The media has tried everything to put a negative spin on our local market, but even so I have been as busy as ever.  Buyers are looking forever though and more time is needed to cultivate relationships. 

Out-of-state buyers are flooding into Central Kentucky and searching for deals on farms and land.  The 2010 Equestrian Games are bringing some of these buyers and they are permanently relocating from everywhere.  This is the first time in history that the games have been held outside of Europe, which I believe is really a big deal.  Kentucky is such a "horse friendly" state and tons of revenue is generated from thoroughbred racing to horse shows at local county fairs.  Most of the state parks have trails for riding and you can take riding lessons almost anywhere now.  There is a breeding incentive fund offered to horse breeders which redirects sales tax collected on stallion stud fees back to the horsmen who support Kentucky's signature industry.  Kentucky just loves horses and of course UK basketball!

Most of the out-of-state buyers have property or farms to sell elsewhere and there are a few I have been working with for over a year or more.  I stay in touch with them no less than weekly, if only sending a short note to say hi and ask if there has been any activity on their property.  Seems like most of them are coming from a very down market, such as Florida, Michigan, California and New Hampshire with their price ranges being above $500,000 to $2,000,000. 

People involved with horses have always fascinated me, they are a breed that for the most part are down-to-earth and love to stay busy.  We have four horses, three being Quarter Horse Paints and one is an old Arabian.  They are just "yard pets" and are not riden, but having them to take care of makes me feel warm and fuzzy.  They wait at the gate in the mornings so they can get an apple or some sweet feed, but since they are so fat they can't run up the hill, their treats are limited.  There is always a boss and ours is Bandi and she likes to keep the other three away from anyone that is going to feed or pet them.  She is just plain "bossy". 

If you plan on visiting Kentucky or are just curious, you need to check out the Kentucky Tourism website.  You can visit all the race track sites, find out about events and festivals, see some awesome horse pictures, download a visitors brochure and much more.  Of course, if you do visit you are going to want to move here and I am a great tour guide and can find you the right home or farm!  Visit my website www.melindaearlywine.com and even though I am in Kentucky and not Kansas I think you will like the spin it has.  It is fairly new, so I still need to do some tweaking, but it is already getting some good activity. 

Everyone have a great day and come visit Kentucky soon!