Kentucky

Kentucky is a great place to invest in real estate, rent property, and take advantage of short term rentals. With its vibrant cities, friendly communities, and wide range of housing options, Kentucky offers investors a variety of opportunities. The state has a robust housing market, with prices ranging from affordable to luxury. For those looking to rent, there are plenty of options available, from long-term rentals to short-term and vacation rentals. Short term rentals are particularly popular in the state’s cities, allowing visitors to stay in fully furnished homes and apartments. The rental market is also strong in rural areas, giving investors the opportunity to capitalize on the state’s growing popularity. With its low cost of living and welcoming communities, Kentucky is an attractive option for real estate investors.

Sustainability Resources

The Real Estate industry is one of the most environmentally damaging industries in the world accounting for:
30%
of total carbon dioxide
40%
of all energy
40%
of all raw materials
Our goal is to give you the resources you need to take sustainable action in improving, building, retrofitting and revamping your home. The impacts are real, the benefits significant, and the need critical. Join us in bringing sustainability home and creating a brighter future for all, starting with you.

Save money and do the world a favor!
Here's a list of Sustainability Initiatives in the area:

Pearl Certification

The Pearl certification can be earned based on a property's performance in the following categories: buidling shell, heating & cooling, baseload, home management, renewable energy and energy storage. There are 4 levels of certification all of which reflect highly on a home's performance, sustainability, and value.

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WaterSense Products-EPA

Search tool to find WaterSense labeled products by the EPA which are certified to be more water efficient.

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Home Energy Rating-HERS Index

The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is the nationally recognized industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency and performance is inspected and measured.

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Kentucky FAQs

Is Kentucky a judicial or non-judicial state?

Judicial

In a judicial foreclosure state, the lender must go through the court system in order to foreclose on a property. This process can be longer and more expensive for the lender compared to a non-judicial foreclosure.
In a judicial foreclosure state, the lender must go through the court system in order to foreclose on a property. This process can be longer and more expensive for the lender compared to a non-judicial foreclosure.

What is the process of closing on a property in Kentucky?

Attorneys conduct closings. Conveyance is by grant deed or by bargain-and-sale deed. Deeds must show the name of the preparer, the amount of the total transaction, and the recording reference by which the grantor obtained title. Mortgages are the principal security instruments because deeds of trust offer no power-of-sale advantages. Enforcement of any security instrument requires a decree in equity, a judicial foreclosure proceeding. Kentuckians use ALTA policies and endorsements. Sellers pay closing costs; buyers pay recording fees. Responsibility for payment of title insurance premiums varies according to locale. Property taxes are payable on an annual basis; due dates vary from county to county.

Property Taxes in Kentucky?

Due annually and vary by county.

In Kentucky, does a property management company require a real estate broker's license?

YES. Property management is expressly considered a real estate brokerage act requiring a real estate broker's license. Property management is defined as: the overall management of real property for others for a fee, compensation, or other valuable consideration, and may include the marketing of property, the leasing of property, collecting rental payments on the property, payment of notes, mortgages, and other debts on the property, coordinating maintenance for the property, remitting funds and accounting statements to the owner, and other activities that the commission may determine by administrative regulation.

Are there any exceptions to the requirement that a property manager have a broker's license in Kentucky?

Yes. For example, a person engaged in property management does not need to be licensed if they are a regular employee of the owner or principal broker of the company engaged in property management. In addition, a real estate broker's license is not required if the person engaged in property management receives as his or her primary compensation the use of a rental unit. For more information about these and other Kentucky property management requirements and exceptions, please contact the Kentucky Real Estate Commission. Before hiring a property manager to manage your Kentucky rental property, you should always check that he or she is licensed appropriately. You can check the license status of Kentucky property managers and the Kentucky Real Estate Commission's Public Database Search.

Do you need a broker's license to manage community associations in Kentucky?

NO. A broker's license is not required to manage community associations or condo associations in Kentucky.

Kentucky Real Estate Broker Requirements

Attorneys conduct closings. Conveyance is by grant deed or by bargain-and-sale deed. Deeds must show the name of the preparer, the amount of the total transaction, and the recording reference by which the grantor obtained title. Mortgages are the principal security instruments because deeds of trust offer no power-of-sale advantages. Enforcement of any security instrument requires a decree in equity, a judicial foreclosure proceeding. Kentuckians use ALTA policies and endorsements. Sellers pay closing costs; buyers pay recording fees. Responsibility for payment of title insurance premiums varies according to locale. Property taxes are payable on an annual basis; due dates vary from county to county.

Kentucky Real Estate Salesperson Requirements

Due annually and vary by county.

How do property ownership transfers work in Kentucky?

Grant deed or Bargain-and-Sale deed.

Cities