Family As Your Realtor… Is It Really Worth It?

With the recent boom in houses for sale, the real estate industry has gotten a lot of people shifting careers to try their luck in this exciting field. Not only will you be able to make your own hours, most real estate companies are able to give their Realtors the freedom they need as long as they are making sales, closing deals, or getting new listings. This may also mean that you might know a few friends in the real estate business or even have a family or relative working for a real estate company. But, when it comes to choosing a Realtor to represent you, should you choose a family member or relative or go with someone you have no connection with? It is a really tough decision to make but let’s weigh our options to see if you should or should not have a family member be your Realtor.

Will This Transaction Affect Your Friendship?

Many house buyers or sellers are torn when making the decision because they do not know if choosing their friend or relative to be their Realtor will affect their relationship if things do not go as planned. Of course, if things work out then that would be positive and maybe you'll have a stronger relationship with your relative or friend. But, what if you disagree with them or your relative/friend/Realtor is really not the same person during his "professional" hours? This could backfire and may cause a rift in your relationship with them. On the average, several people choose not to get family or friends to be their Realtor simply because of the fact that "business and family do not mix" (just like oil and water).

This is a Major Financial Decision, Trust Your Gut

If you are really having a tough time making this decision, keep in mind that, in the end, it's your choice to make and it's a huge financial decision. You will always have the last say at what price range you are willing to buy or sell your home. Remember that your Realtor, whether family or not, SHOULD always disclose all the information you need regarding a property and should have your best interest at the forefront. Here are some thoughts: 

•  The purchase of a house is the biggest investment most people will make in their entire lives so it is really important that you have made the best decision.
• You have every right to ask about their background in the real estate industry because it will be your money or house on the line here. You need someone with a proven track record and that just might not be your Aunt Edna

Choosing Your Realtor

• Be honest with your friend/relative if you do not choose him/her as your Realtor. After all, you're trying to keep a valuable relationship. Give this analogy: "If I were a financial money manager but didn't have a ton of experience just yet, would you be comfortable handing over your large retirement account and telling me to have at it?".
• Sometimes it is best to use a Realtor from a real estate company with a solid track record. At least, this will be a strictly-business relationship and you may even gain a friend if all goesas planned.

         Also, whether relative, friend, or not, be sure your Realtor is a competent one. They should be versed in laws, processes, paperwork, and of course be helpful in all areas related to the purchase or the selling of the house.

Deciding On What Feels Right

As humans, we are all capable of having that “gut feeling” so if choosing your friend/relative as your Realtor feels right and you know that everything will go smoothly, then by all means, go with your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, then it's best to stick with a Realtor that you have no connection whatsoever.

 

HardinHomes.com has some of the best licensed Realtors in the Fort Knox, KY area. Set up an appointment with any one of them hereif you live in the Elizabethtown, Kentucky area.

 

 

 

 

Fort Knox Commander Maj. Gen. Jeff Smith Scheduled To Host A Town Hall

This event is open to the general public.
When: 1pm, July 30, 2013
Where: Hardin County Schools PAC in Elizabethtown
(PAC is located at 384 W.A. Jenkins Road)

OneKnox Facebook Page

When Really Is The Best Time To Buy A House?

This beautiful house is available to home buyers. Check the full details out at
http://www.hardinhomes.com/listings/248521---1102-Thomas-Road-Rineyville-Kentucky-40162. 

With half of the year already behind us, many of us are already homeowners, renters, or still looking for “the” house to call our own. But, with so many news coming out that 2013 is the year to buy a house, families who have no plans of buying a house yet are now pressured to jump and ride the bandwagon just to get the best deals in terms of housing costs, monthly payments, and banks being more relaxed when approving housing loans. These families may sometimes find themselves in a trap and feel overwhelmed with all the payments needed in order to buy their chosen house. But, worry not, there are actually a lot of houses for sale especially in the houses for sale near the Fort Knox area. Here are some tips to calm your nerves down and make sure that buying a house need not be a time of headaches and worries.

• Interest Rates Are Still At An All Time Low 

Even if the interest rates have slightly increased this year, according to Freddie Mac, interest rates offered by banks across the state are still experiencing an all-time low. In fact, this is a good indication that maybe, this year is the year to actually buy a house even if you have never really thought of it before.

• Realtors Are More Versatile Now Than Ever 

Not just someone to talk to when looking at a house, getting a qualified and professional Realtor in the Fort Knox area is the best person to ask when it comes to any real estate questions you may have. A lot of these Realtors have extensive knowledge of the area and will be able to give you listings that match your budget, whatever amount that may be. Make sure to partner with an equally competitive real estate company in the area such as HardinHomes.com so that you know that you will be getting the most for your hard-earned money.

• Keep A Healthy Amount Of Money In Your Bank Account 

Aside from knowing that buying a house will be one of your biggest purchases ever, you must also be aware that having a healthy sized amount of savings in your bank account will make it easier for banks to approve of your housing loan.

• Is Buying A House Really What You Need? 

Sometimes, people get swayed too easily with all the advertisements and get succumbed to purchasing a house too soon when you and your family are not really that ready yet. Make sure to have a serious conversation with your partner and loved ones if “now” is the best time to buy that house, too.

Owning your own house is definitely one way to secure your family’s future and to make sure that your money is going to a good use as well. Check out listings with www.HardinHomes.com to see all the houses available for sale in the Fort Knox area.

More Than A Realtor... That's Tara Still of HardinHomes.com

It doesn't take more than a few minutes to figure out why Ms. Tara Still is successful and good at what she does as a Realtor. Everything that she says is something to be admired and pondered over. As a real estate agent with HardinHomes.com, she knows how precious time is for everyone; so she makes sure that all her clients' needs are met at all times or she simply will not be content.

When asked how long she has been working with HardinHomes.com, she will proudly say three years, but the words of wisdom and expertise she shares, will almost seem like you are talking with someone who has been in the real estate business for decades. For Ms. Tara, you can easily tell that she really adores her career because of the way she talks about it so positively. She doesn't find the job hard at all even though there are about 350 agents in the area. She has stayed busy since she started with the real estate business and there are no plans of her slowing down anytime soon.

As with all things in life, there will be some hindrances and obstacles to overcome and the field of real estate is not spared. For Ms Tara, she says,

 “The banks and the banking laws these days are definitely challenging…they change a lot. Lenders are very specific on different things they need so; I think that’s the biggest challenge. ...that everything is going smoothly.“

Being a self-confessed people person, she blankly points out that she has been blessed with never facing a hard customer or client in the past. “If you make people difficult to deal with and you think they are difficult to deal with, then they just are.” She just makes sure that the buyers’ best interests are always met. The trick, according to Ms. Tara is to figure out the needs and wants of buyers and to understand that they want someone who will try to get them a good deal.

http://on.fb.me/15gjNy7

She gets a majority of her listings from friends and through referrals and always keeps a look out for new homes on the market. She knows a lot of people in the community so 9 out of 10 times, she is recommended to her home sellers. She does not lead her clients to just her listings and always understands that it is always up to the buyer which house they want.

The best part of being a Realtor, according to Ms. Tara is that she owns her time and that she can choose when she wants to be busy or to slow down. This is a plus because a few months down the road, she and her husband will be adopting a baby and she is hiring an assistant to help when those “mommy” moments occur.

For aspiring realtors, Ms. Tara just calmly says to, “trust in God really, that’s the biggest thing, have their faith, whatever their faith is…and if they believe that God is leading them to do that and He is opening doors for them, then they should enter into it… So as long as you trust God and you know what God wants…that’s the biggest recommendation I can give…”

http://on.fb.me/13spmu8

When asked if her career did not enter the real estate world, she proudly shares that she would be in interior decorating.

Ms. Tara Still is definitely a big asset to HardinHomes.com but she is also very thankful for the world of opportunities that has happened to her since being with the company. The company has a massive internet presence and many of her buyers find her through the website.

To see Elizabethtown KY real estate for sale, visit www.HardinHomes.com. Tara Still can be contacted directly at 270-268-3848.

http://on.fb.me/13spCcG

Author: Google

Fort Knox 2013 U.S. Army Soldier Show

The U.S. Army Soldier Show, proudly presented by the Installation Management Command and Family and MWR, is back with its best production yet. The state is set for 22 Soldiers from across the country to entertain the Nation with a 75 minute song and dance production themed "Ready and Resilient." Admission is FREE

Fort Knox July 16th at Waybur Theater. Doors open at 6:15pm and the show starts at 7pm.

AfterThought: What The Rising Interest Rates May Mean To House Buyers

In the past five years, the housing market in Hardin County, KY and surrounding areas has had a healthy share of house hunters that eventually became home owners and sellers who were happy to sell their homes to prospective home buyers. But, with the newly announced increase in the mortgage interest rates for new mortgages and refinancing, this news may leave potential first time home buyers something to think about. Don’t let this frighten you because it may not really mean much especially if the house of your dreams is just a few documents away. There are ways to afford that house you really want around the Elizabethtown and Fort Knox, KY area.

As you can see, interest rates are still amazingly low compared to historical averages.

As an example, for a house worth $145,000, here is the side-by-side comparison on the payment difference that you will see. This is for a 30year mortgage using the mortgage calculator for the Elizabethtown, KY area.

$831.94/monthly payments @ 4% interest

$770.73/monthly payments at 3.25% interest

As you can see, the difference is not much, so this really shouldn't scare anyone. Now is still the best time to buy a house while these interest rates are still "friendly" on the wallet.

Start Saving Money Now 

One of the biggest mistakes most would-be home buyers make is when they jump in and buy a house without a solid plan of their cash flow. Before you set out and decide to become a home owner, before you even make that first call with an Elizabethtown, KY Realtor, you must have a sit down by yourself and with your significant other (if you have one) to see how much you can really afford with monthly payments and other payments that come along with buying a house. See how much money you and your significant other are making and how much you both are willing to pitch in to make the dream come true. Above all, even if as newlyweds or starting out in your career, you should already try to start a financial portfolio and build a good credit history so that it will become easier to get approved for a mortgage with the bank of your choice.

Try To Find Additional Income 

These days, even if you are making a comfortable living, you should always try to find another source of income to have more money coming and as well as more security. The more cash in hand you can get, the better. If you can squeeze in more hours while you're still able, then go ahead and do that. Your partner may also find additional income through online means or even selling something online or through Craigslist. A stable income is a good sign that you and your partner are both ready to get the home of your dreams.

Be Realistic With Your Choice Of House 

Beautiful lobby of house for sale. Check it out at
www.HardinHomes.com 

Everyone can dream about owning a mansion the size of a castle if they want to but when it all comes down to it, a good sized home just perfect for your family and is more than enough. If you get a house that you can easily afford, this will allow you to afford other luxuries in life without compromising money for monthly amortizations. Or, you can use the additional money you saved for a new business venture or even financial investments.

Banks Will Always Have Interest Rates 

Always remember that loans will always have interest rates and it is up to you and your partner to find the best bank that will offer the best rate. If you partner with a wonderful Elizabethtown KY Realtor, they might even be able to point you to the best bank in the area that will have great rates. One prime example of a real estate company in  Hardin County and beyond is www.HardinHomes.com and their listings include additional information that most other real estate companies do not have. Check their listings out and speak with an Elizabethtown Realtor of some house choices that you find perfect for your family.

Remember, when there is a will; there is always a way… 
Good luck with your house hunting this season. 

Barry Carr - A Realtor With A Heart of Gold For Hearts of Hope

There are not a lot of people who get so moved by just reading an article in a newspaper to actually reach out and devote their time to make a change; but change he did and change is what he wants to happen with the homeless citizens in Hardin County. This is Mr. Barry Carr, a Hardin County Realtor and a man of gold when it comes to sharing his knowledge and time at Hearts of Hope, a non-profit organization that aims to help out the homeless citizens of Hardin County, Kentucky. He helps out Hearts of Hope by contacting businesses in hopes that they will have the heart to pledge some help. Being an expert in real estate, he also shares his knowledge with the construction.

Homeless Situation in Hardin County

According to Mr. Carr, since the community of Hardin County is quite small, the problem is “really bad, it’s a very small community so having 40-50 homeless citizens is already bad. The homeless are sleeping in sheds in front of Lowe's and Home Depot.” This is a sad fact that many citizens are facing right now and hopefully when the construction of the shelter gets finished, it will be able to provide temporary housing and a chance to help the citizens find work and an address to put on their job applications so that they will be contacted by potential employers. Hardin County is experiencing fair weather lately but once winter rolls around, it will be very hard for the homeless as conditions can get pretty harsh. Once Hearts of Hope finishes the homeless shelter, it could be a totally different story for the homeless since they will be able to find comfort inside the shelter.

The Promise in Hearts of Hope

With only a handful of volunteers to keep the operations and construction in full swing, Hearts of Hope wishes to appeal to the fortunate citizens of Hardin County and throughout the nation so that the shelter can be on its way to completion. Right now, construction is at 60% so there is still a lot that needs to be done but it can only be finished if everyone finds time to either donate cash, building materials, or their time so that the shelter will be able to house the less fortunate. Hearts of Hope will not only house the homeless but a part of the shelter will be devoted to battered women who have nowhere else to go. Mr. Barry Carr states that because the church is also involved in this shelter, many of its members are already opening up their homes to the homeless and giving these people a fighting chance of a better future.

Hope For The Homeless

When it comes to finding funds, getting people to stand up and donate cash or building materials can be a challenging task especially with how the economy is but this should not be a hindrance because everyone has a soft spot in their hearts and it just needs a little tugging to get the magic out and to reach out to the community. It is definitely not too late to help the homeless and do your share in making everyone live a normal life. For the homeless, Mr. Barry Carr states that, "there definitely is help coming."

Do Your Part To Help The Homeless

In order to make the Hardin Homeless Shelter a “transitional home” for the homeless, they will need all the help that they can get. It doesn't really take much of your time and now is the time to look into Hearts of Hope. Finding an hour or two of your time to help finish building the shelter or even donate a few dollars. You can contact Mr. Barry Carr directly at 270-300-6891 or through the Hearts of Hope. Be sure to click "Like" on the Hearts of Hope Facebook page.