Emily Lowe - Nashville TN Realtor

Happy Labor Day!

Well, if you were hoping for another great month of sales in Nashville's satellite city Oak Hill, then you are in for somewhat of a disappointment.

Only two real estate closings this month in this area of Davidson County. The good news is that they did not take too long to sell - an average of 57 days!

The house on Caldwell needed a lot of updating, not so much with the house on Forest Acres.

Address	Sub/Dev	BR	Baths	Yr Blt	Gar	Sq Ft	List Price	SP/SF	Sales Price	DOM
928B Caldwell Ln	Oak Hill	3	2 / 0	1968	2	1,874	$384,900	$200.37	$375,500	15
807 FOREST ACRES DR	OAK HILL	3	3 / 1	1951	2	2,689	$468,000	$163.63	$440,000	99
	Average	3		1959	2	2,281	$426,450	$178.76	$407,750	57

Sales typically slow down in August - it's the end of the summer, children are headed back to school, etc.

I'm personally looking forward to seeing how Oak Hill fares in September - hopefully it will pick up again!

Have a great rest of the month!

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If you are interested in finding a home in 12th South, Downtown, Green Hills, Hillsboro Village, Oak Hill or West End/Vandy area of Nashville, or would like to look at other real estate for sale in the Middle Tennessee area, please search the MLS HERE. Please note: You will have to register with my site to be able to search the MLS. I will contact you initially and all requests thereafter for privacy will be respected.

Looking to move? Wanting to Invest? Need help as a First Time Buyer? Please feel free to call me, Emily Lowe (yes, I'm a Realtor, with The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty) at 615.509.1753

Okay, I was born in Nashville, TN. I was raised right in the heart of Davidson County (Nashville). I have heard a lot and seen a lot related to Western and Country Music and the whole lifestyle of it.

Now let me say this before I start my story... My parents were both loving and supportive and generous, providing me lessons in a variety of athletics, art and music.

Let's just say that my parents didn't exactly raise me to appreciate the finer points of being a "cowgirl" in the "big city" and, while they did love that I excelled at my classical piano lessons, they definitely didn't support my deep, deep love of music when it came to wanting to "be a star and sing/play piano on stage".

In fact, my parents went out of their way to drive me down Music Row and Demonbreun just to show me the "starving artists" with nothing but their boots, Wranglers and cowboy hats on. Then they took me to the pawn shops to show me how the musicians had to pawn their instruments so as to have a little money.

It took them until I was about 18 years old to come to terms with the fact that music was in my heart and I was going to get a degree in it whether they liked it or not.

My parents did support my love of horses, too, and I was fortunate enough to have a couple of horses. My sisters and I enjoyed riding and started out riding Western style, then switched to English. I have ALWAYS loved horses. I have even been to a wedding that was entirely on horseback, god love 'em!

They didn't want me to speak with a Southern accent, because they didn't feel it was "refined" enough. I still run into people who gawk at me when I say that I am a Nashville native because I lack a true Southern accent!

But I have always loved Nashville! The beautiful hills, the moderate climate, the smallness of the city, and the relatively low cost of living. So I decided to continue to live here when I finished college.

I was fortunate enough to have a couple of horses, though. My sisters and I enjoyed riding and started out riding Western style, then switched to English. I have ALWAYS loved horses. I have even been to a wedding that was entirely on horseback, god love 'em!

Enough background! Onto the story!

So a friend of mine says he has PBR tickets. I am thinking "Pabst Blue Ribbon puts on a show?" But no! He announces that there is ANOTHER PBR! The Professional Bull Riders! Well, needless to say, I didn't really care to go, but decided to have an open mind.

It turned out to be a lot of fun and I am really glad that I went!

I was really impressed with how long these guys were riding the bulls! And also learned that the term "Rodeo Clown" really does apply to a person who runs around and acts like a clown at a rodeo!

If you have never been, you might want to try it! This Nashville native learned a thing or two!

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If you are interested in finding a home in 12th South, Downtown, Green Hills, Hillsboro Village, Oak Hill or West End/Vandy area of Nashville, or would like to look at other real estate for sale in the Middle Tennessee area, please search the MLS HERE. Please note: You will have to register with my site to be able to search the MLS. I will contact you initially and all requests thereafter for privacy will be respected.

Looking to move? Wanting to Invest? Need help as a First Time Buyer? Please feel free to call me, Emily Lowe (yes, I'm a Realtor, with The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty) at 615.509.1753

Okay, this blog post is STRICTLY FOR FUN!!!

I was driving around in Williamson County the other day and noticed something that really made me laugh. 

Near Cool Springs Galleria is a small street.  Here is the street sign:

This made me reel with laughter... Is it just me?  Or do any of you remember the TRIPLE LINDY???

 

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If you are interested in finding a home in Nashville, Davidson County or the Middle Tennessee area, please search the MLS HERE.

If you would like to have a free comparable market analysis done on your home, if you are a first-time buyer (haven't owned a home in the last three years) and want to take advantage of the $8000 tax credit, an investor or just would like to talk real estate, please feel free to call me, Emily Lowe (yes, I'm a Realtor) and I work at The Lipman Group / Sotheby's International Realty at 615.509.1753!

So you have decided that you want to take advantage of the First Time Home Buyer's $8000 Tax Credit?!! This may be a great idea for you because in Middle Tennessee, you have got LOTS of homes to choose from! Your dream of homeownership may soon become reality!

If you have never bought a home before (believe it or not, a "first time home buyer" just means that you have not owned a home in the past three years), the idea of it might be a little bit daunting. This series that I am putting together strives to help clarify the steps that will lead you into your new front door!

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STEP ONE of this series dealt with FINDING A LENDER and getting yourself pre-approved for a loan (if you aren't going to pay cash).

STEP TWO of this series dealt with HOW TO FIND A REALTOR AND BEGIN YOUR HOME SEARCH.

STEP THREE of this series dealt with VIEWING AND SELECTING YOUR HOME.

STEP FOUR of this series dealt with MAKING AN OFFER!

STEP FIVE of this series dealt with THE HOME INSPECTION.

STEP SIX of this series dealt with SELECTING HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE.

STEP SEVEN of this series dealt with CHECKING IN WITH YOUR LENDER.

STEP EIGHT of this series dealt with THE ODDS AND ENDS TO DO BEFORE CLOSING.

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And now we are at the GLORIOUS CONCLUSION!!! THE CLOSING!!! First of all, CONGRATULATIONS for having made it this far! Buying your first home is a very stressful event, so if you have made it this far then you have the hard stuff behind you!

Before you hit that closing room, though, your realtor should take you to do a "walk through." This is simply where you go back over to the property you are about to purchase and look it over to make sure that it is in the same condition that the seller said it would be in. When you have done this, then it will be time to go to the closing!

Your realtor should let you know when your closing date and time is. If he or she has failed to do so, then give them a call, at least several days in advance! Most likely you will be closing during a weekday, so time off from work will be necessary.

I recommend setting your closing date for a Wednesday or Thursday, especially if your loan is going to be a VA or FHA one. The reason for this is that if there is a glitch in the loan being able to be closed, then you still have one or two more weekdays to allow your lender to work this out. Then you will also have the weekend to get moved! NOTHING IS WORSE than your loan not being approved on a Friday - then you have to wait the entire weekend (agony) before you can get some straight answers as to what is going on.

A word of warning: People who work in the real estate industry are NOTORIOUS for being flippant about the closing date and time!!! To you, it is something that is set in stone. To real estate industry veterans, the closing date and time is NEVER set in stone. I try to remind all of my clients of that reality continually. SO MANY THINGS CAN DELAY A CLOSING... extra paperwork needed, extra sign offs by FHA and VA inspectors, extra inspections required, the list is really endless.

Also, be prepared because closing costs can change at the last minute as well. I have seen them change by as much as a thousand dollars ($1000 - gulp). You will need a certified or cashier's check from your bank to cover these closing costs - and you need to confirm with your realtor as to which one you need the day before closing.

One document your realtor should give you a day or two before the closing is the HUD-1 statement. This is an extremely important document which will run down the numbers for both the seller's side and the buyer's side. Honestly, the first time you see one of these you will be REALLY CONFUSED. Your real estate agent should go over this with you, but if they don't offer then ask! And if you find anything on that statement that seems questionable, then ask! And then ask some more!!!

If your closing takes place during the business day, then you should be able to ask not only the realtor, but also the seller (through your realtor), lender and the closing attorney any questions that you have.

REMEMBER: Be flexible. A lot of things have to come together in order for there to be a closing! It may or may not go completely smoothly - so be aware of this fact!

Best wishes in your search and move! I would love to be the Realtor to help you and either way I wish you well!

______________________________________________________________________________________

If you are interested in finding a home in 12th South, Downtown, Green Hills, Hillsboro Village, Oak Hill or West End/Vandy area of Nashville, or would like to look at other real estate for sale in the Middle Tennessee area, please search the MLS HERE. Please note: You will have to register with my site to be able to search the MLS. I will contact you initially and all requests thereafter for privacy will be respected.

Looking to move? Wanting to Invest? Need help as a First Time Buyer? Please feel free to call me, Emily Lowe (yes, I'm a Realtor, with The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty) at 615.509.1753

So you have decided that you want to take advantage of the First Time Home Buyer's $8000 Tax Credit?!! This may be a great idea for you because in Middle Tennessee, you have got LOTS of homes to choose from! Your dream of homeownership may soon become reality!

If you have never bought a home before (believe it or not, a "first time home buyer" just means that you have not owned a home in the past three years), the idea of it might be a little bit daunting. This series that I am putting together strives to help clarify the steps that will lead you into your new front door!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

STEP ONE of this series dealt with FINDING A LENDER and getting yourself pre-approved for a loan (if you aren't going to pay cash).

STEP TWO of this series dealt with HOW TO FIND A REALTOR AND BEGIN YOUR HOME SEARCH.

STEP THREE of this series dealt with VIEWING AND SELECTING YOUR HOME.

STEP FOUR of this series dealt with MAKING AN OFFER!

STEP FIVE of this series dealt with THE HOME INSPECTION.

STEP SIX of this series dealt with SELECTING HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE.

STEP SEVEN of this series dealt with COMPLETING THE PAPERWORK.

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Time to Finish Up the Odds and Ends!!!

Okay, so at this point in the first time home buying process, you have nearly jumped over all of the hurdles! The last thing you did was check with your mortgage lender and you made sure that all of the necessary paperwork had been signed! You likely had to turn in some extra pay stubs and revealed your entire financial situation!

So here we are. All the LITTLE THINGS that remain to do are a little time consuming and I am going to attempt to give you a checklist so you can stay on track.

• Where are you living? Do you need to let a landlord know that you are moving out? Have you squared away your lease/living situation? Time to do that!
• You will most likely need some movers to help get you into your new home! Whether these will be friends, family or professionals, this needs to be set up. It is usually easiest (if you are moving to a new home in the same town) to box up the small things yourself and hire professional movers to do the heavy lifting.
• Utilities - they must be put in your name! If there is a traditional seller on the other side of the transaction, then usually you can arrange through your realtor to have the utilities switched into your name the moment that the sellers' utilities are turned off. Ask your realtor to coordinate this. Follow this link for utility services and phone numbers.
• If you are wanting to set up a security system and cable, then you need to make a phone call about these items as well.
• Do you have a pet who needs fencing, either invisible or other? Make that call!
• Do you need a lawn service? Make that call!
• Do you need trash pickup service? Make that call!
• Change your address with the Postal Service!

There are CHECKLISTS available for moving - but these are the basics and need to be taken care of! You will have plenty of other things to worry about after you close on your new house and you will be glad that you took care of these in advance!

Now... get ready for the CLOSING!!!

______________________________________________________________________________________

If you are interested in finding a home in 12th South, Downtown, Green Hills, Hillsboro Village, Oak Hill or West End/Vandy area of Nashville, or would like to look at other real estate for sale in the Middle Tennessee area, please search the MLS HERE. Please note: You will have to register with my site to be able to search the MLS. I will contact you initially and all requests thereafter for privacy will be respected.

Looking to move? Wanting to Invest? Need help as a First Time Buyer? Please feel free to call me, Emily Lowe (yes, I'm a Realtor, with The Lipman Group Sotheby's International Realty) at 615.509.1753