OFHEO just released this 82-page monster titled Decline in House Prices Accelerates in First Quarter. Doesn’t sound very positive does it? But wait!

Jump to page 19 and you’ll find that Kentucky ranks 16th in the nation with a 1-Year appreciation of 2.81%. Notice I wrote appreciation rather than depreciation? The nation as a whole was down -0.03% but states 37 through 51 were all down. The biggest loser is predictably California with a -10.58%. Ouch.

We here in Louisville have a lot to be thankful for. With LG&E sporting some of the nations lowest utility rates and home prices still rising, it’s a great place to live. Now, if we can only start drawing in more growing companies.

City Planners are working towards creating a 100-mile trail for bikers/walkers around the city of Louisville. They’re calling it the Louisville Loop. Depending on the route and design of the path, this project sounds absolutely wonderful. Now, can they get through all the red tape and wrangling with communities affected by their plans?

Most recently, people here in Springhurst were able to view the current plans and offer their comments. Money always plays a major role in cases like these as principalities want to know who’ll be responsible for construction costs and then ongoing maintenance. Apparently, those negotiations are still underway.

Metro Parks says “the loop is approximately 25% complete” as of the time of this writing. If they can complete the circle, this innovative idea will be another positive move towards improving Louisville and our perception to the rest of the country.

To All Springhurst Residents:
We have received the following information from our Neighborhood Security Services:

1. “The following Suspect is just across the Gene Snyder from Springhurst. Anyone seeing the following suspect should call 911 and report the sighting.

On 3/30/8, the suspect entered a home in the 3700 block of Chamberlain Court.
Please be on the look out for:
White male, early to mid twenties, tall approximately 6’, thin build wearing all black.
Suspect has black hair collar length.
Suspect was wearing glasses with clear rims.
He was believed to be carrying tools wrapped in a coat.
Both burglaries and sexual assaults occurred approximately 0200 to 0400 hours.
He also maybe driving a dark colored vehicle.
He may be hanging around the rear of 10629 Henning Way near the dumpster.”

2. You may have also received an email alert from your neighbors regarding a white Land Rover/SUV with a luggage rack on the roof occupied by at least one Hispanic male in the area of Lake Forest/Beckley Woods who may have been involved in burglaries or thefts from the auto.

We are pleased to report that LMPD advises that this subject was arrested on charges unrelated to any burglaries or thefts. Since his arrests, the thefts and burglaries that have the same Modus Operandi have stopped. The Range Rover was towed to the impound lot and is scheduled to be returned to the actual owner.

FINALLY, as a reminder, please forward this email to your neighbors and let them know to contact me if they wish to be added to the email list.

Thank you. -Joe Tucker, President, Springhurst Community Association

But then Friday, the CJ follows up this sour news with something positive. Good for them!

Median home prices in the Louisville area rose 1.1 percent to $134,000 during the first two months of the year, compared with the same period in 2007, according to the Greater Louisville Association of Realtors.

That’s good news right? Sure! Louisville’s housing market doesn’t suffer the dizzying ups and downs of so many other markets in the U.S. In addition, because there is currently so much inventory, buyers have a larger selection to choose from and once they find their favorite home, the odds of getting a better than average deal is quite good.

For the homeowner looking to sell, it still comes down to price first, property condition second. Speak with a real estate professional to find out which home improvement projects can optimize your property’s opportunity to sell.

‘Louisville Neighborhoods’ Receives Some Press

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic. What home improvement projects are you planning for your Springhurst home in 2008?

Last month, around the Holidays, I was thinking it would be great idea to have a Web site for just our community, where people could post Help Wanted, Lost Pet, or whatever announcement or question you might have. Then other residents could read the posts, learn about changes in and around the community, and interact.

So here we are! If there’s something you’d like me to add to this site, just send visit our About Us page to send me an email.

I hope you find SpringhurstNeighborhood.com very useful.