Archive for the 'Chattanooga Real Estate News' Category
The weather in Chattanooga is perfect, today!
Categories: Chattanooga Real Estate News
By David Israel, Business Manager
So, here we are in towards the end of January and my wife calls me this afternoon on my cell phone to let me know that she has turned off the heat in the house and opened all of our windows. We are enjoying a day of warm weather in Chattanooga. The past week we have all been bundled up and freezing, today we can thaw out, if only for a day.
Just in case you are thinking about moving to Chattanooga in the near future and plan on buying a home here, I wanted to share with you a chart about the weather in Chattanooga during the entire year. The Chattanooga area really is a wonderful place to live, with four great seasons.
Our temperature gauge at home read 60 degrees this afternoon, and if the sun would have been out it could have been warmer. What a wonderful suprise to escape the 20’s to 30’s if only for a day.
For more information on the weather conditions in Chattanooga or the Real Estate Market conditions in Chattanooga, please feel free to contact Andy Hodes at 423-664-1818. He will make sure you stay out of the cold.
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The Inauguration of our 44th President - From Chattanooga
Categories: Chattanooga Real Estate News
By David Israel, Business Manager
Today from 11:30 until several minutes after President Barack Obama was Inaugurated, not much work was getting done in our office. I was glued to my computer watching our great nation shift power from one political party to to another. No matter which side of the row you sit on, you have to take great pride in the fact that our country can change power with an oath and a handshake. No violent over throw, no bullets or bombs; just pomp and circumstance.
Living in Chattanooga and watching CNN from my computer was an amazing experience that really brought tears to my eyes. I can only imagine what the 2 million people standing in The National Mall in Washington were feeling. Everyone who attended witnessed an historic moment in our nations history (you wouldn’t find me in that crowd for any type of money!) which is pretty young compared to the rest of the world.
I take great pride in my country and look forward to our new President making some good decisions for this great nation of ours. The job will be tough, I have no political aspirations myself, and I am sure mistakes will occur. But, this is a time for our country to come together as one to fix some of the problems that face our country and our world.
Personally, I hope that President Obama will provide incentives for home buyers, tweak the $7,500 first time home buyer tax credit and create options to help out those facing foreclosure. Real estate could easily lead the recovery and interest rates don’t get much better than today’s rates.
I look forward to seeing action speak louder than words in the days, weeks, months and years ahead!
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Jay Serves You Some Million Dollar Secrets in Chattanooga - Part 3 of 4
Categories: Chattanooga Real Estate News, Flavors of Chattanooga, Things to Do in Chattanooga
Jay Zuckerman - Guest Blogger
(Third in a Four Part Series)
*Please note that I am not compensated for any product mentioned*
“Squeezin’ every nickel
Pinchin’ pennies ’til they holler
That’s the way you live on a blue collar dollar
Blue collar dollar.”
Kevin Gordon - Blue Collar Dollar
#5 Grocery Store Savvy
When I’m at the grocery store check-out line, I feel like Fred Sanford when I see the final price for my groceries. I just want to grasp my heart and yell, “This is the big one, Elizabeth!”
Even though prices are increasing at the grocery store for most products, you will save money if you follow these tips.
If you don’t read anything else in this piece… please take the following to heart. Buy store brand!
I will admit, I once was an elitist when it came to store brand food. Cheap generic ketchup? Why would I give up my Heinz for something that would probably taste like watered-down vinegar with food coloring? I figured any kind of store brand maple syrup was Mrs. Butterworthless.
However, my budget started to tighten in the current economy. My local Publix and Kroger started advertising cheap prices on their own products. Guess what I found? Most of their products are equal to, if not better, than name brands.
Not only can you save on basic items at these grocery stores, Kroger now offers premium store brands. They make great meals. Publix’s prepackaged microwavable meat products, canned vegetables, and condiments are more cost-effective and taste better than comparable corporate brands.
While not every store brand has comparable taste to corporate products (I’m not leggo-ing my Eggos), try some store products. Your taste buds won’t notice the difference and your wallet will thank you.
Also, this should go without saying. Always buy store-brand for non-edible products. There’s no difference between corporate and store plastic utensils and napkins other than price.
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Improved Conditions to Begin in 2009
Categories: Chattanooga Market Conditions, Chattanooga Real Estate News, Mortgage and Finance
By Angel Sherlin, Greater Chattanooga Lending
Conforming mortgage rates ended 2008 at the lowest levels in decades. One reason is that inflation is not a concern right now due to the current economic weakness and the decline in energy prices. In addition, the Fed has begun to purchase mortgage-backed securities (MBS), increasing the demand. Mortgage rates are generally determined by the price of MBS. On November 25, the Fed announced a plan to purchase as much as $500 billion in MBS, and mortgage rates have dropped significantly since the announcement. Low inflation and Fed purchases of MBS are expected to continue in coming months.
Along with low mortgage rates, homes have reached their best level of affordability in many years, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The NAHB index compares the cost of paying for a home, based on average home prices and mortgage rates, to the median household income. Increased affordability allows more people to participate in the housing market, which should boost demand for new and existing homes.
The consensus outlook is that the economy will begin to improve during 2009. In addition, both the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) expect the housing market to improve next year. The NAR predicts that both the number of existing home sales and home prices will increase in 2009. The combination of a rebounding economy, low mortgage rates, and affordable home prices provides good reason to expect an improved housing market in 2009.
For more information please call Andy at 423-664-1818 or send an email to Andy@AndyHodes.com.
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A Great 2008 a Better 2009!
Categories: Chattanooga Real Estate News, Flavors of Chattanooga
The Scenic City Scoop Chattanooga Tennessee Real Estate Blog Team
To all our friends, family, clients and fans of the Scenic City Scoop,
We all would like to wish you and your families a very Happy and Healthy New Year.
Andy, Kacey, Stephanie and David
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Chattanooga Real Estate Debate - Paint vs. Wallpaper
Categories: Chattanooga Real Estate News, For Home Sellers, Home Maintenance
By David Israel, Business Manager
Let me start off this article by stating that I do not show houses, however, I have been asked the question on numerous occasions, “will my house sell faster if I take down my wallpaper and paint the walls?”. My answer is always YES - and everyone on the team concurs! I have read a few articles on the subject of Paint vs. Wallpaper and there are distinct advantages to having wallpaper on your walls. There are also many disadvantages.
In the Chattanooga real estate market, most buyers these days are looking for simple neutral painted walls. Wallpaper is just a turnoff to most of the buyers in today’s market. Remember, I always say that you only get a first impression once. Wallpaper usually is a bad first impression. I don’t want to knock wallpaper, I grew up with it all over my house (ended up trying to take it down myself as a teen-ager, what a disaster!). There are so many colors, textures and designs that you can choose from. I feel that wallpaper is an expression of an individuals personality. There are some beautiful homes that I have visited in Chattanooga that are well decorated and the wallpaper is beautiful. If people didn’t like wallpaper there wouldn’t be thousands of companies selling the product.
So, what is my point. Selling real estate in Chattanooga can not have a personal expression of one’s self. A house must be staged to sell. In my opinion that means tear the wallpaper down all over the house and paint the walls.
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