View our website Call Lee and Jeff for a 'Moving Experience!"
105 Center Park Drive, Suite 200 *** Knoxville, TN 37922 *** Office: 865-692-8181 Cell: 865-679-9007 Toll-Free: 1-877-782-6533
Lee and Jeff are licensed to sell real estate in TN
The "Right Size" Home
Work hard, buy a home, start a family and continue to upgrade your home until everyone has enough room. This has been the blueprint for lots of homeowners for the last fifty years but there is certainly a shift in thinking that could change all of that.
Interestingly, Americans live in much larger homes than most people in other countries throughout the world. The U.S. Census reported in 2006 that the average single family home completed had 2,469 square feet which was 769 feet more than in 1976.
Once the children are grown and have moved out, homeowners are finding they have too much room. Even if their home is paid for, they have higher property taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance on the larger home than they'd have if they were living in the "right size" home.
Some homeowners state thaty they're keeping their larger home because it has luxury features that smaller homes don't have. There's a movement that seems to have started in the United States to find the "right size" home with the amenities and convenience that homeowners want.
This philosophy has been expressed by Sarah Susanka in her book Creating the Not So Big House. It proposes a house that "values quality over quantity with an emphasis on comfort and beauty, a high level of detail, and a floor plan designed for today's informal lifestyle."
Last Minute Gifts Without Shopping
What do they want? What do they need? Will it fit? Do they already have one? These are the common thoughts running through our minds when trying to find the perfect gift.
The gift of really listening with no interrupting, no daydreaming and no planning your response is exactly what people want when they have something important to say.
The gift of affection with appropriate hugs, kisses and pats on the back can demonstrate your love for family and friends better than words.
The gift of laughter by sharing cartoons and funny stories will say "I love to laugh with you."
The gift of a simple written note shows sincerity and real heartfelt sentiment that may be remembered for a lifetime and could even change a life.
The gift of a sincere compliment supports a person's need to be accepted and appreciated. "You look great in that color", "That was outstanding" or "I really enjoyed that" can make someone's day.
The gift of random kindness or good deeds like holding a door or allowing someone to move ahead of you in a checkout lane shows respect for others.
Your smile, however, may be your most rewarding gift. Invariably, the person receiving the smile will in turn, smile back. The gift you gave will now be given back to you. It will be the right size and you can always use one more.
There's No Place Like Home
You don't have to be Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz to feel like there's no place like home.
Home is a place to call your own. It's a place to raise your family and share with your friends. It's a place to create memories. A home is a place to feel safe and secure.
Inspect all of your decorations and electrical lighting before using them. While you're enjoying the holidays this year, it's important to pay attention to some of the things that may affect your safety.
- Extension cords should not be placed under the carpet or rugs or bundled together which could cause overheating.
- Limit three standard size sets of lights to a single extension cord.
- Consider using portable or permanent ground fault circuit interrupters with all lighting to avoid possible shocks.
- Turn off holiday lights when you leave the home or got to bed.
- Avoid using candles near trees or wreaths.
- Do not allow natural trees to dry out during the time they're displayed to potential fire hazard.
- Make certain that all trees are on a firm, steady base to avoid tipping over.
- Don't burn wrapping paper in fireplaces.
- Small children are particularly susceptible to accidents and should be protected from potential harm.
Looking for an Alternative to home cooking for Thanksgiving?
Mortgage rates too good to pass up?
http://tinyurl.com/7sodrbz
If you are on the fence about selling your home now or waiting "until the market comes back," this might help tip the scales if you are maintaining a mortgage on your current home at a higher rate, and you want to make a move. It's possible to sell your home now, purchase a home that would have sold for much more in recent years, lower your interest rate on the loan, and perhaps end up about the same on your out-of-pocket expenses. The question is, do I want to live the lifestyle I want in the future now, or keep waiting to see what is going to happen and continue with the status quo?
Bio Link
“No house too big or too small . . . no problem too large . . . together we'll succeed!” PERSONAL: I’m a transplant to Knoxville from Wisconsin. I moved here over 29 years ago, and feel like a native. I can readily empathize with relocating buyers and sellers and know what is needed to smooth the transition for you. No matter the price range, no matter the issues encountered during your real estate transaction, you will receive unrelenting service! I graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in French and Spanish. Current hobbies of mine include spending time with thefamily, reading, and traveling. INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT: I have participated for the last 10 years in the governance of the Knoxville Area Association of REALTORS® including serving as the 2008 President of the then 4000+ member Board. I have served on the Tennessee Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors since 2001 and on the National Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors in 2008. I was the 2006 President of the Tennessee State Women’s Council of REALTORS® and the 2009 President of the State of Tennessee International Council. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Civic involvementincludes membership in the Rotary Club of Farragut, American Cancer Society Health Leadership Initiative Council, charter membership in the Fort Loudon Lake Association, and past service on the Farragut West Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, where I was the recipient of the 2002 Chamber’s Joan McIntee Diplomat of the Year award. I was also chosen by the Tennessee Housing Development Authority to serve on their REALTOR Advisory Board for the State of Tennessee in 2009. I am a certified trainer through the Tennessee Association of REALTORS® and the Tennessee Real Estate Commission for the CORE course, and I have done training at the Knoxville Area Association of REALTORS® and at individual real estate offices affiliated with our Association. My main focus remains, however, on my clients and customers. They deserve and receive million dollar treatment, no matter what the price of the property! Service beyond your expectation is my goal—because I expect it! * * * * AWARDS & RECOGNITION * Awarded the 2009 REALTOR® of the Year, Knoxville Area Association of REALTORS® and the *2009 REALTOR® Member of the Year Award, Tennessee Women’s Council of REALTORS® *Lifetime Hall of Fame Award, Knoxville Area Association of REALTORS® CERTIFICATIONS & DESIGNATIONS *Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) *Accredited Home Staging Specialist (AHS) *At Home With Diversity (AHWD) *Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) *Certified Negotiations Expert (CNE) Certified *Residential Broker (CRB) *Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) *Certification for Internet Professionalism (e-PRO®) *Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) *Performance Management Network (PMN) *Real Estate Collaborative Specialist-Divorce (RCS-D™) *Real Estate Cyberspace Specialist(RECS) *Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) SPECIALIZATION: I specialize in representing Buyers and Sellers in the purchase and sale of single-family residences and income property within Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon and Roane Counties in East Tennessee, including among others, the cities of Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville, Farragut, Lenoir City, Loudon, Oak Ridge, Kingston, Seymour and Clinton. I keep up to date on transactions and local market conditions in these areas. Call me, and make your next move a "MOVING EXPERIENCE!"
