Everyday Real Estate: A look at Nashville, Spring Hill & Franklin, TN Area Real Estate

New Hair Salon Opening In Spring HIll, TN

2010-05-20T11:26:00.001-07:00

As always, I try to give you up to date information as well as breaking community news. Well, here you go! A good friend of mine, Mark Brimeyer, a highly skilled and experienced hair dresser, is opening a new salon in Spring Hill, TN called Textured Salon. Mark co-owned and ran a salon of the same name in Milwaukee, WI. It will be located just south of Utopia Coffee on Main Street. Mark is holding a grand opening for the salon on May 24th from 6:30-8:30pm. Please drop by to meet Mark and to schedule your firs appointment with him! The address is 5306-B Main Street, Spring Hill, TN 37174. You can call to make an appointment at 615-594-5093. You can click here to connect with them on Facebook, however their page is still under construction.

Steve Blair

Affiliate Broker / REALTOR / SFR

SilverPointe Properties

7105 Cross Roads Blvd. Suite 102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Office: 615-377-6330

Cell: 615-479-1639

Email: steve@steveblair.net

Web: www.steveblair.net

Twitter: www.twiter.com/blairtweets

Find me on Facebook and LinkedIn!

Why Move To Nashville?

2010-04-07T11:23:00.000-07:00

I was born in Ohio, raised in Charlotte, NC and moved to Nashville in March or 2004. My son was born in Charlotte, my daughter, right here in Nashville and our new baby will be born here in Nashville in a few weeks. This is a great place to raise a family. The city is also rich in History. In the War of 1812, General Andrew Jackson, was credited with winning the final battle in New Orleans which reported ended the war. When he came back to Nashville, they gave him a heros welcome. The church where this took place still stands today! You can also visit his home in Hermitage, TN. You can also visit many civil war sites and battlefields in and around the Nashville area. Aside from the rich historical benefits Nashville offers, you can spend many evenings downtown on Broadway going in and out of all the classic "honky-tonks" and listen to some of the worlds greatest musicians playing nightly in over a dozen different bars and clubs.

Nashville also has several museums and art gallery's, legendary music stores and record shops as well as plenty of shopping at Opry Mills Mall and Cool Springs Galleria.

Did you know that TN does not have a state income tax? Now that's reason enough to move here! Granted, we have a higher sales tax than some, but even at 9.25% sales tax, you still come out better than paying an income tax.

If you would like more information on our great city or the surrounding areas, please let me know!

Steve Blair, SFR, Affiliate Broker, REALTOR

SilverPointe Properties

7105 Crossroads Blvd. Ste 200

Brentwood, TN 37027

Cell: 615-479-1639

Office: 615-377-6330

Email: steve@steveblair.net

Web: www.steveblair.net

Twitter: www.twitter.com/BlairTweets

Find me on Facebook and LinkedIn!

Don't Miss the Boat!

2010-03-24T08:51:00.001-07:00

If you have followed the stock market the last year and were not regularly investing in it, you have missed the boat and I know you have got to be kicking yourself for it. Let's just look at Ford Motor Company. Imagine you bought $10,000 worth of stock in Ford last April when stock was about $2.00 per share. $10,000 would have bought you 5,000 shares of stock. Today, on March 24th, 2010, only 11 months later, that investment of $10,000 would be valued at $69,300! You see, the best time to invest in anything, is when you can get it cheap. If you can get a quality product for a low price, you do stand to make money in time. This is exactly where we are in the housing market right now. No one really knows if we are totally at the bottom, but we have got to be pretty close. In many markets, housing prices are down 30% to 50% and even more. No one could promise you that the stock market was going to recover. No one can promise you the housing market will recover. All we have to look at is the past. Everything we see and know point to increased home values. In a free market, values do go up and down based on demand and other market drivers. If you are upset about missing the boat on the first major increase in the stock market, maybe you want to try to ride the potential wave of the real estate market by buying a new home or even try your hand at investment property?

Steve Blair

SilverPointe Properties

7105 Crossroads Blvd. Ste. #102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Office: 615-377-6330

Cell: 615-479-1639

Email: steve@steveblair.net

Web: www.steveblair.net

Twitter: www.twitter.com/blairtweets

Find me on Facebook and LinkedIn!

NEW Listing in Spring Hill, TN only $155,000!

2010-03-18T10:29:00.000-07:00

Man, I'M BUSY!!! If anyone has ever told you the real estate business in sinking down the drain, then they are just not paying attention. I'm picking up new clients all the time! Here is a new one I just listed in Spring Hill, TN which is a suburb of Nashville. This is a very nice, quiet community. If you are looking for an area close to a major US city like Nashville, but still has that down home small town feel, then this house in Spring Hill might be a great choice for you. This house is right at 1,400 sqare feet, has a 2 car garage, deck, rocking chair front porch, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living, dining and breakfast rooms as well as a nice kitchen, all on a one acre lot! This home has been very well maintained and is very clean. If you are ready to move, this home is in move in condition. For more information, please click the link below for more photos, descriptions, etc.http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/303-Lauren-Ct_Spring-Hill_TN_37174_1117017801

Thanks for looking!

Steve Blair - SFR, Affiliate Broker, Realtor

SilverPointe Properties

7105 Crossroads Blvd Ste# 102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Cell: 615-479-1639

Office: 615-377-6330

Email: steve@steveblair.net

Website: http://www.steveblair.net/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/blairtweets

Find me on Facebook and LinkedIn!

NEW Listing in HERMITAGE, TN $130,000 MOVE IN READY!

2010-03-15T21:36:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, I recently listed a house located at 1408 Market Square, Hermitage, TN which is just outside of Nashville. Just a few miles from the Nashville International Airport, Opry Mills Mall as well as downtown Nashville, among other area hot spots. This is a 3BR, 2BA, 1,300 square foot home. This home qualifies for the $8,000 home buyer tax credit as well as the $6,500 tax credit. Please click here for more information and 16 photos of the inside and outside of the home. This house is on a quiet, neighborhood street with a cul-de-sac. Please let me know if you need any additional information or if you know of anyone who might be interested in this house!

Thanks!

Steve Blair

Affiliate Broker, Realtor, SFR

SilverPointe Properties

7105 Crossroads Blvd. Ste. 102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Office: 615-377-6330

Cell: 615-479-1639

Email: Steve@steveblair.net

Website: www.steveblair.net

Twitter: www.twitter.com/blairtweets

Find me on Facebook and LinkedIn!

NEW LISTING IN FRANKLIN, TN for $297,000!

2010-02-22T12:53:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone. I just listed a new house for sale in Franklin, TN, just outside of downtown Franklin. This is a great house! Built in 2007, very well taken care of, 3 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, Granite counters in the kitchen, Hardwood floors in all common areas, high quality carpet in all bedrooms. Master bedroom has a large bathroom with his/hers closets, double vanity, whirlpool tub with separate shower and ceramic tile floors! This house also has a full, finished basement with 2 living areas and a full bathroom. Could easily be used as an in-law suite. Click here for more information and more photos. The house is 2,129 square feet and has a very large 2 car garage with room for not only 2 cars, but also plenty of storage and a work area! To schedule a showing, contact me at the information below.

Steve Blair, SFR, Affiliate Broker, REALTOR

SilverPointe Properties

7105 Crossroads Blvd. #102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Office: 615-377-6330

Cell: 615-479-1639

Email: steve@steveblair.net

Web: www.steveblair.net

Twitter: www.twitter.com/blairtweets

Find me on Facebook and LinkedIn!

Setting Expectations As A First Time Home Buyer

2010-02-22T12:26:00.000-08:00

Many first-time home buyers really do not have a grasp on the housing market. This is okay! I was the same way when I bought my first home. I had no idea what I was doing or how much things cost or were supposed to cost. Now that I'm a little older, and have bought and sold a couple more times, and not to mention the fact that I'm a real estate agent now and was not then... I know much more about the market. I'm supposed to. It's my job to know! One of the things that will help you if you are a first time home buyer, is to set you expectations correctly. Here's one of the best ways to do that. Contact a couple of lenders or mortgage bankers, and ask them to get you pre-approved or pre-qualified. They will need to know some personal and financial information, but you will need to do this anyway to get a loan for a home. Once you know what you qualify for, you will know how much house you can afford. With that information, you can get a good Realtor or real estate agent to send you a list of properties that are in that price range of what the bank has qualified you for. It's very important that you know what you can afford prior to looking for houses. It's real tough to think that you can afford a $225,000 home and go look at a few of those only to find out that you only qualify for $175,000. Not that a $175,000 house is a bag thing, but when you compare it to a house that costs $50,000 more, you are not going to be happy with what you can get. So, save yourself some heartache and emotional scaring, get pre-approved before you start the house hunt! If you are a first time home buyer right now, don't forget about the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit. Ask me or a local Realtor or real estate agent if you qualify. This credit will expire very soon! As always, I hope this post was informative to you!

Steve Blair, SFR, Affiliate Broker, REALTOR

SilverPointe Properties

7105 Crossroads Blvd. #102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Office: 615-377-6330

Cell: 615-479-1639

Email: steve@steveblair.net

Web: www.steveblair.net

Twitter: www.twitter.com/blairtweets

Find me on Facebook and LinkedIn!

Great Story From the Tennessean on my Listing!

2010-02-12T08:39:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a great home with a recording studio in Franklin, TN then this is the home for you!

This is really great! Click Here to read the story.

R-410A EPA Mandate And How It Affects You as a Home Buyer or Seller

2010-02-10T10:19:00.000-08:00

Twenty years ago the federal government passed legislation that would become effective on Jan. 1, 2010 which would ban the manufacturing of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) equipment that primarily uses Freon, also known as R-22 and HCFC-22. Those companies must now begin manufacturing parts that are compatible with products such as Puron, also known as R-410A which is the new standard refrigerant for air conditioners. This change will affect you as a buyer or a seller of a home.

This change will cost you more money. Since R-22 parts are now banned from being manufactured, parts are expected to be out of stock by the second quarter of 2010. If for example, your evaporator coil goes out and a suitable part is no longer available, you may have to replace the entire HVAC unit. R-410A parts are not always interchangeable with R-22 parts. Physical changes may be needed to your system in order for it to accommodate the larger equipment required in air conditioners using R-410A refrigerant. The supply of R-22 will be limited and will likely cause the price to increase. As a result of the new changes, new HVAC equipment may be more expensive to purchase and install.

Another way that this might cost you more money is that most manufacturers warranties only cover parts for one year, in most cases. Labor is a significant part of any repair. Most system and appliance home service contracts and/or warranties contain language that effectively excludes the additional costs resulting from this government-mandated change.

How can you protect yourself as a buyer or seller of a home? Your best option is to have a home warranty as part of the transaction. Not all home warranty companies are the same, however, 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty does cover the cost of a replacement unit if a suitable part is not available. Certain qualifications apply, but in most cases they will be able to replace your unit with no extra cost to you. For more information on this change and how it will affect you, feel free to contact me or go to www.R410ASolutions.com.

If you are located in Nashville, Franklin, Spring Hill, Columbia or Nashville, TN outlying cities and would like to speak to an agent directly about your situation, you can contact me at steve@steveblair.net.

Shameless Plug

2010-02-03T07:19:00.000-08:00

I ran into an interesting situation on Twitter the other day and I thought I'd share it with you. I saw a persons Tweet that said to the effect, "My friend is moving to Nashville, TN does anyone know of any good churches?" So I responded, "www.fellowshipnashville.org, I've been going there 5 years, great place. Also, I'm a real estate agent as well." His response was "Ah, the ole' shameless plug that Realtors have down pat! nice..." I actually took offense to that. This particular individual was a "church planter" as he says in his profile on Twitter. I must assume that from his response to me, if he heard someone say, "Hey, my friend just became a Christian and is moving to (enter your town here)", this person would not want to at least say, "Hey I'm a church planter (which is to say, I know a lot about churches), you should try my church out." This guy reeks of hypocrisy, and is one reason why I believe people are turned off by those that call themselves Christian, (which is why I choose to use the phrase, "follower of Christ" for myself) Look, as a real estate agent, I see some really good agents, and then some others that just do not put the clients needs first. Example, I'm working on a deal now where I represent the buyer. The sellers agent is asking me to change a couple words in the contract after it has already been agreed upon by both parties. Currently the contract states: "Seller to pay all title expenses" and "Seller to pay up to $3,500 in buyers closing costs." This agent has asked that I change this to read, "Seller to pay all title expenses, except for Mortgagees expenses." and "Seller to pay up to $3,500 in buyers closing costs, including title expenses." Well, if I do that, it would cause my client to pay an addition $1,019 out of pocket at closing. Would some other agents roll over and say, "Well. ok, I want to get the deal done, I'll change it and have my buyers sign off? Yes! I'm sure some would, but not me. I work very hard on behalf of my clients. I look out for them and do my best to protect them in this transaction.

So, if I ever offer my services to you, it's only because I know for a fact that I can protect your interests in your real estate transaction. I know that I will work extremely hard on your behalf. And by the way, my response back to this person was, "No prob, just tell him about the church, no worries." I can tell you this much, if this guy does happen to tell his friend about me, out of principle, I will likely choose to NOT represent him. Yes, I'm in this business to make money, I do not work for free. However, my integrity is worth much more than the commission of one deal.

Do I Need A Realtor?

2010-01-26T07:55:00.000-08:00

Have you ever asked yourself or even thought this question? "Do I need a Realtor?" What is the point? I can find a house and tell the owner I want to buy the house, head over to Office Max and pick up a standard purchase agreement for $10.00 and I'm on my way to home ownership. Well, sure you could do that. You could also break your leg, pick up season one of ER on DVD and try to fix it yourself after watching a few episodes. It's simply not smart to do that, right? Well, I'm biased. I'm a realtor, so of course I think you need me. I only think that because I know how risky it is to go about this without expert advice. I think it is very important that you know and have a business relationship with a Realtor, Lawyer, CPA, Doctor, Dentist and a few others. I encourage you to know a realtor. Even if you do not need the services of one today, tomorrow or this year, you will likely need to purchase and/or sell a home a few times in your life. It is smart for you to have a relationship with a realtor for when that time comes. Buying or selling a house is a huge thing! Often times, it is the largest asset you have. How many $100,000, $250,000, $500,000 or $1,000,000 purchases would you make without getting expert advice to help you walk through the process? Please don't take this the wrong way, but it would be next to insanity if you were going to make this proper practice. It puts your investment at total risk. As a realtor, I know your rights, your risks, your opportunities, etc. I have relationships with lenders that I trust, who I know can get your loan closed on time and properly. How would you like to have all of your belongings loaded up on a U-Haul truck only to find out that your lender dropped the ball and will not be able to close your loan on time and it will take an extra 3 days? I have relationships with Lawyers who will be able to make sure that your title is clean. I have relationships with Termite inspectors, Home inspectors, appraisers. All of these people will make your investment that much more protected. I will work with the cooperating agent on the other side of the transaction to make sure we obtain a proper disclosures about the property you intend to buy, so that you know as much as possible about the history of that house. You need to know if there has ever been foundation problems, water damage, etc. A great real estate agent will know how to get the proper and pertinent information on your behalf. So, ask around now. Ask your friends and family if they have a relationship with a realtor. If so, call them up, sit down over coffee and get to know them. You need to have that relationship. I am more than happy to build a relationship with a potential client. I do not need to help you buy or sell a house this week, month or year. But when that time does come, I'd like you to think of me. If you live in the Nashville area and you want to meet, call or email me: 615-479-1639 , steve@steveblair.net. If you do not live in the Nashville area or in Tennessee at al and would like to be referred to a good agent in your town, call me or email me and I'll get you in touch with one.

Home Warranty - Should I or Shouldn't I?

2010-01-21T10:41:00.000-08:00

When I think about a warranty or a guarantee, I'm reminded of a funny but very true to the art of sales, movie, Tommy Boy. Even as I type this, I'm laughing! If you'll remember, young Tommy Callaghan, played by Chris Farley, is out trying to sell brake pads to save his late fathers business from a corporate takeover and eventual sale. Tommy is out doing sales calls when he runs into a potential client who does not like the fact that Callaghan does not put a guarantee on the box like their competitors do. The potential client says that people like a guarantee, it makes them feel good. This is true. And this is why potential home buyers like to see that a home has a warranty attached to it. In most cases a warranty will cost about $425. Typically, this money is paid at closing out of the money that you receive as a seller, so you really never miss it. Let's pretend that you are a buyer and you are looking at 2 houses. Both are equal to you in regards to your interest in them. One house is priced at $220,000 and has a warranty. The other is priced at $217,000 and does not include a warranty. Which one do you think you'd be more likely to want to purchase? As a seller, it costs you in the neighborhood of $425, but you are going to make an extra $3,000 or more over your competitors. It is a smart move to offer a warranty as a seller and it is equally as smart to purchase a property with a warranty. All you ned to do is ask your agent to show you how to take out a policy. It is a very simple process that literally takes about 5 mins. to complete.

GM to Re-open Plant in Spring Hill, TN?

2010-01-14T08:48:00.000-08:00

In a statement made earlier this week in Detroit. GM's North American President, Mark Reuss announced that the plants that build the Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain and the Cadillac SRX crossover vehicles as well as the Buick LaCrosse are all running at capacity and can not keep up with market demand. He says in the short term he will try to increase output in existing plants. Reuss mentioned the idled plant in Spring Hill, but did not confirm nor deny that GM had plans to re-open the plant. GM recently spent $700 million to re-tool the Spring Hill plant in order to make it a state of the art facility. Stay tuned for more news as I hear about it.

Feature in the Spring Hill Advertiser Newspaper

2010-01-13T08:50:00.000-08:00

Hello all! If you are in the Spring Hill area, you can read the feature they did on me and the fact that I am designated by the National Association of Realtors as a resource for Short Sales and Foreclosures. Thanks!

To Buy or Not To Buy?

2010-01-11T12:29:00.000-08:00

OK, this might be the shortest blog yet. Reason? It's quite simple. If you have ever wanted to be a home owner and you qualify for the loan, I really can't find a reason why you should not buy. Here's why:

1. The government is providing a tax credit for up to 10% of the value of the purchase, not to exceed $8,000, for first time home buyer(s). This credit does have restrictions on high income earners, but the majority of people certainly qualify.

2. If you have been in your existing home for 5 consecutive years, you may qualify for a $6,500 tax credit if you sell and repurchase a new home by the deadline of April 30th 2010!

3. The interest rates are still at record lows. They will only go up from here.

So, there you have it. If you have not yet made the jump, I hope this has urged you to at least look over the edge. Come on in, the home ownership waters are really nice!

Email or call me today to get you on the road to owning a home! steve@steveblair.net or 615-479-1639

A Bright Spot in Spring Hill, TN Home Sales!

2010-01-07T07:52:00.000-08:00

It's always easy to complain about a market. It's easy to find reasons why we should be down and out. It's much harder in a down economy to have a positive outlook. Well, that's why you have me! Here is some pretty good news for the housing market if you are looking and/or living in the Spring Hill area. According to a leading real estate website, Trulia.com, the following trend is pretty nice, and offers a reason to celebrate!

Housing sales were up in Dec! Look at his chart provided by Trulia.

Spring Hill Recently Sold Homes

This chart shows that home sales from December in 2008 compared to home sales in December of 2009 were up sharply by almost 20%! Not only that... Look at the increase from Nov. 09 - Dec 09. The best month of 09 was August, but that is no surprise. The weather was nice, the leaves were still on the trees, just a better presentation when you are trying to sell a home.

The good thing is that things are looking better in Spring Hill. We have much to celebrate, and much to be happy about in our city. Stay tuned for the next blog!

Spring Hill, TN Local Business Feature - Taco Express Grill

2010-01-06T09:38:00.001-08:00

One of the things I want to do with this blog, is to highlight some of the great local businesses in Spring Hill and Thompsons Station. One of the great things about living in a smaller town like Spring Hill are the local restaurants. One of my family's recent favorites is Taco Express Grill on Campbell Station Parkway. They have great Mexican food and they are very affordable for anyone, especially families on a budget. On any day of the week, if you pay in cash, for every $10.00 spent, you will receive one free fountain drink. If you go on Tuesday's you can get any Taco for only $0.99! (Excluding Shrimp Taco). Last night my family went. I got a grilled chicken soft taco as well as a carne asada soft taco. Normally, this would have cost me $2.25 each. On Tuesday's it's $.99 each! This is a tremendous value, they pile it high with meat, cheese, pico, and guac on 2 corn tortillas! This is no Taco Bell taco, I assure you. I highly recommend this place.

Taco Express Grill

615.302.2888
2001 Campbell Station Pkwy • Spring Hill, TN 37174
Located behind the old Kroger in Campbell Station

www.tacoexpressgrill.com

Hours:
Sunday 9 am - 9 pm
Monday - Tuesday 8am - 9 pm
Wednesday - Saturday 8 am - 12 am

10 High Impact, Low Cost Remodeling Ideas

2009-12-28T19:05:00.000-08:00

In my constant search for great ideas for my clients, I came across a great article from Realtor magazine that I wanted to share with all of you. Here are ten big impact, low cost remodeling projects that can help you maintain or possibly increase your asking price on the sale of your home according to a recent cost vs. value report.

1. Tidy Up Kitchen Cabinets: Believe it or not, potential buyers do look in your kitchen cabinets. You can add roll out trays to create more space in your cabinets.

2. Add or Replace Tile: This is a great option to upgrade a kitchen or bathroom. Many home improvement stores offer clearance tile for $1-$2 each. You could add a tile backsplash in a kitchen or even tile a bathroom floor.

3. Add A Breakfast Bar: If you have a wall separating a kitchen and a living room, you could cut out an opening to create a bar. This could cost as little as $600 to cut the opening, add a granite counter top and add a couple of bar stools.

4. Install granite tile instead of a slab: Where a slab of granite might cost up to $5,000, granite tiles could cost as little as $300 in materials to cover the same space.

5. Freshen up the Bathroom: Try adding a new medicine cabinet, light fixtures, faucet and a vanity. If you already have tile, you can scrape out the old grout and re-grout for very little money.

6. Freshen Up the Basement: If you have cement block or poured concrete walls. Pay a contractor to fill in the cracks with hydraulic cement and then paint with waterproofing paint. You can then add a top coat for color. You could also paint the floor or even do an acid etched treatment on the concrete floors.

7. Add a Room: Look for large spaces that can be split in two. You could add a wall and a door for about $400 - $600 and potentially net $20,000 - $30,000 in price.

8. Spruce Up Cabinet Fronts: Try replacing the hardware on your cabinets in the bathroom and kitchen. This is a very inexpensive but highly effective option.

9. Replace Light Fixtures: Look in each room and foyer to see if updating your light fixtures will add to your home. Pay special attention to your kitchen. Adding recessed lighting in your kitchen will add lots of perceived value to your home.

10. Tech Up the Garage: Try replacing your garage door opener with a remote touch pad entry system. This costs about $425 and makes it look like a high-end system.

So, there you have it. 10 very solid ideas to increase the value of your home without breaking the bank!

Steve Blair, SFR

Affiliate Broker / Realtor

SilverPointe Properties

7105 Crossroads Blvd. Ste 102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Cell: 615-479-1639

Office: 615-377-6330

Email: Steve@SteveBlair.net

Website: www.SteveBlair.net

Twitter: www.Twiter.com/blairtweets

Short-Sales and Foreclosures

2009-12-10T07:20:00.000-08:00

What in the world is a short-sale? How will this affect my credit score? Will I ever be able to buy a house again? If so, when? What if my lender will not allow a short-sale?

All of these are questions you might be asking yourself. Having to deal with the prospect of a short-sale or possibly facing a foreclosure is a very tough time in a persons life. The fact that you are going through this does not mean that you are a bad or irresponsible person. It could simply mean that in this economy, you have fallen on tough times. It's OK! It is not the end of the world. A good real estate agent can help you through the process and allow you to move on with your life while keeping your dignity in tact, and giving you the courage to get yourself ready to re-enter the life of home ownership. I have had extensive training and education in this area of real estate and will be able to help you through the process... Here are some answers to common questions.

QUESTION: What is a short-sale?

ANSWER: A short-sale is when you work out an arrangement with your lender that allows you to sell your home "short" of what you owe on the loan. For example, you borrowed $225,000 to purchase your home, you owe $215,000 on the home, but now the home will likely only bring $195,000 on the open market. Many factors come into play on whether or not you will qualify for a short-sale, but this is basically what the financial side will look like.

QUESTION: How will this affect my credit?

ANSWER: You credit score will likely take a hit. In many cases it will reduce your score by 50-70 points.

QUESTION: Will I ever be able to buy a house again?

ANSWER: Yes, pending your credit rating, income, existing debt, etc. Fannie Mae will allow you to use their products approx. 24 months after the short-sale takes place.

QUESTION: What if my lender will not allow a short-sale on my home?

ANSWER: First of all, lenders do not want to own your home. Therefore, they would prefer to not have your home go into foreclosure. Working with a qualified agent will help with the process, but everything will depend on you and your willingness to work through the process as well as your particular circumstance. If a short-sale does not happen and you can not become current on your loan, you will be foreclosed on. If this happens, the bank will likely take ownership of the home and sell it on the open market. A foreclosure will destroy your credit to the tune of about 200 points and will be on your credit report for 7 years.

My approach is very simple. I will first try to find a way for you to keep the home. If this is not able to happen, I will work with you to put a hardship package together to present to your lender. This will begin the process of the short-sale. Again, my first goal is to help you keep your home. This is the best option for you if you do not wish to move. For more questions on this, please call me or email me. I would be happy to talk to you to see if you are a candidate for a short-sale. Keep in mind, a short-sale is anything but short. This is a long process. It would take up to 8 months or longer to complete this deal. If you are having troubles now, do not deplete your funds before you find a solution. Call me now to discuss.

Steve Blair

REALTOR / Affiliate Broker

SilverPointe Properties

7105 Crossroads Blvd. Ste 102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Cell: 615-479-1639

Office: 615-377-6330

Email: steve@steveblair.net

Website: www.steveblair.net

Twitter: www.twitter.com/BlairTweets

Buy Low, Sell High

2009-11-19T13:45:00.000-08:00

Isn't that what we always hear? This is the most basic principle when investing. Allow me to do a simple comparison between real estate and the stock market. The stock market is now trading with the DOW Jones Industrial Average at over 10,000. Approximately 9 months ago Ford Motor Company stock was trading at about $1.26 per share. Many people would say, it's worthless, DO NOT BUY. Today the stock closed at $8.73 per share. Imagine if you would have purchased 10,000 shares of Ford stock in Feb. of this year for a total of $12,600. As of today, your stock would be worth, $87,300. WOW, a gross profit of $74,700 in only 9 months! Ford Motor Company is a proven business. We can look at it's stock for as far back as you would like. They are a great company.

Real Estate is pretty similar. Real estate is a great investment and has proven to be so for many, many years. Obviously, nothing is certain, the market does go up and down, but there are some things that are worth the risk. Right now in Franklin, TN the housing market is down 10.9% over the same time a year ago.

Franklin Homes For Sale

If you are in a good position financially and you can afford to get in to real estate as an investment or simply to move from a rental to home ownership, now is the time. Certainly, if you are a first time buyer or an existing home owner who has lived in the home for 5 of the last 8 years, NOW IS THE TIME! With the governments newly extended and expanded tax credits of $8,000 and $6,500, you really can't delay. If you want to buy low, this is your chance. These new tax credits require a contract to purchase by April 30th. Other stipulations apply. Call me for details.

Steve Blair

Affiliate Broker / REALTOR

7105 Crossroads Blvd. Ste. 102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Cell: 615-479-1639

Office: 615-377-6330

Email: Steve@SteveBlair.net

Website: www.steveblair.net

Twitter: www.twitter.com/BlairTweets

Do You Qualify for the Home Buyer Tax Credit?

2009-11-10T17:14:00.000-08:00

Congress approved and the President signed it into law. The Home Buyer tax credit has now been extended for first time home buyers and expanded to include existing home owners who have lived 5 consecutive years of the last 8 in the home that they are selling. Once you sell it, you will then be eligible to receive up to $6,500 on the purchase of your new home. The credit is set to expire on April 30th, 2010. This means that you must have a home under contract for purchase by April 30th. You will then have until June 30th, 2010 to close on the home. This is a very exciting opportunity for those of you who have lost equity in your home and have not been able to sell without taking money to the closing table. Now you can get a $6,500 break! If you have any questions about this and need more information on the financial requirements and other stipulations to receive this tax credit, please send me a message or call me. I'd love to help you discover some options for your situation!

Steve Blair

Affiliate Broker / Realtor

SilverPointe Properties

7105 Crossroads Blvd. Ste. 102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Cell: 615-479-1639

Office: 615-377-6330

Email: steve@steveblair.net

Website: www.steveblair.net

Twitter: www.twitter.com/blairtweets

A Latte' A Day Could Keep The Dream Home Away!

2009-11-03T07:36:00.000-08:00

So many times I work with clients who say, "I'm willing to spend $200,000 but not a penny more." Then undoubtedly, we come across a $240,000 house. My client will nearly pass out at the thought of spending almost a "quarter of a million dollars!" on a house. In a normal situation, if I were walking in to a store with a budget to buy a $20 shirt, but the one I really liked was $35, I'd likely walk away. In the situation of a home, however, you are in a much different situation. Let's pretend the above numbers are correct. You are wanting to spend $200k and no more. You find the perfect home for $240k. Here's a pretty normal situation. You offer $200k, they counter with $230k. Now you are heart broken because you simply will not spend the extra $30,000. Then I ask you, "Would you be willing to pay an extra $115-$120 a month to have this home?" The most common answer is "YES!!" Did you know that by countering for $220k, you can get the home of your dreams for only $115 more a month? We are talking about a small increase monthly to walk away with the home you really want. To avoid, "sticker shock" you need to look at the overall monthly cost of a home. Here's a quick rule of thumb. Turn your interest rate into dollars per $1,000. So, if your rate is 5.75%, then you will pay $5.75 in interest per $1,000 on the loan. So, the difference of a $200,000 home and a $220,000 home is only $115 per month. That's a small Latte' a day! What are you willing to let stand in the way of you and your dream home?

Spring Hill Housing Prices Go UP!

2009-10-21T08:20:00.000-07:00

For those of you wondering how the market is doing in Spring Hill, TN, I have some recent data from Trulia.com. Week on week prices are up 0.4%. Year on year prices are still down 6.8%, btu the upward weekly movement is encouraging. The average price per square foot in Spring Hill is up 3% to $102. Total homes sold are up 4.4% year on year. Here is a chart for you to look at.

Spring Hill Homes For Sale

While we still hope for more price improvement, I think the positive increase in square footage and the increase in property sales is a very good sign. This market is still very good for anyone looking to buy a home. As a seller your opportunities will depend on your individual circumstance. I would be happy to sit down and discuss those options with you. Please call or email me today to schedule a time to talk.

Steve Blair

Affiliate Broker / REALTOR

SilverPointe Properties

7105 Crossroads Blvd. Ste. 102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Email: steve@steveblair.net

Web: www.steveblair.net

Cell: 615-479-1639

Office: 615-377-6330

Why Use A REALTOR to sell your home?

2009-10-19T08:21:00.001-07:00

The selling process generally begins with a determination of a reasonable asking price. Your real estate agent or REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.

Marketing
The next step is a marketing plan. Often, your agent can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of the property. Marketing includes the exposure of your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, more than 50 percent of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer.

Your agent acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.

Advertising is part of marketing. The choice of media and frequency of advertising depends a lot on the property and specific market. For example, in some areas, newspaper advertising generates phone calls to the real estate office but statistically has minimum effectiveness in selling a specific property. Overexposure of a property in any media may give a buyer the impression the property is distressed or the seller is desperate. Your real estate agent will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts.

Security
When a property is marketed with an agent's help, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Agents will generally pre-screen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

Negotiating
The negotiation process deals with much the same issues for both buyers and sellers, as noted above under the buying process. Your agent can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your agent can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.

Monitoring, renegotiating and closing
Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your agent is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).

Why use a REALTOR®?
All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR "®" logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that almost 85 percent of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.

You be the judge
Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®.

Steve Blair

Affiliate Broker / Realtor

SilverPointe Properties

7105 Crossroads Blvd. Ste 102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Office: 615-377-6330

Cell: 615-479-1639

Email: steve@steveblair.net

Website: www.steveblair.net

Twitter: www.twitter.com/blairtweets

Time is Running Out for the First Time Homebuyers Credit!

2009-10-16T12:03:00.000-07:00

The deadline is quickly approaching to qualify for the $8,000 tax credit. You must close on the home by November 30th, 2009. You can not simply have only made an offer by the deadline. Here is some more detailed information on this opportunity.

Buyers can qualify for a tax credit equal to 10% of the purchase price up to $8,000.
The credit is for first time homebuyers or anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the past 3 years.
You must CLOSE on the property by Nov. 30, 2009
In order to receive the maximum credit, your income must be no more than $75,000 per year for a single taxpayer or $150,000 per year for married tax payers.
The property must be a single family detached home or attached home like a townhome or condo. The property must be your primary residence.
The tax credit can be revoked if you sell the purchased property within 3 years.
This is a tax credit. When you file your taxes, the government will send you the amount you qualified for in addition to any refund you might be owed.

For more information, please contact me and I will put you in touch with a lender in your area.

Steve Blair

Affiliate Broker / REALTOR

SilverPointe Properties

7105 Crossroads Blvd. Ste. 102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Office: 615-377-6330

Cell: 615-479-1639

Email: steve@steveblair.net

Website: www.steveblair.net

Twitter: www.twitter.com/blairtweets

Spring Hill Halloween and Fall Festival Events

2009-10-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

Well, it's that time to either take the kids around the neighborhood or maybe take them to a Fall Festival on Oct. 31st. If you have not made plans to get your spook on, here are some good suggestions:

Spring Hill Halloween Family Movie Night

October 24th (Movie: "Igor" (PG)

Time: 5pm - until

Location: Harvey Park

Cost: FREE

Kids are invited to dress up and bring an empty bag to hold candy!

Thompson Station Church "Fully Loaded" Fall Festival

Oct. 31

Time: 5pm-8pm

Location: Thompson Station Church Parking Lot

2604 Thompsons Station Road, Thompsons Station, TN 37179

Millers Thrillers Haunted Woods

Open each Friday and Saturday in October

Times: 7pm-11pm

Cost $10

More info: www.millersthrillers.net

Parental Guidance

Headless Horseman Hayride

Open each Friday and Saturday in October

Times: Dusk - 11pm

Cost $8, Kids 5 and under free.

More info: www.headlesshorsemanhayride.com

Parental Guidance

Ring Farm

Open until Oct. 31

Times:

Friday	3:00 PM	-	9:00 PM
Saturday	10:00 AM	-	9:00 PM
Sunday	2:00 PM	-	9:00 PM
• Groups of 20 or more by appointmnet only, Monday through Friday.
• Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting September 18 and ending October 31. Cost: 13 and up $7.00 / 3-12 $6.00 / 2 and under FREE For More info: www.ringfarm.com ENJOY AT YOUR OWN RISK! Steve Blair Affiliate Broker / REALTOR SilverPointe Properties 7105 Crossroads Blvd. Ste. 102 Brentwood, TN 37027 Office: 615-377-6330 Cell: 615-479-1639 Email: steve@steveblair.net Website: www.steveblair.net Twitter: www.twitter.com/BlairTweets

6 Tips To Prepare Your Kids For A Big Move

2009-10-14T08:25:00.000-07:00

Often times when we are getting ready for an out of state move, we think about everything. We look at the cost of the move, we make sure the movers are hired, we set the closing date on the home, we hire the right agent to help us find a new home, etc. One of the big things we don't consider is how the kids are holding up. They are losing a huge piece of security. Many times, this is the only bedroom they have had, the only kitchen they have had meals in and the only yard they have played in. Let's not forget the only neighborhood they know kids in! Here are 6 reminders on how to make sure the kiddos are ok in the process.

1. Involve the kids in the process. If you are searching online at Realtor.com or another search site, allow your kids to be involved in the search. Show them the homes in the area. Many of these listings have photographs of the inside of the home. Let the kids see their potential rooms.

2. Tell the kids why you are moving. For example; "Mommy/Daddy's boss thinks mommy/daddy is doing such a good job that they are giving mommy/daddy a better job."

3. Have you agent send you information about the new community. Your agent should be able to send you info on the schools, sports, area entertainment and activities as well as other neighborhood amenities such as a neighborhood pool, playground, etc. If your children are in to sports, let them know that they can play the same sports in the new town.

4. Show your child a picture of their new room. Let them help you in determining what color to paint it or where the bed might go or the dresser and toybox. This will give the child some ownership in the move and show them that they are included in this decision.

5. Take a family trip to the new to city before you move. This will allow your children to experience the new city and have something to look forward to. Take them to the local Zoo or theme park.

6. While preparing for the move, try to keep life at home as normal as possible. Keep dinner time the same, keep bed time the same, etc.

I hope these six tips will help you in your next big move. If you have any questions or would like more information on Nashville, please do not hesitate to ask me!

Steve Blair

Affiliate Broker / REALTOR

SilverPointe Properties

7105 Crossroads Blvd. Ste 102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Office: 615-377-6330

Cell: 615-479-1639

Email: steve@steveblair.net

Website: www.steveblair.net

15 Great Tips To Get Your Home Ready For A Showing

2009-10-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

How many times have you gone to see a home for sale and say, "WOW! I can't believe they left dirty laundry in the bedroom floor!" or "Hmmm... I think maybe I would like to go in, but I'm not sure if that dog laying in the floor will bite me." Believe it or not, some of the easiest things can make your home show so much nicer and will make potential buyers fell so much more comfortable. Here are some quick tips to follow:

1. Make sure that your front porch is clean. All leaves and debris are cleared away from the walkway and bushes are trimmed, flowerbeds cleaned out and your front door is cleaned or freshly painted. When a prospective buyer walks up, this is the first thing they see and as they are waiting for the agent to unlock the door, they spend time looking around on your porch.

2. Make sure all of the lights are on inside the home. Also, make sure all of the doors to the rooms are open for easy access.

3. It's best if you are not at home when the showing takes place. It will make the prospective buyers feel more comfortable and they will likely stay longer to look.

4. Prior to leaving your home for it to be shown. Bake some fresh bread or cookies in the oven. take them out before you leave and either place them on the counter on a nice plate, or take them with you. The scent is comforting and relaxing.

5. If you are able, have soft instrumental music playing in the home.

6. Make sure all curtains and blinds are open.

7. Make sure grass is freshly cut and the sidewalk has been edged. Curb appeal is a deciding factor for many people.

8. Make sure the back porch and/or deck is cleaned off and looks nice.

9. If you have a garage, make sure it is not cluttered. The best thing is to have a garage sale just before putting your home on the market, in order to get rid of anything you do not want or need. It will leave more space for you to store items that might normally be stored in closets.

10. If you have pets, make sure they are either placed in kennels or that they are with you when you leave. Be sure to deodorize your home of any pet smells. Many people are sensitive to this.

11. Always keep your home swept and dusted for a showing.

12. A fresh coat of paint inside the home will go a long way as well. It gives it that new, clean smell.

13. Take off all magnets and papers from the fridge and remove unneeded items from your kitchen counters. This shows how much room you have in your kitchen.

14. Straighten your closets. Closet space is a big item for many people. They want to know that the home has plenty of storage space. The cleaner our closets the bigger they look.

15. Make sure all toilets are flushed, clean and lids are down.

I hope these tips have helped you. These are very basic items that will greatly increase your chances of having a successful showing which will lead to the sale of your home.

Best of luck to you!

Steve Blair

Affiliate Broker / REALTOR

SilverPointe Properties

7105 Crossroads Blvd. Ste 102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Office: 615.377.6330

Cell: 615.479.1639

Email: steve@steveblair.net

Website: www.SteveBlair.net

Historic Franklin: "APA 10 Great Neighborhoods"

2009-10-10T19:14:00.000-07:00

Historic Downtown Franklin, TN was recently honored with the distinct designation as one of "10 Great Neighborhoods." Historic Downtown Franklin has much to offer; plenty of boutique resturants, clothing stores and antique stores, which is one more thing Franklin is known for. In addition to it's own offering as a city, you are only a short drive to downtown Nashville, where you will enjoy the incredible nightlife the big city has to offer. If you or someone you know is interested in living in Historic Downtown Franklin, you will find the house featured in this blog particularly interesting. It is located at 112 Carolyn Avenue, in Historic Franklin. The home was built in 1951 and was just recently renovated. This home was renovated down to the wall studs on the inside and on the outside, it features a new roof, gutters, fascia board, re-designed front entrance, stone and brick mailbox as well as a new carport at the rear of the home. This home also features a HUGE bonus area which is now being used as a recording studio! The home includes 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, living room, dining room, HUGE bonus area that could be used as an extra living space, a space for a home based business, or can even continue to be used as a recording studio that you could rent out for extra money! If you would like more information, including pictures and neighborhood information, please CLICK HERE. As always, I am here to serve you and your real estate needs. Please contact me to discuss your options.

Steve Blair

Affiliate Broker / REALTOR

SIlverPointe Properties

7105 Crossroads Blvd. Ste. 102

Brentwood, TN 37027

Office: 615-377-6330

Cell: 615-479-1639

Email: Steve@SteveBlair.net

Website: www.SteveBlair.net

Williamson County Housing Market Looking Good!

2009-10-08T19:45:00.000-07:00

The Williamson County's Association of Realtors just released a report showing sales of homes in September of 2009. The county saw just under 200 unit sales in September with an average selling price of just north of $400,000. The average days on the market were 100 days or just slightly more than 3 months. While other parts of the country are seeing a dramatic drop in home values, low average sales prices and exceedingly longer days on the market, Williamson County is telling a much better story for the market. Yes, we sales are down and home prices have not fully recovered, however; we are still very fortunate to have a relatively healthy economy here in middle TN. I specifically specialize in Southern Williamson County and Northern Maury County. In looking at Spring Hill, TN, which is both in Williamson and Maury counties, according to Trulia.com, the median sales price is down 7.6% compared to the same time last year. As you see on the chart, week on week sales are only off by 1%.

Spring Hill Homes For Sale

Now, I'm a numbers guy. I always have been. I'm a big believer in stats and figures. The numbers just don't lie. And according to these numbers, I'm feeling pretty good to be a real estate professional in middle TN in 2009!