Chattanooga was named the 22nd best city to live in for cyclists by bicycling magazine. Another great reason to love Chattanooga.
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Archive for the ‘Chattanooga’ Category
America’s Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities – Chattanooga
Thursday, April 8th, 2010What to Consider Before Buying a Chattanooga Condo
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009If a Chattanooga condo lifestyle sounds interesting to you, here are a few things to consider about living in this type of residence:
Ownership
When you purchase a Chattanooga condo, you own the space within your condo’s walls. The actual walls are co-owned with your neighbor, as well as the common areas like the hallways; building exterior; yard and amenities such as the pool, gym, and walking trails.
Condo Association Fees
Each condo has Association fees that are in addition to the mortgage. These fees are used for maintenance and repairs of the common areas. The Association fees also pay for the landscaping and, usually, trash removal.
Condo Association Rules
Associations also have rules. They have regulations about what you can do with your property, including what kind of pets, if any, are allowed. Most Associations don’t allow making changes to the exterior of the property. You can paint the walls inside your condominium, but can’t paint the outside.
Neighbors
So you’ve found the condominium that works for you. The next thing to consider is what kind of neighbors you’ll have. Disruptive and noisy neighbors can ruin even the perfect condominium. A good thing to do is stop by the condo at different times on different days, so you can get an accurate impression of what living there is really like. Think about looking at the Association’s board meeting minute. They’ll list what complaints the other owners have, and by looking at those you can get the big picture of life there.
Don’t let Association fees and close neighbors scare you away from condominium life. While purchasing a Chattanooga condo is not simpler than buying a single-family home, living in one may be.
Thinking of buying a condo? I can help. Call me now at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com
Keyword/Tag: Chattanooga condo
LINKS:
Chattanooga Condo
Link to information about local condos on your website or link to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condo
Condo association fees
http://ezinearticles.com/?Condominium-Association-Fees—Added-Expense-Or-Benefit&id=1195387
Condo association rules
http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Considering_a_Condo_Purchase-Home_Buying-A1573.html
Chattanooga Condo Info:
4 Things to Know Before Putting Up Your Home for Sale in Chattanooga
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009The real estate industry is full of numbers and metrics that can influence your home for sale in Chattanooga. Here are just a few you need to know before putting your house on the market:
- Pricing – Is your home for sale in Chattanooga worth more than you bought it for? Even now, it’s a possibility. Check the average sales prices for the homes in your area, neighborhood and street. You might be pleasantly surprised. Contact your local agent for the information.
- DOM – Days on Market is the time period a home sits on the market before closing. Currently, the average days on market in almost any area are rather high, but the actual metric may change depending on the price of your home. If you’re faced with a timeline and have a set goal for the sale, the average days on market for your area is a number you need to know. Again, you can ask your local real estate agent.
- List Pricing – The average list price tells you how much your competition is going for. If you’re trying to sell your house way above the average list price, it probably won’t leave the market.
- Competition – How much competition do you really have? How many “For Sale” signs are up? The higher the inventory, the lower your chances of selling the home quickly.
Of all the numbers to know, these are at the top. As every agent knows, the best way to sell your home for sale in Chattanooga is to do the research – and then hire a proven real estate agent!
If you want to sell your home and need current information, I can help. Call me now at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.
Keyword/Tag: Home for sale in Chattanooga
Links:
Average sales prices
http://www.realtor.org/research/research/ehsdata
Days On Market
http://homebuying.about.com/b/2008/03/10/why-days-on-market-matter-to-home-buyers.htm
Listing price
Chattanooga Home Care – 3 Fall Maintenance Projects
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009The last vestiges of summer have faded away, the leaves are turning into a brilliant array of color and the temperatures are dropping. All this glorious change means the holidays are coming, but it also means it’s time, once again, to look over your Chattanooga home.
With temperatures dropping and leaves falling, there are plenty of things to add to your “to do” list. Just in case your list is empty, here are a few “to do’s” to get you started on your fall Chattanooga home care:
- Sealing Your Driveway – If you have a blacktop driveway, you probably already know it isn’t going to be smooth forever. The asphalt cracks, the color fades and the asphalt sags to create potholes. As winter rolls around and snow begins to fall, you’ll probably be putting down salt, which will further break down your driveway. Sealing it now, either by hiring a company to do it or sealing it yourself, can help keep your driveway smooth and beautiful.
- Winterizing Your Sprinklers – Sprinkler systems do wonders in keeping your lawn green. However, leaving water in the system over the winter can cause a big, expensive mess, especially if the pipes aren’t buried below frost level. If you don’t feel comfortable winterizing the sprinkler system yourself, you can hire a professional for under $500.
- Cleaning Gutters and Roofs – Everybody knows that fall brings leaves that fill your gutters and cover your roof. If you haven’t been on the roof of your house lately, now’s the time to do it. You want to make sure all the debris is gone before the snow hits, so the strength of your roof isn’t tested further. For that matter, now is a great time to install gutter guards; you’ll never have to clean your gutters again!
Preparing your Chattanooga home for the winter can be a tedious process, but the money you’ll save with proper maintenance will put a smile on your face.
If you’re looking for a home to call your own, I can help. Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at tclose@realtycenter.com for more information.
Keyword/Tag: Chattanooga home
Links:
Sealing it yourself
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=LawnGarden/SealDvWay.html#term
Winterizing the sprinkler system
http://www.housekeepingchannel.com/a_603-Tips_for_Winterizing_Your_Sprinkler_System
Gutter guards
http://www.askthebuilder.com/Gutter_Guard_Test_Results.shtml
3 Reasons to Have Your Chattanooga Home Built With Sustainable Design
Monday, October 12th, 2009Some potential homeowners just don’t want a pre-lived in Chattanooga home. They’d rather have their house built to their own specifications. They want a home that fits their needs exactly. If this is you, I understand and would like to help by giving you a glimpse into the future of home design.
The Future of Design
Thinking of the future might bring ideas of fantastic scientific miracles like smart houses that vacuum themselves. While building your Chattanooga home and having it wired as a smart home may be a good idea, think, also, about sustainable design. Here are just a few reasons why sustainable design is a great idea:
- Government mandates and incentives – Under the current administration, sustainable design is a big thing. In fact, many cities are passing mandates and offering incentives that encourage green building. In places such as Austin, Houston, Seattle and Portland, sustainable design is no longer a trend; it’s standard practice. Before having your home built, check into the homeowners’ incentives for green building.
- Cost of sustainable design – While sustainable design may be a little more costly than standard home building, don’t just assume that it is. Check with green building contractors as well as standard contractors and compare pricing. Also, keep in mind that the cost of the design is well repaid down the line. As well, remember that it may be easier and cheaper to build a sustainable home, rather than remodel one to be green later.
- Resale value – Although you may not ever want to move from your home once it’s built, you never know what will happen in the future. A sustainable design can up the resale value of the home by as much as 15%.
Between the government incentives, the cost savings and the resale value, your Chattanooga home and sustainable design may end up being the best investment you ever made!
If you’re looking for a green home or a contractor to build one, I can help. Call me at 423-488-1882or email me at tclose@realtycenter.com for more information.
Keyword and Tag: Chattanooga Green home
Links:
Incentives for green building
http://www.greenhomeguide.org/resources/incentives.html
Cost of sustainable design
http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/greenbuildinginformation/do_sustainable.html
Remodel one to be green
Looking For Information on the Chattanooga Southside
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009If you are looking for information and maps for the Southside of Chattanooga then this is a great site to visit. If you are looking for homes or investment property located in Chattanooga please contact me at 423-488-1882.
7 Ways Condos in Chattanooga Can Go Green
Sunday, September 6th, 2009Want to go green but afraid it won’t work for condos in Chattanooga? Get rid of your worries, because it’s definitely possible. It just takes a little thought!
1. Go Energy Star – Anytime you get a chance, use Energy Star appliances, lighting, heating and cooling equipment. When it’s time to replace something, look for the Energy Star option.
2. Use a power strip – Many people have a slew of chargers and electronics. Instead of plugging them directly into an outlet, use a power strip and then turn the power strip off when the electronics aren’t in use.
3. Get an energy audit – If you get an energy audit you can find out how your insulation and heating and cooling equipment is working compared to the condos in Chattanooga. If it’s not up to par, you can find out where you need to start.
4. Check your seals – If you have windows and doors with poor seals, air can leak out, wasting the energy to heat or cool your condo.
5. Recycle – It’s cheaper than trash collection and helps the environment.
6. Rain catchers – Many condos in Chattanooga have balconies with flowerpots and small beds. As well, many owners use potted plants inside as accents. If you’re one of them, use rain catchers on your balcony to reduce water usage instead of watering each plant with fresh water.
7. Low flow toilets and leaks – If your association allows it, install a low flow toilet in your unit to help conserve water. As well, check the toilet for leaks by putting food coloring in the tank and see if it moves to the bowel without flushing. If it does, you have a leak.
If you’re looking for a condo that’s already green, I can help. Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.
Keyword: Condos in Chattanooga
Links:
1. Energy Star
2. Get an energy audit
http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/energy_audits/index.cfm/mytopic=11160
3. Low flow toilet
El Meson In Hixson
Thursday, August 27th, 2009There will be a new El Meson Restraunt opening in Hixson in September. It will be located in the old Target shopping center near Northgate Mall.
Outdoor Chattanooga Map
Monday, August 3rd, 2009Chattanooga is full of great outdoor opportunities. If you are planning a trip or if you already live in Chattanooga, get out and enjoy the clean rivers and lakes or enjoy mountain biking or hiking on Signal Mountain or one of the many state parks in the area.
Click on the link below for a Outdoor Activity map for Chattanooga.
6 Ways to Tell if You Need to Paint Before Putting Up Your Chattanooga Home for Sale
Saturday, August 1st, 2009If you’re putting up your Chattanooga home for sale, it may be time to bring out the brush and spackle. This doesn’t just mean on the outside, but everywhere. If you’re not sure whether you need to do it, here are a few ways to tell:
1. Peeling exterior – You may be used to the home and not see the peeling paint, but, as any real estate agent will tell you, curb appeal is very important. If buyers don’t like the way your home looks on the outside, they very seldom go inside. If the paint is peeling, it’s time to redo it.
2. Eye-catching colors – While you may enjoy your robin’s egg blue house with canary yellow shutters, buyers may not. A Chattanooga home for sale needs to be painted in a way that the buyers can see themselves living in it. If your house is painted in unusually eye-catching colors, you need to repaint in neutral tones. Stick with neutral colors for interior painting also.
3. Peeling/stained shed – If you have a wooden shed on your property, you might need to repaint it or even replace it. Exposed wood under the paint is a major detractor and an eyesore. It may not matter to you, but it will matter to the buyer.
4. Cracks in the walls – If the interior of your home has little cracks, seal the drywall with spackling and repaint. Though small, the cracks will be seen as a negative, even if the rest of the house is well cared for.
5. Cracked tiles or water spots on the ceiling – Who looks up at the ceiling anymore? The buyer will and will see that unsightly stain in the corner that you haven’t noticed for years.
6. Artistic inspiration – If you’re an artist and you found the need to express yourself on the walls, you might consider repainting. Ask your real estate agent before hand; some forms of expression may sell better than others. It might be slightly painful, so it’s okay if you let someone else do it.
When you have a Chattanooga home for sale you have to be honest with yourself. Look at the house with fresh eyes and in a buyer’s point of view. If something stands out, it probably needs to be fixed.
If you’re thinking of selling your home, I’d be happy to give you suggestions on how to make it sparkle so it will sell faster and for more money. Call me today at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.
Keyword: Chattanooga home for sale
Links:
Curb appeal
http://www.hgtv.com/curb-appeal/show/index.html
Neutral tones
http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Paint_Color_Selection-Painting-A1873.html
Seal the drywall
http://www.drywallschool.com/crack.htm