This is an excerpt taken from the http://historicdowntownliberty.org website. Very interesting photos on this site too.
Liberty Township was first settled by Robert Gilmore, his sons James Gilmore and Samuel Gilmore, Richard Hill, and Elijah Smith in 1820. Other settlers arrived in 1821. In the early summer of 1822 John Owens and Charles McGee donated 50 acres of land and the Liberty municipal township was laid out and made the county seat. Owens had a tavern, or "house of entertainment" on what is now the northwest corner of Water and Mill streets. The Owens house was used to hold the first courts and "for other public purposes."
The first sale of lots was held on July 4th, 1822 and all those fronting the square were sold on that day. Up to 1826 there were approximately a dozen houses in Liberty and all but one were log cabins. Early hotels or taverns were established by Leonard Searcy (1826), Laban Garrett (1827) and John Chauncy (1832). Probably the first store in Liberty was established by William L. Smith, the county clerk, who brought a few goods from Bluffton in 1822 and sold them from his home.
Liberty was first incorporated as a town on May 4, 1829 and included 160 acres of land. The public square in Liberty had two houses on the south side, one on the west, two on the north and two or three on the east. There was one tavern on the square that belonged to Leonard Searcy. There was no church in town.
In December 1846, an article in the Tribune described Liberty as follows: "If there is a healthy spot in Missouri, it is in Liberty. It is finely watered, society is good, and in point of morals it is the equal to any other place, and rapidly improving in that respect. There is stone enough in the streets to pave the whole town. We have a "Union" Sunday-school numbering 80 scholars, and quite a respectable library attached to it."
The Legislature re-incorporated the City of Liberty on March 28, 1861 describing its site as "all that district of country contained within one mile square, of which the court house in Clay county is the center..." The city is still governed under this charter and certain amendments.
Friday, May 25, 2007
"Buyer's Market" Video from CNBC
Navigating the housing market, with Dave Jenks, Keller Williams Realty vp of research & development; Margaret Kelly, RE/MAX International CEO and CNBC's Bill Griffeth
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=341662633
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=341662633
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Summer Selling
SUMMER SELLING
As spring gives way to summer, thousands of Liberty, Missouri area residents are putting their homes on the market and getting ready to move. If you’re one of them, be smart and prepare. To sell your home quickly and receive the best offer possible, you must be strategic in making enhancements.
You’ll need to start with the basics such as making home repairs, decluttering rooms and brightening up your space. Included in this article are some great basic tips that can help you get your house into tip-top shape!
Attract Buyers
First things first – curb appeal is critical in Liberty, Missouri. Present a neatly landscaped yard to create a positive first impression for buyers. Put away all items such as lawn equipment, toys and collapsible chairs. Mow and edge the lawn, trim shrubs (especially near windows) and pull weeds. Take advantage of spring by planting some colorful flowers.
Inspire Buyers
Nobody wants to buy a dark, dingy house. Inspire the buyer by lightening and brightening. Open the blinds and let sunshine pour into the house. Replace heavy window treatments with lighter ones. Change out dingy, yellow lightbulbs with new ones and use a slightly higher wattage if possible. Wash the windows. Another simple but effective strategy is to apply a fresh coat of a neutral color paint to the walls.
Relieve Buyer Stress
For the buyers in Liberty, a new house is about fresh possibility. Help them imagine a wonderful space of their own by decluttering and organizing. Relieve any feeling of stress by eliminating unnecessary items, especially those in view on coffee tables, bureaus, counters and bookcases. Also make sure that closets are no more than 50 to 75 percent full. Host a yard sale or give unwanted items to a local charity or thrift shop. Items you keep must have a home – assign each item to a place such as a basket or drawer. Keep in mind that, while treasured to you, your personal items are usually a distraction for buyers.
When I am given the opportunity to sell someones home, I have a professional "stager" come over to the property and work with the seller to maximize every room of the house. I use Sue Shores of Changeit Home Staging. Sue can be contacted at (816) 584-1393 or visit her website at www.changeitkc.com
Reassure Buyers
Homebuyers need assurance that your home is in good repair. If anything is broken – whether major or minor – get it fixed. This is crucial for receiving the best possible offer on your home.
Prepare for Buyers
Break out the Windex and Lemon Pledge, because it’s time for a deep spring cleaning! Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. Cleaning is not just about appearance – it also improves air quality, dramatically changes air scent and keeps your home materials such as woods and metals in top condition.
Let it Flow
Facilitating good traffic flow by carefully placing furniture is an art. Ideally, a home seller should replace furniture worn by kids, pets, or simply prolonged use. Replace a hodgepodge assortment with a few well-chosen, bold pieces. Arrange furniture so that rooms feel as spacious and comfortable as possible.
Roll out the Red Carpet
Well, maybe not red, but do make sure your carpet is in good condition. According to Richard Zweck of Joe's Carpet in Kansas City (816) 505-2333 www.joescarpetkc.com , if your carpet has stains that will not come out, it may be necessary to replace it. Choose a light neutral color with little pattern. This makes the rooms appear larger and gives a clean new look.
If you’re not able to replace your dirty-looking carpet, clean it using a professional certified carpet cleaner.
For those with hardwood floors, throw down some area rugs to show buyers what size is appropriate. It also warms the room and gives color.
Research has shown that by creating and implementing a ‘big picture’ strategy for home preparation, your home in Liberty, Missouri will sell much more quickly and you’ll get higher offers. Here’s to a great selling experience this Summer!
For more information about what your home in Liberty, Missouri could use before putting it on the market, call Ron Henderson at (816) 651-9001 or visit his website at www.clayandplatte.com
As spring gives way to summer, thousands of Liberty, Missouri area residents are putting their homes on the market and getting ready to move. If you’re one of them, be smart and prepare. To sell your home quickly and receive the best offer possible, you must be strategic in making enhancements.
You’ll need to start with the basics such as making home repairs, decluttering rooms and brightening up your space. Included in this article are some great basic tips that can help you get your house into tip-top shape!
Attract Buyers
First things first – curb appeal is critical in Liberty, Missouri. Present a neatly landscaped yard to create a positive first impression for buyers. Put away all items such as lawn equipment, toys and collapsible chairs. Mow and edge the lawn, trim shrubs (especially near windows) and pull weeds. Take advantage of spring by planting some colorful flowers.
Inspire Buyers
Nobody wants to buy a dark, dingy house. Inspire the buyer by lightening and brightening. Open the blinds and let sunshine pour into the house. Replace heavy window treatments with lighter ones. Change out dingy, yellow lightbulbs with new ones and use a slightly higher wattage if possible. Wash the windows. Another simple but effective strategy is to apply a fresh coat of a neutral color paint to the walls.
Relieve Buyer Stress
For the buyers in Liberty, a new house is about fresh possibility. Help them imagine a wonderful space of their own by decluttering and organizing. Relieve any feeling of stress by eliminating unnecessary items, especially those in view on coffee tables, bureaus, counters and bookcases. Also make sure that closets are no more than 50 to 75 percent full. Host a yard sale or give unwanted items to a local charity or thrift shop. Items you keep must have a home – assign each item to a place such as a basket or drawer. Keep in mind that, while treasured to you, your personal items are usually a distraction for buyers.
When I am given the opportunity to sell someones home, I have a professional "stager" come over to the property and work with the seller to maximize every room of the house. I use Sue Shores of Changeit Home Staging. Sue can be contacted at (816) 584-1393 or visit her website at www.changeitkc.com
Reassure Buyers
Homebuyers need assurance that your home is in good repair. If anything is broken – whether major or minor – get it fixed. This is crucial for receiving the best possible offer on your home.
Prepare for Buyers
Break out the Windex and Lemon Pledge, because it’s time for a deep spring cleaning! Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. Cleaning is not just about appearance – it also improves air quality, dramatically changes air scent and keeps your home materials such as woods and metals in top condition.
Let it Flow
Facilitating good traffic flow by carefully placing furniture is an art. Ideally, a home seller should replace furniture worn by kids, pets, or simply prolonged use. Replace a hodgepodge assortment with a few well-chosen, bold pieces. Arrange furniture so that rooms feel as spacious and comfortable as possible.
Roll out the Red Carpet
Well, maybe not red, but do make sure your carpet is in good condition. According to Richard Zweck of Joe's Carpet in Kansas City (816) 505-2333 www.joescarpetkc.com , if your carpet has stains that will not come out, it may be necessary to replace it. Choose a light neutral color with little pattern. This makes the rooms appear larger and gives a clean new look.
If you’re not able to replace your dirty-looking carpet, clean it using a professional certified carpet cleaner.
For those with hardwood floors, throw down some area rugs to show buyers what size is appropriate. It also warms the room and gives color.
Research has shown that by creating and implementing a ‘big picture’ strategy for home preparation, your home in Liberty, Missouri will sell much more quickly and you’ll get higher offers. Here’s to a great selling experience this Summer!
For more information about what your home in Liberty, Missouri could use before putting it on the market, call Ron Henderson at (816) 651-9001 or visit his website at www.clayandplatte.com
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Copperleaf is Expanding
One of my very favorite subdivision's in Liberty is expanding very rapidly. Copperleaf, a member of the award-winning Peterson Development family of outstanding residential communities.
Copperleaf is nestled in the rolling hills surrounding Flintlock Road just west of Liberty, Missouri, and the I-35 & Highway 152 interchange. The Peterson Development Company has been designing and building residential destinations for over 50 years and is committed to creating communities that have a sense of community and shear beauty in the way the development is layed out.
This community is enhanced by approximately 137 acres of open treed natural preserve. Most home sites back to greenway space that allows the homeowner to enjoy the benefits of privacy and serenity. In addition, the community will eventually offer many leisure time activities by providing over four miles of winding walking trails, a variety of swimming pools, tennis courts and a clubhouse.
The Copperleaf community may be ideal for the homebuyer who is searching for a quiet, secluded community with wooded areas, gorgeous well-built homes, a great deal of amenities and easy access to the Kansas City metropolitan area. Janice McCoppin, who markets the property with Masters GMAC Real Estate, said one of Copperleaf’s major draws is that it is enhanced by 137 acres of nature preserve, nestled in the rolling hills just west of Liberty.
The community will open its fifth phase in early fall, and new lots offered will be as green and wooded as those offered in the other phases of its build-out. “Almost all of the homes back up to greenways,” she said. It’s very difficult, if not impossible, to find a subdivision in this price point that offers homes backing to greenways. You might have a few communities where a few selected houses back to greenways, but not the whole area. For privacy, it’s unparalleled.”
Priced from the $300,000s to the mid-$500,000s, homes in Copperleaf are built with brick, stucco and stone facades, Timberline roofs and spacious decks, patios and/or screened-in porches. Homeowners enjoy generous landscaping packages with built-in sprinkler systems, wide sidewalks with tree-lined streets and four miles of meandering walking trails, according to the marketing team.
Homes in Copperleaf are designed with 2,800 and more square feet, in ranch, 1 1/2 -story, two-story and reverse 1 1/2 -story designs, which include at least four bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms, unfinished basements (except for the reverse 1 1/2 -story, which is finished) and three-car garages.
According to the marketing team, some of the features of the homes include dramatic entryways, stylish arches, natural hardwood floors, sunlit breakfast and cozy hearth rooms, formal and informal dining areas, open kitchens with Corian or granite countertops and spa-like bathrooms. “Our builders offer approximately 50 different floor plan options,” McCoppin said. “However, we do offer custom build jobs, so the plans can be changed to aptly suit your particular needs, desires and lifestyle.”
Amenities include a clubhouse with open room and fireplace, kitchen, restroom, changing rooms with showers, zero-entry pool with lap lanes and a playground. All are covered under the annual homeowner’s association dues. “Not only do Copperleaf residents gain the benefit of the lifestyle offered in this private enclave, but also easy access to the essential retail stores, boutiques, restaurants and recreational activities,” McCoppin said. In addition, she said the area’s major highways and interstates including Interstate 29, Missouri 152, U.S. 169 and Interstate-435 are just around the corner, and residents are within 15 minutes of the airport and downtown.
Community builders include Heartland Homes, MBW Construction, Provence Homes, John Shilt Homes and Sommers Homes.
For more information about homes in this subdivision, contact Ron Henderson at (816) 651-9001 or visit http://www.clayandplatte.com
Copperleaf is nestled in the rolling hills surrounding Flintlock Road just west of Liberty, Missouri, and the I-35 & Highway 152 interchange. The Peterson Development Company has been designing and building residential destinations for over 50 years and is committed to creating communities that have a sense of community and shear beauty in the way the development is layed out.
This community is enhanced by approximately 137 acres of open treed natural preserve. Most home sites back to greenway space that allows the homeowner to enjoy the benefits of privacy and serenity. In addition, the community will eventually offer many leisure time activities by providing over four miles of winding walking trails, a variety of swimming pools, tennis courts and a clubhouse.
The Copperleaf community may be ideal for the homebuyer who is searching for a quiet, secluded community with wooded areas, gorgeous well-built homes, a great deal of amenities and easy access to the Kansas City metropolitan area. Janice McCoppin, who markets the property with Masters GMAC Real Estate, said one of Copperleaf’s major draws is that it is enhanced by 137 acres of nature preserve, nestled in the rolling hills just west of Liberty.
The community will open its fifth phase in early fall, and new lots offered will be as green and wooded as those offered in the other phases of its build-out. “Almost all of the homes back up to greenways,” she said. It’s very difficult, if not impossible, to find a subdivision in this price point that offers homes backing to greenways. You might have a few communities where a few selected houses back to greenways, but not the whole area. For privacy, it’s unparalleled.”
Priced from the $300,000s to the mid-$500,000s, homes in Copperleaf are built with brick, stucco and stone facades, Timberline roofs and spacious decks, patios and/or screened-in porches. Homeowners enjoy generous landscaping packages with built-in sprinkler systems, wide sidewalks with tree-lined streets and four miles of meandering walking trails, according to the marketing team.
Homes in Copperleaf are designed with 2,800 and more square feet, in ranch, 1 1/2 -story, two-story and reverse 1 1/2 -story designs, which include at least four bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms, unfinished basements (except for the reverse 1 1/2 -story, which is finished) and three-car garages.
According to the marketing team, some of the features of the homes include dramatic entryways, stylish arches, natural hardwood floors, sunlit breakfast and cozy hearth rooms, formal and informal dining areas, open kitchens with Corian or granite countertops and spa-like bathrooms. “Our builders offer approximately 50 different floor plan options,” McCoppin said. “However, we do offer custom build jobs, so the plans can be changed to aptly suit your particular needs, desires and lifestyle.”
Amenities include a clubhouse with open room and fireplace, kitchen, restroom, changing rooms with showers, zero-entry pool with lap lanes and a playground. All are covered under the annual homeowner’s association dues. “Not only do Copperleaf residents gain the benefit of the lifestyle offered in this private enclave, but also easy access to the essential retail stores, boutiques, restaurants and recreational activities,” McCoppin said. In addition, she said the area’s major highways and interstates including Interstate 29, Missouri 152, U.S. 169 and Interstate-435 are just around the corner, and residents are within 15 minutes of the airport and downtown.
Community builders include Heartland Homes, MBW Construction, Provence Homes, John Shilt Homes and Sommers Homes.
For more information about homes in this subdivision, contact Ron Henderson at (816) 651-9001 or visit http://www.clayandplatte.com
The New Town at Liberty
If you've ever driven down A Hwy in Liberty, you'll find a winding blacktop road surrounded by lush green countryside and rolling hills, but that's all about to change in the next few years due to a new large scale development known as "New Town at Liberty".
"The New Town at Liberty is a very unique and exciting concept," says Greg Whittaker, president of Whittaker Homes. "We think that it is important to bring together the planners, designers, developers, builder, government officials, business owners, and the public to ensure that this project truly reflects the views of the community as a whole."
Leading the way will be the City of Liberty town planners, Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, one of the nation’s foremost planners of new urbanism developments. The company is responsible for more than 250 of these communities throughout the country, including the famed Seaside, FL, and Kentlands, MD.
The New Town at Liberty will be one of the area’s largest developments, with homes for every demographic and lifestyle. "However, what sets New Town at Liberty apart is more than numbers," according to Whittaker. "This community, close to Historic Liberty, will be a return to the neighborhoods of yesterday, where residents can walk to the park, the store, school or amphitheater along pedestrian-friendly streets. Even the architecture of the single-family homes, row houses, and cottages will be in a traditional regional architectural style, also reminiscent of earlier days."
Whittaker Homes, developer, has proven itself with the success of The New Town at St. Charles near St. Louis Missouri. This traditional neighborhood development has been the best-selling community in 2005 and 2006 out of over 18,600 developments in 16 states. In fact, cities and developers travel from around the company and the world to tour New Town and gain valuable insight.
Included in the charrette team are Andres Duany, DPZ project director; Marina Khoury, DPZ project manager; Tim Busse, Whittaker Homes architect; Jim Cannady and Hal Bartch, engineers with Pickett, Ray & Silver; Bruce Corban and Garth Goode, urban designers with Corban & Goode; and local designers Kevin Klinkenberg and Brian Hendrickson with 180 Degrees Design Studio.
For information on the New Town at Liberty visit http://www.newtownatliberty.com
For more information about other similar communities that are following this same style of planning and building, visit The Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) website at http://www.cnu.org The CNU is the leading organization promoting walkable, neighborhood-based development as an alternative to sprawl.
"The New Town at Liberty is a very unique and exciting concept," says Greg Whittaker, president of Whittaker Homes. "We think that it is important to bring together the planners, designers, developers, builder, government officials, business owners, and the public to ensure that this project truly reflects the views of the community as a whole."
Leading the way will be the City of Liberty town planners, Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, one of the nation’s foremost planners of new urbanism developments. The company is responsible for more than 250 of these communities throughout the country, including the famed Seaside, FL, and Kentlands, MD.
The New Town at Liberty will be one of the area’s largest developments, with homes for every demographic and lifestyle. "However, what sets New Town at Liberty apart is more than numbers," according to Whittaker. "This community, close to Historic Liberty, will be a return to the neighborhoods of yesterday, where residents can walk to the park, the store, school or amphitheater along pedestrian-friendly streets. Even the architecture of the single-family homes, row houses, and cottages will be in a traditional regional architectural style, also reminiscent of earlier days."
Whittaker Homes, developer, has proven itself with the success of The New Town at St. Charles near St. Louis Missouri. This traditional neighborhood development has been the best-selling community in 2005 and 2006 out of over 18,600 developments in 16 states. In fact, cities and developers travel from around the company and the world to tour New Town and gain valuable insight.
Included in the charrette team are Andres Duany, DPZ project director; Marina Khoury, DPZ project manager; Tim Busse, Whittaker Homes architect; Jim Cannady and Hal Bartch, engineers with Pickett, Ray & Silver; Bruce Corban and Garth Goode, urban designers with Corban & Goode; and local designers Kevin Klinkenberg and Brian Hendrickson with 180 Degrees Design Studio.
For information on the New Town at Liberty visit http://www.newtownatliberty.com
For more information about other similar communities that are following this same style of planning and building, visit The Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) website at http://www.cnu.org The CNU is the leading organization promoting walkable, neighborhood-based development as an alternative to sprawl.
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