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.
"HullaBowloo" will be a night for "Bowlicious" food, "enjoyaBowl live music, "applaudaBowl" performances and a chance to be part of a most "admiraBowl" cause, filling the bowls of Chattanooga's hungry.
Saturday, January 17, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank will be transformed into a festive, urban scene, alive with street dancers, an outdoor cafe, roving musicians, a local "watering hole", a park, and even a community garden. As you roam through the streets of the city, learn more about the many programs supported by the Chattanooga Area Food Bank while being "bowled" over by all the wonderful food and entertainment offered at every turn. Imagine yourself singing karaoke, break-dancing in the street or even shooting some hoops. The evening will come to an end with dancing to the "Bowldacious" music of "Peace, Love and Happiness". So how do you "HullaBowloo"?
$45 per person, call 622-1800 to reserve your seats!
If you would like to hear about this spectacular event, call Andy Hodes at 423-664-1818 he will be attending and can tell you all about the event or give you some great real estate information on the Chattanooga real estate market. Your call to him will be "enjoyabowl"!
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.
We had a client selling his home in the Chattanooga area, it was a unique home at that, and it was covered in wallpaper from the 1970's. In 2007, this wallpaper was just not appealing, but our client felt that buyers would overlook the wallpaper. His home was priced pretty well, mostly because Andy Hodes is an expert in getting homes priced to sell in our market, after a few discussions he asked us what he could do to get his home sold. The first thing out of our mouth's was to pay to have someone come in and take down the wallpaper and paint the entire house in neutral colors. He was not happy to spend anymore money on the house, and we explained that this will sell the home in Chattanooga. Well, he listened and it took a couple weeks to strip the wallpaper, prime the walls and paint the house. Two weeks later the house went under contract.
This experience was only the first of many The Scenic City Team has had in the Chattanooga real estate market. Every time we give this advise, we get results. This doesn't mean that you have to paint your walls the same color white or beige. There are so many color variations to choose from. The one thing you don't want future buyers to dwell on is how your walls look, you want them to look around and picture themselves living in your home.
So, the next time you are thinking about changing the way your walls look, don't just jump into the pool without taking the temperature of the water. It could be the difference in having your home "for sale" in Chattanooga for more time than you would like. Always feel free to contact us for advice and input.
If you are planning on Selling your Home in Chattanooga you need to Call Andy at 423-664-1818 or email Andy@AndyHodes.com to help you "Price your Home Correctly". This phone call could "save you hundreds of dollars" and many "days on the market".
Thanks largely to Tuesday's Federal Reserve statement, the historic drop in mortgage rates over the last few weeks continued a little further this week. Lower than expected inflation data from the November Consumer Price Index (CPI) report also was favorable for mortgage rates. According to Freddie Mac's weekly survey, average 30-year fixed conforming mortgage rates fell to the lowest level in 37 years. Mortgage rates turned slightly higher late in the week, however, raising the question of whether the downward trend will continue.
In a unanimous vote, the Fed cut the target Fed Funds rate from 1.00% to a range between 0.00% and 0.25%. The 75 basis point cut was larger than the consensus forecast for a 50 basis point cut. According to the statement, the Fed will employ "all available tools" to stimulate economic growth. Most notable for the mortgage industry, the Fed mentioned the option of expanding the purchase of large quantities of mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage rates generally move based on changing levels of demand for mortgage investments. Immediately following the release of the statement, mortgage rates dropped due to this expected increase in demand.
In the housing sector, November Housing Starts fell -19% to a record low. Building Permits, a leading indicator, showed a similar decline. The slowdown in the building of new homes will help reduce the inventory of unsold homes on the market.
Channel 3 holds 24th Annual Food Drive for Chattanooga Area Food Bank
Let's give a big slap on the back to the owners, management and employees of WRCB Channel 3 in Chattanooga for their incredible work on December 10, 2008. The Chattanooga community decided to give not only with their hearts, but with their groceries. The "Share your Christmas Food Drive" collected over 117,000 pounds in three locations, Chattanooga, Cleveland and Dalton, GA. The food collected in Cleveland and Dalton will stay in those areas to help the local groups that feed the ones in need. The food collected in Chattanooga will go directly to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.
Channel 3 broad-casted live from each location all day from 5:00am to 6:00pm. It certainly does the heart well to know that during these rough times in our economy, people still are willing to give to those less fortunate then themselves.
If you are still looking to participate, you can still donate food at the following locations:
In Chattanooga and around the country the price of electricity is on the rise, so what can we do to keep the heat in our home and pay the electric or gas companies less money?
I have compiled a few tips to assist us all in making this winter a little warmer, and to help cost us a little less money. Wouldn't you rather put the money in a savings account or a holiday gift for a friend?
These tips are just a start, there are several more things you can do around your home during the winter months to make your home more efficient and still be comfortable.
4 Tips to save on your monthly heating bill
Set the Thermostat Back - At night, and especially when leaving the home for an extended period of time, set the thermostat back. For every degree you reduce your thermostat setting you may save about 3% on your heating bill. At night you can throw an extra blanket on the bed, you should be comfortable, but a "penny saved is a penny earned".
Don't Block Air Flow - For those who have floor registers, don't cover them up with a carpet or furniture. This will block the air flow and make your system work a little harder.
Let the Sunshine In - Take advantage of "the sunny side of the street". Open your blinds and let the sunshine in, this will help reduce the amount of time your heat will kick on during the day and nothing will heat your home better than the sun. This is also assuming that the sun is shining.
Keep it Clean - Take care of your heat system and it will take care of you. Change your filters on a monthly basis. This will certainly help your system work better and more efficiently.
I hope that these simple but important tips will help you sleep a little better at night and maybe even put a little extra something in your pocket every month. In today's world, every penny counts! Here in our homes in Chattanooga we don't get the extreme cold weather like they do in the Northeast, but we do have cold temperatures during the months of December through March.
Looking to Buy or Sell a home in Chattanooga. Contact Andy Hodes & The Scenic City Team for more information or to get your questions answered. You can contact Andy at 423-664-1818 or email Andy@AndyHodes.com
"Does and Don'ts regarding Holiday Decorations while your home is FOR SALE"
Now that the Thanksgiving holiday has passed, most people begin to put up their holiday decorations. But, your home is for sale in Chattanooga and you are not sure how much to decorate. Well if you asked yourself this question, you are on the right path toward getting your home sold in the Chattanooga market before the end of the year.
We all like to prepare our homes for the holiday season; nothing says holidays like beautiful lights strung outside your home, decorations on the front lawn, a wreath on your front door, a tree in the family room and tons of decorations. Well, if your home is FOR SALE in Chattanooga here are some suggestions for your holiday decorations so when a potential buyer views your home, they look at the house and not at your decorations.
Place a simple wreath on your front door.
If you are going to have a tree, decorate using the minimalist style, don't put out all your ornaments this year.
Don't "Deck the Halls," place just a few holiday decorations in one room only.
Keep it simple.
I know it is hard to resist placing stockings over the fireplace and pulling out all your family mementos, but when buyers are looking for homes, they want to be able to picture themselves in your home, not you. Going over the top in decorating means you are hiding your home from view. Distractions are a big no no!
Please do not call me a "Scrooge," I am all for celebrating the holidays and putting out decorations, but my house in not for sale in Chattanooga. The only people that will be visiting my home during the holidays are friends and family.
Your home should be ready for the buyer who doesn't know you and is looking for a home for their family. They want to come into your home and look at a clean, well staged home with no distractions. Remember, I have said this many times, you only get to make a good first impression once.
Chattanooga, TN October 2008 - Nationally renowned real estate marketing and technology speaker and REALTOR.com Vice President, Max Pigman, has presented to Andy Hodes of Keller Williams Realty the "real Estate Online Marketing Award of Excellence". The Award of Excellence recognizes top agents who consistently provide great marketing services on behalf of their buyers and sellers.
"There are always some real estate agents who distinguish themselves from other agents by doing a little more for their sellers. In particular; when the home they are selling is placed on a well trafficked site such as the 1st ranked REALTOR.com, even simple efforts like having more photos displayed, crafting better descriptions or adding a full motion video, can make a home stand out from competing properties," says Max Pigman, Vice President of Realtor.com.
The excellence award was presented to Andy Hodes at a recent real estate marketing and technology seminar that demonstrated cutting edge techniques for leveraging the Internet and technology in real estate marketing.
"The extra steps agents like Andy Hodes are taking on behalf of their clients is the reason we thought it worthwhile to call out the effort we have seen these agents make online and to recognize them for providing theses added value services, say Mr. Pigman.
REALTOR.com is just one of the many ways Andy Hodes is leveraging recent trends in home buyer online behavior to his clients benefit.
Home sellers interested in finding out how to have their home marketed on REALTOR.com should contact Andy Hodes at 423-664-1818 or email Andy@AndyHodes.com.
When getting ready to prepare a home to be placed on the market, Andy Hodes & The Scenic City Team stresses clearing out the clutter and making your home presentable to the public on the internet and when they walk through the door. Below is our candidate for worst MLS Photo this week in Chattanooga
The only thing worse than a bad picture is NO PICTURE at all.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
Living in Chattanooga and watching 
Saturday, January 17, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank will be transformed into a festive, urban scene, alive with street dancers, an outdoor cafe, roving musicians, a local "watering hole", a park, and even a community garden. As you roam through the streets of the city, learn more about the many programs supported by the Chattanooga Area Food Bank while being "bowled" over by all the wonderful food and entertainment offered at every turn. Imagine yourself singing karaoke, break-dancing in the street or even shooting some hoops. The evening will come to an end with dancing to the "Bowldacious" music of "Peace, Love and Happiness". So how do you "HullaBowloo"?
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.
to pay to have someone come in and take down the wallpaper and paint the entire house in neutral colors. He was not happy to spend anymore money on the house, and we explained that this will sell the home in Chattanooga. Well, he listened and it took a couple weeks to strip the wallpaper, prime the walls and paint the house. Two weeks later the house went under contract.
d conforming mortgage rates fell to the lowest level in 37 years. Mortgage rates turned slightly higher late in the week, however, raising the question of whether the downward trend will continue.
Let's give a big slap on the back to the owners, management and employees of 
In Chattanooga and around the country the price of electricity is on the rise, so what can we do to keep the heat in our home and pay the electric or gas companies less money? 
thermostat back. For every degree you reduce your thermostat setting you may save about 3% on your heating bill. At night you can throw an extra blanket on the bed, you should be comfortable, but a "penny saved is a penny earned".
Now that the Thanksgiving holiday has passed, most people begin to put up their holiday decorations. But, your home is for sale in Chattanooga and you are not sure how much to decorate. Well if you asked yourself this question, you are on the right path toward getting your home sold in the Chattanooga market before the end of the year.
I know it is hard to resist placing stockings over the fireplace and pulling out all your family mementos, but when buyers are looking for homes, they want to be able to picture themselves in your home, not you. Going over the top in decorating means you are hiding your home from view. Distractions are a big no no!
"There are always some real estate agents who distinguish themselves from other agents by doing a little more for their sellers. In particular; when the home they are selling is placed on a well trafficked site such as the 1st ranked 
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