• 🏘️ Would You Live Here?

• 🛝 The Future of the Town Square Mall Building

• 🎢 Follow My Footsteps For Your Summer Job!

• 🤦‍♀️ Have You Seen This Ridiculous Video?

• 🏠 Great, Quality Homes Hitting the Market

• 🎁 Growing This Newsletter - Giveaway Time!

• 👷‍♀️ Remodeling Soon? Attend the Expo!

• 💭 Final Thoughts

• 📝 Survey Time!

🏘️ Would You Live Here?

Have you been keeping an eye on the development happening at the intersection of Hayden Road and Daniels Lane?!

It’s an apartment complex managed by Sky Property Management and they are ready to take applications of those who would love to reside there.

The complex offers 128 units, offering a mix of 1-2 bedroom apartments with 1-2 bathrooms. They are all open concept layouts with stainless steel appliances, hardwood-look laminate flooring, side-by-side washer & dryer connection & a patio with an outdoor storage closet.

The cost of rent ranges from $1,050-$1,250/month. There is also talk of them eventually adding some amenities such as a park or playground, but it’s not yet been finalized.

If you’re interested in scheduling a showing of these apartments, they’d like for you to fill out the info in this link.

Sky Property Management is based out of Bowling Green, KY. They also manage the Legacy Commons apartments on Chuck Gray Court in Owensboro. That location offers apartments for a monthly rent cost of $795-$975/month.

I’d love to know. Would you live here?!

🛝 The Future of the Town Square Mall Building

If the rumors are true, there’s a potential BIG project in the works of the shuttered Towne Square Mall in Owensboro, Kentucky.

The word on the street is that a group of local investors have gotten together and, while they’ve refused to speak to any local media outlets as of now, they are planning to invest just under $20M to turn the once-thriving mall into an indoor/outdoor family entertainment center.

According to records from a special-called meeting held in October 2024, the group plans to include activities such as indoor golf, laser tag, bowling, arcade, go kart track, kids playground & lawn activities as well.

I’m not sure how solid of a plan this is yet. However, they’re saying that the construction may begin as early as May 2025. If so, I expect there will be more news out about this very soon.

The Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet will hold a public hearing on the proposed project on March 11, 2025. Stay tuned!

🎢 Follow My Footsteps For Your Summer Job!

Many of you may not know, but I worked at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari for 14 years and began at the young age of 14 years old. It’s such a fun story of how I got started, but I don’t have time to tell the whole story in this newsletter. Maybe I’ll share in a later edition, but I’ll share a short bit of my overall experience for now.

When I started at 14, I was a sweeper and LOVED it. Absolutely loved it. The idea of being stuck at a ride, at a game, in a food stand or at a lifeguard position did NOT appeal to me at all. Getting to roam around and move nonstop while greeting guests and striking up conversations with people literally all over the world while they were having fun…what a fun job!! Yes I had to clean up vomit and plunge poopy toilets, but I even made that fun! 😂

When I left Holiday World at 28 years old (I had worked there half of my life at that point), I was the Director of Training & Development and had been working full-time for many, many years. What an incredibly fun role that was too.

My time at Holiday World were some of the best times of my life. Undoubtedly, choosing to work there changed the trajectory of my life. To get very specific, I discovered my mentor there…Mrs. Pat Koch. And if you know me at all, you know that she means the absolute world to me. The 3 most important people in my life: Jesus, Steve & Mrs. Koch.

If you have a teenager, I HIGHLY recommend that you encourage them to work at Holiday World. Your teen will learn SO much about the real world, how to treat people, how to carry themselves, they’ll learn to make eye contact, how to talk to people & so much more. They’ll make friends and make memories that they will cherish forever.

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari has already begun the hiring process, but they hire A LOT of people and the hiring process continues.

By the way, you do not have to be a teen to work there. They need people of all ages and experiences. When I was in management there, some of my best employees were 40-80 years old.

Here is a snippet of some of their upcoming events if you’re interested.

If you want more info or you’re curious, head over to this page to learn more.

Reminiscing about my time at Holiday World when I was 14. That was in 1997, you guys. I’m getting old! My first year there, the water park was TINY. I can remember the rides/slides/attractions in 1997. When you entered the waterpark, there were 2 slides toward the bottom of the hill called “Amazoom” and “Bamboo Chute”. Once you got to the bottom, there was a small restaurant on the left, they’d serve Dippin Dots’ on the right and straight ahead was locker rental and all those lockers and a restroom.

The water park continued with the Congo River, an island in the middle of it with nothing but lounge chairs, a tiny kiddie pool/splash area, another restroom and the Wave pool. That was it. It was wild to see the growth in the 14 years I was there…and it’s hardly recognizable to me now when I go.

🤦‍♀️ Have You Seen This Ridiculous Video?

When I did my first silly video in an attempt to bring more attention to my sellers’ home, I had no idea it’d be enjoyed so much.

Do I think the video itself sells the house? No…absolutely not.

But I do know that they bring joy to at least some people and boy could the world use more of that?! 🙌 And I also know that it does drive more eyeballs to my sellers’ homes which could always mean…more offers!

Click the photo below if you want to see the video I’m talking about. Before you do…fair warning…the level of cheese is UP there.

This home is currently still available as I type this. It’s located on the east side of Daviess off of Hwy 1389 (off of Hwy 144 if you’re unfamiliar). Really private location with a great shop. It would make a great rental property without you having to do any work at all. AND there was once a mobile home (late 1990’s) on the back side of the property so all of the utilities are there which would be perfect for a future building site!

🏠 Great, Quality Homes Hitting the Market

The amount and quality of the homes I'm honored to list for sale in Daviess County in the next few weeks is incredible...and I absolutely cannot wait to market them!

If you've been hunting for a great home, here's a lil sneak peek of what I have coming in March so far:

1️⃣ Gorgeous, like-new home in a GREAT west county neighborhood. 3 beds/2 baths Over 2100 sq ft. Upgrades galore. All brick. Sunroom. Oversized attached garage. All one level. Seriously impeccable. Will be priced just over $400k.

2️⃣ Super cozy and affordable, centrally located in Owensboro. 2 bed/1 bath. Over 1200 sq ft. Large fenced yard. Will be priced in the $130k's.

3️⃣ Another beautiful ranch home on TWO acres in south Daviess with so many updates to the house AND the property. 3 beds/2 baths. Over 2200 sq ft. Pool with a great deck. Shop & more! List price yet TBD.

4️⃣ Great ranch home w/finished basement in a highly desired Owensboro neighborhood. Officially 3 bedrooms/3 bathrooms, but can be used as a 5 bedroom home with zero changes. Move-in ready. 😉 Over 3000 sq ft. Priced around $300k.

5️⃣ A beautiful home in the fringe tax district of Daviess County in one of my absolute favorite neighborhoods. More than 3000 sq ft and loads of character. 4 beds/3+ baths. Priced under $400k.

And a couple more that will either hit in early April or late March. 🙌 If any of these sound like something you've been looking for, stay glued to my page. 👀

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I’m still urgently looking for a great home in Deer Valley for a buyer:

👉 2200+ sq ft
👉 Nice, semi-level backyard
👉 Oversized garage would be a huge plus
👉 Under $400k

If you have a home in DV that meets this criteria and you'd consider selling, holla!

🎁 Growing This Newsletter - Giveaway Time!

I’m really enjoying writing these newsletters for you. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy writing them.

We have a tremendous “open rate” on our newsletters which means folks aren’t just hitting the delete button…they’re at least reading some of the newsletter, and that makes my heart happy!

I hope you are finding at least SOME value in each one.

I’d love to reach more people. So let’s do a giveaway!

Here’s how to enter to win:

1. Take a screenshot of a part of THIS newsletter that you enjoyed reading.

2. Share it on any of your facebook or Instagram accounts letting your friends know that you recommend that they subscribe to the newsletter.

3. And add the hashtag #obkynews somewhere in your post.

Every publication, I’ll pick a random winner from those who shared something from the most recent newsletter…and I’ll announce it. So be sure to catch every newsletter to see if you are the winner! (I won’t know you shared it if you don’t use the hashtag so be sure to use it!)

The winner for each publication will receive a $25 VISA card as my gift of gratitude for you helping to spread the word. THANK YOU!

👷‍♀️ Remodeling Soon? Attend the Expo!

Get ready to plan your spring and summer projects! The Green River Building Industry Association presents over 44,000 square feet of exhibitors showing the newest technology in home design and remodeling! All aspects of building and remodeling will be on display at the Owensboro Convention Center.

I know that the Greater Owensboro Realtor Association will have one of the many booths on display that day. If you’ve been thinking about doing any sort of home renovation, big or small, you’re not going to want to miss out on attending this event!

The expo is on Saturday, March 8th from 10AM-5PM and Sunday, March 9th from 11AM-4PM

💭 Final Thoughts

I’d love your feedback on these newsletters. I never want to spam you so my hope is that you find value in the words that I share. There’s a survey below if you scroll just a bit. Let me know how I’m doing. (I promise…I have tough skin. 😉)

The real estate market is starting to pick up. I personally have more homes hitting the market in March than I think I’ve ever listed in one month in my nearly 10 years in the industry. Don’t worry…that’s not a sign that things are looking grim. It’s a great sign that the interest rates are no longer holding some sellers back from selling. The weather is turning nicer (Hallelujah!) and folks are ready to get moving.

If you’re not following me on my business facebook page here, I’d love for you to! That page is the first place my newest listings show up so you can be one of the first to know. You know…one of the cool kids! Haha!

In the next edition, I’ll tell you all about my journey with working with my hubby who just recently got licensed. It’s new and it’s been so fun already. I’m looking forward to sharing all about it! And I think he got licensed at exactly the right time…my clients seem to be ready to get moving. And we’re ready to be a part of the journey for so many!

Seriously thank you for being here and following along. If I can ever be of assistance to you, I hope you know that I’m never too busy to help.

❤️ Sam

“OBKY News” is brought to you by Sam Ray’s real estate team Vega Group proudly brokered by Real Broker.

We would be honored to be your chosen real estate expert when you are ready to make a move. ❤️ 

We know that it can be fun to tour homes even if you’re not ready to make a move. So we’ve put together a list of the upcoming Open Houses just in case you’d like to tour them. 👇

** This is a “live” link which means it’ll update as Open Houses are added or removed. Be sure to check back closer to the weekend!

📝 Survey Time!