Giving pause to real estate in the popular Brentwood area of Nashville, one can take a look at the positive headlines, creating a much more optimistic feel for the state of home sales and the economy in general.  It has been stated over and over in recent years that economic recovery is tightly connected with real estate recovery.  The economy has been recovering slowly, and often real estate recovery has seemed even slower.

It is important to remember, however, that not too long ago headlines were 99.9% bleak, offering little hope, and when there was hope it seemed months, if not years, in the future.  Today’s headlines on the other hand are far more optimistic, showing signs of life in retail, residential, new construction, and real estate investment.

Recent Wall Street Journal headlines related to real estate include: “Drop in Store Vacancies Signals Possible Mall Rebound”, “Owning Regains Appeal”, and  “Foreclosure Starts ‘Fall’ in February”.  Likewise, recent headlines at Realty Times include: “Real Estate Outlook: Vacation Sales Surge”, and “Banks Upbeat About Mortgage Performance, Looser Credit Looms”.

While certainly real estate recovery is not in full bloom everywhere but it certainly is looking up.  The general sentiment appears to be that owning real estate is a good investment and that now is a great time to be a buyer.

Brentwood Real Estate, Take A Look is a post from: Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin, Tennessee Real Estate

Healthy floors are an option for all of us in our Nashville TN Home.  We walk on them every day, but how often do we actually give our floors consideration?  Most of us have probably spent our entire lives not even thinking about carpet for example.  We choose carpet based on color, style, and even price, not typically what the carpet is made from.  The truth is that much of the carpeting that has traditionally covered our floors contains formaldehyde.

How often do you think about what you are surrounded by every day?  What you walk on, what you sit on, what you drink out of are all made up of some type of material, have you ever considered that any of these items could be toxic over a long period of time and prolonged exposure?  Flooring made up of formaldehyde just sounds awful, doesn’t it?  Knowing that there are harmless, earth-friendly alternatives for flooring may offer peace of mind and a healthier life in the long run.

We no longer use lead in the paints that cover our walls because we know that lead in poisonous to our health.  Likewise we have rid our homes of asbestos because it has led to diseases like lung cancer and asthma.  Let’s face the fact that formaldehyde is not good for us either.  Luckily we now have countless natural options that include wool carpeting, cork floors, and stone tiles.  We can make choices that can help our health and our homes at the same time.

Click here to read “Natural Flooring Choices” from Realty Times.

Healthy Floors in Your Nashville TN Home is a post from: Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin, Tennessee Real Estate

When it comes to moving and facing all of your belongings you might end up asking yourself, am I a hoarder?  While this is most likely an exaggeration, it is amazing what we accumulate and what we become attached to and there is no better time than moving to purge ourselves of the excess items that are rarely used.  So, the big question is, where do you start?

Pick a room and start there, it really doesn’t matter which one.  For argument’s sake let’s begin in the kitchen.  Having boxes set up to pack to keep and move with you is a great start.  Everything you want to keep place in a box, everything you can get rid of, don’t use, or don’t like can be stacked on the counter and then boxed for a garage sale, the Salvation Army, or other new home.  Is something broken?  Throw it away.  Taking something off the top shelf that hasn’t been used since you moved in?  Get rid of it!  The rule is, if you don’t use it you don’t need it.

Moving represents the perfect opportunity for a fresh, organized start.  The more organized your packing the more organized your unpacking will be.  Even the messiest of us can admit that we feel better when everything in our homes is clean and organized.  Make an effort to shed the useless items that you have collected.  It is extremely doubtful that you will ever regret doing so.

Click here to read “Letting Go During a Move” from Realty Times.

Moving, Are You A Hoarder? is a post from: Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin, Tennessee Real Estate

Relocating to Nashville might be easier than you think.  The Internet, smart phones, and a wide variety of apps alone make finding your way in a new city easier than ever.  Whether you are looking for a new favorite restaurant to go to, a move theater near your new home, or entertainment for a Friday night, there is an app for that.

A few apps for getting around, locating a restaurant, and finding entertainment include:

• Cabulous is an app that can help you call a cab directly.
• Cocktail Compass works for many cities, filling you in on the best drink deals in town.
• Fandango will let you know what movies are playing where.
• UrbanSpoon can help you locate a restaurant and reviews.

Moving to Nashville has never been easier, with countless information available at your fingertips.  Of course a REALTOR® can be an incredibly valuable asset when moving to a new city.  A REALTOR® not only has access to homes listed for sale but a slew on connections and community information as well.

Relocating is more, however, than adjusting to a new city.  Relocating also means organizing, packing up your belongings, and leaving a home, often a daunting task.  Click here to read “Moving Made Simple: Tips to Help You Relocate”, for some helpful tools on how to make the entire process easier and smoother.

Relocating to Nashville Might Be Easier Than You Think is a post from: Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin, Tennessee Real Estate

Preparing yourself to buy real estate is an important part of the process.  The importance of preparation is the same whether you are buying real estate in Nashville, Brentwood or Franklin, TN.  While it almost goes without speaking that buying a home is a big deal, the steps leading up to the decision are important.  Knowing your finances inside and out, understanding what your needs are for a home, pinpointing a neighborhood, and finding a REALTOR® are all part of the pre-buying puzzle.

Locating a REALTOR® is one of the most important steps before buying a home.  While certainly you can call different phone numbers found from the classifieds and online searches, it is important to realize that any REALTOR® you choose to work with has access to all homes that are listed for sale.  Be sure that you work with a REALTOR and not just an agent, for more assurance that you will be treated ethically, that your REALTOR will be cooperative with other agents and that your agent will have access to the local MLS and the lock boxes found on most homes for sale in Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin, TN.
A REALTOR® can do a lot more than show homes, an experienced REALTOR® will listen to your needs, pinpoint homes that suit your needs, show you the homes, write a contract when you find the right home, and follow through with the contractual elements.    The REALTOR® you choose to work with will be your guide throughout your real estate search and transaction.  Be sure that the agent you chose has not only many years of experience, but that the agent specializes in the location and type of property you plan to purchase.  For example, if you plan to buy a large luxury home, you won’t be best represented by an agent who usually sells condos or starter homes.  Or if you plan a more complex transaction, such as a lease-purchase or home sale contingency, be sure that your agent has had experience with that type of sale.

Take your time choosing a REALTOR® that you can get along with and one you feel confident about.  Ask around, do some online research, and find someone who reflects experience and knowledge.  JoAnne Staler has the knowledge, experience and integrity to help you buy a home in Nashville, Brentwood or Franklin, TN.  She has been selling real estate in Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin, TN for over 18 years, to everyone from first-time buyers to luxury home buyers.

Call JoAnne Staler  at (888)489-1730 for expert real estate services or visit her website at www.JoAnneStaler.com to search for homes in Nashville, Brentwood or Franklin, TN.

Click here to read “What you should know before buying a home” from Forbes.

 Sourced from: Internal Kinetic Real Estate Library

Preparing to Buy Real Estate is a post from: Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin, Tennessee Real Estate

I am pleased to share with you the new GNAR report came out for January and says that home sales are already up for 2012 in the Nashville Brentwood area.

“There were 1,377 home closings reported for the month of January, according to figures provided by the Greater Nashville Association of  REALTORS®. This figure is up 25 percent from the 1,101 closings reported for the same period last year.”  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 9, 2012)

This is fabulous news for Brentwood and Nashville homebuyers, home sellers and Brentwood/Nashville Renters. The national reports are saying that the real estate market may have bottomed out. This means that they are considering that the market has begun its upswing and that now is the time to make your move in the market. Interest rates remain super low. This is an incredible opportunity for first-time buyers who may not previously been able to afford a home. A typical buyer can afford more home with lower interest rates. Consider the difference in just rate of just 1% on a $250,000 mortgage over 30 years:

There are a lot of positive indicators already this year- new construction permits, lower interest rates, improved economy, job market strength. These factors all have an influence on the real estate market. I have already seen an increase in my personal business with both buyers and sellers. A very busy spring market has begun!

2012 HOME SALES BEGIN WITH INCREASE is a post from: Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin, Tennessee Real Estate

The rule that ranks the highest when buying a home is “location”. There is a lot of data available on the Internet. One can simply search PlotOrNot or Trulia and investigate the property in question in the comfort of your living room. The data available is a good guideline, but can not tell you everything you need to know about a neighborhood.

Neighborhoods can experience rapid change for reasons such as distressed properties. There are neighborhoods that have weakened and you will not pick it up on the data. The new information takes time before it reflects on the data systems. There is a good chance that you can miss the newly updated data. The data sources do not inform you about everything concerning the area where you plan on buying a home. Even though the neighborhood seems well established, there is information not displayed on the Internet.

A local resident from the area in question is the best source of information. A person who can tell you about:  the drug dealing that increased in the specific area; if the wind blows in a certain direction the bad smell that comes along with it from the dumping site; the sewerage nearby and regular events in the area that attract thousands of people that causes bumper to bumper traffic at awkward times.

Another good source of information is your Real Estate Agent who is knowledgeable about the neighborhood and who specializes in the specific area. Make an appointment with me today!

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD is a post from: Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin, Tennessee Real Estate

A homeowner can improve the home’s curb appeal and save money in the process. Before you start, the most exciting and important part is to take a “before” photo. You will be surprised once you see how your plants can change and grow.

• Plan your bedding on paper. This can come in handy when you buy and place your plants;
• Make a note of how much sun the specific area get and where does the area face;
• Discuss the plants you have in mind with the local nursery. They can tell you which plants will thrive in this area;
• Drive through your neighborhood and get ideas from other gardens;
• Visit more than one nursery and look around for ideas;
• Decide what is the focal point of your garden;
• Play around with flower of different colors e.g. azaleas, daffodils, hydrangea, roses and many more;
• Make sure to read the tags when you buy plants;
• Allow enough space for your plants. We sometimes forget that the little plants grow big. If the tag tells you the plant will grow 2 meters, allow the space;
• When buying the plants for the landscape ensure they are native to the climate and location;
• Make sure that the soil is right for the plants and know when to water the plants. Some plants need watering more often than others.
• Read the planting instructions and follow the directions when you start planting.

Your landscape can be time consuming at first, but the reward will be great. The landscape will give your home a new curb appeal which can add to the value of the property. Plan your garden with care. Remember to take some “after” photos. You will be so proud of what you accomplished.

CREATE A NEW FRONT YARD is a post from: Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin, Tennessee Real Estate

With the current economy a lot of potential home buyers are looking at the prospects of finding the cheapest place to live. The east and west coast areas are more expensive considering living costs and home prices. The most affordable and even cheap areas to live in can be found in the mid-western states. The mid-west areas are beautiful and rich in culture. The cheapest cities in the United States can be places like Nebraska, Michigan, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Ohio, Minnesota, Cleveland, Oklahoma and St. Paul. These are just some of the cheapest places to live.

In most of these cities an average mortgage can vary from $150,000 and more. The rental properties range from $400 and up for a standard apartment of two bedrooms. It is true that the average salaries here are not as high as in other parts of the country, but living costs in the mid-west are far lower.  As Forbes writer Francesca Levy points out: “Just because you can get by on the cheap doesn’t mean these places are backwaters.” One can add that some of the most expensive cities in the world are not necessarily the best places to live in.

“Cheapest Places to Live “top ten list offers some great places to live in.  Nashville, Tennessee is listed in 5^th place.  Most Americans consider Nashville a great place to live and visit.  Music City USA is certainly a top spot for American culture and entertainment!  Give me a call today to start your home search in the Nashville, Brentwood or Franklin areas!

LIVE IN NASHVILLE AND HAVE ENOUGH MONEY is a post from: Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin, Tennessee Real Estate

Lending costs are about to increase. The government proposed tightening lending standards, which created quite a stir. The Quality Residential Mortgage (QRM) feels strongly that standards must be raised. It will cost a home buyer more to borrow in order to buy a home.

The J.P. Morgan brand is used by the investment banking as well as the asset management, private banking, private wealth management and treasury & securities services divisions. J. P. Morgan issued a complete study called the Report on Securitized Products. According to this research mortgage rates could increase by 3%.  J.P. Morgan said: “…in this new world of higher capital requirements, mortgage rates would need to rise by more than 300 basis points (3%) from current levels…” He also added that the banks could be satisfied with a smaller return.  He said: “This is not to say that the new capital requirements will necessarily drive interest rates 3% higher…the mortgage rate impact could be anywhere from 1% to 3% higher.”

If one assumes that the interest rates can increase by 2%, it would bring the rate to 6.5%. Due to an increased interest rate of 2%, a mortgagor will pay $90,200 more on a mortgage of $200,000 over a period of 30 years.

Many potential home buyers are struggling to qualify for home loans due to the tightening of lending standards. It is difficult to take advantage of the low interest rates and low home prices. To prove sufficient income and steady employment became more demanding. Small bank account deposits and new credit cards have to be explained and assets must be verified. Tight home loan credit affects home sales as well as household finances. In future it will be a challenge to obtain a home loan as the standards to qualify for such a loan are about to tighten even more.

DO NOT WASTE TIME IF YOU WANT TO BUY A HOME is a post from: Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin, Tennessee Real Estate