Chattanooga Real Estate Blog

Chattanooga, TN October 2008 - Nationally renowned real estate marketing and technology speaker and REALTOR.com Vice President, Max Pigman, has presented to Andy Hodes of Keller Williams Realty the "real Estate Online Marketing Award of Excellence".  The Award of Excellence recognizes top agents who consistently provide great marketing services on behalf of their buyers and sellers.

"There are always some real estate agents who distinguish themselves from other agents by doing a little more for their sellers.  In particular; when the home they are selling is placed on a well trafficked site such as the 1st ranked REALTOR.com, even simple efforts like having more photos displayed, crafting better descriptions or adding a full motion video, can make a home stand out from competing properties," says Max Pigman, Vice President of Realtor.com.

The excellence award was presented to Andy Hodes at a recent real estate marketing and technology seminar that demonstrated cutting edge techniques for leveraging the Internet and technology in real estate marketing.

"The extra steps agents like Andy Hodes are taking on behalf of their clients is the reason we thought it worthwhile to call out the effort we have seen these agents make online and to recognize them for providing theses added value services, say Mr. Pigman.

REALTOR.com is just one of the many ways Andy Hodes is leveraging recent trends in home buyer online behavior to his clients benefit.

Home sellers interested in finding out how to have their home marketed on REALTOR.com should contact Andy Hodes at 423-664-1818 or email Andy@AndyHodes.com.

By David Israel, Business Manager

When getting ready to prepare a home to be placed on the market, Andy Hodes & The Scenic City Team stresses clearing out the clutter and making your home presentable to the public on the internet and when they walk through the door.  Below is our candidate for worst MLS Photo this week in Chattanooga

The only thing worse than a bad picture is NO PICTURE at all.

By David Israel, Business Manager

If you are a fan of home cooked Chili, this event is a must see in Chattanooga!  For the past five years at the Chattanooga Market, our fire fighters get together for a Chili Cookoff.  If you are willing to taste the fire produced by these brave men and women of Chattanooga, then head on down this Sunday for a tasting.  They are raising money for the MDA and the cost to taste all the contestants chili is only $7.50 for the first person and $5.00 for any additional person in your family.  Have no fear the fireman have the equipment to put out any fire that might erupt on your tastebuds.

This great fundraiser taking place not only goes for a great cause, but we the locals get to vote on the winner.  So, not only do you get to taste some fantastic Chili, but you get to vote on which firehouse in Chattanooga makes the best Chili.

I have attended this event the past couple of years, this is one event you do not want to miss.  If you have no plans this weekend in Chattanooga, this event should be placed on your calendar.  Your tastebuds will thank you!

By David Israel, Business Manager

Everywhere you go and everyone you talk to lately seem to be discussing and thinking about next week's election.  I must say that this is a welcome focus because I believe that the most important issue today, besides the economy, is voting.  Political views aside, everyone needs to vote because voting is a fundamental right given to us by the founders of our country and we all need to make sure that our vote counts. 

Early voting in Chattanooga (Hamilton County) broke the record with over 67,500 people voting early; early voting records were shattered in every state that allows early voting.  In Florida (where my folks live) people waited two hours or more just to early vote.  I think it is great that citizens are so committed to making sure their vote gets counted.  (My mother actually picked up an absentee ballot, filled it out and returned it rather than waiting in line; but she voted.)  By all accounts, Tuesday will produce a record turnout across the United States unmatched in our lifetime.

This right should not be taken lightly, after all before 1920, Women didn't have the right to vote, they had to fight for that right.  The passing of the 19th Amendmentto the Constitution finally gave women the right to vote.  There was also a time that blacks couldn't vote and, if I recall correctly, the desire for freedom and representation led to the Declaration of Independence which started the Revolutionary War.  Throughout our history people have fought and die to protect many things, among them the right to vote.

Some may try to convince you that your vote doesn't matter.  They'll say something like, ". . . this is a red state or this is a blue state so your vote won't count."  Shame on anyone that tells your anything other than, your vote matters, your vote counts and you need to vote this year on November 4th.

So, my moral of the story (okay it's a blog) is just get out and vote.  Whether you are Democrat or Republican (by the way, the parties were listed in  alphabetical order to be completely fair), whether you live in a "blue state" or a "red state" (also alphabetical), female or male, religious or non-religious, and no matter the color your skin - we are all Americans that have been given the right to VOTE.  Make sure that you are counted!

 Okay . . . I'm getting off my soap box now.  Have a great weekend and a wonderful election.

October 24th 2008 

By Angel Sherlin, Greater Chattanooga Lending 

While the headlines were focused on the poor performance of the stock market, mortgage rates improved moderately during a volatile week.  Mortgage rates were helped by a couple of factors.  Seeking to reduce risk, investors sold stocks and moved the funds into relatively safer Treasury bonds and government guaranteed mortgage backed securities.  In addition, slower economic growth and lower energy prices reduced expectations for future inflation.  More good news for the housing market came from the September Existing Home Sales report, which rose 5.5% from August to the highest annual rate since August 2007.

Another important development was a decline in Libor rates during the week.  Libor rates are viewed as a primary indicator of credit market conditions.  They are also an important benchmark for setting the rates on many consumer loans, including adjustable-rate mortgages.  Libor rates shot higher during the credit crisis when financial institutions became reluctant to lend money to each other.  The broad series of recent government actions brought Libor rates down closer to more normal levels.

A series of government officials made statements during the week, including Fed Chief Bernanke, former Fed Chief Greenspan, Treasury Secretary Paulson, and FDIC Chairman Bair.  The common theme is that the government is ready to take further actions as needed to support the economy and financial markets.  Broad support was seen for a second fiscal stimulus package.  The decline in the housing market was a key factor in causing the credit crisis, and many proposals are under consideration to help stabilize the housing market and prevent foreclosures.  The bottom line, though, is that it will take some time for economic conditions to improve.

The Grateful Gobbler is a non-competitive walk starting and ending at Collidge Park, where entertainment will be ongoing, as well as plenty of food and drink. Afterwards the historic Coolidge Park Carousel will be open - free for all participants. The Grateful Gobbler is a wonderful family event that will finish early enough so you can be home in time to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (on television), watch football and enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner.

History of the Grateful Gobbler Walk for the Homeless:

In November 2000, members of ten downtown congregations joined with the Homeless Coalition in organizing Chattanooga's inaugural Thanksgiving Day walk for the homeless.  All participants came together regardless of religious belief or background in order to work toward one common goal: helping some of the neediest individuals in our community.  With this goal, additional congregations have been added each year, making this an event that is a Chattanooga tradition for many families.

The Homeless Coalition is an association of agencies and individuals who serve the homeless population in our community and surrounding area.  It identifies service needs, works with organizations to develop resources, and facilitates community actions that move homeless individuals and families to self-sufficiency.  The Coalition is the "lead agency" in developing an eleven county Continuum of Care of services to homeless individuals and families.  It operates a computer-based centralized case management system that links providers in improving the quality of services to the homeless.  In addition, it operates a "Community Voice Mail" program that links the homeless/phone-less to employment, housing and needed health and human services.

Goals For The Walk:

• Promote an awareness of issues faced by the homeless population in an effort to find better long term solutions.
• Promote cooperation within our diverse faith community to respond to the needs of our neighbors.
• Promote philanthropy as well as a healthy lifestyle on a day characterized by overindulgence.
• Raise a significant sum to benefit the local homeless population through the Homeless Coalition and its member agencies.

For More Information, Contact:

The Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition - www.homelesscoalition.org

Your participation and support will directly help the homeless in our area through the agency you select (from a list of twenty-one) to be the beneficiary of your registration fee. All of our expenses (including free shirts for all participants) are underwritten by our sponsors, so your registration fee directly benefits your chosen agency, which are listed below.

Homeless Coalition Local Member Agencies
(Eligible for Grateful Gobbler Funding Based on Participation)

The A.I.M Center - www.aimcenterinc.org
Bridge Refugees and Sponsorship Services, Inc. - http://home.chattanooga.net/-bridge/index.html
CADAS - www.cadas.org
Catholic Charities - www.ccetn.org
Chattanooga Area Food Bank - www.chattfoodbank.org
Chattanooga Cares - www.chattanoogacares.org
Chattanooga Human Services - http://www.chattanooga.gov/82_HumanServices.htm
Chattanooga Rescue Mission - www.chattanoogarescuemission.com
Chattanooga Room in the Inn - www.chattanoogaroomintheinn.com
Chattanooga Church Ministires (Community Kitchen) - www.community-kitchen.org
Episcopal Metropolitan Ministries - www.metroministry.org
Habitat for Humanity of Chattanooga - www.habichatt.org
Homeless Health Care Center - http://health.hamiltontn.org/ClinicalServices/PCMC/HomelessHlt.aspx
Hope for Inner City - www.hoper.org
Hope United Ministries - hopeunlimitedmin@bellsouth.net
Interfaith Homeless Network - www.ihnchattanooga.org
Read Chattanooga, Inc. - www.readchattanooga.org
Regeneration Outreach Ministry - silvelsssand@bellsouth.net
Southeast TN Human Resource Agency - www.sethra.us
St. Catherine's Shelter for Women - (423) 266-0707
St Matthew's Shelter for Men (423) 266-1777

By David Israel, Business Manager

I always remember the phrase we used to use as a child, "Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat".  Today, many hand out healthier and better treats than we ever had as children.  I remember my parents going with us when we were young and, as we got older, we would venture out on our own.  Unfortunately, today's society is larger with more dangers lurking than when I was a kid.  So, it is very important that parents focus on safety this Halloween while being careful not to ruin the kid's experience. 

So, prepare well and use some of these

5 Tips for Trick or Treating this October 31st!

1.  Plan your route in advance!  Walk your neighborhood or other familiar neighborhoods and look for obstacles that might be dangerous or be annoying, like a broken sidewalk or limbs piled up next to the sidewalk.

2.  Make sure your kids are have plenty of light!  Consider using reflective tape on the back of their costume.  Kids care about the candy and won't mind the addition of reflective tap on their costumes.

3.  Make sure no costume drags them down!  The worst thing that could happen while out "Trick or Treating" is for your child to trip and fall, start crying and want to go home.  You want them to have the best experience possible so to avoid the "tripping hazard" make sure their costumes don't hit the ground.

4.  Breathing is important!  If  your child's costume has a mask, make sure there are ample holes for him/her to be able to breathe.  You also might want to bring a bottle of water to keep the kids hydrated.

5.  Be afraid of a dark home!  If a home is not well lit consider moving on to the next home.  They probably just don't want to be bothered (or forgot to buy some candy to give out).

Andy Hodes & The Scenic City Team want to wish all of our family, friends, clients, fellow bloggers, and all who visit our site a Happy Halloween!

By David Israel, Business Manager

Everyone around the world and in Chattanooga are going "green", but what does it mean?  Some people say that the term has become a buzz word for companies to capitalize on a movement to be able to charge more for products and services.  Others feel that it is an ecological movement by the citizens of the world to clean up the mess we have made over the past century, and a few even call this movement just a "fad"!  Kermit the Frog was actually the leading proponent of going green in the early 70's saying, "It's not easy being green".

Personally, I think going "green" is a way of life that is changing the world around us.  As consumers of "stuff", I really think that this movement is here to stay and hope that it will improve our lives.  There are so many products that have come to market in the past couple of years, but do we really know if they are "green" and really what does it all mean to you and to me personally?  We hear terms that builders are now building "Green Homes" under LEED Standards with Energy Star Appliances, and a reduction in the Carbon Footprint.  This sounds wonderful, but what in the world are they talking about?  Well, I was reading Georgia Realtor Magazine, September/October 2008, "Going Green Eco-Friendly Initiatives in Real Estate" Issue, and found a glossary of terms that gave me a better understanding of what all these terms and acronyms mean and I thought I would share them with you.

The Glossary of Green Terms:

Alternative Energy - Energy from sources other than fossil fuels (coal and natural gas), such as renewable sources like wind, sun, or raining water.

Carbon Footprint - The total amount of carbon dioxide emitted over a given time by a person, organization or state.  Usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Energy Star(R) - Actually introduced in 1992 by the US Environment Protection Agency as a voluntary labeling program to identify and promote energy-efficient products to help reduce greenhouse emissions.  Originally designed for computers, it has expanded to office products, major appliances, lighting, home electronics and now expanded to include complete buildings such as homes, commercial and industrial buildings.

Green Power - This is the production of electricity from environmentally friendly sources such as hydrogen fuel cells, ocean energy and wind power. 

Greenwashing - The practice of making an unsubstantiated or misleading claim about the environmental benefits of a product, service, technology or company practice.

Greywater - Waste water from lavatories, showers, baths and sinks only.  This water can be stored in special equipment and may then be used to water lawns, gardens or other relatively benign non-potable uses such as groundwater recharge.  Water from toilets is called black water; it must be properly drained to the sewer or septic system.

LEED - The acronym for "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design."  The LEED program was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council as a system for rating new and existing commercial, institutional and residential buildings.  It evaluates the overall environmental performance during the life-cycle of a building and provides a tangible methodology for analyzing the standards of a green building.

Sustainability - A way of working and living that balances immediate needs for commerce, living, habitation, food, transportation, energy and entertainment with future needs for these resources and systems as well as the liveliness and support of nature, natural resources and future generations.

I certainly hope that this information was helpful in all of our basic understanding of what it means to be green.  I am sure Kermit would appreciate us all.

By Kacey Sides, Buyer Specialist 

Even before hurricanes Gustav and Ike, gas station owners in the Chattanooga area warned us of the increase in prices to come - and they weren't kidding!  As of this past Saturday, we are finally seeing some decreasing prices at the pump.

Since the beginning of September, gas prices have soared to as much as $4.15 a gallon for regular unleaded gas.   Not only did the prices increase, but at most stations you either had to wait in line, or search for a station that had some gas to sell!  Although it has been frustrating, Chattanooga was not as hard hit as some of our neighbors in Georgia and North Carolina, who were also affected by the gas shortage.

With the end of the shortage in sight and with oil prices hovering around $85 a barrel, we're hoping for prices to continue to drop.  Currently, the lowest I noticed in our area is $3.06 a gallon for regular (which I never thought I'd be excited to see!).  Other areas of the country are seeing prices well below $3 a gallon!

With as much driving as I do working with my buyers, I can see that all areas in Chattanooga are not as quick to give the lower prices to their consumers and, with consumers driving less, not everyone is aware that lower prices are literally just around the corner .  I found a great web site to check the gas prices in the area to make sure I get the best available price.

http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx 

With this site you enter your zip code and it will give you the current gas prices in your area from the lowest to highest.  I was amazed when I checked this morning that there is a gas station near my house still charging $3.87 a gallon!  At that price it's worth driving a few extra miles to get it for $3.07!!  Avoiding those stations with the higher prices will not only save you money, but will send them a compelling message!  Check out this site for your area today...you'll be glad you did!

By David Israel, Business Manager

Today my wife and I went to the Chattanooga Zoo, not to see the animals, but to experience Go!Fest 2008.  Go!Fest is part of an initiative created by Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield to help make Chattanooga more accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability.

"People of all abilities want to live their lives to the fullest - without limitations," said Mayor Littlefield. "And the public's perception and awareness about disabilities will expand when discoveries are made about how people with different abilities live, work and play together.  We all benefit from unlocking the unique gifts of every citizen.  That's what Go!Fest is all about."

It was a beautiful day to visit the Chattanooga Zoo.  Along with the Chattanooga Department of Parks and Recreation, the city opened the Zoo to the public for free to see the changes in the Zoo and to experience Go!Fest.  We arrived around 11:30am and the parking lots were almost full.  Adults and children of all ages and disabilities were everywhere enjoying the sunshine and the free admission to the zoo. 

Go!Fest is a special project of the Mayor's office, to give the opportunity for all organizations to showcase their programs to children and adults with special needs.  There was something for a wide range of disability, there were disabled artists displaying their work, and organizations giving out information on how to assist people with disabilities.

One of the coolest groups that I got the opportunity to meet up with was SPARC, Sports, Arts and Recreation of Chattanooga.  Part of this group is sports and recreation for the disabled.  SPARC set up in the zoo parking lot to show all the disabled sports they sponsor, basketball, golf, skiing and biking.  Well, I have always wanted to get a bicycle, but they are pretty expensive, so I was thrilled at the opportunity to try one of these bicycles and take it for a spin.  It was a ton of fun and I am hoping to meet up with the group on Monday for a bike ride along the Tennessee River.  The city sponsors this wonderful group, which I plan on joining this week.

Chattanooga is a great town, with incredible amounts of opportunities for all, disabled or able bodied individuals.  There are wonderful activites throughout the city, thanks in part to the Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department.  Chattanooga has so many great parks and the new Zoo at Warner Park is just one of many wonderful places to spend time with friends and family.