The Great American Smokeout 2009

For 34 years the American Cancer Society has named the third Thursday in November the Great American Smokeout day. This is the day that all smokers are encouraged to put their cigarettes away for the day. It is always the hope that the smokers will see that they can get by without cigarettes.

Tennessee ranks as the 5^th worst for people dying with cancer. This isn't totally caused by smoking, but smoking is the top reason. People with obesity and/or heart disease are even more likely to die of lung or any other type of cancer.

 I am a past smoker, so I speak from experience. Quitting can be hard. But the payoff is so worth it!

THINK OF THE MANY REASONS TO QUIT THIS YEAR! 

You can be around to see your children grow up, get married and have children of their own.

You'll feel better

You'll smell better

Think of how much money you'll save! 

For ideas on how to get started with the process, go to www.cancer.org/greatamericans

Go ahead and do it this year! Put those packs in your drawer and don't smoke tomorrow. You can do it! Think of how happy it will make your family, friends and co-workers!

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Connie is a local agent with Prudential Woodmont Realty, serving home buyers and sellers in Nashville, TN, Brentwood TN, and Franklin TN. Let her help you realize your Real Estate goals.

Connie can be reached at 615-661-7800 x 1300 or at HarveyC@realtracs.

Follow her Blog: Nashville Tennessee Living

Brentwood TN Real EstateMarket Report  September/October 2009

Home Sales in the Brentwood market for 2009 have continued to hold steady with those of the fall of 2008.

While the prices are down, the number of transactions and the days on the market seem to be very similar. In doing the study we first just did ALL sales in Brentwood, Williamson County.

This number included homes in every price range. Normally that's how one would want to see the numbers. But when there are well under 100 transactions, even one number very high or very low will throw off the average and not show a true picture of what is happening in the markets.

Brentwood TN Real Estate has always followed it's own trends. Many of the home sales are the result of families being relocated into or out of the Middle Tennessee area.

That being said, the numbers showed the following for September:

After looking at the details, we determined that the bulk of the sales are usually under $900,000. By adding in the Million dollar homes, it threw the averages too much. In September of 2008 there were 3 homes sold over 1 million. In 2009, there were 6 properties sold over 1 million. With almost the same number of transactions, the averages did not reflect the general market trends. It does show that Buyers in the Top Priced market are purchasing homes. The following numbers will be more accurate for the general Brentwood population:

September Sales

October numbers were very similar to September for both years. This time we never put in the over 1 million dollar homes because it through the averages off too much. For example, in October, 3 homes sold for over $2,000,000 and none in the 1 million dollar range.

Brentwood TN Real Estate October Sales

You can see that the two months are very similar indeed. Where sales were up in general in middle Tennessee by almost 23%, that did not include the upper end price market. The average sales price of the homes sold in Nashville during the months of September and October were under $200,000. As these homes continue to close, we are seeing the market in the $300,000's pick up.

Nashville TN Veterans Day Parade

This morning as I drove into the office I was thinking about going to see the Veterans Day Parade in either downtown Nashville or downtown Franklin.

As I drove along, one of my past clients pulled out of his neighborhood behind me. It was 7:15 and we were both headed to work. He didn't see me, but it gave me pause to think of him and his family. As I pondered giving them a call today to say hello. This song came on the radio. It made me think of this man even more because I remember us praying that he wouldn't be sent to Iraq for a 3rd tour of duty. He owns his own business and his oldest son was leaving for college. It was just so scary for his wife.

Today, let us remember those who have fought for us and for those who continue to fight for our freedom. Happy Veterans' Day!

The Nashville TN Veterans Day Parade starts at 11am on Broadway and 16th Avenue.

The Veterans Day parade in Franklin begins at 11am also in Historic Downtown Franklin

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Connie is a local agent with Prudential Woodmont Realty, serving home buyers and sellers in Nashville, TN, Brentwood TN, and Franklin TN. Let her help you realize your Real Estate goals.

Connie can be reached at 615-661-7800 x 1300 or at HarveyC@realtracs.

Follow her Blog: Nashville Tennessee Living

This was my first REBarCamp and I can tell I was NOT disappointed. I had been to RETech South in Atlanta back in March and was really looking forward to seeing some of the same people I had met there. I loaded myself in the car and headed to Raleigh. Read about my Trip to Raleigh.

Thursday evening was spent at Beer for Bloggers where Heather O had the bar set up for Power Point Karaoke. I'm not even going to try to explain it but it was very funny as the contestants described the pictures she put up.

I don't know where she found some of these pictures but they were priceless.

It was Pam St Peter's Birthday so we had several rounds of "Happy Birthday to you"! The evening was spent with many just catching up with old friends.

Friday at BarCamp the first class I went to was Making Money from your Blog taught by C Tann-Starr.  One of her first suggestions was to purchase the book Writer's Market. It's an incredible directory that lists the publishing opportunities available for writer to get paid for their work. She spent a lot of time making sure that you blog about things that you care about. Not just Real Estate. One of her suggestions that I need to follow up on was creating a bounce page. It's very important that when you set it up that the link opens a new window so that they're still on your page.

My next session was Facebook 201. Presented by Hal Goodtree, Thom Abbott and Angela Conner. Many people have posted here at AR about Facebook and Fan pages but I really never "got it".

The fan page is to be used for business. I didn't know that it was against the terms and services of Facebook to have business on your personal page. The way to show your business things on your personal page, you fan yourself. Thom said that it was important to make your comments from the fan page. You can also create a fan page for specific neighborhoods.

I plan to go back and read some of the AR blogs to fill in the gaps of what I learned. I will have my fan page up and going this week!

Diane Tuman led the discussion for Blogging 201 - why your blog is not getting any traction.

First, you're not blogging enough. 95% of all blogs are abandoned. It's no wonder that readers get bored. Google likes activity too. They want to see new content.

Second, you're not blogging about pertinent topics. No one cares what your dog is doing!

Third, you're writing too long. No one wants to read a wall of words.

Fourth, you're not using SEO and strong Keywords. Determine the keywords you want to optimize for and sprinkle them and combinations of the throughout your blog post. The First sentence is VERY important to have them there.

Finally I bit the bullet and went to Twittering 101. Yep I'm a beginner. Deidra Hughey, owner of Buzz Builder, led us on a great discussion of do's and don'ts of twitter. Similar to Facebook, one needs to have a discussion with people on line. Tweets are limited to 140 characters and you can add tiny URL links to your blogs.

Just before leaving the speaker reminded us to leave our change on the table. REBarCamp was collecting money for Homes4NC.

Many people did just that!

We ended the day with lots of big goodbyes and headed back to to our hotel for a quick drink before going to the Bonefish Grill for dinner. My dear friend Patty Keller insisted on at least one picture of "food porn".  Pictured is Blue Saga cheese with crackers and smoked almonds to go with our Goose martinis and cosmopolitans.

On the Road to REBarCamp RDU

Last Thursday I left home before the sun came up to head to Raleigh, NC for my first REBarCamp. I had mistakenly thought that Raleigh was in the middle or western part of North Carolina, and decided to drive from Nashville. As I started to work on the details of the trip, I discovered my mistate. Not only that it was over 500 miles one way, but I would also have to find a route around the famous Rock Slide on the Tennessee/North Carolina border on I-40.

Thankfully, as I was making these plans, Susie Blackmon posted a link on one of her blogs about alternate routes around the rocks. The drive from Nashville to Raleigh is quite beautiful and relaxing. It was made even more so by following the Google Map that Susie provided. I exited I-40 near Newport and followed along Hwys 25 and 70 until I got to Hot Springs, NC.

The route meandered along the French Broad Scenic River for many miles. These are the views that I enjoyed on the way to Asheville, where I was able to get back on the Interstate to finish my journey. The mountains were in every direction.

Even missing the beautiful fall follage, the views were breathtaking. 

  Shortly I will be posting on the incredible REBarCamp itself. So many great facilitators, and many new friends!

Connie Harvey is a full time Realtor with Prudential Woodmont Realty Group in Brentwood TN. She services both Buyers and Sellers with their Real Estate need in Nashville TN, Franklin TN, Brentwood TN and surrounding areas. She is also an Active Homeowner in Holt Woods.

She can be reached at 615-661-7800 x 1300 or HarveyC@realtracs.com.

Follow her Blog, Nashville Tennessee Living.

Nashville TN Real Estate finally picks up! October closings showed a 22.7% increase over October of 2008. This is the first time since October of 2006 that Nashville home sales have had an increase on a year-to-year comparison for any month. October reported 2145 closings for the month, up from the 1748 for October 2008.

Though the year to date closings are still down 18.4%, GNAR reported that inventory is finally down to an 8 month supply. November sales will probably also be up as so many first time home Buyers puchased with November closings trying to beat the original expiration date of November 30th for the tax credit.

Mike Nichols, the current president reported:

“This is undeniable evidence that the $8,000 tax credit has been meaningful in stimulating home sales. There is no question that many of these sales were initiated due to the tax credit and it is certainly our hope that, with the expansion and extension of this tax credit through next spring, we will continue to see positive sales in the area.”

“This is really positive news for the area economy beyond those directly involved in the home sales transactions. Many new homeowners purchase appliances, furniture, floor covering, landscaping, lighting and other household items that help make their new house become their new home.”

Nashville TN Real Estate pending sales at the time of this report were at 2106. That is a 29% increase over the 1504 units pending this time last year, October 2008. Read the full report about the Nashville TN Real Estate market.

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Connie is a local agent with Prudential Woodmont Realty, serving home buyers and sellers in Nashville, TN, Brentwood TN, and Franklin TN. Let her help you realize your Real Estate goals.

Connie can be reached at 615-661-7800 x 1300 or at HarveyC@realtracs.

Follow her Blog: Nashville Tennessee Living

Nashville TN Real Estate - 5448 Village Way in Villages of Brentwood - JUST SOLD

Delightful 3 bedroom 2 1/5 bath traditional home with hardwood floors in the foyer, greatroom and dining room. The large eat - in kitchen came with all the appliances and enjoyed a beautiful view of the treed backyard. Because the lot slopes to the back, the deck was placed below to get the full feel of being alone in a park.

All the bedrooms are upstairs with a master suite that boasts double vanities, a linen closet and an over-sized walk-in shower. Spacious and affordable, it's no wonder this home is sold.

Villages of Brentwood is located just north of Old Hickory Blvd between Edmondson Pike and Nolensville Road in what is frequently called the Nipper's Corner area. Prices generally start in the mid $150,000s and go to the mid $200,000s with the bulk of them below the $200,000 price point. They range in size from about 1200 square feet to just over 2000 sqft. Most of them fall between 1300 and 1700 square feet. Built in the 1980s, they offer many different floor plans.

Nashville TN Real Estate is moving well in the price range of this neighborhood. If you are thinking of Buying a home let someone who truly understands the area help you. If you are thinking of Selling a Home in Nashville TN or in the Villages of Brentwood, hire the best.

For real estate help in Nashville TN, contact Connie Harvey.  We are Nashville TN residents and can help you meet your Real Estate goals. Call Connie at 888-798-7800 x 1300 or email her at HarveyC@Realtracs.com.

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 Nashville TN Real Estate - Just Sold 2804 Call Hill Road Nashville TN in less than 3 days. Listed by Connie Harvey, Realtor with Prudential Woodmont Realty group. Listed at $189,900. Sold at $189,900.

This darling 3 bedroom, 2 bath home was in clean, move-in condition. The Homeowner had updated the kitchen with granite counter tops. The baths both had ceramic tile floors and new light fixtures. The greatroom has a vaulted ceiling and is open to the kitchen.

One of the best features of this home was that it backed to a gently sloping away hill, a private row of trees and an incredible view. 

Nashville TN Real Estate, like so many cities has seen a decline in sales and it prices. No matter where you live, the rule in real estate never changes. When searching for a home the first thing to consider is Location, location, location.

Homes in Bradford Hills sell well because of the convenient location to so many parts of Nashville. They also have a large number of floor plans to choose from. The prices in this neighborhood and in Holt Woods have continued to hold their value.

Located in ever popular Bradford Hills Subdivision, one has easy access to both I-65 and I-24. Cool Springs is 15 minutes away, Brentwood 10 minutes and Downtown Nashville 15 minutes. Across from Lenox Village, there are numerous places to dine out within 2 miles.

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Connie Harvey is a full time Realtor with Prudential Woodmont Realty Group in Brentwood TN. She services both Buyers and Sellers with their Real Estate need in Nashville TN, Franklin TN, Brentwood TN and surrounding areas. She is also an Active Homeowner in Holt Woods.

She can be reached at 615-661-7800 x 1300 or HarveyC@realtracs.com.

Follow her Blog, Nashville Tennessee Living.

Brentwood TN Realtors Enjoy Halloween and support local Charities!

Today the office of Prudential Woodmont Realty Group hosted their Chili Cookoff and Halloween Costume contest in the conference room at the Prudential Woodmont Building. Agents were invited to bring their best batch of Chili and to dress up in thier favorite Halloween costume. Some agents did one or the other, some did both!

Agents were asked to bring an item for the Ronald McDonald House. Items included:

Canned soups

Paper Towels

Canned meats like Ravioli, Beef Stew, ect. Cereal

Tuna Fish

Pop Tarts

Hotel soaps, lotions, shampoo

And/or the Tennessee Baptist Childrens' Home by bringing a box of Cereal. True to    their nature they stepped up and did all of it.   Both of these are charities that the company and agents regularly support.  

The Ronald McDonald House is available to the families of patients of the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. They rely on donations to feed these families.

The Tennessee Baptist Children's Home gets most of their food from Second Harvest. They often do not have the types of cereals that the children like.

Denise Williams was the big winner for the Chili Contest. This blogger can tell you it was certainly her favorite!

All in all, it was a great day. Good food, fun friends and doing good things for the community.

The Childrens home received 24

 LARGE boxes of cereal and were delighted!

Bradford Hills/Holt Woods Halloween Parade This Saturday!

Whether you have children or just plan to hand out candy this year, kick off the Trick or Treating by attending the annual Halloween Parade. There will be dozens of children of all sizes and ages in costume and without. This is a great time to see your neighbors and enjoy the kids.

REMINDER

Be safe and keep you children safe.

Please drive extra slowly throughout the neighborhood ALL day on Saturday. Especially in the evening.

Please put some type of reflective clothing on your children after dark.

Do not let small children trick or treat alone.

Have fun this Halloween!

Connie Harvey is a full time Realtor with Prudential Woodmont Realty Group in Brentwood TN. She services both Buyers and Sellers with their Real Estate need in Nashville TN, Franklin TN, Brentwood TN and surrounding areas. She is also an Active Homeowner in Holt Woods.

She can be reached at 615-661-7800 x 1300 or HarveyC@realtracs.com.

Follow her Blog, Nashville Tennessee Living.