Real Estate Information Archive

Submitted by Jill Kuchle:

Submitted by Jill Kuchle:

Can't decide whether to buy or to rent???  Maybe this can help you make that decision!! 

BUYING

* You will have a GREAT tax write off.

* Your housing expense may never go up

* You can use, decorate, make physical changes to, and ENJOY your home as YOU see fit!

* You may increase your equity as your home appreciates in value.

* You are not at the mercy of your landlord.

* Your house will become "home," not a temporary living situation.

RENTING

* You will have NO tax write off.

* Your rent can go up each year, typically four to ten percent.

* You must get permission from your landlord to make ANY changes to your home.

* You have no equity built up - your money is gone for good.

* You can be evicted, lose your security deposit (attention pet owners!!!) and more!!!

* Your living situation is always temporary!!

Most people buy homes to have control over where they live.  Although investment features are important, the satisfaction of owning your own home and freedom from paying rent are VERY important as well!! 

In a survey done by the National Association of REALTORS of 6,000 homeowners and 2,000 renters - perhaps the largest ever of attitudes toward home ownership - showed that 76% of owners and 66% of renters considered pride of ownership a very important reason for buying.

Almost equal portions of owners and renters - close to 7 out of 10 - said a dislike of paying rent was an important reason to buy.  Sure renting offers a lifestyle that's nearly maintenance free, but writing a rent check is also like watching your hard earn money sail off into the sunset!!!

Believe me, sacrifices are WORTH it.....almost 7 in 10 renters in the National Association of REALTORS home ownership survey said they planned to buy a home in the future.  More than 3/4 of these people said they were willing to sacrifice to do that. 

Check out the chart below to see how the cost of renting based on a 6% rental increase each year can add up....

So let's get started on the purchase of your new home!!  Contact us if you would like to receive lisitngs as they hit the market via email or check out a hassle free website www.nkyhomesbyemail.com.

Submitted by Jill Kuchle:

You might have an idea of the loan payment and mortgage you can afford. But how will the bank feel?   It's always best to get pre-qualifed for a mortgage so you know exactly how much a bank or other financial institution would be willing to lend you.   And it will let you look at homes that are definately within your price range!!  This way, there will be no disapointments!!!

In the pre-qualification process, you will find out: 

- Exactly how much home or land you can afford. 

- How much cash you will need for the down payment. 

- The minimum down payment, and advantages of higher down payments. 

- What the bank feels you can afford for a monthly payment. 

We have a terrific lender who can help you will all your residential mortage needs.  Just contact our office today for more information.  859-647-0700.

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT OUR MOVING VAN????

Submitted by Jill Kuchle:

You just found out your company is re-locating you or you have decided up downsize or maybe your family has outgrown your current home, whatever your situation, it's time to put your house on the market - now the main question that is on your mind is, "How do I get my house ready to sell???"

Look no further....these few steps will help you get your house in tip top shape AND get you the offer you want!!

• Open the curatins and let the sun in - nothing makes a house look better than good ol natural light!!
• Install high wattage light bulbs.
• Remove ALL clutter from each room - including many personal items such as photos!
• If you have a fireplace, highlight it.
• Keep your home dusted and vacuummed at ALL times.
• Ktichens and bathrooms should always be kept SPOTLESS.  If you don't hardly use it - pack it away!!
• Expand your counter space by removing small appliances.
• If your carpet doesn't clean up well, REPLACE IT!!!
• Put away family photos until your home is under contract.
• Make sure the Front Door Bell works.
• Invest in a new door mats.
• Make sure the front door works effortlessly!
• Regardless of the season, tackle spring cleaning.
• CLEAN EVERYTHING in your home from top to bottom!!
• Wash ALL windows INSIDE and OUT.
• Repair any holes resulting from nails or other mishaps.
• Freshly paing all inside walls.
• Repair or replace broken tiles on walls, floors or in showers/tubs.
• Repair or replace loose wall paper.
• If the basement shows any signs of water or structural damange it may be necessary to obtain a structural engineer's report.
• Water and prune ALL plants (both inside and out!!)
• Remove any excess extension cords and exposed wires.

If you have any other questions concerning getting your home ready to sell.  Feel free to contact us and we can get you ready to sell quick!!!

Submitted by Jill Kuchle:

Many real estate agents are animal lovers and have pets of their own, but we have all shared stories of having our fingers or ankles nipped by furry creatures during a showing. We have opened the front door to the home we are showing only to have a purebred Persian kitten or Golden Retriever dart out the door toward the nearest busy street.   (And trust me, that is not fun...)

If you have pets and are going to put your house on the market, be sure to work out the showing arrangements carefully. It is important for Real Estate agents  to be able to communicate to our colleagues what to expect when they pass through your front door. It is rare for pets to pose significant problems, but big dogs can be menacing. Buyers or agents may be allergic or even a little phobic (or a lot phobic) about dogs or cats! 

It is difficult to get a buyer excited about your home if he or she is sneezing continuously or unwilling to cross the threshold because your dog is barking away intruders.  (Trust us on this one!!)  If your agent knows there might be a problem, they can arrange ahead of time for you to walk the dog, vacuum the cat dander or do whatever is necessary to make sure that the showing goes smoothly.  Not only will it make you feel better but it will also let the potential buyer know you take great pride in your home! 

I am a complete animal lover and have a dog and cat of my own but I know first hand the trouble alergies and smells can pose.  If you have any questions about how to sell your house with pets inside, just ask The Team for some friendly advice!!! 

Submitted by Jill Kuchle:

It's August, it's hot and it's time again for the Boone County Fair!!!  If you are like me, there is nothing like a nice juicy ear of corn, some good ol fashioned country ham, and the demolition derby to make for a fun evening out with the family!!  The Boone County Fair is ready to start and includes LOADS for everyone to check out.

Located at the Boone County Fairgrounds on Idlewild Road, in Burlington, the fair runs from August 6 - 11 this year.  (However there is a tractor pull on Aug. 4th in the evening!!)  If you live in Boone County, enter your kids in the baby show or Little Mr. and Miss Boone County, or other various pagents for the older kids.  The fun doesn't stop there though - this year everything from the 4-H animal shows, horse pulling, tractor pulls, hot dog eating contests, bubble gum blowing contests, frog jumping, rides, food, demolition derbies and much, much more will excite just about everyone in the entire family.  I know my neices and nephews work hard all spring to get their sheep and cows ready for the fair.  It is a great place to take the younger kids too and show them all the animals - especially if they don't live on a farm.  4-H is also a wonderful program to get the kids invloved in.  It teaches them how to care for their animals, pride of ownership, responsibility and can even earn them a little cold hard cash!!!  (and everyone loves that!!)

This year we plan on going to watch the tractor pulls, the demolition derby, the animal shows and maybe enter my son in the 2 Year Old Baby Contest (we'll see though......).

Admission to the fair is $7 per person for ages 3 and older and includes parking and most of the rides

We hope to see ya'll there!!!  For more information on the Boone County Fair visit their website at www.boonecountyfair.org!!!

Submitted by Jill Kuchle:

Real estate is a complicated business.  There are a bazillion little details that must be handled on a timely basis in order to provide the quality of Service that YOU deserve!!!  The Team's professional input will help prepare your home for sale or they will "search th world over" for your dream home!!!  The Mike Parker Team has developed their own marketing and servicing team to insure that you, their client receives memorable real estate service!!   NOT just satisfactory but TRULY MEMORABLE!!!

Buying a home is certainly one of the most reward-able experiences most of us can ever have; it is also very hectic and can be very challenging.  If you're buying for the first time, the process may seem very overwhelming  And even if you've been through it several times, you know, every move is different, and each present it's own set of new challenges.  SO, one clear advantage of calling on the Mike Parker Team for help is simply that you don't have to "go it alone!!"  Mike and his staff have the training, the know how, and the experience (over 50 years!!) to help you and your family through each step of the buying process, and make the process of finding, buying, and moving into your new home as smooth, quick, and enjoyable as it can be.  Another advantage is that The Mike Parker Team represents a valuable source if information about market trends, communities and neighborhoods, and especially, homes for sale throughout the area. 

In addition, The Mike Parker Team employs the team approach with a competent team of professionals to ensure a smooth process every step of the way....all the way to your new home!!