Buying An Elizabethtown, KY Home During The Holiday Season

Check out this house for sale near Fort Knox, KY here: http://bit.ly/1hHCnFd

There is a little real estate myth, that during the colder months, sellers are usually more forgiving when it comes to their asking prices and are actually very eager to sell their houses. Of course, that is true for some sellers but not all. Statistically, there are fewer buyers looking to buy homes in Elizabethtown during the holidays. Naturally when supply stays about the same and demand is reduced, sellers can be more flexible. Here are some tips to get you closer to that piece of Elizabethtown KY real estate you have been looking for.

When scheduling home tours during the holiday season, remember to remain flexible. Yes, you want to see the house right away, but, you have to also consider the sellers and their schedules. You should of course find a Realtor near Fort Knox, KY that will be able to make the calls and coordinate the appointments.

During the holiday season, some sellers will not put their houses on the market because they are busy with family activities. Your choice of homes for sale may be somewhat limited. Keep in mind that even if there are only a small number of homes for sale, you may still find the one you are looking for. You will also notice that there may not be much competition for the house you want.

One thing to keep in mind when inspecting a house for sale around Fort Knox, KY area is that the weather may hide some structural defects that will only be seen once the cold season ends and spring rolls around. So, make sure you are well aware of this and discuss it with your Elizabethtown KY home inspector who will be doing the inspection for you.

Check your Elizabethtown mortgage company's holiday hours because you want to be able to get the documents done as soon as possible. Keep in mind that during severe weather conditions your plans may be delayed by a day or two. Also be prepared for  the additional costs you'll incur especially during the gift-buying season.

When buying a house, remember to take your time. Carefully plan out your finances and try not to overspend during the holidays :) Good luck on your house hunt!

Buying A House On Cash Or Through Bank Financing: Which Way To Go

Now that the real estate market is back in full swing, there is now a growing market for first time home buyers who want to take a bite and become home owners. Being a first time home buyer, there are so many questions to be asked. Even where to start becomes a question when it comes to buying a house and lot. One of the biggest factors in considering which house to buy is the available financial resources you currently have and the amount of money you can put into the monthly mortgages. For some first time home buyers, it can be really hard to secure a housing loan because they do not have collateral they can use to secure a loan or their credit ratings are not up to par yet with the minimum requirements set by local commercial banks. So, with this in mind, they start to shy away from buying a house and lot. For other people, they have already set a good amount of savings in their bank accounts and have made enough sacrifices to buy that first house to call their own. Is it better to buy a house using cold cash or through bank financing?

Buying A House Using Cash 

If you already have a sizeable amount of money saved and ready to splurge on that first house and lot, now would be the best time to check around property listings so that you know current prices of houses for sale in your chosen area. As a good tip, make sure to choose an area that you think you would want to live in and compare houses around that area. See the lowest priced homes and the most expensive ones. When you are able to compare the prices of houses for sale, it will be easier for you to decide how much you actually want to spend. A plus when you buy houses on cash is that most sellers will likely shave off a few thousand dollars from their asking price and everything will be easier to settle. 

Buying A House Using Bank Financing 

This is by far the most common way to buy a house these days because honestly, most people are not willing to part with a lump sum of money right away or they do not have the huge amount in their hands. Do not worry because this is perfectly fine. As a tip, make sure to contact a licensed real estate agent in your chosen area so that they will be able to help you out throughout the whole process.  You will also have all your questions answered thoroughly by them. It would also be best to write down everything on paper about any questions you come up with and even discuss these with the bank representative who will be handling your housing loan application. Be prepared to deal with a ton of paperwork and filing and also to give ample time before your loan gets feedback. 

Buying a house and lot is always a huge purchase; therefore, do not feel let down if some steps may be taking too long or your housing loan takes forever to be approved. Use this time to clear out your house and even set up a garage sale if you are sure that you will be moving out soon. Good luck on your house hunt!

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.

Shawn Paul – Staying True to The Business Of Flipping Houses in Elizabethtown, KY

While the business of real estate may seem stagnant these past few years, there is a lot of hope for the residents of Elizabethtown, KY. Money may be tight and that is understandable because we are just recovering from the economic hardships that have swept across the nation. But, even if today does not look like a fruitful day, one must always stay true to their dreams of a better future. This is what Shawn Paul, a realtor at HardinHomes.com and someone who specializes in flipping houses for a living is doing. As someone who has been in the business of flipping houses well over 4 years, he knows that one must take into great care when buying and selling houses.

What is Flipping Houses?

Basically, flipping houses is when you buy a property that is priced well below market value and either renovate it or break it down and build it back to brand new condition. It sounds pretty straight forward but according to Mr. Paul, he claims that, “buying the right one and selling it at the right price” can be a very daunting task and this has always been his biggest challenge in this business. He says that one must invest a lot of time and money in order for this business to become very lucrative. You must also have a lot of “general knowledge in construction costs and understanding of the math and financial numbers where the pricing will be.”

Challenges You Will Face When Flipping Houses

There are many challenges one will face when flipping houses but so far, Mr. Paul says that, “he’ll be glad to help” if anyone wants to ask for advice from him. You have to know how much items cost and understand the whole gamut of things before you can really market the property you are working on to be a profitable one.

Future Of Real Estate In Kentucky

Mr. Paul wishes the economy could get better when it comes to the real estate market and hopefully it will since right now it is experiencing a buyer’s market wherein prices of homes are selling way below their fair market value. This can mean that more people are willing to let go of their investments and hard work for a lower price.

Advice For People Who Want To Get Into Flipping Houses

This business of flipping houses basically sounds enticing to many people because of its “extreme profitability” as said by Mr. Paul but it will take a lot of time and money on your part as well. He is open to anyone who wants to get advice from him when it comes to getting the right properties to flip and rebuild.

Flipping Houses For Mr. Shawn Paul

Indeed, this man of great personality stands firm in his ways of flipping houses and wishes people to get more interested in it if they have the proper resources and funding… so that their future will be brighter. 

If you are interested in flipping houses, do a quick home search to check out some of the real estate for sale in Elizabethtown, KY.

To speak with Shawn Paul to ask questions or find your own flip, call, text, or email 270-401-1223 ShawnPaul@HardinHomes.com

How To Find Credible Elizabethtown KY Real Estate Companies When House Hunting

How To Find Credible Elizabethtown KY Real Estate Companies When House Hunting

With summer just around the corner, many families who want to move up or down in house are now in the mood to do some house hunting. If you are also looking to buy real estate in Elizabethtown KY, you know that economy there is in full swing and people are more raring to buy a house that they have been in a long time. But, don’t just go all in and close on the first offer that is presented to you. It is always a good idea to have an expert Elizabethtown KY real estate agent to help you get the house you want at the price you can afford. There are several ways to make sure that the real estate company you have chosen is indeed a credible one and not just out to make their cut when a deal is closed. Several of these real estate professionals really do care for your family and your future and want to make sure that you have made the best decision there is before settling in one homes for sale Elizabethtown KY.

Is The Company Already Established In The Area?

One of the best ways to make sure that you are dealing with a credible Elizabethtown KY real estate company is to see if they are already established and have full knowledge of the area in which they are located. You want to see if the Realtors are really knowledgeable about certain locations and how far establishments are from each other. They must able to provide you with additional information such as the history of the home or area you are looking to buy and even the best restaurants in and around the Elizabethtown KY area. When you come across one real estate company that you think is credible, check their background and even profiles of their real estate agents and see if you feel at home speaking with one of them. This is not the time to be shy because it is your money that is on the line and your family’s future as well. Real estate companies that are also looking out for you will go above and beyond to make sure that you have made the best possible decision.

Homes For Sale Elizabethtown KY – Is The Area For You?

Once you have decided to look at homes for sale Elizabethtown KY, you want to get a feel for the place. Check with the real estate company you are working with to see if they can offer you any additional insights that only they know about. A credible real estate company will have more information about a specific house or location and not just information that you can easily get from a quick search online or a phone call from a friend. Real estate agents will want to share with you, even on a private note, about why one house is not the perfect match for you and your family and will be able to offer a better alternative than you may have realized in the first place. The good thing with homes for sale in Elizabethtown KY is that several credible real estate companies are highly knowledgeable about the area and will be able to give you a better understanding and appreciation of the houses for sale there.

Trusting Your Gut

Once you have decided on one real estate company that specializes in the Elizabethtown KY real estate, you must then turn to your inner self and trust your instincts. After all, even with all the homes for sale in the Elizabethtown KY, you and your family will be the ones to make a final decision if you should go ahead and make a deal on it or to continue in your search for the perfect house.

HardinHomes.com is one real estate company that is already established and has major presence in the Elizabethtown KY real estate market and also its surrounding areas. They will be more than willing to help you choose a house that will be a perfect match according to your needs, budget, and wants.

When Should I Sell My Elizabethtown KY real estate? Spring, Summer, or Winter?

When is the best time to sell your Elizabethtown KY real estate? Typically, when you need to. There will always be a market of buyers.

The seasons can have an effect, though. Winter, for instance, is generally not the busiest time for Elizabethtown Kentucky real estate buyers, but on average the inventory of homes for sale during the winter tends to be a little lower. That may actually work in your favor. Yours may be the one piece of Elizabethtown real estate that’s quickly snatched up for reasons that have nothing to do with the time of year.

If you can wait, late spring is probably a more ideal time to list your home. Some Elizabethtown KY real estate sellers think listing early, say in March, will give them a head start. They might be gearing their listing toward spring break shoppers. Sometimes though, the weather can change dramatically and quickly in March. A storm can stop buyers from venturing out to look at homes.

Sell Dates Versus Closing Dates
Also to be considered, Elizabethtown Kentucky real estate buyers generally want a 30 to 60 day closing, so listing in March may attract buyers that want to close in April/May. If you don’t want to move until your children have finished school, March may be actually be a good time to sell. Of course, you can try to negotiate the date of your choice. If children’s schedules aren’t a factor, if you’re moving within the same school zone, or if you have an urgent reason for needing to sell, selling early in the spring won’t hurt you.

April or May are often a better choice, because snowfall has ceased, buyers will be more motivated to venture out to view Elizabethtown KY real estate. Those who want to move during the summer will often begin their search in these months.

Just a tip: If you’re planning to close at the end of your child’s school year, give yourself transition time. If your children have exams, are involved in special events, graduations, and so forth, it will be a busy time for the family and probably not the best time to be packing up the student’s belongings. Perhaps closing a week or two after the school year ends is worth negotiating.

Yes, a sale is important, but as a seller, it’s still all in your hands. Do what works best for you. That’s what negotiation is about; finding the best or most workable scenario for both the seller and the buyer.

The Importance of Trends
Contrary to thinking, being first on the market to list your house isn’t necessarily ideal. It can be advantageous to use other sellers’ scenarios as case studies. Once the Elizabethtown real estate market becomes speckled with more homes for sale, your agent will hear important feedback and be able to gauge what’s happening with buyers. She’ll be more knowledge about the current buyer trends and better able to advise you on how to price your home for a quick sale. If your price is right, for current demand, your home will sell. If you're asking too much then you will wait. Be sure to factor that into your timeline.

If your neighbor decides to start off early at listing his house, perhaps at a high price, his house may be by-passed. New shoppers may not be in a hurry to snatch up the first thing they see. Until they’ve been able to compare with others, they may feel the home is over-priced. Listing when the Elizabethtown KY real estate market starts moving may be a better option.

Of course, there’s always a veteran shopper who’s been waiting for just the right home to come on the market. Yours might be it. There are no hard and fast rules about how houses sell.

Certainly a discussion about demand wouldn't be complete without talking about Fort Knox. We can't forget how important of a role Fort Knox plays with regard to the Elizabethtown KY real estate market. If Fort Knox is not moving soldiers in, then the market will be pretty flat as far as demand is concerned.

If you need to sell or are just toying with the idea, talk to us about the Elizabethtown KY real estate market. The more information you have, the better equipped you’ll be to sell your home quickly.

In the Market for an Elizabethtown Home? -- Why You Need to Have Your Own Buyer's Agent

If you are new to the Elizabethtown area, you are probably busy looking at Elizabethtown real estate and seeking out homes for sale in Elizabethtown, KY. But you should not let the rush to buy stop you from seeking out a quality buyer’s agent. These real estate professionals perform an important function, and trying to find houses for sale in Elizabethtown KY without one can be dangerous to your wallet.

Some people who are looking for Elizabethtown KY real estate, simply work with the listing agent, not realizing that, in some cases, the agent is working on behalf of the seller and not on their behalf. The job of the listing agent for Elizabethtown real estate is to get the highest possible price for the home. Failing to work with a qualified buyer’s agent, one who knows the Elizabethtown real estate market inside and out, can be a huge mistake. What's the direct cost to you? $0 Why? The seller's agent compensates the buyer's agent for finding a buyer. If you just use the seller's agent, in most cases, the seller's agent gets to keep what would have been your buyer's agent's share.

It is fine to use the listing agent to get some general information on the Elizabethtown real estate market and the houses for sale in Elizabethtown, KY, but when it comes to serious matters like making an offer or having an Elizabethtown home inspection done, you need an advocate on your side.

A buyer’s agent can serve as that advocate in the Elizabethtown real estate market. When seeking out a buyer’s agent, keep in mind that all real estate is local. The market for Elizabethtown real estate is likely to be quite different than the market for real estate in other parts of the country, or even other parts of the state.

The houses for sale in Elizabethtown, KY run the gamut, from fixer-uppers most suitable for contractors and those with lots of construction experience, to pristine homes in move-in condition. Having an Elizabethtown KY Realtor as your buyer’s agent with specific experience in the Elizabethtown real estate market is the best way to ensure you bid only on the Elizabethtown area homes that meet your needs and the needs of your family.

Having a buyer’s agent who is an expert in the Elizabethtown KY real estate market on your side also makes it easier to determine a fair offer price. When you shop for houses for sale in the Elizabethtown, KY area, you want to shop within your own established price range. You also want to avoid the temptation to bid too high on a home you really love. Without a buyer’s agent on your side, you could be tempted into overpaying for houses for sale in Elizabethtown, KY. With the help of an agent experienced in the Elizabethtown real estate market, you can craft an offer that will be as attractive to the seller as it is to your finances.

2012 BAH Rates Fort Knox Kentucky

Fort Knox Kentucky BAH Rates for 2012 have been released and they're pretty sweet compared to 2011. Soldiers with dependents had an average increase of 5.5% and those without dependents are up about 6.6%. E4 and below saw the biggest increase, averaging about 8% while E5 with dependents got a little over 10%.

When you get a mortgage for a home near Fort Knox, your BAH goes pretty far since rates are so amazingly low right now (around 3.75%).

It's very cool to see how the BAH rates have changed for the Fort Knox area. We have history as far back as 1998 for each pay grade. For example an E6 (with dependents) received just $536 in 1998 and receives $1,254 for 2012.

Buyers not impressed with USAA MoversAdvantage Program

Here are some USAA MoversAdvantage agent reviews on USAA's very own website.

It's a HUGE money maker for USAA. Let's assume you buy a new home for $245,000 (5% comm). USAA will get $4,287 and only give you $950.

The agent they will set you up with is just a local agent. I'm not doubting that there are a few stellar agents but I know many of these USAA "preferred agents" around Fort Knox Kentucky and they're average at best. One prospective buyer told me that USAA pushed and pushed him to use one of "their agents" even though he continually told them he was already working with me.

Review summaries: (http://tinyurl.com/usaa-agent-review)
-- "USAA-certified Realtor" was not good
-- a Kansas buyer never even got the cash back
-- real estate agents should be screened better
-- spent the "cash back" money on a hotel because the USAA agent messed up the deal
-- program is an outright joke
-- agent had to have his daughter take digital pictures because he didn't know how

So if you like our home search website ask about our USAA matching program. You shouldn't feel like you have to use one of USAA's "preferred agents".

Home for sale with acreage near Fort Knox KY

UPDATE: This home is sold

Are you searching for Fort Knox KY homes for sale with acreage? Do you like those older, historical style houses? When you hear people say "they just don't make 'em like they used to", they're referring to a home like this one.


It's unbelievable that you can get 12 acres in Hardin County less than 10 minutes to post.

Fort Knox Home Seller Satisfied With HardinHomes

Another satisfied home seller thanking us on our HardinHomes facebook page. They saved $5,215 by not paying 6% commission when selling their Elizabethtown Kentucky house.

Clients showing their appreciation for our real estate service

What a wonderful gift from our clients who just closed on a great new home in Rineyville Kentucky.

Raising awareness about the $8,000 home buyer tax credit

We just put this video on our Hardin County Kentucky Real Estate website. Buyers need to close on their home before December (IRS info and FAQ).

Social feature added to real estate website

Now you can share Fort Knox Kentucky real estate listings with your social networks a little easier:
http://www.HardinHomes.com/real-estate-for-sale

Give it a try (click any listing), we hope you find it useful.

Feedback is great for home sellers but not 2 weeks after the showing

An agent's assistant leaves me a voicemail requesting feedback for one of her sellers: "Hi, I'm calling to get feedback for your June 17th showing..."

How valuable is my feedback if I can't even remember the home because it took you weeks to follow up? If an agent is going to wait that long to call for feedback then she obviously just trying to pacify the seller.

There are simple tools (many agents already use) that will send an email requesting feedback (with a property survey form) right after the showing. Agents can stop chasing buyer agents around requesting it via phone. If I get an email requesting feedback, I can answer anytime. It's much harder to reach me during the day when I have tons of other things going on.

Clients are emailing, scanning, texting, etc. and expect their agents to be technically proficient.

HomeFeedback.com or the full showing service we use AccuShow.com

List Your Home With Caution, Pictures Are Important

If you're selling a home near Fort Knox Kentucky (or anywhere really), make sure the agent you choose knows that pictures are extremely important. This is a military relocation market and many buyers are making decisions based on pictures. Usually they are coming to visit Ft. Knox and have already picked out the homes they would like to see. In some cases they buy the home solely based off the pictures.

Quick Checklist:
All pictures need to be entered the same day the listing is entered into the system.
Pictures shouldn't be small (at least 800x600) when uploaded to the system.
No blurry ones and no crooked ones (no one likes a sinking house).
If you can avoid a dark cloudy day, do it.
Examples of bad pictures

You never get a second chance to make a first impression
Every single day we see new listings that are entered in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service a.k.a. the homes for sale database) with just one picture or no pictures at all. This is a major mistake and can hurt your chances of a quick sale. Buyers are entered into the system and get emailed when a new listing matches their criteria. You are in front of many buyers for the first time and if there's no picture, buyers will most likely move on to the next listing.

No buyer wants to look at small pictures
I think there used to be a requirement that pictures had to be small (320x240) to be entered into the system. That's no longer the case. Make sure your agent uploads bigger pictures, if they're too big then the system re-sizes them anyway.

Is that home sinking?
No, we hope not, but that's the impression some bad pictures give if they aren't straight. Also don't allow pictures to be taken on a super cloudy day if it can be avoided.
Believe it or not there's a home for sale in the high $300k range that has one photo, that's it. To make it worse it's a photo taken at dusk.

Remember how important pictures are when interviewing agents.

Saving Time and Gas when Shopping Fort Knox Kentucky Homes

Are you about to hit the pavement looking for a new Kentucky home? The search for a home can involve many trips in the car as you drive around to find potential properties. Here are some strategies that will help you to save time and gas during the home search.

1. The Internet. Using an Internet search engine like Google to find a Hardin County house for sale is without a doubt the most efficient way to proceed. Unlike the real estate section of the local newspaper, good real estate websites help you narrow your selection. You're able to filter the results then browse the listings that are automatically returned.

2. Consult a real estate agent. One trip to the office of a real estate agent or broker will provide you with a free session to obtain listings that meet your buying requirements and give you valuable advice. You are not charged to access this information or to follow up with questions later. A good real estate agent, but especially a Realtor licensed by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), will provide as much information as requested with the anticipation that you will return later for Realtor assistance when buying the home.
Again, searching online for a Fort Knox Kentucky Realtor is the best option because you're more likely to find a good agent who is web savvy. Roughly 85% of buyers use the internet during the home buying process (probably higher in our market due to military relocation), it's highly likely that a web savvy agent will have vast experience from completing many transactions.

3. Use email, text messaging, or phone to contact your agent about specific properties. Real estate professionals can consult the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to find out if a property is still available and read through the listing to see if it really meets your needs.

Because real estate professionals provide free advice, they are best prepared to deliver valuable information that streamlines your property search. Wasting gas looking at homes that don’t meet your needs is not necessary in a high-priced energy market (it's not really green either). Take advantage of the real estate advice and online search sites at your disposal to make your Fort Knox KY military home search as convenient as possible.

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Update 2009

A few things to note:
* It's $8,000 not $15,000 that was almost passed.
* No longer has to be repaid like the previous tax credit.
* It's still only for first time homebuyers.
* Must buy between 01-01-2009 and 12-01-2009

HardinHomes.com new building sign style decision

We're almost finished deciding on the sign for our new RE/MAX real estate office in Vine Grove Kentucky.

We want it to be easy to read but not too boring either. I'm leaning toward the first sign over the last.

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