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Louisville, KY Real Estate News

By Ton A. Ali, Realtor - Broker ABR, Eco Broker Certified
(CORNERSTONE GROUP REALTORS)
What is an ABR and why do you need me?For some who might read my blog regularly, I don't want to come off like I don't want to help people with general information.  I am a wealth of information and I feel that you have to be fully informed if you are going to make a good buying decision.  Like most people, I just want to be compensated for what I bring to the table.  One of those things is the ABR designation.  What is an ABR you ask? The ABR designation stands for Accredited Buyer Representative -- it is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. ABR's have greater knowledge and training as to the nuances of representing buyer-clients. You can learn more about the ABR training and designation at http://www.rebac.net. You may wonder what I mean by representation.  In the real...
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By Ton A. Ali, Realtor - Broker ABR, Eco Broker Certified
(CORNERSTONE GROUP REALTORS)
I was looking over my blog posts and realized that I had blogged about studying for the broker's exam, but never posted that I actually passed.  I know all my information now indicates that I am a Broker/ Associate, but I never told you, my fellow bloggers, that I passed.  I sent out email to some friends in the office.  It means more to me than it does does for the people I work with or for.  Half think it is a waist of time and the other are worried that I am going to leave. No plans righ now, but I love the connections I have made with small broker/owners here on AR. It is all about options.
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By Ton A. Ali, Realtor - Broker ABR, Eco Broker Certified
(CORNERSTONE GROUP REALTORS)
Networking events, for anyone who attends them, are a great way to get yourself and your name in front of a large group and have fun doing it.  For me it is a little more than that. I do it for my clients as much as myself.As a Real Estate professional, I am the person my clients can call for anything home related.  When they need a contact for adding a room or finishing a basement, I just say "sell that house and buy a new one!"  Just kidding.  I usually have a name or number for someone who can do the job or at least get them headed in the right direction.  Unfortunately when building gets slow, there are some in that business that seek more steady sources of income, but the good ones always seem to find work.I was at an event today and met some great new folks, but also saw some old ...
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By Ton A. Ali, Realtor - Broker ABR, Eco Broker Certified
(CORNERSTONE GROUP REALTORS)
This morning I will be participating in a live remote broadcast of ‘Big Talk on Small Business', a radio show on WKJK 1080 A.M.  The hosts are a father/daughter team that do the show every weekday from 9-Noon.  To me that is incredible.  That is a lot of show to do every week. Of course there is a lot to running a small business and they are devoted to the issues and the people.  I hope to be on the air between 9 and 10 am today.  For all the people that read my blog, I hope you saw this before I went on and you had a chance to listen.  Check out he show's web site. If you run a small business, and realtors qualify because we are 1099 independent contractors, there is a lot of information and contacts for services that you might find helpful.  www.bigtalkonsmallbusiness.com I mentioned ...
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By Ton A. Ali, Realtor - Broker ABR, Eco Broker Certified
(CORNERSTONE GROUP REALTORS)
I was speaking to a colleague in my office about a home he had just listed.  It had been a FSBO for about 4 months with little traffic.  He convinced them to list.  In less than a week with a list price significantly higher, they had several showing requests and an offer. They will net about the same if they had sold for full price as a FSBO. I know that exposing a home to more buyers will surely bring a higher price, but was the lack of exposure or are consumers more cautious of FSBOs.  It has been my experience that they are usually overpriced.  Is that what most people assume, or is it something more? If they are working with a realtor, do they think that a FSBO is just not available to them?   As a full service buyers' agent, I would approach any FSBO for a client, but I would certa...
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By Larry Reaves, "Top Producer"
(Semonin Realtors)
As indicated some time ago legislation has been proposed to strengthen requirements for condominium associations.  This will aid in maintaining condominium values as well as increase consumer awareness. Major legislation sponsor Representative Scott Brinkman, has proposed changes to sections of the proposed Kentucky Condo Act.  The next step is to intruduce the bill in the January 2009 legislative session.During the rest of 2008 the hope is to educate stake holders and broaden the support base.More later   
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By Ton A. Ali, Realtor - Broker ABR, Eco Broker Certified
(CORNERSTONE GROUP REALTORS)
Unlike clients that buy and sell every 2 to 7 years or so, I'm dealing with the market and real estate related news and information everyday.  When my clients ask about the inspection, I give them a list of the various inspections I recommend. Their reaction is usually one of shock; "A whole page of recommended inspections?"  Of course they may not all be applicable, but isn't saving time and money one of the reasons why you hire competent representation?   If you haven't purchased a home in several years or are coming from a different market, there are issues that you may not be aware that we look for today that we may not have looked for even a few years ago.    Carbon monoxide is difficult to detect during an inspection, but something clients need to be aware of and how to guard agai...
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By Ton A. Ali, Realtor - Broker ABR, Eco Broker Certified
(CORNERSTONE GROUP REALTORS)
Not many folks know that I am trying to get my brokers license. My test is tomorrow.  My instructor has me scared to death. I took the class in just 2 weekends.My instructor called it drinking from a firehose. I was able to reschedule my test for Saturday instead of next week.  So now I am craming. I have been studying all day so I'm blogging as a study break. Just me and the dog, Toby. If Rich Casto sees this, I'm in trouble! 
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By Ton A. Ali, Realtor - Broker ABR, Eco Broker Certified
(CORNERSTONE GROUP REALTORS)
I get a lot of inquiries about what kinds of things should  I be doing to my home to get it ready to sell.  What I am reading lately indicates that although it has always been near the top of the list, your Curb Appeal is very important right now.  In a buyer's market, with more houses on the market, you don't have a chance to sell them if you can't get them in the door.  Money and efforts put toward the exterior of your home could net you a better return than some other expenditures.  One thing that is always important from a serviceability stand point and curb appeal is your roof.  What should you be looking for and how was just recently addressed in an article from my friends at Premier Home Inspection.  Here are a couple of paragraphs that touch on the subject.  I would be happy to ...
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By Ton A. Ali, Realtor - Broker ABR, Eco Broker Certified
(CORNERSTONE GROUP REALTORS)
The national headlines maybe talking gloom and doom, but my office stats and our market in general tell a different story.  There are a lot of properties that have been listed for several months are now pending.  We are seeing a lot of pendings.  That is encouraging.  There seem to be conflicting reports about how things are going to go down this year.  Optimists are saying that this is going to be a good year and the market Bears are saying that it could be 2009-10. I think we need to seperate the home market from the money market.  It appears that buyers are starting to get the message that the cost of money is low and there are a lot of homes out there.  I was just on a radio talk show that focuses on small business and was asked about the buyer's market.  I told them that it's not a...
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By Ton A. Ali, Realtor - Broker ABR, Eco Broker Certified
(CORNERSTONE GROUP REALTORS)
I love this business and sometimes wonder if all the people involved are aware of how much power we have to affect peoples live and our communities.  It is a responsibility that should be consider with every transaction.  In our business there is so much to learn.  I have just finished the broker law class.  What a fascinating group.  There were 18 other people in the class including our facilitator.  There were folks from all over Kentucky and around the area.  For such a large group, I think there were only about 5 residential realtors looking to take it to the next level.  The others were property managers, commercial agents, auctioneers, builders and builder representatives and a broker who is grandfathered as far as CE, but was there just to re-acquaint herself with contemporary th...
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By Ton A. Ali, Realtor - Broker ABR, Eco Broker Certified
(CORNERSTONE GROUP REALTORS)
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 8 hours a day for two consecutive weekends; grueling!  "Drinking from a fire hose" as my instructor puts it. But the law class is not only required for the broker exam and license, it is a way to be more aware of what I can and can not do when my client is in a situation that requires more.   Awareness doesn't mean practicing law with out a license. It does mean knowing when your client should consult an attorney and when the laws on the books can shed light on a situation and save a deal, all to your client's benefit. The class was facilitated by and old Jersey boy who found his way to Kentucky; there's proof of a higher power.  As a young child we lived right out side of Newark and I still have family in that area.  I am used to the attitude and communicat...
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By Larry Reaves, "Top Producer"
(Semonin Realtors)
Home Mortgage rates are driven to a large extent by supply and demand.  The more demand for Mortgages the higher the rate.Recent actions by the Fed to stimulate economic growth by lowering the Discount Rate have helped to improve Wall Street's confidence in the economy which in turn tends to increase Mortgage rates.  In times of strong economic growth the Fed may increase rates to curb inflation which would tend to lower Mortgage rates.During this last week Mortgage rates dropped and then rebounded as demand for Mortgages increased.  Folks were trying to take advantage of the lower rates to refinance their higher interest rate Mortgages thus increasing demand for mortgages and increases in Mortgage rates.A more accurate gauge of where Mortgage rates may be going is 30 Year Treasury bond...
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By Larry Reaves, "Top Producer"
(Semonin Realtors)
Don't let poor maintenance affect your home's value.Keep your furnace filters clean to increase efficiency and possible repairsDrain your water heater once a year to remove harmful sediment.Clean coils on baseboard heaters.Check circuit breakers and replace weak breakers to prevent shorts.Check under sinks for leaks to avoid water damage.Replace major mechanicals before they go bad to prevent costly emergency repairs.Check outside of your home to make sure there are no leaks from loose gutters, missing or damaged flashing, missing or damaged weatherstripping.  Also check for standing water around foundations, cracks in foundations or missing splash blocks on downspouts.Make your house last longer, retain more resale value and prevent costly repairs that could have been prevented.   
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By Ton A. Ali, Realtor - Broker ABR, Eco Broker Certified
(CORNERSTONE GROUP REALTORS)
I see the addiction. I first noticed AR through web ads. I kept seeing it and decided to check it out. I found several folks that I knew from cross sales and my office. Not just people I knew, but people I admired and thought to be professionals. I thought, at the next sales meeting I'm going to ask Judy Parr, a member of the Toohey/Parr Team, what this is all about. Before I could I was invited by Ed Williamson, also respected and in my office. Well, it is as interesting and addictive as Ed warned. I was up for hours last night. This morning, the voice of reason. Several responses to my first post ( thanks to all who welcomed me) cautioned to take it slow, join some groups, and read, read, read. It can be overwhelming. I haved heeded that advice and I am now sharing AR with other in my...
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By Ton A. Ali, Realtor - Broker ABR, Eco Broker Certified
(CORNERSTONE GROUP REALTORS)
Just joined Active Rain. This is my first blog post. It is pretty exciting to think there are over 67,000 other agents and brokers around the country to learn from.  I read a lot of websites and magazines and wonder about what is really going on in different markets; now I will get the real story first hand.I finish my broker classes in 2 weeks and although I am happy with my broker, there is always the thought of how I would do it.  I can't wait to talk to other small broker principals to get there options about what it takes to make it work.Blogging is cool, but I can't talk about real estate all the time.  My other passion is the automobile.  I love cars from a design and production prospective. I just returned from the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Great show wi...
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By Larry Reaves, "Top Producer"
(Semonin Realtors)
I work with Kim Luckett with Homeservices Lending.  Her office is loacted in my office and I have found her to be very helpful.  She is very straight forward and honest.I was talking with her yesterday and she mentioned several points that are good to be aware of when discussing financing.  She indicated that while interest rates are an important factor in the calculation of mortgage payments that things like; loan origination fees, private mortgage insurance, points, rate buy downs, etc... all go together to account for your monthly payment as well as closing costs.Interest rates continue to go down and there are lots of different mortgage products that are available.  She can help you navigate through the whole process.Her number is 502-327-2516.  I think it would be worth giving her ...
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By Larry Reaves, "Top Producer"
(Semonin Realtors)
Fed reduces discount rate by 3/4%.As markets around the world react to the US economy, Fed Chairman Bernanke reduces several key interest rates by 3/4%.  Such a significant reduction should help to reduce the volitility of the stock market.Recent sell offs have made everyone nervous.The rate cut should add stability and quelch fears.   
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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 FairJanuary 20, 200811AM - 5PMKY International Convention Center Whitehall Bridal Show3110 Lexington RoadLouisville, KY January 26, 200811AM - 4PM Oxmoor Bridal ShowJanuary 27, 200812PM - 5PMOxmoor Mall Brown Hotel Bridal ShowJanuary 31, 20085:30 PM - 8:30 PMBrown Hotel 4th & Broadway Gardencourt Bridal ShowFebruary 3, 200812PM - 4PMLouisville Presbyterian Seminary Campus1044 Alta Vista Road...
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