Jim Lee, Knoxville Tennessee Realtor®

Here's the first quarter of 2008 sales report for the greater Knoxville, Tennessee area

Here's the March 2008 sales report for the great Knoxville, Tennessee area

Well, spring has official arrived in the greater Knoxville, Tennessee area.

Lots of Robins in sight, I mowed our lawn for the 4th time yesterday, and the annual Dogwood Arts Festival is underway.

Red Dogwood blossoms in Knoxville, Tennessee

Billed as the "best 17 days of spring", Knoxville's Dogwood Arts Festival features lots of great events from music, to art, and best of all, the Dogwood Trails.

Our Dogwood trails consist of over 70 miles of scenic drives through seven of Knoxville’s most beautiful and architecturally significant neighborhoods. The 2008 featured trail is Sequoyah Hills, one of my favorites.

This year's parade had to be postponed until April 26th due to threatening weather so if you thought you missed it you have another chance. The parade features Knox County high school marching bands and community entries along with other themed entries. I love a parade and the Dogwood Arts parade and the Santa Claus parades are 2 of my local favorites.

This weekend (April 11-13) is the festival on Market Square Mall downtown featuring music, dancing, arts exhibits, local craftsmen, and of course food.

I took this picture this morning from the end of my driveway looking up the street; lots of Redbuds and Dogwoods in full bloom.

We hear a lot about setting goals and how powerful they can be in our lives. It stands to reason that if you want to own a home of your own then setting a goal to make that a reality will make that happen more quickly and more surely than if you merely wish for it or think about it every now and then.

Here are 5 tips that will greatly increase your chances of living in the home of your dreams much sooner than you thought possible.

1. First, and most important, you have got to write your goal down and be very specific what you're after. Don't just write; "I want to own a home.". Instead write; "I want to own a 2200 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2 car garage home with a fireplace and a large, wooded lot.". Being specific lets your mind's eye see you goal and focus on achieving it.
2. Your goal must be measurable. For example, if you need to save some money for a down payment, break that into smaller goals and achieve them one at a time. In what will seem like no time you will have that down payment money in the bank.
3. Your goal must be believable to you. In order to reach that goal you must believe you can; that is, for most of us, owning a luxury Caribbean beachfront mansion would not be believable while owning a 2,000 square foot brick home on a 1/2 acre lot in your city would.
4. It must be something important to you that you have a clear purpose for wanting. "I want to own a home of my own to afford my family the security it offers, to have a yard to grow roses in, and/or to stop rent increases every year."
5. And finally, and one of the most important goal setting tips; you must set a time limit to achieve your homeowner ship goal. "By June 10th, 2009, My family and I will own and be living in my 1800 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on a 1/2 acre lot."

Following and implementing the 5 tips above are almost guaranteed to make a homeowner out of you.

The sooner you get started the sooner you'll be living in your new home.

In what has become one of the rites of spring in the greater Knoxville area, a weekly outdoor concert series called "Sundown in the City" kicks off April 17th with the funk-fusion band Galactic.

Each Thursday evening beginning at 6:00 pm with the music starting at 7:00, the downtown Knoxville Market Square Mall comes to life with live music for all ages and tastes.

And best of all, it's totally FREE even to the parking!

Sponsored by a group of local businesses, Sundown in the City has drawn crowds of over 10,000 music lovers who kick back and enjoy rock, jazz, country, bluegrass, and a bit of music for every taste.

It's conducted in a wholesome atmosphere so it's a great family activity for kids & families of all ages. You can bring blankets or lawn chairs but coolers and outside food and drinks are banned.

Not to worry though, the Knoxville Market Square Mall has lots of restaurants and vendors on hand to keep you supplied.

So come this April 17th and running through July 3rd, downtown Knoxville and the Market Square Mall will be a happening place to be. Come on down and enjoy yourself in this lively atmosphere and enjoy some great (and free) music!