Wondering About The Real Estate Market Conditions Here In Nashville?

HOME SALES DECLINE, HOME PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE

There were 1,745 home closings reported for the month of July, according to figures provided by the Greater Nashville Association of REALTORS®. This represents a 21 percent decrease from the 2,214 closings reported for the same period last year.

Year-to-date closings for the Greater Nashville area are 12,768. That is an increase of 11.5 percent from the 11,454 closings reported through July 2009.

"The tax credit helped drive nine consecutive months of increased home sales," said GNAR President Lucy Smith. "Without it, we are beginning to see the new normal of the real estate market. The good news is there were more than 1,700 closings in July and home prices have increased slightly. The increase in prices shows stability and confirms the value of owning real estate. Until the overall economy strengthens and employment numbers decrease, it is appropriate to expect some softness in the real estate market both nationally and regionally. Fortunately, Greater Nashville remains better positioned to address these trends compared with many other locations throughout the country."

There were 1,667 sales pending at the end of July, compared with 2,147 pending sales at this time last year. The average number of days on the market for a single-family home was 85 days.

The median residential price for a single-family home during July was $181,000, and for a condominium it was $149,990. This compares with last year's median residential and condominium prices of $171,100 and $142,146, respectively.

Inventory at the end of July was 24,258, down from 24,592 in July 2009.

"Though slightly less than this time last year, inventory has increased over the past several months," added Smith. "Buyers continue to have a good variety from which to choose in a variety of locations throughout the region. The strong amount of inventory combined with historic low interest rates makes this a very attractive time to consider purchasing a home."

The Greater Nashville Association of REALTORS® is one of Middle Tennessee's largest professional trade associations and serves as the primary voice for Nashville-area property owners. REALTOR® is a registered trademark that may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of Realtors and subscribe to its strict code of ethics.

ZIP Codes: 37211, 37220, 37215, 37204, 37221, 37013, 37205Approximate Location

Boundaries: South Davidson County just north of Brentwood (South Nashville and Antioch)

Location Characteristics: This area of South Davidson County has entry level price homes in some areas as well as luxury homes. If you like being close to everything and be reasonably close to downtown Nashville, Davidson County is a good area. The South and Southwest portion of the county is the most upscale area of Metro Nashville Davidson County

info gathered from: http://realtytimes.com/rtmcrcond/Tennessee~Nashville~lucybillrudolph

Should YOU Buy A Condo?

by Carla Hill

Condos can be a great option for many buyers. But is this type of home the best fit for you? Let's examine some of the pros and cons of buying a condo.

Pros

Maintenance. Most condominiums require very little maintenance from their tenants. Yard work and the like are done and paid for through your monthly dues. Reserve funds are saved up by the condo association for larger periodic repairs, such as roof replacement and painting.
Amenities. In many condominium communities you'll find you have access to a clubhouse, pool, exercise facilities, concierge, or even door security. These great perks cost you nothing extra and are quite the draw for many buyers.

Condo Board. Neighborly disputes happen. You like it quiet. Your neighbor loves their music. Instead of having to address the issue yourself, you can always rely on the condo board to ensure that order is kept, both of the grounds and of the residents.

Cost. In many cases, you can find a condo in your preferred neighborhood for a cheaper price than a single family detached home. This can come in handy when parents want children to go to the best public schools in the area. They may not be able to afford the house around the corner, but they can afford the condo in a community.

Social Living. Many condo residents find that their quality of life is improved by the neighbors they develop friendships with. Some communities have social gatherings and mixers on a regular basis.

Cons

Monthly dues. While the condominium unit itself may come with a cheaper price tag, once you add in monthly dues or fees you could see yourself being priced out of the property. Condo fees range widely, but in some markets and communities can be several hundred dollars a month. And remember, these fees continue even once the property is paid off.

Limited Outdoor Space. Yes, you may have a patio or a balcony, but most condominiums lack any sort of yard space. And what outdoor space the community does offer, is of course shared space with the other residents.

Limited Space in General. You may luck out and find a condo with a garage or storage units. If so, you are in the minority. If you have lots of things to store, and no extra space to put them, remember to add in a storage rental space into your monthly expenses before buying.

Less Privacy. You share a wall with your neighbors. You may even have neighbors above or below you. In this case, remember the noise factor.

Resale. There are fewer buyers looking for condos. Large families are generally on the hunt for a single family dwelling.

Poor Management. What happens if your condo manager hasn't kept enough money in reserve for repairs? The extra expenses are earned through a "special assessment" of the residents. This means you may be slapped with a bill -- unexpectedly -- costing you hundreds of dollars. Poorly managed condos can also run down very quickly. Broken sidewalks, overgrown hedges, and disorderly residents spell disaster for resale value.

Condo Board. You notice this was on the pro side of the list as well. That's because while a board can be your best friend for helping keep order and for dealing with neighbor issues best left for the management, they can also be a little too heavy on the rule making. Some condo boards are very strict. And that extra gnome you wanted to display, just might cost you more than you bargained for.

Subletting. Did you know that a condo board can make it "illegal" for you to rent your unit out? Be sure to check out the rules before you buy, especially if you are considering using the property as a rental unit at some time.

Published: July 1, 2010

Dont Miss Out On The Tennessee State Fair!

The Tennessee State Fair is being held this year at the Nashville fairgrounds September 10th through September 19th. This year it will feature all your favorite rides, food, and family fun!

Should You Move or Improve?

By: Oliver Marks

Published: August 28, 2009

Whether to move or improve is a harder question to answer than it was a few years ago, but a few cost-benefit calculations can help you make the right decision.


What do you do when your family outgrows your house, or when the quirks you once found charming about the place just aren’t livable anymore? A few years ago, the answers were easy. With house values climbing an average of 50% from 2001 to 2005 and lenders handing out big checks to nearly anyone who asked, you could quickly unload a too-small house and use the profits to help pay for a larger one. Or you could borrow against that growing equity to fund a big home-improvement project, with the full expectation of making your investment back someday when you sold. Flash forward a few years, and the rules of real estate have changed. In this marketplace, with home equity shrinking and banks reluctant to lend, is it smarter to move or improve? Here’s some advice to help you decide.

Moving has gotten harder
With median housing prices down 25% since their peak in 2006, some 15 million homeowners—almost one in four—owe more on their mortgages than they could get from a buyer, according to Celia Chen, senior director of Moody’s Economy.com. And even folks who bought before the big run-up and can afford to sell at today’s lower prices still face steep odds trying to unload their homes with the glut of inventory on the market (36% more lawns wear For Sale signs now than a few years ago). There was an uptick in units sold in early 2009, leading some economists to predict that the market has begun to rebound, but selling a house is likely going to remain difficult for a while.

Still, there can be an advantage to trading up now: If your house has curb appeal and a good kitchen—and you price it right—offers will come. You may not turn a big profit, but once you sell, you become a buyer in this buyer’s market. That means you’ll find what you’re looking for and pay less for it than a few years ago.

To analyze your trade-up options, check local listings to ballpark the price you could realistically get for your home and what you’d have to pay for the next place. Then contact a bank to see if, based on those figures and your financial situation, you’re likely to qualify for the new mortgage. Or do your research online: Investigate home values at online real estate sites and how much of a mortgage you’d qualify for at bankrate.com.

Improving has gotten easier
The economic slump has actually made renovating the home you already own a bit easier. The construction-industry slowdown has lowered the cost of some building materials: Plywood is down 46%, for example, framing lumber is down 42%, and drywall is down 25%, according to Bernard Markstein, senior economist for the National Association of Home Builders. Many contractors are also charging less for labor, to compete for the smaller pool of available jobs. What’s more, you won’t have to wait months for a contractor to show up—chances are he’ll be able to start in a matter of days.

Of course, you’ll still need to come up with cash to pay for the project. And the news is good there, too: As a general rule, improving costs less than trading up. Figure somewhere between $100 and $200 per square foot for new construction or a major remodel, depending on the scope of the project and labor costs in your area. (For help with budgeting and financing, see “Budgeting for a Remodel”) A two-story addition with a family room, bedroom, and bathroom costs an average of $156,309, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2009-10 Cost vs. Value Report.

Now more than ever, though, you need to make sure that you invest your money wisely. In other words, will your $75,000 kitchen remodel increase your home value by $75,000—or by anything close? For guidelines, check out the Cost vs. Value Report, which gives national average cost and payback figures for 30 popular remodeling projects.

To assess what’s right for your particular house, let your neighborhood be your guide. If there’s any chance that you’ll move within the next 10 years (and in this economy, who can be sure?) keep your improvements in line with those of other houses on your block, or you risk losing the money when you sell.

The most important considerations haven’t changed
Your house isn’t just your largest investment, of course, it’s also the place where your family lives. Financial considerations aside, the question of whether to move or improve should be decided by the things you cannot change about your current home: the school district, the amount of traffic on your street, the size and layout of your yard, your commute, the ease of access to markets and malls, and your neighborhood quality of life. If you love the spot, improving makes sense. But if a different location would be an improvement in its own right, then trading up could be the way to go.

A former carpenter and newspaper reporter, Oliver Marks has been writing about home improvements for 16 years. He’s currently restoring his second fixer-upper with a mix of big hired projects and small do-it-himself jobs.

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/articles/should-you-move-or-improve/#ixzz0y67b3xXg

Check out Marilyn Monroe's House on the Market!

Click here to view full article on Marilyn Monroe's house!

Would you Live in This Barn??

Here is a $2.45

million barn

like home in

Austerlitz, NY.

A four bedroom, five bathroom home on 72 acres in a rural community 120 miles north of New York City.





This 2008 barn like home is made in 2 different sections: one farmhouse like structure and one built like to look like a barn, which are connected by a glass atrium entryway.





Would you live here for $2.45 million??

resources from: wall street journal/real estate

Mortgage Rates Amazingly Low, Continue to Fall

30-year fixed mortgage rates are now at 4% for well-qualified borrowers who pay .07 to 1 point origination shows FreeRateUpdate.com research of wholesale lenders' interest rate sheets. 15-year fixed mortgage rates are at 3.5%. Both fixed mortgage rates, which continue to decline, are at all time record low levels.

FHA mortgage rates remain at similar levels to conforming rates. FHA 30-year fixed loan rates are at 4%; however, APR on an FHA loan at 4% is quite higher than that of a conforming mortgage at the same note rate. Why? MI at 2.25% of the amount financed and other FHA fees drive up closing costs.

Jumbo mortgage rates, which have declined significantly in recent weeks, are also at all time record lows. Today's 30-year fixed jumbo loan rate is 5.125%.

Mortgage-backed securities prices, which drive mortgage rates in the opposite direction, continue to do well amid ongoing uncertainty in the economy. MBS prices rose again to begin this week, stabilizing rates at their current levels.

Despite rates being amazingly low, purchase applications remain weak. Refinance applications on the other hand have spiked and are at a 15 month high.

Published: August 25, 2010 by Ed Ferrara

Superman, Save Our House! Top 5 Craziest Foreclosure Rescue Attempts

Published: August 2, 2010

Treasure hunting, demolition, forgery—even a telethon. Our picks for the top five most bizarre foreclosure rescue attempts.

Three years after the recession hit, Americans still are losing their homes to foreclosure in record numbers. Not even celebrities are immune. Wanting to do anything you can to avoid losing your home is only natural. There are a wealth of resources on HouseLogic to help you take action. Still, some homeowners have tried other, less-proven methods.

Here’s a countdown of some outlandish foreclosure rescue attempts:

5. I pimped my yard to PETA.
This past March, “Octomom” Nadya Suleman was reportedly approached by PETA when word got out about her mortgage woes. The offer: A billboard sign urging pet owners not to let their dog or cat become an “Octomom” in a campaign to raise awareness about controlling the pet population. Suleman ended up letting PETA advertise on her front yard for $5,000. In April, Suleman reached an agreement with the mortgage holder for a sixth-month extension to pay off the $450,000 debt.

4. God made me do it.
Earlier this month, a Montana man, Brent Arthur Wilson, was convicted for removing For Sale signs and forging ownership papers on a foreclosed home in a bizarre effort to keep a roof over his head. During his trial, Wilson claimed that “Yaweh,” or “the creator,” gave him the home. The jury was out for less than an hour before finding Wilson guilty. He now faces up to 30 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced August 19.

3. Buy my T-shirt, save my house.
To raise the $250,000 he needed to avoid foreclosure on his Port Washington, Wis., pad, former Saved by the Bell star Dustin Diamond sold T-shirts with his photo and a caption reading, “I paid $15 to save Screeech’s house.” (The extra “e” in “Screeech” was to get around copyright laws.) The down-on-his-luck comedian turned his money problems into a publicity ploy, telling his story on The Howard Stern Show and even scheduling an online telethon to raise more money. The appearance was canceled moments before it went on the air. Despite all that, it looks like Diamond is still going to lose his home. Wells Fargo started foreclosure proceedings in April.

2. If I can’t live here, no one can.
This past February, Ohio carpet business owner Terry Hoskins decided that he’d rather bulldoze his $350,000 house to the ground than let the bank have it. Hoskins also basically confirmed that he’d do the same to his carpet store if he had to. Thankfully, it didn’t come to that. Although Hoskins didn’t technically break any laws, the bank did hold a sheriff’s auction of his business property to pay off the $600,000 debt he owed.

1. Superman saved our house.
On a more positive note, a rare comic book (an Action Comic #1—the issue that introduced Superman to the world) was recently found in the basement of a couple facing foreclosure. Although it hasn’t been valued yet, Stephen Fishler, co-owner of ComicConnect.com, guarantees that the comic will bring in more than enough to pay off the mortgage at auction time. Other rare finds like this have been valued at more than $1 million.

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is dedicated to providing resources that help families facing foreclosure take every step they can to keep their home. To find out how to (legitimately) fight foreclosure, visit the HouseLogic Foreclosure Resource Guide.

Real House Foreclosures of New Jersey: How Teresa Giudice Should Save Her Home

Real House Foreclosures

of New Jersey:

How Teresa Giudice

Should Save

Her Home

Published: August 10, 2010

The New Jersey housewife may be in foreclosure on her dream home. But has she done everything she can to avoid it?


Before she was shilling for Garden State tanning chains Sizzle Tan, spokeswoman Teresa Giudice was a big-spending Real Housewife living comfortably in a North Jersey estate. So when she suddenly filed for bankruptcy in October, it sent the gossip press into a frenzy. Known for dropping $2,000 in ten minutes on shopping sprees, it was no big surprise that Giudice and her husband found themselves $11 million in the hole. Then rumors began to circulate that her multi-million dollar North Jersey mansion is in foreclosure. Whether or not Villa Giudice is on the block, there are steps to avoid it. If you ever find yourself in a similar position, be sure to consider these alternatives.


Contact the lender
When facing foreclosure, you have options. But one thing that isn’t optional is talking to your lender. The last thing a lender wants is to foreclose on a property, so start discussions with your lender about your choices. Hopefully Giudice was smart enough to pick up the phone and try to make arrangements to keep her Garden State Shangri-La.

Compromise
Lenders are often willing to work with you. That can mean modifying your loan, selling the property, or suspending payments temporarily to give you time to raise funds. In Teresa’s case, it could give her time to sell a boatload of her cookbooks.

Short sale
When your house is worth less than what you owe, you could opt for a short sale if your lender agrees. If that’s the case for the Guidices, it could work in their favor since, despite 12,000 square feet and a sea of marble and onyx, their estate clocks in at a mere $1.8 million.

Deed in lieu
While just as damaging to your credit score as foreclosure, you could ask your lender to cancel your mortgage in exchange for the deed to your house. And thanks to the new Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA), you could get as much as $3,000 to help with relocation expenses. Which, for Teresa, equates to a solid 15 minutes at the local shopping mall.

If you’re facing foreclosure, be sure to explore our extensive foreclosure guide for more info. Or, if you’re in no financial trouble at all, you might consider placing a bid on everything from a 20-foot speed boat to a suit of armor in the Giudice bankruptcy auction.



Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/articles/real-house-foreclosures-new-jersey-how-teresa-giudice-should-save-her-home/#ixzz0wnZ7sRsD

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