As of this quarter, the median sold price is $210,000—up 6.2 % year-over-year—while active listings remain under 90 homes, a 1.4-month supply. Starter homes under $200K in neighborhoods like Wingfield or Cecilia sell in 8–12 days with multiple offers, so pre-approval letters from recognizable local lenders carry weight. New construction is surging along Leitchfield Road and Highway 135, where 1,600-acre Blue Oval SK battery park is expected to add 5,000 jobs by 2026. If you’re relocating from Fort Knox, expect BAH rates of $1,485 (E-5 with dependents), which comfortably covers a $230K VA loan payment of $1,450 including taxes and insurance.

• Average appreciation: 5.8 % annually since 2019
• Days on market: 18 days (down from 42 in 2020)
• Price per square foot: $125 city-wide, $145 in top school zones

Because inventory is tight, NMHL’s Same-Day Pre-Approval gives you negotiating power equivalent to cash buyers; agents routinely move our clients to the top of the pile once they see NMHL on the letter.

Helmwood / Cardinal Creek: Tree-lined streets, 1,400–1,800 sq ft 3-bedrooms built 1995-2010, prices $190K-$250K. Assigned to Morningside Elementary (GreatSchools 9) and within five minutes of Walmart, Hobby Lobby, and I-65.

Wingfield: Starter pocket south of Dixie; 1970s brick ranches from $150K. You can still buy with KHC $10K assistance and have total payment under $1,400. Strong rental demand from ECTC students keeps resale velocity high.

Valley Creek: Newer subdivisions with sidewalks, community pool, and 2,000-2,400 sq ft homes $230K-$270K. Popular with Fort Knox officers; HOA $25/month.

Downtown Historic: Renovated 1890s–1930s homes, 1,600–2,200 sq ft, $240K-$320K. Walk to pubs, breweries, and the Farmers & Artisans Market. Eligible for Kentucky’s Renaissance Revitalization tax credits if you take on a rehab project.

Hardin County’s combined rate for city dwellers is 0.820 per $100 of assessed value, so a $210K home incurs about $1,722 annually—roughly $145/month in escrow. Rural corners of the county dip to 0.748. Homeowner’s insurance averages $1,050 a year thanks to Elizabethtown’s distance from Ohio River flood zones; however, if you choose a FEMA flood zone property along Valley Creek Drive or the Rolling Fork River, flood coverage could add $600–$900 annually. NMHL’s escrow team will give you exact tax prorations within 24 hours of ratified contract so you know your true monthly nut before finalizing the offer.

Elizabethtown Independent Schools serve the city core and command the county’s highest resale premiums. Morningside Elementary’s 9/10 GreatSchools rating helps homes within its boundary sell for roughly 8 % more than identical homes in the county district. Central Hardin High and Lakewood Elementary zones still outperform state averages and attract buyers priced out of the city district. If private education is in your plan, tuition at Elizabethtown Christian Academy runs $6,200 per student, so factor that into your debt-to-income ratio when NMHL pre-qualifies you.

In addition to KHC, Hardin County Housing Development Corporation provides:

• $5,000 Homebuyer Grant: 0 % interest, forgivable after five years; household income ≤ 80 % AMI; must contribute $500 of own funds.
• Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati: up to $7,500 through the Welcome Home program; funds release quarterly—NMHL reserves a slot for every Elizabethtown pre-approval at the start of each quarter.
• Fort Knox Credit Union Partnership: If you finance with NMHL and bank with FKCUL, you may receive a 0.25 % rate reduction on auto loans and a free appraisal (up to $550 value).

These programs can be stacked with seller credits and NMHL lender credits, making it possible to close with as little as $1,000 out-of-pocket on a $200K purchase.

FHA Advantage: 580 credit score, 3.5 % down, manual underwriting to 57 % back-end DTI with compensating reserves; gift funds allowed.

VA FastTrack: 580 score, zero down, no PMI, seller can pay all closing costs; we close 21-day contracts for Fort Knox PCS orders.

USDA Rural: 100 % financing, income limits $103,5K for 1-4 person household; guarantee fee 1 % financed, annual 0.35 %—still lower than PMI.

Bank Statement Plus: 12-24 months deposits, 15 % down on $1.2M max, 620 score, no tax returns.

FreshStart Credit Repair: If your mid-score is under 580, our in-house credit team creates a 60-day roadmap, pays down revolving balances with NMHL secured cards, and re-scores before you shop.

Every program comes with our Elizabethtown Rate Match Guarantee: If you find a better APR on the same product within one business day of locking, we’ll beat it by 0.125 % or pay you $500 toward closing costs.