Annnyyyyyways. As previously mentioned, I attended my second course at The Cheese School on March 13th (over a month ago now! what a blog slacker I am). However, this was a different class of experience (yuk yuk), as it was a Master Class (aimed at cheese professionals, not just enthusiasts) on Identifying Cheese Flavors and taught by a Bay Area cheese legend, Cowgirl Creamery’s Peggy Smith (take a minute to read that bio — it’s worth it). Not only do I love me some Cowgirl Creamery cheeses (just the thought of some Mt. Tam makes my stomach grumble), but I’m also a huge fan and regular user of their online cheese library. That library has been an incredible resource in my dairy discovery, and that made me even more excited about the opportunity to learn from this lady. But, in addition to being excited, I was also a little bit scared. Me? At a Master Class? While I’d like to believe that I’ve surpassed the ‘enthusiast’ level (and even that just barely), I’m certainly no master nor am I, technically, yet a professional. I furiously studied my Cheese Primer in anticipation of the course but, when the time came, I still wasn’t sure that I was ready. Well, there would be only one way to find out!

As I climbed the entry stairway up to The Cheese School, I was immediately hit by the buzz and energy in the building. It was more lively — and more crowded — than the previous class that I had attended, which I attribute to the celebrity and credibility of the teacher. At this point, I had already been offered (and, of course, accepted) the Cheese School summer internship position, and as I entered I received an especially warm welcome from co-owners Kiri Fisher & Daphne Zepos, which served to alleviate some of my anxiety. After I grabbed a complimentary glass of white wine (since I’m saving up for the cheese change, I’ll take just about anything that comes free), I spotted two familiar faces: cheesemongers from Mission Cheese, my favorite next-door neighbor and one of my employment dreams. I’d received tons of information (and cheese samples) from both of these two people, but I’d always been too nervous and embarrassed (are you seeing a pattern here?) to admit to my aspirations. Well, not this time! I sidled up and introduced myself to these two, who I then learned were Steve Hall and Liz Rubin, two of Mission Cheese’s O.G. opening crew. And you know what? They are awesome and lovely!  I spent the next 10-15 minutes detailing my upcoming career change (and excitedly bragging about the internship) and they, in turn, treated me to adorable sheep pictures from a recent Mission Cheese dairy farm field trip. Interacting with animals on farm field trips? Yeah, I think I’ve made the right decision.

At that moment we were asked to find our seats in the classroom, and so we did. I found myself seated across the room from Steve and Liz (allowing us to exchange silly looks and knowing smiles) and next to a chatty woman who promptly informed me that she had been to over 20 such classes. When I asked her what she did for a living, I was surprised at her response: She’s a cardiologist! She laughed as she told me that she actually warns her patients against the dangers of eating too much cheese, and then she proceeded to clean her plate!

I have to admit that the rest of the class is somewhat of a blur in my memory. It might be because a month has passed since the occasion, or it might be because I’m a lightweight and I had two glasses of wine. Probably both. I do remember that Peggy got right down to business welcoming the students (many of whom appeared to be old friends and colleagues, the faces of whom I have seen on various cheese & dairy websites and in cheese industry event pictures posted on Facebook) and letting us know what she in store for the next two hours. I immediately felt welcomed and at ease, and I was so enthralled by Peggy’s words and the friendly chatter in the room that I barely even glanced at my cheese plate!

Peggy explained her cheese tasting process: Look, Touch, Smell, Taste. For each cheese we ate, we went through each step. First, we LOOKED at each cheese: What color is the rind? What color is the paste? Where does the color change? Is the cheese more transparent or opaque? Are there bubbles, eyes, mold, etc.? Then, we’d TOUCH: How soft is the cheese? How hard? Is it grainy, smooth, or oily? Not only is it good to know how the cheese feels, but this is also a helpful trick for bringing the cheese up to temperature! Then, we’d SMELL: We’d smell the cheese first while whole, then break the cheese down the middle and immediately give it another sniff. Wow! That second smell, while similar to the first, is about a thousand times more intense (that’s a rough estimation) and provides an amazing preview for what you’re about to taste. Ah, TASTE! We put a small piece of cheese in our mouths and let it rest a moment on the tongue. Then, we were actually instructed to smack our gums, as it helps to turn the cheese into a paste and spread it across the tongue and the roof of the mouth. Fun! A room full of grownups all playing with their food and having a great time with it. I learned to pay attention to flavor waves, letting the cheese linger in my mouth long enough to experience a few. So great.

While I had definitely tasted cheese before, I had never tasted cheese in this way. Not only did we examine and savor every piece, but we also discussed and explored The Cheese Aroma Wheel with the use of some incredible “flavor aids” — white mushrooms, raw peanuts, wet and dry hay, stones, truffle salt, onion confit (mmmm), bittersweet chocolate, roasted pineapple, and toasted almonds. While obviously these aren’t all things you can eat, they all have flavors and/or aromas that can be cound in cheese. As we touched, smelled, and tasted each, we were encouraged to also smell and taste the flavor aids we thought might help to enhance and coax out cheese flavors. It was both enlightening and so enjoyable to mix and match cheeses and flavor aids and the challenge (and the wine) definitely added to some teamwork around the room.

Well, I bet you’re wondering what we ate, huh? I’d encourage you to use the list below, as long as the flavor aids mentioned, to put together a tasting of your own!

• Cowgirl Creamery Fromage Blanc
• Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam
• Comte
• Barinaga Ranch Baserri
• Redwood Hill Farm Terra
• Cowgirl Creamery Red Hawk
• L’ Amuse Aged Gouda
• Queso de la Serena (at your own risk, this is a crazy one)

While I now have a hard time making heads or tails of my notes, one thing is clear: I had an incredible time. As I boarded the bus back south to my neighborhood, I texted Mike (still home in Massachusetts) that it had been one of the best nights of my life. Why? While eating cheese was great, it was so much more than that. That master class was, really, my first experience as an industry ‘insider’ and I was overjoyed to finally be part of this new community. This cheese thing is no longer just a dream, it’s a reality, and it’s a reality in which I’ll be surrounded by inspiring, intelligent, and kind, caring people. I can’t wait to start my work at the cheese school, to be responsible for putting together the classroom and the plates, to get to welcome cheese professionals and enthusiasts and to help them further their education. I’m even looking forward to washing the dishes!

I love, love, love cheese.  My perfect meal is centered around it – a loaf of great crusty bread, a perfectly ripe pear, and a bottle of pinot noir.  What could be better?  Two of my most favorite cheeses come from Cowgirl Creamery (www.cowgirlcreamery.com )in Pt. Reyes Station, California – Mt. Tam and Red Hawk.  I used to ferret them back with me from San Francisco but I can now buy them at any number of stores in NYC, even Whole Foods.  I can’t eat cheese as often as I would like (doctor’s orders, ugh) but a small taste as dessert doesn’t count.

Here is a description of the company taken directly from their website from which you can order their extraordinary products.  “In 1997, Sue Conley and Peggy Smith opened Cowgirl Creamery in Pt. Reyes Station……… They started with an old barn, made it beautiful, put in a small plant for making hand-crafted cheese, bought organic milk from the neighbor, Straus Family Creamery…….  From the beginning, they wanted to make delicious, artisan cheese, to be environmentally responsible, and they also wanted to support their cheesemaking friends in being sustainable land stewards. Today, Cowgirl Creamery continues to make just a small collection of cheese — four, soft aged and three fresh, totaling about 3,000 pounds per week. ”

I think that Steve Kolyer’s painting says it all!

Now, I plan to turn that around from here on out, but I wanted to spend a little time getting everyone up to speed. So, some brief words (I toyed with the idea of calling this post ‘Curds of Wisdom’ but it didn’t feel quite right) on recent happenings, and then we can get back to normal blogging.

First: I am thrilled to report that, this summer, I will be an intern at The Cheese School of San Francisco. Not too familiar? Check out their awesome website, which features information about the school, the courses, and even the internship program. One big plus? It’s paid! Starting in July, I’ll be spending roughly 15 hours per week in the beautiful building at Powell and Francisco in Nob Hill, SF. I’ll be setting & cleaning up before and after classes, helping out during the classes and, I believe, doing some light administrative work. Last week I sat down for a drink with one of the school’s current interns, Devon Foster, who is also a cheesemonger at Cowgirl Creamery in The Ferry Building. Devon and I had a delightful conversation about all things cheese. She told me a little bit about the CA cheese community and did a lot to reassure me that it’s a really welcoming circle. Lately I’ve been nervous about jumping into the unknown and starting out as a newbie, so her stories of acceptance did a lot to lessen my fears. Devon also praised The Cheese School internship experience, which left me very excited. I’ll get to learn a ton about different cheeses, how to cut, plate, and serve, and I’ll be introduced to so many inspiring and experienced cheese professionals. I’m starting to sense that I may have a future in cheese-related catering and event-planning (we’ll see), so all of this really appeals to me. I can’t wait!

Speaking of The Cheese School and inspiring cheese professionals: On March 13th I took my first Master Class at the school, Identifying Cheese Flavors with Peggy Smith of Cowgirl Creamery. Yep, THE Peggy Smith of THE Cowgirl Creamery. For me, it was a big deal. It was such an incredible experience that I spent the next week gushing about it to anyone who would listen. As such, I want to write real blog entry about the class, the cheeses, and Peggy, so this is just a brief mention and placeholder until that time. The big take-away from the evening is that I left completely at peace with my decision to leave publishing for cheese. While I was a novice compared to almost all the attendees (mongers, farmers, cheesemakers, chefs, etc.), I felt able and understanding of almost all of the concepts covered and excited to embrace and conquer those that I didn’t. Every single person there was friendly and wonderfully weird (just like me!), and I had some great conversations with two mongers from Mission Cheese (my nextdoor neighbor/dream employer) and even with Peggy, herself. I felt like I was floating on my way home that night, filled with a relief that I can’t fully explain. So, keep a lookout for a full post on that class, it’s coming soon.

What else? Oh, well, it had to happen eventually: I had my first semi-embarrassing cheese celebrity awkward encounter. I thought for sure it would happen sometime with Gordon Edgar, but the world likes to keep us on our toes. A few weeks ago I went to the Winter Artisan Cheese Fair kick-off event at Cheese Plus in Nob Hill. It was a great little ‘party’, just some cheesemakers giving out samples around the store, and then a small ‘buffet’ of samples out front. I was just getting started in the buffet line, testing out a delightful Alpine fondue, and slightly eavesdropping on the girl in line in front of me. I could see out of the corner of my eye that she was tasting a Vermont Butter & Cheese Coupole for the first time, and I was happy to hear her exclaim the deliciousness of the cheese and to ask more about it. It was at that point that I heard the not-yet-seen person behind the counter explain that it was a cheese made at her creamery in Vermont. Without thinking, and with a mouth slightly full of bread and cheese, I blurted out “Oh my gosh are you Allison Hooper?” It was not a smooth, casual, cool moment for me. It was dorky and borderline creepy. “Yes” she responded, “Who are you?” At that point, I explained that I wasn’t really anybody (yet), just an aspiring cheese professional and a major fan of her cheeses. She was flattered and friendly but busy and those in line behind me were growing inpatient, so I simply thanked her and moved on. When I got home and told Mike what had happened, he made fun of me for being a spaz and not telling her just HOW much of a fan I was, and said that I should at least send a follow-up email with a link to my blog (which is, after all, named in honor of one of her cheeses). Soooo… I think I’ll probably do that, so that something more than embarrassment can come of that encounter. To be fair, I did share that story with Peggy Smith, and she got a little chuckle out of it, so…it’s not for nothing.

Okay, that seems like enough for now! I’m slowly making my way though Steven Jenkins’ classic Cheese Primer. After Cheesemonger: A Life on the Wedge, it is quite a change in attitude and approach, but there’s a ton of information in there and I’m learning a lot. I’m even taking notes and doing some color-coded highlighting, so I feel like a student again! On the radar: Tomorrow evening I’m meeting with Anthea Stolz, the buyer for Bi-Rite who also taught the Desert Island Cheeses course that I took, and I’m really looking forward to that.  I’d like to solidify the relationship and, of course, talk about future employment options, but I’m also thinking of doing small profiles/interviews of local cheese professionals and posting them on this blog. I have no journalism experience, so they wouldn’t be anything amazing, but I just like the idea of spotlighting those who inspire me. What do you think?

To my co-workers at GOLDMARK REALTORS, don’t be strangers, come visit!

And to all the REALTORS in the Old Ky Home Board of REALTORS, I am so excited about working for all of you to help make real estate easier, more efficient and more profitable as we go forward!

“Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.” unknown

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”

Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

 

Now that all the Christmas decorations have been put away and I’m looking forward to all that the new year has waiting for me, I glance back at the past year and wonder “what just happened?”

In real estate, I sold about the same number of  houses, but made less money.  Huh?  Yeah, the first time homebuyers tax credit  propped up the real estate market this year by giving one segment of the market an incentive to engage in the real estate market now, instead of waiting until later.   But many other buyers chose to remain in the home they have rather than jumping into what appears to be a complicated market.  This caused my average sale to be much lower than in the past.  The good news is- there are lots of good homes on the market at great prices, the bad news is- if you want to sell your house right now, you need to price it competitively or be willing to wait awhile.

I think the foreclosure wave has had an impact on our market here in Bardstown to a degree, but only relative to the degree in which our market was already out of balance.  What I mean is, we never really had a grossly overvalued market, therefore the correction will be minimal.  We see horror stories of homes in Nevada, California and Florida selling for huge discounts (40-50% less than the price paid), but we also know that in these areas, a home costs three+ times the amount of a comparable home here.  Here in Bardstown, our gains are moderate, and our losses are moderate! 

Just because the buyers are waiting out this market to buy a home, doesn’t mean that people don’t still need housing.  There is a great opportunity now for investors to acquire rental property, and fill those properties with good tenants!  Interest rates are favorable, properties are available, and the need for rental housing is increasing! 

As far as the real estate market goes in Bardstown, it truly is a season of contrasts; light/dark, hope/despair, heaven/hell.  I think it is a matter of choosing, of finding the opportunity in the present circumstances.  Seeking the advice of a trusted professional to guide you to the best choices for you- right now- is the best advice I can give you.  There is not one general rule- each one of us have different needs and resources.  It can be very exciting to find ways to make this market work for you!

On a personal note, the holidays blessed me again this year with all my children and their families together sharing time together that is harder and harder to come by!  Each year we vow to make it a more regular occurrance throughout the year, so let’s see how it goes this year!!  My daughter teases me that there is some point at which the kids shouldn’t be ”forced” to be in family Christmas cards.  I told her “when they stopped being my kids”.  I hope they never stop, I won’t!  I got a card from my mother’s sister-in-law from Indiana that made our Christmas card so important to me.  She wrote that she and my Uncle Lynnie just studied the picture over and over, amazed that I had such a beautiful grown up family- and with a grandson!  She went on that since they were far away they had missed so much, seeing my family grow.  You never know how those family Christmas cards can make someone feel reconnected to someone they don’t get to see regularly!  So, Aunt Sandy will always get a photo card from me!

2010 for me?  As far as my friendships and personal relationships, 2010 as an exciting year with a continuing friendship and love with my long time friends- they are steady as a rock!

   I also developed new friendships that have meant the world to me and have made me feel so special and loved!  My children continue to be a blessing to me.  My oldest, Gabriel married beautiful Carla this year and I got my first grandson in the deal!  Aidan calling me “Grammie” is music to my ears!!  There have been losses this year too.  Some really good people have passed from this world, including my sister-in-law’s mother who lost her battle with cancer.  I hope all the families who lost loved ones will find peace in the coming year.

It’s been a tough year for business, but quite an eye-opener about how much I can live without and still be happy!  My philosophy going into 2011 is to love what I have and be grateful, work hard everyday, and keep my eyes open for opportunities to be a better person.

HAPPY NEW YEAR~ 2011!

Peggy Smith

spegsmith@aol.com

(502)460-1017

note: as of Tuesday, May 31, 2011- my life as an active real estate licensee has been replaced by a life as Association Executive at Old Kentucky Home Board of REALTORS(R).

These are MY THEORIES, and they are simply based on the last 15 years of watching how our local market performs in different economic times.  There are some things I can share that are not theories, but facts that impact the buyers in today’s market.

• current interest rates are at the lowest levels (annual average) in 40 years ( http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/pmms30.htm )
• mortgage experts expect interest rates ro rise before the end of this year.
• new home permits are up slightly compared to this time last year.
• there is still a $5000.00 Ky tax credit on new construction until July 26, 2010 ( http://revenue.ky.gov/dyq.htm )

Conditions are favorable for the creditworthy buyer to get excellent terms and price on a home, and those conditions are slowly translating to improvement of the housing numbers in the Bardstown/ Nelson County area.  What the buyer should keep in mind is, once the market returns to normal, interest rates are likely to do the same, as well as home prices.  So, the only conclusion I can come to is this- if you’re a buyer, and you’ve been sitting on the fence about buying a home- it’s time to get off the fence before the market changes.  But, of course, if you don’t like LOW interest rates or VALUE- PRICED homes to choose from, I would just keep that comfortable seat right there on the fence! 

I hope everyone enjoys the beautiful spring days in Bardstown and remember- if you are looking for a friend in the real estate business~ call me!

Peggy Smith, Broker  (502)460-1017

Goldmark Realtors

“I was seldom able to see an opportunity until it had ceased to be one.”  ~Mark Twain

(Poor old Mark Twain didn’t have a friend like me to help him see the opportunities before it was too late!)

Enjoy! Check us out at http://legaleaseckut.wordpress.com or email us at legalease[at]ckut.ca

http://www.archive.org/details/Legalease-Ckut90.3Montreal-April2010Episode10-SilentLabourers

Aimee and her bridesmaids- 2007

While we were there, John took me down memory lane!  My first job was as a waitress at the Talbott Tavern- when I turned 16.  And I worked there every summer until I left for college and a little after that.  I have some really fond, funny and frightful (it’s said to be haunted) memories of that place.  John showed me a newly discovered fireplace that was uncovered after the big fire. (1998) We even talked about some sillhouettes of famous Tavern visitors, displayed in the bar area for decades, that were ruined by the fire.  That was special to me because those pictures were all done by my mother, who passed away in 1988.  We talked about “old George”, who was legendary as a waiter there from the time he was about 16 until his death.  I don’t know how old he was, but he ruled the dining room back in the 70′s and I’d say he was about 60 years old then.  I saw all the places we used to hide and play jokes on each other when it slowed down and we had a little time on our hands! 

I remember having my bridesmaid’s luncheon there before I got married in 1978, and again having my daughter’s BM luncheon there in the same room in 2007.  Yes, there are spirits in that old Inn for me.  The laughter of me, my mom and all my bridesmaids as we anticipated the wedding day that was ahead.  The tears of joy, the squeals of excitement, echoing throughout the upstairs rooms before my daughter Aimee got married.  The giggles and mocking laughter amongst the mischeivous waitresses as we found fun in being lucky enough to have that job for the summer.  Lots of voices in that place!  But- after my last visit and very fun evening with the Kelley’s~ I know that the Old Talbot Tavern indeed does live on….

If you get the chance, stop by the Old Talbott Tavern and drink in a little history- and don’t forget to try the fried green tomatoes!  Thanks John, Kathy, Kurt and George~ for a fun night with good friends and good eats!

The past year’s ice storm, for instance, showcased the town’s abililty to coordinate other agencies, emergency people, and contractors to do whatever has to be done to get the crisis under control quickly, responsibly and without excuses.  This doesn’t happen by accident!  There is a plan, experienced professionals, great relationships with partners, and resources built through years of working together with other governments, contractors and citizens.

That’s the same way it works when you decide you are going to buy or sell your home, land or business.  You have to decide where you want to put your trust when taking one of the biggest financial steps of your life.  So- there are the obvious things- such as:

1. who has the best record of getting properties closed?
2. who has the most experience?
3. who can put me in touch with other professionals that I will need to work with throughout my transaction?
4. who will be there when I need them?
5. if a problem comes up- who will know how to best handle the situation?
6. who is the best trained and cohesive group that I can get?
7. who charges the least commision or who will give me money back after the closing?

These are all important questions to ask, and I’m going to help explain how GOLDMARK REALTORS stacks up in all these categories.

1. Since our opening in July 2007, GOLDMARK REALTORS has closed OVER 540 residential real estate units for a total volume of OVER $69,000,000.  The closest office competition to that closed 122 for $16,000,000.*  WE DO IT BETTER!
2. At GOLDMARK REALTORS, we have combined experience of over 200 years cannot be surpassed and demonstrates the strength of the GOLDMARK REALTORS organization.  The company has 6 agents holding a Kentucky BROKERS license and most of our Realtors hold advanced Realtor designations such as GRI(Graduate, Realtor Institute) and ABR (Acredited Buyer Representative) or ASP (Acredited Staging Professional).  We have several agents with unrivaled experience in residential real estate development and new contruction management.  Also- we are very proud of our full service Auction Department directed by a Principal Auctioneer with nearly 20 years experience.  Several agents in our office have extensive background and expertise in commercial real estate.  WE HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER!
3. GOLDMARK REALTORS have made it a policy to establish and maintain good working relationships with local attorneys, lenders, inspectors, appraisers and specialty contractors.  These relationships make it easy for us to get answers, swift service, and the knowledge that the professionalism of the contractors we use and recommend has been established through years of quality service.  This level of cooperation creates expectations that are realistic and proven.   We also maintain a high level of respect and cooperation with other real estate companies in the area.  Whatever you need to buy or sell a home-WE HAVE PEOPLE FOR THAT!
4. GOLDMARK REALTORS’  office hours are M-F 8:30- 5:30, Sat 9:00-3:00, but you’ll find someone at the office almost all hours of the day- weekends, nights!  We welcome calls from our clients/customers anytime!  We will be where you need us when you need us- and if we ABSOLUTELY can’t get there- we have agents who will help you with the same level of professionism you would expect from your own agent!  TEAMWORK HAS ITS BENEFITS!  And- anytime you have any questions and want to stop by our office- you are ALWAYS welcome! 
5. When a problem arises- who can best handle it without stress for you?  With so much experience in one office, you can rest assured that almost any problem has been seen and solved before.  GOLDMARK REALTORS is like a library of knowledge and experience and we share that experience with each other.  Our company  holds sales meetings weekly, where we not only have educational programs and speakers, but we also share our own experiences and how to efficiently resolve roadblocks on the way to successful closings.   WE HAVE THE ANSWERS!
6. Training is a high priority for GOLDMARK REALTORS.  We go to seminars and workshops beyond our required continuing education.  We also sponsor seminars for buyers to help prepare them for the homebuying process.  You’ll see us out together in the community too- working with Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Kentucky Bourbon Festival, community parades, our annual cookout….  FRIENDSHIP, COMMUNITY AND OUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE IS THE GLUE THAT MAKES US STRONG!
7. What a real estate company charges for commission is irrelevant- if the home doesn’t sell!  So- you have to ask yourself-  do I base my decision about listing my home on a lower rate if it means listing with a company whose record for closed sales is also at a lower rate?  Those of us working on a commission basis all get the same amount on an unsold property -$0.00!  DON’T LOOK AT COMMISSION RATE- LOOK AT SUCCESS RATE!  That’s what puts $$$ in your pocket~!   

Okay- so after going through all those questions, the point I want to make is this- just like in choosing a community, choosing a real estate company requires more than meets the eye!  And like in cities, it’s not until you run into a problem that you realize how valuable it is to have the BEST working for you!  

I make no apologies for the fact that GOLDMARK REALTORS is not offering cash, or gift cards to be used at select businesses, no slick tricks to make you feel like you’re getting a “deal” in return for working with us.  We live and work by the old time honored tradition of good old fashioned hard work and commitment to excellence!  Our success rate reflects that philosophy!   And that means more money for you! 

WHY GOLDMARK REALTORS?  SUCCESS!

“The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more.”  -Jonas Salk

* Statistics taken from the Old KY Home Board of Realtors Market Statistics

If you are a first time homebuyer- you can still get the $8000 tax credit, along with the Welcome Home money!  Big news for buyers- don’t you think??

On another note- we at GOLDMARK REALTORS have listed some really great houses this month.  Check them all out on the Featured Listings page at www.goldmarkrealtors.com .  I’m really excited about the way this spring has taken off for us.  It’s a good time to list your house~ and a great time to buy!!

Finally- I just want to say that Kentucky is such a great place to be during Derby week!  All the fun derby week activities, the parties and everything seem to be bursting with color and energy!  The sun really does shine bright on my old Kentucky home!  Have a great Derby week and call me when you get ready to buy or sell a home in the Bardstown /Nelson County area!

Peggy Smith, Broker

GOLDMARK REALTORS

502-460-1017  OR  502-348-1740

Nature is not the only thing that comes to life as the weather warms.  The people in town seem to have an extra spring in their step, a little more color in  their outfits, and the bright smiles that just make you have to smile back.  Every year it happens the same way- yet every year I am amazed all over again!  I just have to stop and take it all in.  As fascinating and fabulous as it is to live in a big city, I still think the greatest place to live is a wonderful town like Bardstown.  Whenever I go to other communities for business or pleasure- I’m always so proud of my own hometown. 

I took an hour last week to take a walk at My Old Kentucky Home State Park (which is just across the street from my office- how cool is that?) and it just gave me energy.  There are still some tree damage to be cleared from the ice storm, but that doesn’t take away the beauty of our treasure right here at our doorstep!  The golfers out on the course move along at such a casual and unconcerned pace- like nothing else in the world mattered.  I heard someone talk one time about how a visit to Bardstown made them feel.  They commented that “being here slowed their heartbeat by about ten beats a minute”.  Couldn’t we all use a little dose of that?

Step outside- drink it in!  Spring is here, and Bardstown displays it so well!!

We have been having a seminar every Thursday in March for anyone looking to find out more about Buying your first home, getting financing, and how to get the $8000 tax credit/ stimulus money.  Remember, if you are interested in taking advantage of this incentive, you must purchase your home before December 1.  There has been a great amount of interest in this program and I feel like we have helped a lot of people get ready for the purchase of thier new home.  And more people are moving into their new homes every week!  I just love being able to help people achieve this dream!

DON”T BE CHICKEN!  This is a great time to buy a house, and the benefits of buyin now are many!  Come and see us at GOLDMARK REALTORS this Thurdsay at 6:30 pm and we’ll explain it all to you!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

We all have dreams when we reach adulthood, parenthood, retirement.  We want to have our own home, or a bigger home for our family, or even a smaller home after our family grows up and moves on.  Oh yeah, we’ve heard it a million times- it’s the American Dream!  How do we really know when it’s time to make those dreams a reality?  How can we be sure if we’re ready for it?  The people who are living the dream- how did they get there?  Just lucky?  Maybe- I’m a real believer in the old quote from the Roman philospher Seneca- “Luck (success) is when preparation meets opportunity”. 

So- I guess what I’m saying is- Get Prepared!  If you are thinking that you might be ready to buy a home, the best first thing to do is find out where you stand.  Meet with a lender and find out  1)What is your credit score, 2)based on your income, how much can you qualify for in a home loan, 3)what kind of special loan programs or buyer incentives are there to help you buy now.  What happens if you ask these questions and find out that you’re not ready to buy a home right now?  Nothing bad- it’s all good, because now you know where your finances stand in the world of home loans, and you should have a good idea of what needs to happen to get you ready to buy down the road.  You may need to pay down some debt, you may need to increase your income by a certain amout, or you may need to be more diligent in making your current payments on time. Whatever the case- at least now you have a roadmap to your dream!

Upsizing or downsizing also requires knowing what your budget and credit will allow- just like the new homebuyer, but you have a extra consideration.  What’s my current home worth in today’s market and what’s the best way for me to sell it to get the most for my home?  If you don’t remember anything else- remember this- GET A PROFESSIONAL when it comes to valuing, marketing and selling your home especially in today’s market!  (GOLDMARK REALTORS can help with that!) Make sure that person shows you how he/she came to the value that they give you.  Always get a competitive market analysis.  It will show you what homes like your have sold for in the last 6 months, and what comparable homes are listed for now!  You may find that your home today may not be worth what you thought it was, but a CMA is based on facts- the same facts that an appraiser will rely on when you get an offer to buy. 

Overpricing a home is ultimately detrimental to a successful sale.  Price reductions later on send a signal to buyers that there may be something to be concerned about.  The first 6 weeks of a listing is usually the most active time for showings, after that, the impact of pricing has a much less positive affect on the sale of your home.  Keep in mind that you may sell your home for less than you thought you would- but you also have the unique opportunity to buy your next home for less than you thought you would have to pay! So- for upsizers and downsizers- the roadmap to your dream is to price your home correctly and be sure that the condition and appeal of your home is all in order!

Opportunities abound in the real estate market right now!  Prices are competitive, interest rates are low, and spring is here!  Prepare yourself now- and when the opportunity comes- you’ll be ready for it!

Dream on, dream on
Dream yourself a dream come true!

 

 

Well, I’m definitely not an economic wizard, and I am also very vulnerable to what these reports mean to my financial stability, but, I’m thinking that our mindset can influence our fortunes.  I mean, if gloom and doom gets into our thinking, we begin to behave as if that is the inevitable outcome.  Locally, real estate sales are down slightly (462 closed sales in 2007; 441 closed sales in 2008- down 5%), while, nationally- sales are down about 12% over the same time period.  That’s positive!  But how can we be sure that we are doing the right thing to protect our real estate assets?

For one thing- if you own a home, and you don’t need or want to move right away, then don’t.  While homes aren’t gaining equity at the same rate it has in recent years, the loss of equity is very small- if any!  My advice- maintain your home, continue to pay for your home as usual and ride this out.  If you need to sell your home right away, first you need to contact an experienced Realtor to do a market analysis on your home to see what other homes like yours have sold for, to see what homes currently on the market are asking- and price your home in the lower 1/3 of the competition.  There is always talk about offering buying incentives to generate buyers.  The BEST incentive for a buyer is a home that is immaculately cared for (make those repairs, clean out that junk, unclutter crowded rooms and pay special attention to the curb appeal in the front of your home), and a home that is fairly priced!  There are things you can do to attract more buyers, and the market conditions right now should draw out new buyers.  That’s positive!

If you’re a buyer, know your personal financial situation!  Get a copy of your credit report and know what is in it!  Many times there are errors on your report that can easily be corrected, and sometimes there are some negatives that can be corrected too.  Find a lender to sit down with you and review your finances and give you an idea of what kind of financing you may qualify for and how much you can borrow for a home.  Once you have that information, you can meet with your Realtor and begin your search for the right home.  Luckily for you- this is a great time to buy a home, homes are fairly priced, interest rates are low, and there are tax incentives out there for qualified buyers to make the move now!  Work with professionals you trust or who have been recommended to you by people you trust.   Conditions are right to buy a good home at a fair price!  That’s positive!

Locally, the job market has taken some hits with recent closings and layoffs, but Flowers Foods will generate new jobs, the changes at Fort Knox will generate some new, good paying jobs in a reasonable commute from Bardstown, and with spring will come some construction jobs.  That’s positive!

It’s time to think in new ways, plan carefully, educate yourself, work harder and smarter and be patient.  Overall, Bardstown is a very stable community, diverse in industry, cautiously planned just so we can weather the storms that all communities are affected by.  No- the sky is not falling- it’s just God saying “wake up, pay attention to what you’re doing, and learn something from this”!  That’s positive!

Quote of the day-

I must say- these kids seem to have it all together when it comes to knowing what they want, and wanting to be reasonable and responsible about their expectations and limitations.  When I think back on the purchase of our first home- I’m not sure what we were thinking!  We bought our first home in 1981- just a couple of months before our first son was born.  Those were tough times (like now- but different) for buying a home.  Most banks simply weren’t making home loans-period!  But my good friend, Larry Logsdon at First Federal helped us by getting us approved for a loan, but the interest rate at that time was 16% interest!  That’s right- 16!  Luckily, home prices were very low then, and our home only cost us $42,000!  Also, lucky for us, our loan was adjustable, and after the first adjustment, our interest rate went down to 11% and the next year 9%.  At the time, we thought that was an outstanding rate!   Time sure changes your perspective on things- doesn’t it? 

So, here we are- 2009- and the average house in this area costs about $127,000; the current interest rate on a mortgage ranges from 5%- 6.5%, depending on the loan program, down payment and term of loan.  Even though the economy in the early ’80s was very shaky, gas prices were wildly fluctuating, interest rates were out of control, there was a silver lining for the homebuyer- home prices were low.  Today, we also have an economy that gives us a reason to pause, assess all the factors that play into the decision to buy now, and recognise the unique opportunity that is- NOW! 

• Home prices right now are competitive compared to recent years;
• the interest rates are the lowest in 30 years or more;
• and this year, a first time homebuyer who qualifies will receive an $8000 incentive through a tax rebate to go ahead and purchase that first home! 

I am so happy that I will be able to be a part of this first big step for these young people who mean so much to me!

The main thing being offered which directly and immediately affects the market is the $8000 tax credit for first time homebuyers.  Yes, there already is a tax credit for these buyers in effect, but this is better, and slightly bigger.  The old version of the tax credit would require the taxpayer to pay back the $7500 over a period of time.  The new benefit would allow more money to the homebuyer ($8000) and does not require repayment!  That’s right, for first time homebuyers, this package will GIVE YOU MONEY just for buying your first house!

All the details are not in yet, and the President has yet to sign this into law, but it’s a foregone conclusion that this is imminent.  So as a prospective homebuyer, what should you be doing? 

• First, find a lender AND a Realtor that you trust.  If you need advice and don’t know who to contact, email me, and I will try to answer your questions or put you in contact with someone who can.  spegsmith@aol.com
• Next, make sure your credit score is good!  This is vital, because your interest rate on your loan will be based on your score.  Your lender can check your score for you and go over your options for a loan program for you based on your individual situation. 
• There are so many loan programs available right now- and don’t believe what you hear about lenders not lending- they want your business- they want to lend you money!  As of February 13, 2009, the KHC (Kentucky Housing Corporation) 0 point rate is 6.5 for FHA, RHS and VA loans- straight FHA rates are at 5.25% 
• Your lender can tell you specifically how much you can borrow, and how much that will cost you in terms of closing costs and monthly payments.  (Inside tip* If available cash is tight for you up front, you can ask the seller to pay some or all of your closing costs for you.  Keep in mind that your offer has to be good enough for the seller to afford to do this for you and the value of the home must be sufficient for the appraisal to support this, but it’s one option to explore as you try to round up  the funds you’ll need to close!)

With this information in hand- you are ready to start looking for your new home!  As of February 14, 2009, there are 473 active single family homes for sale on the Old Kentucky Home Board of Realtors MLS system.  Of those, 163 are listings with the Goldmark Realtors office.  Keep in mind, that along with the largest number of listings in the MLS system, we at Goldmark Realtors have access to ALL the listings available in the area!  To search all listings, go to www.goldmarkrealtors.com .

I will update my blog with more info as I sort through all the information.  For the first time homebuyer in the Nelson County area- now is a great time to buy your first home at a fair price, with a great interest rate and an awesome tax benefit!  Let’s Go!!

I actually met a couple who were just driving across the country enjoying the early days of their retirement. They pulled into town, took a couple of unintentional trips around the courthouse until they could get into the correct lane to exit the loop and ended up with a rare parking spot directly across from the corner drug store/ soda fountain, Hurst Drugs. (It wasn’t until later that they discovered that the parking spot was illegal.) After a grilled cheese sandwich and root beer float- they strolled casually down the main street, looking in all the unique shops, the bookstore, the antique dealers, the florist, the barbers, the art galleries- finally ending at the ice cream shop. What they didn’t realize was that 5 hours had passed since their lunch. They told me it was then that they knew if they could spend 5 hours walking about 2 blocks, then this must be a place that they felt very comfortable calling home!

I have even met families who have followed other family members to the area because for one reason or another.   Bardstown has economic, educational or esthetic advantages over the place they were coming from.
My roots in the area run about as deep as they go, being a direct decendent of one of the earliest settlers in Nelson County, John Ritchie. He built his home here in 1778. So for me- “Why Bardstown?” is almost a silly question.
I really do love this town! It is full of good, hardworking, friendly people who happily welcome others to share the benefits of living in a town like Bardstown.

Our schools are outstanding- and I’m not going on statistics and scores- I’m going on my 4 children who all went every grade in Bardstown and our experience has been very positive!  With 2 public school systems, one parochial school system and several faith-based schools, Nelson County/Bardstown Area offers choices that will more than adequately meet most family’s needs!

Our local hospital, Flaget Memorial Hospital, has been recognised for the past four years as one of Thomson’s Top 100 Hospitals. It’s a brand new facility that our community is extremely proud of. When the Hospital moved to HWY 245 from it’s former location near the intersection of 31E and 62W on Cathedral Manor the vacancy presented an opportunity- according to the public library board- to relocate from the old outdated structure into a new section of the old hospital. I have to say that the vision of that Library Board was genius! We now have a state of the art public Library that is fully equipped with computers, work areas, and of course a wide variety of books, but it also has soft comfortable chairs, several meeting and educational rooms. Truly a treasure for our town!

 Nelson County Public Library

Of course the availability of entertainment is important for a town to be considered liveable.   I’ll go into detail in another blog, but let me summarize simply-

*movie theatres, skating rink, Stephen Foster outdoor drama, outdoor theatre productions, summer concert series, Friday Night Live Music Series, Music Man Country music productions (located at the former Hillbilly Heaven), Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Bardstown Arts and Crafts Fair, Wine Tasting Festival, 4th of July Festivities, Bardstown Bowling Lanes, Bardstown Community Theatre, My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Maywood Golf Course, Woodlawn Springs Golf Course, Cedar-Fil Golf Course, My Old KY Home State Park Golf Course, Dean Watts Park (soccer and football fields), Bardstown Parks and Recreation Center.  I know there are many that I didn’t mention(feel free to add your favorites in comments!)

Food? That’s another post altogether, but there are dozens of restaurants of all types and I can’t wait to fill you in on all we have in that category.  But to summarize- we have American cuisine, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Home-Cooking, Pizza, Hamburgers, Fish, Sub sandwich shops, cafes, diners, soda shop……

Why Bardstown?  Because it is a town full of pride, a town with a strong vision about what we want the future to look like here, and a town that values its citizens whether they are 6th generation, or “brought-ins” (as we call them), a town that lives fully the “American Dream”. 

My e-mail address where you can ask questions- spegsmith@aol.com

Why Bardstown