DeAnne's Blog

The Truth About Hardwood Floors

DeAnne Cotthoff (RE/MAX Elite) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:00:18 -0500

Realtors and savvy consumers know that hardwood floors add value to a home. If you're thinking ripping out that old carpet, we did some research to help you decide how to replace it.

There are three types of hardwood flooring:

Solid wood flooring is available in both unfinished and prefinished versions. Unfinished must be job-site sanded and finished after installation, and prefinished is sanded and finished at the factory, so it only needs to be installed. The latter is most consumer-popular as it is quicker and prefinished warranties are difficult to beat the on-site ones.

Engineered wood flooring is constructed in various layers; the wear layer is hard wood, and underneath is softer wood. Of course, the engineered wood with a thicker wear layer offers more resistance to damage.

The wood grain in Acrylic Impregnated flooring has been injected with an acrylic material to make it very hard and durable; the sealant and color is throughout the entire wood ply, not just the finish. Because it is highly resistant to moisture and scratches, This type of flooring is mostly used in high traffic areas (i.e., malls, restaurants, etc.), but with various colors and patterns, it can also be used in homes.

Which one is for you? Solid hardwoods may need more maintenance than engineered wood, but they can always be re-sanded and re-finished, and they will retain their value better if they are taken care of. Engineered wood has become very popular because of it's easier maintenance and low cost. Both engineered wood and acrylic impregnated cannot be re-sanded or re-finished, but the surface can be re-coated.

Red oak is the most popular wood bought by consumers, followed by Maple, Hickory, and Brazilian Cherry. Bamboo flooring is also becoming popular because it is eco-friendly. But when it comes to durability and the hardness of wood, it's important to remember that all hardwoods will scratch and dent. The rule of thumb when it comes to buying hardwood is to get what you like and take care of it. Beazer's SmartLiving magazine (Dina Santorelli, Fall 2007) says here's how to do it:

1. Vacuum, sweep, or dust mop whenever posible to eliminate grit or sand that can dull the wood's finish.

2. Moisture is not good on hardwood floors, so wipe up spills ASAP, and consider putting an area rug in front of any sinks where you have hardwood.

3. When it comes to furniture, put felt pads on the bottoms of the legs, and never move furniture by sliding it without moving pads on a hardwood floor.

4. Using a humidifier throught the winter months keeps wood movement and shrinkage to a minimum.

5. Watch the high heels, and the dogs nails. Both can cause dents or scratches to wood, no matter how hard it is.

K. Michelle Ross

Executive Assistant to DeAnne Cotthoff

Information gathered from www.lowes.com, www.hardwoodinstaller.com, www.woodfloorsonline.com, www.hardwoodflooringguide.com.

Feel Like Getting Away? Go Global!

DeAnne Cotthoff (RE/MAX Elite) — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:25:15 -0500

The world is getting smaller every day, and international real estate is becoming more popular. www.propertyshowrooms.com is a website specifically for international real estate investors. According to their statistics, the countries holding the biggest interest for property investors is United Arab Emirates (specifically Dubai, ya know, where the man-made palm tree islands are) and Brazil. Second place winners are Spain and the good ole US of A, and Malaysia, Egypt, and Morocco take the bronze. Runners up are France, Thailand, Turkey, and Australia.

Other points of interest is that for the Brits, France and Spain are number 1 on their list. Bulgaria joined the European Union early last year, and now there are talks about Turkey also coming on board, so both these countries are generating a lot of interest in the site's live property index search, in addition to Portugal and Cyprus.

Out of all the articles on the site, the relative majority of them were on Morocco.

Feel like letting your fantasies run wild? I love www.luxuryrealestate.com.

To Stage or Not to Stage?

DeAnne Cotthoff (RE/MAX Elite) — Thu, 22 May 2008 19:57:45 -0500

One thing I have learned over the years is that when it comes to showing homes, the old adage "There's no second chance to make a first impression" is very true. I've taken buyers to homes where the outside is not pressure washed, or the grass is not cut, and they don't even want to go inside. If we make it in front door and they see antiquated wallpaper, peeling paint, or dirty carpet, we may not even be able to move past the foyer. I try to tell all my sellers how many buyers lack imagination. It seems real estate investors are the only ones that can see the forest for the trees.

With that said, I came across a couple good articles on staging lately. One I found on RisMedia regarding selling vacant homes. No matter how beautiful an empty home is, buyers only see floors, walls, and ceilings, and without anything else to look at, they are more prone to see flaws. Studies show that unstaged homes take longer to sell, and are vulnerable to lower offers, the average between 15-20% less than the asking price. According to "Stage This Room" (REALTOR Magazine, July 2007, written by Christina Hoffman Spira), 2,000 stagers surveyed in 2003 found that their services increased a home's sales price by $2,500 on average. Simple cleaning and decluttering raised the price anywhere from $2,093 to $2,378. StagedHomes.com found that staged house sold for almost seven-percent more compared to non-staged homes (survey done in 2004-2005). And from my mere observation, unstaged homes stay on the market significantly longer.

I've found that most of my seller's do not want the expense of staging. It can range from a few hundred to a few thousand depending on who you use and how many rooms you want done, but to be honest, in my search for a good stager (and I've found a couple), some are ridiculously expensive. And I won't use the people who want me to sign a multi-month agreement. If their staging is so good, what if I get an offer on the first weekend? I wouldn't want to pay for a whole three months if my house sells in a couple weeks, so why should I ask that of my sellers?

If you or your clients are trying to sell a home and don't want to hire a stager, this may help:

1. Less is more! Simplify the living space and declutter. One stager in the article tells her clients to "tuck away anything smaller than a football." I've found that sellers with the feng shui/minimalist approach to decorating get their homes sold quicker.

2. Angle furniture to open up the space and draw buyer attention to appealing areas of the room, not just the walls. Sometimes it helps to reorient the furniture to create a more flowing feel for the buyer.

3. Show the floor. The rooms will look bigger. Sometimes all it takes to create more floor space is moving the exercise equipment.

4. Add accents, like attractive lamps, color-complementing pillows and throws, and flowers always do wonders to brighten up a dark room or add color to a neutral room.

I try to remind my sellers that a vacant home can come across as cold and uninviting, the very antithesis of the warm fuzzy feelings buyers want when they step into "the one." One stager compared selling a home to selling a car: "What's the first thing you do if you sell it? Detail it." Makes sense to me.

My Top 10

DeAnne Cotthoff (RE/MAX Elite) — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:36:30 -0500

Whether you're an avid David Letterman watcher or you prefer to read about the best stocks to invest in, we all love those "Top 10" lists. So why not write a fun little blog about my favorite things (in random order) about Nashville!

1. It's central. Whether I feel like swiming in Florida, visiting the hustle of Chicago, taking in a spa retreat in Hot Springs, Arkansas, or learning a little history in D.C., it's all in a days drive. Even taking a trip to Canada or the Bahamas is a relatively quick flight.

2. Low Cost of Living. Property taxes are low, business taxes are low, and our gas prices are always some of the lowest in the country (it's all relative, isn't it?). The state of Tennessee does not have an income tax. Of course we make up for it with an average 9.5% sales tax, but it sure makes doing my taxes less of a headache.

3. Healthy Real Estate Market. In this slower market, our inventory is very high, but homes in Nashville are still selling very close to the listing price. Nashville can be compared to New York and Los Angeles for the influx of people moving here to follow musical pursuits or for business opportunities, but the biggest difference is that our values stay steady. Buying a home here is a very safe investment.

4. All Four Seasons! I've been in Tennessee over 3 years, but I'm not a native southerner, and I still can't get used to August. But the other summer months are deliciously warm, the cold winter months really help me get into the holiday spirit, and spring and autumn are heavenly. Plus, we've got some of the coolest storms!

5. Culture. The south isn't what it used to be. We've got people from all over the world coming here to do music or to follow their jobs with Nissan or Saturn (and soon Verizon headquarters will be here, too)... we are chock full of culture. Although honky-tonk country dominates the downtown music scene, you can listen to live music in any genre if you know where to go. Nashville hosts a variety of art exhibits, festivals, and events, from crawfish boils to marathons. Historic plantations and museums of all kinds are not hard to find.

6. Easy Infrastructure. Nashville has four interstate systems with 65 running north/south, 24 running NE/SW, 40 running east/west, and 440 is the convenient by-pass. There are several express ways joining the interstates, making commuting easy and getting lost difficult. When I arrived in Nashville, it only took me a week of getting in my car and driving around before I felt comfortable traveling throughout the whole city.

7. Southern Values and Small Town Feel. Year after year Nashville ranks among the Friendlist City in the US by Travel and Leisure magazine. Williamson County (just south of Nashville) is ranked among the top-performing school districts in the nation. There's a church on just about every corner, and even the hardest of kids say, "Yes, Ma'am."

8. Education. Vanderbilt, Fisk, Belmont, MTSU, Meharry Medical, and several other colleges and universities help to give Nashville the "college town" designation. Opportunities are limitless when it comes to higher or vocational education, especially in the medical field. Hospitals are everywhere, and many are renown for their technological equipment and innovative practices.

9. Shopping and Dining. Sure, this should probably go along with culture, but it really deserves a spot of its own. We've got antique shops, high-end botiques, and Wal-Mart. We've got beautiful malls and trendy specialty shops. Our restaurant and bar choices are as eclectic as anywhere else, and whether you want to take in a symphony, hit the clubs, or do some karaoke, everyone will enjoy the nightlife.

10. Our Neighborhoods. East Nashville is where the younger, artsy crowd hangs out at the coffee houses and wine bars. West Nashville is home to the beautiful and opulent Belle Meade, where the residents here boast old money. Franklin (where DeAnne and I call home) is a quaint place to hang out with the family, and close to where the country stars live on their farms in historic Leiper's Fork. Murfreesboro is THE college town. Positioned on a lake, Hendersonville is the newest town, bustling with growth. If you're looking for a place to buy, you can find a good pre-construction investment, a downtown loft to inspire your creativity, a historic cottage for introspection, or a solace on any amount of land you'd like.

See, there really is something for everyone in the Nashville area!

K. Michelle Ross

Executive Assistant to DeAnne Cotthoff

It's Spring Cleaning Time AGAIN?

DeAnne Cotthoff (RE/MAX Elite) — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:43:15 -0500

I'm not a shopper. I don't like going to the grocery store, and on the rare occasion that I need to make a trip to the galleria, I'm in and out as fast as I can weave around the mall walkers. Fortunately, a lot of things I need I have stored in our shed, but that brings us to an even less-appealing alternative: shopping in the House of Cotthoff.

I don't save everything, and I've certainly seen homes, garages, and storage spaces more cluttered than my own, but with the warmer climate lately, we were able to put some effort into organizing our storage. Taking a cue from an article I read in Beazer Home's SmartLiving magazine ("Get the Garage in Gear" by Kacey Cloues, Fall 2007, Volume 12), my husband, Steve, and I were able to get our shed back in shape.

The magazine suggests sorting through everything to determine exactly what you need to keep and what you need to get rid of. So we packed up everything we could live without and hauled it off to Goodwill. Less headache than a garage sale, and the tax deduction still puts a little money in my pocket. The article then suggested to group the rest of your paraphenilia by category or family, such as putting all holiday decorations in one area and all of little Johnny's sports equipment somewhere else, making sure that most frequently-used items are more accessible while the dangerous items are not. I'm telling you, we already had a good system of shelves, hooks, bins, etc., but it was quite a chore moving our anthrax to the top shelf. Sacrifices.

Beazer's Monica Ricci was the organizational expert providing information in the article. She mentioned how important it is to get the whole family on board, making sure everyone takes responsibility for items they want to keep as well as new items they want to add to their area. Being a new empty-nester, I fortunately don't have to worry much about that anymore! Ricci says that if it seems overwhelming, take baby steps. Work on one corner at a time. At the very least, ponder on it (I'm good about that part!). Visualize how you want your storage areas to look, and think about where you would put your belongings. And when you're finished, make sure you stick with it. It's kind of like an exercise plan. If you're going to invest the time and energy, might as well let the effects last as long as they can!

Good luck with your spring cleaning! Hopefully it will be easier to "shop" in your home!

Go Geothermal

DeAnne Cotthoff (RE/MAX Elite) — Thu, 22 May 2008 13:25:15 -0500

1960s: A lifestyle harmonious with respecting the Earth was for hippies.

2000s: A lifestyle harmonious with respect the Earth is HIP.

It seems the higher our utility bills get, the more DeAnne and I think about investing in energy-saving products. Recently we came across an article in The Tennessee Magazine about geothermal HVAC systems (called ground-source heat pumps, or GSHPs), an efficient way to use energy from the earth to heat and cool your home. I'm no scientist! but the system works by installing fluid-filled polyethylene piping underground or underwater on your property. In the winter, heat is transferred from the earth into your home. The reverse happens in summertime, when the fluid traps and pulls the heat from inside and deposits it in the ground. Similar to how anti-freeze works in our cars.

The top reasons to go geothermal: Not only does it save on your energy bill (25-50%), but it emits no on-site pollutants, lasts significantly longer than normal HVAC systems, and delivers quick and quiet air. It can even be designed with a device that heats water for free. It helps strengthen U.S. energy security, allowing Americans to become less dependent on foreign resources. GSHPs have the lowest emissions among all other heating and cooling technologies. Consumer satisfaction is strong; 95% say they would recommend the system to family and friends. Maintenance is close to nil. There are very few moving parts needed to replace or repair. If you do your research and use a company that specializes in GSHPs, your system should be maintenance free for at least 20 years.

Middle Tennessee Electric executives claim that even though the start-up cost can be expensive, the costs are returned in energy savings in five to ten years. The lifespan for the geothermal system ranges between 25 to 50-plus years, depending on what kind of unit you decide to install. If you're thinking about staying in your home for a few years, it may be worth the investment. And don't forget resale! Buyers are extremely attracted to energy-efficient homes.

Last week I noticed one of my bedroom windows was not closing correctly, and I knew if the Tennessee summer heat and my air conditioner got in a fight, I would be the one paying for it. I found a reputable company offering a buy 1 get 1 free deal on triple-paned windows, and figured since I needed to replace the things anyway, I might as well invest in something that will increase the value of my home, allow me to save money on my electric bill, and let me deduct it in next years' taxes (visit www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=rebate.rebate_locator to see if the products you're thinking of buying will be tax deductable). That's my new philosophy toward going green: when it's time to replace something, I'm shooting for energy-efficient. I know, I know... replacing a couple windows are baby steps, but every little bit helps these days! It's kind of like remodeling your utility bill bit by bit.

If you're thinking about swapping any appliances for Energy Star appliances, here's a list that may help you decide what needs to go first:

Lifespan of your appliances:

9 years - dishwasher, microwave

10 years - clothes washer

11 years - freezer, water heater (electric)

13 years - refridgerator, clothes dryer, electric range

10-15 years - air conditioner

Kermit said that it's not easy being green, but I bet he's singing a different tune now. I love how "going green" SAVES me some green!

K. Michelle Ross

Executive Assistant to DeAnne Cotthoff of RE/MAX Elite

The article "Geothermal: Go ground-source and Save" was written by Barbara Baird and featured in the May 2008 issue of The Tennessee Magazine. If you would like to see the full article, email us, and we'll send you a copy.

Attention Nashville Foodies!

DeAnne Cotthoff (RE/MAX Elite) — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:23:50 -0500

Nashville is a melting pot, and as a food lover, that means a variety of delicious restaurants to choose from. There are good restaurants springing up all over the place (I'm dying to try Tayst and Zola's!), but these are the ones I can personally recommend. If you are planning a visit to the Nashville area or if you already live here, I hope you have the chance to experience my favorite places to eat and drink by palate!

If you've never been to Asia, Royal Thai is fine for thai food, Ichiban is fine for sushi, and P.F. Changs is fine for chinese cuisine. However, if you want something more authentic, the shadier, hole-in-the-wall places are much tastier, inexpensive, and you'll probably get better service. You may be the only ones in the dining room, but Chlay's in Franklin serves amazing food and plum wine, and Samurai's near Elliston Place serves the only sushi plate that's left me begging for more (get the special if you can... Mango sushi... mmm). It's hard to find a Chinese restaurant that's buffet-less, but Pei Wei is a nice alternative to P.F. Changs. Don't go at lunch unless you have a lot of time to burn!

When it comes to steak, Ruth's Chris and Fleming's on West End are head to head, though my most recent favorite was the coffee cured filet at Stoney River in Franklin (there's a new one on West End, too). Ruth's Chris has the best creme brulee I've tasted in Nashville thus far, but I'm not even close to ending my search!

For Italian, my favorite is Buca di Beppo near Cool Springs Galleria in Franklin. It has a surprising family feel, and the decor screams authentic Mediterranea. I like the fist-size meat balls and the pistachio covered cannolis! Sole Mio in downtown Nashville seems to be popular among the locals, but after eating there twice, I'm not sure why. The ambience is nice...

New to Nashville the last couple years is the infamous Cheesecake Factory and California Pizza Kitchen, both in Green Hills. I've given CF a good four tries, and don't have any desire to try again. There's always a long wait, and it seems the servers' sense of urgency decreases the busier the joint gets. California Pizza Kitchen will always have a special place in my heart, but it is also busy and crowded all the time. Mellow Mushroom in downtown Franklin (there's also one with less parking on 21st) is my favorite pizza place, though Christopher's Pizza on Demonbreun and Michaelangelo's on 22nd are pretty darn good, too.

F. Scotts is perfect for food and music snobs alike. This cozy and classy restaurant is located next to the opulent Mall at Green Hills, and boasts live jazz every night. The food menu is a bit expensive, but the band is located in the bar, so if it's the music you want, you can enjoy a glass of wine and dessert with a front row seat in the most covetous jazz venue in Nashville for $20.

Valentino's on West End is another restaurant where I only go for dessert. The food is certainly good, but I think it's a bit overpriced. Ask for a bistro table in the bar and order the Bananas Foster. Your server will prepare and flambee this sugary goodness in front of your table from their rolling BF station. Don't go alone! The Bananas Foster serves two.

Whenever I have friends from out of town, I always take them to Sunset Grill in Hillsboro Village. I'm not a big fan of bread pudding, and I don't like spicy foods, but the Butterscotch Habanero Bread Pudding is the best thing I've ever tasted. The food menu is great, too, and it's half off after 10 PM Monday-Thursday and midnight Friday and Saturday. I don't even eat there unless the time's right for the late night menu to hit the tables! I wouldn't recommend eating in the bar. The bartenders are friendly enough, but for some reason the food always takes an unusually long time to arrive whenever I order from them. Bottles of wine are half off on Sunday when all the liquor stores are closed. Actually, several restaurants/bars around town offer 50% off wine bottles on Sunday (try Rumba), and state law lets you cork up your un-drank bottle of wine and take it home as long as it's in the trunk or tucked away somewhere else out of reach from the driver's seat.

Flyte is one of the newest, hippest restaurants in downtown Nashville. It's spendy, but the menu is true to its name: you can order tastings of not only wine, but soups, entrees, etc. If you're the kind of person who has to try everything, this is the place to come. Who would have thunk ice cream on a salad or a white chocolate cauliflower puree would be so good?

Living in Franklin, there are times I want a good meal within a ten minute drive. Bonefish Grill, Carrabbas, and J. Alexanders near the Cool Springs Galleria never let me down. Criallo's is a delicious new piano jazz place across from the Galleria, and Basil's on the other side of the freeway serves great pan asian food while you watch the koi swimming around. If you have expensive taste, Mere Bulles in Brentwood is great for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch, and Brentwood's Fresh Market is my number one place to pick up (and sample!) food for a picnic. Merridee's Breadbasket in downtown Franklin is carb- and pastry-central, and Xoconochco on Main Street is THE place for chocolate. Pick from truffles that taste as good as they look, try the featured drink at the hot chocolate bar, or get some fondue.

One piece of advise... the Nashville Scene conducts a poll every year for locals to rate their favorite places to go out for specific reasons (e.g., "Best Club to See and Be Seen," "Best Restaurant for a First Date," etc.). My experience is that these places are hit and miss. Some are great, others merely win due to their franchise popularity. A good rule of thumb is that if it's not part of a chain, it's worth visiting. And if it's in a song, you KNOW it's a winner!

Happy eating!

K. Michelle Ross

Executive Assistant to DeAnne Cotthoff of RE/MAX Elite