I woke up a little grouchy today.Ok, I woke up so grouchy nobody wanted to talk to me.It’s difficult when you wake up with a million things running through your head.The little bit of sleep I did get wasn’t all that sound either.I remember at one point dreaming about work…not fun!If I’m going to dream I would much rather dream about lying on a beach (or playing music near the beach).
As I drank my coffee, and slowly began coming out of my grumpiness, I started to think about how our perspectives on things are so affected by our mood.My pre-coffee thoughts of the day were doomy and gloomy, but my post-coffee thoughts started to be more positive and normal.
If you’re going to be making decisions (especially BIG decisions like buying or selling a house), make sure you are NOT in the pre-coffee state of mind.
When planning a day out to look at homes with your Realtor, make sure you are well rested. Take a snack if you will be out looking at several homes and have a tendency to get low-blood sugar or have your Realtor stop to get a snack or have lunch.It’s usually not a good idea to look at more than 4 or 5 homes in a day, but I have had relocation clients that need to spend an entire day because they HAVE to find the right house in that one day.
Whatever decisions you will be making today, make them AFTER you’ve had coffee!
Mistake #1 -- Placing the Wrong Price on Your Property Every seller obviously wants to get the most money for his or her product. Ironically, the best way to do this is NOT to list your product at an excessively high price! A high listing price will cause some prospective buyers to lose interest before even seeing your property. Also, it may lead other buyers to expect more than what you have to offer. As a result, overpriced properties tend to take an unusually long time to sell, and they end up being sold at a lower price.
Mistake #2 -- Mistaking Re-finance Appraisals for the Market Value Unfortunately, a re-finance appraisal may have been stated at an untruthfully high price. Often, lenders estimate the value of your property to be higher than it actually is in order to encourage re-financing. The market value of your home could actually be lower. Your best bet is to ask your realtor for the most recent information regarding property sales in your community. This will give you an up-to-date and factually accurate estimate of your property value.
To download the full report visit Common Selling Mistakes, check the box and give us your email. A report will be sent to you immediately.
Shopping for a new home is an emotional experience. It's also time consuming and comes with a myriad of details. Some buyers, however, caught up in the excitement of buying a new home tend to overlook some items. Their home purchase turns into an expensive process. These errors generally fall into three areas:
Paying too much
Losing a dream home to another buyer
Buying the wrong home
When you have a systematic plan before you shop, you'll be sure to avoid these costly errors. Here are some tips on making the most of your home purchase:
Bidding without sufficient information What price do you offer a seller? Is the seller's asking price too high? Is it a deal? Without research on the market and comparable homes, you could lose thousands of dollars. Before you make that offer, be sure you have researched the market. A professional realtor, can offer an unbiased opinion on the value of a home, based on market conditions, condition of the home and neighborhood. Without knowledge of the market, your offer could be too much. Or worse, you could miss out on a great buying opportunity.
Buying a mis-matched home What do you need and want in a home? Sounds simple. Yet, clearly identifying your needs and bringing an objective view to home shopping, leaves you in a better position. Sometimes, home buyers buy a home that is too large or too small. Perhaps they didn't consider the drive to work, the distance to school, or the many repair jobs waiting for completion. Plan ahead. Use your needs list as a guideline for every home you view.
Unclear title Before you sign any document, be sure the property you are considering is free of all encumbrances. As part of their services, a realtor can supply you with a copy of the title to ensure there are no liens, debts, undisclosed owners, leases or easements.
Outdated survey Before the purchase is completed, an updated survey is essential. This report will indicate boundaries and structural changes (additions to the house, a new swimming pool, neighbor's new fence which is extending a boundary line, etc.).
Unexpected repairs For $300 - $500 a professional inspector will conduct a thorough inspection of the home. This way, you'll have an idea of the cost of future repairs. Make the final contract subject to a favourable report.
Shopping without pre-approval It only takes a few days to get financing pre-approval. When you are shopping for a home, this gives you more power. A seller is more likely to consider an offer from a serious buyer.
It isn't difficult to find a unique subdivision to fit your specific needs in Nashville Tennessee or the surrounding areas. In fact, the most difficult part of your search might just be trying to narrow down your options.
Tollgate Village in Thompsons Station located just south of Nashville is one you must check out if you are looking to live somewhere besides downtown. This community is beautiful and very affordable! Condos start at $149K, townhomes at $239K, and custom single family homes are now priced from the $350K's.
One of the most unique things about Tollgate Village is that it is being designed so you rarely ever have to leave if you choose not to. Not only does this subdivison have parks, playgrounds, a pool, walking trails, a clubhouse and fitness center, it will also have retail stores built within the subdivision itself making it extremely convenient for homeowners. Yet it is only 26 minutes from Nashville if convenience to downtown is something you need as well. (Since this is such a young community the retail and commercial section have not yet been developed, but plans are currently in the works.)
If unique home design and architecture are another thing you desire, Tollgate is the place to find it. Tollgate has very strict architectural standards which allow each home to stand out and keeps the neighborhood from having a cookie cutter feel.
Crystal Clear Technologies provide on-site technicians which means if you have any service related problems, help is just minutes away. And billing is made easy since the fee is included in your monthy homeowner's association dues. Services included are cable, satellite, and internet. Tollgate Village residents will enjoy some of the most advanced digital information networks in Tennessee.
For more information on pricing and availability in Tollgate Village call me at 615-335-0454 or email dacia@exitdiversified.com.
Please visit our Open House this Sunday, February 22 from 1pm - 4pm at:
2908 Americus Dr.
Thompsons Station, TN 37179
Located in Tollgate Village, a sought after subdivision with many resort-like amenities including a park, clubhouse, pool, fitness center, playground, walking trails and underground utilities. This home is priced to sell! Extremely popular RiverBirch "Berkshire" plan - w/ XL Bedrooms, huge bonus/media room, open floorplan, high ceilings, Very high end finishes through-out. Perhaps the best floorplan currently available in Tollgate Village. This home is a MUST SEE!!!
Call 615-335-0454 for a private showing or come by our Open House!
Valentine's Day was such a wonderful day for me. The highlight was a surprise visit to a truly hidden jem near Nashville called Arrington Vineyards.
Although I'm no connoisseur, I do enjoy trying new wines, especially when they are made close to home.
Arrington Vineyards was founded in 2005 by country superstar, Kix Brooks (Brooks & Dunn) along with Fred Mindermann and winemaker Kip Summers.
As for my experience, here's the summary: Valentine's Day was special in more ways than one. Although food is not normally served at the vineyard, we purchased the Valentine's Day package, including food catered in by The Henpeck Market which was packed into neat little picnic baskets. Along with the delicious food, we received a bottle of our choice of wine (we chose the Riesling which won Best in Show: Wines of the South Regional Wine Competition 2008. Gold Medal: Indianapolis International Wine Competition 2008.) It was crisp, sweet - but not TOO sweet - and very easy to drink...maybe a little too easy!
Since the weather was still a bit chilly the decks were covered and the fireplaces were blazing making the atmosphere extremely cozy and romantic. Since the table was ours for the night, we were able to come and go as we pleased, so before finishing our own bottle of Riesling, we trecked downstairs to the wine tasting room where we each had the chance to try 4 of the 14 available wines. One of my other favorites was the Encore! 06. This wine is made completely from grapes grown at Arrington Vineyards. It is a bit more stout since it is more of a brandy, but very good!
Arrington Vineyards are open 7 days a week and offer FREE wine tastings each day. You can buy cheese and crackers to enjoy with your wine, or bring your own picnic lunch to enjoy on the deck, lawn, or courtyard (please do not bring beer, other wines, alcohol, pets, or grills to the winery).
This is definitely a place I plan to visit and visit as often as possible. Please let me know if you visit and which of the wines you prefer most. Maybe I will see you there!
"I would LOVE to win a million dollars!" How many of you have ever said that? I'm going to go out on a limb and guess EVERYONE who is reading this. Here's another question: how many of you, while browsing through home listings, have ever looked at a million dollar home and said to yourself, "I would LOVE to own a home like that"? Probably the majority of you, right? I know I have said that MANY times.
So if we all want to be "millionaires", why do so many of us settle for less? Don't get me wrong, I don't believe success is necessarily measured by $$$, but I do believe we sell ourselves short far too often.
The definition of success is different for everyone. For some, it IS owning a million dollar home or having millions of dollars in the bank. For others it is the freedom to work without the pressure of a boss or corporation breathing down your neck. Still for others it is being able to go home and not think about work until the next day. The real question is, whatever your definition of success might be, are you living it? Or do you get up each day wishing something...ANYTHING would happen to get you out of the rut you have found yourself in?
What is it that keeps us from owning our dream home, or having our dream job? Is it laziness? Maybe. But I believe the biggest culprit is our negative way of thinking.
That has almost become cliche we hear it so often, but it's SO true. If I had a quarter for every negative comment I hear (or make unfortunately) each and every day, I would literally never have to work another day in my life. Negativity is infective. It's like a parasite that attaches to your soul and completely sucks the life out of you. And just like any other life-threatening infection, it is something you MUST fight against if you wish to see your dreams come true.
1. Take 100% Responsibility - stop blaming your problems on someone or something else, EVEN if it might be someone else's fault.
2. Master Your Attitude - my Dad always told me neverSAY something is going to happen unless you WANT it to. If you constantly say something bad will happen, it eventually will and vice versa.
3. Search for Mentors and Build Strong Networks - never feel ashamed to "copy" off of the success of another person. Feel ashamed if you DON'T. This doesn't mean steal or plagiarize, it means fashion and structure your mindset, your techniques, etc. after someone who has proven to be successful. Why do you think American Idol is STILL on the air?
I wish the best to anyone who is working to see their dreams come true. Don't ever give up! If you want a million dollar home...then I hope someday that is what you have!
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm"
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
These are just a few of the words used to describe the luxury Encore Condominiums in downtown Nashville.
Reaching 20 stories high, Encore Condominiums offer several choices in floor plans, each with its own breathtaking view of what Nashville has to offer.
No longer is Nashville simply about country music. It is about living your life how YOU want to live it. In luxury. In style.
Community features and ammenities include:
• Expansive lobby
• Full-service, 24-hour concierge
• Plasma TV's throughout the building
• State-of-the-art fitness center
• Controlled access throughout the building
• Approximately 20,000 square feet of retail space,
conveniently located at street level
Elevated outdoor terrace
• Pool and sundeck with wireless Internet
• Outdoor lounge area with outdoor grill and fireplace
Poolside clubroom
• Plasma TV's
• Free Internet
• Kitchen and bar for entertaining
• Billiards
• Gaming area
• Media room
People who don't know me well often comment on what a quiet person I am, which is funny to me because I usually feel like I talk too much. But it made me stop and think, I guess in new situations I am fairly quiet. Not because I'm shy or afraid, but because I like to observe the people and situations around me.
This is one thing that has made me such an effective consultant in real estate. When I'm with a client, I don't do a lot of talking at first. I listen to what they have to say. If we're doing a walk-through, I watch reactions, gestures, and listen to comments very intently. Many times I KNOW what my client wants before she REALLY knows. Not because I'm a mind reader, but because I'm an observer.
This is what a good agent does, and I want to be the best I can be for my client. It helps prevent both my client and me from wasting a lot of unecessary time. For some, making a decision is very difficult, so part of my job is to help my client make a desicion.
"Each indecision brings its own delays and days are lost lamenting over lost days ... What you can do or think you can do, begin it. For boldness has magic, power, and genius in it." ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Before I moved to Nashville I had never before tried sushi. For one, we didn't have a sushi place where I came from. For another, the idea of putting raw fish into my mouth was anything but appetizing. However, some friends of mine, who were frequent visitors to a trendy little place downtown called Virago, invited me to try it out. I told them I didn't think I would like it so they persueded me to at least come have a drink with them there.
So I went.....but I didn't try any of the food. I just had a drink. This became sort of a weekly ritual. We would all go sit on the cozy red couches; they would enjoy their sushi and risotto while I enjoyed the newest cocktail. The place has a very cool vibe. It is dimly lit except for the light coming off of the huge screen TV which plays the latest music videos. The music is loud enough to feel, but not so loud you are unable to talk to the people at your table.
This went on for some time until one night, someone at the table talked me into trying a piece of her "Crispy Fire Crunch" roll. SUPPOSEDLY, it did not contain raw fish but cooked fish...yeah yeah! Being in a new place, hanging out with new friends has a way of opening your mind to trying new things, so I decided to give it a try, knowing she was probably lying to me about the fish. Not wanting to look out of place, I picked up my chopsticks, carefully picked up the piece of sushi, and dipped it into the soy sauce. It was DELICIOUS!
From that point on I have been a HUGE sushi fan. Virago has a variety of rolls that are very delicious. "The Bomb" is another favorite and rumor has it this was a creation of a famous customer, Bon Jovi. They also have some of the best risotto I have ever tried.
If you ever decide to give this place a try please let me know...my friends and I might just join you!
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.
So if we all want to be "millionaires", why do so many of us settle for less? Don't get me wrong, I don't believe success is necessarily measured by $$$, but I do believe we sell ourselves short far too often.
Maybe. But I believe the biggest culprit is our negative way of thinking.
;)
;)
