...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

Short Sales - Sumitting The Offer Here is a list of what you are going to need when submitting the Short Sale Offer Signed Offer - Buyer(s) & Seller(s) Estimated HUD-1 Buyers Qualification Letter Short Sale Package 2 Years signed tax returns 2 Months bank statements 2 Most recent pay check stubs Financial Statement Hardship Letter Signed Authorization Form  For a Short Sale Approval You need to demonstrait to the servicer that it makes sence to approve the sale You provide the documents needed to justify their decission Have pictures and comps Make the lender aware of your marketing ( your efforts and pricing history )  Why so long for a answer ? Lender needs to verify the value of the property Order the appraisal order BPO -this could take a coulple weeks pending on where this file is ... 07/08/2008

Short Sales - Possible Tax Consequences Is there a Possibility Tax Consequences..... YES it could be..... There MAY be a TAX Liability created by either a FORECLOSURE or a SHORT SALE. Have the Home Owner talk to their tax advisor as we are Realtors and NOT tax advisors and not allowed to give tax advice. The Seller receives a 1099 for the DISCOUNTED amount. The IRS looks at the discounted amount as Income. Home Owner will recieve a 1099 from the lender. they can file FORM 892 if they are Insolvent and can prove it. Meaning they do not have the ability to pay it.    Senario: If the home owners income is $30,000  for the year and the discount is $45,000. They owe taxes on $75,000 for that year. Now if they are insolvant and can prove it, they can file the 892 along with 1099 they may not ... 07/08/2008

 The signs are visable that Clarksville, Tennessee is growing. One of the newest signs around Clarksville is the new Lowe's store that is being built just behind Chick-Fil-A on Madison Street. This will be Clarksville's 2nd Lowe's store to open. The other Lowe's store is Located on Wilma Rudolph Blvd at the intersection on 101st Airborne Parkway. There is also a new strip mall being built next to Chick-Fil-A that will house Clarksville's 2nd CiCi's Pizza         Looking to BUY or SELL you home in Clarksville, Tennessee ? Call Roland Woodworth of Exit Realty Clarksville RolandWoodworth@TopProducer.com www.ClarksvilleHomeInformation.com 07/08/2008

Clarksville Tennessee is a 'Diamond in the Rough' that is currently being polished.  There are many benefits of calling Clarksville home one of which is the easy commute to Nashville. Yesterday, Pam and I took our daughter and some friends to the Kenny Chesney concert at LP field.  A simple 40 minute drive south and you simply could not ask for a better day.  What a great concert - eight hours in total.  Needless to say we were all ready to head home after a day of great music. And for those who are hoping to catch this tour - let me tell you it is well worth while.  And yes, Sammy Hagar can still jam!   07/06/2008

Looking to BUY or SELL your home ? I would like to help ! Call Roland Woodworth of Exit Realty Clarksville. Roland is Licensed in both Tennessee & Kentucky. RolandWoodworth@TopProducer.com I may never become President... With this short video, at least you can make your friends belive you are actually running, or even make it look like thay are running for office. Be sure to send this toyour friends and have fun ! www.ClarksvilleHomeInformation.com 07/05/2008

Home Sales Report - Clarksville, Tennessee - June 2008 The Local MLS has posted the Home Sales Report for Clarksville, Tennessee for June 2008. The following report shows Active Listings, Pending Sales and Closed Sales. Ft Campbell, Kentucky is right here in North Clarksville at the Tennessee & Kentucky State Line. Monthly - Activity Report: 06/2008   Property Class: Residential   Active ListingsNew ListingsPended ListingsClosed Listings AreaAvg Per DayAvg LPCountAvg LPCountAvg LPCountAvg CP%CP/LPAvg DOM 71 125 $114,342 31 $136,954 11 $142,240 11 $133,972 97.600% 76 72 76 $197,233 16 $172,561 8 $107,343 11 $143,322 95.700% 86 73 89 $162,861 24 $155,087 20 $148,705 17 $138,364 99.100% 99 74 223 $107,233 80 $105,076 44 $106,305 30 $100,770 96.800% 98 75 209 $134,385 52 $130,141 28 $127,20... 07/05/2008