Mortgage Rates lowest in 37 years

Freddie Mac started its interest rate survey in 1971 and the current rate of 5.17% (national average) is the lowest ever. Coupled with many motivated sellers and today's rate, it's a great time to buy.

Source WSJ

2009 BAH Rates Fort Knox Kentucky are available

The Fort Knox BAH Rates for 2009 did not increase across the board. Enlisted soldiers, E1-E5, took a slight reduction (about $30/month) while the E6-E9 soldiers and officers got a large increase of approximately $180 per month. Except for the O1 who gets $1 more.

Mortgage interest rates are amazing right now (around 5.17%), you can get a pretty nice home without going over your BAH.

Overall the change is pretty good but not as good as the 2008 BAH increases for Knox.

We have posted the 2009 rates along with the history for each pay grade. The history is for Fort Knox Kentucky off base housing and covers 1998 through 2009. It's interesting to see how they have changed.
i.e. An E6 (with dependents) received $536 in 1998 and currently receives $1,161

Viewing homes near Elizabethtown and Fort Knox Kentucky

You have found some homes in the Fort Knox Kentucky area and you are itching to go look at them. Before embarking on your quest, there are a few things that you should do to prepare. Ask your Kentucky REALTOR to provide you with the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) listing sheets. You can look these documents over as you tour the properties close to Fort Knox. You may also wish to take a digital camera, flashlight, tape measure, pen/pencil and notebook.

The MLS listing sheets will have the vital information of the homes. Square footage, year of construction, number of bedrooms/bathrooms and much more information will be located on these sheets. You may wish to compare the information on the sheet to the actual home. Sometimes erroneous information is listed and this should be cleared up when you tour, or shortly thereafter.

Use the notebook to save any questions you may have regarding the homes and any additional information you require such as utility costs and taxes. You may also wish to make notes of your likes and dislikes, i.e. proximity to Fort Knox. I suggest my buyers rank the homes as we look so they always know which one is their favorite and which ones are the backups. Take photos of the rooms, yard, and other features to refresh your memory when you later discuss the home.

You should have a flashlight because sometimes the electric is off, and also it may be needed to make cursory inspections of attics and crawl spaces or other dark areas in the home. A full blown home inspection comes after you have a contract on the house. Note any apparent water marks on the ceiling, floor joists or walls. You will want to find out what caused the marks, and what, if any repairs were made.

When done touring homes, you need to discuss your questions with your Elizabethtown Kentucky real estate agent. If you've found the home you want, it's now time to review all the information, decide how much of an earnest money deposit will be acceptable, and make an offer. Sometimes a property is sold as-is so take a careful look at the property disclosure statement(s) with your real estate agent. The disclosure statements are filled out by the property owner and should list any defects of which the owner is aware. If the home was constructed before 1978 there should also be a lead paint disclosure which the seller has filled out. In this document the sellers must disclose any knowledge they have of lead paint used in the home.

The home buying process may seem a bit daunting at first but a good REALTOR can guide you through and help you maximize your investment.

Hardin County Kentucky Real Estate Market Statistics (Q3)

Third Quarter Fort Knox Kentucky Housing Market Area Report*

377 homes sold (440 third quarter 2007)
674 new listings (454 third quarter 2007)


*Market area includes 4 Hardin County cities/towns Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Vine Grove, and Rineyville. All residential house styles are included except mobile homes and modular homes. Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data from Heart of Kentucky Association of REALTORS (HKAR).

Real Estate for sale in Elizabethtown Kentucky

101 Penbrooke Drive is a custom built 2 story, Kentucky home that has 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. It's nestled in Elizabehtown’s beautiful Whembly Forest subdivision. It features laminate hardwood flooring and Italian counter tops. The covered front porch and large lot add a nice country feel. The bonus room could be used as an office or sitting room. The basement has plenty of storage space. Entertain in the formal dining room or enjoy company on the deck.

Vine Grove Kentucky Real Estate for Sale

Brick ranch located in Vine Grove, KY has 3 bedrooms and 1 bath. This fantastic starter home features modern cabinets/counter tops and hardwood floors throughout. The full, walkout basement provides plenty of storage and can be used as a work area. Enjoy peaceful Vine Grove as you spend time in the spacious backyard. Just minutes from the Meade County line and Ft. Knox.

Elizabethtown 2 story for sale in Kentucky

This beautiful Kentucky home has 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. It's located in Elizabethtown's quiet Bent Creek subdivision. Just minutes from I-65 and local restaurants. With over 2,900 sqft this home has the space and the features buyers are looking for. The bonus room might be used as a 4th bedroom or large office. The hardwood floors in the foyer, living room and dining area are stunning and the finished basement includes a family/play room and media room. It has a 2 car garage and additional storage in the attic. The corner lot is detailed with landscaping.

Large Elizabethtown KY Ranch for Sale

770 Spring Road is a large ranch that sits on a beautifully landscaped lot. It has a nice covered front porch and a fenced backyard. Enjoy company on the deck or entertain in the over-sized dining room. With over 2,000 square feet, this 4 bedroom 2 bath home has a ton of space.

Prestigious golf course subdivision home for sale in Elizabethtown KY

This home is a spacious 2 story that has more than 2,500 square feet. It’s located in a well maintained, prestigious golf course subdivision, The Woods at Pine Valley. There are 3 large bedrooms, 2.5 baths and an absolutely wonderful kitchen. Sitting around the outdoor wood burning fireplace, you will enjoy the privacy of the 6 foot back yard fence. The insulated sun porch is a welcomed upgrade.

Elizabethtown KY starter home for sale

Newly remodeled home on a cul-de-sac street in southern Elizabethtown Kentucky (map). New carpet and vinyl flooring, ceiling fans, fresh paint, and new windows.

Nicholas Ridge 2 story for sale Elizabethtown Kentucky

706 Clear Spring Court is a well maintained 2 story home. It's located in Nicholas Ridge subdivision, Elizabethtown Kentucky. 3 bedrooms / 2.5 baths and a $4,000 privacy fence. The master bedroom is a wonderful size and sports two walk-in closets. The big lot in the cul-de-sac backs up to mature trees. Elizabethtown Independent school district and proximity to I-65 are wonderful.

Agents don't answer their phones

We've only had a couple of agents tell us they didn't like our showing service, AccuShow. The reason is they had to be put on hold. I would rather be put on hold for a minute or two then not be able to show the house.
It's the 3rd of July and most agents are probably working on holiday plans. That's fine, agents need lives too. The problem is that seller's homes are not getting shown because the agents don't answer their phones.

I wish every agent invested in a showing service so I could show my buyer some houses. As a seller, I wouldn't be happy if I knew my agent were not answering his/her phone.

Hardin County Kentucky Real Estate Market Statistics (Q2)

Second Quarter Fort Knox Kentucky Housing Market Area Report*

273 homes sold (331 second quarter 2007)
500 new listings (480 second quarter 2007)


*Market area includes 4 Hardin County cities/towns Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Vine Grove, and Rineyville. All residential house styles are included except mobile homes and modular homes. Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data from Heart of Kentucky Association of REALTORS (HKAR).

Hardin County Kentucky Real Estate Market Statistics (monthly)

June Fort Knox Kentucky Housing Market Area Report*

90 homes sold (down from 96 last month)
170 new listings (up from 151 last month)

RESULT: Worsening over last month.


*Market area includes 4 Hardin County cities/towns Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Vine Grove, and Rineyville. All residential house styles are included except mobile homes and modular homes. Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data from Heart of Kentucky Association of REALTORS (HKAR).

Radcliff Kentucky Real Estate Market Statistics (weekly)

June 22-28 Radcliff Kentucky Housing Market Area Report*

28 homes sold
37 new listings
25 homes went pending (under contract)

*Market area includes 4 Hardin County cities/towns Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Vine Grove, and Rineyville. All house styles are included except mobile homes and modular homes. Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data from Heart of Kentucky Association of REALTORS (HKAR).

Vine Grove Kentucky Real Estate Market Statistics (weekly)

June 15-21 Vine Grove Kentucky Housing Market Area Report*

21 homes sold
39 new listings
20 homes went pending (under contract)

*Market area includes 4 Hardin County cities/towns Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Vine Grove, and Rineyville. All house styles are included except mobile homes and modular homes. Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data from Heart of Kentucky Association of REALTORS (HKAR).

Elizabethtown KY Ranch for Sale

Enjoy the breeze and the peaceful view on the rear screened porch then relax in the whirlpool tub. This newer 3 bedroom 2 bath home is in the sought-after Shaw Creek subdivision of Elizabethtown (close to shopping). Granite, marble, and ceramic tile floors. Double tray ceiling in living room and master bedroom. Freshly painted and new carpet. Included with the home: appliances, riding mower, and 57 inch TV.

Photos of homes for sale. Good, bad and ulgy.

If you were selling your Ft Knox Kentucky area home, would you allow your home to be marketed like this?

Would you rather have huge (800x600) wide-angle slideshow photos?

98%** of buyers find photos useful. You would not believe the photos we see. Some homes only have one photo. Buyers want to narrow the selection before they actually visit homes. If there is only one photo, buyers may just skip it all together. We take many photos so buyers can decide if it's right for them. When a buyers visit one of our listings they already know they like the home because they've already seen everything online.

**National Association of REALTORS Profile of Buyers and Sellers 2007

Elizabethtown Kentucky Real Estate Market Statistics (weekly)

June 8th-14th Elizabethtown Kentucky Housing Market Area Report*

15 homes sold
35 new listings
21 homes went pending (under contract)

*Market area includes 4 Hardin County cities/towns Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Vine Grove, and Rineyville. All house styles are included except mobile homes and modular homes. Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data from Heart of Kentucky Association of REALTORS (HKAR).

Selling your Kentucky House? New commission plans are here

HardinHomes has revised its full service RE/MAX home selling commission pricing plans to make it easier on you the home seller. We are offering the full package and the house seller gets to choose which real estate commission plan works best for his/her situation.

1) The first option is to pay 4% of the selling price when the deal is done (at closing/settlement) and pay nothing upfront.

2) The second option is for the serious seller and saver. The home seller only pays 3% at closing and pays $695 upfront.

Let's assume your Fort Knox Kentucky area home sells for $200,000. Traditionally you might pay 6% which would be $12,000. With our 4% plan, the commission is $8,000 which is paid using the proceeds from the house. With the 3% plan you can save an additional $1,305 by paying the $695 upfront (1% - $695 = $1,305).

Don't pay 6%
  6% = $12,000
  4% = $8,000 (save $4,000)
  3% = $6,695 (save $5,305 even after paying the $695 upfront fee)

We're excited about these new options to save Fort Knox KY home sellers money, we hope you like them. Tell us what you think and what other options you would like to see.

Radcliff Kentucky Real Estate Market Statistics (weekly)

June 1st-7th Radcliff Kentucky Housing Market Area Report*

22 homes sold
50 new listings
28 homes went pending (under contract)

*Market area includes 4 Hardin County cities/towns Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Vine Grove, and Rineyville. All house styles are included except mobile homes and modular homes. Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data from Heart of Kentucky Association of REALTORS (HKAR).

Hardin County Kentucky Real Estate Market Statistics (monthly)

May Fort Knox Kentucky Housing Market Area Report*

96 homes sold (up from 87 last month)
151 new listings (down from 178 last month)

RESULT: Improvement over last month.


*Market area includes 4 Hardin County cities/towns Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Vine Grove, and Rineyville. All residential house styles are included except mobile homes and modular homes. Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data from Heart of Kentucky Association of REALTORS (HKAR).

Nicholas Ridge Subdivision Etown Yard Sale

Neighbors in the Nicholas Ridge Subdivision (Elizabethtown, Kentucky) unite to have a community yard sale. It's followed up with a "block party" social event.

Elizabethtown KY Home with Finished Basement for sale

Welcome Home! This beautiful Etown Kentucky house has 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. It's located in the gorgeous Nicholas Ridge subdivision. It's also in the Elizabethtown Independent city school district. With over 2,300 sqft it has all the room you’ll need. The oak hardwood floor in the foyer is stunning and the finished basement includes a family room and 4th bedroom. It has a 2 car garage and additional storage in the basement. Not only is it located in a cul-de-sac but sits on a corner lot. Relax by the fireplace after entertaining in the formal dining room. Call 800-963-5741 to tour this home today.

Things that will sell your Hardin County house

As complicated as real estate is, there are really only two things that will sell your Hardin County Kentucky house, price and exposure.
"Two things, but what about everything else? Aren't condition, location, and supply/demand important?". They are important but those should be factored into the price. For the amenities (beds/bath, finished basement, etc), square footage, supply/demand, and location, your house has a selling (value) range. The condition is what will determine where your house will sell within that range. If you have deferred maintenance, poor curb appeal, and/or a cluttered home then you could be at the bottom of your home's value range. If you want to sell in the shortest time and receive the most money for your home near Fort Knox Kentucky then you should hire an appraiser. An appraiser will cost roughly $250 but will save you time and money.

Exposure is the other thing that will get your house sold. Even if your house is priced way too low, it still won't sell if no one knows about it. On the other hand your home could have the best exposure available and if it's priced too high it won't sell either. The MLS is the most important exposure tool available, the internet is a close second. 84% of home buyers use the internet during their home search.

So if you're asking yourself "Why isn't my home selling?" take a look at your price and evaluate your exposure.

Hardin County Kentucky Real Estate Market Statistics (monthly)

April Fort Knox Kentucky Housing Market Area Report*

87 homes sold (up from 68 last month)
178 new listings (up from 156 last month)

RESULT: Similar to last month.


*Market area includes 4 Hardin County cities/towns Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Vine Grove, and Rineyville. All residential house styles are included except mobile homes and modular homes. Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data from Heart of Kentucky Association of REALTORS (HKAR).

Etown 2 Story For Sale in Kentucky

Stop and smell the flowers! This beautifully landscaped Elizabethtown Kentucky 2 story home for sale has 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. It’s a spacious colonial located in the Poplar Flats subdivision. It sits on a large lot which provides endless possibilities. Relax at the fireplace or enjoy company on the deck. Just minuets from I-65 and local restaurants but far enough away from the hustle of daily life. Come and tour this home today, at this price it’s bound to sell fast!
891 Poplar Trace Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Etown Ranch For Sale in Kentucky

This Elizabethtown, Kentucky charming ranch has 3 bedrooms and 2 full bath rooms. New beautiful flooring throughout the house gives the it the additional modern feel you are looking for. Enjoy cooking and dining in the spacious eat-in kitchen or step outside and entertain on the large deck. In front, you can enjoy your morning coffee or paper on the large covered front porch. The oversized 2 car garage has additional space for storage and the corner lot is detailed with landscaping. Come tour this home and fall in love with it today.
2526 Hutcherson Lane Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Elizabethtown KY Golf Course Home For Sale

This gorgeous Elizabethtown Kentucky home for sale has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. It's a split-entry (bi-level) that is located in Pine Valley Golf Course Community and it has all the extras. It was completely remodeled in 2006 and it shows. Hardwood floors throughout the main level and a stunning kitchen with an additional breakfast nook. The tasteful interior wall colors and upgraded light fixtures add elegance and warmth to the formal dining and great room with a gas-log fireplace. The seller offers 2 wall mounted flat screen TVs (Home Office & Basement), a surround sound system and an insert fireplace, if the price is right.
If you have a lot of extra "stuff", not to worry, this home has plenty of storage space in the basement and a hidden storage area behind the oversized 2 car garage. Come and tour this home today.
613 Wind Brook Elizabethtown, KY 42701

New Options for Hardin County Home Sellers

HardinHomes.com launches two new plans for Kentucky home sellers in Hardin County Kentucky. The two new plans offer a fresh alternative to our normal 6% listing fee.

Our first plan is the basic option and we will list your house for 3% ($295 setup) while we offer our full RE/MAX package for just an additional fee of $400. These new plans are offered for a limited time.

RE/MAX Executive Group is Hardin County's real estate leader.

Hardin County Kentucky Real Estate Market Statistics (Q1)

First Quarter Fort Knox Kentucky Housing Market Area Report*

181 homes sold (239 first quarter 2007)
550 new listings (354 first quarter 2007)


*Market area includes 4 Hardin County cities/towns Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Vine Grove, and Rineyville. All residential house styles are included except mobile homes and modular homes. Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data from Heart of Kentucky Association of REALTORS (HKAR).

Hardin County Kentucky Real Estate Market Statistics (monthly)

March Fort Knox Kentucky Housing Market Area Report*

68 homes sold (down from 69 last month)
156 new listings (down from 193 last month)

RESULT: Improvement over last month.


*Market area includes 4 Hardin County cities/towns Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Vine Grove, and Rineyville. All residential house styles are included except mobile homes and modular homes. Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data from Heart of Kentucky Association of REALTORS (HKAR).

Elizabethtown KY 4 bedroom house for sale

Priced below recent appraisal. Our newest listing is 226 Hannah Court, a 4 bedroom home in Elizabethtown KY. It's easy to see that this house is well maintained.
Corian countertops, 30-yr Pergo flooring in living room, tile in kitchen, fireplace, partially finished basement. Immaculate move-in condition home with landscaping and curb appeal. Sit on your back deck and enjoy the scenic 3 acre double lot with plenty of wooded privacy. Comes with remainder of 2-10 warranty. Two-person sauna and workout equipment negotiable. South E-town off of Hodgenville Road (map)

Hardin County Kentucky Snow Storm

Well as you can see we had a pretty good snow fall and "they" say we're supposed to get more. This picture was taken in Elizabethtown.

Hardin County Kentucky Real Estate Market Statistics (monthly)

February Fort Knox Kentucky Housing Market Area Report*

69 homes sold (up from 44 last month)
193 new listings (down from 201 last month)

RESULT: Improvement over last month.


*Market area includes 4 Hardin County cities/towns Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Vine Grove, and Rineyville. All residential house styles are included except mobile homes and modular homes. Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data from Heart of Kentucky Association of REALTORS (HKAR).

What does it mean when a home is sold "as-is".

So you've found that perfect property after looking at many around Fort Knox Kentucky with your Hardin County Kentucky Real Estate Agent, only to find out that your dream property is being sold “as-is”. When buyers see or hear the words “as-is”, housing or automobiles, they instantly change from interested to skeptical. Real estate is a large investment, and no buyer wants to leap into such a huge property investment with a chance that “as-is” must be pointing to something expensive. Are the fears worth the pain and stress? Or are “as-is” properties okay to buy?

To make a long story short, "as-is" clauses are nothing to worry about if you know what you're doing.

First we will need to define the term “as-is”. You may also see the term "as-is, where-is". An “as-is” home means just that, the home is being sold in the current condition and the seller does not intend to make any further changes. It is very common for a home in foreclosure to be sold "as-is". Sometimes sellers just say "as-is" because they don't want the cost or the hassle of repairs. Home buyers will walk through a home prior to making an offer and list the items they want fixed as part of the agreement. Buyers almost always order a home inspection to ensure there are no major problems that may eventually make the home unlivable. With an "as-is" home, if the buyers don't structure the offer carefully, they will have no one to complete the small repairs, and if there are big repairs discovered during the home inspection, the buyers will be responsible for those as well.

On the flip side of the coin, many homes listed in “as-is” condition are in great shape and may need only minor repairs. But, how can buyers know this about a home without entering into a contract with the seller.

There are basically two options when buying an “as-is” home. We would NOT recommend the first.
1) The buyers can hire a home inspector, at their cost, to inspect the home before writing an offer. This way the buyers will know what they are getting into before they make an offer on the home. The buyers must keep in mind that the home is still on the market during the home inspection process. So if another buyer comes along and makes an offer that gets accepted then the first home buyer just lost the home and the cost of the home inspection.

2) The wisest choice for the buyers is a post contract inspection. When the offer is written, the buyers can ask for anything they want. Even though the house is being sold "as-is", the buyers can be as specific as they like. Many buyers and even some real estate agents don't know that; it's all about negotiation. A clause (also called a contract contingency) is written into the offer regarding the “as-is” nature of the home and the need for an inspection before closing on the real estate (final proceedings). Depending on the specifics of the contingency, the buyers can be released from the contract and will have their earnest money deposit refunded to them if there are problems with the home that cannot be resolved. Most real estate sales contracts include a contingency allowing the buyer to have a home inspection.

An “as-is” home has the potential to be a risking situation. If you choose to think about the sale for too long, someone else may get the house, but if you are too quick to write an offer and forget about the “as-is” clause, you could potentially be stuck with a home needing thousands of dollars in repairs. Home buyers need to understand the seriousness of an “as-is” home and approach the situation strategically.

Today's Elizabethtown Kentucky storm

Check out the photos from today's storm in Elizabethtown Kentucky, it happened around 1am. The photos are geo-tagged (shown on a map) and can be seen on the Flickr page for HardinHomes.

Importance of Real Estate Appraisals for Hardin County Home Sellers

Are you planning to sell your Hardin County Kentucky home? Do you think you know how much it's worth on the open market? Many sellers make the mistake of trying to estimate the value of their homes themselves. This is almost always a bad decision, because homeowners tend to be very emotionally invested in their homes. They almost always assume their dwellings are worth top dollar in their current condition, and this is rarely the case. Your real estate agent will be able to estimate the selling price of your home. However many factors impact Fort Knox Kentucky real estate value, and a professional opinion from an appraiser is likely to yield the most accurate picture of fair market value for any piece of real estate.

Of course you know how much you paid for your Kentucky home. You also know how much money, time, and energy you have invested in improving the property over the years. You probably also have a good idea about the asking price and sales prices of other homes in your neighborhood and the Fort Knox area. However, this type of information doesn't tell the whole story about the value of your home. While these details are useful and interesting, they really can't replace the benefits of a professional real estate appraisal when you're trying to decide on the best listing price for your home. Local appraisers are looking at Hardin County property on a daily basis and they are the experts.

As soon as you decide to put your home up for sale, you should seek professional guidance regarding the true market value of your home. Not only can getting an appraisal help you decide how much to ask for your home in its current condition, the information you learn may help you determine if you should spend some money improving the condition of the property in order to be able to sell it for a higher price. Conversely, you may learn that investing in additional improvements would not be likely to help you sell the home for a greater amount.

It is common for sellers to avoid getting appraisals before listing their homes for sale because they don't want to spend the money (around $250) to have a professional appraiser assess the value of their property. While frugality can be an admirable trait, failing to spend a few hundred dollars on a professional appraisal can result in the loss of thousands of dollars on the sale of your home. If you are listing your Fort Knox home with HardinHomes of RE/MAX Executive Group you will already be saving a ton of money by not paying a huge commission.

If you price your home too high, it isn't likely to sell. If you price your home too low, you won't realize the highest possible return on your real estate investment. Can you can afford to have your home sit on the market for an extended period of time? Do you want watch your home sell for less than it is really worth? If not, it is in your best interest to get a professional appraisal as soon as you decide to sell the property.