I recently took a client to a showing of a property and was very disappointed.The home showed a significant lack of regular maintenance and was dirty beyond description.Don't think that you can just reduce the price and have the buyer do the repairs, cleaning, etc.. Buyers are not even considering this especially with the amount of inventory on the market.  If it isn't ready to show don't market the home.  Don't waste your time.The adage of price and condition is more accurate now than ever.     03/13/2008

I have noticed a significant increase in activity.  Even though spring is typically more active that the winter months, I expect activity to be strong this spring.  There is lots of pent up demand that appears to be starting to break.Pie in the sky?  My activity doesn't suggest that.If you are wanting to list you property don't miss out!        03/13/2008

Whether you are planning on visiting Louisville for a weekend or relocating here for a lifetime, the city offers a great variety of fun-family oriented activities. Here is a quick sampling of places to check out.Chuck E. Cheese - Located on S Hurstbourne just below Taylorsville Rd in J-Town. A great place for birthdays, celebrations or just good family fun.Incredible Dave's offers bowling, giant inflatables, Euro-Bungee, an X-box and Wii lounge and much more. Your kids can get a tamper-proof wristband that communicates with a hand-held device so you know where they are at all times. Daves is situated on Westport Road just inside the Gene Snyder.Hoops provides indoor gyms for basketball and volleyball. Kids of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Hoops hosts rec league play, but is als... 03/12/2008

The following are six reasons to own your own home.1. TAX BREAKS---You get to deduct intrest you pay along with property taxes.2.  GAINS---Over the 5 year peroid of 1998-2002 national home prices increased an average of 5.4 percent annually.3. EQUITY --- When you pay rent you will not get that money back, but when you make your MORTGAGE PAYMENTS, you build up equity ownership in your 4.SAVINGS---- Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can usually take up to $250,000 ( $500,000 for a married couple) as a gain without paying any Federal income taxes.5.PREDICTABILITY.--- Unlike rent, your mortgage payments dont go up each year, however your taxes and insurance will rise.6. FREEDOM.----THE HOME IS YOURS. YOU CAN DECORATE IT ANY WAY YOU WANT. IF YO... 03/12/2008

Be watching your mailbox:  It's not Publisher's Clearinghouse, but some money IS on the way!  The government's $168 BILLION DOLLAR Economic Stimulus package is coming soon - maybe as early as Spring.  Intended to jumpstart the economy by distributing tax rebates across our land, the Feds are hoping you'll run out and spend it and thus bolster the economy.  But should you?I'm sure you can think of dozens of things you can do with the extra money, and you may already be making a mental list.  But the last thing you want to do is go out and spend money in anticipation of the money coming in.  The wise thing to do is NOTHING until you have the check in your hand.  (Be sure to file your 2007 tax return; the gross income listed on your return will determine you much you'll be getting.)Regardl... 03/12/2008

Here are some market statistics from the Greater Louisville Association of Realtors (GLAR).  Market conditions haven't changed much, but there are still sales and that's important.  Want more information about buying or selling? Call or email me.  Ton@TonAliRealtor.com  or 502-386-6244.StatisticsLISTINGS  Residential (Single Family & Condo) March 3 -9, 2008617 Last year749 SOLDS Feb. 24 - March 1, 2008293 Last year331 03/12/2008

i wrote a post before on home warrentie seems some people are for the and some are against them.Being a real estate professional in Fairdale ky, which is right outside of Louisville ky a home that i am getting ready to list for a good friend of mine, the oweners furnance went out on this past thursday. With the big snow storm that was getting ready to hit us( we got 10-12 inches) and temps dropping into the 20's my friend was very luck that he got the repairs done that day.What if i had just sold that house to someone without a warrenty? There is a pretty good chance that I would have somehow gotten the blame. Dont think it can happen? Well a good friend friend and fellow agent who's name i wont use sold a mutal aquaintance of ours a home within the first month he had several problems w... 03/08/2008

Preparing for Home Ownership Deceide how much home you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to 2 and 3 times your gross salary.Develop a wish list of what you'd likeyour home to have and then prioritize the features.Select three or four neighborhoods you'd like to live in. Considering schools, safety and expansion plans.Determine if you have enough saved to cover your downpayment and closing costs.Get your credit in order. Obtain a copy of your credit report.Determine how large a mortgage you can qualify for.Organize all the documentation a lender will need to preapprove you.Do research to determine if you qualify for any special mortgage or downpayment assistance programs.Calculate the costs of homeownership, including property taxes, insurance, maintenance and a... 03/06/2008

Good morning.  I am getting ready to head to 1st Independence Bank in New Albany for a live broadcast of Big Talk on Small Business on AM1080, a local radio show aimed at small business owners.I will often get asked how the market is doing so I brush up on a few statistics from our MLS system at the board.  I thought I would share a few with you:February 2007Sales:  917  Avg List$: 163,021  Avg Sale $: 157,084  Days on Mkt: 91  Months of inventory: 6.99February 2008Sales:  715  Avg List$: 173,605  Avg Sale $: 165,908  Days on Mkt: 86  Months of inventory:  11.15If you have read other blog posts, you may remember that under 6 months of inventory is a seller's market and over 6 months is a buyer's market.    03/04/2008

If you live in Louisville or the surrounding areas, Sunday was wonderful.  A spring-like 70 degrees and sunny.  I had scheduled an open house, but thought that most folks would be out enjoying the day instead of house hunting.  Was I wrong!The beautiful weather brought out many shoppers and I had a prime spot in one of Louisville's hotest  neighborhoods, the Highlands. One of the couples I met were from New York.  They are here with the planetarium.  Planetarium? Yes, we have a planetarium on the campus of U of L.  As an alum I should have known that, but I had forgotten. Apparently the Rauch Planetarium has been an off again, on again fixture on the Belknap Campus. But things could be changing for the Planetarium.  Stay tuned.  Check out current shows at http://louisville.edu/planetari... 03/04/2008

Liberty Green This is the second HOPE VI project in Louisville, behind the nationally-renowned and successful Park DuValle. Still under construction, Liberty Green has already changed the landscape of what was formerly the public housing development, Clarksdale Homes.The revitalization project includes the relocation of the more than 700 Clarksdale Homes residents in order to accommodate a new, mixed-income neighborhood. The Louisville Metro Housing Authority is replacing every housing unit from the Clarksdale development either in the new Liberty Green development or elsewhere in the community.Scheduled for completion by 2009, the Clarksdale HOPE VI will ultimately result in about a $233 million investment through a public-private partnership to build rental and ownership opportunities... 03/01/2008

Currently under construction, but starting to take shape is the mixed use development brought to us by the same company that designed the Preston Point point.  Learn more at Potter and Associates website.Fleur de Lis Condos This $22.5 million project will be a new 5-story building with 74 condominiums and retail space. Preserving the historic Brinly-Hardy site's appearance, the design includes two interior courtyards.Located across the street from Slugger Field, this project is part of $150 million in new investment as a result of the popular ballpark and newly revitalized East Market Street arts district.If you have not taken a drive down the east end of Market Street lately, you won't recongnize it.  There are  many residential developments like the ones I have been detailing here and... 02/28/2008

Mercantile Gallery Lofts This $10 million adaptive reuse project will convert two historic buildings and add a new building, into 47 condominiums and retail space.Located at 301-311 E. Market Street, this location has moved from being a diamond in the rough to a an up-and-coming revitalized hotspot, due to the recent investments in Waterfront Park and Slugger Field.Mercantile Gallery Lofts includes 56 parking spaces in an adjoining garage. Find out more.www.louisvilleky.gov/DowntownDevelopment/Downtown+Projects.htm 02/28/2008

It is wonderful that someone finally took the Henry Clay building and brought it back.  I have friends who live there now and have been to several events held there.  Pandora Productions www.pandoraprods.org , a wonderful local theater company, is now located at the Bunbury Theatre http://www.bunburytheatre.org/ , on the third floor of the Henry Clay.  It used to be the old gymnasium.Henry ClayLocated at the southwest corner of Third and Chestnut Streets, this $20 million rehabilitation of the former Henry Clay Hotel and YWCA assures saving one of the city's most noticeable and historic buildings.The lower floors will house commercial and event space. The Grand Ballroom and the Elks Room will be preserved and renovated to their former glory. Also available to the public will be a two-st... 02/27/2008

The first development is Gallery Square.  I have not yet seen the finished product, but I have seen other work by the developer; his own home.  Very clean and industrial. If you enjoy the Downtown Trolley Hop of the East Market Gallery District and convenience to great restaurants, both downtown and the Highlands, you will also love the location. The following information is from the Louisville Metro Government Downtown Development site.Gallery Square Lofts The $4 million, 21-unit condominium project directly adjacent to Liberty Green is the newest housing project to come online in downtown Louisville. Located at the northwest corner of Clay and Jefferson streets, Gallery Square features four three-story buildings, with 10 first-floor flats and 11 two-story, two-bedroom loft townhouses,... 02/27/2008

In the last few years, downtown Louisville has exploded with residential development.  In the next several blog posts I will be giving marketing information about each development as detailed in the Louisville Metro Government Downtown Development website.  Also included with be any website links to provide more information.If you are currently living downtown or have personal or professional connection to a downtown development, post a comment or email me with new details or updates about your community. 02/27/2008

 Louisville needs your vote in the Bushmills, Ireland twin city search! In celebration of the 400th anniversary of its original license to distill, Bushmills, Northern Ireland - home of Bushmills Irish Whiskey - continues its nationwide search to find the "Twin City of Bushmills in America."  Louisville, KY has been named as one of the three finalist cities!  If Louisville receives more votes than its competitors, it will be proclaimed the twin city and will take home a $40,000 grant from Bushmills - $20,000 for the preservation and advancement of the city's time-honored traditions and culture, and $20,000 for programs that promote responsible drinking.  Members from Louisville's Irish Fest and WorldFest planning committees submitted the application for Bushmill's Twin City search, and ... 02/27/2008

OK, it is not realty related, but did anyone go to the Auto Show in Louisville this weekend?  What did you think?  I spoke to a friend that is a managing broker for his company.  He was going as he does every year.  He expected that as a free show and sale, as it was billed in the past, he was going to have to deal with sales people almost as if he were in a showroom.  This year he said he expects to be able to climb all over everything with out being hounded by a salesperson.  For the first time there was an admission price; $14.  What did you experience and was it better than the past?  02/25/2008

The national and local headlines continue to give us all kinds of information about the housing market.  I thought I would pull some information from the Greater Louisville Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service (GLAR MLS).  These numbers represent homes that were listed through a Realtor for the month of January/2007 compared with this past January.  With regard to months of inventory, 6 months or less is generally considered a seller's market.  Over 6 months of inventory is considered a buyer's market.    January 2007 Sales: 866  Avg List$: 160,792  Avg Sale$: 155,235  Avg Days on Mkt: 92  Inv: 7306 homesMonths of inv: 8.44January 2008 Sales: 696  Avg List$: 165,449  Avg Sale$: 159,447  Avg Days on Mkt: 88  Inv: 9098 Homes Months of Inv: 13.07If you are a buyer now, there ar... 02/25/2008

I was out today with a Catholic friend who is observing Lent and abstains from meat on Fridays.  We were in the neighborhood and looking for a place to get a good fish sandwich when I remembered that my computer guru Dan from Access Technologies (http://www.iscbmm.net) told me about JoJo's on Bardstown Road at Lancashire Avenue.  It was just what we were looking for: clean and bright with a delightfully cheerful staff starting with Dot, who greeted us and helped us place our order by pointing out the specials. The special was a cod sandwich on your choice of bread with fries or slaw and a drink.  A great fish sandwich and great value.  I can't imagine you could leave there hungry.  I sure didn't.  The owner, Nick, is Dot's son and was right there making sure everything was running smoot... 02/22/2008