Kelly's Kentucky Real Estate Blog

Visit Historic Middletown in Louisville, KY

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:01:51 -0500

Middletown is a suburb of Louisville, KY located on the east end between I-265 and I-64. I have always enjoyed this area of town and find Main Street to be a hidden treasure to many. The street is lined with historic places, quaint shops and cozy places to eat and watch the day go by. If you have never spent much time in Middletown, stop by and give a few hours to the history that is Middletown, KY.

Happy 4th of July

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 09:48:20 -0500

I wasn't going to watch any fireworks last night, but was pleasantly surprised by the fireworks show we got just by sitting on our front porch last night in LaGrange, KY. The show was fabulous and pretty much any direction we looked there were huge fireworks in the sky. I took lots of pictures to share with you. I hope you enjoy some of the show that I saw!

Preparing Your Home To Sell - Top 5 Most Over-Looked Things to Do

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:21:27 -0500

This may not be everyone's Top 5 list, but it is mine. I run across these things on a regular basis and even though some of them aren't huge, they can be important. When you're preparing your home to sell, it's always good to look at the home from the Buyer's perspective.

This isn't a complete list of things to do to prepare your home to sell; this is just a small list of things that people usually forget about in the rush to get their house looking "Better Homes & Gardens" perfect.

Dust all of your picture frames.
Vacuum up all of the cobwebs (that means around the top of your cabinets, at the top of your vaulted ceiling, and any of those other hard to reach places)
Clean all of the light fixtures in your home. This means clean the dust off of the ceiling fans, polish the chrome, and dump out all of the bugs in those lights (yeah, you know you've got em!)
Clean behind the toilet! Ewww! I don't think I need to elaborate on this, do I?
Clean your oven, refrigerator, and the microwave (I know, even though these items may not stay with the home, people will look inside)

If you would like a check list of things to do to get your home ready to sell, let me know! I'm happy to help!

Looking for a Local Thai Restaurant

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:34:57 -0500

I love Thai food, it's a weekness. I also love Indian food - If you've never tried it, you should. Granted, I must say that the first time I tried Indian food, I wasn't a fan. But there is something in the food (I swear there is), that makes you crave it. When I left Shalimars (my favorite restaurant) the first time I was there, I wasn't planning on going back; but over the weeks I started to crave it, so I tried it "just one more time" and have been hooked ever since. Now I go whenever I can.

My love of Thai food worked in a similar way. The regular restaurant that I went to closed a few years ago, and now if I want to get good Thai food, I have to drive to Southern Indiana to get it. My quest is to find a great Thai Restaurant in Louisville. If you know of one, please let me know!! If you're thinking of opening one - I'd love it if it were in the East End (hint! hint!).

Locust Grove Elementary School, La Grange, KY

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:31:54 -0500

Can you believe that Summer Vacation is almost half over? It's hard to believe that in about a month and a half school will start again. If you're going to the new Locust Grove Elementary School, you're probably even more excited (or nervous), because the school is brand spankin' new, and there are questions about whether it will be ready in time or not.

According to the Principal, Mrs. Arnold, the school will be open and ready for children on the first day. Some of the areas may not be ready for use, but the class rooms will be ready.

Registration Day for all students at the new Locust Grove Elementary School is scheduled for July 31 beginning at 9:00 a.m. (I believe that this is probably going to take place at the Middle School next door?)

Open House is tentatively scheduled for August 7.

These dates are tentative and could change. Keep up to date with what's going on at Locust Grove through their website.

Garbage, Cigarettes, and Clothes - Oh My!

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:49:06 -0500

Over the weekend I showed a home to one of my buyers. They were so excited to see this house. It showed well on the MLS - photos were nice and the house looked like it was in great shape!

But, when we got there, we were shocked. The garage was full of junk (not furniture, like they were trying to make space in the house, just junk) and the house was a disaster! There were ash trays that didn't look like they had been cleaned out in days, dirty towels hanging off the shower, dirty clothes in piles on the floor and in the closets (so much so that you couldn't close the closet doors), papers scattered over the tables - amazing!

The selling agent called for feedback and was suprised as well. Apparently, the home usually showed well. Really? Sounds like time for a suprise visit to see how the house is showing.

I recognize that there are times when a Seller doesn't want to sell their home for one reason or another (divorce, foreclosure, etc.), but if you DO want your home to sell, please, please, please, don't leave ash trays out, do your laundry (and put it away), and clean up after yourself. These things really do reflect poorly on your home if they aren't done and will cause your home to sit on the market longer than necessary.

Arts on the Green in Downtown LaGrange

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:02:10 -0500

This past weekend was Arts on the Green in historic downtown LaGrange, KY. If you're familiar with the St. James Art Festival held in Louisville every year, Arts on the Green is just like it only on a smaller scale. Vendors from across the state come to LaGrange to share and sell their creations to the public - some are just amazing! I went to Arts on the Green with my family and took a few pictures of downtown LaGrange to share with you. I hope you enjoy the show!

Coming Soon...Photos Of Kentuckiana

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:33:19 -0500

Ok, I'm SOOOO excited I can hardly stand it. My old digital camera broke about 6 months ago. I've been holding off on purchasing a new one because I just couldn't decide on what I really wanted. So, after reading the reviews online and here no ActiveRain, I finally made a choice. I ordered the

It's supposed to ship sometime next week and I'm just dying to get out and use it. My first project is a photo tour of the LaGrange, KY area, so be watching for it in the next few weeks! We're going to have fun!

2008 Mother's Day Out Guide

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:07:27 -0500

Last year about this time I posted a Mother's Day Out guide of nice places to take Mom on Mother's Day. It was so well received, I'm posting it again.

Here's your 2008 Mother's Day Out Guide

Special Gifts for Mom

Blow Mom a Vase at Glassworks
Glassworks - 815 W. Market Street, Louisville
Reservations: 502-992-3056
Cost: $60
Dates: Saturday, May 3           10am - 5pm
            Saturday, May 10         10am - 5pm
            Sunday, May 11           12 pm - 5pm (Mother's Day)
            Saturday, May 17         10am - 5pm

Dining Events for Mom

Mother's Day Brunch - Locust Grove
Location: Locust Grove - 561 Blankenbaker Lane, Louisville
Reservations: 502-897-9845
Cost: $27.50 (adults); $12 (children)
Date: Sunday, May 11 from 10am - 2pm

Mother's Day Lunch Cruise - Belle of Louisville
Location: 4^th Stree (Downtown Louisville)
Reservations: 502-574-2992
Cost:

Cruise Ticket:

Adult (13-59)	Senior (60+)	Child (3-12)
$17.00	$16.00	$10.00

Cruise Ticket
with a Meal*:

Adult (13-59)	Senior (60+)	Child (3-12)
$30.00	$29.00	$20.00

*Meal doesn't include items from concession stand unless noted. Reservations are required at least 24 hours prior to the cruise's boarding time.

Date: Sunday, May 11 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (boarding begins at 12:30pm)

Mother's Day Lunch Cruise - Spirit of Jefferson
Location: 4^th Street Wharf (Downtown Louisville)
Reservations: 502-574-2992
Cost:

Cruise Ticket:

Adult (13-59)	Senior (60+)	Child (3-12)
$15.00	$14.00	$7.00

Cruise Ticket
with a Meal*:

Adult (13-59)	Senior (60+)	Child (3-12)
$26.00	$25.00	$17.00

Date: Sunday, May 11 from 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm (boarding begins at 12:00pm)

Mother's Day Brunch at Churchill Downs
Location: Churchill Downs
Reservations: 502-636-4400
Cost: $45 (adults); $25 (children 4-12); Children 3 & under Free
Date: May 11, 2008
Brunch available from 11:30 am - 3:00 pm in the Millionaires Row Dining Room

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!

How about that earthquake, Kentucky?

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:29:46 -0500

OK, so the earthquake was actually centered in southern Illinois. I don't know about you, but I felt it quite well in my little LaGrange, KY home. My husband and I woke up to a shaking house and a bed that felt like we had just dropped a quarter into one of those old (and a little questionable) hotel beds!

Now, if you are from out west where earthquakes are common - you have to remember that like a foot of snow in the winter, earthquakes just don't happen all that frequently here in the midwest (they probably happen just as frequently as a foot of snow!). People here get a little nervous when things out of the "norm" tend to occur.

Anyway, in the spirit of education, here is a link to the American Red Cross site on earthquake preparedness. I use to be a girl scout, so you know, you can never be too prepared! :)

Another thing to take into consideration is earthquake insurance on your home. Since we Kentuckian's do live near the New Madrid fault line, it is a very good idea to have this coverage. I believe it is offered as a rider to your regular home owners insurance (home insurance providers feel free to chime in or correct me!). Yeah, I know, we haven't had an earthquake that rocked our world in quite some time, and the New Madrid fault line hasn't produced a massive quake since 1811. However, some experts do believe that we could see one in our life time, so it can't hurt to be prepared.

The Gratitude Campaign

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:47:53 -0500

This email is for those of us who appreciate all the hard work and dedication our service men and women have, are, and will do for us. Take a moment and thank them when you see them.

Kentucky Derby Time is Here Again!

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:41:06 -0500

Spring is here and the buzz is starting - no not bumble bee's - the Kentucky Derby! In just a few short weeks, the 134^th Running of the Kentucky Derby will be upon us. If you live in or near Kentucky you know we live and bleed the Derby. It's amazing the events that go on between now and the "First Saturday In May". Derby events kick off next weekend (April 12) with Thunder Over Louisville, "the largest annual pyrotechnic display in North America" (http://www.thunderoverlouisville.com/). It really is amazing if you've never seen it. People come from all over just for Thunder Over Louisville and stay for the great events that we have over the two weeks before Derby.

Just how MUCH fun do we have during Derby? We have parties - complete with all the big named celebrities. We have races with hot air balloons, waiters/waitresses, steamboats, soap boxes and more. We have wine festivals, huge golf tournaments, and parades too! And that's just the tip of the iceburg! Learn all about our Derby Festival events at http://www.kdf.org/.

In fact, people love the Derby so much, there's even a new documentary opening April 18^th called "The First Saturday In May". It's opening Nationwide, so make sure you check it out. It's sure to be a hit!

Do You Remember Hunting for Easter Eggs?

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:50:34 -0500

Hunting for Easter Eggs is always fun - it doesn't matter if you're 2 years old or 80 years old. Finding a prize is always fun. I remember one Easter in particular. My sister and I had to be about 7 and 5 (I being older) and we were out in the back yard playing and we kept finding black jelly beans in the grass. It was the coolest thing (you know, back in the good old days when no one was really paranoid about eating things that fell in the dirt?)! My sister and I ran around the yard collecting all of these jelly beans in the yard and having the best time.

Anyway, in the spirit of the Easter Egg hunt and good memories, here are a list of local places that are offering Easter Egg hunts for the kiddos! Make sure you bring your camera and your video camera - it's sure to be a good time.

Douglass Community Center
2305 Douglass Blvd, Louisville
March 15, 2008
10:00 AM - Noon
This is an Easter Egg Hunt and Party. The Easter Bunny will be there too and the cost is FREE!

Central High School
March 22, 2008
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Free for children 1-12 (accompanied by a parent or guardian)
Meet the Easter Bunny, Easter Egg Hunt, and prizes

E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park
Eggstravaganza
March 22, 2008
Beginning at 12:30 PM - ?
Free event for the whole family.
Meet the Easter Bunny
Egg Hunt Schedule:
1:00 PM - Ages 0-2
1:10 PM - Ages 3-4
1:20 PM - Ages 5-7
1:30 PM - Ages 8-10

New Contact Management Program Available

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:23:42 -0600

I received an email the other day, one of the thousands of emails that I get from random companies marketing their Real Estate Services. I'm sure you get them too. There was one that actually caught my eye and instead of deleting said marketing email, I opened it and I'm glad I did.

Like so many of us, I signed up with Top Producer as a Contact Management Program. I really NEEDED a contact management program. I tried ACT and WiseAgent, and they just weren't what I was looking for, so TP wrangled me in and low and behold I'm in a one year contract for $35ish dollars a month. Well after a month or so of playing with TP I realized that it's not really what I wanted - it's not easy to navigate and they get you with that one year contract. My contract with TP is up next month, so I have been in the market for a new Contact Management system and I think I've found it. The email that I received this weekend was for MoreSolds.com. They are a brand new Contact Management site. Here is what MoreSolds.com has to offer:

You can try the basic site Free until March 3, 2008 which comes with:

Up to 100 contacts
Web-based contact management - access your contacts anywhere you have computer access
Set up a buyer profile
Set up listings

If you like the site, you can sign up for the premium package for $9.95 which allows you to have:

unlimited contacts
Import/Export feature
Up to 10 ADDITIONAL USERS (add collegues, assistants, etc.)

Also in 2008, the site will be adding the following FREE features:

Print Lables
Activity Plans
Calendar

For an additional $9.95 (for each item listed) you can get:

A program that requests showing feedback
Email Campaigns
Newsletters

SOooo, you only pay for the services that you need. And the best part is, there is no contract. The services are billed to you on a monthly basis! If you're not happy with TP and you are looking for a change OR if you are a new agent and are looking for a Contact Management System that will grow with you, give MoreSolds.com a try. They are letting you try the basic package for free until March 3, 2008.

Finally, let me close by saying that I am not affiliated with MoreSolds.com in any way. I'm just a Realtor® who found a great product and wanted to share it.

Wedding Season is almost here!

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:54:31 -0600

Spring time is right around the corner and wedding fever is starting to show itself around the Louisville, KY area! For those of you who are preparing for the "Big Event", here are a few links and numbers of places to buy your wedding dress, rent your tuxedo, event/reception halls, etc. Congratulations to you and your significant other on your engagement and upcoming marriage!

BRIDAL SHOWS:

Bridal Fair

January 20, 2008

11AM - 5PM

KY International Convention Center

Whitehall Bridal Show

3110 Lexington Road

Louisville, KY

January 26, 2008

11AM - 4PM

Oxmoor Bridal Show

January 27, 2008

12PM - 5PM

Oxmoor Mall

Brown Hotel Bridal Show

January 31, 2008

5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Brown Hotel

4^th & Broadway

Gardencourt Bridal Show

February 3, 2008

12PM - 4PM

Louisville Presbyterian Seminary Campus

1044 Alta Vista Road

Mall St. Matthews Bridal Show

February 24, 2008

Mall St. Matthews

Special Occasions Bridal Show

June 8, 2008

11AM - 5PM

KY Fair and Exposition Center

RECEPTION HALLS:

Conrad-Caldwell House

1402 St. James Court

Louisville, KY 40208

502-636-5023

http://http://www.conradcaldwell.org/

Locust Grove

561 Blankenbaker Lane

Louisville, KY 40207

502-897-9845

http://www.locustgrove.org/rentals.html

Glassworks

815 W. Market Street

Louisville, KY 40202

502-584-4510

http://www.louisvilleglassworks.com/events.html

(Note: This is the glass blowing company downtown. Visit their website - they have a VERY elegant facility for weddings and special events)

Louisville Zoo

1100 Trevilian Way

Louisville, KY 40213

502-238-5348

http://www.louisvillezoo.org/groups/special.htm

(Note: I know this sounds like an unusual place to have a Wedding, but my Husband and I had our wedding here and it was fantastic! You can have your picture taken with the animals, they have a great catering group, and your guests will be entertained as they're waiting for you to finish up with pictures.)

Kavanaugh Life Enrichment Center

7505 Kavanaugh Road

Crestwood, KY 40014

502-241-9091

http://www.campkavanaugh.com/

WEDDING DRESSES:

David's Bridal

3000 Bardstown Road

Louisville, KY

502-459-7061

http://www.davidsbridal.com/

The Bridal Suite of Louisville

11601 Main Street

Louisville, KY 40243

502-244-2909

http://www.thebridalsuiteoflouisville.com/

(Note: This is a boutique shop)

The Couture Closet

123 E Main Street

LaGrange, KY 40031

502-225-0305

http://www.coutureclosetboutique.com/

(Note: This is a boutique shop)

Bridal Warehouse

1850 S. Hurstbourne Parkway

Louisville, KY 40220

502-499-7911

http://www.usabridal.com/locations.htm

TUXEDO RENTALS:

Colonel Quick Formal Wear

Multiple Locations in Louisville, KY

http://www.colonelquick.com/

Men's Wearhouse

Multiple Locations in Louisville, KY

http://www.menswearhouse.com/index.jsp

Sam Meyers Formal Wear

Multiple Locations in Louisville, KY

http://www.sammeyers.com/

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition comes to Louisville, KY (edited with air date/time)

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:50:58 -0600

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is in town this month. They here because of one very special young man – Patrick Henry Hughes . Patrick is 19 years old, plays the in the University of Louisville Marching and Pep Bands, plays the piano (he began playing at the age of 9 months), plays the trumpet, and sings.

What’s so special about Patrick?

Patrick is blind and unable to fully straighten his arms and legs, which makes him unable to walk. With his fathers help (Patrick John Hughes), Patrick is able to participate in the Marching and Pep Bands. His father learns the routines for the marching band and pushes Patrick in his wheelchair while he plays his trumpet.

Patrick has been recognized for several awards and has been featured on Oprah, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and many others. Because of the achievements of this incredible young person, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is in town this week to rebuild his home. In addition to his home, Extreme Makeover is also making modifications to the University of Louisville Marching Bands practice field.

Extreme Makeover uses local contractors and volunteers to help with the building of the home. Elite Homes and Dauenhauer Plumbing are just a few of the contractors chosen to help rebuild the Hughes home. Also, Fifth Third Bank, in conjunction with these contractors, are paying off the Hughes’ home mortgage.

While their home is being rebuilt, Extreme Makeover has sent them on an all expense paid trip to London, England to relax during the next few weeks.

Watch this edition of Extreme Home Makeover this Sunday, February 17 at 8:00 EST!

You should have been there! Trick or Treating at Yew Dell Gardens

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:08:15 -0600

A few weeks ago I had a "trick-or-treat" booth at Yew Dell Gardens in Crestwood, KY for their Boo Dell Halloween event. This was the first year that they've done trick-or-treating at this event, and it was a HUGE success. They offered a free table to community businesses if they would hand out halloween candy to all the kids that came by. I bought 8 giant bags of candy from Sam's (in 3 different trips), because I had no idea and since they've never done this before, what kind of turn out there was going to be.

I put together little treat bags for the kiddos (the same ones that I put together in my neighborhood for Halloween Night). The bags had candy, crayola crayons (you can buy little boxes from crayola.com that have 4 colors in them), and halloween erasers (from Oriental Trading Company). I also printed off coloring pages for the kids and asked them to color the pages and send them back to me.

I handed out over 75 treat bags and went through another 4 bags of candy and had 3 pieces of candy left when it was all said and done (I had to get stingy towards the end because I wanted every kid to have something). I even went through an entire box of business cards! All in all it was a fabulous event - one that I'm still hearing rave reviews on.

The Coloring pages are starting to trickle in now, and I wanted to share with you guys the great artwork these kids were doing. There was no age limit to this contest, and everyone wins a $5.00 gift card to McDonalds if they mail it back to me.

Check out these great artists!

I Want To Go To One Of The Scariest Places On Earth!

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:09:44 -0500

I Want To Go To Waverly Hills!

Right now a local radio station here in Louisville, KY is holding a contest. Yes, I know. Radio stations always hold contests - no big deal, right? Wrong! Every year for Halloween they give away free tickets to tour Waverly Hills Sanitarium. What's Waverly Hills, you ask? Well, for those of you who watch Ghost Hunters religiously like I do, you probably already know, but for those of you who don't - a little history.

Waverly Hills Sanitarium opened in the early 1900's as a tuberculosis hospital. Before the creation of streptomycin, an antibiotic created to cure TB, tens of thousands of people died here (some estimates are as high as 64,000 people). The Sanatorium closed in the early 1960's when the need for a TB hospital was no longer necessary. About a year or so later, the hospital re-opened as a Geriatric Sanitarium where it is rumored that patients were mistreated and unusual experiments were performed. The Hospital was again closed in 1982 due to patient abuse.

Waverly Hills has been deemed one of the "Scariest Places on Earth" as was featured on a show by the same name on Fox/ABC, as well as on VH1's Celebrity Paranormal Project and on SciFi's Ghost Hunters.

Anyway, I'm a big sci-fi, paranormal, ghost nut, and have never been to this place before. So I really want to go and it out. As an added bonus this year though, the Ghost Hunter guys from SciFi are going to be there doing a live show from Waverly Hills (you can watch it Oct. 31 on the SciFi channel). Needless to say, if I go, I'll post pictures!

However, the fact that I've been pounding the buttons on my phone every time the touch tones go off on the radio isn't the reason I'm posting this here. Why I'm really posting is because this radio contest got me thinking about real estate (how's that?). I started wondering as I was inflicting abuse on my phone, what it would take to make people want to call me and desperately get a hold of me to sell or help them find a house? What can I do to make sure that my phone number is on speed dial like this radio station is on mine? How does Kelly McDonald, Super Realtor Extraordinaire, become a household name?

I'm looking for ideas! No, I can't offer a drawing for a free house or a new car. What I do have is time, energy, and determination that won't quit. So what do you think? Suggestions? Thoughts?

"Boo-Dell" at Yew Dell Gardens

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:42:05 -0500

On October 20, 2007 Yew Dell Gardens and the Oldham County Public Library are sponsoring "BOO DELL". Bring your kiddo's in their favorite halloween costumes for a day of fun and excitement! From 11:30 - 1:30 children will be able to walk to Trail of Treats and visit Oldham County businesses for all sorts of goodies. A Halloween Magic show will follow at 2:00 with Mr. Magic, Jeff Russ.

Also, this year, Yew Dell is hosting its first annual "Book O'Lantern" contest. Decorate your pumpkins like your favorite story book character. Pumpkins can be dropped off at Yew Dell Gardens Friday, October 19 from 10:00 - 3:00 or Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 - noon. Special Guest judges will announce the winners at 3:00.

Hayrides and pumpkins will be on sale all day.

Admission to Boo-Dell is FREE with your Oldham County Public Library card!

Yew Dell Gardens is located at:

Yew Dell Gardens
6220 Old LaGrange Road
Crestwood, KY 40014

30 Tips For Distributing Your Business Card

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 10:36:10 -0500

The market is changing around us and many are starting to feel the crunch. Here are some great ideas for ways to get your business card out into the public eye and hopefully drum up some business. SOme we've all heard, and some are new. Give them a whirl and let us know what kind of results you get.

Give them with your money at drive thrus
Leave them at the gas pump
Send them with your money at the bank drive thru
Stick them in the envelope with your letters, bills, invoices, Netflix movies, etc.
Use them as bookmarks in your library books and return the books with your business card.
On Bulletin Boards at Supermarkets, Starbucks, hardware store or anywhere else that has a bulletin board
Leave one with your tip at restaurants, hair dressers, etc.
Work out an arrangement with other service providers - if they mail your card with theirs to their clients, you'll do the same with their business cards to your clients.
Attach them to gifts (ex. At Halloween put little bags of candy together and tie your card to the bags - give one to each kiddo).
Join Bookcrossing.com and leave your business cards with the books that you "place"
In the pew's at church
Send your business card to all those credit card companies that send you junk mail by using the Postage Paid envelopes enclosed (mail it on their dime!)
Drop them into those "win a free" something jars in stores and restaurants.
Give them to your friends and family to hand out if they run into potential clients for you.
Leave them on the seat of the Bus
Leave them at your doctors, dentist, etc. office
Walk around your neighborhood and put one in every newspaper box
Give them to kids - they love to feel important, and the card is usually left in some random place that you would never expect.
In your hotel/motel room
Bus stops
Participate in Geocaching.com, and leave your cards at the treasure hunting sites.
Leave them at the playground
Toll-booth attendants
Parking lot attendants
Bridal Stores and Tuxedo Rental stores - newly weds need homes too! J
At the gym
College campuses
Use your business cards as price tags on items at your yard sale
Leave them in elevators
At the ATM Machine

What unique ways do you have for distributing your business cards?

Bonus Tips:

I found these on the internet, but I don't recall where - if you claim these ideas, let me know and I'll give you credit.

1. Take a colored envelope, face the front of the envelope towards you and upside down. Fold the envelope into thirds and turn it over. The flap of the envelope makes a cute little holder for your business card - great to use in mailings!

2. Run a promotion on your website - Show me one of my business cards and get a free __________! (Free CMA, Free Home Warranty, Free tickets to the movies, etc.)

Tips from Fellow ActiveRainers:

1. Send a note of appreciation to your clients, fellow Realtors, bankers, attorneys. Those folks who help you through the transactions that we all love. Insert one of your cards in the note, remind them that you are never too busy for their business! (Thanks Fran Rokicki)

The Wheels On The Moving Truck Go Round And Round...

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:41:35 -0500

Moving is never easy and a LOT of work, it can also be a very emotional experience, especially if you have children. If you are moving to a new city, state, or even a new country, your children are in for some big changes. Here are some suggestions for making the transition a little easier for you and your child.

Let your children know as soon as possible about the move. Talk through the process and let them know about the changes that will come (new school, new church, new friends, etc.). Let your children ask questions and answer them honestly.
Take a tour. If time allows, arrange a time for you and your children to walk through the new house before you move. Let them pick out their bedroom and help visualize where furniture is going to go. Also along the tour lines - make an appointment with your child's school and walk through - see if you can meet the teacher.
Go Shopping! Go shopping with your children to pick out new paint colors for their room, new sheets, accessories; let them personalize their new room.
Create Memories. Give your children disposable cameras and let them take pictures of the people, places, and things that they want to remember. Help them put together a scrapbook of their memories.
Keep in touch. Help your children collect addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of their close friends and family so that they can write often.
Pack Last and Unpack First. Pack your children's things last (if you can help it), and unpack their room first. This will help them feel comfortable and more at home, and give them a familiar place to retreat to when things get to be too much.
Make it fun! Play games and find groups that your children can participate in and begin to make new friends. Drive around your new town and find stores, restaurants, attractions, etc., that you use to enjoy in your old town. Or, drive around and find new stores, restaurants, attractions, etc., that you want to make a point to check out with your family and start a "to do" list of places to see.

There are tons of other things that you can do to help your child adjust to a new place. If you would like more suggestions on moving with children, let me know!

Need a little pick me up? Search for your name!

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 10:10:23 -0500

I live in my own little world sometimes - I'm sure many of us do. I post my articles on AR just like everyone else. While I know the information is informative, I have never stopped to think if other people would consider them in the same light. Until today! I'm one of those crazy people that love to search on their own name on places like Google and Yahoo, mainly because I want to see how my website ranks, but also because I just like to see what kind of mystery information is out there on me. You never know what you might find! Well, today I searched on my name in ActiveRain (under blogs). What a pleasant surprise!

I learned today that Lola Audu liked my post on the Realtor.org Library; Teri Eckholm found my post on the Perfect Closing Gift to be helpful; and that Rosemary Brooks found my posts to be helpful and inspiring! I would never have known any of these things (or it may have taken me a while to find them with the massive amount of posts on AR) if I hadn't searched on my name out of curiousity! I'm so excited, and so flattered!

Our community here on AR is so enormous, you never know what could be out there that someone has written about you. Do a search on your name today and let us know what you find!

Halloween is right around the corner!

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 08:20:36 -0500

Can you believe that Halloween is almost here? The stores already have their costumes and candy out for the big day. Since the weather has turned cooler here in Kentucky and Halloween is a little over a month away, I thought this would be a good time to post a few ideas that you can use to market yourself on and around Halloween. There's plenty of time to plan and these ideas are sure to be a hit with children and their families!

Give away pumpkins to your farm area
Have a pumpkin carving contest (can also be an extension of your pumpkin give-away)
Host a costume contest & Halloween party
Buy mini paper bags (available at craft stores like Michaels) put candy in them, and tie your business card to the top of the bag. Hand the bags out on Halloween night.
Have a costume contest for neighborhood pets
Take Polaroid photos of Trick or Treaters - put the photo in an envelope or photo holder with your information on it.

Can you think of any other great Halloween ideas?

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 20:41:42 -0500

One of the things that I love about Louisville, KY is its sense of community and fellowship. You can tell by some of the events that the City holds, that it cares about its residents and businesses. A great example of this is the Free Community Shredding Event that it is holding this weekend, September 8, 2007, at the Louisville Zoo. Residents and Businesses are invited to bring anything from hard drives, to CD's, to credit card applications and have them shredded on site. The items that are shredded are then sent to be recycled and turned into mulch, paper, etc.

There is no limit to the number of documents that residents can shred; however, businesses are asked to bring no more than 100 pounds. Last year, this event shredded more than 28 tons of material!

Event information:

Location: Louisville Zoo

Date: September 8, 2007

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Cost: FREE!!!

This event is sponsored by the great people at Shred-It, who generously donated their time and equipment to this event.

Please take advantage of this free service and protect yourself from identity theft.

Are you smarter than a Kindergartener?

Kelly McDonald (Semonin Realtors) — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 08:03:41 -0500

My daughter started Kindergarten last week. It was one of the hardest things I've had to do. Watching that little girl with her HUGE pink backpack falling off her shoulders walk into a brand new school where she doesn't know a soul - I felt like I was sending her to the wolves. I worried about her the entire day her first day of school. Was she going to get picked on? Would she make new friends? Needless to say, I didn't get much work done that first day, my mind and heart just wasn't in it.

So, after school I rush to pick her up and she runs at me with her arms wide open and the biggest smile on her face. The first words out of her mouth were "I really like my new school, mommy!" Relief ran through me - she had a good day. She told me all about her day - she made some new friends (though the boys aren't nice), she got to play outside on the playground, she got to buy her very own lunch - just like the big kids. She was so excited!

I am so proud of her! She stepped up to the plate and made the best of a new situation. She got out of her comfort zone (granted - it wasn't totally by her choice), talked with new people, and learned new things. My kindergartener taught/reminded me that in order to succeed, I need to put myself in uncomfortable situations sometimes - that the introvert in me cannot take over and keep me in the comfort of my own home - I need to get out and meet new people and make new friends.

Get out of your comfort zone and try something new - you may be surprised at the results!