Category Archives: Uncategorized
The 60th Annual WHAS Crusade for Children Has Met Its Goal of $6 Million
Every spring WHAS hosts a two-day telethon event where the Louisville community and our surrounding neighbors come together for a time of giving. Known as Crusade for Children, this telethon broadcast works to collect donations to benefit children’s charities throughout the Kentucky and Southern Indiana area. The area’s locals may recognize the upcoming event by the many firefighters walking through traffic cross-sections holding out their boots to collect spare change from donating drivers. 
Established by WHAS-TV in 1954, The Crusade’s first telethon collected a total of $156,000. The 60th annual Crusade for Children took place this past weekend, June 1st & 2nd. At the close of the event, the goal that was set a few months back was realized as the organization’s total rolled in at a whopping $6,001,342.00! The collection of over $148 million in its first 59 years makes this charitable organization not only host one of the longest-running local telethons in history, but also the most successful.
So while we all know Louisville as the home of the Kentucky Derby, the Louisville Slugger, Muhammad Ali, and bourbon, The WHAS Crusade for Children is something we all need to take the time to celebrate. Past, present, and future residents of the Kentucky and Southern Indiana region should take pride in the community’s generosity and fellowship.
If you would like to find out more about The Crusade, or how to donate or get involved, visit their website at
http://www.crusadeforchildren.org/
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Important Announcement from HomeServices of Kentucky
HomeServices of Kentucky, a wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., strategizes ongoing growth by identifying reputable companies that have developed strong respect, trust, and value within their communities. They have been operating the Semonin Realtors® brand since 1999, and Rector Hayden Realtors® since 2003. Yesterday, HomeServices of Kentucky issued the following press release announcing their newest addition: Wakefield Reutlinger Realtors®.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOMESERVICES OF KENTUCKY ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF WAKEFIELD REUTLINGER REALTORS®
Louisville, KY (May 29, 2013) – HomeServices of Kentucky, a wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, has announced the purchase of Wakefield Reutlinger Realtors®, a local real estate firm serving the Louisville area. This acquisition becomes effective June 1st, 2013.
“We are extremely pleased that Wakefield Reutlinger Realtors® has become part of HomeServices of Kentucky. This will continue the legacy of a premier real estate company,” said Tom Wakefield, principal broker of Wakefield Reutlinger Realtors®. “Ken Reutlinger and I will remain within the company as active brokers.”
“We are very excited about today’s announcement, and what it means for HomeServices of Kentucky. Wakefield Reutlinger’s brand, their leadership, their sales team and their staff all has an exceptional reputation in the Louisville market,” said Brad DeVries, president and CEO of HomeServices of Kentucky. “Wakefield Reutlinger shares our core values of integrity, customer service and community involvement,” continued DeVries. “We are confident this new relationship will bring a continued level of exceptional service for buyers and sellers in the Louisville market.”
About HomeServices of Kentucky
HomeServices of Kentucky, a wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc. will now operate three brands within the state: Rector Hayden Realtors®, Semonin Realtors®, and Wakefield Reutlinger Realtors®. They are joined by sister company Huff Realty, which serves the northern Kentucky and Cincinnati area.
Rector Hayden Realtors® currently serves the Lexington and central Kentucky area with approximately 250 agents and staff and was acquired by HomeServices of Kentucky in 2003. Semonin Realtors®, formally Paul Semonin Realtors®, with more than 550 agents and staff operates as the largest real estate brokerage firm in the Kentucky and Southern Indiana region and was purchased by HomeServices of Kentucky in 1999. Huff Realty, with more than 525 agents and staff operates in the Cincinnati and northern Kentucky area was acquired by HomeServices of America, Inc. in 2006.
Information about Rector Hayden Realtors® can be found at www.rhr.com. Information for Semonin Realtors® is available at www.semonin.com and information about Huff Realty is available at www.huff.com.
About Wakefield Reutlinger Realtors®
Wakefield Reutlinger Realtors® was founded in 1984 by Thomas Wakefield and Kenneth Reutlinger, Jr. The company operates out of one office with approximately 40 employed agents and staff. Wakefield Reutlinger Realtors® occupies a high-end niche market in Louisville, Kentucky with its average sales price near $265,000. Information about Wakefield Reutlinger Realtors® is available at
http://www.wrrealtors.com
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About HomeServices of America, Inc.
HomeServices of America, Inc., based in Minneapolis, Minn., is the second-largest, full-service residential real estate brokerage firm and one of the largest brokerage-owned settlement services provider in the U.S. and is the majority owner in the Prudential Real Estate and Real Living Real Estate franchise networks. Owned by MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, a consolidated subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., HomeServices’ operating companies offer integrated real estate services, including brokerage services, mortgage originations, title and closing services, property and casualty insurance, home warranties and other homeownership services. Information about HomeServices is available at www.homeservices.com.
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The 5 Biggest Real Estate Stories of 2012
Posted by the KCM Crew, http://www.KCMblog.com
At KCM, we concentrate on the trends that impact the housing market. Here are what we believe were the biggest stories of 2012.
Housing Was a Tailwind not a Headwind to the National Economy
Over the last several years, many experts claimed that the housing market would not recover until the overall economy recovered. Others, including us here at KCM, believed the exact opposite – the overall economy would not recover until housing recovered. This past year, housing has been one of the only bright spots in an otherwise lethargic economic recovery.
The Fed Remained Committed to Historically Low Mortgage Rates
At the end of 2011, 30-year mortgage rates were at 3.95%. Many, including us, believed that rates had only one way to go – UP! We were wrong. Mr. Bernanke and the Fed continued policies which supported keeping rates at historical lows. This resulted in rates dropping to below 3.4% by year’s end.
Demand Remained Strong throughout the Year
Home sales numbers continued to increase throughout the year suggesting that the country’s belief in homeownership still remains strong. Even the last Existing Homes Sales Report of the year from the National Association of Realtors revealed that home sales were up 5.9% from the previous month and 14.5% from the same time last year.
Inventory Began Shrinking
Housing inventory is at its lowest level (4.8 months) since September of 2005. This represents 22.5% decrease as compared to the same time last year. Shadow Inventory, the inventory of distressed properties coming to market, is also shrinking. This is for two reasons:
- we are clearing more foreclosures and short sales
- less families are falling behind in their mortgage payments
Prices First Stabilized and then Increased
Perhaps the biggest story of 2012 is that home values turned the corner and headed upward. By the end of the year, home values were up 10.1% compared to the end of 2011.
(Find current real estate information by going here.)
Are Foreclosures Increasing or Decreasing?
Original post by the KCM Crew ~ http://www.KCMblog.com
Recent headlines have created tremendous confusion regarding the foreclosure situation in the country. Let’s give an example. Which of these two headlines are accurate?
Foreclosure Starts Plunge to 71-Month Low
Foreclosures Increase for the First Time Since 2010
The challenge is that both headlines are 100% accurate. How can foreclosures have increased for the first time in two years and, at the same time, be at a six year low? Each headline was reporting on a different measurement. Below are the explanations for each of the measurements as perRealtyTrac’s most recent Mortgage Foreclosure Report.
Foreclosure Starts
Foreclosure starts are the first steps taken by the bank after the borrower becomes delinquent on their mortgage payments (default notices or scheduled foreclosure auctions, depending on the state). They were filed for the first time on 77,494 U.S. properties in November. This was:
- Down 13% from the previous month
- Down 28% from November 2011
- At the lowest level since December 2006
Foreclosures (Bank Repossessions)
This is when the lender completes the foreclosure process and repossesses the property. This occurred on 59,134 U.S. properties in November. This was:
- An 11 percent increase from the previous month
- A 5% increase from November 2011
- The first year-over-year increase in bank repossessions since October 2010, when the practice of robo-signing foreclosure documents came to light and caused a sharp slowdown in foreclosure activity in the following months
In the report, Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac, explained:
“The drop in overall foreclosure activity in November was caused largely by a 71-month low in foreclosure starts for the month, more evidence that we are past the worst of the foreclosure problem brought about by the housing bubble bursting six years ago. But foreclosures are continuing to hobble the U.S. housing market as lenders finally seize properties that started the process a year or two ago — and much longer in some cases.”
We hope this brings some clarity to the situation.
Louisville, Elizabethtown, and Southern Indiana Real Estate Statistics for December 16, 2012
Click here or on the image to the left to view current real estate statistics for things such as Shelbyville KY homes for sale, Fort Knox real estate, New Albany IN homes for sale, and many, many more.
- You’ll see the number of active listings.
- You’ll learn about how many homes have sold in these areas in the last 30 days.
- You can find out the average price homes sold for in the last 12 months.
That’s certainly not all! Learn more about area real estate statistics by visiting this site for weekly updates.
Kentucky and Indiana Mortgage Rates for December 4, 2012
Below you can see the mortgage rates from December 4, 2012.
Please click the image below to view additional mortgage rates.
These rates are provided to you by HomeServices Lending. Semonin Realtors® is not a mortgage lender; please contact HomeServices Lending directly to learn more about its mortgage products and your eligibility for such products.
