The City of Brentwood has a great network of walking and bike paths that weave thoughout the neighborhoods on the east side of Brentwood. The city built tunnels under Wilson pike and Moores lane so that walkers wouldn't have to cross the busy roads. These paths all lead to or start at one of the parks in Brentwood. Just another advantage of owning Brentwood tn real estate. This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property and opinions of Elizabeth Payne-Brewer of Benchmark Realty. Providing Brentwood tn real estate services to clients in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Cool Springs, Williamson County, and the middle Tennessee area. To search for Brentwood Real Estate, click on the button. 02/11/2008

 Brentwood TN Real EstateToday I had an appointment to show a home to my buyers in Brentwood TN. When I called yesterday to make the appointment I was told it had to be confirmed with the seller and they would call me back. They called back and confirmed my apt. for today. When I got there my clients had arrived a few minutes earlier and were walking around the house. We rang the doorbell before entering as I always do for an occupied home, no answer so we entered the house. We began looking around, made it trhough the kitchen, dining room and went out on the back deck. The roof was missing shingles and looked old and worn, the facia was showing wood rot all over the place. The windows had been replaced but the wood was rotted. We went back in and made our way down the hallway toward th... 02/08/2008

Montclair  in Brentwood is a short drive to Cool Springs mall, and close to downtown Nashville. As part of the city of Brentwood, it's homeowners have access to some of the best schools in the state, as well as many recreational facilities. A walking trail winds it's way from Crockett park and over to Ravenwood high school, the Brentwood YMCA is just minutes away on Concord road, and the Montclair community pool is available during the summer months. Click here to see the current list of homes for sale in Montclair. The location of Montclair, as well as the beauty of the homes, insures that an investment in this neighborhood should be one of the better choices in the area. Brentwood real estate has historically been a great investment. To search for Montclair real estate, click on the b... 02/07/2008

Brentwood TN Real EstateMortgage bond prices rose last week pushing mortgage interest rates lower. Trading was volatile with most of the positive improvements coming early in the week. The anticipated Fed rate cut and mixed economic data sent bonds up and down the latter portion of the week. Unemployment was stronger than expected @ 4.9%, however payrolls fell 17,000. Stocks continued to bounce back posting additional gains following the Fed 50 basis point rate cut. Unfortunately this caused the demand for mortgage bonds to languish. The good news is that despite the weaker demand the latter portion of the week, for the week, interest rates on government and conventional loans fell by about 3/8 of a discount point. This is good news for Brentwood TN Real Estate buyers.The productivity d... 02/04/2008

 I don't know about you, but being a Brentwood TN Real Estate Agent full time leaves me with precious little time to cook some days, healthy or otherwise. Need an easy meal? Want to be healthier? Here is an easy take on  weekday spaghetti.1 lrg jar store bought  low sodium spag sauce 1/2 cup diced onion 3lrg cloves garlic pressed 1tsp sugar 1Tbsp lemon juice 1Tbsp oregano 1 basil leaf salt substitute & pepper to taste 1-10 drops hot sauce 1lb ground turkey 1 pkg whole wheat spag noodles  Simmer sauce and ingredients together for 15 mins.Brown and drain turkey add to sauce, serve over spag (or any pasta) Garnish with grated parm/romano cheese   serves 6Vanessa StaletsBrentwood TN Real EstateRE/MAX Elite615-661-4400 01/29/2008

 Brentwood TN Real EstateBasic Closing CostsThe bundle of fees associated with the buying or selling of a home are called closing costs. Certain fees are automatically assigned to either the buyer or the seller; other costs are either negotiable or dictated by local custom. One example is that in Brentwood TN  (Williamson county) sellers most often pay for Title insurance, however move over to Rutherford County and the custom is for buyers to pay Title insurance. Your agent should be aware and up to date for the area you are purchasing in.Buyer closing costsWhen a buyer applies for a loan, lenders are required to provide them with a good-faith estimate of their closing costs. The fees vary according to several factors, including the type of loan they applied for and the terms of the pur... 01/28/2008

 Brentwood TN Real EstateThis one is for Desiree, because she asked so nicely...*wink*1pkg strawberry jello 3/4 Cup boiling water 2 egg whites, whipped 3/4 Cups light corn syrup 2 Cups purreed fresh strawberries(can use frozen defrosted)    Dissolve jello in boiling water, stir in purreed fruit & corn syrup.  Beat in eggwhites with a wisk. Pour into 13x9 glass dish and freeze for 2 hrs. Scoop 1/2 into blender  at a time and blend  until smooth but not melted, pour  into 1qt container and freeze for 6hrs to overnight. Serve scoop in dish with fresh sliced berries ~Garnish with a sprig of mint for color!serves approx. 6   P.S any fruit can be used with corresponding jello flavor  Vanessa StaletsBrentwood TN Real EstateRE/MAX Elite615-661-4400 01/27/2008

Brentwood TN Real EstateBrentwood TN as well as Williamson County TN, is home to some of the best schools in the country, let alone the state. Many relocate to Brentwood with families for just this reason. Here is a list of the schools, addresses and phone numbers. Feel free to browse the websites given at the bottom for more information.BRENTWOOD TN  SCHOOLS  ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (Grades K-5)      CROCKETT ELEMENTARY Christopher Nugent, Principal 9019 Crockett Road (615) 472-4340 EDMONDSON ELEMENTARY Marvin Wells, Principal 851 Edmondson Pike (615) 472-4360 GRASSLAND ELEMENTARY Ann Gordon, Principal6803 Manley Lane(615) 472-4480KENROSE ELEMENTARYMike Parmon, Principal 1702 Raintree Parkway (615) 472-4630 LIPSCOMB ELEMENTARY John Calton, Principal 8011 Concord Road (615) 472-4650 SCALES E... 01/27/2008

 Brentwood TN Real EstateFabulous Brentwood TN! Located just minutes South of Nashville this quiet, dignified upscale city is high end and small town all combined. Means and manners, heart and Southern soul. Beautiful parks, rolling hilled neighborhoods full of children and smiles. This is the place everyone in America would love to live! Welcome home to Brentwood TN, a new take on the future of your family!                                                             Welcome Home!     The Govenors Club, pictured above is just one of many incredible neighborhoods to choose from!Call The Brentwood TN Real Estate Expert today and find your Dream home tomorrow!Vanessa StaletsRE/MAX Elite615-661-4400615-957-6333 01/26/2008

The Governors Club is ready for spring with beautiful homes for sale.  These homes range from the high $600's to over $7 million.  The Governors Club is located off I-65 South, just four miles from downtown Brentwood.  Because it is a gated community, privacy is at a premium and several Nashville Titans and music industry executives enjoy the amenities offered such as an Arnold Palmer Signature 18 hole golf course, two swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness center, and a gorgeous Country Club.  Homes are selling quickly here.  There are also several building lots available.  For more information, just contact me at www.dorismarlow.com.  Have a wonderful day.<   01/23/2008

It has been said that you should always look for the silver lining. That might be hard to do right now for some as we appear to be looking down the barrel of a rec..., wait, let's just say leaner economic growth than previously experienced. This is an election year, 'et's be politically correct.The silver lining for those of us in Real Estate and Home Financing is lower rates. Why does the impending leaner economic growth :) mean better rates. Well, a day like Monday on the Asian markets sends traders from volatile but high yield potential stocks to predictable modest yield bonds.And here's the kicker that 99% of people don't know. Mortgage rates are tied to bonds - mortgage backed securities - NOT the Prime Rate like most people assume. When money flows to bonds, bond prices go up and ... 01/22/2008

 Brentwood TN Real Estate  Ever had fried ice cream at a fancy Mexican Resteraunt in Brentwood TN (or anywhere else)  and thought, "wow I sure would like to have that at home"? Well it is easier than you think. It is time consuming only in the repetitive freezing step, but it is easy and tastes awesome! Your family and friends will think you are "it" when you bring this one out!   1 pint ice cream(vanilla works best, but have used choc too) 2 cups crushed corn flakes(cookie crumbs are really good too, especially oreos) 1cup crushed nuts(I used cashews, but any that you like is good) 1tsp cinnamon 2tsp sugar 2eggs 3Tbl milk/cream ( I like the richness of using cream)fresh oil for deep fryinghoney whipped cream Carmel topping  scoop out 1 ball ice cream per person being served, place in g... 01/18/2008

I had an old neighbor email me today asking about her financing as she gets ready to buy a home. The answers I gave are pretty vanilla, but for her they are probably shocking because she hasn't applied for a loan in 3 years. She inquired about doing an 80/20 to avoid MI - clearly she hasn't been keeping up with guidelines :) How things have changed! Two years ago no one would have a loan with MI and now it really is the right way to do it for many borrowers.  "Things have changed a bit since the last time you got a loan. Rates for credit north of 700 with 20% down on a 30 Year Fixed are looking like 5.75 today with no points - fantastic. However, if you are looking for 100% financing you should be prepared to pay more, even if you have great credit - probably 6.5 or so for 100%. 80/20's... 01/11/2008

As we get rolling into 2008, the best sources are indicating that the Nashville market is extremely healthy. According to Moody's Economy.com, Nashville's housing market is "faring better than the markets of other larger metro areas and it maintains a positive outlook."  One of the reasons for the market's good standing was the abscence of quickly inflated prices - often due to strong investor activity - seen in many areas of the country that are now hardest hit by price retreats. "Nashville has below average exposure to investors and to nonprime borrowing."The area's strong job growth is attributed to the steady growth of the housing market and that trend is not likely to change. "Strong job growth will continue to attract migrants to the area in seach of better opportunities and highe... 01/07/2008

Brentwood Tennessee Real Estate   Fences are made from many materials, and many styles.  This makes choosing a fence difficult. However, the decision of choosing a fence can be made easier.  Before shopping for a fence, a few preliminary steps can save you a lot of time, and you will be less frustrated in the end.  The first step you should take in choosing a fence is to decide what the purpose of the fence will be.  Many people choose fences for the following reasons:    To protect against trespassers and burglars To create a boundary lineFor decorationTo keep pets and children in the yardTo stop animals from intrudingFor climbing plants   After you are done thinking about why you would want to make a fence, it is time to choose one. The following is a list of various types of fences:... 01/05/2008

Yep, that's right, I am done, finished, I quit!Smoking that is. Today is my first smoke-free day! Yippeeee!!!I have smoked for almost 26 yrs! I started very young...sigh. Wish I never had now.Last week my hubby's nephew who is 36(a year and a half younger than me) had a quadruple(yes 4) bypass!  We used to go sneak out by the garage at family reunions and such, my smoking buddy in the family. Well as a former nurse I know exactly what that surgery entails and man, oh man is it rough. He made it through with flying colors(Thank God!), but it got me thinking. Thinking about the control these stupid little things have over my life. What they are costing me and could cost me, really.   What I thought is that I want to be here to see my sons have children and laugh at them and say "see, you ... 12/27/2007

On December 16, 2007, the Tennessee Association of Mortgage Brokers' president, Brian Short, was quoted in The Tennessean as saying "I can't see how mortgage brokers are responsible for the increase in foreclosures." Yet, one of the largest lenders with sales channels in both direct sales and via brokers has stated that over 3/4 of its loans that have entered foreclosure were originated by mortgage brokers and not their direct sales channels, known as mortgage bankers. With such a staggering disparity, how can Mortgage Brokers claim no responsibility?Mr. Short and the TN Association of Mortgage Brokers will argue that it is their job to provide the borrower with options and allow them to choose which one is right for them. These are the same people that are still selling borrowers on 1.... 12/17/2007

For 12/14/2007...30 Yr Fixed Conforming - 6%15 Yr Fixed Conforming - 5.75%5/1 LIBOR ARM - 6.125%30 Yr Fixed Jumbo - 6.375%30 Yr My Community - 6.875%30 Yr Fixed Interest Only - 6.375% *******************Kevin Michelson, CMPS, MBA is one of the few mortgage originators in the state of Tennessee to hold the prestigious designation of Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS). He is a Home Loan Consultant for Countrywide Home Loans in Brentwood, TN - Countrywide's #1 branch for purchase originations. Additionally, Kevin earned his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Nova Southeastern University bringing advanced concepts to his clients' mortgage plans and his referral partners marketing plans. He believes that if he puts others first, he'll never finish last. Kevin and his fa... 12/14/2007

With Subprime lending virtually non-existing, expanding FHA will give the mortgage and Real Estate markets a nice shot in the arm. FHA Loan Expansion Heading to a Vote Washington Post (12/14/07) P. D1; Cho, David Senate legislation to revamp the Federal Housing Administration mortgage program has finally moved out of committee and is expected to be passed in the next couple of days when it comes up for a full floor vote. The bill would reduce the required down payment on FHA-insured mortgages to 1.5 percent from 3 percent and open the program to pricier housing markets by letting the agency insure mortgages up to $417,000. With nontraditional mortgage originations on the decline, the FHA anticipates a surge in applications to 1.4 million this year from close to 680,000 in 2006. The bill... 12/14/2007

Brentwood Real EstateAfter installing and fastening your drywall, you need to move on to the taping and compound stage.  This is an important stage because the final look of your walls will really be determined by how well you apply the mud or compound to your drywall.Here are three of the most basic things you need to know about mudding drywall. 1. Know Your Compounds and Your ToolsPreparation is the key in anything, particularly in home improvement projects.  Take the time to familiarize yourself with products and techniques before you begin a project will save time down the road and will also result in a better-finished project.Jointing compound comes in both a powder and pre-mixed form.  There are also different textures.  Taping compound is coarse and should be used for the initial... 12/13/2007