Our current economic times present most of us with a dilemma:  there are so many people in need, yet our own resources can’t do enough to help them.  In particular, kids with cancer pull at our heartstrings.  Childhood cancer is the top cause of death among children in the U.S. and Canada, while 160,000 children worldwide are diagnosed each year.  Assuming that you can’t write a big check to find a cure for children in Louisville and elsewhere, how can you help?

On Sunday, March 13, Louisville will host an event to get to the roots of the problems: the annual St. Baldrick’s Shaving Event will take place at Fourth Street Live . Over 100 volunteers will have their heads shaved by volunteer barbers to show their solidarity with children stricken with cancer – and to raise money for the cause through pledges from their family and friends.  Following the event, restaurants such as Windy City Pizzeria ,will host after shaving parties to celebrate and Irish dancers, music, and fun will mark the day.

The event is named for a fictional saint, whose name blends “bald” with “St. Patrick.”  In 2000, a group of three Irish-American reinsurance executives from Monrovia, CA came up with a unique fundraiser in conjunction with St. Patrick’s Day: a head-shaving event to benefit kids with cancer.  Twenty people who volunteered to shave their heads collected pledges from their friends in an effort to raise $17,000 on the 17^th.  They raised over $104,000 and an annual event was born.  The concept  spread throughout the county; since 2,000, over 147,000 women, including 12.000 woman, have participated and railed over $90 million. 

St.Baldrick’s was incorporated as a non-profit in 2005. Since then, it has become the largest funder of cancer research net to the U.S. government.  Over 250 grants totaling over $55 million have be give to researchers who apply for the grants.  Although the foundation’s money has not provided a cure for cancer, children who succumb to cancer now have a survival rate of over 80% as compared to 50 years ago.

With the  8th annual St. Baldrick’s event in Louisville, there is still plenty of time to participate.

Don’t want to shave your head?  Volunteer to barber, sign up participants, take pictures, or collect money with one of the Louisville teams.  Of course, any of these teams will gladly accept donations.

Can’t make the day?  There are many St. Baldrick events in the Louisville area.  St. Albert the Great will host a similar event on March 20 at 6:00pm. 

Looking for another tangible way to help children with cancer?  Many organizations, such as Locks of Love collect hair to make human hair wigs for children and adults who have lost their hair to cancer treatments.

Looking for a home in this giving city? My team and I at  Younger Group Real Estate can show you affordable homes within your budget in Butchertown, St. Matthews, The Highlands, and other great Louisville neighborhoods.  We know Louisville!

Are you in love with your significant other and also in love with the Possibility City?  Apropos of Valentine’s Day, Louisville has many great places to declare your love, celebrate your new life together, and even settle down.  Declare your love in lovable Louisville, then settle down here!

As wedding coordinator Maggie Heely recently shared in the Courier-Journal, Louisville has many romantic place to propose.  Her list included Churchill Downs, on a horse-drawn carriage ride around the city, at the rotating Rivue Restaurant  at the Galt House, or at the Gazebo overlooking Dog Hil in Cherokee Park, among others.  With so many parks, estates with beautiful landscaping, classy hotels, historic buildings, and intimate restaurants in Lousiville, the choice is unlimited.  Of course, you can tie your engagement  to your interests by pledging your troth at the Louisville Zoo, 4^th Street Live, or on the scoreboard at YUM! Center.

Planning your wedding and needing some ideas?  Louisville has bridal fairs nearly every week through March.  You can obtain the information online but if you attend the fairs at the Gilliespie, the Conrad Caldwell House in Old Louisville, or at the Marriott in the East End, you can sample the culinary delights of many area caterers and talk to vendors on person.

Looking for a site? When you’re from Louisville, your “destination wedding” can be right here. If you want elegance, you might choose a hotel wedding  at the Seelback Hilton or the Sheraton Louisville Riverside, where the scenery inside or out will make for memorable pictures.  Want compelling ambience for your guests Book the 21C Hotel Museum, Glassworks, or the Headley-Whitney Museum.  If you want to merge Louisville’s past with your future, you can wed at the Old Medical School Building, The Water Tower, Louisville Visual Art Association, or the Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center.  In the near future, you might even be able to hold your wedding in the Mega Caverns under the Kentucky Zoo.

When the wedding’s over and you want to buy your first home together, Louisville offers many exciting possibilities.  As we noted in our recent blog Enjoying a Warming Trend in Louisville Real Estate, housing prices here are more affordable than they have been in 40 years.  With prices falling, first time home buyers can settle down in a home or condo that fits their budget, plus receive added help from Kentucky First Time Buyers programs.  After you have declared your love in lovable Louisville, then settle down here!

As a newly married person myself, who resides in a home in the city, I can verify first hand that Louisville is a great place get started. My team and I at  Younger Group Real Estate can show you affordable homes within your budget in Butchertown, St. Matthews, The Highlands, and other great Louisville neighborhoods.  We know Louisville!

The warmer weather we are experiencing in Louisville, after a month or two of ice, cold, and snow reminds us that we will soon be in entering the traditional spring real estate season, where the amount of activity picks up.  As an agent who has been successful in all seasons, I tell people that waiting till spring is not necessary.  Right now, some trends in the current market favor buyers, some favor sellers, but the trend is overall positive.  I might optimistically say there is warming trend in Louisville real estate.

For buyers, housing in Louisville is as affordable as it was in January, 1969.   That doesn’t mean housing is priced the same as 40 years ago, but the ability of people to make mortgage payments on an average priced home is about the same.  Forbes Magazine even rated Louisville at #30 in the country for affordable homes, as area residents need to spend only 20% of their income on home ownership.

In actual dollars, the average Louisville buyer has to put out $141,900 to buy a home, but these prices vary by neighborhood.  There are many homes priced well under $100,000 south and west of the Central Business District.  Real estate located downtown and in Butchertown, Phoenix Hill, Old Louisville, and much of the East End command higher prices.

Added to the reasonable prices, interest rates are currently hovering around 5% for a 30 year fixed mortgage, also allows a buyer to get more purchasing power.  This figure is predicted to be the norm throughout 2011,

The other thing that plays into housing affordability is the unemployment rate.  Current rates in Louisville in February, 2011 are 9.8% , above the national average of 9%.  The unemployed or those recovering from a bout of joblessness will be unable it share in the real home values, but those fortunate enough to be workings can benefit from the combination of low prices and low interest.

Sellers of property under $240,000 are likely to sell their homes more quickly, as there is more demand for homes below this amount.  Housing inventory for homes below this price point is expected to decline, so seller may see more interest in their properties, more open house visitors, more competition, and multiple offers.  Right now the average days on market (DOM) for Louisville property is 70 days, the lowest since 2005 when 65 days was the norm.  More than ever, correctly pricing the home is key to selling at or below the average DOM.

Enjoy the warming trend in Louisville real estate.  My team and I at  Younger Group Real Estate can show you affordable homes within your budget in Butchertown, St. Matthews, The Highlands, and other great Louisville neighborhoods.  We know Louisville!