This week we are heading to Berea, KY to check out Homestead Estates!

On this week’s edition of “On the Road with #MARCUMsold” we are headed to the “Arts and Crafts Capital of the World”, Berea, Kentucky! Homestead Estates has beautiful brick homes and absolutely stunning views of the mountains. Plus it’s super convenient and centrally located!

Developed in the early 2000’s, this neighborhood is filled with older homes, brand new homes, vacant lots for building, and even streets that haven’t been developed yet! Most of the homes are all brick and are on a minimum of .25 acres. The streets are lined with sidewalks and street lamps and beautiful brick mailboxes. Some of the homes have walk-out basements and the nice, flat lots give way for gorgeous mountain views.

In the past two years, (2017-2018), 27 homes have sold ranging from $180k-$250k. The average sales price was is the low $200,000’s for an 1800-2900 square foot home with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. The average home was on the market for 52 days and 11 of these homes were brand new.

If you’d like to check out Homestead Estates for yourself, I’d love to show you around! There are several builders in this neighborhood so if you are interested in building your dream home, I’d love to connect you with them. Live in Homestead Estates and are ready to sell? I can help with that too! Reach out to me at 859-353-2853 or Amanda@MARCUMsold.com.

Neighborhood Standout Features:

• Street lights and sidewalks
• Mostly brick homes
• Minimum .25 acre lots
• Centrally located
• Stunning mountain views
• Vacant lots

🏡Today's Random Real Estate 2️⃣cents Tuesday is about first time home buyers common misconceptions about financing. 

💸Most of the time you do not need a large down payment to get a home loan. Low- and no-down-payment loans do exist, although you may end up paying a larger interest rate. With federally insured loans, people with good credit can pay as little as 3.5 percent down. 20% down isn’t the normal anymore. 

💸Although a 640 credit score might get you a few more loan product options and possibly a better interest rate, there are lenders that will consider you a viable buyer in the mid to low 500s. 

💸Even if you think that you might be paying on student loans forever, being in debt doesn’t necessarily make you ineligible for home ownership. Mortgage lenders look at your debt-to-income ratio, meaning how much you bring in each month compared to what you owe in student loans, car payments, credit card charges, etc. 

😁Bonus info: 

Pre-qualification is not the same as pre-approval. The actually approval includes a more detailed overlook of paperwork that you submit. 

💵Cash in on my 2️⃣cents and reach out to an awesome local lender that can answer your question and get you headed in the right direction!

The #MARCUMsold Show: Episode 5, Hopper's Jewelry

On this episode of The #MARCUMsold show we are with Greg Brown at Hopper's Jewelry. A well established jewelry store that has been in business for 45 years! Come in and shop for jewelry, watches, silver, gifts and more! They also offer custom designs, let the experts make your dream piece of jewelry! We are lucky to have a store like Hoppers's here in Richmond! 

#MARCUMsold #TheMARCUMsoldShow #RichmondKY #MyRichmond #Hoppers#Jewelry #Accessories #Style #Love #Gold #Silver #Ring#JewelryDesigner #BHHS

Catch up on our past episodes of The #MARCUMsold Show!

Rose Trace is Country Living with City Conveniences

If you’re looking for farmland views, 1-3 acres of land, the freedom to do what you’d like with your property (without HOA restrictions) AND you want the convenience of being close to Waco, Irvine and Richmond, then you need to check out the neighborhood of Rose Trace.

Rose Trace is comprised of 115 platted lots and connects to the Shady Oaks neighborhood. Each home is unique, which make this subdivision really fun to drive around. The streets are quiet, making it easy to meet your neighbors. Most of the lots are on flat land and are a minimum of 1 acre. Because there is no formal HOA, you are free to build fences, sheds, and have above ground pools.

Between 2016-2018, 29 houses sold ranging in price from $150k-$250k and were on the market for an average of 36 days. In the past year, the average sales price was $178k for a home around 1950 square feet.

Located just 5 miles off of the bypass, this lovely neighborhood is definitely one to check out! If you’re interested in seeing what’s currently on the market, I can help. Reach out to me at 859-353-2853 or Amanda@MARCUMsold.com. And of course, if you are ready to sell in Rose Trace, we can help with that too!

Neighborhood Standout Features:

• Minimum 1 acre lots
• Mostly brick homes
• Brick mail boxes
• No HOA
• Farmland views
• Conveniently located to Waco, Irvine, and Richmond

🏡Today's Random Real Estate 2️⃣cents Tuesday is about the final walk-through and why it is important. A final walk-through is an inspection performed anywhere from a few hours to a few days before settlement of the transaction. The final walk-through is NOT your client’s opportunity to add to their inspection repairs, it is the time to confirm the home’s repairs are finalized and no new damage has occurred.  Its primary purpose is to make certain that the property is in the condition agreed upon when the offer became a contract. 

When you walk through the house, do the following:

✅        Look at requested repairs

✅        Items that convey if requested

✅.      Look for new damage by:

🔎       Turning on & off every light fixture

🔎        Running water & checking for leaks 

🔎        Testing all appliances

🔎        Flushing toilets

🔎        Inspecting ceilings, walls & floors

🔎       Running disposal & exhaust fans

🔎        Testing heating & AC

🔎        Opening & closing windows

🔎        Making sure debris is removed 

🔎        Checking garage door openers

🔎        Opening & closing all doors

💵Cash in on my 2️⃣cents by doing a thorough final walk-through to give you the best chance of a smooth transition into your new 🏡 home!

Ready to find your new 🏡 home?

The #MARCUMsold Show: Episode 4

"People and Places"... This week we are exploring one of our favorite places, The Richmond Athletic Club! Most commonly known as RAC, there are new owners and LOTS of new awesome features available here now. If you mention this video in the month of February 2019, you'll recieve a $1.00 off a RAC Shake! (One time)

#MyRichmond #RichmondKY #Fitness #Fit #Gym #WorkOut #Motivation #BodyBuilding #Training #Love #GymLife #FitFam #LifeStyle #Healthy #Strong #Muscle #FitnessAddict #GoodToKnow #TheNewStandard

Catch up on our past episodes of The #MARCUMsold Show!

Get a peek inside Madison County’s most expensive neighborhood: Oak Ridge Farms!

Less than a mile from the Richmond City Center, off I75 on exit 87, is Madison County’s most expensive neighborhood: Oak Ridge Farms. Incredibly impressive, this gorgeous neighborhood is a stand-out.

Subdivided in 2003, this neighborhood is comprised of 31 lots total (with some still available for building)! Each lot is a minimum of 1.5 acres and can be as large as 5 acres. For homes that are on 3 acres or less, the minimum square footage requirement for the main level is 2,500 sq. ft. For those on over 3 acres, the minimum square footage requirement is 2,700 sq. ft. All homes must have four board horse plank fencing on one side of their lot. There is a minimum 2 car garage requirement, and pools must be in-ground.

Between 2016 and 2018, four homes were sold in Oak Ridge Farms ranging in price from $475k-$617k. $80k is about the entry price to purchase a lot in this neighborhood.

Interested in buying or selling in this gorgeous neighborhood? Maybe you want to build your dream home here? I can help! Reach out to me at 859-353-2853 or Amanda@MARCUMsold.com.

Neighborhood Standout Features:

• Street lights
• Custom built, gorgeous brick homes
• Minimum 1.5 acre lots
• Brick mailboxes
• Incredibly convenient location
• Breathtaking homes and lots

🏡Today's Random Real Estate 2️⃣cents Tuesday is about fireplaces. Having a fireplace creates a focal point and cozy feeling for almost all people I’ve spoke with. Since having a fireplace is such a positive 🤗 selling feature, which fuel will work best for your needs? 

👍🏻Pros Gas Fireplaces

* Clean Burning 

* No Chimney Needed – Instead, you can simply vent the exhaust to an external wall or roof vent.

* Simple On/Off Operation – makes for ease of use.

👎Cons of Gas Fireplaces

* Lack of Ambiance 

* Gas Line Installation 

* Possible faulty Gas Line Hazards 

👍🏻Pros Wood Fireplaces

* Works Anytime – As long as you have wood, kindling, and a lighter or match.

* Full Experience (Ambiance Galore!) – If you choose a wood burning fireplace, you get the full experience of having a fire. You can enjoy the scents and sound of the crackling wood.

👎Cons of Wood Fireplaces

* Must Have a Chimney – If your home doesn’t have a chimney, they can be troublesome and expensive to have put in. 

*  Cleaning ash from the fireplace regularly and storing and hauling wood are both time consuming and hard work. 

* Requires Regular Sweeping and Inspections – To keep your family safe and happy, you need to have regular fireplace and chimney inspection.

💵Cash in on my 2️⃣cents by creating ambiance and warmth in your home with a fireplace. This home item is on 🔥!!

🏡Today's Random Real Estate 2️⃣cents Tuesday is all about details in new construction that are nice to have and hopefully will become standard. It comes down to cost in the end with most builders but, having extra details that have little cost consequence is extremely helpful. Being able to point out character and extra convenience will add more to the conversation and keep the buyer in the home longer. The longer the buyer is in the home the better chance they can envision themselves living in the home. 

A few things that get mentioned regularly when touring a new home with buyers are: 

- 💡Lighting in all closets

- Tray ceilings 

- Soft close cabinets and drawers

- Extra closet space 

- Pull down attic stairs w/ attic storage

Adams Place is a Beautifully Maintained, Custom Home Neighborhood worth Checking Out!

Right off Lancaster Road, surrounding the highly-rated Kirksville Elementary School, is the beautiful neighborhood of Adams Place. Developed in 2000, just 73 lots make up this highly desirable subdivision. If you’re looking for custom, brick homes, in a close knit community, this is your place!

Each home is on at least one acre with some even backing up to farm land. While this is a highly-restricted neighborhood, it is so in the best way possible. You'll notice that the homes are wonderfully maintained and each home is more gorgeous than the next. Pools must be in-ground and there are streetlights and sidewalks. Prices range from $250k-$500k (easily).

Live in Adams Place and are ready to sell? I can help! Reach out to me at 859-353-2853 or Amanda@MARCUMsold.com. And of course, if you are a buyer and would like to check out Adams Place for yourself, let me know!

Neighborhood Standout Features:

• Street lights and sidewalks
• Custom built, gorgeous brick homes
• Minimum 1 acre lots
• Centrally located off of Exit 83