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Boone County Public Library is pleased to announce that they have been awarded a $100,000 Smart investing@your library® grant to provide financial education programs to the community.

Boone County Public Library was one of 16 public libraries, and the only one in Kentucky, selected for the grant by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation as part of Smart investing@your library®. This prestigious grant will help Boone County Public Library to provide effective, unbiased financial and investor education to the community. The Library was invited to apply for this funding opportunity and was one of 80 libraries to submit proposals.

"This generous grant from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation couldn't have come at a better time," said Library Director Greta Southard. "Smart investing@your library® allows us to meet a critical need for people to have information they can trust to help them arrive at a brighter financial future. We surveyed our community to discover which financial topics they wanted to learn more about and to find out how they preferred to receive the information.  We used the results from the survey to tailor our financial program outlined in the grant proposal to our community's needs and interests. We wouldn't have been able to write this grant without community feedback. Thank you, Boone County! We look forward to using the grant to create innovative programs to help you prosper!"

With the funding, the Library will partner with the Brighton Center to provide a year of financial learning experiences to families in Boone County. The initiative will be called "Earn, Spend, Save" and include collaborations with the State of Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions and Boone County Schools. Targeted programs and print resources will be implemented for all age groups, from preschoolers to senior citizens.

"Our plan is to offer programs for all ages on the same nights at the same times," said Carrie Herrmann, the Library's project coordinator for the grant. "Families will be able to participate without having to look for childcare. We want to make it easy for everyone in Boone County to participate and benefit from this grant."

The Earn, Spend, Save program will launch in August, watch for more information.

--Submitted by The Boone County Library

FREE Personalized Phone Call From Santa

by The Mike Parker Team

Written by: Jill Kuchle, The Mike Parker Team

For those of us with kids, the holiday season brings all sorts of magic through a child's eyes.  Not only do the kids really get into the holiday spirit but their behavior suddenly takes a turn for the better when they hear the "Santa is watching."  What better way to keep that spirit alive than having Santa call your house.   From now until Christmas Eve, Cincinnati Bell is providing FREE personalized calls from Santa.  You can have Santa call your house as much as you would like and as many times a day as you would like.  We do this each year in our home and my boys LOVE it!  They get such a kick out of hearing Santa say their name and hearing him on the phone.  Just follow the link below and get your official call from the big man himself:

http://www.cincinnatibell.com/consumer/holiday/

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours....

365 Things To Do In Northern Kentucky - Fountain Square

by The Mike Parker Team

If you're looking for something to do to add a little jingle to your step, grab the family and head down to Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati for some holiday fun.  Saturday's in December (3, 10. 17) Santa rappels down the side of the 525 Vine Building, to the Macy's rooftop at Fountain Square to kick off an awesome holiday fireworks display.  The 20-minute family fun program also features strolling entertainers, holiday characters and holiday music.  The fun begins at 5:30pm when the choir starts to sing and Santa begins his decent at 6:30pm.

Immediately following the fireworks, join Mrs. Claus for some cookies, crafts and story-time at Macy's Fountain Place on 505 Vine Street.  You can also grab your skates or rent a pair and skate at the ice rink at Fountain Square.  Cost is $2.50 for admission and $2.50 for skate rental.  Hours are 10a.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday - Thursday and 10 a.m. to Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

See the sights and sounds of downtown on a carriage ride.  boarding at the corner of Fifth and Race streets take a free horse drawn trolley carriage ride through the heart of Cincinnati.  Rides run Dec. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 from Noon to 5pm (final boarding at 4:45pm).

And don't forget to bring your camera for photos with Santa.  He'll be on Fountain Square from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Sundays from Noon - 6 p.m. and Monday thru Thursday from Noon - 6 p.m.  He'll be there until December 24th right before he must leave for annual trip around the world.

Brought to you by The Mike Parker Team/HUFF Realty.  Have a safe and happy holiday season.

 

 

 

 

365 Things To Do In Northern Kentucky - FREE PICTURES WITH SANTA!!

by The Mike Parker Team

One Size Doesn't Fit All...

by The Mike Parker Team

One Size Doesn't Fit All

Rarely, does one size fit everyone and the same goes for advice. The following suggestion is not right for everyone. However, for people with job security and who don't own a home; for people with good credit and enough savings for a down payment, there may never be a better time to buy a home.

 

Homes have had a significant price correction but in many markest, they have started to rise again. The lower prices combined with historically low interest rates make this an opportune time to buy a home if you can afford it.

One of the reasons homes are an attractive investment is that fact that you can use a small down payment and finance the balance for 30 years. The principle, called leverage, allows you to earn a return on the value of the home rather than the actual cash investment. Small appreciation can create a large rate of return on the initial investment of the down payment and closing costs.

The following example is a projection at the end of five years for a $175,000 home with 3% closing costs and a 5% interest rate for a 30 year term. The rate you see in each column is an annual rate of return based on the equity of the home at the end of the five year period due to both appreciation and amortization of the loan.

 

The nature of positive leverage will cause the returns to be higher with a smaller down payment. As you see in the table, the return is higher on the 3.5% down payment than with the 10% or 20% down payment.

If you're curious to see if this advice might fit your situation, you really need to sit down with a knowledgeable real estate professional who can help you assess your position. It's worth the time because there may never be a better opportunity than now.

365 Things To Do In Northern Kentucky - Jack-O-Lantern Walk

by The Mike Parker Team

Halloween is in the air which means it's time for the Boone County Parks Jack-O-Lantern Walk and Contest located in Central Park and join in in the fun.

From 8:30 - 9:30 am bring your pumpkins then return at 7:30pm until 9:30pm and walk the trails and enjoy all of the pumpkins.  They'll be lit up in all their glory.  The walk is free and to enter your pumpkin it only costs $1.00. 

Happy Halloween!!

365 Things To Do in Northern Kentucky - Halloween 2011

by The Mike Parker Team

Ok all you ghosts and goblins.  It's that time of year again and if you're looking for a scare or just somewhere fun to take the kids and enjoy the fall here is our list of pumpkin patches and Haunted Houses...

Pumpkin Patches

Benton Farms

11946 Old Lexington Pike
Walton, KY 41094
859-485-7000

Shaw Farms

513-575-2022
Milford, OH

Daniels Petting Farm & Pumpkin Patch

1850 WALTON NICHOLSON PIKE
WALTON, KY 41094
859-363-8623

Kinmon Farms

4175 BURLINGTON PIKE
BURLINGTON, KY 41005
859-689-2682

McGlasson Farms

5832 River Rd.
Hebron, KY 41049
859-689-5229

 

Haunted Houses

BENTON FARMS
Haunted House
Weekends In October
11946 Old Lexington Pike
Walton, KY 41094
859-485-7000

USS Nightmare
Wednesdays and Thursdays 7pm - 11pm
Friday & Saturday 7pm - 1am...... Sun. 7pm - 11pm
Through November 1st .....

Located on the river at Newport on the Levee

St. Rita Haunted House
October 2nd -November 1st
Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday

Free Parking
The Haunted House is located on the school grounds.

Kings Island
Mason, OH
Halloween Haunt

Haunted Hayride
Sandyland Acres
Petersburg, KY
This hayride has won numerous haunt awards and offers individual and group rates.
859-689-4283 or 859-322-0516

Dent Haunted Schoolhouse
5963 Harrison Ave.
Cincinnati OH 45248
Every Friday and Saturday, The Dent Schoolhouse is open from 7:30 pm to 12:00 pm. On every Sunday The Dent Schoolhouse is open from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm.

Land of Illusion
5 terrorizing events, choose one or enter them all!!  All at your own risk of coarse!!
8762 Thomas Rd.
Middletown, OH 45042
Open until November 1, 2009

HallZOOween
Discover the "creepy and the crawly," weekends in October, at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden during the annual HallZOOween celebration. Little ghouls and boys, ages 12 and under, can enjoy three spooktacular weekends of fun, from 12 - 5 p.m.

365 Things to Do In Northern Kentucky - Swiss Wine Festival

by The Mike Parker Team

Just over the river in Switzerland County, Indiana is the Swiss Wine Festival.  It its 40th year, the four day event is fun for all ages.  Located on Vevay's waterfront, the festival is a unique tradition that includes boat cruises up and down the Ohio River, a wine pavilion, beer garden, a parade, fireworks, arts and crafts, Amish goods and games.  The festival runs from August 25 - 28.

The Grand Festival Parade takes place on Saturday morning at 10 am and festival goers can enjoy a round of stone toss or splashing grape stomp, sample some of Indiana's most delectable wines and be entertained by various music bands ranging from country to polka.

The festival is located at the Paul Ogle Riverfront Park where Indiana highway 56 and 156 meet.  Come on over to Indiana and enjoy the fun.

Vevay Indiana is located across the river from historic Warsaw, Kentucky.  The Mike Parker Team is proud to present the some historic homes near the Vevay area in Northern Kentucky.  Homes from yesteryear with today's conveniences.  For more things to do check out our blog series titled "365 Things To Do in Northern Kentucky."  Or "like" us on Facebook.

 


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365 Things To Do In Northern Kentucky - Boone County Fair

by The Mike Parker Team

Boone County Fair

Now that the weather had cooled out, grab the kids and head on out to the Boone County Fair at the Fairgrounds in Burlington, Kentucky on 5819 Idlewild Rd.  Admission is $8.00 after 2:00pm on Thursday and Friday and after 8:00am on Saturday.  Admission includes unlimited rides, grandstand entertainment and other events.  There is an additional charge to ride the live ponies.  Ride the rides, see the shows and taste all the wonderful food!!!

This is the remaining schedule:

There's so much to do in Northern Kentucky.  "Like" us on Facebook for more of our ongoing series titled "365 Things To Do In Northern Kentucky."  Our Facebook page is also filled with community information as well as current real estate market updates.  Brought to you by The Mike Parker Team of HUFF Realty - Northern Kentucky Real Estate Experts.

NKYHomes.com Northern Kentucky Residential Real Estate Report

by The Mike Parker Team

The following information was taken from the Northern Kentucky Multiple Listing Service (MLS) on August 9, 2011.  It reflects the residential properties in the MLS.  This includes residential homes, condominiums and town-homes.  All information is as of January 1, 2011.

  Active Listings Listings Under Contract Sold Listings
# Properties 3882 677 2438

 

 

 

Approximately the average number of homes sold per month so far in 2011 has been 348.  This makes an 11.16 month supply of residential property in Northern Kentucky.

Out of those 3882 active listings, there are 190 active foreclosed properties for sale that are foreclosures.  That is 5% of our residential inventory in the MLS.  Year to date, 587 foreclosed properties have sold.  That's approximatly 24% of our sales since January 1, 2011.  This is about the same number as its been for the last two years.  Recieve your list of NKY Bank Owned Homes and foreclosed properties for sale in Northern Kentucky today. 

Inside the Northern Kentucky MLS there are 423 "NEW" homes for sale (New homes by builders).  259 "NEW" construction homes have sold since January 1, 2011.

Feel free to sign up to receive listings in the Northern Kentucky MLS delivered right to your inbox.  You can also sign up to receive Bank Owned Homes or a get a free market analysis of your home

"Like" us on Facebook for more reports like this as well as community information and exciting property listings.

The following information was brought to you by Mike Parker of HUFF Realty "Northern Kentucky's Real Estate Expert."  Contact him today today for all of your real estate needs.

Displaying blog entries 261-270 of 400

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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