As the weather turns colder, certain foods become more appealing.  One of my favorite cold-weather dinners is chili.  My wife makes killer chili and I love to top it with shredded cheese and corn chips.  While the cheese is optional, the Fritos are not.  She gave up questioning this years ago and now includes corn chips on the grocery list just assuredly as she does hamburger.    

For whatever reason, today was the exception.  She called stating that she forgot to get Fritos at the store and asked that I grab some on my way home.  As a result of the detour, I ended up leaving Kroger as the sun was setting.  I pulled over at the Shepherdsville Post Office and took the following picture.  The one at the top was taken in Mallard Lakes.  I've never really thought that I would like a pond right behind my house, but after taking this I can see how some people would. 

Anyway, back to the chili....

After almost 2 years, the remnants of the train wreck between Shepherdsville and Brooks have finally been cleaned-up.  The 8' high green fence that bordered 1020 is down and the cars have been removed.  Like many, I drive that road virtually every day and had grown so accustomed to seeing the wreckage that I was wondering whether CSX was going to create some sort of museum on the spot.  I'm fairly certain that I have never been so pleased to see an empty lot as I was last week. 

The train is gone, but evidence of the fire still exists.

One more step towards normalcy for those who were most affected.

* * * * *

Erik Hitzelberger is a licensed real estate agent with RE/MAX Alliance. He specializes in helping clients buy and sell homes in Louisville and Bullitt County including Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, Brooks, Hillview, Pioneer Village, Hunters Hollow, Zoneton, and Lebanon Junction. If you need a Bullitt County Real Estate agent please email me or call 502.921.3989.

As a RE/MAX Alliance agent in Louisville, I am extremely motivated to providing the best possible service that I can for you.  Instead of low fees and high commission splits, each agent in our office pays a monthly brokerage charge regardless of whether we close a transaction.  This means that if I don't help you accomplish your goals, not only do I not earn a commission, I still have to pay fees.  The upside is that there is no limit to my potential business growth. 

This carrot and stick methodology drives me to be a local real estate expert, to educate my clients and to promote and protect their interests zealously.  Insuring that you achieve your goals opens the possibility for testamonials, referrals, and repeat business which each promote the long-term success of my business.  Concentrating on the short-term or otherwise failing in my duties has the opposite effect.

So, if you are looking for a motivated Louisville or Bullitt County real estate agent, I would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.  Whether you are relocating to the Louisville area or moving across town, please take a few moments to visit my website, read more about me, learn about area neighborhoods, or search the Louisville MLS. 

I represent both buyers and sellers and primarily work in Louisville, Jeffersontown (J-town), St Matthews, Okolona, Fern Creek, Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, Brooks, and Hillview.  Feel free to contact me at 502-921-3989 (call or txt) or by email.  

RE/MAX Alliance is conveinently located in southeast Louisville near the intersection of Bardstown Road and I265 (Gene Snyder).  The experienced staff is lead by our broker who has been in the real estate business for over 30 years.  We help hundreds of people achieve their dreams every year.  Are you ready to realize yours?    

The purpose of this series is to alert buyers to some of the best deals in the Louisville area.  Most of these houses require work to bring them up to par.  However, when the work is complete, the new owner should have significant equity in the property.  Many of these homes have offers within days if not hours of hitting the market and multiple offer situations are common.  This is especially true for homes below $150,000. 

I attempt to find the hidden gems that have been overlooked for one reason or another.  This week I focused on houses for first-time homebuyers in Bullitt County and found 2 great houses in the same neighborhood.

The first (pictured) is a 3BR/2 Bath home with a downstairs master and a large eat-in kitchen that is available for a little over $110,000.  The utilities need to be turned on for a thorough inspection by a professional, but this house appears to be in great shape for a foreclosure.  The carpet is probably beyond saving as it has several stains and a strong pet smell.  Beyond that the refrigerator and stove have gone MIA and a few minor repairs are needed.  

The second house (not shown) also has 3 BRs, 2 baths, a downstairs master, an eat-in kitchen.  Additionally, this house has an unfinished basement and several upgrades.  The house is currently listed at $130,000.  I toured this house 3 months ago before the foreclosure auction and it was in prisitne condition at the time. 

If you are interested in viewing either of these homes, please contact me as soon as possible.  Note, that pre-approval letters must be submitted with offers.  If you are not pre-approved, I'll be happy to recommend a lender who should be able to qualify you quickly.

Search for more Mt Washington Homes

* * * * *

Erik Hitzelberger is a licensed real estate agent with RE/MAX Alliance. He specializes in helping clients buy and sell homes in Louisville and Bullitt County including Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, Brooks, Hillview, Pioneer Village, Hunters Hollow, Zoneton, and Lebanon Junction. If you need a Bullitt County Real Estate agent please email me or call 502.921.3989.

What a difference a few weeks makes!  Two weeks ago, we took the kids to Bernheim Forest and let them play on the playground.  At the time, it was still 75-80 degrees and the leaves had just started to turn.  Now, it is too cold for the kids to go play, but a trip to Bernheim is seldom disappointing.

To get to Bernheim Forest, take I65 south from Louisville to Exit 112.  Turn left at the top of the ramp.  Bernheim is about 1 mile ahead on the right. 

See Also:  Spend a Day in Berheim

                Berheim.org

Waterford Ridge is a secluded subdivision in Mt Washington offering beautiful homes on 1-acre lots.  This a new relatively new community and building lots are still available.  This is a deed-restricted community with minimum square-footage of 2200 for a 1 story, 2600 for a 1 1/2 story and 3000 for a 2-story. 

Luxury homes in Waterford Ridge have 4-5 Bedrooms and 2 1/2-3 Baths.  Since these are newly-built homes, you can expect open floor plans.  Additionally, these luxury homes are loaded with amenities such as hardwood flooring, vaulted or trey ceilings, custom tile in the bathrooms, fireplaces, whirlpool tubs and more.       

Based on the number of homes, this is a very small community.  Currently, only 16 lots exist, however additional development is possible.  In general, the homes and neighborhood size are similar to Cedar Falls and Wildwoods.   

Waterford Ridge does have sidewalks and underground utilities.  Both of these add to the aesthetic appeal of the neighborhood.  Additionally, sidewalks provide the obvious benefit of safety.

Prices on these homes are in the $300,000 - $400,000 range.   

Bullitt County Public Schools

Students who live in Waterford Ridge and attend Bullitt County Public Schools will go to...

• Bullitt East High School
• Mt. Washington Middle School
• Old Mill Elementary

See Also: Schools in Mt Washington

Location

From Louisville, take Bardstown Rd south to Hwy 44 in Mt Washington.  Turn left onto Hwy 44, left onto Cornell and into Waterford Ridge.

Similar Homes

Click the appropriate links for more Luxury Bullitt County Homes or to Search for more Mt Washington Homes.   

* * * * *

Erik Hitzelberger is a licensed real estate agent with RE/MAX Alliance. He specializes in helping clients buy and sell homes in Louisville and Bullitt County including Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, Brooks, Hillview, Pioneer Village, Hunters Hollow, Zoneton, and Lebanon Junction. If you need a Bullitt County Real Estate agent please email me or call 502.921.3989.

Bullitt County Real Estate Market Report- This report analyzes property sales trends for Bullitt County homes over the last few months and versus the same time period last year.  The report includes number of homes sold, average listing price, average sales price, days on market (DOM), and current inventory.

Bullitt County encompasses the primary cities of Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, and Lebanon Junction.  Home sales from the smaller cities of Brooks, Fox Chase, Hebron Estates, Hillview, Hunter's Hollow, Pioneer Village and Zoneton are also included, but these are generally listed under Shepherdsville in the MLS.

Comments and Analysis

This is the first time this year that same month sales has increased.  However, it is unlikely that this will become a trend as the financial market collapse will likely have a large impact on sales for the next few months.  Unfortunately, fear is playing an increasingly significant role in the market. 

The decrease in Sales Price is not a sign of decreasing home values.  Instead, it reflects the fact that buyers tend to be buying lower priced homes.  In fact, only 6 properties sold above $200,000 in September.  Investors are taking advantage of Bullitt County foreclosures and first-time homebuyers are purchasing to take advantage of the $7500 tax credit. 

This continues to be a great time to buy a Shepherdsville or Mt Washington Home.   Interest rates remain at historic lows, the regions economy is stable and selection is great.  Perhaps most importantly, Louisville Area Home Values are Stable.  The risk of a decline in prices over the next 2 years is minimal.  If you want to buy a Bullitt County home, now is the time to set aside your fears and take advantage of opportunities in front of you. 

If you wish to sell you Bullitt County home, you must be prepare the home for sale (clean, declutter, stage) and price it properly.  Finally, you must have a marketing savvy real estate agent who can promote your Shepherdsville or Mt Washington home to as many buyers as possible.   

* * * * *

Erik Hitzelberger is a licensed real estate agent with RE/MAX Alliance. He specializes in helping clients buy and sell homes in Louisville and Bullitt County including Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, Brooks, Fox Chase, Hillview, Pioneer Village, Hunters Hollow, Zoneton, and Lebanon Junction. Feel free to email or call me (502-921-3989) about your real estate needs.

Every day, I scour the Louisville real estate market searching for houses that need work, but have significant equity potential for homebuyers and investors.  Most of the time these homes have offers within hours of hitting the market and multiple offer situations are common.  This is especially true for homes below $150,000. 

On occasion, I find a hidden gem that has been overlooked for one reason or another.  This week I previewed one such home.  Although it has been on the market for about 1 week, I don't expect it to last long.

This 4BR, 3 1/2 Bath, Jeffersontown (J-Town) home can be purchased in the $190s (possibly lower) which is $50-60,000 below its move-in ready value.  While I strongly recommend a home-inspection, there are no obvious structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical issues.  The carpet has been removed from the house and there is an lingering pet smell.      

If you are interested in viewing this home, please contact me as soon as possible.  Note, that pre-approval letters must be submitted with offers.  If you are not pre-approved, I'll be happy to recommend a lender who should be able to qualify you quickly.

* * * * *

Erik Hitzelberger is a licensed real estate agent with RE/MAX Alliance. He specializes in helping clients buy and sell homes in Louisville and Bullitt County including Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, Brooks, Hillview, Pioneer Village, Hunters Hollow, Zoneton, and Lebanon Junction. If you need a Bullitt County Real Estate agent please email me or call 502.921.3989.

Not only is there very little risk of a decline in Louisville area home values, but year-over-year price appreciation is improving.  According to the 2nd Quarter Economic and Real Estate Trend Report prepared by PMI Mortgage Insurance Company, Louisville has less than a 1% chance of seeing price declines in the next 2 years.  Further, 2nd quarter 2008 price appreciation was 3.19%.  This is an increase from the 2.88% growth during the same time in 2007. 

While 3% growth seems modest compared to the traditional 5%, it becomes significant when compared to other metropolitan areas.  Declines in areas such as Las Vegas (-17.67%), Miami (-10.68%), or Modesto (-28.53%) are driving the media frenzy.  While stable housing markets are great for buyers and sellers, the just don't make good news stories.     

What this means to you

If you are 'waiting on the bottom' before buying a Louisville area home, there is a good chance that you will end up costing yourself money and depriving yourself of happiness.  With the great selection of homes available and historically low interest rates, now is a perfect time to buy.  Keep in mind that a 1% interest rate increase can decrease your buying power by 11%.  Based on my own research and this PMI report, a 1% rate increase is far more likely than an 11% property value decrease.

Both home buyers and home sellers should expect a fair deal if the home is in good condition and move-in ready.  When selling you Louisville home, you should make repairs, clean, and declutter before listing the house.  Additionally the price must be set properly or your house simply will not sell.  As a buyer, you should expect to find sellers who are interested and perhaps even motivated to sell their homes.  This will be reflected in the condition and price of the home.  However, very few sellers are truly desperate and 'steals' are very few and far between.

In general, if you do not have to sell or are not moving up, now is not the best time to put your house on the market.  The lowered appreciation growth rate is a reflection of the fact that there is a large amount of inventory for sale.  Waiting on the market to return to equilibrium will yield a better return.  If you have to sell or are taking advantage of the buyers market and trading-up, carefully consider the advice above and contact a Louisville REALTOR, to help you properly prepare and market your home.

* * * * *

Erik Hitzelberger is a licensed real estate agent with RE/MAX Alliance. He specializes in helping clients buy and sell homes in Louisville and Bullitt County including Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, Brooks, Hillview, Pioneer Village, Hunters Hollow, Zoneton, and Lebanon Junction. If you need a Bullitt County Real Estate agent please email me or call 502.921.3989.

St Andrews Crossing is a new subdivision in Shepherdsville. Some of the area's best builders constructed these homes and it definitely shows.  The open floor plans conform to today's lifestyles.  Hardwood and tile flooring, fireplaces, 9-10' ceilings, whirlpool tubs and much more are all common.  In fact, the only thing that keeps these homes from being in the Luxury Home price range is their size.      

These upscale Shepherdsville homes have 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths and range from 1500-1800 sq ft. 

In October 2008, prices on active listings ranged from $180,000-$250,000.   

Bullitt County Public Schools

Students who live in St Andrews Crossing and attend Bullitt County Public Schools will go to...

• Bullitt Central High School
• Bullitt Lick Middle School
• Roby Elementary

See Also: Schools in Shepherdsville

Location

From Louisville, take I-65 south to Exit 117.  Turn left (east) onto Hwy 44.  St Andrews Crossing willl be on the left.  

Similar Homes

Click the appropriate links for more Upscale Bullitt County Homes or to Search for more Shepherdsville Homes.   

* * * * *

Erik Hitzelberger is a licensed real estate agent with RE/MAX Alliance. He specializes in helping clients buy and sell homes in Louisville and Bullitt County including Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, Brooks, Hillview, Pioneer Village, Hunters Hollow, Zoneton, and Lebanon Junction. If you need a Bullitt County Real Estate agent please email me or call 502.921.3989.