Tri-cities Real Estate

A Gala Celebrating 40 Years of Making Music!

2010-01-18T21:52:00.000-08:00

The date is March 27th! The time is 6:00 'till ? The place is the Johnson City Country Club. The entertainment features outstanding individuals and groups who will be introduced in later blogs, and who promise a fabulous evening's entertainment. There will be both silent and live auctions. The Johnson City Symphony Orchestra is the beneficiary.

I'll be offering more information, so check the blog. Music lovers as well as those who just love an exciting, fun filled evening will certainly want tickets to this event!

Get ready to sell NOW!

2010-01-18T21:28:00.000-08:00

Thinking about selling your house this spring? With interest rates still low and the tax benefit for buyers extended, having this thought is good!

And, NOW is the time to start getting your house ready for the market. The impetus for my writing on this subject is the condition of my own yard now. Maybe you share some of the same problems that I do. I'm not going to sell, but still I must address these issues. Even more so are they important to someone considering selling.

Because I know that early spring is a very busy time for "professional yard people" I'm going to get on the list of my favorite one this week. Let's see, there's the ornamental plum that was uprooted, taking with it two rhododendrons; there's the other ornamental plum that was set too close to the house by the previous owners and is damaging a gutter. There's the liriope that must be cut back at the appropriate time. There's the fence that is leaning backwards a bit and the decking that must be cleaned and treated. The bermuda grass in one of the beds in front of the house was killed, but still needs to be cleaned out. And that same bed needs the two azaleas that were killed replaced. The perennial bed looks decent, but the rose garden shows its neglect. And staining the concrete front porch would certainly create a better first impression.

Get the gist?? The first impression that the ONE buyer that is needed for your house gets is created before anyone enters the front door (I painted mine before cold weather hit--you may need to do yours!)

So, let's get busy. I'll do mine because some of it HAS to be done (the plum tree fell across one of the approaches to the back deck) and the rest of it will make me feel so much better! You'll gain that last benefit, too. And, you'll have taken the first step toward getting your house sold in the least amount of time for the most money. (That's what EVERY seller wants!)

We'll discuss in further posts other beneficial improvements on the outside, then we'll move inside. Have fun!!

200,000 and Going Strong!

2009-02-25T20:01:00.000-08:00

I experienced a milestone tonight--literally! The odometer on my trusted white 2000 Lexus 400 turned over to register 200,000 miles. Just last week the salesman who sold me the car called to ask if I were not ready for a new one. I told him that I appreciated his call, but that instead of a new one I'd be bringing the one he sold me years ago in for it's 200,000 service in a few days.

Thinking back over the years that I've driven this car I realized that the experience has been a teaching one. I'll share a few of the things I've observed and learned.

First, I did my homework and knew exactly what car I wanted to buy.
Next, I went to the local Lexus dealership and told the salesman what I wanted. He said that they didn't have the car that I wanted, but that I could check back later. I checked three times. I felt that there was no one at this dealership who was interested in selling me the car that I wanted.

Soon I was in Knoxville, a drive of an hour and a half away. I decided to stop at the Lexus dealership. Lo and behold, they had four of the model that I wanted. All I had to do was choose the color, sign the papers, and drive away in my new car.

For every service appointment I've driven to Knoxville. I trusted my car to the service department of the dealership who provided me a pleasant buying experience. When I replace this car, where do you think I'll go to buy the next car??!!

Obviously Lexus of Knoxville impressed me initially and has continued to make me feel valued. They listened and met my needs. They followed up after each service appointment with a phone call. They invited us to special social events. The salesman stayed in touch by phone and mail.

I follow this same paradigm when working for buyers and sellers. I'll listen to your wants and needs. I'll provide professional service and guidance. And, I WILL communicate with you. Let's go for this ride together!

What's Going on in the Area?

2009-01-29T19:10:00.000-08:00

Other than the always expected changeable weather (temp. dropped 15 ° yesterday afternoon) other "always expected" events will be happening during the next few days.

East Tennessee State University's indoor track meet brings field and track stars from far and near, including some international competitors. This unusual event is great family entertainment. The Friday night schedule features high school athletes and last year even elementary schools entered relay teams. On Saturday night the real stars heave their strongest throws, jump their highest and longest, and run their fastest. For further information contact the ETSU Department of Athletics.

Some of the same people who attend the track meet may even be seen at a special event sponsored by the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra on February 21st. This annual fund raiser, held at the Johnson City Country Club, promises to be very special this year and will include a plated dinner. Entertainment during dinner, a live auction and a silent auction will make for a fun filled evening. JCSO contact information--423-92MUSIC.

Jeepers, It's Cold!!!!!!!!!

2009-01-16T15:48:00.000-08:00

One of the most pleasant aspects of living in north east TN is that we have four seasons every year. And boy, did we experience that during the past months. After a very dry summer when farm ponds even dried up and pastures became crisp we had a beautiful fall with reds, golds and oranges spicing our area like so many varied peppers in a spicy dish. And now-------------when guys drag out "long handles," I have a reason for wearing the hats that I love, and little guys don't complain about wearing gloves or mittens we are all proclaiming IT'S COLD!!!!!!!!!

Okay, not cold like the hearty folks in Colorado and the Dakotas "enjoy" every year, but 5° will be cold enough for hearty east Tennesseans!

And guess what----I will be showing a house at 9:30 tomorrow morning. Furthermore, it's located on Boone Lake where the winds do blow!

Which brings back a memory--the first out of town buyer to contact me when I was a newbie in 1985 wanted to buy a house for his niece and her husband and would be driving here from Atlanta that weekend to look. I was beside myself with excitement! I even drove home early from the yearly trek at Christmas to be ready for their arrival. Just a couple of problems kept me from perhaps selling a house to these folks. First, a huge snow fell and there was no way I could show them the rural properties that they thought they wanted to see. Second, being a newbie who was overly excited that they chose ME no prequalification was done on the phone. I thought I had a "sugar daddy!" When they learned that for them to buy a house for their niece and her husband they would need much more than the amount they had planned ("Oh, we didn't know this would be an investment loan.") their bubble burst quickly.

So, I know that the market doesn't totally shut down because of cold weather and snow. Just "Button Up Your Overcoat."

Doom and Despair or Dare and Delight??

2008-04-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

1.How's the market? 2.Is it as bad here as I read in the papers and online that it is elsewhere? 3.Am I going to be able to sell? 4.Can I get a loan?

I've been asked these questions over and over the past several weeks. So here's a shot at the answers:

1. It's a spring market. Sellers who did not have to put their property on the market during the winter are, like always, doing it now. Buyers who did not have to move during the winter are looking now. Pretty typical!

Perhaps the higher priced homes are sitting longer in comparison to the moderately priced ones. We still need "affordable" housing. Houses in the desirable "Tree Streets Historic District" are selling and we need more to market.

2. Based on what I'm reading and what I'm experiencing, the Tri-Cities area of east Tennessee is still in better shape than many other areas of the country.

3. Houses in good locations, prepared and staged, and priced according to what the market indicates, will always sell. Sellers may have to wait a bit longer but must remember the three factors mentioned in the previous sentence.

4. How much do you have to put down? How's your credit rating? How long have you been on the current job? Anyone else involved in financing the property? No longer are lenders offering no money down loans to "anyone who can fog a mirror!" This is good for everyone!! Buyers who have money for a down payment and closing costs and who qualify in the other ways can still get loans.

So, it's not doom and despair in our market! If your house is prepared to sell or if you are prepared to buy, then dare to do so. You'll probably be delighted that you did.