• Why Live in Hillsboro, Kansas?,Traci Ratzlaff

    Why Live in Hillsboro, Kansas?

    Hillsboro, Kansas is a great place to call home. Located in Marion County, this small city offers a unique blend of small-town charm and a peaceful rural lifestyle. One of the main draws to Hillsboro is its strong sense of community. The city has a tight-knit community of friendly, welcoming residents who are proud to call Hillsboro their home. The city has a variety of events throughout the year such as the Tabor College Bluegrass Festival, Hillsboro Arts & Crafts Fair that bring the community together, and there are several community organizations that provide opportunities for residents to get involved and make a difference in the city. Another great aspect of living in Hillsboro is its proximity to outdoor recreational opportunities. The city is surrounded by beautiful countryside, and the nearby Hillsboro Reservoir and Hillsboro State Park provide plenty of opportunities for hiking, fishing, boating and camping. It's a perfect place for those who enjoy the outdoors. Hillsboro is also known for its rich cultural heritage. The city is home to Tabor College, a private Christian college that offers a wide variety of academic programs, as well as the Hillsboro Arts Council which promote the arts in the area. The city also has a branch of the Hillsboro Public Library which offers a wide range of books and services. Education is also a top priority in Hillsboro. The city is home to several excellent schools, both public and private. The Tabor College and Hillsboro USD 410 are known for providing excellent education to the local students. All in all, Hillsboro, Kansas is a great place to live, offering a unique blend of small-town charm, peaceful rural lifestyle, and a strong sense of community. With its proximity to outdoor recreational opportunities, rich cultural heritage, and excellent education system, Hillsboro is the perfect place to call home.

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  • Getting Your House Virtual Tour READY!,Traci Ratzlaff

    Getting Your House Virtual Tour READY!

    How can you make your home look its best for a virtual tour?  As it turns out, many of the same things that you’ve probably already been doing still apply. However, there are a few things to keep in mind and for us to discuss before filming begins. These tips will help you ensure that your home shows its best and that buyers get everything they’re looking for from your tour. Start at the front door. The best virtual tour should feel like an in-person tour, beginning at the entrance to your home. If, like many homeowners, you commonly enter through a side or garage entrance, take a moment to walk through the front door. This is your chance to make sure that the first impression is a great one. Dust off your front door, clean the light fixtures, and make sure everything looks its best. If you’ve been doing some gardening, consider putting a pretty plant or pot of flowers at the entrance, as well. Take decluttering seriously. We may have already discussed decluttering your home, but this becomes even more important when it’s time to get your space camera-ready. Viewed through a live stream or video, everything tends to look a bit more jumbled and a little less thoughtful. The more you can reduce clutter and emphasize clean lines and orderly spaces, the better your home will show. This is especially important in the kitchen and bathrooms, where countertops should be left as clear as possible. Use this opportunity to pack away books and knickknacks throughout the house for a more minimalist, streamlined look on screen. Show hidden spaces. You may not like thinking about the places that people look when they’re on a home tour, but when they’re buying a home they want to see it all. Inside closets, inside cabinets, even inside the refrigerator — it’s all fair game. In order to help people make a fair determination about your home, you’ll have to allow them the opportunity to peek into those spaces, as well. Dust the cobwebs out of your crawl space and clean out the medicine cabinet so that your virtual visitors can see inside. Neatly arrange your kitchen and bathroom cabinets for inspection so that buyers can see how much room they have to work with. Don’t forget the view. On a home tour, people like to see the view from the kitchen window or the owner’s suite. Give them the same opportunity on a virtual tour. Be sure to clean your window coverings so that there’s not a cloud of dust when they are moved. Alternatively, consider opening them wide so that we can get a great shot. Clean the windows and the window frames as well so that the view is picture-perfect. Highlight outdoor spaces. Wherever you live, outdoor spaces are a major selling point. Whether you have a fenced backyard that’s perfect for kids and pets or an elegant outdoor dining room and summer kitchen, you’ll want to make your outdoor spaces look their best. Clear away debris, clean off furniture, and get your outdoor space looking shipshape before your virtual tour. We will discuss time of day to film video so the light is particularly flattering from your deck or terrace or to show off your beautiful sunset view. Emphasize your home’s best features. What made you fall in love with your home? A sweeping staircase? A fabulous gourmet kitchen? A charming sunroom? What space or feature do your visitors often complement? Determine your home’s best feature, and then be sure to highlight it in the tour. This is a great opportunity to show your home at its most beautiful and spend more time on the elements that sell. Don’t forget to turn on all of the overhead lights and lamps, even in the middle of the day. That way, viewers will be able to really see the space without shadows or shading. What about pets? It's understandable that pet owners may have a sentimental attachment to their pets' beds, toys, bowls, and litter boxes, but it's important to remember that not all buyers may share that sentiment. For the best presentation of your home during pictures and tours, it would be helpful to temporarily remove any visible pet-related items. This will help potential buyers focus on the features of your home and not be distracted by the presence of pets. Keep security in mind. While you definitely want to share your space with buyers, be mindful of your personal property and safety. If you have a safe in your closet, cover it before filming the closet space. Don’t leave an elaborate jewelry box out on the dresser or leave jewelry out on a bedside table. Avoid showing expensive computer equipment, gun safes, medications or other items that might be tempting. This is especially important if your virtual home tour will be housed online for everyone to see. What's Next? Let's walk through your home together.  Let's talk about whether it makes sense to list your house AS IS or if a few repairs would increase your value.   The market is changing, so before you decide to invest any money in your home prior to listing, let's talk.   Call / Text me 620-694-9300

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  • Why is Hutchinson known as Salt City?,Traci Ratzlaff

    Why is Hutchinson known as Salt City?

      Hutchinson, Kansas is known as the "Salt City" due to the presence of the Hutchinson Salt Company Mine, one of the largest salt mines in the world. The mine has been in operation since 1923 and is the only mine in the world that is able to produce rock salt from a single, underground shaft. The Hutchinson Salt Company Mine is a major source of salt production, producing about 7,000 tons of salt every day. The salt is used for a variety of purposes, including de-icing roads, making water softeners, and preserving food. The mine also serves as a unique tourist a ttraction in the area, providing visitors with the opportunity to take a guided tour of the mine. The tour includes a visit to the underground mine, where visitors can see the mining equipment and learn about the mining process. Visitors also have the opportunity to see the underground salt lake and experience the mine's unique microclimate. Because of the importance of the mine to the local economy, the mine and its products have become synonymous with the city of Hutchinson. The city's nickname, "Salt City," reflects this association and highlights the significance of the mine in the city's history and economy.

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