Thieneman Homes Louisville Real Estate BlogRecently posted or modified blog postshttps://www.thienemanhomeslouisville.com/blog/Copyright ThienemanHomesLouisville.com2017-01-09T18:01:43-07:00tag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:11727Decorating on a Dime when sellingEveryone has different tastes when it comes to decorating. Not everybody is going to appreciate that faux polar bear skin rug or your extensive collection of porcelain clown figurines like you do. You don’t want to pour too much of your budget into decorating a home only to turn around and sell it. So how do you get the most bang for your decorating buck and make buyers think, “This is one classy house. Let’s write a contract today”? Here are some tips for decorating on a budget and keeping things buyer-friendly.
Invest in organization – Nobody likes to see clutter everywhere when they’re touring a home. Put money into organizational systems like closet organizers, a set of shelves, storage cubes and more. These are typically inexpensive ways to get the clutter out of sight and out of your buyers’ minds so that you can get to the closing table quickly.
Add a headboard to your bed – You can easily DIY a headboard for your bed, or find one at a flea market or consignment store, giving the master bedroom a focal point. Make sure the headboard fits the space and keep colors and design pretty neutral so that it appeals to a wide audience of potential buyers.
Light up the space – A good way to liven up your space is with some warm, inviting lights. Avoid harsh fluorescents and overhead lighting and opt for warm toned lightbulbs in lamps.
Add fun design elements to the ceiling – Spruce up your room by painting the ceiling, adding beams or an interesting light fixture to take advantage of the vertical space in your home. These are all pretty inexpensive ways to give a room in your home a distinctive look.
Know where to save and where to splurge – You can pinch pennies when it comes to wooden furniture (you can refinish it yourself) or throw pillows (you can sew them yourself), but invest in larger pieces that are going to be around for a long time. A quality sofa can last you many years, and besides, you don’t necessarily want to buy upholstered furniture second-hand anyway.
Invest more in things you will take with you – While you are trying to attract buyers to your home with your snazzy décor, you want to be able to enjoy some of these items after your move. Invest more in pieces you can take with you, like furniture, lamps, throw pillows and rugs.
Make a budget and stick with it – There are so many things you could buy to make your home look like it sprang from the pages of a glossy magazine, but that doesn’t mean you necessarily should. Don’t break the bank to decorate your house to sell. Set a realistic budget for you and stick with it.
When you’re trying to sell your house, it’s important for everything to look nice and neutral so that potential buyers see that your home is tidy and well-cared for. They need to be able to picture themselves at home there. Follow the guidelines above and you will be well on your way to making a great presentation!
Want more selling tips? Contact me, Paula Thieneman Bates. I’m your selling, buying, renting and investing real estate expert. Let’s work together to meet your real estate goals!2017-01-09T18:00:00-07:002017-01-09T18:01:43-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:10951Great Listing in Rock Springs will be on House HuntersExciting things happened this week in Rock Springs.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/5308_Pebble_Creek_Place-1001.jpg" width="294" height="197" class="img_box_left" style="float: right;" />This fabulous 1.5 brick/stone story home situated at the end of Homearama 2013 and 2014’s cul de sac will be featured on HGTV's <br />House Hunters.
The home located at 5308 Pebble Creek Drive in Louisvlle offers the latest trend in hardwood flooring throughout most of the main level, granite counters, detailed trim work, iron ballistars on staircase and many more luxury features. The great eat-in kitchen offers loads of custom cabinetry, stainless appliances, and under counter lighting. The kitchen opens up to 2 story great room with fireplace & built in cabinets, and a wall of windows for plenty of natural light.<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/13501608_10208715692763317_8774639125492272950_n.jpg" width="300" height="169" class="img_box_left" /> Formal dining room has tray ceiling and crown molding. The spacious first floor owners suite has a lovely owners bath with tiled shower, double vanity, granite counter tops,double vanity, ceramic tiled flooring, and whirlpool tub. For convenience, the owners walk in closet has a door to the laundry room.Three roomy bedrooms with plenty of closet space and a shared bath finish off the upper level. he kitchen opens to a covered deck and you will love the over sized garage. The unfinsihed lower level offers additional living space with rec. room study and a full bathroom(already plumbed).Contact me today to have your private showing before you see if on HGTV's House Hunters.
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2016-06-24T17:22:00-07:002016-06-24T17:40:00-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:10749NEW Listing...in Rock Springs<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/234_Rock_Ridge_Drive-1001.jpg" width="300" height="200" class="img_box_left" />
New construction in Rock Springs, filled with luxury finishes.
This beautiful split ranch with open floor plan has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and over 2300 square feet of living on a private walk-out homesite. The newest trend in hardwood floors, detailed trim work, stunning granite counters throughout and upgraded lighting and plumbing fixtures are a few of the high-end features. Enjoy the eat-in kitchen with lovely muted tones, custom glazed cabinetry, and large center island with farmhouse sink, and seating. It opens up to a grand great room with 12 ft. coffered ceilings, and a cozy tiled fireplace. The large dining room with tray ceiling opens to the grand foyer and great room, perfect for entertaining. The owners bedroom has a unique ceiling design, large walk-in closet, and a spa-like bath with tiled soaking tub, separate shower, and double vanities with granite and glazed cabinetry. The laundry room even has granite counters, a sink, and bonus cabinetry. The laundry and mudroom with cubbies are conveniently located off the oversized garage.Two additional bedrooms with plenty of closet space and a shared bath finish off the main level. The walkout lower level offers optional additional living with potential rec. room, full bath, bedroom, and office
<a href="http://www.thienemanhomeslouisville.com/property-search/detail/3/1447272/?searchid=4670030&listingid=1421473">To see more photos click here</a>2016-05-14T19:08:00-07:002016-05-14T19:10:55-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:10463NEW Listing... 4200 Ashleywood Court<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/4200_Ashleywood_Ct-1001.jpg" width="311" height="207" class="img_box_left" />NEW LISTING... Former Homearama home is any entertainers dream offering comfort and year round entertaining choice
Fabulous brick open ranch plan located on a Homearama cup de sac; with 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath, over 4000 square feet of living on two levels and an oversized 3-car garage. Hardwood throughout most of the main level, art nooks, Granite counters and detailed trim work are some of the luxury features of this former Homearama home. The open eat-in kitchen offers custom cabinetry, tile back splash, bar height counter for additional seating and a generous sized pantry. Adjoining the kitchen is the hearth room and great room with double sided fireplace. The formal dining room with majestic ceiling and elegant wainscoting is both large enough for dinner parties, yet intimate enough for small family gatherings. The owner's suite offers plenty of closet space and a private bath with double bowl vanity, jetted tub and separate tiled shower. The two additional bedrooms with shared bath and powder room finish off the main level. The lower level is perfect for entertaining with the large rec. room with wet bar and custom built-ins, flex area, plus a full bath. The private outdoor living spaces feature an in-ground heated pool, with plenty of patio space surrounded by well-manicured gardens including a waterfall feature. The screened in porch, off the kitchen, features hook ups for TV entertainment to enjoy on those perfect summer nights. Security, sprinkler and sound system plus an epoxy garage floor are some of the added bonus to this already fabulous home. Plenty of room for storage or future expansion in the lower level. Location, Location convenient to shopping, dinning, movies, hospitals, etc.
2016-03-04T05:07:00-07:002016-03-04T11:39:36-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:10319New listing....3630 Meridian Gardens DriveF<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/3630_Meridian_Garden_Drive-1001.jpg" width="400" height="267" class="img_box_left" />abulous location that is close to the Paddock Shops and more! Gorgeous 6 months young brick patio home with 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths and over 1800 square feet of open living on one level. Granite, hardwood on most of the main level, tile shower surrounds, custom window treatments throughout, and detailed trim work are a few of the luxury features. The eat-in kitchen offers a tile backsplash, stainless steel appliance package, custom cabinets, center island with seating, which all opens to the great room with fireplace and built-ins. Enjoy family and friends as you gather in the formal dining room adjacent to the kitchen. The Owners suite offers a private bath with large shower, double bowl vanity, his/her closets and walk through access to laundry room. The flex room is great for a main level office or piano room. Enjoy the outdoor living space with the screened patio and covered front porch. The conveniently located laundry room features cabinets and a utility sink. The private secondary bedroom and bath finish off the mail level. The unfinished lower level with daylight windows offers additional living space for a full bath, rec room and office. Storm door, leaded glass entry and high-efficiency Trane furnace/air conditioner are added bonuses to this already fabulous home. All warranties are transferable to new buyers.2016-01-26T11:45:00-07:002016-01-26T11:48:04-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:10038OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22 from 2-5 pm
Welcome to the epitome of a true Highland gem with 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths and over 2500 square feet of living. Now priced at $374,900. Stop by this weekend, won't last long at this price.
2015-11-20T19:51:00-07:002015-11-20T19:56:06-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:9800Highlands Gem!<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/2313_Carolina_Ave_1001_of_43.jpg" width="200" height="133" class="img_box_left" /> New Listing...Welcome to the epitome of a true Highland gem with 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths and over 2500 square feet of living. Gorgeous 2-Story home has all the character and location of a Highlands home with all the amenities of a ''new'' home. Upon entering you will notice the fine craftsmanship with the refinished hardwood flooring, detailed trim work and open floor plan. Greet family and friends at the custom made Mahogany/Cherry front door and invite them into the open great room with cozy gas fireplace. The updated eat-in kitchen(2014) offers custom cabinetry with soft close doors/drawers, corian counters, under cabinet lighting and functional island. Enjoy the adjacent all season room that overlooks the private backyard with immaculate gardens, Amish-built gazebo and garden shed. The flex room with built-ins is perfect for a formal dining or study. The owner's suite offers a private bath with tub, tiled shower, separate vanities and with his/hers closets (one being a walk-in). Two spacious bedrooms with plenty of closet space and a full bath finish off the upper level. The finished walk-out lower level offers a rec. room with tiled floor, water closet plus plenty of storage space. Short walking distance to TARC, newer roof (1999) with a 50 year guarantee, upgraded windows throughout, modernized electrical service, newer HVAC System are some of the bonuses to this already fabulous home. Turn key condition. Don't miss out on this home with it's pride in ownership. Won't last long!
<a href="http://www.thienemanhomeslouisville.com/property-search/detail/3/1431332/">Click to see more photos</a>2015-10-01T05:46:00-07:002015-10-01T17:50:03-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:9710Fabulous New Construction built by Medallion HomesAnother fabulous contract home built by Medallion homes in Beech Spring Farms. Contact me today to learn how I can help you make your home dreams a reality.
<br /><br /><br />2015-09-08T09:55:00-07:002015-09-09T05:33:38-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:9639August 23 - Open HousesDon't Miss Sunday August 23 Open Houses
<br /><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/4624_Crossfield_Circle-1001.jpg" width="300" height="200" class="img_box_center" /><br />Open 2-5<br />4624 Crossfield Circle<br />4 Bedrooms • 2.5 Full Baths • Over 3100 Square Feet<br /><a href="http://www.thienemanhomeslouisville.com/property-search/detail/3/1423922/?searchid=4670030&listingid=1285938" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;">Click to learn more</a>
<a href="http://www.thienemanhomeslouisville.com/property-search/detail/3/1423922/?searchid=4670030&listingid=1285938"><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/5506_Rock_Valley_Way-1001.jpg" width="300" height="200" class="img_box_center" /></a><br />Open 1-5<br />5506 Rock Valley Way<br />5 Bedrooms • 4.5 Full Baths • Over 4300 Square Feet<a href="http://www.thienemanhomeslouisville.com/property-search/detail/3/1423922/?searchid=4670030&listingid=1285938"><br /></a><a href="http://www.thienemanhomeslouisville.com/property-search/detail/3/1427140/?searchid=4670030&listingid=1304078">Click to learn more</a>
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/9509_Truscott_Ct-1001.jpg" width="300" height="200" class="img_box_center" /><br />Open 1-5<br />9509 Truscott Ct<br />4 Bedrooms • 3.5 Full Baths • Over 3800 Square Feet<br /><a href="http://www.thienemanhomeslouisville.com/property-search/detail/3/1405027/">Click to learn more</a>2015-08-21T08:46:00-07:002015-08-21T08:54:52-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:9615August 16 Open HousesDon't Miss Sunday August 16th Open Houses In Rock Springs and Wolf Pen Springs<br />
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/5506_Rock_Valley_Way-1001.jpg" width="300" height="200" class="img_box_center" /><br />Open 2-4<br />5506 Rock Valley Way<br />5 Bedrooms • 4.5 Full Baths • Over 4300 Square Feet<br /><a href="http://www.thienemanhomeslouisville.com/property-search/detail/3/1427140/?searchid=4670030&listingid=1304078" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px;">Click to learn more</a>
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/9509_Truscott_Ct-1001.jpg" width="300" height="200" class="img_box_center" /><br />Open 1-5<br />9509 Truscott Ct<br />4 Bedrooms • 3.5 Full Baths • Over 3800 Square Feet<br /><a href="http://www.thienemanhomeslouisville.com/property-search/detail/3/1405027/">Click to learn more</a>
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/5230_Pebble_Creek_Place-1001.jpg" width="300" height="225" class="img_box_center" /><br />Open 1-5<br />5230 Pebble Creek Pl<br />4 Bedrooms • 3.5 Full Baths • 3000 Square Feet<br /><a href="http://www.thienemanhomeslouisville.com/property-search/detail/3/1426367/">Click to learn more</a>
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/5308_Pebble_Creek_Place-1001.jpg" width="300" height="200" class="img_box_center" /><br />Open 1-5<br />5308 Pebble Creek Pl<br />4 Bedrooms • 3.5 Full Baths • over 2900 Square Feet<br /><a href="http://www.thienemanhomeslouisville.com/property-search/detail/3/1399498/">Click to learn more</a>2015-08-14T12:09:00-07:002015-08-14T12:19:41-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:9449Fabulous Builders Home Just Listed<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/4624_Crossfield_Circle-1001.jpg" width="300" height="200" class="img_box_left" />Gorgeous brick two-story home with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and over 3100 square feet of living is conveniently located within walking distance to the upscale Paddock Shops. Hardwood flooring, granite counters, detailed trim work and decorative crown molding throughout are just a few of the luxury features of this home. The formal dining room is large enough for dinner parties yet intimate enough for family gatherings. The eat-in kitchen offers stainless steel appliances, an island with vegetable sink and raised bar seating, walk-in pantry and a planning area with custom cabinetry above and below. The adjacent great room offers custom built-ins and a cozy stone double-sided fireplace. The main level laundry offers a utility sink and is conveniently tucked off the kitchen. The large owner's suite offers his and an oversized hers walk-in closet, a luxury bath with oversized jetted tub, shower and double vanity with make-up area. Three additional bedrooms with plenty of closet space and a full bath finish off the upper level. The unfinished walk-out lower level offers plenty of room for future expansion with a bedroom, rec room and a full bath (already plumbed). Enjoy the outdoor living spaces this home has to offer either on the covered front porch, covered back porch with Trex flooring or out in the large yard with wrought iron fencing. Don't miss this builder's home with superior finishes in Summit Ridge - you won't be disappointed. Be moved in before school starts.
<a href="http://www.thienemanhomeslouisville.com/property-search/detail/3/1423922/?searchid=4670030&listingid=1285938">To see additional photos click here.</a>2015-07-10T07:22:00-07:002015-07-10T07:25:07-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:9279Local icon and developer RJ Thieneman’s home just listed<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/1202_Oxmoor_Woods-1001.jpg" width="200" height="146" class="img_box_left" /> Don’t miss the opportunity to own a fabulous brick ranch home in highly sought after Oxmoor Woods. This home boosts 3 bedrooms, 4 full baths and approx. 5000 square feet of living on two floors with a half+ acre homesite. Hardwood floors with inlay details, leaded glass windows, detailed trim work and oversized interior doors are a few of the luxury features of the home. The formal dining room is intimate enough for small gatherings yet large enough for dinner parties and is adjacent to the formal living area. The open eat-in kitchen offers plenty of cabinet space, tile floors, granite counters on the center island & Corian on the perimeter, double ovens, a large pantry and a wet bar with granite. The great room features a double-sided fireplace, custom built-ins and leaded glass transom windows. The owner's suite features a fireplace, sitting area, access to the stone paved patio, a large walk-in closet and a private bath with shower, garden tub and separate vanities. The finished lower level is perfect for entertaining with a large rec room with theater area, a full bath and study. The lower level offers plenty of storage or additional room to finish. Enjoy the outside entertaining area which offers a tranquil fountain on the stone paved patio, and overlooks the manicured lawn and meadow behind the home The oversized rear entry 2.5 car garage, irrigation system,alarm, sound system, central vac, Anderson windows/doors and a NEW ROOF (2015) are added bonuses to this magnificent home. Contact me today for your private viewing. <a href="http://www.thienemanhomeslouisville.com/property-search/detail/3/1420195/?searchid=4670030&listingid=1263993">Click to learn more.</a>
2015-06-05T13:40:00-07:002015-06-05T13:51:18-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:8915New Listing in Saratoga SpringsDon't miss the opportunity to own this traditional style brick home in Saratoga Springs. Gorgeous and open plan situated on a large corner lot with side entry 2-car garage and fenced yard. Large eat-in kitchen with hardwood floors opens up to the great room with cozy fireplace. The formal dining rooms offers rooms for both intimate dinner parties or large family gatherings. Lovely and spacious Owner's Suite with oversized walk-in closet, private bath with ceramic tiled, double vanity, separate shower and jacuzzi tub. The unfinished lower level offers room for additional living space with a rec. room, media room or study. Saratoga Swim Club membership available.2015-04-07T07:36:00-07:002015-04-07T07:37:21-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:8831How do you say LouisvilleCheck out this commercial for March Madness. How do you pronounce Louisville....
2015-03-20T10:07:00-07:002015-03-20T10:08:44-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:8577Sales and Marketing Award of ExcellenceAs home buyers become more and more sophisticated, the importance of knowing what to build, where to build, and how to best sell it becomes more critical. So it's important for agents to continue to be knowledgable about today’s market. One way to measure this is through the Louisville's Sales and Marketing Council Sales of Excellent Award.
Paula works hard for her clients which is proven by her winning the SMC's Award of Exellence in Sales. On January 29, Paula once again was honored with accepting the SMC's Award of Excellence which she has done since 2010.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/smc.jpg" width="378" height="115" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />2015-01-30T15:13:00-07:002015-02-03T10:20:36-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:8360PRICE REDUCTION - 4816 Saddle Bend Way4816 Saddle Bend Way • Louisville, KY 40299<br />Reduced to $350,000
Available for Immediate Delivery. Don’t miss the opportunity to own this gorgeous less then a year old Energy Certified home. This 1 1/2 story home features a stone and brick elevation with craftsman inspired details and is located on a private lot within the most highly sought after neighborhood - Saratoga Springs. As you enter the double front wood & glass doors you will notice the quality and attention to detail throughout. High-end finishes such as hardwood, iron spindles, ceramic tile, detailed trim work, granite counters and more. The formal dining room with wainscoting is perfect for small intimate gatherings and large dinner parties. The kitchen is any chef's dream... custom cabinetry with soft close drawers, LG stainless steel appliance package including a 5-burner gas range, tile back splash with tile accents and raised granite bar for additional searing. The great room features a cozy fireplace with craftsman inspired mantel and detailed tile surround to enjoy with family and friends. The spacious first floor owner's suite offers a spa-inspired bath, and a large walk-in closet. The conveniently located laundry room offers built in cubbies and hooks… perfect for the family on the go. The upper level offers three spacious bedrooms with large walk-in closets a shared bath and built-ins. The unfinished lower level offers daylight windows and room for expansion with a rec room, office, workshop and a full bath, which is already plumbed. Custom blinds throughout, custom-built workbench in lower level, front and side covered porch and a alarm system are some of the bonuses of this magnificent home. This home is available for immediate occupancy. Swim club membership available.
2014-12-16T15:08:00-07:002014-12-16T15:11:10-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:8348Holiday Special - Free Finished BasementDon't miss this opportunity to own this fabulous new homearama 2013 home which includes a free finished basement.
As you enter the double front wood & glass doors you will notice the quality and attention to detail throughout! Beautiful 3/4'' solid hickory hardwood floors throughout the main level, custom lighting, custom cabinetry, and exquisite trim work are many of luxury features of this home. Greet your guests or enjoy a cool summer breeze on the inviting covered front porch. The formal dining room with a decorative paneled ceiling is large enough for a dinner party but int...imate enough for small family gatherings. Enjoy family and friends in the great room with natural wood beam ceiling, built in bookcases and cabinets, gas fireplace with ceramic tile surround with custom wood mantle, and audio feeds for a house sound system. The eat-in kitchen will delight any chef - with quartz countertops, stainless steel GE Cafe appliances with a duel fuel 5-burner gas range with electric oven, large pantry, and an oversized gourmet center island with seating on both sides. The adjacent hearth room offers an additional fireplace that is prewired for a TV and a decorative brick accent wall, which continues into the kitchen. The rear covered deck offers an outdoor living space for those perfect summer evenings. The main level master suite features a tray ceiling, double crown molding, recessed lighting, and an elegant chandelier. Enjoy the spa-inspired master bath, which offers a double bowl vanity, quartz countertops, jetted soaking tub, and a large ceramic tile shower with seamless glass door. The large walk-in closet with custom laminate shelving is any women's dream. The upper level offers 3 spacious bedrooms with walk-in closets. Two of the bedrooms share a Jack and Jill bath and the 3rd a private bath. The conveniently located mud area off the oversized 2-car garage offers cubbies, hooks, cork and dry erase message boards - perfect for the family on the go. The unfinished lower level offers additional living space for future expansion including a bedroom and a full bath. The irrigation system is an added bonus to this already exquisite home. Quality features include energy efficient 2x6 construction with blown cellulose insulation and Anderson casement windows. The seller is a licensed realtor.
2014-12-12T20:49:00-07:002014-12-12T20:57:37-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:8284Fabulous New Ranch Style Home in Rock SpringsGreat New Home for the Holiday. <img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/10910_Rock_Ridge-1002.jpg" width="300" height="200" class="img_box_left" />
Don't miss this opportunity to own a 1-story, split floor plan, Brick/Stone home with a walkout basement on a cul-de-sac lot in AWARD WINNNG Rock Springs. Hardwood floors, detailed trim work, art niche, and 14' ceilings in the dining room, great room and entry are a few of the luxury features of this home. Greet your guests at the spacious entry way or on the covered front porch. The formal dining room is spacious and features wainscotting and superior trim work. The eat-in kitchen will delight any chef with the custom cabinets, granite countertops, and large island with seating for guests. The kitchen opens up to the cozy hearth room and adjacent great room , which share a double-sided fireplace. The open staircase to the lower level offers iron spindles with hardwood stairs. The master suite is spacious with detailed crown molding, a large walk-in closet, and a master bath with jetted tub, tiled shower, and double bowl vanity with granite countertops. The secondary bedrooms offer plenty of closet space and share a bath. The front secondary bedroom offers a space for a computer workstation or built-in's. The main level laundry with its custom cabinets and utility sink is conveniently located off the garage. Enjoy the covered back porch, which can be accessed from the master bedroom and great room. The abundance of high performance windows provides lots of natural light and energy savings. The unfinished lower level with patio offers room for expansion with a rec. room, third bath, and extra bedrooms. Finish the basement to your specifications and this home could offer up to 4800 square feet of living space. Contact me today to learn more about this home and others.
2014-11-30T23:18:00-07:002014-11-30T23:23:04-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:8197Open House.. Sunday November 16 2-5:30 pmSaratoga Springs <a class="_58cn" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/openhouse" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}">#openhouse</a> Sunday Nov. 16 from 2-5:30 Pm 4816 Saddle Bend Way, Louisville. Less then a year old Certified Energy Star Home.<a class="_58cn" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/louisville" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}">#louisville</a> <a class="_58cn" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/realestate" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}">#realestate</a> <br /><a href="http://youtu.be/SDBeDcZEIDE" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/SDBeDcZEIDE</a>2014-11-15T19:20:00-07:002014-11-15T19:21:06-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:8142New Listing….4816 Saddle Bend Way • Louisville, KY 40299<br />Offered at $355,000
BE IN BY THE HOLIDAYS! Don’t miss the opportunity to own this gorgeous less then a year old Energy Certified home. This 1 1/2 story home features a stone and brick elevation with craftsman inspired details and is located on a private lot within the most highly sought after neighborhood - Saratoga Springs. As you enter the double front wood & glass doors you will notice the quality and attention to detail throughout. High-end finishes such as hardwood, iron spindles, ceramic tile, detailed trim work, granite counters and more. The formal dining room with wainscoting is perfect for small intimate gatherings and large dinner parties. The kitchen is any chef's dream... custom cabinetry with soft close drawers, LG stainless steel appliance package including a 5-burner gas range, tile back splash with tile accents and raised granite bar for additional searing. The great room features a cozy fireplace with craftsman inspired mantel and detailed tile surround to enjoy with family and friends. The spacious first floor owner's suite offers a spa-inspired bath, and a large walk-in closet. The conveniently located laundry room offers built in cubbies and hooks… perfect for the family on the go. The upper level offers three spacious bedrooms with large walk-in closets a shared bath and built-ins. The unfinished lower level offers daylight windows and room for expansion with a rec room, office, workshop and a full bath, which is already plumbed. Custom blinds throughout, custom-built workbench in lower level, front and side covered porch and a alarm system are some of the bonuses of this magnificent home. This home is available for immediate occupancy. Swim club membership available.
2014-11-06T06:34:00-07:002014-11-06T06:36:37-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:8116Happy HalloweenHappy Halloween!! Even though the weather isn't going to cooperate this Halloween there are still lots of things to do around Louisville this Halloween with fall festivals and other activities. One thing to check out before it's too late is the Louisville Jack O'Latern Spectacular at Iroquois Park. With over 5,000 carved pumpkins on the 1/4 mile trail it's a great family activity. The Halloween art show runs until November 1 from dusk to 11pm. Check out the website for directions and ticket information at <a href="http://www.jackolanternlouisville.com">http://www.jackolanternlouisville.com</a>
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/halloween.png" width="300" height="200" style="vertical-align: middle; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />2014-10-30T19:14:00-07:002014-10-30T19:40:52-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:8109Fall StagingFall house staging has to be sharp, because your listing has to sell if you want to close the year out on a high note and leave your sellers feeling satisfied.
Jovan Hackley, Trulia Blog Contributor, says five ways to help your clients make their real estate listing stand out and get their home sold before the holiday season hits!
1. Suggest Shopping Ahead
These days many sellers are selling to move on to another property. Chances are, your listers have a vision for both the property want and the new furnishings to make the new space into their dream. For sellers who have the budget, encourage them to shop ahead. The dream furniture and non-permanent fixtures for their new space may help their current property sell faster.
2. The “I Have a Dream Speech”
Before you bring up house repairs, find out what your seller’s always wanted to do with the home and never got around to completing. This, sometimes emotional, trip down missed-out memory lane can help you make the case for improvements you know will make the home move.
Sometimes helping sellers revisit their dreams for a property can unlock easy ways to market it as the dream home for someone else.
3. Tally Up the Tax Write-Off
Decluttering always sounds good to an agent, but many sellers need incentive to part with their stuff.
Well, little motivation can compete with money in these situations. If you’re asking your sellers to let go of large amounts of stuff, trying selling them on the idea of a big tax credit for donating their extras. Take inventory and tally up the value of the items you think they should part with. Showing them the tax savings using the Salvation Army or Goodwill donation calculators, especially in extreme situations, may be the motivation to help them let go.
4. List the Inside of it on Craigslist
For your relocating or downsizing clients, your professional photos can do double duty. To help motivate your clients to stage, agree to help them list the contents they need to get rid of on Craigslist or in yard sale advertising. If they know the photos are going to get a lot of mileage and will end in some easy cash, they may be more apt to clean up for the photo shoot and showings.
5. Group the Groupons to Make the Plan Happen
Last but not least, the real downside of staging for many is the cost and the effort. You can help clients overcome this hurdle. Search discount sites like Groupon and LivingSocial for deals on the cleaning, painting, and other tedious to-dos to be done. The ability to affordably outsource the un-fun projects may get you closer to showing-ready home a lot faster.2014-10-29T19:14:00-07:002014-10-29T19:17:13-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:8099Process of Building a New HomeEver wonder what it takes to build a home. Check out this photo tour of what a home looks like in the building process.
2014-10-28T08:34:00-07:002014-10-28T08:36:23-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:8087Rock Springs Open HousesCome check out what Rock Springs has to offer this Saturday Oct. 25 from 1-5 pm
11105 Little Rock Court • Louisville, KY 40241<br />$540,000 - New Construction and a Homearama 2013 Home
5207 Pebble Creek Place • Louisville, KY 40241<br />$440,000 – New Construction with FREE Finished Basement!
2014-10-24T20:23:00-07:002014-10-24T20:24:28-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:799412 top things to do in Louisville This Fall (Or Anytime, Really)
Recently the Huggington Post contributor Carly Ledbetter wrote an article called <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/30/louisville-kentucky-live-travel-visit_n_5877812.html">"12 Rasons you need to to Louisville this Fall (or Anytime, Really)"</a>. She wrote about exploring the victorian district, to bourbon tasting to street art. Check out all she has to say about the 12 top things to do in Louisville and see if there is anything for you to do this weekend.
1. Explore Old Louisville and its <a href="http://www.oldlouisvilleholidayhometour.org/about-us.html" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">thousands of historic homes</a>. <br />Old Louisville is <a href="http://www.frontdoor.com/places/old-louisville-americas-victorian-neighborhood" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">one of the largest Victorian districts</a> in the United States, and "beautiful" is an understatement. It isn't quite as spooky as the <a href="http://www.therealwaverlyhills.com/" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">Waverly Hills Sanatorium</a>, but it does have a <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g39604-d218946/Louisville:Kentucky:Old.Louisville.html" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">history of ghosts</a>.
2. Check out the Louisville Slugger Museum. <br />It doesn't matter if you're a baseball fan or not -- you'll still get a kick out of seeing the<a href="http://www.sluggermuseum.com/virtualtour/#big_bat" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">World's Biggest Bat</a>, checking out the <a href="http://www.sluggermuseum.com/virtualtour/#signature_wall" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">Signature Wall</a>, posing with sculptures of old players and possibly taking home a personalized bat.
3. Take in a Louisville basketball game... if you can get tickets.<br />University of Louisville fans are crazy for their Cardinals, and the best example of that is the atmosphere in the <a href="http://www.kfcyumcenter.com/" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">KFC Yum! Center</a>. The powerhouse program has some of the best fans in the world, spearheaded by Coach Rick Pitino and an awesome cheering section.
4. Or just tour the University of Louisville's beautiful grounds.<br />Go Cards! U of L has gorgeous grounds -- a perfect mix of green grass, brick buildings and white columns. Also look around town to see if you can spot any <a href="http://www.brobible.com/sports/article/sweet-louisville-cardinals-tattoo-bro/" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">crazy Cardinal tattoos</a> or <a href="http://www.brobible.com/sports/article/louisville-lawn-is-work-of-art/" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">lawn art</a>.
5. Check out the home of the Kentucky Derby.<br />It's always Derby Day at Churchill Downs, home of one of the <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/sports/articles/worlds-best-horse-races" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">world's best horse races</a>. Glimpse down Millionaire's Row where all the fancy people sit, take the kiddos to the<a href="http://www.churchilldowns.com/visit-us/junior-jockey-club" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">Junior Jockey Club</a>, and try your <a href="http://www.churchilldowns.com/racing-wagering/toteboard/2014-09-21/10" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">luck on one of the races</a>.
6. And remember, the bourbon is better there than anywhere else. <br />Kentucky makes <a href="http://www.kybourbon.com/index.php/faq/" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">95 percent</a> of the world's bourbon and has <a href="http://www.kybourbon.com/index.php/the_bourbon_renaissance_new_study_presents_proof_of_signature_industrys_res" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">more barrels of bourbon than people</a>, so if you don't drink it while you're here, you're doing something wrong. Let a driver guide you through the <a href="http://kybourbontrail.com/" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">nine distilleries</a> on the famous <a href="http://kybourbontrail.com/" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">Bourbon Trail</a>, or try drinking your way through the <a href="http://www.bourboncountry.com/things-to-do/urban-bourbon-trail/index.aspx" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">Urban Bourbon Trail</a>.
7. ...and so are the Hot Browns, your new favorite sandwich. <br />As one of the most famous (and delicious) Louisville traditions, Hot Brown sandwiches are so ooey-gooey good it's no wonder the birthplace of the sandwich, <a href="http://www.brownhotel.com/dining.htm" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">The Brown Hotel</a>, sells <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/holidays/kentucky/hot-brown-sandwich-brown-hotel" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">more than 800 in an average week</a>. See how many you can eat by chowing your way through <a href="http://www.gotolouisville.com/culinary/things-to-do/hot-brown-hop/index.aspx" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">The Hot Brown Hop tour</a>.
8. Tour one of the <a href="http://therealwaverlyhills.com/" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">most haunted places on Earth</a>. <br />Waverly Hills is a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/aug/17/top-10-weird-louisville-attractions" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">historic gothic sanatorium</a>, and it doesn't get much scarier than that. It was once, according to <a href="http://therealwaverlyhills.com/history.aspx" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">the Waverly Hills history page</a>, "a city in and of itself, complete with its own zip code" that housed patients with tuberculosis. Today it's visited by shows like <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/aug/17/top-10-weird-louisville-attractions" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">"Ghost Hunters" and "Paranormal Challenge"</a> and a hot spot for some <a href="http://www.louisvillehalloween.com/waverly-hills-sanatorium/" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">Halloween fun</a>.
9. Take in the street art. <br />When you think of Louisville, the words "street art" probably don't come to mind, but they should, <a href="http://www.louisville.com/content/gallery-meets-street-art-localstreets-show-downtown" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">because it's everywhere</a>. The <a href="http://louisvillestreetart.com/" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">Louisville Street Art website</a> keeps tabs on the art -- the most well-known being "<a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/37734" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">Kentucky Rushmore</a>." Painted by artist Margaret Morely, it depicts Muhammad Ali, Abraham Lincoln, Colonel Sanders and Secretariat -- some of the most famous figures to come out of Kentucky.
10. Go antiquing.<br />The pieces here are outdated, eclectic and all-around awesome. Head to Louisville favorites like <a href="http://crazydaisyantiquemall.com/" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">Crazy Daisy</a>, <a href="http://www.joeley.com/" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">Joe Ley</a> and the yearly <a href="http://locustgrove.org/participate/events/" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">Locust Grove Antiques Market</a> to find the perfect knickknacks to add to your home.
<br />11. Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee at the Muhammad Ali Center. <br />Head down <a href="http://www.museumrowonmain.com/" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">Museum Row</a> to the Muhammad Ali Center, and come away with a "<a href="http://www.alicenter.org/programs" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">greater sense of self, a greater sense of others and a greater sense of purpose</a>" after learning about the world's greatest heavyweight.
12. And at night, head to The Louisville Palace. <br /><a href="http://www.louisvillepalace.com/" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">The Louisville Palace</a> is the place for all your favorite shows and concerts in the<a href="http://www.gotolouisville.com/explore-louisville/multimedia/videos/lookin-louisville/louisville-theatre-district/index.aspx" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">Theatre District</a>, and <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g39604-d3922396-r228324627-Louisville_Palace-Louisville_Kentucky.html#REVIEWS" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">according to reviews</a>, there isn't "a bad seat in the house." Located <a href="http://www.louisvillepalace.com/faqs" target="_hplink" sl-processed="1">close to The Brown Hotel</a>, you can eat a Hot Brown and then hop over to the Palace for some good old-fashioned fun.
2014-10-03T12:36:00-07:002014-10-03T12:46:44-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:7985Staging with the purpose to sellStudies have shown that staging helps a home sell faster then homes that are not. HGTV, TLC and other networks have provided a variety of shows over the years that give you suggestions on how to sell your house. No matter how many shows you watch sometimes mistakes can be made that cost you your buyer.
Tara-Nocholle Nelson; Trulia blog contributor; explains these mistakes in the featured article "5 Staging Mistakes Sellers Think Are Awesome – and How to Change Their Minds”.
“Nowhere in life is the old adage that beauty is in the eye of the beholder truer than in real estate. One woman’s dream home might be a mid-century modern, Mad Men styled contemporary, while another’s includes all the gingerbread charm of a classic Victorian. But when it comes to prepping a home to be viewed and (fingers crossed!) sold, there is both art and science to staging a home before its listed to maximize its appeal to the broadest number of target buyers.
The challenge is this: staging is an investment, one every seller can’t afford to make (although studies have shown professionally staged homes sell faster and for more than non-staged counterparts). So many sellers take it on as a do-it-yourself project which, like all DIY home improvement projects, can be fantastic or, mmm, not—depending on the approach, skill, and resources of the ‘self’ who does it.
Here are a few common scenarios in which sellers think their staging is awesome and buyers, well, beg to differ. Plus, check out the tactful things agents can say to help get sellers back on track:
1. The sellers used beat up or ugly furnishings and decor.
Great staging—DIY or professional—includes choosing furniture that shows the home off in its best light, and positioning the furnishings optimally, too. Sometimes this can be done using certain pieces of the seller’s furniture. Other times, furniture must be rented or otherwise obtained. One area in which budget-minded sellers like to save money on staging is by finding cheaper alternatives than renting new furniture from a staging company or store.
In this era of Craigslist, eBay, Freecycle, estate sales and other peer-to-peer online stores and trading sites, there is an abundance of access to used furniture at great prices. I have no bone to pick with the smart sellers who use these tools to replace their own furniture with something that is in better condition, more attractive or a smaller scale than their own, so as to highlight how much space their home truly offers. That said, using old, floral sofas from Craigslist’s Free Section, unattractive thrift store ‘artwork’ or even their own truly worn out, old furniture is a recurring reason buyers cite for focusing on how bad the staging is vs. the house itself.
What’s worse, the furnishings a seller might think was THE BEST BARGAIN EVER might actually give the nice home a worn-down, unkempt feel to the buyers who come to see it.
How to help your sellers: Have a consistent message throughout the process of staging. Clean and simple typically highlight a space. Before letting sellers go to town on the staging, show them examples of a beautifully staged home and one that’s not so great. The visual examples can help get your message across better than simply talking it through.
2. They created distracting themes and scenes.
My friend Barb Schwarz is the head of the International Home Staging Professionals Association; she defines staging as ‘preparing a home for sale so the buyer can mentally move in.’ The goal is for buyers to visualize the new-and-improved versions of their lives that the home will help them realize, so some pro stagers will set up objects to communicate the lifestyle activities that a home facilitates. It’s not bizarre to see a breakfast table and chairs on the patio of a home with lovely views, a crib and baby gear-vignette in a small room suitable for a nursery, or a popcorn maker and recliners to show off a media room’s theater-readiness.
Occasionally, though, these scenes and vignettes can go rogue, creating borderline bizarre scenarios that distract and detract more than they help.
A beach scene (ball, umbrella and all) in a midwestern bedroom, a lively Parisian mural and Eiffel tower replica in a California condo and bizarre collections (taxidermy, anyone?) are all real-life examples of staging scenes that have done more harm than good.
3. The house is neither clean nor clutter-free.
For various reasons, some homes just take time to sell. And if a client is living in a home that is on the market for long, it can be challenging to ensure it is perfectly pristine at all times, meaning every single time a buyer enters it. And it doesn’t take a truly filthy house to turn a buyer’s impression of a home from awesome to awful. The little messes that a family accumulates through daily living can be perceived by buyers as distracting at best—disgusting, at worst.
If the home is well staged, do not underestimate the power of piles of clothes, mail, paperwork, dishes or kids’ toys to deactivate the home-selling power of all the hard work and money that went into preparing the property in the first place.
How to help your sellers: Make sure your clients understand that you know how challenging this situation can be. Empathize with them, but also consider working out a referral coupon or discount with a local cleaning service. A weekly cleaning during the 30-60 day showing period, especially with a generous discount, can be well worth the cost, and show sellers that you get it, and you’re on their side.
4. There are glaring gaps.
Sometimes a home’s staging leaves a glaring gap, an elephant in the room house, so to speak. This often happens when sellers run out of time and money to prepare a place, but it can be avoided through smart advance planning and budgeting for the pre-listing property preparation.
How to help your sellers:
Rooms—Listen, I personally live in a house that is beautiful everywhere until you poke your head into my young adult son’s room. So I can relate to these sellers. This situation might be okay to live with, but it’s a real home staging fail for a property that’s on the market. Remind sellers not to let there be one or two rooms that it looks like the stager—or house cleaner—missed. And this goes for the garage, closets, cupboards and drawers, too. Buyers like to look inside these areas to see how much space they have—if they are crammed full of junk, it creates the impression that the house lacks storage and order.
Exterior vs. interior—Some homes have amazing curb appeal, but look like they’ve been run over roughshod on the inside. And the opposite is true: some look like Martha Stewart handled the inside and junk man extraordinaire Fred Sanford was in charge of the yard. Neither of these is ideal. Again, here a visual tour can help. Make note of the most budget-friendly or simple-to-do projects that may be able to help remedy any eyesores.
Multi-sensory gaps—If a home is beautiful to the eye but smells bad, is strangely hot or cold, or has a noise issue (think: neighbors’ music, freeway noise or strange in-house creaks or whirrs), buyers might appreciate the visuals but fixate on the multi-sensory challenges. Especially if there are pets, sellers may need a gut check on whether your home is smelly—sellers might be so used to it, that they can’t sense it anymore. Here, honesty is the best policy. If you have a super smelly property and don’t want to offend the seller, you may want to consider bringing in a stager for a consultation (use someone who you have a good relationship with and often send referrals to). After they look around, have them write notes for the seller. The third party perspective can help get the point across without causing tension within your client/agent relationship.
5. The seller lacked a neutral, expert eye.
Home decorating and home staging are two different things. When an owner decorates a home, they customize it with your specific tastes, preferences and aesthetics in mind. When staging it, the goal is to neutralize the home’s look and feel so it appeals to more buyers and doesn’t have turn-off potential.?Schwarz puts it this way: ‘Decorating a home is personalizing it. Staging a home is depersonalizing it.’
I cannot count the number of beautifully decorated homes I’ve seen where the seller must have thought they needed to do zero staging, and where the seller was simply wrong. Their very personal tastes in Elvis quilt art, red lacquer furnishings or sewing machine collections had been beautifully executed for them, but also were so highly personal, so very specific that it was near-impossible for a buyer to envision their own lives or families or homes or activities taking place in that space.”
Even on the tightest budgets it’s important to consider a consultation with a professional stager and even your realtor, they can offer tips and suggests that will help you home sell faster. Remember that realtors are working with buyers everyday and hear what their concerns and what they are looking for in your area.2014-10-02T11:22:00-07:002014-10-02T11:25:05-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:7973Great Clients...Over the past few months I have had the pleasure of working with Jockey Chris Landeros and girlfriend Shelby Wilkes, as Chris looks to settle down and purchase a home in Louisville. Recently he was featured on the front page of the Courier Journal Sports page. The article spoke of his past experiences, his current experience at Churchhill and his future in Louisville.
I am honored that I have the pleasure to be working with such as great a great couple and I wish him and Shelby the best. To read more about Chris Landeros check out the Courier Journal Article “ Jockey Chris Landeros reboots in Kentucky” by Jennie Rees at: <a href="http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/horses/2014/09/11/wins-jockey-chris-landeros-reboots-kentucky/15468569/">http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/horses/2014/09/11/wins-jockey-chris-landeros-reboots-kentucky/15468569/</a>2014-10-01T05:45:00-07:002014-10-01T05:47:12-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:794733 Top Pizza Shops<a href="https://www.yahoo.com/food/the-33-best-pizza-shops-in-america-98232642581.html"><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/22a6679d905bf32e112df4a6b21bfec1d7790415.jpg" width="200" height="143" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a>
Recently there was an article published for the top 33 pizza shops in the country. Kevin Alexandar and Liz Childers scoured the country and happily ate so much pizza to recommend their top 33. The article is called "Are These the 33 Best Pizza Shops in America" was featured on Yahoo News and lists the best of deep-dish to wood-fire pies. Most would expect lots of New York and Chicago shops to be listed, as I was reading through the list to my surprise there was one listed from Louisville – Garage Bar located on East Market which offers Wood-Fire Pizzas and craft beers.
<a href="http://www.garageonmarket.com/site/"><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/230409_154439271288217_2182543_n.jpg" width="155" height="155" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a>
The article says "The Lousiville spot combines two Southern paradigms: Naples’ iconic pizza and the American South’s flavor and funk. While this twist certainly doesn’t make it traditional Neapolitan, the pizza rolling out of this former-auto service station still has that delicious crisp, but chewy crust. The thing is, no one here will judge you when you add country ham to your ricotta, fior di latte, and local lettuces white pie. Because country ham pairs so much better with Garage Bar’s stellar lineup of bourbons and craft beers, than your run-of-the-mill pizza topping. Also, please start with the boiled peanuts. This used to be a Southern gas station, after all. " Give it a try and let me know what you think.
To read more of the country best visit: https://www.yahoo.com/food/the-33-best-pizza-shops-in-america-98232642581.html
2014-09-25T10:56:00-07:002014-09-25T11:12:39-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:7902Creative Storage for Small SpacesThe perfect home would have walk-in closets, basements and attics for all the important stuff. But not every location has a perfect home, especially if you are considering a home in the Popular Louisville neighborhood – the Highlands. Highland homes are fill with character and style, but sometimes lack storage that the modern family may need. But that doesn’t stop families wanting to be close to the festivals, parades and restaurants/bars on Baxtor Avenue. If you’re handy or know someone who is, there are plenty of ways to build creative storage, even in the smallest spaces. Angela Colley, contributor for Realtor.com shared in a recent article “5 Creative Storage Hacks for Small Spaces” there are tricks for small spaces.
1. Make Use of Narrow Walls for Storage Walls that are out of the way or too small to hang pictures and knickknacks—like the narrow wall <a href="http://www.realtor.com/advice/adopting-universal-design-features-bathroom/">beside your bathroom sink</a>—often go unused. Instead, hang a few simple floating shelves within arm’s reach. Reduce clutter by using the shelves to store items you’d normally keep on the countertop.
2. Take Advantage of Vertical Storage Space When you’re trying to store infrequently-used items, think above eye level. Stack wicker baskets along the top of your kitchen cabinets to store small appliances you don’t use often. Install a pot rack from the ceiling to store the pots and pans you don’t use every day. Suspend a clothing rack from the ceiling to store out-of-season items and free up closet space.
3. Squeeze in More Shelves With a few supplies and some creative thinking, you can easily double the shelving space in your bathroom and kitchen. Place tiered shelving units along your widest shelves to break the large space into smaller, more usable chunks. Attach narrow baskets to the inside of cabinet doors for more storage space.
4. Turn Doors Into StorageReplace pantry or laundry room doors with reclaimed wooden shutters, available at hardware resale stores and charity shops. Not only will the wooden shutters look great, you can use the other side to hang items—like kitchen utensils or knickknacks—out of sight. If you don’t want to swap out your doors, you can also <a href="http://www.realtor.com/advice/8-ways-to-increase-your-laundry-room-storage-space/">install pre-built shelving units</a>. Many are designed to fit along the inside of doors and will give you plenty of added storage space.
5. Reclaim the Space Under Your Cabinets Utilizing the space under your cabinets could free up some room inside of them. By hanging a rack underneath, you could store wineglasses and coffee mugs under the cabinet using less space than you would have needed on the shelves. You can also use the space to install a magnet to hold up metal jars or spice containers.
Colley, Angela. "http://www.realtor.com/advice/5-creative-storage-hacks-small-spaces/"2014-09-12T07:45:00-07:002014-09-12T07:49:34-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:7885Great Builder Relationships<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/475/image/paulapete.jpg" width="200" height="220" class="img_box_left" style="float: left;" />
Always a pleasure to work with great area builders, such as Pete Thieneman, who consistently provides quality built homes and services to the Louisville area.
Pete is one of the owners of Clifford Thieneman Company. Since 1963 Clifford Thieneman Co. has been building quality homes and providing homeowners with a building experience that is based on honesty, extreme quality, and solid construction practices. Oh yeah, and their houses are gorgeous as well.
Building a home can be stressful task for some. I work hard to help it not be stressful but as smooth as possible. One way I do that is to have a good relationship with many of the top areas builders. I work closely with the buyer to ensure their best interest through out the process. Which means working closely with the builder from the planning stage to the final walk through to ensure the buyer gets the home of their dreams. Contact me today to learn more about building with Pete and other area builders.2014-09-10T09:46:00-07:002014-09-12T08:59:25-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:7859Open House This Sunday September 7Open House Sunday September 7 from 1-5pm
Absolutely stunning one floor plan with brick/stone elevation within the highly sought after Saratoga Springs.Granite countertops in kitchen with custom cabinetry,superior trim throughout,formal dining room with wainescotting, perfect and cozy great room with fireplace,spacious master bedroom with master bath that has either a jetted tub or soaking tub, nice sized shower, double vanity with granite countertops, hardwood on ''most'' of 1st floor including the partially open stairwell leading to the FINISHED BASEMENT that includes rec room, bathroom, and a study!!! Everyone wants a mud area with cubbbies/hooks for jackets/backpacks, etc. and this home has it.Covered front and back porch. IRRIGATION SYSTEM. Private backyard.Swim club membership available. Available for immediate delivery.
4914 Bridle Bend Way • Louisville, KY 40299<br />$357,900 – New Construction with Irrigation System & Finished Basement!
2014-09-04T09:01:00-07:002014-09-04T09:02:58-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:78489 things that can lead to buyers remorseOverlooking These 9 Things Could Lead to Buyer’s Remorse
By: <a href="http://www.realtor.com/advice/author/anne-miller/" rel="author">Anne Miller</a> from Realtor.com
The last thing you want after moving into your new house is buyer’s remorse.
With so many details to track when buying a home, items can slip through the cracks. Figuring out which areas you shouldn’t overlook is the first step toward mitigating remorse.
With avoiding that sinking feeling in mind, <a href="http://www.realtor.com/" target="_blank">realtor.com®</a>spoke with a couple of agents about what to pay attention to when buying a home.
1. Lifestyle vs. resale value
<a href="http://www.coldwellbankeronline.com/real_estate_agent/8476/Marty-Winefield.aspx" target="_blank">Marty Winefield</a> emphasizes this concept with his clients. Buying a home is a personal choice, so make sure you know whether you’re buying for <a href="http://www.realtor.com/advice/home-youre-buying-good-resale-value/" target="_blank">resale value</a> or for lifestyle. Some clients buy with the bottom line at the top of mind while others care more about their <a href="http://www.realtor.com/advice/find-a-house-to-fit-all-your-needs-and-wants/" target="_blank">quality of life</a>.
2. Size: It matters!
REALTOR® Nina Goldsmith of <a href="http://www.atproperties.com/agents/1463/nina-goldsmith" target="_blank">@properties</a> in <a href="http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Chicago_IL" target="_blank">Chicago</a> cites a house that seemed perfect on paper. She showed it 102 times in about three months. The house had three bedrooms and two bathrooms in a nice area. The downside? The bedrooms were extremely small—and small enough to turn off potential buyers once they saw the place.
3. Bathrooms
Winefield says two-bedroom, two-bathroom condos abound in Chicago.
But if one of those bathrooms has a shower without a tub and the buyers have children or plan to, that bathroom becomes “almost useless”.
Don’t overlook your future needs, or the needs of every resident of the house.
4. Bedrooms
You probably have an idea of how many you want.
But are they the right kind? Something large enough for an infant now may not accommodate a desk and bunk beds later.
A funky seven-walled bedroom may delight your design sense, but will your furniture fit in there?
Don’t overlook the practicalities of rooms as you fall in love with a house.
5. Traffic
That tiny house Goldsmith showed over a hundred times sat on the corner of a busy street, which also turned off buyers.
A fence used to guard part of the yard, but it was removed by a prior owner.
In an area with <a href="http://www.realtor.com/advice/how-to-find-the-best-schools-for-your-kids/" target="_blank">good schools</a>, the house appealed to families—but a home with no fence on a busy block can be a deal breaker.
6. Wall color
Goldsmith reminds buyers <a href="http://www.realtor.com/advice/five-painting-strategies-for-a-strong-sell/" target="_blank">paint is cosmetic</a>. Bricks aren’t.
It’s easy to repaint a kitchen if you don’t like the color—go ahead and breeze past a confusing color choice
But falling in love with a home’s brick walls or dark wood paneling may prove tricky when you try to resell and you realize most buyers don’t share your aesthetics.
7. Yard
People moving from apartments may dismiss a tiny or nonexistent yard.
But a large yard helps resale value. And some might ask, “Why buy a house at all if you don’t want any land with it?”
8. Pools
Many buyers won’t buy a home with a pool, because they don’t want to deal with the upkeep, which gets expensive, Goldsmith says. But if you really want a <a href="http://www.realtor.com/advice/pool-add-value-home/?iid=rdc_advice_article_related-posts" target="_blank">pool</a>, the upkeep may be worth it.
Just know that if you buy the home, you may wind up filling in the pool—or wishing the original owners did—when it’s time to sell.
9. The little things
Does the freezer door open all the way?
Does the layout mean in order to pass from kitchen to bedroom you’ll have to go through the living room?
Does the small living room push your overstuffed couch too close to the TV?
How You Can Avoid These 9 Traps
Listen to your real estate agent. If an agent expresses concerns about a feature or perceived fault, hear them out. You might buy anyway, but at least you’ll know what you’re getting into.
Listen to your brain as well as your heart. Don’t let <a href="http://www.realtor.com/advice/3-emotional-mistakes-home-buyers-make/" target="_blank">emotion</a> rule your decisions.
Visit often. Kick the tires, as it were—open all the doors, latch all the windows, and visit again and again to make sure you aren’t missing anything. You might see something the second or third time you didn’t see the first time you looked at a place.
“Take your time,” Goldsmith adds. “Is this really where you want to live? Is this good for you, your family and the way you want to live?”
Remember, an extra visit or two won’t cost much—but buying the wrong house could cost you plenty.
2014-09-02T07:23:00-07:002014-09-02T07:31:04-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:7839Exsisting Homes Sales Continue to ClimbExisting-home sales increased in July to their highest annual pace of the year, and the ongoing decline in distressed sales reached an important milestone, according to the <a href="http://www.realtor.org/">National Association of Realtors®</a>. <a href="http://www.realtor.org/news-releases/2014/08/existing-home-sales-continue-to-climb-in-july?om_rid=AABk7M&om_mid=_BT-4pIB88CFEAB&om_ntype=NARWeekly">Click to read more</a>2014-08-29T12:03:00-07:002014-08-29T12:04:10-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:7776New ListingLocation! Location! Location! Gorgeous brick home within walking distance to Seneca Park, close to I-64 and minutes to 264. With over 2800 square feet of living this home offers 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Enjoy family gatherings in the formal dining room with the detailed trim work. The renovated eat-in kitchen offers Corian countertops, hardwood floors, newer appliances, oversized pantry, and a window seat with storage bench. The adjacent great room features a creek stone fireplace with mantel, wainscoting and a built-in bookshelf. Just off the great room is the deck overlooking the private backyard. The spacious master suite offers a walk in closet and a large owners bath with plenty of natural light. The finished lower level is perfect for entertaining with a large rec. room/family room, den, flex room and plenty of storage. Two-car garage, newer windows throughout and a newer roof are the added bonuses to this magnificent home.
907 Starlite Court • Louisville, KY 40207-3685<br />$278,900 - Walking distance to Seneca Park!
2014-08-14T08:06:00-07:002014-09-02T07:32:36-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:7651HomearamaDon't forget to check out Homearama 2014 in Shakes Run before 2014. Homearama is always a great way to get ideas from some of the area best builders, interior designers and others from the home industry. Lots of fun for the whole family - there is even a small playground for the kids. For more information go to: <a href="https://bialouisville.com/signature-events/homearama/" target="_blank">https://bialouisville.com/signature-events/homearama/</a>
2014-07-16T23:02:00-07:002014-07-16T23:06:42-07:00Paula Thieneman-Batestag:thienemanhomeslouisville.com,2012-09-20:7481Tips to Save Energy and Add ValueWhen it comes to energy efficiency, look for smart features and expertise to help you save energy and money and add value to your home.
1. Begin with a Right-Sized Home.
If the home you buy is simply too large for you or your family’s needs or plans, you stand a good chance of wasting energy through excessive heating and cooling costs. If it’s too small, you’ll feel cramped and uncomfortable. It’s a big investment, so seek balance and buy it “right” from the outset.
2. Purchase Energy Star Appliances Such as Your TV, Dishwasher, Washer and Dryer, and Microwave.
And especially the refrigerator, as it alone contributes about 10 percent of the energy use in a home. Also, unplug electronics not in use or turn off power strips to avoid phantom charges.
3. Install Efficient Lighting Such as Compact Flourescent (CLF) or LED Bulbs in Every Fixture.
Lighting accounts for about 6 percent of an energy bill each year.
4. Get an Energy Audit and Have Tests Performed to Identify Ways of Improving Your Efficiency.
You can always upgrade your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system as well as your thermal envelope, which includes insulation, windows, and doors and the seals or weather stripping around them. Visit <a title="Energy Saving Tips" href="http://energy.gov/energysaver/energy-saver" target="_blank">energy.gov/energytips</a> for more tips.2014-06-04T15:11:00-07:002014-06-04T15:11:50-07:00Paula Thieneman-Bates