Chris Elrod Properties-Connecting Buyers & Sellers Of Real Estate

Affordable Time To Buy A Home

From RISMedia-Nationwide housing affordability jumped 10 percentage points during the first quarter of 2009 to its highest level since the series began 18 years ago, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI). The HOI showed that 72.5% of all new and existing homes sold in the first quarter of 2009 were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,000, up from 62.4% during the previous quarter and up from 53.8% during the first quarter of 2008. Read more here.

The Turning Point

 KABOOM!!! Today find out what "The Turning Point" is and how it can help you as a buyer to be able to purchase a property that in the past seemed unreachable for you. And for you as a seller to better understand today's real estate market and the "why" your home is selling for a lower price than you anticipated. Thanks again to Jonathan Jarvis

The Short and Simple Story of The Credit Crisis-Pt 1

A very creative explanation of the very hard to understand credit crisis simplified for the rest of us.

Created by Jonathan Jarvis, this project was a part of his thesis work in the Media Design Program. He is a graduate studio at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. You'll want to see tomorrows video post, "The Turning Point" after you watch today's.

LifeWork 2.0 - Announcing Two Upcoming April & May Dates

How To Engage Your Clients/Fans In A Digital World

When: April 9, 2009 & May 15, 2009

9am - 5pm

Where: Franklin, TN

What To Bring: Your Laptop

Cost: $299.00

Seating is limited!

Register and more Info HERE!

HT: RandyElrod

New Credit Scoring Formula Could Help Or Hurt

 My friends at Synergy Bank in Franklin, TN sent this News Channel 5 interview with Chief Banking Officer Ashley P. Hill, III. Great interview to see how the changes in the way new credit scoring formula could help or hurt you.

Home Sales for December 2008

"The market finished as expected for 2008, with closings following the same trend curve as the prior three years. Closings improved by 6% in December compared to November 2008. Overall for the year, Williamson County residential closings were down 32% compared to 2007 and the median price remained steady, with only a 4 percent decrease compared to 2007. When comparing 2005 and 2008, median home prices have increased 27 percent. When comparing our local market to the rest of the country, we have performed much better than many other areas. Several areas are experiencing median price drops that brought home values back to their 2005 rates; our area has far out performed that metric We still continue to have great communities with tremendous stability and promise. We expect 2009 to remain consistent with 2008 with an increased volume of transactions towards the middle of the year and an overall increase in transactions by the end of the year." said Diane Johnson, 2009 President of the Williamson County Association of REALTORS®. Download December 2008 Home Stats

 

Home Buyers: Trade Up--The Opportunity of A Down Market

A Buyers' market is a trade up market. Falling home prices are a great opportunity for move up buyers. Even though your home sale price may be lower, the smaller loss of rate can be compensated by greater savings at purchase. If home prices dropped by 5%, here's  what it could look like if you decided to trade up:

OLD HOME PRICE     = $200,000
    Sell at $190,000   = $10,000 - less

NEW HOME PRICE    = $400,000
    Buy at $380,000   = $20,000 - savings

quoted from Realtor magazine Jan 2009

Here's a great example!!!
 
This home in Franklin, TN sold in 2006 for $417,000. It is listed today at $380,000. Check it out at realtracs.com

Please give me a call at 615-305-0072 for your trade up opportunities.

Husband Releases His First Published Book

I am very proud to announce that my favorite artist has just released his first published book of original art.

 _{Beauty is Calling} is a compilation of the last 6 years of watercolors accompanied by original writings by the author as well as ancient writings from the great masters to great philosophers.

It has been thrilling to watch him put together this work of art  because it is a true passion for him. When he has the brush in his hand and the canvas before him all is right in the world.

The artists is my husband, my lover and my friend...Randy Elrod.

You can order this lovely coffee table book by clicking here.

121 Myles Manor Court, Franklin, Tennessee-Listed at $947,000

Click here for a video of this fabulous home

Tennessee Christmas

The Christmas season is so much fun! Here are a few of the things that my family and I enjoy each year. I thought you might enjoy them with your family and friends who come from out of town or are nearby.

 

Rock City’s Enchanted Garden

It’s only 2 hours away, just outside Chattanooga. The best part is…you can stay till they close at 9:00 (8 CST) and be back home by 10:00. This is tons of fun. We like to go down  & have dinner downtown by the river and then go up on the mountain.

 

Opryland at Christmas

You can go for free just to walk around this incredible hotel. You’ll feel like you are at a “Christmas Theme Park”, or there are several great shows to see. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a favorite of mine, there are also ICE and A Country Christmas.

 

Dickens of a Christmas-Historic Franklin

Main street is closed to traffic. As you stroll through town you’ll see Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Father Christmas, The Ghost of Christmas past and many more roaming the street as you feast on caramel corn and sugar plums. Roasting chestnuts fill the air with a scent of winter.

 

Carter House Candlelight Tour of Homes-Historic Franklin

Starting at the Carter House on Columbia Avenue, you’ll visit historic businesses and homes decorated for Christmas and filled with candles. (A home I have for sale is on this tour at 121 Myles Manor Ct.—you may see me there!!!)