Smyrna Real Estate & Community Info

Smyrna is an ideal location for residents needing easy access to Nashville, Franklin, and Murfreesboro!  Smyrna is located in North Rutherford County; repeatedly voted one of the best counties to live in Middle Tennessee with excellent schools, high employment rate and steady growth.

Smyrna is located in North Rutherford County, and is easily accessed off I24, HWY 70, and many other thoroughfares connecting Davidson, Williamson, and Rutherford counties. It is a truly ideal place for those looking for a small time feel, with big city conveniences and access.

Low taxes, low mortgage rates, and well priced homes make for the perfect time to purchase Middle Tennessee Real Estate.

As you explore jackie.bobparks.com to search for properties please don’t hesitate to contact me.  For your convenience, I’ve provided these links below to connect you to this community!

Smyrna Real Estate and Homes for Sale

View Smyrna Homes for Sale

Town of Smyrna

Rutherford Chamber

Nashville Real Estate and Community Info

Nashville (Davidson County)  is the capital of Tennessee, and the central area around which Bob Parks Realty’s 11 Tennessee real estate offices area located.

Behind Memphis, Nashville is the second most populated city inTennessee. The 13-county Nashville Metropolitan area had a population of more than 1.55 million, according to 2008 census estimates.

Nashville is surrounded by several popular Tennessee communities–many of which are home to Bob Parks Realty offices. Those include Brentwood, Franklin, Smyrna, Mt. Juliet, Shelbyville, Gallatin, Hendersonville, Bellevue, Murfreesboro, and more.

Nashville Community Links from BobParks.comNashville Real Estate Communities
Nashville Real Estate Markets
Search Nashville Homes for sale

Additional Nashville Community LinksNashville InfoNashville Area Chamber of Commerce

Nashville Community info on Wikipedia 

Murfreesboro Real Estate & Community Info

Click here to view homes for sale: Murfreesboro Homes

Murfreesboro, TN (Rutherford County) is one of the fastest growing communities in Tennessee and is located about 38 miles south of Nashville, TN. This medium-sized community is loaded with everything you need as a family, single professional, or retiree. Homes for sale in Murfreesboro range from $45,000 – $1,000,000 plus. Murfreesboro’s wide-range of diversity includes new construction, garden homes, custom estate homes, farms/land, and historic homes in downtown Murfreesboro.

Murfreesboro, TN is loaded with historical significance and homes for sale are near shopping, beautiful parks, a dog park, churches, nature trails, restaurants, Stones River, and some of the best public schools in Middle Tennessee. Home to Middle Tennessee State University and several large employers, locals rate Murfreesboro as one of the best places to raise a family.

The Bob Parks real estate agents are considered the most respected in Middle Tennessee real estate not only because they are committed to excellence, but some of them are Middle Tennessee natives for many generations. I’d be proud to be your Murfreesboro Realtor.

My website  allows you to search for your next dream home regardless of which real estate company has listed it.

Murfreesboro Resources:

• Relocate to Murfreesboro, TN

• Homes for Sale in Murfreesboro, TN

• List Your Home

• Checkout Murfreesboro Schools

• Auctions in Murfreesboro

• Find a Home in Rutherford County (Murfreesboro, Smyrna, LaVergne, Eagleville)

• Learn more about Murfreesboro, TN 
• Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce

Murfreesboro Real Estate has a name: Bob Parks Realty.
A real estate agent is only as good as the tools, resources, and company said agent calls home:)
I can be the most gung-ho, hustling, energetic, outgoing agent I can be, but certain tools and resources are necessary for me to maximize the opportunities and market presence I need to fulfill my obligations to my buyers and sellers…so…I thought that giving some background for the company I am with would be beneficial. I chose Bob Parks Realty when I got my license for 3 reasons: 1.) REPUTATION, 2.) MARKET PRESENCE, 3.) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Staying on the cutting edge of the industry during this time of growth and change is key, and I feel that I am best served and able to do that at Bob Parks Realty. Here is a synopsis of our company, and a word from Bob Parks…
A Message from Bob Parks: The Future of Real Estate in Middle, TN

Now is the time to think about real estate! With tax credits, the low interest rates, and with the over-correction of the local real estate market, affordability has reached levels that we have not seen for years! And, it’s unlikely buyers will see this type of market for many, many years to come.

Promising news for home buyers and owners:

January 2010 marked the fourth straight month where homes sales increased. This is followed by 39 straight months of declines. This trend is expected to continue with a 5-10% increase throughout 2010.
New construction experts agree that 2010 will see this number begin to climb too. A shortage of inventory is likely to occur in late 2010 in lower to mid-range price points.
Steve Murray, a nationally recognized real estate expert notes: We are in a soft-bottom and have started a long slow recovery.
A Time to Buy! An $8,000 tax credit is available for first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010

A $6,500 tax credit is available for current home owners who have been in their home for five consecutive years and plan to purchase a new or used home by April 30, 2010. (see all the details under the “client resources” link at www.bobparks.com)
Interest rates remain at historic lows. As of late February 2010, 15 year fixed rates are near 4.5% and 30 year rates are around 5% for home loans.
Most financial experts believe rates will begin to rise in the coming months
Who We Are

Nominated for “Best in Nashville Business” and winner of numerous other awards, Bob Parks Realty is home to over 400 agents in Brentwood, Franklin, Hendersonville, Murfreesboro, Mt. Juliet, Nashville, Smyrna and the surrounding area. Bob Parks Realty is a member of “Partnership 2010,” a program developed and managed by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. This partnership program is comprised of leading local companies who are the first to be informed on growth and opportunity within Nashville and Middle Tennessee. This means we are able to play a crucial role in recruiting companies to relocate to our area bringing employment opportunities and new residents.

We are proud to offer a full menu of residential real estate services including relocation expertise, mortgage assistance, residential development, auction services, a commercial real estate division, property management, and much more.

Click here to see Murfreesboro Homes for Sale.

Happy House Hunting:)

An unexpected super surge in sales in March 2010 has many of us in the industry, and many buyers and sellers jumping for joy. As consumer confidence continues to rise, buyers and sellers continue to become more adapted to the current market, and real estate professionals continue to exude professionalism in our continually correcting market, real estate sales are abounding in a positive and promising way.

According to Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, it is positively promising to see an expansive home sales rebound in nearly every corner of America. This rebound has two resounding trends: “Sales have been above year-ago levels for nine straight months, and inventory has trended down from year-ago levels for 20 months running,” he said. “The home buyer tax credit has been a resounding success as these underlying trends point to a broad stabilization in home prices. This is preserving perhaps $1 trillion in largely middle class housing wealth that may have been wiped out without the housing stimulus measure.”

This spring time sales surge has birds singing in the Real Estate industry, but behind the sunshine there is a cloud looming. What happens after the tax credit ends? According to NAR Chief Economist Yun:

“With home values stabilizing, a revival in home buying confidence will likely help the housing market get back on its feet even as the tax credit impact disappears,” Yun said.

With any luck, this statement will resonate to be true, and every home owner in even the farthest reaching corners of America will breathe a heavy sigh of relief. When looking at each region of America, the correction is resoundingly positive and numbers across the board have increased, even if only nominally. Here in the South, existing-home sales showed an increase of 7.1% for an annual level of 1.97 million in March 2010 and are 13.9% higher than in 2009. The median home value was $154,800, up 5.2% from March 2009.

With 4 days left to get contracted and benefit from the Home Buyer Tax Credit, I am gearing up for a busy week. If anyone needs help buying or selling, or just needs some positive words of wisdom about real estate…feel free to call me:)

Happy House Hunting!!!

The First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit:

As the tax credit winds down, we are seeing many people who have not yet committed to a property scrambling to get in under the First Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit deadline. The tax credit is part of the Worker, Homeownership, Business Assistance Act of 2009.

As it stands, the tax credit of $8000 for 1st time home buyers, and $6500 for existing home owners who meet certain guidelines, is set to end on April 30, 2010. In order to receive the credit, there must be a binding contract in place on a property by April 30, and it must be closed on or before June 30.

In order to qualify, a “first time home buyer” must be a person who has never owned a home OR who hasn’t had an interest in a principal residence in the last 3 years, the home that is being purchased must be the purchaser’s principal residence, and there are certain income guidelines that must be met.

A survey of more than 1,500 sales agents  by Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance found a record 48.2 percent of home purchases were first-time home buyers in March. This is an almost 2% increase of over even last October (46.9%), when the original Tax Credit incentive was set to expire in November 2009. This recent almost 50% share of market activity by first time home buyers sets a record. And it’s a record that will trickle up to affect the other price points, markets, and demographics that comprise the modern Real Estate landscape.

The Extension and Expansion of the Tax Credit:

In November of 2009 the Tax Credit was extended, and expanded to encompass and benefit a broader range of home buyers and owners…

In order for a purchaser to qualify for the expanded tax credit designed for  home owners who are selling in the current marketplace, there are also income guidelines, and the home being sold must have been consecutively used for 5 of the last 8 years as the seller’s primary residence.

This expanded aspect of the tax credit will benefit those whose home may be being purchased by the first time home owners,  those who are moving move up, as well as those who may be downsizing. Essentially, if a person has had a significant amount of time in their current home, there is tremendous potential to not only make a profit on the sell, but also get that added incentive, thus creating a balanced and thriving market in varied price points, and driving more money into the economy. It’s a win/win:)

With 10 days left and counting, I have seen an increase in showings, calls, and activity across the board. Looks like I’m not the only procrastinator I know. LOL! The beauty of procrastination in this case is that the winding down of the tax credit in conjunction with the Spring boost in sales, is making for an uplifting and promising selling season! With consumer confidence raised, and happy buyers and sellers, we are currently looking at a correcting market on the upswing:)

We are all guilty of alittle fence riding. Be it a car, a house, or any other major purchase, all of us can be well, indecisive.

However, now more than ever the Humpty Dumpty inside us all needs to face plant off of that wall on one side or another, and the most savvy of savvy will land on the side of the wall/fence that means making a home purchase.

Record low rates, record low prices, record high inventory, record breaking incentives and tax breaks, and a motivation level that’s through the roof make this the best time imaginable to get off the fence and buy a house. And, it is our job as Real Estate agents, to help push you over the fence:) Not just because it’s our livelihood for now, but because making a choice to purchase a home right now could be not only the best time to buy into the American dream, but a cornerstone in a person’s wealth building strategy. Which means that you will love us for helping you make the leap, and we will continue to build a relationship with you for years to come, continue to do more business with you, and build a mutually beneficial relationship…which is a win/win for everyone involved:)

By and large, the biggest argument that I hear from my first time home buyers who are teetering on the edge of homeownership but are too timid to make the leap is the fear that homeownership comes with a huge price tag above and beyond the mortgage payment (i.e. maintenance and upkeep). Also, I hear people saying that they’d like to be debt-free otherwise before committing to such a large debt. Well. Here are my soapboxes on both of those arguments (and yes, I will recite them while helping you to the other side of the fence) lol:

You are not debt-free right now, but you have to pay rent to live somewhere. That rent could possibly be more than what you would pay to own. Living expenses for shelter are unavoidable no matter what other financial commitments you have (unless you are living with a relative rent free. This argument doesn’t go so far if that is the case). LOL!

Making a commitment to a 15 or 30 year debt for a house can be quite daunting. However, when looking at every incentive, and all of the other positive identifiers in the market right now, it makes the possibility of renting a more daunting alternative. Even with the added expense of taxes, PMI, and home owner’s insurance, with interest rates and incentives, the cost of ownership is so low, that an interest bearing savings account where one deposits the money saved per month from renting could go a long way for a person’s comfort level when dealing with the “what if this breaks” fear… Not to mention that if you qualify for the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, you have the potential of an $8000.00 nest egg right off of the bat. And you are building an equitable return on your money when you pay for your living expenses every month pertaining to your home.

As the deadline for the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit looms, I find more and more people trying to make a commitment to become a homeowner. The time is now. Sieze the day. Take the leap. You won’t regret it

.

Alright…so in a down market everyone in the real estate industry turns into a creative marketing machine. Volume down, guard up, value added service in check, and creative marketing implementation on lock! So…what are incentives and how do they affect buyers, sellers, and home sales? Incentives are the way in which some agents are electing to get their listings noticed, some sellers are offering to entice scarce buyers, and buyers are reaping the benefits due to all of the above…

Point blank, incentives are enticements for 1 property to be chosen over another. The examples are endless: Closing Costs Paid, Furniture Provided, Discount Points Bought, Landscaping Packages, Outside Living Area Upgrades, Appliance Upgrades…the sky is the limit and the offers can get as benign or as outlandish as you can imagine.

The best incentives seem to be those attached to dollar signs for many buyers. They wanna know how much they can save, how much they can have, and what they can do with it… Buying real estate at this point can be as lucrative as a full-time job if you do it right! Obama’s gonna give ya $8k if you’ve never done it before, your closing costs can be paid which could be as much as 4.5% of the purchase price, you can go from LG to Kenmore Professional Series at no cost to you, and hell- How bout a plasma to mount over the fireplace?

The downside to incentives is that sometimes, appropriating that money to be a reduction in list price coulda been much more effective in luring buyers to the property when the listings are plentiful and the buyers are scarce. Aesthetics are key in this theory as well. A lower priced home with proper staging can lure a buyer just as effectively as a home with tons of freebies and enticements…

So, the money for the incentives might keep a listing at the bottom of the price pond, where it can be overlooked by those skimming the surface of the pond.

I’ve never had a buyer that bought a house just because they were gonna get a plasma tv thrown in…I have had many buyers buy homes that they thought were gonna build equity quickly and were great deals…and yes, I’ve even had buyers who wrote offers on the great deals and asked for the plasma to be thrown into the mix…lol. I suppose at this point in the game, the thing to bear in mind is that each and every real estate transaction will have an enticement afforded- aesthetic, monetary, geographic…but incentives can sweeten the pot. The question is, what is more effective for agents- Fire sales or incentives? What is more lucrative for buyers- lower prices or incentives? And what makes seller’s feel more enticing- bottom line pricing or built-in incentives that require higher pricing? I need a creative marketing consensus…

Murfreesboro Homes   Murfreesboro Real Estate   Murfreesboro Houses

Murfreesboro Computer Repair   Murfreesboro Real Estate Agent

So, today was disheartening. Awesome client, awesome house, awesomely excited…and the dreaded home inspection day came.
Hands down, when I talk to clients before, during, and after transactions the home inspection is the most dreaded, nerve racking, grueling experience of all when making a home purchase… and selling a home!

So here’s my wise phrase that I use: EVERYONE involved feels the same way. The agents, the seller, the buyer, heck, even the mortgage person handling the loan! Every house has something wrong with it. Even brand spankin new construction will have a flaw- human beings build homes and there is room for human error, there are cosmetics that will be affected by a house being marketed/viewed, there are hidden elements that any upstanding and competent home owner can accidentally overlook.

There are certain things that will be deal breakers for different people. Home inspections are all different. There are good inspectors and bad inspectors. There are little things and big things. There are certain things that are found that would be nothing to one buyer, and everything to another. They are SUBJECTIVE in all rights of the word.

That said, there are ways to avoid the dreaded home inspection’s potential devastation…
For sellers of existing homes, have it pre-inspected by someone you know, like, and trust. If you don’t know any inspectors, handy men, or other home professionals, call an agent and get some recommendations.
For buyer‘s, don’t get too excited about things that turn up on the inspection until you have done some research, talked to your agent, and/or talked to a professional who can explain things to you.

Half the battle has been fought by the time we get to the home inspection. The rest of the battlefield is the half that leads to HOME!…so put down your bludgeoning tool and take a deep breath! Short of a sink hole, tectonic plate movement, or dead bodies int he basement, almost everything is fixable Even if a deal falls apart due to a home inspection for one buyer, repairs can be made, and the next buyer may have a completely different outlook:)

But…for now…looks like me, the buyer, and the seller all get to go back to the drawing bored. Yippee. LOL!

Murfreesboro Homes   Murfreesboro Real Estate   Murfreesboro Houses

Murfreesboro Computer Repair   Murfreesboro Real Estate Agent

Well as expected last Friday, in the face of wonderful employment statistics indicating a continued economic improvement, mortgage rates rose. I’m still in shock that some people are up in arms about it! They went from 4.71% on a 30-yr fixed-rate mortgage to 4.81%. On a 15-yr fixed-rate mortgage the rates went from 4.27% to 4.32%. So, yes, they rose, but are still at historic lows and still lower than a year ago in the same month…

If the Federal Reserve stops buying mortgage-backed securities next March rates will rise, but it won’t be anything Earth shattering. If and when it occurs, rates will go up, however, reknowned financial observers state that it is most likely they will nominally increase, not rise exponentially. Keith Gumbinger, VP of HSH Associates, predicts that when the FED discontinues it’s intervention, it will bolster rates approximately 3/4 of a point for a 30-year conforming loan. He also predicts that at the end of 2010 rates will be somewhere around 6%.

Several real estate experts as well as financial experts contend that the Fed will more than likely continue it’s intervention as long as the housing market’s recovery is teetering…

That said, this is all conjecture. With rates at a record low, continued rate increases projected, home prices incredibly low, absorption rates improving, the extension and expansion of the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, and Builder/Seller incentive offers more creative and lucrative for buyers than ever, it truly is the best time to buy!

The continual correction and improvement of real estate trends will continue to fuel consumer confidence, and along with all of the above mentioned motivators, I think that a huge surge in real estate purchases will soon be upon us, and Middle Tennessee will continue to be an amazingly healthy and corrected market. The vast majority of homes that are continuing to sell with a lower absorption rate in Middle Tennessee are under $200k, with the majority of that price point subset that is selling being actually under $150k. It is going to be very interesting to see in mid-2010 how these lower price point absorption rates compiled with the extension and expansion of the Tax Credit to include those who are not first-timers will affect the broader spectrum and all of the price points.

For now though, let’s all take a deep breath and sigh…mortgage rates rose a whole tenth of a percent, but are still under 5%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amazing. Ok, call me and buy a house now lol.

Murfreesboro Homes   Murfreesboro Real Estate   Murfreesboro Houses

Murfreesboro Computer Repair   Murfreesboro Real Estate Agent