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.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
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
Tuesday, January 20, 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.
Friday, December 19, 2008
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
Source WSJ
Thursday, December 18, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, September 1, 2008
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).
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).
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