Real Estate Market In Brentwood TN Picking Up! Buyers May Want To Pay Attention Here!

Brentwood TN Real Estate
Recently the movement in my area( Brentwood, Franklin and Nashville TN) has been picking up for the real estate industry. I had a listing go under contract within 2 days and pending within 10. I have had two separate buyers miss multiple homes this last week. Deciding too slowly that they were indeed interested or timing requiring a wait. I remember a couple years ago, when the first day on the market you sent them to see it with the urgent advice that if they liked it we had to move fast. Back when multiple offers came in on that first day and bidding wars were common place. Now, I am not saying that is back, oh no! But, and here is the rub, buyers have become so used to desperate sellers and believing the media hype about how very bad it is and what a buyers market it is, that they are still ambling along slow and sure. Well sellers seem to be getting a clue, at least some of the time, and prices are looking reasonable. If a home you like is priced right for comps and recent market activity and it is in reasonably good shape, don't wait. Offer now! Things are normally faster paced in spring and this year seems to be shaping up no differently!
Call me now to hear how I can help you find and close your dream home!
Vanessa Stalets
Brentwood TN Real Estate
RE/MAX Elite
615-957-6333/615-661-4400

In A Buyers Market Curb Appeal Is A Must! Brentwood TN

Brentwood TN Real Estate

Walk outside and take a good look at your home. Take a look at the other homes in the neighborhood. If they are all looking the same, there is a problem. Your home is not ready for showing. It lacks curb appeal. You need to get it noticed. In the current real estate market in Brentwood, Franklin and Nashville TN areas there are many homes for sale, you must give the potential buyer a reason to come to yours!
You want your house to stand out. You want people who drive by say things like, "I like that house", or "I wouldn't mind living there". You need to know what will make them say that. Look at your house again and see it's potential. Determine what would make someone say those things about your house.

The first thing is a nice yard. You may think a small yard is a draw back. It is not at all. You just need to know how to enhance it. You need to make it colorful. Add some bright, cheery flowers along the walkway. Put in a flower bed under the windows, or along side the house. Clear out any unwanted trees or shrubs. These things can make a small yard look even smaller. You want to give your home a warm and inviting look, not one of cramped space. Make sure the lawn is mowed and edged neatly. If there are bare spots, get some grass seed and re-sow it into the lawn. Trim the larger trees so there is no chance of dead branches falling. You can also tell potential buyers you just had the trees trimmed. This means they do not have to do it for quite some time.

The next thing you need to look at is uniformity. Make sure all the windows look the same from the outside. It actually makes the house look better kept. This can be done by installing vertical blinds, mini blinds, or even shades. If you do use shades, during the day make sure they are all at the same level during the time the house is on the market. You want everything to look uniform.

When you are looking at the windows, take a look at the trim work. If the windows have shutters but some are missing, either replace the missing ones or take down the existing ones. You do not want the house to appear as if it is in need of repair. Missing shutters makes it look as though no one took care of the place. The paint may be cracked and peeling. Get the scraper and a bucket of paint and redo the trim work. This will make the house look cleaner and give the impression of good repair as well.

You may have cement sidewalks or steps. If you do and there are cracks, fix them. You can do this with filler cement and a trowel. This is a big improvement not only to the look of the home but to the safety of all who come there. If the railing for the steps is missing or broken replace it. Certain Federal funding (FHA, VA loans) will not go through on a house which does not have a hand rail where there is more than two steps. Again, replacing the hand rail makes the home look more complete and adds to the safety factor. Due to the recent changes in FHA loan limits, Brentwood, Franklin and Nashville TN real estate markets will be seeing more of these types of loans for potential buyers. It will have to be corrected in order to close, so you might as well address it now.

Of course you will want to replace any broken windows or doors. This can really damage the curb appeal when a buyer drives by and sees this. Also, if there is vinyl siding that needs to be repaired or replaced, you will want to do this now; a quick pressure washing might be in order as well. Don't forget your mail box! Is it old, dented, leaning to the side? Replace it! People forget that the mail box is one of the first things a potential buyer sees. Don't forget to put your address on it in large easy to read numbers!

The key to making your house more attractive is looking through the eyes of someone else. If you can not do this, enlist the aid of your REALTOR, family and friends. They can take a look and assess what needs fixed in a hurry. Make a list and just do it. Not only are you adding more value to your home, you are attracting more buyers. When you have more buyers, you can sell your home in a lot less time.


All you need is a little curb appeal!
Call me now to see how I can help!


Vanessa Stalets
Brentwood TN Real Estate
RE/MAX Elite
615-957-6333
615-661-4400

Brentwood TN Real Estate - Now Is The Time To Purchase!

Brentwood TN Real Estate
Now is the best time to purchase real estate in Brentwood, Franklin and Nashville TN! If you have thought about investing in real estate for any reason, know that there has never been a better time than now to invest in this market. The real estate market is in a recession and there are more sellers than buyers. This means that the supply is up, the demand is low and the prices are rock bottom. This is the time to buy!

The real estate market will rebound again. It will again become a sellers market in which there are more people looking to buy homes than people willing to sell them. This will probably not occur for at least another three to four years. During that time, things will even out a bit and housing prices will level off. When the sellers market hits, the prices will begin to rise again.That is when you want to sell!
In addition to being a great buyers market with tons of foreclosures on the market, another aspect of real estate market today is the fact that the mortgage rates are lower than they have been in 40 years or so. This gives you the opportunity not only to take advantage of the low asking prices on homes, but also rock bottom interest rates.
You should look to your real estate investment as a long term investment at this point. It will take several years for the market to rebound from this slump. When it does, you can then sell and make some money on your investment. In the meantime, you can use the investment for practical purposes. Either you can live in the home yourself, have family members live in the home or rent it out to tenants. The mortgage will be covered and eventually you will be able to sell the property that you purchased (in Brentwood, Franklin or Nashville TN) for a lot less than market value, for a profit.

Real estate is one of the best investments that you can make. It is a tangible asset that not only can be used, is something that must be used. One of our most basic needs is shelter. Real estate is the only investment that you can make that attends to one of our basic needs. You certainly cannot invest in food as it does not last for the long haul. And clothing? Too trendy and never worth more used than when new. But real estate is a winner. Shelter is the one thing we all need and you can actually make money by investing in real estate, even in a depressed market! Take a look around and purchase real estate in an area that is either about to hit a growth spurt or is stable and established, such as Williamson County TN. Shop around for the best mortgage interest rates and packages.

There has never been a better time than now to invest in real estate!
Call me now to see how I can help!
Vanessa Stalets
Brentwood TN Real Estate
RE/MAX Elite
615-957-6333/615-661-4400

Brentwood TN Real Estate - Finance Market Update April 7th, 2008

Brentwood TN Real Estate

Mortgage bond prices rose last week pushing mortgage interest rates lower. Stronger than expected manufacturing data shocked the market a bit and set the tone for early trading in the week pushing bonds prices lower. Fortunately the employment report showed higher unemployment and lower payrolls, which helped bonds recover Friday. Market participants viewed the weaker employment figures as more evidence for additional Fed rate reductions at the end of April.

For the week, interest rates on government and conventional loans fell by 1/4 of a discount point.

The Fed minutes Tuesday will be the most important event this week. Trade and consumer sentiment data also have the real potential to cause mortgage interest rate volatility.

Economic Factors

Economic Indicator Release Date Time Consensus Estimate Analysis
Consumer Credit Monday, April 7, 2008 Up $6 billion Low importance. A significantly larger than expected increase may lead to lower mortgage interest rates.
Fed Minutes Tuesday, April 8, 2008 None Important. Details of the last Fed meeting will be thoroughly analyzed.
Trade Data Thursday, April 10, 2008 $57.4 billion Important. Affects the value of the dollar. A falling deficit may strengthen the dollar and lead to lower rates.
U of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Friday, April 11, 2008 69.4 Important. An indication of consumers' willingness to spend. Weakness may lead to lower mortgage rates.

Credit Demand

Inflation is typically the most important focus for the mortgage interest rate market. Unfortunately, mortgage interest rates have recently pushed higher from the fear of inflation. Most of the recent increases in interest rates have come following stronger than expected data despite uncertainly regarding the future of the economy.

The level of interest rates reflects the balance between the supply of money from investors and the demand for money by borrowers. Rising inflationary expectations cause investors to require higher rates of return on investments to compensate for the erosion of the principal that eventually is returned to them. Regardless of inflation levels, though, rising economic activity can increase the demand for investors' funds, and thereby lead to higher interest rates.

The demand for money diminishes as the economy struggles. The Fed lowers interest rates as an incentive to businesses and consumers to increase their borrowings. The Fed hopes manufacturers will increase their investments in plants, equipment and inventories and that consumers will push housing construction higher along with consumer spending and with that, consumer debt. The inverse is also true.
Analysts will monitor this week's consumer credit levels for any indications that consumers may be tapped out. The economy has been wobbly for some time now and even Fed Chairman Bernanke has voiced recession concerns.

There is much debate in the financial community about the future. Economists, market analysts, and traders all seem to have a different opinion about the future state of the economy and especially the effects of rising energy prices. One thing most market participants agree on is both the bond and stock markets are going to see some volatility until a direction is clear. Remember, the Fed cuts rates to spur the economy, which generally helps stocks at the expense of longer-term bonds. Now is a great time to take advantage of rates to avoid the uncertainty in the credit markets and mortgage interest rate volatility in general.*Information courtesy of Tonya Esquibel, WR Starkey Mortgage, Franklin TN*
Vanessa Stalets
Brentwood TN Real Estate
RE/MAX Elite
615-957-6333/615-661-4400

THDA Raises Rates- Brentwood TN Real Estate

Brentwood TN Real Estate
Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA)
THDA has increased their rates. Please see the information below received from THDA.
Effective Tuesday, April 8, 2008, the interest rate on all Great Rate Program Applications will increase to 5.80%, Great Advantage Program interest rate will increase to 6.30%, and Great Start Program interest rate will increase to 6.80%. All Program application submissions received on or after Tuesday, April 8, 2008 must be at the higher rate.
If you have been approved for a THDA loan please contact your lender and/or your agent for further information.
I am always available for client questions!
Vanessa Stalets
Brentwood TN Real Estate
RE/MAX Elite
615-957-6333/615-661-4400

Brentwood TN Real Estate - Mortgage Pricing Update

Brentwood Tn Real Estate
Update on more pricing hits/changes with credit scores. Some lenders rolled out these changes last week, some are rolling them out this week and so on, but it is industry wide in the coming.

Conventional Loans - FNMA/FHMC - higher add ons to rates for credit scores 620 to 699

FHA - Govie Loan - Pricing hits now on govie - below 600 score - cut off for most investors unless you receive an automated approval is now 580.

Good news of this change is some pricing improvement on the higher credit score buyers doing FHA financing now.

Investor loans are being hit with higher rate add ons then previously and stated income is tightening even more and cutting LTV's with not offering as many exceptions.

97% conventional is becoming the max on a one loan within the industry due to the Mortgage Insurance changes I mentioned coming back in February.
*Information courtesy Tonya Esquibel, WR Starkey Mortgage, Franklin TN*

Vanessa Stalets
Brentwood Tn Real Estate
RE/MAX Elite
615-957-6333/615-661-4400

917 Robertson Academy Rd, Nashville TN 37220

New Listing! 917 Robertson Academy, Nashville TN- Oak Hill
Brentwood Tn Real Estate

Oak Hill, established charm! $ 499,500





For Virtual Tour Click HERE



Address: 917 Robertson Academy Rd Type: Residential Style: 1 1/2 Story Development Level: Built Bedrooms: 4 "Plus office!" Bathrooms: 3 Garage: Double Basement: Yes, Partial Size: 3,062 sq. ft. "Feels much larger!" Lot Type: Corner Lot Size: 1.08 acres n/a "Huge and level!" Year Built: 1951 "Renovated!" Taxes: $3,592.00 (2007) MLS®: 965489




WELCOME HOME to one of the most established and sought after areas in Nashville! Just around the corner from The Governors Mansion and many celebrities, this gorgeous, quiet neighborhood is exactly what you want! Hardwoods Through-out. Remodeled dazzling Kitchen with cherry cabinets and ceramic tile ,9' ceilings entire first level.Formal dining room features crown moulding and chair rails as well as beautiful hardwood floors, open to great room and easily accessed from screened in porch! Great room is a real family treat! Cozy brick fireplace, upgraded ceiling fan light fixtures, recessed lighting and amazing natural pine plank ceiling! This will be your favorite room! Master bedroom down is large and airy with fabulous natural light, double closets and room for most anything you want! Guest bedroom downstairs is soothing and comfortable, your friends and family will fight to be invited to stay! Unique and lovely rich pine paneled office, glows with warmth and is the perfect home work place. Upstairs reveals a giant bonus room with hardwood floors and room for plenty of family fun! Hobby area could be mini office or sitting area for upstairs master. Master is phenomenal! Expansive and light filled this is your Oasis for sure! Double closets, ceiling fan and ceramic tiled bath are just some of beauty you will find here! Small guest bedroom upstairs as well, perfect for a princess! You really must see this home to appreciate how well appointed, welcoming and roomy it really is! The yard is a paradise with over 50 varieties of Iris and gorgeous trees, even a rope swing for those lazy summer days! The fully screened in porch is large and perfect for quiet dining AL fresco or entertaining in elegant style! Truly this one has it all, come home to your dreams
Home warranty offered, all information deemed accurate but not guaranteed.!


Vanessa Stalets
Brentwood TN Real Estate

RE/MAX Elite
615-957-6333/615-661-4400