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REAL ESTATE
A Publication of Wakefield, Reutlinger and Company/Realtors Vol. 1 No. 22 January 2010

Home Buyer Tax Credit Pushes

Home Sales Up In 2009
Driven by the first-time home buyer tax credit,
home sales in the Greater Louisville area were up
2.4% in 2009, ending a three year decline. Sales
in October, November and December were up
26%, 67% and 35% respectively over last year’s
numbers when credit markets were frozen and the
housing market was weak. November’s
numbers were particularly large due to a
last minute rush to take advantage of the tax
credit which was set to expire. Congress, how-
The Kentucky Horse
Park in Lexington, one
ever, extended and expanded it to include many
of the most beautiful buyers who already own homes. It is now set to
equine competition expire on April 30, 2010.
parks in the country, Home prices in Louisville fared better than the
will host the World
Equestrian Games national market. The average selling price for
from September 25 to homes in Louisville declined slightly to $158,331
October 10, 2010, the
in 2009 from 2008’s $165,746, and the median
selling price fell to $132,000 from $134,900.
First time buyers were responsible for a large
percentage of the sales in 2009. To date, the
housing market, both nationally and in Louisville,
has been concentrated in the lower end segment.
While the mid-price market has begun to show
signs of life, it is still far below normal. The
upper end remains sluggish. In the Louisville
area, sales of $1,000,000 and above homes in
2009 were down 28% from the year earlier, and
there is currently a 4.7 year supply of these ex-
pensive homes on the market. Hopefully, with
Congress enlarging the tax credit to include
move-up buyers, the housing market recovery
will broaden.

Real Estate
first time the event will
be held outside of
Europe. The Games will represent
Louisville UPDATE
the largest equine sporting event ever Month at a Glance Year to Date at a Glance
held in the United States. The World Residential Sales Stats Single Family Residential & Condo Residential Sales Stats Single Family Residential & Condo
Equestrian Games are comprised of
Dec. - 07 Dec. - 08 Dec. - 09 1/1-12/31 07 1/1-12/31 08 1/1-12/31 09
the world championships for eight
equestrian sports and are held every Houses Sold 964 718 974 Houses Sold 14748 11369 11652
four years, two years prior to the Average Selling Price $169,321 $152,513 $152,588 Avg. Selling Price $174,152 $165,746 $158,331
Olympic Games. In an effort to
showcase Kentucky for the people Median Selling Price $133,400 $123,400 $127,000 Median Selling Price $139,000 $134,900 $132,000
who will travel here from all over the Units Sold Jan. 1 - Dec. 31 Average Price Jan. 1 - Dec. 31
world, a massive interactive facility
has been assembled called The Kentucky
Experience where they can learn
everything about the state - from the
lakes in the West to the mountains in
the East. Bourbon, wine, food, music,
art, recreation - it’s all there. For more
information on the Games and The
Kentucky Experience go to Price Range Statistics 1/1-12/31 08 1/1-12/31 09 % Change
alltechfeigames.com and
Up to $99,999 3,353 3,417 +1.9%
thekentuckyexperience.com.
$100,000-$199,999 5,150 5,542 +7.6%
$200,000-$299,999 1,702 1,710 +.05%
$300,000-$399,999 622 552 -11.3%
$400,000-$499,999 247 197 -20.2%

ALL THE WAY HOME...425-0225 $500,000+ 295 234 -20.7%

Source: Greater Louisville MLS.

There's never been a better time to
buy with the extended and expanded
home buyer tax credits and low interest
rates. Call me and let me help you
take advantage of this once in a
lifetime opportunity!
Mortgage Rates
30 Year Fixed 5.250%
15 Year Fixed 4.625%
30 Year FHA 5.250%
This is not intended to solicit a currently listed property. Information
is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.
What is HouseLogic.com?
HouseLogic is a free source of information and
tools from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS® that can help you make smart and
timely decisions about your home.
What can HouseLogic do for me?
With content covering home improvement, main-
tenance, taxes, finance, insurance, and even ways
you can get involved in and enrich your commu-
nity, HouseLogic can help you increase and pro-
tect the value of your home by helping you make
confident decisions.
Why did NAR create HouseLogic?
NAR has been a champion of homeownership
rights and opportunities for more than a century.
To celebrate grow‐
ing older, I once wrote
the lessons life taught me. My
odometer rolled over to 90 in
August, so here is the column
once more. By Regina Brett
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are
sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to
disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than
crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up
the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
Helping consumers become more informed,
responsible homeowners is important to the
stability and value of the housing market – and
your overall enjoyment of your home.
From time to time, NAR may ask you to part-
ner on issues or legislation that may impact
you as a homeowner. It’s up to you whether to
participate in these causes.
Will my information be shared? I can't stand
junk mail, spam, and dinnertime calls.
We're with you. NAR will NEVER share or
sell your email address or other personal in-
formation without your explicit consent.
To learn more, go to houselogic.com.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have
no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship is a secret, you shouldn't
be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye,
but don't worry God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful,
beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make
you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood,
but the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in
life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear
the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occa‐
sion. Today is special.
22. Over‐ prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to
wear purple.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
25. Frame every so‐called disaster with these
words ''In five years, will this matter?".
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26. Always choose life.
27. Forgive everyone everything.
28. What other people think of you is none of your
business.
29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
32. Believe in miracles.
33. God loves you because of who God is, not
because of anything you did or didn't do.
34. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of
it now.
35. Growing old beats the alternative ‐‐ dying young.
36. Your children get only one childhood.
37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw
everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
40. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
41. The best is yet to come.
42. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and
show up.
43. Yield.
44. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.