20 Most Miserable Cities in the US for 2010

February 22, 2010 by admin · 1 Comment 

This year Cleveland takes the top ranking of America’s Most Miserable Cities after being ranked 4th in 2009. Cleveland secured the position thanks to its high unemployment, high taxes, lousy weather, corruption by public officials and crummy sports teams. Stockton, CA topped the list in 2009. Forbes expanded the list of cities under consideration this [...]

What’s Wrong with Hampton Reserve in Brentwood?

February 20, 2010 by admin · 10 Comments 

I’m not sure that anything is wrong with Hampton Reserve, but there is certainly something wrong with the high end housing market in Brentwood…BUT, that’s only if you are a seller. If you are a buyer who has always wanted a McMansion in a gated neighborhood, break out the drool bib because your day has [...]

Nashville Ranks High in 2009 Economic Studies

December 28, 2009 by admin · 3 Comments 

There is little debate that Nashville and Tennessee consistently rank atop many economic ranking lists and studies. The last 2 months of 2009 provide no exception with Nashville again being named to several prestigious “best in the United States” lists: December 2009 – MarketWatch Nashville Ranked as One of the Best Cities for Business Nashville [...]

Tennessee Mortgage Delinquencies and Foreclosures

December 9, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment 

Mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures were weak in the second quarter. According to Tennessee Housing Market, a publication of MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center, “The continued weakness in mortgage loans is a consequence of the financial stress Tennessee households are experiencing as unemployment rises and household incomes fall. Mortgages past due in Tennessee rose to 10.33% [...]

Brentwood Homes Price Value Analysis

November 28, 2009 by admin · 2 Comments 

I was recently asked by a client to research all available homes in Brentwood priced above $500,000 that were built after 1997 and have at least 4,000 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a 3 car garage. This particular executive client is in search of a primary residence in Brentwood, but would like to [...]

Harris Interactive Poll Ranks Nashville and Tennessee High

October 7, 2009 by admin · 3 Comments 

The annual Harris Interactive poll that ranks the 15 most desirable cities and states to live in was released yesterday. Nashville popped back into the list as the 12th most desirable city to live near after having dropped from the rankings for the past 3 years. Tennessee also gained a spot and knocked Oregon down [...]

$8,000 First-Time Home Buyer Credit Expires Soon

October 6, 2009 by admin · 4 Comments 

The Tennessee Association of Realtors made a pretty cheesy, yet surprisingly informative animated video to help us understand the $8,000 first-time home buyer credit. This video touches on how to qualify for the tax credit, who qualifies, how the credit works and how you apply the tax credit to get cash back. Unless the tax credit [...]

5th & Main Condo Sales Update

September 18, 2009 by admin · 2 Comments 

Well, there really is not a whole lot to report here except for the fact that there have been no new closings since my last report in August. Since Wachovia let the East Nashville 5th & Main project slip into receivership, there has still only been 2 brave souls to take the plunge. The Tennessee [...]

Average Tennessee Closing Costs Going Up

September 16, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment 

Bankrate.com recently conducted its annual national survey of average origination, title, and closing costs, for a representative $200,000 loan, assuming a 20 percent down payment and good credit. Nationwide, the average origination and title fees on a $200,000 mortgage this year totaled $2,732, according to Bankrate’s annual survey of closing costs. The fees in the [...]

Existing Home sales up 7% in July

August 22, 2009 by admin · 1 Comment 

Nationwide existing home sales rose 7.2 percent in July - the first time in five years sales have increased 4 consecutive months and the first time in a decade the month over month gain was over 6 percent, according to a report released Friday. In addition, Nashville has experienced positive price appreciation for 3 consecutive months. The [...]

Tennessee Realtors Look For Another Job

February 2, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment 

 The number of Realtors and Associate members of the Tennessee Association of Realtors dropped by 1,854 in one month, between the end of 2008 and the end of January of 2009 …from 25,161 to 23,307, a one-month drop of over 7%. One year ago, the number of Realtors and Associate members in the Tennessee Association [...]

Tennessee Has Two Real Estate “Safe Havens”!

December 3, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment 

A recent article on Kiplinger’s website profiles six cities across the U.S., described as “safe havens in real estate” – pockets where the damage from foreclosures and a sagging real estate economy “has been minimal – if nonexistent.” Two of the six cities profiled are Tennessee’s own Clarksville and Johnson City. (Other cities completing the [...]