Create a Marketing Plan Selling a home can entail a variety of marketing strategies. Once listed with me,  your home will be quickly entered into the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) for Middle Tennessee and placed on www.janiemasterson.com and Crye-Leike.com.  Most of my work will be quiet and unseen - yet important. The quiet telephone calls, the work with contacts, arranging for and marketing open houses, the follow-ups with open-house visitors, conversations with ad respondents, web postings and other outreach efforts are all part of the process required to sell homes.  I will post your home for sale on over fifty other sites, including yahoo, trulia, zillow, etc. You and I  will create a marketing plan for your home that will help distinguish it in our local marketplace and att... 07/18/2008

If you are a fan of Guitar Hero 3, you will not want to miss this upcoming event. Retro's Classic Arcade in Clarksville, Tennessee is hosting a Guitar Hero 3 Tournament on August 2, 2008.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to compete. Prizes will be awarded to the Top 3 Players in the Tournament. Retro's is located at 138 University Ave. Clarksville, Tennessee just across from Austin Peay State University. For more information Call Retro's at 931-802-8622. All Entries will recieve a gift package ! 07/17/2008

Glossary of Real Estate Terms   Addenda (Addendum):  An attachment to the Purchase & Sale Agreement. Agency:  The relationship that a real estate agent has with a customer or client. Buyer Broker:  An agent who represents the buyer in a transaction. CMA:  Comparable Market Analysis, or an opinion of a home's value. Comps:  Properties used as" comparables" on a CMA. Disclosure:  Verbal and/or written communication regarding agency, property condition, etc. Down payment:  Initial investment on a home loan. EM deposit:  Earnest money deposit, or good faith deposit provided as consideration when a buyer offers a contract to a seller. FHA:  A type of loan, government insured financing. Key box:  MLS electronic key which allows agents access to listed properties. List (Listing):  When a sell... 07/17/2008

The Closing Process    Once you have found the home you want to buy, there are several additional steps you need to take to close the sale after the purchase and sale agreements have been signed.    Step 1    Contingency removal: The most common contingencies are inspection, financing and the sale of your current home. These conditions must be removed or waived in writing before the sale on your new home can close. Step 2    Appraisal and title report: Your lender requires a formal appraisal to confirm the value of the home you're buying, to use as collateral to secure the loan. The title report ensures that the seller has clear title to the property and has the right to transfer ownership to you. Step 3    Prepare closing documents: Escrow service companies or real estate attorneys pre... 07/17/2008

Mortgage Application Checklist   Here is a list of information and documents you will need when you apply for a home loan:   Copy of the Purchase and Sale Agreement Your present mortgage information (or 12 months rental history) Two years history of employment and verification of all income sources If self-employed, copies of past two years income tax return and year to date profit and loss Two months checking, savings and investment account information verifying your liquid assets Name, account number and outstanding balance of each of your debts Information regarding any other income to be used Information regarding any other assets that will be used as funds to close If you're applying for a VA loan, you need a Certificate of Eligibility or DD-214 form If you are a relocating employe... 07/17/2008

A while back I posted some helpful links for those who were considering a move to the Clarksville or Fort Campbell area.  I thought that I would include a few helpful numbers, primarily for inbound Soldiers and their families:   Family Assistance Call Line:  1-866-252-9319 American Red Cross:  270-798-8559 Army Community Service:  270-798-9322 Army Emergency Relief:  270-798-5518 Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Operator:  270-798-8400/8388/8410 BACH Appointment:  931-431-4677/270-798-4677 Emergency Room:  270-798-8400/8500 Chaplain Care Line:  270-798-2273 Child Development Center:  270-439-7993 Family Advocacy Program:  270-412-5500 Family Resource Center:  270-956-2935 Fort Campbell Schools:  270-439-1927 Housing Office:  270-431-9003 ID Cards:  270-798-2424/4838 Legal Assistance:... 07/16/2008

...to make Clarksville a better place to live? That was the thread title on a local forum that I visit from time to time. It started back in May and had over 31 pages of response! I thought WOW this is great! I made it to page 12 and skipped to the end. A bunch of complaining was basically what it turned out to be. One page of quality ideas and 30 pages of pure nonsense which the moderators apparently allowed. Anyhow, I think it is a great question and can easily be applied to any town or city in the U.S.A. If people would sincerely ask themselves this question: What can YOU do to make (Insert City Name Here) a better place to live? Speaking of Clarksville (where I live) I can answer that and apply what I type. It is easy to simply sit here and “Say” what I “would” do – it is entirely d... 07/16/2008

I noticed an interesting poll in The Leaf Chronicle today and thought I would pose the same question here.  What are your thoughts - Should Military Service be a requirement for Presidential Candidates? My initial take (having served 20 years) is an absolute yes, but when you knee jerk and state such, you alienate those who may have wanted to serve, but could not due to a disability which is not their fault at all.  In cases like that, I believe they should obviously be the exception to any poll. Beyond those who physically cannot serve, I think that it is appropriate that any Presidential candidate have served a mininum of 2 years in the Service.  After all they will be the 'Commander in Chief' if elected to our highest office in the country.  Particularly, this becomes a greater conce... 07/16/2008

Had to see if this was a catchy enough title to get you folks to look!  Today in the news, the FED Chair put a grim outlook on our economy and specifically blamed the housing crisis this nation is in.  I for one do not see it as a 'Crisis'.  Granted there are places in this country that are seeing higher than average foreclosures - some are not because the owners cannot afford the home - more of anger that the price they paid and the price the home is now worth is alot different - to the detriment of the buyer. Pam and I went on a listing interview the other day and gave the prospective sellers a price that was 15% below the appraised value of two years ago - making the owners understand and appreciate this is sometimes difficult.  The rule of thumb in this area for the longest was to s... 07/15/2008

They were set to pass this resolution today.  The resolution was cosponsored by all nine of the Tennessee and Kentucky Representatives.  The resolution is to honor not only the Division, but the 186 Soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in Operations Iraq Freedom and Enduring Freedom.  The majority of the Division is deployed right now and are in all of our prayers back here at Fort Campbell and the surrounding communities.  We will start welcoming them home very soon.  A well deserved honor for a storied Division! To read about this please visit our local paper The Leaf Chronicle For more information on the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) please visit The Fort Campbell Home Page. 07/14/2008

This one is near and dear to my heart as our little girl Ashley dances for 'The Force'.  We have been going to Gatlinburg for the past few years in late June for this competition.   As Gatlinburg is a mere 4.5 hours away it is a great vacation spot as well.  We spent five days (3 of which were dance).  The kid really danced their hearts out and came away will most of the top honors.  Congrats to all the children who worked so hard throughout the year - well deserved honors.  Your parents are proud and we look forward to next year! To read more:  The Dance Force Rocks!   07/12/2008

Chief Warrant Officer Dave Cooper became the first living recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross since the begining of the Global War on Terrorism.  This is our nation's second highest award for valor.  The ceremony was attended by several politicians and many high ranking military officials.  A great American in all respects!  Join me in thanking CW5 Cooper and our Soldiers for their service to our nation. To read the local newspaper article:  One-Man Assault Hero Earns Honor 07/12/2008

What are your thoughts?  Should the government take over these (once) powerhouses?  Should the government allow them to fail?  Well the second question I believe we all know is already answered - they cannot fail!  I am not one for a bigger government, but it is obvious that both these companies, who own or back more that FIVE TRILLION dollars in homes has been ran nearly into the ground. If they were to fail - then whom would we look to for backing home mortages?  Fannie Mae has lost 67% of its share value in the past few days and Freddie Mac is hovering at 70% loss.  Article from CNN Money: http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/11/news/companies/fannie_freddie_shares/index.htm?postversion=2008071109   07/11/2008

There has beeb talk for some time about a new VA Clinic here in Clarksville, Tennessee. In todays Leaf Chronicle the story broke that a new clinic is in the works. In the article it goes on th say that if all goes according to plan, Veterans in Clarksville and the surounding areas will benefit from a much larger out patient clinic bt years end. YEAH !!!  Chris Alexander, spokesperson for Tennessee Valley Healthcare Systems, confirmed Wednesday that a larger Veterans Affairs clinic is under construction near the intersection of Tiny Town and Trenton roads. The current outpatient clinic is housed in the Physician's Office Building on the campus of the old Gateway Medical Center on Madison Street. More than anything, Alexander said the new clinic will allow for more services and the chance... 07/10/2008

Clarksville Tennessee growth places city in top 10. The U.S. Census Bureau says Tennessee's fifth-largest city is now the nation's ninth-fastest-growing large city. This is good for our community. Here are the nation's 10 fastest-growing large cities (cities with populations of 100,000 or more), ranked by growth from July 1, 2006 to July 1, 2007: 1. New Orleans, 13.8 percent 2. Victorville, Calif., 9.5 percent 3. McKinney, Texas, 8 percent 4. North Las Vegas, Nev., 7.4 percent 5. Cary, N.C., 7.3 percent 6. Killeen, Texas, 6.5 percent 7. Port St. Lucie, Fla., 6.3 percent 8. Gilbert, Ariz., 5.8 percent 9. Clarksville, Tenn., 4.8 percent 10. Denton, Texas, 4.7 percent   Here are Tennessee's largest cities, ranked by population growth from 2000-07. 1. Clarksville, 15.2 percent 2. Chattanoog... 07/10/2008

 The below article by Dave Campbell merely reinforces what I learned 18 years ago when I first arrived at Fort Campbell and Clarksville TN.  IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE and to raise a family.  As Deb Wilson posted earlier, it is also in the top 10 fastest growing cities in the nation!  There is a reason for this folks.  By DAVE CAMPBELL • The Leaf Chronicle • July 10, 2008 Retired Air Force Col. Jerry Trovero and his wife Diane have lived in Clarksville less than a month, but they have enjoyed their new home so far and have already found what they need in Clarksville.  "I'm speaking from very limited experience, but so far the experience has been great," Jerry Trovero said. "It's as good as any place we've ever lived." The Troveros quickly found many of the necessities that the couple n... 07/10/2008

One of the many great aspects of Clarksville is the Parks and Recreation Department.  In the spring and summer, residents of Clarksville, Fort Campbell and Montgomery County are treated to quiet a few events put together by our Parks department.  Below is just an example of this.  If you are a resident of our area, or moving this way, be sure to take advantage of these great events.  The Summer concerts along the River are a great time for all! Parks summer programs, concerts continue   July 6, 2008 |   The Clarksville Park Rangers will be hosting Park Watch meetings tonight at Ashton Park from 6:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. and a combined meeting of Bel-Aire and Dalewood Parks will be at Bel-Aire Park starting at 7:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Summer Programs have two weeks left and the Crow Community... 07/10/2008

Check out this artice in today's Leaf Chronicle.  I love this area.  I have been here for 30 years. I moved away as a young newly wed, but could not get back fast enough.  One of the main reasons I love being a Realtor is I have a product that I love and believe in.  To me, it is not just about selling homes, it is about helping families relocate and adjust to their new home.  It makes it so much easier that I love Clarksville.   July 10, 2008 City's growth puts it in Top 10By JIMMY SETTLEThe Leaf-Chronicle Among U.S. cities with populations of 100,000 people or more, few today are growing faster than Clarksville. That's not just widely held perception. It's fact, and there are now new statistics to back it up. The U.S. Census Bureau says Tennessee's fifth-largest city is now the nation... 07/10/2008

Short Sales - The Closing Steps to Close The Agent/Title company recieves the approval/demand letter. The Agent must forward it to the Title company in most cases. Demand letters or release letters must be submitted for all loans. Title company works up the settlement statement exactly as stated on the approval letter. None of the numbers can be changed at this point. Line 603 must net ZERO woth NO money to the seller. The demand letter must be revised in order to change the figures on the HUD-1. The HUD-1 is faxed back to the lender(s) to review and approve. The second lien holder who has issued a release must also be sent the final HUD-1 to review and approve ( This is in BIG BOLD PRINT on every letter. ONLY after the lender(s) has approved the final HUD-1 are you authorized to close ... 07/08/2008

Short Sales - Negotiating The Sale Who will Negotiate the Sale ? The listing agent and the home owner will negotiate the offers to get the BEST and HIGHEST possible offer. Always present ALL offers to the seller and REJECT and or COUNTER Unresonable offers. Have the Home owner to Accept the Best and Highest offer subject to the lenders approval of a Short Sale. The lender don't want you to send in all offers for them to negotiate. You will only send then the BEST and HIGHEST offer for Short Sale approval. Keep in mind that this can take 45-90 days to get the approval. The lender has to weigh the value of a Short Sale ~VS~ Foreclosure. There are many steps to the process. You will need a completed HUD-1 that must reflect the offer being submitted to the lender with the following informat... 07/08/2008