The Journal
Straight answers on buying & selling in Kansas City.
All articles
Buying
Overland Park vs. Leawood: Which Is Right for You?
A side-by-side look at taxes, schools, housing, lifestyle and commute in two neighboring Johnson County cities.
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Downsizing
Buying a Home With Cash After Selling: What Johnson County Downsizers Should Know
How paying cash really works, when to keep money liquid, and how to protect your wire when you buy your next home.
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Buying
FHA vs. Conventional Loans: Which Is Better for First-Time Buyers in Johnson County, KS?
How down payments, mortgage insurance and 2026 loan limits compare for first homes in Lenexa, Overland Park and Shawnee.
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Buying
Down Payment Assistance in Kansas and Kansas City: What Johnson County First-Time Buyers Can Actually Use
Which Kansas and Kansas City down payment programs actually work in Lenexa, Overland Park and Shawnee, and which ones skip Johnson County.
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Buying
Closing Costs in Kansas: What First-Time Buyers in Johnson County Actually Pay
What you’ll pay at closing in Johnson County, what the seller usually covers, and how to bring your cash to close down.
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Buying
Lenexa vs. Overland Park vs. Shawnee: Which Is Best for Your First Home?
Taxes, school districts, home styles and lifestyle, side by side: how to choose between three of Johnson County’s most popular cities for first-time buyers.
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Buying
How Much House Can I Afford in Johnson County, KS?
How lenders calculate what you can borrow, a real example monthly payment for a JoCo home, and how property taxes change the math city by city.
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Buying
Kansas vs. Missouri: Where Should First-Time Buyers in Kansas City Live?
Property taxes, earnings taxes, schools and lifestyle on each side of State Line: how first-time buyers can choose between Kansas and Missouri.
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Athletes
Can College Athletes Buy a House With NIL or Revenue-Share Income?
How mortgage lenders view NIL and revenue-share income, four paths athletes use to buy, and the taxes to plan for.
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The Market Letter
Know the market before you move.
A monthly read on Kansas City prices, inventory, and what it means for buyers and sellers.