Blogs

Clarksville TN Real Estate Blog

What to AVOID Before Closing on Your New Home
What to Avoid Before Closing Your New Home It’s understandable; you’re excited; you’ve found the right home, negotiated a contract, made a loan application and inspections.  Closing is not that far away, and you are making plans to move and put personal touches on your new home. Even if you ... [read full post]
published August 14, 2018

Waiting to Purchase Will Cost More
Waiting Will Cost More With the first quarter of 2018 in the books, the 30-year fixed rate mortgage is nearing what Freddie Mac predicted it would be in the second quarter. If this pace continues, rates will exceed the five percent mark expected by the end of the year. ... [read full post]
published April 9, 2018

What to Search ALL HOMES on your Mobile device? Download our FREE Mobile APP!
If you've ever been driving aound and found a home that looks interesting and asked yourself..."Wonder what the asking price of that home is?" Then look no further.  Just Download our Free Mobile App and you can have all this and more right in the palm of your hand!  And ... [read full post]
published March 26, 2018

Don't Take our Word for it. Here's what our past clients have to say...

Highly recommend***** From: Emily Ellis - Bought a home in Clarksville, TN Linda was so helpful during the house hunting process. Her expertise and love of her job shows in her enthusiasm and readiness to assist with any questions we had! Highly recommend***** From: Laura S. Towell - Bought ... [read full post]
published March 26, 2018

What Type of Mortgage are you Looking for? FHA Advantages
FHA Advantages The Federal Housing Authority, operating under HUD, offers affordable mortgages for tens of thousands of buyers who may not qualify for other types of programs. They are popular with both first-time and repeat buyers. The 3.5% down payment is an attractive fe ... [read full post]
published March 26, 2018

Fair Skies on the Horizon - 2018, The Tax Laws Affecting Home Ownership
Fair Skies on Horizon Buyers who have been concerned about what might happen to the tax laws affecting home ownership should feel more comfortable about moving forward with their decision to purchase. The 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act passed by Congress and signed by th ... [read full post]
published March 12, 2018

YOUR REFUND COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE
Your Refund Could be the Difference One of the silver linings to filing your income tax return is finding out that you are going to receive a refund. If you happen to be one of these fortunate taxpayers, your next decision is what to do with it. With the average tax refund a ... [read full post]
published March 12, 2018

INVENTORY CONTINUES TO BE A CHALLENGE
Inventory Continues to be a Challenge In any given market, inventories fluctuate based on supply and demand considering area and price range. The National Association of REALTORS considers a balanced market to be a six-month supply of homes.   If it takes longer than six months to sel ... [read full post]
published March 12, 2018

Protecting Your Credit
Protecting Your Credit One of the “big” three credit bureaus recently announced that a massive hack has exposed the personal information of up to 143 million people. To add perspective to that statement, that is about two-thirds of American credit card ... [read full post]
published September 18, 2017

An Alternative to Paying Tax Today...
An Alternative to Paying Tax Today The cartoon character Wimpy would say that he’d gladly repay you Tuesday for a hamburger today. Some real estate investors say a similar thing to Uncle Sam to be able to hold on to their proceeds from the sale of an investment and ... [read full post]
published April 17, 2017

Important Estate Documents
Important Estate Documents An estate plan is a collection of documents to ensure that your wishes are carried out because of death or incapacity to make decisions for yourself. Spouses, minor children, adult children, property and investments can all be factors that should ... [read full post]
published March 20, 2017

SPRING FORWARD!
Spring Forward     Spring Forward on Second Sunday in March...So, This weekend, adjust your clocks forward by one hour. Most people find it convenient to change their clocks before they go to bed on Saturday night. If you are in the market to list or sale your home, please contact me at 931-320-2895. It would be my pleasure to assist you! Thanks, Linda     Linda Hales ... [read full post]
published March 8, 2017

Before You Pay Cash for a Home
Before You Pay Cash for a Home The National Association of REALTORS® reports in its 2016 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers that 12% of all buyers paid cash for their home.   Before paying cash for a home, a buyer should decide if they might put a loan on the home in the near future.  It may affect the ability to deduct the interest on a mortgage placed on the home at a later date. Homeowners can currently deduct the interest on up to $1 million of acquisi ... [read full post]
published March 6, 2017

Mortgage Loans from Relatives
Mortgage Loans from Relatives Occasionally, when dealing with close relatives who might also become heirs, signing a note and handling the paperwork properly may seem like a needless effort but it could mean the difference in being able to take a legitimate interest ded ... [read full post]
published February 6, 2017

Proof of Purchase
Proof of Purchase People who experience a property loss are usually asked by their insurance company for proof of purchase which can come in the form of a receipt or current inventory of their personal belongings.   Even the most organized people might find ... [read full post]
published January 30, 2017

Can 0.5% Increase in Interest Really Equal 5% Increase in Price?
Can 0.5% Really Equal 5%? Since the election, rates have started going up and it will have a direct effect on the cost of housing. There is a rule of thumb that a ½% change in interest is approximately equal to 5% change in price.   As the interest rates go up, it will cost ... [read full post]
published December 12, 2016

It Isn't Final Until It's Funded!
It Isn't Final Until It's Funded Mortgage approval isn’t final until it’s funded.  Things can change prior to the loan being closed that can affect a pre-approval such as changes in the borrowers’ financial situation or possibly, factors beyond their ... [read full post]
published November 28, 2016

It's The Principal of the Thing!!

It's the Principal of the Thing Most people think they’ll have a house payment and a car payment for the rest of their lives but it doesn’t have to be with a plan and a little discipline. The plan is to make additional principal contributions to a fixed ... [read full post]
published November 14, 2016

A Cost to Consider
A Cost to Consider Homeownership, part of the American Dream: a home of your own where you can feel safe, raise your family, share with your friends and enjoy life. The benefits are easily recognizable but maintenance is just a real and should be considered. ... [read full post]
published November 8, 2016

It's That Time Again...Time to Change Your Clocks!!!
Time to change your clocks     Fall Back on First Sunday in NovemberThis weekend, adjust your clocks back by one hour. Most people find it convenient to change their clocks before they go to bed on Saturday night.     Linda Hales Keller Williams Realty2271 Wilma Rudolph Blvd.Clarksville, TN 37040  931-320-2895 LindaHalesRealtor@gmail.com www.SearchHomesInClarksville.com ... [read full post]
published November 4, 2016

Down Payment: FOUND!!
Down Payment: FOUND! Saving the down payment may be unnecessarily keeping would-be buyers from getting into a home. They may be unaware that the funds might be available. The NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers reports that 81% of first-time buyers got all or p ... [read full post]
published October 26, 2016

Smart Use of Space
    a new footprint A Vancouver, British Columbia Designer Makes Smart Use of a Small Space This ranch-style home is surrounded by trees, hiking trails, glacier-fed rivers, and mountain vistas. The idyllic setting is also in a desirable neighbo ... [read full post]
published October 14, 2016

DID YOU KNOW? Sale of Home by Surviving Spouse
Sale of Home by Surviving Spouse Special consideration is made by IRS for the sale of a jointly-owned principal residence after the death of a spouse. Surviving spouse may qualify to exclude up to $500,000 of gain instead of the $250,000 exclusion for single people if ... [read full post]
published October 10, 2016

Rental Real Estate is Preferred Choice of Investment
Rental Real Estate is Preferred Choice Real estate is the overwhelming preferred choice by Americans as identified in a recent survey. With the Dow Jones industrial average reaching record highs, it might be expected that the stock market would be the favored choice but that wasn’t the outcome. Analysis of the report suggests that the popularity for houses could be that they are tangible assets that you can see where your money is actually invested compared to stocks ... [read full post]
published October 3, 2016

Awesome Barn Doors
  double-duty doors There are plenty of design elements that go into pulling a room together, but you likely don’t think of an interior door as being one of them. Interior doors are often nondescript and utilitarian; that changed with the introduction of the sliding barn door. Over t ... [read full post]
published October 1, 2016

When the Rate Goes Up...
When the rate goes up It’s not “if” the rate goes up but “when” the rate goes up; it could make a big difference for some buyers. Freddie Mac predicts that mortgage rates will be at 4.5% a year from now.   If buyers can afford a home with higher i ... [read full post]
published September 29, 2016

CHARMED by THE FARM...
  Charmed by the Farm Casual Classics from the Past Inspire a Present Trend You don’t have to live on a farm to capture the farmhouse style. Whether you want your entire home design to reflect a farmhouse or you want to incorporate the style through a series of smaller touches, you won’t regret ... [read full post]
published September 2, 2016

Should you Pay Off Your Mortgage?
Pay Off Your Mortgage? Becoming debt free is as much a part of the American Dream as owning a home but there certainly can be conflicting circumstances that make the decision to pay off your mortgage early unclear.   The advantages of paying off debt early i ... [read full post]
published August 29, 2016

Are You Ready for Retirement?
Ready for Retirement? It’s surprising to realize that most people spend more time planning their next vacation or cell phone purchase than they do on their own retirement. Let’s look at a hypothetical situation where you have $35,000 to invest for your retirem ... [read full post]
published August 15, 2016

How Will It Feel? You Don't Want to Wait & Find Out...
How Will It Feel? It has been said that change is the only constant. Most of the financial experts have been expecting interest rates to increase along with home prices. While homes, in most markets, have definitely seen increases over the past five years, the mortgage ... [read full post]
published July 31, 2016

Increase the Chance of Your Offer Being Accepted!
Increase the Chance of Being Accepted While all contracts must have certain required elements, mutual assent, consideration, capacity and legality, there are some things that increase its chance of being accepted.   The seller generally wants the highest possible price wi ... [read full post]
published July 16, 2016

Are You Asking the Right Questions?
The Right Questions are Key Asking the right questions will lead to the answers that help you determine which agent to use for one of the largest investments that most people make…the purchase or sale of their home.   Rudyard Kipling wrote the verse “I ... [read full post]
published July 11, 2016

Your Tenants Could Send Your Kids to College!
Your Tenants Could Send Your Kids to College Parents, with children getting closer and closer to entering college, may also be feeling stress because they haven’t saved enough for tuition and other expenses. It’s estimated that the average cost for the 2015 ... [read full post]
published May 31, 2016

The Obvious Alternative Investment
The Obvious Alternative Investment Rental homes can be a natural alternative investment choice for homeowners because they are already familiar with houses. Maintenance on a rental is not that much different than on your personal home. The same plumbers, painters ... [read full post]
published May 31, 2016

Could You Save Money by Refinancing?
7 Out of 50 Could Save Money It is estimated that seven million out of 50 million homeowners could save money by refinancing their existing mortgages. Obviously, if the replacement mortgage has a lower rate than your existing one, you will save money. If you bought a home b ... [read full post]
published May 16, 2016

How Much is Your Home Worth?
Your home may be worth a lot more than you think Real estate lost a lot of value during the recession but most areas have rebounded considerably.  In some cases, the homes are worth more than they were before the housing bubble burst. The dynamics are classic for this type of market: ... [read full post]
published May 9, 2016

You May Never Stop Paying for Some Improvements
You may never stop paying for some improvements You've saved the money and are ready to pay cash to build a new pool for your home.  However, that's just the beginning of your soon to be increased expenses which will include maintenance, higher utilities and higher taxes. Homeowners obviously benefit by a larger equity when their home in ... [read full post]
published May 9, 2016

The Real Estate Tax Assessment - Do you know how it works?
Worth the Effort States have a process of assessing the value of a property based on a number of things that can include size, amenities, location and what the owner paid for the property. Most states make adjustments to that value annually. Once it has been published to the owner, there is a process available for those who disag ... [read full post]
published April 28, 2016

Tips for Buying Rental Property
Tips for Buying Rentals Buying rental property can be an excellent decision and the better informed you are, the more likely you'll have favorable results.  The following suggestions can help you with your decisions.   Real estate is a long ... [read full post]
published April 28, 2016

How Earnest Are You?
How Earnest Are You? "If I tell you it's going to rain, you can put the buckets on the porch." If you grew up in the south, you made have heard this expression when a person is testifying to the veracity of his word. If you know a person and/or their reputation, y ... [read full post]
published April 11, 2016

Put More Money in Your Paycheck
More Money in Your Paycheck A homeowner’s tax savings benefit is generally realized when they file their federal income tax return after the money has been spent for the interest and property taxes. Some people look forward to the refund as a means of forced s ... [read full post]
published March 29, 2016

The 6 Reasons To Reduce Your Home Price
  While you’d like to get the best price for your home, consider our six reasons to reduce your home price. If you don't receive any offers for a few weeks, check out other comparable houses on the market and what they're going for. Image: Liz Foreman &nbs ... [read full post]
published March 24, 2016

You Can't Detect These Stinky Smells, But the Buyer Can
Print Email   Stand in your kitchen and take a deep breath. Smell that? From last night’s fish to your son’s nasty lacrosse pads (why did he leave them on the table?), you probably can’t d ... [read full post]
published March 24, 2016

Postponing a Purchase?

Postponing a Purchase You might be surprised how many people contact real estate offices because they want to buy a home but they don’t have the down payment or the credit to qualify. Occasionally, an agent will be working with someone who does have the down payme ... [read full post]
published March 21, 2016

Leverage - A Maximum Advantage
Leverage - A Maximum Advantage Leverage gives the user a maximum advantage whether it is physically lifting a large object or rapidly building equity in a home. In the case of the home, the high loan-to-value mortgage allows the profits made to be greater than simply the c ... [read full post]
published March 10, 2016

Digital Showings...
Digital Showings Ask any real estate professional if they have sold a house without the buyer having physically seen it and they’ll most likely tell you they have. While it may have been an unconventional sale, it is more prevalent today than it was twenty or even ... [read full post]
published March 1, 2016
All information found in these blog posts is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Real estate listing data is provided by the listing agent of the property and is not controlled by the owner or developer of this website. Any information found here regarding real estate information should be cross referenced with the local county and state organizations.