Throwback Thursdays- Real Estate in the 80'sBack when I entered the real estate business, there was so very little technology. There were very few mobile phones (they were so very expensive) and no lockboxes. We did real estate the hard way and spent hours collecting keys for showings, taking film to be developed and handwriting contracts on the hoods and trunks of cars. We used carbon paper and got it all over our hands. Remember typewriters? We used them, too. MLS books were considered our bible of listings. We had to keep the information confidential and a buyer was not to get hold of one of our books. We didn't know we had it hard and did our jobs with a smile. Getting into the Million Dollar Club was a great achievement as the average sale price was around $35,000. There were much ... 04/26/2018

Page Estates Clarksville TN Homes Report- April 2018What's been happening in the real estate market in Page Estates in the month of April and since the first of the year?Check out what your Page Estates home is worth here. The spring marekt has arrived and it is hard for homes to stay on the market more than a few days.  In fact sales have been hot since last year this time. Serious buyers need to respond quickly when they see a home they like. Waiting may mean that the home sells to someone else. If you want to move after school gets out, then the time to buy is now as most homes take 30-45 days to close. Page Estates is a settled neighborhood located in the city limits near Rossview Schools. The neighorhood started 20 years ago. There are underground utilities in the subdivision. Ther... 04/26/2018

A Good Offer Is What It Takes in a Hot MarketIn a hot market a good offer is what it takes to get the attention of sellers. If the buyer really wants the house the offer needs to be structured correctly. Even strong offers don't always win. We agents shouldn't assume that buyers or sellers know when the market has changed and the times of extreme negotiations are over. We are in those times in Clarksville TN. What is a good offer? A good offer has a strong price. If the buyer is getting financed, the financial picture also looks strong. The offer has very few if any contingencies.   In hot real estate markets successful buyers are making above list price offers without making them contingent on the appraisal value or home inspection repairs. Agents try to tell buyers to make their offer... 04/25/2018

What Is My Farmington Home Worth?Farmington Subdivision has just opened another section. It continues growing and sales are happening fast. A couple of the lots have already sold but there  are others available in Section 5B. There are several builders and many different floor plans available in Farmington. This Rossview location has made it a hot Clarksville neighborhood. The home styles are very popular and buyers love the schools, Rossview Schools. The price range is climbing with most of the new homes is nearly $300,000 to $400,000. The average home has 3-4 bedrooms and a bonus room. Sales this year have been good and there is no end in sight for a slowdown. Resale homes are selling fast too. So far this year there have been 16 new homes sold. Currently, there are 22 new homes activ... 04/23/2018

Serendipity Sundays- Thistles EverywhereThis has been a crazy spring. The grass is greening and the flowers are pushing through though the dips down to freezing temps are stunning some of the color in Clarksville. What seems to prevail are the weeds. The dandelions have been very colorful and where there is a dandelion there will soon be a thistle. I remember these from my youth. We would pick them in bouquets and blow on them to scatter the seeds in the air. This field must have had lots of blowing going on and glad it is not in my yard. My husband would be having a fit and would be administering weed and feed. and doing a lot of fretting.I learned many years ago from our local farmer's co-op that the best defense against dandelions is a thick carpet of grass. Planting more grass will ... 04/22/2018

Coming Soon Jazz on Lawn for 2018 at Beachaven WineryJazz on the Lawn is getting close to opening day on May 12. This fun event offers great music provided compliments of Beachaven Winery. The winery and vineyard is located on the corner of Dunlop Lane and International Blvd on several acres of manicured grounds including a small vineyard. Jazz on the Lawn has been a local favorite for many years. It happens in the late spring and summer months providing free concerts and open to the public. These are held on select Saturday night in the picnic area at the winery. Many thousands of people attend these concerts so parking fills up fast. If you want to be clsoe by, get there early.You can also purchase a season parking pass for a small fee. The starting time of the concerts is 6:30 and en... 04/21/2018

See What Happens in Clarksville TNBuyers want to know the next steps after the seller has accepted the offer. New buyers especially need to know what to expect. They have no idea and don't want to ask dumb questions. If buying using cash and no financing, the period from contract to closing could be very short, just a few days. If financing is needed, it may take several weeks. The sales contract serves as a roadmap to the closing with the steps spelled out.All sales need a home inspection regardless if the buyer is getting a loan or not. Don't cut corners and eliminate this step. if getting financing the buyer should contact the lender and complete the loan application process. Loan officers and lenders in Clarksville TN collect an application fee upfront to cover the cost of the appra... 04/21/2018

What Is Dogwood Winter?Tennessee has had some crazy weather lately. There have been some very warm days and even a few into the 80's. This week took a turn toward freezing temps with a few snowflakes appearing the first of the week. The nights have been in the 30's so it has been jacket weather for sure. When this happens in the Spring, Dogwood Winter has arrived in Clarksville. It comes every year around this time in the month of April. I look forward to it because the dogwood trees are at their best in Dogwood Winter. Dogwood Winter represents a drastic change in temperature resembling wintertime starting all over again. Sometimes it is such a severe change in the weather that temperatures dip down below freezing, snow can happen and cover the ground. This week the gray skies and cold... 04/20/2018

Spring is Time to Check Out a New Home in Stones ManorThe grass is lush and green and grass cutting has started in Stones Manor Subdivision. The trees are blooming and daffodils, tulips and the dogwood trees have blossoms. Homeowners in Stones Manor have had their lawns mowed 3 times so far this year and all yards are looking neatly groomed at the same time.  May is the time the community swimming pool opens. the pool furniture is already in place and the pool deck is being spiffed up. Stones Manor residents love the salt-water pool and the place to gather.  The clubhouse, the Manor House is open all year long and available for residents to reserve for their private parties and events.See all the homes for sale in Stones Manor Clarksville.For the first time in several years there are ve... 04/20/2018

Affordable Home Coming to Market SoonThis like new home is just days from being available to buyers. It has a great lot and lots of details and upgrades. Of course it has a privacy fenced backyard and a covered deck.  Crosswinds is a popular neighborhood in the northeast part of Montgomery County. Homes are priced from $160,000 to $250,000. This subdivision has no HOA and lots of sidewalks. Buyers buy quickly and this will be no exception.  Crosswinds Subdivision has a variety of styles and builders.  There is pretty laminate and tile flooring, a fireplace and open plan. All bedrooms are upstairs and so is the laundry room. You'll like the many cabinets in the kitchen and stainless appliances. The 2-car garage is an appreciated feature in this price range. Crosswinds is a very modestly ... 04/19/2018

Wednesday, April 18, 2018 is Grand Opening After years of planning and construction the park is finally ready to open. Tuesday was a busy day with worker bees all over putting on the final touches. This is a Montgomery County park located in the heart of Downtown Clarksville at 215 Legion St. There are plans of music events to be announced for later in the year. There will be art and plenty of places to sit and enjoy. The ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening are Wednesday afternoon. The new art installation will be named and on Saturday, April 21, the unveiling of Imagination Playground will take place.In the winter, expect the ice skating to return. It was a huge hit this past winter with thousands of skaters that came out to skate. It was a very cold winter. Clarksville has many ... 04/18/2018

Crazy Spring WeatherWe have a warm day or two with lots of sunshine and then a front moves in and temperatures drop into the 30's and we have frost warnings. This morning we had snow flurries and cold winds. But hark, tomorrow is another day and the highs are near 70's. Thankfully the flowers are resilient and are hanging in there through these wide temperature swings. These deep purple/blue irises are mostly standing tall and giving hope that spring really has arrived though is hiding from us on some days.One thing is for sure, if you don't like the weather in Tennessee, wait a day or two. Another thing that is changing is the real estate market and homes are coming on the market right and left. If you are interested in buying a new home, now is the time as interest rates are sure to c... 04/17/2018

Repairs May Be Yours to Make on the Home Inspection Report, Mr. Buyer Buyers in this changing market need to know that the playing field has changed. Sellers are not nearly as quick to agree to do repairs so if the buyer really wants the house, you must be prepared to pay for repairs yourself. If the issue is major the seller may give a repair allowance or dollar adjustment but then again, he may not. You need to understand what the purpose of the home inspection is when you buy a home in Clarksville TN. The real estate contractwe use in Tennessee has an inspection clause and a buyer can ask for an inspection contingency. What we see is a 10-14 day inspection period to allow the buyer a chance for an home inspector and termite company to check out the home and systems. In Tennessee. hom... 04/17/2018

Clarksville TN in the Spring TimeHistoric Downtown Clarksville is pretty anytime of year but in the spring it really shines. The courthouse has a beautiful lawn and it is kept perfectly groomed. After picking up our tax returns, we took a tour through the streets to see what was happening. The dogwoods are blooming and the grass is the deepest of greens. The historic buildings make a lovely backdrop.If you ever get to visit Clarksville, don't miss a trip to downtown. There are quaint shops, good restaurants and historic buildings. Bring you camera. Downtown Commons is opening soon and will have music events and art fairs.If you decide you would like to stay, contact The Real Debbie Reynolds for Clarksville TN real estate. 931-320-6730. 04/15/2018

Basement Homes Are in High Demand in ClarksvilleClarksville TN has gently rolling hills but even so, we also have lots of flatland and farmland. When subdivisions are built most of the time they are developed from farmland as the farmers have given up trying to eek out a living from the land. Though the topography may make you think that basement homes are plentiful, they represent less than a fourth of all the homes in the area. Even with sloped lots, builders choose to build crawl space homes without basements. The cost of digging and keeping a basement dry increases the costs of the homes and much of this cannot be recouped in the selling price. Whether new or older, homes with basements give more storage space, house garages or offer additional living space. This extra space can be ... 04/15/2018

A Fun Saturday in Clarksville TNWeekends are a fun time to visit the Custom House Museum. There are permanent exhibits as well as temporary exhibits to teach and intrigue. If you time it just right, the second Saturday of the month is free admission. The rest of the time it isn't expensive and there are also individual and family passes available for sale that will get you in anytime you want.  This is one of the best museums in the south with beautiful architecture. Families love the children's area with the Bubble Cave and interactive learning. The trains are fascinating and keep children captivated for hours. The museum opens at 10am on Saturdays. If you are new to Clarksville TN it is worth a visit. In fact go often and make it a regular monthly event. There is so much history in th... 04/14/2018

Do You Have to Put Up Earnest Money? In Clarksville TN, buyers ask this question and I have heard agents in the area say, that it isn't needed because buyers can always get it back.  That is not always the case. Let's look at the facts. Do you have to put down earnest money? No, earnest money is not mandatory to submit an offer or get one accepted. It does show a seller that your offer is serious and that you have some skin in the game. Some people refer to it as good faith money or escrow deposit. When you think of it that way, it makes an offer seem stronger. Why? With no earnest money how can the seller believe you are serious? I had one buyer make an offer on a $550,000 new home. The seller thought the buyer was crazy and could not afford to buy the house. That was the message that ... 04/11/2018

Up by 12% in 2017 New Home Building Permits New homes continue to lead the housing market in Clarksville TN. Over the last year new homes have represented about a third of the homes sold. This is a 12% increase in new home permits pulled over 2016. In 2017, there were a total of 1458 new home permits.  Buyers like new and there have been many new neighborhoods to satisfy their needs. More new construction and neighborhoods are on the horizon and the future looks exciting for home buyers.It has been challenging this winter and early spring with so much rain to get new homes started. Builders are working hard to answer the call for this type of inventory.  New homes have flair and builders are offering buyers the latest trends and finishes that are speaking to the emotions of home buyers.... 04/09/2018

Jazz on Lawn for 2018 at Beachaven WineryThe weather is showing signs of spring and that means Jazz on the Lawn is close to a new season. This venue offers great music compliments of Beachaven Winery. The winery is located on the corner of Dunlop Lane and International Blvd on several acres of manicured grounds including a small vineyard. Jazz on the Lawn concerts have been provided for several years and are free and open to the public. Each concert is on a Saturday in the picnic and stage area under the trees. Parking fills up fast since several thousand people attend these concerts on a given night. Make sure you come early to park and claim a spot or get a season parking pass for a small fee. The starting time of the concerts is 6:30 and ends around 9:30.  You can bring snacks or a p... 04/08/2018

Make Your Home Safe for Home Buyers to SeeWhen selling a Clarksville TN home, it is important to prepare for showings and think a little deeper than just a pretty presentation. Though staging can handle much of the preparation, there are things to do to insure your safety and reduce the risk of any injury by potential buyers.  When Selling Put All Valuables Securely Away- It isn't good enough to tuck into a drawer. Lock them away or take to a safety deposit box. Medicine and Prescriptions Should Be Not Be Left in the Home During Showings- Not only might a child get into these and harm themselves, some buyers yield to the temptation of hijacking prescription drugs to resell or take themselves. It is easy to slip a few pills into a pocket. Guns, Ammo, Knives and Fireworks- Enough saidabou... 04/06/2018