They may be right, especially with the interest rates where they are today. Right now the average 30-year fixed-rate loan with no points or fees is around 5% which is the lowest the rate has been in nearly 40 years. There are some great homes on the market right now and with a few simple steps to get prequalified for a mortgage loan, you can be a proud new home owner. Bob Parks Realty can help you find just the perfect home ~ call Tammy Carroll at 615-550-0087.

Read the fantastic article from BusinessWeek here.

Posted by:Tammy Carroll, CRP, GMS, RCC, WRS

Area Development, a leading magazine covering corporate site selection and relocation, has honored the state of Tennessee with is prestigious Gold Shovel Award. The honor is presented annually to the state achieving the most success in terms of job creation and economic impact.

“I’m delighted that Tennessee has been recognized by Area Development for our efforts to create higher skilled, better paying jobs for our citizens. The investments Tennessee has attracted in the past year have positioned our state for the next generation of new jobs and increased growth,” said Governor Phil Bredesen.

Economic development projects announced in 2008 were considered for the award. Based on the number of high-value added jobs per capita, amount of investment, number of new facilities and industry diversity, Tennessee achieved the highest weighted overall score.

Bob Parks Realty Corporate Real Estate Services Department is active in the economic development with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and is a lead investor in the 2010 Partnership. For more information, click here, or contact: relocation@bobparks.com.

Complete details on the Gold and Silver Shovel Award winners ~ they are posted online at: www.areadevelopment.com.

Posted By: Tammy Carroll

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce has been selected for the most prestigious national award presented to chambers of commerce – the American Chamber of Commerce Executives’ (ACCE) Chamber of the Year award. The award recognizes the top chambers in the nation for organizational excellence including financial, member services and connections, engagement of volunteers and leading communities by making an impact on key community priorities. Click here for details.

Everyone in Nashville is very proud of the dedication and hard work on behalf of every staff member who serves our Chamber of Commerce. A lot of daily focus and “pressing toward the goal” has been achieved.

Bob Parks Realty is a lead investor in the Partnership 2010 program with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and serves the Nashville, Franklin Murfreesboro MSA. BPR has ten offices and 450+ agents who work with buyers and sellers in both residential and commercial properties. Bob Parks Auction and Land Division also provide auction services throughout the Middle Tennessee area. Anyone looking for single family homes, townhomes, condos, multifamily homes, land or commercial property should contact the Corporate Real Estate Services Department at 800-365-7356.

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is used as a hub when working with corporate clients who may be interested in moving to Nashville. Employees are looking to get connected to a lifestyle they feel comfortable with when visiting this area impending an upcoming move. Relocating can be very stressful and Bob Parks Realty agents are there to help with every detail of their move. A welcome relocation package is available along with a CD that can help get connected to everything from housing, hospitals, schools, shopping and more. The Relocation Department can be reached at relocation@bobparks.com if anyone is interested in receiving a free welcome package.

To search for homes in Nashville or anywhere in the world, click here

Posted By: Tammy Carroll

What a great place to live, work and play! LaVergne Tennessee is located just 15 miles outside Nashville at 36.016 latitude and 86.582 longitude in Rutherford County. Interstates I-24, I-40 and I-65 are close at hand for easy access to everywhere.

There are several lakes near, Percey Priest Lake, Old Hickory Lake and Tims Ford Lake if you are looking for fun on the water. LaVergne is also located near the Nashville International Airport, Middle Tennessee State University, Belmont University, Tennessee State University, and Vanderbilt University. LaVergne has been voted one of America’s most affordable places to live…..for more information, Click Here.

Posted By: Tammy Carroll

As more and more 1st time home buyers enter the real estate market one comment that I hear over and over is “We don’t even know where to start”. My answer is simple, “Well, you’ve come to the right person, because helping you understand and guiding you through the home buying process is my job.”

As your Realtor® I can help you avoid costly home buying mistakes. There are essential techniques that I recommend to all my clients that have helped them save time, money, and aggravation.

First, get pre-approved for a home mortgage. Mortgage approval (not just qualification) is a major hurdle for many homebuyers and is extremely important in today’s market. Many lenders have stricter guidelines than they did even a month or two ago, and a pre-approval letter will carry much more weight with the seller when you can attach it as part of your offer. Pre-approval will help in determining your price range and help you save time. This vital step will also provide you an opportunity to quickly place an offer when you find your perfect home.

Second, I can help you with finding the home you want to buy. As you think about where and what to buy, there are many important factors you should consider:

• Your work commute – how quickly can you get to and from work? How much traffic will you encounter? Is access to public transportation an important feature?
• Access to shopping – how important is having easy access to a shopping center? What about grocery stores?
• Utilities – Is there access to cable or high-speed Internet?
• Medical services – Is distance to the nearest hospital important to you?
• Parking – Do you want a garage? Is street parking available for guests?
• Recreation –do you need close proximity to parks, lakes, beaches or ski slopes to accommodate your hobbies and interests?

Finding the right neighborhood is just as important as finding the right house. When you are ready to purchase a home, I look forward to the opportunity to discuss all of your needs and ensure you have a house that suits your lifestyle and interests. Contact me at (615) 829-1051, or search for homes on my website at www.middletnrealestate.net.

Posted By: Christine Nale

Exciting times ahead for the people of Rutherford County and the surrounding Nashville area!

The Nissan plant in Smyrna, Tennessee has a commitment to receive a $1.6 billion loan to manufacture electric vehicles and build a new battery facility near the plant. Major construction is planned for 2010 after Nissan complies with an environmental assessment to ensure that the project doesn’t degrade the environment. According to Holly Sears Weber of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, “This is going to not only keep existing jobs at the Nissan Smyrna facility, but also create new jobs, both at the facility and in construction and possibly suppliers for the product.”

For more information on how this facility will help stimulate the economy, click here.

Bob Parks Realty is committed to helping families who are interested in relocating to Nashville ~ Middle Tennessee. Our full service Corporate Real Estate Services Relocation Department is trained in corporate relocation services and has a wonderful welcome relocation package available. If anyone is interested they can email: relocation@bobparks.com for more information. To get connected to the school systems or search for homes, go to: www.bobparks.com

Posted By: Tammy Carroll

In searching for data on the economy for Nashville / Middle Tennessee ~ the government site is a great place to start looking for specific statistics. Everything from Inflation & Prices, Employment, Unemployment, Productivity, Pay & Benefits, Regional Resources as it relates to this region. For more information, Click Here.

When working with corporate clients who may be looking to relocate or move employees to Nashville / Middle Tennessee; I use this website as a tool to show current economic data. At Bob Parks Realty ~ Corporate Real Estate Services we partner with the Nashville Chamber of Commerce to show the complete picture of the Nashville MSA. Click Here to see more.

Posted By: Tammy Carroll

When looking to do “projects” around the house, my husband and I agree it is very important to consider “being green” in our efforts. We just had bookcases built in our den and wanted to see what we could find out about the “green” process. There is lots of great information about the NAR Green Designation for Realtors^®. We especially wanted to be aware when the time comes to consider selling that buyers are looking for a home that is environmentally compatible, it is important to understand the process and capability of the products available in today’s market.

The Green Designation helps with green business practices as well by indicating industry knowledge of rating programs and standards. Some of which are the Energy Star qualification and the Home Energy Rating System, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.

While doing some research here is what we found; Click Here for more information.

Posted By: Tammy Carroll

If you haven’t experienced springtime in Middle Tennessee you don’t know what you’re missing. It is such a time of renewal. The flowers are blooming. The trees are beginning to get their leaves and the grass is becoming green. It’s ‘s time to get those yards in shape, plant some annuals and trim all the hedges and shrubs.

The good thing about spring is that you know it is getting close to time for all of the outdoor activities that Middle Tennessee is known for such as golf, fishing, boating, and camping. The possibilites are endless.

If you’d like to live in an area where there are four seasons, Middle Tennessee is the place for you and your family to relocate. The real estate market is still strong here and I would love to help with your move.

Posted By: Vicki Oczkowicz

Fifth and final in series of blogs about our family’s relocation from California to Tennessee.

Finding that “perfect home” is different for everyone. When I meet with buyers for the first time, one of my initial questions is, “What is important to you in a home?” Some people have price limitations and require a certain number of bedrooms and/or bathrooms. Others demand a specific school district or subdivision. And then there are some who really don’t know what they want….they know what they don’t want. We were those people.

We didn’t want our master bedroom on the 2nd floor. We didn’t want a house built before 2000. We didn’t want to be far from conveniences like restaurants, shopping, movies, etc. We didn’t want to be outside of Sumner County (specifically Hendersonville/Gallatin). We didn’t want a “fixer-upper” and we didn’t want a condominium. A pool was iffy and while we sort of had a price point in mind we were flexible on that too. Sounds easy enough, right?

Four days and over 40 houses into our search, my husband and I (and probably our Realtor, Leanne) we starting to get pretty discouraged. We only had 1 more day in TN to find a home and then we were to head back to California. As we drove back into a subdivision we visited earlier in the day to check once again for something we may have missed, a house caught my eye. It was brand new and everything we could have hoped for. Could this be our “perfect house”? We wrote up an offer, negotiated a few items here and there and entered into a contract for a home in Gallatin, TN. Several months later that house became our “home.”

Personally experiencing a relocation from California to Tennessee and going through the process of moving and purchasing a home in this area, allowed me to gain invaluable knowledge which I am eager to share with buyers. Starting with my initial consultation with a buyer, through the process of looking at houses, I offer personal attention to my client’s likes and dislikes. Is it important to have a large kitchen, a laundry room in the house or garage, a fully fenced yard, bedrooms all on one floor? Is the age of the home relevant, the school district important? Do they have a commute to and from work making the proximity of highway access important? Will a fixer-upper be more to their liking, or do they want a turn-key home ready for them to move right in? These are questions sometimes even buyers don’t think to ask themselves.

I pride myself in offering “Service You Can Smile About” with integrity, professionalism and productivity. Should you or a family member have any questions about buying or selling a home in beautiful Middle Tennessee, don’t hesitate to contact me at (615) 829-1051.

Posted By: Christine Nale

Nashville Middle Tennessee continues to be strong in these economic times. The Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro MSA ranks 5th of the 366 metropolitan areas. Corporate clients consider Nashville a top pick to relocate and / or move headquarters here. Bob Parks Realty www.bobparks.com, continues to be a strong leader in real estate and relocation for Nashville Middle Tennessee.

For more details ~ Click Here.

Posted By: Tammy Carroll

We are home from the best Relocation Directors Council Meeting ever!

San Diego was the perfect backdrop for our spring meeting, learning sessions and networking with people from around the world. We had a busy two days with jam packed fun and learning!

Our morning panel discussion purpose was to provided our members with insight about where we are headed in the real estate market, financing issues and understanding all the factors that contribute to employee’s reluctance to move and how we can work collaboratively with all the service providers to meet these challenges. Our panel was made up of Pam O’Connor, President/CEO, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, Linda Hawkins, President, Winkelmann Realty, Freda Ingram-Brown, Senior Vice President, Relocation, Bank of America, Denise Nicco, Director of Relocation, PG&E Corporation, Janelle Piatkowski, President, Cornerstone Relocation, Tom Colucci, Director of Real Estate Services, Mobility Services International, Michael Nasr, Vice President, Director of Client Services, Countrywide, Allison Basley, CIG Marketing Director, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Very interesting discussion and comments from panel and attendees around the room.

In the afternoon our panel topic was, New Sources of Revenue. Our panel presenters were Teresa Howe, Coldwell Banker, John D’Ambrogio, Rubloff, Jan Harbor, Crye-Leike, Patricia Pollard, Coldwell Banker United, Sharon Michnay, Halsted Properties. Many great ideas were presented and comments from the floor. Fresh new ideas on how we can network and grow our business in today’s real estate market.

Later in the afternoon, we have Roundtable Sessions on topics from; Client Relocation Policies and Challenges that are Being Faced Today, Transparency of Communication and Expectation of Vendors of Corporate Clients, Third Party Relationships in Today’s Market, Internet Leads Management Structure and Staffing, Web 2.0 - Social Media, Absorption Rate Calculations, Procedures for REO Programs, Surviving in a Down Market, The Process of Short Sales, Challenges with the NEW ERC BMA form, Managing Inventory-Third Party Perspective, How to Get your Foot in the Door with Third Party Companies. Great great information and sharing from each table of presenters and participants.

Every meeting we all walk away with such great information and time spent sharing with one another. Learning what is happening in our real estate relocation world and how we can better serve the client. I personally appreciate every member and the hand that has been extended to make me feel welcome and such a part of RDC.

Here’s a note from two very important people with RDC…..

“In all our years in relocation there has never been a time where this segment of the business is as important to our company’s bottom line as it has been in 2008 and will be in 2009. As a group, we can support the needs of our brokers by continuing to perform and build business opportunities through our relationships with corporate and relocation management clients. In addition, we have members willing to share their proven ideas for generating new revenue.”

-Maggie Kiesow, 2008 RDC Past President and Judy Gray, 2009 RDC President

Posted By: Tammy Carroll

Over the years I have always thought about how I enjoy meeting new people and getting to know them. You just never know where your paths may cross or have crossed in the past. My favorite part of serving in my position is, meeting new corporate clients and sharing Nashville with them. Nashville is an awesome place to live work and play and it has been evident in our past relocation clients that have moved to town. I’ve had the honor to partner with many people around the city while helping clients fall in love with Nashville just as we have. Janet Jones is one of the people I just love to work with. She is an awesome lady and one of the best people I know. I’m proud to call Janet my friend!

Bob Parks Realty and Apex & Robert E Lee Moving and Storage has had a partnership for several years and have gotten to know one another well while serving our clients. I love the story Janet tells in her travels as well; click here to read about her travels.

“Janet and her son, Chris partner with many corporate clients to provide the best service. Janet and Chris have moved several of our Bob Parks Realty offices and have done a great job. We appreciate their high standards and work ethics while building relationships helping people”!

Posted By: Tammy Carroll

You know, after living in our homes for a while, do you ever want to change things around but can’t “see” the room any different? I want to change my den around but can’t figure out how to move the furniture around. But I know when a Professional Stager walks in, they would be able to fluff it around in no time flat. Take something from one room, put it in another and mix it all up. I’m thinking about having a friend of mine do just that. Kathy Fix (pictured) is a Professional Stager who works in the Nashville Middle Tennessee area and has helped people from all over town. She does a great job of working with what people already own to create a different look, clear out and spruce up. She has helped several relocation clients and friends around town. Bob Parks Realty suggest we stage homes when putting on the market to help them sell quicker. Below is homestaging advice from Kathy Fix, owner of Staging Dreams.

“With the amount of inventory of houses on the market now, it’s more important than ever that your house outshine the competition and one of the best ways to accomplish that is to STAGE IT! By clearing out clutter, rearranging furniture, and neutralizing colors a seller can present a more attractive product to potential buyers. Buyers aren’t interested in buying your stuff, and don’t care how cute those photos of your kids are. They are looking for a great house that they can make their own, so don’t distract them with how your personality fills the house.
When a home is professionally staged it looks bigger, newer, and better maintained, leading to quicker sales and better sales prices. I just had a vacant house I staged in Smyrna get a contract within one week of staging and it closed in less than 30 days. STAGING WORKS! With multiple levels of staging services starting at less than $100, can you afford not to stage? ‘The Investment in Staging is always less than your first price reduction.’”

Posted By: Tammy Carroll

Spring always makes me want to do something big around the house! Lets clean out the closets, get rid of all our good junk that hasn’t see daylight in months and make room for the new!

When thinking about rehabbing any part of our homes, it is important to think about the possible cost vs. value when getting ready to sell. Especially in a slow market, people are staying put longer and considering doing a little renovation. Some of the project paybacks are listed in this great article in Realtor Magazine: 2008 Cost vs. Value Report.

When working with some of our corporate clients, we like to see what renovations people from other parts of the country have done to their homes. Kitchens and bathrooms are always in the top projects being completed. Especially if clients know they are going to relocate, renovations need to be considered to every detail. At Bob Parks Realty, we can provide a cost of living comparison to help get a clear picture of expenses across the country.

Posted By: Tammy Carroll