About

Kentucky Tom:  Engineer’s Tips for Home Buying & Selling

You’ll find practical tips on how to buy and sell your home, moving, home maintenance, and even some amazing Kentucky architecture along the way.

I remember the first home my wife and I ever purchased. There’s nothing like the overwhelming positive feeling of freedom and safety that owning your own home brings. That experience is one of the reasons I’ve volunteered with Habitat for Humanity — because everyone deserves to feel that same sense of security and pride in their home.

Who I Am

I’m a mechanical engineer with over three decades of experience, including designing and building homes as well as large industrial facilities. I’ve also spent many years volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, where I’ve helped build more than 100 homes for families in need.

My background gives me a different way of looking at houses. While most advice focuses on cosmetic updates like paint, carpet, or appliances, I pay special attention to the hidden systems and structural elements that are expensive to repair or replace — things like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, foundations, and overall construction quality.

My Story: Buying Our First Home

Buying our first house almost didn’t happen. We were newly married and looking for a home roughly halfway between our jobs, but we were in a tough buyer’s market. Almost everything was out of our price range. The few homes we could afford needed major repairs due to years of neglect.

We made offers on three houses, but all were rejected. One seller was actually offended that we offered tens of thousands below his asking price. We were in the process of signing a lease for an apartment when that same seller called back and said they would reconsider.

By then, we had already spent money preparing to move, so I had to offer even less than our original bid. The seller wasn’t happy, but he eventually accepted. We later learned he and his wife were building a custom home and needed to sell quickly because they couldn’t afford two mortgages.

Lesson learned: Patience and sticking to what you can truly afford can work — even in difficult markets.

The day we moved in, we felt an immediate sense of freedom. Even though the house needed years of maintenance and upgrades, it was worth every bit of effort. It became our private refuge from the outside world.

Why I Share What I Know

My parents immigrated to the United States with almost nothing. They faced terrible living conditions early on before eventually achieving the American Dream through hard work. I often think about how much easier their journey would have been with something like Habitat for Humanity.

That personal connection is why I’ve helped build over 100 homes with Habitat. Every family I’ve worked with has had their own challenges, and I’m grateful to help give them a safe, clean place to live.

After buying and selling multiple homes, building our own house, and helping construct so many others through Habitat, I realized I wanted to share the hard lessons we learned — both the things we did right and the mistakes we made. My goal is to help you start your next home buying or selling journey from a much stronger position than we had.

My Mission

Pay it forward.

I’m here to help you learn as much as possible before you buy or sell your next home. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, preparing to sell, or simply want to better understand how homes actually work, I want to give you clear, practical information so you can make confident decisions.

What You’ll Find Here

On this site, I share straightforward advice on:

• • Buying and selling homes
  • Home maintenance and systems
  • Moving and getting settled
  • Kentucky real estate insights
  • Historic and interesting architecture across the state

My approach is practical and no-nonsense, with a focus on the things that truly matter long-term.

Looking Ahead

I’m currently writing a book (working title: Kentucky Tom: How to Buy and Sell Houses), scheduled for release in 2026. It will serve as a comprehensive reference with everything I’ve learned, along with real examples and helpful worksheets.

I also created a Patreon community as a place for ongoing conversations, deeper discussions, and answering questions about the topics I cover on the website and in the book.

Visit the Lexington, Kentucky region

I’m a Certified Destination LEXpert who will help you connect to the best of Lexington Kentucky region’s charm, culture, and history.  Contact me today!