Where is the bottom?

This is a great question don't you think? Nationally the bottom of the real estate market has hit in some areas but others continue to take a beating. In Bowling Green, Kentucky our market will finish the year with a modest increase to the average sales price for residential homes with the average marketing time around130 days just up 6 days over 2007. The job market here is stable but I think everyone is sitting tight for home purchases through the holiday's. I am hoping that the new administration will pass the housing stimulus plan proposed by the National Association Of Realtors. This plan would give everyone including first time home buyers, a no repayment $7500 tax credit that purchased a home for a limited period and also allow the automatic buydown of the loan interest rate to 4.5%. Nationwide, we must have assistance in getting all the backlog of inventory off the market to experience a full housing recovery. I am enjoying the gas prices these days as I am sure you are as well. It feels great not to have to spend a Ben Franklin every time you go to the pump. Take care and MERRY CHRISTMAS, If you have a real estate question please email me at ktinsley@crye-leike.com and I will do my best to answer it.



Kirk Tinsley
Principal Broker
2009 RASKY President

Wall Street vs Main Street

It has been a while since my last post. I want thank everyone who reads this blog. I am the incoming president in 2009 for the Southern Kentucky Board Of Realtors. I have been getting ready to assume control and I am very thankful to have the honor of serving this great organization at a time when nationally markets continue to correct. It is a time when a true REALTOR will step up and perform and today in selling your home you need a Realtor to help you expose your property at its highest level and cut through all the other choices out there. Locally, the market is still fairly solid but it has been slowing somewhat with the upcoming election and the recent meltdown on Wall Street. I would not be doing my job if I did not tell you it is one of the best times to buy a home in recent history that I can remember. No, that is not a sales pitch or my trying to drum up business. It is the absolute TRUTH. The inventory on the market provides lots to choose from. The interest rate is still very reasonable right now with the promise of rising in the coming months. Our local market has not lost any value and is holding. I am going to tell you what your stock broker will not. I want you to remember this powerful statement because it has the capability to improve your current financial doldrums. "IF purchased correctly with the right conditions Real Estate is the single best investment one can make in their lifetime. Why do you think Donald Trump likes Real Estate. Because he believes just like I do, that real estate has made more people financially independent than any other investment that one can make. I believe long term real estate investment will outperform most stocks on performance and return. Let me know what you think.

Kirk Tinsley

Bowling Green Kentucky- Still Thriving !!

As the owner of one of the leading real estate firms in the Bowling Green Ky. market, I have the honor of working with some of the finest Realtors in the business today. I see my agents compete everyday in a marketplace that is not always easy or fair and I think we have all seen dramatic changes in the financial and housing sector in the past 18 months which has been amplified by the price of oil. The age of 24 hour news and constant drum beat of panic peddling has lulled everyone into thinking it is worse than really what it is. It is just like if I tell you "you don't look good" or "are you feeling alright?" about 100 times in a row. You would start to think you're sick.


The great news is locally homes in Bowling Green are still selling, if the are priced to compete with current market inventory. I feel that the market which was starting to head down a little at the beginning of 2007 finally has hit a soft bottom a few months ago. We still have quite a bit of inventory on the market and it will take a little time to work through but on the horizon I see good things. I also feel that the country as a whole will bounce back from all the sub-prime lending mess within 12-16 months from now. Hey it was a big mess in other places that's why it will take a while to come back in areas like; California, Florida, Arizona and Nevada. Bowling Green however is still a thriving economy when compared to even some of the hottest markets in the country like Franklin, Tenn. We are so blessed to live in this part of the country where jobs are still being created. We have a great university, Western Kentucky which adds untold millions to our local and regional marketplace. Bowling Green for sure will be on the grow for some time to come.


I have been selling and brokering real estate in Bowling Green for almost 13 years now and I have seen tremendous achievements in our area's quality of life over that time. As one of my agents said "We will not participate in any slow down". That is the mantra of the fine agents here at Crye-Leike. Will the election of 2008 change anything, I simply do not know. What I do know is that we should learn as a country that loose lending practices, oil dependence and fighting a war on a trillion dollars of borrowed money has a few consequences. I got to spend some time in the Persian Gulf as a younger man in 1990-91. I went there to serve my country and my country went there because of our oil dependence to the middle east and to keep the unrestricted oil flowing to our country. I guess we really did not learn our lesson during the late 70's- 80's oil embargo, 90's Desert Shield-Storm or the new and lengthy current Iraqi Freedom war. I see this as an issue that can be resolved if our country will get back to the morals and standards of God, family and country that made us the most prosperous nation on the face of the earth.


The moral of the story I guess is that after seeing much of the world and other cultures it made me appreciate what we have here, even more. I honestly could not wait to get back home to South Central Kentucky. I realized the day I made the last turn off of I-65 to the Bowling Green exit after 4 years of being away that I was home to stay. I have never found a place in all my travels as unique and offering the unlimited opportunity as Bowling Green and South Central Kentucky. In Bowling Green I have been able to realize my dream of owning a real estate company and I attribute the success that has allowed us to become Crye-Leike's #1 franchise for the past six years to hard work, long hours and the thriving market in Bowling Green. One of the rewarding parts of my job is I get to meet and talk to so many people that are moving here from other places. Some people come because they are being transferred, while others come because of attending one of many area gatherings and conventions such as the annual Corvette Homecoming. Finally, some have just gotten off of I-65 on the Bowling Green exit and simply fell in love with our town and the people. I am not surprised at the amount of visitors that simply visit here a few times and decide to stay because it truly is one of the best places to live, work, play and raise your children that exists in our country today. So the next time you are watching that negative news story about the failed housing market realize that it is not here folks, to put it other terms " We are not participating in any slowdown".

We as professional Realtors at Crye-Leike Executive Realty are doing our part everyday to make sure that our local economy remains strong and continues to thrive. Let me know what you think at ktinsley@crye-leike.com

You Don't Need A Real Estate Agent To Sell Your Home?

You also don't need a lawyer to represent you or a doctor to see what is the matter with you. I tend to cringe everytime I hear someone say"Hey you don't need an agent, you can sell it yourself online. True, there are plenty of ways to list a house online yourself, just as there are plenty of unskilled agents out there that will be proud to just get a sign in your yard and would do anything to get you to list with them. Does that sell your home? The answer is absolutely not.

There is a movement for everyone to look at real estate agents as the enemy. We are not the problem. The online powers that be would have you believe that all agents are bad, we are not needed and we are extremely overpaid. However study after study shows that the average experienced agent makes somewhere between $30-$40,000 per year. That same agent may put in 60 -80 hours a week on the phone, running all over town showing property and negotiating offers well into the evening when most people are with their families. The average income and hours required is not exactly sipping tea on the French Riveria as most people believe. As an agent, I am speaking from experience, you never get to turn this job completely off like most other jobs. We don't end the day at 5:00 p.m. Successful agents are on call 24-7 and will answer email or calls just about anytime. Successful agents today are not like they were even 5 years ago. This business is very rewarding and humbling at the same time. There is a huge misconception about what the agents earn to what a homeowner can save.

A experienced full time agent is invaluable and will usually pay for themselves by giving good sound advice to buyers and sellers when they need it most, just like a good lawyer or doctor would give you. It has been my experience that most people when they buy a home unrepresented tend to pay too much for the house. For Sale By Owners also make a mistake when they price according to what they think will pay off their bills or pay for another home in another market. They should price according to what the house is actually worth in the current market. The key word being "current". Our market is changing at a rapid pace, now more than ever you need to seek the guidance of a trained real estate professional.

At Crye-Leike Executive Realty our agents are highly trained and skilled in selling real estate in the current market. We have all the tools needed for our buyers and sellers to achieve their goals and we strive to create lasting relationships and to earn your respect through our proven marketing plans and providing that WOW that is missing in so many aspect of our society. We sell real estate 24-7 and are here whenever you need us. We are your kids coaches, community leaders and your neighbors. We give our time and effort as well as our money back to our communities. A true sign of a real estate professional from a so called one is that a true professional is always paid upon closing a transaction and a successful sale has taken place. The burden to perform is on us. If we do not perform you do not owe us anything. Try that with one of those online companies. let me know your thoughts at ktinsley@crye-leike.com

Hillary Clinton Comes to Bowling Green

Hillary Clinton made a campaign stop to Kentucky and while in the state she visited Bowling Green. She met with several local and state leaders. Crye-Leike's own David and Charlene Rabold got to spend some time with Hillary and got to walk out with her as she gave her speech at Western Kentucky University. Charlene Rabold is a candidate for the Kentucky House of Representatives in the fall. for more information on her campaign please visit http://www.charlenerabold.org/. You may also contact David or Charlene for all your real estate needs directly at david.rabold@crye-leike.com or charlene.rabold@crye-leike.com.

Harold Crye named Chairman of "The Leading Real Estate Companies of the World"

We at Crye-Leike Executive Realty would like to congratulate our co-founder Harold Crye for being named chairman of "The Leading Real Estate Companies of the World" network. Read the full story here.
Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (www.LeadingRE.com) is a global real estate network comprised of nearly 700 of the best-known local and regional real estate firms. With more than 5,000 offices and 145,000 sales associates in the United States and 35 countries abroad, LeadingRE affiliates sell over $400 billion in home sales representing more than 1.3 million transactions annually, outselling any national franchise and leading the nation in the sales of $1 million-plus homes. Seven of the United States' top 10 real estate firms are LeadingRE affiliates.
Locally, Crye-Leike Executive Realty is proud to be the number one franchise of Crye-Leike in the nation.

Crye-Leike Executive Realty Celebrates 6 Years in Bowling Green

I would like to express our sincere thanks to all our customers and clients for allowing us 6 years of success in the Bowling Green real estate market this April. We at Crye-Leike have truly been blessed to have great professional agents representing us and the ability to sell some of the finest properties in our area. We are proud to be Crye-Leike's number 1 Franchise in the nation. and we could not have done it without all the great people we deal with on a daily basis. Bowling Green has been very good to us and we are so very thankful for all of our loyal customers. You have a promise from us that we will always treat you right and we never forget that buying or selling a home is a big deal, but it does not have to be a stressful one. We take pride in our success and it is no accident. We have earned it the old fashion way, We did it one yard at a time. From the first sold sign we ever put up, to the many we will continue to put up in 2008, we sincerely say "thank you".

I also want to let everyone know that the market is picking up, interest rates are great and spring is here. So what are you waiting for? Let's get started now. We constantly need lisitngs to replace our sold ones. Take time to look at our new exclusive Seller's Choice Program with one of our real estate experts and you will have the ability to pick the marketing plan that you want. If you would like more information on Sellers Choice with no obligation just click here.


Once again, thanks Bowling Green and South Central Kentucky it is our pleasure to serve you.


Kirk Tinsley-Broker

Crye-Leike Congratulates Hometown Egg Hunt Winners.

Crye-Leike agents Lisa Williams And Mike Burchett sponsored a new program in Bowling Green for 2008 called the Hometown Easter egg hunt. The prized egg was worth $500 . Mike and Lisa had clues placed in the local newspaper and on local radio stations three times a week. The contest was open to everyone who wanted to participate and was scheduled to run through March 31st. The prized egg was found by Matthew Sloan (age 7) He and his team of hunters will be sharing the $500.00 prize in the first annual Home Town Egg Hunt.

(Pictured above from left to right) , Lisa Williams (Realtor/Sponsor), Amanda O’Brien, Amber Sloan, John Suddarth, Kurt Terry, Matthew Sloan, Beth Thomas, Mike Burchett (Realtor/Sponsor).

If the egg had remained unclaimed the money would have then been donated to HOTEL,Inc. who provides help to needy families thoughout Bowling Green and Warren County.

Mike Burchett and Lisa Williams continue to be great examples for our community with their selfless desire to help out others. We at Crye-Leike Executive Realty are thankful to be affiliated with quality Realtors like these and salute them and their great promotion of this idea, which was extremely successful for a first year program. Lisa and Mike both wanted to do something to have families spend quality time together and thought this would be a fun way for that to happen. "This program has caused alot of people to call and ask about when the next clue was coming out so we knew it was going to be a success" Williams said. "We intend on continuing this and hope that next year's program will be even bigger" Burchett added. If you would like to contact either of them you may contact Lisa at lisa.williams@crye-leike.com or Mike at mikeb@crye-leike.com .

New Look for our Website

Hello, We have launched a new look for our website. We have added many new features that should make your online experience with us even better. Try our new mapping service that will map out all available homes that meet your search within a given area. We will also be adding the photos to our mapping services soon. You can also sign up to have new listings emailed to you when they hit the market. We will also be adding our open houses online so that you can see all of our opens with directions and times. You are no longer required sign in to view the MLS. However, don't forget to click on the ad for the Crye-Leike Gift card and sign up and request your free $1000 Crye-Leike gift card to use when buying or selling your next home with Crye-Leike Executive Realty. Finally, there are a few non-working links and we are currently correcting these. So enjoy our new site and we will be making more changes daily till we get it just right. If you have any questions or suggestions, please email me at ktinsley@crye-leike.com.

Real Estate market soft?

Well as I write this we are moving into the middle of February. It feels like February, I mean its cold outside and the roads are messy. I know that one of my favorite times as every other realtors will soon be upon us. SPRING! I want to let everyone know that we are seeing an increase in our phones, email and web traffic this month. No the market is not like 2006, but is is steady and we are selling properties daily. The media did a fantastic job of scaring everyone to death about how the government was going to come and get your home. I went shopping a few weeks back at Opry Mills in Nashville. What did I see? certainly no recession, no fearful faces and no parking places either. We are very blessed to live in a city like Bowling Green and live in an area like South Central Kentucky. People always ask me my advice on real estate and what they should do when buying,selling or anything else. Here is a simple fact I want you to remember. Always get with a professional who is in real estate. Do not try to go it alone.(I have seen so many horror stories, I could write a novel) The market is becoming extremely difficult for even us in the business to navigate. There is alot of information out in the world today and much of it is bad. That is one thing you are not told when surfing the web. Real estate information is everywhere and everyone is a so called expert. The true test of being a successful real estate company and sucessful real estate agent is, can you deliver? Plain and simple, Can you deliver? While we at this company are human and yes sometimes even we make mistakes, we will always do everything in our ability to deliver. That is a simple message but that is the Crye-Leike difference and it is what you need in today's market. Let me know what you think? ktinsley@crye-leike.com

Another Milestone for Crye-Leike Executive Realty

Crye-Leike Executive Realty is once again Crye-Leike's Number 1 franchise nationwide. We are thrilled about this honor once again and read the press release here.

Selling In a Tough Market?

Anyone who listens to the media today has no doubt been barraged with an endless tirade of how bad the mortgage and housing markets are and how the sky is now falling. The fact is, here locally the market is still very good. Homes are still selling just not as fast as in 2006 but that was a record year. Today you do need a real estate professional marketing your home and you also need to price your home to sell and not just sit on the market. We feel that most consumers today want more choices when it comes to selling their home. Hey, it's your home shouldn't you have some input in the selling process? We at Crye-Leike embrace our customers and give them the right to choose what they feel is best for them and what suits their needs. That is refreshing, isn't it? A Real Estate company that actually listens to what you want. We have made it easier for everyone to list their home with our company and at the same time have a real say in how we market their home. Our new plan is called SELLER'S CHOICE. It is exclusive to Crye-Leike and it has proven systems that will help get your home sold in today's market for the most money, with the least amount of hassle to you. For more information on this great new program call us today. I promise you'll love it. Email us at executiverealty@crye-leike.com and ask about SELLERS CHOICE.