Now that’s the Derby is over, Louisville turned its attention to an exciting lineup of neighborhood street festivals. My favorite is the Butchertown Art Fair, held this year on Saturday, June 2 from 10 AM to 7 PM. I like this event so much that last year, it was one of the first events I brought my new baby to; this year my husband and I will once again wheel our little Memphis through displays of local artists and see the best of Louisville and regional Kentucky craftsmanship on display. Last year she slept through it, but this year she’s ready to soak in the atmosphere.

The 138th running of the Kentucky Derby is now in the history books with I’ll Have Another emerging as the victor. A record 165,307 were in attendance, even more than last year. The numbers about how much money the Derby brought into town aren’t compiled yet, but as you know from having read our blog for, both the city of Louisville, surrounding towns, area attractions, hotels, restaurants street vendors, and others benefit from the event in a big way. But there’s more reasons why Louisville in the State of Kentucky are quick to say “I’ll Have Another” when it comes to running the Derby year after year.

The race and all the events connected with it put Louisville on stage as the site for future development. Mayor Greg Fischer and other leaders have had a busy few weeks talking to business leaders who might want to settle in or expand in Louisville. The potential impact of new business for Louisville won’t be calculated in figures about the econiic benefits of the Debry, but Louisville will benefit in a big way. As reported by the Kentucky Business Journal, Fischer invited over 20 guests to the Derby to show off Louisville.

• Priceline.com co-founder Scott Case, now CEO of Startup America, a nationwide organization with the mission to match up entrepreneurs with resources, was in town to promote Startup Kentucky. Formally kicked off last month, the local organization is looking for local entrepreneurs who know firsthand how to launch finance and grow in companies. Case was on hand to welcome to Start up America members who won a trip to the Derby.
• Representatives of national site selection were invited to scope out the city that is already the headquarters of UPS, YUM! Brands, Humana, Inc. and home to a growing medical sector, two Ford plants, and many other companies.
• Fred Durham, cofounder of Café Express, visited the first of many Derbies. His firm is relocating from California to Louisville at a cost of $16.5 million.
• ADP, recent buyer of the human resource subsidiary of Louisville-based SHPS, Inc., sent representatives.
• Ashley Capps of AC Entertainment and producer of several events in Louisville such as the Forecastle Festival and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival came to our promising venue to see Louisville entertainment at its best.
• Fischer and representatives from the University of Louisville welcomed entrepreneurs interested in partnering with the University on medical research and other projects.

Fischer, University officials, and the Chamber of Commerce all hope that their Southern hospitality on the biggest week of the year will lead to more jobs for Louisville. With hotels, restaurants, and other local businesses, transit companies, municipal workers and all citizens of Louisville ready to welcome guests, the mayor’s special visitors will see our possibilities is a site for having fun and doing business.

Those of us who live here enjoy the good times too. To be part of it all, give me a call.  I’m Mollie Younger from the Younger Group where We Know Louiville.

Amidst threats of tornados and thunderstorms, Louisville approaches the final few days before the Kentucky Derby, there is plenty to do to enjoy the week and prepare for the Derby.

Through Wednesday, May 2, you have a unique opportunity to enjoy prize-winning local wine right on the Belvedere downtown at WineFest. This year, the 6^thfor WInefest, 20 local wineries from Kentucky and Indiana are pleasing visitors who can sample 15 kinds with a $35 ticket. Patrons can also enjoy finger food and take home a commemorative wine glass.

This year, the Wight-Meyer Vineyard and Winery won 13 medals after only 6 years in business. This is nothing new though, as the winery had won medals since its opening. The owners, Jim and Sandy Wight started making wine in 1996 and found something they were living their passion. As quoted in the Courier-Journal, Jim remarked “It was strictly an amateur thing that totally got out of hand. I guess everybody has to do something in life that’s right, and this is what I excel at.”

Wight-Meyer Vineyard and Winery is a classic Louisville success story. Jim started experimenting in 1996 with 53 vines. Within six years, he planted 2.5 acres . By the next year, he was winning competitions. When Sandy Wight lost her job, she convinced a Jim to open a winery – not a tough sell! Currently, they are producing 2,000 cases of wine per year. They enjoy participating WIneFest, and while they don’t hope to expand much more, they do hope to get more attention from drinkers and wholesalers. If you miss the Wight Meyer products at WineFest, you can find their wines at Liquor Barn,

Prior to the Oaks on Friday and the big race on Saturday, there are many big-ticket affairs, such as the Marriott Oaks Bourbon Brunch Friday with chef Guy Fieri. That event is a charity benefit for the Kosar Children’s Hospital. The menu is secret, but whiskey salted caramel will be part of the menu.

Even if you aren’t planning on attending event like this or the Derby itself, you might be planning a great Derby party with a big screen TV and some authentic food. You can plan a barbeque or go traditional with burgoo or Kentucky ham as the main course. If want something lighter, some Hot Brown turkey sandwiches. As long as you have some Derby Pie and mint juleps on hand, your menu will be a hit. You might even sneak in some Wight-Meyer wines to make the meal compete.

There’s always something to do in Louisville. If you want to buy or sell a property in Louisville, give me a call. I’m Mollie Younger from the Younger Group where We Know Louiville.

May Events in Louisville

 thru 5/5/12 The 12 Days of Derby @ The Bard’s Town

5/2/2012 RhythmFest featuring George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic

5/2/2012 Great Steamboat Race

5/2/2012 Battle of the Bounce

5/3/2012 Wednesday Evening Concert Featuring Walk The Moon with special guest Ha Ha Tonka

5/3/2012 Celebrity Day at the Downs

5/3/2012 Republic Bank Pegasus Parade

5/4/12 Oaks and Smokes

5/4/12 Marriott Oaks Bourbon Brunch

5/4/12 Kentucky Oaks

5/5/12 Kentucky Derby

5/5/12 Night of Derby

5/12/12 Beechmont’s Festival of Flowers

5/12/12 The Power Walk to benefit Dress for Success Louisville

5/12/12 Jefferson Animal Hospital Health Fair May. 12th

5/12/12 Art in the Arbor Festival

5/12/12 Mother’s Day Plant Sale to Benefit Women for Habitat

5/13/12 Mother’s Day Brunch – Locust Grove

5/13/12 Mothers Day in RIVUE

5/17/12 Baby Shower at First Neighborhood Place

5/18/12 Splash Days at Louisville Science Center

5/19/12 Ascension Summer Festival

5/19/12 Old Louisville SpringFest

5/19/12 St. Joseph Cars for a Cause Car and Bike Show

5/19/12 Tour De Cure

5/19/12 Bardstown Bound-Summer Sidewalk Celebration

5/19/12 Walk ‘N’ Roll Event

5/20/12 Metro Animal Services at the Buy Local First Fair

5/20/12 Rockin’ for Kids

5/23/12 Saving Kentucky – Locust Grove

5/24/12 Irish Tea in the Gardens

5/26-28/12 Kentucky Flea Market

5/26/12 Biergarten

5/30/12 May 30 -Waterfront Wednesday Concert

6/1/12 The Grassroots Gala

6/1/12 Germantown-Schnitzelburg Blues Festival

6/1/12 Portland Family Reunion Festival

6/2/12 Butchertown Art Fair

5/2/12 British Bash Car Show

6/8/12 Louisville’s Greek Festival

If you are in the growing group of who want to buy a home in  Louisville, a very important question is “How do I pay for it?”  Assuming that you don’t have the money to pay cash and don’t qualify for veteran’s or other special loans, you might be thinking of an FHA loan. Traditionally, these loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration have been a great alternative for those who had minimal cash for their downpayment or whose credit was less than perfect, but now the costs on these loans are getting more expensive.

Part of an FHA payment is mortgage insurance which protects the government against loss in case the borrower defaults. Since 2109, the cost for this insurance has been increased three times – twice the amount paid by borrowers in 2009. FHA borrowers must also pay an upfront premium that has doubled as well. On major implication of the rising cost is that you will have less buying power in the market, as all the costs will be factored in when the bank is trying to determine what you can afford.

Here’s what this means in dollars and cents, according to an example from First Commonwealth Mortgage of Louisville, cited in an article in the Louisville-Courier . On a $200,000 loan, a borrow would have to come up with $3,337 vs. $1,930 just two years ago. The monthly payment is up $16.08 per month this time as a result of the rising premiums.

The loan is still a bargain if you are buying a home on a shoestring, without having up to 20% to put down. The rising cost are making conventional loans a better choice for some buyers. If you are wondering which way to go, the loan officer at your bank will present all the options to you. Here are few things to consider in your decision.

Going conventional: If you can come up with more money, you can take advantage of low interest rate that are near FHA rates. Mortgage rise are likely to rise over the next months, so this advantage may be less in the future.

Provide more downpayment: Consider getting more down payment money from other sources, such as relatives or borrowing from your 401K. There are rules that govern any of these transaction, plus costs, so plan carefully.

Don’t strap yourself with too large a downpayment: Considering that you will have new expenses when you get into the home, rendering yourself penniless is a poor idea. If you need a new refrigerator and other things for the house, have moving expenses, or want to be prepared for the unexpected repairs in your new home, you don’t want to have to rely on credit cards.

Consider your credit: The best rates for conventional loans is 720 or more, but you can get one from some banks if your score is over 620. Requirements for FHA loans require about 580. If your score is in the low 600’s though, you may pay much more than FHA rates including the mortgage insurance.

Consider waiting:  Though housing prices are attractive now, waiting until you have more downpayment or a better credit score might be the best choice.

A visit with your loan officer can help you decide the best type if an FHA loan for you and even if you are ready to buy now. With this knowledge under your belt, give me, Mollie Younger  of Younger Gaines Real Estate, a call. I can show you an affordable house in Louisville that’s just right for you.

Consumer confidence is an important component of real estate sales. You’ve seen the ad on TV were the little boy says to his grandfather “I want to have a house just like this someday.” The grandfather, aware of the ups and downs of the real estate market, says, “I hope so, son.” The grandson has the mindset of many people these days.

Any Realtor® working in our city is very confident that there will always be affordable homes in Louisville. We have so much going for us that people can buy with confidence that the economy will remain vital and make them feel good about buying a home here. Now, the rest of the country is catching the confidence that Louisville residents have long felt.

A recent survey by Fannie Mae, the mortgage backer, in March 2012, shows that 73% of the people surveyed want to buy a house now. This figure is up 3% since February 2012. Half expect rents and a third expect housing prices to increase in this time frame as well. Forty four percent of these same respondents were confident that their own finances were getting more stable and will continue to get even better over the next year.

As Doug Duncan, vice president and chief economist of Fannie Mae, said, “Conditions are coming together to encourage people to want to buy homes,” said. “Americans’ rental price expectations for the next year continue to rise, reaching their record high level for our survey this month. With an increasing share of consumers expecting higher mortgage rates and home prices over the next 12 months, some may feel that renting is becoming more costly and that homeownership is a more compelling housing choice.”

People are comfortable enough to make the commitment to become homeowners even though in Louisville as in most other cities, the supply of houses is in excess of a balanced market, where four or five months’ worth are available. They know that it still take longer to sell a home than in the past and that they cannot expect to make a killing on the eventual sale. Still, they want to take the plunge.

Fannie Mae itself, while acknowledging some economic recovery over the past months, asserts that growth has is slowing down. In an article in MarketWatch, Duncan asserted that the increase in consumer spending has outpaced the growth in income. This indicates that consumers are dipping into savings, not spending disposable income.

In a related development, Bankrate reports in its March 22, 2012  edition that mortgage rates, at historic lows for over year, are inching upwards. A payment on a 30 year $165,000 loan was up $13.50 a month. Economists predict that the potential of rising rates may encourage those potential buyers who were waiting till mortgage rates are as low as they can be will decide that the time to buy is now.

If you are ready to join the 73%, give me, Mollie Younger , a call today. I can show you an affordable home in Butchertown, St. Matthews, The Highland, or the other exciting neighborhoods of Louisville. Contact the Younger Group Realty because as our tagline says: We know Louisville.

As a real estate agent, I’m happy to report that 2012 has been a great year for me so far. I’ve seen many happy Louisville sellers  and buyers happy come together on properties where each side in the transaction meets their goals. While I like to think that at least some of this was due to my great skills as an agent, a lot of it had to do what were going to talk about in this article – namely, positioning your house so it could sell itself.

In real estate today, staging a house for sale is fairly common. When prospective buyers see a house, it may look more like a house in the magazine that a place where family has lived. The agent and maybe even a professional stager has convinced owners to clean and perk up the house, remove some furniture, and rearrange what is left. You, as a seller, don’t need to convince the new people that the place was homey for you, but provide backdrop so that they can imagine it will be homey for them.

Here’s what you need to do:

Clean it up.This seems obvious, but there is a reason that having the house spotless appears on all lists of this type. Many sellers present their homes, even expensive ones, in a cluttered and dirty state. This makes prospective buyers wonder what’s under that dirt. Also, your house may smell fine to you, but new noses will pick up on pet odors, cigarette smoke, stale food, and mildew. Prospective buyers may fear that they can never rid the house of unpleasant smells. Even if you can’t afford to do much to upgrade your home before you sell, you might invest in a day of maid service to get it clean and odor free.

Say goodbye to past decades. Popcorn ceilings, avocado refrigerators, and two-tone shag carpet are old school and should be replaced if possible. Even if you can’t afford to do expensive renovations, you can replace old fixtures, cabinet hardware, and light fixtures. If you have a little more to spend, consider updating old appliances and ceiling fans.

Banish clutter. If your closets, shelves, and counters are packed with your stuff, buyers may conclude that your house is smaller than it is. Minimize the items you leave out and then develop an emergency plan to get last minute clutter out of sight before showings. Since many people don’t care for pets, get the litter box and toys, as well as the pets themselves, out of sight for showings .

Depersonalize. There is debate in the industry about whether you should leave any pictures of your family on display, as mementos like this engage prospective buyers in your family and distract them from the house. If you want to leave out a small picture or two, fine,-but don’t overdo it.

Paint, don’t wallpaper.Wallpaper is out of vogue these days. Consider removing wallpaper and applying a fresh coat of paint to your walls. You should keep your color selection neutral, but there is a beautiful palette of appealing colors for you to choose from.

Improve curb appeal.Visitors to your home see the condition of your landscaping, your siding, your sidewalks, and certainly your front door before they come in. Make sure your exterior is neat and your door freshly painted to entice them to want to come in.

Leave during showings. You may think you’re the best person to show off your home’s good features, but you can make prospective buyers uncomfortable about exploring the property and voicing their concerns.
You may be thinking that you don’t want to remove wallpaper, put away those darling pictures of your kids, or invest in new carpeting or appliances you will leave behind. You may even find a buyer who doesn’t care about these “violations” of real estate staging, but your house may be on the market longer as a result.

If you want to sell your home, you need to make it easy for someone else to imagine themselves living there. This usually means that you suspend some of your personal style for time, a small sacrifice to make if it means reducing the days on market for your home.

Need some tips on preparing your home for sale ? Just call me, Mollie Younger of the Younger Group,  for an assessment of what’s your home is worth and what you need to do to make your house nearly sell itself.

This past week, Louisville has been preoccupied with basketball as UofL made the Final Four and then Kentucky won the NCAA Championship. After savoring this sweet victory, we will but soon we will get back to the usual business of April – preparing for the Kentucky Derby.

Prior to the classic horseracing event held each year on the second Saturday in May, Louisville has weeks of sporting, culinary, and musical events, plus a two-week festival of annual events to lure tourists not town and engage the citizens of Louisville.

Some events have nothing to do with the race, but have adopted the theme, often for a good cause. Derbymania adds $127.9 million to Louisvilleand the surrounding area. Considerable revenue goes to local charities who count on Derby events to add to their budget. In tough times, attending or participating in Derby events is a good way to have fun and help someone at the same times.

In 2011, Churchill Downs, which presents the race, threatened to sue the Kentucky Derby Festival, put on by an unrelated group of investors, for using the name “Kentucky Derby.” The events continued under the umbrella name “Derby Festival.” ,p>This year, things are back to normal and the two week of balloon races, fireworks, and festivals are again known as the Kentucky Derby Festival.

Attached to this blog is an extensive list of events this month, but if you are looking for a Derby-themed events in line with your interest, there is plenty to choose from.

Looking for more reasons to play or watch golf, try these:

4/19/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival $1 Million Dollar Hole-In-One Golf Contest
4/23/2012 King Southern Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation Pro-Am Golf Tournament
4/25/2012 Derby Festival $1 Million Hole In One Ladies Day
4/28/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival- ACO DerbyHole Classic
4/29/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival $1 Million Hole In One Semi Finals
4/30/2012 Don Fightmaster Golf Outing for Exceptional Children
5/1/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival $1 Million Hole In One Finals

If you want to help prepare Louisville for the Derby group, try these:

4/14/2012 Spring Cleanup on Apr. 14th
4/15/2012 Give A Day: Mayor’s Week of Service

Want to taste some of Louisville’s finest? After the listed Easter brunches, try these:

4/5/2012 McDonald’s Thunder Preview Party
4/25/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival “Taste of Derby Festival”
4/28/2012 TheSlice: Spice, Style & Soul
4/29/2012 Children’s Tea with the Derby Festival Princesses presented by Goldberg Simpson
4/29/2012 Derby Brunch On the River
4/30/2012 Knights of Columbus Charity Dinner
5/1/2012 WineFest

There are plenty of other things directly connected with the Kentucky Derby Festival and the race that we will discuss later, but you can plan your schedule now so you don’t miss anything!

Looking for a home based for all these activities? Call me, Mollie Younger of the Younger Group. We know Louisville.

April Events – See below or Click here for complete list of Louisville Derby-themed events.

4/7/2012 Kentucky Stickhorses Lacrosse Game
4/7/2012 Frankfort Avenue Easter Parade
4/8/2012 Easter Brunch in RIVUE
4/8/2012 Belle of Louisville Easter Brunch
4/8/2012 Easter Brunch
4/8-4/12/12 Spring Camp
4/12-14/2012 Kentucky National Dairy Show and Sale and Kentucky Kow-a-rama
4/14/2012 Spring Cleanup on Apr. 14th
4/15/2012 Give A Day: Mayor’s Week of Service
4/19/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival $1 Million Dollar Hole-In-One Golf Contest
4/5/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival Basketball Classic presented by papajohns.com
4/20/2012 The Fillies Derby Ball
4/5/2012 McDonald’s Thunder Preview Party
4/6/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival $1 Million Hole In One Golf Contest
4/21/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival Volleyball Classic
4/21/2012 Thunder “After Glow” Party at 4th Street Live!
4/21/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival Thunder Over Louisville
4/21/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival Boomtown Presented by Tumbleweed
4/23/2012 King Southern Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation Pro-Am Golf Tournament
4/25/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival “Taste of Derby Festival”
4/25/2012 Derby Festival $1 Million Hole In One Ladies Day
4/26/2012 Pajama Party
4/26/2012 Chow Wagon at Waterfront Park
4/26/2012 U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Tour
4/26/2012 U.S. Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Great BalloonFest
4/26/2012 U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Glimmer
4/26/2012 BB&T Kentucky Derby Festival Running Wild Expo
4/26/2012 Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront
4/27/2012 U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Rush Hour Race
4/26/2012 Fourth Street Live! Kentucky Derby Festival After Party
4/27/2012 APASSIONATA “The Beginning”: April 27-29, 2012 at Freedom Hall
4/27/2012 U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Glow
4/28/2012 Marathon/miniMarathon presented by Walmart
4/28/2012 U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Race
4/28/2012 Bed Making Competition
4/28/2012 Da’Ville Classic Drum Line Showcase College Fair
4/28/2012 TheSlice: Spice, Style & Soul
4/28/2012 Sonic Saturday Featuring Eddie Money
4/28/2012 NPC Fitness and Physique Championship
4/28/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival- ACO DerbyHole Classic
4/29/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival $1 Million Hole In One Semi Finals
4/29/2012 Children’s Tea with the Derby Festival Princesses presented by Goldberg Simpson
4/29/2012 Celebration Sunday with 88.5 WJIE
4/29/2012 Louisville Youth Orchestra Concert
4/29/2012 GospelFest
4/29/2012 Derby Brunch On the River
4/30/2012 Stock Yards Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Great Bed Races
4/30/2012 AT&T Derby Festival Morning Line
4/30/2012 HappyTail Hour at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville
4/30/2012 Discovery Day Presented by PNC
4/30/2012 Don Fightmaster Golf Outing for Exceptional Children
4/30/2012 Knights of Columbus Charity Dinner
5/1/2012 Kentucky Derby Festival $1 Million Hole In One Finals
5/1/2012 WineFest
5/1/2012 Texas Hold’em Tournament
5/1/2012 Ramble for the Roses
5/1/2012 Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Healthy Lifestyle Showcase
5/2/2012 RhythmFest featuring George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
5/2/2012 Great Steamboat Race
5/2/2012 Battle of the Bounce
5/3/2012 Wednesday Evening Concert Featuring Walk The Moon with special guest Ha Ha Tonka
5/3/2012 Celebrity Day at the Downs
5/3/2012 Republic Bank Pegasus Parade

Just yesterday school started, then it was Christmas vacation. In a minute, it will be summer time and with it, new challenges for working parents in Louisville. Most kids might define a “fun summer” as being able to stay up late and sleep in, hang out with their friends, play some ball, and watch TV, but as a parent, you know kids need more structure. You also know that summer is the perfect time for them to do things they might not have time to do in the regular school year. If you work outside the home, you need to find summer activities for your kids during the week that are fun, safe, and economical.

Every year at this time, the Courier-Journal publishes a useful guide to summer camps. Summer camp might bring to mind overnight excursions in the wilderness with your scout troop, but modern summer camps have come a long way. Whether you need the equivalent of all-day childcare, enrichment programs geared toward academics or other interests, or sports programs, there is something in Louisville that will delight your kids. They can spend their time at the Humane Society, the Louisville Slugger Museum, or a more traditional setting. Some of the camps are in session all summer while some are for a limited time only, but the Courier-Journal’s schedule lays out all the particulars. The timing on some of the camps might still post scheduling challenges for you, so now is the time to plan ahead to give your kids a good summer experience even though you are away at work.

You need to ask yourself:

• Do you need all-day childcare?
• How much can you afford?
• Do your kids have special needs?
• What do your kids want to do?

You will find programs to accommodate all these concerns. Even if you need all day care, you have options. For example, If you need a place to care for your child all day that offers a variety of sport, arts and crafts, field trips, and more, the YMCA of Greater Louisville offers a summer-long program for kids 5-13 that runs through mid-August in some locations. Offering early drop-off and late pick-up options, the cost ranges form $90-$140 per week with financial assistance available.

The JCC of Louisville is open to kids from 20 months – 12 each day from 7:30am-6pm. The programs offer swimming, sports, arts & crafts, plus specialty camps including Horseback Riding, Lego, Sailing Football, Soccer, Theatre, and Dance. Attendance at this camp is a good way to satisfy your needs for all-day care while giving your child a chance to participate in a special activity of interest.

If you are under strict budget, many camps claim to have financial assistance available. For an economical good time, the area Boys and Girls Clubs have all day programs for kids 6-18 that last form 10am-5pm for a small fee of $25 for the summers. At other camps, make sure to ask about financial aid early, as the demand is always high.

Metro Parks and Recreation has all day sessions through late July for $50-60 per week, with some reduced fee slots available. They offer a wide variety of activities including arts& crafts, swimming, group games, sports, table games, Karaoke, educational activities, play ground time, fitness, environmental programs. Special programs: Youth Health Initiative, Belle of Louisville Cruise, Bike Sense Program, Fund for the Art=Schools Out, Arts In, Talent Show, and end-of camp closing event.

Whatever you need, now is the time to secure a place for your child in a summer program in Louisville. The Courier-Journal guide gives phone numbers, emails, and websites so you can get more information.

If you want to buy or sell property in Louisville, the city with things to do for people of all ages, call me, Mollie Younger of the Younger Group. We know Louisville.

If you are planning to sell your Louisville home this spring, you might wonder how long it will be on the market. In February, the average days on market (DOM) was 82.  An average implies that some homes sell quickly, while some linger on the market for months. What will your track record be?

An uncertain economy, unemployment, lending policies, and other factors that have nothing to do with your house impact the market, but when it comes down to it, it’s your house itself that influences whether it will sell and how fast. Especially at a time when many other homes compete for a buyer’s attention, how does yours stack up?

Is it clean?  Buyers may understand if you are not able to modernize your home, but if it is dirty or cluttered, that sends a bad message that it is in worse shape than it is. Even if you are moving for financial reasons, applying a little elbow grease and some new, fresh neutral paint will be well worth your investment.

Is it in good repair?  Some new home buyers might be interested in a fixer-upper, but others want a place they can move right into, perhaps with a modernized kitchen and bathroom. No one wants door knobs that come off in their hands or toilets that don’t flush.

Is it over improved? If you have dropped thousands on a spa bathroom or an exotic sound system in your bedroom, many buyers might not value those improvements enough to pay more for them. Surprisingly, features like pools can be a turn off, as they require maintenance or post hazards. Unusual improvements like backyards tuned into tennis or basketball courts don’t fly with someone who just wants a big, grassy yard for barbeques and softball.

Do the improvements match the neighborhood? If competing homes in the neighborhood have granite countertops and three car garages, your home may be less appealing if it lacks these features.

Does it have specialized features that will be costly to remove? If your home has a walk-in bathtub, a garage converted to a den, a stairway lift ,or other features added to meet a special need in your family, it might be a real find for a select few but impractical for others.

Does it have negatives that make it a tough sell? If your home now backs up to a freeway due to changes in the neighborhood or is near a landfill ( or a meat processing plant), some potential buyers won’t be interested.

Any of the conditions mentioned above can stand in the way of quick sale, especially if the price is too high. As a potential seller, you may be sick of hearing that cutting the price is the magic bullet of home sales. Price reductions might make the place more appealing to more buyers, but the real issue is attracting the right buyers.

Here is where a good Realtor® comes into play. They will pull out comparables about the neighborhood and give you some good advice about preparing the home for sale and enhancing what your home has. They should also come up with a marketing plan that will target potential buyers not only by neighborhood and price, but also target those who might want the special features your home has.

For personalized service, where your home will be promoted to the right buyers, call Mollie Younger. My team and I at Younger Group Real Estate can list your home for maximum exposure and show you affordable homes in Butchertown, St. Matthews, The Highlands, and other great Louisville neighborhoods that are close to work and school. Give us a call. We know Louisville.

 With the St. Patrick’s Day Parade coming up in Louisville this Saturday, you might be planning to head to Bardstown Rd. for the festivities and then stick around to hit a few pubs.  Or you might make your way to Fourth Street Live to enjoy some music, food, and fun over the next week.  Amidst the revelry, don’t forget to eat your fill of the main dish most often associated with the holiday: corned beef and cabbage, or perhaps, a corned beef sandwich.

Corned beef, the traditional dish for the season, gets its name from the process of making it. Beef was put in a large crock and covered with large rock salt kernels known as “corns of salt,” which preserved the meat. It is considered a traditional Irish dish. Ironically, though it was available in Ireland since the Middle Ages, it was too expensive for most people to be considered a staple.

The Irish, especially in the town of Cork, produced corned beef since 1600 and exported it to nearby England and around the world. Many different cuts of meat were used as corned beef; the best quality was shipped in cans to England or the American colonies, while the worst went to the French. Although considerable pastureland in Ireland was devoted to cattle raising, little meat found its way into the Irish diet. By the late 19th century, canned corned beef production shifted to South America.

When Irish settlers came to America, they found canned corned beef cheap and readily available, so they substituted it for pork in traditional dishes. They also bought a fresh version made from brisket from Jewish butchers and enjoyed it on holidays to replace the bacon joint they enjoyed in Ireland. It was Irish-Americans who made corned beef a St. Patricks Day specialty.  In the motherland, the dish is only served to tourists on St. Patrick’s Day.

In Louisville, corned beef is a popular item year-round on deli menus, while corned beef and cabbage specials are prolific in taverns and restaurants around St. Patrick’s Day.

Check out the Irish Rover, Bristol Bar and Grille, the Old Louisville Inn, or Irish pubs such as Molly Malone’s, Flanagan’s, O’Shea’s: Baxter Avenue in the Highlands for this dish, as well as other Irish dishes: Irish lamb stew, shepherd’s pie, bangers (sausage) and mash (mashed potatoes), or fish ‘n chips, served with soda bread or boxty. Some of the Irish pubs offer ethnic crafts – sweaters, jewelry, crystal – but if you don’t care about sweaters, there is also a good assortment of Irish whisky, Guinness, and other beers  on hand.

Holiday aside, there are plenty of good corned beef sandwiches around in Louisville. All the “good” delis pile the meat high. Stevens and Stevens on Bardstown Road offers corned beef sandwiches and Reuben sandwiches as part of a huge delicious menu.  Some Louisville diners swear the Reuben offered by Morris Deli & Catering is the best in town.  The Bluegrass Brewing Company and most other pubs include a decent corned beef sandwich to accompany their beverages.

Whether you are Irish or not, there is plenty of good corned beef and beer to wash it down that you can enjoy this St. Patrick’s day and throughout the year in Louisville.  Considered one of Southern Living Magazine’s “Tastiest Towns,” Louisville is a great place to call home.  To make it your home,  contact me, Mollie Younger of The Younger Team.  We Know Louisville.