DIY & Home Improvement
Ikea Pick Up Location in Nashville
IKEA recently opened their first U.S. Pick-Up Point in Nashville, Tennessee, making it easy to order IKEA products online and pick them up!
Easy Summer Weekend Projects
Warm seasonal ideas that can be done in one weekend!
Best Indoor Plants
Having easy-to-maintain plants really brighten up a home and provides you with many different benefits.
Buying a Home or Property
6 Important Tips For New Homeowners
1. Getting A Home Inspection & Making Repairs When it comes to owning a home, it'll be up to you to make the neccesary repairs your home needs. Gone are the days where a landlord or leasing office facilitates the repairs, it'll be your responsibility from now on....
Things to Do Before Moving In
Moving into a new home is an exciting time, and you’re probably daydreaming about decor and paint schemes and new furniture. But before you get into the fun stuff, there are some basics you should cover first. Change the locks Even if you’re promised that new locks...
How to Finance Your Home Renovation
If you have a home renovation project on the mind, the first thing you have to consider is how you are going to finance it.
Selling Resources
What to Repair Before Listing
When you’re getting ready to list your home, it’s of the upmost importance to ensure you are showing it in the best light.
How to Forward Mail After Moving
Are you making the move this year? New year, new house, yeah? There's a ton of tasks to be done when moving. You don't want to miss that Southern Living magazine or wedding announcement so make sure you update your address with the post office! The easiest way to...
Seller To-Do List
Are you selling your home this summer? It can seem like an overwhelming task. It's true. Potential homebuyers will be more critical of your home. Most people don't clean their entire house every week, but that doesn't mean they won't expect yours to be spic and...
Real Estate Industry Info
When to Refinance
While there are many good reasons to refinance, here are five common ones.
How to Finance Your Home Renovation
If you have a home renovation project on the mind, the first thing you have to consider is how you are going to finance it.
Short Sale vs Foreclosure
The terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually quite different, with varying timelines and financial impact on the homeowner. Here’s a brief overview.
The Archives
Tennessee has Lowest State, Local Tax Burden for Average Resident
Tennessee boasts the lowest state tax and local tax of any state for a median income household, according to a new study released Tuesday. The financial website Wallet-Hub estimates a median income household in Tennessee paid only $3,667 in state and local taxes in...
A Seller’s Moving Guide
Are you selling your home this spring? One tip we always give sellers is 'Don't forget to plan your move when you list your home!' Even the smallest home contains a lot of furniture, clothes, kitchen equipment, pictures and other items. For a short move, it may be...
Negotiating a Real Estate Offer
Home sellers who have chosen the right Realtor, prepared their home for sale and priced it right are strongly positioned for a smooth real estate transaction. Perhaps the most complex moment in the sales process comes when you get an offer for your home. Negotiating a...
Home Showing: 12 Ways to Make a Fantastic First Impression on Buyers
If your home is for sale, or soon will be, creating a positive first impression is one of the most important things you can do. Thankfully, it’s not hard. Here are 12 steps you can take; most of them fall under simple maintenance and organization. Some of them could...
4 Things You Need to Know About the Escrow Process
Once you’ve found the home of your dreams and joined the seller in a hearty handshake, there’s still one more step to complete. That final step is the escrow process, also referred to as closing. While your real estate agent, lender, title agent and closing agent will...
How to Make an Offer on a Short Sale
How do you make an offer on a short sale? A short sale can be the best option for some home sellers. If they can sell their property, they’ll avoid foreclosure. If you’re the buyer, your prospective may be different. Making an offer on a short sale is different from...
10 Questions to Expect From Your Mortgage Lender
Your lender won’t put you in an interview room and demand answers, but completing a loan application can feel like an interrogation. But you’ll sweat only if you don’t know the answers. Here are 10 Questions to Expect From Your Mortgage Lender 1. Where’s your proof of...
What Are the Tax Implications of Selling a House?
Selling your home can be an exciting and challenging experience, particularly if you’re attempting to simultaneous settle on one house and purchase another. Have you thought about taxes? How do taxes and home relate to one another? What are the tax implications of...
Do You Buy or Sell First When You’re Ready to Move?
Homeowners who decide they’re ready to become move-up buyers face a chicken-or-egg dilemma. Do You Buy or Sell First When You're Ready to Move? The answer depends on several factors, including your local market conditions, your financing options and your feelings...
Home Appraisal: How to Get Maximum Value
So, you’ve got an offer on your house from a qualified buyer and you’re ready to call the movers. Before you pick up the phone, remember that a few hurdles still have to be overcome before settlement day – in particular, the home appraisal. Here are a few tips to get...
Questions to Ask Real Estate Agents When Selling
The real estate agent’s role is to smooth the home sale process, from setting the price to closing the deal. Before you hire an agent, interview several to determine their suitability for your transaction. There are specific questions to ask real estate agents when...
Breaking Down the Buyer’s Offer
After all the preparation and waiting, you finally get the call you’ve been waiting for. A buyer is writing an offer. Now it's time to look at the buyer's offer. First, you want to know the price. Don’t get excited or exasperated by the number until you see all the...
How Realtors Help Home Buyers and Sellers
Whether you’re buying, selling, or renting a home, a Realtor is your partner in the process. Realtors are local experts who can help you find the right home, negotiate price and terms, and navigate the reports and contracts to close the deal. These are all strong...
What to Expect After Listing a House
What can you expect after listing a house? Selling a house can be a lot like remodeling. It takes longer, costs more and is more emotionally draining than you thought it would be. However, in the end it was worth doing. Unless you’re the rare home owner who gets...
Staging a Garage
You’re staging a home for sale, and the house is immaculate and welcoming. But what about the garage? Don’t use that space as a dumping ground for all your clutter: Curb appeal should extend all the way up the driveway and into the garage. So why worry about staging a...
What the Realtor Code of Ethics Means to You
When you are making the biggest purchase of your life, it helps to have a trusted professional on your side. A Realtor is more than a real estate agent. Realtors have training in ethics for both their dealings with the public and with the real estate community. The...
5 Ways Home Sellers Can Prepare for the Spring Real Estate Market
With spring being the busiest time for real estate, homeowners planning to put their homes on the market shouldn’t wait for flowers to bloom before getting ready to sell. Having a few months to prepare can make for a much smoother selling experience. So how can home...
Why It’s Best to Remodel a Home
Are you looking for a home in the Upper Cumberland? If so, you probably know by now it's impossible to find the perfect house with absolutely everything you want. Most homeowners remodel spaces to create their dream home! And that's how it should be! Don't be afraid...
How to Take Advantage of a Sellers Market in the Upper Cumberland
Question: How Can We Take Advantage of a Sellers Market for Home Selling? I have heard it's a sellers market in the Upper Cumberland, but how can I benefit from that? Can I make more money? Does that mean it's a good time to sell? We are here to help you with those...
5 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Home
This year, Valentine's Day falls on a weekday. Looking to celebrate at home rather than a night out on the town? Check out these 5 ways to celebrate Valentine's Day at home. Cook a Valentine's Day themed meal Heart-shaped cookies, heart-shaped...
5 Kitchen Remodeling Trends
Are you remodeling or sprucing up your kitchen? Spring tends to be one of the most popular times to renovate and remodel interior spaces. Need a few ideas? We have compiled a list of the latest kitchen remodeling trends! Check out these kitchen trends for...
5 Bathroom Remodeling Trends
Are you remodeling your bathroom? Spring tends to be one of the most popular times to renovate and remodel interior spaces. Need a few ideas? We have compiled a list of the latest bathroom remodeling trends. Check out these bathroom trends for 2018!...
5 Seller Mistakes that can Ruin a Sale
Are you selling a home? Seems pretty simple right? You clean up, have homebuyers over to check it out and someone buys it. If only it were that simple! Actually, the process is more complicated, with legal and other considerations you may not know about. Sometimes,...
8 Reasons to List your House in the Winter
Are you wanting to sell your home or maybe just slightly considering the idea this month? Here are 8 reasons to list your house in the winter. There is less competition. During the spring and summer, the market is flooded with a ton of houses. Listing your home in the...
Southern Holiday Hosting Tips
In the South, hosting is a form of art! From the fine silver to the absolutely fabulous 2 for 1 linen table napkins, hosting a holiday get-together can be a total event. Not to say it's easy to pull off, but there is no better hostess than a southern hostess. If you...
5 Reasons Why You Should Buy Instead of Rent
We have all been there...you're renting an apartment or house and you're trying to decide whether it's time to buy a home or continue to rent. Not sure what to do? Not to worry! We are here to give you the rundown of why owning a home makes more sense! You can paint...
The 6 Steps of Flipping Houses
Thinking of flipping houses? Not sure where to start? Check out these 6 steps of flipping houses: Find – Finding the right house to flip may take some time. Find a house that has equity and is priced low. When it comes to investing, you make the money when you buy....
Don’t Be Afraid of These Real Estate Terms
From buying a home to selling your own, real estate, in general, can seem like an overwhelming process. Don't worry! As your community real estate firm, we are dedicated to educating our clients on the entire real estate process so each transaction feels more like a...
Money Tips for First Time Home Buyers
So you are tired of renting an apartment and are ready to become a homeowner. When it comes to buying a home, the learning curve can be steep but no worries! We are here to help! Start by preparing financially. To help out, we have put together a few money tips for...
What Happens During the Closing Process?
Congratulations! You have found the perfect house, and you are now ready to make it your home. You have the finances secured, viewed several houses, decided on the one, but you are not done yet! What’s next? It’s now time to seal the deal. What happens during the...
DIY Projects for Backyard Spaces
Autumn is finally here and that means cooler temperatures, football and fall festivities with family and friends! Are you looking for a cool space to entertain and host some fun get-togethers? Check out these super easy DIY projects for backyard spaces! Fire pit So I...
Items Needed for the Mortgage Pre-Approval Process
Are you thinking of purchasing a home in the near future? It's best to get pre-approved before beginning your search so you have an idea of what your budget is. There's no need to waste time looking at houses not in your price range. Pre-approval is also important...
Paint Sheens for Each Room
The change of seasons always inspires new DIY projects or a change of décor in the home. Are you thinking about sprucing up a space with some fresh paint? Make sure you choose the right paint sheens! Kitchen For this space, use a high gloss or semi-gloss finish. This...
10 Things to Do After You Sell
You’ve sold your house! Escrow has closed, and you’ve handed your keys to the new owners. While the deal is done, you have a few more things to do. In “House Selling for Dummies,” authors Eric Tyson and Ray Brown lay out things you can do to save money and increase...
11 Reasons Why You Should Move to Cookeville, Tennessee
Heard of Cookeville, Tennessee? It's one of the most affordable place to live in the United States with some of the best places to hang out including natural waterfalls, three lakes, local restaurants, rural back roads, southern charm and some amazing farms! Did we...
What is a Home Appraisal?
Another step in the process of buying or selling a house is a home appraisal. What is it? How can you prepare? Why does it matter? We are here to cover the basics. An appraisal is completed by a professional appraiser who will inspect the size, condition, function and...
Why For Sale by Owner Sales Sometimes Fail
Homeowners obviously know their homes better than anyone, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best salespersons for their properties. Some sellers are tempted to try a For Sale by Owner (FSBO) transaction because their local community is in the midst of a sellers’...
When Do You Need a Quitclaim Deed?
Buying and selling real estate involves a variety of financial and legal transactions. It is so important to involve a team of professionals who understand the implications of transferring ownership. The legal document that transfers ownership can be a warranty deed...
Is a Home Warranty Worth the Cost?
Whether you are buying your first home or selling a home and moving into another, a home warranty could be a valuable protection for your finances and your peace of mind. Many buyers opt to purchase home warranties, which average $350 to $500 for a basic warranty and...
Repair and Update Your Home Before an Open House
Prospective buyers won’t ignore even minor problems in a house, from broken light switches to leaky faucets, so you’ll want to have your home in tip-top shape before holding an open house. To get the best results, allocate about a month’s worth of time and enlist...
7 Tips for Staging Your House
The first step to getting buyers to make an offer on your home is to impress them with its appearance so they begin to envision themselves living there. A great way to do that is by staging your house! Here are seven tips for making your home look bigger, brighter,...
8 Benefits of Buying a House at the End of the Year
Summer may be real estate’s busy season, but winter offers great opportunities for home buyers, especially for renters looking to become homeowners, growing families trading up to larger houses and baby boomers seeking homes to fit their evolving lifestyles. Generally...
Buying a Home that was Once a Rental Property
A home that used to house tenants can be a great deal for a home buyer—they often sell for less than owner-occupied homes. But there are reasons why these homes may command less than top dollar. There are several things to weigh when considering buying a home that was...
Home Buyers: My Offer was Accepted…Now What Do I Do?
Having your offer accepted feels great—but for most home buyers, it’s just the beginning. There is still a lot more to be done before you’re over the front threshold. Here’s a rundown of what comes next. Apply for a loan Unless you’re paying in cash, you’ll need to...
What You Need to Know if You’re Buying a Foreclosure
You’ve probably seen the stories and ads—foreclosed houses and condos selling for pennies on the dollar—and there’s no question banks are willing to sell their REOs (real estate owned properties) at sizable discounts. But foreclosures almost always come with...
How To Make An Offer On a House
A buyer should always be clear on how to make the best possible offer for a home. When a home is listed, attention is always drawn to the listing price. But when a buyer makes a proper offer to buy a home, matching the seller’s list price isn’t the only concern. Let's...
What Is a Half-Bath, Quarter Bath and Three-Quarter Bath?
Next to the number of bedrooms, the number of bathrooms in a house is a huge selling point. But when perusing home listings, you’ll quickly realize that bathroom math isn’t so simple. For example, you may see that a particular place may be listed as having two full...
What Not to Do When You’re Closing on a Home
The loan is approved, the contract is signed, the title is clean, the closing date is set, and everything seems on track to get that home. And then some people do the unthinkable that costs them their dream home. I’ve had clients call me and say they’ve quit their...
Before You Get Settled Into Your New Home, Make These Changes Immediately
Just bought a new home? The moving frenzy never end. Even after you close, the to-do lists drag on and on—endless pages of bullet points that keep you up at night. Some of them are fun, like redecorating and buying new furniture. Others, not so much. “When you move...
Clear the Clutter and Sell your Home
You don’t have to live like a minimalist, but when it’s time to sell your home, rigorously editing your decor will help make the sale. Potential buyers want to picture themselves living there, and they can’t do that if your stuff is spilling out all over. Even if your...
