Jolynna McCune, Affiliate Broker

Collierville's prestigious new neighborhood offers everything your family could want in a community, and more. Location and luxury living, located just north of Poplar off Shea Road. Homes start at 4000 square feet on lots 1/3 acres and up with lovely, mature trees, walking trails, neighborhood lake and protected greenbelt area, all surrounded by beautiful estate homes. Several quality builders are offering gorgeous custom plans in this fantasic community.

I represpent Dogwood Investment Company, builders who specializes in luxury custom homes throughout Collierville and Germantown. For more information, please visit www.dogwoodinvestmentco.com where you can take a virtual tour and view a map with directions.

Please email me at jolynnamccune@yahoo.com for futher information. Be sure and sign up for my newsletter online at www.jolynnashomes.com

Jolynna McCune
I'm in Your Neighborhood

Attention-getting Ad Openers

Here is a list of ad-openers I thought I would pass along. I believe in trying to be creative when writing ad copy for my listings, as many ads sound just the same and consumers get tired of the same old used-up phrases. I've highlighted some of my favorites. If you have any others you'd like to share, please post!

• Outstanding Hallmark Home
• Your Own Private Oasis
• You Deserve the Best.
• Seeing is Believing....
  
• Ultimate in Design and Technology
• Vacation At Home
• Take The Short Way Home
• A Place To Call Home
• Filled With Grace & Space
• Definitive Elegance
• Sit Back and Smile....
  
• Because you want so much more than just a house
  
• Highest Standard Of Luxury Living
• The One That Wont Get Away
• Your Personal Paradise
• You Can Go Home Again
• The Golden Ring
• Enjoy The Great Indoors
• Peace Really Does Come From Within
• Land, Location & Luxury
• Heaven’s Door
• The Rest Is History
• Do You See What I See?
• Let The Door Hit You
• Come See - Come Buy
• Dream Starter
• See Worthy
• Touched By Tradition
• The Great Entertainer
• All Dressed Up
• Memories Of A By-Gone Era
• Vintage “Colonial” Estate (insert home type)
• Picket Fence Included
• The Perfect House Warming Gift
• Harmoniously Balanced
• Honey and Sunshine
• Stately Custom, Colonial, Georgian, etc.
• Tradition Inspired Elegance
• A Picture Book Home
• Steeped In Tradition, Rich In Detail
• Just Around The Corner, Home
• Complete With Doorbell
• Majestically Appointed Victorian
• Hallmark Craftsmanship, In Vogue Styling
• It’s All In The Details
• The House Jack Did Not Build
• Simplistic Elegance, Intricate Detailing
• Pristine Beauty - Meticulous Setting
• Adorned With Adorable Add-ons
• Fall In Love Again
• By Popular Demand - Limited Engagement
• A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words, A Home Is Priceless
• In The Center Of Life Is Home
• A Simple Elegance
• A Simple Pleasure
• When Opportunity Knocks...
• Perfection Plus...
• Crafted for Luxury Living
• One Look Will Do
• The "Wow" Factor
  
• The Home Your Friends Are talking About
• Picturesque Home, Serenity Included
• Super For Single
• For That Someone Special

Jolynna McCune
I'm in Your Neighborhood

Recognizing Predatory Mortgage Lenders

Definition of a predator: One that preys on others. This is why some lenders have very fittingly earned the title as predatory mortgage lenders. Excessively high interest rates, questionable and/or hidden fees and high pressure tactics used to direct borrowers to a larger loan than they may be able to afford are trademark characteristics of a predatory mortgage lender.

Prey vs. Predator

When it comes to obtaining a mortgage, the rules of the jungle often apply. If you aren't careful, you may find yourself in the grasp of a questionable foe. If you are someone who has had past credit problems or simply find yourself struggling to obtain a mortgage, it may seem like a good idea to sign on with any lender who can close the deal.

But wait, jungle etiquette suggests that you should be knowledgeable of your surroundings and always look before you leap. Before making a quick decision on a loan that nobody else would approve, ask yourself whether or not the deal is a good one for you.

Measuring Up

If you suspect that you have been subjected to a predatory mortgage lender, look at how they measure up to other lenders. Were you charged fees up front and, if so, how much were they and what were they for? Do the lender's interest rates compare to current market rates or do they exceed them? When reading the fine print, do you notice fees that were never mentioned before but have now suddenly appeared in the paperwork? An honest lender has nothing to hide and will not surprise you with unexpected costs.

Who's at Risk

To put it simply, anyone is at risk for dealing with a predatory mortgage lender. This likelihood increases, however, if the homebuyer lacks the proper knowledge in how to identify an unscrupulous lender who preys on the misfortune of others.

Individuals who are especially vulnerable include those that have been turned down by other lenders and have little or no hope of obtaining a conventional loan. This may include individuals with severe past credit problems, accounts in collections, first-time homebuyers with little or no credit history and the elderly who have difficulty understanding the loan process or reading the fine print.

When it comes to obtaining a home loan, the process can be both exciting and confusing. There is a lot of paperwork to be signed, details to be worked out and numbers to be crunched. Your REALTOR® can help to steer you toward a lender that will help you to get the best value for your dollar.

To sign up for my monthly newsletter, please visit my website at jolynnashomes.com


Jolynna McCune
I'm in Your Neighborhood

You would never dream of inviting guests to your house without making certain preparations, so don't invite potential buyers without first making the necessary updates by preparing your home to sell. If you are like most sellers, you want to get as much as possible for your home and you want to do it as quickly as possible.


After you've lived in a house, it becomes much more than four walls and a ceiling. It's a home and it has a lot of good memories. Your first step to preparing your home to sell is to realize that you will take these memories with you wherever you go, but you won't be taking the house. It can be difficult to let go, but the task will be much easier if you start to think of it as a new beginning rather than an ending.


An important part of getting your home ready to sell is in staging the decor for potential buyers. When you stage a home, you create an environment that is free of any personal items, such as photos and/or anything that stands out as being customized for you or your family. When a potential buyer walks through your home, they need to envision their belongings and decor without being distracted by yours. While these items may be special to you, they could possibly prevent the buyer from being able to imagine their own style complimenting the home.

In addition to removing any personal items, make sure that you remove any clutter from the home. A clean home seems larger and more inviting, whereas a lot of stuff lying around could give the impression that the home is too small or cramped for storage. Pack up any knickknacks, remove your children's drawings from the refrigerator and clean up your counter space in both the kitchen and bathrooms.


Now that your house is clean, it's time to put the finishing touches on the staging process. A solid, neutral shade in a tablecloth should be selected for the dining room table. Depending on your decor and wall coloring, a solid white, sand or ivory covering will work well. In the center of the table, a vase with fresh cut flowers (or silk, if you have allergies) will add a nice accent. Did you know that the kitchen and bathroom are two of the main selling points to any home? Keep this in mind when preparing your home for potential buyers.

The living room should have one focal point, whether it be a fireplace or breathtaking view of the outside world. If you have too many features screaming out at potential buyers, they may feel overwhelmed, so focus on one aspect and make it shine. If you have a mantle, line it with three candles that match your decor in color. Place a large candle in the center with one smaller one on each end, which will be reminiscent of a perfectly matched bookend set. A home with a stunning view should have window dressings that accent the positive, instead of hiding it. If your furniture has a design of any kind, mask it with a solid slipcover to compliment the flooring or wall color. Some homeowners also add a fresh coat of paint to their home, which will bring life back into a fading color. Turn on the lights and open the blinds and draperies to create a bright and inviting environment throughout your home.


Now that you know how important it is to remove any clutter and oversized or bulky furniture, you need to know where to put it. If you already have a new home, you can simply move it there. Otherwise, you can put it into storage until you are ready to move. It's important to leave some essentials in your former home for potential buyers to see, such as a dining room table, a sofa and chairs, bed, etc. Any additional furnishings that seem to interrupt the flow of your home, or make it feel cramped, should be removed. You do not want potential buyers to feel as though the house is too small.


As a final strategy to prepare your home to sell, make sure that you have any carpet stains removed, windows cleaned, fresh linens placed in the bedrooms and bathrooms, etc. You would be surprised how many people pay attention to even the smallest of details, so be sure to fix any small repairs that could be a turnoff for buyers. Last but not least, make sure your home looks just as good on the outside as it does on the inside. This means that your lawn should be cared for, flower beds must be maintained and any outdoor clutter must be removed.

To subscribe to my newsletter, please visit my website, www.jolynnashomes.com

Jolynna McCune
I'm in Your Neighborhood

Hi Neighbors,

I wanted to post a note to let folks in my community know about a new service I am providing, completely free of charge.   I have a website, www.jolynnashomes.com, where you can sign up to receive a monthly email from me notifiying you of recent homes that have sold in YOUR neighborhood for that month.  

So, if you want to know what your neighbors sold their home for, or just keep up with the home prices in your area, this is a great way to do it, completely hassle-free and with absolutely no obligation to me for further services.  Give it a try today, just click the link to my site above and you'll be all set.

Many Thanks!   

Jolynna McCune
Collierville - I love my town!