Jacki and Jerry's Blog

Sellers, WhatEVER You Do, DON'T Just Go With The Highest Bidder !

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:14:09 -0700

"But XYZ Company says they can get me $10,000 more for my home than you can."

When you're interviewing Realtors, don't go with the agent who may be there for with one goal - to GET THE LISTING! - even if it means embellishing the listing price.

Actually, when an agent comes in with a pie-in-the-sky price that even makes you raise your eyebrows, you can bet that either:

a. The agent is inexperienced and really doesn't know how to do a thorough market analysis.

b. He or she may be out of her area of expertise. All real estate is local. Very local. Sometimes even as local as your particular neighborhood or even your street. This is particularly true of home prices in the Louisville, Kentucky area. This agent may be trying to compare your home to a home several miles away. Looks good on paper, but doesn't work in the real world of local real estate.

c. There may be an ulterior motive for listing your home at any price. You see, statistically speaking, an agent should be able to sell TWO HOMES to buyers who call for information on your home. So, in essence, even if your home doesn't sell, the agent has met many new potential clients and has a great chance of still earning commissions from the sign in your front yard.

d. The agent may not be bold enough to tell you the truth. He or she may simply take the listing, and then hit you up later for a price reduction.

So where does that leave you? You have a price tag on your home that will prevent it from selling. Your home is now a "stale listing". You fire the agent who overpromised and couldn't deliver. You're understandably upset. You've lost money as you have to continue to pay your mortgage and upkeep on your home. Prime marketing time is lost.

A professional Realtor is one who will tell you the truth. In today's market, the truth is often very difficult to hear. But a great agent will have that hard conversation with you up front, explaining that the buyer ultimately defines the market. Buyers will be comparing your home to somewhere between 12 and 15 others, and they will invariably go with the one that offers the very best value.

You can compare the pricing of your home to the price of a gallon of milk at the supermarket. If you know that a gallon of milk at Safeway is $2.99, and the price of milk at Publix is $5.99, where are you going to buy your milk? Well, what if Publix hires a band to stand out in front of their store and sing a clever little song about their milk while clowns dance around with signs that say "Buy your milk at Publix! Only $5.99!" In spite of all that expensive marketing and extra effort, you'll still drive over to Safeway and buy your milk for $2.99 instead, right?

Well, that's how the price of your home is determined. A buyer will make an offer on your home at the point at which they see the value.

Look for an agent who really understands how to price a home correctly, get it sold for you at top achievable dollar, and who will negotiate in your best interest.

Contact The Shafer Team: http://www.TheShaferTeam.com - or call us! 502.643.SOLD (7653)

Will Record-Low Interest Rates Keep Homebuyer Interest Alive ?

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:48:12 -0700

It was predictable but still made the headlines:

The Washington Post braces America for the bleak news:

New-Home Sales Plunge 33 Pct with Tax Credits Gone:

"Sales of new homes collapsed in May, sinking 33 percent to the lowest level on record as potential buyers stopped shopping for homes once they could no longer receive government tax credits.

The bleak report from the Commerce Department is the first sign of how the end of federal tax credits could weigh on the nation's housing market."

The tax credit was definitely a B-12 shot in the arm of an anemic housing market.

So now what? That ship has sailed. What can be done to keep buyers excited about finding a great buy in today's competitive market?

Freddie Mac is hoping that record-breaking interest rates could be the answer:

Rates for a 30-year fixed loan declined to 4.69 percent this week from 4.75 percent. The previous record was 4.71 percent, set in the week that ended December 3.

The average 15-year rate was 4.13 percent.

It's important to get this message out: When you consider these incredibly attractive rates, combined with the fact that Sellers are more competitive and negotiable than they have been in years, it's still a great time to buy !

Jacki and Jerry Shafer are mega-agents with The Shafer Team and Keller Williams Realty. They specialize in residential sales in Louisville, Kentucky, and surrounding Oldham, Shelby, Trimble and Henry Counties.

The Race Is On...Will Your House Sell or Will Your Neighbor Cross the Finish Line??

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:14:54 -0700

When your home is on the market, you're in a race. And the competition is fierce. Using round numbers, let's just say there are 100 homes for every 20 buyers. (Not much of a stretch...). What are you going to do to ensure that your home jumps ahead of the others, giving you the edge you need to make it successfully to the closing table.

If you're not priced competitively, staged to impress their socks off, and willing to negotiate (not just price, but financing terms, repairs, etc.), you're going to be choking on the other guy's dust as he makes that last lap to the finish line.

If you really need to sell your home in a challenging market, you've got to be willing to embrace a true competitive spirit. Put sentimentality and emotion aside: your home is now a product. Can you sell this product? Heck yes you can, but it's got to be the best looking thing in a 5-mile radius and priced better than the nearest competitor.

It's easy to find out what your neighbors' homes have to offer. Most homes have multiple photos, detailed descriptions and virtual tours that you can view online. If the homes are hosting open houses, by all means take a look around. Knowledge is power, and this will help you determine with your Realtor RIGHT PRICING for your home.

If there's another home very much like yours: same age, amenities, square footage, etc., price it just under that one and you'll have a great shot at winning out. But also keep in mind that buyers are sizing up the lots as well when they're shopping. Two homes may be alike in almost every way, but the competition might have a better lot, more privacy, a better view, etc. Be sure to compare homes both inside and out.

This can all seem daunting, but a good - or I should say - great Realtor, can bring all the puzzle pieces together and help you focus on what it's going to take to get your home SOLD!

Jacki Shafer is Lead Listing Specialist with The Shafer Team and Keller Williams Realty Louisville East.

LaGrange, Kentucky: It's Time For Farmer's Market !!

Thu, 27 May 2010 14:53:08 -0700

Before my Saturday listing appointments and home showings command my day, I like to take a short drive to one of my favorite places - LaGrange Farmers and Artisan Market. First stop: grab a great cup of coffee from LaGrange Coffee Roasters.

After saying hello to some friends and fellow shoppers, I can't resist stopping at Q & A Sweet Treats. Maybe I'll have a buttermilk scone or a blueberry streusel muffin. It's all good.

As a long-time resident of Oldham County, it really makes me smile to see how Farmers Market has grown - from a few farmers selling vegetables on the corner, to the delightful weekly event it is today. In fact, now called "Farmers and Artisan Market", there's much more to offer now than fresh Kentucky-grown fruits and vegetables. Today the sidewalk fare also includes hand-crocheted hats, home-made soaps, hand crafted wood pieces - all offered by local artisans. I bought a beautiful pair of earrings last Saturday for my granddaughter.

After a hectic week - that for me doesn't end with the weekend - this is my mini-vacation from my real estate life where I can come up and see friends, sample some of the best fresh fruit you can find anywhere, and buy free range chicken and some local honey. And having a local musician set it all to music - well it just doesn' get much better than this!

If I have some extra time I'll stroll on down Main Street and stop in some unique shops and art galleries, maybe stop for lunch with a friend or client at one of many amazing restaurants.

Located at the Courthouse Square in Downtown LaGrange, Kentucky, Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. through October 1, 2010.

And yes - A Train Runs Through It !

This is just one of many great events Downtown LaGrange has to offer. Go to Discover Downtown LaGrange to find out more.

Jacki Shafer is a Realtor with The Shafer Team and Keller Williams Realty Louisville East. A long-time resident of Oldham County, Jacki is a Board Member of Discover Downtown LaGrange.

Repeat After Me...MUST Think Resale...MUST Think Resale...

Mon, 10 May 2010 17:20:39 -0700

Even if you're 100% SURE this is your last home. You're positive this is the home you'll be in until someone carries you out in that big black limo, it rarely is. You probably will move again. So when you buy or build, make SURE that the home will someday work for someone else.

This quirky floor plan may go well with your quirky personality, but when the day comes to sell, you may have a hard time finding someone just like you who gets a kick out of the weird and different.

Keep this in mind if you're remodeling as well. Hey, it's your home, and you should enjoy it. But let that artsy, creative, and yes, a little quirky side of you express itself in your paint and accessories. Paint can be changed. That furry lamp shade can be boxed up and stored in the basement.

Look for the tried and true floor plan that works with today's buyer, and one that will likely work for tomorrow's buyer as well. That tiny fourth bedroom that didn't bother you because you just needed it for a small office may bother many prospective buyers who are specifically looking for four bedrooms for their growing family. Your kitchen doesn't have much counter space, and when you bought your home that was okay because you only cook "ding" food anyway (when the microwave goes "DING!", your food's ready), but most people need that preparation space in the kitchen.

Bottom line: When you're shopping for a home, keep chanting over and over, "Must Think Resale..." because even though it doesn't bug you a bit, it's likely that staircase that goes nowhere or that tiny bedroom closet will be deal breaker when you need to sell your home some day.

Oldham County Home Sales: First Quarter 2010 vs First Quarter 2009

Wed, 05 May 2010 15:25:27 -0700

Did the recent tax credits have an impact on home sales in the beautiful rural community of Oldham County, Kentucky? The numbers tell an interesting story:

Compiled from the Louisville Multiple Listing System, I compared single family homes that SOLD from January 1, 2010 to May 5, 2010 to homes SOLD from January 1, 2009 to May 5, 2009.

The percent of change is pretty dramatic in the lower price ranges. Homes priced under $100,000 saw a 42.85% increase in numbers of homes SOLD.

There was a 15.38% increase in numbers of homes SOLD that were priced between $100,000 and $149,999.

Interestingly, the numbers of homes SOLD that were priced between $150,000 and $250,000 actually fell when compared with the same time period in 2009, but homes priced between $250,000 and $299,999 spiked a full 40% .

Numbers of homes priced between $300,000 and $349,999 jumped a whopping 425%: from 4 homes SOLD from January 1 to May 5 in 2009 to 21 homes SOLD by May 5, 2010.

Homes priced between $350,000 and $399,999 saw an 80% increase.

This is where the positive numbers STOP.

Homes priced between $400,000 and $449,999 have decreased: from 10 homes SOLD by May 5, 2009 to 7 homes SOLD by May 5, 2010. From $500,000 to $549,999: 3 homes SOLD to 1 home SOLD. From $550,000-$599,999: 3 homes SOLD to 2 homes SOLD. For both 2009 and 2010 year-to-date (May 5): there was only 1 home SOLD each year. From $700,000 to $900,000: 2 homes SOLD by May 5, 2009, and thus far no homes have been recorded as SOLD in 2010.

Both years reported no homes SOLD by May 5 that were priced at $1,000,000 or above.

It seems obvious to me that homebuyers seized on multiple opportunities during first quarter 2010: The first and repeat homebuyer tax credits, low interest rates, and competitive pricing.

So now what? Well, it totally depends upon which newspaper you're reading or which news channel you're watching. Predictions are all over the board.

Many predictions are that the housing market will dip again in mid 2010 before making a slight come-back toward the fourth quarter. National Association of Realtors chief economist Lawrence Yun said, "Later in the second half of the year, and into 2011, home sales will likely become self-sustaining if the economy can add jobs at a respectable pace, and from a return of buyer demand as they see home values stabilizing."

Yun went on to say, "Another encouraging sign is the improvement in the availability of jumbo and second-home mortgages. As bank balance sheets strengthen, it is just a matter of time before lending of non-government-backed mortgages steadily opens up."

Of course there are very realistic obstacles still in the way of a truly robust real estate market. Rising foreclosures will push more inventory onto the market, putting additional downward pressure on home prices. And many lenders are concerned about the threat of rising interest rates.

But here's what we have on our side: We live in an area of the country that has weathered every real estate storm very well. And most particularly, we live here in Oldham County, where demand for affordable housing, great schools, and an incredible quality of life is still very high.

Challenges still ahead? Absolutely. But I remain your eternal optimist!

When It Comes To Empty McMansions, Neighbors Are NOT Saying "I'm Lovin' It"

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:52:00 -0800

Drive through just about any neighborhood in America and you're likely to find empty houses. Shiny new homes that never found an owner are abandoned by bankrupt builders. Subdivisions left largely unfinished by cash-strapped developers. It seems to be especially unnerving to see the "SUPER-SIZED" or what has been coined the "McMansion" sitting empty. It is a glaring reminder that, in a bad economy, anyone can lose their home.

It's sad to watch a family have to pack and leave their dream home. They hang on and make their mortgage payments while trying to sell their home for months or even years. As they struggle to make the mortgage while suffering a job loss or pay cut, the value of their home continues to go down. Realizing they're fighting a losing battle, they finally give up and move out, opting to find a home to rent that they can afford, while continuing to try to find a buyer, hoping the bank will accept a short sale. Often the only option left is to just give up and let the bank foreclose. It has become epidemic across the nation.

When this happens, the negative affects spider out to the adjoining neighbors, and eventually, as the numbers of empty homes grow, entire communities and even the states suffer. An empty house is a target for vandalism. Weeds grow where there once were beautiful gardens, and the dandelions begin to take over the lawn that used to be lush and green. Swimming pools half-full with water invite mosquitos and safety issues.

What can you do to help protect your neighborhood from decreasing values and vandalism? Here are a few tips:

1. Ask your local police department to check on the empty home on a regular basis.

2. Alert the health department in your area if an empty home has a swimming pool that has become a mosquito haven.

3. If the home is listed, ask the listing agent to add timers to the lights so they come on at night. Keep curtains and blinds closed so that it is not readily apparent that the home is unoccupied. If the home doesn't already have a security system, ask the agent to add inexpensive door jamb alarms.

4. Ask the homeowner's association if there is money in the budget to help keep up the lawn maintenance.

5. Ask for volunteers in the neighborhood to take turns checking on the home to ensure all locks are secure and nothing has been vandalized.

Whether an empty home is a McMansion or a starter home, the negative repercussions affect all of us, and we need to do our part to help protect our property values. Of course even diligently caring for an empty home won't guarantee a buffer against value loss. The very fact that it has been sitting empty will bring out the bargain shoppers wanting to "steal" the home, which can have a very negative impact on your home's value. But at least you will keep the neighborhood looking nice and keep the home(s) from becoming an eyesore.

The Importance of a Pre-Purchase Home Inspection

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:04:38 -0800

You're never quite ready for the phone call. It almost always takes you off guard. That, "Are you sitting down?..." phone call that makes you feel like your stomach is falling out. The Buyers want out of the contract after a home inspection. Even though the Sellers are willing to make any and all repairs, the list was just overwhelming and the Buyers want out.

How could this have been avoided? If the Sellers had gotten a home inspection prior to listing the property, all defects would have been known ahead of time and most or all major "deal breakers" could have been repaired, replaced, or corrected prior to putting up the FOR SALE sign.

Lesson learned.

Now I advise all my Seller clients to get the home inspected before we list the property.

There are many benefits to having your home inspected before listing:

1. Your home could sell faster!

2. Your home could sell for more money!

3. You will be able to share the home inspection report and receipts for repair work completed.

4, All issues have been taken care of ahead of time so you will have nothing to "apologize" for.

5. Now there are no surprises.

6. No more buyers walking away over home inspection results.

7. No reason for buyers to try to renegotiate price based on home inspection findings.

8. The choice of home inspectors is yours. (But choose wisely. Make sure the home inspector has outstanding credentials.

9. Your inspection report can be added as an HTML web page link so that buyers can see the report in advance. They will appreciate your full disclosure.

10. Buyers will see this as a win-win. They still have the right to have an independent home inspection as well, but if you choose someone well known in the community as a top-notch home inspector they may not choose to spend the extra money to have a second opinion inspection.

Still Sitting On That Fence? You'll Get Splinters In Your Behind AND Miss Out On Great Housing Deals!

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:55:24 -0800

It's not comfortable up there on that fence. But you're waiting for the right time. Will home prices continue to come down? Should I wait for a better interest rate? Just when IS the right time to buy?

Well, jump on down! Rarely do we have the stars aligned in a perfect pattern spelling out the words:

BUY NOW !

Seriously. Home prices are extremely attractive. Interest rates are still low (although there is talk that rates will rise soon), and with tax credits of up to $8,000 if you're a first-time homebuyer and up to $6,500 for repeat homebuyers, NOW is the perfect time to be finding your perfect home. (Visit our website for a link to all the details about the tax credits: TheShaferTeam.com )

Buyers who used to drive through neighborhoods dreaming about "someday" owning a home there are finding that at today's prices those homes are within reach.

This window of opportunity will not remain open forever. In fact, there is a deadline of April 30, 2010 to be under contract if you want to take advantage of these tax credits.

So - No more vacillating. No more waffling. No more dithering. No more wavering, see-sawing, or dilly-dallying.

Seize the day!

Jerry and Jacki Shafer are "mega agents" with The Shafer Team and Keller Williams Realty Louisville East.

Confessions of a Louisville Realtor: It's NOT About The Money. But It Used To Be...

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:32:09 -0800

Yep, it's confession time. When I decided over twenty years ago to get my real estate license, it was for one reason and one reason only: I needed to bring money into the household budget. It was all about the money.

After getting my bachelor's degree in Marketing and Communications I went to work for a non-profit organization working long and crazy hours for very little pay. I felt guilty each and every day for spending so much time away from our young children. But my husband had a dead-end job at the time and there just wasn't enough money coming in to provide for our kids' needs.

Hating the regular 9-5 (actually 8:00 a.m. to 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 p.m.) it hit me one day: Why not sell real estate? After all, the hours are flexible, all Realtors drive Cadillacs and are dripping in diamonds, right? I could picture Realtors cashing their commission checks into one-dollar bills they piled up to the ceiling and jumped into for exercise. Realtors were the "uber-rich"...

I knew I enjoyed my marketing classes and felt confident I could sell homes. But my only goal was bringing money into the home - adding to our financial bottom line.

I really didn't expect to like real estate so much !!

Instead of looking at buyers and sellers with dollar signs in my eyes, I started looking at them as people. Families. With real-life hopes, dreams, challenges, issues. I was beginning to understand that, as I took the time to truly listen to people, I was feeling a great sense of reward for being able to help them. I found it incredibly fulfilling to be able to successfully negotiate the very best deal for my clients. I was beginning to feel more like a counselor than a Realtor.

This was beginning to be quite a kick !

Not that I like to quote Oprah, but this was truly my "Light Bulb Moment" . When I was able to focus on caring about people, listening to people, and not being tied to the outcome, I found that I was making friends. Clients were telling their friends, family and co-workers about me. Although it's always great to get paid for my services, I can truly say in all honesty that the excitement for me comes when I can feel I played a role in helping people buy and sell their largest financial investment. It comes when I can take the time to chat with a woman needing to sell the home she loves because her husband has left her and she has no other choice. It comes when I can vicariously relive our own excitement when I'm working with first-time homebuyers and I get to hand them the keys to their new home. It comes when I'm able to help a grieving family through the heartache of selling their parents' home.

Once I realized that this was not just a J.O.B., that I could use the gifts God gave me as a good listener - someone people could really talk to, everything changed. And I became a better person for it.

So this is my confession: I do love my job!

And oh, by the way: most of us don't drive Cadillacs. We're not dripping in diamonds. And we don't jump into piles of money each nite. We're just hard-working people who enjoy helping other people. And once we "get it", we realize it's not about the money. When you do a good job and people can see that you care, the money will just naturally come.

Jacki and Jerry Shafer are "mega agents" with The Shafer Team and Keller Williams Realty Louisville East . Specializing in selling homes in Louisville, and surrounding Oldham, Trimble, Shelby and Henry counties in Kentucky.

Louisville Real Estate Team Talks About Ways Sellers Can Create A Feeding Frenzy of Buyers

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:15:49 -0800

It's a hard pill to swallow. Your biggest investment, your home, has actually gone down in value instead of up. Especially here in the Louisville, KY area, this has been a difficult reality. For the two decades I've been selling real estate here in "Bluegrass Country", I've been able to show home sellers that they could count on between 3% - 6% yearly appreciation on their homes. We've never seen the big peaks and valleys - just a conservative but dependable return on our home purchases.

Not so today. If you need to sell your home this year, the rules of the game have changed. The bait you're throwing out there must be enticing enough to do much more than attract a few casual nibblers:

you need to put out enticing lures that will create a feeding frenzy of excited buyers anxious to grab up your home.

I'm not suggesting a "fire sale" price. The message here is that you're in a competition with the guy next door, and around the corner, and across the street, and in the neighboring subdivision. What's it take to be the "best home"? Well, if I can drop another metaphor: you're in a beauty contest. Your home has to look gorgeous, smell wonderful, be dressed to the nines and send out that "you know you want me!" message.

Gone are the days when you can just offer "allowances" such as carpet, wallpaper removal, paint, landscaping, etc. That has never been the best idea, and in this competitive market it just doesn't work at all. If you truly need to sell it's very important, if at all possible, to invest the time and the money to put your very best foot forward.

So let your competitive nature break out! Don't let the guy down the street grab up YOUR buyer! By making sure your home is the most attractive, the most updated, the most competitively priced home in your neighborhood, you will create a sense of urgency among the pool of buyers wanting that all-important best value around. And who knows? You may even end up in a bidding war for your home.

Jacki and Jerry Shafer are "mega agents" with The Shafer Team and Keller Williams Realty Louisville East. "Moving Families. Building Friendships."

CALL THE SHAFER TEAM TODAY @ 502.643.SOLD (7653)

This Louisville Real Estate Team INSISTS on a Final Walk-Through - Every Time!

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:38:16 -0800

You may have seen the home you're buying three or four times already. First there was the OPEN HOUSE you happened upon as you were out driving around. You couldn't help yourself. You fell in love. You called your agent who met up with you to view it with you. Then you attended the home inspection and got a very good education about the house and your agent was able to successfully negotiate with the Sellers for some needed repairs on the home. You forgot to measure for curtains so your agent made a fourth appointment to get you in for measurements.

So now that the house is starting to really feel like it's yours, and you've seen first-hand that it has been well taken care of, why the need for a final walk-through?

Because stuff happens. After over 20 years in the business, I've seen smooth transactions hit some rough spots at the eleventh hour.

The final walk-through inspection is intended to ensure that the home is in "the same or better" condition as it was found at the time you entered into the sales contract. If the contract stated that the kitchen appliances remain, you want to make sure that those same appliances are still in place and haven't been switched out (yes, it has happened!). The same with the window treatments, even the light fixtures and area rugs: are they still there and are they the same ones you asked for?

You will want to check out the following as you walk through: (your Realtor should have this list for you to check off):

* Check every light fixture to make sure it is operable

* Test every appliance that stays with the home

* Open and close all doors and check the locks

* Open and close all windows and check the locks

* Test the air conditioning and heat

* Run water and check for any leaks

* Check out all the walls, floors and ceilings (any new stains, flooring cracks or tears, holes in walls?)

* Run garbage disposal and exhaust fans

* Make sure all debris and personal property not asked for in the contract has been removed

In addition to this "punch list", you will want to make sure that any repairs agreed to after the home inspection have been completed to your satisfaction. It's a good idea, especially if the repairs are extensive and/or complicated, to hire your home inspector to come out again just to look at those specific repair items. If for any reason they were not completed or completed properly and the closing cannot be postponed until this matter can be cleared up, arrangements will need to be made to hold back money from the Sellers' proceeds until the repairs are completed.

In many cases the Sellers have vacated the home prior to the closing, making it much easier to perform a final walk-through. You'll be able to tell right away if there are holes or "dings" in the walls created by the movers. Evidence of a fresh Kool-Aid stain in the carpet that wasn't there before will need to be addressed.

If the Sellers negotiated in the contract to stay a few days after the closing, it is highly recommended that you perform a SECOND final walk-through for just such issues as we've addressed here. In our Greater Louisville Association of Louisville contracts, that protective verbage is standard, and the second walk-through survives the closing.

At the final walk-through, I ask if the Sellers can be there whenever possible. Often this will be the first time the Buyers and Sellers have met, and it is a great time for the Sellers to point out how to maintain the swimming pool, program the garage door opener, etc. I usually recommend that the Sellers share a forwarding address so that any mail can be forwarded, and it give the buyers an opportunity to contact the former owners if there are any other questions only they can answer about the home, neighborhood, schools, etc. This is a great way to keep things friendly, too, which is always a good thing.

Buyers can find themselves pressed for time just before the closing and be tempted to pass on the final walk-through. We are so passionate about it they ask our buyer clients to sign a waiver of responsibility if they flatly refuse to check out the home before and/or after the closing (if Sellers are still in the home). After all, this is probably their largest investment, and no one likes surprises of the ugly kind!

Baby Boomers in Louisville Kentucky Demand Condo Designs to Help Them "Age in Place"

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 10:49:18 -0800

When I recently listed a condo in Crestwood (just north of Louisville), I counseled my clients that we would have some challenges. Their 2 bedroom unit was beautifully staged and in pristine condition and the price was right. I told them that the likely buyer for their home was someone just like themselves. When this couple purchased the condo it was just the two of them. Wonderful place to begin their lives together. After their daughter was born they soon began to outgrow their space and wanted her to have a yard to play in.

The phone calls I received on this condo sounded something like this: "Is it a first floor unit?" "No, it's located on the third floor." "Well, I would be interested in seeing it if it has an elevator." "No, it doesn't have an elevator." "Okay, well...thanks so much..." Click.

Time after time the calls were coming from "Baby Boomers" and older persons looking for a home on ground level. Even if they are in excellent health and steps are not an issue, they are looking ahead to the day when walking up and down the stairs to their unit would be difficult if not impossible.

Finally, Louisville area developers and builders are listening, and we now have wonderful communities that cater to the demands of middle aged and older persons.

Most of these condo communities offer the features Baby Boomers are looking for: Florida Rooms, private patios, attached garages, and amenities such as a swimming pool and clubhouse. And course in our area of the country we enjoy affordable prices. These homes pictured range from $250K to $350K. Smaller 1 and 2 bedroom condos can be grabbed up for as little as $80K, and there are also Million Dollar condos in the area with every amenity imaginable!

If you're looking for a condo in Louisville or surrounding Oldham, Shelby, Henry or Bullitt counties in Kentucky, please give The Shafer Team a call at 502.643.SOLD (7653)!

New Listing in highly sought after St. Matthews!

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:42:44 -0700

Welcome home to 1915 Foxboro Rd, La Grange KY 40031

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:09:18 -0700

Great New Listing in La Grange KY

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:23:48 -0700

NEW LISTING!! Perfect for your First Time Buyers!!

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:24:43 -0700

PRICE SLASHED!!! Tell your Clients and Friends and Bring us an OFFER!

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:28:47 -0700

Great New listing ~ 4713 Northridge Dr, Crestwood KY 40014

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:37:23 -0700

Subdivision Entrances DO Make a Statement: What Is Yours Saying?

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:30:44 -0700

One of my many passions is photography, and I enjoy taking pictures of one of my favorite places on the planet: beautiful Oldham County , just north of Louisville, Kentucky.

Last week the subject matter was subdivision entrances. As I was shooting a photo of a particularly beautiful entrance, a lady walked up to me and asked me if all the hard work she had put into making sure the subdivision entrance looked nice really mattered.

My answer was a resounding, YES!

When you're selling your home, the first impression doesn't begin at the curb. It actually begins as the prospective buyers turn into your subdivision. If the entrance has weeds growing through dead flowers and overgrown bushes, it tells the buyers that the neighborhood is not being maintained. It communicates that there may be issues with the homeowner's association. I have had clients actually discount a subdivision altogether because of that negative first impression.

On the other hand, an entrance with beautifully manicured landscaping says, "Welcome! We care about our neighborhood."

Oldham County's entrances vary greatly. Some are quite elaborate, complete with cobblestone walls, intricate iron work and Grecian urns. Some have exquisitely landscaped islands. Others are understated but neat and attractive.

A subdivision entrance doesn't have to have 5 foot walls and be maintained by professional landscapers. It just needs to be neatly trimmed with some fresh mulch and a splash of color to make a positive statement.

If you have an active homeowner's association in your neighborhood, ask the board members if there is enough budget allotted to keeping the entrance manicured and attractive.

Jacki and Jerry Shafer are "Mega Agents" with The Shafer Team and Keller Williams Realty Louisville East, specializing in residential home sales in eastern Jefferson County in Louisville and surrounding Oldham, Henry, Shelby and Trimble Counties in Kentucky.

Check out my New Listing in Briar Hill Estates, Crestwood KY

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:52:36 -0700

Louisville Real Estate Team Discusses Ways to Create a Feeding Frenzy of Excited Home Buyers!

Thu, 21 May 2009 17:26:41 -0700

you need to put out enticing lures that will create a feeding frenzy of excited buyers anxious to grab up your home.

Jacki and Jerry Shafer are "mega agents" with The Shafer Team and Keller Williams Realty Louisville East. "Moving Families. Building Friendships."

Louisville Kentucky's Churchill Downs Has a Third Spire with a Cross On Top

Sat, 02 May 2009 17:18:58 -0700

This is the third year I have volunteered at "Backside of the Track" at Churchill Downs, an annual fund raiser for Christ Chapel, located on the grounds at Louisville's beloved Churchill Downs. Volunteers from several area churches, (including my church, Crestwood Baptist Church), help organize a silent and live auction in a sold out gathering at the Downs. Patrons, many dressed in their "Derby" best, pay $100-a-plate for delicious Kentucky-style cuisine and hear the key note speaker share the "Good News" about lives being changed and hearts being won to Jesus Christ.

Often as many as 100 people in worship each Monday, meeting the spiritual needs of the people on the "back side" who stay on the grounds of Churchill Downs and who may not otherwise get a chance to attend a worship service. These are the people you rarely see, the behind-the-scenes people who keep Churchill Downs running smoothly. They're the groomers, the people who clean the stalls, the men and women you may see walking the horses.

The interdenominational service is held on Monday nights when the track employees are off work. The service begins with praise and worship. After the lively music, Chaplain Ken Boehm preaches to the English-speaking members of the congregation while Spanish-speaking worshippers go next door to hear the sermon in their language.

At the fund raiser a video highlighted several people who shared how much Christ Chapel meant to them. People who have struggled with drugs and alcohol said they didn't know if they would be alive today if it weren't for the love of Christian people who have reached out to help them and show them the love of Christ.

Monies raised have built a beautiful chapel. Before the chapel was built in 2007, church services were held in a small recreation building on site.

The Chapel also provides a food pantry and a clothes closet to help out the needy.

Christ Chapel at Churchill Downs is part of the ministry of Race Track Chaplaincy of America, which has been in existence for 35 years.

As we here in Louisville celebrate the 135th "Run For the Roses", I feel blessed to be a small part of "Backside of the Track."

Jacki and Jerry Shafer are "mega agents" with The Shafer Team and Keller Williams Realty Louisville East.

Check out this 8 acres of wooded privacy in La Grange!

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:38:23 -0700

Main Street USA! It Still Exists - In LaGrange, Kentucky !

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:15:16 -0700

Downtown LaGrange is always one of the first places I take my buyer clients when they come in to tour Oldham County. They are always intrigued by our piece of Americana, and love to watch the train roll by, right in the middle of Main Street. That's why, when I was asked if I'd like to be a member of the board of "Discover Downtown LaGrange", I eagerly said, "Yes!"

Our board recently met with local merchants and members of downtown LaGrange's farmer's market to discuss the many facets of our Main Street Program. As a new board member, I learned a lot about the important role everyone plays in the success of a thriving downtown.

Discover Downtown LaGrange Executive Director, Barbara Manley-Edds, cited some interesting statistics from the Kentucky Heritage Council:

In 2006, Kentucky Main Street and Renaissance on Main programs reported more then $292 million invested in downtowns through these programs, representing the creation of 1,923 new jobs in Main Street districts, 401 new businesses and 345 downtown buildings rehabilitated.

This investment, totalling $292,189,114, includes $69,383,808 in public improvements such as steetscape projects, $127,983,338 in private investment and $94,821,968 in new construction. In fact, through this program over the last 27 years, more than $2 billion has been reinvested in Kentucky downtowns.

Nationwide, statistics show that shopping dollars spent downtown have a greater return back into the community:

* 6 cents of every dollar spent with a "big box" retailer is retained/recirculated in a community. (Source: Rocky Mountain Institute)

* 20 cents of every dollar spent with a chain store is retained/recirculated in a community. (Source: Small Business Institute)

* 60 cents of every dollar spent with a sole proprietorship is retained/recirculated in a community. (Source: Small Business Adminstration)

Okay, so these are stats, and I find them very impressive, and they truly drive home the point that it's economically wise to promote our downtowns across Kentucky - and across America.

Downtown LaGrange is not just a great place to find wonderful shopping and great restaurants. It's a gathering place. It's a place to go to be with people you know. It's a place alive with exciting events all year round. Let me just share some upcoming happenings:

* Girls Night Out - May 7th: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

* Model T Tour - May 6th thru May 9th

* Rifficolone - May 16th

* Farmers Market - April thru October

* History Walks - June thru August

* Oldham County Day - July 18th

* Ironman - August 30th

* Ghost Tours - September thru October

* Light Up LaGrange - December 4th

I'm very proud to be a small part of the effort to keep downtown LaGrange a place people enjoy visiting often. Personally, over the 25 years Jerry and I have lived in Oldham County, I have watched it evolve into, as Barbara calls it, "a gem of a town".

Jacki and Jerry Shafer are "mega agents" with The Shafer Team and Keller Williams Realty Louisville East. Long-time residents of Oldham County, Jacki and Jerry specialize in residential sales in their own "back yard".