There are some simple things that are simply fantastic, such as the Grand Opening of another new Heine Brothers' Coffee Shop located in St Matthews at the intersection of Shelbyville Road and Fairmeade Road.  It doesn't hurt (or I guess it might end up hurting my wallet) that it is now part of my commute to my office.  I used to have to go to the other St Matthews location on Chenoweth Lane.  It's a great shop, but if I'm heading to work, it requires a bit of backtracking from where I live which has resulted in me settling at times... #FirstWorldProblems Anyway, I've not yet been inside this newest version, but it appears be quite snazzy.  Knowing the Heine Brothers' Coffee brand the way I do (I drink a lot of their coffee), the new building looks to be built from "green materials" w... 11/29/2012

p>    The holiday season is here!  This is an exciting time for many people because we officially ushered in the Holiday Season last week, and even moreso because Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  It has been for some time which is kind of funny since it's not a holiday where anybody dresses up like another person or superhero or caricature of some shamed celebrity.  It's not a holiday where anyone typically receives a gift either.   The reason it is my favorite holiday is that ever since I was a kid, it's the one holiday where the majority of my family comes together in one place, and we can count on seeing one another.  Some people don't dig their family, some have lost quite a bit of their family, but my family is one that enjoys its get-togethers, we like to spend time together ... 11/26/2012

Actor's Theatre is the place to be this Christmas season for all of the theatrical Christmas spirit! There are two plays that will get you in the holiday swing; A Christmas Story and A Christmas Carol. A Christmas Story is, "a Christmas adventure like no other" as Ralphie Parker's need for a Red Ryder BB Gun unfolds despite several worries and amid seasonal shenanigans. Imagine a leg lamp, a bunny suit and a tongue stuck to a frozen flagpole - all in one play! Audiences cannot help but relive a family tradition - or start a new one - with this stage adaption of a classic American film! The other holiday classic, that is referred to as Louisville's biggest and best holiday tradition is A Christmas Carol! Originally written by Charles Dickens and adapted by Barbara Field, comes the classi... 11/25/2012

In the east end of Louisville, Kentucky, located off Hwy. 22, is a nice subdivision called Craigs Creek. Conveniently located near shopping, schools, dining, and the Gene Snyder Expressway (I-265), it is one of the more popular subdivisions to buy a home.  The entrance welcomes you with a stone pillars and a sign with beautiful landscaping surrounding it. Craigs Creek has a homeowners association (HOA) and their website will give you the most updated information on who to call. According to the Greater Louisville Association of REALTORS®, currently as of November 19, 2012 homes for sale range from $189,900 to $259,900.  CLICK HERE to search Craigs Creek homes for sale.  Our website has some extensive information about the zip code 40241 where Craigs Creek is located. You can find out wh... 11/19/2012

As the holiday season approaches, many people have already started shopping for gifts for friends and loved ones. The Friday after Thanksgiving has been called Black Friday for all of the "deals" that shoppers get for shopping early. The following Monday in recent years has been called Cyber Monday because of slashed prices on internet goods. In between the chaos of these two days, Small Business Saturday was formed, dedicated to supporting small businesses nationwide! Created by American Express, Small Business Saturday was first celebrated in 2010 to help small businesses get more exposure during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year. The goal of SBS is to support small businesses that invigorate the economy and keep communities thriving! In Louisville, where "Buying Local"... 11/17/2012

Updated ranch with awesome deck and yard in Old Fairground Woods in Fern Creek. You can play inside or out at that house iwth a partly finished basement. CUrrenlty there is a gym adn a game room there. New roof, composte vinyl deck, fenced yard.      11/16/2012

The St. Matthews community is home to some of my favorite restaurants.  Living in St. Matthews I spend a lot of time eating, drinking, and shopping at the many great restaurants, bars, and boutiques in the neighborhood.  Within several blocks there are a variety of restaurants serving delicious food. You can find everything from sandwich shops and bakeries to high end steakhouses and culturally unique cuisine all within the St. Matthews community.  If you are looking for a place to grab some of the best baked goods in town, Plehn’s Bakery has been a local favorite since it opened in 1924.  Plehn’s offers a spread of breakfast items such as donuts, coffee cakes and danishes that are sure to satisfy your morning sweet tooth. Plehn’s also has a full deli as well. The deli menu includes fre... 11/14/2012

  Came across this great article from FOX News & Zillow regarding first time home buyers. I deal with first-time home buyers in the LOUISVILLE area more than any other type of client and I really feel these are important steps first time home buyers should be taking when looking for their 1st home.   As a first-time buyer you probably have no idea how the overall purchasing process works or how to make sure you’re making a smart decision to purchase. And you’ll probably be very surprised to learn how much work it really is just to buy a home. To get you started in the right direction here are a few tips that you should consider:   1. Get lender-qualified and find a good real estate agent To start off, you should get qualified by not only just one lender, but multiple lenders. Shop aroun... 11/14/2012

The Galt House in Downtown Louisville is beginning to decorate for Christmas, where they host "Kentucky's Best Christmas". The hotel is decorated in such a way that it has even caught the eye of the Travel Channel's Christmas Crazy Show! A whole slew of events have been lined up for the season and they guarantee that attending will become a Christmas tradition! Buying a KaLightoscope Christmas ticket includes several events and can be used anytime during the 47 days of Christmas at the Galt House Hotel. Your ticket gets you in to see KaLightoscope, the featured attraction with new luminaries to delight attendees, the all-new Peppermint Express Kiddie Train Ridge through Candy Cane forest, Christmas Village with Snow Fairy Castle and the Snow Fairy Princess, plus several other children's... 11/10/2012

Now that the real estate market is improving in Louisville, you might be thinking about moving next year. When things were tight, you decided to make do, perhaps updating your current home. Now, you feel more comfortable thinking of options. Wouldn't it be nice to have an extra bedroom, a bigger lot, more storage space? Moving might be the best way to acquire these features.  Just as when you were buying your first home, you need to think about what you want in your next home and further prioritize what are "must-haves" and what are your wants. Unless you are independently wealthy or can build a home from scratch, you will still have to make some compromises in your next home too. What do you really want?  Don't Be Swayed By House Love  What is true in relationships is true with homes t... 11/09/2012

(A home is one of the greatest investments you'll make in your life. How do you choose the best neighborhood to live in? Read this guest post by Kim Wolfe, our Buyer Specialist with The Brenda Doll Team, Keller Williams Realty Louisville East.) Find The Perfect Neighborhood Factors to consider are the schools you are zoned for, crime, your family's specific needs, and appreciation - as in how much the value of the home is likely to increase. Get in your car, drive around and find out which areas appeal to you. We suggest that you walk around, and talk to some of the neighbors in that community as well.  A home isn't just an investment when you have a family to think of. Consider the community, and the commute to work and schools. Are you close to shopping, restaurants and other services... 11/08/2012

It's Election Day all across America, so what better day than today to begin our monthly assessment of the St Matthews Real Estate Market by offering a report card of sorts?!  I'd first like to point out that if you live somewhere other than St Matthews in the Louisville Area, and you would like a report card or market report specific to your neighborhood, just let me know.  I am happy to provide a free comprehensive real estate report for Louisville and surrounding counties in Kentucky. There's always talk about the housing market.  It affects every day folks, and for most people, their home is the moste expensive purchase they will ever make, so I believe it's important to monitor the housing market.   St Matthews is traditionally a very active and popular market segment in Louisvill... 11/06/2012

It's Election Day 2012 Eve!  All the candidates are preparing for the answer to the question of who the public sees as being the best to lead in the roles of city council, school board, state representative, national representatives in Congress & the Senate, and of course, the Office of President of the United States of America.  It's an exciting, if not, hectic time for voters and candidates.   Candidates have poured their hearts, souls, and voices into the past many months, a few have been campaigning for more than a year, and it all comes down to Tuesday, November 6, 2012.   In case you aren't sure where to vote locally tomorrow, you can type your address in the Louisville Jefferson County Voter Map Page and it will tell you as where to vote in Louisville, KY & Jefferson County. Clic... 11/05/2012

The Clifton Center is continuing their film festival with the REEL ROCK FILM TOUR! This tour brings the best in climbing and adventure films to Louisville audiences from across the globe! REEL ROCK shows are exciting events where climbers and outdoors lovers come together to celebrate the ultimate in adventure film making. More than just film screenings, REEL ROCK features prize giveaways, appearances by top climbers and fund-raising for non-profit organizations! So, whether you're a dare-devil or just like to sit back and watch the action unfold, there is something for everyone! Tickets are available at the door for $5 or advanced tickets can be purchased at Quest Outdoors, Wild and Woolly Video, or Carmichael's Books on Frankfort Ave. To discover more fun events, please visit our webs... 11/04/2012

There are three birthdays in our house this week, two for my lovable cocker spaniels, Joe Cocker and Johnny Rotten. Though these dogs live a charmed life the other 364 days of the year too, we prepared for their special day with a visit to the Three Dog Bakery located at 3929 Chenoweth Square.  We came out with two cakes and some badges for our birthday boys, who turn 3 (Joe) and 2 (Johnny) this week. The cakes exemplified the bakery's commitment to "fresh-baked all-natural, healthy dog food & treats" that use "human-quality" ingredients. Made with peanut butter and variety of other ingredients, they looked and smelled great. As you can see from the pictures, Joe and Johnny enjoyed the cakes.    A world-wide franchise with about 40 stores, Three Dog Bakery in Louisville is locally owned... 11/03/2012

In today's Miles and Smith Group Minute video blog one of our owners, Patrice Miles, looks at the positive increase in residential building permits in Louisville.  We first heard about this news via Business First and this is just another positive sign that the housing market and economy is moving in the right direction again.   10/29/2012

Recently, I worked with someone who wants to use an FHA 203K Rehab loan to buy a Louisville property that needs a lot of work. This type of loan provides funds to both buy the home and make repairs, a great approach if you want to buy a foreclosure. I will keep you posted how this works out, but this is a good time to offer some information on a feasible way to acquire a home with potential. With foreclosures dotting the landscape, there are many homes in disrepair. Some were trashed by angry former owners, while some were vandalized after the fact. Even homes left vacant for a time may that need major systems replaced. Even properties sold at short sale might need more work than the owner can afford. By arranging financing that covers both the mortgage and repairs, you can bring the p... 10/29/2012

The Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast, is now playing at The Kentucky Center for the Arts! Opening on October 23rd, the smash hit Broadway musical runs through October 28th! This play is adapted from the Academy-Award winning animated film and has dazzled audiences with it's unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and sing-along production numbers, inlcuding "Be Our Guest" and "Beauty and the Beast". The play is directed by Rob Roth and choreographed by Matt West, with costume design by Ann Hould-Ward, for which she won a Tony Award. The theatrical performance of Disney's Beauty and the Beast has become an international sensation that has been seen by over 35 million people worldwide in 13 countries! To find more family-friendly events in the area, please visit our Louisv... 10/27/2012

By Greg Hardy | Buyer Specialist An important first step when you're ready to buy a home is to hire a Realtor.  You want an agent who is willing to work with you to make that dream of owning a home a reality. They should listen to you and your needs and show you homes that match your criteria. You should also speak with a loan officer to become pre-approved so that you know exactly how much home that you can afford.  This is a crucial step in the home buying process. So how many should I look at before I buy? Even if the first home you see has everything you want you should still look at a couple more just to compare your likes and dislikes, just like in dating. (That isn’t always the case however, I have sold homes to buyers who only looked at one!). To get a solid idea of what you wa... 10/25/2012

PRICE REDUCTION! UPDATED BRICK RANCH W/A LARGE FENCED YARD & FINISHED BASEMENT! Wait itl you see the backyard & finished basement on this home - they go on forever! Beautiful custom tile work in bathroom.  Located in a WELL-ESTABLISHED NEIGHBORHOOD W/MATURE TREES & shows pride of ownership. Home is in the small pocket of Highland Beeches next to Forest Hills & close to Stonybrook Shopping Center, dining, schools, Hurstbourne Pkwy, Taylorsville Rd, & I-64. Schedule Your Showing Today!   10/24/2012