Louisville KY Happenings

Keller Williams Real Estate agents believe in giving back to their community and dedicate a day each May. The ongoing project is the West End Boys School for Keller Williams Louisville East.

West End Boys School was founded in 2005 by Robert and Debbie Blair. It is a free, private, middle school for at-risk young men. The boys eat their meals and sleep here making it a true boarding school. The proof in what they do is their graduating young men.

Barb LaMaster is a KW real estate agent in our office and has coordinated “Red Day” for years. Barb also puts together a Christmas meal for the boys and Barb’s fellow Keller Williams agents.

Our function started with a meal with the students and faculty. Of course, the teachers were honored by starting first and the KW agents finished up. One of our goals was to get to know each young man a little better and they were scattered about with one or two fine gentleman per table. And, the word, “gentleman” would be an understatement. When they were introduced to us, they met with a firm handshake and looked us in the eye. Their table manners were impeccable. At our table, the conversation covered a lot of topics, but the highlight was Nelson Mandela and Apartheid. I asked them if they understood what Apartheid meant and further discussion ensued.  I was very impressed.

The West End School always has projects for volunteers and we had more jobs to do than time allowed.  Three classrooms are being added this fall as part of their expansion. We cleaned and painted the ceiling grid in 3 rooms and the hallway.  We also knocked down a temporary wall that was part of their current lunchroom. For those wanting fresh air, the courtyard had weeds that needed to be eliminated and mulch applied. As the old saying goes, “Many hands make light work”. This summer, the boys have a required reading list and our KW office donated books for the boys to enjoy.

If you want to know more about the West End School in Louisville, or see what The Dobbs Team is up to, we would be happy to share our experiences.

Or, if you want to know about the Louisville Real Estate Market, call Steve Dobbs at 502-475-3312.

The Dobbs Team attended the Louisville Home, Garden, and Remodeling Show this weekend.  This is an event that has been going on for the last 60 years and is held indoors at the South Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center.  The show is produced by the Louisville Home Builders Association and is a showcase for home improvement possibilities.

It seemed there was a large emphasis on outdoor living this year.  There were landscaping displays and covers for your existing deck or patio.  Then, we found over the top displays of what your back yard outdoor living space could become.  Most all of these displays had a fire feature from a regular wood-burning fire pit to one using the convenience of gas.  We both agreed that the burning fire in the middle of the water feature would be spectacular at night.

We found 3 suppliers that dealt in spray on foam insulation.  We learned about the difference in open-cell and closed-cell foam insulation.  Just as important as insulation would be your HVAC system.  We were surprised at the number of companies offering geothermal options.

As real estate agents, we are always urging our clients to be sure and get their biggest bank for the buck.  A bathroom re-model is usually on top of the list.  The bathroom remodel people were well represented and ranged from refinishing your existing tub to a complete demo and makeover.

Also high on the list that helps in resale value of your home is a modern kitchen.  There were vendors exhibiting products to make your existing cabinet space more user-friendly and there were cabinet makers with exquisite cabinetry for your dream kitchen.

No home show would be complete without the full complement of flooring products.  We were expecting to see lots of wood floors and we did.  We were not expecting to see granite floors that were made from scrap pieces of granite countertops.  This recycling effort was definitely thinking out of the box and was quite attractive.

Feel free to comment on what you thought were the highlights of the Louisville Home show, or contact The Dobbs Team and how some of these remodel ideas may add value to your home.

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The three local Keller Williams Real Estate offices combined forces for the annual Kentucky Derby Bed Race on May 2nd.  This was the first time that Keller Williams has competed even though the race has been conducted here in Louisville, KY since 1990.  This is the first time that the races were held at the KFC Yum! Center.

These races are termed a “zany affair” and they certainly fit the description.   We started in the “Dormitory” under the Second Street Bridge.  At that point, we were able to see our competition up close and enjoy the camaraderie.  The competitiveness here is good natured to say the least.  The Keller Williams bed had its safety inspection about 4:30.   I wonder if this was analogous to a “Home Inspection in Louisville”?  The Keller Williams Home bed passed the inspection with no repairs needed.

The weather was tough with rain and temps in the mid-50s. At 5:00 we started the procession through the Yum! Center garage and staged just outside the court. At 6:15, we made one pass around the race course as the crowd admired our handiwork and the announcer described our bed. Our Keller Williams bed had a foam house complete with a red roof.

The theme this year was about Super Heroes and the SuperFest. The Keller Williams team wore red t-shirts emblazoned with “SUPER REALTORS” and a KW in the center where an “S” would be for Superman. We all wore capes as well.  (For all of those not in the know, Red and Black are Keller Williams colors.)

We had a great first lap being the first to pass through the “cross”, but things did not go as well in the second lap.  Unfortunately, we did get first place in the contest, but we had a lot of fun. We were the only Louisville Real Estate firm in attendance and invite the other REALTORS for next year’s event. We are looking forward to next year and WINNING!

The Dobbs Team were pleased to be a part of this community event taking lots of pictures and letting the community know more about Keller Williams Real Estate Offices. 

Louisville KY is now at its third flood stage of the spring season; with this being the most severe.  At this point, the Ohio River has appeared to crest at 8 feet above flood stage after being forecast at 10 feet.  It has been a major deal to those with homes under water along the Ohio River; a minor inconvenience to most of us that have had to deal with road closings.  There have been several events that have been canceled or postponed.  The Dobbs Team planned on attending Waterfront Wednesday, sponsored by WFPK and the location was changed twice.  The last time, it was sent indoors to Headliners and renamed, “Hell or High Water”.  The great Kentucky Derby Steamboat Race has been postponed until late June.  Surely the Ohio River will subside by then and the river becomes more navigable.  The weather man tells us that it is bound to dry out for the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” also known as the Kentucky Derby.

I have relocation clients from out of town in Louisville this week trying to find a home to purchase.  I reassure them that this is not a regular weather pattern for us.  For all of the homeowners under water in a literal sense, we hope the river recedes quickly.