I WISH, would have to be my first response to this question.  Does anyone in the Realtor community see a benefit to these dinosaur ridden companies that are looking for nothing but a handout?  37.5% as a "referral"?!  You have got to be kidding me!  This is truly the fleecing of America! 

The first scenario goes like this:  A client of mine who I had been talking to for months about listing their house, calls me last week and says that they are going to use the relocation company that their company offers.  My response, was two things, first that might be good for you, because they will buy you out if you are unable to sell your property.  Found out the answer to that one real quick was a big fat, "NO".  The second positive to this I told her is that they could assist her in finding someone in their new city that would actually be qualified to help them find a home.  Well, after two weeks of working with this person, we found out that one not to be true also. 

The second scenario goes like this:  A lady calls me out of the blue and tells me that she had found my services online and had been searching my website for houses.  I told her that I would love to work with her and help in her transfer from Los Alamos, New Mexico to Chattanooga, Tennessee.  After showing houses to her for a week, I receive a phone call from a Cartus Representative.  Mr. King, we understand that you are working with Mrs. X and we won't to let you know that their will be a 37.5% referral that will need to be paid on behalf of her relocation.  After a few expletives, you imagine the feeling of rape and shake down that I just felt.  The next day while looking at homes, I mentioned this to my client.  She was furious!  She said that they had sent her to some horrible Realtor that had just started in the business and she refused to use.  She had told Cartus that she would not be using their Realtor and she would be choosing a Realtor on her own.  After much going back and forth with them, my client who was determined to have her way, told them that her Realtor was not paying a referral, they were not providing her with anything as far as relocation services and that they could take their referral and shove it!  Needless to say, we are great friends now!

So my question to you out there is this.  What do relocation companies really provide to a company?  The buyers and sellers are so much more educated than they have ever been.  This combined with the fact that Realtor, Mortgage Lender, Title Company information along with all the inventory of houses are accessible online now, makes me wonder.  Will relocation companies go the way of the Dodo Bird?  When I asked the relocation company the other day why their fee had gone from a raping 35% to 37.5%, their response was, "Our expenses have gone up, so therefore we have to pass that along to you the Realtor". 

Where does it end?  If you are out there and are so desperate that you need relocation company business to survive, then you need a different business model. 

Realtor Ryan, Broker

Real Estate Partners

423.595.7958 Direct

423.265.0088 Office

www.RealtorRyan.com

    Located at the base of Walden Ridge is a beautiful new subdivision built on a former horse ranch that has been converted into the Cottages at Horse Creek Farms.  The homes are all 1920s and 1930s style bringing back the memories of simple times and lots of history. The lush landscaping, sidewalks, and street lighting also give this neighborhood the relaxing feeling of home.  In addition to the beauty of these homes, the builders have incorporated many "Green Building" techniques to save on energy and help the environment, not to mention the low maintenance and convenience of the Cottages.

Come and see these home for yourself.  The investment you make in the Cottages at Horse Creek Farms would be a very wise one.

For more information you may contact me, Ryan King, and you may log on the Cottages website:

www.thecottagesathorsecreekfarms.com

Realtor Ryan, Broker

Real Estate Partners

423.265.0088

www.RealtorRyan.com

The newly built Stormy Hollow subdivision located off Gentry Road in East Brainerd offers many amenities for reasonable prices.  A total of 67 homes are planned for this new subdivision with at least 16 complete. The developer Stormy Hollow is Emerson Russell, who is also a builder with Emerson Properties. The average size of these homes is around 1,800 square feet, and the homes range in price from about $150,000 to $185,000 or more.  Development amenities include street lights, sidewalks, a homeowners association, and very convenient to Hamilton Place Mall area.  Home amenities include hardwood and tile floors, custom cabinets, vaulted and trey ceilings, walk-in closets, jetted tubs, master bedrooms on the main level, brick, stone and vinyl exteriors and double car garages. Wonderful subdivision!

For move information or if you would like to view one of the homes you may contact me anytime.

Realtor Ryan, Broker

Real Estate Partners

423.265.0088

www.RealtorRyan.com

Looking for a new home can be both exciting and frustrating at the same time, but if you pay close attention to these 5 key areas of the home it may same you money in the long run.  Electrical, Foundation, Plumbing, the Attic, and Landscaping are the main areas of homes that have the most reported problems.  Having a complete home inspection will help rule out most of the problems and point out any areas of concern.  Electrical can be a problem in any home, even the brand new ones.  Sometimes wiring can be done incorrectly when the house is built.  Problems in foundation can be caused by many things.  Trees that have "crawling" roots, the root invasion will crack the foundation over time and ruin tile.  The best way to find problems in the foundation is to check the windows, and notice is they open and close easily, if they do not, that is a good sign that the foundation is shifting. Not all cracks in the foundation are problems, so it is best to get a professional home inspection.  Plumbing is another concern, and since it is an area that you can't always spot it can create expensive repairs when problems go undetected.  Mold is a problem that can result due to faulty plumbing and leaks.  When purchasing a home always look under the sinks for areas where there might be mold forming or for any signs of past links.  The Attic is very important because you can tell almost everything about a house from the attic.  If you are looking at a 20 year old home and there is new insulation in places, that is a pretty good indicator that there has been a leak at some point.  Also, you can tell a lot about the roof from the attic since you can see the wood directly below the roof.  The other area of concern would be landscaping.  If landscaping is too close to the home it could eventually cause cracks in the foundation.  Landscaping should start around 12 inches away from the home.  When landscaping is too close the moisture from watering will cause the soil and foundation to expand, and when no watering occurs the foundation dries and shrinks which causes cracking.  The best thing to do when buying a home is to get a thorough home inspection by a licensed professional, and remember the more you know the better off you are, and the less likely you are to make a mistake that may cost a lot later.

Realtor Ryan, Broker

Real Estate Partners

423.265.0088

www.RealtorRyan.com

Chattanooga is one of the top 10 Healthy Places in the Southeast for longevity and enjoying a productive retirement lifestyle, according to Retirement Lifestyles Magazine.  Chattanooga was considered based on healthcare, climate, safety, ecosystems, and recreation.  The Chamber and community partners are working hard to position Chattanooga as an ideal retirement community. During the past year the Chamber alone provided relocation information to over 9,500 people.  Chattanooga appeals to many people looking to relocate because of all the offerings in outdoor activities, cultural offerings, moderately-priced housing, and excellent healthcare, not to mention the scenic beauty.  Chattanooga keeps growing in the polls and before to long it will move to the number one spot in all areas.

For more information on Healthy Places go to:

http://choosechattanooga.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=69&Itemid=1

Also you can visit Chattanooga Chamber's Website at:

www.chattanoogachamber.com

Realtor Ryan, Broker

Real Estate Partners

423.265.0088

www.RealtorRyan.com

Sellers usually know of some repairs that need to be made in order to sell their home, but not all repairs are equal in the minds of the buyers.  A study by HomeGain found that there are four areas to focus when preparing to sell:

1. Clean and De-Clutter the home.  This mean the floors, carpets, bathrooms, kitchen and all the windows.  Alot of Sellers for get to clean the windows and that is something that most buyers notice.

2.  Lighten and Brighten.  Buyers like to be able to see everything about the house so it is nice to have good lighting in the rooms and blinds or curtains opened to let in the natural light, this keeps the home from feeling dull and un-inviting.

3.  Stage the Home for Sale. Which is cleaning, fixing any some repairs, eliminating any clutter, execute neutral colors, and de-personalize the home. Buyers do not like to see alot of personal pictures and items, it makes them feel as if the Seller has emotional attachments to the home, and if they see you in the home, they might not be able to see themselves in it as well.

4.  Landscape both Back and Front Yards.  The first thing a buyer sees is the front of the home.  If the landscaping looks bad this sets the stage for the rest of the home.  A nice manicured yard and nice curb appeal is something that appeals to all buyers. 

Making these small repairs to your home can increase the value of the home incredibly. Buyers want to get the best home for the money, and Sellers want the biggest return on their investment, by making these changes in the home both sides will end up happy.

Realtor Ryan, Broker

Real Estate Partners

423.265.0088

www.RealtorRyan.com

Chattanooga among the "50 Next Great Towns" for living and playing. A change of address can bring instant gratification so why not try Chattanooga.

Chattanooga has a lot to offer right now. And as the magazine recognizes there is even more to come. This is a major recognition for our small town, but it is not the first mention of Chattanooga as a top place to live, to work, and to play.

We are a world class city that lives like a small town. Investment in schools, in infrastrucure, commitment to business, to controled and sustainable growth, enjoyment of nature and the art.

Chattanooga is not a secret anymore.

For more information:

http://www.chattanoogachamber.com/GetToKnowUs/americastalking.asp

Realtor Ryan, Broker

Real Estate Partners

423.265.0088

www.RealtorRyan.com

Seven Lakes Subdivision located just a few miles off I-75 on Ooltewah Ringgold Road is in its first phase of construction.  The new homes offer home security and many amendities of the more expensive homes but at affordable prices.  The homes are in a gated community, and each home will be wired so that owners can view visitors at the gate on their television.  The Seven Lakes subdivision also offers a community pool, sidewalks, and a large stocked lake with a dock.  Buyers will have a choice of 6 Craftsman style home designs, usually the combination of brick and stone to make these beautiful exteriors, including the hallmark wide columns of the Craftsman style.  Inside the homes residents will find a master suite on the main floor along with plenty of crown moldings and trim to highlight the vaulted ceilings, plus granite countertops, hardwood and tile floors.

The new homes in Seven Lakes will be only 12 miles from the new Volkswagen plant and very convenient to local shopping centers, businesses and schools.

Please contact me if you would like additional information about the subdivision or any other new homes in Chattanooga.

Realtor Ryan, Broker

Real Estate Partners

423.265.0088

www.RealtorRyan.com

I just did not realize all the cool Christmas stuff Chattanooga has to offer for adults and for children.  We have some fun stuff coming up this Saturday December 13th that parents might want to check out for the kids.  Chick-fil-a is having breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning from 8am to 10am, and after that you can take the kids to Lowe's for Kid's Activity day(www.lowesbuildandgrow.com).  Every other Saturday of the month, Lowe's offers a Kids day from 10am until 12pm.  The kids participate in little projects, this Saturday Dec. 13th they will be building a Gingerbread house. Fun Fun!! Other activies in Chattanooga for Christmas include Ruby Falls's "Deck the Falls" which is a holiday light show in the underground falls, and Rock City a top Lookout Mountain has its annual Enchanted Garden of Lights with nearly a million lights.  If you enjoy Christmas parades, Chattanooga still has several coming up for more information on these local parades you may contact the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce at 423.756.2121 or visit their site at www.ChattanoogaChamber.com

Plus, Do not miss "The Nutcracker" presented at the Tivioli Theater on December 12th and 13th, 8pm. For tickets and additional information contact the Tivoli Theater at 423.265.0617

You may also contact Ruby Falls for information on the Deck the Falls Events at 423.821.2544 or visit: www.RubyFalls.com

For Information on Rock City's Enchanted Garden of Lights visit www.SeeRockCity.com or call 800.854.0675.

Have a Fun, Safe and Happy Holiday Season.

Realtor Ryan, Broker

Real Estate Partners

423.265.0088

www.RealtorRyan.com

Developed by Ival Goldstein, the new homes of Windstone's Whisper Creek Subdivision are bringing in a lot of attention.  The homes are beautiful Garden, Carriage, and Townhomes with a very traditional style of architecture.  The advantages of living in Whisper Creek are many, including Membership to Windstone Golf Club.  Also, residents will have access to a walking trail, zero lawn-care, private pool, private clubhouse with fitness, meeting rooms, playrooms and a kitchen.  The homes are priced in the high $200s to low $400s, and these homes are very convenient to the Hamilton Place Mall area, not to mention many restaurants. 

For more information on the Whisper Creek Homes please visit their website:

www.WhisperCreekatWindstone.com

Realtor Ryan, Broker

Real Estate Partners

423.265.0088

www.RealtorRyan.com