Hadassah Freilich was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia back in 1948 to Samuel and Ella.  In 1949 the family moved to the United States settling in Gardner, Massachusetts.  She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Dramatics from Boston University in 1970, as well as a MA in International Relations from Northeastern University.After graduation, she worked at Lehman Brothers as a director of Policy, Planning and Communications at Pfizer.  She also held the position as a senior program officer at the National Research Council. She is also a member of the Parents Music Resource Center.  In 2005, she was hired by Hill & Knowlton as a senior counselor in the firm’s health care and pharmaceuticals practice.  She has also served as Chairman of the Ambassador’s Ball for the National... 06/08/2021

William Robert Laughlin was born in San Gabriel, California back in 1932 to Robert and Charlotte.  At the tender age of eight he worked in the film industry.  He was made famous by his strange guttural voice (more on that in a moment). He died in 1948, he was sixteen from a motorcycle accident.  He was the youngest of the actors/actresses to die from the Our Gang films.  For those of you old enough to remember those films if you haven’t figured it out by now he was known as Froggy.  Your day is worthwhile when you make someone smile, so give the free gift of a smile today. 04/18/2021

Yasmeen Lari was born in Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan back in 1941.  At 15 she left Pakistan to go with her family to London for vacation.  The family decided to stay in London enrolling in school.  She attended the Oxford Brookes University, graduating in 1964.At 23, she returned to Pakistan with her husband, initially facing difficulties because of her gender.  However, in 1969 that all changed by she was elected a Member of the (RIBA), more on that in a moment.  She retired in 2000 and is currently serving as an advisor for UNESCO.Okay, this one is going to be short, so let’s get to it.  What you may not know about Yasmeen is that the university she attended in London was the Oxford Brookes University of Architecture, (RIBA) stands for the Royal Institute of British Architects.  She was... 04/10/2021

Percy Edgar Lambert was born in Westminster, England back in 1881.  He attended the Westminster City School.  After graduation he joined his older brother, Harold Charles Lambert selling Austin and Singer vehicles in Westminster.  Percy and Harold decided to enter into the vehicle manufacturing and jointly formed the Lambert-Herbert Light Car Company.  Their first vehicle was a 10HP 4 Cylinder, it sold for a whopping 225.00.  Percy was also into automobile racing.  Starting in 1910, he had a short career in racing.  He won seven races and placed in six more.  He was killed in 1913 during a race, on the 21st lap the car overturned, he died on the way to the Weybridge Cottage Hospital.What you may not know about Percy is that in February of that same year he covered 103 miles in one hour.... 03/27/2021

Itzhak Bentov was born in Humenné Czechoslovakia back in 1923, his parents were killed in Nazi Concentration camps.  He escaped to British Palestine.  He joined the Israeli Science Corps one month before Israel declared statehood in 1948.  He designed Israel’s first rocket for the War of Independence. He moved to the United States in 1954, settling in Massachusetts becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1962.  In 1979, he was killed as a passenger aboard American Airlines Flight 191 that crashed at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. What you may not know about Itzhak is that he was also an inventor.  He invented the steerable cardiac catheter, helping pioneer the biomedical engineering industry.  He was an early exponent of what has come to be referred to as consciousness studies,... 11/04/2020

Missouri March 2020 Market ReportThe number of sales for March 2020 in Missouri are down, while the average sales prices are rising.  In Springfield, 2930 sales have occuried,with an average sales price of $181,484.  Total volume of sales is $492,024,835.Photo courtest of Missouri RealtorsCall Kay Van Kampen and Rhonda Jones for your free market reports for your home in and around Springfield Missouri.  Need to sell your home?  Call us today! 05/04/2020

Springfield Market Predictions for SpringEven before the Stay-At-Home order for Missouri, the Springfield Market has been strugging with low inventory.  Homes under $200,000 do not stay on the market longer than a week, if priced right.  Higher priced homes are lowering their prices to get their homes sold.The Coronavirus is starting to cause some homeownerss to question whether to sell or wait for the virus to subside.  We are also hearing of delayed closings due to layoffs or loss of jobs.What is this going to do to the upcoming Spring selling season?  Your guess is as good as mine, but here is my prediction:With inventory remaining at an all time low for the Springfield Mo and surrounding areas, buyers will continue to look, purchase and close, keeping the inventory down.  Sellers wi... 04/16/2020

The Years - The Time - All Worth It!  This Short Sale Closed !After 2 1/2 years and many offers.  Tons of paperwork.  Dealing with 2 banks, it seemed like they were both playing devils advocate, we closed on this 16000 Sq Ft Home.  The buyers were awesome, waiting for over 8 months to close.  The sellers helped work through the sale and never gave up.We've closed over 300 short sales, none as difficult as this sale.  The home was the largest in size and price we've ever worked.  During the 2 1/2 years, the times showing the home was endless.  We lost track.  The time it took to go through the house was usually 2 hours.  Our thanks to the title company for keeping the file up to date and to the buyer's lender for closing before the deadlines.  And to the many people that listened to me e... 12/15/2019

The Power Of Advertising - Past Clients Become Forever ClientsWe have a process when servicing our clients, present and past.  For those that relocate to another state, it seems we have a more difficult time staying in touch. This week an out-of- state past client called and asked if we could help once again. Our client brought his preapproval letter and had already found their home from our website.  Within hours we were already under contract! The power of the internet, combined with constant advertising, equal great transactions with previous clients.  Past clients and referrals are our base for our business. By the way, "WE LOVE REFERRALS!" 08/03/2019

Moving to Southwest Missouri? Please watch our 1min 30 second video to get an idea of what to expect!  08/03/2019

Pricing Your Home To Sell in 2019With our busy market, homes in today's market do not stay active if priced right. Years ago, before the Internet was widely available for every aspect of life, determining the price of your home for your local market relied heavily on the assistance of a real estate agent or broker. Now, with the ease of access to many different online real estate information sources, pricing a home for sale can seem like a very easy task. While it may be easier for a seller in 2019 than in 1990, pricing a home still best involves an agent and additional research to ensure a reliable sale price.  That's where the "KAY" Team comes in.  If you are thinking of marketing your home, contact Kay Van Kampen or Rhonda Jones.  Our team has the knowledge of the local market and we... 07/25/2019

Find Your Niche and Focus! This real estate business has so many different avenues to follow.  Residential. Commercial.  Multi-family.  Rentals.   No matter what you decide to do, find your niche and focus.I see so many new agents flounder and leave the business before they even find their niche.  Years ago, I  dabbled in commercial real estate and found that I didn't have the knowledge or focus to understand that part of the real estate industry.  It was exciting to run with a different type of clientel, but I kept finding myself coming back to my roots.....helping buyers and sellers find and sell their dream homes.  Knowing the residential side of real estate, having knowledge of the area and trends of my local market, makes me a better professional.Need someone to help you buy or sel... 07/23/2019

Springfield Mo June 2019 Real Estate Market ReportSpringfield Missouri and areas surrounding Springfield is seeing a great change in sales.  Over the past year, inventory has dropped, days on the market are fewer, and prices are soaring. Prices and time on the market depends on the same facts as prior history, with a few added perks.  Remember the old phrase?  Location, location, location!In today's market, existing homes must be in better condition, professional photos are a must, and sellers must have a home to move to and close faster. Sales prices are within 3% of list price and seller concessions are becoming a trend, with some homes selling higher than list price and multiple offers.We are very busy listing properties in and around the Springfield area.  Want a seasoned team that ... 07/20/2019

Springfield Mo Homes For Sale - $100,000 and belowAs the market turns, the inventory for homes in Springfield Mo for sale constantly change.  Homes that are in great condition, priced right, only stay on the market a few days.  Some don't even hit the market if the home is being advertised as "Coming Soon".  A "Coming Soon" home in the Springfield area can not be shown to any clients, but offers are being presented the day the listing hits the market, due to low inventory.Click here to search for homes in Springfield under $100,000.  06/02/2019

RE/MAX National Housing Report for April 2019Interesting how the market fluctuates across the United States.  Some states are low on inventory, while in other markets, homes are not selling.In the Springfield Missouri area, homes under $300,000 are still moving quickly, while homes over $300,000 remain on the market longer.  Luxury homes take longer unless agressively priced.  Check out the National Housing Report for April 2019.RE/MAX National Housing Report Interested in buying or selling a home within a 30 mile radius of Springfield Missouri?  Call The "KAY" Team 05/30/2019

3171 E Shalimar Drive, Springfield Missouri. Amazing home for sale in Springfield MO. Call 417-631-7234 for more information!  02/20/2019

Love at first sight! Irresistible home in south east Springfield. Brand new HVAC system, new modern shaker white kitchen cabinets with soft close doors, stainless steel appliances, stunning granite countertops & wood flooring. light fixtures & ceiling fans, paint, six-panel doors & carpet. Charming kitchen island is portable. Master bath with new granite double vanity top, tile floors, & tiled shower. 2nd bathroom with fabulous walk-in shower with floor to ceiling subway tile, new vanity, top & tile flooring. You will love the cozy hearth room, & huge year-round sunroom. Home is conveniently located close to medical mile, shopping, dining & entertainment. Large backyard with privacy fence, deck, storage bldg, & lots of flowers & mature trees. Offered by owner agent.   12/15/2018

 Irresistible at first sight! Once in a lifetime opportunity for a truly unforgettable property on 5 acres! You will simply fall in love with the charming bathroom vanities made from antique furniture, built-ins, sliding barn doors and attention to detail! The pictures tell the story of the loving renovation completed 2013-2017 including new roofs on house, barn & well house, well pump, ultra violet water purification, kitchen appliances, furnace, water heater, asphalt surfacing on circle drive, steel pipe fencing, gate & MORE! 5 total acres of 3 park-like acres & 2 acres wooded.This truly serene location is just 7 minutes from Springfield & a 5 minute drive to beautiful Fellows Lake to fish & relax. SQUARE FOOTAGE & ROOM COUNT ARE COMBINATION OF MAIN HOUSE & GUEST HOUSE. Main House has... 07/02/2018

Springfield Mo Market Report - September 2017The Springfield MO real estate market is slowing due to fewer homes on the market.  Interested in selling?  Call the "KAY" Team for a personal home evaluation today.  417-839-4534.  #remaxmarketanalysis#springfieldmohouses.com.Information and data courtesy of RE/MAX House of Brokers  10/12/2017

Summer has come to an end and you probably are thinking you've lost the opportunity to sell, and need to wait till next summer. But that's far from the truth! Although it's not as hectic and crazy with the swarm of buyers on the market, the fall season brings out the most serious of lookers. They are the pool of buyers that waited out the summer frenzy to find their perfect home in the fall, and you don't want to miss these buyers! They are ready to make a move, today! And selling in a slower period does not equate to less money. That's a misconception that home owners have based on untrue data that floats around. With the right agent, and your home being priced correctly, you can get a great deal selling your home during the fall season. And might actually prefer it. Here are the top 3... 10/09/2017