The Julie Pogue Properties Louisville KY Real Estate Blog

Kentucky Derby Festival

2012-04-09T09:28:00-07:00

Kentucky Derby Festival 2012 Got my Kentucky Derby Festival Car this past week from Bob Montgomery Honda and is it ever fun and cute! I want to encourage all of you to participate in as many Derby activities as you possibly can. And to all my home buyers who are new to Louisville, Kentucky may this Derby be your very best! Have a great week everyone! Julie

100 Wise Women

2012-02-21T15:07:00-07:00

As a small business owner, I am forced to be selective in the many opportunities to sponsor very worthwhile and deserving groups. This year I have choosen a corporate partnershio with 100 Wise Women. You can find more information at this link: http://www.leadershiplouisville.org/events/wisewomen At every 100 Wise Women breakfast forum, you'll meet distinguised women from all career stages and backgrounds. You'll hear a keynote from one of our region's most accomplished women leaders, featuring her career story and life lessons learned. After the presentation, participate in a discussion led by one of our community's 'Wise Women.' The atmosphere is welcoming and supportive. You'll walk away with an abundance of positive energy, new relationships and countless pearls of wisdom. Proceeds from 100 Wise Women go to the Joan Riehm Women's Leadership Fund created to allow women to participate in Leadership Louisville Center programs. Since the scholarship fund was created in 2007, 62 women have received scholarships totaling more than $67,000 to participate in Focus Louisville, Leadership Louisville, Ignite Louisville and Bingham Fellows. So take a look and see if you can fit this into your calendar. I promise you it will be worth your time and effort. Have a great week everyone!

Happy Birthday Happy Super Bowl!

2012-02-05T09:10:00-07:00

Happy birthday! happy super bowl! I am guest blogging today on behalf of all of us in the office, to wish Julie a very happy birthday! No one makes the office more fun. Our days are filled with laughter and nice things. So here is a big shout out to the best boss ever--Happy Birthday to you and Happy Super Bowl as well! May you have a wonderful day and may your team win! We already think YOU are a winner! Have a great week everyone!

Clever organization in St. Matthews house

2012-01-29T15:15:00-07:00

Clever Storage Idea One of the fun things about selling real estate is running into all kinds of very clever ideas. I was showing a home for sale in St Matthews last week and ran across this storage technique in a hall linen/bathroom closet. With clear pockets, it was easy for any family member to identify small items that would be routinely needed, yet they were stored in an out-of -the way place on the inside of the door. This seller gets and A+ for organization in a tough spot! Have a great week everyone!

Germantown's Best Popcorn?

2012-01-15T15:01:00-07:00

Louisville's Best Popcorn? Am listening to the football playoffs and talking to friends. All of a sudden I have a craving for some great popcorn. Am told the best is at Eiderdown's Food & Drink in Louisville's Germantown Neighborhood. Has anyone ever had popcorn there? It is supposed to be popped in duck fat! Let me know if you have tried it and what it was like. Seems like a great day to sit on the couch and root for your favorite team! Oh, and a hot bowl of popcorn would make it just perfect with the right mix of friends! Hope your team wins. Have a great week Louisville!

What's on the Outside Counts part 5 of 8!

2012-01-08T14:50:00-07:00

It's what's on the Outside that counts! (Part 5 of 8) Stucco Siding Stucco siding can be spotted on Spanish and Mediterrranean style homes. You can identify it by its flat, smooth concrete look. It is composed of cement, water, and materials such as sand and lime. Many homes built after the 1950's use a lighter synthetic material that resembles stucco. To tell whether the home is made of genuine stucco, tap the walls; if you hear a solid sound, it is likely to be real. Pros: Durable, fire-resistant, and a good insulator. Rarely needs to be repainted; works best in a dry climates. Cons: Not ideal for wet climates; some forms of syntheitc stucco have been associated with moisture problems.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T11:42:00-07:00

Happy New Year! Today we reflect on things we are grateful for and, of course, you top our list! It is customers and friends like you who make what we do inspirational, interesting and fun! We are proud to have played a part in your special moments this year and we're excited to be there for your future events, too. We are confident that 2012 is going to be another great year. We hope 2012 brings you much happiness and success, too. Warm regards from your partners at Julie Pogue Properties. Have a great week everyone!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T23:13:00-07:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! To all my dear family, friends, loyal clients and co-workers: a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday wishes! Now is the time to set aside all of those 'to do' lists and just be in the moment of the holiday with your loved ones. We all have much to be thankful for. I, for one, am thankful for your love and loyalty throughout the year. Have a most glorious day and know how much I appreciate having you in my life--each and every one of you! Have a great week everyone!

What's On the Outside Counts-Cedar Shingle Siding (part 4 of 8)

2011-12-19T08:46:00-07:00

Cedar Shingle Siding What's on the outside Counts! (part 4 of 8) Cedar shingle siding homes, also called 'shakes,' are usually found in the New England area among Cape Cod homes. The cedar shingles can be stained in a variety of earth-tone colors. This is a very distinct style that evokes thoughts of shore life on either of our Northern coastlines--just like the homes of old time sea captains! There are a few fine examples in the Louisville area and are certainly eye-catching because they are so unique. Pros: Can last up to 30 years; doesn't buckle or curl Cons: Often viewed as high maintenance since shingles need treatment about every five years to prevent rot or mildew; not the best choice for regions where fires are more common. Happy Holidays to everyone and have a great week!

Brick: It's What on the Outside that Counts (Part 3 of 8)

2011-12-12T07:08:00-07:00

Brick: It's What's On The Outside That Counts (Part 3 of 8) Brick has been a mainstay for centuries and tends to be a favorite among many Louisville home owners. The brick is usually laid outside of a wooden frame of a house. Brick can last a lifetime, very rarely requiring any patching or repairs and will continue looking the same as it ages for years to come. Pros: Tough, durable, and low-maintenance; doesn't rot or fade. Is good for keeping a home warm in the winter and cooler in the summer. Is sturdier during extremeweather than most home exteriors because of its weight and rigid form. Usually increases the value of a home. Cons: Expensive due to the high cost of materials and installation. Is prone to damage in earthquake/erosion areas because is is such an inflexible material. Brick row houses are attractive. A painted ranch can be many colors and blend nicely with the environment.

What's On The Outside Counts (part 2 of 8)

2011-12-05T07:17:00-07:00

What's On The Outside Counts (Part 2 of 8) Cement Fiber Siding A beautiful looking house consists of not just a close knit family beut a tastefully decorated interior and an inviting exterior. Last week we talked about stone exteriors. This week I want to talk a little about cement fiber siding. One of the latest developments in residential siding is cement fiber. It comes in a variety of finishes and can be made to resemble wood or stucco. It's made of sand, cement and cellulose fibers. Cement fiber siding is known as a 'green' material and can be made from recyclable items. Pros: More durable than wood or stucco; low maintenance, fire-proof, and water-resistant. Wont' rot or be prone to insect damage. Cons: Requires painting, but not for at least 10-15 years if done correctly! It could also potentially hold moisture if it isn't painted correctly so use a qualified contractor. Also, it is a very heavy material that needs significant structural support. Hope this helps when you are considering home exteriors. Have a great week everyone and try and stay warm and dry!

What's on the Outside Counts!

2011-11-28T09:43:00-07:00

What's on the Outside Counts! A home's exterior is the first impression that can beckon buyers to the front door. Attractiveness aside, the siding materials used also can serve as an important detail in judging upkeep and extra costs down the road. In the next few weeks I will cover some of the most common home exteriors with the pros and cons associated with each. Stone and Cultered Stone Some exteriors, made of actual rocks or stones, are known for being able to withstand extreme weather conditions, but their extra durability can come at an increased cost. Stone veneers can be one way to cut costs and still achieve the high-end look. Stones used on homes are often used as an accent and to add depth in highlighting one wall or section of the exterior. Pros: Known as the most durable of all building materials, it can withstand severe weather and is considered low maintenance. Cons: Very expensive

Did you know...

2011-11-21T11:25:00-07:00

that the date of Thanksgiving was once changed to try and boost the ecomony? President Franklin Roosevelt decided to change the traditional date of Thanksgiving from the last of Thursday November to the second to last Thursday in November 1939, 1940 and 1941. He did this to extend the Christmas shopping season by a week. Only half of the states went along with this idea however, with Texas celebrating Thanksgiving on both Thursdays! This became a mess that was settled in congress in 1941. In true congressional form, the date set was a compromise; Thanksgiving would be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, which is sometimes the last and sometimes the second to last Thursday in November. There is so much doom and gloom in the media, and yet as we draw loved ones near, may we know what the true meaning of Thanksgiving is. This holiday is unique in that it doesn't requre gifts of a specific nature...just companionship, sharing, love and reciprocity. Let us be grateful for the simple gifts no matter where we are: food, friends and family. Most importantly let us not forget those whose bounty may not be as great as ours. For we all have acquaintances, friends and family who have lost much in the past several years, and, if you can assist them, please lend a hand. We all know that we can be in that place, too, in a blink of fate's eye. So for what you have, please be grateful, and for whatever you need, please say a prayer for yourself and whomever may be in worse need that you. Thank you and happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Julie Pogue Properteis. Hope you all have a terrific week!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words- or Not!

2011-11-14T08:34:00-07:00

When it comes time to market your home, pictures will play an integral part in convincing a potential buyer that they want to take the time to view your property. It's not rocket science, folks. Lots of people search for homes on the internet. Depending on whose numbers you choose to believe, 80-94% of home buyers conduct Internet searches for homes. Cliche as it may be, a picture really is worth a thousand words. What follows is my advice, for what it's worth... Have you ever watched or been a home buyer searching for homes? Try it. Note how they blow past the lisitngs with no photos. Virtually every buyer I've watched or talked to just ignores listings with no photos. Watch and notice what happens when they see the primary listing photo and it kindles their interest. See the disappointment when they click for more pictures and there are none? Or, worse yet, they are of such poor quality, you cannot tell the true assets of the property. Or, it leaves you wondering if the photos are vague because they are trying to hide something. Know what happens in those situations? Yep, they move on to the next listing, rarely giving your home a second thought. It is our goal at Julie Pogue Properties to supply you with sufficient, high quality photos to properly showcase your home. Work with us prior to having to having those important photos taken to ensure your home is represented as best it can be. If you anticipate that you are going to put your home on the market-take photos early and often to capture your home in different light and different seasons when the landscaping is at its best. Curb appeal used to be the big thing. These days 'web appeal' may be just as, if not more, important in getting your home sold. Pictures under or over-exposed, out of focus or taken from the wrong angle will not do your property justice. And, of course, the more photos the better. A report compiled by a leading real estate Web site provider showed that there is a direct correlation between the number of photos and how often listings are viewed. Great pictures and lots of them will improve the odds of getting your home previewed and more buyers through the door. We have great photographers with decades of experience that help us market your home. Consult us early and often so when you are ready to put your home on the market you will also be ready to put your best photographs on the MLS. Hope you all have a terrific week!

Go Visit Your Neighbor

2011-11-07T13:50:00-07:00

Go Visit Your Neighbor We no longer live in a time when people know all their neighbors and consider them to be friends. A shocking number of people have never had a conversation with their neighbors and some couldn't pick them out of a lineup. Introduce yourself or invite your neighbor over for coffee. Neighbors are not only a great potential source of friendship, they make us feel more comfortable in our homes, which is where most of us spend much of our time. New houses are being built across the country with an amazing new feature: front porches. According to the National Association of Home Builders, space that once might have been dedicated to a living room is now more likely to be used for a front porch. Architects, builders and town planners see the front porch as one remedy to the unhappy and unccomfortable social distance that characterizes many neighborhoods. Many of us don't know who our nieghbors are, and often we don't know anything about them. This, despite the fact that we have something tremendously important--our neighborhood, our surroundings, the place we begin each day! Front porches are making a comeback because most of us would like the chance to venture outside our front door and meet the people on our street. Greater community interactions can increase happiness by almost 30 percent according to a 1997 study done by Sugarman in Psychological Foundations of Happiness. So get out there and visit your neighbor! If you'd like a house with a front porch, we would be more than willing to help yo ufind one with just that feature! Give us a call today! Hope you all have a great week!

How Energy Efficient Are you?

2011-10-31T06:11:00-07:00

Frost is on the pumpkins and it's the time of year when we are switching on our home heat and spending more time indoors. It doesn't take much effort to learn how to use energy wisely. Here are some tips provided by Louisville Gas & Electric that you might consider implementing this year. They encompass both winter and summer. Even if you only incorporate a few of them into your daily rountine, you will be saving energy and money. Take a look and see if you think you could try a few of these suggestions. Lighting To save up to $27 a year, change your five most-used light bulbs to energy-efficient compact florescent light bulbs (CFL). The more bulbs still you change, the more you'll save. Use light-colored, loose-weave curtains on windows to allow daylight to filter in while maintaining privacy. Three-way lamps make it easier to keep lighting levels low when brighter light is not necessary. Use task lighting. Focus the light where you need it so that you are not brightly lighting an entire room. Turn off lights when they are not in use. Consider using timers to reduce the amount of time your lights are on. Use dimmers, motion sensors or occupancy sensors to automatically turn on or off lighting as needed. Use ENERGY STAR qualified light fixtures and bulbs. During sunny winter days, open the curtains on your south-facing windows to allow the sun to naturally heat your home. Heating and Cooling To save up to 12% on your energy bill, use a programmable thermostat. Save up to $45 a year by adjusting your thermostat up two degrees in the summer and down two degrees in the winter. Save $50 a year by having your HVAC system professionally inspected. Clean or replace furnace filters every 30 days. (The day you receive your energy bill can serve as a good reminder that it's time to do this maintenance.) Clean registers, baseboards, heaters and radiators regularly. Be sure to move furniture, carpeting or drapes so they are not blocking these elements. Your HVAC contractor should be able to provide fact sheets for various HVAC models so that you can compare energy usage. While the national Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating is 78% for furnaces, some ENERGY STAR models exceed 90% AFUE. Fans help circulate the air in your home. Moving air makes you feel cooler, so you can set your thermostat at a higher temperature during the summer and still feel comfortable. Turn off fans in rooms when not in use. Fans are effective at cooling you--not the room. Shutting curtains and drapes at night will help to retain the cool air. Use exhaust or ventilation fans in your kitchen or bathroom for only as long as you need them. Don't allow them to run for more than 20 minutes. Insulate your hot water heater to prevent heat loss. You may also want to insulate the hot water pipes in your home. Look for the ENERGY STAR label when replacing your HVAC equipment. Appliances and Electronics Most appliances continue to draw small amounts of power even when they are turned off. This 'phantom' energy consumption occurs in almost all appliances that use electricity, such as VCR's, televisions, stereo equipment, computers, kitchen appliances and telephones with answering machines. Avoid this 'phantom' energy drain by unplugging the appliance when it is not in use or by using a power strip to turn off the appliance(s) when not in use. Screen savers on computer monitors are not energy savers. The best energy-saving strategy is to set the computer to automatically switch to sleep mode or to manually turn off the computer and monitor when it's not in use. Make sure the power management settings are activated on your computer(s). ENERGY STAR qualified computers and monitors save energy only when the power management setting are on. Unplug rechargeable battery and cell phone chargers when not in use. Look for the ENERGY STAR label when shopping for home appliances and electronics. It's the government's seal of energy efficiency. TVs and DVD players use energy even when in standby mode. Plug these electronics into power strips and turn them on only when you plan to use them. Air dry your dishes instead of using the diswasher's drying cycle. Wash clothes in cold or warm water, and always rinse in cold water. Line dry clothes or use drying racks. Inspect your clothes dryer vent to ensure that it's not blocked. You will save energy and possibly prevent a fire. Clean the lint filter in your clothes dryer after every load. This improves air circulation. Wash and dry only full loads of clothes. Don't forget to adjust your washer's water level if you wash smaller loads. To prevent heat build up in your home, consider using your microwave, crock pot or outdoor grill to prepare meals instead of the oven or stove. Insulation and Air Sealing Caulk and weather strip your doors and windows to help keep the warm or cool air that you've paid for inside your home. This saves energy and money. Caulking should be soft and crack free for optimum performance. Use trees, shrubs or awnings at your windows to shade from the heat of the day in summer. In winter, remove awnings and trim shrubs and trees to take advantage of the suns warming rays. Use draft stoppers at doors and windows. Improve your home's energy performance by installing new energy-efficient windows. You may realize personal benefits from improved aestherics and comfort, even though it may take years to pay off the financial investment in overall energy savings. If you do replace your windows, make sure they are installed correctly by a qualified professional. In the summer, close curtains on the south and west facing windows during the hottest part of the day. Consider applying sun-control or reflective film to prevent the intense summer heat from entering your home. Reflect heat away from your house by installing white window shades, drapes or blinds. If you are unable to replace your windows, make any necessary repairs windows to improve their efficiency. Install tight-fitting window shades on drafty windows, once you have weatherized them. A low cost measure is to use heavy duty, clear plastic sheeting on the window frames during the winter. Tightly sealed plastic will reduce air infiltration. Get an energy audit. Find out where the common sources of air leaks are within your home. To test for air leaks on your own, hold a burning candle near your windws and doors on a windy day. If the flame flickers, you have an air leak that needs to be addressed. Make sure that you have adequate insulation in your home. Close fireplace dampers when not in use. Put extra blankets on your bed. Warm air rises, so cooler air will be at ground level. Wear socks and shoes to keep your feet warm. Water Take short showers instead of baths. Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees F. Buy a new energy-efficient water heater. It make cost more initially, but the energy savings will continue throughout the lifetime of the water heater. Look for ENERGY STAR models. Wash full loads of clothes or dishes. Install faucet aerators or low-flow faucets and shower heads. If heating your swimming pool, use a swimming pool cover to prevent water evaporation. Here's wishing everyon a very fun and safe Halloween. Have a great week everybody!

Rules of the Game

2011-10-24T10:23:00-07:00

This World Series time, as a Texas gal, I am rooting for the Texas Rangers. It occurred to me that all games have rules and that this might just be a good time to talk about the rules of real estate. If you have ever bought or sold real estate, you have undoubtedly employed the services of a real estate agent to guide and assist you through the process. Consumers are often uncertain who regulates real estate professionals. Most of us are subject to two set of rules. Each jurisdicution has a governmental agency, typically referred to as the real estate commission, charged with the authority to issue licenses to real estate professionals and enjorce related state laws and regulations. Additionally, many real estate professionals, after obtaining a license, choose to become members of a REALTOR® association, whose mission is to promote the profitability and success of its members. Those licensees agree to abide by a strict Code of Ethics, and the local REALTOR® association is responsible for assuring that members adhere to the Code. In 1913, the National Association of Realtors (NAR)--the largest professional real estate society in the U.S.--established its ethical code. Since 1986, it has been updated anually. Real estate ethics predates that of many ofther markets, which didn't adopt ethical strategies and codes until the 1990's, according to the Ethics & Compliance Officer Association. Unlike real estate law, the NAR code isn't binding on all licensed professionals; only the 1 million-plus who belong to the association. If the two ever conflict, the code states that 'the obligations of the law must take precedence.' One of the main purposes of this ethical system is to protect the public--clients and non-clients alike. Because real estate is such an expensive and long-term investment, Realtors take their obligations seriously. In fact, the majority of the code--14 out of the 17 articles--addresses consumer concerns from fair housing compliance and loyalty to propert documentation and handling trust money. While a certain level of competition is healthy, Realtors can't sacrifice the ideals of the code for personal benefit. For example, they can't misrepresent competitors or solicit consumers represented by fellow Realtors. This Code of Ethics is enforced at the local level through the local REALTOR® association. It is the function and authority of the local REALTOR® association to: Conduct hearings into alleged violations of the NAR Code of Ethics Take disciplinary action against a REALTOR® member, which can include the ordering of fines or revocation of a real estate professional's membership in the REALTOR® association Similar to filing a complaint with the state real estate association, members of the public can also contact their local REALTOR® association and file a complaint where they suspect a violation of the Code of Ethis has occurred. It is important to understand, however, that a REALTOR® association does not have any authority over a real estate professional's license, as this is the exclusive jurisdiction of the respective real estate commission. REALTOR® associations only discipline REALTOR® associations members for violations of the NAR Code of Ethics. For all other alleged wrong doing, consumers should contact the respectvie real estate commission or consult with an attorney. So there you have it. We at Julie Pogue Properties are all members of the National Association of Realtors and adhere to that higher standard of adopting their Code of Ethics. It is the way we choose to do business and the way we live our lives. You can count on us to represent you fairly and competently. Keep us in mind for all of your residential real estate needs and know that you can confidently recommend us to your family friends. Hope you all have a great week and go Texas Rangers--beat St. Louis!

Cut Your Chances of Being Burglarized

2011-10-17T13:36:00-07:00

Do you remember taking quizzes in those teenaged glamour magazines when you were a kid? Well, here is a quiz to take as a homeowner to help you cut your chances of being burglarized. Where do you live? a) Downtown, where there are lots witnesses (3 points) b) In the burbs, where privacy is paramount (0 points) c) In an affluent neighborhood that borders a bad one (-10 points) d) In the big yellow farmhouse 12 miles past the general store (30 points) Your windows are... a) Open for fresh air circulation even when nobody is at home (-10 points) b) Overgrown with bushes that could hide an intruder (-5 points) c) Latched shut whenever we go out or hit the sack (5 points) d) We've planted razor-sharp pyracantha, holly or rose bushes under them (5 points) What kind of burglar alarm do you have? a) A state of the art $2000 sysytem for which we pay $35 a month in monitoring (20 points) b) The same system above that we don't really turn on very often (-5 points) c) None, but we've posted alarm signs that I bought for $20 at mysecuritysign.com (15 points) d) Alarm? What alaram? We don't even lock the house (-10 points) Do you have a dog? a) Yes, a Napoleonic shih Tzu who barks at everyone (20 points) b) Yes, a Rottweiler with attitude (30 points) c) No, but I bought a $4 BEWARE OF DOG sign at petco.com (5 points) Where is your spare key? a) Under the welcome mat, of course (-10 points) b) Inside a none-too-convincing 'hide-a-key' rock (-5 points) c) With a trusted neighbor (5 points) If you scored... 10 or under: Use the details in this quiz as a blueprint for securing your home. Now!11 to 24: You're somewhate vulnerable. Lower your risk with the tricks above. 25-39: Breath easily. Your house is probably a tougher target than your neighbor's. 40 or over: Your insurance agent should buy you a steak! Summertime is the prime-time for breaking and entering. However, anytime is a good time to make your house look like a difficult target! Visit the National Crime Prevention Council's Web site at www.ncpc.org for all kinds of information on preventing crime. We, at Julie Pogue Properties, always want our families, friends and clients to be safe rather than sorry! Hope you all have a terrific week!

How to Appeal Property Tax Value

2011-10-10T06:36:00-07:00

Many property owners are unsure about whether or not it is appropriate to appeal property tax value due to their lack of understanding about both the difference in values assigned to properties by the government and the property tax appeal process. Therefore, it is important to gain a good understanding abou the process for determining the assessed value of your property, as well as the steps involved in the process of filing an appeal. This is not rocket science! If you feel your property is currently assessed at a higher value than the prevailing market you need to start now so you are ready for the small window of opportunity available to you each year to make your appeal. There are several ways to determine whether your residence is over-valued for property tax purposes. The current market has dictated lower values for many properties than those that are reflected on your latest tax bill. Let's say you just purchased your home for less than it's assessed value. Doing the math on a home purchased for $150,000 in St. Matthews that has a current property assessment of $185,000 would mean your annual taxes are $1,855.62. If you are successful in getting the Jefferson County PVA to move that property assessment to your purchase price you will save approximately $350 a year. That is $3,500 over a ten year period of time. Got something else you could use that money for? I sure would! Under state law (KRS 133.120) property owners who wish to appeal their assessment must first hold a conference with the PVA Office during the annual Open Inspection Period (OIP). Each year the OIP in Jefferson County begins on the first Monday in May and continues for a 13 day period, including 2 Saturdays. This year's OIP began on May 2, 2011 an closed May 16, 2011. The last day to submit an appeal to the PVA Office was May 16, 2011 by 4:00pm EST. By law, the PVA Office is not authorized to accept appeals via personal visits to their office or online appeal subissions after May 16, 2011. Next year's open inspection begins on May 7, 2012 and ends on May 21, 2012. Call the PVA Office in mid-April at (502) 574-6224 to schedule a conference or complete their online appeal service at that time. The Web site addrss is http://jeffersonpva.ky.gov/property-assessment/appeal-process. Please remember that property tax valuations are not necessarily a market value of your property, although that is the goal of the Auditor's Office to stay as current as possible. You may be being over-taxed however, if your property is appraised at a higher value than its current market value. Sellers, please do not be confused by the fact that by lowering your tax vaulation with the county you will be lowering the market value. If you are being taxed on a higher than market value, it does not mean that is what you should expect to get when selling the property. Bottom line is that the market dictates the value of your property so why pay taxes on a higher valuation? By adjusting your county tax valuation to be in line with the market, you may well be attracting additional buyers, due to having a more attractive tax bill than a property that is not in line with the market. Finally, be aware that filing an appeal for your property tax value does not cancel out your responsibility to pay your property taxes in full and on time. You may be charged interest or other fees on late or unpaid property taxes, even if your appeal is ultimately successful. Make sure to mark your calendar now to make this appeal if you think you qualify. It is well worth the small amount of time it will take. A bit of early planning could mean extra money in your pocket that you deserve. If you live in a county other than Jefferson County, be sure and check with those specific PVA offices for their appeals process and time frames. They may be slightly different. We, at Julie Pogue Properties, are always glad to assist you iin determining the current market value of your property. Just give us a call. Hope you all have a terrific week!

Clean Homes Show Better

2011-10-03T08:36:00-07:00

Would you rather walk into a clean home or a dirty home? This is not a loaded question. It is an important one! When it comes to selling a home, many people forget how important the answer to that question really is. Sellers get busy looking for their new home, preparing kids for a move, packing up their belongings, getting organized for their new life and relocation so much that sometimes their home that is for sale doesn't get the attention that is needed to push it to the top of the buyers' must-have lists. After the home sits on the market for a long period of time, the sellers realize something has to change. Sometimes it is the price, but sometimes it's the fact that the home that is being shown isn't clean enough. Yes, clean homes show better. Here are five suggestions to help make yours sparkle: Hard to Reach Windows, Skylights and Ceiling Fans. These often get overlooked either because they are difficult to access to clean or because they aren't at eye level. Whichever the case, cleaning windows in high ceilings or skylights provides a brighter light to shine in your home. Sometimes just getting out the could of dust and dirt that accumulates can make the difference between a murky-looking room and one that is eye catching. Clean the windows on a cloudy day if you can, but not a rainy one. If you clean the windows in the direct light of sun, traces can appear on the window, as the cleaning solution gets dry before being cleaned. Don't forget those paddles on the ceiling fan as well-both the tops and the bottoms. And, if your ceiling fan has an attached light fixture, make sure the globes and the bulbs are as shiny as can be for maximum effect! Toilets. It may seem like this goes without saying but I am sure any real estate agent you ask will have a horror story about toilets. Whether they are leaking, continuously running, stained or simply stinky, they pose a major deterrant if ignored. If you have an older toilet, give it a good inspection and be sure to check under the lid, down the front of the bain and around the seal to the floor. Buyers sometimes use your toilet when they are looking at your home and nothing is worse than seeing rust stains and other unsightly marks. Walls and Baseboards. I am sure you have read much about the value of a fresh coat of paint prior to putting a home on the market. But perhaps you can acheive the same effect with a good wipe-down instead. Using a wet, midly soapy cloth you can scrub the walls and baseboards to make them look like they have had a fresh coat of paint and for hundreds of dollars less. I don't normally tout a particular cleaning product but Mr. Clean's Magic Erasers will save you the mess and ease the elbow grease. These rectangular-shaped cleaning pads can take the grime off nearly everything. You don't have to spray anything on the surface you are going to clean-just wet the eraser and wipe off the marks. Whole walls can be celaned with these pads and they will look as though the wall had been freshly painted. Be sure to get the baseboards too and get down the kids' level to wip off the marks where they place their fingers while walking up the stairs or down the hall. Tile. Hopefully you will get lots of foot traffic when your home is on the market. This, however, can lead to very dirty flooring and grout--especially in times of inclement weather. The tile and the condition of the grout will matter to buyers should they decide to make an offer. Really scrub those dirtly lines of grout with a good heavy duty acidic cleaner meant for such purpose. Doing so will make the tile stand out and not look like it needs regrouting. Closets, Cabinets, Computer Areas. I have written about the value of clean closets before but cannot reiterate it enough. Buyers love to snoop and will open closets and cabinet doors. De-clutter closets, hang shirts all facing the same way and even alphabetize the spice cabinet. The point is to not have junk stuffed inside closets and cabinets so that when potential buyers open them to have a peek, everything comes crashing down on them. This will give the impression that the closets are too small. Computer areas are becoming quite popular in homes and behind most of those computers is a tangled web of wires collecting tons of dust. Organize the wires using Velcro or zip ties and dust them off. Or, better, yet, if you don't have to use the computer daily, arrange the area like you were filming a movie or shooting an advertisement--you never see wires! Remove all of the computer and accesory electronic cords. You can leave the monitor display on the desk but taking the wires and storing them will give the area a more spacious, clean and professionally staged look. When buyers see homes that are dirty, cluttered, disorganized, scoffed and worn, they may think it is an indication that the home may not have received the care it needed for bigger items, too, such as the furnace, disposal, plumbing, electrical wiring, etc. It gives a general feeling of un-cleanliness and can leave a negative lasting impression and your home still on the market. Invite your two most fastidious friends to give you a critique. And ask your agent for his or her opinions as well and really listen to them! A little cleaning and preparation before you market your home will help show buyers that you have cared for the house and that could be just the signal a buyer needs in order to make an offer. Remember, we are experienced and well-prepared to assist you in selling your home when you are ready. Don't hesitate to give us a call. Hope you all have a terrific week!

Purchasing a Home in a Down Economy

2011-09-26T12:31:00-07:00

There is a certain state of mind that is being drilled into our collective psyche by the media that goes something like this: 'You cannot buy a home now, you don't know if you will have a job tomorrow.' And they go on to show all the countless people who are at the job fairs with resume in hand. However, if you are currently renting and you lose your job and can't pay the rent, what happens? Your landlord evicts you and probably faster than a mortgage company can foreclose on you! Yet that is what we hear in the news day after day, people are afraid to buy because of the economy. Oh, woe is me! Don't get me wrong, I know there are plenty of people out there who can't buy a home for lots of rational reasons that prevent them from qualifiying but, the economy isn't one of them. Let's put on that 'common sense' thinking cap for a moment and look at things with a saner attitude. If you are renting a good size apartment, townhouse, condo or even a single family home, you are most likely paying around $1,000/month. Now for that same approximate monthly outlay you can purchase a $150,000 home using FHA financing. What do you have to do differently than what you're doing now? You need a down payment of 3.5% or $5,250, which can come all from you or partly from you, gifted to you in total or in part from Mom or Day, Grandmother, or Uncle Joe. Your credit score needs to be 600+ and your revolving and installment debt when added to the proposed mortgage payment generally shouldn't exceed 45% of your gross (before taxes) monthly income. How many of you have I lost? I'll be not many. Now let's keep those thinking caps on and look at the market place. You would be amazed at how many good homes you can buy today for $150,000 in the Louisville market! And there isn't a real estate worth their salt that couldn't get you that property with the seller paying your closing costs. So while you still have that thinking cap on, give me a call at (502) 238-7400 or visit my website at www.juliepogue.com and let's get started. It's all free, no obligation. Hope you all have a terrific week and that your Fall is off to a great start!

A Decade of Remembrance- The 10th Anniversary of 9/11

2011-09-12T06:42:00-07:00

It has been 10 years since this tragic event in our history. I don't think there is anyone out there that will ever forget where they were on that fateful morning. We need to remember all of those brave men and women across this great country that protect and serve every day to keep us safe. September 11 will forever be etched in the hearts, minds and psyche of all Americans. In cities and towns all across the nation people will take timeout to refect on that day. Even ten years later, it seems like yesterday to me. Our country has been forever changed. Never again should this happen. 2001 doesn't seem that long ago. With the anniversary of the most tragic event in our country's recent history (if not ever!) I realize that my life changed, but it was due to my own choices, whereas the victims and their families had their lives ripped away and tossed around. I wouldn't be surprised to hear if many are still trying to pick up the pieces of what was behind even now. My heart goes out to the wives, husbands, the children, the parents, the friends and the survivors. So scary are the thoughts of what those few hours made us all realize: Be good to the people in your life. Make amends every day. Care about things deeply. Live your life with passion. Fix the wrongs that you come across. Pay attention to your surroundings. Help others. Take nothing for granted--ever. And most of all, tell and show people that they are loved, often. Yesterday I chose to remember the goodness of the American people as we all came together as one nation under God and we were not the red states, blue states, Democratic or Republican, but American. I chose to honor those who showed us that once again, America is the land of the free and eternal vigilance is the price of our liberty. Our country was dramatically changed on that day. But it is what our country did on 9/12/2001 and beyond that is a true measure of our reilience. America shall endure forever. Neither principalities nor powers shall stop the American spirit, not from within, nor from without. America Lives! Be Viligant. And may God bless America. Hope you all have a terrific week!

The Real Meaning of Labor Day

2011-09-06T07:24:00-07:00

Do you know the real meaning of Labor Day? I had a vague idea but decided to check it out. Labor Day is a United States Federal Holiday observed on the first Monday in September. This year it was Monday, September 5, 2011. It is meant to celebrate the economic and social contributions of workers. The Central Labor Union of New York observed the first big Labor Day in the United States on September 5, 1882. Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor first proprosed it in May 1882. Oregon was the first state to make it a holiday in 1187. By the time it became a federal holiday in 1894, thirty states officially celebrated Labor Day. Following the deaths of a number of workers at that hands of the U.S. Military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland reconciled with the labor movement. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. All U.S. states, the District of Columbia and the territories have made it a statutory holiday. The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday. A street parade to exhibit to the public 'the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations,' followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement. The holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parties. Speeches or political demonstrations are more low-key than May 1 Labor Day celebrations in most countries, although events held by labor organizations often feature political themes and appearances by candidates for office, especially in election years. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer recess. Similarly, some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school, although school starting times now vary. Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. It is usually the last day that public and country club swimming pools are open. In high society, Labor Day is (or was) considered the last of the year when it is fashionable for women to wear white. Hope you all had a safe and fun Labor Day! Have a terrific week!

Five Top Staging Tips

2011-08-22T06:26:00-07:00

Staging is a way for your home to stand out from the competition. It's a way for a buyer to see the true potential of your home. Many real estate agents work with professional stagers. But if you don't have the money to spend for professional help, then consider these five tips to stage your own home. Curb Appeal: A first impression happens only once! Prun overgrown plants and remove unnecessary clutter from your yard. For a finishing touch, consider painting your front door an attention grabbing color like dark blue, red or green. Remove Clutter: Knickknacks, doodads and bric-a-brac must go. When you put your home on the market, a showing could be scheduled at any point. So, for now, take a box and go from room to room collecting the extra 'stuff.' These unnecessary items distract homebuyers from seeing the actual room and space. Edit: It is not just clutter that needs removal from counters and shelves. Editing is a way of making your rooms look bigger. In staging you only have the bare essentials of furniture. Remove heavy pieces that make rooms look smaller. If you can, put these items into storage. As a very last resort, you can put them in the garage and cover them with a tarp. Main functions: This means that a dining room should be staged as a dining room, not as a sewing room or office. A patio is a place to relax with nature, not a catch-all for outdoor items, toys and grills. Amiance: You want to create an atmosphere that is welcoming and makes the buyer feel at home. This is the ultimate goal of staging. This means the home should smell celan, be light and airy and be a comfortable temperature. To accomplish these tasks, you can bake cookies prior to a showing to fill the air with yummy goodness. If you are a smoker or have pets, you may need to take more drastic measures such as repainting walls or celaning carpets and furniture. To bring your home to light, replace old and burnt out light bulbs and have heavy curtains opened or removed. If you are shoing during the winter months, be sure to leave the heat set to a comfortable temperature. The same goes for the air conditioning during the heat of summer. Use these simple tips to get your home shipshape for your sale. More ideas can be found on HGTV. Use your imagination, ask friends for candid advice, listen to your feedback from showings. All of these will aid you in putting your home in the best possible light for potential buyers. And, of course, we at Julie Pogue Properties are always ready, willing and able to assist you in all of your residentail real estate needs. Hope you all have a terrific week!

Make Your Home Buying Experience Less Stressful

2011-08-29T07:05:00-07:00

Follow these simple steps and you could be sitting in your new dream home before you know it! First, work with a real estate agent that you trust. You need to have faith in their abilities and experience. If you are constantly seconding guessing their advice, this will only add to your stress, not reduce it. You want to work with an agent that answers your phone calls, texts and emails, and stays in touch with you every step of the way. Home buying is about decisions. There are large ones, like which area of town you want to live in, which home plan is right for you, what your budget is, who to use as a lender, etc. And there are small ones, such as whom to complete the termite inspection. The way to keep stress low is to make informed decisions and then let it go. Don't beat yourself up over what could have been or what you should have done. Hindsight is always 20/20. Along those same lines, remember the phrase, 'Too many cooks in the kitchen spoils the broth.' Yes, there are family members and friends who have great advice to share. However, asking too many people for their opinions can distract your mind from your own wishes and wants. Be careful to keep the advise in moderation. This is your decision after all! Avoid 'cocktail talk' too. It seems invariably that there are always those that say they got a better deal than you did, a lower interest rate, more concessions, blah, blah, blah. Often times, you may be getting part of the story or they don't truly understand the process. Don't allow braggarts and fibbers to make you second guess your decisions. More often than not, they are just trying to make themselves feel important and you feel less important. Steer clear of such toxic talk. There is no 'perfect' house or deal. There will be things that don't go as planned. Now is the time to focus on the good things about the move and the deal. Don't get bogged down in the little things. Buy a house that you love and that makes good financial sense. And finally, plan ahead. It is tempting to channel Scarlett O'Hara and worry about things tomorrow, but time is of the essence when you're buying. Deals can move quickly and between hiring inspectors, getting appriasals, going on showings and hiring movers you don't want to be weighted down with everything all at once. Make lists and timelines to keep you on track! The bottom line is this...buying a home is a big responsibility. It takes time and it takes money. But the end result, owning a home that is a good fit for you, is always worth it. So take a deep breath, plan ahead, make those lists and don't be too hard on yourself. Enjoy the process and enjoy your new home. The folks here at Julie Pogue Properties area always ready, willing and able to help you achieve your home buying goals and keep your stress level as low as possible. We do this every single day and can help you through the entire process. Give us a call when you're ready to start. Hope you all have a terrific week!

Adjust Your Sails

2011-08-15T07:25:00-07:00

There is an old German Proverb that goes something like this, 'You can't reset the winds. But you can adjust your sails!' Right now, there are many people coming through our real estate office that are moving in or out of our area. The state of the real estate market could cause them real stress. However, with our professional guidance, most of our clients choose to 'adjust their sails' so to speak. Let's just use an illustration of a couple who bought at the height of the real estate market and now find themselves facing relocation to another market. Instead of worrying about the money they were going to lose on the selling side they chose to focus on the money they were going to save on the home they were going to purchase in their new market. They sold their home for $300,000 and did have to bring $30,000 to the closing table. However, we were able to refer them to a very savvy real estate professional in their new market who was able to snag them a home that was listed for $650,000 in the fall of 2010 for just over $500,000 now. So they picked up about $150,000 on the new home, take away the loss of $30,000 and they are still up $120,000. Plus they will probably get a write off for selling their hom at a loss. Be sure to double-check with your own personal accountant for what you might realize in a similar situation as everyone's circumstances are different. My point here could be applied to anything in your life. Adjust your sails. The winds of our lives are in constant change. Adjust your sails to take advantage of the changing winds. Be willing to adjust to the changes in your life. In that willingness you will discover opportunity! By adjusting your sails you will continue to sail in the direction of your goals through the storms of life. Adjusting your course along the way will keep you on course. All of us at Julie Pogue Properties are here to help you stay on course with all of your real estate needs and to encourage you to live your best life. We can advise you on what the prevailing winds in the real estate market are and help you navigate your best deal. Call us today. Hope you all have a terrific week!

What's in your closet?

2011-08-08T11:26:00-07:00

I'm thinking of that Capital One credit card commercial that ran for so long where you would see the Viking family and hear the tagline, 'What's in your waller?' Well, instead I would like to challenge you by asking in the same intonations, 'What's in your closet?' Sellers often improve the outside appearance of their home, finish all those 'honey do' lists of repairs, remove wallpaper, paint, etc. before listing their home for sale in order to attract potential buyers. This clean up, paint up, fix up mode is all great in order to make your home shine above the competition. But what usually happens first when a buyer walks through your front door? They open a closet! Yes, those new countertops are fabulous and all of the stainless steel appliances are nice but cram all the clutter that you were told to eliminate from your home into the closets combined with out of season items, holiday decorations, board games and a vacuum cleaner in the front closet and guess what the top of mind notation about your home is going to be for this potential buyer? You guessed it--that there is not enough storage in this home! Now, instead of enjoying all of the other features your home may have, potential buyers will spend the rest of the tour with their antannae up for further proof that your home has too little storage space for their needs thus causing them to overlook things that they would otherwise have greater appreciation for if you had just cleared out the front closet. If you are considering putting your home up for sale, or, if it is already on the market and you are not happy with your potential buyer response, start at the front of the house and check every one of your closets with a critical eye. Look at each one as a potential buyer might see it. Pack up at least half, if not more out of each closet and let that space breathe! Plus you will be started toward boxing up things for your move anyway. Your never get a second chance to make a first impression. Clean those closets before you market your home! If you want us to take a peek at your home, give you a market estimate, etc. we are glad to do it. Just give us a call. We are ready, willing and able to serve all your residentail real estate needs. Hope you all have a terrific week!

Using a Local Agent is Always Better

2011-08-01T12:23:00-07:00

When you are ready to buy or sell a home, remember that a real estate transaction is very complicated, involving a great deal of money and risk. A local agent is always the safest choice. Local agents know their towns better than anyone else. Using a local Realtor® is in your best interest because they have pledged their code of conduct/ethics to a standard set by the National Realtor Association. They have your best interest in mind because they are committed to a long-term career in real estate and are continually upgrading their knowledge in the real estate market. A local agent will have superior market knowledge. A good local agent knows the inventory inside and out and will be able to more easily pick out homes that are a good fit for you. A local agent will know the schools and quite possibly have personal experience with the school system. This will enable them to share valuable information with you. A local agent will be an expert on the neighborhoods. Not only will they know all of the specific neighborhoods, but often have friends and clients in each one that can be made available to you if needed. Hearing from people who already live in a neighborhood you are considering can prove to be very helpful when it comes time to make decisions. A local agent will have strong relationships with other agents. A good local agent will network with other local agents to get information you will never find online. They will know about homes that may be coming on the market in the future or learn about a seller who has suddenly become 'highly motivated' and is open to offers. A local agent is overall in the know. Real estate gossip gets discussed in small circles in every community like at parent association meetings and at the local sports field. While most agents will never learn this 'insider information,' a local agent hears these things and will share them with their clients. A local agent will make sure you get settled in and connected with persons in your new neighborhood. They can help you with doctors, dry cleaners, veterinarians, churches and the like. And remember to use that agent relationship when you get ready to relocated. They can research and find a comparable agent for you in your new market that will keep your agent in the loop as you look for your new home. It is always advantageous to have a second pair of eyes that already knows and cares about you watching your back as you try and locate that new home in a new market. We at Julie Pogue Properties are always committed to helping you find that perfect home and are also willing to help you find excellent agents in other markets, if and when the time comes to relocate. Please don't hesitate to use our expertise and know that you can recommend us with confidence. Have a terrific week!

Open Sunday, July 31st from 2-4pm: 5109 Forest Grove Place, Prospect

2011-07-25T07:35:00-07:00

New price for this listing in much sought after Prospect, Kentucky. Come see this traditional, 4 bedroom, 2 full and 1 half bath home with more than 3,000 square feet situated on a quiet street in Bridgepointe neighborhood. Enter through the front door and beneath the palladium window into the two-story foyer. There are formal dining and living rooms. The family room features exposed beams, custom, built-in shelving, wood burning fireplace, wet bar and access to the deck. Large, eat-in kitchen with deck access and 3 walls of windows which let in tons of natural light. Kitchen features Jenn-Air stove, planning desk and abundant cabinet space. Powder room services first floor. Second floor master suite features cathedral ceilings, floor to ceiling windoes, walk-in closet, double sink vanity with sitting area, whirlpool tub, sky light, shower and private water closet. Also, on the second floor are three good sized bedrooms, full bath and laundry room. Partially finished basement with room for storage galore. The home is detialed throughout with beautiful crown moldint at the ceilings and around the doorways. Fantastic, ultra-private back yard with over-sized deck. Two car, rear entry garage.

Welcome home to 22 Autumn Hill Court in Prospect, Kentucky

2011-07-21T08:57:00-07:00

Brand new listing in Prospect's Hunting Creek...22 Autumn Hill Court. Stunning home completely remodeled by Ben Tyler. All brick 3 bedroom, 3 full and 2 half bath home offers more than 5,300 square feet and is located on a quiet cul-de-sac. The open floor plan of the home is ideal for entertaining. The oversized family room features floor to ceiling windows and is open to the dining room with crown molding and built-in china cabinet. The eat-in kitchen is a chef's delight with top-of-the-line updates throughout. Granite counter tops, new stainless steel appliances, breakfast bar, center preparation island gourmet coffee cabinet are just a few of the things that make this kitchen truly unique. Off the kitchen is an all-season sun room perfect for viewing the lade in the early morning or during relaxed evenings. The master suite is fantastic with an adjoining office/den space. The lavish master bath features his and hers walk-in closets, private water closet, double vanities, whirlpool tub and tiled shower. The second level offers two large bedrooms with a Jack-and-Jill bathroom and large storage space. The finished lower level has a family room, mirrored exercise room, full bath, two additional bedrooms and unfinished storage space. Oversized deck features hot tub and overlooks the picturesque backyard and 8th green and 9th tee of Hunting Creek Golf Course. Three car, side-entry garage.

A fantastic summer read

2011-07-18T10:37:00-07:00

Recently, I had a friend in from Malibu, California who was promoting her book, Here, Home, Hope at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in the Summit. Her name is Kaira Rouda. If you are looking for a good summer read, I would highly recommend it! If you go to Kaira's Web site you will find the book described as follows: Desperate Housewives meets The Middle Place in the absorbing, witty story about one suburban mother's journey from midlife crisis to reinvention with the help of her husband, friends and neighbors. Kelly Johnson's witty reflections, self-deptrecating humor, and clever tactics in executing a midlife makeover plan will have the readers laughing out loud. As bestselling author Katrina Kittle, The Blessings of the Animals, said: 'If you've ever felt your own life contained list of Things to Change (and whose hasn't?), then you will fall in love with Kelly Johnson, the restless protagonist of Here, Home, Hope. Kaira Rouda's funny, moving novel is a model of inspiration an reinvention for anyone seeking to find what's next in life.' I met Kaira through real estate. She and her husband, Harley, own a successful real estate brokerage. She is an award-winning entrepreneur, marketer, speaker and author. She is the bestselling author of Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs (Wiley), founder of numerous companies including Real You and brand creator of Real Living Real Estate, the nation's first women-focused real estate brand. In late 2009, and with the help of a tweet, Kaira helped orchestrate the sale of Real Living to Brookfield Residential Property Services, a Toronto-based firm with approximately USD $90 billion of assets under management. Kaira remains brand strategist and consultant for the company. Here, Home, Hope (Greenleaf Book Group) is her first novel, published in May of 2011 and won a 2011 Indie Excellence Award for fiction. As an authority and sought-after speaker on entrepreneurship, branding, marketing to women and work-life balance, Kaira has been a speaker at conferences across the country. She has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, FOX Business, ABC, NBC, WomenEntreprenuer.com, ABC Radio Network as well as hundreds of newspapers, television and radio shows coast to coast. She is a favorite interviewee and contributor to online women's communities and radio shows, and was named to Forbes' list of the top 30 women to follow on Twitter. Until writing her first book, Kaira had been the 'Connections' columnist for the Columbus Dispatch for more than 10 years. She continues to write her own blog, on her Web site www.kairarouda.com and a free, weekly tip with a subscriber base of several thousand women. Earlier in her career, Kaira was a contributing editor to Columbus Monthly magazine and a freelancer for national and regional magazines including Midwest Living. Her first national magazine byline appeared in Bride magazine, shortly after her honeymoon. Named 2008 Best Entrepreneur from the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, Kaira was recognized in Entrepreneur magazin'es Top 50 fastst growing, women-led companies list. She's also been listed in the top 10 real estate newsmakers of the year and one of the Top 50 most influential women in real estate by the industry's trends report. Formerly Vice President of Marketing for an Inc. 100 firm and franchisor, as well as for her career in advertising agencies and media firms, she's received multiple ADDY, Webby, Telly, Communicator, Prism, WebAward and W3 awards. She also earned Twittergrader's Most Powerful Women on Twitter. Active in her community, she created Central Ohio's first homeless shelter for families, served two terms on the board of the Mid-Ohio FoodBank, the YWCA, March of Dimes and The Wexner Center for the Arts and is an underwriter of The WOmen's Fund. She has received numerous awards for her civic service including the Ohio Sertoma Service to Mankind Award, Kiwanis Humanitarian Award, AWRT Women in Communication Award, Northwest Rotary Woman of the Year and the Columbus Board of Realtors Citizen of the Year. Kaira also volunteers countless hours to her kids' schools. Kaira is or has been a member of NAWBO, the International Women's Forum, The Women President's Organization, eWomen Networking, the Women's Council of Realtors, American Marketing Association, the Google Real Estate Advisory Board and is a WebAward Judge for the Web Marketing Association. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Vanderbilt University with a BA in English, and has taken numerous graduate level writing courses. She studied with The Writers Studio in New York and has attended writer's conferences including Antioch Writers Workshop and the Maui Writer's Conference. A mother of four, Kaira and her husband, Harley, have been married for 21 years. After residing in Upper Arlington, Ohio, for all of their married lives, the couple and their kids headed west and now live in Southern California. I always look to forward to seeing Kaira. She is an inspiration as you can tell by her many accomplishments. So pick up her book, Here, Home, Hope and enjoy the read. Have a terrific week!

4325 Alicent Road

2011-07-13T10:16:00-07:00

Welcome home to 4325 Alicent Road! Immaculately maintained all brick ranch in quaint neighborhood yet near expressway access, shopping and restaurants. More than 1,300 square feet offers 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Living room features a picture window, fireplace, crown molding and gleaming hardwood floors. The dining room is adjacent to the eat-in kitchen which has a side entrance to the driveway and access to the basement stairway. Three good sized bedrooms...the master with its own private bath while the remaining two bedrooms share a full bath. Full basement, partially finished, with ample room for storage, laundry room, workshop and additional bedroom. Beautiful, screened-in sunporch overlooks the nice-sized back yard. Two car detached garage. Home has been lovingly cared for...25 year roof put on in 2005, newer HVAC and recent electrical update. The activity on this home has been incredible. Be sure to call 502-238-7400 for your appointment today!

The Chicken or the Egg?

2011-07-11T09:32:00-07:00

When you are in the market for a new home, what should you consider first--the neighborhood or the home itself? Over and over again you will hear the top three considerations when buying a home are price, location and condition. However, what you will hear most of those three is, 'Location, location, location.' That should tell you that you choose your neighborhood first. Then you look for price and condition. The chicken and the egg are about getting things in the right order. We have numerous clients that tell us that they will buy almost anything if they can live in Anchorage, or Hurstbourne or Lake Forest, etc....if they live in walking distance of their parents/sister/best friend or of a school, church and local shopping. Others are picking their homes based upon commuting time and distance. Time and gas are precious resources these days! If you have specific criteria such as this pick the neighborhood first. Today you have available to you a large number of homes located throughout these neighborhoods. Only look in those neighborhoods. You may not find a new home in an established neighborhood so your house may not be exactly how you envisioned it but your location will be. You can always renovate and change a home but you cannot change the character and location of the neighborhood. Identify what is important to you--commute time, shopping, schools, local amenities such as parks, rivers, lakes or other recreation and narrow the neighborhoods drown to three or four, if possible, that would suit your desires. You will not be sorry that you did this critical thinking before you start your home search and it will reduce the hours that you might otherwise spend unnecessarily looking at homes that you are not in an area that will suit your needs. We at Julie Pogue Properties are glad to help you identify the neighborhoods that would suit your needs. Just give us a call and we can start helping you in your search to find the perfect home. Have a great week!

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July

2011-07-05T10:27:00-07:00

This is the 235th year of our United States of American. We have been through a war for independence, the crafting of our constitution and formation of our government, a second war for independence, a terrible civil war, the abolition of slavery, reconstruction, industrialization, women's suffrage and right to vote, World War I, the Wall Street crash of 1929, ten years of the great Depression, implemented The New Deal, entered World War 2, ended World War 2 with the atomic bomb, entered the Cold War, the arms race and the space race putting a man on the moon, realized the Civil Rights movement, had the Vietnam War, saw the dissolution of one of the world's great super powers-the Soviet Union, are now in the information age, endured the attacks of September 11, have engaged in the war against terrorism, are now in a period of recession and our largest deficit in history; but still we persevere... We are Americans. We historically have overcome our obstacles. I have faith that we can overcome our current problems. I have faith in our leadership and faith in our upcoming generation. I see the optimism in the eyes of the family, my friends and my clients every day. I have faith that we can overcome our current problems. I have faith in our leadership and faith in our upcoming generation. I see the optimism in the eyes of my family, my friends and my clients every day. I have faith the housing market is steadily improving and that our jobless rate will dissipate. We, as Americans, have a mindset to overcome all obstacles. We have overcome them in the past and we can continue to meet our challenges with grace and success. It is a prayer that remains on my lips as I go through my day. We are Americans one and all. We can do this! I hope that each of you enjoyed yesterday's celebration, however you did so. Count your blessings, tell your loved once how much they mean to you, call up a friend, help a neighbor and do something that counts every day. Know that we are here to serve you for all of your housing needs. Have a terrific week and Happy Birthday, America!

Take a look at what's been going on at Julie Pogue Properties

2011-06-28T13:54:00-07:00

Thinking of Remodeling?

2011-06-27T08:23:00-07:00

Are you wondering what value you might recoup on your remodeling projects? The 2010-2011 Cost vs Value Report has just been released by Remodeling Magazine. They have data specific to the Louisville, KY area by project type. Perusing the data, there are not projects at this time will recapture 100% of your job costs in the Louisville, Kentucky area or Kentucky region and only ONE that will capture more than 10%. Want to know what it is? It is replacing your entry door--as long as it is a steel door. National job cost is $1,218 with a $1,243 resale value for 102.1% cost recouped. For any other remodeling project, statistically, you cannot expect to recoup your costs in resale value at this time. Just so you know, the top four returns in the midrange project types are as follows: Job Cost Resale Value Cost Recouped Attic Bedroom Remodel $47,540 $37,537 79.0% Entry Door Replacement (Steel) 1,176 964 82.0% Garage Door Replacement 1,248 1019 81.5% Top two returns in the upscale project types are as follows: Siding Replacement (fiber-cement) $13,161 $10,543 80.0% Siding Replacement (foam-backed vinyl) 13,213 10,543 79.8% Other projects that might be of interest were as follows: Major Kitchen Remodel (upscale) $111,127 $70,886 63.8% Major Kitchen Remodel (midrange) 55,972 41,143 73.5% Bathroom Remodel (upscale) 15,533 11,093 64.7% Bathroom Remodel (midrange) 15,533 11,093 64.7% Window Replacement (vinyl & upscale) 17,251 12,295 71.3% Window Replacement (vinyl & midrange) 10,373 7,483 72.1% All this information and more can be found on the web at www.remodeling.hw.net. Don't discount the value to yourself for enjoying the rewards of these projects as a family. Keeping your home in good repair and up-to-date will improve your resale value. Besides, you don't want to end up fixing up your home for someone else. You should be enjoying it all along! After all, your home should rise up to greet you every day. Take steps to ensure it does! Remember, we are always here to assist you, your family and friends when you are ready to sell your home or make that purchase. Have a terrific week!

House Hunting Checklist

2011-06-20T07:02:00-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to work with a very well-organized buyer. We looked at more than 30 homes that matched her criteria. As the housing inventory is so great, there are more homes to see than ever before. Right now it is truly a buyer's market. But, with so many homes to view, they can all begin to look alike if you don't remain organized. This gal was ready with her checklist and really took the time to fill it out between each showing. Some of the things on her list included the amenities she required (or if they were missing), ratings on the neighborhood, traffic, surrounding area, how much yard maintenance would be necessary, ability to re-sell in approximately three years and even a measurement for her 'Wow' factor--really a good way for her to purchase with her head as well as her heart. I have no doubt we will be writing a contract for her very soon and she will be living in a home that will 'rise up to greet you,' as so aptly put by popular television show host, Nate Berkus. If you'd like help developing a list when you start house-hunting, just let us know. We will be honored to help you. Have a terrific week!

3428 Grandview Avenue, St. Matthews, KY 40207

2011-06-16T14:09:00-07:00

Julie helped her client find this perfect home in St. Matthews, near the heart of it all. Three bedrooms, 2 full baths and nearly 1,800 square feet of charm!

11937 Creel Lodge Drive, Anchorage, KY 40223

2011-06-16T14:00:00-07:00

Julie represented the sellers of this lovely 5 bedroom, 4 full bath and 1 half bath home with walk-out basement and more than 6,400 square feet. The over-sized lot and golf course view made this a special purchase for the buyers Julie brought to the home. Of course, Creel Lodge Drive is a fantastic place to live...

122 Oxford Place, St. Matthews, KY 40207

2011-06-16T13:53:00-07:00

Julie assisted her client, who had moved to town with the University of Louisville Athletic Department, find this charming St. Matthews Cape Cod. This home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths and more than 1,800 square feet. Great location near shopping and restaurants.

6506 Arbor Ridge Drive, Crestwood, KY 40014

2011-06-16T13:45:00-07:00

Julie assisted her clients in Crestwood in selling their home, along with their re-location company. This home was like-new with 4 bedrooms, 3 full and 1 half baths and 4,500 square feet in award-winning Oldham County School District. Arbor Ridge is a very family-freindly neighborhood.

2708 Lakeside Drive, Louisville, KY 40205

2011-06-16T13:37:00-07:00

Julie assisted a local bank with the short sale of this home in the much sought after Strathmoor neighborhood. This home is full of charm and sits on an oversized lot. The buyers of the home scored a property with 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths.

11203 Coventry Greens Drive, Louisville, KY 40241

2011-06-16T13:26:00-07:00

Julie found this great home in Indian Springs for her client. It is the perfect new place with golf course view and in a family neighborhood. The home has 4 bedrooms, 2 full and 1 half bath with more than 2,100 square feet.

4612 Shenandoah Drive, Louisville, KY 40241

2011-06-16T13:15:00-07:00

Julie helped her client sell his home at 4612 Shenandoah Drive in Brooks Hickory Hollow. This location is near the expressways and fantastic shopping. The home has been updated, has 4 bedrooms, 2 full and 1 half baths and 2,800 square feet. A huge, fenced-in back yard is a great place for entertaining.

7307 Grand Isle Way, Prospect, KY 40059

2011-06-16T12:58:00-07:00

Julie sold this fabulous home in Bridgepointe for her clients in Prospect, Kentucky. This home was in immaculate condition and had a great lot on a very quiet street. The home has 5 bedrooms, 4 full and 1 half baths, more than 5,000 square feet with a walk-out basement.

8000 Magnolia Ridge Court, Unit 204, Louisville, KY 40291

2011-06-16T12:53:00-07:00

Julie worked with her client in Fern Creek to sell this immaculate condominium in Magnolia Ridge. The unit has 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths and more than 1,300 square feet. Community amenities include pool and club house.

4026 Brownsboro Glen Road

2011-06-16T12:48:00-07:00

Julie sold this 4 bedroom, 2 full and 1 half bath home with more than 2,300 square feet for her clients in Brownsboro Glen. She also went on to help them find their perfect new home.

3212 Trail Ridge Road, Louisville, KY 40241

2011-06-16T12:42:00-07:00

Julie helped her buyers find this fantastic 4 bedroom, 2 full and 1 half bath home with more than 3400 square feet in Falls Creek. Just in time, as her clients are getting ready to welcome their second child into the world.

7705 Wolfpen Ridge Drive, Prospect, 40059

2011-06-14T13:30:00-07:00

Sold in 9 days at full price! Julie sold this home for her clients in 9 days at full price. Gorgeous 4 bedroom, 4 full and 1 half bath home with more than 4,000 square feet in Prospect.

2323 Gladstone Avenue, Louisville, KY 40205

2011-06-14T13:24:00-07:00

SOLD! Julie found great buyers for this charming, Highlands cottage. This property offers 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths and nearly 2,000 square feet. Let Julie find the perfect new home for you!

11914 Creel Lodge Drive, Anchorage, KY 40223

2011-06-14T10:28:00-07:00

Beautiful 5 bedroom, 4 full and 1 half bath home with nearly 5,000 square feet. Located on the fantastic Creel Lodge Drive in Anchorage. Julie found the perfect new buyers for this gem in award-winning Anchorage School District.

Getting it Right: Responsibility you might have with selling your parents' real estate

2011-06-13T13:11:00-07:00

There have been numerous articles and news stories for the past several years about overpriced listings. Follow these steps to ensure the property of a deceased parent sells easily and quickly. First of all, make sure that on the will you are listed as a joint tenant 'with right of survivorship.' So now there is no need to wait for a will to be probated. You can sell the home by just producing your parent's death certificate. This varies from state to state so consult your attorney to be sure. But for most states this will suffice. The second thing to do is consult with an experienced real estate office who knows the area and the current market conditions. This is where we come into action and can be of benefit to you--especially if you reside out of the market. You need to know your realtor is trusted and well-connected to the local market. They can be your eyes and ears in your absence. The third thing to do is spend a week getting the home ready to show. Work to de-clutter the home, remove personal items, clean the house from top to bottom and get rid of frilly ornamentation that would deter buyers from seeing the good 'bones' of the home. You will find yourself with numerous bags of items going to local charities or the trash. Don't forget to consider local auction houses, too, for items of value that no family members want to claim. Extra cash can always come in handy. Wash the windows, repair and replace what needs attention and make everything gleam. If you are out of town there are services that do this sort of thing for you that we can easily recommend. Fourthly, leave the utilities on so that lights can be activated by throwing a switch or turning a valve. This is so important. I cannot count the number of homes I have shown that were dark, hot, etc. due to the complete termination of the electric account. Trust me, touring homes in the hot Kentucky summer without lights or ac is not fun. In any case, the utilities will be activated for inspections to be conducted. Many people will turn the utilities off in order save a few hundred dollars, and in turn, lose thousands of dollars and months of the year while waiting for a buyer. With all this being said, be sure to winterize a home if it will be vacant during the cold, winter months. Lastly, listen to our advice about pricing. We work in the local market every day and understand the assets of your property. If you want your property to sell before someone else's property you will need to price it a little bit below the competition. By attractively pricing said property properly, you will guarantee that anytime other homes are being shown in your area, yours will be on that list as well, at a very competitive price. And once buyers have the opportunity to compare your property to the others, your well-priced home will stand above the rest. You will find your parents' home sailing toward a smooth closing in a very short period of time. Most of the other homes in the area will have been for sale for months, if not years because of stubborn overpricing the prevailing market. But yours will go in a much shorter period of time and all this during what is considered a tough seller's market. It just goes to show that when you do preparation right, play the game correctly and work with an expert realtor, you can sell your home in today's market. And often sell it quickly! Call me if you or someone you know is ready to sell their residential property. We are ready, willing and able to assist and advise you on how to move your real estate quickly and get on with your life. Have a great week!

My A Team

2011-06-08T14:45:00-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the book titled, Who's Got Your Back. Well, I want you to know that I have the best office family anyone could ask for and I appreciate each and every one of them! I am a very blessed girl to have them all. I had the occasion to travel in Europe and was not as accessible as I normally would have been. Everything was taken care of and handled at the office with grace and professionalism. I love that we all have each other's backs and work together as a true A Team should. Each and every one is honest, kind and hard-working and most of all, they care very much for one another. Life is short--so many people hate their jobs and those they work beside--I am so glad that is not us! This a very tough, competitive, exhausting, not to mention, sometimes heart breaking profession; but it is also very rewarding and their is no other job I would rather do. I would like to thank my office family for being an integral part of my team! Here is wishing much success, happiness and love to you all. Please take a moment to meet my team by going to my home web page and click on the third tab from the right at the top marked 'Meet.' Then select 'Meet Our Team' in the drop down box. These are the folks who assist me in being sure we always provide our valued clients with the BEST service possible!

Buzzard Psychology

2011-05-31T09:11:00-07:00

This is graduation time. I would like to relate to you, in an abbreviated format, a commencement address given by Professor Patricia Limerick at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She starts out by talking about the American West writer Larry McMurtry's collection of essays titled, In a Narrow Grave. There was one unforgettable essay on the challenge of persuading people to break out of habits of timidity, caution, conformity and unnecessary fear. The essay was conveying the odd process of watching his book, Horseman, Pass By being turned into the movie Hud. He arrived at the Texas Panhandle a week or so after filming had started, and he was particularly anxious to learn how the buzzard scene had gone. In that scene, Paul Newman was to ride up and discover a dead cow, look up a tree branch lined with buzzards and, in his distress over the loss of the cow, fire his guns at one of the buzzards. At that moment, all the other buzzards were supposed to fly away into the blue Panhandle sky. But when McMurtry asked the people how the buzzard scene had gone, all he got were stricken looks. The first problem, it turned out, had to do with the quality of the available local buzzards--who proved to be an excessively scruffy group! This was, after all, quite a version of a casting call--you put out dead meat, and you see who shows up! But these first arrivals were ratty and thin and badly feathered. And so, more appealing, more photogenic buzzards had to be flown in from some distance and at considerable expense. Then came the second problem: how to keep the buzzards sitting on the tree branch it was time for the cue to fly. That seemed easy. Wire their feet to the branch and then, after Paul Newman fires his gun, pull the wire releasing their feet, thus allowing them to take off. But as McMurtry said in an important and memorable phrase, the film makers had not reckoned with the 'psychology of buzzards.' With their feet wired, the buzzards did not have enough mobility to fly. But they did have enough mobility to pitch forward. So that's what they did; with their feet wired, they tried to fly, pitched forward and hung upside down from the dead branch with wings flapping. The buzzard circulatory system does not work upside down, and so, after a moment or two of flapping, the buzzards passed out. Twelve buzzards, hanging upside down from a tree branch? This was not what Hollywood wanted from the West, but this is what Hollywood had produced! And then we get to the second stage of buzzard psychology. After six or seven episodes of pitching forward, passing out, being revived, being replaced on the branch and pitching forward again, the buzzards gave up. Now, when you pulled the wire and released their feet, they sat there, saying in clear, nonverbal terms: 'No way. We tried that before. It did not work. And we have absolutely no interest in trying it again.' It was a big mess; Larry McMurtry got a wonderful story out of it, and Professor Limerick got the best possible parable about the workings of habit and timidity. So, how does the parable apply? I bet you can figure this one out!In any and all disciplines, one important reason to go to school and get a degree is to have your feet wired to the branch. There is nothing wrong with this process. Educated people truly should have some common ground, share some background assumptions and hold some similar habits of mind. Agreeing on some common standards make for clear expression and reasoned discourse. Education gives you, quite literally, 'your footing.' And yet, in the process of getting your feet wired, you will have some awkward moments which include the intellectual equivalent of pitching forward and hanging upside down. That experience--especially if you perform it in a public place like a classroom, maybe asking an ill-informed question in front of many of your peers, provides no pleasure. Even doing it in private is considerably short of fun; maybe some of you have had that memorable experience of writing a paper ringing with conviction and right-minded emotion, and getting it back with a painful, reproachful one-word comment in red, 'Evidence?' One or two rounds of that humiliation and the world can begin to seem like a very treacherous place. Under those circumstances, it can indeed seem to be the choice of wisdom, to sit quietly on the branch, to sit without even the thought of flying, since even the thought might be sufficient to tilt the balance and set off another round of flapping, fainting and embarrassment. And yet, to a surprising degree, the world is about to present you with many occasions in which the wire will be truly pulled. After several rounds of the 'dead tree branch' experience, it is a little hard to believe this could happen, but, in fact, the wire will get pulled; your feet will end up free; you will end up with choices and opportunities to get off dead tree branches and go places. Yet, by then, for way too many people, the second stage of buzzard psychology has taken hold, and they refuse to fly. The wire is pulled and yet the buzzards sit there, hunched and grumpy. If they see other buzzards take off from the branch, it is very unlikely that they will say, 'Why, that is certainly and inspiration! Why don't we try that ourselves?' On the contrary, the response is more likely to be, 'Well how come THOSE buzzards get to fly? Someone ought to make sure they get escorted back to this branch and instructed to stay in their place!' So now you have heard the story I would like you to remember and share with the graduates in your sphere of influence. Here, with no subtlety, is the point of the parable: You have freedom. You have choice. Use it! Encourage others to get off the branch. Do put a little time and attention into looking where you are going, but then glide. Catch updrafts. Soar! Happy Graduation to you and yours! Have a great week, everyone!

Ben Franklin's Advice

2011-05-24T07:42:00-07:00

Ben Franklin is attributed to the saying, 'Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see.' I was thinking of this after having a conversation with several of my respected colleagues. While it is very common to deal with unrealistic sellers' expectations reflecting markets past, we are now seeing more and more of first time buyers making unrealistic low-ball offers amounting to discounts of up to 40% on well maintained properties that are COMPETITIVELY priced for our current LOCAL market! Or, we encounter the buyers that constantly insist on looking at properties that are way beyond their means. They are pre-qualified for $500,000 and truly believe they will be able to purchase a $1,000,000 home for half the price, despite what might be our very best efforts to explain the facts to them with current comps in hand. And, they get quite offended when their low-ball offer is completely ignored by the sellers many times blaming lack of response on their agents. And all of this, because they keep hearing from the national media and pundits that housing prices have to fall even further, for whatever reasons...or, at a local cocktail party what great deals 'so and so' is getting on their ever-growing real estate portfolio! Hence, my reference to Ben Franklin's advice. As real estate professionals we are bound by duty to put these offers through and almost every time they'll go nowhere, with no counter offer or any other response leaving us cringing at the thought of what other seasoned agents may be thinking and eventually we lose our disappointed, unrealistic buyers unless we finally succeed in educating them regarding our local real estate market. I pledge to always take the time to educate you about your target market and your ability to purchase before you start looking at your first property. That is my job as a real estate professional. You should expect no less of any other real estate professional. Have a terrific week and keep dry!

Who's Got Your Back?

2011-05-16T08:02:00-07:00

Not long ago, I read a very good book by Keith Ferrazzi titled Who's Got Your Back? Now it is fairly self-evident that there's a lot of value in building particularly strong relationships with a small group of people. These are people you trust and who trust you, who are wise, insightful and are willing to spend significant time with you because you make each other better. Mentors, advisors, friends--all of those titles apply. Most people are lucky if they find a handful of such people in their lives. Finding and cultivating this inner circle is what Who's Got Your Back? focuses on. I am a huge believer in the power of mentors. I've worked hard cultivating mentors for myself and being for others in need. According to a 2006 study in American Sociological Review, the average person has only two confidants, and 25% of people have none at all! In an ever more complex world, confidants and advisors are more than ever before--yet people have fewer of them. Ferazzi makes the case for how valuable 'lifeline' relationships are, focusing on ways that such relationships are critical. He then talks about four m ind-sets--more like traits, actually--that when cultivated; provide the foundation for building such 'lifeline' relationships. They include generosity, vulnerability, candor and accountability. These four traits need to be in both mentor and receiver in order for the relationship to succeed. Otherwise bouncing ideas freely, receiving criticism and truly growing as a person in your ideas and goals will not weather a long-term relationship. He also goes on to teach you how to build your dream team and make it your life. To put it simply, I loved this book. The material in it applies well to virtually everyone, particularly people who may need that extra push. What appeals to me is that everything is underscored with giving of one's self. Paying it forward is a strategy that has never, ever failed me in life. This one is already o n my re-read list. I plan to let the contents of it sink in for a while, then give it another read-through in a few months. You can be sure that I will have your back as I represent you in your real estate transactions. It is a philosophy that has built my business into the success that it is today! I hope everyone has a terrific week!

The Value of Good PeopleBrian Just, Century Mortgage Company

2011-05-09T07:39:00-07:00

I think that everyone would agree that surrounding yourself with good people is one of the best ways to assure that your business runs smoothly and everyone's expectations are met. I'd like to tell you a little bit about one gentleman that we count on to make sure our clients are getting the best lending products available for their needs. His name is Brian Just and he is a loan officer with Century Mortgage Company. Brian has been with Century Mortgage for fourteen years. Prior to joining Century Mortgage, he obtained a marketing degree from the University of Louisville and has had management experience with United Parcel Service. Brian has consistently been a top producer with Century Mortgage and has a long list of satisfied clients. He is extremely professional and confidential. He stays up to date on all the latest lending products. He is thorough in his explanations and gets our clients to the closing table in a timely manner. He works the way we like to work---in a professional, personal and accessible manner. We can count on him to take good care of our customers and he is one of our top 'go to' guys for our customer's lending needs. We are very thankful to have such an excellent professional partner like Brian. Brian Just, Loan Officer Century Mortgage Company Have a terrific week!

May Day Baskets

2011-04-29T10:19:00-07:00

Make a flower-filled basket for a friend or a friend to be! As a real estate agent and broker, I always want my clients to settle into their new neighborhood with relative ease. Delivering a May Day basket is the perfect excuse to meet and greet your new neighbors. If you are new to the block this might be a perfect way to initiate contact with your new neighbors. If you are a 'regular' and have a new neighbor, consider making a May Basket and delivering it as a way of welcoming them to the neighborhood. The tradition of the ancient Roman and Druid holiday of May Day has endured for centuries. It has been a celebration of spring turning into the pleasures of summer. Traditionally, a 'Maypole' was the focus of the festivals. Even today the Maypole is used in the replications of old-time festivals. The Maypole is a tall pole in which ribbons are woven around by groups of dancers to make unique designs and patterns. Gathering flowers and branches became a tradition and 'bringing in the May' became a popular activity on May 1. The giving of baskets became part of the festivities later in the evolution of May Day. Today baskets are often made by little children, filled with candy or flowers and then placed on people's doorsteps or tied to the door handle, as they ring the doorbell and dash away before they are caught. You can participate in this activity yourself by making a special May Day basket or by using any basket to fill with flowers to give to a friend. Fill a small basket with freshly gathered spring blossoms. Tuck a small vase or something that will hold water into the bottom of the basket and fill the basket with a selection of flowers. Tie a bow or ribbon streamers onto the handle and fasten it to the door handle of a friend or neighbor. Possibly add a card inviting them for tea or coffee in the near future! Be creative and clever. Happy May everyone! Have a wonderful Derby week!

Julie Pogue Named NAWBO 2011 Woman of Distinction

2011-04-15T08:00:00-07:00

As reported on NAWBOLouisville.org , on March 9, 2011, women and business leaders from all over our community gatthered to celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding women business owners in our region. Hosted by the Louisville Chapter of NAWBO, the 17th Annual EPIC Awards Dinner & Silent Auction, honoring the Woman Business Owner of The Year and Women of Distinction, brought together together a diverse audience from the business community, representing sole proprietorships to large corporations with hundreds of employees. The event's message, 'Power Your Dream,' rings especially true when you consider that the estimated 93,233 privately held, majority women owned firms in Kentucky generate $9.3 billion in sales and employ 71,566 people. It is by celebrating the economic development successes of women owned businesses that our entire city succeeds. We here at Julie Pogue Properties are thrilled to announce that Julie was named a 2011 NAWBO Woman of Distinction. It's a huge honor, and we are proud as always of our fearless leader! More photos can be found at the Voice Tribune's coverage of the event.

Can you say 'saturated'?

2011-04-25T10:35:00-07:00

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter weekend. While Easter comes each Spring, so does Spring weather. This past week has been extremely wet and windy. Be sure to check your home for water damage. The first indications may seem trivial but don't be fooled. A telltale sign, such as a water stain on the ceiling, can lead to real problems like collapsing drywall or a weakened roof. Learn where your home is most likely to suffer outside water damage and what you can do to help prevent it. Roof Keep the roof free from leaves, twigs and other litter to allow for proper drainage. Make sure the air can flow freely through all soffit and roof vents. This will reduce the buildup of heat and moisture and help extend the life of the roof. Consult a professional on using a preservative or cleaner (depending on the type of roof you have) to help limit the weathering effects of moisture and remove the growth of molds and mosses. Keep trees trimmed to prevent them from rubbing against the roof or providing excess shade. Replace missing, curling, cupping, broken or cracked shingles. Watch for damage in valley areas of the roof and around the flashing at chimneys, vents and other junctions. Check your attic around flues, plumbing vents and chimneys for roof leaks, especially if you've noticed water stains on the ceilings. From the Gutters to the Ground Clean debris from your gutters and downspouts and inspect them regularly. Think about installing gutter shields if your gutters frequently fill with debris. Place splash blocks at the end of downspouts to carry water away from the foundation or add an extra length of downspout if necessary. Every spring, have the air condition (A/C) system inspected by a qualified contractor. Make sure their service includes inspecting and cleaning the A/C condensation pan drain line. Change the filter on regular basis. Before winter starts, disconnect garden hoses from all spigots and turn off each spigot's water supply. Replace any damaged caulk around windows or doors. Repaint wood siding as needed. Fill in any low spots next to the house to help water drain away from the foundation. Even after taking the preventative measures we've discussed here, check frequently around the house for signs of leaks. It's important to find them before they cause serious damage. Simply by keeping an eye out for problems, you could save your possessions from damage, spare yourself costly repairs and even keep your insurance premiums low. And preventions such as these protect the value of your home. Hope you all have a great week!

April Showers

2011-04-20T14:12:00-07:00

April showers bring May flowers--what do May flowers bring? 'Pilgrims!' This was always a favorite joke of my students when I taught first-grade many years ago. They loved to tell everyone they could get to listen to them and then, they would dissolve into a puddle of laughter, at their own cleverness. On a serious note, this is an excellent time to think about adding color to your yard. Take a good, hard look at the exterior of your home as someone else might see it and start with a pencil and paper. Clear your flowerbeds of old mulch and last fall's leaves and start sketching in how you want to enhance the exterior of your home. Starting with a plan is always best. it will minimize your time once you start your project and keep your costs in check. For very little expense and effort, colorful flowers are a good way to add value to your home whether you are planning on selling--or just want to give your home and the neighborhood a better look. You can increase the value of your home with cosmetic additions---like adding flower beds that hide parts of the yard or building that might be considered unsightly. For example, a flower bed of colorful annuals or low growing perennials along the driveway adds a feeling of elegance to the landscape. A blooming perennial can hid a water hydrant, air conditioner or other utility connection to the house or soften the sharp corners of the house or fence. Our local gardening centers are swelling with the perfect choices for our region. Did you know we live in planting zone 6? There are 11 planting zones, or 'USDA Plant Hardiness Zones,' in the United States and Southern Canada. The USDA planting zones are regions defined by a 10 Fahrenheit difference in the average annual minimum temperature. To put the definition in layman's, terms: the higher the numbers, the warmer the temperatures, for gardening in those areas. It is standard practice for seed dealers and nurseries to label their products according to their USDA Plant Hardiness Zones--that is, the planting zones in which you'll be most successful at growing those particular plants. Examples of cold-hardy plants (numbers in parentheses indicate zones): Peonies (2-9); Goldenrod (2-8); Adonis Plants (3-7); Ninebark (3-7); Oriental Poppy (3-7) and PeeGee Hydrangeas (3-8). Examples of plants that are not very cold hardy: Bougainvillea (9-11); Bird of Paradise (9-11); Gerbera Daisy (9-11); Aloe Vera Plants (9-11); Purple Fountain Grass (9-11) and Elephant Ear (8-11). Growing plants not suited to our region's climate is sometimes possible but not recommended for beginners. So--now I've told you probably much more than what you wanted to know, go forth, get dirty and improve that curb appeal of your home! Happy Spring everyone!

Spring is springing!!!

2011-03-29T06:36:00-07:00

I don't know about you, but to me, the sure sign that spring is around the corner is tiny little green flower stems popping out of the ground. They bring a smile to my face every year as they remind me that longer days and warmer weather aren't too far away. If you're thinking of putting your house on the market, now is the time to keep a couple of things in mind. Watch your flowers bloom and see where you might need to plug in some bare spots. Plant other annuals around your early spring bloomers so you have color in your yard throughout the spring and early summer. Have photographs taken of your home while the flowers are in bloom. Nothing is more inviting than some colorful spring flowers. These blooms may make potential buyers see your house as more of a home. Enjoy the spring blooms and the longer days!

This weekend

2011-02-03T09:16:00-07:00

This weekend, an estimated 78 percent of the U.S. population will be watching one sporting event-- the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is, of course, one of the year's biggest sporting events. It is the culmination of the NFL season. It's the one game that players play for throughout the year. Everyone wants their team to be the best. Every team wants to be the Super Bowl champion. In my opinion, my team at Julie Pogue Properties is a Super Bowl caliber team. I have, thankfully, been able to assemble a great group of individuals who help me make my business a success. We are small but mighty. We work hard and we enjoy what we do. And most importantly, we all have the same goal in mind-- we all want to provide the best possible service for our clients. My team includes: Office Manager, Deanna Brandstetter Bookkeeper, Sharon Clore Appointment Coordinator, Sheila Weber Agent, Martha Hemminger Agent, Guthrie Zaring Just like the Packers and the Steelers, each member of my team plays a critical role in making our company work. Each is as important as the other. Everyone works well together, and they truly work as a TEAM. Vince Lombardi once said: 'Individual commitment to a group effort-- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.' I believe that with all my heart. As I look around my office every day, I'm blessed as a 'coach' to know that each member of my team is committed to the work we do. As you watch the Super Bowl this Sunday, remember how committed each player is to their goal. How committed each team member is to making their team the best. And if you find yourself looking to buy or sell a home, please keep my team in mind. Just like the Packers and the Steelers, we too are committed to reaching our ultimate goal-- to make your experience the best one possible.

Blessings for the New Year

2011-01-04T13:52:00-07:00

All of us at Julie Pogue Properties want to wish you and your family a happy, healthy and prosperous new year! We hope that you enjoyed the time you spent with friends and family over the holiday season, and that new memories are made that will be carried with you throughout the New Year. We also hope that with the New Year comes new blessings in your life. So many people have been impacted by our nation's economy over the past few years. People have lost jobs, homes and more. Businesses have closed. Families have been challenged to make ends meet. My New Year's wish for everyone is that, even through the difficult times, we all remember in one way or another, we are blessed. We are blessed to live in a country of freedoms. We are blessed to have family and friends. And of great importance- we are blessed to have men and women in the military that fight to keep our freedoms intact. May God bless those serving, and their families at home. Happy New Year to all!

How the Internet and Social Networks are Transforming Real Estate

2010-11-30T09:42:00-07:00

When I started selling real estate, no one had ever mentioned something called a blog. And being the low-tech person I was at the time, it was something I never dreamed of doing as part of my real estate business. Today, more than 17 years later, here I am. Blogging. The explosion of the Internet- Facebook, blogging, tweeting- is just amazing. I never dreamed we would be reaching out to potential buyers through these mediums. 'Did you see that new home listing on Twitter?' Now there's a sentence I never imagined saying. But as our world grows and grows through technology, it has become more and more important to be part of these new mediums. So here I am- doing a big cannonball jump right into the middle of it all. The great thing about blogging will be getting the chance to tell you more about the things I love- like the beautiful community of Anchorage where I've raised my children. Oh, how I love it here. There are so many hidden gems in this community. I want you to know more about it all. And things like the wonderful staff I've put together to help provide our clients with a 'personal' approach to buying a home. I truly believe we provide a service that's unlike any other. We strive to meet your every need on the most personable level. We believe that's critical in buying or selling a home. I hope you enjoy getting to know me, Anchorage, my staff and this crazy business of real estate. And I hope you'll let me know what you think. Julie

Location, location, location!

2010-12-21T13:45:00-07:00

Last week, Kentucky was visited by Old Man Winter and left with a nice, thick blanket of snow and ice. Sure, it snows in Kentucky, but we rarely see something like we did last week. The weather made travel difficult for many, closed schools and even closed businesses in the area. When something like that happens, it makes us all think about location--where we live and how close or far that is from important places like school, work or church. The location of our home plays a huge role in our days. That's why, at Julie Pogue Properties, I've made a commitment to not only helping clients buy and sell houses, but to helping them relocate. Relocating is more than just moving from one place to another. Relocating is finding a location that truly fits into the homeowners' work and life plans. For example, let's say you are very involved in your child's school. You are an active member of the PTA and the parent of a child who participates in several before- and after-school activities. Then you decide to move to a new town. Moving is always a challenge, but moving to a new town is even more challenging. Most of the time, it would be just as simple to move to a new country- you go knowing nothing about the area to which you are moving either way! As a relocation specialist, however, my staff wants to make your move as easy as possible. We can take your information, ask some questions and help narrow your choices down to those that fit into your lifestyle. Since school activities are such an important part of your life, we would look for homes that are, at the very least, equally distant from school and work. Because if you are going from home to school to work every morning, then back to school before home in the evening, it only makes sense that your school be between home and work- therefore, cutting down your drive time. Make sense? Maybe things like snow really bother you and the thought of driving in those conditions just horrify you. We then would focus on trying to find you a place where your drive times would be as short as possible and where you can also use public transportation if that's more comfortable for you. Our relocation services don't end there, though. And they don't end once your old house is closed or your new house is purchased.

Are you lost?

2010-12-09T11:40:00-07:00

At one point or another, we've all been lost. We've misunderstood the directions we were given. Not knowing what needs to be done next with an important project. Or maybe just felt lost in a huge classroom full of students, like one of hundreds of faces that no one recognizes. Sometimes, buying or selling a house can feel just like that. When I decided to start my own real estate business, one of my primary goals was to make sure our clients never feel lost. Thus, the boutique idea was born. One of my favorite things about living in Anchorage is that most everyone knows everyone. Our children go to school together. Our neighbors work at the school. The mail carrier knows everyone by name. When I go out to eat, the servers know me by name. That's how I want our clients to feel when they come to us to buy or sell a house. I want our agents to get to know each client as a person, not a file number. I want us to get to know our clients' lifestyles, their needs and what they are looking for that can help make their house a home. Because everyone's needs don't fit into the same big box. At Julie Pogue Properties, we want to learn about you and your needs. We want to put you in a location that's close to your work or school, depending on which is more important to you. We want to know if you need a big back yard, or if you don't want a lawn to have to maintain. Each and every client who walks through our door is important. Each deserves service that is unique to them--not service mandated by a company handbook. This service is what sets Julie Pogue Properties apart from the rest.

Five Reasons to Use a Buyer's Agent

2010-10-04T00:17:00-07:00

Reason #1: Using a buyer's agent is completely free for the buyer. Reason #2: Using a buyer's agent gives you full access to the Multiple Listing System (MLS). Reason #3: Using a buyer's agent ensures that someone is on your side with only your best interest in mind. Reason #4: Using a buyer's agent allows more time for rest and relaxation knowing that someone else is doing all the hard work for you. Reason #5: Using a buyer's agent helps to ensure you are getting your home for the best price possible. Click here to learn more about why it is wise to use a buyer's agent.

Information the Biggest Factor to Weathering the Real Estate Recession

2010-09-11T16:11:00-07:00

Washington Post columnist Michelle Singletary recently wrote a great article about how the cardinal rule of real estate has changed from "location, location location" to "information, information, information." Reviewing a recent book by Illice Glink about the changing world of real estate, Singletary offers the following quote from Glinks' book: “For decades, the real estate industry has operated under the principle that the less information buyers and sellers have, the better it is for agents, lenders, title companies, and all the other folks who eat from the trough." Singletary then goes on to explain, "I'm sure that many real estate professionals will take exception to Glink's observation. But the evidence is on her side. The housing market collapsed because far too many borrowers were uninformed, ill-prepared and overly optimistic about potential gain because of bad information they received and gladly embraced." Here at JuliePogue.com we couldn't agree more -- that's why we've worked hard to provide you with the best real estate search tools available, packed with as much detail as we can provide, and it's also why we're also here to provide you with past sale information on any home, disclosures, and / or a comprehensive market analysis whenever you need it.