What’s the secret to successful real estate investing while genuinely improving Wichita communities? Jason Lavender and Connor at Harmony Home Buyer have discovered that the most profitable investments are those that strengthen neighborhoods, increase property values for existing residents, and create positive community impact. Here’s how we’re transforming Wichita one house at a time and why community-focused investing benefits everyone.
Beyond Profit: The Community Investment Philosophy
Redefining Real Estate Investment Success
“When we started Harmony Home Buyer, we realized that the most sustainable business model wasn’t just about buying low and selling high,” explains Jason Lavender. “It’s about creating value for entire neighborhoods while building a business that communities actually want and support.”
Traditional vs. Community-Focused Investing:
- Traditional approach: Maximum profit extraction from individual properties
- Community approach: Neighborhood-wide value creation and stabilization
- Short-term thinking: Quick flips without consideration for neighbors
- Long-term vision: Sustainable improvements that benefit everyone
- Extractive model: Taking value from communities
- Regenerative model: Adding value to communities
The Ripple Effect of Quality Renovations
Connor notes: “When we renovate one house properly, it affects the entire block. Property values increase, other owners invest in improvements, and the whole neighborhood begins to turn around.”
Community Impact Multipliers:
- Adjacent property values increase 5-15% from quality renovations
- Neighborhood pride encourages other homeowner improvements
- Crime reduction from eliminating abandoned or problem properties
- Business attraction to improving areas
- Infrastructure investment follows private improvement
Identifying Neighborhoods with Potential
Our Neighborhood Selection Criteria
What We Look For:
- Good bones: Solid housing stock with renovation potential
- Community engagement: Active neighbors who care about their area
- Strategic location: Proximity to employment, schools, or amenities
- Infrastructure quality: Decent roads, utilities, and city services
- Growth indicators: Signs of positive change already beginning
Wichita’s Hidden Gem Neighborhoods
“Wichita has incredible neighborhoods that just need focused investment and attention,” explains Jason. “We look for areas where our work can make the biggest positive impact.”
Target Areas We’ve Focused On:
- College Hill: Historic charm with strong community organization
- Riverside: Established neighborhood with renovation potential
- Crown Heights: Mid-century homes with architectural character
- Eastborough: Pocket of opportunity near established areas
- Delano: Up-and-coming area with arts and culture development
Our Systematic Approach to Neighborhood Revitalization
Phase 1: Community Research and Engagement
Before We Buy:
- Neighborhood meetings to introduce ourselves and our plans
- Community leader outreach to established residents
- Historical research about the area’s past and potential
- Infrastructure assessment of current city services
- Market analysis of realistic improvement potential
“We never want to be the investors who show up, change everything, and displace existing residents,” notes Connor. “We aim to enhance what’s already good about a neighborhood.”
Phase 2: Strategic Property Selection
Target Property Characteristics:
- Problem properties that drag down the area
- Vacant or abandoned houses creating safety issues
- Code violation properties affecting neighbors
- Estate sales from elderly residents downsizing
- Distressed sales from financial hardship
Phase 3: Quality Renovation Standards
Our Renovation Philosophy:
- Neighborhood appropriate improvements that fit the character
- Quality materials that will last and age well
- Energy efficiency upgrades for modern living standards
- Safety improvements exceeding minimum code requirements
- Curb appeal enhancements that benefit the entire block
Real Wichita Transformation Examples
College Hill Block Transformation
“Three years ago, we purchased four houses on the same block in College Hill. Two were abandoned, one was severely code-violated, and one was an estate sale from a longtime resident.”
Original Conditions:
- 1847 N. Hillside: Abandoned for 2 years, boarded windows
- 1851 N. Hillside: Code violations, unsafe porch and electrical
- 1855 N. Hillside: Estate sale, good bones but severely outdated
- 1859 N. Hillside: Rental property with deferred maintenance
Our Investment:
- Total purchase price: $185,000 for four properties
- Renovation investment: $240,000 across all four homes
- Timeline: 18 months for complete block transformation
- Community engagement: Monthly updates to neighbors
Results:
- All four homes: Sold to owner-occupant families
- Average sale price: $165,000 per home
- Neighbor property values: Increased average 12% within 2 years
- Block appearance: Completely transformed with landscaping and improvements
- Community impact: Other owners began investing in improvements
“The best part was the neighborhood appreciation barbecue they threw for us,” recalls Jason. “Seeing children playing safely on a block that had been problematic was incredibly rewarding.”
Working with Existing Residents and Community Leaders
Respectful Gentrification vs. Displacement
“The goal is never to displace existing residents who want to stay,” explains Connor. “We aim to improve neighborhoods in ways that benefit everyone, including longtime residents.”
Our Anti-Displacement Approach:
- Affordable renovation: Helping existing owners improve their properties
- Senior assistance: Connecting elderly residents with resources and services
- Community feedback: Including resident input in our renovation plans
- Local hiring: Employing neighborhood residents when possible
- Cultural preservation: Respecting neighborhood character and history
Partnership with Neighborhood Associations
Collaborative Strategies:
- Regular attendance: At neighborhood association meetings
- Transparent communication: About our plans and progress
- Volunteer participation: In community events and improvement projects
- Resource sharing: Contributing to neighborhood improvement funds
- Long-term commitment: Staying involved after projects complete
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
Green Renovation Practices
Environmental Responsibility:
- Energy efficiency: High-performance windows, insulation, and HVAC systems
- Water conservation: Low-flow fixtures and drought-resistant landscaping
- Material selection: Sustainable and locally-sourced when possible
- Waste reduction: Salvaging and reusing original materials
- Air quality: Low-VOC paints and finishes throughout
Historic Preservation Balance
“Wichita has incredible architectural heritage that deserves preservation,” notes Jason. “We balance historic character with modern efficiency and safety requirements.”
Financial Returns and Community Benefits
The Business Case for Community Investment
“Focusing on community benefit actually improves our financial returns,” explains Connor. “Neighborhoods that genuinely improve provide better long-term value appreciation and lower investment risk.”
Financial Benefits of Community Focus:
- Higher resale values: Quality neighborhood improvements support premium pricing
- Faster sales: Buyers prefer improving areas over declining ones
- Lower risk: Community support reduces vandalism and problems
- Referral business: Satisfied neighbors become sources of new opportunities
- Reputation value: Community goodwill creates business sustainability
Return on Investment Analysis
Typical Project Returns:
- Purchase price: 60-70% of after-renovation value
- Renovation investment: 20-25% of after-renovation value
- Profit margin: 10-15% of after-renovation value
- Community value: Immeasurable but substantial
- Timeline: 6-12 months from purchase to sale
The Investor’s Secret Revealed
Why Community Focus Wins
“The secret isn’t really secret at all,” notes Connor. “When you genuinely care about improving communities and work transparently with neighbors, everything becomes easier and more profitable.”
The Real Benefits:
- Community support rather than resistance
- Referral opportunities from satisfied neighbors
- Lower risk from community investment in success
- Higher values from genuine neighborhood improvement
- Personal satisfaction from positive impact creation
Replicating the Model
For Other Investors:
- Start with community research and relationship building
- Focus on quality over quantity in renovations
- Prioritize owner-occupants as buyers when possible
- Measure success by neighborhood impact as well as profit
- Stay committed to areas long-term rather than extracting and leaving
Getting Involved in Wichita’s Revitalization
For Homeowners
How to Support Neighborhood Improvement:
- Property maintenance and improvements on your own home
- Community involvement in neighborhood associations and events
- Positive communication with quality investors and developers
- Business support for local contractors and suppliers
- Advocacy for city services and infrastructure improvements
For Potential Investors
Learning Community-Focused Investing:
- Shadow experienced community-focused investors
- Attend neighborhood meetings before making investments
- Research neighborhood history and improvement efforts
- Build relationships with community leaders and long-term residents
- Commit to quality and long-term neighborhood benefit
Ready to Join Wichita’s Neighborhood Transformation?
Whether you’re a homeowner, potential investor, or community leader, there are opportunities to participate in Wichita’s positive neighborhood transformation.
Learn More About Community-Focused Investing
Contact Harmony Home Buyer to discuss partnership opportunities, learn about our approach, or explore how we might work together to improve Wichita neighborhoods.
Call Jason or Connor at (316) 217-9675
or visit harmonyhomebuyer.com to start the conversation.
Real estate investing doesn’t have to be extractive or harmful to communities. Harmony Home Buyer proves that focusing on genuine neighborhood improvement creates better financial returns while building stronger, more vibrant communities. Join us in transforming Wichita one house at a time.
Harmony Home Buyer – Transforming Wichita Communities Through Responsible Real Estate Investment
Phone: (316) 217-9675 | Website: harmonyhomebuyer.com