"Del"Mesha Swain, SFR

As a Realtor you want to get a listing but so many seller's homes are not ready for the market. Sellers don't realize that in order to get a home ready to sell it takes some preparation If they don't have the money to do all that is needed in a short period of time they have to start the preparation time early sometimes up to a year before they plan to sell. The things needed can be expensive and if left unrepaired the seller better be prepared for the buyer to use it as a bargaining tool.

Here are just a few things that a seller should think about:

1. Get a home inspection by a professional. This can give you insight into what might be a serious potential problem and can keep you from the closing table. In the event that something is found you can make the repair and avoid the issue later. Roofs and other high priced items can be planned for so that you can replace them or know that someone will use it to bring your asking price down.

2. De-Clutter and Clean: We all love our children and loved ones but those pictures are for our benefit not for the buyers so put away the 100's of pictures that line the walls, table tops, and bedroom dressers. Large kitchen appliances that clutter kitchen countertops, children's shoes that line the wall or shelves in their room, potatoe chips on top of the frig. Clean shower stalls and corners so that they are free and clear of mold and mildew and the hair in the corners of the rooms. If there is smoke or pet odors those scents hit the buyer sometimes before they walk through the door so you might want to smoke outside after you give your carpet, draperies, linen, etc a good cleaning. Deodorize, Deodorize to clear your home of odors.

3. Curb appeal does wonders! First impressions are lasting impressions they say. When buyers approach a home the first thing that they see is the outside of the house and how it compares to the other homes in the area. Make your home stand out and have a well groomed yard with trimmed shrubbery and trees, blooming flowers if it is spring and an clean and edged walkway area. If you have a pond or any type of water make sure that it is clean and blue coloring for ponds does wonders.

If you are planning on selling your home even if not immediately but the next 2-3 years don't wait consult with a Realtor so that you can be ready. If you need help and guidance contact me and I will work closely with you so that you can sit high above the rest when the time comes for you to sell your home.

There is a lot of conversation going around about foreclosures that will soon hit the market. When you ask other realtors, brokers, bank administraters no one really has an answer. I have studied and been very attentive to the real estate market and what is and is not working. When I noticed that short sales just made sense I began to really concentrate my efforts on learning all that I could about short sales.

In talking to homeowners who were going to lose their homes they really wanted some options. Many have been to the banks and negotiated refinancing but the bank has come up with terms that they could not meet so these homeowners really wanted help. Short sales is the way to assist homeowners when they really feel that they have no option and no where to go. I became short sales certified and WOW now I can make my desire to help people and my passion for real estate a total package. Homeowners don't have to feel helpless an option to foreclosure is to do a short sale.

Does anyone have short sales stories to share?

This is an exciting time here at Fort Knox, Kentucky and just selling homes is not all that I do!! I am having the pleasure of meeting many families moving from St Louis to Ft. Knox Kentucky with HRC. The families being served and I have built some very meaningful and long lasting relationships and I look forward to serving them and the other families that they know through this relocation process.

There are families who are very young (in relation to me), some slightly older families, newlyweds and some with babies and "babies on the way", teenagers, and grandparents moving with them. Friends who are communicating with them and providing them with much needed support while going through a life change such as relocation. I have heard families say everything from " someone told us not to move ...." or "it is better to live ... than ... and should I be afraid of crime over there." I must say my responses have been honest and open. as with any city and when trying to decide where you should live it is a big question of "Where do you feel comfortable?"

Of course, there is crime everywhere but when driving to show homes in Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Vine Grove and surrounding areas a lot of the families are changing their initial perception because of what they might have been told before they began their search. Their comments are changing and a few have told me that "We will have to go back and tell them that they are wrong about that place." I can say that I am happy to be a part of changing these misconceptions because I believe in showing the entire picture of a place and letting the family make the choice. That makes everyone happy and brings smiles to their faces.

There are homes with large yards, fences, fireplaces, basements, hardwood flooring, ponds, swimming pools, "men caves", family "kick about" rooms, workshops, newly constructed homes and some with that old fashioned flavor. If you are looking for it I am here to tell you that it can be found.

Fort Knox is tucked in the beautiful mountains of Kentucky where you can find a smorgasbord of things going on. This week marks the beginning of the world famous Kentucky Derby and this past weekend was "Thunder Over Louisville" fireworks display. For the next two weeks the area will be buzzing with festivities that will appeal to all family members.

So if you are planning to come to the Fort Knox area to do some house hunting this is a fun time to come!! Taste, feel, hear the Kentucky flavor!