Bob Parks Realty is pleased to welcome Belinda Butler Perry as a Realtor in the Smyrna office located at 557 Sam Ridley Parkway West.

“I am very excited to join Bob Parks Realty,” said Belinda. “The opportunity to combine my experience with Bob Parks Realty reputation as Tennessee’s premier real estate company will allow me to provide my clients with the highest quality of service.” Belinda recently transferred from Crye-Leike Realtors Starwood office. She has been a licensed Realtor for 15 years in addition to acting as sales & marketing manager for a Rutherford County builder since 1991. “I bring to my real estate clients a total of 19 years of experience assisting buyers in realizing their dream of home ownership,” said Belinda. “I have extensive new construction experience and have sold hundreds of homes in Middle Tennessee.”

Since becoming a licensed Realtor, Belinda has been assisting buyers and sellers in and around Rutherford, Davidson, and Wilson Counties. She specializes in residential real estate focusing on previously owned homes and first-time homebuyers. Belinda is a member of the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors (GNAR) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR). She currently lives in Smyrna and has been a resident of Rutherford County since 1985. For all your real estate needs and personal referrals, please contact Belinda Perry at Bob Parks Realty, LLC by phone at (615) 482-4180 or email her at belindaperry@realtracs.com.

For more information about homes for sale in Smyrna, TN, check out these links:

• All Smyrna Real Estate
• Search for real estate by Smyrna Subdivision
• Smyrna Real Estate $200,000 - $400,000

  Posted By: Kimberly Fahey

If you’ve never bought a home, or if it has been some years, you may not know that Representation by a Realtor for a Buyer is a formalized agreement, just as a Listing Agreement is a formalized agreement between seller and agent. While buyers may easily find homes on line and make contact with the listing broker to view the home and even write a contract to purchase the home, they will be doing so without the benefit of the knowledge, expertise and guidance of an agent who is dedicated to representing that Buyer. A Buyer’s Representation Agreement spells out the services that the agent will provide, and also what expectations are for the buyer. If you are not well acquainted with, and completely comfortable with your agent, the representation agreement period can be for a short period of time, a day, a week or for whatever time you may specify.

In most cases, the buyer will not pay anything for the representation of the Buyer’s Agent. Usually the Agent’s fee is paid by the seller. Sometimes an unrepresented Seller may not be willing to pay the Realtor’s commission. In that event a Buyer may choose not to be shown homes in that category.

An experienced Realtor representing a Buyer can save time in finding properties that meet specific needs, work diligently to negotiate the best price and terms and provide sources of Lender’s who offer great rates along with great service as well as qualified home inspectors, closing attorneys, insurance options and more.

Don’t go it alone. Take the team approach. Happy House Hunting.

Posted By: Frances Garner

Yesterday I attended a presentation by Edsel Charles of Market Graphics Research Group; www.mgresearch.net; in Franklin, TN. This is the second largest Market Research Group in the US and provides market research data to the Federal Reserve Bank among others. Among the topics discussed was the fact that Baby Boomers are unable to find what they want to “move-down” into. In an overbuilt market, which is working to correct itself and making some positive strides in that direction, there is no overbuilding in what either seniors moving down or Baby Boomers are seeking. According to the statistics that Edsel presented yesterday, the average Baby Boomer’s dream house would be somewhere between 2700 and 4100 square feet on one level. The most important area of the home would be a social living area/ kitchen that is functional, open, and beautiful (sounds good to me so far). The master bedroom area is another area needing special treatment preferably with an access to outdoor deck and garden area. A private library area for the lady of the house suitable for entertaining was high on the list. And according to Edsel the male Baby Boomer in the family’s fantasy would include an oversized garage with a wet bar, full bath and a dog bath area. Baby Boomers, What do you think? Is this what you are looking for?

Posted By: Frances Garner

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

To list your home with the most respected name in Middle, TN real estate, click here.

Visit www.bobparks.com to search for your next dream home in Murfreesboro, Franklin, Brentwood, Smyrna, Nashville, Green Hills , Mt. Juliet, Hendersonville, and more!

Posted By: Kimberly Fahey

The city of Murfreesboro is bringing awareness and support to artists in the area. For more information on how you can support creative Murfreesboro, please visit: www.murfreesborotn.gov. The website list upcoming events and more.

Upcoming Events:

• March 1 - April 5: Jaye Kiblinger: Cross-stitch an art

• April 5 - May 3: Murfreesboro and Rutherford Art League

For more information about Murfreesboro Real Estate, click here.

Posted By: Kimberly Fahey

If you are considering calling historic Franklin, TN your home, please contact Dianne McKee. She has gathered everything a new-comer should know and more about the area. Dianne and the Bob Parks Realty office in Franklin are located in the downtown shopping area. You are welcome to stop by, or contact Dianne McKee for more information.

For more information about real estate and homes for in Franklin, TN, check out these links:

• Search all Franklin, TN Real Estate
• Search by Franklin, TN Neighborhoods
• Search by Franklin, TN Schools
• Find a Franklin, TN Real Estate Professional

Posted By: Kimberly Fahey

At www.BobParks.com you can search for all homes for in Middle, TN by subdivision name! Check out these links for real estate information and homes for sale in your neighborhood:

• All Franklin, TN Homes for Sale by Subdivision
• All Murfreesboro, TN Homes for Sale by Subdivision
• All Brentwood, TN Homes for Sale by Subdivision
• All Nashville, TN Homes for Sale by Subdivision
• All Smyrna, TN Homes for Sale by Subdivision

Posted By: Kimberly Fahey

The Bob Parks Realty office in Franklin, TN is proud to announce that Loy Hardcastle is their top producing agent! To find out how Loy can assist you in finding your dream home or sell your property, please click here.

Award Winning Home in Historic Downtown Franklin, TN:

• 202 5th Ave S
• $775,000
• 4 Bedrooms
• 1.5 Baths
• Remarks: Award winning incredible renovation; Heritage Foundation winner; Nominated for Governor’s “Green” award; Energy star - certified; First solar powered project in downtown Franklin, One block from Starbucks; Multiple offices; Best of everything plus great location.
• More Photos and Information, click here.
• Contact: Loy Hardcastle at 615-948-3704

Check out all Franklin, TN Real Estate Information and Homes for Sale:

• Franklin, TN Real Estate: $0 to $200K (436 listed)

• Franklin, TN Real Estate: $200K to $400K (551 listed)

• Franklin, TN Real Estate: $400K to $600K (325 listed)

• Franklin, TN Real Estate: $600K to $800K (144 listed)

• Franklin, TN Real Estate: $800K or more (263 listed)

Posted By: Kimberly Fahey

My baby girl is sick right now. Baby may not be the most accurate way to describe her since she’s in college, but she’ll always be my baby girl. I’ve been on the phone with her each day to see if she’s running a fever, able to sleep, if she has plenty of cough drops and tissues, and to figure out if it’s time to go pick her up and take her to the doctor. So far, she’s okay.

It’s hard to be sick when you’re away from the comforts of home, so what can we tell our kids to do in order to stay healthy? Really they should be doing the same things as they do at home: wash your hands frequently, get plenty of rest, take a vitamin each day, and drink a lot of water.

In addition to these standard precautions, students may also want to avoid crowded areas if they know there’s a virus or wide-spread case of the eppizooties going around campus. Carry anti-bacterial or disinfecting wipes (or hand sanitizer and tissues) in the back-pack and wipe down keyboards in public computer areas. If you can, open a door using your elbow or shoulder rather than your hand on the door knob. When you leave a restroom, use a paper towel to open the door rather than your bare hands.

Living in a dorm can be particularly challenging since students often use the same showers and sinks, but if they follow the same basic healthy habits they may escape getting a bad case of the cruds. The luckiest students are those whose parents buy them small houses or condos to keep during their college years. This can be an affordable option for some families, especially when they find a place big enough to have roommates which help defray expenses. If this is an option for you and your student, I’d be happy to help you find a place!

Meanwhile keep washing your hands, sneeze in your elbow, and try to eat more greens and less pizza!

Posted by:Kathy Tyson

The Bob Parks Realty office in Mt. Juliet is very proud to announce that Amy Oakley has joined the team! As a Mt. Juliet native, Amy brings with her more than 20 years of customer service experience and area expertise.

For more information about the Bob Parks Realty in Mt. Juliet, click here.

For more information about homes for sale in Mt. Juliet, click here.

Posted By: Kimberly Fahey

The snow has left Green Hills and the sun is out! Parks Properties is now in their new and exciting location at the Hill Center above Whole Body.

Please come by and take a tour. Who knows we might even sell you a NEW home. And if you are a first time homebuyer, take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit.

For more information about real estate agents in Green Hills, click here.

Posted By: Kimberly Fahey

Rutherford County is the third healthiest out of a total of 95 counties in Tennessee according to a study released in mid February 2010 by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Foundation. The top three counties were Williamson, Sumner and Rutherford. See the full article at www.dnj.com.

For more information about finding a home for sale in one the healthiest counties in Middle, Tennessee visit:

• Rutherford County Real Estate

• Williamson County Real Estate

• Sumner County Real Estate

Posted By: Kimberly Fahey

Kudos to Janis Fredricks Burchell for her appearance in the February/March 2010 Murfreesboro Magazine “Women In Business, Our City’s Fearless Females” section, page 22. Murfreesboro Magazine asked her “Why choose Murfreesboro for your business?” Janis responded with , “Our middle son graduated from MTSU in the fall of 1998. He stayed and started a business. We decided after frequent visits to Murfreesboro to retire here. This is a great community and Tennessee has no income taxes. We moved here from New Jersey in 2007.”

Janis was asked and answered a few other questions and also mentions fellow Realtor, Janet Mills of Bob Parks Murfreesboro Office, and her inspirational family story. To read the complete article, visit www.murfreesboromag.com.

Janis currently holds her E-PRO Designation and is the final stages of completing her ABR. Contact Janis for your Real Estate needs by mobile at 615-869-8899 or by email janisb@realtracs.com.

For more information about homes for sale and real estate in Murfreesboro, click here

Posted By: Kimberly Fahey

The Bob Parks agent in Franklin, TN raised money to support the relief efforts in Haiti. Donated money and items went toward health kits for the survivors. Each kit contained basic health hygiene items like hand towels, soap, toothbrush, band-Aids, comb, and other items that the people in Haiti desperately need.

A special thanks goes out to Michelle Glass for organizing this awesome event.

Those who helped assemble the health kits: Ray & Vicki Lowe, Kristi Dustin, Michelle Glass, Craig Newby (with Birchfield Home Mortgage), Mark Dobberstein, & Debbie Flack.

For more information about the Bob Parks agents in Franklin, TN click here.

For more information about homes for sale and real estate information in Franklin, TN click here.

Posted By: Kimberly Fahey

Central Basin Resource Conservation & Development Council has received a grant to replace trees lost during the tornado that struck Murfreesboro on April 10, 2009. To reserve trees and for more information, Murfreesboro residents can call 615-893-9295 ext. 3. They will be available for pick-up in February or more information, please visit www.dnj.com.

For more information about Murfreesboro real estate, homes for sale in Murfreesboro, and community information, click here.

Posted By: Kimberly Fahey