Open Houses for Davidson & Williamson Counties: November 1, 2009

If you are looking to buy a home in Nashville, Davidson County, or Williamson County, take advantage of all of the Open Houses this weekend. Below is a list of Open Houses sorted by price, including information (pictures, square footage, acreage, etc.) to help you narrow down your search and make the most of your time. Please let me know if I can help you set up a private showing for these, or any other listing (615) 509-7000.

Davidson County Homes

Davidson County Condos

Williamson County Homes

Williamson County Condos

Have a great weekend, and don't forget to set your clocks back on Sat. night.

What the heck is the Gulch?

Simply put, it is the intersection of 11th Ave. North and 12th Ave. North, and the railroad tracks. At one time, this area saw as many as 100 trains per day. Today the number of trains has dropped significantly, and the area is home to one of the trendiest areas in Nashville. The Loft apartments, studios and condominiums make up the residential component of The Gulch. Whether you are looking for a true loft, or a contemporary condominium, The Gulch promises to offer something that Nashvillians have yet to experience. Imagine living in a neighborhood where you can visit art museums and a chic boutique without getting into a car. Floor to ceiling glass, state-of-the-art kitchens and stunning views of the downtown skyline can be found in the Mercury View Lofts, Nashville's first look at urban living. The recently completed ICON is the newest residential element in The Gulch. Located directly on 12th Avenue, the ICON offers luxury living with, a downtown proximity. For in-town style on a budget, look no further than The Velocity. For affordable living the Laurel House cannot be beaten. For more upscale living, try the luxurious Terrazzo condos which feature sleek, modern designs and unbeatable views of downtown Nashville.

The Gulch is also home to great restaurants like Ru-Sans, a sushi and seafood restaurant. Fans of Ru-Sans appreciate its tasty food at affordable prices. A few doors down, you can find Sambuca, an upscale restaurant featuring seafood, pizzas, drinks, and live music. A new addition to The Gulch eatery lineup is Urban Flats, a sleek restaurant offering fresh-baked flatbread cuisine along with salads and wraps. Recently added to The Gulch is the retail store, Urban Outfitters. A welcome addition to this trendy neighborhood, Urban Outfitters caters to the young, “indie” crowd of Nashville. The Gulch is also home to the bluegrass music venue, The Station Inn. The Station Inn offers charm and ambiance and plays host to some of the area’s best bluegrass music artists.

$8,000 Tax Credit Extension?

Senate leaders are negotiating to extend and gradually reduce an $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers through 2010, Senator Bill Nelson of Florida said.

Read more here.

The Art of Placement

Throughout my Nashville real estate career, I have viewed hundreds of homes, and have noticed that many homeowners have a knack for hanging elements in their home at an odd height, now grant it, some are worse than others, but I thought I would share the proper heights for hanging certain items. These are the common culprits, that usually stick out like a sore thumb when I show homes:

- Artwork- The proper height for hanging artwork is so that the center of the work is at eye-level for the viewer; the average eye-level is ­­­60”, so unless Sasquatch is coming over for dinner soon, get that artwork at eye level.

- Dining Room Lighting- The lighting above your dining room table should be centered above the table, and the bottom of the chandelier should be 30-36” from the top of the table. This allows for conversation to still flow from one side of the table to the other, yet still have an intimate feel. Bonus points if the lighting is on a dimmer switch.

- Window Treatments- This is by far the most common violation. Window treatments should be hung as high as possible to make the window appear larger. I can’t tell you how many times I walk into a home, and the curtain rod is mounted directly to the window trim. Make the window APPEAR larger by hanging the rod higher and wider than the window- you’ll be amazed at how much better it will make the room look.

Real Estate Myth: Adding a Pool will Increase my property value

In desert areas, a pool MAY increase your home's value, however in Nashville, you can scratch adding a pool to your list of improvements that will increase your home's value.

When potential home buyers see a pool, they see maintenance costs. Although this is not always the case, more often than not, homes with pools are usually the first ones to get crossed off the list.

It would be wiser to invest your pool money into a kitchen or bathroom remodel.

Davidson & Williamson County Open Houses: October 25, 2009

If you are looking to buy a home in Nashville, Davidson County, or Williamson County, take advantage of all of the Open Houses this weekend. Below is a list of Open Houses sorted by price, including information (pictures, square footage, acreage, etc.) to help you narrow down your search and make the most of your time. Please let me know if I can help you set up a private showing for these, or any other listing (615) 509-7000.

Davidson County Homes
Williamson County Homes
Davidson County Condos
Williamson County Condos

Little House on the Prairie vs. Stop and Stare: Updating Exterior Paint Colors

Whether you're trying to sell your Nashville home, or are looking to make an easy update to your current home, there is no easier way, than with a can of paint.

Updating the exterior paint color of your home can make a HUGE difference in the way that potential home buyers view your property. Most home buyers make a decision on a home in the first 30 seconds, you need to make the most of this time. Take for example to two photos below. Notice the house on the left, basic white, nothing special, you’ve most likely seen a million homes similar to it. By updating the paint colors, the property immediately looks more inviting, you want to go inside, and so will potential buyers.

Compare the houses below, and see the difference a can of paint can make.

Home Staging: What’s the Deal?

I get asked this question a lot, should I spend the money to stage my home, and my answer is yes, especially, if your home is vacant. Many potential buyers have a hard time visualizing furniture placement, staged homes also give home a "lived in" feel, and people feel more comfortable knowing that. Non-staged homes typically remain on the market 80% longer than those that are not staged. Staged homes typically sell for 17% more money than their un-staged counterparts (US Housing & Urban Development). Below is a chart of the most common staging projects, and their typical return.

FREE Home Buying Classes in Nashville

The Anderson Group of Keller Williams Realty Green Hills is launching a series of Homebuyer Seminars for home buyers to learn the ins and outs of buying Nashville real estate. The workshop is free of charge to the public and several will be held at the following dates, times, and locations:

At the Green Hills Branch Public Library, located at 3701 Benham Avenue, 37215:
Saturday, October 24, 2009 10:30am to noon
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 6:00 to 7:30pm
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 6:00 to 7:30pm
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 6:00 to 7:30pm

At the East Branch Public Library, located at 206 Gallatin Road, 37206:
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 6:00 to 7:30pm

These seminars are designed to educate today's buyers on relevant issues in the home-buying process. Topics include understanding today's buying process, mortgage options, the value of inspections before you buy and much more. Licensed, experienced professionals in the respective fields will present the topics and refreshments will be provided. Seating is limited. Anyone interested in purchasing Nashville real estate, including first time home buyers and renters who want to explore the home ownership process, will benefit from this event. For more information, to request a flyer or to register, call The Anderson Group, Keller Williams Realty Green Hills, at (615) 425-3952.

Davidson & Williamson County Open Houses for Sunday, October 18, 2009

If you are looking to buy a home in Nashville, Davidson County, or Williamson County, take advantage of all of the Open Houses this weekend. Below is a list of Open Houses sorted by price, including information (pictures, square footage, acreage, etc.) to help you narrow down your search and make the most of your time. Please let me know if I can help you set up a private showing for these, or any other listing (615) 509-7000.
Davidson County Homes
Davidson County Condos
Williamson County Homes
Williamson County Condos

Josh Anderson Voted Top 3 Real Estate Agents- 3rd Year in a Row

Josh Anderson was voted, once again, as one of the Top 3 Real Estate Agents in Nashville, based on reader polls from the Nashville Scene. This is the third year in a row that Josh has been voted as one of the Top 3 Real Estate Agents.

Josh works with home buyers and sellers in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. If you're looking to buy or sell your Nashville home, give Josh a call at (615) 509-7000 or Josh@JoshAndersonRealEstate.com to find out why he's been voted one of the Best Nashville Real Estate Agents for 3 years in a row.

House Extends $8,000 Tax Credit to Active Military for One More Year

On Monday, the House of Representatives unanimously to extend the $8,000 Tax Credit to all active military personnel, foreign service, and intelligence personnel for one more year, ending November 30, 2010. The bill now goes to the Senate, and is expected to pass with similar ease.

Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) presented the bill, HR 3590, stating that military personnel serving oversees this year didn't have the same opportunity to take advantage of the tax credit. To qualify, military personnel must have spent a minimum of 90 calendar days of the current calendar year oversees, as well as the original qualifications (see our older blog) for the tax credit. Furthermore, it does not require the borrowers to pay back the tax credit if they are deployed after receiving it. The current tax credit requires borrowers to pay back the tax credit if they do not OCCUPY the home within three years after receiving the tax credit.

There is no information on whether the $8,000 tax credit will be extended for ALL eligible borrowers.

We'll keep you updated on the Senate approval.

We're published! See our article in Young Money Magazine

Check out my article here, published in Young Money Magazine on "A Good Time to Buy a House" in the current economy.

What’s in it for me? Should I buy a home using a Realtor?

- It’s FREE. Typically, both buying and selling agent’s fees are paid by the seller.
- Your Realtor can help you narrow your search, by sending you selected homes that fit your criteria, saving you time, while keeping you up to date on newly listed properties. It’s like having a personal assistant.
- Your Realtor can help you negotiate. There are a plethora of negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment.
- Your Realtor can help you with performing due diligence. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few.
- Provide piece of mind. Your Realtor will make sure the closing process runs smoothly from offer acceptance through closing day.

Open Houses This Weekend: Oct. 11, 2009

Below are the links for the Open Houses for condos and homes in Davidson and Williamson counties. The open houses below are for Sunday, Oct. 11, and most are from 2-4. Please let me know if I can assist you in anyway.

Homes: Davidson County
Condos: Davidson County
Homes: Williamson County
Condos: Williamson County

Easy to Understand Video about $8000 Home Buyer Tax Credit

I came across this video this morning by the Tennessee Association of Realtors, and thought that it was the most concise and easy to understand information regarding the $8000 Tax Credit.

Show me the Money: How Much Should I Expect to Pay Up Front when Buying a Home

Wanting to know how much money you'll need upfront in order to buy your new home, here's a breakdown of some common costs most potential buyers will have to cough up.
- Earnest Money (Typically 1% of offer price) - Money needed to show the seller that you are sincerely interested in the property; usually 1% of offer price. If the offer is accepted, money is either used toward closing costs or if seller is paying closing costs, then money will be returned to you.
- Inspection Cost ($300-350) - Once the potential buyer and seller agree to a purchase price, an inspection is usually scheduled. An inspector will prepare a report based on his/ her findings of structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components of the home. Most contracts are "contingent upon inspection" meaning that when the inspection report comes back, if the results are unsatisfactory, the potential buyer can revise the contract, protecting them from unforeseen repairs.
- Appraisal Fee($350-500) - An appraisal is typically performed by the bank; this cost may also be included in the Lender fees that are grouped into closing costs.
- Credit Report Fee ($25-35) - Used by the lender to establish mortgage rates, this cost may also be included in the Lender fees that are grouped into closing costs.
- Closing Costs (up to 3% purchase price) - This is the money the potential buyer brings with them in the form of cashier’s check on the day of closing. It is possible for the offer to be written, so that the seller pays all or a portion of the buyer’s closing costs.

Summary of First Time Buyer Tax Credit

· It applies only to first time buyers (defined as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase) who purchase a home between January 1st, 2009 and December 1st, 2009.
· It is a refundable tax credit of 10% of the purchase price up to $8,000.
· The credit does NOT have to be repaid over time.
· No portion of the $8,000 credit is due upon sale of the home if the home is owned for more than three years.
· The credit is phased out starting at an adjusted gross income of $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for those filing jointly.
· The credit will be claimed on the purchaser's income taxes. Any amount in excess of taxes owed will be refunded to the purchaser.
Need more info? Click here.

Open Houses for Sunday Oct. 4, 2009: Davidson & Williamson Counties

Below is the most comprehensive list of Open Houses for this weekend, including photos and information about each property. Most Open Houses are from 2-4 on Sunday Oct. 4. Please let me know if I can help you with any additional information about any home.

Davidson County Homes
Davidson County Condos
Williamson County Homes
Williamson County Condos