Life...Fun and Kentucky Real Estate

University of Kentucky Student Housing - Lexington KY - Consider Homes For Sale Instead Of A Dorm Room As An Investment

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:52:36 -0500

University of Kentucky Student Housing - Lexington KY - Consider Homes For Sale Instead Of A Dorm Room As an Investment

Right before the school term begins, I get emails and calls from tax savvy parents that want to purchase a home for sale for their University of Kentucky student.

Why throw money away on a dorm room for student housing? A wise investment home near campus is the answer to gain equity and save money in the long run. Resale it after graduation.

There are many good and safe areas for students to commute to campus.

Downtown Lexington, Chevy Chase, Rosemont, Ashland Park, Zandale, Tates Creek, Kenwick are some nearby areas to choose from.

Some of the homes for sale have plenty of extra bedrooms to rent out to roommates to help cover the mortgage payment each month. As all of the new students enroll in University of Kentucky there is need for these homes nearby as student housing.

If If you are considering this second home option - student housing for your son or daughter at University of Kentucky give us a call at Lizette Realty.

859-979-2834 or email@lizette.us

We can quickly send you all the current homes for sale within your price range, specific area and other preferences. Just let us know how we can help!

Start your search here...

Homes For Sale in the UK Area

Lizette Fitzpatrick- Principal Broker at Lizette Realty.

#1 featured Kentucky Realtor on Activerain.com and Localism.com.

Publisher/Author for the only Central Kentucky email newsletter on local real estate listings and sold properties, Kentucky relocation, local events, homeowner information and fun!

For more information on Lizette, Kentucky Horse Farms, Lizette Realty, Madison County, Fayette County, Richmond or Lexington KY real estate click on Lizette.us.

See for yourself what Lizette's extraordinary clients have to say about their Kentucky Real Estate experience. Copyright © 2009 By Lizette Fitzpatrick, All Rights Reserved...*University of Kentucky Student Housing - Lexington KY - Consider a Home For Sale Instead Of A Dorm Room As An Investment*

Google "LIZETTE FITZPATRICK" For Internet Marketing to SELL Your Kentucky Home!

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 13:24:41 -0600

Do you have Real Estate in Central Kentucky that needs be SOLD?

While talking to a potential seller the other day, I had a brainstorm. We are always wondering just what sets us apart from other agents.

What would be a deciding factor that a client might pick one agent from another?

It might not be that I could stick a sign in the front yard, I could have an open house or that I could put a picture in a newspaper or magazine. That's old school marketing. We all can do that.

What sells your property these days is complete Internet presence and social media marketing.

I'm not talking about just the local MLS board.

That's a start, but now I can tell clients that they will be listed on over 30 websites. I add more each day. I spend hours and hours researching how to best sell a property on the Internet and use social media like Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook to market listings.

Also, I am a member of TWO MLS boards. Twice the coverage.

I use my blog and weekly newsletter to obtain buyers to your listing. The average is over 15,000 views a month on my blog and over 500 views a week on the newsletter. No other brokerage does this locally.

I now tell them"Google My Name"!I know that when they do they will see me on over 12 pages or more. These connections market YOUR listings.

Next, they can Google whatever agent they were thinking about using. Need I say more?

These days it's ALL about the Internet.

Make sure you aren't wasting any time in marketing your Central Kentucky property.

Google for the best broker!!!

Lizette Fitzpatrick - Principal Broker of Lizette Realty specializing in residential homes and Kentucky horse farms.

Rated number #1 featured Kentucky Real Estate Broker on Activerain.com and Localism.com. Publisher/Author for the only Central Kentucky email newsletter on local real estate listings and sold properties, Kentucky relocation, local events, homeowner information and fun!

For more information on Kentucky Horse Farms, Madison County, Fayette County, Richmond or Lexington, Kentucky click on Lizette.us.

See for yourself what Lizette's extraordinary clients have to say about their Kentucky real estate experience.

The Haunted Home Tour - A Seriously True Story

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:01:18 -0500

In the dead of the night... I heard something from far, far away.

A familiar sound... but alarming.

I jolted awake to glance fearfully at the clock. 2 AM it blinked.

My cell phone was RINGING!

My heart starts to pound. Is it some emergency?

I don't recognize the number ....I let it go to voicemail. I wait....the cell buzzes that a message was left.

Now, I'm really awake wondering who would contact me at 2 AM and leave a message??

I call voicemail and it reveals a man calling about a house in a nearby town. He wants to schedule a tour. Could I give him a call back? WHAT? Does he think I work all night?

Finally, I get back to sleep. It's hard to get it out of my mind...but finally I do and I dream of a strange house that is deserted and boarded up.

For some reason I'm inside and climbing the stairs to the attic. I reach the top step to open the door and I hear the voice. It so soft I almost don't hear it.

Bam....I pop out of the dream and realize the voice I was hearing was my dog Chanel making little noises to get me up for breakfast.

Rubbing my eyes, I glance at the clock and see I have overslept to 8AM. As I climb out of the cozy bed, my mind skips ahead to my day.

That call! Did I dream it? I grab my cell to check to see if there really had been a message. It was real alright. I first think maybe I shouldn't call so early. I might wake him up. What? He wasn't worried that I would be bothered at 2AM. I write down the number and make the call.

The same male voice picked up the phone. The story spills out that it is a family that wants to tour one house about 20 miles away ...could I set it up for later that day? Without hesitation, I schedule them in the afternoon.

I decide to go a little early.

It's in unfamiliar territory on a street I've never been on in my life. I write down the directions.

As I arrive, the street is deserted except for a mongrel dog digging mindlessly through the dry leaves littering the yard.

I swing my car into the dirt driveway that circles around the front of the house. It's overrun with trees and weeds. One tree was almost growing out of the house.

Can this really be the place? I recheck the rusty number on the mailbox.

Hmmmm...right place alright.

The house with it's windows boarded up looked like it had been vacant for years. I open the lockbox and take out the key. I've done this a thousand times and like routine... I open the lock.

I step inside and my eyes try to focus on the dim surroundings. I suddenly feel a bit alarmed as I see the lights don't work.

That figures, the electric is off! Quickly, I walk through the rooms that have rubbish and filth scraped into disorderly piles. A broken chandelier is in the floor.

Dust and cobwebs cover everything. As I look closer, I realize that all the wood floors are unlevel and slope inward. I vacantly wonder how furniture would work to make you not notice the slope.

I move through the kitchen and decide to go out the back door to see the backyard and porch. While there I make a call to the listing agent to chat a bit about the house. Since I'm early there's not much to do but wait.

Then while we talked, I heard the door bell chime(we BOTH heard it). One of those with 8 bells. I quickly told her I needed to go, because my clients must have arrived even though I knew I had left the front door standing open. I walked back though the house to greet them.

There at the open front door...it was standing open exactly as I had left it.

No one there and not a soul on the street and the dog was gone too.

What the ****! How did the doorbell ring? Wasn't the electric off? There wasn't anyone here to ring it. Suddenly, fear was washing over me.

In that instant...I felt an icy breeze brush the back of my head!

Then, I felt something shove me toward the door like a hand on my arm. Let me tell you... I was out that front door faster than I've moved in my life!!

I decided to wait for the clients out in the car. In about 10 minutes they showed up.

Nice little family that quickly walked through and decided they didn't like the sloping wood floors. Fine with me.

I stayed out front and tried to act normal. I didn't utter a word about what had just happened. I was still in shock!

They left and then I realized I had to lock up.

Totally freaked out, I rushed through the house to get the back door locked. Somewhere upstairs, I heard a door creak... then slam!

Petrified, I tiptoed back toward the front door to get it locked.

My hands were shaking as I could barely put the key back in the lockbox. I ran to my car, got in and locked the door.

I couldn't get out of there fast enough!

What had happened in that house? I'll never know.

Something was still living there in the emptiness. Something sinister.

I found out later it was haunted and many people had mysteriously disappeared after living there.

It's still for sale.

P.S. The house in my post is not the same house (I love the look of it and it has great bones!)but was great eye candy for reliving my story don't you think?

Lizette Fitzpatrick- Principal Broker at Lizette Realty.

#1 featured Kentucky Realtor on Activerain.com and Localism.com.

Publisher/Author for the only Central Kentucky email newsletter on local real estate listings and sold properties, Kentucky relocation, local events, homeowner information and fun!

For more information on Lizette, Kentucky Horse Farms, Lizette Realty, Madison County, Fayette County, Richmond or Lexington KY real estate click on Lizette.us.

Kentucky Horse Farms For Sale - Keeneland Race Track - Lexington KY

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:25:05 -0500

Kentucky Horse Farms For Sale - Keeneland Race Track - Lexington KY

Keeneland Race Track in Lexington KY is quite a legendary place and horse race aficionados will tell you that there is no place in the world like it.

Nearby are legendary Kentucky horse farms. A few in Fayette County are for sale.

Keeneland is with out a doubt the most beautiful race track anywhere.

A jewel-box showcase for owners to present their best horses to well heeled spectators and serious horse people.

It's hard to put it into words, but here it is about pageantry, nobility, elegance and thrill of Thoroughbred racing.

The feel at Keeneland Race Track is very much like racing in England. Out-of-towners show up to see the horses but locals go there to watch the people.

My picture is of the walking ring where the brightly dressed jockeys get final instructions from trainers and get ready to be walked to the track.

This has been the same here since the 1930's.

Amazing to many is that it is only open for racing twice a year...in the spring and then in the Fall.

When this picture was taken, it was a rainy day and the big race was The Bluegrass Stakes...a prep race that sometimes determines what colts are ready to go to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Fillies will prep in the Ashland Stakes. Everything is built with comfort and beauty in mind at Keeneland Race track.

Many people come to Lexington KY to invest in Kentucky Horse farms. If it is one of your dreams to own horses and to race check out the farms that are for sale now.

Lexington KY Horse Farms

Lexington KY Residential Homes For Sale

Lizette Fitzpatrick - Principal Broker at Lizette Realty.

For more information on Lexington KY homes for sale. click on Lizette.us.

Kentucky Horse Farms For Sale - Keeneland Race Track - Lexington KY

Sunday Open House at 104 Brentwood Drive Winchester KY

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:28:51 -0500

Sunday Open House at 104 Brentwood Drive Winchester KY

Finally the rain will go away, the sun will come out and the temperature will be warmer for open house on Sunday. Our listing at 104 Brentwood Drive in Winchester KY is an fantastic home in Royal Oaks Estates.

Priced well below appraisal at $298,000.

This exquisite 2 story all brick home has 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, living room and family room both with wood burning fireplaces, designer kitchen w/ granite and stainless appliances, formal dining room, laundry room, 2 car side entrance garage, security system, landscaped w/ mature trees and privacy fence in backyard.

The property backs up to a farm pasture view. Lots of hardwood, ceramic tile and crown molding. Second floor with the master suite and 3 bedrooms is newly carpeted.

Come take a look for yourself on October 18th

2:00 - 4:00 PM

Hostess will be Monica Hess

Click below to search for more homes in Central Kentucky for sale...

Lizette Fitzpatrick- Principal Broker at Lizette Realty.

#1 featured Kentucky Realtor on Activerain.com and Localism.com.

Publisher/Author for the only Central Kentucky email newsletter on local real estate listings and sold properties, Kentucky relocation, local events, homeowner information and fun!

For more information on Kentucky Horse Farms or Winchester KY real estate

click on Lizette.us.

See for yourself what Lizette's extraordinary clients have to say about their Kentucky Real Estate experience. Copyright © 2009 By Lizette Fitzpatrick, All Rights Reserved *Sunday Open House at 104 Brentwood Drive Winchester KY*

Time Out For A Scary Vacation!

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:26:39 -0500

I was looking forward to the vacation after months of non-stop work.

It was the weekend of my birthday, I had planned a trip to Tennessee for a few nights in a mountain chalet.

A creative time out I called it. Just me and Chanel, my dog. I had visions of writing and catching up on a few books I've had for months. It didn't turn out that way.

After I checked in at the resort office, I was directed to the extremely remote chalet...miles away on top of a mountain I've not heard of.

As we drove through the mountains, I wondered if my cell phone would work there...it didn't.

I usually don't stay that far out of town. Don't be silly I told myself, ...this is supposed to be a vacation maybe it would be nice that my phone doesn't work! I need a break!

After finding the right road, we slowly wind round and round the steep mountain till we reach the chalet right on top.

I mean right on top of the world. We are also the only ones checking in.

The other chalets are vacant on the street. I figured more people might be checking in later. It didn't happen.

I unloaded the car and Chanel and I explored the two story chalet. The master bedroom was below the main floor. First off, I found that my computer would work since they had a DSL line. The land line was dead. My cell didn't work either.

It suddenly gave me a chill that I was isolated here. Maybe that's not a bad thing I thought. Sure, we could rough it for a few nights.

The sun went down and we settled in then went to bed. Nice to finally relax and no phones ringing.

About 4:45 AM I was jolted awake by a strange sound.

Lying in the bed in the dark, it sounded like someone rolling Chanel's bone around on the wood floor above my head on the first floor.

It wasn't a random sound. It kept on rolling around for about 5 minutes. Chanel barked once...the I decided to get up and turn on lights. For once she listened to me when I told her to be quiet.

I flipped on the downstairs lights, then slowly tiptoed up the stairs to peer eye level with the first floor through the spindles. The sound stopped. I suddenly wished my phone would work in case I was itching to call 911.

Chanel's bone was still right in the place she had left it in the kitchen.

Nothing was moving that I could see. The rattling sound had stopped. This was an A frame with no trees hanging over it. So I knew it wasn't a squirrel on the roof. I waited about 10 minutes and all was quiet.

I took a frying pan and broomstick from the kitchen and headed back to the downstairs bedroom. This time I locked the door.

Chanel hadn't opened her mouth while I was investigating. We'd be ready if we needed to defend ourselves. It was hard to get back to sleep. I couldn't wait till sunrise.

The next day I still couldn't figure out what we had heard.

It freaked me a bit that we would have to get through another night without phone service.

So my vacation was not as restful as I had anticipated.

Beautiful place, but it was a little more remote than I would have liked. Maybe it was haunted.

Next time... we might go to the beach instead.

Business Card Decor For A Bathroom

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:55:38 -0500

We are always trying to find cool ways to redecorate small spaces such as half baths.

One that really stuck out in my mind from years past was one a cousin did using the covers from The New Yorker to completely cover the walls. I loved that.

So if you do always get magazine subscriptions save the front covers before throwing them out just in case you can use them later to cover something.

Another great idea was one I saw on Facebook that Midori Miller had posted from Zack Hample of NYC. He has saved business cards for 20 years then completely covered the walls of his bathroom. Awesome idea!

Check out his video...

104 Brentwood Dr Winchester KY 40391 - Home For Sale in Royal Oak Estates

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:54:45 -0500

104 Brentwood Dr Winchester KY 40391 - Home For Sale

Awesome home for sale in Winchester KY!

All brick, two story in Royal Oak Estates.

Two story grand foyer entrance w/ an open floorplan, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2616 living sg. ft., separate utility room, Living Room & Family Room w/ fireplaces, formal dining, granite counter tops & stainless kitchen w/Jen-Aire appliances, beautiful hardwood, tile & new carpet upstairs, lots of crown molding, 2 car side entrance garage, security system, totally landscaped w/privacy fencing in backyard.

Convenient to EVERYTHING!

Relaxing farm view behind the home.

Priced way below appraisal for a fantastic deal for you! Hurry and check out this magestic beauty!

Wow! Only $298,000!

Lizette Fitzpatrick- Principal Broker at Lizette Realty.

#1 featured Kentucky Realtor on Activerain.com and Localism.com.

Publisher/Author for the only Central Kentucky email newsletter on local real estate listings and sold properties, Kentucky relocation, local events, homeowner information and fun!

For more information on Kentucky Horse Farms or Winchester KY real estate

click on Lizette.us.

See for yourself what Lizette's extraordinary clients have to say about their Kentucky Real Estate experience. Copyright © 2009 By Lizette Fitzpatrick, All Rights Reserved *104 Brentwood Dr Winchester KY 40391 - Home for sale in Royal Oak Estates*

Keeneland Race Track Fall Meet 2009 Lexington KY - Thoroughbred Racing & Sales

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:44:46 -0500

Keeneland Race Track / Fall Meet 2009 / Lexington Kentucky - Thoroughbred Racing & Sales

Out-of-towners show up to see the horses but Kentuckians go to Keeneland Race track to watch the people.

Keeneland Race Track in Lexington KY is quite a legendary place and horse race aficionados will tell you that there is no place in the world like it. For a few weeks in the spring and fall, spectators check out Thoroughbred racing and many return to the sales.

An exquisite jewel set in the center of The Horse Capitol Of The World.

It is with out a doubt the most beautiful race track in the world.

Keeneland is a showcase for owners to present their best horses to well heeled spectators and serious horse people.

It's hard to put it into words, but here it is about pageantry, nobility, elegance and thrill of Thoroughbred racing.

The feel here in Lexington KY is very much like racing in England.

My picture is of the walking ring where the brightly dressed jockeys get final instructions from trainers and get ready to be walked to the track.

The elegant atmosphere at Keeneland has been the same since the 1930's. Amazing to many is that it is only open for racing twice a year...in the spring and then in the fall.

Everything at Keeneland Race Track is built with comfort and beauty in mind.

Many people like the Phoenix Room that has a view of the paddock. I visited with good friends and snapped a few pictures from the windows of the horses.

The Keeneland Fall Meet begins on October 9th and continues through October 31st. No racing on Monday or Tuesday.

Go early around 7 AM and watch the horses workout. A tasty breakfast is served at the track in the Equestrian Dining Room. Click here for a video.

Last fall season, Keeneland became North America's first high-definition racetrack with live race coverage and limited simulcasts in high-definition format. Additional HD broadcasts of Keeneland will be available via on-track television monitors, infield LED tote board and also HD-compatible ESPN telecasts.

Lizette Fitzpatrick- Principal Broker at Lizette Realty.

#1 featured Kentucky Realtor on Activerain.com and Localism.com.

Publisher/Author for the only Central Kentucky email newsletter on local real estate listings and sold properties, Kentucky relocation, local events, homeowner information and fun!

For more information on Kentucky Horse Farms or Lexington KY real estate

click on Lizette.us.

See for yourself what Lizette's extraordinary clients have to say about their Kentucky Real Estate experience. Copyright © 2009 By Lizette Fitzpatrick, All Rights Reserved*Keeneland Race Track / Fall Meet 2009 / Lexington Kentucky- Thoroughbred Racing & Sales*

What's that funky smell?

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:03:23 -0500

Home inspections...it's all a part of buying or not buying a home. With a short sale or foreclosure there is no seller's disclosure or history of repairs. Here is a funny, but stinky story of what can be found in one of these "bargains"....whew!

Via Jason Aldrich Sequim, WA Home Inspector (Aldrich's Home Inspections, Inc.):

As most of us are aware, there is an increased number of short-sale, repos (and the like) on the market right now. When I am called in to do an inspection on one of these types of homes, I am always leary of what I might, or might not, find--that is, some folks can get pretty dang malicious before moving out of a house. I have seen complete kitchens and bathrooms (cabinets and all) ripped out of the house; all the light fixtures and door hardware removed; all the appliances (including the generator and wood stove) taken; all the heat ducts disconnected in the crawlspace; and the list goes on...

I think the nastiest thing I have found so far has been the two full-sized fish that were tossed up into the attic space. When I popped open the attic access lid, I almost fell over from the stench!

When I told my clients about the fish they laughed and said that it explained why the windows were wide open in that bedroom the first time they looked at the house.

This and other similar experiences are making me consider wearing a full rain suit when traversing the attic and crawlspaces. Yuck!
---------------------------------------------------------
Jason Aldrich | Owner, Licensed Home Inspector
Aldrich's Home Insepctions, Inc.
Serving the Sequim and Port Angeles Areas
JasonA@Olypen.com
www.AldrichsHomeInspections.com

Midway Fall Festival in Midway KY

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:47:42 -0500

Midway Fall Festival in Midway Kentucky is the place to be in September.

This historic town hosts this event in the heart of the downtown Midway KY.

As you can see from this picture there is a train track that runs right down the middle of Main Street. The train from RJ Corman made it's apearance for my picture last year. In Midway KY everyone stops what they are doing to point and to see!

At the Midway Fall Festival there will be vendors seling jewelry, crafts, pottery, antiques and more. Be sure to bring your checkbook or cash. I made that mistake last year when I was only carrying my Visa card. Most vendors don't take plastic.

I can't believe a whole year has passed since I attended the fabulous Midway Fall Festival. This picture is of an artist that sculpts beautiful historic figures in sand.

SEPT. 19 & 20, 2009

SAT. 10 -6 SUN. 12 - 5

*ARTS & CRAFTS

*FABULOUS FOOD

*CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES

*FARMERS MARKET

*MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

If you haven't visited Midway KY this will be a great time to bring the family and enjoy the day.

For more information on what fun Midway KY can be check out:

Lizette Is Back In Midway, Kentucky On A Mission

Midway, Kentucky is a Tourist's Secret! Shhhhhhhh!

Lizette Fitzpatrick- Principal Broker at Lizette Realty.

#1 featured Kentucky Realtor on Activerain.com and Localism.com.

Publisher/Author for the only Central Kentucky email newsletter on local real estate listings and sold properties, Kentucky relocation, local events, homeowner information and fun!

For more information on Kentucky Horse Farms, Woodford County real estate

click on Lizette.us.

Kevin Skinner From Kentucky Wins America's Got Talent!

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:52:21 -0500

Kevin Skinner From Kentucky Wins America's Got Talent

It's good to see America still has a heart and wants an underdog to be a winner. Kevin Skinner of Kentucky showed everyone how a simple thought becomes something big on America's Got Talent.

To headline in Las Vegas after just playing his guitar and singing on a front porch in Kentucky is magical!

I've watched America's Got Talent all season and the first time he came on stage, David Hasslehoff asked him what he did for a living.

"Chicken Catcher", he replied.

That broke everyone up! The judges clearly didn't expect what came next. The way he sang the song touched everyone that heard it.

Since that day, Kevin Skinner has had a quiet confidence but looked like he didn't actually think he could win against such great competition. I had my doubts too!

I love what he accomplished and I'm proud he is from Kentucky.

All of the finalists on America's Got Talent were great this year. This may have been the best season yet.

Here's wishing Kevin Skinner the best of luck and a fabulous career starting in Las Vegas.

All of us in Kentucky are wishing you the best!

Lizette Fitzpatrick- Principal Broker at Lizette Realty.

For more information on Kentucky Horse Farms and Central KY real estate

click on Lizette.us.

Kevin Skinner From Kentucky Wins America's Got Talent!

Why they pay us the big bucks!

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:46:15 -0500

I'm thankful I don't have a job that requires me to go into the crawl space under a house.

I was thinking about this tonight while I waited patiently for a termite inspector to check out my listing. He was taking a look under the house.

Below is something I know I have never seen. Charles Buell always makes home inspection interesting. Always something new to learn...

Via Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com):

     Take a look at the following picture.

     Can you see why as soon as I saw this crawl space vent I knew I was in for ONE HECK OF A NASTY ADVENTURE in the crawl space? Well take a little closer look.



     The “high-lighted” areas are rodent body-grease marks from YEARS of coming and going through this hole in the vent screen made by the installer of the gas pipe. The gas pipe was installed when the furnace was converted to gas 18 years ago, so the damage found in this crawl space is what will happen if you allow rats to have free access to your home for 18 years.

     I think the Licensed Contractor that installed this gas pipe should be required to come back and clean the crawl space.

     I see lots of evidence of rats in homes----and I am no prude when it comes to inspecting nasty crawl spaces. This, however, was one of the worst rodent infestations I have come across. The furnace was located in the crawl space and there were so much rodent feces on the plastic ground cover in front of the furnace that I had to roll it back to get to the furnace without kneeling in all the feces and urine. Because the furnace had been installed right on the ground the rats had free and easy access to the furnace openings and there was feces and urine inside the furnace compartment as well as on top of the furnace. They had found their way through the poorly fitting filter opening into the heating system ductwork as well----thus making a mess of both the inside of the ductwork and the outside of the ductwork.

     This next picture shows the extent of the feces on top of the furnace. Much of the plastic ground cover throughout the crawl space looked like this.

     If you can “over-look” (look past) the feces on the top of the furnace you will notice the missing insulation on the ductwork in a couple of locations. This is where the rodents have stolen the insulation and carted it away to make nests under the ground cover at many locations. These domed shaped configurations feel like little pillows when you push down on them. The rats probably think the sky is falling.

     As I crawled through the space, I could feel the ground and its maze of tunnels under the plastic, collapse under my weight.

     This next picture is of the long vent to the furnace.

     Can you see the little rodent highway on the top of the pipe? Again, one can see where they have pilfered all the insulation off the ductwork for their nests. Can’t you just picture them standing on their little hind legs tearing at the insulation with their cute little fore-paws?

     At one point as I traversed around the crawl space I came to some bright blue specs on the ground-cover that stood out in my flashlight beam like little jewels of blue light. Many religions give significance to the color blue (not sure how that relates to my experience in this crawl space).

     Of course I knew immediately what it was---- the all too familiar blue color of a plastic electrical junction box. In this next picture one can see where the critters have been sharpening their teeth on the edges of the box to the point of going right through the corner. Notice where they have gnawed the wiring as well, exposing some of the copper on the hot conductor. Makes my saliva tingle just thinking about it, doesn’t it yours?

     One of the most obvious signs of a very long standing rodent infestation (besides the feces----that can be cleaned up) is the presence of “body grease” on the surfaces they traverse frequently. They love to use wiring and plumbing as their highways through a crawl space. I like to imagine them negotiating these pipes. They actually have to be pretty darn good at it to not be falling off the pipes all the time. Take a look at this long run of pipe. Can you see their obvious trail to this pipe and along this pipe?

     This next picture shows their body grease “high-lighted.”

     I hope you have enjoyed this little journey through a crawl space----next time I will make sure you have a dust mask and some coveralls.

Charles Buell

Seattle Home Inspectors, ASHI Home Inspector, Structural Pest Inspector, Charles Buell Inspections Inc, Seattle, WA

Click on the Rose to check out: AHA!---A Forum of Landmark Proportions---your Group

PS, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed)all pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) (when I use them) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.

DeCroe, is my "ethereal" home inspector assistant and occasionally flies into my blog and other people's blogs to offer assistance. To find out more about her beginnings just click on Raven.

What Would You Pay To Have Your First Car Back?

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:34:16 -0500

Some of us are lucky to have had a dream car for a first car.

Maybe it was not so much of a fabulous dream car...but a moment in time where we were happy to be independent and free.

The coveted driver's license gave us the ticket to ride and a way to escape our parents grip.

At first we had to learn at the wheel of the family car or an older friend showed us the ropes, but those days of bliss never quite fade away from our minds.

My older brother, Porter went away to the Navy and left his new, red 1974 Ford Pinto at the house along with the bank payments.

This picture was taken in 1974 and I am with the Pinto, my little brother, Mark and my dog, Sparky.

Dad took over payments while Porter was gone and Mom was going to be driving it.

That didn't last too long because once I taught myself how to drive a stick shift... that car was on the road 24/7. I lived to be driving that car!

Actually, I think I lived in that car and it was an extension of my rebel, take no prisoners personality. (It's still that to some extent)

I read the story of John Schnatter, the founder of Papa Johns, wanting to find his old car that had so many good memories. It was a gold and black, 1971 Z28 Chevrolet Camero. He had sold it for $2800 to save his father's business and launch his own.

His offer was a $250,000 reward to anyone that would find his long lost...but not forgotten car. The whole story here.

Years later...my worn out, red Ford Pinto was traded to a car lot to a white Oldsmobile Cutlass.

I think oil was dripping out the tailpipe when I drove it into the lot and I heard through the grapevine that the engine blew up the next week while the new owner was driving it on Main Street in Richmond KY.

I don't believe I would want that Pinto back.

My dream car was actually a 1971 yellow Jaguar with 12 cylinders, but to this date, I have never owned one.

Life has always been in the way of true bliss perhaps.

Maybe there's still hope!

Kentucky Horse Farm Nicholasville KY - Jessamine County - Horse Farms For Sale

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:53:30 -0500

Kentucky Horse Farm Nicholasville KY - Jessamine County - Horse Farms For Sale

If you have never seen one, you need to check out a Kentucky horse farm in Nicholasville. There are beautiful horse farms for sale in Jessamine County.

Many new clients are finding us on the website, www.lizette.us and making arrangements to relocate to Kentucky. Once in Nicholasville, they fall in love with the ambiance of the stone walls, black plank fences, lush bluegrass fields and horses...everywhere! It's quite breathtaking to be here in person!

My world has always been centered around horses, so I can understand why many buyers have a complete love for this relaxed way of life and search for horse farms for sale.

Visitors are always amazed with Central Kentucky and the towns like Paris, Versailles, Midway because this land where the legendary throughbreds of the race track are born on horse farms.

My clients usually have a Kentucky horse farm vision in mind and as we search I just know the right place may be here in Nicholasville KY.

I know that they will feel it in their bones as soon as they step onto the right property.

It's like coming home to an old friend. It will fit their lifestyle perfectly.

There's a lot of work to research and buy a Kentucky horse farm that is for sale. It's not a one size fits all. Many farms are better for Thoroughbreds but some are better suited for pleasure horses.

Everything here is a study of perfection including the type of grass in the field, style of barns, paddock watering systems, exercise areas, foaling, breeding and quarantine barns.

To take a look at some of the most beautiful Nicholasville KY horse farms for sale in Jessamine County. Click this link... Nicholasville KY Horse Farms For Sale

Read the Herald Leader Interview with Lizette Realty discussing Kentucky Relocation.

REQUEST A KENTUCKY RELOCATION PACKET!

Finding a new Kentucky home has never been so easy!

Just click on the link below.

Nicholasville KY Residential Homes For Sale

Lizette Fitzpatrick- Principal Broker at Lizette Realty.

For more information on Kentucky Horse Farms and Nicholasville KY real estate

click on Lizette.us.

Photography by Gene Burch at http://www.geneburch.com/

Kentucky Horse Farm Nicholasville KY - Jessamine County - Horse Farms For Sale