Before building a deck at your house, there are a few things that needs careful consideration. You will need a permit to build a deck, so before starting, get the permit. The purpose of a permit is to ensure that your deck is build with the correct safety requirements and on a safe place and will not collapse. By getting a permit you can prevent a huge tragedy. If you consider doing it yourself (although you will probably still need professional help), you must ensure that u use the correct safety precautions to prevent your deck from collapsing or wearing out. You must use the correct tools and materials to build your deck. The building site must be suitable for delivery trucks ant the storing of the materials.Ask a professional for advice on which material is best for the specific nee... 08/07/2008

Your bathroom is not only used by your family but also by your guests.Remodelling your bathroom can make you proud of your home once more. Depending on the changes you want to make remodelling your bathroom does not need to be expensive. A few small changes can make a big difference and give a fresh new appearance to your bathroom. A new coat of paint, a new mirror or a new medicine cabinet will provide a whole new look. These days there is such a wide variety of new stylish taps, basin cabinets, and shower doors which will all help to create a totally new effect without too much effort.A few small changes to consider could be the following: Replace an old shower curtain with a shower door. Replace an old shower door with a new one. Replace old window curtain with a new fresh look Venet... 08/07/2008

There is definitely something elegant and cozy that fireplaces add to almost any home. However, even though they are a great addition, they are also a lot of work. You see many people don't take that some important things into consideration when they have fireplaces installed or when they buy a house that has one or more of them. For instance, consider the following points. Drafts / Heat Loss If you don't end up using them, you have to have them covered up. If you don't do anything at all with them, they can cost you money on your energy bills due to a loss of heat and drafting issues. If you ignore your fireplaces and are not using them, you may find that you have a draft in the wintertime and that your bills are higher than they need to be. You should always have someone come in to cl... 08/05/2008

Having a sauna in your home is not only good for your health but it also makes the value of your home rise. A regular sauna can improve your health. If you have one at home, you will have more time to enjoy it as going to the gym/spa are not always possible. A sauna is an enjoyable and healthy thing to have. It does not take up as much space as you might think and in the long run it can help cutting costs of gym fees if you have a sauna at your own home. Consider where you would like your sauna, indoors or outdoors. Indoor saunas can be used in any weather and are easier connect to water and electricity than outdoor saunas.Remember to plan where you are going to change clothes before and after saunas. A changing or relaxing area will help you enjoy your sauna much more.There are differe... 08/05/2008

Hello all, and what will the market look like this coming week?  Be sure to check back in at the end of the week for my special ongoing edition of the Cookeville Tennessee area housing market.  Realtor® talk is that the market is picking back up after a short "summertime" decrease due to everyone getting back in the "back to school" groove.  As you know, Putnam County Schools started July 28 and summer break is all but a memory.  I hope everyone had a great summer vacation, too!  Well, as we get back to the grind, thinking about putting your house on the market is at its peak.  Just in time to get your listing fully marketed and for the fall rush.  Typically, Spring and Fall are great listing seasons as the cooler weather brings more folks out and about. Lets take a look at this weeks s... 08/02/2008

Cookevlle is nationally recognized for its livabilty. Cookeville is rated wonderfully in terms off cost of living, crime rate , health care ,climate and affordable.   Thank you for your interest in Cookeville, please allow Patt and the 'HERE COMES THE JUDD TEAM" to introduce you to the many things we have to offer. Those of us who live here are fortunate to live among people of varied and interesting backgrounds, people of good will who demonstrate a strong sense of community and simple courtesy, and gracious southern hospitality to go with it.  Without a doubt the area's most powerful attraction is its quality of life. To live here is to become a part of a vibrant community with traditional values and excellent services. Moving to a new area can be an exciting adventure. Patt Judd  hop... 08/01/2008

Natural gas prices are currently 35% to 40% higher than last year. Even at the current prices, natural gas is still the best value based on Btu's compared to propane, heating oil and crude oil. Electric rates are rising  due to the fact that natural gas is being used to generate electricity.Two of the biggest factors that impact your utility bill are weather and consumption. As temperatures drop, your furnace works harder (and consumes more energy) to keep your home warm. As a result, your usage, and your utility bill, will go up. Now is a good time for customers to prepare their home for the upcoming winter weather by making home improvements and taking energy conservation measures. By preparing now, you can help control your usage, and your heating costs. ·  ·    Check and clean or re... 08/01/2008

Repainting that tired kitchen? Updating that 70's bathroom? How bout spicing up the bedroom? There are common mistakes people make when repainting a room. Painting faults are often traced back to preparation faults. Incorrect application and poor work conditions are two of the most common causes. Amateurs often over brush or make the paint too thin and overload the paint brush. These mistakes can cause lots of problems in the future or in the case of gloss paints, loss of sheen. Be sure to let the first coat dry thoroughly before applying the second coat.  When you want to cover a darker colour with a fresh new colour, be sure to use the correct under coat. If not, the darker coat will still be visible through the new coat of paint. Over brushing, over thinning and over stirring may als... 07/31/2008

Even if you dont have alot of room for a garden you can still have one. Just pay attention to the details, and work with the space you have. Remember, don't limit your creativity - just be a smart gardener! For the house and garden to compliment each other, keep your garden along the same lines as the house's character and make sure which areas get the most sunlight, so that the correct plants are planted in the correct places. To create an illusion of space, divide the garden into levels with a raised platform for an entertainment area.  Platforms create a spacious look and with the right plants/trees in the right corners, you can create a magical garden without feeling suffocated.   Curved pathways with curved flowerbeds rather than straight beds also create a feeling of space and tra... 07/31/2008

Air cleaners can help. You can get types that filter the air in a single room or models that connect to the home's heating system to handle the entire house. Did you know that every cubic foot of air in the average home is loaded with about 3 million dust particles? Though most of these particles are so small that they're not visible, they can be a health hazard, particularly for people who suffer from allergies and bronchial problems. And people like me with asma. 07/29/2008

Since i am in a gardening mood today i thought i would blog about flowers to go along with your fresh garden. My favorite flower to grow is roses, but for some people they may be to much work. to decide what kind of flowers you can grow there are a few things that you need to think about. You have to decide how much room you have for them, how much sun they can get in a certain spot, and how often you can water them. You also need to decide if you want annuals or perennials. So lets get down to the nitty gritty. Flowering plants are generally divided into two categories: annuals and perennials. Though they can be used interchangeably, each has its own pluses and minuses. Whether you choose annuals, perennials, or a mix of the two, be aware of each plant's cultural requirements: in plain... 07/29/2008

Have you ever pulled a ripe tomato strait from the vine and tasted it? It is so much better than what you can get at the supermarkets and you can take pride in knowing that you grew it yourself. Growing your own food is becoming more and more popular these days with rising gas prices, rising food prices, and pesticides. When you grow it yourself you know excatlly what has been on you veggies and fruits and what has not been on them. Having your own garden lets you know that your lettuce is the freshest it can be along with your cucumbers and tomatos having the freshest salad on the block. You dont have to have alot of land to grow some fresh veggies. You can mix it in on the edge of your flower beds or even plant your seeds in a flower pot. Techniques like overplanting and French intens... 07/29/2008

New homes are protected for 0ne year for defects in material and workmanship. This isn't required by law.  Under a new house warranty, the builder is obliged to repair items when contacted (usually in writing) by the homeowner. this isn;t not required by law but most builders will cover this.  Talk with the builder ,and talk with other home owners about this, it never hurts to be safe. I found out the hard way about a bad builder, they were still working on this home the day off closing, we closed but i couldn't get him to fix anything, so guess what i lost those clients. SO BE SAFE THEN SORRY                                      07/28/2008

All  driveway has a life expectancy, this is determined by two key factors, the base and the thickness of the asphalt or concrete. However, the pavement will eventually crack.  When this happens don't use liquid asphalt, while it might hide the problem for a month or two, that is all it will do.  It is preferable to have professional come out and look at it, instead of trying to fix it yourself. Small dips in the driveway will deteriorate faster than the rest of the driveway allowing puddles of water to collect and eventually form pot holes in your driveway.  These should be fixed immediately as not to cause long term damage.When dealing with concrete you can stain this in any color so in the long run this is the best by far.I really like pavers , the problem there is finding someone to... 07/24/2008

Getting Rid of those Dreaded Carpet Stains If you have a stain on your carpet, you will not necessarily have to replace the carpet or cover the stain with a rug. Here are a few tips on removing certain stains.   Urine stains can be removed with soda water or white vinegar  Egg stains: never use hot water. Cold water will help. If the stain is persistant, use benzine.  Raw egg stains can be sprinkled with a thick layer of salt. Leave it to dry and brush off.  Ink stains:  Absorb as much ink as possible with towel roll. Press continuously with cloth dipped in boiled milk. Dry carpet with clean dry cloth.  Tar / wax stains: Run a heated iron over absorbing cloth or towel roll placed on the stain. Be careful not to burn the carpet. Start with the iron a few centimeters above the cloth and m... 07/22/2008

LandscapingIf you are going to plant trees and shrubs around your home, here are some guidelines: In Tennessee, if you desire morning shade, plant trees on the Southeast exposure of the the house. If you desire afternoon shade, trees should be planted on the Southwest exposure of the structure. A good choice for summer and winter energy savings is to plant deciduous species (those that loose their leaves). These will allow for shade in the summer and heating from the sun in winter. Also, we encourage you to carefully select the type the tree being considered.  Decide what you really want from this tree or shrub - shade, fall color, or just eye appeal.  Do you need a deciduous tree to shade an outside air-conditioning unit in the summer, while letting sunlight through in the winter?  Do ... 07/09/2008

With an established company like First Realty, Kay Bennett is an experienced Realtor with exceptional market knowlege of middle Tennessee.  You will fall in love with the Cookeville/Crossville Tennessee area and call it home.  The attached video is only a glimpse of what our area has to offer!  Give me a call for more information today at 931-510-8601 cell or 931-528-1573 ofc. 06/15/2008

Cummings Mill Falls, located in Putnam County, Tennessee is as hidden as a waterfall can get. This natural area is located on private property. The owner has given the public access at their own risk. I had some Buyers who are big time hikers and wanted to see some TN waterfalls. To see the big falls from below you have to rappel down the side of a mountain about 150 feet. My Buyers where not up to rapelling but they enjoyed the rugged hike and views of several mini falls. This was my first Tennessee waterfall experience when I moved here several years ago. I continue to go back each summer, winter, spring & fall to repel to the bottom for a day of swimming and taking a waterfall shower. I do not advise those who are not experienced hikers or rappelers to attempt going to the bottom but... 05/18/2008

Here in the Upper Cumberland we are in the middle of everything that's happening in the state! We are only a short drive to Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and the Great Smokey Mountains. Which means for the sports lover we are close to the Titans LP Field and the Vols Neyland Stadium. Right here in our own backyard we also have college level sports with the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. We also have Championship Quality Golf courses right here at home!  With 4 Championship golf courses, Cumberland County is the Golf Capital of Tennessee. There are many other golf courses in other counties though with 5 in Cookeville, 2 in Sparta, 1 in Livingston and 1 also in Monterey. There are also softball and baseball complexes in the area, Cane Creek Sports Plex and Jere Whitson Adult Softball ... 05/16/2008

  Question:My wife and I have always rented a home. We would like to purchase a home in Tennessee.  Our combined income is around $65,000 a year. We have 3 small kids so a small homewe can;t deal with.  I want to follow your advice and save up a 20% down payment and finance for 15 years. My wife does not want to wait the 2 years it'll take us to save up 20% but would rather put $0 down and finance for 30 years in the hopes of paying it off in 15 years. She fears that if we wait 2 years to save up 20%, homes will increase in price. What should we do?  Answer:The first principle you both must remember is never make a decision based on fear. the market prices will increase in the near future. It may happen and it may not. Either way, no change in the market, good or bad, warrants making a... 05/16/2008