Special situations in real estate require specialized services and expertise. Three such situations: relocation, house rehabilitation (flipping houses), and buying acreage, whether for a gentleman farm or a larger purchase can be especially difficult. To learn more about each situation, click the links above or contact Cris directly and get the
personal answers that you need.

Relocating requires an intimate knowledge of the area to which you are moving. You must make good choices regarding schools and home location, but more than that you need insight into traffic patterns, reliable service providers,and resale market trends. Finding compatible employment for the spouse, locating good daycare and medical care and other such critical information can make or break the success of this whole life change. Click here for more information.

“Flipping houses,” the practice of rehabilitating and updating an older or damaged home and then reselling the property for a profit, has become a popular investment goal. For the beginner, mistakes can be costly. Click here to learn more.

Buying acreage has its own unique challenges and all acreage is not equal. Your purpose in purchasing will direct the search, but there are things you can do to make the search easier.
Click here to learn more.

To work with a real estate agent doing home rehabs, you need one that can tell you why a house is a good deal, how much you will need to put into it, and what it will reasonably sell for when it's done. This is why an experienced agent is important. You also must know how to get the best financing for your situation. Will you use rehab financing, your own money, or an investment property loan? Talk to a loan officer and explore your options.

It is best for beginners to locate houses that need only cosmetic work, avoiding those that require structural repairs. Do as much as possible yourself, inside and out, and update the home's lighting, plumbing fixtures, and carpeting. You must either know how to do the work or know who you will hire to make repairs. Reliable service is a must. You also will want to make changes that your future buyers will find attractive. Learn which colors, patterns, and features bring top dollar without spending more money. Have a plan of action so you can begin making repairs and updates immediately. A house that sits after closing costs money daily for the mortgage and utilities.

Make a spread sheet of potential homes so you can easily compare them. Visit home improvement web sites to quickly get updated prices for all the materials you might need. Compare the purchase price, materials, labor, and expected sales price. Add in your holding costs, closing costs, and unexpected costs fund. Determine which houses offer the best profit after analyzing them using your spreadsheet, and then make offers.

There are questions you as a buyer need to answer before you begin your search for acreage. These questions will save you time and help narrow the search.

- Do you want horses? Horses need an average of 5 acres per horse.
- How much land are you interested in?
- Is there a particular location you are interested in?
- What will the property be used for?
- Are you looking for standing timber?
- Will you be using a lot of water? The availability of city water as opposed to well water or cistern water is an important consideration.
- Will you need electricity run to the site?

Once you locate a likely property, you need to learn the property history and zoning. Does the current owner have mineral rights? if not, who does? When was the property last logged? What was the health and value of the logging? How healthy is the water? Is flooding an issue?

Never underestimate the importance of talking to neighbors when looking at a property. They can alert you to existing bedrock issues and other problems that might otherwise be overlooked.

For experienced help navigating the acreage-buying process, contact Cris Sims today.

When you are relocating, you want information and help making good decisions that will affect your family, long-term. Where should you start your search for a home?

Most families relocating will be interested in the east end of Louisville or in an outlying county: Middletown, Jeffersontown (J-Town), Anchorage, Prospect, St Matthews, the Brownsboro Road area, Oldham County and Shelby County. Browse the MLS to get an idea of availability and price range.

Resale is something you must consider, especially if you are being relocated now and there is a possibility that your company may relocate you again in a few years. Some Louisville neighborhoods are better suited to help you resell. It is important to not over buy in the area, as well as to know what types of homes and what amenities will sell homes faster.

Probably one of the biggest factors in relocation to the Louisville, KY metro area is the change in cost of living. To calculate this online, click here.

And finally,. having service providers who are trustworthy and reliable is a must. For my list of tried and true experts, click here.