Louisville Real Estate News

The Big East is the toughest conference in college basketball.  Every talking head with a microphone has been spouting this bit of conventional wisdom since the season tipped-off last fall.  Over time, the collective psyche of the public (or at least the gambling public) was influenced.  The perception of dominance was reflected in Vegas odds and in hundreds of thousands of tournament brackets.  But, perception met reality in over the last few weeks.  As anomalies turned into trends, recycling bins overflowed.     

Were the teams overmatched? Over-rated? Or did they simply believe the hype and forget the game is decided on the court?  It doesn’t matter.  Seven of eight entrants are now sitting at home, with only West Virginia representing the conference well.

When you prepare to sell your Louisville home, you need to take your competition seriously.  Winning in this market requires attention to detail on price, preparation and promotion.  If you don’t stack up in any one of these phases, it’s game over.   

Home buyers aren’t exempt from the hype either.  After being inundated for months with stories of others buying homes for pennies on the dollar, it’s easy to believe you can’t make an offer low enough.  In Louisville, this perception can lead to a Georgetown vs. Ohio reality check.  Louisville is the second most stable housing market in the country.  Many areas are appreciating and most home sellers are not giving their homes away.

How do you avoid a Big East style meltdown? 

You find a Louisville real estate agent who understands the market.  Someone who can provide you a scouting report and a game plan.  If you are listing your home, you need an agent who knows how to price your house and how to use the internet to market it for sale.  Buyers need an agent who not only understands their needs and wants, but who will prepare them to act when they find that perfect house.

When you’re ready to enter the Big Dance of real estate, call 502-921-3989 or email me.  Either way come to play and play to win.

**Photo courtesy of WNPR Connecticut.

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Erik Hitzelberger is a licensed REALTOR with RE/MAX Alliance in Louisville. If you need a Louisville Real Estate agent please email me or call 502.921.3989.

I specialize in the following areas of the Metro Louisville Area: Prospect, Middletown, Jeffersontown (J-Town), Fern Creek, Okolona, Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, Hillview, Brooks and Pewee Valley.  Click the following links to learn more about Louisville and Bullitt County Real Estate or to Search for Louisville Homes 

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Imagine my surprise to receive the following reply to my emailed request for showing instructions...

I apologize for this automatic reply to your email.

 To control spam, I now allow incoming messages only from senders I have approved beforehand.

 If you would like to be added to my list of approved senders, please fill out the short request form (see link below). Once I approve you,....

The message went on to state the benefits of me completing the form and assured me I would only have to do this once.

Somewhat stunned, I decided that once was too often to deal with this foolishness.  So, I called first thing in the morning.  No one answered.  Perhaps he also has a pre-approved call list??  Regardless, I left a message and finished scheduling appointments.   

Try This Before Selecting An Agent

If you are a prospective home buyer or seller, contact your real estate agent a couple of times before deciding to work with him or her.  Make sure they answer or reply in a reasonable amount of time.  You most likely have questions anyway.  Use this as an opportunity to kill 2 birds with one stone.  

Of course agents have closings, showings, training, and personal lives that may prevent us from answering the phone or responding immediately.  If you do not receive a response in a couple of hours be nervous, in 4 hours be skeptical, until the next day be fearful.  If it happens more than once, put down the phone and back away slowly.  Actually, run as fast as you can in the other direction.

If you are looking for a Louisville real estate agent who will answer and/or return your calls, texts, and emails, contact me immediately.

See Also:  Why Choosing the Right Agent Matter When Selling Your Home

Photo courtesy of vic15 on flickr

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Erik Hitzelberger is a licensed REALTOR with RE/MAX Alliancein Louisville. If you need a Louisville Real Estate agent please email me or call 502.921.3989.

I specialize in the following areas of the Metro Louisville Area: Prospect, Middletown, Jeffersontown (J-Town), Fern Creek, Okolona, Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, Hillview, Brooks and Pewee Valley.  Click the following links to learn more about Louisville and Bullitt County Real Estateor to Search for Louisville Homes 

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 Get Louisville Real Estate News by Email

Whenever I work around the house, my daughter wants to assist.  She particularly likes to paint.   On occasion, reason gives way and I allow her to do so.  While she means well, her "help" often costs me time if not time and money.  In general, making her happy is worth the additional effort and expense. 

Obviously, there are certain things where her help would be really detrimental. Where the complexity or intricacy of the work is too involved or dangerous, her help becomes a liability.  If I don't know how to do something, she may offer a suggestion, but it isn't generally advice I'm going to heed.  When I need help for these type projects, I want an expert.  

When you buy a house, everyone from your parents to your friends to your college roommate's Aunt Sally wants to help.  Some will merely offer advice.  Others will tell you ‘how to get the best deal.'  A few may even want to come with you so they can make sure you aren't getting hosed.  Like my daughter, they have great intentions.  Your loved ones want to make sure you are protected.  Unfortunately, their ‘help' can also be costly. 

Each home purchase or sale is a unique and complicated transaction where thousands of dollars can be lost easily.  Every market, city, and neighborhood is different.  Some homes are appreciating others are not.  You need to know which is which.  Termites and Radon are both problems in Louisville.  You need someone to recommend proper inspections.  The Kentucky Sales Contract is different from the one in Michigan or Texas or wherever the heck Aunt Sally lives.  You need someone to explain it properly.  Negotiations can be emotional.  You need someone on your side who will be logical.

In short, you need a local real estate expert.  You need someone who knows the Louisville market, who knows the issues facing buyers and sellers, and, most importantly, who knows how to overcome those issues while keeping money in your pocket.  There is a really good chance the person who is buying your home or selling you theirs has professional representation.  Do you really want to go at it alone?

I am not saying you should exclude anyone.  If Mom, Dad and your Verizon network want to tag along, great.  I have no doubt that they are intelligent people with keen insights.  But when it comes time to make a decision and move forward, please remember you hired me for my knowledge and expertise.  Don't let it go to waste or it just may cost you.

Speaking of saving money, check out these programs for first time home buyers...

• $4500 Down Payment Assistance
• $8000 Tax Credit

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Erik Hitzelberger is a licensed REALTOR with RE/MAX Alliancein Louisville. If you need a Louisville Real Estate agent please email me or call 502.921.3989.

I specialize in the following areas of the Metro Louisville Area: Prospect, Middletown, Jeffersontown (J-Town), Fern Creek, Okolona, Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, Hillview, Brooks and Pewee Valley.  Click the following links to learn more about Louisville and Bullitt County Real Estateor to Search for Louisville Homes 

Get Updates in a Reader

 Get Louisville Real Estate News by Email