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Nashville, TN Real Estate News

By Larry Brewer - Benchmark Realty llc
(Benchmark Realty LLc)
Energy Efficient Homes in Spring Hill seen to be the rage right now, Most of us are now feeling the cold of winter. An even though it's not as cold in Tennessee as a lot of the country, I can tell when I walk in a home if it's been property insulated. Just going from room to room, you can feel a difference in temperature, and that usually means rapid heat loss. Now is the time to consider what buying a new construction home might save in energy cost over the life of the home. When I moved to a larger home in 2006, I expected my energy bill to go up, because it was a larger home. Imagine my surprise when the energy bills were 50 percent smaller. My previous home was built in 1995, and didn't have modern windows, doors, and HVAC units. The insulation standards for Nashville real estate at...
Comments 4
By TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc., Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029
(Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)
  Hot water systems must supply water at temperatures hot enough to meet cleaning demands but not so hot as to risk injury to people. Children, the disabled, and the elderly are most susceptible to hot water-related injuries. Currently, the maximum temperature criteria calls for temperatures to be in the 120-125ºF range. As part of this companies service to out customers, we check the temperatures of the water system and advise our customers accordingly. The risk of scalding or other injury from hot water can be estimated by the exposure time v/s the water temperature. The table below indicates the risk of injury to a normal healthy person. Keep in mind that these times are reduced for children, the disabled, and the elderly. 120ºF - More than 5 Minutes 125ºF - 1-1/2 to 2 Minutes 130ºF...
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By Todd Lewis
(Legacy Development Group, LLC)
Good News hit the papers this week from the GNAR (Greater Nashville Association of Realtors) announcing that our local market, Nashville, had the 4th best year on record!  Pretty amaznig considering all the bad press lately huh?Here is the press Release from GNAR:"There were 2,109 home closings reported for the month of December, according to figures provided by the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors®. This represents a decrease of 32 percent from the 3,109 closings reported for the same period last year. Fourth-quarter closings for the Greater Nashville area were 6,856, down 26 percent compared to the 9,307 closings reported for the same period as last year.The total number of closings for 2007 in the Greater Nashville area was 34,221, down 14.5 percent compared to the 40,056 cl...
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By Clint Haynes
(Peoples Home Equity, Inc.)
Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said Thursday that the FED is ready to step in and make rate cuts to help the slowing economy stay away from a recession in 2008.  Experts are saying his statements point toward a cut of as much as 1/2 % at the January meeting, and maybe more cuts to come at the March and April meetings.  While some think we could already be in a recession, Bernanke said he expects slower economical growth in 2008, but not necessarily a recession.With the housing market slowing, do you think these rate cuts will help sales in 2008?
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By Larry Brewer - Benchmark Realty llc
(Benchmark Realty LLc)
Nashville real estate closings for 2007 in the Greater Nashville area was 34,221, down 14.5 percent compared to the 40,056 closings reported for the same period as last year, which  was a record year for home sales in the region, According to the Greater Nashville association of realtors. Nashville real estate inventory increased to 20673 from 15,815 the previous year, giving buyers plenty of choices.Average prices of single family homes increased 2 percent from $184,562 to $187,900. The average number of days on market increased from 65 at the end 2006 to 76 in 2007. What does all of this information mean to buyers and sellers of Nashville real estate? Inventory levels are still higher than 2006, but they have been declining since April of 2007. Prices are stable, buyers and sellers bo...
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By TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc., Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029
(Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)
While doing your final walk-through, do you or your clients check the dishwasher?  This is one mechanical device that can cause some homeowners some unexpected grief or expense after the closing at escrow. Having completed over 2500 property inspections over the past 7 years, here are some tips: Start the check of the dishwasher at the beginning of your walk-through. This will give you adequate time for the unit to run through a short cycle. Open the door and lightly push down on it. The purpose of this test is to see if the unit has been properly secured within the enclosure. If the unit moves within the cabinet, it needs to be properly secured to prevent personal injury or damage to the unit. I am astounded as to the number of units that I find that have not been properly secured. It...
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By TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc., Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029
(Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)
A few times a month, I run across gas water heaters that has been installed either on the floor, or a few inches off the floor. Mechanical codes state that for fuel burring units such as gas and oil, the combustion chamber and ignition source should be a minimum of 18 inches above the floor. This requirement is intended to minimize the possible ignition of flammable vapors that may accumulate in the area of the unit. The potential for this hazardous condition can occur with the dispensing or accidental spillage of gasoline, paint thinners or other combustible products commonly used in the home. Flammable liquids can quickly vaporize, and being heavier than air, remain near the floor and are subject to instantaneous ignition from a  spark or open flame like a pilot light. This type situ...
Comments 2
By TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc., Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029
(Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)
Well, it seems as if our old buddy Unhandy Andy has been hard at work again - this time as an electrician. After spending months building a work shop out in the back of the house, it seems as if he wanted to find ways to burn it down in a matter of minutes. First of all, let's start with the main breaker. Here is how not to do it! The panel circuitry was actually wired for a capacity of 90 amps with a main feed wire rating of 30! The other end of the wire was directly tapped to the bottom of the bus inside the house.    Junction boxes? Aw, who needs 'em! These wiring connections are at the ceiling. No body can reach them, Right? There were 8 light fixtures all wired in the same fashion. I won't even get into the outlet circuits. There were so-o-o-o many wiring inconsistencies in this o...
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By Emily Lowe, Nashville TN Realtor
(RE/MAX Homes and Estates, Lipman Group)
If you are a savvy, "smart" shopper, then this may be just the house for you! Located at 4132 Outer Drive in the Green Hills / David Lipscomb part of Nashville ( Davidson County ), Tennessee!Priced to Sell at $355,000! REDUCED TO $325,000!!! This home has 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms and over 1800 square feet.  Loaded with character and potential!      Beautiful Corner Lot with Solid Brick Construction!           Notice the large floor to ceiling front window, hardwood floors and Built-In Cabinetry!                 Formal Dining Room with Chair Rail and Double Hung Wood Windows! Bright Galley Kitchen with Eat-In Space.  All Appliances Remain!Full Bath with Original Art Deco Details!Finished Porch Provides Laundry Facility Right Off Kitchen - Come See Our Ideas for Possible Renovation Here!Up...
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By TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc., Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029
(Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)
More and more these days, as production houses get built, I am seeing more signs of mold in the attics. Many building contractor are just pooh-poohing this off as "A certain amount of water staining is considered normal".  Water staining maybe, but mold? No!  What they don't want to say is that either their storage techniques or building practices are not up to par. Some of it could be blamed on the truss builder as well. BTW I find this problem more with truss construction than conventional framing. Mold spores will lie dormant on building materials until the moisture content gets above 20% moisture content. At that point, mold growth will begin, and will continue to grow and expand until the moisture content drops below 20%. During cool damp periods of weather, it is not uncommon to s...
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By TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc., Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029
(Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)
                            Several times a week, I see keyed entry locks on both sides of the deadbolt lock. Generally, I will see these in older properties or in rough neighborhoods where the home owner feels that they need this "added security". I will always make note of this condition to my clients and recommend that they get a licensed locksmith to re-key the lock and replace the interior lock with a thumb bolt. FYI keyed interior locks in new construction has been banned in most building jurisdictions. Here's Why: I have several friends who are firefighters. They tell me horror stories of people who become disoriented or get in a "fight or flight" mode in a house fire. Being confused, the forget where the door key is located. Often firefighters find people dead from asphyxiation...
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By TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc., Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029
(Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)
For many years, the material of choice for clothes dryer venting was the common flexible plastic vent hose. Invariably, I run across this material in some homes several times a month. As a courtesy to the new home buyer, I write this up as a potential fire safety hazard. There are two problems with this material. First, over time the heat can cause the plastic to stiffen and deteriorate. Secondly and most importantly... IT CAN BURN!!!   Actually, this is a no-brainer when you consider the heat that a clothes dryer is generates, as well as the flammable lint that can accumulate in the hose. This material was banned from use in new construction several years ago and must never be used at any time as it is considered a fire safety hazard.   There are three common venting alternatives avai...
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By TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc., Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029
(Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)
According to the EPA and other sources, Radon is second only to cigarettes as the leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It has also been labeled as the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers and smokers alike. It is estimated that about 20,000 US citizens will die this year due to the health effects of Radon.  Radon is a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless gas produced by the decay of Uranium in the soil. Most indoor radon comes into your home from the soil or rock beneath it. Radon and other gases rise through the soil and get trapped under the property. As the trapped gases build up pressure, the gasses are pulled into the property because the air pressure inside homes is usually lower than the pressure in the soil. The higher pressure under the building forces...
Comments 2
By Larry Brewer - Benchmark Realty llc
(Benchmark Realty LLc)
Most people know that Nashville is the music city, and most people know that country music is the most common association for music in Nashville. The big surprise is that Jazz and blues are also becoming a big part of the Nashville music scene. The Labor day Jazz festive at Riverfront park brings in National Jazz stars and fans to downtown Nashville every year.  Artists like George Benson, Patti Austin, and Jane Monheit, perform at the fantastic Schermerhorn symphony center, to sold out crowds.  The historic Ryman auditorium brings in great acts like B.B King and Herbie Hancock to perform for the great fans of Nashville.Some of the best recording studios in the world are in Nashville, and Jazz musicians are taking advantage of the facilities. What does it have to do with Nashville real ...
Comments 4
By TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc., Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029
(Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)
I'M sure that is the burning question that every kid that grew up on a farm like I did wants to know. Many, many moons ago, Hazlehurst, GA was a sleepy little rural farm town tucked away in the middle of nowhere. It was so small, that we used to joke that both city limits signs were on the same post. These were the days before video games and MTV, so as kids, we had to use our imagination and find ways to amuse ourselves. One lazy Sunday afternoon my sister, brother and I were sitting on the banks of the pond behind the barn, throwing pebbles in the water, just bored out of our minds. Plunk! Another pebble hit the surface of the water and all of a sudden it hit me. The burning question that only a 10 year old would want to know, Could Chickens Swim? I asked my siblings and they did not...
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By TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc., Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029
(Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)
 When was the last time you changed the air filter in your furnace or HVAC unit? Depending upon the filter and type, if you can't remember, then it is probably time to do something. Here are a few facts about air filters: Spun glass filters only stop about 10% of the dirt and need to be changed every 30 days! What happens to the rest of the dirt? Check your coils and ductwork! Can we say Yeech? Dirty air filters of any type can greatly reduce the efficiency of your system. It has to work harder to either heat or cool your home, wasting energy and also can reduce the life of the unit. Dirty air filters can also lead to cracked heat exchangers in gas-fired units. Washable type media is OK if the media opening is sized appropriately. Some washable medias such as the one in the background ...
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By TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc., Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029
(Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)
 At lease once a year, we get a call from one of our clients about the HVAC unit. Generally, the complaint stems from either the unit not working properly or when the unit is serviced. The call goes something like ... "Hi, this is John Customer and you inspected my house about 2 months ago. You stated in your report that the package unit was about a year old. Well we tried to use the heat yesterday, and the technician said the unit was about 15 years old and is shot!" It will cost me several thousands of dollars to replace the unit......" To protect or customers, it is the practice of this company to take pictures of the serial plates of all high end appliances such as furnaces, compressor units, water heaters and other "built-in" appliances.  When we do get calls such as this we print...
Comments 4
By TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc., Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029
(Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)
Have you ever wondered what the number one issue that I find in bathrooms is? Well just have a seat and I'll explain. While your sitting there, put on some good jammin' tunes and just wobble from side to side as if you are dancing in your seat. Comfy? Enjoying the music? Is your throne rocking from side to side as you do the shimmy shimmy shake?  If is is then you have found the answer to the number one issue. I have found units that I could literally pick up off the floor. I often wondered how people could keep their balance. And, after a look at the rotten sub-floor and framing members underneath, I wondered what kept it and them from falling through! I hate to say it, but most people just sit, use and forget. But, neglected, loose toilets can cause a lot of damage. The black water d...
Comments 5
By Emily Lowe, Nashville TN Realtor
(RE/MAX Homes and Estates, Lipman Group)
Only days away from the New Year, and already home listings in the Lipscomb Area of Green Hills are starting to pop up! Here are Emily's top three choices (only had 19 to choose from!) for Green Hills living "Lipscomb Style": First is 909 Marengo Lane listed at $314,900. With 5 Bedrooms and 3 Bathrooms and over 2800 Square Feet, this house gives a big bang for the buck!  Only needs a bit of personal updating and you will have lots of space to call your own!       Check Out that Man Cave downstairs!!!  With a Master Suite in the Upstairs!    Next, we have 3504 Rainbow Place for $369,900 with over 2000 Square Feet! This home boasts 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms and has been Beautifully Renovated saving you both precious Time and Money!       Beautiful!   And last, there is 1120 Belvidere Drive ...
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In the nation, only five markets showed projected appreciation of more than 4 percent - two of them are in Tennessee. Albuquerque was first, followed by Seattle; Nashville; Lancaster, Pa.; and Knoxville. Most of the nation will see at least a 5 percent drop in home values. Experts said many homeowners in Tennessee don't have sub-prime loans. Homeowners with those adjustable rate mortgages have gotten in financial trouble. That is one reason the housing market is better here.A new survey claims Clarksville, Tennessee residents will see big gains in 2008; in fact, the biggest in the country. If someone in Clarksville has a home worth $200,000, it should appreciate by 6.4 percent in 2008 or $12,800, according to the survey. Quality of life is high. Nashville was named one of the 15 best U...
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