Dustin Hatton - Realtor

10/08/2026

10/07/2026

Is the Central Kentucky housing market finally starting to balance out?

I think we’re getting closer, and the numbers are starting to show it.

In Fayette County, active inventory was up more than 14% year over year in September, with 1,317 homes on the market. At the same time, the median sold price was $350,000, essentially unchanged from a year ago.

The broader Central Kentucky market is showing a similar shift. Bluegrass REALTORS reported August inventory of 4,578 homes, up 12% from last year. Months of inventory also increased from 3.0 to 3.6 months.

Interest rates are part of the equation too. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 7.28% as of October 1, compared with 6.34% a year ago. Higher borrowing costs reduce purchasing power, which makes affordability an even bigger part of the conversation for buyers.

Put all of that together and I think one thing is becoming increasingly important:

Pricing matters again.

Homes that are priced and presented well can still move quickly. But buyers have more choices, and they’re paying attention to value. Sellers who price based on where the market was a couple of years ago may find themselves sitting longer than expected.

For buyers, more inventory means more homes to compare and, depending on the property, potentially more room to negotiate.

I actually think a more balanced market is a good thing. Buyers and sellers can make decisions based more on the property, the numbers and their individual situation and less on the frenzy we saw over the last few years.

That doesn’t mean we’re suddenly in a buyer’s market. It means the market is changing, and every neighborhood and price range can tell a different story.

If you’re curious what the numbers look like around your home or in an area you’re considering, send me a message. I’m always happy to dig into the data with you.

Sources: Realtor.com Economic Research, September 2026; Bluegrass REALTORS, August 2026 market data; Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, October 1, 2026.

10/01/2026

Came across this at a house today and had no idea what it was, so of course I had to look it up.

Turns out, starting in the late 1950s, homes could earn a “Gold Medallion” designation for being completely electric. Electric heat, cooking, water heater, along with upgraded wiring and electrical service. At the time, this was considered the future of homebuilding.

Builders and utility companies were so proud of the designation that they would actually set these medallions into the concrete at the home.

Almost 70 years later, this one is still there.

Pretty cool little piece of history that most probably walk right over/past.

09/15/2026

09/11/2026

I sat down with someone today who is planning a move and we spent some time talking through the market, his budget, and what he really wants in his next home.

Once we started separating the wants from the needs, we realized there may be a completely different path for him. Instead of looking for a house that checks every box on day one, he has the skills and ability to buy something that needs some work and bring it back to life while living there.

What I enjoyed most about the conversation was watching his perspective change. The market went from feeling unattainable to something he could approach as an opportunity. It became less about “Can I afford the house I want?” and more about “What can I buy, what can I turn it into, and where could that put me five or ten years from now?”

Maybe that's why I enjoyed the conversation so much. I've always looked at property ownership this way myself. Some of my favorite parts of owning a home have been doing the work myself, improving something over time, and seeing what a property can become rather than only what it is today.

Obviously that approach isn't for everyone, but that's also what I love about real estate. The right opportunity looks different for every person. Sometimes it just takes sitting down, looking at the numbers, figuring out what you're capable of, and building a plan around it.

Helping someone go from thinking homeownership is unattainable to looking at it as a real opportunity might be one of my favorite parts of doing this.

08/28/2026

Two Open Houses This Weekend in Lexington!

If you’re house hunting this weekend, I’ll be hosting two opportunities to stop by and take a look.

Saturday, August 29 | 1–3 PM
146 Ashton Drive
4 bedrooms | 2,550 sq. ft. | $320,000

Sunday, August 30 | 1–4 PM
2629 Michelle Park
3 bedrooms | 2.5 bathrooms | 2-car garage | $312,000

Stop by, take a look around, and see if one of these homes might be the right fit. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions before the weekend.

Dustin Hatton
RE/MAX Elite Realty
859-333-1792

08/27/2026

Open House this Saturday at 146 Ashton Drive in Lexington!

This freshly renovated 4 bedroom, 2 bath home offers 2,550 square feet, a first-floor primary suite, covered front porch, and a roof that is less than a year old.

Stop by Saturday from 1–3 PM and take a look!

Saturday, August 29 | 1–3 PM
146 Ashton Drive, Lexington, KY 40505
$320,000

Dustin Hatton
RE/MAX Elite Lexington
859-333-1792

08/27/2026

Open House this Sunday at 2629 Michelle Park in Lexington!

This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home in the Great Acres section of Masterson Station is listed at $312,000 and will be open from 1–4 PM.

Stop by, take a look around, and see if it could be the right fit for you.

Sunday, August 30 | 1–4 PM
2629 Michelle Park, Lexington, KY 40511

Dustin Hatton
RE/MAX Elite Lexington
859-333-1792

08/20/2026

🏡 OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY!

Come check out 4660 Athens Walnut Pike this Sunday from 1–4 PM! This move-in ready home offers over 3,100 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and 1.25 acres with a great barn out back.

Stop by, take a look around, and see if this one feels like home!

📍 4660 Athens Walnut Pike
📅 Sunday, August 23 | 1–4 PM
💲619,900