Real Estate Information

Carol's Kitchen--Great Tasting Healthy Recipes

Sunday, November 11, 2007

by DeTray Group

Spinach Berry Salad

4 Cups packed torn spinach

1 Cup fresh sliced strawberries

1 Cup fresh blueberries

1 small sweet onion, sliced

1/4 Cup chopped pecans, toasted

Curry Salad Dressing

2 TBS. white wine vinegar

2 TBS. balsamic vinegar

2 TBS. honey

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 tsp. curry powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

In a large salad bowl, toss together the spinach, strawberries, blueberries, onion and pecans. In a jar with a tight fitting lid, combine the dressing ingredients; shake well. Pour over the salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately. Yields 4 servings.

1 serving (1-1/2 cups) = 141 calories, 6 grams of fat, and 4 grams of fiber........3 Points.

This is truly "Company Worthy". I will definitely make it again.

Note: I did not toast the pecans nor did I make the dressing in a jar. I put everything in a liquid measuring cup and stirred with a small wisk. Wonderful.

Carol's Kitchen--Great Tasting Healthy Recipes

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

by DeTray Group

Lemon Trifle

Here is the original recipe I got out of the 2000 Best of Home Cook Book. The recipe says it yields 14 servings.

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

1 carton (8 oz) Lemon Yogurt

1/3 cup Lemon juice

2 tsp. grated lemon peel

2 cups whipped topping

1 Angle Food cake (10 inches), cut into 1-inch cubes

2 Cups fresh raspberries

1/2 cup flaked coconut, toasted

Here is what I did to convert it to be more "Weight Watcher" friendly.

1 can Fat-free Sweetened Milk 20 points

1 carton (8 oz) Fat-free Lemon Yogurt 4 points

1/3 Cup lemon juice 0 points

2 tsp. grated lemon peel 0 points

2 cups Fat-free whipped topping 0 points

1 Angel Food cake, (10"), cubed 32 points??? (There was no calorie count on the store bought cake and our book says 32 points, but that sounds like a lot)

2 Cups fresh raspberries 0 points

1/2 cups flaked coconut, toasted 2 points

TOTAL 58 points

Yield "14" servings at "4" points per serving.

In a bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Fold in whipped topping. Place half of the cake cubes in a trifle bowl or 2-qt. serving bowl. Top with half of the lemon mixture. Repeat layers. Top with raspberries. Garnish with coconut. Add a sprig of mint for an additional garnish.

This was wonderful. Very "Company" worthy.

Food Healthy Food Calorie Conscious

Kansas City Market Update

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

by DeTray Group

Posted by: Bob De Tray

Happy Halloween!

As October winds down, I am pleased to report that our office has had a record sales month! In a time when we are hearing only negative news about the real estate market locally and nationally, it's a breath of fresh air to hear that the market is truly improving. No, Virginia, Real Estate in Kansas City, where everything is indeed up to date, is alive and well. Buyer's have been taking advantage of low interest rates and great price reductions on both new and resale homes. Sellers who are also buying are also taking advantage of the soft market and are making great deals on their home purchases while still doing nicely on their own home sale. The surge began in the last 17 days of the month. And we see signs that it may continue through the end of the year. If it does, existing inventories will go down and we will find ourselves in a more balanced market by late winter.

Real Estate Good News Buyers Sellers

Financing The American Dream Week 5

Thursday, October 25, 2007

by DeTray Group

Interest Rate Points
Points are interest paid in advance to reduce the rate on a loan. One point is equal to 1% of the mortgage amount. The general rule is that 1 point is worth 1/4 of 1% off the loan rate. The decision to pay points for a lower rate is based on how much the seller is willing to contribute to points, how long you plan to stay in the house, and how important lower payments are compared to higher closing costs. You will need to calculate the long-term value of points based on these factors, keeping in mind that points are generally tax deductible in the year paid.

You can set up your own personal consultation with Beth Myers(Plaza Mortgage Services) directly from this website by going to" recommended links", then click on Pre-QualifyforHomeLoanHere then click on Free Consultation.

Beth Myers
HMC
Plaza Mortgage Services
MAC M3416-011
6300 N Lucerne Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64151
Work - (816)746-7335
FAX - 816-584-8973
Cell - 816-289-9645
Beth.D.Myers@wellsfargo.com

Carol's Kitchen--Great Tasting Healthy Recipes

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

by DeTray Group

-----

Subject: Greens with Pears and Blue Cheese

I got this recipe out of the June/July Light and Tasty Magazine, 2006.

3 TBS. orange juice

2 TBS. plus 1 tsp. cider vinegar

4-1/2 tsp. fat-free mayonnaise

1 TB. honey

2-1/4 tsp. olive oil

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. coarsely ground pepper

12 cups spring mix salad greens (1 bag)

3 medium pears, thinly sliced

1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese

1/3 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

For dressing, in a small bowl, whisk the first eight ingredients. Divide the greens, pear slices, blue cheese and walnuts between six plates. Drizzle each with 2 TBS. dressing.

YIELD: 6 servings

1 serving = 169 calories, 8 grams of fat, and 5 grams of fiber = "3" points.

This is very good and "Company Worthy". I will definitely make this again.

Food Healthy Food Salads Recipes Fo

Congratulations to Merritt Whitley

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

by DeTray Group

Congratulations to Merritt Whitley, daughter of our very own Mary Pat Whitley. Merritt won fourth place in the high school state tennis tournament this past weekend at Springfield, Missouri. Merritt is a sophomore at Park Hill High School. With two more years left of competition, we can expect a state champion!

Tennis Tournament Tournament Tennis

Whitley Makes Run at State Tourney

Friday, October 19, 2007

by DeTray Group

Posted by Bob De Tray:

Good luck to Merritt Whitley, daughter of our very own De Tray Group member, Mary Pat Whitley. Merritt is representing Park Hill high school at the state tennis tournament this weekend in Springfield, Missouri. Last year, as a freshman, Merritt made an unprecedented run to a third place finish at state. According to Tim Kalis, the Park Hill coach, the competition this year will be tougher than last year. Merritt finished the fall season 29-1 in singles matches! Congratulations on all your successes!

Sports High School sports Tennis tou

Financing The American Dream Week 4

Thursday, October 18, 2007

by DeTray Group

Types of Mortgages
How much house you can buy also depends on your mortgage's term and interest rate. The term is the length of time (usually 15 or 30 years) over which payments will be paid. The rate can be fixed (meaning it doesn't change over the loan's term) or adjustable (it fluctuates with market conditions). Thirty-year fixed-rate mortgages remain the most popular. The longer term lowers the monthly payment, while the fixed rate provides stability over the life of the loan. Given relatively low interest rates, these mortgages are attractive to buyers planning to stay at least six or seven years in their new home. The drawbacks are low principal payments in the early years, and the risk that market rates will decline over the term. However, if your credit history is sound and you have sufficient income, you can usually refinance your mortgage when rates decline.

A 15-year term lowers the interest rate, reduces total interest payments, and increases principal payments. But it also increases monthly payments. If you can't afford the higher payments now, you might opt for a 30-year mortgage. If there are no prepayment penalties, you can make additional principal payments as your income increases. Making just one extra monthly payment a year will pay off a 30-year mortgage in less than 22 years and can save tens of thousands of dollars in interest costs. If you plan to stay in a home no more than three years, you might want an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). ARMs offer initial rates that are lower than fixed mortgages. At some point, usually after the first year, rates are tied to market conditions and are subject to potential rate increases. Most ARMs include a cap on rate increases in any given year, as well as over the life of the loan. Some ARMs offer initial rates at least 2% below fixed rates and limit increases to 1% annually and 5% to 6% over the life of the loan. Many home buyers are attracted by the affordability of an ARM during the initial period. However, you should be confident that your future income will be sufficient if both interest rates and your monthly payments increase.

Another popular mortgage involves a balloon payment. A balloon is a lump-sum payment that pays off the loan in full after a fixed period of time. Generally the rates on balloon mortgages are 1/4% to 3/4% less than on 30-year fixed mortgages, but during an initial period of between 3 and 15 years, payments are similar. After this period, the remaining outstanding principal balance is either due in full or subject to refinancing. This is a good option for home buyers who plan to sell before the final payment is due. But because property values fluctuate, you may not be able to sell when you want. You may also face higher payments if you are forced to refinance at a higher rate, and there is also a risk that you may not be in a position to refinance when the balloon becomes due.

You can set up your own personal consultation with Beth Myers(Plaza Mortgage Services) directly from this website by going to" recommended links", then click on Pre-QualifyforHomeLoanHere then click on Free Consultation.

Beth Myers
HMC
Plaza Mortgage Services
MAC M3416-011
6300 N Lucerne Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64151
Work - (816)746-7335
FAX - 816-584-8973
Cell - 816-289-9645
Beth.D.Myers@wellsfargo.com

Realestate Kansas City real estate buyer houses kansas city real estate homes homes for sale schools school districts

Carol's Kitchen--Great tasting healthy recipes

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

by DeTray Group

Subject: Grilled Pork With Hot Mustard

I fixed this last night. It was wonderful. I will definitely make it again.

1/4 cup reduced-sodium Soy Sauce

2 TB. Red Wine

1 TB. Brown Sugar

1 Tb. Honey

1/2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon

2 Pork Loins (3/4 Lb. each)

HOT MUSTARD

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

1 Tb. honey

1 tsp. prepared horseradish

2 tsp. sesame seeds, toasted

In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the first five ingredients; add pork. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for at least eight hours or overnight.

Drain and discard marinade. Grill pork, covered, over indirect medium-hot heat for 12-15 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 260 degrees. Let pork stand for 5 minutes before slicing.

In a small bowl, combine the mustard, honey and horseradish. Slice pork; sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve with hot mustard.

Yields: 6 servings.

1 serving = 197 calories, 7 grams of fat and a trace of fiber or "4" weight watcher points.

Food Health Fitness Weight Watcher

Seller Tips Session Three

Friday, October 12, 2007

by DeTray Group

Submitted by: Ask Reggie.

Now that you've uncluttered the interior step back and take a second look. Do the rooms appear spacious or are they crowded? Your goal is to make each room as large to the eye as possible. Often we find living areas with too many chairs, tables and lamps. Take out any piece that doesn't work well in the room. Sometimes one item will do the trick. Simply rearranging the room can often do the trick. Today's buyer wants open spaces, rooms that flow one to the other. You also want your home to be as updated as possible. If you have checked the model homes lately, you'll get a good feeing for what is "in" in windows and what is "out." Lace curtains and heavy valances are definitely "out." An inexpensive update is to take em down. Most decorators are using minimal window treatments. More later.

Seller Tips Homeselling Tips Homesell