Don't miss an incredible weekend at Talespin in Chattanooga this weekend.
Talespin which is put on by the Chattanooga Downtown Partnership, is designed to bring in storytellers from various walks of life to Chattanooga. The main objective is to tell stories with many themes that include youth stories, cultural stories, humorous stories, historical stories and so much more. This weekend event is for all ages! Not only is this a fun event for the kids, but adults will enjoy these unique stories told by professional storytellers. Many of the storytellers and themes will connect generations, traditions and lessons for living.
On Thursday night, May 8, a kickoff event featuring six national storytellers will be held at the historic Tivoli Theatre.
On Friday and Saturday, May 9 & 10, downtown Chattanooga's Coolidge Park will be the centerpiece for the festival, with telling occurring under festival tents throughout the day followed by a "Nightcap Session" on Friday and ghost stories, which are always enjoyable and memorable, under the night sky on Saturday evening.
Sunday, May 11, will feature a special Mother's Day Storytelling Cruise on the Southern Belle Riverboat.
National tellers scheduled for the TaleSpin Festival, according to their website will include Judith Black, Kevin Kling, Bill Harley, Queen Nur, Syd Lieberman and Kathryn Windham.
Merchandise from featured storytellers, a variety of resource materials and event memorabilia will be available for purchase on Thursday evening at the Tivoli Theatre and throughout the event at Coolidge Park in the Festival Marketplace.
For more information on all these events and tickets, please visit the Chattanooga Downtown Parnership. Enjoy!
By David Israel, Business Manager - Andy Hodes & The Scenic City Team
This week as I was deciding on what tips to share with you, our audience, I was reminded of an incident that happen to my wife and I this weekend, and it just reinforces why we moved to Chattanooga.
Last Thursday we were heading down to South Florida on Allegiant Air (non stop from Chattanooga to Ft. Lauderdale); $49 each way, I highly recommend it. Anyway we arrived at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport and we boarded the plane on time; then my wife noticed that her diamond tennis bracelet was not on her wrist. She started to freak out and wanted to get off the plane. If you have ever tried to get off a plane once you have boarded, it is impossible unless you are dragged off by the FAA or are deatlhy ill. So, we filed a report on a napkin with the airline and the airport. The entire flight down my wife was, well lets say she was crying. It wasn't the cost of the bracelet, but the fact that I had designed it and given it to her on our 5th Wedding Anniversary ten years ago.
When we got into Ft. Lauderdale, I called Andy who drive into long term parking to make a visual check of my van, just in case it fallen off her wrist in our vehicle. No luck!
We made the best of our weekend, it was actually my birthday, and we were going to visit our parents and family. We stayed in Boynton Beach, in one of hundreds of Adult communities in the area. All these houses right next to each other, nicely manicured lawns and a guard gate. Actually, we had some nice strolls through the neighborhood at night to get our daily exercise. When you go visiting family in Florida there is always lots of food involved, so we had to work it off.
My visit was shorter than my wife's. I got up at 5:00am on Sunday morning to catch an 8:45am flight from Fort Lauderdale back to Chattanooga. Once we landed, I felt like I had returned home. I immediately went to the Airport Police Office to pick up a copy of our report for my insurance company. After getting the report I went down to baggage claim, no bags left, so I had to go to the ticket counter to pick up my bag. This trip was certainly getting the best of me, but everything worked out and I was home in less than 15 minutes. I slept most of the afternoon on Sunday and got up Monday morning to get back into my routine.
Well, life was about to change for the better. At 9:28am I received a call from the Chattanooga Airport Police that a women had found the bracelet and was on the same flight as we were on. The officer gave me her name and cell phone number and told me she would be in South Florida for 3 months, I immediately called her, after taking a deep breath. Sharon was actually on our flight and had to board early as we did because she had her granddaughter with her. She goes down to spend time working with her sons in thei
r business. I asked if she would like to FedEx the bracelet back to me and she told me that one of her sons would drop off the bracelet wherever my wife was. I was amazed that someone would be so honest and understand that someone else was actually suffering. She had told me a story of her daughter loosing her ring and how devastated she was and that she didn't want to see anyone suffer like that.
So, the moral of this story. There are still honest people in this world. We sometimes forget that with all the hustle and bustle in the world, and the price of gas climbing, and a war going on, that we still have morals and we are for the most part honest people. Would you keep the bracelet or would you have tried to return it to it's rightful owner? I would hope that we would all answer correctly.
All's well that ends well - and in Chattanooga it ends well!
By Kacey Sides, Buyer's Specialist - Andy Hodes & The Scenic City Team
Foreclosures are everywhere. Here in Chattanooga, we definitely have our fair share. Buying a foreclosure can be a great investment or a huge nightmare. Having a Realtor on your side to guide you through the process can help keep you from a major, personal disaster. Keep in mind every foreclosure sale can be a little different, so being on top of your game will help give you the edge over your competition. Whether you are buying one to flip, or buying one to fix up and live in, keep one thing in mind - the good deals go fast, so you need to be prepared to move quickly when the RIGHT deal comes along!
The homes that are priced significantly below market value are going to get a lot of interest from other buyers and most likely sell quickly. Banks that own these properties are aware of this, and will typically wait to receive multiple offers from buyers before they make a decision to select the best offer. After receiving multiple offers, some banks will ask each buyer for their "highest and best" offer. You will then have a chance, possibly your last chance, to submit your very best offer, keeping in mind that your competition is doing the same thing. Conversely, some banks will wait for multiple offers, but then won't call for highest and best. Keep this in mind when writing your initial offer!
Regardless of the situation, you want your offer to stand out. Keep these steps in mind when prepariing your offer to purchase:
1. Keep your inspection period short. I wouldn't advise skipping a good home inspection, but having more than 7 days to inspect the property can adversely affect your offer; banks are looking for buyers that will move quickly. Many times, the bank will require any inspections to be done prior to making the offer so that contingency is removed from the contract up front.
2. Don't ask for repairs. Most banks won't do them. Just make sure you reflect potential repairs in the price you offer.
3. Go with Conventional financing, or better yet, cash! Have your pre-approval letter, if you are getting a loan, or proof of funds letter, if you are paying cash, ready to submit with the offer. (Some banks will not accept any offers without them.) FHA or VA financing can complicate the offer due to the type of inspections and repairs required by government-back loans.
4. Close quickly and make sure it is a time frame that you can stick to. If not, depending on their requirements, banks will charge you for every day past the set closing date until you close!
5. Price. This is ultimately what the seller (i.e. the bank) is looking to maximize. Make and offer that you are comfortable walking from if you don't get the home, or a price you'd be comfortable with should your offer be accepted.
6. Seek representation. The listing agent represents the seller. Find a Realtor that can represent YOUR interests, understands the process and will advocate YOUR position in the negotiations. Typically there is no cost to the buyer for your agent's service and representation.
Every bank is different, but they all will have addendums that you are required to sign that override the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement you submitted. Read them carefully as these addendums can drastically affect how you are required to purchase the home. The addendums will typically release the bank from all liability on the property and require that you accept the home in "AS IS" condition. The addendums will typically change your inspection period, and can sometimes change the date you close so be careful.
Working with a Realtor who is familiar with the ins and outs of working with foreclosures can educate you on the process and can prepare you for the unexpected. Have your Realtor set you up on an instant notification system for foreclosures that meet your criteria. That way you are one of the first to know when the deal of the day comes your way. Your Realtor can pull the comparable sales for the area to better educate you on how well the home is priced for the area; then you may need to make an adjustment for the home's condition. Knowing how much work it needs, and what it will cost to bring the home back to excellent condition is a key part in making the decision on how much to offer. Keep in mind that every neighborhood has a price ceiling. Over or under improving for the neighborhood will only end up costing you money!
Foreclosures can be a great opportunity or your biggest nightmare. Proceed with caution after obtaining expert assistance from a Realtor, well-informed and experienced in handling foreclosures. You'll be glad you did!
By Kacey Sides, Buyer's Specialist - Andy Hodes & The Scenic City Team
Foreclosures are everywhere. Here in Chattanooga, we definitely have our fair share. Buying a foreclosure can be a great investment or a huge nightmare. Having a Realtor on your side to guide you through the process can help keep you from a major, personal disaster. Keep in mind every foreclosure sale can be a little different, so being on top of your game will help give you the edge over your competition. Whether you are buying one to flip, or buying one to fix up and live in, keep one thing in mind - the good deals go fast, so you need to be prepared to move quickly when the RIGHT deal comes along!
The homes that are priced significantly below market value are going to get a lot of interest from other buyers and most likely sell quickly. Banks that own these properties are aware of this, and will typically wait to receive multiple offers from buyers before they make a decision to select the best offer. After receiving multiple offers, some banks will ask each buyer for their "highest and best" offer. You will then have a chance, possibly your last chance, to submit your very best offer, keeping in mind that your competition is doing the same thing. Conversely, some banks will wait for multiple offers, but then won't call for highest and best. Keep this in mind when writing your initial offer!
Regardless of the situation, you want your offer to stand out. Keep these steps in mind when prepariing your offer to purchase:
1. Keep your inspection period short. I wouldn't advise skipping a good home inspection, but having more than 7 days to inspect the property can adversely affect your offer; banks are looking for buyers that will move quickly. Many times, the bank will require any inspections to be done prior to making the offer so that contingency is removed from the contract up front.
2. Don't ask for repairs. Most banks won't do them. Just make sure you reflect potential repairs in the price you offer.
3. Go with Conventional financing, or better yet, cash! Have your pre-approval letter, if you are getting a loan, or proof of funds letter, if you are paying cash, ready to submit with the offer. (Some banks will not accept any offers without them.) FHA or VA financing can complicate the offer due to the type of inspections and repairs required by government-back loans.
4. Close quickly and make sure it is a time frame that you can stick to. If not, depending on their requirements, banks will charge you for every day past the set closing date until you close!
5. Price. This is ultimately what the seller (i.e. the bank) is looking to maximize. Make and offer that you are comfortable walking from if you don't get the home, or a price you'd be comfortable with should your offer be accepted.
6. Seek representation. The listing agent represents the seller. Find a Realtor that can represent YOUR interests, understands the process and will advocate YOUR position in the negotiations. Typically there is no cost to the buyer for your agent's service and representation.
Every bank is different, but they all will have addendums that you are required to sign that override the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement you submitted. Read them carefully as these addendums can drastically affect how you are required to purchase the home. The addendums will typically release the bank from all liability on the property and require that you accept the home in "AS IS" condition. The addendums will typically change your inspection period, and can sometimes change the date you close so be careful.
Working with a Realtor who is familiar with the ins and outs of working with foreclosures can educate you on the process and can prepare you for the unexpected. Have your Realtor set you up on an instant notification system for foreclosures that meet your criteria. That way you are one of the first to know when the deal of the day comes your way. Your Realtor can pull the comparable sales for the area to better educate you on how well the home is priced for the area; then you may need to make an adjustment for the home's condition. Knowing how much work it needs, and what it will cost to bring the home back to excellent condition is a key part in making the decision on how much to offer. Keep in mind that every neighborhood has a price ceiling. Over or under improving for the neighborhood will only end up costing you money!
Foreclosures can be a great opportunity or your biggest nightmare. Proceed with caution after obtaining expert assistance from a Realtor, well-informed and experienced in handling foreclosures. You'll be glad you did!
By David Israel, Business Manager - Andy Hodes & The Scenic City Team
This weekend April 19-20 is the beginning of one of Chattanooga's best kept secrets, The 4 Bridges Arts Festival. If you have been to this festival you will be able to relate to the excitement in our community. If for some reason you have not attended this yearly event, well it is a must see!
Not only is this the best Art Festival all year, but the mission and objectives of the organizers is very clear. You can visit their website to see more about the history of the Festival. The Festival is a production of Chattanooga's Association for Visual Arts (AVA), in collaboration with the Chattanooga Downtown Partnership (CDP).
In terms of artists, by the way I have very little artistic talent, the artists that do come in are very clearly immersed into the visual arts. Their talents are incredible and the variety of artists is very eclectic. You can actually visit the artists to see their work at the 4 Bridges Arts Festival website. The weekend is filled with fun activities for adults and children. There are rotating children's art activities available throughout the weekend and there is live music in the cafe area.
For a moment, forget about the art pieces themselves and just imagine the color explosion that surrounds you while you are viewing the different pieces. It is a very exhilarating and emotional experience and one you need to explore as you travel through the exhibits.
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Welcome! Here You Can Find Great Information on Chattanooga, North Chattanooga and East Brainerd, Tennessee Real Estate Looking for homes? Search everything the web has to offer, right here!
Chattanooga, Tennessee - The Scenic City - was a great place to be raised; I can say that because it's my home. I'm most proud that in 1905 my great-grandfather, Abraham, chose Chattanooga to be his family's new home after leaving their home in Russia. It was a great choice and the fifth generation of Abraham's descendants (my kids) are being raised right here in the Scenic City. I loved being raised in Chattanooga, so much that, after earning a degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, I left Chattanooga for 15 long years. After I got a few things figured out, I returned for good.
While I was away from Chattanooga I lived in South Florida for a few years working in non-profit administration and then I moved to New York City where I met my incredible wife, Melody, and began a career in Risk Management. My first risk management position involved administering a claims department that primarily defended medical malpractice claims for several of New York's largest hospitals. Concurrently I earned a M.B.A. from Baruch College - City University of New York. I had my sights set on corporate risk management and fortuitously a position with a chemical company that took me next to Wayne, New Jersey. A few years later I finally convinced my wife, who hails from New York City, that Chattanooga is where we need to be; so we packed up the truck and headed South.
Returning to Chattanooga is the best thing I've ever done. It's simply the right place for me to be, not to mention that the rest of my family loves being here too. While I was away, Chattanooga transformed itself from a polluted city without much to offer to the incredible Chattanooga we've come to know and love. The beautiful mountain and waterfront scenery is abundant wherever you go. In 15 years, Downtown had transformed from nothing more than boarded-up store fronts to a vibrant, user-friendly and beautiful city centered around the Tennessee Aquarium, the Hunter Museum of Art and the Creative Discovery Museum plus restaurants, hotels and plenty of things to do. It was a great homecoming!
Along with changing homes, changing careers was at the top of my list. I looked for an opportunity where I could help other people and have more control over my own destiny. Real Estate was the perfect match that brought together my attention to detail, my love for helping people and virtually no ceiling that might stop my ability to grow and be successful. I took the classes, passed the tests and got my license; I was on my way.
Currently I'm a licensed Real Estate Broker in both Tennessee and Georgia, a founding member of Keller Williams Realty - Chattanooga East, and have remained ranked in the top 2% of Chattanooga Realtors for the past few years. In 2006 I founded The Scenic City Team, putting together the best real estate talent in Chattanooga that provides expert and friendly service to our clients throughout every transaction. I'm proud of my team, their expertise, and the way they put our clients first - just like me!
I'm so lucky to have an incredible wife, Melody, along with two sons, Micah and Jonah, who are proud Chattanoogans just like their Dad. Spending time with them, plus my parents and friends, is on the top of my list of favorite things to do. When I'm not with the family or selling real estate, I'm volunteering in the community or proudly teaching students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where I've been an Adjunct Professor of Finance for many years.
Check out our blog, The Scenic City Scoop, and let us know when you are ready to buy, sell or trade real estate here in Chattanooga, my favorite place to be.
Welcome!
Here You Can Find Great Information on Chattanooga,
North Chattanooga and East Brainerd, Tennessee Real Estate 
Looking for homes? Search everything the web has to offer, right here! Don't miss our Feature Homes.
Need local real estate information? We've summarized much of what is important about the Chattanooga, North Chattanooga and East Brainerd real estate market in this site.
Need expert advice? No web site, large or small, can take the place of a top real estate agent. Not even ours!
This site is filled with ways that you can contact us for one-on-one expert help and advice. That's our job.
Contact us with confidence! We guarantee your privacy will be respected. And we offer the services on this site for free and without obligation. Why? We want to be YOUR real estate agents. As your trusted, professional real estate partners, we will help you find the best home in your area within your price range. And together we will sell your home, for as much as the market will bear, and as quickly as possible.
Buying and selling a home is one of the biggest events in your life. As top Chattanooga, North Chattanooga and East Brainerd real estate agents, we have the experience and track record you are looking for. Please let us help.
- Andy Hodes & The Scenic City Team
Read What People Are Saying About Us
We always ask our clients to write or email us, and tell us truthfully how they appreciated our service to them. Their feedback is so important! Here are a few highlights of what people are saying about us...
Some months ago after no success in having my home sold, I contacted Andy Hodes to serve as my real estate agent. Within the first few weeks of having Andy and his co-worker, David Israel, I knew I had found the right real estate team based on the contacts through e-mail, fax, and telephone conversations.
In a "horrible" sellers market, Andy and David not only kept me updated on what was going or "not going" on, but made a number of suggestions they thought would enhance the home and increase the chances of a sale, no matter how bad the market might be.
My home was not a basic or standard home in a neighborhood that would or could appeal to most families looking to purchase. The home, a very unique one, would only appeal to a few selected categories of buyers. However, I followed all of the advice and suggestions made by Andy and I was rewarded by the sale of my unique house. In the tough real estate market, very few sellers get exactly what they want, and I was no exception; however, with the help of Andy and David, my home was sold and I am a very satisfied customer.
Andy is a very professional, personal, knowledgeable, and excellent agent. I would recommend his team, without reservation to any purchaser or seller. They're great!!!
N. Pearlman (November 2007)
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"From the beginning of our relocation, Andy helped us see Chattanooga as our new hometown. It all started with Andy listening. He really took the time to get to know us and to help us find the right home for our family. Andy's enthusiasm for Chattanooga is contagious. My family's search for a new home meant leaving the familiar for the unfamiliar. Working with Andy helped make our transition a smooth one. From house shopping to move-in day, Andy and his team were a pleasure to work with. Ultimately, Andy helped us find the perfect home for our growing family. I highly recommend Andy the Scenic City Team."
K. Richards (July 2007)
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When we interviewed potential agents we were most impressed with Andy's preparation, honesty and great knowledge of the real estate process. He lived up to all his promises by keeping in close contact with us during the process of selling our house. His business minded approach made us feel that we were in the hands of a true professional. In fact his professionalism was unmatched by any agent we interviewed or worked with in the past. Andy and his staff always returned our calls and answered all our questions in a timely and professional manner. Andy made sure during the entire the sales process that everything was done correctly even if other agents were willing to cut corners. We have and will continue to enthusiastically recommend Andy.
It really was a pleasure working with Andy and his team.
D. & C. Poss (January 2008)
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