Middle TN Real Estate

TheGreeneryOnTheSquare

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:42:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 21:33:00 +0000

Interest rates have dropped to historical lows and have remained low for several months. The average mortgage rate today is 4.37% which is the lowest it has been in half a century! No one knows how long interest rates will stay at these rock bottom rates. With predictions that the interest rate will rise in the near future, it is crucial for home buyers to consider if now is the best time for them to move forward buying their dream home. Even tiny increases in the mortgage rate translates into big differences in monthly payments and huge differences in the life of the loan payments!

Our current market is a once in a life time opportunity for home buyers!

The table below shows the impact the interest rate has on a home buyer purchasing a new home for $200,000 with a 10% downpayment of $20,000, and financing $180,000 on a fixed rate 30 year mortgage.

Mortgage rates are at rock bottom levels and won’t stay there forever!


INTEREST RATE	4.36%	5.19%	6%	7%	8%
Monthly Payment & Interest	$897	$987	$1,080	$1,198	$1,321
Difference in monthly payments		$90	$182	$300	$424
Total interest paid over the life of the loan	$142,964	$175,424	$208,509	$251,116	$295,480
Interest saved over the life of the loan		$32,460	$65,545	$108,152	$152,516

An increase from 4.36 to 5.19 caused an increase in the monthly mortgage payment of $90! Another interesting way to view this information is to consider how much more home an individual can purchase when interest rates are low. If the homeowner wanted to keep their monthly payment at $897 they have two options. They can increase the cash downpayment needed to close, or buy less home!

An increase from 4.36 to 5.19 will result in the home buyer bringing an additional $16,462 to closing!


INTEREST RATE	4.36%	5.19%	6%	7%	8%
Amount of Mortgage for $897 monthly payment	$180,000	$163,538	149,612	134,825	122,246
Downpayment required for $200,000 Home	$20,000	$36,462	$50,388	$65,175	$77,754
Purchased Price of Home with $20,000 Downpayment to keep payment $897	$200,000	$183,538	$169,612	$154,825	$142,246

If you are in the market to purchase your first home or considering selling your current home and buying a larger home, the market is highly favorable! The affordability of home prices combined with historically low interest rates creates the perfect storm for home buyers!

We never know when the bottom of the market will be, or if interest rates will go lower. However, it is hard to imagine that mortgage rates would go lower than they are now.

If a home buyer has good credit, there is money available!

If you are considering buying a Murfreesboro TN home, or selling your current home in Murfreesboro, Brentwood, Franklin, Smyrna, or the surrounding area, please visit my website to a free market analysis of your home, or to use my FREE MLS IDX Home Search tool. I'd love to help you find your next dream home!

For Sale: 5BR/4+1BA Single Family House in Murfreesboro, TN, $409,900

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 20:27:00 +0000

For Sale: 5BR/4+1BA Single Family House in Murfreesboro, TN, $409,900

Murfreesboro TN Homes & Community Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 02:02:00 +0000

Luxury Real Estate Homes in Brentwood, TN

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 23:35:00 +0000

There are currently 104 homes for sale in the real estate market in Brentwood, Tennessee that are priced at 1,000,000 or more. In the last six months 50 homes have successfully closed for 1,000,000 ore more in Brentwood, TN. If you have a high-end or luxury home in the Brentwood, TN area, those figures may seem impressive and make it appear to be an easy market in which to sell a luxury home. However, in the same six month period, there were 87 listings, priced at 1,000,000 or more, that expired or were withdrawn from the market without a successful contract being negotiated. Many of these listings probably never even received the first offer.

If you currently live in Brentwood or Franklin, TN and are considering listing your luxury home for sale, or possibly are one of the 87 home owners who have already unsuccessfully listed your home on the market, there are a few important factors to consider when interviewing potential listing agents. First and foremost is to make sure your agent is aware of the current market and is knowledgeable on how to price your home. When deciding on the list price for a luxury home, it requires a lot more research than a typical market analysis. Do you know how many homes are on the market in each luxury price point? It may be better to price your home higher in some cases rather than lower. For instance, if there are 15 active homes on the market listed between $1,775,000 and $2,000,000 and only 4 homes listed between $2,000,001 and $2,225,000 and your home is valued around 2,000,000, then you would have less competition and have a more lucrative market position if you priced your home slightly higher than 2,000,000. In the luxury market, lower is not always better. The top priority of the luxury buyer is to find a home that fits their lifestyle. Don’t make the mistake of under pricing your home in the luxury market. Price point and market position is nothing short of critical in the luxury market!

Selling a high-end luxury home successfully takes a lot more knowledge and finesse than selling the average home in today’s real estate market. Almost any real estate agent can list a home in a relatively active market and successfully close the deal. But, selling a luxury home requires skill and customer service on a whole different level than a traditional listing. It is imperative that your Realtor be knowledgeable in how to market and show a luxury estate. Luxury sellers and buyers demand white glove treatment and their Realtor should offer this service enthusiastically. There are so many special features to a luxury home that it is generally shown best by the listing agent personally. If the listing agent has done their homework and learned the details of the home from the ground up, then no one can sell this home better to the potential buyer than the listing agent. The buyer’s agent is not qualified, nor prepared, to showcase your luxury listing in the most positive light. I would advise that all luxury listings be shown by the listing agent only and never allow a multilock to be placed on the home. If your agent is not willing to make the time commitment required to list and service an “agent must be present to show listing” then I would advise you to move on and hire another agent.

Selling a luxury home requires the seller to place a great deal of trust in the listing agent. This agent will have access to not only your home, but very confidential information regarding your home and finances. Selecting a Realtor that demonstrates professionalism and integrity is crucial when listing a luxury home for sale. When selling the luxury estate it is not always best to list with the most well-known agent in the area. Agents who service luxury listings are not typically found in the pages of a home magazine located in grocery stores. Instead, select a Realtor that is committed to marketing your home to the elite group that will be qualified to purchase your home. You want an agent who will focus in on the target buyer for your estate and not use your luxury listing as a marketing tool for themselves. Selling a luxury estate requires networking, high-end promotional techniques, and a strong internet presence. Virtual tours, professional photography, custom made CDs, and unique websites are just a few of the tools needed to successfully market a high end estate. More and more luxury home buyers are moving into the Williamson County area from all over the world. It is crucial that you hire a Realtor who is prepared to market your home internationally and not just locally.

Luxury homes are typically architecturally designed and custom built. The listing Realtor needs to be familiar with the contractor, architect, and design on the home. The construction of the luxury estate is far different from that of a typical home. Make sure they are prepared to answer questions on the construction of the home, the builder’s background and other homes they have built, the builder’s reputation, and the architect’s credentials as well. Features such as french drains, grand manor roofing, silent flooring, steal beam construction, integrated sound and security Elan systems, AGA ranges, vanishing edge pools, and many more, are often found in luxury homes. The luxury Realtor should be familiar with each and every amenity found in the home and be able to demonstrate them flawlessly to the potential buyers.

Finally, it is critical that the listing agent should be knowledgeable, professional, and speak with authority while maintaining a welcoming presence that makes everyone feel at ease. If the potential buyer feels that the listing agent is not knowledgeable, or even aloof, they may not be willing to present an offer or negotiate a successful transaction. I recently had a potential buyer tell me that they specifically would not make an offer on another high-end home that they had previewed because of the listing agent. If the buyers are not made to feel welcome and comfortable inside the home, it is highly unlikely that they will return with an offer.

For me, selling real estate successfully starts with building relationships with people. I realize that I must earn the trust and respect of my clients before they can feel comfortable with me as their representative. Selling real estate in the luxury market is a privilege that few Realtors ever get to experience. I would be honored to provide references upon request and interview with anyone considering buying or selling a luxury home in the Brentwood, Franklin, or Nashville, TN area. Please contact me at 615-566-3789 or by email at Sherri@SherriWellborn.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Buying Or Selling Real Estate Without A Realtor Can Be COSTLY

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 02:07:00 +0000

A lot of people are under the false impression that buying or selling real estate is easy. But, I'd like to assure you that there is much more involved in real estate transactions than most people ever realize. If you want to lose when playing the game of real estate, just trying playing alone. However, if you want to be a winner, then seek out the professional services of a qualified and reputable local Realtor.

As a seller, did you know that according to surveys conducted by the National Association of Realtors, most For Sale by Owners net LESS money from the sell of their home than they would have netted if they had listed with a Realtor. Why take on all the work and responsiblity of selling your own home if you are going to walk away from the closing table with LESS money! As a buyer, the services of a Realtor are absolutely free for you to use. Why represent yourself in the largest single investment you will make in your lifetime when you can have professional representation for FREE!

A good Realtor will help you see that selling homes is not all about money. While some individuals may perceive this as a greed driven business, there are many, many Realtors who choose this career in order to help people achieve their dreams. A successful closing is not necessarily the one that closes with the biggest paycheck. For me, it is the closing that results in happy clients, no matter what price range they may be in.

Realtors have extensive knowledge and are in the field each and every day. This knowledge is crucial for buyers and sellers both when entering into the negotiation process. For instance, let's talk about title insurance. Do you know who customarily pays for this expense in your area? Do you know the benefits and dangers of owning, or not owning "owner's coverage?" Do you know the importance of working with a reputable title insurance company? This one detail can cost, or save, you thousands of dollars at closing.

Are you up to date and aware of financing and how it affects you as a buyer and a seller? Some sellers are completely unaware that certain types of financing and programs which may be used by the buyer, will cost them ~ the seller, money at closing! A qualified Realtor can explain these programs to you and make sure you are aware of what your net investment or net return on the purchase or sell of a home will be.

What about square footage and extras in a home. Are you knowledgeable enough to understand how to measure the square footage of a home and calculate the value of a home based on the estimated square footage and amenities. Do you understand that list price and sales price can be very different. As a seller it is critical to price your home correctly. If you price it too high, it likely will not sell or appraise for sales price. If you price it too low, you are giving away your equity! As a buyer, if a home is overpriced by $15,000 and you negotiate directly with the seller who agrees to sell you the home for $10,000 less than they were asking, have you really gotten a good deal? Working with a knowledgeable Realtor who can prepare an accurate market analysis of the home is critical to both buyers and sellers.

As a buyer, do you have a trained eye to look for problems that need to be addressed in the initial offer. Cosmetic items are not covered by a home inspection and not considered repairs. Is there something in the home that needs to be repaired for aesthetic reasons? If so, it must be in the initial offer or else you will be buying the home "as is." I once sold a home that had a huge tree in the back yard that appeared to be dead to me. The buyer had never noticed this during our showings. In writing the offer I stated that we should have the seller remove the tree because it appeared to be a danger and if it fell could destroy the home. The seller had already checked into having the tree removed but it was very expensive. Since he felt like it still had a little life left in it, he did not feel an obligation to point this out to the buyer. This one item saved my buyer a large amount of money, and potentially saved him from being injured in a storm due to this large tree.

Let's move on to home inspections. Do you have experience working with qualified home inspectors and know which ones you can count on to always find the true problems in a home? I once had a home inspector that detected mold in a home just by smell. There was no visible mold, but the air tests conducted as as result of his inspection determined that there was hidden mold in the home. The seller had to spend thousands of dollars to correct this problem. Had the buyers represented themselves, they may not have found this critical item in the home. As a seller, are you prepared to negotiate the home inspectors report. If you disagree with the home inspector's findings, what options do you have? Working with a Realtor who has a network of reputable and professional vendors at their disposal is crucial!

As a seller, the language used in the contract regarding the home inspection is absolutely critical. Are you confident that you know how to word this information to make sure that the buyer conduts this inspection quickly and is required to provide that information to you, in writing, in a timely matter. Many offers to For Sale by Owner listings fall through because the contract is not written correctly and the buyer find an "easy out" if they are having second thoughts. A qualified Realtor will have extensive knowledge and experience in writing many, many offers. Why would you choose to represent yourself in a transaction that is probably the biggest investment you will ever make in your lifetime.

Did you know that in Tennessee ALL sellers must provide ALL buyers a copy of the Tennessee Property Condition Disclosure Form. This form MUST be provided to all buyers before an offer to purchase the home is written. If the seller fails to properly disclose any defects or problems in the home on this form, the buyer may take legal action against the seller. If any negative items are disclosed, make sure that you review this form carefully with a qualified attorney before signing the disclosure if you are not working with a qualified Realtor. If you are considering buying a home, or selling a home, that is on septic tank instead of sewer, are you aware of the new Tennessee Disclosure Laws on Septic Tanks?

If you are selling your home by owner, are you prepared to work with buyers who are not qualified. One of the most valuable things that a Realtor can bring to the table for sellers is the ability to successfully close the sell of their home. Anyone can accept an offer, but not everyone can bring that offer to successful closure. Are you willing to open your home to anyone that calls without having any information or qualification on this buyer. If a buyer brings you an offer, are you willing to take your home off the market for a period of time. Are you confident that the buyer will close on your home or are you taking your home off the market and possibly missing out on another qualified buyer?

Many problems will arise between the Offer to Purchase until the final Closing on the home. It is the Realtors job to solve these problems and sometimes put out the endless number of fires that seem to ignite during this period. Meeting home inspetors, scheduling termite inspections, communicating with lenders, pulling certifications and documentation from county offices, coordinating schedules for everyone involved with the title companies, confirming receipt of all required documents, and being a general courier from point A to point B are all in a days work for the Realtor.

You're almost ready to close ~ now what! You're all ready to close and you conduct your final walk through. What happens if the seller has taken items that you thought were going to be left. Did the contract specifically state that those items must remain? If not, then you just lost. If the contract did specify that they should remain are you ready to battle with the seller for compensation? What about items that were damaged or broken after your initial Offer to Purchase. A good Realtor will handle these problems for you.

If you are ready to buy or sell a home, make sure that you work with the right Realtor for you! There is a difference between agents and it is crucial that you make a wise choice. The most important rule you can follow is to work with someone you trust. You will be working closely with your Realtor and depending on them to solve a lot of problems for you. Problems that can cost you money! Make sure you select a Realtor that you can trust for correct guidance and advice during this rewarding but stressful process. You will also be spending a lot of time with your Realtor, so make sure you are comfortable with them, or you will have a long road to travel before closing! Your Realtor should make you feel important as a client, and be ready to work for you ~ regardless of your price range.

A good Realtor understands that selling real estate is not about selling houses, but about building relationships with people. Work with a Realtor that is ready to do the right thing for you regardless of the pay off that may be in store for them.

Hopefully, you will see the value in working with a Realtor if you are considering buying or selling a home. If you are looking to purchase or sell real estate in the Murfreesboro, Brentwood, Franklin, or Smyrna, Tennessee TN area, I would love to hear from you! I approach each and every real estate transaction by building a relationship with the client first. I have experience with clients selling Luxury Estates and spent countless hours working with individuals buying their very first home. Each and every client is a blessing! I want to earn your trust as a Realtor, and hopefully your friend. I'd love to hear from you!

Murfreesboro, TN Ranked No. 20 in Nation for Growth

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 20:56:00 +0000

Once again Murfreesboro, TN and Rutherford County have made the national news. According to information released by the US Census Bureau, Rutherford County Tennessee is now ranked number 20 in the nation for growth between 2004 - 2005. For the period of 2003 – 2004 the county was ranked as number 74. The growth in this area is just amazing. I hear people comment almost daily, “when did we get that store?” From gourmet dining to our own children’s museum, Murfreesboro truly has it all!

Rutherford County currently has 90,147 housing units. This shows an increase of 6.4% for the period of 2004 – 2005 when 5,394 new homes were built. Murfreesboro officials credit the growth rate to the low-tax structure and strong job market in the area. There is no doubt that the number of residential homes being built is directly impacting the retail market here as well. Construction on The Avenue, a high-end retail mall, has started and doors as expected to open sometime in fall of 2007. Embassy Suites has also announced plans to start construction on a new 10 story hotel and convention center which should be completed by spring 2008.

More and more people from across the country are choosing to relocate to Murfreesboro, TN. Being selected by CNN Money Magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live” has fueled the interest to relocate here even more. Murfreesboro has so much to offer individuals that choose to live here that we are seeing a large influx of retirees, small business owners, and many other individuals from all walks of life choosing to make this area home. Although growing, Murfreesboro has managed to maintain its “hometown atmosphere” feeling among the residents. Many residents say that we are still a small town, but now have all of the conveniences that any big city offers.

Murfreesboro is the exact geographical center of the State and is conveniently located to Nashville. This is a big draw for individuals who have been relocated to work in Nashville but are looking to buy a home in a less urban environment. For families with children, Murfreesboro has excellent schools that offer a wide range of academic programs, including schools for advanced and gifted students. Add to this list quality health care, weather that experiences all four seasons, extensive outdoor activities, and an endless selection of restaurants and stores. No wonder Murfreesboro is booming!

There will always be some concerns over the rapid pace and growth. Currently, it appears that government officials are doing an excellent job of keeping pace with the growth and planning ahead for schools and roads that are either currently needed, or will certainly be needed in the near future. There is also a lot of debate over areas that the city would like to annex. However, no matter how many pros and cons you see in our historic growth, there is one fact that will not change. The only alternative to growth is to stop growing which means the city would become stagnant. A stagnant city is a dying city and no one wants to see that happen in this wonderful community!

So once again, Murfreesboro, TN and Rutherford County are headline news. I have faith in that our local government and city officials will seize this opportunity and make sure Murfreesboro remains the hometown we love so much…only bigger!

GIS Maps Keep Up With Murfreesboro, TN Growth

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 13:44:00 +0000

Keller Williams Realty in Murfreesboro moved into their beautiful new on Saint Andrews Drive last spring. Recently, I was meeting an out of town client at my office and offered to give him direction. He informed me that he had GPS in his vehicle and would be able to find my office on his own. Shortly before time for his arrival he called my cell phone to get directions. It seemed that his GPS could not locate 450 Saint Andrews Drive. I knew that it was not uncommon for me to attempt to mapquest a new subdivision or street, but never really gave a lot of thought about how this could be a problem.

However, as Rutherford County is continuing to grow at a rapid pace, this is becoming more and more common. And, once we get past the initial inconvenience that this causes, we can see that this has the potential to be a very serious problem. Our office is located on a road that has been in existence for some time now. In fact, it is considered a “major” thoroughfare for many people and is located just off of I24 and Hwy 96. How could a business such as ours not be found on a GPS system. What about an individual home located on a quiet residential street?

I gave my client directions and he was able to navigate to our office with no problem. But what about the individual who is having a medical emergency and cannot physically give directions? What about the child who is calling 911 for help and does not know directions to their home? The list of potential disasters goes on and on. If fire, police, and medical assistance cannot locate an address, are we not potentially in for a disaster in the future?

Well, you can rest assured that the County is already one step ahead of us! It seems that there is new electronic technology called Global Information System that makes this a “problem” that only exists for ourselves, and possibly the local pizza delivery boy. Emergency personnel do not use the same GPS system that we use. They use a system referred to as GIS that actually maps the streets before the streets even exist! These maps are even updated on a daily basis.

Whenever a new development and preliminary plat map is approved, the map is sent to the County Office of Information and Technology. This department then maps the streets and assigns addresses to all of the lots in that plat. Street names are even reviewed by the 911 board to assure no names have been duplicated. Then the addresses are entered into the GIS system and updated daily.

County officials say that there is always a remote chance that an address cannot be located by emergency personnel because it is new, but that would be highly unlikely. Since the County adopted using the GIS system over five years ago, there have only been a few cases where emergency personnel could not locate an address.

I was very relieved to learn that the county’s emergency personnel do not rely on the same GPS system that my client, and local pizza delivery driver, are using. Maybe someday the county will be able to make their GIS system which is updated daily available to the public. But for now, I am glad that I can rest assured that once again, Rutherford County has prepared for the fast paced growth we are experiencing!

Potential Development on Manchester Hwy in Murfreesboro, TN

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 02:33:00 +0000

Real estate in Murfreesboro, TN continues to grow at an accelerated rate. It is no surprise to residents here that once Murfreesboro is being targeted for a new development. While some residents will welcome this proposed expansion, others will be saddened that progress is slowly taking away the small hometown they love.

The Jones Foundation is proposing a 640 acre development in the southeast portion of the city which will run along Manchester Hwy. This real estate venture will consist of various new retail stores, grocery store, hotel, new multiscreen movie theatre, apartments, townhomes, and single family homes. It is even possible that a school and firestation would be included in the development. There will be a mixture of residential real estate and retail stores that are designed in such as way as to encourage the neighborhood feeling and community involvement.

J. Paul Vaughn is the managing director of the Jones Foundation. He describes the proposed development as “cutting edge” and says it is a design that has not been seen in Rutherford County. The concept is for the development to be its own community within itself. Developers do not view this as just another subdivision, but rather see it as a place where neighbors socialize and have everything they need within their own community. I guess you could say they want to build a city within the city.

Developers will present their master plan for the community to the Murfreesboro Planning Commission on August 16, 2006. In order for the plan to be approved, the city would need to annex the proposed site. If this were to be approved by the Commission, residents would have their chance to be heard through a public hearing which would be set by the Commission.

Although this development is still in the early planning stages, it looks like once again progress cannot be stopped. Murfreesboro is growing larger and expanding faster than I could have ever imagined! The continued development and expansion of the city will definitely have a positive impact on the real estate housing market in Murfreesboro, TN as well as other surrounding areas. Home values continue to grow along with the city.

Murfreesboro, TN Home Prices ~ Part II

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 17:52:00 +0000

This is in response to part 2 of The Daily News Journal's special report on affordable housing in Rutherford County, and Murfreesboro, TN. The story in this part of the Affordable Housing story featured a local resident who made a modest living but wanted to purchase his own home. Fortuantely, through the help of his parents, who just so happen to be excellent Realtors, his dream of homeownership became a reality. His home purchase was made possible by his Realtor (parents) and loan officers working diligently to make all the pieces of the puzzle work. While he qualified for a home mortgage independently, they were able to secure financing through Murfreesboro's affordable housing assistance program. There are actually many programs available to first time homebuyers, police force, teachers, or families considered low-income wage earners that would like to purchase a home. Many of these programs provide down-payment assistance, or grant money to cover the buyer's closing costs or downpayment costs. For someone on a tight budget, especially someone trying to purchase their first home, having the closing costs, or downpayment gifted to them is a huge help! Low-income in the Murfreesboro area, according to HUD, is $34,500 for a single individual, and can go up to $65,100 for a family of eight. Candy Roberts, with the Middle TN Association of Realtors, stated "There is a path to buying a home, but that path has to intersect with the right program." I couldn't agree with this statement more and would even add they need to iontersect with the right people! Let's face it, helping families or individuals in this price range requires a lot of due diligence on the part of the Realtor, the loan officer, and the potential homebuyer. It is crucial that these people find a local Realtor that they can trust, and are confident are going to work hard to help them secure their dream. A good Realtor can also help you stay on path by recommending a reputable loan officer that knows all the ins and outs of the various type loan programs available to lower wage earners. As the homeowner featured in today's story said, "All that real estate stuff is Greek to me, so it helps to have good counseling." Homeownership can be attainable for individuals, even those who according to HUD standards, are considered "low-income!" From my experience, many families don't pursue homeownership because they mistakenly think it is out of reach for them. Instead, they get caught in the rent-trap and never seem to make the leap to owning their own home. If you are dreaming of owning a home but think it is just outside your reach, I would highly encourage you to at least talk with a professional about your homeownership options. Sit down and talk with a lender who specializes in working with the various gift programs for downpayment and closing cost asssitance. Just make sure that you are putting your trust in a qualified Realtor and mortgage lender who are both knowledgeable and willing to work hard to you!
Link: http://www.sherriwellborn.com/

Murfreesboro, TN to widen DeJarnette

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 17:51:00 +0000

Progress and extreme growth are once again impacting the lifestyle of residents in Murfreesboro. The city of Murfreesboro has voted 4 - 3 to approve the widening of DeJarnette Lane, which currently consists of two lanes. The new road will feature five lanes, sidewalks, bike lanes, and gas strips. Needless to say, this has been a very controversial decision.

The main reason for the drastic change to DeJarnette is the building of the new John Pittard Elementary School. With Oakland High School already located between DeJarnette and Pitts Lane, and the addition of the new John Pittard School, city officials felt that traffic volumne could not be handled in this area without a major expansion project. The city always took the position that they wanted to make the road wide enough to handle traffic for years to come.
Residents in the area hired Jay Jackson as their attorney to fight the major expansion. Residents wanted to keep the expansion to a three lane road and sited the nearby Cason Lane which was widened to a three lane road and appears to handle the traffic volumne in that area adequaely. City Traffic Director Dana Richardson stated that the studies conducted projected the traffic count on DeJarnette to be much higher than Cason Lane and would make a three lane road impractical for this specific area. City Councilman Doug Young stated that the city wanted to construct a road that would last the lifetime of the school without the need for widening again in the future.

The expansion of DeJarnette Lane will be a blessing for families and individuals commutting through this heavy traffic area, especially during the periods when the schools are starting or dismissing for the day. I suppose the old saying that no one stands in the way of progress applies here once again. I can't help but emphatize with the residents in the area will be adjusting to living on a five lane road in the near future.

Nissan Move to Brentwood/Franklin, TN Almost Complete

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 17:49:00 +0000

When Nissan announced that they would be moving their headquarters to the Cool Springs area of Williamson County, TN between Brentwood and Franklin, it was received with a lot of reservations from many of the employees. The city of Franklin and Brentwood were excited over the move but many of the Nissan employees did not seem to share that excitement.
The move is expected to be completed by the end of the month with approximately 80 percent of the job openings with the company being filled. With approximately 740 job openings available, the state has received more than 50,000 applications from individuals hoping to fill these jobs. When complete, the headquarters will employ around 1275 employees.

Employees who accepted a transfer from California are settling in and are going through some expected changes. Middle Tennessee is not California by any means! However, employees are finding many things to do and see in Tennessee that were not available in California. We may not have the sandy beaches, and consistently warm sunny days, however, Middle Tennessee is surrounded by lakes for boating and fishing, mountains for hiking and camping, and lots of urban activities. TPAC offers Broadway plays, music abounds at the Nashville Symphony, who couldn't love Tennessee Titans football, enjoy our country music heritage at the Grand Ole Opry, or just enjoy an unlimited supply of entertainment in the downtown Nashville area. True, moving to Tennessee is a lifestyle change for anyone coming from CA, but one I think most employees will embrace ~ at least in time.

Employees of the new Nissan Headquarters seem to be settling all across the Middle Tennessee area. Some are opting for the nightlife provided in Downtown Nashville with loft living and urban apartments. Others are choosing the scenic country with wooded hillsides and rolling pastures that can be found in Fairview, Leapers Fork, and other areas. Still others are choosing the true middle TN suburbia life and are purchasing homes in the Brentwood, Franklin, and Murfreesboro, TN areas. Our communities are wonderful for raising families and offer everything from sports, soccer, and football for kids, to award winning Children's Theatres and Museums to be enjoyed by everyone.

The one comment I hear from people moving here from California is the cost of living. I worked with one family who was not only a two income family, but a three or four income family. It was not unusual for the husband to work at least two jobs, as well as the wife, in order to afford their home in San Diego. By moving to Tennessee, this family was able to literally cut their housing expense in half while still purchasing a larger and nicer home. One client told me he didn't know what he was going to do with all his free time now since he would only be working one job. Another client from Los Angeles planned to finally spend time raising his kids. A luxury that he felt he had missed out on while living in California.

Families I've worked with also say that they are really looking forward to enjoying the four seasons. Some of their children have never experienced spring, summer, fall, and winter. This is an experience that middle Tennesseans seem to take for granted!

Traffic, or the lack thereof, is another plus for moving to Tennessee. While I have spent many moments caught in a traffic jam and found myself frustrated, I have been informed that I have never seen traffic until I have lived and worked in California. I understand that an hour and a half commute is not uncommon, and two hours is even the norm for many people. Housing closer in to the city is just not affordable. In addition, traffic is still so congested that a short commute can still take 60 minutes with red lights installed at the interstate on ramps. New Nissan employees should certainly think our traffic is non-existent compared to what they are used to! I think they will all be pleased with their commute time to work, regardless of where they decide to live!

Moving to the Nashville area from California has to be a shock and an adjustment for anyone. However, I am hopeful that the majority of Nissan employees will ultimately find this a positive move for them, and their families. Middle Tennessee is full of warm and friendly people. I would like to welcome all the Nissan transferees and their families. I know that their company, as well as themselves, will be a big benefit for Middle TN. I sincerely hope that they will come to love the beauty of Tennessee as much as I do!

DeJarnette To Be Widened in Murfreesboro, TN

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 12:01:00 +0000

Progress and extreme growth are once again impacting the lifestyle of residents in Murfreesboro. The city of Murfreesboro has voted 4 - 3 to approve the widening of DeJarnette Lane, which currently consists of two lanes. The new road will feature five lanes, sidewalks, bike lanes, and gas strips. Needless to say, this has been a very controversial decision.

The main reason for the drastic change to DeJarnette is the building of the new John Pittard Elementary School. With Oakland High School already located between DeJarnette and Pitts Lane, and the addition of the new John Pittard School, city officials felt that traffic volumne could not be handled in this area without a major expansion project. The city always took the position that they wanted to make the road wide enough to handle traffic for years to come.

Residents in the area hired Jay Jackson as their attorney to fight the major expansion.
Residents wanted to keep the expansion to a three lane road and sited the nearby Cason Lane which was widened to a three lane road and appears to handle the traffic volumne in that area adequaely. City Traffic Director Dana Richardson stated that the studies conducted projected the traffic count on DeJarnette to be much higher than Cason Lane and would make a three lane road impractical for this specific area. City Councilman Doug Young stated that the city wanted to construct a road that would last the lifetime of the school without the need for widening again in the future.

The expansion of DeJarnette Lane will be a blessing for families and individuals commutting through this heavy traffic area, especially during the periods when the schools are starting or dismissing for the day. I suppose the old saying that no one stands in the way of progress applies here once again. I can't help but emphatize with the residents in the area will be adjusting to living on a five lane road in the near future.

Mortgage Rates Decline AGAIN!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 15:16:00 +0000

Great news for home buyers! For the third week in a row, mortgage rates have dropped. This is good news for people shopping for new homes since rates have been rising since April 2006. At one point, the mortgage rate hit a high of 6.8%.

The average rate for a 30 year, fixed rate mortgage dropped to 6.55% this week, which is down from last week’s rate of 6.63. Some econmist believe that the drop in mortgage rates is a sign that our economy may be slowing down. For individuals thinking about making the move, now may be the best opportunity to pursue the opportunity.

Home sales have slowed this year due in part to the rising mortgage rates. It is anticipated that the drop in the current mortgage rate will help fuel the home market once again. With the prior increase in interest rate, coupled with the increase in housing prices, it became difficult for families and individuals to afford purchasing a new home. Especially if they were trying to move-up in price and buy a larger home. The new lower interest rates, will allow families to buy more home, or lower their monthly payments. Either option is a welcome change from the continued rise in rates that we have been seeing since April.

Commerce Union Mortgage in Murfreesboro quoted the following rates for this weekend:

Conventional 15 year fixed – 6.250% 0 + 0

Conventional 30 year fixed – 6.375% 0 + 0

Conventional 40 year fixed – 6.750% 0 + 0

100% Loan – 80% 1st – 6.500% 0 + 0

VA 30 year fixed – 6.375% 0 + 0

FHA 30 year fixed – 6.375% 0 + 0

To take advantage of these rates, you need to call and get locked in now! For more information, please visit my website www.SherriWellborn.com or call me on my cell 615-566-3789.

MURFREESBORO, TN HOUSING PRICES

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 22:30:00 +0000

Today was part 2 of The Daily News Journal's special report on affordable housing in Rutherford County, and Murfreesboro, TN. The story today featured a local resident who made a modest living but wanted to purchase his own home. Fortuantely, through the help of his parents, who just so happen to be excellent Realtors, his dream of homeownership became a reality. His home purchase was made possible by his Realtor (parents) and loan officers working diligently to make all the pieces of the puzzle work. While he qualified for a home mortgage independently, they were able to secure financing through Murfreesboro's affordable housing assistance program. There are actually many programs available to first time homebuyers, police force, teachers, or families considered low-income wage earners that would like to purchase a home. Many of these programs provide down-payment assistance, or grant money to cover the buyer's closing costs or downpayment costs. For someone on a tight budget, especially someone trying to purchase their first home, having the closing costs, or downpayment gifted to them is a huge help! Low-income in the Murfreesboro area, according to HUD, is $34,500 for a single individual, and can go up to $65,100 for a family of eight.

Candy Roberts, with the Middle TN Association of Realtors, stated "There is a path to buying a home, but that path has to intersect with the right program." I couldn't agree with this statement more and would even add they need to iontersect with the right people! Let's face it, helping families or individuals in this price range requires a lot of due diligence on the part of the Realtor, the loan officer, and the potential homebuyer. It is crucial that these people find a local Realtor that they can trust, and are confident are going to work hard to help them secure their dream. A good Realtor can also help you stay on path by recommending a reputable loan officer that knows all the ins and outs of the various type loan programs available to lower wage earners.

As the homeowner featured in today's story said, "All that real estate stuff is Greek to me, so it helps to have good counseling." Homeownership can be attainable for individuals, even those who according to HUD standards, are considered "low-income!" From my experience, many families don't pursue homeownership because they mistakenly think it is out of reach for them. Instead, they get caught in the rent-trap and never seem to make the leap to owning their own home. If you are dreaming of owning a home but think it is just outside your reach, I would highly encourage you to at least talk with a professional about your homeownership options. Sit down and talk with a lender who specializes in working with the various gift programs for downpayment and closing cost asssitance. Just make sure that you are putting your trust in a qualified Realtor and mortgage lender who are both knowledgeable and willing to work hard to you!

Affordable Housing in Murfreesboro, TN Rutherford County

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 21:31:00 +0000

Our local paper, The Daily News Journal, started a three part series today addressing the housing market in Rutherford County. Murfreesboro is on the fast track for growth and our housing prices have seen significant increases over the past year or so. Some contend that housing in Murfreesboro, and Rutherford County is only affordable for some with the gap growing wider between home ownership and not being able to purchase a home.
As a Realtor, it is nice to see our "higher-end" market finally picking up and our community being able to support the type of homes and communities that will ultimately draw higher paying executives and the growth and businesses that come with those type of residents. In the not so distant past, a listing in the $300K range in Murfreesboro could have been viewed as a blessed curse. Listings in this price range were difficult to sell, and certainly not quick to sell. Thankfully, those days are long gone, and a home in the $300K range is certainly not difficult to sell in this market, nor it is anywhere near the top of our real estate market! As of today, Murfreesboro has ten listings in the MLS that are $1,000,000 or more! Eight of those listings are new construction spec homes. Obviously, more than one builder thinks that Murfreesboro is on the fast track to luxury homes and executives are relocating here more and more frequently. We are a long way from becoming another Brentwood, TN, but we are are definitely moving up!
As an agent who works all price ranges, as well as representing buyers and sellers, I like to view the market from all angles. Murfreesboro currently has 1193 listings on the market with an average price of $245,872. In the last six months there have been 470 properties closed with an average sales price of $183.067. Based on a quick estimate on my mortage calculator, a couple would need an income of between $45,000 and $60,000 with a monthly debt allowance of $504.88 and a downpayment of approximately $5400 to buy our average home. Now I realize that this is out of reach for some couples, however, our median household income is $57,900! It seems to me that our "average" income is right in line with our "average" home price. In my opinion, this makes a very healthy housing market in which to be in! Why would we want to have a housing market with a large amount of low level housing and attract a higher percentage of low-income wage earners. Who then will pay the tax bills and support the schools, the roads, the government? Keep in mind that for the families that do not make the average income, we already have a nice selection of homes for sale that are priced under the average.
I have a 24 year old daughter that has purchased her own home. I am proud to say that she is independent and does quite well. She is not in the "average" price home, and doesn't currently make the "average" household income. But, she is certainly living in a nice home, in a safe area, and has made a solid investment in her future with her home purchase! I am currently working with two young couple who are also trying to purchase their first home. While it has been a little bit more of a challenge to find a home that meets their needs, and also priced between $100,000 and $130,000 it is certainly not impossible. Do they expect to buy a $183,000 home? Of course not, but they both have goals of moving up in price range as they age and their income incrreases. We can't all start out buying a home in the "average" price range! I tell all of my buyers in the low price range that they need to be prepared with a letter of committment from a qualified lender, have their earnest money available, and be ready to write an offer when a home comes on the market! Believe me, these homes will not stay on the market long! There is also the extreme satisfaction that I receive when I am fortuante enough to represent these young people in their first home purchase and know that they are making a good, solid investment. There is no doubt that they will be able to resell these homes in the future with little effort and will hopefully make a nice return on their investment. I can say this with confidence because we now have a real estate market that supports luxury estates as well as affordable housing. It is the higher-end housing market that makes the affordable housing such a solid investment!
Let's compare our average price home to those in Brentwood, TN. The are currently 352 properties listed for sale in Brentwood, TN with an average list price of $948,216! In the last six months there have been 245 listings closed with an average sales price of $649,026. Quite a difference between affordable housing and the real estate market in Brentwood and Murfreesboro TN!
I admit that I have seen a substantial increase in housing prices in Rutherford County and Murfreesboro, TN specifically. However, I view this as a positive move and one that helps ensure our future housing market. I certainly do not see this as a negative in any way and would be very reluctant to join the bandwagon that is promoting building more "low-income" housing in Murfreesboro. I think we have a healthy balance in our current market that is beneficial to everyone that lives here. From affordable housing to luxury estates, we finally have housing and a real estate market that offers something for everyone. I for one, hope that our market stays diverse and continues growing for a long time!

WILLIAMSON COUNTY FAIR TIME IS HERE!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 23:21:00 +0000

It is finally time for the Williamson County Fair! There is sure to be something for everyone from the very young to the very old. Whether you like blue grass country, or good old rock and roll, make sure to check out the schedule for this year's fair.

The 2006 Fair will offers a great value with three sponsored stages plus additional smaller venuses that are all included in your one ticket price.

The Great American County Kickoff Concert will be held Friday, August 4 and 7:00 p.m. on the Wm. Medical Center Stage. Buddy Jewell, well known for being the first winner of Nashville STar will be performing along with Rhett Akins (That Ain't My Truck and Don't Get Me Started)

Grand Ole Country Night will be held Thur. August 10 at 7:00 with Jeanne Pruett serving as host. The show will feature Jimmy Dickens, Helen Cornelius, Stonewall Jackson, Margo Smith, Rhonda Vincent, and Ricky Headley and the Pure Country Band.

The fair concerts will be closed out with a Blue Country night on Sat, August 12 at 7 p.m.

Other stages and performers that will be featured during the fair include, the Williamson County Bluegrass Boys, The Ward Family, Williamson County Community Band
The Scott Ellis School of Irish Dance,and Richard Layhew of College Grove.

For complete details about the fair and the concerts, make sure to visit:

http://www.WilliamsonCountyFair.org

VERIZION HIRING 214 EMPLOYEES!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 15:30:00 +0000

Verizon Wireless is one of Rutherford County's largest employes. They have announced that they will be hiring an additional 214 employees for their call center located in Murfreesboro, TN by the end of 2006. These employees would work at the company's headquarters located at 300 River Rock Blvd. The call center currently employs 1083 employees at that facility.

Verizon prides themself on making customer satisfaction their "number one priority." The additional employees are intended to help enhance the customer's experience when they contact the call center even more.

Verizon would like to hire employees for these positions that have previous customer service experience and a college degree. However, neither of these are a requirement in order to be considered for employment.

Verizon offers competitive salaries and bonuses along with a nice benefits package which includes health benefits that start the first day of employment. They also offer merit pay increases, profit-sharing, dollar matching 401K up to 6%, tuition reimbursement, wireless phone discount programs, and access to a company health center/gym.

If you are interested in these new position, you can www.verizonwireless.com/careers.

SPECIAL KIDS OF TN

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 22:41:00 +0000

Special Kids of Tennessee has had a fond place in my heart for several years now. I was first introduced to Special Kids when my two beautiful and healthy girls were in ballet. We were blessed to have met two others equally adorable girls, and their mothers, who had used the services of Special Kids for their daughters, both of which had been born with special needs. One of those mothers became one of the most prescious friends I have ever had the privilege to have in my life. Hearig her story, and realizing how traumatic having a child with a special need can be, truly makes you look at your life in a different perspective.

In case you've never heard of Special Kids, let me give you a brief lesson on their history and humble beginnings. Special Kids was started by a nurse, Carrie Goodwin, who was very saddened to see families and children with special needs beng turned away from much needed out-patient facilities because they could not financially afford their services.

Carrie dreamed of a place where children with special needs, and those who were medically fragile would come for rehabilitation and care without being turned away due to financial restraints. These prescious children, who were also blessings from God, would be embraced with Christian love and healing arms. They would not be turned away for lack of funds.

The Christy Houston Foundation in Rutherford County, put forth the funds that enabled Goodwin to build the facility she had dreamed of, and the doors were opened debt free in September 1998. Since its opening, Special Kids of TN has served over 1,200 families in eleven TN counties.

In order for this wonderful program to continue, they depend on the generous donations from business and individuals, as well as various fundraisers to continue providing care for medically fragile children. One of their biggest fundraisers is having a team to run the full or half marathon in Nashville, and now in Walt Disney World. I was fortunate enough to be able to run and complete the full Country Music Marathon in support of Special Kids a few years ago. If you think you would like to experience the challenge of running a half or full marathon, but doubt you would have the motivation needed...then I encourage you to contact Special Kids. You will be given unbelieveable coaching, as well as support from extremely knowledgeable runners. If you are intimidated about not being a fast runner, or even being a walker, then have no fear! There will be runners of all levels that participate in this fundraiser event. More importantly, you will be given a children in which to "run for." You will get to know the circumstances of this child and even get to know them personally, if you choose. It is very motivational to know that you are out running while a child may be wheel chair bounds, or even fighting for their life.

The first team meeting for the Walt Disney World Marathon will be Aug. 8. Meetings for the County Music Marathon will be early fall. If you are interested in running a marathon, you can contact Special Kids at 893-1003.

If you are not a runner or walker, and have no desire to participate in a marathon or half marathon, let me take this opportunity to strongly encourage you to support Special Kids through your generous donations or other fundraising events of your choice. Special Kids depends on our donations to keep their doors open to truly special children who are gifts from God. If you have been blessed with healthy children like I have, I know you will be touched when you read about the ministry of Special Kids! For more information on Special Kids, be sure to check out their website, at www.SpecialKidsTN.com.

the REESE PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 22:51:00 +0000

Reese Performing Arts has quickly become THE one stop shop for Murfreesboro Tennessee's performing arts education. The Academy offers classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, Tumbling, Musical Theater and Acting, Maestro Jr., Percussion, Piano, Voice, Adult Yoga, Adult Dance, and even Fencing!

All dancers ages 7-18 are invited to audition for the Reese Academy Company Dancers on August 25 and 27. The Reese Company Dancers, under the direction of Casey Reese, are a team of elite athletes committed to the highest standards of excellence proven by their history of first overall high score placements and performance awards. Company dancers will gain a valuable performing arts education as well as unlimited performance opportunities. Their specialized dance curriculum includes ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, yoga, and dancer's stretch and conditioning. Company dancers can also take advantage of other performing arts curriculum including music, voice, musical theater, and acting. The Reese Academy Company Dancers must exhibit a positive attitude and team unity while representing Murfreesboro in regional and national competitions.

Not yet ready to be a Company Dancer? Be sure to attend the Reese Performing Arts OPEN HOUSE PARTY on August 12 from 10:00 - 3:00 and sign up for regular fall classes which begin September 5. Come and enjoy the live music, food and fun!!

For more information, please call Reese Academy at 849-8905 or visit them online at www.rpaa.net.

Tennessee TAX FREE Holiday!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 12:44:00 +0000

In case you haven't heard...Tennessee is having a holiday from sales tax!!! Make sure to mark August 4 - August 6, 2006 on your shopping calendar. BOTH state and local taxes are going to be suspended on specific items stated in the mandate. The majority of the items exempt from tax are "back-to-school" related items and some clothing items. Yes, you will be able to purchase these items without paying ANY sales tax on these dates!

The items that are exempt are as follows:

CLOTHING:

Belts
Caps
Coats
Dresses
Gloves
Hats
Hosiery
Jackets
Jeans
Neckties
Pants
Scarves
School Uniforms
Shirts
Shoes
Socks
Sneakers
Underwear

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Binders
Bookbags and Backpacks
Calculators
Chalk
Compasses
Composition Books
Crayons
Erasers
Folders
Glue/paste/paste sticks
Highlighter Pens
Index Cards/Index Card Boxes
Legal Pads
Lunch Boxes
Markers
Notebooks
Paper
Pens
Pencils/Pencil Boxes/Sharpeners
Protractors
Rulers
School Supply Boxes
Scissors
Tape
Writing Tablets

COMPUTERS!
Computers with a purchase price of $1,500 or less, NOT FOR USE IN TRADE OR BUSINESS, are exempt from sales tax. A computer is defined as a CPU along with various other components including monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, cables to connect components and preloaded software.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to stock up for school supplies and SAVE the TN state and local sales tax....to spend on something else! At least your money will go a little bit farther on these dates.

Rain Tree Day Spa & Salon

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 12:54:00 +0000

Much to my surprize, I had a client give ME a gift certificate to have the works done at the Rain Tree Day Spa located in Murfreesboro, TN. I must admit that I could get used to having the spa treatment performed on me on a regular basis.

The atmosphere was very relaxing and the employees were incredibly friendly. Everyone just seemed so happy to be there and loved what they do! The facial was so relaxing that I actually fell sound asleep. Kendra did my facial and was both professional and friendly. The massage was a much needed stress reliever and was completed by Courtney. I've had massages that were a little too rough, or a little too light, and not always enjoyable. Courtney seemed to have the technique down to perfection and her touch was just perfect for me! I don't even know how to begin with the the spa manicure and pedicure...they were a real treat! You start off by relaxing on a luxuriously padded bench while you soak in warm sudsy water with stones in the bottom of the stone sink. My feet (and body) just loved relaxing in this position for a few minutes. You then go through an hour of the best smelling lotions, oils, scrubs, peach parafin dips, and even heated mittens on your hands. They will wrap your pampered feet in hot steamy towels that will make you go "Ahhhh." Jeremy did my spa mani and pedi and they were the absolute BEST I have ever received. He really took his time and pampered me. I will definitely be going back and asking for Jeremy soon!

The Rain Tree Day Spa is located in Georgetown Square on Northfield Blvd. This is right behind the Kroger that faces NW Broad Street. I would highly recommend giving the Rain Tree a try and would ask for Jeremy, Cortney and Kendra! If you do not live in Murfreesboro, it is definitely worth the drive over to receive their services. I would have to give this business a 5 star rating! Thanks Rain Tree!

Mortgage Rates Decline Slightly

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 01:29:00 +0000

Investsors grew hopeful this week that the long string of rate hikes by the Federal Reserve is drawing to a close, resulting in a slight decline in mortgage rates. The rate on a 30 year, fixed rate home mortgage dropped to 6.72 as a nationwide average. This is down from 6.80 last week. The 6.80 rate was the highest rate for mortgages in over four years.

McCulloch House to be Demolished

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 01:22:00 +0000

Attempts to stop the demolition of the pre-Civil war McCulloch House were abandoned today by the Friends of Stones River National Battlefield. The Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University determined that although the house was originally built in 1838, it no longer held any historic value. Over the years the home had been modified and "renovated" to the point that the original character of the home no longer remained. Most of the remaining house dated back to 1920, 1930, and even 1980. The Friends of Stones River try to save everything that is related to the civil war Battle of Stones River. Representatives stated that they were saddened by the news. During the Civil War, the home served as the headquarters for Lt. General William J. Hardee.

The property is currently owned by Howard Wilson and his partner Brian Burns, of Signature Homes. They plan to have the property rezoned to accomodate a planned residential development with 29 townhomes.

Home Inspectors Must Be Licensed

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Wellborn) — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 23:50:00 +0000

I am pleased to report that the State of Tennessee is finally requiring home inspectors to be licensed! As a Realtor and a buyer's agent, I have always used home inspectors that were competent, knowledgeable, qualified, and always went above and beyond the call of duty in inspecting homes. However, as a seller's agent, there were many times that the buyer of my seller's home used an inspector that had not been so carefully selected. Many of these inspectors were just out for a quick dollar, and often made the home inspection process much more difficult (for both buyer and seller) than it needed to be.

No longer will anyone be able to hang up a shingle and call themselves a home inspector! Now they will have to complete a grueling licensing process, agree to maintain their qualifications through continuing education every two years, and pass a test that proves competency. They will also required to maintain a minimum level of insurance. The State has put a complaint process in place for consumers to use if they are not happy with an inspectors service.

Currently, 31 states have written regulations for home inspectors in place. TN finally put their licensing requirements in effect on July 1, 2006. While the system is not perfect, it will definitely get rid of some of the individuals who were in the business for quick profit, and those who were simply not qualified to be doing inspections for home buyers.