The new Bob Parks Office at 415 Main Street in Franklin is off to a great start! On Dec 3rd, after only 3 weeks in their new site, the office held their Christmas party and the Lobby was filled with decked out revelers! The office double window onto Main is filled with great winter scenes. The theme is “Home for the Holidays.” People of all ages stop by to look and smile. The most popular scene is the skating rink!

On December 5, the office is helping with the annual Christmas Parade. We are open offering hot apple cider to all visitors. It was a cold day and many people came into the office to watch the parade from our warm and inviting office. Vicki Lowe donated her cider recipe which was just fabulous! We gave away about 100 cups of hot cider.

On December 12th, Franklin will turn into Merry Olde England with our annual Dickens of a Christmas Festival on Saturday and Sunday. Again, we will be open serving Hot Apple Cider and “A merry Christmas will be had by all!”

Looking for something to do with your family this season, or anytime of the year? We’ve got you covered in Franklin- the most Family Friendly town in the USA! Contact the Bob Parks Office in Franklin or me at www.bobparks.com/ckimmel for information on upcoming events anytime!

(Thanks to Ray Lowe for the pictures!)

Posted By: Charlene Kimmel

There’s great excitement in the streets of downtown Franklin! The Bob Parks office previously located in the Old Dominion Bank building at 2nd and Main has relocated to the heart of walkable Franklin at 415 Main Street. This location, for the Franklin old-timer, used to be the Hunan Chinese restaurant… For the newcomer, it’s next to the Old Theater, and across from McCready’s.

For the new office, Bob ordered a complete re-do on this site. It is beyond modern… a mix of old and new! There’s concrete floors, lots of windows and glass, paired with a western style pine tree laptop bar (you must see it to understand!), and beautiful wood conference tables. The lobby boasts 5 huge flat screen TV’s, two of which are focused on the outside for the public at large. They display our office listings and those of the Florida office (Premier Real Estate) all day long! Inside there are two screens we use to keep guests happy and informed. On a wall is a computer set up to access Google Earth so we can show our clients all the attributes of middle TN, housing developments, and even how to get to the local Bark Park ( for our out of town four legged friends!).

Also on the wall in the lobby are two touch screen computers clients can use to hunt for houses with or without our help! Our office believes in providing client driven services. We want to augment their experience, with our expertise, to make the house hunting or house selling experience the smoothest and most rewarding experience possible.

We look forward to seeing everyone at our new office. Please stop by and visit and let us show you the future in Real Estate Services! We are looking forward to seeing you!

Posted By: Charlene Kimmel

Award winning Deercreek Construction has dropped the prices on their WillowSprings inventory by $50,000- to over $100,000! These beautiful homes are in the Lake Lot community of WillowSprings and have all the amenities of WillowSprings, plus some! Open House every weekend Friday, Saturday and Sunday 1-5pm until SOLD! Must see them! MLS# 990098: 304 Whitewater Way, lot 149, The Ashbee: Gorgeous French Country construction, single level living with 4 BR and 3.5 baths! Ten foot ceilings and 8 foot doors, fabulous millwork, outstanding kitchen! REDUCED to $449,900

Posted By: Charlene Kimmel

What could I mean by that, you ask? Well, as we all know, in late February, the stock market fell to its lowest value in twelve years. Investors have given back all the value they had gained in their stock portfolios in the last twelve years! So, if like me, you let it re-invest and had it all in untouchable SEP’s and 401’s, you have, in essence, earned nothing and in some cases have even cut into principal on your investments! Yes, I know – we are ALL sick!

Yet at the same time, houses in the middle Tennessee area have gained value. Even including the small amount of “give back on value ” that occurred locally in 2008, our houses have happily gained a 64% INCREASE in value since 1998- just 10 years!

This fascinating information comes from the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight. It shows that an investment of $201,211 in a home in Middle Tennessee in 1998 brought an average value of $329,065 in 2008!

The following considers a $100,000 home in Middle Tennessee in 1983 and how it appreciated in value over time:

1983 $100,000
1988 $140,283
1993 $148,363
1998 $201,211
2003 $243,894
2008 $329,065

Makes me wish I had ALL my investments in real estate!

The truth is, Real Estate is a great investment and now, with rates at historic lows, it is a great time to buy!

The Feds have just lifted their self-imposed limit of 4 investment properties per person, so now Investors have more options and opportunity! In addition, with the 2009 Homebuyers Tax Credit, there are even greater opportunities to benefit in this down market! Call me at (615) 790-7400 if you have any questions or ideas! I’d love to talk it over with you~

Posted By: Charlene Kimmel

Charlene Kimmel
Area Franklin
Office Phone (615) 790-7400
Mobile (615) 579-8163
Fax (615) 790-7413
Email ckimmel@realtracs.com

Real Estate Profile

I love Real Estate and it shows! I have been involved with real estate in one way or another, since I was a teenager. My mother was a Broker in Northern VA where I grew up and I got my first license as a Realtor in the early 70’s in Richmond Va. I cut my ‘real estate teeth’ during the really fun 17% interest market in the early 80’s ( remember those days!). After we moved to Middle Tennessee in 1989, my husband and I got personally involved as investors with the local real estate market. I got my current TN License in 1999 and have been having a ball ever since! I think real estate is a wonderful investment and I love helping people find the home of their dreams! I also love teaching people how real estate can enhance their life as well as their financial well-being. I do most of my business by referral, and count my clients as my friends.

I earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Virginia and am an RN. I have also worked as a public health nurse, a rehabilitation nurse, and as a workers compensation and legal nursing specialist. I have also been an elected member of the Williamson County School Board. I’m an active member of St Philip Catholic Church, a volunteer with the Graceworks Parish Nurse RN program and many other civic and volunteer programs in and about Franklin and Williamson County.

My clients can attest that I am always on top of every transaction, that I am easy to reach, and that my communication skills are top notch throughout your home buying or selling experience. I value my integrity and will be loyal to you always. I hope you will take the opportunity to visit my website at www.kimmelsellshomes.com to learn more about Williamson County and me!

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Affiliations:
- Accreditated Buyers Broker ( ABR)
- Accreditated Staging Professional ( ASP) . Look for me at www.stagedhomes.com
- e-Pro Technology proficient Realtor

Memberships:
- Williamson County Association of Realtors
- Tennessee Association of Realtors
- National Association of Realtors
- Parents Club, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- St Philip Catholic Church
- Graceworks Parish Nurse Ministry
- Garden Club, Royal Oaks subdivision
- Cumberland Valley Beading Society