Sotheby's eGallery

As much as I always say that I love real estate for the people, the truth is some mornings I could stare forever at the Sotheby's eGallery houses playing in the widescreen monitor in our office lobby. In addition to beautiful Central Kentucky homes, the eGallery flashes Sotheby's listings from all over the world. Excellent fodder for the "if money were no object game" I like to play sometimes. If you had $5 million would you choose the rustic cabin home in Whitefish Montana or the Greek cliff side home over the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean. Tough call, I know! You don't have to actually stand in our lobby though (not that it's not fun to do that with a latte from the Starbucks next door) you can view the eGallery homes on-line at www.sothebysrealty.com -- click the title to access the site directly.

Today's interest rate

4.75% on 30-year fixed. Incredible. So, that plus an $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit. Could there be a better time to buy?

Cost vs. Value

One of my favorite real estate tools is out...Remodeling Magazine's annual Cost versus Value Reoprt. I'd love to put the whole thing here on my blog but apparently I'd be arrested by the internet copyright police if I did. I do have a link to the report though (just click on the title above) and you can research your area for average job costs and the percentage of return you can expect for individual home improvements. To research our Central Kentucky market, the best comparison is probably using Louisville as Lexington's not on there. That's my advice anyway!

Hmmm...interesting, maybe? The best return is on a new front door. Also, wood replacement windows rank pretty high -- plus you save on utility bills and they're just plain nice -- been there, done that myself! Worst return on investment...home office remodel!