Jeff Johnson proud to be YOUR REALTOR

Jeff Johnson, REALTOR

(502) 551-4295

8 Tips to Guide for Your Home Search

1. Search the local MLS. Decide what features you most want to have in a home, what neighborhoods you prefer, and how much you'd be willing to spend each month for housing. Go to www.louisvillehomeconnection.com . There is a Home Search button on the top left side, click on it. You will then be asked a few questions and then BEGIN YOUR SEARCH.

2. Be realistic. It's OK to be picky, but don't be unrealistic with your expectations. There's no such thing as a perfect home. Use your list of priorities as a guide to evaluate each property. When you are on the www.louisvillehomeconnection.com website fill out the wish list form, then Jeff can be on the lookout for you.

3. Get your finances in order. There Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your down payment and closing costs. Then, talk to a lender and get prequalified for a mortgage. This will save you the heartache later of falling in love with a house you can't afford.

4. Don't ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion, but be ready to make the final decision on your own.

5. Decide your moving timeline. When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area? All of these factors will help you determine when you should move.

6. Think long term. Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in this home for a longer period? This decision may dictate what type of home you'll buy as well as the type of mortgage terms that will best suit you.

7. Insist on a home inspection. If possible, get a warranty from the seller to cover defects for one year. There are some very competent inspectors out there. Ask friends, family and your Realtor if you need to find one.

8. Get help from a REALTOR®. Buyer's reps are usually paid out of the seller's commission payment. I am a full-time professional and I would be proud to assist you with this transaction

www.louisvillehomeconnection.com

YOUR HOME SEARCH BEGINS AND ENDS HERE

Dear Friends,

While I was sitting in the cold darkness last week as a result of the ice storm, I took some time to reflect on the past months. It is no secret to anyone that the current market is tough and that it is not always easy to be in this business.

I do and have always loved all things real estate! I have always enjoyed looking at homes, going to open houses and viewing properties that are new to the market. Even so, my love for the product does not provide me with the satisfaction I need to remain a realtor in this market. A market that is seeing thousands of realtors place their license in escrow every year. The answer as to why I love what I do is simple, it is because of you.

As I looked out the window on my lonely cold ice covered street, I sat back, took a sip of hot tea, put Missy the cat on my lap and let the memories waft over me like a warm breeze. I want to share some of them with you;

I thought about the day I met Tanya B. and we walked around the huge backyard on Furman sharing stories about our lives. I knew then that I wanted to be a part of her new journey. That connection made helping her find her dream Condo that much better. Thinking back to the closing and how she glowed with happiness as she was given the keys. Then speaking with her later and hearing how happy she is in her new home touched my heart.

Liz P. who listed her pristine home on Furman with me. How many conversations we had about pricing her property fairly and marketing the home she loves so dearly. I think about the open houses we held and how agreeable she was and how she maintained a positive attitude through the entire process.

The HOT days in the summer when John and Suzy K. and I ran from house to house in the highlands to find the perfect home for them and Andy! I giggle out loud when I think about Suzy and me running to keep up with John as he ran from room to room with the tape measure. It was SOOO hot and I think at times they worried more about me having heatstroke than finding a house!!! Then I think about speaking with John a month after they closed and he mentioned that Suzy was singing around the house while she was working and he was having a great time exploring the many coffee shops in the area and had just about settled on one that he liked.

How honored I was to help Emily and Tree find their first home! Calling and receiving calls from them and looking at many beautiful houses, sitting at the dining room table and working on contract paperwork and finally finding the "the right one" on East Breckinridge in the Original Highlands. I think about how happy they both were at the closing and how proud I was to share that memory with them.

Nick D. and the many houses and properties we looked at. I think about the neighbor boy who gave us so much information about one house we looked at and as we marked that one off his list we thanked the stars above, feeling like we had dodged a bullet. We laughed so hard and eventually found a great home for him to renovate.

Mary and Andy, who entrusting me with the sale of their home. We had many late night conversations and negotiated many offers on the adorable house on Duker! While the house did not sell during the 90 day period, I still hold precious that experience, and I know that I became a better REALTOR because of the opportunity they allowed me.

The Larsen's in La Grange. I think about our first meeting at their lovely home discussing a lot which they wanted to purchase just outside the city limits. The conversations I had with each of them while working with the banks and inspectors, I think about how peaceful and calm they remained during this time and I wish them many peaceful years on their new property.

My friends Lucy, Ellen, Janie, Seth, David, Jamie, Robin, Kristina, and so many others who keep me informed about potential clients, and who offer encouragement and counsel to me on a consistent basis.

While I long for the change of season and the new life Spring offers, I am most excited about the opportunity to connect with individuals and families who I will have the honor to assist.

But most of all I am honored to have met you and connected with you, not as clients, but as people. When it is all said and done that is what ultimately matters most.

At our coaching session last Thursday we had a loan officer in discussing the state of the current market. At that time interest rates were under 5%!!! Thats right under 5%, there is the potential to get up to $7,500 tax credit if you are a first time buyer and the inventory of homes in the Great Louisville area has never been better!!!!

Banks are making home loans everyday!! Now in addition to all this if you use Jeff Johnson as your realtor not only will you never be charged a fee for my services, you will also receive 1/2% of the sales price as a rebate. That is not a gimmick, it is a fact. Call me today and let's discuss details.

Spring is right around the corner so let's start your home hunt today!

Jeff Johnson, REALTOR

502-551-4295

Jeff Johnson, REALTOR

1-800-SELL-NOW

Common First-Time Home Buyer Mistakes

1. They don't ask enough questions of their lender and end up missing out on the best deal. Many times a new buyer can be intimidated by the entire process. Often times this will cause them to "clam up". It is our responsibility when representing the buyer to step in and ask questions. I have found that simple observation can cue me to questions the selling agent or sellers about a specific topic. We have all at one time or another had that "deer caught in headlights look", it is my job to step in and ensure that all is clear to my buyer s and myself.

2. They don't act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house. Even in a challenging market time is of the essence. A delay of a few minutes can make the difference between my buyers getting the house they want and someone else swooping in and getting a great deal. My job is to protect my clients and ensure they get what they want.

3. They don't find the right agent who's willing to help them through the home buying process. The buyer MUST have a comfort level with the agent they choose. Competence and passion are a must for the agent who will be representing you. Don't rely on advertising or self marketing. Ask them to provide you with at least three references and CHECK them!

4. They don't do enough to make their offer look appealing to a seller. The initial offer is paramount in getting the home you want at a fair price. Going in way too low can backfire on a buyer. This is why it is important to know that you definilty want the home your bidding on, then give your best, fair offer.

5. They don't think about resale before they buy. The average first-time buyer only stays in a home for four years. Call a REALTOR and get specifics statistics about resale value in the area, number and percentage of homes on the market and the average number of days on the market. If you make a bid on a home without this information you may be setting yourself up for a headache in the future.

6. They don't call Jeff Johnson or Alan Meyer at 1-800-SELL-NOW and ask for a $500 rebate coupon offer

1-800-SELL-NOW Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood Your neighborhood has a big impact on your lifestyle. When I was a college man, I use to drive over to Louisville and dream about living in the “Big City”. Well by about the third or fourth trip to town I had narrowed down my neighborhood preference to two areas. The following steps are provided to assist you with this delightful task! • Is it close to your favorite spots? Make a list of the activities — movies, health club, church, etc. — you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you’re considering to engage in your most common activities. • Check out the school district. This is especially important if you have children, but it also can affect resale value. The Department of Education in your town can probably provide information on test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. If you have school-age children, visit schools in the neighborhoods you’re considering. Also, check out www.schoolmatters.com. • Find out if the neighborhood is safe. Ask the police department for neighborhood crime statistics. Consider not only the number of crimes but also the type — such as burglaries or armed robberies — and the trend of increasing or decreasing crime. Also, is crime centered in only one part of the neighborhood, such as near a retail area? • Determine if the neighborhood is economically stable. Check with your local city economic development office to see if income and property values in the neighborhood are stable or rising. What is the percentage of homes to apartments? Apartments don’t necessarily diminish value, but do mean a more transient population. Do you see vacant businesses or homes that have been for sale for months? • See if you’ll make money. Ask a local REALTOR® or call the local REALTOR® association to get information about price appreciation in the neighborhood. Although past performance is no guarantee of future results, this information may give you a sense of how good of an investment your home will be. A REALTOR® or the government planning agency also may be able to tell you about planned developments or other changes in the neighborhood — like a new school or highway — that might affect value. • Make personal observations. Once you’ve narrowed your focus to two or three neighborhoods, go there and walk around. Are homes tidy and well maintained? Are streets quiet? How does it feel? Pick a warm day if you can and chat with people working or playing outside. I hope you find these tips helpful. I would be delighted to give you and your family a tour of any of the lovely neighborhoods that make up the entire Metro Louisville area.