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... 01/01/2008

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 ... 01/01/2008

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... 12/31/2007

 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 ... 12/28/2007

 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... 12/28/2007

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... 12/28/2007

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 ... 12/28/2007

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... 12/28/2007

I am a Realtor in the Nashville, Tennessee Real Estate Market - that is in Davidson County.  I have read many blogs on how our job is to market a property.                                                                          Active Rainers - I know that a lot of you are going to disagree with me, but I feel that it is my job to SELL a home or property, not to simply market it.  I have actually given this a lot of thought and what I keep coming back to is "What Does the Seller Want/Expect?"  When I get down to the heart of that question, my seller wants me to SELL THEIR HOUSE OR PROPERTY!!!  Marketing, of course, is going to be part of that.  Pricing is going to be part of that.  Advising is going to be part of that.  But the bottom line is, the house or property must be SOLD! If I d... 12/23/2007

As I was getting food ready for our "traditional" Christmas dinner of turkey, ham, and other traditional trimmings, I was walking by the door where I have this menu from the Original Maxwell House Hotel. The hotel became famous for its Christmas dinner, which featured such delicacies like some of the main entrée's on this original 1879 menu. Leg of Cumberland Mountain Black Bear, Sauce PervadeTennessee Opossum with Sweet Potatoes, Old Virginia Style  Kentucky ‘Coon, Devil's SauceRoasted Quail, au NaturalSaddle of Minnesota Venison, with Red Currant JellyCanvas-back and Red-head DucksBlue-Wing and Wood DucksRoasted Wild Turkeys, with Cranberry SauceWild GooseYoung Prairie Chickens, Broiled, Stewards SauceBroiled Pheasants, a la Maitre d'HotelRoasted Mallard DuckYum! Yum! Quite interestin... 12/22/2007

Having been a licensed electrician and an electrical engineer in a previous life, I am always on the look-out for unsafe electrical practices. Occasionally, I come across an external panel that is locked. I really wish the homeowner knew how dangerous this situation really is. All electric panels must have free and unrestricted access at all times! Your property, life or that of a loved one could be at risk.           Here are some of the things that I encounter with locked panels.The home owner does not know the combo code.The owner has to rifle through a drawer for several minutes looking for the key! They cannot find the key.The lock is frozen.I wind up cutting the lock off with bolt cutters.I understand that in some neighborhoods, kids play pranks by flipping the main breaker. Some ... 12/21/2007

I love my job! I keep telling myself that every day. I get an opportunity to see how other people live and the dumb thing that go on behind closed doors. I really cannot make this stuff up! Here are some of the more interesting things that I have encountered this week. I hope you enjoy. Dan must have stayed in the dog house more often than not. The solution, carpet the attic - it's easier than going outside and it's closer to the fridge for that beer during change of possessions. There was a cable hook-up, lights, and power in one corner. Oh yeah, the fan must have been for those hot summer days.     What time is it when all 3 lights flash on your circuit tester? Elementary my dear Watson, Get a new electrician! I won't even begin to speculate as to what is going on here.      Henry the... 12/21/2007

It is not uncommon to have real estate agents or my clients follow me through the property that I am inspecting and ask questions about my findings. While inspecting an older property, I noticed that the water volume coming out of the basin faucet reduce to a trickle when I flushed the toilet. I was asked, "What's Happening?" I'll explain.Some real estate agents and my clients seem to have some confusion differentiating between functional flow and water pressure. First of all, let's address water pressure. If you attached a pressure gauge to a spigot on your house, you would record the amount of force or pressure being supplied by the utility company or well pump. Legal water pressure being supplied by a municipality must be a minimum 40 PSI. If the plumbing system is designed right, th... 12/19/2007

Many people purchasing newly constructed homes opt not to have a home inspection. We all know the drill - the property has been inspected by codes, the property super has been watching the subs to ensure quality control, blah, blah, blah. Yeah! Right! In my 7+ years of inspecting commercial and residential properties, I can write a book about what I have seen in new construction.As is my habit, I generally do an initial walk-around to see if there may be some glaring issues that I will need to pay more attention to. I could not help but notice the condition of the roof covering on this brad new house! It looked like, "Who did it and ran!" Attached are a few photos. Not only were the tabs raised, there were several sections that looked as if the fasteners were backing out as well. What a... 12/16/2007

Because kids do the darndest things and most household fires start in bedrooms, arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) breakers have been required on all newly constructed residential properties as of 2002 and all residential properties where the wiring system and panel have been updated. These devices are required for the bedroom areas of the property and some building jurisdictions require them on smoke the alarm system. Many people purchasing newly constructed homes opt not to have a home inspection. We all know the drill - the property has been inspected by codes and the onsite building super and the property is in "perfect" condition. Yeah! Right! In my 7+ years of inspecting commercial and residential properties, I have seen several safety issues with these devices.About 10% of the... 12/15/2007

As part of the inspection process, we are required to inspect all readily accessible electric panels in a property. Several times a week, my inspector or I run into the situation where either unhandy Andy or some lazy electrician has used improper screws to hold the dead-front cover on the service panel.This is a very dangerous situation as the pointed screws can bite into the soft insulation on the conductors which can cause a short-circuit, electrocution or fire. Several years ago, one of my inspectors re-installed one of these screws and got the shock of his life. We do not re-install these screws any more.These screws were taken out a cabinet in a new construction property! The final electrical tag had been placed on the cabinet stating that it was in compliance. NOTProperly designe... 12/14/2007

The Hidden Danger in Your HomeIf your home was built after 1990 to present date, there may be a safety hazard in your home which has the potential to injure you or your loved ones.No, it is not Radon or the chemicals stored under your kitchen sink or closet where you keep your cleaning supplies. The culprit is what may be HOLDING up your cabinets - drywall screws. I subscribe to several trade publications and there have been a few articles about this hidden danger which just recently have begun to surface. There are several instances where cabinets have fallen off the walls injuring people - some of them severely. These instances have been traced back to where the cabinet installer used drywall screws to affix the cabinets to the walls.The combined weight of the cabinets, dishes, canned... 12/14/2007

An article in the Tennessean from Mandy Wachtler reported that prices of single family homes were up again last month compared to 2006. The average price of Nashville Real estate single family homes was $179,900 compared to $174,900 in 2006. Nashville real estate condo's rose from $159,900 to $167,035. Nashville real estate  sales were down 21 percent from 2867 to 2260, Inventory sits at 22,301 compared to 17,175 last year. Approximately 8 months supply of real estate is available at this time, compared to 6 months last year. As a comparison, some other parts of the country have 3 years supply at current sales levels. We are in a very good real estate environment for both sellers and buyers. Year to date Nashville real estate closings through November were down 13 percent from 2006 a re... 12/14/2007

Crye-Leike Realtors is on the move to open another Nashville real estate company office location in Midtown in the beginning of 2008. The real estate company location will be on Broadway near Music Row.Crye-Leike Nashville Commercial real estate division negotiated a contract to purchase and close on a 6900 square foot office building.  Contracted with Crossroads Architecture to handle renovations and improvements to both the interior space and exterior of the property.  One block from Music Row at 1819 Broadway in Midtown Nashville TN. Located at the corner of 19th Avenue and Broadway Near the new Adelicia condominium development, walking distance to Noshville Deli, Midtown Cafe and other nearby eateries and stores. "The location is ideal for Crye-Leike, Realtors," said Harold Crye, Fo... 12/14/2007

Looking for a home/condo/townhome near Vaderbilt College? Let me find you a great deal! Homes ranging from 99,000+ Executive housing too! Live near campus! Walk to school! Live in Nashville or right outside for privacy! Save on gas living directly in Nashville. Penthouses available! All prices, all floorplans! Call me now! I specialize in these properties! Need a rental? I can help with that too! Click here to go directly to my website or call me now! 12/13/2007