I have a client that is just settling into his new home.  When we put the offer on the house, one of the sections in the 6 page contract dealt with an installed security system. The section has a check box to indicate if the system is owned or leased and if you want the seller to leave it or not.  Usually if it is leased, there is some contract on it and if that doesn't convey, then they can take that equipment back.  Not something people want to deal with as they are moving in.   If the system is owned by the seller, then the security company cannot come back and take the equipment.  They sellers owned the system, but just like you own your cell phone.  You can do what you want with the phone but that two year contract is yours, period.  That is how you get a $500 phone for $99.   In ... 10/21/2008

For those of you read my blog consistently you know that I have given a meriad of reasons why I love the Highlands.  From the lovely and diverse homes, friendly folks and beautiful tree lined streets and parks, to the abundance of great places to eat and be entertained.  Today I wanted to take a moment and share with you another reason I love the Highlands, and that reason is called Dreams With Wings! Dreams With Wings is Metro Louisville's largest non-profit group offering support services for individuals with mental retardation, developmental disabilities and autism.  They are located in the heart of the Highlands on Bardstown Road.  (next to Za's Pizza, Yummy) This weekend is the annual Jack O'Lantern Stroll held at the Bellarmine Univeversity Campus.  They will have the worlds large... 10/20/2008

What a beautiful weekend.  For those of you who live in the Ohio Valley the weather here was unbeatable, especially for tailgating.  I spent the weekend in Real Estate.  Showing homes and previewing a couple for a couple.  This couple are first time home buyers and are really ready to buy.  Even if they haven't saved 20% like there forefather or grand fathers, they have put some money back for closing costs and they are smart about their budget and how much home they want to buy. I was reading in a professional publication sent to me by REBAC for Accredited Buyer's Representatives and there was an article about how it so the right time to buy, but people still aren't. I thought the article was great, but as we know Real Estate is local.  Although prices have dropped here, they haven't c... 10/20/2008

As I sit in Heine Bros coffee shop trying to catch up on some needed website maintenance I notice folks walking in and out, all with their own stories.  I bet if we took a poll and questioned them about their experiences with buying or selling their homes we would get an earful, both positive and negative.  I started to think about what I can do to ensure that if my clients were to be asked they would have only positive things to say about their transactions with me.   I am a firm believer that it is all about attitude and how we choose to percieve the situation.  If we enter the transaction from a place of fear and negativity then that is how the transaction will usually be remembered.  If we look at the real estate market collectively from this same place.....well I'm not implying tha... 10/17/2008

Forecasting is always a tricky business. From the stock market to fantasy football, the future is, by definition, uncertain. But that doesn't mean we can't throw some data into our logic blender and see what comes out, does it? Earlier this year, Money magazine posted their take on real estate in 2009. But before we go there, let's look at what they said about 2008. In an article published April 11 2007, here's what Money projected for real estate in Louisville, Kentucky for 2008. According to Louisville's MLS system, the median sales price for 2008 so far is $135,900. Compare this with 2007's median of $139,000 and we arrive at a drop of 2.28%. Looks like Money overshot their target. That brings us to this year's predictions. Back in May of this year, Money published Where home prices ... 10/15/2008

I saw 2 articles today promoting free. The first was in the Courier Journal Neighborhood section, Photography by Ray is doing free 5x7 photos of your kids (with costume) in Crestwood, KY on Halloween from 2-6pm. Need to bring a canned good for Dare to Care. Mayor Jerry invited everyone down to the river on Oct 24 for a farwell trip on the Delta Queen. It is losing Federal Grants and is being shipped out. Got an email with some better info about the Delta Queen and what is going on, worth taking a look at: "Your blog came to me this morning via a google alert - I would like to correct some mis-information that it contains. Since we are still working to Save the DELTA QUEEN, this information could be harmful. Mainly, the DQ has never ever operated with government grants, and that's not wh... 10/13/2008

To help people keep up with what is going on in our market; I have decided to post current Listing and Sale statistics from Greater Louisville Association of Realtors.  I will try to do this weekly; we will see how it goes. As you can see, our local sales are not down 50%.  Sales are down and the sales most likely reflect lower prices, but we are still selling homes.  Remember all Real Estate is local; call me if you want to know what is happening in your neighborhood.   Here they are for the week ending 10/12:   Statistics   LISTINGS          Residential (Single Family & Condo)   10/6 - 12, 2008                        545       Last Year                                 620   SOLDS   9/28 - 10/4, 2008                      325       Last Year                                  309       10/13/2008

My principal broker and I were talking about blogging the other day and discussing how everyone asks how the market is doing.  To be a Realtor you have to be an optimist, but I try to be honest when answering that question. We all know that things aren't like they were years ago, but I have only been a Realtor for about 4 years now.  I missed the red hot market when you put a sign in the yard and stood by it waiting for your cell phone to ring.  Anyway, they still are not as bad here as you would read in the papers or hear on television.  The biggest talk is about foreclosures, but if you look at the percentages in a historical perspective, it doesn't look all that bad.  We are now finding out that a lot of this has more to do with the products created and backed by mortgage securities ... 10/13/2008

Price Reduced $5000 for our 10 Day Sales Event, Open this Sunday 2-4pm Move in ready 3 bed/2 bath home for $154,900 $149,900 in the J-town area. Well maintained maintained w/excellent landscaping and trees that give great curb appeal. Enter through the covered front porch and you find a 2 story great room that leads to the flat, fence backyard that backs up to a protected wooded area for privacy. The eat in kitchen is large, bright and open and includes a pantry. The Laundry and garage are directly off of the kitchen. Most appliances have been updated in the past few years. The first floor master bedroom is good size with large windows overlooking the backyard. There are 3 closets in the master bedroom plus an extra closet in the master bath. The master tub was upgraded to an oversized ... 10/13/2008

Home to Homearama in 2006, Beech Spring Farm is another grand, east end neighborhood that caters to homeowners with exquisite tastes. The subdivision is located off Barbour Ln. near Brownsboro Farm, just down Highway 22 from Springhurst and Norton Commons, east of Prospect. This is a great place to consider if you’re looking for high-end homes built within the past five years in a neighborhood located inside the Gene Snyder Expressway, so that you’re close to shopping, restaurants and transportation. Read More » 10/13/2008

BRAVO, to the Belknap Neighborhood Association.  The Douglass Loop in the Louisville Highlands was the location of the Belknap Fall Festival on Saturday.  This event was a part of the annual "week in the Highlands" celebration. Music, Food, Games and some incredible arts and crafts booths lined the Loop and beyond. I was there from about 10 am through 2 pm and it was very well attended.  The food was awesome, as you can tell that was my favorite part, and the booths were too.  This year there seemed to be not only a larger crowd, but the booths and activities extended further beyond the Loop.  I will be posting pictures on my Myspace page in the coming days.  You can view them at www.myspace.com/highlandshomehunter This is just another reason the highlands of Louisville Kentucky is one ... 10/12/2008

I love my JOB. A client of mine just called, it's been two months since they moved into their home.  The entire process from home hunt to close was one of those where you just are on the edge of your seat not knowing what is going to happen next.  He and his wife wanted a home in the Highlands and they wanted it yesterday!  After looking at about 6 houses they settled on one, actually about three streets over from me. Well today he called just to "give me an update" on how they are doing in their new home.  He has found his new coffee shop, barber and bar.  His wife is happy, he said she has been singing all day around the house and the dog is settling in.  Now that is what it is all about!  I feel ten times better right now than the day of their closing when I walked out with the commi... 10/10/2008

The number of foreclosures has risen drastically in the last few years.  In Louisville and all across the nation, all we see in the news is how bad things are.  Well, we're here to tell you that foreclosures doesn't have to be your first option of a solution to your mortgage problems! Too many times, consumers are unsure of where to go or what to do when they get into a financial situation that seems like the proverbial mountain that cannot be climbed.  We are excited to have blogging platforms available where we can share with you our methods of assisting regular people just like you and I in getting out of their financial situation, to inform you of your choices, and to provide timely information about the current market conditions that will affect your mortgage - whether you are in p... 10/09/2008

In an attempt to fulfill my responsibilities as a REALTOR, consumer advocate and just a generally concerned citizen; I'm making my first - long overdue - blog posting. I'm fed up with and disgusted by the fearmongering of the national media. Sadly, it seems the best source for truth these days is The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. In the interests of doing the right thing and instead of me complaining about all the negativity, time to add a dose of the reality and truth from an optimistic point of view. Especially if you are a first time home buyer, now is the time to buy a home. I have a page on my website www.BartMedlock.com that gives first time buyers an overview of the home buying process. Simple economics says buy low and sell high. The real estate market is low so buy now - my wife... 10/08/2008

ABSOLUTE AUCTION - REAL ESTATE     Thursday, October 16, 2008 6:00 PM with Onsite and Online Bidding3400 River Park Dr., Louisville, KY 40211No Minimum, No ReserveApproximately 3,100 sq. ft., 2-story building located at the corner of 34th St. and River Park Dr., 1 block from I-264 access.  Across the street from the First District Headquarters for the Louisville Fire Department.  Simultaneous bidding online and onsite.Click here for Web Brochure 10/07/2008

I have people ask me almost everyday what is available in the highly sought after neighborhoods in area 03, these include St Matthews, Clifton and Crescent Hill.  When I first moved to Louisville over 10 years ago, my first home was in the Clifton Neighborhood.  On Saturday mornings I would get one of my Chihuahuas up early and walk down to Nancy's Bagel Grounds.  Yummy bagels and good coffee.  My niece lived just down the road in St. Matthew's across Cannons Lane from Seneca Park.  It is a lovely area and the houses move quickly in the area. Every year around this time we make a trip to the Crescent Hill neighborhood to see some of the most extreme Halloween decorations in town!  If your interested give me a call and I will share my favorite "secret" streets for the decor! Well there i... 10/07/2008

In Area 2 of the Multiple Listing Service there are currently over 430 homes for sale in the area.  This statistical area includes such coveted Highland Neighborhoods as Deer Park, Cherokee Triangle, Bonnycastle, Belknap, Tyler Park, Irish Hill, the Original Highlands among others.  These homes range in price from $12,000 to 1.6 million dollars.  In area two there are many opportunities for recreation and entertainment.  The dining in the Bardstown Road area is some of the best in the country.  There really is something for everyone in the Highlands of Louisville.  Call me for more information at 502-551-4295 Thanks Jeff 10/07/2008

When you call Jeff Johnson to sell your home it is definitly a TREAT! If you list your home with the Johnson & Meyer Team in the month of October, we will pay for a First American Home Warranty Basic Buyer's and Seller's Coverage Plan.  This is a $375 value...Our Treat! For details call me today at 502-551-4295, I look forward to helping you achieve your real estate goals. 10/07/2008

If your a first time home buyer now is the time to buy. Why would you buy now?  Why would you want to call Jeff Johnson....Well since you asked: Metro Louisville has large inventory of beautiful homes as of 10:02 am 10/07 10,532, with as little as 3.5% down with an FHA backed loan at under 7%, a $7,500 tax credit for first time buyers and those who have not owned a home in the last 3 years and now a $500 rebate coupon from the Johnson & Meyer Team. Purchasing a home should be a fun, exciting experience.  My philosophy is that it should be a positive experience you look back and happily.  I work very hard to ensure that is the case.  The Johnson & Meyer Team at On the Move REALTORS enjoys helping you achieve your real estate goals. What are you waiting for call me today! I have helped ma... 10/07/2008

We are moving swiftly in to October and the end of the year is coming fast. For those in business the fourth quarter has started and with such wonderful news in the financial and credit markets and the stock market daily swings several hundred points one way or the other have builders with lots of inventory dropping prices to get things off their books by the end of the year and create some cash flow or at the very least, stop heaving cash on interest every month. I saw Monsour Builders drop their prices on some of their new homes by over $20,000. That is substantial, on a close to $200,000 house that is or is close to a 10% drop in price. Also, if you are looking to spend a few more dollars, there have been some pretty good price drops in Beech Spring Farm as well. Most builders would ... 10/07/2008