Nashville Area Homes

Last year, turquoise brightened up home interiors across the country, but now a new color has stepped into the spotlight for 2011.

Pantone recently announced honeysuckle — a reddish pink hue — as this year’s “in” color.

“Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said in announcing the color choice. “The intensity of this festive reddish pink allures and engages. … Honeysuckle may also bring a wave of nostalgia for its associated delicious scent reminiscent of the carefree days of spring and summer.”

How to incorporate it: Liven up an interior space with honeysuckle patterned pillows, bedspreads, or tabletop accessories, Pantone suggests. Or, for an even bolder statement, paint an accent wall in honeysuckle for a burst of energy in the kitchen, hallway, or family room, Pantone says.

Admittedly, this year’s more feminine color choice may be a little more challenging to weave into interiors when staging properties for sale. But for you staging masters out there, if you’ve used honeysuckle-like colors in your properties, we want to see how you did it! Send your photos to mtracey@realtors.org and we’ll feature them at Styled, Staged & Sold.

Mediafly Media Player.

4 Tricks and Traps Foreclosure Buyers Need to Know.

YouTube – Why Some Houses Sit While Other Houses Sell.

January 2011

Happy New Year!

Is there anything from 2010 that you would want to “Do Over”?

Have you ever heard of a “do-over”? One definition is “the chance to do something again from the beginning, and do it better this time.” I came across these “do-over” thoughts from writer/humorist Erma Bombeck and they really got me thinking. She wrote,

 If I had my life to do over, I would…

• Spend more time listening – and less talking.
• Spend more time on loved ones – and less on work.
• Spend more time living in my living space – and less cleaning it.
• Spend more time learning from the older people in my life – and less trying to convince them I already know it all.
• Spend more time with the windows rolled down – and less worrying about mussing my hair.
• Spend more time using the stuff I have – and less time collecting more.
• Spend more time playing – and less planning.
• Spend more time sharing the burdens of those I love – and less trying to get them to share mine.
• Spend more time participating in life – and less watching television.
• Spend more time taking care of myself when I’m ill – and less trying to convince myself that the world can’t get along without me for even a day.
• Spend more time having fun – and less being practical.
• Spend more time finding joy in each moment – and less wishing time would pass quickly.
• Spend more time on love and forgiveness – and less on anger and insults.

Erma Bombeck also said, “Given another shot at life, I would seize every minute…look at it and really see it…live it…and never give it back.”

Here is to a Great 2011

Warmly,

Candie & Mike Worsham

Candie & Mike Worsham

Your Real Estate Consultants For Life

2010 was a great year for many of our friends and clients that took advantage of purchasing Super Buys in real estate from auctions & foreclosures to short sales. It was also a great year for buyers moving up in the market as they were able to purchase much more house with interest rates at incredible lows. It was a tremendous year for investors purchasing rentals, duplexes, triplexes and condos. We also were able to help many downsizers move into new homes, new condos, new construction and obtain reverse mortgages. People ask “How is the Market?” Check these great homes that we were able to work with this past year that took advantage of Super Buy market conditions with low interest rates and aggressive pricing in 2010.

110 31st Avenue: Nashville – West End Area Condo

916 Gold Hill Court: Temple Hills – Custom Build on Golf Course

115 Stanwich Drive: Franklin – Single Family Home

121 East Lake Drive: Franklin – Relocation Home Buyer

523 Madeira Street: Franklin – Reid Hill Condominiums New Construction

509 Cody Hill Court: Nashville – Short Sale Bradford Hills with pool

945 Travelers Court: Nashville – Beautiful Custom Oak Hill

208 Lake Ridge Court: Franklin – Custom Build Franklin

4500 Post Road #77: Nashville – Condominium Hillwood Area

4603 Skymont Drive: Nashville – Foreclosure to be rehabbed Green Hills

576 Brook View Drive: Nashville – Seller Rehab- Buyer First Time Homebuyer

49 Fawn Creek Pass: Nashville – Artistic Condominium on the lake

1605 Horton Avenue: Nashville – Townhouse Vanderbilt Area

219 Wynbrook Court: Nashville – 2nd Home for Hospital Executive

1721 Red Jacket Drive: Nashville – Moving up taking advantage of rates

4410 Lone Oak Road: Nashville – New Construction Green Hills

334 Elmington Avenue: Nashville – Move up from condo to house

6006 Manassas Court: Brentwood – Moving to be in Brentwood Schools

1025 Heathfield Circle: Brentwood – Moving up taking advantage of low rates

401 Bowling Ave. #84: Nashville Condo sale- buyers rehabbed and decided to move in

1928 18th Avenue: Hillsboro Village – Investor Duplex walk to Belmont /Hillsboro Village

1237 Beech Hollow Drive: Brentwood Super Buy Contractors Home

1804 Apple Ridge Circle: Brentwood Super Buy just in time for Christmas

A big Thank You to everyone that we had the opportunity to work this year. Another big Thank You for all your referrals of family, friends and co-workers. Your trust and confidence is what makes this business so rewarding. We take pride in our clients and the relationships we develop. Rumor has it rates will stay low and consumer confidence is gaining momentum. This is a great time to buy with rates low and inventory high. Put my number in your phone 615.400.5230 and don’t hesitate to call me anytime or if you are talking to someone that has any real estate questions or needs.

                                 Candie

Let’s face it, in the grand scheme of things, working short sales as a real estate agent is not exactly an easy business to be in.  We are constantly at “war” with lenders who many times do not seem to care about their borrowers’ financial situation, or improving their own companies bottom line by mitigating losses in an efficient and effective manner.  We regularly deal with short sale buyers who lack commitment and back out of transactions much of the time.

When dealing with stressed out home owners while watching our deals fall apart fall apart left and right, it is important to remember who we REALLY work for. We do Gods work when working short sales.  We offer our condolences and hope to home owners in their time of need.  We give them peace of mind and confidence that they can recover from their current situation.  We guide them and direct them to financial stability in their times of greatest need.

If our motives are truly in the right place when doing short sales, we are put into this responsibility and assignment in life for a reason, a greater purpose. Most importantly, we are thankful to have been given this responsibility to help those in need on a grand scale. In this time of thanksgiving, it is my hope and prayer that not only are we thankful for all of the material possessions and loved ones in your life, but that we understand the importance of this responsibility and are thankful for the divine assignment to offer hope and peace of mind to those who are put into your life for this very reason. Short Sale Specialists

Analysts See 7% Drop in Home Prices over Next Year.

Realty Times – 30-Year and 15-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgages Fall to New Lows.

How to Stop Spending Money on Rent and Own a Home Instead

If you’ve always rented a place to live, buying a home can seem like a monumental undertaking. This report breaks down this home buying process into clear steps.

Seven Steps to Transition from Renter to Homeowner

Step One: Identify Your Needs and Wants

Begin your search by considering the kind of home you need and want. Write down your specific requirements, such as the number of bedrooms, size of yard, floor plan, location, schools, etc.

Step Two: Determine How Much You Can Realistically Afford

Consider your budget and financial obligations. Decide what monthly house payment you can really afford. Most mortgage consultants advise limiting your payment to no more than one-third of your net monthly income. If you’re unsure, contact your mortgage consultant to assist with the calculations.

Step Three: Get Pre-Qualified By a Mortgage Consultant

When you know in advance the amount of loan you can obtain, you can focus on searching for houses in your targeted price range. This can save you time when you find that perfect home, because sellers favor buyers who are pre-qualified.

Experienced mortgage consultants can let you know what specific loan programs are best for you. By taking a look at your financial situation and credit history, a mortgage consultant will tell you if you can qualify for the home you want and will find a loan that best suits your needs.

For the approval process, you and your mortgage consultant will complete the required documentation and submit it to an underwriter. A pre-qualification is an actual loan commitment from a mortgage consultant or lending institution. This means that you definitely qualify for a loan. Talk to your mortgage consultant about the costs and time involved to secure pre-qualification.

Step Four: Work With an Experienced Real Estate Consultant

You can learn a lot about consultants by talking to them about their experience. In a short time, you’ll be able to determine if they’re the right person to meet your needs.

Questions for Agents:

1. In what areas of town and price ranges do you specialize? (Keep in mind that some agents specialize in only one area or one price range.)
   

1. My objective is to buy a house by ___________. How will you help me achieve this goal?
   

1. How often will you update me with new property listings?
   

Step Five: Tips for Successful House Hunting

1. Keep an organized record of your research. Write down comments about the homes you see. Keep track of your likes and dislikes and offer feedback to your real estate consultant. Some buyers are reluctant to tell an agent what they really think of a house; they think the agent might take it personally. Remember, the homes don’t belong to the agent!
   

1. Make sure your agent is aware of your time schedule and expectations. Do you like to look at one or two homes per session? Four? Eight? Discuss this with your agent.
   

1. Tell your agent about any homes you see that interest you and that you’d like to know more about. This includes homes you’ve “discovered” as you explore the area and those advertised in the newspaper and on the Internet.
   

1. If you like to spend time driving around by yourself looking at houses, ask your agent for a list of drive-bys – homes to consider first from the outside. Your agent can make appointments to show you the interior of the properties that appeal to you.
   

1. It’s important to know beforehand whom your agent represents. Some agents work only for the seller.
   

Step Six: Make a Purchase Offer

Work with your real estate consultant to determine the most appropriate purchase offer. Your consultant will present the offer on your behalf.

Step Seven: Save on Your Initial Investment and Monthly Payments

There are only two major investments to consider when buying a home. These are the initial investment, which includes the down payment and closing costs, and the monthly payment, which includes principal, interest, taxes and insurance. Here are some things to consider.

Initial Investment

1. Choose a low or zero down payment loan. You don’t necessarily have to put 20 percent or even 10 percent down. You can pay 5 percent, 3 percent, or even zero down on some loans.
   

1. Some Lenders have programs to cover your closing costs. Ask your mortgage consultant about them.
   

1. As part of your offer, ask your real estate consultant about the seller’s paying some of your closing costs.
   

1. Shop around for your homeowners’ insurance. A little comparison shopping can save you money.
   

1. You may be able to deduct money paid for discount points from your gross income before computing your tax. See a CPA for more information.
   

Monthly Payments

1. Get a loan that doesn’t have monthly mortgage insurance premiums. You may be able to reduce or eliminate them by paying a little more at closing. By putting 20 percent or more down, you can eliminate them entirely. Talk to your mortgage consultant about other ways to eliminate monthly mortgage insurance payments.
   

1. Take advantage of rate lock programs that are currently available. You can generally lock in a low interest rate 30 to 45 days in advance. Secure an appraisal before you lock in a rate.
   

1. Remember that interest payments on a primary residential mortgage are fully deductible. Your property taxes are also deductible. Tax rates definitely favor homeowners. Be sure to declare both your mortgage interest and property taxes when you file your income tax returns.
   

1. Consider an adjustable rate mortgage. Adjustable rate mortgages (or ARMs) can be as much as 3 percent lower than fixed rates. Only choose this option when you’re in a position to refinance, should the adjustable rate rise sharply.
   

This Free Report prepared for you by

Candie Worsham

Re/Max Elite

NashvilleGreatHomes.com

Candie@Worsham.com