Terrazzo Auction Nov. 21 in Nashville Gulch

If you're interested in owning your piece of the Nashville Gulch, then why not take advantage of the upcoming auction of the remaining 30 units that will be up for auction on Nov. 21, not only are these great prices, but you will also be eligible for the $8,000 tax credit. Please don't hesitate to call if I can show you a property in the Terrazzo, or any other Nashville real estate properties.

$8,000 Tax Credit: Extended Until April 30, 2010

You read that right, the Tax Credit has been extended until April 30, 2010. Now here is the scoop on the changes.

The original legislation provided an $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers. The legislation passed by the Senate this week extends the $8,000 credit and expands it to provide a $6,500 tax credit to people looking to buy a new home after having owned and lived in a home for more than five years.

More than 70 percent of existing homeowners will now be eligible to take advantage of this program and use the credit to buy a new home.
Summary of the legislation:

Extends the $8,000 first time Homebuyers Tax Credit and creates a new $6,500 tax credit for homeowners buying a new home from December 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010.
Homebuyers with contracts as of April 30th qualify for the credit so long as they complete the transaction within 60 days.

Available to homebuyers with incomes of up to $125,000 for a single return or $225,000 for a joint return.

Available for homes costing up to $800,000.

Homebuyers who already own a home are only eligible if the home they are leaving has been used as a principal residence for five years or more.

If you're interested in finding a home in the Nashville area, try our convenient home search here or call Josh Anderson at (615) 509-7000.

Josh Anderson: Nashville's Best Pet Friendly Real Estate Agent in Nashville by Nashville Paw

Josh Anderson of Keller Williams Realty was recently voted one of Nashville's best Pet-Friendly Real Estate Agents by readers of the Nashville Paw, Middle Tennessee's award-winning pet magazine. Thank you for all who voted! Check out all of the winners, in this month's issue.

Open Houses Nashville: Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009

With the current $8,000 Tax credit set to expire Nov. 30, 2009, it's a great time to make an offer on a home. If you're interested in seeing what's on the market, there's no better way, than attending one of the many Open Houses in Nashville and Davidson counties. Below are lists of the open houses and condos for this Sunday, most are from 2-4 p.m. Let me know if you have any questions, (615) 509-7000 or Josh@JoshAndersonRealEstate.com .
Davidson County Homes
Davidson County Condos
Williamson County Homes
Williamson County Condos

$8,000 Tax Credit Extension: Will it Become a Reality?

Congress on Thursday voted to extend the current home buyer tax credit through April 30 and to extend a $6,500 credit to buyers who have owned their current home for five years. The credit, which still must be passed by the House of Representatives, wouldn’t cover second homes and is limited to homes of less than $800,000.
The credit would also be extended to a slightly larger pool of buyers by raising income caps to $125,000 for single filers and $250,000 for joint filers, up from $75,000 and $150,000, respectively. The National Association of Home Builders used Census data to estimate that around 14% of first-time buyers were ineligible for the current credit but will be eligible with the expanded income limits.
It's estimated that around 70% of current homeowners will be eligible for this Tax Credit.

Terrazzo in the Gulch:Auctioning Remaining Units- Up to 53% off

Terrazzo condo development in the Gulch is having an auction on November 21, 2009 on all 30 remaining units. They have minimum bid prices, but they are up to 53% off the original asking with prices ranging from $159,000-$399,000. If you know of someone that might have an interest I would greatly appreciate you sending them my way. Have questions or would you like more information? Call me at (615) 509-7000 or email Josh@JoshAndersonRealEstate.com- Josh Anderson

Jefferson Street Improvement Project: Increase in Home Values?

Residents living near Jefferson Street in North Nashville, get ready for an improvement project, that will increase your property values.
City and state leaders today unveiled the master plan and schematic designs for an extensive streetscape improvement project known as Gateway to Heritage that extends along the Interstate 40 corridor from 28th Avenue to Jefferson Street in North Nashville.
More information on the Gateway to Heritage.

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.