Monica Hess

Why should I invest my savings in farmland?

Banks are going down the proverbial toilet, Stocks can't be counted on anymore...who knows what the government is going to do next? What should you do with your savings before its lost even more value?

Invest in farmland. It's safe, it's secure, and farmland is getting more scarce by the day. If you have a good piece of farmland, it's going to be producing an income with the crops it provides, whether you farm it or someone rents it from you. Managed well, it's going to produce income enough to pay its taxes, as well as give you a hefty tax deducton on anything you spend on it...including your trips out there to check fences and livestock. And in a few years if you decide to sell it, there will always be a market.

If you buy a piece of land with water, either a creek or a large pond, and with a good fence, you'll aways be able to rent it out to someone for their horses or cattle. Put a good barn on it and your land value goes way up. Now you have a place for the tractor and any animals needing shelter. And, you can depreciate the barn.

You'll also have a place to go when city life makes you nuts. Go to your own farmland, where the smell of good cow manure can bring you back to your senses.

Or you could lease your farmland to someone who loves...

BUFFALO

Why should I invest my savings in farmland? Ask your accountant. She'll tell you.

Feng Shui This - House For Sale in Lexington KY - Lets Cook Something

We've all heard the old saying that there should be cookies in the oven when someone comes to visit. (especially when they might buy your house for sale). But, cookies are not bringing the same response they used to. Everybody knows what they're really there for. How about lets cook something different?

How about a pot roast? Or, if it's fall, maybe roast a turkey breast and let that smell warm up the house you have for sale. Crock pots are an often overlooked source of inviting aroma...perfect for an Open House "lure".

Lets make sure though that some things are avoided.

No fish.

No Cabbage

No curry.

No garlic.

Although I love fish, cabbage, curry and garlic, but they are not universally loved. So, avoid the ones that may offend. A little bit of onion can be a wonderful smell, but a lot may be too much. Just imagine walking into the house after a long day at work...what do you want to smell cooking on the stove?

Personally, I love the smell of fresh baked bread.

Whatever you cook, make sure it has a pleasant, inviting smell. Try to avoid foods that people might feel strongly against. Chili is nice in the winter. Coffee and cinnamon buns is great for a morning visit. You'll find something that you love and others will love, too. Then all you have to do is wait for them to decide it feels like home.

Feng Shui This - House For Sale in Lexington KY - Lets Cook Something

Feng Shui This - House For Sale in Lexington KY - Your Back Yard

Have you noticed that when people put their homes up for sale they manage to get the house in order (usually) but forget all about the back yard. It ends up neglected and cluttered, or bare and desolate.

But, when you watch people walk through a house, after going through the center, they usually gravitate toward the back yard. They want to see out those curtains, peek through the blinds and see what the back yard offers.

What's will they see when they look into your back yard? Most of us don't have a horse farm behind us. Although, in Lexington KY we do have a lot of homes near the many horse farms, so odds are you can find one if you have a competent realtor working for you.

Maybe your back yard has the playground look? Are there toys and jungle gyms all over your back yard? That's not a bad thing at all. Feng shui tells us that children bring in all sorts of good energy.

Whatever is in your back yard, make sure you show it as an asset. Make it pretty with a few flowers. Give it life with some bird feeders for movement. And, mow the grass! When buyers see an unmowed lawn they see themselves mowing it. There's no need to have people working on the yard before they own it...even if the work is only happening in their minds.

Have their minds centering around the fun they'll have in their new back yard. Let them think of the new gas grill they'll be putting on the deck and the sounds of their children playing in the back yard. Out of sight, out of mind. Hide the lawnmower, the weed whacker and any other tools that would suggest "work". Make your back yard look like it takes care of itself beautifully and effortlessly.

Maybe your house has a pool out back. If so, be sure you're compliant with all local laws about pools, fences and zoning. Legal problems will stop a sale quicker than bad credit.

Whatever you have, make the most of it and have a great time doing it. Happiness is contagious. Enjoy the experience, meet new people and make your home a happy place.

A happy home will sell faster than a grumpy one!

Feng Shui This - House For Sale in Lexington KY - Your Back Yard

Feng Shui This - House For Sale in Lexington KY - Pull up a Chair and Sit a Spell

Here in the south (Yes, if you extend the Mason Dixon line Lexington, KY is most certainly south of it.) when people welcome a guest they often will say, "Pull up a chair and sit a spell." In the north they would say something more like, "Have a seat." Of course, I wouldn't know...not being from that part of the country. But around here if you visit the neighbors you'll hear that phrase regularly. If your house is for sale, you'll want people to feel that phrase if they don't hear it. Make your home a welcoming place for buyers and they'll start feeling "at home" themselves.

Wherever you are though, when people put a house up for sale they often times forget that buyers want to feel comfortable. They don't want to see your "stuff", nor do they want to trip over it. They look for comfort. They want to see if the house "fits" them. And the best way to do that is to help them relax while looking it over.

This certainly looks like a nice place to have a cup of tea or your morning bowl of Cheerios.

But, if you're in the mood for a more formal meal, or if you want to seat more than two at a time, check out the dining room. Can you see yourself as you pull up a chair and sit a spell?

Selling a place requires one thing. Someone has to be able to see themselves living there. Of course, that someone must also have the means to pay for it. But, first and foremost they have to want to call it home. The rest is just details. (yes I know...the devil is in the details)

At any rate, make your guests comfortable...even if you'e not there. You may come home to find you have a buyer.

Feng Shui This - House For Sale in Lexington KY - Pull up a Chair and Sit a Spell

Feng Shui This - Horse Farm near Toyota in Scott County KY

Didn't think you could find a Feng Shui Master in Scott County KY, did you? We don't just have horse farms here, we have it all. Beautiful country, Toyota, shopping, horses galore, historic homes, gorgeous weather, and did I mention the horses, horses, horses? Need a beautiful showplace near Toyota? We've got it!

Check out this place.

This is a piece of KY anyone would be proud to own, and feel lucky to live on.

Gorgeous...not a bad view anywhere. Just big enough for a couple special horses, and with a guest house for somebody's relatives!

Wherever you turn, the view is spectacular. It's a paradise for your horse, and inside the house is just as beautiful.

"Elegant country home w/1000 SF guest house on 5.52 acres. Surrounded on all sides by beautiful views. 3 bed. 2 bath, hardwood, kit w/ cherry cab+stainless appliances, bonus rm,LR w/fireplace. formal dining, deck.storage shed,chicken coop, 2 car garage and 3 paddocks."

Two houses for the price of one little horse farm in Scott County...close enough to Toyota to be handy, and far enough away to be paradise.

Check it out on www.lizette.us

And welcome to our little slice of KY.

Feng Shui This - Horse Farm near Toyota in Scott County KY

Photos by Lizette Fitzpatrick