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Displaying blog entries 31-40 of 40

Featured Homes of the Week Podcast for Oct. 29, 2007!!

Wednesday, October 31, 2007
by Mike Parker
To hear this weeks featured homes of the week podcast simply click on http://www.switchpod.com/f44410.html?puser=none.  To view the tours, check out www.nkyhomesandland.com!!! 

Trick or Treat Times in Northern Kentucky 2007

Thursday, October 25, 2007
by Mike Parker

Happy Halloween!!!!  Listed below are trick or treat dates and times for area Northern Kentucky communities.  These are correct to the best of our knowledge but please check with your local community if you have any questions.

Boone County
Burlington: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Florence: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Hebron: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Richwood: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Union: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Boone County: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Walton: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.

Campbell County
Alexandria: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 - 8 pm.
Bellevue: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2 to 5 pm
Cold Spring: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 5 to 7 p.m.
Dayton: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 12 to 3 p.m.
Ft. Thomas: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 5 to 7 p.m.
Newport: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Southgate Wednesday, Oct. 31 4 to 7 pm

Kenton County
Covington: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Crescent Springs: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Crestview Hills: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Edgewood: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Erlanger: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.*
Ft. Mitchell: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Ft. Wright: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Independence: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Ludlow: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Villa Hills: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.

Grant County

Dry Ridge: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.

Crittenden:  Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.

Williamstown:  Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.

Corinth: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.

Gallatin County

Warsaw: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!

 

 

Northern Kentucky Market Update Oct. 8, 2007

Monday, October 8, 2007
by Mike Parker
Market Update for 10/08/07
 
 
Active listing for Single Family, Condo/Townhomes and farms – 4221
Sold since 1/1/07 = 4736
Market data as of 10/08/07 at 11:30 AM EST
 
The above data show that there is 8.24 months of supply of homes for Northern Kentucky using the Absorption rate. The absorption rate is figure by dividing the numbers of months into the amount of homes sold. Take that number and divide it into the number of homes for sale (Active) that will give you the number of months on the market by supply.
4736 divide by nine and ¼ months= 512 homes sold per month average
 
4221 homes for sale divide by 512 homes per month sold average = 8.24 months of supply
 
NAR (National Association of Realtors) says that anything under a 6 month supply of home is a Seller’s market and anything over is a Buyer’s market. As you can see we are in a Buyers market, you just have to listen to the news or read a newspaper and they will tell you that.
 
The last two weeks have seen a small increase in showings. Buyers are just darn right picky, they got a lot to choose from, they are in no hurry and they feel if they don’t get a steal, they got cheated.
 
I look for the market to stay like it has to late fall ‘08, showings will continue till near Christmas and then we will have the Holiday slow down.
 
What is selling homes today!?!?!
PRICE! PRICE ! PRICE! And excellent top notch CONDITION. Buyers now days are lazy in that they do not want to do any work, they want the home turn key, just move in condition. They have no time, usually both parents are working and running the kids around or busy with social and work things, people just don’t have time any more to fix things up. Want to get your home SOLD?  Work on the price and have that home in top notch condition.  
 Any questions about the market feel free to call of HUFF Realty at 859-647-0700 or email him at Mike@MikeParker.com

Featured Homes of the Week for Oct. 1- 7, 2007 Podcast!!!

Monday, October 1, 2007
by Mike Parker
Listen to our featured homes of the week podcast by clicking on http://www.switchpod.com/f41171.html?puser=none and visit them visually by clicking on www.nkyhomesandland.com!!!

Kentucky Association of Realtors Meeting Information....

Thursday, September 27, 2007
by Mike Parker
Interested in what was discussed at  the Kentucky Assocaition of Realtors meeting?  Check out our podcast.....visit http://www.switchpod.com/f40788.html?puser=none.

Home Improvements Make A Big Difference!!!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007
by Mike Parker

Submitted by Jill Kuchle:

Many times people think by having a swimming pool or other "luxury" items inside their home, it will get them more money for their home.  Not necessarily!  A swimming pool or a built-in spa may not cause a home to sell for any additional money.  In lower price ranges, it may even hurt the sale of the home.  As the price goes up, more of the cost may be recovered but as a rough rule of thumb, you can generally only expect to get half of what the pool cost. 
 
More examples of items that don't increase value include wool or other high
quality carpeting.  Oak paneling compared to ash paneling, solid brass plumbing fixtures, and slate or aluminum roofs.  Reason being, the new buyer expects the quality to be good but will not usually pay for the top of the line.  On the other hand, there are some improvements that can cause the home to sell for more money and should be considered by homeowners especially
when updating is appropriate. 
 
 Kitchens and bathrooms will date a home quicker than anything. An updated kitchen with new appliances, counter tops and attractive cabinets will make buyers get excited and can make the difference when deciding between two homes.  A tremendous change can be made in a
bathroom by adding new light fixtures, new mirrors, and neutral paint  to
complement the colors featured in the type of flooring you have.  Don't expect a buyer to have the imagination to be able to see what your home will look like if they replace the carpet, paint, or add new appliances.  Take the time and spend the money to make these improvements before you put your home on the market. It will sell quicker and for more money than if you give the buyer an "allowance".
 
For more advice on making home improvements to sell your home quickly, contact The Team today  at 859-647-0700 or email Mike at mike@mikeparker.com .

The Northern Kentucky Real Estate Market..What Can I Expect??

Thursday, September 20, 2007
by Mike Parker
Fall is here and that should be good for the real estate market for a couple of reasons.  First, July and August are always slower than most of the year.  I call it a roller-coaster season.  You have people trying to get vacation in before school starts and then when school starts, the market (in a normal market) does not pick back up until usually 7 - 10 days AFTER Labor Day.  The second reason is the media has slowed down on chewing on the mortgage business all over the front pages of our newspapers and the TV.  This tends to scare a lot of people off.  I guess one of the advantages of bing in the real estate business for over 20 years is that you know when the market goes up and down.
 
The past 18 months have not been anything like a normal market.  I do not see our market for the next 9 months, improving.  I actually see it still staying like ti is now, maybe sliding even a little back-wards.  Look for prices to pretty much stay where they are.  I do not see any appreciation in the next 9 months.
 
The rate change has been good but it is going to take more than that to get the buyers out.  Our inventory is about 10% to 15% higher than normal, but we have 40% to 50% less buyers in the market.  That is why you are seeing longer days on the market.  Look for it to continue.
 
Here is pretty good advice.  If you are going to sell your home, price it right for the get go - AT MARKET VALUE!!  Don't give yourself room for negotiating - there is no room for that in this current market.
 
There are five things that sell real estate:
1.  Price
2.  Location
3.  Condition
4.  Terms
5.  Agent you select
 
Price and condition are HUGE in a market like this.  You have to be priced at fair market value or below, and your condition must be in TOP NOTCH- your home has to shine!!!  The front door area and walking up to the home as to be in TOP FORM!  The home has to be exceptionally clean and roomy, not too much furniture and not a bunch or toys or things laying out across the room!  Price and Condition are EVERYTHING in this market!!
 
MARKET FORECAST
 
Look for our market to stay soft, the underwriters for the mortgage companies have tightened the loop buyers have to jump through and have made it a lot tougher to get a loan.  We will see 20% to 30 % more rejections from the mortgage companies.  You will see less people applying for loans because they are scared of the process.  You can still get a 100% loan, but the cost of that loan is high and you have to have a 700 plus credit score to get it.  A lot of people just don't have that good enough of a credit score.
 
Our traffic will remain lighter than normal, it will be better than it was in July and August but lighter than the last 3 or 4 years.  If you have your home for sale or are thinking about putting your home up for sale, work on the condition and work on the price. 
 
Here is the BRIGHT side of our market.  There has NEVER been a better time to buy a home than now!!  You might be getting less for your home today, but you are saving more money buying your next home because that seller is in the same boat you are.  Builders are giving HUGE incentives to build so you can get great buys there too!! 
 
The market is what the market is.  The Northern Kentucky real estate market has run strong for the last ten years.  We did not see the appreciation that the rest of the country saw, but we did well.  Look for the next two to three years to be steady at best.
 
For any comments or questions feel free to contact at mike@mikeparker.com

How Much Can I Spend on a New Home?????

Friday, August 24, 2007
by Mike Parker

Submitted by Jill Kuchle:

You might have an idea of the loan payment and mortgage you can afford. But how will the bank feel?   It's always best to get pre-qualifed for a mortgage so you know exactly how much a bank or other financial institution would be willing to lend you.   And it will let you look at homes that are definately within your price range!!  This way, there will be no disapointments!!!

In the pre-qualification process, you will find out: 

- Exactly how much home or land you can afford. 

- How much cash you will need for the down payment. 

- The minimum down payment, and advantages of higher down payments. 

- What the bank feels you can afford for a monthly payment. 

We have a terrific lender who can help you will all your residential mortage needs.  Just contact our office today for more information.  859-647-0700.

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT OUR MOVING VAN????

After almost four years our free moving van has been a HUGE hit with far more interest than we ever imagined.  More and more of our clients are using the van in their HOA (home owners association) events, or moving chairs for a school PTA event or even for church raffles.  Did you know we make it available FREE for these purposes?  If you have a charitable non-profit event coming up and need to move stuff, moving yourself, or give use of the van away in a raffle, contact us today and book the van out.  It's all a part of supporting the community that has been so good to us.

Please don't forget it's also yours to use when you need to pick up that new antique chest of drawers you found at the neighborhood estate sale, or maybe helping the lady next door move into her new condo!!

Call us to schedule the van, it is of course always subject to prior reservation, and please note you must be 21 years old with a valid license and insurance, and the truck cannot go more than 50 miles from Florence.  Other terms and conditions apply to satisfy our insurance agent, but please it's there to be used! 

 

How Do I Get My House Ready To Sell?????

Thursday, August 16, 2007
by Mike Parker

Submitted by Jill Kuchle:

You just found out your company is re-locating you or you have decided up downsize or maybe your family has outgrown your current home, whatever your situation, it's time to put your house on the market - now the main question that is on your mind is, "How do I get my house ready to sell???"

Look no further....these few steps will help you get your house in tip top shape AND get you the offer you want!!

  • Open the curatins and let the sun in - nothing makes a house look better than good ol natural light!!
  • Install high wattage light bulbs.
  • Remove ALL clutter from each room - including many personal items such as photos!
  • If you have a fireplace, highlight it.
  • Keep your home dusted and vacuummed at ALL times.
  • Ktichens and bathrooms should always be kept SPOTLESS.  If you don't hardly use it - pack it away!!
  • Expand your counter space by removing small appliances.
  • If your carpet doesn't clean up well, REPLACE IT!!!
  • Put away family photos until your home is under contract.
  • Make sure the Front Door Bell works.
  • Invest in a new door mats.
  • Make sure the front door works effortlessly!
  • Regardless of the season, tackle spring cleaning.
  • CLEAN EVERYTHING in your home from top to bottom!!
  • Wash ALL windows INSIDE and OUT.
  • Repair any holes resulting from nails or other mishaps.
  • Freshly paing all inside walls.
  • Repair or replace broken tiles on walls, floors or in showers/tubs.
  • Repair or replace loose wall paper.
  • If the basement shows any signs of water or structural damange it may be necessary to obtain a structural engineer's report.
  • Water and prune ALL plants (both inside and out!!)
  • Remove any excess extension cords and exposed wires.

If you have any other questions concerning getting your home ready to sell.  Feel free to contact us and we can get you ready to sell quick!!!

 

Selling Your Home When You Own Pets!!!

Wednesday, August 8, 2007
by Mike Parker

Submitted by Jill Kuchle:

Many real estate agents are animal lovers and have pets of their own, but we have all shared stories of having our fingers or ankles nipped by furry creatures during a showing. We have opened the front door to the home we are showing only to have a purebred Persian kitten or Golden Retriever dart out the door toward the nearest busy street.   (And trust me, that is not fun...)

If you have pets and are going to put your house on the market, be sure to work out the showing arrangements carefully. It is important for Real Estate agents  to be able to communicate to our colleagues what to expect when they pass through your front door. It is rare for pets to pose significant problems, but big dogs can be menacing. Buyers or agents may be allergic or even a little phobic (or a lot phobic) about dogs or cats! 

It is difficult to get a buyer excited about your home if he or she is sneezing continuously or unwilling to cross the threshold because your dog is barking away intruders.  (Trust us on this one!!)  If your agent knows there might be a problem, they can arrange ahead of time for you to walk the dog, vacuum the cat dander or do whatever is necessary to make sure that the showing goes smoothly.  Not only will it make you feel better but it will also let the potential buyer know you take great pride in your home! 

I am a complete animal lover and have a dog and cat of my own but I know first hand the trouble alergies and smells can pose.  If you have any questions about how to sell your house with pets inside, just ask The Team for some friendly advice!!! 

Displaying blog entries 31-40 of 40

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Photo of Mike Parker - CRS Real Estate
Mike Parker - CRS
HUFF Realty
60 Cavalier Blvd.
Florence KY 41042
859-647-0700
859-486-3300
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