If you are like most parents, you want your kids to have a great summer, but have some constraints on time and money. If you live in Louisville, there are so many great things to see and do that you need to make a plan! You can develop one that appeals to what your kids are interested in, will balance fun and education, and matches up with your budget.  You can use the summer to introduce them to what could become lifetime interests. If sports is their passion, for example, you can craft a package of sports activities.

Slugger Museum – If your kids love baseball, the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory offers kids a place to learn baseball history and, if you go on a weekday,  see how bats are made. They can even hold bats used by legendary player. The exhibits change, so the museum is worth a trip every year. You will receive a tiny bat as a memento, plus can order a personalized one as well. The museum is marked by a six story bat that weighs 68,000 pounds.

Ali Center – Your kids won’t remember seeing Muhammad Ali fight, but they see an array of boxing memorabilia and history at the center that bears his name.  Through interactive displays, exhibits, and videos, kids will learn the values he exhibited that work well in sports or life.

Slugger Field – Louisville may not have a professional baseball team anymore, but the Louisville Bats play at Slugger Field. The Bats are a AAA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, so seeing a minor league game is a nearby alternative to driving into Cincy for a major League game. Fittingly, the named rights to the stadium are held by Hillerich & Bradsby, manufacturers of the bats at the Slugger Museum. Single tickets range from $7-11.

All About Kids – AAK offers swimming, tumbling, gymnastics, taekwando, and dance through classes, day camps, or special events such as slumber parties or birthday parties. For only $6 a visit, the inflatable Fun Zone with mazes, ball pits, tunnels, and more is open Monday-Friday 10am-2pm for kids 6 and under and Monday-Thursday 5pm-8pm for kids 10 under.

Extreme Sports Park – Louisville’s Extreme Sports Park for skateboarding is part of the local park system, but wins rave reviews by visitors. With a 24 foot full pipe, 5, 6, 8,and 11 foot bowls, fun boxes, ledges, rails, and a street track, there is plenty of variety to appeals to skateboards of all ages and levels.

Horseback riding – Given that Louisville is a big horse town, you can give your kids the chance to ride horses first hand at the Louisville Equestrian Center or several other places around town. They offer a special  packages of 6 or 8 lessons for $225.    You want to see if your kids like the sport, there are one-time lessons available for $25 for agent 3- or $40 for age 7-adult.

Aside from a wide array of sport attractions, Louisville has an amazing city park system where kids can run, play, swim, and enjoy participating in sports teams.  When you want to open them to different types of enriching experiences with sports though, Louisville has many options.

I’m Mollie Younger from the Younger Group where We Know Louisville. Give me a call and get started in buying or selling a home in today!

Events in Louisville, June 2012

6/1/2012             The Grassroots Gala

6/1/2012             Germantown-Schnitzelburg Blues Festival

6/1/2012             Portland Family Reunion Festival

6/1/2012             Desserts! Desserts! Festival at the Cathedral of the Assumption

6/2/2012             Butchertown Art Fair

6/2/2012             British Bash Car Show

6/2/2012             Waggin’ Trail Walk for the Animals

6/2/2012             The Little Loomhouse Spin-a-Yarn Storytelling Festival

6/7-6/10/12        Hillview City Fair

6/8-6/10/12        Louisville’s Greek Festival

6/7-6/10/12        5th Annual Louisville Festival of the Arts

6/9/2012             Free Learn-to-Sail Clinic

6/9/2012             Founder’s Day Celebration

6/9/2012             Biergarten

6/11-6/29/12      Summer Arts Explosion 2012 – Shawnee Arts & Cultural Center

6/15/2012           Smokin’ on the River

6/15/2012           Kentuckiana Pride Festival Parade

Timing is everything in life. Whether you are a buyer or a seller, the timing may be right for you  this spring in Louisville real estate and around the country. Over the past couple years, we’ve talked about it being a “buyer’s market,” but things are equalizing these days.

There are currently about seven months’ worth of available home in the area, where six months’ worth means things are equal. The supply of homes is going down overall, though there will always be homes available. As a prospective buyer, a smaller supply means that what is on the market might not meet your criteria or be what you like. If you are looking for a home near the median price of $133,463, half million dollar homes might be fun to drool over, but are not realistic housing matches for you.

In the world of real estate sales (and everything else), buyers want to buy low while sellers hope to sell high. Once the market has reached equilibrium, both groups have a better idea of what to expect. Sellers don’t expect to make a killing on an overpriced house as they did a few years back, but buyers don’t anticipate scooping up a great house “dirt cheap.” Equilibrium means more fairness for both sides.

As reported in the Courier Journal, Greater Louisville Association of Realtors said that homes sales were up 14% from April from last year, while 21% more homes are pending. This trend is playing out on the national level too, as early spring activity may indicate that the housing market is moving toward recovery in some markets. Warmer-than-usual winters around the country opened the spring buying season earlier than normal too. Real estate analysts are asking if this pattern will hold.

What makes it a good time to buy or sell Louisville real estate?

Price:  The median price is rising while remaining in the ball park for buyers. Sellers who price their homes right are getting more for their homes, while buyers still can shop in an affordable range. Sellers measure this by how close the selling price is to the final asking price.

Multiple offers:  Another sign of a vigorous market is the multiple offers many sellers are seeing on their homes. Area Realtors are noticing that this is happening more these days on homes that are in good condition and priced right. As noted in another recent article in the CJ, this type of bidding war has not happened in nearly 10 years among buyers, aside from investors who vied for bank-owned homes to rehab and sell.

Mortgage Rates:  Mortgage rates for the past year have been fairly low, but the current national average rate for 30 year mortgages is 3.39%  Buyers with good credit can buy more house because with low mortgage rates, the monthly payment will be far less than when the rates are higher.

The current market puts both buyers and sellers on their toes. Sellers need to make sure their homes are in position to sell quickly, and buyers need to be prepared to pay more for what they want.

Need some help making sense of all this? I can help you buy or sell property in Butchertown or other great Louisville locations. I’m Mollie Younger from the Younger Group where We Know Louisville. Give me a call and get started today!

By the way, you might want to take a look at  few of our old blogs on this subject of buying ir selling in the current market.

How Does your Home – and its Marketing – Match Up with the Louisville Market?

A Few A – Words To Keep In Mind When Buying Your First Louisville Home

Helping Your Louisville Home Sell Itself

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