I Love this Wonk
This is a very cool new toy I found online today. Developed by Trulia, it shows new construction and home growth in Nashville and surrounding areas from 1890 to present.
Click here to see what's happened in our area. Or
click here if you want to look at other areas. Enjoy!
Labels: home growth, housing growth, new construction growth
Raise Your Credit Score
Without a decent credit score, you won't be buying a home unless you're following the bread trail of a predatory lender.
This article today on MSNBC outlines suggestions for raising or improving your credit score.
If your credit score is below 620, you can pretty well forget about getting a good interest rate on a home loan, much less getting a loan at all. The average score, according to the article, is around 720. The article really does provide a strong outline on how your credit score is determined, so
go read now!
Labels: credit score
Home Sales Dip? Again.
National news is reporting today that homes sales fell in April, for the 9th straight month. In April, I found buyers were more active - based on the fact that I found buyers for my homes listed in April and we closed in May.
MSNBC has the story about
home sales and home prices falling.
More locally, I'm seeing fewer homes being listed. I believe this will eventually be good for sellers because of supply and demand. With fewer homes, there will be less to choose from when buyers are ready, so eventually that will positively impact the market. When we reach that point, I believe the market will take off again.
Unless the subprime mortgage industry keeps dragging the market down.
Labels: home sales, housing market
Gorgeous Gated Community Coming
Though they are a different company within the company where I work, I don't always agree with their decisions. However, this time they are building a gorgeous community in Murfreesboro called Marymont Springs off of Rucker Lane. With over 600 acres, they are building an estate gated community featuring lakes, trail, and more.
Homes will range from $300,000 to over $1 million. It looks like it will be absolutely stunning once complete and I'm going to be working hard to earn enough to build my own home there! :)
Read the article about how the neighborhood association will be paying for its own roads
printed in today's Daily News Journal.
Not again!
Another body was found in a home, but thankfully this time a Realtor wasn't involved! A woman in Spain stopped making her mortgage payments, so the bank/lender foreclosed on the home. Without even going to look at it, the bank sold the home at auction. The buyer went to look at it after there was a nearby fire - and found the previous owner. She was sitting on the living room couch, mummified.
Holy crap!
Read the story here!
Labels: bad discoveries
Sweet Home
Just listed this pretty home today for $127,000. It’s a three-bedroom, two bath home in the back of Lake Forest (technically, it’s in the Gammon Estates subdivision). It backs up to woods.
More details:
$127,000 604 Angel Way Court, LaVergne, TN
Big living room with wood burning fireplace
Breakfast nook in kitchen
Stove, dishwasher & refrigerator remain
Formal dining room
Walk-in closet in master (trey ceilings and private bath)
Nice deck - will need to be pressure washed
One-car garage
This home will be a short-sale as the father had a major medical issue and medical expenses will eat you alive. Plus, he is no longer able to maintain a yard. Please let me know if you’d like to see the home! And now for some photos:
Labels: house for sale
Bright = Blinding Light
I posted this at Shak & Jill and thought it was too funny not share here!We've all read things like, "Charming home with city view" and have gone to look only to find that the real estate agent has been very creative in his or her description. The folks at Bigger Pockets posted a funny rundown on how to really read real estate ads. Go here for a good laugh!
Here are a couple more that I've written in my own listings and what they mean:
Brick - Brick veneer on the front only. If it said all-brick, it'd be real brick all around.Popular Neighborhood - Way overcrowded and possibly filled with gangs and/or crime.Mature Trees - Nice shade, but let's hope you don't have septic because the roots will probably be eating away at it.Immaculate - Not filthy.Spacious - Not tiny.Fenced Back Yard - To keep neighbor's snarling rottweiler or pit bull out.Affordable - Needs work.
You get the idea! May the buyer beware!Labels: funny real estate terms
Townhome in Popular La Vergne Community
JUST LISTED!
Brick townhome w/upgraded carpet, all appliances (including stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, washer & dryer), gorgeous kitchen, private patio, 2- spacious master suites & big living room. Walk to Veterans Memorial Park from this quiet community.
Easy access to jobs, schools, shopping, entertainment, interstates, N'ville, M'boro, and more!
Total Square Feet: 1355
Bedrooms: 2 (two master suites with oversized closets and private baths)
Total Baths: 2 1/2
Price: $111,000 (seller will consider helping with closing costs)
Brick front. Monthly association fee of $75 covers all outside maintenance, including insurance on the structure and yard work.
Huge living room has room for big-screen television (not pictured).
Kitchen has beautiful cabinets, all appliances, nice bar area, pantry, and roomy dining area.
Master bedroom has walk-in closet, private bathroom, office or sitting area, and cathedral ceilings.
Private patio includes storage area for yard equipment (not that you have to do any work on the yard, but still!).
Call Kathy at (615) 491-2161 for a private tour, or email ktyson(at)realtracs(dot)com for more information.
Welcome Agent Janice!
My friend and mentor Janice Williams is jumping into the blogging river. I'm her only lifevest so far, so be nice to Miss Janice! Visit her at
This is Murfreesboro. She'll be writing a post soon to give me photo credit for her fabulous picture! Nudge nudge wink wink. Hahahaha. Welcome Janice!
Labels: new agent
Six Bedroom with Creek!
A friend of mine has the gorgeous home listed in the west Nashville area in the Woodland Forest subdivision. It was too pretty not to mention here! Some stats: 6 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, 2 rec rooms, 2 kitchens (in-laws, anyone?), over 3700 square feet, hardwood floors, new carpet, new paint, and it BACKS UP TO A BEAUTIFUL CREEK! It's listed at $319,900, already reduced $20,000 from original price. Here are some photos:
Front of the home features two car garage, plus third garage. Plenty of room for parking for when you have parties! Quiet cul de sac is an added bonus.
Check out these gleaming floors!
All kitchen appliances remain and include stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, and coffee pot!
This is the downstairs bonus room with a kitchenette. Could be in-law apartment!
This is my very favorite part. This view is amazing and the creek runs right beside it.
If you'd like more information or a personal tour, give me a call at (615) 491-2161. The seller is willing to help with some closing costs, etc. if the offer is strong enough.
Labels: house for sale
Please Never Happen to Me
I hope this never ever never never ever happens to me or my clients. An agent showing a house allowed her clients to go back to the bedroom alone. Shortly after, she heard a scream. The buyers had found the homeowner deceased on the bed. She died two weeks before. The listing agent wouldn't say how long it had been since the last showing, but my money says it had been at least two weeks.
Read the article here.
Side note: I try to contact my clients every week!
Labels: buyers
