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Home improvements come in all shapes and sizes-- from DIY aesthetic touches to full-blown professional remodeling. While major home improvements often come with a steep price tag, there are plenty of budget-friendly improvements that can make a real difference. The great thing about making improvements is that you get to enjoy them while you live in the home, and they also add value when you're preparing to sell.
The team at Sallie Davidson REALTORS® knows home value, and we've assembled six affordable home improvements that every homeowner should consider.
The big thing to remember with any type of home improvement is that there's no shame in calling in the pros, if needed. DIY is great when possible, but the improvements on our list will still be affordable if you hire a professional. The choice comes down to knowing your comfort level, and your experience with the project in question.
Every home is different, so there's definitely room to get creative when you're considering home improvements. And if you're looking to buy or sell a home in Kentucky, contact Sallie Davidson REALTORS® for all the help you need to maximize your value.
Planning a move is a bit like planning a wedding. There's anxiety involved, sure, but also excitement and anticipation. Your children will share many of the same feelings, so it's important to help them understand the where, why and how of your move. Our team at Sallie Davidson REALTORS® has put together 10 can't-miss moving tips to make the transition as smooth as possible – for you and your children.
We hope these moving tips help, and offer a reminder that if possible, it's always best to start preparing your children for the move as early as possible, so they have time to process things on their terms. If you're still searching for the perfect home in Kentucky, contact our team at Sallie Davidson REALTORS® for help from the local experts.
Now, the rest of the world knows what all of us at Sallie Davidson REALTORS® have always known, our local communities are some of the best in Kentucky. Local.Niche.com released its list of the Best Towns in Kentucky, and three of our local communities--Berea, Corbin and London—made the list. Local.Niche.com ranks towns based on livability scores using weather, safety, schools, activites, jobs, housing options and transportation as categories. And, quite frankly, who are we to disagree? We think our cities are simply the best.
Berea, which took the 13th spot on the best towns to live in Kentucky on Local.Niche.com, earned high marks for a strong jobs market and an easy commute. The community is considered the fifth safest in the state because of its low crime rate and offers its resident plenty to see and do.
This community is just on the edge of Bluegrass Country and 40 miles to the south of Lexington, and it has been named the Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky. This is the place to shop for locally created art while experiencing a diverse culture and friendly people. It also happens to be home to Berea College, the South's first interracial college and one of the nation's top undergraduate options.
Berea is also known as a "sustainable living" community, because many of its residents focus on giving back to nature through a focus on sustainability. With all Berea has going for it, it's no wonder it made the list of top places for Kentucky real estate shoppers to consider living.
If you're searching for a home in Kentucky in a community filled with local charm, then add Corbin, Kentucky to your list. Home to the cafe where Colonel Sanders himself first introduced Kentucky Fried Chicken, Corbin is a quaint town surrounded by natural beauty. Daniel Boone National Forest, Levi Jackson State Park, and Cumberland Falls, home of the famous moonbow, are all located in or around Corbin. Corbin ranked 19th among the top places to live in Kentucky, earning highest marks for its strong schools and excellent things to do.
Finally, London, Sallie Davidson REALTORS® home town, ranked No. 23 on the list, earning high marks for its commute, housing options and things to do. London has been named a "Vacation Crossroads," but many who vacation in London find themselves drawn to the community to make it their permanent residents. A low cost of living makes it particularly popular, as do the forests and lakes surrounding the community to provide outdoor recreation opportunities.
There's a reason each of these communities was recognized as one of the best towns in Kentucky. Are you ready to discover them for yourself? Contact our team of local Kentucky real estate experts at Sallie Davidson REALTORS® for help finding your new Kentucky home in Berea, Corbin or London.
Luxury is a term that's thrown around frequently to describe a style of living. However, it is more than a single feature or the neighborhood you live in. Rather, luxury living encompasses an entire lifestyle, and a combination of factors. The truth is, the concept of luxury is subjective. What one person defines as luxurious is not the necessarily what everyone thinks. There are some fundamental aspects though. Here are some concepts that highlight true luxury homes in London, Kentucky.
Luxury homes come in neighborhoods that have a higher price tag attached. This makes them more exclusive, desirable, and sought after. In London, there are several communities that fit the bill. They include:
● Camelot Place
● Cliff's Edge
● Club Valley Estate
● Hemlock Falls
● Kirkwood
● Rural
● The Heritage
● The Oaks of London
● Woods Edge
Luxury homes in these neighborhoods typically have special features that buyers are looking for. Some luxury listing buzzwords are waterfront, golf course adjacent, or private club. In London, you'll also find everything from grand, historic estate homes to newly built homes on beautifully landscaped acreage. The homes will have additions that enrich, as well as encourage comfortable and convenient living.
In luxury homes, you'll often find one-of-a-kind features. Where materials like granite countertops have become more common, luxury homes will have imported tile from Italy, indoor saltwater pools, or a stocked 19-acre fishing lake. The features focus on experiential living, and can even entail conscious living and fine-tuned eco-friendly improvements. The features of a luxury home are going to stand out from crowd. Some examples are double-sided linear fireplaces, steam showers, cutting-edge technology, and outdoor kitchens. They'll elevate emerging trends to the highest level, and stay ahead of the curve for what is common for new homes have.
Privacy is coveted in today's society. With the internet, social media, Big Brother, and an ever-increasing population, privacy is synonymous with luxury. Homes with long drives, gated entries, and natural screens are alluring to the high-end buyer. There is a feeling of luxury being able to escape public view and enjoy your very own serene and majestic surroundings.
A luxury home may have a renowned name attached. Buyers look for homes known for their architectural prowess, or designed by a legendary architect. It falls into the concept of iconic, or collectible. Instead of exclusive cars, these buyers are collecting a luxury home.
It's difficult to quantify everything that defines luxury homes, but it usually appeals to a wide age spectrum, and is something rare.
Buying a luxury home isn't going to follow the average rules of real estate. There are more levels to these purchases. Luxury REALTORS® that oversee luxury home transactions will handle more than the typical real estate agent does. Listings are often advertised on a national level, and when the transaction gets underway, you'll deal with more inspections, attorneys, trusts, and privacy issues.
The key to a successful luxury home purchase or sale is to work with a team that understands the intricate ins and outs of the luxury industry. If you're looking to buy or sell a luxury home in London, Kentucky, contact Sallie Davidson REALTORS® for assistance.
The 2016 market is predicted to be one of the best in recent years for sellers with low mortgage rates and high demand for available homes. This means home buyers need to enter the market well informed, so they are in a good position to get the home they want at a fair price. If you are thinking about buying in the coming year, here are five important facts you need to know.
While you can still find mortgage programs for people with no down payment, you may not qualify for those programs. The best bet is to have money to put down on the home, as well as money for the closing costs. Today's mortgages allow buyers to purchase with as little as 3 percent down, but 20 percent of the purchase price will save you from additional mortgage insurance fees. Also, have some additional money in the bank for repairs, closing costs and moving costs.
In October, new mortgage forms were introduced that make the application process easier. When you apply for pre-approval, you will get a form within three days called the Loan Estimate Form, which will disclose all estimated costs of the loan. With this form you can see how quickly you can pay down the principal on the loan over five years, so you can see which loans let you build equity the fastest.
In 2016 you will also receive all closing documentation on your loan three days before closing. This means you will have time to read the paperwork before you go to the closing, so you can address any errors or surprises.
Starting January 1, those who are buying a home in rural, underserved areas will have better access to financing. The CFPB has expanded its definition of "small creditor" and "rural areas," relaxing some standards to ensure that most borrowers in these areas will be able to get loans for their purchases.
The financial crisis of 2008 and afterwards occurred largely because people with poor credit were given mortgages they could not afford. They then went into default, sparking the financial crisis of recent years. The government is cracking down on lenders to avoid this problem in the future. While you may still be able to get a loan with poor credit, it will be harder and more expensive. Knowing your credit score, and taking measures to improve it, will go far in helping you get an affordable loan when buying a home.
Finally, with a competitive, sellers' market, and a REALTOR® who knows the local real estate area is going an important part of your home buying process. Contact Sallie Davidson REALTORS® for help buying a home in London, KY and the surrounding communities. Our team of real estate agents will support you in your home buying efforts.
You've probably already noticed that Lexington, KY goes big for the holidays, and New Year's Eve is no exception. Whether you're looking for a low-key party, a big bash, or a bit of jazz in the Bluegrass region, Lexington has you covered. The big night is coming up quickly, but you've still got time to find the perfect way to celebrate New Year's Eve in style.
The team at Sallie Davidson REALTORS® has rounded up a few of our favorite Lexington, KY New Year's Eve events, and you're sure even more action as soon as you arrive in town. Now, let's start planning that party itinerary!
Lexington Comes Alive on New Year's Eve
Lexington, KY offers a New Year's Eve celebration to suit every taste, and every year adds something new to the slate. The halls are still decked for the holidays, but make no mistake. The New Year's Eve champagne is on ice, and the boughs of holly will soon move aside to make room for clouds of confetti.
We've covered some of the big events, but there's something new waiting around every corner in Lexington on New Year's Eve. You never know what you'll find, but that's part of the fun! Lexington truly comes alive on New Year's Eve, and the team at Sallie Davidson REALTORS® is here to help you make the most of it.
When you're moving to a new neighborhood, you're choosing more than just a new home. It's easy to look up things to do, places to eat, school districts, and local government, but what about the safety of your new neighborhood? We all want to feel safe and secure in our homes, so it's important to know where to turn for accurate, relevant safety information.
Today, we're going to take a closer look at how to evaluate the safety of any neighborhood that you are considering. While crime rate statistics are an important part of the equation, they only tell part of the safety story.
We'll cover online research options in the next section, but first it's important to know what you should watch for when visiting a neighborhood in person. You can also learn plenty about your new neighborhood by picking up the phone and talking to the right people.
Hands-on research is great, but there are limits on what you can learn by speaking with local residents. To get a complete picture of an area's safety, you'll also want to take a look at the resources available to you online. There are plenty of great tools to simplify your safety search.
Of course, your real estate agent should also be an important source for inside information on the neighborhoods you're scouting. Contact the team at Sallie Davidson REALTORS® to learn more about neighborhoods in Kentucky, and shop for homes in the London, KY area.
You've made your list and checked it twice, mailed your Christmas cards, and even finished your shopping. Before you light the yuletide log, make sure you know how to do it safely. According to one report, 14,000 house fires per year start in fireplaces. Have you done all needed fireplace maintenance to keep your family and home safe this holiday season?
Care for your fireplace with these ten tips so Santa makes it down your chimney with ease:
The Christmas season is normally reserved for fond, family memories. Part of enjoying the Christmas season begins with knowing your family and your home are safe. For a good portion of the year, fireplaces remain unused so it is easy to forget basic, safety tips. Share this blog with your family and friends so everyone's holiday can be merry and bright.
Contact us at Sallie Davidson REALTORS® when you're ready to begin your search for a home in 2016.
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