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Selecting a Realtor®
Important considerations when selecting a real estate agent
Buyers and real estate agents are partners
Choosing a Realtor® partner
Is a house a home?
John & Sarah Rummage Reference Letter 7-14-08
Buying a home is a very exciting and often frustrating process as well. Finding the "perfect match" for what you are looking for is hard enough, but understanding the whole process can be even more difficult.
When my fiancée and I began considering buying a home in the Nashville area, we began searching the Internet and finding possible houses on the MLS to look at. We wanted to casually get a feel for the market, without the presumed "high pressure" to buy, that we envisioned a realtor would bring to the equation. While out driving one weekend in the Hermitage area, we were parked in front of a house for sale, just casually looking. John and Sarah, happened to pull up to "show" the house to prospective buyers, John approached our car with a friendly greeting, asked if we were looking to buy a house, and gave us his and Sarah's business cards. He said "call us if you want to go looking at houses sometime," no pressure, just a friendly indication they would be available if we needed them.
A few weeks later, we were ready to really get serious in our search, called Sarah and John, gave them some houses we were interested in seeing, and some basic guidelines of what we were looking for. That evening, Sarah, had made appointments to view the houses we had stated, plus, found some similar ones for us to look at. In viewing these houses the next day, Sarah and John were very friendly and helpful in providing information about them, but more than that, they asked us questions in terms of what we liked and disliked about each house, and they "listened" to our answers. They did not pressure us in any way, and made us feel comfortable in expressing our opinions, positive or negative. The next day, driving through a neighborhood that was near some houses we had suggested for viewing, John found a house that fit the description of all the "likes" we had from the previous day's viewings. It was because he had listened so well the day before, that he knew it was the house for us! We went and looked at it, and made an offer that day.
Throughout the process after finding the right house, John and Sarah, have provided a wealth of information and guidance. From the "offer negotiations," home inspections, mortgage financing, and closing process, they have been there to answer any questions and gather needed information we needed. They have been a true "partner" in this process.
For someone looking for a realtor that is in it for the right reasons, "helping you buy a home, not just sell you a house," John and Sarah are your realtors. They are very knowledgeable and are great people to work with. In the end, we got the "home" we were looking for and made a couple of great new friends.
Sincerely,
Chris & Misty B...
American Realty Resources’ Mission Statement
Steven K. Scott wrote a book titled The Richest Man Who Ever Lived King Solomon's Secrets to Success, Wealth, And Happiness and in the book talks about the importance of partnering. Buying a home is the most important decision you will make, only after choosing a marriage partner, so you need a good faithful partner to help you find the perfect home for your family. I've summarized Steven Scott's ideas,
Examine their walk before you listen to their talk. What do their lives tell you? Do your due diligence. It's your life they may be messing with.
•Think about your own knowledge and experience. When you partner, pick a partner that expands your knowledge and experience. You want your partner to compensate for your weak areas.
•Can your partner understand what you want to accomplish. There is more to finding a home than finding a house. Will your partner listen to what you have to say?
•Will your partner sticks with you to the end of your search?
•Will you enjoy working with your real estate partner.
•What has your real estate partner done in his or her lifetime. Are their experiences rich with accomplishments? Goggle them and see what information is available.
My wife Sarah and I have lived in many place, and we made each place a home starting with our first apartment. We didn't consciously think about making a home, but still it just didn't happen. Several years ago Sarah and I read a book that made the process of creating a home, a safe port in the storms of life, more understandable. I will summarize what the author says about creating a home.
Frederick Buechner in his book The Longing for Home talks about how what we do as adults is shaped by our experiences as a child. The kind of house we look for as adults, more often than not, reflects the best of the best qualities of the home that our parents provided us. Even children that have unfortunate childhoods still have a vision of a happy home. The houses that Sarah and I always buy have to have lots of trees, because my happiest childhood memories are of our house backing up to a forest and exploring that forest day after day, rain or shine. The kitchen and having an office is important to Sarah. Her father worked at home and she has good memories of his desk, books and his stacks of papers. I can't wait to get to my subdivision and drive down the tree-lined streets and pull into my driveway and see my trees. And Sarah loves coming home, retreating to her office and her things. I think she could fore go the kitchen, but not feeding her family is not a reality so she wants a big spacious kitchen with lots of counter space and cabinets with doors on them.
Buechner also says that home is a vision of what is best about us as mothers and fathers and husbands and wives. Our home, which is the part and parcel of the house we choose to live in, is our safe harbor from the storms of life in the world. For us it was also being able to know when our sons left the house and came home and being able to hear them and being close to them at night when the things that go bump in the night frighten them and they needed to be reassured that all was well. We still talk about the first time they climbed out of their baby bed and their little feet go bump and how they knew how to find our bedroom in the dark and climbed up in our bed to kick and thrash around all night deep in their own little dreams. And all those qualities are still important when our grandchildren spend the night with us.
Sarah and I promise to make your search for "a place that you feel uniquely at home" a safe and productive search and at the end of your search we can all be proud of our accomplishment and our friendship.
John and Sarah Rummage
Nashville TN is a good place to make a home.
Home values in Nashville and Middle TN remains strong according to
The Wall Street Journal.
Finding the right house makes it easier for you to create a home.
It is easier for you to make a home when you find the right neighborhood and schools.
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One of my preferred lenders, Martin Harris, of Regions Bank, sent me an email very recently with information from THDA (Tennessee Housing and Development Agency).
Beginning next month THDA will offer a 2nd mortgage to first time home buyers. This will give borrowers access to part of their $8,000 (up to) tax refund at the closing table. Regions Bank will participate.
This solves the problem of those first-time homebuyers who are caught in a catch 22. They qualify for the $8,000 tax credit, but they have problems coming up with the initial 3.5% down payment. Instead of taking the THDA Great Start program at 6.125% whereby the state gives them funds for the down payment, now, they can use this tempoary loan for the down payment, and get the THDA Great Rate program at the lower 5.125%, and simply pay the state's second loan off after they've received the $8,000 tax credit from the federal goverment.
If you would like more information on the program, call Martin Harris, Regions Bank, 1604 21st Avenue
S, Nashville, TN 37212. (615) 748-2440 office. (615) 748-2441 fax
http://www.regionsmortgage.com/martinharris
Tell him that Sarah and John Rummage referred you to him to get more information. If you and he think that this is a good program for you, call us back to get started on finding a home. (John, 615-945-1838 or Sarah, 615-516-5233).
To search properties in the Middle Tennessee area, go to www.HouseInNashville.com and on the home page you will find a search button.
A home I previewed this week at 890 Rodney Dr, Nashville TN, 37205, is a lovely contemporary, built in 1987. The home has over 3,000 sq ft, and is priced at $509,900. This home is listed by Chris Lambos of The Realty Association.
Chris and I first met a few years ago when he was the agent for his sister who bought a condo I had listed in Bellevue. It was a pleasure to work with him then, and I wanted to see his new listing last weekend.
This home has an open floor plan, on 3 levels. There is a gorgeous view of the ‘West Meade Lake,' especially from the upstairs windows. This lake was formed, the neighbors say, before the subdivision was built when there was a rock quarry there. The workers hit a spring while digging one day, and the hole filled up quickly with water. Luckily the workmen got out safely, but some equipment was covered in water and never retrieved.
This property has a decorative iron fence around the back yard, so that the lake can be viewed but is not easily accessed by little ones.
Click here for a MLS printout.
Call us if you would like to see this home.
It would be my pleasure to work with you as your buyer's agent. I would like to work with Chris again!
A home I previewed this week at 890 Rodney Dr, Nashville TN, 37205, is a lovely contemporary, built in 1987. The home has over 3,000 sq ft, and is priced at $509,900. This home is listed by Chris Lambos of The Realty Association.
Chris and I first met a few years ago when he was the agent for his sister who bought a condo I had listed in Bellevue. It was a pleasure to work with him then, and I wanted to see his new listing last weekend.
This home has an open floor plan, on 3 levels. There is a gorgeous view of the ‘West Meade Lake,' especially from the upstairs windows. This lake was formed, the neighbors say, before the subdivision was built when there was a rock quarry there. The workers hit a spring while digging one day, and the hole filled up quickly with water. Luckily the workmen got out safely, but some equipment was covered in water and never retrieved.
This property has a decorative iron fence around the back yard, so that the lake can be viewed but is not easily accessed by little ones.
Click here for a MLS printout.
Call us if you would like to see this home.
It would be my pleasure to work with you as your buyer's agent. I would like to work with Chris again!
Selecting a Realtor®
Important considerations when selecting a real estate agent
Buyers and real estate agents are partners
Choosing a Realtor® partner
Is a house a home?
Steven K. Scott wrote a book titled The Richest Man Who Ever Lived King Solomon's Secrets to Success, Wealth, And Happiness and in the book talks about the importance of partnering. Buying a home is the most important decision you will make, only after choosing a marriage partner, so you need a good faithful partner to help you find the perfect home for your family. I've summarized Steven Scott's ideas,
Examine their walk before you listen to their talk. What do their lives tell you? Do your due diligence. It's your life they may be messing with.
My wife Sarah and I have lived in many place, and we made each place a home starting with our first apartment. We didn't consciously think about making a home, but still it just didn't happen. Several years ago Sarah and I read a book that made the process of creating a home, a safe port in the storms of life, more understandable. I will summarize what the author says about creating a home.
Frederick Buechner in his book The Longing for Home talks about how what we do as adults is shaped by our experiences as a child. The kind of house we look for as adults, more often than not, reflects the best of the best qualities of the home that our parents provided us. Even children that have unfortunate childhoods still have a vision of a happy home. The houses that Sarah and I always buy have to have lots of trees, because my happiest childhood memories are of our house backing up to a forrest and exploring that forrest day after day, rain or shine. The kitchen and having an office is important to Sarah. Her father worked at home and she has good memories of his desk, books and his stacks of papers. I can't wait to get to my subdivision and drive down the tree lined streets and pull into my driveway and see my trees. And Sarah loves coming home, retreating to her office and her things. I think she could fore go the kitchen, but not feeding her family is not a reality so she wants a big spacious kitchen with lots of counter space and cabinets with doors on them.
Buechner also says that home is a vision of what is best about us as mothers and fathers and husbands and wives. Our home, which is the part and parcel of the house we choose to live in is our safe harbour from the storms of life in the world. For us it was also being able to know when our sons left the house and came home and being able to hear them and being close to them at night when the things that go bump in the night sacared them and they needed to be reasured that all was well. We still talk about the first time they climbed out of their baby bed and their little feet go bump and how they knew how to find our bedroom in the dark and climbed up in our bed to kick and thrash around all night deep in their own little dreams. And all those qualities are still important when our grandchildren spend the night with us.
Sarah and I promise to make your search for "a place that you feel uniquely at home" a safe and productive search and at the end of your search we can all be proud of our accomplishment and our friendship.
John & Sarah Rummage Reference Letter 7-14-08
Buying a home is a very exciting and often frustrating process as well. Finding the "perfect match" for what you are looking for is hard enough, but understanding the whole process can be even more difficult.
When my fiancée and I began considering buying a home in the Nashville area, we began searching the internet and finding possible houses on the MLS to look at. We wanted to casually get a feel for the market, without the presumed "high pressure" to buy, that we envisioned a realtor would bring to the equation. While out driving one weekend in the Hermitage area, we were parked in front of a house for sale, just casually looking. John and Sarah, happened to pull up to "show" the house to prospective buyers, John approached our car with a friendly greeting, asked if we were looking to buy a house, and gave us his and Sarah's business cards. He said "call us if you want to go looking at houses sometime," no pressure, just a friendly indication they would be available if we needed them.
A few weeks later, we were ready to really get serious in our search, called Sarah and John, gave them some houses we were interested in seeing, and some basic guidelines of what we were looking for. That evening, Sarah, had made appointments to view the houses we had stated, plus, found some similar ones for us to look at. In viewing these houses the next day, Sarah and John were very friendly and helpful in providing information about them, but more than that, they asked us questions in terms of what we liked and disliked about each house, and they "listened" to our answers. They did not pressure us in any way, and made us feel comfortable in expressing our opinions, positive or negative. The next day, driving through a neighborhood that was near some houses we had suggested for viewing, John found a house that fit the description of all the "likes" we had from the previous day's viewings. It was because he had listened so well the day before, that he knew it was the house for us! We went and looked at it, and made an offer that day.
Throughout the process after finding the right house, John and Sarah, have provided a wealth of information and guidance. From the "offer negotiations," home inspections, mortgage financing, and closing process, they have been there to answer any questions and gather needed information I have had. They have been a true "partner" in this process.
For someone looking for a realtor that is in it for the right reasons, "helping you buy a home, not just sell you a house," John and Sarah are your realtors. They are very knowledgeable and are great people to work with. In the end, we got the "home" we were looking for and made a couple of great new friends.
Sincerely,
Chris & Misty B...
Nashville TN is a good place to make a home.
Home values in Nashville and Middle TN remains strong according to
The Wall Street Journal.
Finding the right house makes it easier for you to create a home.
It is easier for you to make a home when you find the right house.
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We are a husband and wife team, located in Nashville, Davidson County, TN. One speciality of ours is real estate charitable bargain sales. Call John at 615-620-4372 for more information.
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