Saying Goodbye When I was in my 20’s, embarking on my adventure from Arizona to Tennessee, it was hard saying goodbye but I was also full of hope and excitement. The people I worked with, my friends from church, and, mostly, my family. In our youth, we rarely think, “this may be the last time I see them.” As I have matured in years, the reality of mortality has set in. Now, as I visit with those that I don’t see on a regular basis, I take an extra moment to savor that goodbye hug.   This past week, I said a final goodbye to two special people. Royce Harrell was in my weekly networking group. He was a business coach and a friend. He was one of those people I was drawn to immediately. He knew how to ask questions that dug deep. He could get you to evaluate your situation in a way that put you on your own path of greatness. He was a great teacher. He loved people and they loved him. Mostly, though, he loved God and his family and he would tell you all about both. One thing that struck me at his Memorial was that, though there were different people that spoke about him from different parts of his life – friends, family, church members, and clients – they all basically said the same thing. He was the same person, had the same compassion, the same drive, the same heart, no matter who you were or what relationship you had with him. He left a great legacy. I am so glad I got to know him. I was blessed to call him “friend”.   I got my start in real estate in 2004. When I consulted with a Realtor I had used in the past to ask what companies I should interview, his first answer was – Pilkerton Realtors. I am so glad I took his advice. Jimmy Pilkerton took me under his wing and showed me the real estate ropes. He was a mentor. He allowed me to co-list a house with him and led me through every detail of what to look for, what repairs should be made, how to market it, and how to negotiate a contract from start to finish. Now, 12 years later, I realize how green I was and how patient he was. He also taught me that real estate was a career, not a job. I needed to show up, dress the part, and do the work. He taught me that the most important thing to do is to manage expectations. There are not many people who permeate my thick skull and make such an impact in...

Read More

Understanding and Treating Radon Radon is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas that occurs naturally from the decay of radioactive elements such as Uranium found in soil and rocks. This chemically unreactive gas is fairly soluble in water and other organic solvents, even though it occurs as gas under normal conditions. The radon gas found in the soil and rock can easily find its way into the air and water found on the surface and underground. Radon poses serious health risk to humans and the environment since it is acknowledged as the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, 20,000 people die every year from lung cancer as a result of exposure to radon. The other harmful respiratory effects associated with chronic exposure to this deadly gas include; respiratory lesion, emphysema, silicosis and pulmonary fibrosis. High concentrations of radon have the potential of generating genotoxic effects. The primary routes of radon exposure to humans are through ingestion and inhalation. Exposure to Radon Gas in Nashville Homes and Workplaces The level of radon gas in buildings largely depends on the characteristics of the soil or rock found at in a given area. The exposure can happen at home, school, workplace or the outdoors. Importance of Home Inspection Having a Home inspection performed is an obvious step to take, but many people skip having a radon test performed. Homes in Middle Tennessee have some of the highest levels of Radon in the country, so this is a dangerous gamble to make. Radon inspections have become an important part of Nashville home inspections, because radon gas can easily accumulate inside in places like the attic and basement. The radon mitigation test can be conducted by placing a test kit at the lowest hanging floor for between 2 to 7 days. Once this period is expired, a house inspector will take the sample to the lab for further analysis. If the levels of radon are high several remedial measures can be undertaken, including sealing the concrete slab floors, water drainage systems and basement foundations. To ensure total safety, tests should also be conducted on the septic tank and well water. Be sure to reach out to a professional in the Nashville area for a Radon Test and Radon...

Read More

Buyer Tips for a HOT Real Estate Market So, you live in a city like Nashville, TN. You want to buy a house, condo, or townhome and it seems everyone else does too. Buyers in markets like this can get frustrated, disheartened and even give up on their dream of home ownership. There is no foolproof way to make sure you win, however, there are some things that can significantly help your chances of getting that house you “have to have”.   Get pre-approved or have cash ready. Don’t wait until you have seen 5 houses and are ready to make an offer. Talk to a lender before you go see any houses in person. You do not – and your agent does not – want to get attached to a house, put an offer in, and lose out to another Buyer who already has their financing in order. There is also a difference between pre-qualification and pre-approved – make sure it is a pre-approval. It takes time to gather all the documentation needed for a pre-approval and it will take some time for the lender to review, ask questions, and get you a pre-approval letter. If you are paying cash, make sure it is all in accounts that are easily accessible and that you have statements or a letter from the bank to show you have the funds available. You put yourself at a great disadvantage if you do not send a pre-approval letter or proof of funds letter with your offer. Be prepared! Be ready. As soon as you see a house online or in a neighborhood that you like, contact your Realtor. They will need to set an appointment with the Seller – most markets don’t allow “walk-ins”. They will need to coordinate your schedule, their schedule, the Seller’s schedule and sometimes the Listing Agent’s schedule so this can take some time. If you have to wait for the whole family to come or only for the weekends to see property, it may very well be gone. You may have to trust one person to be the decision maker based on the criteria you have set. Be decisive. In a fast paced market, you won’t have the luxury of “sleeping on it”. I have seen far too many times, a house will be on the market for a period of time with no activity and then all of a sudden, multiple people want it. I read a quote recently that said, “The house you looked at today and wanted to think about until tomorrow may be the same house someone looked at yesterday and will buy today.” You have to act quickly. A good idea is to...

Read More

  Last night I was taking one of my dogs for a walk (yes, I only take one because the other one literally barks and chokes herself the entire time – bad parenting, I know). I use this time to clear my mind of the day, greet neighbors, and get a little time away from technology. Last night was a beautiful evening. The temperature was comfortable and the air was moving softly. As we rounded a corner behind my house, we entered a story book setting. The sidewalk took us past perfectly groomed plants and trees that have had years to branch toward the sky and jet out over the walkway. There was a playground with a wooden bench. I could almost see the swing swaying as if a child had just jumped off to head home for dinner. There was a picnic table for a picturesque lunch. To our right was a pond surrounded by lush greenery with fish swimming to the surface, frogs talking to each other and a reflection of the setting sun. On our left was a babbling brook whose water ran over smooth rocks, the sound so mesmerizing, I wanted to stay all night. The rope swing invited children of all ages and the birds seemed to be singing just for me and my pup. Suddenly I realized I was smiling, ear to ear. This is how I have felt when I have been on vacation, walking through a beautiful city or driving through country hillsides. Haven’t you visited a place and wished you could move there? Have you been on a trip you never wanted to return from? My heart was flooded with thankfulness. I LIVE here! I live in the type of place that I have dreamt of. I was immediately grateful for the beauty that surrounds me in my own world, my own city, my own neighborhood. I have lived with very little to my name. I was just as happy – it was just different. We can find things in our lives, no matter what our circumstance, location, or bank account, to be thankful for. Sometimes we may have to look a little harder but we can be assured that there is always someone else that would be HAPPY to have our “problems”. I love times that I am shown a little perspective. If you need some, maybe you should take a walk.   Photo courtesy of anankkml via...

Read More

  It’s that time of year again. Tourists will fill our city in hopes of seeing a country music star walking down Broadway on their way to a gig. It’s CMA Fest 2016 y’all!   Officially, CMA Fest runs from June 9-12 and is set on many stages and many venues throughout downtown Nashville. If you’re here early you may want to watch Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill and much of the cast of “Nashville” in the City of Hope Celebrity Softball game at First Tennessee Stadium on June 7. You can attend charity concerts, Q&A sessions, get an autograph from one of your favorites and maybe make some new friends along the way. You’ll also want to take it the sights while you’re in our great city. Besides things like the Country Music Hall of Fame, we have beautiful hills, farm land, art galleries, lakes, and some mighty good restaurants.   On the stages this year, you can see artists from the classic greats like Jimmy Fortune, The Oak Ridge Boys, Bill Anderson and Neal McCoy to some of today’s hottest acts such as Blake Shelton, Little Big Town, Ashley Monroe, and Chris Stapleton and perhaps find a new favorite like Carly Pearce, High Valley, Levi Hummon, and MamaDear. And if you’re like me, you won’t want to miss Steven Tyler on Saturday night!   You may want to download the app, available for Apple and Android products. You can keep up with all the happenings and make sure you are at the right stage at the right time. The weather is set to be perfect for being outside and taking everything in. We have ordered up high 80’s to mid 90’s without a drop of rain so be sure to bring your wide brimmed hat and lots of sunscreen.   Yes, this week is full of road closures, traffic jams and packed restaurants that can be a challenge for locals, however, I am glad we have CMA Fest in Nashville every year. It is just another way to show off this city that I love. It’s where I live, work and play and it’s awesome. I am proud to show off all we have to offer, and if you’re just crawling out from under that rock, it’s a lot more than country music. P.S. As you’re visiting our awesome city you’ll no doubt want to become a local yourself! Click here to download our app to get the current Real Estate information. Photo courtesy of zirconicusso via freedigitalphotos.net  ...

Read More