Benton, KY

The February meeting of the Western Kentucky Real Estate Investment Association will be held at Murray State University on February 19, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at the Barkley Lecture Room on the 3rd floor of the Curris Center.

The WKREIA is a group of investors who meet monthly to discuss current topics, network, and educate themselves concerning new techniques in investing. This month the group will be hearing from nationally-known speaker Alan Cowgill via webinar and the topic will be "Private Money Lending." With the current credit markets being the way they are, this topic is vitally important for real estate investors. The meeting is open to the public and all are welcome.

This photo is the courtesy of Gary Whittington, Benton KY. All Rights Reserved. Any use of this photo, including reproduction, modification, distribution or republication, without the prior written consent of Gary Whittington, is strictly prohibited. Permission may be sent through me at ronspanton@remax.net. Photo is only of people, places, things or scenes in Western Kentucky.

Well, here in Western Kentucky, Benton is very proud of it's tradition of celebrating Tater Day.

To celebrate Tater Day; we have a Tater Day Parade, Tater Day Flea Market, Tater Day Carnival and even a Tater Day Queen and a Junior Miss Tater!

Stop laughing!.....Come on! Your community probably has it's local celebrations as well and we'll find out about yours soon enough!

Our tradition started around 1843 when people in the community would get together to sell or trade sweet potatoes and sweet potato slips and continues to this day on the first Monday in April each year and ushers in Spring. The activities are so important to the community that our spring break for students coincides with Tater Day. No one would go to school anyway!

Now we all know there are celebrations around the United States and around the world for many different things including milk, cheese, beef, ice, pork and even nostalgia. Remember the squash festival featured in the Doc Hollywood movie? So here's the challenge, lets hear about yours!

Take note however, reportedly this is the only celebration in the United States that celebrates the sweet potato! If anyone out there can dispute this I need to hear about it.

This is how RE/MAX Real Estate Associates in Benton, Kentucky entered the Tater Day parade.

Now let's hear about your festivals!

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE SNOW IN WESTERN KENTUCKY? NO? THEN LISTEN UP!

Where we live in Western Kentucky near Kentucky Lake, we only average about 10 inches of snow per year! We enjoy 4 seasons (it would get boring having the same weather all the time, wouldn't it?) but the winters are mild. In the past I have lived in Northern Illinois, Northern Wisconsin and Minnesota so I really appreciate the weather here. Usually when we get some snow it only lasts a day or two. It's enough for the children to get out of school and get cold and wet playing outside.

When I tell local people about the winter activities up north such as ice fishing, skiing and especially driving vehicles on the lakes they can hardly believe me. Yes, those are fond memories that I'm glad I participated in, but I'm also glad I was much younger. I really don't think I would like it at my advanced years. Shoot, I might fall and break a hip!

For more weather information you could check out msn.com or city-data.com. City-Data also has census information which includes employment, income, and household statistics as well as average temperatures and precipitation for each month.

However, wherever you move don't rely on statistics alone. Make sure you contact a local REALTOR® who is familiar with the local climate; whether it's the weather climate or whether it's the real estate market climate, they are very well qualified to answer your questions.

WKREIA AGENDA DECEMBER 2008

The Western Kentucky Real Estate Investment Association (WKREIA) welcomes everyone in attendance! We hope to make this association one of the finest learning alternatives to develop, support and promote regional real estate investment while serving the interests of the Real Estate Investment Community and Industry as a whole through Education, Motivation, Mentoring, Training, Leadership, Investment, and Networking Opportunities on all issues involving the regional real estate community, and promoting professionalism and standards of excellence in the industry. The only way we can make this association a success is to get everyone's involvement to the fullest extent possible. We sincerely hope you see the benefit of having, joining and participating in an organization like this and hope you get fully involved in any way you see possible. Thanks again for attending and getting involved!

Agenda 7:30 – 9:00pm

1. Introduction to the WKREIA and opening remarks – Greg Taylor, President

2. Panel discussion on Ethics in Real Estate Investing

3. Investor Social Networking Session

Handouts for the December 2008 Meeting

1. WKREIA Code of Ethics

2. Why Ethics Matter In Real Estate Investing

3. Ethics in Real Estate Investing

4. Flipping Houses Ethics

5. Real Estate Investment: Ethics Play Important Role

JANUARY 2008 PROPOSED AGENDA

Discussion on Foreclosure Investment Strategies

Many handouts on Foreclosure Investment Strategies

Speakers outlining Foreclosure Investment Strategies

Investor Social Networking Session

NEXT MEETING: January 15, 2008. Location and time: To Be Determined

Please email me at wkreia@gmail.com or call 270-761-4663 for more information about how you can get involved in the Western Kentucky REIA. Or visit us on our website at http://wkreia.com.

Greg Taylor

President, WKREIA