Making things happen!!

With the flowers and trees in bloom and the warming of the springtime sun, the real estate market seems to be taking off! Spring brings new life all around us and the real estate market is following suit. I am listing many new homes for sale that may be exactly what you've been looking for. If you would like to view my properties, you can go to http://www.agentbob.com/ once you are there, browse and find the perfect home for you and give me a call! I can show you any property listed on the Multiple Listings Service (MLS) and welcome the opportunity to work with you in meeting your real estate needs.

Once you begin your spring cleaning, you may realize, now is the time to sell! Call me, Bob Hahn to receive a comparitive market analysis or if you have any real estate questions. I would be more than happy to assist you and/or answer those questions! Together, we can make a real estate sale!!

In the Market to Buy a Home?

Before you begin looking at homes, you will want to determine what you can afford. That depends on three things:
* Down Payment
* Qualifying For a Loan
* Closing Costs
Down Payment: A conventional loan typically requires a down payment. It is not uncommon for buyers to place a down payment of 10 to 20 percent of the purchase price. For example, on an $80,000 home, a down payment of $8,000 to $16,000 in cash may be warranted.
Government-backed loans require 5 percent or less as a down payment. Loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the Veterans Administration (VA) are particularly useful to first-time buyers.

The thing to remember is that the higher your down payment, the lower the risk you pose for the lender and therefore the lender may be able to offer you better loan terms. The higher the down payment the lower your interest expense on the mortgage will be.

Qualifying For A Loan: The key is not what you think you can afford but how much a lender calculates you can afford. Be prepared to provide the lender with a two to five year financial history that contains the following:
Income
Gross monthly income as well as employment history, education, and any secondary income such as bonuses, dividends, and child support. The lender may require a letter from your employer, W-2 forms, or, if you are self-employed, recent tax returns.
Assets
Current checking account balances, savings accounts, stocks and bonds, certificates of deposit, other property, insurance policies, and pension funds.
Credit
Debts on cars and appliances, debts on all credit cards, and history of debt repayment. Your lender may ask for a credit report, so you may want to clear up any known negative terms in advance.
I can help you determine what price range and monthly payment you can afford. The monthly payment typically consists of principal, interest, taxes and insurance – PITI, for short. The monthly payment is calculated based on the loan amount, the interest rate, the term of the loan, the costs of any insurance, and taxes. You can get an idea of what your payment will be by using this mortgage calculator.

Closing Costs
Purchasing a home involves a number of other parties and services. For example, the lender may require a survey and an appraisal to be completed. The title company will hire an attorney to prepare the conveyance document. You may want to have an inspection completed. You can expect fees for such services as appraisal, survey, inspections, hazard insurance, loan origination (lender’s administrative costs), credit report, document preparation, title search and insurance, recording fees, notary, attorney and escrow.
You will pay for some fees and the seller will pay for others. The costs will vary depending on each transaction. Most lenders will provide you with a good faith estimate of such costs. I can also help you estimate what those costs might be.

One item at closing that is often confusing to first-time buyers is points. Points are an additional amount a lender charges up front for the loan. Points are interest collected in advance. One point is 1 percent of the loan amount. Three points on a $70,000 loan amount, for example will be $2,100. By collecting points (interest) in advance, the lender actually increases his rate of return on the loan. For example, if market interest rates are at 8.5% for a 30-year loan with no points a lender might offer you an alternative loan at 8% if you pay some points.
Other Costs
One additional consideration is the other costs associated with owning a home – namely, utilities and maintenance. These costs will depend on the home you choose, but it’s a good idea to budget for them in advance.

Are You Ready For Maximum Exposure?

The key to selling fast and getting the top dollar is EXPOSURE! The more people who see your home, the sooner you will find a willing buyer. How do you get the most exposure? If you sell the home yourself, you will get some exposure by putting up a sign, running several ads, and telling all your friends. On the other hand, if you work with me, Bob Hahn, you will get instant and massive exposure to a large number of prospective homebuyers. Here’s why:
I take part in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This service, usually a computerized system operated by the local Association of REALTORS®, compiles information about listed properties in the area and distributes it to member companies. As a result, when I list your home, REALTORS® from other companies learn about your home and try to match it with buyers they are working with. The buyers may include people from out-of-town who are trying to relocate to your area or local buyers with specific interests.

If you are a homeowner that is tired of trying to sell your home on your own, than give me a call! I am ready to work for you, providing the best possible service and giving your home the MAXIMUM EXPOSURE it needs in order to SUCCESSFULLY SELL!!! Call me today (859) 525-2624

Amazing New Home on Market!!

Located at 10004 Glensprings Place in Union, Kentucky. This beautiful 4 bedroom home is situated beautifully on a wooded lot and comes complete with a deck overlooking nature's beauty! Enter in the foyer and take in the beauty of hardwood surrounded by upgrades throughout. A gathering room offers a touch of class as you sit to chat with a friend while the dining room features crown molding, chandelier and the convenience of the kitchen close by. To the chef's delight, you will find a nice size pantry, wood cabinets, solid surface countertops and eat-in kitchen. The kitchen island provides plenty of counter space or a place to gather friends and family! Take in the amazing 2-story great room with gas fireplace, ceiling fan, wall to wall carpeting and lovely windows at the 2nd story level to allow gorgeous natural light to filter in the room. But it doesn't stop there!!! This home features a front and rear staircase! Leading up to an amazing 2nd floor you will be in awe of a bonus room that is a great place to unwind. A great space for video games, library or office or a study space for the student in your home. Nice size bedrooms here! The master bedroom offers an wonderful space for the owner's retreat! An adjoining master bathroom with double vanity, whirlpool tub and separate walk-in shower! The beauty throught this home is truly captivating! Call Bob Hahn to view this property at (859) 525-2624 or email him for more information at bobhahn@remax.net or view the flyer for this property which includes complete photos of the interior at http://agentbob.vflyer.com/home/flyer/home/2370454

The History of St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years.
On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink, and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.

If You Are Ready...

I'M EXCITED TO WORK FOR YOU!!! There are ways to make your home sparkle as you prepare it to be put on the market! With spring around the corner, spring cleaning is essential.

1. Time to De-Clutter
*If you don't need it, get rid of it by either donating it, having a yard sale or throw away
*Pack up those knickknacks. Sure collections are nice, but less is more
*Clean off everything from your kitchen counters

2. Make Minor Repairs
*Patch the holes in the wall
*Fix those leaky faucets
*Paint walls to be a neutral color
*Fix doors and drawers so they open and close properly

3. Make Your House Sparkle
*Wash your windows, both inside and out
*Clean away cobwebs
*Vacuum everyday
*Re-caulk your sinks and showers
*Freshen up bath towels & worn out rugs
*Freshen up the air. Odors are a BIG turn off

4. Call ME, Bob Hahn
*Welcome the opportunity to work for you
*Will market your home for MAXIMUM exposure
*Will help you to get top dollar for your home
*Will work to provide the best possible real estate experience

Boone County PVA, increasing the value of your home?

If the Boone County Property Valuation Administration (PVA) has increased the assessed value of your home, the PVA office will send out notices informing property owners of the increase. These are typically mailed out during the month of April. If you disagree with the assessment of your property, you have the right to appeal the assessed value, but must follow certain steps, pursuant to the Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals.

Conference Procedures. You must first schedule a conference with the PVA office during the inspection period. The inspection period begins the first Monday in May and continues for the next two weeks. This inspection period will be advertised in your local newspaper (The Boone County Recorder). At the conference, the PVA or deputy will explain how the new assessment was derived. All information used to reassess the property should be presented to the property owner.
The property owner must be prepared to present evidence supporting their claim of value for the property. Examples include:
*Sales or assessment data from comparable properties
*Income and expense statements for the past accounting properties (Commercial Property)
*Any recent appraisals of the property
*Original construction cost or cost of addition or improvements to the property
*Documentation of insured value
*Asking price information if the property has been recently offered for sale

The conference is usually an informal conference and it is not necessary for the property owner to be represented by an attorney. The PVA office asks that you fill out the following form to assist you in your appeals process. Residential Comparison Worksheet
Usually, an agreement or understanding can be reached between the two parties; however, if no agreement can be reached, the property owner can file an assessment appeal with the county clerk's office.

Filing the Appeal. The PVA must keep written record of each conference held. Upon completion of the conference, the PVA office must give a copy of the written appeal to the property owner which can be used as documentation when filing the assessment appeal with the county clerk.

The property owner must obtain and complete an appeals form from the County Clerk‘s office. The appeals form requires the property owner to provide general information about the property under appeal. Also required is confirmation that a conference was held with the PVA. The property owner must state his or her opinion of the fair cash value of the property and explain why it is too high. After completion, the property owner must then file the appeals form with the County Clerk's office. The County Clerk's office will schedule a hearing and notify all property owners when and where their appeal hearing will be held.
The last date to file an appeal is one working day after the close of the inspection period. For instance, if the inspection period closes on the third Monday of May, then all appeals must be filed in the Clerk's office by the close of business on the third Tuesday in May.

Local Appeal Hearing. The Local Board of Tax Appeals is made up of three property owners that have resided in Boone County for at least five years. One member is appointed by each: Judge-Executive, Fiscal Court, and Mayor of the City of Florence. All members should be knowledgeable about real estate values in the county. They serve a three year term.

The hearings at the local level are informal. Property owners do not have to hire an attorney or professional representative; however, they can have representation if they desire to do so. Any compensated representative of a property owner must be an attorney, a certified real estate appraiser, a Kentucky licensed real estate broker, an employee of the taxpayer, or any other individual possessing a professional appraisal designation recognized by the Revenue Cabinet.
Also, the representative must present written authorization from the property owner which states the professional capacity of the representative and it must also state any personal interests the representative may have in the outcome of the appeal, including any contingency fee arrangements. If the representative is an attorney, any contingency fee does not have to be disclosed.

At the hearing, the PVA will present information in support of the assessment and the property owner must present factual evidence to support his or her claim of value.
A property owner can have a conference with the PVA without providing any documentation but an appeal will be denied if the taxpayer has been asked to present information by the PVA, Revenue Cabinet, or the board, and fails to do so. A decision will not be made immediately by the board. The property owner will be notified by Certified Mail of the board's decision.

State Board of Appeals
If the property owner is dissatisfied with the local board's ruling, an appeal can then be filed at the State level with the Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals (KBTA). An appeal to the KBTA must be submitted within 30 days from the date of the mailing of the ruling notice sent by the local board of assessment appeals.

For more information, visit http://www.kbta.ky.gov
Remember, in the appeal process the first step is to schedule a conference with the PVA office during the inspection period. This MUST be done before any further action can be taken.