I was recently talking with a friend of mine who lives in East Nashville about the area and something I had never thought about came up; eating out but still eating local. It seems to not only be the healthy thing to do but it also supports the entire eco system and economic system in the area, which makes very good since.
Those of us who either work or live in East Nashville know that it is a very progressive area in both art and business. Many young families live here and they are looking for ways to keep them and their children healthy. While we might like to think that we can cook every night, the fact is there are times that we just want to go out and let others cook for us. However, many are very conscious of supporting local farmers as well as eating organic. It seems like the eateries in East Nashville have not only heard but are responding to the call. Here are a list that my friend gave to me of the places they eat because it supports both.
Silly Goose
Nuvo Burrito
Margot Café and Bar
Marche Artisan Foods
I’m sure there are others so please let me know if you have a favorite eating place that uses local foods and organics.
One of the things you realize as you get older is the importance of staying in shape. This becomes ever so evident when there is an injury. If you are in pretty good shape you tend to rebound quicker. If you let your strength go it is hard to come back from an injury even though you may have a great genetic line.
Another reason it’s important to stay in shape is for your kids and grandkids. I can’t imagine not being physically able to play with my little granddaughter or sail across the lake with my family on a beautiful day. As important it is to walk and do some cardio it is also important to do some resistance training. That doesn’t necessarily mean weight training but it does mean moving and lifting a little bit as you can.
I have a friend who has started a workout program at 52 and is doing really well. He has lost weight and built muscle and is proving that you can do it at any age.
Right now is the time to buy if you would like to qualify for the first time homebuyer’s tax credit or the move up/move down tax credit. You will need to have a house under contract by the end of April to qualify. The only exception to this date is for military personnel coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The other reason it’s a good time to buy is interest rates. They are still historically low right now, though it has been predicted that they will be rising throughout the year into the 6’s. With that in mind, interest rates in the 6’s are not bad when you look at where rates have been over time.
The last reason to buy is the homes that are currently on the market. There are a great many homes to choose from and some are at great prices due to short sales and foreclosures. It can take more time to get a contract in place for these homes so it is important to start soon if this is the type of home you are looking for.
While buyers are excited about the possibility of getting a deal on a short sale there is another side to the story that everyone needs to be aware of; every short sale is the result of a distressed seller. It’s a story that most of think we have heard in the news but I am finding that we only know the tip of the iceberg.
The first thing to know is 1 in 7 families is having trouble paying their mortgage. That means if you take a look down your street there are a lot of people at risk of losing their homes. Of those who end up in foreclosure, 70% never call a Realtor and that means they allow their credit to be ruined for up to 10 years. If they would have called a Realtor to help them arrange a short sale with their lender they could potentially be able to purchase another home once their situation changed in as little as a year to 18 months.
If you know of someone in this situation, please call me today so I can arrange a meeting with a short sale specialist. You may be the person that saves them from financial ruin.
One of the things that people forget about is the power of teamwork. When you are working with a strong team of individuals who have the same goals as you, powerful things can happen. I know in my life that part of that team is my family who supports what I do even when it’s tough. I also have a team at RE/MAX Choice Properties that is second to none and where I can go to find answers and help on a moments notice.
It is this type of teamwork that makes so many of us who work hard each and every day a success. As I watched the Oscars this year it dawned on me how many people it takes to make a film. We hear about the actors and the directors but only when we watch the awards do we see how many team members it takes for a film to be successful. It’s the same for many of us and we all need to acknowledge the power of teamwork.
I recently sold a fix-r-upper to a friend who decided to hire an interior designer to help him realize the best for the new house. Most of the time people don’t get help with the vision; just the work that needs to be done. After seeing what this young designer did for my client, I will not hesitate to recommend getting this type of help. Neither I nor my customer had the vision that was accomplished.
They moved several walls and turned a very small kitchen into a wonderful place to eat and entertain. The colors that were picked were a pleasant surprise and there was no way I would have put those together to get the look that they got. I have decided that hiring someone to get a vision for a home you will be living in for what could be years is a very good investment. Do your homework and get someone who is qualified and licensed. I believe you will be glad you brought someone to the table who can help you capture and create your vision.
After a very good December in regard to home sales there was an expectation that January and February would follow suit. However, no one expected the type of weather that paralyzed much of the nation. When people cannot move around freely, home sales normally fall. This is just the way it is. Fortunately for the Middle Tennessee Area, the weather wasn’t near as distracting as it was in other parts of the country. This is one reason that real estate is always considered local.
For those that are selling, this is a great time to have your house on the market as the last of the first time homebuyers look to get a house under contract before the end of April. At the same time, it is a good time to buy because of the tax credits for most buyers as well as interest rates that are still well below normal. There are good buys in almost every price range but it won’t always be that way. If you are ready, start looking. You will be glad you did.
