Smart Stuff
NEWS & INSIGHTS ABOUT LAWRENCE REAL ESTATE
Find inspiration for your home, local real estate insights, and market trend information for Lawrence and Douglas County.
Get Your Home Ready for Winter
Get Your Home Ready for Winter FeaturingChad Frickey, Michelle Roberts-Freeman, Shelly Ezell, Lauren Ballard, and Jill Ballew Because the first hard freeze is a terrible time to discover what you forgot. Kansas weather keeps us guessing, but a little
Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie
Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie Prep: 15 minutes · Bake: 25–30 minutes · Serves: 8–10 Creamy Brie, tart cranberries, crunchy pecans and flaky golden pastry make this a festive appetizer for Thanksgiving gatherings and holiday get-togethers. It looks impressive on the
Let There Be (Better) Light
Decorating Tip of the Month: Let There Be (Better) Light By November, we’re turning on the lights a whole lot earlier in the day. So here’s a little decorating tip: take a look at your lightbulbs! Seriously, lightbulbs have come
Why Massachusetts Street?
Why Massachusetts Street? A Little History Behind the Address We drive them many days, give directions by them and write them on envelopes. But have you ever wondered how Lawrence’s streets got their names? Massachusetts Street offers a clue
The Potluck People: What We Bring to the Table
The Potluck People: What We Bring to the Table. There are two kinds of people at a potluck: the ones who bring something sensible, and the ones who make a beeline for the queso before they’ve even taken off their
This Month in Lawrence History: A New Home for the Jayhawks
This Month in Lawrence History: A New Home for the Jayhawks Fall Saturdays and Jayhawk football have been part of Lawrence life for generations. This month marks 105 years since an important milestone: the dedication of KU’s Memorial Stadium
Love Your Home? Ready for Something Different?
Love Your Home? Or Ready for Something Different? Maybe you love your neighborhood, but wish you had a little more room. Or you have plenty of space and spend more time maintaining it than enjoying it. Sometimes the question
October Decorating Tip of the Month
Decorating Tip of the Month: Give Your Home a Fall Mood Fall decorating is about more than adding a pumpkin or two. Think about creating a mood with warm, layered color and texture. Deep olive, chocolate brown, rust, burgundy and
White Chicken Chili
White Chicken Chili Cooler days always make us think of chili. This recipe feels like fall, but it’s a fresh take, with chicken, white beans and green chiles. Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, diced 2 cloves garlic,
Fall Is a Different Kind of Market
Fall Is a Different Kind of Market FeaturingZach Dodson, David Dunn, Lauren Ballard, and Ariela Unz What changes when the Lawrence real estate market moves from summer into fall? We asked our agents to weigh in on what they’re
Around Town in September
Around Town in September SEPTEMBER Haskell Indian Art Market | September 12–13 | LawrenceOne of Lawrence’s biggest annual events, featuring Indigenous artists, jewelry, pottery, food, music and cultural performances. BC Fashion Show | September 12 | Baldwin CityA fun local
Decorating Tip of the Month:
Decorating Tip of the Month: Give Your Front Door a September Refresh September is a great time to freshen up your entryway with a few simple changes that hint at the season ahead. Start with a pair of mums in
Loaded Caramel Apples
Loaded Caramel Apples This is a fun, easy-to-share treat for a ballgame gathering or any fall day when you’re craving something sweet and crunchy. Ingredients 4 large, crisp apples, such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith 1 cup caramel sauce, warmed
Your End-of-Summer Lawrence Bucket List
Your End-of-Summer Lawrence Bucket List August is the perfect time to squeeze in a few more summer adventures before the season changes. Whether you’re new to Lawrence or have called it home for years, there are plenty of ways
Classic County Fair Apple Pie
Classic County Fair Apple Pie Congratulations to Anne Warkentine for winning 1st Place in the Douglas County Fair Apple Pie Contest! We want to celebrate her well-deserved ribbon and the arrival of apple pie season with a classic recipe to
What Back-to-School Means for the Lawrence Real Estate Market
What Back-to-School Means for the Lawrence Real Estate Market As summer winds down and school buses begin rolling again, many people assume the real estate market comes to a halt. While things do tend to slow from the fast
JULY 2026 COMMUNITY CALENDAR
JULY 2026 Community Calendar July 4 | Summerfest 2026 Lawrence’s annual Independence Day celebration returns to the Douglas County Fairgrounds from 4:00-10:00 PM. Enjoy live music, food trucks, family activities, entertainers, and a 400-drone light show celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
The Great Garage Migration
The Great Garage Migration Every summer, it happens. The garage slowly stops being a garage and becomes a holding area for everything that does not have a better plan: pool noodles, half-empty paint cans, soccer gear, holiday decorations, mystery boxes
Helping Buyers Look Beyond the Shine
Helping Buyers Look Beyond the Shine FeaturingLauren Ballard, Zach Dodson, and Danny Freeman. When buyers walk into a home, it’s easy to focus on what they can see: updated kitchens, fresh paint, and stylish finishes. Stephens Real Estate agents
Grilled Zucchini, Corn and Feta
Grilled Zucchini, Corn and Feta Ingredients 2 to 3 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise 2 ears fresh corn, husked 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil Salt and black pepper 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese Optional: fresh basil, lemon juice, red pepper
Insights from our Agents: What Buyers Notice First
Insights from our Agents: What Buyers Notice First FeaturingLauren Ballard, Michelle Roberts-Freeman, Robyn Elder, and Libby Grady We recently asked several Stephens Real Estate agents what today’s buyers notice immediately about a home, both the things that draw them in
The World Is Headed to Kansas City. Lawrence Is Part of the Story.
The World Is Headed to Kansas City. Lawrence Is Part of the Story. This summer, the world’s attention will turn to Kansas City as the FIFA World Cup arrives in the region. As the official home base camp for Team
Summer Projects That Actually Add Value
Summer Projects That Actually Add Value Summer is the perfect time to tackle home improvement projects—but if resale value is part of the equation, some projects are smarter investments than others. Boost Curb AppealFirst impressions matter. Fresh mulch, trimmed landscaping,
Grilled Peaches and Cream
Grilled Peaches and Cream Simple, warm, and just a little indulgent. This is one of those summer desserts you can pull together quickly when you want something sweet without turning on the oven. Ingredients 4 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
A Note About Moms
A Note About Moms by Lisa Stofac FeaturingMark Hummel, Kevin Phenix, Lauren Ballard, and Laura Polite Mother’s Day is in May, and it’s a reminder of something most of us already know: moms matter in a way that’s hard
Backyard ROI: What Buyers Actually Care About in Lawrence, KS
Backyard ROI: What Buyers Actually Care About It’s easy to assume a bigger, fancier backyard automatically means more value. In reality, buyers are a lot more practical than that, especially in Lawrence, where outdoor space actually gets used for a