE MISSED.

04 When I published “Art All Around,” a round-up of murals in the Northland for February’s issue, I figured there were some I was missing. However, I didn’t expect to get so many emails about it! It was thrilling to see our readers interacting with the magazine, letting me know about local art that had gone unnoticed in our, apparently, not-so-comprehensive mural guide. Kim Lorenzen wrote to inform me of a beautiful mural on the McCrummen Immigration Law Group building in North Kansas City designed by North Kansas City High School student Abiagael Parks (03). The mural was executed by artist Chico Sierra. Jim O’Laughlin sent in this Our Lady of Guadalupe mural by artist Evan Brown (known as Doodle Dood) on the side of Harbortown Villas off of Davidson Road (04). Evan also painted a Chiefs mural at the same location and one of the murals at the Iron District featured in our February issue. I also missed two other North Kansas City murals: “This Is Us,” a mural at 1443 Swift Street by artist Spaceship Zulu (01) and “The Wave” at 1609 Swift Street by artist Alex Eickhoff (02). Thanks to those of you who made this round-up a little more rounded out, and thanks to the artists who help brighten our city with their art.

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