Congratulations to the Ooltewah Lady Owls and to the Soddy Daisy Lady Trojans for such successful years in highschool softball. Ooltewah is nationally ranked and headed to the state tournament. Soddy Daisy is focused on its 5th straight trip to the state championship game.
Soddy Daisy won the last two state titles, and lost in the state championship game the two previous years. My daughter played on the Red Bank team that won the state title 4 years ago.
The Chattanooga area is really a hot bed for girl's softball. UTC and Chattanooga State both have ranked collegiate teams.
GPS and Whitwell are also headed to the state tournaments for their classifications.
Good luck to all our teams.
This is an update to an earlier blog about fiber optic to the home. The Cable Telecommunications Association is continuing a law suit to stop the project. I understand that fiber optic will impact the cable industry. They are also fighting against AT&T entering the market. I understand their presence will impact Comcast's business.
But I do not appreciate their effort to stop a very important piece of our infrastructure development. The pluses from fiber optics are too numerous to list. It will bring a fundamental change to our area, probably in ways that cannot not be imagined. Kind of like how Al Gore could not have imagined Active Rain back in the days when he invented the internet.
I do not know the details of the lawsuit against the EPB fiber optic project, but the suit was previously dismissed. That speaks to me of the likely merit. It looks to me the only objection to the project is that it will make the cable companies become better companies.
Like the real estate market problems have made me become a better loan officer.
In today's Chattanooga News Free Press, an article announces that RelocateAmerica.com has chosen Chattanooga as the third best city to live in, for 2008.
The article mentions that Chattanooga was praised for "its opportunities for raising a family, starting a business and realizing their dreams."
Chattanooga is a city very much on the move. There is an active Chamber of Commerce, new business opening monthly. It is a technological innovation center, guided by the Technology Council. Business and government have an established partnership. The arts are well supported. We have a tremendous and well executed music festival, that is almost ready to open up. We have active charities and community efforts that work to address homelessness, single parent family, cancer, alzheimers,elderly care, Habitat, the list goes on.
You can be proud to live in Chattanooga. Which leads me to my upcoming blog post, about the media coverage of the real estate market, which is a tad bit overly negative given the actualities of Chattanooga. At least in my mind there seems to be a tendency to apply the negative aspects of national large markets to the Chattanooga and North Georgia markets, where the real estate market is strong and values are stable.
The article and links to RelocateAmerica are below.
photo of newly renovated Market Street Bridge, crossing the Tennessee River, posted in the artile on RelocateAmerica
Here is the article, from www.RelocateAmerica.com
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga has many educational and job opportunities with for nearly any field of study or profession. Having only occasional snow or ice in the winter, usually in Feb. is also a large drawing card for the area. The Tennessee River provides a place to play, fish and recreate the soul. Business opportunities are everywhere in franchising or entrepreneurial endeavors. This is the Bible Belt and churches abound from every denomination.
Several have world headquarters and regional facilities here. The Great Smoky Mountains are just a short drive away providing a sure thing for family fun. Native American Heritage is prevalent in many names and places as well as faces of the people. The rich history of the Civil War and the battles fought here like Chickamauga, and Missionary Ridge will provide a lifetime of study. If you want the flavor of a big city, Atlanta or Nashville is within a 2.5hr. drive. The local economy is soundly based on many small and large businesses. The largest employers are TVA, ABB, McKee, Dupont. Hamilton Place Mall is one of the largest in the Southeast.
Many people retire here for the culture, weather, general economics, and the four seasons. Erlinger, Memorial, and East Ridge Hospitals provide the best in all types of required care. All types of housing can be found from apartments to townhouses to condos and single family dwellings in prices ranging from 20,000 to 5 million. Come to Chattanooga and visit. You'll like our hospitality, our food, and the opportunities.
Due to moderate weather, I-75, I-24, I-59, the airport, the TN. River, many job opportunities abound. Commercial office space is rarely found empty. Educational facilities are among the best in the country. In addition, another university, Lee Univ. is located just 30 min. away in Cleveland, TN. Population is steadily increasing as more outsiders find their way here. The greater Chattanooga population exceeds 400,000, but is spread out over a 13 county region
Here's the list
TOP 10 CITIES
1. Charlotte, N.C.
2. San Antonio, Texas
3. Chattanooga, Tenn.
4. Greenville, S.C.
5. Tulsa, Okla.
6. Stevens Point, Wis.
7. Asheville, N.C.
8. Albuquerque, N.M.
9. Huntsville, Ala.
10. Seattle, Wash.
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Thoughts on Real Estate Finance EPB Fiber to the Home May 7th, 2008 5:00 PMAt the regular luncheon for Women's Council of Realtors Chattanooga (WCR), Candace Bell from the Electric Power Board spoke concerning the proposals to bring fiber optic cable to the residences and businesses in the Chattanooga area. There are several opponents of this proposal, but it seems obvious to me that it is an essential step in the continuing growth of the Chattanooga economy. Ms Bell mentioned that one of the stated reasons that Chattanooga lost in the bid to acquire the Toyota plant was the lack of high speed broad band internet capability. This fiber optic infrastructure promises affordable access to the new generation of high speed internet access. The connection speed is up to 50 times that of DSL or T1. A 20 mg download with fiber optic is almost insstantaneous compared to standard cable time of 10 or so sceconds. The EPB site for information about fiber to the home is http://www01.epb.net/fiber/ . The site has a frequent questions page as well as links to communicate your own questions to the proper EPB resource. The site has an excellent video that explains the benefits, the economic impact, and details for the proposals for this essential and powerful infrastructure investment. The plan for implementation is to begin from the main node downtown, and to proceed by stages outward from there. The plan will bring fiber optic capability to every business and every home with 5 years. Within 3 years, 80% of the EPB service area will have access. This is a tremendous opportunity for a better Chattanoogs. It promises high speed internet, more choice for TV and phone, and untold business and work opportunity. The members of WCR that attended were all impressed with the plan, and excited for it to be started. WCR is part of a national organization designed to develop leadership and business skills for women realtors. Information about the Chattanooga branch of WCR can be found at http://www.wcrchattanooga.org/
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The right Home Loan for you. American Acceptance Mortgage. Chattanooga, TN. Conventional and government home loans and mortgages in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. Purchase, refinance, renovation.
Home purchases and home refinances for Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. The right real estate loan for you. That is 
what American Acceptance Mortgage is all about. Each mortgage loan officer at American Acceptance is focused on providing the service you need. I have over 20 years experience as a mortgage loan officer. We have been making mortgage loans in Chattanooga, TN since 1994.
We know real estate finance. And we provide top service to each locality in our 3 state service area of Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.
Purchase Loans - We offer loans designed to keep your down payment low. These include conventional, FHA, VA, and Rural Development loans. We participate in the FHA approved down payment assistance programs and other nonprofit grant programs. By offering loan programs from several top national lenders, you can be sure that you can get the best approval terms around. Our promise is to get you to the closing table on time and with no surprises. We have real estate agent contacts in every area and can recommend agents that provide you with excellent service.
Refinance Loans - Understanding your refinance objectives is critical to obtaining just the right loan terms. Making certain that your goals are achievable before we even begin the process saves time and money. Working with me means that you will be fully informed at each step of the process.
Construction Permanent - With builders finding construction lines getting tight, experienced construction permanent lending is needed to get you your new custom home. We offer construction permanent loans through 5 different national lenders. This means that you get to choose the best options for you - fees, draws, construction interest, permanent lock in terms.
FHA Renovation - In today's market, you may find that a renovating your home is a good option. With an FHA renovation loan you get excellent terms. Also the FHA loan amount calculations typically allow you to receive more money for your renovations, meaning that you may very well get all the work you want.
If you are interested in a government loan, FHA, VA, or Rural Development, go to an experience lender. We have offered government loans since 1994. Our lender relationships and experience will make a difference for you. We close many loans that others cannot.
We are experienced with HUD foreclosures, and working with other foreclosure companies.
Relocation is made smooth with our local contacts and use of internet technology - secure online applications, toll free fax number, secure website user accounts, daily status reports, and the informative lock recommendation. Your move will be the happy experience it should be, because you will not be worrying over the financing of your new home.
Local focus - you can find ready resources to learn about the local communities in our service area.
Credit repair - You will not find better credit consultation anywhere. If you need professional assistance to repair your credit, you will know exactly what they need to do for you. For the most part you and I can work through credit issues. We even offer a service to help you build a credit file from scratch.
American Acceptance Mortgage, Inc
Home Office
I am active with the Red Bank Lions club and have served serveral terms on the board of my church, the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, and the Episcopal Commission of South East Tennessee. I am active with the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, and serve proudly as one of their ambassadors.
Currently, I am a committee chair with the Women's Council of Realtors, a member of the Chattanooga Association of Realtors, the Home Builders Association of Southern Tennessee, the mortgage brokers association,and the mortgage bankers association.
My goal is to WOW you.
We specialize in FHA, VA, and Rural Development mortgage loan programs. We offer these programs along with the traditional conventional mortgage programs. We are experienced FHA lenders, with proven results in credit repair and credit building. We take pride in serving our customers and have developed excellent reputations and relationships with our lender partners.
My real estate agents know they receive my full commitment and the commitment of my staff. I stay fully accessible. I return phone calls. I tell the truth. My clients and partners are kept fully informed of the status. My experience both as a mortgage loan officer and as a mortgage lender helps me to identify potential loan approval issues early in the process. This allows my clients to have right expectations about their home financing transaction. I know the financial goals of my clients and work hard to develop a lasting relationship with them.
Recently I have become involved with the Chattanooga Office of Multi Cultural Affairs. This is a group of local 
professionals from government, private, and industry entities who are working to educate consumers and businesses about discrimination and minority opportunity. I am very excited about this effort as a way to increase home ownership potential in Chattanooga.
Credit repair and credit building have become increasingly important in today's market. We have demonstrated results for many of our clients in helping them improve their credit histories without using for fee credit repair companies. In fact, we have been helping our customers with their credit for several years. In today's market, good credit management can have a significant impact on loan approval and loan terms. We are credit management experts, and we take the time to review, explain, evaluate, and advise.
FHA home loans have always been a specialty of our company. Even when FHA was losing market share to subprime and Alt A mortgages, we were closing FHA mortgage loans. Other brokers steered borrowers into subprime loans. We worked with borrowers to get an FHA home loan approved. We gained considerable processing experience with the art of manual underwriting and full documentation. Processing can make all the difference in getting a loan approved.
We are closing FHA loans that other lenders cannot. We prove that every day.
We put technology to work for you. This makes your loan process smooth. You know the status. You have the information. You can make the informed decision. Lending is local. We use technology to give you local service - right where you are.
"Richard is a professional and I would recommend him to anyone needing sound advice about their mortgage." BH Chattanooga, TN
"This is my first purchase. We just had a baby last year. And we are so excited. Richard has keep us informed of the status with daily emails. He always makes sure that we know what to expect next. On top of that, during the loan, my wallet was stolen. Richard came in over the weekend to help with all things I needed to do about indentity theft and to notify the charge card companies and the credit bureaus. He really helped." CK East Ridge, TN.
"My loan went well, really quickly. But there was a problem with the lender taking the appraisal. Richard stayed in touch continuously. I always new what was next. He worked with the realtor and with the appraiser and got the loan done. Even going to another lender, he kept my rate and still closed quickly. " RH Chattanooga, TN
"Richard is one of the most professional and knowledgeable broker/bankers I have had the pleasure of working with, it is refreshing to see his commitment and dedication to our industry." ST Nashville, TN
"I needed to purchase the salon where I worked. It was a great opportunity. Richard told me what needed to be done, but another lender kept making promises. Those promises were never kept. Richard was patient. He told me to keep working with the other company as long as I thought things were going to go through. He would keep my loan ready if I needed it. Well, I needed it. Now I have my salon and it is going well. Richard knew how to get it through." Cleveland
"Richard has been great to work with. I love it when my clients take charge of their advertising campaigns and want to be personally involved to really make it their own. He worked hard to personalize his commercial and has worked to keep his website up-to-date. Thanks Richard for making it easy to work with you and being a man of integrity. If you're interested in making your dreams come true and having financial freedom, Richard is the man to talk to to!" GH Chattanooga, TN
"Richard works hard for my buyers. I know that. He calls me before I call him most of the time. I love the daily updates. He sends weekly articles about changes and other news. I really feel like I know the status. And when something comes up, I know he is giving me the right information. That really is important to me." LP, Chattanooga
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