KC Condo Tracker

Historically three things go up in concert (1) gas (2) minimum wage and (3) housing costs. I took a look back forty years ago and here's what a gallon of gas cost, what a minimum wage worker made per hour, and what a five bedroom home cost:

            GAS    MIN     HOME

1965       .25    .55          15,000 

2005        2.50    5.50    150,000

2008        3.85    6.50    TBD

If history proves itself, housing must recover from the decline and increase in value before year end or according to Money magazine's June issue, by 2nd quarter of 2009. When looking at 100 other cities (major markets), Kansas City is only experiencing a .6% decline currently. It just a matter of time before housing price rise again to stay in line with increases shown in gas and minimum wage.

(Send your favorite bad ad to win)

I met a sharp branding expert from Blacktop Creative this week. Derek got me thinking about the good and frightening branding put out by real estate agents (the animal combo Realtor photo, glamour photos, the  tired/over done, or if you have too try that hard why bother ad campaigns). 

Please send me your favorite bad branding effort by a real estate agent in one of the categories above and win a free Coffee Girls coffee card. Please make me laugh and send your entries to me by June 30.

Parkway Towers board is gathering big numbers to replace its boiler and central air systems. Assessments for a two-bedroom condo are rumored to be approaching $23,000. If you're looking at Parkway Towers, get the upcoming assessment addressed in your offer upfront.