Whether you're a first-time investor or looking to grow your real estate portfolio, understanding the local market is key. Manhattan, Kansas offers unique opportunities thanks to its diverse tenant base—including students, military families, and professionals—and its strong demand for rental housing. But with opportunity comes nuance. From neighborhood quirks to seasonal market shifts and hidden deals, knowing how to navigate the landscape can make all the difference. Here are my top five tips to help you invest wisely and confidently in the Manhattan market.

Interest rates are one of the most crucial factors in determining the true cost of buying a home. Even a small shift in rates can have a lasting impact on your mortgage payments and overall home affordability. Let’s dive into the ways interest rates influence the cost of homeownership and what buyers should keep in mind as they navigate today’s market.

Have you ever visited Manhattan’s Sunset Zoo? The zoo is near and dear to my heart. From the ages of 2 and 4, my daughters grew up enjoying the zoo. It was a frequent family outing for us. Although one daughter loved all things animals, and the other may have enjoyed the climbing structures on the playground and picnic-ing among the animals more than the animals themselves, it was an easy decision for me to join the Friends of Sunset Zoo Board and eventually hold a position on the Zoo Trust’s Executive Committee.

If you're considering selling your home, timing can make all the difference. While spring and summer are often seen as prime selling seasons, October offers unique advantages that can make it an ideal time to list your property.

Fall has always been my favorite time of year in Manhattan. The temperatures and colors slowly begin to change, which make for enjoyable walks with our family dog, Hutch. There are also the not so subtle reminders of fall, like back to school, football, and busier roads, shops and restaurants in Manhattan. Students are back in town and there is a certain excitement around Manhattan that follows. It is certainly an exciting time of year. 

Have you heard the acronym “ADU”? If you watch HGTV, you probably have. ADUs are becoming increasingly popular in many cities as a means of addressing the need for affordable housing and diversifying housing options. ADUs were also identified in Manhattan’s recently adopted Housing Market Analysis as an option to relieve some of the housing shortages and costs our community is experiencing. 

Many of you have helped move a loved one from their home to an independent or assisted living facility. You understand the importance of making sure their affairs are in order, including real estate, powers of attorney and personal finances. 

Homeowners insurance is a crucial safeguard for protecting your most significant investment—your home. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned homeowner, understanding the intricacies of homeowners insurance can help you make informed decisions and ensure you have the right coverage.

If you own a home (or are looking to purchase one) you are experiencing rising home insurance rates that have added to the cost of owning a home. More extreme weather patterns and inflation are two of the most commonly cited reason your rates keep ticking up. Extreme weather in Kansas has led to carriers accepting little to no new business, or they have changed their guidelines and coverages to a point that fewer homes/people can even qualify.

While the survey markers themselves are almost unremarkable, I marveled at the remarkable effort it must have taken to pinpoint the exact location where they reside today. I imagine teams of surveyors working together to plot these points and the boundaries which make up our country, states, counties and cities.

You are hard pressed to go very long without hearing about housing affordability in the news, on social media, as well as in our community. Affordability has, and continues to be a concern across the country. But perhaps it’s currently more painful given interest rates are seemingly stuck on high, costs to construct hasn’t cooled enough, and inventory continues to be low.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reached a landmark settlement in a lawsuit a little over a week ago, creating changes in how buyer’s agents will be compensated.

For most people, buying or selling a home is the most significant financial decision they will make. While it is possible to handle the process on your own, utilizing the tools the internet provides, using an experienced and knowledgeable realtor to guide you through the process is still the most beneficial. Nothing replaces local knowledge and personal buying and selling guidance when navigating such an important financial decision.

Homeownership comes with the responsibility of paying property taxes on an annual basis. Your property taxes are determined by the value of your home as set by the County, the assessment rate (11.5% for residential) and the mil levy. Most of us pay this in 2 installments, one in December and one in May.

December 15th was one for the record books - Wildfires, tornadoes, rain, hail, sustained winds over 50mph and gusts up to 90mph, you name it, and it hit Kansas that day. Most have described it as a scene from a sci-fi film.