As of March 20 we can make it official and all sing together in joyful unison: “Spring is finally HERE!!!” I, for one, am celebrating and welcoming perhaps my favorite season with open arms after the bleak and LONG winter even us Henderson, KY folks have endured. The Henderson, KY community also has a fun filled-filled line up of community activities this spring that you won’t want to miss!  Bowl for the Cure. March 27 is Henderson’s Bowl for the Cure with times available at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The proceeds from this event go toward positively impacting the children in our community. Teams of four to six people will bowl for two hours for this charitable event at Echo Lanes. Guided Historic Walking Tour. April 5 there are several Henderson, KY activities including a free Guided Historic W... 03/21/2014

  Have you filed your taxes yet?  It’s only late February, of course you still have time.  But, perhaps you’re wondering what to do with the chunky refund you’re daydreaming of?      Since your home is your largest investment, why not focus on that a bit and put your refund right back into it?  Here are some ways to make your Western Kentucky home more valuable:   1.     Landscaping.  Increase your curb appeal this spring with that bit of green Uncle Sam is sending you.  Whether you spend some time spreading mulch in your flowerbeds or plant a few trees, either way the return will be beneficial in more ways than one!   2.    Install a storm door.  The few hundred dollars you’d spend purchasing and having the door installed will actually be funneled back into your bank account all year l... 02/24/2014

  If you are planning to buy or sell in Western Kentucky in 2014, there are a few game changers in store.  With the housing market finally making a turn last year, new trends mean that the scales have been tipped in favor of sellers, and that’s not all.  Let’s examine a few trends and see how you can prepare.   Less Distressed – By the end of 2013, the number of distressed properties on the market was dwindling.  Great news for sellers as they can finally look forward to, brace for it, profit!   What does this mean for buyers?  The pressure is on, my friends!  Buy early because prices and interest rates will be rising!   Growth in Economy - It seems like common sense, but where there is growth in jobs there will be growth in the housing market.  Namely, the single-family home market.   ... 01/22/2014

There’s a huge misconception that the hottest season for house hunting is in spring.  Some people even wonder if attempting to move during the winter months is worth their time.  Well, yes it is!  There’s no doubt that the holiday season is a chaotic one.  Fraught with vacations, crazy weather and houseguests, survival is often the ultimate goal.  But these things don’t keep interested buyers from searching for their Home Sweet Home.  Here’s why: Since many sellers take their homes off the market during these busy months, a dip in inventory exists.  Serious buyers still need options.  Keeping your home on the market increases your chances of selling just as a result of numbers!  Winter buyers don’t want to be left out in the cold, pun intended, and are quicker to make decisions about t... 11/22/2013

  Major home improvement projects, such as building an addition, can oftentimes seem like overwhelming tasks. You have a vision in your mind and you know what type of addition would be most beneficial, but getting to the end result can be a difficult process. At Kathy Jackson Realty, we've helped many clients purchase a home in Western Kentucky. Some clients are simply relocating or downsizing while others hope to expand their home to fit their evolving needs. Here are some professional tips for building an addition onto your Western Kentucky home: 1. Start With a Wish List. This will help put the project into perspective. Detail your wants and the goals you hope to accomplish by having the addition built. When do you need the project completed? What purpose will the addition serve? Ho... 09/23/2013

It’s almost fall.  Or at least, it’s almost September and that is pretty much the same thing for many people.  And, the introduction of fall is always a good time to spend some time getting your Western Kentucky home ready.  Kathy Jackson Realty has compiled a list of the most common areas to prep around your home.  Since the first day of fall is technically September 22, you have a full 30 days to get things together!   Clean and store patio furniture and summer toys. Check caulk around windows and doors. Change clocks. Inspect exterior doors, including the garage door. Drain and store garden hoses.  Install insulating covers on exterior spigots. Clean gutters and downspouts.  Consider installing heating cable to prevent ice dams. Clean your outdoor green space. Bring in any plants th... 08/22/2013

  This week, CNBC reported that house flipping, or buying and selling within a 6-month period of time, is gaining in popularity again as the real estate market rebounds.  RealtyTrac stated that the business has increased 74 percent since 2011.  That’s a lot of activity and decent profit in a short period of time.  So, have you considered hopping on this bandwagon before the competition is too much?  Kathy Jackson Realty is ready to help, but for those new to the game, there are many things to consider as flipping is not for the meek.   Patience: If you’ve decided to flip overnight, you might want to slow down before you take the plunge.  Serious flippers choose their Western Kentucky homes wisely and with patience.  Are you open to foreclosures and short sales? Are you willing to wait o... 07/22/2013

    It’s the American dream come true.  You’ve planned and saved; now you are ready to find your first home in Henderson or Evansville.  While there is much to be excited about, you must stay focused.  Finding a knowledgeable real estate agent is a great start to your home buying process.  The right agent will have your best interests at heart; and will guide you through this thrilling and often confusing purchase!   First things first, remember that a ‘perfect home’ simply does not exist.  Once you develop a list of needs and wants you can zero in on the non-negotiable items.  Keep an open mind while you are looking.  You may find a fantastic home that needs some paint or wallpaper removal.  These things take minimal time to update; besides, a little elbow grease is good for everyone! ... 06/20/2013

                                                            Congratulations, you’ve made it to the long weekend!  While we all like to take advantage of an extended weekend by visiting with family and friends; it’s important to remember what we are celebrating.  Memorial Day is one of remembrance.  This day gives us the opportunity to pay tribute to all those who gave their lives while serving our great country.  If you are looking for a way to honor these great men and women, a ceremony will be held in Central Park on Monday at 10:00 am in Downtown Henderson. The Henderson War Memorial Foundation Inc. is responsible for the respectful memorial for all local veterans and for organizing the Memorial Day Ceremony. For many, this weekend also marks the beginning of summer in Henderson, KY.... 05/24/2013

Now that summer is over, another busy season is upon us - the season of the motivated home seller! If you have been waiting to buy a home in Henderson, KY, autumn is a great time for serious home shopping! Here are a few things to look for when scouting for homes that may have motivated sellers: Days on Market. Buyers have been very picky this year, and good homes can be overlooked for cosmetic reasons that have nothing to do with value. Also, the longer a home remains on the market, the less interest buyers tend to have in it, assuming that there must be something wrong with the place. While not every home that has lingered on the market is a bargain, the "aged inventory" is worth going through with a fine-tooth comb. Price History. Homes that have been reduced in price more than once ... 09/24/2012

Some Henderson homeowners who bought their home during the housing boom have been unable to sell due a loss of equity. Short sales were not always a feasible option due to the restrictions involved; even those who qualified for a short sale dealt with a tedious process. Fortunately, the Federal Housing Finance Agency has made changes that will allow more homeowners to seek relief through a short sale! These rule changes apply to mortgages held by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Together, they back more than half of all active residential mortgages in the United States! Typically they rely on large, national banks to provide their mortgage servicing, which includes the collection of payments and the processing of short sales and foreclosures. But because Freddie and Fannie still needed to ap... 08/27/2012

Keeping your home is a difficult task, especially when you feel as though you don’t have enough storage space for your belongings. There are quick and easy ways to keep your Henderson home organized. Every room provides great potential to become the organized area you have always dreamt it could be.   Use a chest instead of a coffee table. Almost every room in your home needs some sort of table, to display photos, flowers, or any other decorations. However, instead of using a typical table, try to use a chest. Using a surface that has storage underneath will not only provide an area to display your belongings, but also ample storage space to hide the belongings you don’t necessarily want seen.  This will also give you easy access to anything you may need in the future. Renovate unused c... 08/13/2012

 As a Henderson real estate agent, I am always eager to see what events are coming up in the area. This month has some great ones that I know I will enjoy. Henderson always has something exciting going on, and the month of August is no different!  Beginning this coming Wednesday and running through Saturday is the Song Writers Festival. This is a great place to hear local musicians perform their hits and share their stories with you. Writers that have worked with artists like Brad Paisley, Tanya Tucker, and George Strait will be featured at this event.  Every night there will be different performers and venues. From August 9th-11th the Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Fesitval will be occurring. In its 27th consecutive year, this festival was voted in the top 20 for Southeast Tourism Soci... 07/30/2012

Can you believe we’re half way through July already? If you’re hoping to buy a home in Henderson, KY before the beginning of the school year, there’s still plenty of time. If you’re on the hunt for a new home, chances are you’re doing so online. With 54.9 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers using a smart phone, according to a recent Nielsen report, I thought I’d suggest some free (and cheap) mobile applications home buyers and home sellers will find useful to navigate the Henderson, KY real estate market. Of course, there’s no substitute for the guidance of a real estate expert, but these apps can get you started on your home search. 1.     Trulia The Trulia app is great for searching for your next Henderson, KY home. It’s available on the iPhone, iPad, Android, Android tablet and other ... 07/16/2012

Happy 4th of July! Festivities surrounding the 4th of July are always such great ways to kick-off summer here in Henderson, KY. There’s a lot to do if you’re planning to stay in town and celebrate with friends, family and neighbors. Horse racing, food, children’s activities, live music, and of course fireworks! The best part of the day happens when the sun goes down and the gorgeous firework display lights up the sky. Here’s my abbreviated guide to how to celebrate the 4th of July in Henderson, KY. Opening Day at Ellis Park Celebrate opening day at Ellis Park in Henderson, KY with live Thoroughbred horse racing. Make your wager and grab a bite to eat as you celebrate with family and friends at the Clubhouse or Sky Theatre. The whole family will be pleased as you can get anything from a ... 07/02/2012

While summertime in Henderson, KY is certainly about kicking back and relaxing, there are some chores to be done around the house to keep it in top shape throughout the steamy months. There’s work to be done indoors and out, so stay cool inside on the hot days and enjoy the outdoors when it’s pleasant. You’ll be done with your summer home maintenance in no time! 1.    Check your Ceiling Fans You’ll be able to set your thermostat higher (or your air conditioning lower) if you switch the blades on your fan to push air down into the room. You’ll want to make sure the leading edge of the blade is higher than the trailing edge to get the right effect. There’s nothing like a gentle breeze without the cost cranking up the air conditioning in your Henderson, KY home! 2.    Clean your Dryer Vent... 06/18/2012

Can you believe it’s June already? Memorial Day marked the unofficial start to summer and the activity in Henderson, KY is really starting to pick up! Though summer doesn’t officially start until the end of June, everyone is already celebrating with BBQ’s, picnics, sports and festivals. Speaking of which, a great event is going on this weekend in Henderson, KY that you should check out if you’re in town. The W.C. Handy Blues & BBQ Festival kicks off on Saturday, June 9th at 10am with The William Branaman Street Strut People's Parade. Located on the Elm Street side of Central Park, musical entertainment will be provided by Bob Minnette and The Dixieland Society. Awards will be given to the best participants in categories such as Grande Ooh-Pee-Doo (chosen to lead the 2013 parade), Most S... 06/04/2012

So you want to sell your Henderson, KY home? Even though we’re in a buyer’s market, homes are still selling in the area! With that said, your house isn’t going to sell itself. Yes, it probably looks quite nice next to a foreclosure, but there’s some big competition out there and it’s important to put some work into your home before putting it on the market. I want to give you a few tips on how to make your home as appealing as it can be before you contact a Henderson, KY real estate agent (ideally, me!) to help you sell your property. 1.     Get your home squeaky clean While you need to give your whole house a good scrubbing, the kitchen and bathrooms in particular need to be spotless in order to impress potential homebuyers. What is clean to you may not necessarily but up to the standa... 05/21/2012

Many of us have a special person in our lives we like to show our appreciation for on Mother’s Day. Whether it’s a mother, stepmother, grandmother, foster mother, aunt, friend or any other woman who has made a difference in your life, there are many ways to show her you care this weekend in Henderson, KY! Below you can check out my Mother’s Day guide. Feel free to leave a comment if you have any additional ideas for how to celebrate Mother’s Day in Henderson, KY this weekend. Mother’s Day Tea Party Grab your prettiest hat and the guest of honor and head down to Memories Past and Present in Henderson, KY on Saturday, May 12th for a Victorian afternoon tea party. From 10am – 5pm you’ll enjoy refreshments and a free gift with a $20 purchase. This store has a lot of nice antiques, presentin... 05/07/2012

Did any of you go to Henderson Tri-Fest last weekend? If so, leave a note in the comments and let me know your favorite memory! I love these types of events that bring the whole community together for fitness, food, fun and fundraising. If any of you traveled to Henderson from out of state, I hope you enjoyed your time here. There are sure to be a lot of great events like Henderson Tri-Fest going on as the weather gets warmer and I can’t wait to meet some of you out in the community. As we all know, the Henderson, KY housing market has been in favor of buyers for the past couple of years. Home prices and mortgage rates are at incredible lows, making buying a home in Henderson, KY more attractive than renting. However, these favorable conditions won’t last forever! If you’ve been on the ... 04/23/2012