Nashville And Beyond

What Does Your Agent Do In His Free Time?

Brian — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:28:20 +0000

I have a lovely couple from North Carolina (hat-tip Sarah), in their Nashville home search process right now. It seems like every time they call or text, I am in class. I was starting to feel a bit guilty, then changed my mindset quickly!

I’m on a three-prong model of business. I spend part of my time actually selling and working with buyers. I spend part of my time volunteering and networking. The rest of the big bulk of the 40 hour week is spent in a classroom, either sharing or learning.

I have to ask the question, however, what do other agents do when they are not selling, representing buyers, networking and lead generating. When I responded to North Carolina texting client, “LOL, I’m in class (again),” her response was “No wonder you are so smart.”

It’s an odd moment when it takes a text message to remind you, OH…there is a reason I can guide and protect my clients so well. I invest in this brain constantly. I’d encourage you to check your agent’s education history. I know you see all those letters behind all of our names and think…geez…that really doesn’t matter to me. Honestly, you don’t need to worry about the letters, but you do need be concerned about the classes the agent has taken the time to carve time out of their schedule to take.

Sure, I could spend my extra time playing around, going to the gym (yeah…I know…) or sitting on the couch watching soap operas and Divorce Court during the day. I choose to be smarter, more efficient the the best mind I can be for my clients. Check out my education history and your agent’s education history at the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. Remember, that list only gives you the courses I received CREDIT for. Some of it isn’t for credit, but worth the learning experience!

(Note: Thanks to Rob “Peanut” Jansen for snapping the photo during a session we were in together in Scottsdale, AZ.)

The Ugly Truth About Nashville

Brian — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:17:43 +0000

We all think it. We all know it. We’re afraid to mention it. Real estate agents wouldn’t dare hit the subject straight on because it’s easier to avoid the truth anyway.

Nashville has some of the ugliest major thoroughfares and secondary routes anywhere. If you’re going to judge a city on its controlled sign ordinances, its underground utilities and its lack of less than pretty businesses on the main roads, then Nashville fails on many levels.

Now that this confession is out the way, let’s get to the true facts. If you’re going to buy real estate in the urban area of Nashville, you have to get over the fact that some of the roads like Gallatin Road, Nolensville Pike, Charlotte Pike, Murfreesboro Road, Dickerson Pike and Lebanon Pike are simply ugly. Once you accept that fact, you’ll discover the hidden beauties of Nashville neighborhoods.

Once you turn off the sign laden Gallatin Road, you’ll discover gorgeous foursquares, Tudors, Victorians and bungalows along the streets of Calvin, Stratton, Douglas, Ordway, Sharpe, Petway, Sumner, Franklin and Eastland. You’ll find sidewalks lined with trick-or-treaters on Halloween night. You’ll find 200+ year old trees encroaching the streets’ airway. You’ll see red wagons being pulled by iPod joggers and some of the best people anywhere calling you neighbor.

Take a left off billboard heavy (yes, the one we all hate) Charlotte Pike, the secrets of Sylvan Park, Brookside and Charlotte Park are evident. Historic homes in all shapes, forms and colors line up along streets named after states and numbers. At night, you’ll find stunning accent lighting, home-cooked meals served in high-ceiling dining rooms and streets lined with residents getting home from a long day of work at Vanderbilt, HCA and the like.

Take a left or right off power line-lined Nolensville Pike, Woodbine, Historic Chestnut Hilland Glenrose are simply precious. With its rolling geography, you’ll find some of the most diverse landscaping, trees and natural sites on the south side of Nashville. Retro ranch home heaven winds through Haywood Hills and Murray Hills. Named one of the nation’s tastiest streets by Good Magazine, you’ll find residents from all over the Middle Tennessee area retreating to the area for a tasty meal.

Meander off of Dickerson Pike long enough and you’ll find some of the richest, historic neighborhoods on the eastside. Cleveland and McFerrin Parks have so many untouched, grand historic homes, you’ll find yourself driving through Potential City. Head west off Dickerson and find some of the most breath-taking views of the downtown Nashville skyline. Now, to be fair, Dickerson has recently received some special treatment that has morphed this thoroughfare south of Douglas into an impressive little drive.

Murfreesboro Road and Lebanon Pike connect central to east and south and share a few neighborhoods. The housing stock is as diverse as you can find. With the area’s varied history, homes were built, are currently being built and will be built in this still growing and developing area.

Finally, no area seems to exempt for the street impairments. Even the two highest dollar real estate areas in Nashville (Green Hills and Belle Meade) have their eye sores along Hillsboro Road and Harding. Ultimately, take a deep breath, get over the ick, get involved in Nashville’s green initiatives, contact your Metro councilperson about improvements and enjoy the amazing life in Nashville.

Who Was The Redhead Lady On Stage During The Oscars

Brian — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:51:32 +0000

Everyone is asking who the redheaded lady was who jumped on stage in the middle of the acceptance speech for Music by Prudence during the 2010 Oscars. Her name is Elinor Burkett, and she is one of the producers on Music by Prudence. She totally pulled a Kanye. The music started playing, and that was it Poor Roger Ross Williams.

The video clip starts after the opening commercial.

Nashville Home Styles

Brian — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:15:01 +0000

Middle Tennessee has a plethora of home styles that reflect our history and evolution. Home architectural styles include new construction, Victorian, shotgun, ranch, atomic ranch, Tudor, cottage, bungalow, industrial, contemporary, foursquare, Italianate, pioneer, mission, colonial, Cape Cod, Georgian, neo-Georgian, farm house, split foyer, among many more.

New or newer construction: Typically, homes with foundations less than five years old will fall into the “newer” category. In the greater Nashville area, a great majority of the new/newer stock lies in the suburban areas. You will find limited urban infill stock in the historic neighborhoods. Many of those have been built to meet neighborhood aesthetic guidelines.

Historic: Typically, a historic home is characterized by one that has a foundation that is over 50 years old. Some have been completely gutted while others still maintain some historic significance. Whether your a historic home purist or someone who just likes the style, Nashville has tons of pockets with historic homes. You can find most of this stock in Nashville’s urban districts (Sylvan Park, Belle Meade, East Nashville, Green Hills, Hillsboro Village, Woodmont-In-Waverly, et.al.), historic Franklin, Old Hickory and a few other areas.

Ranch: A single story home with low-pitched gable roofs and long, narrow rectangular shape. Popularized in the 1950s, they style continued to be built heavily through the 1970s. Inside, you’ll likely find one, long, narrow hallway with rooms off the hall. Many have only one or one and a half bath and are known for small closets. You will find numerous “atomic ranch” style homes popping up in several areas. The bulk of the ranch stock in greater Nashville is located in Rosebank, Inglewood, Crieve Hall, Westmeade, Green Hills, McMurray Hills, Madison, Goodlettsville, Brentwood, Seven Springs, Brookmeade, Donelson and Hermitage.

Victorian: A loosely used term in the States for an architectural style inspired from buildings from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. One common term used for many in the U.S. is a home with “ginger breading.” The Victorian stock is common in Historic Edgefield, Lockeland Springs, Sylvan Park, Richland Park and 12South/Belmont.

Tudor: While the name suggests these homes were built in the 1500s during the Tudor Dynasty, they are characterized by decorative timbers, brick exteriors, multiple gables and some rounded windows and doors. This style is often jokingly referred to as Swiss Miss cottages. The Tudor stock is heaviest in Hillsboro Village, Inglewood, Eastwood Neighbors, Richland/Cherokee Park and Belle Meade.

Cottages: Cottages are typically small and boxy, but pack a strong punch in square footage values. The typically are square or rectangular and take up a small footprint. The can having brick exteriors, vinyl siding or wood siding. You’ll find cottages all over Nashville. Some of my favorites are in Brookside, Sylvan Heights, Trinity Heights and Berry Hill.

Bungalows/Arts and Crafts: Bungalows and Craftman styles are synonymous in the greater Nashville market. Bungalows throughout the area were built in the 1920s to the 1940s, and typically have 1.5 or 2 stories with a character window and gable in the roof line. Craftsman homes and bungalows are isolated to certain neighborhoods including Richland Park, 12South, Hillsboro Village, Lockeland Springs, Cleveland Park, Greenwood Neighbors, et. al.

Industrial/Contemporary: Nashville’s industrial and contemporary stock is spread randomly throughout the area. A few areas are known for their modern architecture, including Sylvan Heights, Nevada Heights, Katie Hill, 12South, Germantown and Little Hollywood.

Those are all the styles mentioned on the Buyer Survey, however, here are a few more styles we have in the Nashville area.

Foursquare: With it’s obvious namesake, a foursquare is usually a perfect square home on the exterior with a square floorplan, creating the “four squares” everywhere you look. Known for its simple style, it was able to be built on a small city lot and could easily be ordered from the Sears catalog for assembly. It’s characterized by a 2.5 story design, a simple box shape, four-room floorplan, full-width porch with wide starirs and a large central dormer. Foursquares are all over the Nashville area. You’re most likely to find one in East Nashville, Historic Richland and Cherokee Parks, Inglewood, Franklin and 12South. One of the dream drives for foursquare is along Belmont Boulevard in Nashville’s Hillsboro Village.

Italianate: As part of the Victorian housing style movement, Italianate homes possessed the most popular home style in the United States by the 1860s. With Nashville’s housing history, only a few Italianate homes still stand. The great fire of East Nashville wiped out several, leaving only a few behind in Historic Edgefield, Franklin, Madison, Pulaski, Rosebank and Germantown. Italianate homes are characterized by low pitched or flat roofs, balanced rectangular shape, tall-2-4 stories, square cupola and heavily molded doors. Several new home builders are replicating this grand style in their designs. You won’t get the historic neighborhood feel, but you’ll get the modern conveniences with the classic style.

Shotgun: A variation of the Victorian era-style, this home’s namesake has an intriguing sordid past. It’s a called a shotgun, because you could stand in one end of the home and shoot out the front of it with minimal windows, giving you an edge over your so-called neighbor. Also, it’s called shotgun because if a shot was fired through the front of the home, it would go straight through the home. I don’t know what this says about Nashville, but we do have a ton of these homes throughout all the urban districts, especially Cleveland Park, Historic Buena Vista, Sylvan Park, Woodbine and Sunnyside. They also fit quite nicely on some of Nashville’s smallest urban lots.

Pioneer: Believe it or not, we still have several log cabins and pioneer style homes through Nashville. In fact, one sits at on one of the busiest, most expensive streets of Green Hills. You’ll also find newly constructed pioneer homes in areas like Whites Creek and Joelton. Some of the logs have been covered up for energy efficiency, but the interior walls still have the mortar and logs showing clearly.

Mission: Mi casa es su casa can be truly spoken in several areas around Nashville. With their Spanish inspired exteiors, villas, mission homes and haciendas are in interspersed among some of Nashville’s staple neighborhoods. You’ll find a few hidden in Lockeland Springs’ Little Hollywood, Belle Meade, Inglewood, Hillsboro/Vanderbilt and even a few in Green Hills.

Colonial: Known for its majestic columns, multiple spindles, upper level balconies and rich, brick exteriors, colonial homes are a southern staple in these parts. With plantations being common throughout the south, the style evolved and continued to exist in even the urban areas. Just like the Cape Cods, this style is all over the Nashville area. It’s easier to tell you where they are not rather than were they are.

Cape Cod: It’s impossible to drive down streets in certain areas of Nashville and not see lot after lot of Cape Cod style homes. Recognizable for their multiple dormers in the roof, shutters and flat brick or clapboard front, Cape Cods not only have a home in Massachusetts, but also in numerous middle Tennessee neighborhoods. Check out the most generous supply of Cape Cods in westside’s Green Hills, Belle Meade and Brookside.

Georgian: Now a Southern architectural staple, the Georgian and Neo-Georgian style reflects the early 1700s when King George I ruled England. Imagine a colonial home minus the columns and upper porch. You will still see some of these features on a Georgian, but most of our versions are known for their flat front brick or wooden clapboard exterior and two story design. The roof line is extremely simple with minimum overhang, and the interior floor plan is formal and compartmentalized. Historically, a Georgian has a paneled front door centered on the home, flattened columns on each side of the door, five windows across the front with nine or twelve small window panes and double chimneys. Georgians are common in Brentwood, Belle Meade, Green Hills, Oak Hill, Southmeade, Westmeade, Bellevue, Madison, Goodlettsville, Antioch, Old Hickory, Donelson and Hermitage.an Park, Richland Park and 12South/Belmont.

Farm House: Just because it has the word “farm” in its name doesn’t necessarily mean that in Nashville or Franklin you’re going to get a farm or even a bunch of land. Historically, this small homes were built in wide open spaces and few true historic farm houses remain in the area due to development. A farmhouse can be one story or two story and has a super simple style. Front porches and a simple roof line are common, as they were easy and economical to build and promoted a neighborly feel. You’ll be hard pressed to find one with a lot of land, but you will find the style in Whites Creek, Sylvan Park, Scottsboro, Inglewood, Madison, Donelson, Hermitage, Woodbine, Glenrose and Leipers Fork.

Split Foyer: Part of the ranch family, split foyer homes are exactly what their name says they are. You walk through the main door and land in the foyer. That foyer splits into usually two directions. One direction up the stairs and the other down the stairs. You’re guaranteed steps no matter what you do in this style. Usually rectangular in shape, the style is all over Nashville. You’re likely to find a generous stock in Madison, Crieve Hall, Oak Hill, McMurray Hills, Haywood Hills, Brentwood, Rosebank, Brookmeade, Westmeade, Bellevue, the list goes on and on.

What is your favorite home style? If you’re in the middle Tennessee area, what style of home do you live in or consider significant enough to add to this list? Please weigh in the comments section below.

If Houses Had Warning Labels…

Brian — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:04:09 +0000

I love reading warning labels. One of my favorites is “For external use only” which has been spotted on numerous curling irons. Another favorite is on a child’s Halloween superman costume that says “Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly.” Wouldn’t it be great if homes came with warning signs posted with the true warnings that you may need to know? Here are some of the signs I’d recommend.

“Warning! This house is overpriced by $30K because the seller has been under a rock for the past 18 months.” Agents carry the power to prevent this label, but find that getting the sign in the yard, getting the bragging rights that he/she “won” the listing or getting to put it in an internet lead system to get more buyers is more important than being honest with the seller. The same holds true for a buyer’s agent who is too concerned about a paycheck to pull true comparatives for a buyer.

Warning sign to you as a seller, test your agent on a high list price and see if she/he pushes back. This is the signal that you have a good agent. Oh, and by the way, if you think that you should price it higher because you need negotiation room, you may not see any showings and your home may become stigmatized as a stale home. This could cause buyers to question their ability to resale the home in the future. As a buyer, ask your buyer’s agent for comparatives for every home that has landed in the top five of your list for consideration just before you go to contract.

“This house is lipstick on a pig.” It’s one of my favorite pulled quotes that the local CBS affiliated pulled out of an interview they did with me when I THOUGHT the camera was off. It holds true though. Some renovated homes are pretty, cosmetic make-up put on a trash of a structure. Be super cautious of renovated homes. If someone is renovating homes in this market, likely they are smart, conscientious and know what they are doing. Only the best try this buy, remodel, resale market of 2009 and 2010.

The best agents know the “big dog” renovators in the market and should be able to give you the information you need on reputation. I admit, I don’t always know the renovator, but I certainly can do some stalking and get the scoop in a few hours. If you’re buying a home that was renovated and resold in the “flipping” heyday, WHOA BESSY!!!!! You’ll want to make sure you get not only a home inspection, but also a structural inspection. You’ll want to talk to the immediate neighbors to see how long it sat in the open weather. Have your agent check the tax record or with the previous sales agent to conversationally find out what that client is doing now. I’d be most thorough with homes renovated between 2002 and 2007, when every idiot who wanted to make a quick dollar decided to try one house.

“Stop! This home says it’s a short sale, but really it’s a lofty dream.” It’s odd when you examine the MLS and see the number of short sales listed, then you look at the numbers to analyze what truly closed. A short sale is technically a process where (1) a seller or seller’s agent contacts a bank, (2) gets them to approve a certain price below what the seller owes on the home and (3) offers it to the buyer’s market for that price.

In this market, we have a lot of agents and sellers who are just trying, hoping and praying to sell the home for what they can. I’ve seen some “listed” for $200K UNDER market, but the bank not even consider the price when an immediate offer comes in. The bank often doesn’t know that the home has been listed for such a low price.

Go into the short sale home search process with eyes-wide open. Work with a buyer’s agent who has been through the process. Ask the question, “How many short sales have you written contracts on and seen to closing table.” Keep in mind, a buyer’s agent might have written 20 short sale buyer contracts, but only closed one or two. Don’t be afraid of those kind of numbers when choosing an agent. Be more concerned about hiring an agent who is familiar with the ups and downs of the system.

Are You Over-Signed?

NashvilleBrian — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:27:58 +0000

Today, I was driving through a small community outside of Nashville called Smithville and was brought to brake lights at the site of the oversignage at one of those check to cash credit places. In all, the small 1400 square foot home on a 50×100 lot had 44 signs on its grounds. An additional six signs were on the main highway. On the road behind the house, all five telephone polls were lined with with signs, for a whopping 72 signs for this one, tiny place. So, how is your house “signed?”While this display of sign gluttony made my skin crawl, it has amazing implications for how we drive buyers to our home inventory today. This many signs in real life draws the wrong kind of attention; however, if we were to make those same type of “every where you turn and look” signs on the internet for a home, wouldn’t that be great?

The 2009 Survey of Homebuyers reported that a whopping 89% of all home buyers start their search on the internet. I know no homes in the Nashville market that are listed publicly on the MLS that aren’t on at least the basic websites, but did you realize there is an art to getting your home found on the internet? It’s not as simple as putting it in the MLS and waiting for the magic elves to do their cyber job.

Additionally, there are mathematically formulas for checking analytics, statistics, web behaviors and traffic to quantitatively futurecast how and when your home will sell. I’ve been working on several of those formulas for years now, since there is no standard national model and think I’ve almost got it perfected.

Flea’s Turn In The Spotlight

Brian — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:27:16 +0000

Last week, you got to take a peak at Baby’s photo shoot. Now, it’s Flea’s turn to show you his best zoolander. Please comment below and let me know which one is your favorite. Believe it or not, there is a purpose for all this, and you’re adding to the purpose

#1: All focus on me.

#2: I could totally be taxidermy.

#3: Great! I'm going to have an ear complex now.

#4: Finally the lighting that I deserve.

#5: Gene Simmons ain't got nothing on me.

Make sure you can check out my sister’s, Baby, photo shoot, too while you’re here.

Top RE/MAX Agents Nashville, Franklin and Otherwise

Brian — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:53:24 +0000

While I’m not with RE/MAX in Nashville or Franklin, Tennessee, I have a ton of friends nationally who are. I have a great respect for their systems, the way they serve their clients and the way they treat other agents in the marketplace. I’m also part of a small referral group called CyberStars with several people on this list. A special shout out to those in that referral group.

The Nellis Team #10 from Burke, Virginia. Nate Martinez #12 from Glendale, AZ. Tupper Briggs #36 from Evergreen, CO. Leslie McDonnell #48 from Libertyville, IL. Brad Korb #61 from Burbank, CA. Debbie Yost #88 from Casa Grande, AZ. Marilyn Kohn #83 from Peoria, IL . Zac Pasmanick #97 from Atlanta, GA.

Additionally, it’s always a pleasure doing business with the Terry DeSelms team of RE/MAX elite in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Tennessee. Congrats on coming in on the Top 100 list at #26.

Top 100 RE/MAX Teams United States

Standings for January through November 2009, based on residential commissions paid. Rankings are compiled from figures submitted by regional offices.

1. John Ahlbrand, RE/MAX Central, Las Vegas, NV

2. Ryan R. O’Neill, RE/MAX Advantage Plus, Lakeville, MN

3. Ronnie Matthews, RE/MAX Legends, Spring, TX

4. Eric T. Pakulla, RE/MAX Advantage Realty, Columbia, MD

5. Bob J. Lucido, RE/MAX Advantage Realty, Fulton, MD

6. Marti A. Hampton, RE/MAX One Realty, Raleigh, NC

7. David O. Flory, RE/MAX Professional Group, Houston, TX

8. Pamela L. Marion, RE/MAX Professionals, Lawton, OK

9. Joseph B. Rothchild Sr., RE/MAX Fry Road, Katy, TX

10. Vicki Nellis, RE/MAX Allegiance, Burke, VA

11. Nathan C. Martinez, RE/MAX Professionals, Glendale, AZ

12. Scott E. Gibson, RE/MAX Renaissance Realty, Phoenix, AZ

13. Gary Kent, RE/MAX Associates, La Jolla, CA

14. James D. Franklin, RE/MAX Grand, Katy, TX

15. Casey Margenau, RE/MAX Distinctive, McLean, VA

16. Don McDonald, RE/MAX Gold, Fairfield, CA

17. Don Matheson, RE/MAX Fine Properties, Scottsdale, AZ

18. Jane Lee, RE/MAX Top Performers, Lake Bluff, IL

19. Kent R. Miller, RE/MAX Advantage, Jonesboro, GA

20. Michael R. Hulsey, RE/MAX Gold, Vacaville, CA

21. Neal Weichel, RE/MAX Valencia, Santa Clarita, CA

22. Joe A. Martin Sr., RE/MAX Diamond, Mesa, AZ

23. Kyle White, RE/MAX Advantage Plus, Savage, MN

24. Josephine M. Pierce, RE/MAX Realty Team, Cape Coral, FL

25. Lee Ann Canaday, RE/MAX Fine Homes, Laguna Beach, CA

26. Terry E. DeSelms, RE/MAX Elite, Franklin, TN

27. Bruce Tyburski, RE/MAX Choice, Fairfax, VA

28. Ronald Golansky, RE/MAX Pros, Germantown, MD

29. Elvira Ashmun, RE/MAX Gold, Vallejo, CA

30. Jane M. Kelly, RE/MAX Lake of the Ozarks, Osage Beach, MO

31. Carol S. Anderson, RE/MAX of Valencia, Valencia, CA

32. Andrew R. Bloom, RE/MAX Excalibur Realty, Scottsdale, AZ

33. Mark T. Parris, RE/MAX Renaissance Realty, Peoria, AZ

34. Ron Murray, RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty, Palos Verdes Estates, CA

35. Lonnie S. Bush, RE/MAX First, Virginia Beach, VA

36. Tupper Briggs, RE/MAX Alliance Evergreen, Evergreen, CO

37. Marshall Mandell, RE/MAX Classic, Farmington, MI

38. Marsee L. Wilhems, RE/MAX Majestic, Tucson, AZ

39. Judy Markowitz, RE/MAX Millennium, Flushing, NY

40. Wade A. Klick, RE/MAX Results, Plymouth, MN

41. Karen D. Karapasha, RE/MAX Fry Road, Katy, TX

42. Cindy Hanson Welu, RE/MAX Action West, Chanhassen, MN

43. Brian D. Flynn, RE/MAX Results, Medford, MA

44. Sherry S. Wilson, RE/MAX Leaders, Purcellville, VA

45. Lee Wilbanks, RE/MAX Alliance, Livonia, MI

46. Delbert M. Rounds, RE/MAX Fine Properties, Scottsdale, AZ

47. Corey C. Geib, RE/MAX Benchmark Realty, Las Vegas, NV

48. Leslie B. McDonnell, RE/MAX Suburban, Libertyville, IL

49. Blake Mayes, RE/MAX Capital City, Boise, ID

50. Dennis X. DeSouza, RE/MAX Associates, La Jolla, CA

51. Sharon L. Evans, RE/MAX One Realty, Raleigh, NC

52. Steve Cross, RE/MAX Preferred, Las Vegas, NV

53. Tom Faison, RE/MAX Allegiance, Washington, DC

54. David M. Banks, RE/MAX By The Bay, Portland, ME

55. Patrick Stracuzzi, RE/MAX of Stuart, Stuart, FL

56. Frank L. Prindle, RE/MAX Allegiance, Alexandria, VA

57. Anthony R. Raffin, RE/MAX Associates, St Clair Shores, MI

58. Kyle D. MacDonnell, RE/MAX Cinco Ranch, Katy, TX

59. Frank Russo, RE/MAX Professionals, Glendale, AZ

60. Marge B. Pawlak, RE/MAX Enterprises, Downers Grove, IL

61. Bradley Korb, RE/MAX In Action, Burbank, CA

62. Logan L. Waller, RE/MAX About Dallas, Dallas, TX

63. Gordon R. Crawford, RE/MAX Properties Unlimited, Morristown, NJ

64. Mark Spain, RE/MAX Greater Atlanta, Atlanta, GA

65. Richard W. Taylor, RE/MAX Realty Associates, Mahomet, IL

66. Ronald N. Lee, RE/MAX Gold, Vallejo, CA

67. Chad Costa, RE/MAX Executive, Modesto, CA

68. Thomas W. Beauchemin, RE/MAX Synergy, Goffstown, NH

69. James Gilliland, RE/MAX Southern Realty, Fort Walton Beach, FL

70. Philip L. Herman, RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists, Dayton, OH

71. Matthew P. Ridgeway, RE/MAX Real Estate Group, Charles Town, WV

72. Jim Kennedy, RE/MAX Team 2000, Orland Park, IL

73. Aidan Surlis, RE/MAX Leading Edge, Gambrills, MD

74. Steven M. Lavoie, RE/MAX Realty Unlimited, Brandon, FL

75. Kevin E. Hildebrand, RE/MAX Unlimited, Cincinnati, OH

76. Rick Robey, RE/MAX Associates, Louisville, KY

77. Gil Campos, RE/MAX Real Estate Center, Foxboro, MA

78. Juan Martinez, RE/MAX Executives, Las Vegas, NV

79. Anthony G. Askowitz, RE/MAX Advance Realty II, Miami, FL

80. Fred Evans, RE/MAX Gold Coast, Ventura, CA

81. Louie Guerrero, RE/MAX Valencia, Santa Clarita, CA

82. Millie S. Green, RE/MAX Commonwealth, Richmond, VA

83. Marilyn R. Kohn, RE/MAX Unlimited, Peoria, IL

84. David W. Worrie, RE/MAX Commonwealth, Midlothian, VA

85. Thomas E. Skiffington, RE/MAX 440, Perkasie, PA

86. Martha M. Gentry, RE/MAX Prime Properties, Pinehurst, NC

87. Doug C. Perry, RE/MAX Excellence Realty, Silver Spring, MD

88. Debbie Yost, RE/MAX Casa Grande, Casa Grande, AZ

89. Sandy O. Ogburn-Sandlin, RE/MAX Excellent Properties, Prairieville, LA

90. Linda O’Donnell, RE/MAX Signature, Chicago, IL

91. Bill Gassett, RE/MAX Executive Realty, Hopkinton, MA

92. Paul S. Raymond, RE/MAX Select, Flint, MI

93. Neil J. Timmins, RE/MAX Select, West Des Moines, IA

94. Laurie Erb, RE/MAX Cherry Creek Inc, Denver, CO

95. Don Bowen, RE/MAX Real Estate Group, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

96. A.Z. Araujo, RE/MAX Preferred Choice, Glendale, AZ

97. Zac Pasmanick, RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Intown, Atlanta, GA

98. Tom McKinnon, RE/MAX Realty 2000, Fargo, ND

99. David H. Messner, RE/MAX Fine Properties, Scottsdale, AZ

100. John Meyer, RE/MAX Allegiance, Alexandria, VA

37216 Nashville Bright Spots and Trends To Watch #4

Brian — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:59:20 +0000

#4 in the 37216 Series. Intriguing Spots. Historically, neighborhoods east of Gallatin Road in 37206 and 37216 have brought better values. While Maplewood is on the west side of Gallatin, several homes closed briskly and for an impressive little dollar amount. With The Home Depot opening its doors in 2008, the neighboring homes have seen a jolt in interest and value.

East Hill continues to be the wild card 37216 spot. Rich Tudor style and well manicured streets continue to attract buyers who are willing to pay a random higher price than what the neighborhood typically brings. The constant improvement of businesses in the immediate area help. Las Maracas and SouthernBred continue to attract patrons from all parts of Davidson County, adding clout to this part of the zip code.

Trends for 37216. This entire area is street after street of potential. While prices have stagnated a bit, improvements continue to be made in numerous neighborhoods. South Inglewood’s streetscaping and new signs went into place in 2009, creating a more desireable aesthetic for its residents.

With Riverside Village continuing to get more and more trendy with sushi spots, sandwich shops and coffee houses, more and more residents will overcome the objection of lack of places to go in 37216. Expect areas near the intersection of McGavock and Riverside to become more desireable to buyers as the Nashville market saw in 37204’s 12South. It is slowly morphing into 37216’s most walkable spot.

Burchwood Gardens may continue to grow in popularity as its adjacent 37206 neighborhood, Rosebank, continues to gain momentum to the south. In 2009, Rosebank weighed in as the second most popular neighborhood in appreciating 37206. As buyers continue to see Rosebank homes, Burchwood Gardens may emerge as a place where they can save a few thousand dollars and still land the same style and convenience to Nashville amenities.

This is part of a larger report. Download the full 37216 report here.

37216 Nashville Reality Checks and Warning Signs #3

Brian — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:49:56 +0000

#3 in the 37216 Series. The Lofty Failures. 2009 was a tough year for 37216. In the 2004-2008 market, momentum was pacing on a noteworthy level. With market stabilization in 37206, prices started a leveling in 37216. While every indication says that 37216 will easily return to its upward pace, 2009 was not a bright spot in its evolving value history.

Every homeseller dreams of setting the record for a 37216 sale. In 2009, several homes tried to take the top spot, but simply couldn’t make it.

The most lofty attempts were seen at 3800 Brush Hill Road for $475,000 on the Cumberland River; 3738 Cedarwood had no hope with its outdated decor and horrible photography at $459,900; 4318A Brush Hill Road at $449,944; and, 4308 Brush Hill Road at $419,900. The common thread leading to each home’s failure was the sellers/agents felt a riverfront bluff front home would trump each of their needs for essential updates. Buyers cringe at old kitchen cabinetry and wood paneling. Likely, the homes that renovate to an “atomic ranch” contemporary-style will see the higher dollar closings in 2010 and beyond.

The Fallacy of Numbers. Warning! Do not be scared of South Inglewood and Iverson. The lower prices and price per square footages reflect that many of the homes in need of renovation are being snatched up by investors. With South Inglewood’s location, sandwiched between Eastwood Neighbors and Inglewood proper, it’s a symphony of potential.

Iverson had so few closings, many of which needed full renovation. Thankfully, comparatives for this small neighborhood can borrow from many parts of 37216 for warrantable value.

This is part of a larger report. Download the full 37216 report here.