Lori Fishkind, REALTOR®

It is already almost that time again!

The Fieldstone Farms Community Garage Sale is a huge event, attended by many shoppers both local, and from outlying counties (not to mention out of state)! This community sale is held rain or shine. So come prepared no matter the weather.

Scheduled for Saturday, September 17, 2011 it is just around the corner..

Start polishing the goods, don't forget your Yard Sale Permit , price tags and plenty of energy!

Get your Permit Form Here . You can mail it in, or better yet, go to City Hall in downtown Franklin.

Stop by, you might find a treasure, that long searched for trinket, or special piece for your home. Bring the truck, bring the trailer, and your most comfortable walking shoes. It's always a great day!

 
Middle TN Homes 4 You

I have lived in my new house for two years. It's not that old, only about 18 years. That might be near the end of the life of the HVAC systems, but with proper servicing and cleaning twice a year all is well, right?

Isn't it? It can be, if you get the PROPER things done. Or rather, if your servicing company does the proper things. When we bought our house, our home inspector recommended an HVAC inspection. The HVAC company said to have the units serviced. It was done. (Wasn't it)?

Last year, we called out a servicing company to check our air systems, especially the upstairs unit, because it was HOT. They told us we just needed the system cleaned and serviced. No problem, we've done that before (we thought). I accompany the technichian upstairs and ask him if he was supposed to open the top of the unit (where the coils are). No he replied, there is never a reason to open that part of the unit. Hmmmm.

Fast forward to this year. Our upstairs unit finally conks out. It froze. No air was coming through the vents. On a weekend of course, a holiday weekend. This time we called Comfort Zone. I spoke with Mike Spence. This guy knows his stuff, I could tell that from our phone conversation.

The bad news came on Monday morning. Oh, the AC unit was fine, but the fan blower/motor in the heating unit wasn't. This part was expensive (it's an old unit after all), so the decision was made to replace the unit.

While we were at it, we needed both units serviced, and THAT is when we found out that proper servicing MATTERS. Watch what they do, and know what they do.

Our units were FILTHY. The condensing coils of the outside downstairs unit were black, grungy, gross, and way beyond just one year of buildup. Didn't anyone ever actually CLEAN this unit? We thought they had. Ditto for the upstairs unit. Oh, the coils weren't as dirty, but we found out what killed that motor. Filth. Grime. Dust. Dirt. Thanks for nothing, oh prior AC servicing companies.

So much for your "service".

Now that I have blown off THAT steam, here's another plug for Mike Spence with Comfort Zone. Not only is this company less expensive that the other "bigger names" I have used, Mike is a pleasure to deal with, is on time, answers his phone, communicates well and will do what he can to try for the less expensive route first. (Thanks for trying the Capacitor first Mike, too bad it was the motor after all!).

Oh, and by the way, our upstairs unit is blowing air like never before. We can actually feel it coming through the vents. Is that what a clean system does? Thanks, Mike!

Divorce is so many things. Emotional, difficult, buried in paperwork, multiple decisions, etc. But when it is over, it should be OVER right?

If you have children you will always be tied through co-parenting. You love your kids, they love you. That is the way it should be.

But, tied through the house? That can be a dangerous place to be! Keeping your name on the mortgage can have disastrous financial effects. Co-owing the house after divorce can have disastrous effects as well. Can you imagine co-owing your home, paying the note month after month until you own the house free and clear, only to find out that you really DON'T?

Avoid these mistakes at the outset. Take steps to protect yourself.

Upcoming seminar for those in Middle TN is taking place Oct 21 at 5:30.

It is not your grandfather's old grocery, as they say. It's a grocery. It's a place to eat. It's an entertainment venue. Puckett's Grocery has three locations: 4142 Old Hillsboro Road, Leiper's Fork, TN; 120 Fourth Avenue South, Franklin, TN and their newest location opening at 500 Church Street in downtown Nashville, TN.

Puckett's was founded in the 1950's by the Puckett family. It's a good, down home place with a mix of clientele from local farmers, songrwriters, country artists, tourists and local residents, it's a wonderful "real" place to go for food and entertainment. In 1998, the original Leiper's Fork location was purchased by Andy Marshall. Puckett's is a staple in the Leiper's Fork community, and has since expanded to the Franklin and Nashville locations.

The Leiper's Fork location hosts regular shows, open mic nights, kids on stage and other fun events. The fun always continues at the Franklin Location with bands, open mic and songwriter contests. The Nashville location is coming soon.

We love our Franklin Firefighters. This year, on Oct 25-27 the Franklin Firefighters are going pink for cancer awareness. On these dates our Franklin Firefighters will be wearing pink T shirts to honor women who are fighting, or who have fought cancer.

T shirts are also available for purchase to the public. The Franklin Firefighters Association will be donating proceeds to help local women affected by cancer. The initiative is part of the "Cares enough to wear pink" National campaign organized by the Guardians of the Ribbon non profit.

The fire department intends to make this a yearly tradition.

Help support the cause by purchasing a T shirt. See details here: Franklin Fire Department.