I showed a home in The Reunion to an out of town couple this weekend. I've always been a fan of Pratt Homes but I hadn't ever been to The Reunion before.

The homes have a similar feel to other Pratt developments which often have larger homes on the periphery of the subdivision and smaller, back loading garage homes in the center.

Having many of the garages in the back, homes being close together and sited near the street, give The Reunion the feeling of a close-knit community. Wide sidewalks invite you to stroll around and meet the neighbors.

Of course requirements that cars be kept garaged, and prohibitions against airing your laundry (clean OR dirty) keep things looking picture perfect, sometimes to the point of sterility. You can see the full covenants & restrictions here.

Living in The Reunion, you'll have a community pool, clubhouse, basketball court & playground, along with lots of green space. Considering those things, the annual HOA fee of $750 seems reasonable.

There are still a few lots available to custom build on but it looks like about 90% of the neighborhood is built and sold. Considering how many homes are here, there really isn't a whole lot for sale (which is a great sign for the community!).

Think you might want to live in a neo-traditional neighborhood? Check out homes for sale in The Reunion. *Homes pictured aren't necessarily for sale

OK, so that could be some sort of metaphorical title referring to the Chattanooga real estate market....but it's not.

I'm talking about actual blue skies, the kind you see when it's neither freezing cold nor raining. You know, the sort of thing we haven't seen yet in 2010.

And so, I give you (drum roll please!).....

BLUE SKIES

(peeking from behind dark clouds)

Photo taken at Lee Highway and Shallowford Rd.

These stats are pulled from the 37421 & 37363 ZIP codes

All Ooltewah & East Brainerd Residential Real Estate Sales through the Chattanooga MLS

All active listings as of 11/5/09: 720

Pending or contingent listings (under contract) as of 11/5/09: 155

Residential listings closed (sold) during October 2009: 76

Number of months to sell current actives at October's sales pace: 9.5

Under $100,000

Active, residential listings: 29

Pending or contingent listings: 9

Residential listings closed during October 2009: 7

Number of months to sell current actives at October's sales pace: 4.1

$100,000-200,000

Active, residential listings: 266

Pending or contingent listings: 77

Residential listings closed during October 2009: 43

Number of months to sell current actives at October's sales pace: 6.2

$200,000-400,000

Active, residential listings: 315

Pending or contingent listings: 60

Residential listings closed during October 2009: 23

Number of months to sell current actives at October's sales pace: 13.7

Over $400,000

Active, residential listings: 110

Pending or contingent listings: 9

Residential listings closed during October 2009: 3

Number of months to sell current actives at October's sales pace: 36.7

What does all of this mean? It's been pretty hard to find anything for less than about $125k in this area for a while now and that shows in the 4.1 month supply of homes for under $100k. When something comes on the market it gets scooped up pretty quickly. Even going up to $200k, there's still only a 6 month supply. Of course, there's a disproportionate number of upscale and luxury homes in this area so you would expect it to be a little depressed given the state of the luxury real estate market in Chattanooga/Hamilton County. The upper end here is actually faring a little better than the rest of the area with a 37 month supply. Not great, but hey, I'm a glass half full kinda gal.

We are holding a home buyer seminar Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26. The seminar will be held at the new town home development, Melrose Parc Townhomes, by Coleman Hochman on East Brainerd Rd. Pam Jackson, from Crye-Leike Realtors, is conducting the seminar. Brumlow. Martin Insurance Agency will also participate in the seminar.

We are going to cover information on credit and on qualifying for a mortgage. We will review the new first time homebuyer stimulus tax credit and the THDA Stimulus Second Mortgage Program.

Pam Jackson can be reached at 423-619-8026. Her website is www.PamJackson.Crye-Leike.com

The times are 10am Saturday and 2 pm Sunday. The new town homes are at East Brainerd Rd and Melrose Avenue.

Melrose Parc Townhomes

Developed by Colman Hochman

Listed by Pam Jackson, Crye-Leike REALTORS

By David Israel, Business Manager

I have now been living in Chattanooga, Tennessee for almost 4 years, and my "Best Week Ever" is less than 30 days away. Riverbend ‘08 is almost here. For those of you who are reading about this festival for the first time you are certainly in for a great treat. The festival began in 1981 on a small strip at Ross's Landing and it has grown to a nine day event with over 100 performers on 6 stages. In fact Andy attended the very first Riverbend festival.

This year's three biggest headliners will be ZZ Top, The Black Crowes and America (who will perform with the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera).

The festival organizers have pretty much mastered this event. You do not need to purchase individual tickets, instead you purchase a pin. This pin gets you into the festival. So, if you buy the pin today through June 5th at our local Favorite Markets the cost is $28 (a $9 savings). Imagine all the entertainment you can gather up in an evening, for nine evenings, for only $28, talk about a bargain.

If you go, and you should, you will be amazed at how incredible the performances are. From the headliners on the Coca Cola Main stage to the performers on the other 5 stages. Last year we went and watched a Pink Floyd Cover Band play at one of the smaller stages. It was standing room only. We, and I say we because we were in the thick of it, were totally blown away by the performance and the crowds were huge. This was the first time the festival had a cover band play and from the success I witnessed, they will be doing it again. There is a great mix of performers throughout the week, from country, rock and everything in between.

You have to visit the Riverbend ‘08 to see a full lineup of performers for this year. The fun begins Friday night June 6th through Saturday night June 14th.

Riverbend is a festival on the Tennessee River, they actually bring in a huge barge for the Main Stage that pulls up along the bank of the river in downtown. The festival is a family friendly week of performance by national and local performers. There are also local talent shows, clowns, and so much more. Many people travel to Chattanooga for Riverbend, so if you live here and you've never been before, consider putting Riverbend 2008 on your schedule.