Brincs Restoration and Remodeling

09/02/2026

𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗔 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗧𝗢𝗡, 𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗬.

📍 1515 Madison Avenue, Covington, Kentucky

When buildings are packed together along a busy city street, it can be easy to overlook just how impressive some of Covington’s old homes really are. Imagine this same house sitting by itself with several acres of land around it. You’d probably look at it completely differently.

According to the National Register documentation for the historic district, this imposing Queen Anne home was built in the 1880s by Jacob Weller, a wealthy merchant and land investor. At another point in its history it was also home to Wallace Stewart, one of Covington’s prominent businessmen associated with Stewart Iron Works.

Even in its current condition, you can still see just how grand this place was. The big porch, bay windows, asymmetrical design and corner tower are all still there.

Eventually the mansion took on a much different life as the Colonial Inn motel. By its later years, the Colonial Inn had developed a notorious reputation for crime and frequent police activity. It even appeared during filming of the television show COPS in Covington.

After years of problems at the property, an agreement was reached that required the Colonial Inn to be offered for sale and, if it wasn’t sold by the deadline, to give up its business license. The motel ultimately closed in 2015. The City of Covington purchased the property for $250,000 the following year.

Thankfully, they didn’t tear it down.

Today the old mansion is getting another chance. The Covington Academy of Heritage Trades is using 1515 Madison as a real life classroom, where students learn the specialized skills needed to restore historic buildings while actually helping restore this one.

There’s something pretty fitting about that. A mansion from the 1800s that could have easily been lost is now being used to teach a new generation how to save buildings just like it.

Next time you’re driving down Madison Avenue, take a second look at this one. Try to picture it without everything crowded around it and imagine what this place must have looked like in its prime.

I really hope they’re able to fully restore this gem.

Has this house ever caught your eye?

09/02/2026

The new Kenton County park project, located on the site of former Fox Run Park and Golf Course, will close Monday, Sept. 14 for construction.

09/02/2026

Coming Soon in the sought after Stoney Ridge Estates ✨

▪️New Furnace and AC 2026
▪️Beautiful wooded view from deck and patio/basketball court
▪️Large Kitchen with island seating, granite counters, and open to Morning Room
▪️Finished lower level with bathroom and walkout

Showings start after the holiday weekend on 9/8:
https://www.finn-team.com/featured/OH/cincinnati/45247/7938-stoney-ridge-dr/56421

09/02/2026

🎆 The 50th annual Western & Southern/WEBN Fireworks is Sunday, Sept. 6!

If you’re planning to celebrate in Covington, familiar restrictions will be in place involving road closures, parking, alcohol, scooters, and more.

Please allow extra time to get around and follow directions from Covington Police to help keep the celebration safe.

👉 See the full list of Riverfest restrictions, road closures, parking information, and exit routes here: https://www.covingtonky.gov/news/2026/08/28/familiar-restrictions-in-place-for-celebrating-riverfest-in-covington

08/12/2026

08/12/2026

08/12/2026

The **21st Century ROAD to Housing Act** was signed into law on July 11, 2026, and I've already had several investor clients ask me the same question: "How does this affect me?"

Here's the short answer... For most local investors, it likely won't change much.

The biggest headline for investors is that beginning January 7, 2027, large institutional investors that control 350 or more single-family homes will face new restrictions when purchasing additional single-family properties. If you're an individual investor or own a small portfolio, these restrictions are not expected to apply to you.

Here are a few other changes worth knowing:

🏡 **More housing development is being encouraged.** Local governments are being incentivized to speed up permitting, support commercial-to-residential conversions, and make it easier to create additional housing. If you're looking for redevelopment opportunities or considering ADUs, this is something to watch closely over the next few years.

📊 **Appraisal reviews are getting more standardized.** Federal agencies will maintain formal Reconsideration of Value (ROV) procedures. That means documentation—permits, renovations, comparable sales, and property improvements—will become even more important if an appraisal comes in lower than expected.

🇺🇸 **Veterans may have greater awareness of VA financing.** Loan applications will begin notifying eligible veterans and surviving spouses of potential VA loan eligibility, helping more buyers understand the financing options available to them.

My takeaway?

This isn't a law that's likely to disrupt the average real estate investor. Instead, it appears to focus on increasing housing supply, improving transparency, and placing limits on the very largest institutional buyers—not the local investors who own a handful of rental properties.

As always, the details matter, and we'll learn more as the various agencies roll out implementation over the coming months.

If you're an investor and you're wondering how this could impact your acquisition strategy or long-term portfolio, let's have a conversation. I'm happy to walk through what I'm seeing in our local market and what I believe is worth paying attention to.

08/03/2026