Louisville Area Real Estate Blog

How To Use Plants To Accent Your Space
You’ve bought all the right furniture items, sought out your desired accent pieces, have the right wall colors and know where it all goes, but you’re missing one vital piece to finish off the space – plants! When it comes to interior design, plants usually are an afterthought and rarely incorporated into some spaces mainly because you either forgot to add them or had a bad experience with them before (you let them die, etc.).
But plants can really make a room and make everything come together. Plants also add a nice sense of green to a room and have some much sought after benefits like making you happier, helping you recharge and even be more productive around the space, believe it or not! Here are some tips on how to use plants to accent your space:
Decorate Wall Shelves With Small Plants
If you’re not sure where to put the plants, you can never really go wrong with using small potted ones on shelves around your space. Combine them with books and smaller accent accessories and you’ve got an amazing look that’ll instantly add in some green to liven up the space.

Fill up empty shelf space
If you have shelves like book cases and built-in shelving in your space and have empty space, fill it up with a collection of small house plants like ferns and the like. It’ll not only make the shelf more appealing, but it’ll also make it look fuller instead of empty.

Use plants as party décor
You can really upgrade a party’s setting using plants as part of the décor. It’ll automatically add color to the space and party. Decorate the table using small plants or use them all around the main space where guests will hang to liven up the party!

One large floor plant
If you want something bold, go with one large floor plant in the corner of the room. The really tall plant (tree) will make a bold statement. It’ll...

Easy Ways To Declutter Your Home
Everyone has a bit of clutter in their home, but when it starts to get out of control and give you anxiety just looking at it, it’s time to do something about it! The truth is, we have lots of stuff, which is why many are jumping on the minimalist movement and trying out the popular and trendy Marie Kondo Method of decluttering. But for those who are looking for some quick tips on how to declutter their home and space, here are some simple solutions to get rid of the junk and have a thoroughly clean home:

Start small
Although you might have a lot of junk and mess to get rid of, it’s best to start small so that you don’t get overwhelmed. So before you commit to decluttering an entire room, start with some small projects like a junk drawer or a small closet in order to get a feel of how long these decluttering projects will really take. Starting small will also provide you with a sense of accomplishment when you’re finished and you’ll be more willing to continue decluttering other areas.

Get some sleep before making a final decision
When you choose to declutter, you’ll most likely start to throw out all sorts of things you don’t want, need or use anymore. Sometimes, it’s an easy decision, but sometimes it’s hard. For those harder items to part with, sleep on it so that in the AM, you’ll be confident in your decision to either keep it or toss it.

Do you love it?
When something is really hard to get rid of, you should ask yourself if you really love it. If you don’t love it and haven’t used it in 6 months, then it’s time to part ways with it.

Track usage of your item
To really gauge if you use what you have, track what items you actually use....

It’s that time of the year again for the Kentucky State Fair. Opening date is August 16 and runs until the 26. Ten days of food, fun, and now free with admission, the new Texas Roadhouse Concert Series with some great artists like Gary Allan. Try some amazing treats like fried Oreos or the infamous donut burger. Check out hundreds of booths and cool off with some great refreshments. Please drink responsibly and remember to lock your valuables in the car out of sight.
If you’re looking to buy a new home or sell your current one, go with the name you can trust, The Oatley Team. When you do business with us, you get the Top 1% of Realtors in the Louisville area who have handled nearly $100 Million or inventory over the last 3 years.

Money Saving Tips For A Down Payment On Your Future Home

If owning a home is your dream and you’re currently strapped for cash for your down payment, then you’ll have to save for a while. Many people would love to own a home, but that down payment is what’s stopping them! Don’t let the down payment deter you from your dreams of own your own home and allow these useful money saving tips. Before you know it, your savings account is going to have the perfect number for that dream home you’ve always wanted!

Transfer to your savings account each month

The easiest way to start saving for that down payment is by transferring a fixed amount into your savings account each month. Better yet, set up an automatic deposit so that you always know something is going into that account each month.

Go through your budget and lower your expenses

Sit down and review your expenses and budget. Cut out anything you don’t need and use that extra money to put in your savings that month. Budget wherever you can and always use that extra money you’ve saved to go toward your down payment savings account!

Borrow from a retirement plan

If you have a retirement plan, you can always borrow from it. Simply look out for penalty-free withdrawals that allow you to pay it back in time. Think 401(k)s or profit-sharing plans that allow you to borrow for a home. If you’re not sure where to find this info, your company’s HR department can help.

Reduce high-interest rate debt

Pay off your high-interest rate debt so that you can start saving more money for your down payment. And when you’ve paid it all off, close the card and then focus on paying off the next one. And if you have to, transfer your balances to a card...

The Oatley Team and Century Mortgage are hosting their own Client Appreciation Event yet another year at Churchill Downs. The party starts this coming Thursday on Millionaire's Row at 4 PM until 8:30 PM. Food and drink will be provided. The Night races will begin shortly thereafter. We hope to see you there for a great time with friends and lots of fun.

June 9th THE COLOR RUN is in town! Starting time is 8 am sharp down on Waterfront Park. Check out thecolorrun.com to see what the fun is all about.

The annual Floyds Fork Creek Sweep is this weekend. Come out for a great time cleaning up our Parklands; all while canoeing down the peaceful and beautiful Floyds Fork. This is a free, all-ages volunteer event and the canoes are provided. Also, enjoy complimentary Sugar and Spice Doughnuts for breakfast and catered lunch after the Sweep. 

Shakespeare in the Park is back for the summer! Kicking off is A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Come hang out and watch the drama unfold at Story Avenue Park this Saturday at 6:30 pm.

It’s Derby Week Y'all, and to celebrate the week of the most exciting two minutes in sports, let’s discuss the most exciting moments in buying a house! Nothing beats the rush of placing an offer on the home of your dreams and hearing that your offer got accepted. The best way to make that happen is to make sure you are pre-approved. With a market as hot as we have right now, homes are flying off the market left and right. So, before you even start looking for a home, you should get your pre-approval. It’ll make you a more desirable buyer, and you will know exactly what price range to shop. Contact one of our buyer’s agents today to get your pre-approval started.

Derby is so close and Saturday is opening day for Churchill Downs! The theme is “Dress to Impress”. So, ladies pick out your favorite hat and dress; gentlemen, pull out your favorite suit and get ready to have a great time experiencing one of the Derby City’s premier, race-season events. Must be 18 to enter, and tickets start at $15.

Thunder Over Louisville is finally here this Saturday! For all your Thunder info like where to park and what roads will be closed, click here. If airplanes, food trucks, and fireworks aren’t your thing, Farmington Historic Plantation is having its annual spring festival and plant sale from 8am-2pm also.

Want to help keep the community clean? Beargrass Creek Alliance is doing a creek sweep this Saturday! Come out to help keep our city pretty and maybe even make some friends! For more info, check out: https://kwalliance.org/event/bca-spring-cleanup/
or their facebook event page
https://www.facebook.com/events/1679308245449502/

It’s a big weekend here in the ‘Ville. Not only is it the weekend of the Easter Parade on Frankfort Ave, but it is also the day of the Super Run 5k! Dress up as your favorite superhero, and run to support local nonprofits in the community. For more information, check out these links to their facebook event pages.
https://www.facebook.com/events/188867638339257/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1549924465042928/

It's official; the Easter Bunny has begun his work! This Saturday, there is a multitude of Easter egg hunts and places to meet the big bunny all over Louisville. Grab your loved ones and get some candy. Here are just a few of the sites to get your sugar stash around town. https://www.facebook.com/events/1130888900380191/

https://www.facebook.com/events/767039873490797/

https://www.facebook.com/events/1962323493796947/

https://www.facebook.com/events/541054136276149/

https://www.facebook.com/events/448584238878284/

Get ready to grab some dough! Louisville is getting its own NoBaked Cookie Dough Shop located on Blankenbaker Pkwy, and its Grand Opening is this Saturday at noon. They will have nine different flavors, including vegan options. So grab your green, and check out the latest new dessert trend before the infamous St. Patty’s Day Parade, which starts at three. It will begin at the corner of Broadway and Baxter and make its way down Bardstown Rd. For more info about the celebration, check out www.louisvilleirish.com.

Looking for something fun to do this weekend to get out of the house? Mellwood Art Center is hosting its spring art show this weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 11am-6pm. Admission and parking are free. There will be food, performances, and of course, lots of local art. Come out and support the Louisville art community and find some new pieces for your home you will love.

More excited about the Puppy Bowl than the Super Bowl? Come down to Copper and Kings on Sunday, February 4th and help support the Kentucky Humane Society with the Puppy Bowl Watch Party! Doors open at 2 PM, and the Puppy Bowl will stream from 3-5 PM. There will be local pet shop vendors, and food and drink available for purchase from Butchertown Pizza Hall. Please remember no outside dogs will be allowed inside as this is an adoption event, and there will be shelter animals present. Come on down, have some fun, and maybe even find a new furbaby to love!

Here in Louisville, we have some awesome local parks, talented college teams, and last but definitely not least, some fabulous local eateries and breweries. Let’s take a look and see whats going to be new on the scene for 2018! 

1. Against The Grain - the second location for the company, planning on opening in the Schnitzelburg area. 
2. Bluegrass Brewing Co. - plans are to reopen in its original Theater Square location. 
3. Bob’s Steak & Chop House. - one of the two Texas-based restaurants coming to the Omni. 
4. The Champagnery. - a champagne bar coming to Frankfort Avenue. 
5. Daddy Rich's - the pop-up restaurant that previously operated out of Chef Space, a kitchen incubator in Russell, will soon have a permanent location in Old Louisville.
6. Delfino’s - From the hospitality group, CT Restaurant Partners, has plans to open in the Valley Station area. 
7. El Camino - the beloved Mexican joint is expected make a second go in the Germantown side of Goss Avenue.
8. El Taco Luchador - after a successful second restaurant opening in 2017, is full steam ahead with a J-town location expected to open in the spring. 
9. Falls City Brewing Company - moving locations to NuLu
10. Farm to Fork - a catering company which recently moved to the Portland area and has plans to open a small cafe. 
11. Feast BBQ - another restaurant opening a location...

This year help increase the value of your home by bringing it into the 21st century with updated technology. Having a smart home will reduce energy costs and be a major selling point when the time comes to list. Some of the best value for your money will come from a smart thermostat like the Nest. Your thermostat makes up half your energy bill – more than appliances or electronics. So shouldn’t it help you save energy?

According to Business Insider, studies have proven that the Nest Learning Thermostat saved an average of 10-12% on heating bills and 15% on cooling bills.  A smart home hub is also a major player in a lot of smart home devices. While not all smart home devices work properly together, smart home hubs can help alleviate compatibility issues and allows versatility in products. The highest rated one going into 2018 is the Samsung SmartThings Hub. Smart security cameras and doorbells are a great way to strengthen the security readiness of your home, but why not make your home more secure right from the door itself? That’s what smart locks are for, and they are the latest trend on the market in 2018. All you need is your phone in your hand, tap it on the lock, and you’re inside. The Kwikset Kevo Gen2 is the best rated and makes it much easier than fumbling for keys in the dark or having an armload of groceries.

The important thing to do when purchasing smart home products is to make sure you have thoroughly researched each option and its reviews. There are several out there so make sure you get the best product that is going to work the most efficiently with what you already have installed in your home. Good luck and contact The Oatley Team for expert advice on how you can add value to your home.