BOBBY AUR RISHI KI LOVE STORY pays homage to HUM TUM and BEFORE SUNRISE but it falters Movie Review: BOBBY AUR RISHI KI LOVE STORY falters due to absence of conflict

Star Cast: Vardhaan Puri, Kaveri Kapur

Director: Kunal Kohli

Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story Movie Review Synopsis:
BOBBY AUR RISHI KI LOVE STORY is the tale of a boy and a girl. Kaushalya Prajapati aka Bobby (Kaveri Kapur) is flying from Glasgow to Cardiff. The flight is diverted to Heathrow due to a volcanic ash cloud situation. At the airport, she bumps into Rishi (Vardhaan Puri). Rishi gets smitten by Bobby and he follows her to the railway station. Bobby gets onto a train heading to Cambridge and so does Rishi. Bobby confronts Rishi for being a creep but soon, both start talking. They explore Cambridge and fall for each other. But Bobby has just had an ugly break-up and is commitment-phobic. As a result, both go their separate ways. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story Movie Story Review:
Kunal Kohli’s story is ordinary. Kunal Kohli’s screenplay (additional screenplay by Hardik Gajjar) has its moments but falls flat, especially as the conflict is not too strong. Hardik Gajjar’s dialogues are youthful and also deep. The comic one-liners could have been funnier.

Kunal Kohli’s direction is simple. He pays homage to his earlier film HUM TUM [2004] and also the BEFORE SUNRISE series as for most parts of the film, the protagonists are walking around and talking to each other about life and love. A parallel track is also going on of the protagonists at the therapist’s clinic and it keeps one intrigued as to what must have made them take this step. The mid-point, when the lovers separate, is emotional.

On the flipside, the conflict and the entire track of the parents are not convincing and seem superficial. Moreover, there’s not much of a story and the narrative stagnates in between. There are 2 songs of similar type in the first half and it needlessly adds to the run time, even though the film is just 97 minutes long. The pre-climax is funny but the film drops in the last scene when the characters reveal why they decide to opt for therapy. It comes all of a sudden. Probably, it shows the real picture of today’s relationships but again, it could have been far more convincing.

Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story | Official Trailer | Streaming 11 Feb

Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story Movie Review Performances:
Vardhaan Puri delivers a confident performance. He’s naturally charming and it works well for his character. He does well in the emotional scenes too. Kaveri Kapur does great in her debut film. She’s still a bit raw in some scenes but overall, she manages to do a fine job. Her voice also adds to her appeal. Lillete Dubey (Dr Shanaya Kharody) is dependable as always. Seema Bowri (Seema; Bobby’s mother) tries too hard to be cool. Sameer Suri (Bobby’s father) and Nisha Aaliya (Riya; Bobby’s sister) are okay. Sonam Nanwani (Anjali; Rishi’s friend) makes her presence felt. Raj Zutshi (Rishi’s father) is fair.

Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story movie music and other technical aspects:
The songs are catchy but might not have a huge shelf life. ‘Tappe’ stands out for its lyrics and also as it gives a déjà vu of ‘Ladki Kyun Na Jaane Kyun’ from HUM TUM. ‘Koi Koi’ comes next but is too similar to the first track and the same goes for ‘Tumse Kyun’. ‘Reminisce’ is soulful and sung beautifully by Kaveri. ‘Hoor’ is catchy.

Amar Mohile’s background is urbane and modern, just like the film. Andrew Hall’s cinematography is neat and the focus is more on the characters and not the beautiful locales. The production design is top-class while the costumes are glamorous. Sanjay Sankla and Pratul Gaikawd’s editing is slick.

Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, BOBBY AUR RISHI KI LOVE STORY pays a nice homage to HUM TUM and BEFORE SUNRISE series but it falters due to the absence of a strong conflict in the narrative.

LOVEYAPA boasts an entertaining premise but falters due to weak writing Movie Review: LOVEYAPA boasts an entertaining premise but falters

Star Cast: Junaid Khan, Khushi Kapoor

Director: Advait Chandan 

Loveyapa Movie Review Synopsis:
LOVEYAPA is the story of two lovers in an unusual situation. Gaurav Sachdeva aka Gucci (Junaid Khan) is based in Delhi and lives with his mother (Grusha Kapoor) and sister Kiran (Tanvika Parlikar). He is in a steady relationship with Bani (Khushi Kapoor). Her father is the very strict Atul Kumar Sharma (Ashutosh Rana) and one day, he catches Bani talking to Gucci. She orders her to call Gucci home the next day. Gucci expresses his wish to marry Bani. Atul puts a strange condition in front of the lovers – they should exchange each other’s phone for 24 hours. After completing this task, if they are still in love, Atul will accept the union. Or else, they will both go their separate ways. Gucci and Bani reluctantly agree as their phones consist of several secrets that can possibly lead to their break up. What happens next forms the rest of the film. 

Loveyapa Movie Story Review:
LOVEYAPA is the remake of the Tamil film LOVE TODAY [2022]. Pradeep Ranganathan’s story has all the trappings of a mad crazy entertainer. Pradeep Ranganathan’s screenplay (additional screenplay by Sneha Desai) works partly as the exchange of phones leads to some very funny and even confrontational situations. But the writing is riddled with several issues. Pradeep Ranganathan’s dialogues (additional dialogues by Sneha Desai) are modern and witty.

Advait Chandan’s direction is decent at best. The graphics and effects used in the narrative give the film a novel and new-age touch and also go well with the theme. On top of it, the plot is very relatable. The way the protagonists react while exchanging their phones is how most people would behave in real life. Moreover, the film raises some important points in the second half and scores on the emotional front.

On the flipside, the first half is not up to the mark. Even in the second half, the film falters as the climax is too hurried. An important track of vulgar Instagram messages is forgotten. Certain aspects, which were simplified in LOVE TODAY, are missing in LOVEYAPA. The original film clearly mentions the name of the apps but here, the characters don’t utter WhatsApp or Instagram. The interface looks similar to the real apps but at the same time, they also seem like a cheap copy. It takes away the realism. Those who are not aware of these apps or their functions might get confused. This also means that the film is meant only for the urban youth. Lastly, the use of the song ‘Leja’, which was just well utilized in the web series MISMATCHED SEASON 3 is not a good idea. 

Loveyapa – Official Trailer | Khushi Kapoor | Junaid Khan

Loveyapa Movie Review Performances:
Junaid Khan is a bit raw and doesn’t exactly look like a ‘Delhi ka launda’ though he works hard. Khushi Kapoor, too, could have been better but she handles the character better. She’s also quite nice in the emotional scenes. Ashutosh Rana, as expected, is too good and aptly cast. Grusha Kapoor leaves a huge mark. Kiku Sharda (Anupam) is very entertaining. Tanvika Parlikar and Devishi Madaan (Pinti; Bani’s sister) are fair. Nikhil Mehta (Shanky), Aaditya Kulshreshth (Lamba), Jason Tham (Bobby), Yunus Khan (Jaggi) and Yuktam Khosla (Karan) are memorable. Bhawya Chawla (Coochiepoo) is aptly cast. Kunj Aanand (Puneet; Bani’s colleague in the office) and Tripti Shankhdhar (Priya; Kiran’s friend) are okay. 

Loveyapa movie music and other technical aspects:
Songs don’t work and a film like this should have at least one hit song to create some buzz. ‘Loveyapa Ho Gaya’, nevertheless, is catchy while ‘Kaun Kinna Zaroori Si’ has soulful lyrics. ‘Rehna Kol’ is forced. Ketan Sodha, Suyyash Rai, Siddharth Singh and Viplove Rajdeo’s background score is funky.

Rajesh Nare’s cinematography is neat. Chayati Kaushik’s production design is classy while Priyanka Lahiri’s costumes are glamorous. Antara Lahiri’s editing is too quick in the end. 

Loveyapa Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, LOVEYAPA boasts an entertaining premise but falters due to weak writing. At the box office, its prospects appear dim, given the limited buzz, stiff competition from BADASS RAVI KUMAR, the impact of re-releases, and its urban-centric appeal, which may restrict its reach and prove detrimental to its collections.

THE MEHTA BOYS works due to relatability and performances Movie Review: THE MEHTA BOYS works due to relatability and performances

Star Cast: Boman Irani, Avinash Tiwary, Shreya Chaudhry

Director: Boman Irani

The Mehta Boys Movie Review Synopsis:
THE MEHTA BOYS is the story of a father and a son. Amay (Avinash Tiwary) lives alone in a flat in Mumbai. He works in an architectural firm called Sen And Sons, owned by Saumik Sen (Siddhartha Basu). The firm is bidding to design an upcoming reputed university. Amay suffers from a lack of confidence and his colleague and also his girlfriend, Zara (Shreya Chaudhry), motivates him to excel in this project. Suddenly, Amay learns that his mother has passed away and hence, he rushes to his hometown, Navsari. He meets his sister Anu (Puja Sarup), who’s settled in the USA with her family and his father Shiv Mehta (Boman Irani). Amay and Shiv’s relationship is tricky and they attempt to mourn together. Shiv and Shivani had agreed that if one of them died, the other would shift to the USA with Anu. Shiv accepts the condition, albeit reluctantly. Shiv and Anu land in Mumbai. They are all set to take the flight to Florida when Shiv is refused boarding due to overbooking issues. Anu has to rush to her family back in the USA and she requests Amay to accommodate Shiv in his house for 48 hours. Both Amay and Shiv agree to it, though not happily. What happens next forms the rest of the story.

The Mehta Boys Movie Story Review:
Alexander Dinelaris and Boman Irani’s story is very relatable. Alexander Dinelaris and Boman Irani’s screenplay is laced with dramatic and emotional moments that keep the interest going. Alexander Dinelaris and Boman Irani’s dialogues are conversational, but they leave an impact.

Boman Irani’s direction is quite good, especially considering that this is debut directorial. He has taken up a plot that will find resonance, especially in the Indian context where the fathers and sons don’t express their love for each other openly. On top of it, the narrative goes into unexpected territories in several scenes, be it Amay learning that he didn’t wish his father on his birthday, the drama that happens after the restaurant visit etc. Technically as well, the film is quite classy.

On the flipside, the writing loses grip in the second half, especially once Shiv goes back to his hometown. The character of Anu is forgotten after a point. She is given a lot of importance in the initial portions and later, she’s not even talked about. The senior architect’s rudeness in the pre-climax comes as a surprise; this aspect should have been established better and also Amay’s lack of confidence.

The Mehta Boys – Official Trailer | Boman Irani, Avinash Tiwary, Shreya Chaudhry

The Mehta Boys Movie Review Performances:
Nevertheless, Boman Irani excels overall as a writer, producer, director and also an actor. He has played a tough father in the past in many films, but he ensures his performance in THE MEHTA BOYS doesn’t remind viewers of those past acts. He also communicates beautifully through his eyes and expressions. Avinash Tiwary also puts his best foot forward. He, too, excels in non-verbal scenes and his outburst in the car and the speech in the end prove that he’s an actor of great calibre. Shreya Chaudhry performs effortlessly. Her screen presence is very arresting. Puja Sarup leaves a tremendous mark though she’s hardly there for less than 15 minutes. Siddhartha Basu is memorable. Harssh A Singh (Sam Makhija) is great but suffers from weak characterization. Dilip Tekwani (Mukesh; waiter), Kapil Dev (Gomaji; contractor) and Manjushree Kulkarni (Kulkarni; passport officer) are okay.

The Mehta Boys movie music and other technical aspects:
Most of the songs in THE MEHTA BOYS are in the background and don’t register. Gulraj Singh’s background score is a bit too elite but works for the film. Krish Makhija’s cinematography is terrific and the way he uses the close-up shots is praiseworthy. Payal Ghose Kaul’s production design is appealing. Daena Sethna’s costumes are realistic while Charu Shree Roy’s editing is satisfactory.

The Mehta Boys Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, THE MEHTA BOYS works due to the relatability factor and the wonderful performances of Boman Irani and Avinash Tiwary.

BADASS RAVI KUMAR is thoroughly entertaining and thrives on sheer madness Movie Review: BADASS RAVI KUMAR is thoroughly entertaining and thrives on sheer madness

Star Cast: Himesh Reshammiya, Prabhudheva, Kirti Kulhari, Sunny Leone, Simona J

Director: Keith Gomes

Badass Ravi Kumar Movie Review Synopsis:
BADASS RAVI KUMAR is the story of a ruthless man. The year is 1989. Ravi Kumar (Himesh Reshammiya) is a badass cop from Delhi who believes in eliminating corruption. While doing so, he takes the law into his own hands and even eliminates corrupt people. As a result, he has been suspended. Meanwhile, in Oman, Syed Bashir (Manish Wadhwa), a Pakistani top official, asks the world’s biggest power marker, Pedro (Prabhu Dheva), to help him retrieve a film camera reel. It consists of pictures of a file full of information about all the Indian secret agents, their aliases, and also details of where India has hidden its deadly missiles. Pedro starts working on it but due to circumstances, the reel is retrieved by a certain Laila (Kirti Kulhari). Laila tells Pedro that she’ll hand him the reel personally in Muscat in return for a price. Back in Delhi, Commissioner Awasthi (Saurabh Sachdeva) meets Interpol agent Mahavir Ahuja (Prashant Narayanan) and the latter informs the former about Pedro and his Indian associate, namely Jagawar (Rajesh Sharma). Jagawar needs to be arrested in a case and Awasthi recommends Ravi Kumar for the job. Mahavir is astonished by Ravi’s track record but agrees to send him unofficially to Muscat for the job. Ravi agrees, not knowing that this mission is not going to be easy. During the mission, he also comes across his ex-lover Madhubala (Simona J), who incidentally is also the sister of Laila. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Badass Ravi Kumar Movie Story Review:
Himesh Reshammiya’s story is quite ordinary. But Kushal Bakshi and Himesh Reshammiya’s screenplay is peppered with mass-appealing scenes and moments that will give the audience their money’s worth. Bunty Rathore’s dialogues are one of the pillars of the film. The one-liners will lead to whistles and hoots in cinemas.

Keith Gomes’s direction is more or less fine. There are too many characters and subplots and he tries his best to keep the narrative as simplified as possible. He also makes it very clear in the very beginning that the film is made in 80s style and that ‘logic is optional’. With that directive, the audience will have no reason to complain and will simply enjoy the crazy ride. Since one needs to keep brains aside, the makers go to insane lengths and it would be fair to say that ‘expect the unexpected’. A few scenes that stand out are Ravi Kumar’s lengthy introduction, Ravi threatening Jagawar at the court, Ravi slapping the Godman, the intermission point, Ravi with Syed in the elevator etc. The diamond robbery track is very entertaining and would be loved; it also gives a tribute to the Dharmendra-starrer SHALIMAR [1978]. The pre-climax song, too, will get a roaring response from the audience.

On the flipside, the direction is a bit haphazard. Agreed that the film should not be taken seriously. Yet, things happen all of a sudden and at random in some places and could have been avoided. The writing is weak and the makers should have thought of better ways of summing it up. Lastly, 5 or 6 songs appear back-to-back and it gets tedious.

Badass Ravi Kumar | Official Trailer | Himesh Reshammiya | In Cinemas 7th February

Badass Ravi Kumar Movie Review Performances:
Himesh Reshammiya looks dashing and performs like a pro. His screen presence is riveting and he plays to the gallery perfectly. Prabhudheva is over the top but it works for his villainous role. Kirti Kulhari looks sizzling and leaves a huge mark. Sunny Leone (Nisha) is fine in a cameo. Simona J looks pretty but doesn’t act properly. Johny Lever (Raja) and Sanjay Mishra (Rana) are okay and some of their jokes don’t land well. Anil George (Bhujang), Rajesh Sharma, Saurabh Sachdeva, Manish Wadhwa and Prashant Narayanan lend able support. Mustafa Askari (Raftaar) is aptly cast. Navneet Nishan (Ravi’s mother) and Sulbha Arya (Navneet’s grandmother) are lovely. Pavan Malhotra (Ravi’s father) is fair in a cameo. 

Badass Ravi Kumar movie music and other technical aspects:
Himesh Reshammiya’s music is peppy and enhances the film’s appeal. After a long time, there has been a film where songs play out after every 10 minutes. ‘Dil Ke Taj Mahal Meinn’ is easily the best of the lot. ‘Hookstep Hookah Bar’ comes next; its choreography is memorable. ‘Tandoori Days’ and ‘Bazaar E Ishq’ are well picturized. ‘Terre Pyaar Mein’ is forced but has a lovely melody. ‘Barsaat’, the only song from the album not composed by Himesh (music by Sanjeev – Darshan) has a nice 90s vibe. Ganesh Acharya’s choreography deserves a special mention. Himesh Reshammiya and Sanjoy Chowdhury’s background score is in sync with the film’s mood and theme.

Manoj Soni’s cinematography is grand. The locales of Oman are very well shot. Sunil Rodrigues, Stunt Sam and Deni Jordan Kjurcijev’s action is gory but appropriate for a film of this kind. Arun J Chauhan’s costumes are glamorous. Suresh Selvarajan’s production design is first-rate while Pentaverse Pvt. Ltd’s VFX is a bit tacky. In a way, it works for this film. Ram Ishwar’s editing could have been smoother.

Badass Ravi Kumar Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, BADASS RAVI KUMAR is a thoroughly entertaining flick that thrives on sheer madness – over-the-top action, an unapologetically 80s-style narrative, whistle-worthy dialogues, and the ever-dashing Himesh Reshammiya. Logic takes a backseat – it’s nowhere in sight – and nothing needs to make sense. If that’s your jam, buckle up and enjoy!

MRS is a faithful remake and is laced with yet another memorable performance by Sanya Malhotra Movie Review: MRS is a faithful remake with a memorable performance.

Star Cast: Sanya Malhotra, Nishant Dahiya

Director: Arati Kadav

Mrs Movie Review Synopsis:
MRS is the story of a woman’s struggle after getting married. Richa (Sanya Malhotra) lives with her parents and brother. For an arranged marriage, she meets Diwakar (Nishant Dahiya), a gynaecologist who also runs his own nursing home. Diwakar and his parents – father Ashwin Kumar (Kanwaljit Singh) and mother Meena Kumar (Aparna Ghoshal) seem respectable and kind-hearted. Richa hence agrees to marry him. Soon, things go South for Richa as she realizes that an extreme level of patriarchy is followed at her in-law’s place. Richa’s mother-in-law not only cooks the food but also takes out the chappals and clothes of her husband. The first few days are tough for Richa, but she manages as she gets help from her mother-in-law. Trouble arises when the mother-in-law goes to meet her daughter for several days. The whole responsibility of running the kitchen and keeping up with the unreasonable demands of Diwakar and his father falls on her. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Mrs Movie Story Review:
MRS is based on THE GREAT INDIAN KITCHEN [2021; written by Jeo Baby]. Anu Singh Choudhary, Harman Baweja and Arati Kadav’s story adaptation does justice to the original film’s plot. Anu Singh Choudhary, Harman Baweja and Arati Kadav’s screenplay is captivating. The writers have nicely set the story in the North. THE GREAT INDIAN KITCHEN had certain cultural references; this aspect is taken care of and hence, the film doesn’t have a ‘South remake feel’. Anu Singh Choudhary’s dialogues are simple yet sharp.

Arati Kadav’s direction is impressive. She keeps the narrative simple and the focus is on the female character and her struggles. The way she gradually realizes the truth of her in-laws makes for a great watch. The way food has been utilized in the narrative – be it to show how it got her closer to her to-be hubby to how it also led to issues between the couple – is praiseworthy. There’s no violence or bloodshed in the film and yet, some scenes are very unsettling. That the film is too real also adds to the impact of the goings-on.

On the flipside, though the film is 106 minutes long, it drags in the middle. There’s not much of a story in the film and as a result, viewers might get restless once they understand what the makers are trying to convey and would want to know what happens next. Secondly, since it’s an OTT release, a chunk of the target audience must have seen the original film. As a result, they might not be interested to see the same story again.

Mrs. | Official Trailer | A ZEE5 Original Film | Sanya Malhotra, Nishant Dahiya

Mrs Movie Review Performances:
Sanya Malhotra delivers a very convincing performance. She also carries the film firmly on her shoulders. After PAGGLAIT [2021] and KATHAL [2023], she seems apt for such lead roles and doesn’t disappoint. Nishant Dahiya is aptly cast and performs as per the character’s requirement. Kanwaljit Singh plays a role different from his set image and manages to do well. Aparna Ghoshal gets a limited scope. Nitya Moyal (Saavi; kid) is cute. Gulsita (Saavi’s mother), Varun Badola (Tunnu) and Loveleen Misra (Nirjala; Diwakar’s bua) are there for a scene but they leave a huge mark. Harshika Kewalramani (Bubbles) is okay.

Mrs movie music and other technical aspects:
The music doesn’t work and all three songs – ‘Baar Baar’, ‘Rukte Rukte Chali Re’ and ‘Spirit Of Richa’ – manage to register because of the visuals. Sagar Desai’s background score is much better. Pratham Mehta’s cinematography is lovely, especially the scenes of food. Brinda Parameswar’s choreography deserves special mention. Karishma Gulati’s costumes and Nida Khalid Shaikh’s production design are very real. Prerna Saigal’s editing could have been slicker.

Mrs Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, MRS is a faithful remake and is laced with yet another memorable performance by Sanya Malhotra.

02/08 – Celebrate Saraswati Puja 2025 with KCBA!

The Kansas City Bengali Association (KCBA), a proud KCdesi Community Partner, warmly invites you to celebrate Saraswati Puja 2025 on Saturday, February 8th. Join us in honoring Goddess Saraswati, the deity of wisdom, music, and the arts, in a day filled with devotion, cultural programs, and delicious food.

Event Details:

  • Date: Saturday, February 8th, 2025
  • Venue:
    Village Presbyterian Church on Antioch
    14895 Antioch Rd, Overland Park, KS 66221

Program Schedule:

  • Puja Starts: 10:30 AM
  • Anjali: 12:00 PM
  • Lunch: 1:00 PM
  • Cultural Program: 2:30 PM
  • Pithe Puli Utsav (Traditional Bengali Desserts): 3:30 PM

This event is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in Bengali traditions, enjoy vibrant cultural performances, and savor authentic Bengali delicacies. Whether you’re a member of the Indian diaspora or simply curious about the richness of Bengali culture, this celebration promises to be a memorable experience for all.

For any queries, please contact KCBA at kcba@kcbengalis.com.

Let’s come together as a community to celebrate Saraswati Puja with devotion, joy, and a shared appreciation of culture!

Rhythmic Dance Academy New Beginner Classes in February!

Join Rhythmic Dance Academy’s New Beginner Classes in February!

Discover the joy of Kuchipudi, a classical Indian dance form that combines grace, rhythm, and storytelling. Rhythmic Dance Academy (RDA) is excited to announce beginner classes for children and adults starting this February. Whether you’re looking to explore your cultural roots or pick up a new and fulfilling hobby, these classes are perfect for you!

Class Schedule:

  • Age Group 5+: Mondays & Wednesdays at 6:30 PM
  • Adult Group: Saturdays at 9:30 AM and Tuesdays at 6:30 PM

Why Join Rhythmic Dance Academy?

Rhythmic Dance Academy (RDA), founded in 2008 by Mrs. Manjula Sree, is a beacon for those passionate about Kuchipudi.

  • Mrs. Manjula Sree, herself trained under Mrs. Rajeshwari Garu, brings extensive experience and a deep commitment to nurturing talent.
  • Under her guidance, RDA offers personalized instruction tailored to each student, from beginners to advanced levels.
  • The academy not only focuses on Kuchipudi technique and expression but also fosters discipline, confidence, and cultural appreciation through its holistic curriculum.
  • Beyond dance training, RDA is dedicated to community service through charity shows, providing students with valuable stage experience while supporting meaningful causes.
  • The academy’s mission is to transform practice into performance, ensuring every student at RDA reaches their full potential in Kuchipudi.

Join us at RDA to embark on a journey of artistic excellence and cultural enrichment!

Get Started Today!

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a vibrant dance community. Spaces are filling up quickly, so reserve your spot now!

Contact Us:
📞 913-485-9354
🌐 www.rdakc.com

Take the first step towards a transformative journey in Kuchipudi. Join Rhythmic Dance Academy and experience the rhythm of life through dance!

Call or visit our website today to enroll. We can’t wait to see you on the dance floor!

For all announcements from Rhythmic Academy, please click here.

Kansas City Ranks Amount 10 Top Housing Hot Spots for 2025

National Association of REALTORS®

The National Association of Realtors® today announced 10 top hot spots for the 2025 housing market based on economic, demographic and housing factors predicted to significantly impact local markets as detailed in NAR’s newest report, Housing Hot Spots for 2025: Top Markets Amid Stabilizing Rates. NAR Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research Lawrence Yun revealed 10 top housing hot spots, provided a 2025 real estate and economic outlook and reviewed the 2024 housing market during NAR’s sixth annual Real Estate Forecast Summit: The Year Ahead.

“Important factors common among the top performing markets in 2025 include available inventory at affordable price points, a better chance of unlocking low mortgage rates, higher income growth for young adults and net migration into specific metro areas,” said Yun.

The 10 Top Housing Hot Spots for 2025

In alphabetical order, the following 10 markets have been identified as the top performers for 2025 due to their strengths across several indicators. All areas offer a favorable financing environment – either with lower proportions of locked-in homeowners or lower mortgage rates. In addition, most of these markets outperform the national average in at least six of NAR’s 10 criteria (details in methodology below).

  • Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts-New Hampshire
  • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, North Carolina-South Carolina
  • Grand Rapids-Kentwood, Michigan
  • Greenville-Anderson, South Carolina
  • Hartford-East-Hartford-Middletown, Connecticut
  • Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, Indiana
  • Kansas City, Missouri-Kansas
  • Knoxville, Tennessee
  • Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, Arizona
  • San Antonio-New Braunfels, Texas

NAR expects the Federal Reserve to maintain a gradual approach to easing monetary policy in 2025. While concerns about federal deficits and rising public debt may cap the extent of those rate cuts, borrowing costs are anticipated to stabilize overall, offering some relief to prospective buyers. NAR forecasts that mortgage rates will stabilize near 6% in 2025, likely establishing a new normal. At this rate, more buyers are expected to come back to the market, boosting activity, and the association projects 4.5 million existing-home sales in 2025.

The association also predicts that home prices will continue to increase in 2025, but at a slower pace compared to previous years – with increases likely to be around 2% – reaching a $410,700 median existing-home price.

While the national housing shortage remains, inventory levels are gradually improving and poised to increase further in 2025. This uptick is anticipated to result from a combination of new construction projects and homeowners deciding to list their properties, encouraged by stabilizing mortgage rates and improving market conditions. NAR expects this to lead to increased construction, with housing starts reaching 1.45 million units in the next couple of years, just shy of the historical average annual level of 1.5 million units.

“Home buyers will have more success next year,” said Yun. “The worst of the affordability challenges are over as more inventory, stable mortgage rates and continued job and income growth pave the way for more Americans to achieve homeownership.”

Methodology for Housing Hot Spots for 2025
NAR identified the 2025 housing hot spots by analyzing how each area performs relative to the national level across the following 10 key economic, demographic and housing factors: 1) Share of locked-in homeowners; 2) Average mortgage rate; 3) Job growth; 4) Share of millennial renters who can afford to buy a home; 5) Net migration to population ratio; 6) Share of households reaching homebuying age in the next five years; 7) Share of out-of-state movers purchasing a home; 8) Share of homeowners surpassing the average length of tenure; 9) Share of starter-owner occupied units; and 10) Home price appreciation.

 

If you are someone you know is thinking about buying or selling their home, please have them reach out to me.  I been doing real estate since 2006 so I have tons of experience.

 

Sandy Herrick

ReeceNichols

913-205-4333

sherrick@reecenichols.com

Licensed in Kansas & Missouri

02/01 – Celebrate Saraswati Puja 2025 with ABKC Sangam

Celebrate Saraswati Puja 2025 with ABKC Sangam

The Association of Bengalis Kansas City Sangam (ABKC) invites you to join the vibrant celebrations of Saraswati Puja 2025 on Saturday, February 1, from 10 AM to 4 PM. The event will be held at Rising Star Elementary School, 8600 Candlelight Lane, Lenexa, KS 66215.

Event Highlights:

  • Cultural Program Special Attraction: Enjoy the captivating Bangla Natok (play) “Arun Barun Kiranmala.”
  • A day filled with devotion, cultural performances, and community bonding.

Subscription Details:

  • $20 for Members
  • $25 for Non-Members
  • $15 for College Students
  • $12 for School Students (above 6 years old)
  • Free Admission for children below 6 years.

For More Information:

  • Sonali Choudhury: 816-739-8612
  • Arup Majumdar: 732-501-8689
  • Dithi Banerjee Bose: 716-780-3067
  • Ayota Banerjee: 352-872-8479

Mark your calendars and join the celebration of knowledge and wisdom with your community. We look forward to seeing you there!

Prime Commercial Plot for Sale in Spring Hill, KS

Prime Commercial Plot for Sale in Spring Hill, KS

Looking for the perfect location to build a high-traffic travel plaza or commercial venture? A prime 16.06-acre commercial plot is now available at the southeast corner of 183rd Street and US 169 Highway in Spring Hill, Kansas.

This site has been meticulously planned and comes with several approvals to kickstart your business vision:

  • Site Layout: A 12,000-square-foot travel plaza with 10 pumps, 8 truck fuel stations, and designated spaces for two drive-through pad sites and one retail pad site.
  • Truck Parking: Space to accommodate over 70 trucks, making it ideal for long-haul travelers.
  • Franchise Ready: Approved for a TA Travel Center franchise.
  • City Approvals: The City of Spring Hill has pre-approved the site for a Community Improvement District (CID) with potential sales tax rebates on construction materials.

This strategically located plot is a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to invest in a booming area with a guaranteed flow of traffic and long-term business prospects.

For more details, contact DF Real Estate LLC at 816-933-8063 or email DF3LLC@gmail.com.

New Travel Plaza Coming to Garden City, MO – A Prime Investment Opportunity

New Travel Plaza Coming to Garden City, MO – A Prime Investment Opportunity

Garden City, Missouri, is set to welcome a new travel plaza along S State Route Z, offering a strategic stop for travelers and truckers alike. This 12-acre site, approved by the City of Garden City, will feature a 10,000 square foot travel plaza with 8 fuel pumps, 4 EV charging stations, and 6 truck fuel stations, ensuring convenience for all types of vehicles.

With parking space for around 70 trucks, this travel center is designed to accommodate heavy traffic flow, making it an ideal stop for long-haul drivers. The site is currently under review for a TA Travel Center franchise, further enhancing its potential as a key highway service location.

For more details on investment or leasing opportunities, contact DF Real Estate LLC at 816-933-8063 or email DF3LLC@gmail.com.

Stay tuned for updates on this exciting new development!