Selling Your Home

How To Find the Right Agent When Buying or Selling

by MIKE HALL, Owner/Agent/Broker

Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

So, you’ve decided to buy or sell a home. You may have a friend or family member who’s an agent. But do you know if they’re the right agent for you?

What’s the difference between a real estate agent, broker, and realtor?

Real Estate Agent: All real estate agents must be licensed in the state where they work and must abide by state and national laws.

Real Estate Broker: A broker has additional training beyond what an agent receives and has a broker license. Brokers must complete state-required courses and pass an exam and can oversee other agents.

Realtor: Realtors are licensed agents or brokers who are members of the National Association of Realtors and abide by the association’s standards and code of ethics.

How do you find the best?

1. Compare agents.

  • Look at online...

How is the Louisville Market Looking for 2021?

Louisville Housing Market Trends

By Mike Hall, Broker/Agent/Owner

Louisville bridge in background

A quick overview of the housing market in Louisville.

Is it still a good time to sell your home in Louisville? With interest rates still low and available housing down more than 40%, 2021 looks like it will have a great market for sellers. Despite the economic hardships of 2020, many buyers are eager to get settled and sales are up.  

Starter and mid-level homes priced well on the market are going very quickly, often with multiple bids. Even through the cold months, the demand is steady. Many are predicting that sales in 2021 will continue to rise by 3-5%, with prices also rising 7-9%.

If you’re looking to sell your home, now might be the ideal time. Talk to an agent today about how we can help you get the best buyer and experience. If you’re wanting to buy and you’re overwhelmed by the competitive market, we’d love to help you find your perfect home.

[Source: LaneReport.com]

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Tips for Selling Your Louisville House This Summer

Don’t get beat by the heat!

By Mike Hall, Broker/Agent/Owner

Light, bright summery house

Selling your house this summer can be easy breezy!

It can sometimes be trickier to sell your house in the summer, when potential buyers are busy with family plans and wary of venturing out in the heat.

But the summer can be a great time to let your house shine even brighter than the hot sun! Here are some tips for making sure your summer sell goes swimmingly!

  1. Mow – Grass grows so much faster in the summer, and you’ll need to mow maybe even twice a week to keep things looking clean and neat. Don’t neglect that curb appeal!
  2. Cater your landscaping for summer appeal – Add flowers and plants that thrive in the summer sun and keep shrubs and bushes trim and tidy.
  3. Add summer accents – Highlight light and summery colors in your home with throw pillows and other accents. Make it feel like a summer getaway!
  4. Let the light in – Pull up the blinds, draw back the curtains, and fill the house with summer’s natural glow.
  5. Be flexible – With all the business of summer, potential buyers might only be able to view houses...

Killer First Impressions: Seller’s Outdoor Checklist

One look, and they’ll fall in love.

by MIKE HALL, Owner/ Broker/ Agent

Any Louisville homebuyer will tell you first impressions are everything. With an unkempt home exterior, that first glance from the driveway can be enough to send a buyer running. Ensure your Louisville buyer crosses the welcome mat with this outdoor selling season checklist.

Boost your beds.
Tidy flowerbeds tell a homebuyer that a house has been well-managed. Even if your beds aren’t full or even green, removing dead underbrush and trimming hedges goes a long way. You may even consider a few bags of fresh mulch raked in with the old for a clean look at a low cost.

Doll up the door.
A fresh coat of paint on a front door instantly adds curb appeal to your Louisville home. On a sunny day, wipe the door clean then apply two coats of paint with adequate dry time between coats. While you’re at it, de-smudge the windows and consider adding a seasonal wreath or monogram for a lovely focal point.

Spruce up with spring flowers.
Welcome your buyers by adding a touch of spring near the front door for under $20 from your local Louisville garden center. Whether potted or in flower beds, colorful flowers make a great first impression by adding vibrancy and warmth.

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Sellers Take Note; Louisville Housing Shortage Gives You Leverage

Sellers Take Note; Louisville Housing Shortage Gives You Leverage

By MIKE HALL, Broker and Real Estate Agent at Red Edge Realty

In three years, the number of homes for sale in Louisville has dropped by 24 percent according to a recent article in Louisville’s Courier Journal.  With just 6,000 homes currently for sale, why not list yours?

Get started with three easy steps:

  1. Find your listing price. Use Red Edge’s free current market value tool.
  2. Call me or another Red Edge agent.  Go over the results with a professional who knows the ins and outs of Louisville’s real estate market.
  3. Do your homework.  Why me?  Why us?  Check out my 2013 sales.  I stand behind my numbers and I know I can help you.
  4. If you are selling and buying and use me to represent you as your Buyer's agent then I will give you a big discount on your listing commission.

If you’ve been thinking about listing your home, now is a great time.  Many sellers are getting multiple offers and getting their asking prices.  I’ve even seen some sellers get...

Keep Home Showing-Ready with Three Updates

Yesterday, if you stared at your love handles in the mirror and made a pledge to get in shape this year, millions of Americans probably did about the same thing. 

While focusing on your body image is pretty normal during this time of year, take the start of 2013 to improve your Louisville home as well.  Whether your house is on the market or not, take my advice and get a head start on keeping your home current. 

When you do go to sale, you won’t be overwhelmed with a list of a thousand improvements to attract buyers.  Who wants a home where guest feel like they’ve been transported into the 70s.

Here are some ideas for 2013 home projects:

Living room: Nothing goes farther than a fresh coat of paint.  Consider new throw pillows and maybe even a ceiling fan.

Outdoor landscaping: Sprucing up your curb appeal will get those buyers in the door. Try elegant house numbers and a new door mat.  Paint the door and add a decorative wreath.  Add some color to your landscaping with flowers and shrubs.

Laundry room: It’s not the sexiest room to improve, but people spend a lot of time in there.  Opt for great storage and make it look like a room.  Not a dungeon destined for chore slavery. 

For more tips, I like MSN Real Estate’s “Get Your Home Ready to Sell at any Budget.”...

Home Sales up in Louisville

Merry Christmas and happy home sales!  November’s numbers just came out and the Greater Louisville real estate market is up by 15 percent compared to November last year.  I’m pretty pumped that the home sales percentage has increased by that much.  Homes are also selling for more, about 8 percent higher than November last year.   Click here for the full report.

If you’ve thought about making the move into a bigger house, I can help you sell your current residence.  Also, I help tons of buyers find the right home at the right place and would be glad to help you as well.  Click here for my contact info and you can also check out all the homes that I've helped people buy or sell on the bottom of that page.

Mike Hall

Principal Broker/Owner

Red Edge Realty & MLSKY.net

502-509-5131

 

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Tips to Save Energy and Add Value

When it comes to energy efficiency, look for smart features and expertise to help you save energy and money and add value to your home.

1. Begin with a Right-Sized Home.

If the home you buy is simply too large for you or your family’s needs or plans, you stand a good chance of wasting energy through excessive heating and cooling costs. If it’s too small, you’ll feel cramped and uncomfortable. It’s a big investment, so seek balance and buy it “right” from the outset. 

2. Purchase Energy Star Appliances Such as Your TV, Dishwasher, Washer and Dryer, and Microwave.

And especially the refrigerator, as it alone contributes about 10 percent of the energy use in a home. Also, unplug electronics not in use or turn off power strips to avoid phantom charges. 

3. Install Efficient Lighting Such as Compact Flourescent (CLF) or LED Bulbs in Every Fixture.

Lighting accounts for about 6 percent of an energy bill each year.

4. Get an Energy Audit and Have Tests Performed to Identify Ways of Improving Your Efficiency.

You can always upgrade your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system as well as your  thermal envelope, which includes insulation, windows, and doors  and the seals or weather stripping around them. Visit energy.gov/...

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