Sarah & John Rummage

Do some buyers believe that they don't need inspections on new construction? We recommend they do. We got an email this morning from a buyer/friend who bought a new condo a couple of years ago. The email read:

"At 3:00 am early this morning, my sister came into my room and said ‘get up, we have a problem.' From a sound sleep, she woke up to what she thought was a heavy rain.....it was not rain.., it was the guest bath being flooded by the neighbor's bath above mine. We started grabbing towels and blankets and anything we could find to put on the floor to absorb the water. The water was running down my walls and coming out of the exhaust fan in the ceiling....it was everywhere. We went upstairs and knocked on the door; a young man came to the door. We told him what was happening and he went into his guest bath room and said the water was up to his ankles and in his hall and kitchen."

When I got the email, I immediately called her and she said that it appeared that the pipe under her neighbor's sink just came apart. Now, I don't know that this neighbor did NOT have an inspection. But, I am guessing he did not. An inspector should have found this problem and the buyer would have had it corrected before closing. This is the type of problem that we see in new construction...Things that somebody forgot to do (the last person to work on it was off the next day and thought his/her buddy would finish up), or did half-way, or just plain forgot to do.

She said that IF the owner upstairs had not come home from his
New Year's Eve party (he considered spending the night at his host's home)
AND had not answered the door, and IF her sister had not been spending the night right under the leak and heard it, she might have had a much worse flood than she had. She is grateful for small blessings!

Happy New Year 2009 everyone!

There is a FSBO home which I pass by a lot, and it has been a FSBO off and on for several years. I have called and left several voice mail messages to get information on the house this last FSBO campaign. The owner has never called me, nor has she called back several people I know who are interested in the house.

I have noticed over the last few months that the phone number on the signs has gotten dimmer and dimmer. Today, it is almost gone. It is impossible to see it from the street. Now, probably if you get out of your car, and get close to the sign, you may be able to see a faint memory
of a hand-written number, but you can't see it from the street.

Think maybe this FSBO has given up? Doesn't care? I do know one thing. He or she needs a Realtor to get it sold. It is none of my business, but if this were my house, I would either pick up my weather-beaten signs, and forget about selling or renting it.

OR, call a Realtor with a fresh, readable sign to list it and market it to sell.

Time to get off the fence, JMHO.

In 2006 John and I had the privilege of visiting Jerusalem, Israel. Although we did not stay at The American Colony Hotel there, we paid it a visit and looked at its lovely pictures and momentos in the lobby and in the hallways.

One of the first owners of the property was Horatio Spafford, a successful Chicago businessman and real estate owner in the 1800's. He lost much of his property in the great Chicago fire. He had slowly begun to build back his fortune, when he and his family planned a trip by ship to Europe. At the last minute, he had unexpected business to attend to in Chicago, and so he sent his wife and daughters on ahead of him. He intended to board another ship and meet them in a few days.

On the way, their ship collided with another ship, and all of his daughters died. Only his wife lived. He immediately left to join her. On the way, he asked the captain of the ship to show him the approximate spot where his daughters had drowned.
As he passed over the spot, he began to write the classic Christian
hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul."

Several years later the family, along with a small group of friends, moved to Jerusalem and were known as "The American Colony." They had a wish to live simply as Christians and do good to their neighbors.

At the hotel we heard the story of Bertha Vester, the Spafford's daughter. In 1925 or so, she was on her way to Bethlehem to lead carol singing. On the way, she met a young couple with a newborn son. The mother was obviously very ill, and Bertha arranged for her to be admitted to a hospital. During the night the mother died, and the father of the baby begged Bertha to take care of the baby and she agreed.

Bertha probably never made it to the carol singing, but the 'adoption' of the baby boy, led her to a ministry of caring for sick children in Israel.

May we all renew our caring nature and experience and share goodness this holiday season! May we experience joy from unexpected places.

Sarah and John

Just a reminder of a few perks of buying
a home right now! Pay attention if you
have been on the fence! This is a great
time to go from being a renter to being a home owner!

Perk #1. If you are a first time homebuyer (you haven't owned a home in the last 3 years), you may want to take advantage of the $7,500 Federal Housing Tax Credit/interest free loan. Or if you bought and closed on a first home on or after April 9, 2008 and before Dec 31, 2008, this credit may be available to you when you file your 2008 taxes.

First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit--A Few Points:

•· The tax credit is available for first-time home buyers only.

•· The maximum credit amount is $7,500.

•· The credit is available for homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009.

•· Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

The tax credit works like an interest-free loan and must be repaid over a 15-year period. Click here for more information on the credit. This information is for educational purposes only, and you should check with your financial professionals to see what is the best tax strategy for you!

Perk #2. Our buyer's receive a $200 Smooth Move Gift card at closing. Email us for more information. Use it at Target, Wal-Mart, or Kroger to stock your new pantry, buy new towels, cleaning supplies, or pizza for the first night's supper. Whatever! A little reward from us to you in appreciation for your business!

Perk #3 and #4. Inventory of homes and condos is outstanding, and interest rates are great. Click here for names and contact information on lenders who have given us good service in the past. Any of they will be happy to prequalify you for a mortgage. You can start with a phone call to them. They will let you know what price range to look in according to your income and debt.

Also, Perk #5, many sellers will help with closing costs. This helps you to conserve cash and the amount of money needed to bring to the closing table.

Begin your home search now! You will almost be
able to come home for the holidays.

Sarah & John Rummage, American Realty Resources LLC, Nashville TN - 615-516-5233
www.HouseInNashville.com
www.FoundingFamily.org - Our business helps support charitable works through this foundation.