Here is an excerpt from the Lexington Herald Leader's feature story titled: BLUEGRASS BOUND - Lexington Named Among 10 Best Cities to Live
Original print date in the Lexington Herald Leader, Sunday, May 10, 2009. Story By Melissa Nipper*
Brian and Angela Spiers relocated to Lexington last year from Ontario, Canada. As new Lexingtonians, they are used to being asked what brought them to the Bluegrass. Their answer tends to surprise people. "Sometimes people think it's strange we picked Lexington just because we wanted to live in Lexington," Angela Spiers said. "But then I explain all the wonderful things we love about this area, and they understand."
ABOVE: The Spiers family relocated last year from Ontario,
Canada, where Angela played women's hockey. They enjoy living
near the golf course and have embraced life in the Bluegrass.
From left: Brian; Lauren, age 4; Brianna, age 9; Angela; and pets
Sasha and Crickett (behind Brianna).
PHOTOS BY JASON GREGORY
The Spierses had no family or friends in Lexington. Neither spouse needed to relocate to Kentucky for a job. In fact, Brian's job allowed the couple to choose they wanted to live. They considered several large American cities, including Chicago and Raleigh, N.C. But a visit to Lexington changed everything. "We came for a visit and fell in love," Spiers said.
"We knew this was the place we wanted to live." They are not alone. Lexington was recently named one of the "Top 10 Best Places to Live in 2009" by RelocateAmericaTM - a Web site that helps buyers and sellers access relocation sources that make moving easier. The site (www.relocateamerica.com) touts Lexington's schools, parks, higher educational institutions, low violent crime rate and horse culture. It also highlights the local real estate market, where "average
home prices and overall home values have remained stable." Spiers was not surprised by Lexington's top-10 ranking, and she adds her own evidence to the list of what makes Lexington an ideal place for new residents. "The people here are extraordinarily friendly," she said. One of the first people the Spierses met was their Realtor, Kim Soper of Keller Williams Bluegrass Realty.
Soper, a native Lexingtonian, says about half of her business is helping clients who are relocating o them ea. She enjoys introducing newcomers to the community ad sharing Lexington trivia with them. One of my favorite memories as a Realtor was the day I was showing houses to Brian and Angela," Soper said. "It was the day Big Brown was going for the Triple Crown. We took a break and stopped at Harry's and sat out on the patio to watch the race. It was packed and the mood was electrifying. There was no better way to introduce them to what makes Lexington special. I will always remember that day.
"You may be in a rush to show a lot of houses to someone who is visiting for just a few days from out of town, but at the same time, it's important to help them make a connection to the community," she said.
"There is always a way to tie in Lexington."
Smooth moves
If you're new to Central Kentucky or preparing to relocate to the Lexington area, real estate relocation specialists offer these tips to help the move go smoothly:
1. Work with a Realtor who knows the community. You'll save time and effort by working with a professional who can
guide you not only in the search for a home, but also throughout the transition to a new community, said Realtor Kim Soper of Keller Williams Bluegrass Realty. "Giving clients that local connection is as important as finding the right house," she said. "I try to find out what their interests are and connect them with local people and organizations I know share those interests."
2. Pick up the local newspaper. Soper suggest clients read past and current issues of the local newspaper to get a feel for the area. "It's a great way to get to know the events and the things happening in Lexington," Soper
said.
3. Get plugged in quickly. To feel part of your new community, make a point to visit local amenities such as the library,
the parks or museums. Volunteering for a local organization such as a hospital or charity also helps new residents feel connected to their surroundings. "It's not just a new home, it's a new lifestyle,"
Soper said.
4. Invest in a GPS. Learning your way around a new community can be frustrating - especially in Lexington where
street names seem to change as you drive (Harrodsburg Road to Broadway to Paris Pike, for example). A GPS can make your initial visits less stressful; you'll know your way around in no time.
If you have any questions about relocating to Lexington or simply what daily life is like here in our wonderful city, I will be happy to answer your questions and assist you.
Call/text me and please visit my official website for all things Lexington KY Real Estate at www.kimsoper.com.
It's the day when you roll out of bed and hit the great outdoors; something just feels so different on the first Saturday in May. Everything feels so special. You feel like the grass has never been greener, the flowers have never been prettier and you take a deep breath and reflect on how great it is to be a Kentuckian. It's an overwhelming sense of pride. I love sharing this time of the year with my friends, family and clients. Many of my clients are moving in from other states and always want to know "how to throw a great Derby party." The truth of the matter is, it's pretty simple - eat, drink and play like a true Kentuckian and you will look like Kentucky bred royalty. Even if you were not born here, you can simply play it off with the right tools and must haves for your Kentucky Derby Party.
We are just days away from the Big Day, so let's get this on track!
1. Decide what kind of Derby party you want to have:
Do you want to throw an elegant high society bash where you want to capture the feel of millionaires' row? Then send out fancy invitations and tell your guests to dress to kill! Serve seafood and other Southern Specialty in your finest china and lines.
2. Or do you want to capture the sprint of the rowdy Derby infield, where the regular folks eat, play and watch the race? If this makes your day rosey, throw a TV onto the deck, BBQ everything southern - ribs, corn, etc.
Regardless of your party style, below are MUST HAVES:
1. Stock up on 3 common "must haves":
· Food
· Liquor
• Gambling
Food Should Include:
Bourbon Balls
Derby Pie
Cheese Grits
Beaten Biscuits and Country Ham
BBQ Pork
Benedictine
Kentucky Beer Cheese
Pecan Pie
Hot Brown
Kentucky Burgoo
Henry Bain
Sauce
Drinks
Mint Juleps (the official drink of the Derby)
Kentucky Bourbon (Makers Mark, Woodford Reserve, Blanton's, etc)
Whiskey
Sweet Tea
Lemonade
Gambling:
Derby Pot or choose to auction off each horse to the highest bidder
Jackpots (place all the Derby horses in an envelope, have a set "buy-in" amount and everyone draws a name out of the pot)
-if you are able, hire a bookie to place bets from party
Other must have items include: Derby hats, anything with Roses such as table centerpieces, Mint Julep cups, betting forms, dry erase board where you can write the names of the Derby horses, anything you can find horse themed. Bottom line: just have fun and make your 2009 Run for the Roses, the most Derby party on the block!
The First Saturday in May is very special, so get ready to party and enjoy this special day!
Reporting live here in Lexington, KY, the horse capital of the world - www.KimSoper.com!
When you think of Lexington, Kentucky real estate, think http://www.kimsoper.com/ and let's get started today! 
Kim Soper, REALTOR
Residential & Commercial Real Estate
http://www.kimsoper.com/
Lifetime Member of Million Dollar Club
Relocation Specialist
CMS Certified e-Marketing Specialist
Keller Williams Bluegrass Realty
2424 Harrodsburg Road, Suite #101
Lexington, KY 40503
(859) 509-8008 cell
(859) 269-0065 fax
Kim@kimsoper.com
Real Estate is hoppin’! With historic low rates, an $8,000 tax credit, and great deals to be had, now is definitely the time to make a move! But a strong word of caution before leaping without looking – there are, unfortunately, corrupt individuals and organizations out there promoting what appear to be great real estate opportunities, when in fact, they are nothing but scams!
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Case in point: By Monday afternoon, I had received 16 calls on just one of my listings. Sounds great for my seller…or was it? Turns out, all of these callers had one thing in common: They were searching for rentals on Craigslist and saw what appeared to be an incredible property listed at an incredible price. Now, let me digress by confirming that indeed this was a genuine property listed on Craigslist because I posted it! However, this property was NEVER for rent and in fact, had already been sold earlier in the week. Further research revealed that the content from my original listing (photographs, property information, etc.) had been taken and “reused” through a fake rental posting. As the Realtor of the original (and true) listing, my contact information was removed entirely. In its place, a generic email account was the only contact source available, requesting that those who were searching the site email them for more information. Once they did, then they would receive a letter from the fake "seller" based out of West Africa. This fake "seller" was conveniently unable to meet the potential renters right here in hometown Lexington, claiming to be traveling abroad for the purpose of bidding on petroleum land. In their absence, they requested that the renter hopefuls fill out a personal information sheet, submit it, and then they would simply mail them the keys to the property.
Many of these renter hopefuls decided to go view the property - since coming from Craigslist it seemed fairly legit - and once they saw my contact information on the sale sign in the front yard, they called to ask about renting. When I repeatedly had to inform them that the house was for sale, not for rent, I knew something was up - the seller wasn't from Africa and this was a bonafied scam!
Having heard of similar scenarios occurring in New York and Florida a few months ago, I knew immediately the actions that I needed to take:
1. I made sure all of the people that called on this property clearly understood this home was not for rent and to make sure they did not /would not send any personal information to this alleged "seller" in Africa.
2. I notified my sellers immediately and let them know what was going on. I strive hard to make sure my sellers are always educated regarding how the showing process works and to make sure they never show the home unless I've set up an appointment with them in advance.
3. I went to Craigslist to report the fake posting. I, in no way shape or form, tolerate any fraudulent activity regarding someone’s home - let alone stealing marketing information and photographs in an attempt to con others.
After doing this, I wanted to go a step further by trying to get the word out through this blogsite, so that others may learn about this possible pitfall and protect themselves and their family, whether they are buying, selling, or in this case - renting!
Often times for buyers, the "Real Estate World" can be very daunting in its own right, let alone with all of the new tricks con artists keep trying. Buying a home is the single, largest financial transaction one will make in a lifetime and one that can be very confusing and overwhelming. That's why it's so crucial to have the right people on your team to help you to achieve your goals and to look out for your best interests...always.
Here are a few quick tips to help you assess whether or not a property promotion or advertisement is "too good to be true:"
If you are potential buyer:
1. Look out for poor grammar and confusing syntax. Often times, British spellings for words can be a red flag, but it goes without saying that this isn't always the case. Odd sentences with words misspelled or missing altogether can likewise be a dead giveaway! Think: "Not Local."
2. If someone doesn't provide adequate contact information such as a full name, business name, email, and phone number, be very leery. A legit business person will have most - if not all - of these items, especially a phone number.
3. If they can not meet you in person because they are traveling, etc. and say they can send you keys via mail, chalk this one up as a scam!
4. If they ask for personal information, bank account numbers, or they want you to write a check in excess of the required amount, again, stay far away from this!
5. If you are buying a home, connect yourself with a good, honest local Realtor who will have your best interests at heart and who is available to answer all of your questions.
6. Bottom line: If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!
If you are a seller of a residential property currently on the real estate market:
1. Make sure you never let anyone in your home that does not have a prior appointment to see your home.
2. Hire a Realtor. We are here to protect you, your home, and to make sure that all buyers coming to see your home are qualified, ready to buy, and are legit.
3. If someone knocks on your door, do not show them the home. Think: "Safety!" Tell them to call your Realtor to set up an appointment and that your Realtor will be happy to show them your home. Don’t ever fret when someone says they have to see your home now or they will walk away. A true, genuine buyer will understand. Do not let anyone ever pressure you to get in to see your home.
4. Always confirm! If someone comes to your home and presents you with a business card saying they are an agent, don't automatically assume they are! Again, call your Realtor ASAP and confirm this information with them.
All in all, I hope these tips have helped and just remember that any true, honest, and reliable business person or company will NEVER ask you to submit detailed personal information over the internet. From Real Estate to Ebay, PayPal to banks, all of these companies will tell you that they will never ask for your password or personal information via online. The best rule of thumb: If you are suspicious at all, just call the company directly. If you receive an email alerting you of needed contact or personal information, never follow the links. Fraudulent companies and individuals have their cons down to a science, often mimicking the exact homepage of the original, true company and then emailing you to link to them. Just contact the company directly to confirm. Also, if at all possible, simply conduct your business matters with someone local. Even though technology has made it possible to communicate with others far away, having some good, ol' fashioned 'face-to-face' time is the best way to go!
If you have any questions about anything real estate in general, I will be happy to assist you. Call/text me and please visit my official website for all things Lexington KY Real Estate at www.kimsoper.com.
Wishing you all my best! Reporting live here in Lexington, Kentucky! - www.KimSoper.com!
You’ve cleaned for days, boxed away all those items you still haven’t used from your family holiday gift exchange and now you’re getting settled on the couch. Whew! Your hard work is done and now you are anxiously waiting for your Realtor to call and say a buyer wants to see your home!
On Sunday, they call! After hanging up the phone, you excitingly straighten the room for the 100th time and grab your cute little Bassett Hound pup Snoopy and hit the great outdoors. Out you go for a walk as your future buyer walks in your door! You Mr. & Mrs. Seller did great! A+ on your job of getting you and Snoopy out the door!
Now it’s a workday and your Realtor calls and you are at work till 6 and a buyer wants to see your home at 4? Do you run home and cage your pup or do you just let them look, while the buyer and your dog wander throughout the house TOGETHER????
After all, your friendly dog would never hurt a fly and loves people and kids!
Guess what? If you don’t cage your sweet little pup or remove the dog from the house during the showing, my buyer and I will not enter your home no matter how cute your pick-of-the-litter is!
I am not
being rude, I am being safe! No matter know friendly your dog is, we are still strangers in their home and even the friendliest dog is protective of their owner’s home! The last thing I would ever want to occur is taking a risk that my buyer is in any sort of danger of being bit or attacked. Two things could occur: 1. they will never buy your home, 2. you may also see a lawsuit. And third, what if your dog accidentally ran out the door, down the street. My buyer or I would never want to lose your dog!
I ran into this situation last week here in the Lexington real estate world. I called the seller’s agent to setup a showing for my buyer and I. The agent informed me that the dog would be in the home and “the dog is old and would just follow us around, no big deal” he said! “Go ahead and show it..the dog does not bite.” he added. I explained to him that we would not show the home unless the dog could be removed or caged. So after discussing this matter with him, he finally came around to our side and said he would see if the seller could get the dog.
A few minutes later, the agent called and said the owner would be coming to remove his dog. It just so happens my buyer and I arrived at the home about 5 minutes early and we saw the seller as he carried his dog out of the house. Guess what? The dog bit the owner on the arm! My buyer and I watched in shock as the owner gently (as much as he could muster with his dog biting him) laid the dog on the ground to stop him from biting.
Interesting huh? And we were told it was a friendly dog! He was biting his owner, so of course my buyer and I, the complete strangers to the dog, could have been in danger. There is a great chance the dog probably would not have had any issues with getting a little territorial with us in his home.
Bottom line: pets are great and make the best companions one could have. But pets need to be protected too. When you’re home is on the market and being shown by agents, remember to cage or remove your pets. The last thing we would ever want to happen is an unfortunate accident.
If you have any questions about pet safety while selling your home or any other questions, I will be happy to assist you. Call/text me and please visit my official website for all things Lexington KY Real Estate at www.KimSoper.com.
When you think of Lexington KY Real Estate, think www.KimSoper.com and let's get started today!
Kim Soper, REALTOR
Residential & Commercial Real Estate
http://www.KimSoper.com
Multi Million Dollar Producer
Relocation Specialist
CMS Certified e-Marketing Specialist
Keller Williams Bluegrass Realty
2424 Harrodsburg Road, Suite #101
Lexington, KY 40503
(859) 509-8008 cell
(859) 269-0065 fax
Kim@kimsoper.com
Your life is too busy without having to worry about the everyday hassles of a real estate transaction. I let you focus on your job & your life, while I do my job as your Realtor! Twitter: @KimSoper
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