Okay all you activerainers who are currently over 55 or in that retirement age and looking to buy in MY REGION.....

I came across this information and now I want your thoughts....Is that information accurate? As an Agent  I would really like to know...Is this what my buyers are looking for in a RETIREMENT HOME? And what price range seems to be working the best for them in the current market? It's my job to stay updated and educated and only YOU can help me with that.

 What older buyers want in homes

What kind of houses will be in demand among those 55 and older in 2010? According to a consumer survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders, the most important design features that 55-plus buyers want in their homes center on the practical:

-Washers and dryers in their units
-Windows that open easily/insulated
-Garage-door openers
-Easy-to-use thermostats
-First-floor master bedrooms
-Private patios 
-Porches
-Attached garages
-Bigger bathrooms /storage space

A lot of the more popular features in new homes these days don't appeal all that much to older buyers:
-Island work areas
-Separate showers
-Private toilet compartments
-Sun rooms
-Wood burning fireplaces
-Exercise rooms

·But a number of items that home buyers don't find to be of much interest are much more popular with older buyers:

-Bathroom aids such as grab bars
-Kitchen aids
-Light home-repair services
-Outdoor maintenance services
-An entrance without steps
-Accessible public transportation
-Wider doorways
-Nonslip flooring

Among technology features, older home buyers tend to act like younger buyers when it comes to the basics: Both groups have a preference for security systems, energy management, structured wiring and lighting controls. But older buyers had little use for Home theaters, distributed audio or home automation, more-expensive items that younger buyers do like.

  I would greatly appreciate any feedback you may be willing to give me in this area. Please leave comment or email me at lindalrobinson@remax.net with your input, thoughts or suggestion or with any other articles you may like to see my blog about in the future in regards to interest in the Tri-Cities, TN area.

Happiness consists in giving and in serving others. Henry Drummond

There is no place like home when you have the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee AND the wonderful Lakefront areas that consist of great parks, plenty of hiking, fishing, and boating to enjoy by the whole family. If that is not enough for you...this area also gets to enjoy the BEAUTIFUL four seasons throughout the year.

(photos from downtown Kingsport area)

Throughout the Tri-cities region you can find high-quality education, diverse religion, great community life, top-rated hospitals and variety of entertainment for all ages.

I am full time professional Realtor who is dedicated to the client and is determined to always get you the "DREAM HOME." MY passion for the business motivates me to pay attention to all the details my clients need for an outstanding closing for themselves. My expertise follows me to the LAKE. MY title as a "Lake Property Specialist" fits me well, because I love the water...(I live on it...) I specializes in lake properties on Boone Lake, South Holston and Watauga lakes, and many more in the area.

 (This is a photo of Boone Lake I came across from a current listing on the market...what a view)

I have great people skills and open communication which seems to attract both Buyers and Sellers. MY broad knowledge of the real estate industry allows me to have the most innovative tools at hand for my clients. Whether I am a selling agent or buyers agent, my marketing plan always becomes customized to fit the needs of the client in order to MAXIMIZE the exposure of that property to all potential buyers and sellers.

I belong to a fantastic Team of Realtors, RE/MAX Results and the Byrd Home Team... Because the real estate industry is becoming more sophisticated and challenging every day, you need a professional team that understands the industry and is positioned to stay ahead of the game. We are committed to you! We go the extra mile to help you achieve your goals. That's why we constantly research the market and property values for effective priceing from day to day. We also make sure the public knows your home is for sale by using innovative advertising and marketing techniques to attract potential buyers.  RE/MAX really does bring GREAT RESULTS!

I understand the power and strength in providng a very professional business style. I feel providing the most updated and creative marketing plan is essential for MY clients, whether you are a first time home buyer or past cliental it is very important to me to use my best negotiating tools I have to offer. 

Many people say My passion is seen everyday in my work (long hours). BUT...I try to always have a caring heart, a strong faith and a true dedication to my family, friends, clients and co-workers.

This is what life is all about.

GOOD MORNING, AFTERNOON OR EVENING DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE... Please call me ANYTIME 423-817-2004, THERE ARE SOME BEAUTIFUL LAKE PROPERTIES CURRENTLY ON THE MARKETand with that tax deduction if you are considering this area to retire, have a second home or just wanting to UPSIZES now maybe the time to start looking.

This was some great news shared by my friend Jeff Fleming on his blog and I wanted to share it with all my readers.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Kingsport named a "must see" by Retirement Lifestyles magazine

From: Anne Alexander - I received a copy of Retirement Lifestyles magazine in the mail and noticed Kingsport is featured on their list of top destinations that offer quality retirement living. I thought you might find this of interest, so I have typed the Kingsport highlights below.For further information on Kingsport and our Skyland Falls community, please click on www.visitkingsport.com and www.skyland-falls.com

"Kingsport is nationally recognized for its extremely low cost of living, great recreational amenities, wonderful attractions and shopping opportunities, proud heritage and history, beautiful natural surroundings, seasonal climates, safe community, excellent school system, unparalleled medical facilities, superb city services, vibrant arts community, thriving business community, hospitable and unsurpassed quality of life."

Population: 44,435 (July 2007)
Estimated Median Household Income: $35,442 (2007)

Arts, Culture and Attractions:
Bays Mountain Park
Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail
Exchange Place
Netherland Inn
Warrior's Path State Park
Allandale Mansion
Gray Fossil Site
Bristol Motor Speedway
International Storytelling Center
Carter Family Fold

Educational Opportunies:
Northeast State Technical Community College
East Tennessee State University

Healthcare:
Holston Valley Medical Center
Indian Path Medical Center

  Linda L Robinson, A Top Buyer's Agent & Lake Specialist  with the local Tri-cities RE/MAX Results &  a team member of The Byrd Home Team

Happy New Year every one!!!!! I have updated several things and have a new look AND I think a new focus for 2010.

Come and Visit, me @ http://lindarobinson1.point2agent.com

or Visit me @ http://lindalrobinson.remax.com 

Here you can take a look at ALL the RE/MAX RESULTS and the BYRD HOME TEAM'S  listings by area.

As you will noticed you can take ANY VIRTUAL TOUR through our homes I have SPECIFICALLY FEATURED PROPERTIES ON MY HOME PAGE THAT ARE $250k and up.

PLEASE COME AN VISIT ME. I would love to have you.

Linda Lou's sharing her thoughts...

  If your home is like most, your Thanksgiving day will be very busy, with either traveling to where you want to go or preparing your home to have others over for the day. Either way, that can be very hectic and emotionally trying, which doesn't lend itself to preparing your heart to be reflective and thankful....

    This means all the more that if we want to be the kind of people who are characterized by thankfulness, then we should make sure that we focus on it at all times during the year, and not just on Thanksgiving Day.

   I wish I could provide you some, answers for the day-to-day crisis our world is experiencing right now, but I can't, but what I can do is provide you with this thought....      

   Many years ago in 1620 the Pilgrims had FAITH IN GOD, this was their help in ages past, and their HOPE for many years to come. Hhhmmm. It work for them, so why not try it. FAITH brings strength and comfort and this is a great day to give THANKS t hat this gift comes to you at NO COST! .

  My final thoughts... let's do Our best to be aware of the many great gifts that we have each and every day of the year. As we do so we will see our hearts soar and our minds will experience more and more at PEACE as we regularly remember and remain aware of our good fortune here in AMERICA.

 May God Bless each and every household and their families on this day and everyday through out the year.

             Happy Thanksgiving, Linda Lou

A few note WORTHLY CALENDAR EVENTS: THESE TWO LOCAL EVENTS ARE for the FAMILY to enjoy during THE HOLIDAYS.

Are you looking for lots of fun for the whole family....Skating and sliding will be the name of the game at Bristol Motor Speedway beginning Tuesday, Nov. 10 as both the Johnson Controls Ice Rink and the HVAC Chill Hill Tube Slide open for the season.

Visitors to BMS now can enjoy not only the beautiful and AMAZING LIGHTS, BUT two very different, but equally exciting, attractions with the opening of HVAC's Chill Hill. The 300-foot long snowless slide features two side-by-side lanes and inflated tubes, on which riders will sit to rocket to the bottom.

The Johnson Controls Ice Rink, the only rink within a 90-minute driving radius of BMS, has become one of the Speedway's most popular off-track events. In its eighth season, the rink draws more than 30,000 skaters each year.

For more information go to http://www.bristolmotorspeedway.com/index.html

ALL ABOARD    He's Coming!  Mark your calendar

Saturday, November 21, 2009

From Shelby, KY to Kingsport, TN

Final Stop will be in Kingsport @ 3:08 for the Kingsport Chamber Christmas Parade.

For more information visit the Kingsport Chamber www.KingsportChamber.org.                            

Find more on the Facebook fan page, The Santa Train and on Twitter @TheSantaTrain 

 who said the housing market is dead....THIS ONE SOLD!

Use your $8000 tax credit on this NEW construction if you qualify! You'll appreciate the quality of this home, built by one of our area's top builders - Fred Ketron. A NEW CONSTRUCTION - PICK YOUR COLORS! and select your own tile design.

 546 BROOKHAVEN KINGSPORT, TN PRICE $179,900

This home offers hardwood floors, extra crown moulding, split-bedroom floor plan, huge downstairs den (with window and closet, if a 4th bedroom is needed), three full baths, Bay windows, off-setting kitchen, laundry room, two car garage with openers, concrete driveway. Just off Stone Drive. Close to shopping centers.and a one-year builder's warranty. Taxes to be determined

I was working late Sunday evening and my mind starting wondering ....does that often and I begin to think about the "AMERICAN WORKER"...Then I heard an update on the CALIFORNIA FIRE on my TV, which really got my mind thinking...And I did some searches about OUR first emergency responders whom I THINK (outside of our men and women in the military) HAVE THE TOUGHEST AMERICAN JOB OUT THERE.

I wish everyone a HAPPY LABOR DAY, if you are lucky to have the day off enjoy family and friends, because your time not working is precious to those around you who may not get many chances (due to your job) to enjoy your smile, laugh and love.

Please, don't waste it.

Another day to keep in mind and another group to remember is our Last Responders of 9-11-01
and their families.

 PLEASE CHECK OUT THIS LINK THAT I CAME ACROSS, this young lady and many more did a GREAT JOB! SO I hope they don't mind me passing it on.

http://www.sleepingangel.com/proud.htm

I hope you ENJOY as much as I did.





Their Labor... cost them their lives that day, Trying to save many Americans that were working that day for a piece of that AMERICAN DREAM that they never really got the chance to enjoy.

If you you every want to bite into that American Dream in the Tri-cities, call me I would love to work with you in finding a piece of real estate.

You May Have A Better Way Out!

Your Tri City Real Estate Resource CAN HELP!

The Byrd Home Team offers unparalleled service to ALL clients in the Tri City TN real estate market. Your complete satisfaction with our service and representation is our number one priority. 

There are countless hardships that can turn home ownership from a joy into a burden.  The loss of a job, medical bills, or an unexpected hike in monthly payments can all make a mortgage unaffordable.  But ignoring the bills will not make them go away, it will only make things worse.

 If you need help, there are approaches that can help, but you may not be familiar with them.  One of these is a "short sale."

In an approved short sale, the lender agrees to accept less than is owed for the property, and the homeowner is relieved of the debt.  A lender may be willing to do this because it spares a lot of hassle and expense involved in executing a foreclosure.  And typically, a short sale does far less damage to the homeowner's credit than a foreclosure does.

If you would like to explore the possibility of a short sale for your property, avoid foreclosure, and potentially save your credit rating, please CALL US. 423-817-2004. 423-247-8121 

A qualified short sale agent will be in touch with helpful information.

Check us out @ http://www.thebyrdhometeam.com/ or my website http://lindarobinson1.point2agent.com