Whats this BUZZ about? Is this a NEW market? only Fake Media?

 Many lenders, attorneys and agents are discussing this market is COOLING.... what is this? Global cooling?

NO, It is a combination of two things: Mortgage Interest rates had a slight increase and the Buyers demanding a correction of the past year of price INCREASES.

NO seller wants to hear this. BUT The seller does needs to hear the market is Very strong in our area for homes priced correctly.

FALL IS THE BEST TIME TO SELL!!

CALL TODAY! we can do A FREE MARKET ANALISIS for you to Keep you in THE LOOP and on the PULSE of this New Market!  

Tottyrealty.com

Finding a good real estate agent/broker is essential to enjoying a painless real estate transaction. The saying is "20% of the agents do 80% of the business," and it is true. The question is how can you find a good real estate agent? The best agent for you doesn't necessarily work at the largest brokerage, close the most transactions or make the most money. The best agent for you is an experienced professional who will listen to you, ethically conduct herself and knows your market.

1 REALTORS® and Real Estate Agents

All Realtors® are licensed to sell real estate as an agent, or a broker but not all real estate agents are Realtors®. Only Realtors® can display the Realtor® logo. Realtors® belong to the National Association of Realtors and pledge to follow the Code of Ethics, a comprehensive list containing 17 articles and underlying standards of practice, which establish levels of conduct that are higher than ordinary business practices or those required by law. Less than half of all licensees are Realtors®.

2 Referrals

Most real estate agents stay in business because satisfied clients refer them to friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. Ask the people around you who they have used and ask them to describe their experiences with this real estate agent. Successful agents make customer satisfaction their number one priority and put their customers' needs before their own. Try to find an agent who goes above and beyond her responsibilities. She'll be the agent whose praises your friends sing loudest.

3 Search Online for Agent Listings

There are plenty of websites that will refer agents to you, but that is no assurance of quality. The agents they refer are those who have paid the website owners a fee to be listed in their directory. A better bet is to Google the top real estate companies in your area, go to those websites and look up profiles of individual agents at offices near you. Agents who are experienced will tell you in plain view on their websites, but newer agents might have more time to spend with you. Look for customer reviews.

4 Attend Open Houses

By going to open houses, you can meet real estate agents in a non-threatening working environment and interact with them. Collect business cards and make notes on them. If you're thinking about selling your home, pay attention to how the agent is showing the home. Is she polite and informative; appear knowledgeable? Does she hand out professional-looking promotional material about the home? Is she trying to sell features of the home? Or is she sitting in a corner reading a book, ignoring you?

 

5 Track Neighborhood Signs

Pay attention to the listing signs in your neighborhood. Make a note of the day they go up and when the sign disappears. Don't wait for a sold sign because not all agents will post a sold sign. The agent who sells listings the fastest might be better for you than the agent with the largest number of "for sale" signs. Results speak volumes.

6 Using Print Advertising

Real estate agents run real estate ads for two purposes. The first is to sell specific real estate. The second is to promote the real estate agent. Look in your local community newspaper for house ads in your targeted neighborhood. Then look up the websites of the agents who are advertising. These agents could be specialists in your neighborhood. Call and ask them about their experience.

7 Recommendations from Professionals

Ask other real estate agents for referrals. Agents are happy to refer buyers and sellers to associates, especially if the service you need is not a specialty of the agent who is referring you. Some agents specialize in residential resales while others work exclusively with new home builders. Other agents sell only commercial or investment property. Mortgage brokers are also a resource for agent referrals as many brokers have first-hand knowledge of exceptional agents. Professionals tend to refer other professionals like themselves.

 

Come join us for some great Open Houses! May 7, 2017 from 3pm - 5pm

The look may change as styles evolve, but the appeal of a black-and-white kitchen never dies. It's all about high contrast — this design from IKEA juxtaposes white lacquer cabinets  and Absolute Black granite countertops, but it also benefits from the tension between country and modern. Warm rustic hardwood floors are an effective counterpoint to sleek cabinet materials. Image courtesy of IKEA

Quaint 2 bedroom cottage on a wooded lot. New kitchen with all new appliances! New carpet and tile. Nice screened in porch with lovely wooded view

If you are a first time home buyer please check out these programs before making your purchase.

1. FHA Loan
2. USDA Loan
3. VA Loan
4. Good neighbor next door
5. Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac
6. Energy efficent mortgage
7. Federal housing administration 203k
8. Native american direct loan
9. Local 1st time home buyers grants and programs (Before purchasing a home, check your state or city's website for information on housing aid available in your area.)
   
    

Beautiful New Construction in Hickory Springs - 7623 Horn Tavern Road, Fairview
Spacious home with open floor plan. Hurry and you will still have time to pick your colors! Granite countertops, hardwood and tile floors. Stunning deck with a huge backyard. 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths and 1 half bath. $341,000

• Always water your lawn! Watering it during the day, preferably early to mid morning, lets the grass grow during its necessary four hours of natural sunlight.
• Maintain your lawnmower! You need to make sure your lawnmower is in pristine condition. The blades should be as sharp as possible.
• Don't cut your lawn too short! Cutting your lawn too short ruins and shocks your lawn system.
• Fertilize and seed your lawn! Much like the vegetables and fruits we eat to grow big and strong, lawns need fertilizers and seeds to grow thick and tough.
• Plant flowers and grass strategically! Make sure when you plant your beds not to make the beds too narrow. Extend your beds out at least one to two thirds of the house's height, if not more. 
• Never make impulse purchases! Only buy plants and landscaping features that make sense for your family.

New Rental Coming Soon - April 2017 ---- 7109 Red Maple Court

$1200 per month

$1000 deposit

$300 non refundable pet fee

WHAT IT IS:

A seller's market exists when there are more sellers than buyers in the market for a certain good or service.

HOW IT WORKS (EXAMPLE):

Housing is a common place to find a seller's market. Let's say that ABC Town has 100,000 homes and that 3,000 of those homes are for sale. A big manufacturing plant in ABC Town is opening, drawing thousands of people to the town for new jobs. These people want to buy houses and move to ABC town, so they start competing for the 3,000 houses for sale.

Very few people are moving out of ABC Town right now. Accordingly, the few people who are interested in selling a home in ABC town have the upper hand. There are more buyers than sellers, making ABC Town a seller's market.

WHY IT MATTERS:

In a seller's market, a seller often can sell goods and services at a higher cost. In our example, a seller's market means that a lot of buyers are competing for houses, and they are therefore more likely to pay more money for their homes. This can translate into big profits for sellers, who might also be able to dictate other terms of the deal (such as who pays the closing cost).

Thank you to everyone who time to vote for us! It paid off! We were voted the #1 Real Estate office in Fairview!

Wash Windows - Inside and Out

Dust your home thoroughly (shelves, tabletops, dressers, ceiling fans, above kitchen cabinets, baseboards, doorways and pictures)

Wash out all trashcans - Inside and Out

Move all furniture away from walls and clean underneath

Deep clean your floors 

Clean all upholstered furniture (don't forget underneath cushions)

Clean inside refridgerator

Self clean your oven

Organize pantry throw away all expired food

Scrub your shower

Vinegar removes hard water scale and mildew

Vacuum and rotate matresses

Switch out cold weather clothing for warm weather clothing

Sweep porch & deck as well as doors & windows to remove cobwebbs & debris

Wash all outside furniture

 

Each time you pay extra on your mortgage, more of each payment after that is applied to your principal balance. Here are some options for paying extra and examples of how extra payments will affect the average $220,000, 30-year mortgage with a 4% interest rate:

• Make an extra house payment each quarter, and you’ll save $65,000 in interest and pay off your loan 11 years early.

• Divide your payment by 12 and add that amount to each monthly payment or pay half of your payment every two weeks, also known as bi-weekly payments. You’ll make one extra payment each year, saving you $24,000 and shaving four years off your mortgage.

• Round up your payments so you’re paying at least a few extra dollars a month.

• Increase your payment when you get a raise or bonus.

Always check with your mortgage company before you make additional principal payments. Some companies will only accept extra payments at specific times, or they may charge prepayment penalties. And always make sure the additional money is applied to the principal and not next month’s payment.

The rate you'll receive on a mortgage depends on several variables: your credit score, the loan type, loan amount, points, location and down payment. And when it comes to mortgage products, the shorter the loan term, the less you'll pay in interest over the life of the loan. Longer loans - like 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, for example - typically come with higher rates and steeper interest costs. But the monthly payments are lower than for shorter-term products, like 15-year loans. A 30-year loan will cost less each month than a 15-year mortgage with the same loan balance because the payoff horizon is spread over 15 more years. The type of loan product you choose will depend on what you can afford monthly in principal, interest, property taxes, insurance and other costs.  We would love to help you with your next home sell or purchase!

Buying a home is a big financial commitment, so it’s crucial to know what you’re getting into before you put down any money. An uneducated purchase can result in a lot of time and money down the road. To save you cash—and heartache—be sure to look closely at any prospective new home. If you’re not sure what to look for, we can help. Here are 15 common home defects of which every potential homebuyer should be aware.

1.  Whether you’re looking to buy a first home or a vacation home, purchasing a house is big investment. Buyers must look beyond beauty and examine the integrity of the elements that make up the home. For help in deciphering what to look for, we interviewed Greg Haskett, from HomeTeam Inspection Services. Here’s what he had to say about common home defects and what to look for as you hunt for a new home.

2. Wood that’s exposed to moisture rots over time. Inspect wood in the kitchen and the bathroom, including the tub surround, toilet seat, countertop, and flooring. These spots are especially vulnerable to moisture and should be protected with a special paint or finish. Don’t forget to check the exterior of the home, including the deck, eaves, and trim, for signs of rotting.

3.If a home doesn’t have proper ventilation, moisture cannot evaporate and will inevitably cause problems. Make sure the attic is properly ventilated to ensure that the roof has a long and functional life. Proper attic ventilation allows the intense heat of the sun to escape from the attic space, and promotes evaporation of moisture that would otherwise damage interior walls and structural elements.

4. Extend the life of appliances and other equipment by taking the simple, smart action of performing regular maintenance. This includes cleaning out the lint trap and exhaust hose in the clothes dryer and cleaning filters in the HVAC unit and range hoods.

5. The longer a family has lived in their home, the more likely you’ll find household repairs done by the homeowner or another amateur. Often these repairs—most commonly seen in the areas of plumbing and electrical—don’t follow building codes and are likely to fail or cause more damage down the road.

6. Inadequate drainage around the exterior of a home leads to water intrusion in basements, garages, and crawl spaces. This can compromise the foundation of a home and create mold problems.

7. A failing or aging heating and cooling system in an older home will likely require costly maintenance. These systems could also emit carbon monoxide fumes, which are harmful to your family. These old systems are less efficient than modern choices and consequently have higher heating and cooling costs.

8. Because there was limited technology and fewer building restrictions in the past, an older home may contain lead-based paint, high levels of carbon monoxide, radon, toxic molds, or even asbestos. Any of these require professional testing and monitoring to ensure the safety of your family.

9. The pipes under a sink can be made of incompatible materials that lead to dripping faucets, leaking fixtures, and slow drains. Address all plumbing problems before you buy a home to save yourself from costly repairs in the future.

10. Dated or insufficient electrical systems can cause breaker tripping or, worse, a fire. Examples of electrical safety hazards to watch out for are ungrounded outlets, lack of ground-fault circuit interrupters, aluminum wiring, and faulty wiring in electrical panels or elsewhere in the house. These potentially hazardous defects must be taken seriously.

11. Water intrusion can be one of the most destructive and expensive problems. Check for well-maintained gutters, downspouts, and proper grading around the foundation to direct water away from the home.

12. Over time, railings inside and outside of the home can become loose or go missing. Unstable or insecure railings aren’t safe. Examine a home’s porch, deck, stairs, and landings to make sure all railings are stable and up to code.

13. Roofing can contain old or damaged shingles or improper flashing. Should you buy a home with roof concerns, do not ignore it. Repair the roofing in order to prevent costly damage.

14. No part of this country is impervious to storm damage. And damage from a past hurricane, tornado, or flood can plague a home for years. Inspect the roofing, siding, and exterior railings for wind and water damage and defective repairs. Also, inspect the drywall for water intrusion that could create potential mold problems.

15.ou might get an amazing deal on a foreclosed property, but be sure to check on the condition of the property before you sign for it. (Occasionally, former homeowners may have taken their frustrations out on the property.) If you buy a foreclosed property, watch for stripped or damaged cabinets, surfaces, fixtures, and appliances.

4 critical things to understand about building codes

1. Codes are just a bare minimum
2. Construction varies regionally
3. Building officials have very little time
4. Building codes defer to manufacturer’s specifications

Summary

In summary, building codes and building departments do an excellent job in helping to ensure that safe and reliable houses are being constructed, but houses are very complex systems comprised of many components which are installed by a small army of different contractors; even the best builders with the best intentions will have difficulty executing everything on a residential build and there is a huge gray area of workmanship that exists between code and best practices. It is simply good practice to have a fresh set of eyes look over the house to see what can be found.

It is important to note that new construction inspections are probably the most difficult inspections that home inspectors do. Home inspectors do not perform code compliant inspections and your typical inspection on an existing house is based on performance: how has the building performed to date? On new construction, this metric is taken away from the inspector, so it falls on the inspector to use the little clues that we can see to help us understand how worried we should be about the things we cannot see.

Are you ready to sell your home? Can't think of what else needs to be done? How can you improve your sale? Small DIY projects can really add some finishing touches to your home and even add more value when it comes to selling your home. Some simple tips such as adding a back splash of tile in your kitchen can make it look nicer and it's mess free! For the bedrooms, install crown molding. It sounds a lot harder than it actually is. The laundry room is a room that doesn't always look the most appealing so getting rid of any wire racks and adding in wood cabinets and shelving will help improve the overall look of the room. If you have a garage you know how messy and worn the floors can look over the years so cleaning it up and painting the floor with speciality garage paint from your local home improvement store will make a huge difference in a great way. Other little things you can do to revamp your home is power wash your sidewalk, paint your front door, change light fixtures, upgrade your cabinet knobs and drawer handles. All of these little things really add up and make a great impression to buyers when they come to see your home. 

Williamson County includes Brentwood, Fairview, Franklin, and Springhill. Franklin being the major suburb of outside Nashville and the prominent town in the region. Where as Fairview is only 25 minutes from dowtown Nashville which makes for a quiter living. The county ranks as one of the Nation's wealthiest countys due to its low cost and high quality of living. Williamson County is one of the fastest growing counties in Tennessee. The county is home to more than 211,000 residents and is expected to reach up to 500,000 in the near future!

 

newhomesource.com

 

 

 

 

Join us

Sunday, April 17th from 4-6pm

at Totty Realty.

2092 Fairview Blvd, Fairview

To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Totty Realty & Assoc

AND

 Happy 50th Birthday to Beverly Totty!!!

(no presents please, bring can good items for local food pantry)

The property searchers in Fairview, tn and Williamson county are busy this spring. The farm land is selling to investors for future developments. You can buy land priced 8000-18000 per acre. 

Call Totty Realty today. Your one stop shop for....everything Real Estate.