If you are currently in the market to purchase a home, now is a great time to buy. You will have to qualify for a loan and that could be more difficult than it has been in the past. It is no secret that the credit market in the mortgage industry has tightened. However, if you have 4% down and can qualify with a full documented loan the rates are still very good.
For those who don’t have money down but can qualify otherwise and are a first time homeowner, you have an option to do a THDA loan that includes a grant for down payment money. This is not free money and has to be paid back if you live in the house less than nine years. There are some other restrictions and you will need to discuss these with a THDA approved lender.
Inventory is up and you have a lot to choose from; rates continue to stay low; sellers are motivated to sell their properties; so what are you waiting for to find your new home?
The real estate and mortgage industry has taken a huge hit, not only in overall business, but in reputation. Though it may not seem fair to those of us who continue to work through this time with the utmost integrity that we are questioned about what has happened but it is understandable. For those who have been inundated by the media with horror stories it is a question of fear; and it’s real fear. So what can I do to help?
I have come to the conclusion that I have to continue to live up to and exceed my standards in my personal life as well as my business. Not because what has happened in the industry but despite what has happened. I can’t control what has happened but I can control what I do each and every day. The following is from the book, Becoming a Person of Influence written by John Maxwell:
“Honesty is a habit you ingrain by doing the right thing all the time, day after day, week after week, year after year. If you consistently do what’s right in the little things, you’re less likely to wander off course morally or ethically.”
This is the only answer I have.
This has been one of the questions I have heard on more than one occasion and would like to take a few minutes to address answer it. I know that in today’s world, as a buyer, you can easily search and find a home on the internet and it seems like it makes more since to just do it yourself. While I understand the thought process, I think it’s important for you to understand the real estate process.
Realtors are normally paid by the seller, not the buyer. There are few exceptions to this and if you are involved in one of those exceptions, you will have plenty of advanced notice. If a seller has a knowledgeable realtor, shouldn’t you have one on your side to negotiate the deal on your behalf? Would you go into a business deal without an attorney making sure you are dotting every I and crossing every t? It’s the same for a real estate transaction. This is a legal transaction and may be one of the most expensive purchases you make in a lifetime. Should you not do everything in your power to protect yourself? That’s what realtors do.
Just a short update for first time homeowners; THDA has increased their rates on all of their programs. They include:
THDA Great Rate – 6.10%
THDA Great Advantage – 6.60%
THDA Great Start – 7.10%
Find a trusted lender that can help you with your loan if you are ready to purchase a home and need some help deciphering which mortgage is best for you. Some of the qualifications for these 3 programs are the same but they have different benefits based on your current situation. Not all lenders are approved by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency so you will want to make sure you start with an approved THDA lender. You can always contact me if you
There is a brand new listing in Hendersonville at 101 Fawn Court that is amazing. The house sits on a beautiful, private one acre lot in the Beech School District, one of the best school districts around. This 4 bedroom, 3 full and 2 half baths home has 3079 sq ft of room and fun for your entire family, as well as a chef’s dream of a kitchen that is 22’ x 11’ to give you plenty of room for a large gathering.
This spacious home has an updated roof along with a 5 yr old propane heat system downstairs and a 2 yr old heat pump system upstairs. All 4 bedrooms are large with the master being the largest at 18’ x 13’ and include a walk-in closet, separate shower and jetted tub and double sinks on the main floor. There is also a second master suite upstairs with the other 2 bedrooms.
There is an oversized 2 car garage attached that has a bonus room and office alcove above it with stairs that lead back to the kitchen. Top this off with a wonderful open deck and you have a great house all for the price of $258,900! Now that’s a deal!
We have been enjoying an unusually warm and pleasant October and early November. However, it is evident that the weather will be changing soon and there are always a few things that will need to be done.
Along with closing off those outside vents, checking your furnace and picking up falling leaves, it’s time to get those flu shots. You may obtain flu shots from the following Metro Health Department locations.
Lentz Public Health Center
311 23rd Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37203
615-340-5616
East Public Health Center
1015 East Trinity Lane
Nashville, TN 37216
615-862-7916
Woodbine Public Health Center
224 Oriel Avenue
Nashville, TN 37210
615- 862-7940
You can also get flu shots at the clinics located in some of the Walgreens Stores located throughout the Nashville and surrounding areas. Of course, you should be able to get a flu shot from your personal doctor as well. Just remember, if you are one of the people who fall into one of the categories below you are in the “should get a flu shot” group.
- Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
- If You are Pregnant
- People 50 years of age and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Health care workers
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
It never fails that when you want Joe, he seems to be nowhere to be found. It is sometimes due to the fact that everybody is looking for Joe in the same places. In East Nashville, you can get a good cup of Joe pretty much within walking distance to your home or business. The trick is to know where to look. This Joe is hiding right out in the open.
He can be found most days of the week having a great time at Bongo Java’s on 11th Street, Portland Brews or Ugly Mugs on Eastland Ave,, Eastside’s on Gallatin Rd., Drew’s Brew’s Coffee on Dickerson Pike or Sky Blue Coffee & Bistro on Fatherland Street. There’s never a dull moment hanging out with Joe and most of the people I know on the East side know him well. I’m sure they’d love to introduce you to Joe at any of these wonderful coffee shops in East Nashville.
I had heard about it but never really believed that Halloween on Eastland in East Nashville was as awesome and magnificent as was told to me. Now I can report that it is not only fantastic to watch and be a part of but one of the most wonderful kid friendly experiences a child can have on Halloween!
I don’t know how many kids walked up and down Eastland Ave last Friday evening on a wonderful full Halloween, but it would not surprise me if it were several thousand. You couldn’t drive faster than 2 miles per hour and there were hordes of children of all ages accompanied by parents on both sides of the street. The residences of Eastland were handing out treats of all kinds and a trick from time to time. Everyone was welcome and patient as they walked from house to house showing off their costumes and smiles.
Just another example of how wonderful the people in East Nashville are to each other and to those who visit from time to time.
