Herb Johnson's (nkyrealty) Blog

When you are selling a property there are certain disclosures mandated by state and federal law. Do you know them? Are there other disclosures that are recommended, even if not required? This blog will help to address those issues.Federal DisclosuresFederal law requires disclosure of lead-based p...

It's a good idea to buy a map of the city where you're planning your home search. Sites like Google Maps and Mapquest can help you plan your search route, but nothing beats an old-fashioned foldable map for getting a sense of your potential commute and the layout of your future neighborhood. For ...

Going green is about more than reducing your carbon footprint, it can also save you money by conserving energy. With the struggling economy it is crucial for families to search out easy ways to reduce their monthly expenses. In the Northern Kentucky Area energy costs can become quite burdensome ...

What do you do when the appraisal on a home you want to buy comes in below the price in the offer the seller has accepted? You can fight back, there are options, and chances are you can find a way to make the deal work without increasing your down payment. Appraisals are largely based on prices r...

The last three months of the year can cause some property sellers to worry if their home hasn't sold yet since the majority of buyers are eager to move to get settled before the school year and holidays begin. Yet if you have a home on the market that doesn't mean you should be discouraged as fal...

The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced today that it had filed a law suit against large banks alleging violations of federal securities laws in the sale of mortgage backed securities.  The FHFA demanded full recovery of damages sustained from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's purchase of over $1...

Have you ever notice how some people keep good ideas to themselves? Maybe even that is you! Even if it is you're not alone and won't be condemned here for not sharing. Yet if you take a step back and give that topic some thought you probably also have noticed how those who are most successful rar...

Consider before you ignore a very low purchase offer for your home. A counteroffer and negotiation could turn that low purchase offer into a sale. When you receive a low offer on your house, the best response is to counter with a price you're willing to accept. You just received a purchase offer...

If you're renting and have thought of owning a home, now may be a good time. Trulia is reporting that during the month of July, buying was cheaper than renting in 74% of the country's 50 largest cities. What's tipping the scale to make buying cheaper than renting? It's the combination of declinin...

Here's a helpful punch list to use when purchasing a home: Outside Grading:Does the ground around the foundation slope away from the house? Make sure the water does not pond or pool in large puddles, especially near the foundation. To check, water the areas with a hose, if possible. Are there sig...