http://www.lisaculptaylor.com RSS feeds for Lisa Culp Taylor 60 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/132/Garden-Trends-Container-Gardening.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=132 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=132&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/132/Garden-Trends-Container-Gardening.aspx I confess that I get inordinately happy when I hear the dulcet tones of weed whackers and lawn mowers.  I love every single thing about the look of newly mulched landscape and I get all “Sound of Music” when I plant new perennials, dig up weeds and spend time beautifying my yard and lawn.  Even the ridiculous amount of rain we’ve gotten here in Middle Tennessee can’t bring me down, because I know that all this water will pay off during the hot summer months and (hopefully) help establish my plantings and flowers so they’ll look just as nice in August as they do now. There are as many different gardening choices as there are decorating schemes and it can be pretty overwhelming if you’re staring at a large plat of dirt and four thousand Better Homes and Gardens magazine clippings that you’ve been snipping for years.  Whether you’re just getting started on beautifying the exterior of your home or you’re an experienced green thumb looking for something a little new and different, here are some ideas to give your property a little extra pep! Container gardens are all the rage and they work perfectly for any type of home.  Whether you live in a cozy condo or a sprawling suburban abode, this type of gardening is the most flexible and least permanent.  The key to successful container gardening is to start with a great potting soil.  Most greenhouse managers recommend 2 parts peat, 1 part perlite and 1 part builder’s sand.  This combination provides the right amount of nutrients and drainage for a variety of plants, herbs and vegetables.  However, it’s not always cost effective to mix your own container potting soil, so if you’re buying a premixed brand, stick with a bag that is a “professional blend.”  Those magic words mean that someone else has taken the guess work out of mixing and achieved the proper Ph and nutritional balance. Once you’re ready to start planting, you need to evaluate where the containers will be stationed.  Then, select plants that are compatible in terms of light, water and growing rates.  Avoid mixing shade lovers like impatiens with sun-bathers like thyme.  Similarly, mint looks fantastic in a big terra-cotta pot, but it is an aggressive grower and should be planted all by itself.  Knowing how to water containers is crucial.  Because there’s so much less soil in a container, the dirt will dry out faster than in a flowerbed or traditional garden.  On particularly hot days, you might need to water containers twice a day. Now that you’ve made a plan, you’re ready to start buying and planting.  To get the most bang for your buck, you need to combine different types of plants.  My HGTV loving friends spout this motto when planting containers: THRILLERS, SPILLERS AND FILLERS.   Choose a bold, upright plant, like dracaena, cannas and ornamental grasses, for your “thriller” to be planted in the center of your pot.  The middle of the pot should be planted with “fillers,” moderately sized and billowing plants like coleus, pentas and lantana.  Lastly, plant your “spillers,” around the edge of the pot.  You want plants that will cascade over the side of the pot and soften the entire arrangement.  Good choices for spillers are sweet potato vines, million bells and verbena. In coming weeks, I’ll talk about other types of gardening and improving your home’s value and curb appeal with landscaping tips.  Container gardening is a nice way to get started and it’s particularly great for this time of year when temperatures can still dip during the night.  Smaller containers or containers on casters can easily be wheeled into a warmer garage or sunroom on chilly nights.  Happy digging and planting, friends!  LCT Host Mon, 13 May 2013 15:20:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:132 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/131/Nashvilles-Music-Row.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=131 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=131&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/131/Nashvilles-Music-Row.aspx I have a friend who lived in New York City for years.  She worked crazy hours and loved every minute of her time there, but after moving, she reported that she almost never did any of the “New York” things.  She’d missed Broadway plays, had only been to the Statue of Liberty on a college field trip and only “ran” through Central Park when she was late for a meeting.  It’s too easy to live our busy lives in amazing places and forget to take the time to actually enjoy them. Show of hands… how many of you have actually done the “Music Row” thing here in our own hometown of Nashville?  Thousands of tourists visit our fair city each year to do just that, but many of us don’t make time to enjoy all that “Music City” has to offer.  After all, there are lots of other attractions in Middle Tennessee: gorgeous green spaces, historic Civil War battlefields and some of the best Southern cooking known to man. But, if you move from Nashville and you haven’t experienced the vibe that makes this town so special, you’ll regret it.  So… pull on your cowboy boots and head down to Nashville’s Music Row for a day that you’ll never forget! You’ll want to start your tour on Music Row, Broadway or 2nd Avenue.  Broadway and Second have plenty of live music venues and music themed shops, including Robert’s Western World and the world famous, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.  Before lunch, swing through Hatch Show Print.  It’s one of the oldest working letterpress print shops and, over the years, has provided posters and flyers for some of Nashville’s most illustrious acts.  What better way to pay homage to the town you’re leaving (or the town you’re getting ready to make home) than buying a vintage poster to hang in a place of honor? By now, you’ll be hungry.  Lucky for you, there’s no shortage of restaurants on Music Row.  Younger tourists will love the twang-y touches of Nashville’s Hard Rock Café on Broadway.  I, personally, like less “marketed” dining, so I try not to miss Demo’s on Commerce Street when I’m downtown.  And, while Nashville doesn’t scream “sushi,” there is a fantastic sushi place called Ichiban on 2nd Avenue. After lunch, you must, must, MUST make your way to the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Whether you’re a born and raised Country Music lover or not, you will be amazed at their “Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music” exhibit.   Other current exhibits include “Patsy Cline: Crazy for Loving You” and “The Bakersfield Sound.”  The Hall of Fame is open daily from 9 – 5, but if you plan on taking one of their guided tours (and I highly recommend doing so), you need to purchase your tickets in advance. Treating yourself to a daytrip in your own town is a special thing.  Being able to call Nashville “home” is even better.  Happy stay-cation, friends!  Enjoy your honky-tonk home! LCT Host Mon, 06 May 2013 21:10:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:131 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/129/The-Hiking-Trails-At-Radnor-Lake.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=129 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=129&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/129/The-Hiking-Trails-At-Radnor-Lake.aspx It has been far too long since I’ve updated the blog.  Remember all those posts about how the market was hot and now is the time to list your home?  Well, you certainly listened… and listed!  My team has seen a huge uptake in listings and sales, so we’ve been spending most of our time on marketing, designing and writing brochures and flyers to represent your home and help it sell fast.  It’s definitely cut into my blogging time, but it’s also proof that many of you new listees need ideas of where to go and what to do when I gently dislodge you for a showing!  Especially, if you’re relocating outside of Middle Tennessee, you need to take advantage of all this gorgeous area has to offer. I have a bit of spring fever, too, so this post promotes an outdoor excursion to one of Nashville’s loveliest natural destinations.  Lace up your hiking boots, grab a camera and plan a day at Radnor Lake.  My very favorite thing about this nature preserve is the extensive hiking trails that weave along the shore line with six miles of trails ranging from easy to strenuous.  You’ll hardly know you’re getting a workout, though, because you’ll be so distracted by the beauty that surrounds you. Hiking the trails takes some time as you stop to observe the incredible flora and fauna that call Middle Tennessee home.  Don’t move too fast or you might miss some incredible finds, like this collection of heart shaped rocks that hikers have left nestled in the base of a tree.  It made my heart sing (pun, fully intended) that visitors knew to leave the rocks for all to enjoy!  Perhaps you’ll find your own to add. Radnor Lake is a Class II Natural Area, so that means that protection of its natural resources is the highest priority.  For that reason, picnics, dog walking, jogging and biking are not allowed on the trails.  You can, however, jog, bike, and dog walk on the roads around Radnor and still enjoy the incredible views.  The Radnor Lake staff has some incredible programs for all ages, so do a bit of research before you head off to Radnor.  It will be well worth your time! LCT Host Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:44:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:129 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/128/April-Showers-Bring-Termites.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=128 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=128&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/128/April-Showers-Bring-Termites.aspx April showers bring May flowers… or so the saying goes.  For those of us who own homes (and those of us who want to help you own homes), April showers also bring termites.  I know, I know… it’s not such a catchy phrase.  In fact, that one word… TERMITES… can strike fear in a homeowner’s heart.  Here are some tips on how to keep your home termite free and what to do if those pesky bugs have already set up camp. Termites love, love, love moisture.  All that warm, wet wood makes their job of eating your foundation and framing oh, so much easier.  It’s also why the month of April should be known as termite month… all that rain helps turn our homes into a bug buffet.  First and foremost, you need to have a good relationship with a great bug company.  When selecting a pest control company, it’s important to confirm that they are licensed by the Department of Agriculture.  Membership in Tennessee’s state pest control association and/or National Pest Management Association suggests that the company is an established firm with access to training and technical information needed to do the job correctly.  References are invaluable and you should not hesitate to ask a potential company to provide them.  Lastly, consider getting inspections and/or estimates from two to three companies to help verify the existence of a termite problem and allow you to compare services. If you live in the Williamson County Area, I would suggest Scott McFarlin at Northwest Exterminating. Contact him at (615) 890-4161. Even if you don’t have a home that requires monthly visits from the bug-busters, you need to have a contract for a yearly termite inspection.  You also need to make sure that your pest control company is getting down and dirty… crawling under and around crawl spaces, doing a thorough inspection of basements, cellars and the like. Besides having a trustworthy pest control company on speed dial, you can also avoid termite infestations by remembering the following:   Immediately repair water leaks and moisture problems.  Pay special attention to leaky roofs, attics and slow drips around sinks and in bathrooms.  Most of us think of termites as attacking from the bottom up, but they’ll find any vulnerable area from which to launch their attack. Clear gutters and downspouts so that water cannot accumulate and cause water damage. Ensure that drain spouts and HVAC drainage lines flow away from your home. Mulch should be no closer than six inches from your home’s foundation.  Just as mulch helps keep our shrubs, trees and plants moist, it creates a perfect environment for termite swarms. If you have irrigation systems, check them regularly to make sure they are spraying away from exterior walls and foundations. Stucco, wood and vinyl siding should be a minimum of six inches above the finished soil level.  Without that six inch foundation, you’re sending termites an engraved invitation to a house party. LCT Host Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:03:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:128 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/127/Staycations--Part-Two.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=127 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=127&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/127/Staycations--Part-Two.aspx The sun is shining in Nashville and Franklin and the temperatures are climbing.  Finally!  As part two of our staycation series, I thought I’d take advantage of this fantastic weather and feature an outdoor destination that you must enjoy if you call Nashville home.  Not only does this excursion make a great day-trip, it’s easy to plan on the fly if you need to leave your “on-the-market” home quickly for a showing. Nashville’s Centennial Park is one of the loveliest parks Middle Tennessee has to offer.  Comprised of 132 acres, this park also includes the iconic Parthenon, a one-mile walking trail, Lake Watauga, the Centennial Art Center, sunken gardens, a band shell and more. The parks people run a masterful series of events which you can access here, but even if you just go on an event-free day, you’re sure to enjoy your time in this gorgeous green space.   Pack a picnic and bring a Frisbee for some Nashvillian style, free fun and fresh air! After lunch, you’ll want to head over to the park’s centerpiece: the Parthenon.  It is a full-scale replica of the original in Athens, Greece.  It was originally built in 1897 for Tennessee’s Centennial Exposition and now houses the city of Nashville’s art museum.  Kids enamored with the Percy Jackson series will love a chance to bring some of their favorite books to life with a 42 foot statue of Athena, goddess of war, wisdom and crafts. As promised in last week’s post, Fido doesn’t need to be left out when you plan a visit to Centennial Park.  All metro parks are open to our four legged friends as long as they are leashed.  Centennial’s dog park is located on Flag Pole Hill and is open from dawn to 8PM.  It offers a gated expanse where your pup can run free and frolic with furry friends.  Be sure to check out metro’s dog policy before visiting so you can be sure that puppy returns home safe and healthy! Hopefully a beautiful day spent at one of Nashville’s most beautiful parks will take the sting out of being displaced from your home for a bit and maybe I’ll have news of an offer before your day is done! LCT Host Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:04:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:127 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/126/Staycations--Part-One.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=126 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=126&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/126/Staycations--Part-One.aspx Although you wouldn’t know it from the weather, we’re in the middle of Spring Break fever here in Middle Tennessee.  Most of our school systems have just ended or are in the midst of their Spring Breaks.  Many of my friends and their families planned “staycations” this year… you know, the idea that you plan mini-excursions close to home?  As a Realtor, I’ve been advising clients on how to take a staycation for years… we just called it something along the lines of “I’m showing your house in fifteen minutes so you have to clear out for the next two hours.”  As if the thought of keeping the house tidy at all times wasn’t enough stress, now we’re telling you to exit, stage left, and stay away until the buyer-coast is clear.  And if you have pets?  Oi. I thought I’d spend some time during the next few weeks sharing ideas for how to spend some quality time in and around our hometown.  Whether you’re planning a true staycation or need some exit strategies when the “I’ve got a showing” call comes, these destinations might be just the ticket for spending a few hours with friends and family close to home. Since the weather has been iffy, I thought I’d start with an “interior” destination… we’ve been promised improved temperatures, so I’ll save some information about outdoor outings for a future post. The Hermitage is the home of our 7th President, Andrew Jackson.  Before being elected to the country’s highest office, he and his wife (there’s a great love story, there!) made their home in Nashville.  Today, the mansion and grounds are open to tourists.  You can purchase tickets online or at the gates, which are open from 8:30 – 5:00, daily.  Once inside the brick, Federal style mansion, you’ll be transported back in time and get a glimpse of what life was like in the early 1800’s for a plantation dwelling gentleman and his family.  Jackson’s life was full of ups and downs and his legacy is a complicated one.  Touring his home and learning a bit about one of Nashville’s founding fathers is a great way to spend a day. There’s a lot to see on the 1,120 acres that surround the Hermitage, but do plan to spend some time in the formal gardens.  They are simply stunning.  The interactive map of the buildings and grounds is also top notch and appealing to little adventurers who like the idea of treasure hunting. Be sure to take a camera with you when you visit.  The Hermitage loves for visitors to e-mail photos back to them for publication on their website.  You can even enter their monthly photo contest.  Unfortunately, the Hermitage is not a pet-friendly destination, so you’ll need to make plans for a visit to your favorite doggie-daycare in order to enjoy the Hermitage to the fullest.    Happy staycation, my Middle Tennessee friends! LCT Host Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:56:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:126 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/125/Were-Back.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=125 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=125&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/125/Were-Back.aspx The proof is in the pudding… or in this case, the print – newsprint.  I’ve been shouting it from the rooftops for the past several weeks: NOW IS THE TIME TO LIST YOUR HOME FOR SALE!  Realtor friends far and near have been experiencing the same buying boom that I’ve seen happening in Williamson County.  We’ve been talking about it in our realty chat rooms, gabbing about it over the water cooler… it’s felt like someone issued an unspoken proclamation that the tide is definitely turning from the dismal real estate news of the past several years to renewed sales growth and market activity.  Now, The Tennessean has published the latest Williamson County market statistics and it proves what we’ve been seeing and feeling. Tiffany Cheuvront, executive vice president of the Williamson County Association for Realtors, sums it up quite nicely.  She’s quoted as saying, “All measurements of the housing statistics show marked improvements over the same period last year for Williamson County.”  Do you hear that, friends?  MARKED IMPROVEMENT!  Median sales prices of homes in Williamson County increased by over $50,000 from last year’s figures.  The number of days on the market decreased sharply from 100 days in February 2012 to 82 days last month.  Not to put too fine a point on it, but I recently helped sell two homes that were on the market for ten days.  Another home sold in less than thirty.   Franklin took top prize in the “renewed real estate” race with 95 closings in the month of February.  Brentwood reported 45 closings and our friends in Spring Hill closed 35 sales.   Overall, 228 homes were sold in Williamson County in February.  So… it’s more than just a feeling – although I’m not afraid to admit that successful real estate professionals follow their hunches wisely.   The confidence we’ve been feeling is a real trend, bringing a stabilizing influence to the market that is buoyed by low interest rates and rising home prices.  Check out some of my newest listings here and give me a call if you’re ready to capitalize on this hot market! LCT Host Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:15:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:125 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/124/One-More-Week-Until-Spring--Prepare-Your-Home.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=124 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=124&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/124/One-More-Week-Until-Spring--Prepare-Your-Home.aspx The groundhog was bribed.  He promised spring five weeks ago, but we’ve all been contending with cold, wintery weather here in Williamson County, TN.  Finally, though, I’m optimistic!  Yes, it’s rainy, but it’s warmer… My daffodils are in bloom and the crocuses are popping.  It makes me want to head for my favorite nursery, stock up on brightly colored annuals and sweep the cobwebs from my patio and porches.  While we’re all celebrating winter’s demise, it won’t be long before we’re complaining about the heat.  So, as we embrace the ambrosia of mild weather, let’s take advantage of this spring fever and prepare our homes for the coming months… Grab a glass of sweet tea and head outside to survey the exterior of your home. □   CHECK YOUR ROOF.  In preparation for blustery spring storms, have roof flashing, caulking, and shingles inspected by a roofing professional.  Flashing needs to be tight and caulked with an approved roofing sealant.  Shingles should be contiguously flush with the planes of the roof.  You might also want to ask your roofer about installing an attic fan or ridge vents.   □   INSPECT EXTERIOR CAULK.  Winter’s cold temperatures wreak havoc on caulk around doors and windows.  Since you’ll soon be cooling your home’s interior, you’ll want to maintain energy efficiency by applying external silicone caulk around any of these openings that have separated from their framing. □  ARRANGE FOR HVAC INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE.  Springtime in Williamson County means that you might run your heat in the cool morning, but need to flip to air conditioning by late afternoon.  Consider signing up for a maintenance plan with your favorite heating and cooling company.  At the very least, have them come for an annual checkup and cleaning.  Planting shade trees around your air conditioning unit will help keep it cool and running efficiently.  Plus, trees and shrubs can hide a not so attractive feature and increase curb appeal! Speaking of heating and cooling… there’s work to be done indoors, too. □   REPLACE AIR FILTERS to increase your unit’s ability to cool your home effectively.  If you’ve lived in our area for any time, you know that spring and summer bring huge spikes in allergen diffusion.  You’ll need to change those filters more often in the warm weather months… at least once every sixty days. □   CLEAN DRYER VENTS.  Hoses clogged with dryer lint not only push warm air back into your home, but they can be a fire hazard!  Local home stores sell long dryer brushes so you can really clean the entire hose from unit to exterior exhaust.  □   CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF YOUR CEILING FANS.  Many people don’t know that ceiling fans can help us keep our homes at comfortable temperatures year round.  In the winter, ceiling fans should rotate forward in a clockwise motion to pull warm air down the sides of a room and improve heat distribution.  In the spring, blades should turn in a counter-clockwise motion to provide a cool breeze. □   REPLACE LIGHTBULBS WITH CFLS.  Compact fluorescent bulbs are the most energy efficient way to light your home.  In addition to cost savings, they put off less heat than traditional bulbs.  It might not seem like much, but 20 traditional bulbs burning at the same time can raise the temperature inside your home by several degrees. LCT Host Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:48:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:124 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/122/Keeping-Your-House-Tidy-While-Its-On-The-Market.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=122 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=122&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/122/Keeping-Your-House-Tidy-While-Its-On-The-Market.aspx So, you decided to take advantage of the suddenly hot market in Middle Tennessee and list your home for sale?  Good for you.  After spending some quality time with your house, getting it market ready and calling your favorite Realtor, the tough work -- for you -- is done!  Still, most people don’t relish the idea of keeping their home “show-ready” every moment.  Hopefully, your home will sell quickly and you’ll soon be on to greener pastures, but at least for a little bit, you’re going to need a plan to keep your home neat and tidy.  If you have twenty minutes a day (or twenty minutes notice – eeek!), follow these simple steps and you’ll maintain a sparkling abode with ease.   1.   The kitchen sets the bar for the overall cleanliness of your entire home.  To make a great first impression, load the dishwasher with dirty dishes as soon as you use them and keep your sink and countertops free of clutter.  Wipe down the sink to eliminate water spots.  Wipe down countertops and stovetop, too.  Swiffer, sweep or vacuum the kitchen floor. (4 ½ minutes)   2.   Keep pre-moistened wipes in the bathrooms and wipe down the basin and countertops every time you wash your hands.  Before tossing, wipe around the edge of the tub and toilet, too.  Use a pre-moistened glass wipe to clean mirrors, faucets and shower doors.  Consider using a shower mist after every use.  (2 minutes) 3.   Your mother was right about this one: MAKE YOUR BED as soon as you get out of it.  A tidy bed will inspire you to keep the rest of the room as neat as a pin.  Plump pillows, hang or fold clothing neatly and de-clutter the bedside tables.  Keep a pre-moistened dust cloth handy for quick swipes over dark wood. (6 ½ minutes) 4.   Zip through the family room, den and foyer.  Start with the couches by fluffing pillows and folding throws.  Use a handheld vacuum to pick up dust bunnies and crumbs, shine tabletops and furniture with a pre-moistened dusting wipe and recycle magazines and newspapers.  Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down dust-catching televisions and electronic devices.  (6 minutes) Many clients find it’s best to keep a “go-to” bucket under their sink with Clorox wipes, Pledge wipes and Windex wipes.  Grab that bucket when you start in the kitchen and circle back to the same spot twenty minutes later with a clean and lovely domicile.  Be sure to vacuum carpets and sweep wood and tile floors each night before your hit the hay.   When your home sells, you’ll have become so adept at this quick, new system of cleaning, you’ll find it easy to carry over to your new home!   LCT Host Mon, 04 Mar 2013 14:45:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:122 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/121/Getting-Ready-To-Sell--FAST.aspx#Comments 1 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=121 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=121&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/121/Getting-Ready-To-Sell--FAST.aspx Last summer I wrote a series of posts about getting your home ready for sale.  During my years in the real estate industry, I have seen thousands of homes.  I’ve helped sell hundreds of those and I’ve seen what can give a house that special edge in a competitive selling situation.  If you read my most recent post, you know that NOW is the time to list your home for sale in Middle Tennessee.  Buyers aren’t waiting for warmer temperatures and blooming flowers.  We have a surplus of buyers and not enough homes on the market.  It’s the perfect equation for a quick sale.   So how do we blend the “getting ready to sell” posts with the “be ready now” post?  Clearly, if time is of the essence, you’re not going to be able to repaint the entire interior of your home in fresh neutrals or hire a professional landscaper to give your lawn a complete overhaul.  The installation of granite countertops is also not going to happen on a tight time frame.  What can you do THIS WEEKEND to make your home sale-ready?  Here are some quick tips:  1.   Give your home a thorough cleaning.  Pay particular attention to kitchens and bathrooms. Clean cabinetry from top to bottom.  Dust crown molding.  Clean the interior of light fixtures.  Shine your stainless steel appliances.   Make sure that windows are sparkling and baseboards are shining.    In the bathrooms, deep clean your showers and tubs.  Borax (mixed with water to form a paste) is a wonderful cleaning agent and will remove hard to clean mildew with ease. 2.   Get rid of clutter!  Walk through each room of your home with a medium sized book box (local mailbox stores have these in stock) and fill it with knick-knacks and overly personal items.  Kids’ art projects need to be packed away.  Don’t leave the room until the box is full.  In the living rooms and dens, make sure bookshelves are clutter free.  A good rule of thumb for shelves is “books+2.”  In other words, you shouldn’t have more than two tchotchkes on any one shelf.  Store these boxes neatly in your attic (or borrow some space from a kindly neighbor) until you are ready to move.  Replace family pictures with a simple plant to depersonalize the space.  Not only will de-cluttering add the illusion of extra square footage to your home, it will be easier to keep clean while your home is on the market. 3.  Clean out cabinets, pantries, your refrigerator and closets!  Yes, these tasks can seem daunting, but they can be accomplished in a weekend and cost you nothing.  An organized cabinet or closet tells a potential buyer that the home has been well cared for and maintained.  Closets crammed with out of season clothing or pantries overflowing the half-eaten boxes of cereal indicate a lack of attention to detail and a frenzied environment. 4.   Neutral walls are best, but a weekend is not enough time to completely overhaul the color palette of your home.  Instead, purchase a jumbo sized box of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers and wipe walls from top to bottom.  Be sure to wipe with a clean cloth to remove residue.  You’ll get the effect of clean, crisp walls without the time and labor of repainting.   5.   Like fresh paint, you’re not going to have time to install new carpeting.  Instead, rent a carpet cleaner from your local home store or supermarket and shampoo carpets.  Polish hardwood floors and keep a Swiffer handy for quick swipes before a showing. 6.  Stand across the street from your house and take a quick inventory of your lawn, shrubs and planters.  Re-sodding isn’t practical, but it won’t take much time to lay down a bag of mulch or two.  Plant some bright yellow pansies in urns by the front door and around your mailbox.  If you didn’t do it in the fall, trim shrubbery and cut back plantings.  Last but not least, approach your home as a potential buyer would.  Enter through your front door with a fresh, yet critical eye.  Does your entry seem inviting?  Linger in the doorway of each room and make sure furniture is arranged to maximize the space and flow in a room.  Then… call me.  I’ll take it from there and help you capitalize on the hot real estate market in Middle Tennessee! LCT Host Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:54:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:121 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/120/The-Markets-Hot.aspx#Comments 2 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=120 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=120&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/120/The-Markets-Hot.aspx Have you spent the winter working your way through that “to-do” list, waiting for spring to put your home on the market?  If so, you’re not alone, but I have to tell you: DON’T WAIT A MOMENT LONGER TO LIST YOUR HOME FOR SALE! The Middle Tennessee real estate market is on fire!  Many of my colleagues have clients looking for homes to buy.  My Realtor friends on our Facebook group are inundating the network with requests for home after home and there is literally not enough supply to meet the growing demand.  After a few sluggish years, someone flipped the switch on our local real estate market and buyers are eager to purchase their new home before rates increase.   IF YOU’VE BEEN THINKING OF SELLING YOUR HOME, NOW IS THE TIME! Three of my last four listings have sold within 30 days, two of those within 10 days and one of those was a multiple offer situation.  It felt like the days of old!  In addition, I’ve seen homes that have been on the market for over 100 days start to sell and I assure you, nothing about those homes has changed.  The change is the market… high demand and low supply. Strike while the iron’s hot and give me a call.  We can have your home market ready AND SOLD before you know it! LCT Host Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:01:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:120 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/119/Vote-For-Bob-Parks-Realty.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=119 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=119&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/119/Vote-For-Bob-Parks-Realty.aspx   One the reasons I count my lucky stars is that I have the privilege of working with a fabulous group of real estate professionals at Bob Parks Realty.  They are dedicated and passionate about helping people find the perfect home and committed to helping others transition through a sale or relocation.  Together with about 400 of my nearest and dearest associates, we make up a powerful team that serves Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Hendersonville, Mt. Juliet, Murfreesboro, Smyrna and many other surrounding areas in Middle Tennessee. At Bob Parks, we offer a full menu of residential real estate services, including relocation expertise, mortgage assistance, residential development, auction services, commercial real estate, property management and more.  Because we are a member of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce partnership program, we are often among the first to know when a company is relocating to our area and bringing in new home buyers! Beyond what we do professionally, this company supports its employees as we provide and participate in service to our local communities.  As part of the Bob Parks family, we’ve supported the Salvation Army, Tennessee School for the Blind, Christmas for Kids and a charity started by Bob Parks Realty over twenty years ago – Christmas for the Children.   We’ve adopted schools, participated in building community playgrounds and donated our time and resources to disadvantaged families in Middle Tennessee.  In addition, Bob Parks is also a major corporate sponsor of the Make a Wish Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Over the years, Bob Parks Realty has supported my colleagues and me as we’ve been honored with local and state real estate awards.  Now it’s our turn to shine the spotlight on this incredible company by voting for them in the Sizzle Awards.  The “Sizzles” are sponsored by Southern Exposure Magazine, the Williamson Herald and Franklinis.com and are awarded annually to businesses throughout Middle Tennessee.  Please click here to vote for Bob Parks Realty! Thanks for taking a moment to help me thank all my colleagues at Bob Parks Realty and letting the community know that we are and should be recognized as the #1 Real Estate Company in Middle Tennessee! LCT Host Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:51:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:119 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/118/And-The-Oscar-Goes-To-.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=118 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=118&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/118/And-The-Oscar-Goes-To-.aspx   Superbowl, what?  Vince Lombardi, who?  Now, I like a good trophy game as much as the next gal, but I have to admit that I’m a bit over all the hype.  And don’t even get me started on the DGA/SAG/WGA/OscarFest that has already begun and for which they give awards from everything to best hairstyle in a foreign film to best action scene in an animated short.   Yes, it’s fun to look at the pretty dresses and ogle the cutie pie actor that has suddenly become Hollywood’s next big thing, but really… it’s all just fluff.  What if, instead of revering football players and starlets, we honored real people who help real people?  What if we gave a trophy to every REALTOR who helped make a family’s dream come true?  I know, it’s a bit of a stretch, but seriously.  What if?  And what would the criterion be for awarding such trophies?  More importantly, what should you ask yourself when you’re looking for the lovely lady who will help you through the dramatic scenes of looking at house after house, who’ll give you a soliloquy of a pep talk when you start to believe that the house – YOUR HOUSE – isn’t out there?  Or what about the gentleman who’ll arm you with everything you need to survive the action sequence that is the accepted offer/counter offer/inspection/closing saga? First of all, you should make sure that your real estate agent is a Realtor®, that he or she is a member of the National Association of Realtors.  The NAR has a strict code of ethics and each member agrees to abide by that code and make it their guiding principles through every step of the real estate transaction.  As you might imagine, the code of ethics is extremely thorough, so I won’t go into the nitty-gritty, but if you’d like to read them, you may find them here.  A member of the NAR understands that HONESTY is a quality that a successful real estate agent can’t live without.  Honesty requires that your Realtor® is upfront and transparent through every step of the real estate transaction, even when the truth isn’t pretty or easy. You want a Realtor® who has PASSION for what they do.  Most of us start out with a fire in our belly, but true passion – that quality that draws others to us – can be hard to maintain year after year.  It’s tough, but not impossible, so spend some time searching for someone who is seasoned, yet enthusiastic about their job. This quality may give you pause, but it’s important to find a Realtor® who is also a bit of a RISK TAKER.  A successful real estate professional has already figured out that building their business meant they couldn’t let opportunity take a back seat.  They’ve made “carpe diem” their motto and they’ve learned the difference between a calculated risk and a foolish one.  More importantly, they’ll put that skill to work for you in both searching for properties or buyers and helping you negotiate the best deal you can get. You want your Realtor® to be TENACIOUS and resolute.  They need to have a vision, not only for their own business, but very specifically for your dream.  This isn’t a business for the tender-hearted, so a truly great agent is going to be able to provide calm counsel and a rah-rah pep talk at the same time! Make sure the agent you choose is COMPASSIONATE.  Believe me, during the process of buying or selling your home, you’ll talk to your agent more than you talk to your mother.  You want to feel important and valuable.  You want to know that your agent respects your needs, desires, and opinions. And the Oscar goes to… YOU, for doing your research and your Realtor® for being creative, inspirational, enthusiastic, responsive and sensitive. LCT Host Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:05:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:118 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/117/Why-Nashville.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=117 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=117&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/117/Why-Nashville.aspx I grew up in Nashville’s surrounding areas, so when clients ask, “Why Nashville?” I’m quick to answer, “Because it is simply the best play to live, work and play.”  That may sound trite, but it’s very heartfelt and now the folks at Condé Nast Traveler agree with me.  They’ve listed Nashville as one of the top places to travel to in 2013.  What’s even better than visiting?  Making this thriving city in Davidson County or the rolling hills of Williamson County your home!  Plan ahead so you’ll have time to experience some of the best Southern Cuisine in the area.  Nashville’s “Catbird Seat” is the place to see and be seen.  More importantly, it’s topping food critics’ lists, with its focus on newfangled gourmet combinations such as pork belly sprinkled with foraged radish flowers, and pigeon legs flavored with smoked hay.  Catbird is only open Wednesday through Saturday, from 5:45 – 9:45.  With only thirty-two seats in the restaurant, reservations are hard to come by.  If you want a reservation on February 20th, make sure you’re planted in front of your computer early on February 1st.  The entire month of February will be sold out by the end of that first day, but I assure you, this dining experience is worth the wait!  After you’ve filled up on the southern delicacies at Catbird, you can enjoy an Apéritif downstairs at Patterson House.  Condé Nast insists that if you only have one cocktail while in Nashville, it needs to be “The Whispering Hills,” a twist on the Boulevardier, a drink made popular with expat American bartenders during Prohibition.  Be warned: this heavenly drink relies heavily on dark whiskey, so it’s not for the faint of heart, but you’ll feel like a true southern jet setter after just a few sips. The music scene in Nashville has always been its main draw, but that’s never been more true than it is today.  Country twang still corners the market, but on a crisp night in downtown Nashville, you can experience it all within just a few blocks:  bluegrass to brass bands, zydeco to country-pop.  You shouldn’t leave town without an evening spent at the Bluebird Café.  Yes, the average tourist will gravitate to the Ryman, but the true, local musicians know that venues like the Bluebird showcase some of the best musical talent in the world.  Again, the Bluebird’s an intimate venue, so you’ll want to arrive early, especially on their famous “Open Mic Nights.” After spending some time in Nashville, you’ll want to give me a call and set up some house-hunting appointments.   Williamson County, with its strong schools, is a natural draw for families with children.  The rich historical aspects of Franklin, its charming downtown, sprawling equestrian properties and thriving, pre-planned developments are additional reasons why more and more people want to call it home.   This community really does have something for everyone. So… after we find your perfect home, we’ll celebrate at Arrington Vineyards, a beautiful property and active winery founded by Kix Brooks, one half of the popular country duo, Brooks & Dunn.  With beautiful vistas before us and live music behind us, we’ll pack a picnic, pop open a bottle of one of Arrington’s locally grown Chardonnays and toast to the best decisions you’ll ever make: to choose Nashville and its surrounding areas as your forever home. LCT Host Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:23:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:117 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/116/The-NAR-Called-You-Listened.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=116 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=116&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/116/The-NAR-Called-You-Listened.aspx Great news!  Not only did the US Congress avoid a plunge over the fiscal cliff, but the National Association of Realtors was instrumental in avoiding some of the possible tax increases and deduction eliminations that would have hampered the real estate recovery.  I’ve written about the fiscal cliff and possible elimination of the MID, so I won’t rehash the details, but do know how grateful I am to each and every colleague and client who contacted their Representatives and helped keep the NAR’s position front and center in their minds. The NAR believes strongly that a full economic recovery is only possible with a revitalized real estate sector leading the way and while there is still much work to do, we’re on our way!  Mortgage Cancellation Relief was extended for one year to January 1, 2014.  Hopefully this will never affect you, but if a homeowner is selling a home through a short sale, they now have an additional year to sell their home without being penalized for the debt that was forgiven.  Deductions for Mortgage Insurance Premiums was extended through 2013 for filers making below $110,000 and also made retroactive to cover 2012.  The 10% tax credit for homeowners for energy improvements to existing homes is extended through 2013 and made retroactive to cover 2012. Even more significant, “Pease Limitations” that reduce the value of itemized deductions are permanently repealed for 99% of taxpayers.  The limitations will only apply to individuals earning more than $250,000 or joint filers earning more than $300,000.  Capital Gains rates hold steady at 15% for those at the top rate of $400,000 for individual and $450,000 for joint filers.  After that, any gains above those amounts will be taxed at 20%.  The $250,000/$500,000 exclusion for the sale of a principal residence remains in place.  Lastly, the first $5,000,000 in individual estates and $10,000,000 for family estates are now exempted from the estate tax.  Again, thank you for answering the NAR’s Call to Action.   Protecting the most important and significant investment many of us will ever make, our homes, is a great way to start the new year! LCT Host Fri, 18 Jan 2013 22:31:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:116 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/115/New-Years-Resolutions-For-Your-Home.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=115 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=115&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/115/New-Years-Resolutions-For-Your-Home.aspx This time, it’s going to be different. A brand new year, brimming with possibilities, and you’ve resolved to move through your house like a whirling tornado of can-do, fixing, painting, and organizing. This year, nothing will stop you. Welcome to your home improvement New Year’s Resolutions. 1. Lose weight (cut energy use) 2. Quit smoking (purify indoor air) 3. Get out of debt (budget for improvements) 4. Learn something new (educate yourself on home finances) 5. Get organized (de-clutter) 6. Volunteer (support your community) 7. Drink less (curb home water use) 8. Spend more time with the family (share home improvement projects) 9. Get fit (exercise your DIY skills) 10. Be less stressed (use maintenance-free materials) READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE LCT Host Thu, 17 Jan 2013 22:08:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:115 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/114/Proud-of-Lisa--WCARs-2012-Realtor-of-The-Year.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=114 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=114&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/114/Proud-of-Lisa--WCARs-2012-Realtor-of-The-Year.aspx DISCLAIMER:  Lisa’s blog has been temporarily hijacked so that a few of her loving assistants can brag about one of her most recent accomplishments. CONGRATULATIONS to our own Lisa Culp Taylor, Williamson County’s Realtor of the Year!  In making the announcement, the Williamson County Association of Realtors wrote: "The Realtor® of the Year is based on a member’s commitment to Williamson County and involvement in the Association. A leader in the industry, Lisa Culp Taylor was the perfect choice to receive this award for her involvement in the Board of Directors, dedication to the real estate community, and involvement in various Williamson County charities." The fine folks at Bob Parks continued the accolades by posting some of Lisa’s accomplishments on their website: "Bob Parks Realty is honored that this year’s winner of the WCAR Realtor of the Year is none other than Brentwood’s Lisa Culp Taylor.   A licensed Realtor® since 1996, Lisa is dedicated to her clients. As a life-long resident of Williamson County, she welcomes introducing newcomers to the area. Lisa specializes in residential & new home sales. She is incredibly knowledgeable, reliable, friendly & easily accessible to assist you." In addition to this honor, Lisa also assumed the Role of WCAR President-Elect and will serve as the board’s President in 2014. Lisa, we’re incredibly proud of you and honored to work with you… and now, we’ll let you have your blog back. LCT Host Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:53:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:114 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/112/Merry-Christmas.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=112 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=112&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/112/Merry-Christmas.aspx LCT Host Mon, 24 Dec 2012 22:13:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:112 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/111/November-Market-Statistics.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=111 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=111&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/111/November-Market-Statistics.aspx Santa delivered an early Christmas present to Williamson County Realtors and home owners in the form of the November Market Statistics.  November 2012 residential closings were up significantly compared to the same month last year and in 2010 and average days on the market decreased. In fact, it was the best November in five years!   As a whole, 2012 has been a great year to sell a home.  There were 766 more residential closings in the first 11 months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. The median sales price for a single-family home in Williamson County was $345,000 in November of 2011 and showed an increase to $349,000 in November of 2012. Franklin topped the charts in the number of single family closings with 140 closings, while Brentwood had the highest average sale price at $599,959.  Homes in Thompsons Station moved faster than any other town in Williamson County with an average of 56 day on the market.  Overall, inventory levels continue to hold steady with an average of 5 months on the market. Williamson County also out-performed our neighboring counties by a significant amount and continues to be the leader in market activity and price point compared to other local and national markets.  This difference in price points is and remains a huge advantage for homeowners in Williamson County. LCT Host Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:18:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:111 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/109/Fiscal-Cliff.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=109 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=109&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/109/Fiscal-Cliff.aspx The Fiscal Cliff. Unless you’ve been living on another planet sans internet, newspaper, or even one other living being, I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase.   What is it exactly?  The “fiscal cliff” is the popular shorthand term used to describe the conundrum that the U.S. government will face at the end of 2012, when the terms of the Budget Control Act of 2011 are scheduled to go into effect. Among the laws set to change at midnight on December 31, 2012, are the end of last year’s temporary payroll tax cuts (resulting in a 2% tax increase for workers), the end of certain tax breaks for businesses, shifts in the alternative minimum tax, the end of the tax cuts from 2001-2003, and the beginning of taxes related to President Obama’s health care law. At the same time, the spending cuts agreed upon as part of the debt ceiling deal of 2011 will begin to go into effect. As a member of the National Association of REALTORS, I’m particularly concerned about reports that a change to the long-standing policy that allows homeowners to deduct mortgage interest payments from their income taxes could be part of a “Fiscal Cliff” deal.   Currently, the law allows homeowners to deduct interest paid on mortgage balances up to $1 million, including second homes, as well as on $100,000 worth of home-equity loans.  You can read even more about the details of some proposed changes to the Mortgage Interest Deduction in my previous post, found here. The NAR’s position is that the mortgage interest deduction is vital to the stability of the American housing market and economy and we will remain vigilant in opposing any future plan that modifies or excludes the deductibility of mortgage interest. Below is a copy of an e-mail I sent to my Senators and Members of Congress:  Message Subject: Do No Harm to Housing Dear Tennessee Senators and Representatives, I am writing to you, as a constituent and as a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, concerning an issue of critical importance to the United States housing market and the economy. As my elected official, it is imperative you remain vigilant in opposing any plan that modifies or excludes the deductibility of mortgage interest. The mortgage interest deduction is vital to the stability of the American housing market and economy. I am sending this message to ask you to stand with 70 million American homeowners. I will be watching to see who stands with us. Sincerely, Lisa Culp Taylor  I urge you to join me as a homeowner and make your voice heard.  You can find e-mail links to our Tennessee Senators and Representatives here. LCT Host Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:50:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:109 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/107/Its-Beginning-To-Look-A-Lot-Like-Christmas.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=107 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=107&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/107/Its-Beginning-To-Look-A-Lot-Like-Christmas.aspx If you were like many homeowners in Williamson County, you probably spent part of your weekend (in this incredible weather!) decorating your home for the holidays.  I love driving around at night and spying all the new decorations that dot our beautiful county.  Certainly, we don’t lack for amazing light shows and celebratory festivals in middle Tennessee.  Here’s a list of some of my local favorites: Bill Menece’s display on Sunnyside Drive in Brentwood has grown from Bill’s own home to several neighbor’s homes.  They even have their own Facebook page. Bill estimates that he uses 135,000 lights, 350 figurines and miles of wire to create the holiday wonderland that drew over 30,000 visitors last year.  The size of the display almost matches the size of Bill’s heart.  He accepts donations from visitors – not for his electricity bill – but to be donated to the Shriner’s hospital.   Sunnyside Drive,Brentwood, TN   Downtown Franklin is flat out stunning during the entire Christmas season, but “Dickens of a Christmas” is always extra special.  This year, on December 8th and 9th,Franklinites can travel back to merry Olde England as Franklin transforms into a main street from Charles Dickens’ era. You’ll be sure to mingle with some of his most famous characters (Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim are personal favorites!) as you shop the arts and crafts bazaar that encircles Franklin’s Public Square or take a horse drawn carriage ride.  The festival runs on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.  For more information, go to: http://www.historicfranklin.com/events/dickens-of-a-christmas    Franklin's Dickens Christmas If you’re willing to travel to downtown Nashville, you won’t want to miss Opryland Hotel’s gorgeous display of more than two millions lights.  During the weekdays, the display is lighted from 4pm to 11 pm and on the weekends from 4 pm to 2 am.  This is a great display to visit in your pajamas with a travel mug of steaming hot chocolate, but if you want to get out of your car, there are also horse drawn carriage rides.     Opryland Hotel LCT Host Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:27:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:107 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/106/Things-To-Be-Thankful-For.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=106 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=106&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/106/Things-To-Be-Thankful-For.aspx   The November trend on many social networking sites was listing a “gratitude” per day.  While some might consider it unoriginal, the notion of sharing who and what we’re thankful for is really something we should do throughout the year, but I’m happy to jump on the “thankful” bandwagon and use this post to thank you and yours for letting me be a part of your life during 2012. I couldn’t write a post about thankfulness without proclaiming gratitude for the health and happiness of my family and friends plus, my beautiful babies Sissy, Oompa and Kit Kat. My animals keep me sane and I would be lost without them. I also appreciate the many people that help me take care of them including all of the vets, groomers and staff at Williamson County Animal Hospital and Franklin Kennels - they are the best!  I really hope my colleagues and co-workers know how thankful I am to work with them each and every day. There are a plethora of talented people who make it possible for me to do what I do.  Photographers, marketing gurus, and assistants keep this machine humming along. I have a special thank you for Megan, Tiffany and Leigh who handle the pressure and my fast paced work environment and never complain. You are always there for me and I really appreciate it! I am so thankful to my clients, who often invite me to share in the journey of a lifetime with them.   It is a privilege to help families make the huge transition from one home to another. I wish I could say that every sale or every listing comes from a happy event, but even when that is not the case, I am grateful that my clients trust me to make difficult times a little less so.   Thank you for enriching my life and my business with all you do and all you are.  Happy Thanksgiving! LCT Host Sat, 24 Nov 2012 00:12:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:106 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/105/Outdoor-Winterizing.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=105 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=105&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/105/Outdoor-Winterizing.aspx   The weather has forecasted temperatures in the mid sixties for Williamson County all next week!  It's as if Mother Nature read my blog post last week and wanted to give you nice, mild temperatures as you get outside and prepare to winterize your home.  If you're welcoming visitors for the Thanksgiving holiday, you'll have extra hands on deck as you work your way down this list and will probably even have time for a football game.... or four.  As I mentioned last week, improving your home by maintaining systems and preparing your home to survive and thrive during the cold months ahead isn't as glamorous as other improvement projects, but no less important.  Let's take a look at our "outdoors" to-do list: Ready your roof.  Even with our relatively moderate winter climate, ice dams can form on your roof and prevent the water from melting snow or ice from draining. The water can then back up and damage shingles, leaking into the roof and causing serious damage to your home’s interior.   In middle Tennessee, the most important thing you can do to avoid ice dams is to clean your gutters of any leaf debris before the temperature dips below freezing.  Check your roof shingles to make sure they're in good condition and replace any that are lose or worn.  Even our heaviest snowfalls tend to melt quickly, especially from roofs which warm faster from internal home temperatures and sunlight.  However, if we do have one of those winters, have a plan for how you're going to remove excess snow.  In northern parts of the United States, most homes have a roof rake that can be used to scrape heavy snow from the roof of your house.  It's not an expensive item and is a good investment, particularly if your roof is not steeply peaked. Add insulation.  Cold air may be sneaking in around the electrical boxes that house outlets or switches in your exterior walls, but fixing this problem couldn’t be easier. A ¼-inch or even ⅛-inch gap is the equivalent of a 2-inch hole in your wall.  Pre-cut foam gaskets are available for about 20 cents apiece and it will only take about two minutes to remove the switch-plate screws, place the sealer over the outlet or switch, and reinstall the switch plate. Prepare outdoor water supplies:  check hoses, sprinklers and irrigation systems and be sure they are drained and turned off for the winter.   Prepare your lawn and garden equipment. Drain the oil and gas from your mower, tiller, and weed eater and store in an equipment shed or garage.  If you must leave your equipment outside during the winter, purchase protective covers. Seal your driveway and decks.  Yes, this is a big job, but I really recommend doing it every few years, at least.  The constant freezing and thawing of a winter season can wreak havoc on unprotected outdoor surfaces.  Spending time and money now will protect these surfaces and your wallet in the future. Trim nearby trees.  If you have tree limbs near your house, particularly ones anywhere near windows, trim them back. When they get weighted down with snow and ice, they’ll bend and perhaps break – and that can spell disaster for your windows or your roof. I wish you and yours the happiest Thanksgiving and am so thankful to be a part of your lives! LCT Host Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:54:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:105 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/103/Never-Stop-Improving.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=103 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=103&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/103/Never-Stop-Improving.aspx   I was in Lowes recently buying some new mums and pumpkins.  Every time I turned the corner, I ran into another “Never Stop Improving” sign, slogan, button or badge.  I mean, these people have got some mad marketing skills!  It made me think.  I was just there to buy some pretty things for my porch, but surely that counts as an improvement, no?  Improving doesn’t have to drain the bank account, does it?  It doesn’t always mean exotic hardwood floors or the newest marble countertop.  I realized that even the smallest improvements (the mums I bought were gorgeous!) can make a big difference, both in the appearance of my home and the pleasure I get from living there.  I also realized that this is a perfect time of year to make improvements to our home maintenance plans. Okay, show of hands.  How many readers cringed when I mentioned home and maintenance in the same sentence?  How many of us think that calling the plumber/electrician/HVAC guy when something breaks is a maintenance plan?  I think if we’re being honest with ourselves, we all know that maintaining our homes – usually our biggest investment and our most cherished possession – takes some forethought and follow through.  What we need is a great big “to-do” list that we can check off slowly, but surely before the cold weather is here to stay. Hopefully you’re still reading, because “winterizing” your home is not only a smart way to save energy costs, it’s insurance against costly repair bills.  This week, I’ll write about interior improvements and next week, we’ll tackle the outside… just in time for all that company you’ll have over for Thanksgiving to get out there and help! 1. Caulk trim and baseboards.  The best way to determine where air is leaking into and out of your home is to moisten your hand and then run it along the baseboards of exterior walls.  If it feels like someone is blowing on your hand through a straw,  you've found a place to caulk.  It may not seem like much, but a 10 inch gap letting in frigid air for an entire winter adds up to an entire 30 degree day of leaving your door wide open.  My buddies at Lowes will be happy to sell you a tube of clear, acrylic caulk for under $20, but the savings from this simple improvement could be ten times that. 2. Inspect your doors. The US Department of Energy predicts that 35% of air leakage in a home comes from gaps in doors.  If you have a storm door, make sure that it closes soundly. If possible, adjust the metal strike plate to ensure a night tight fit.  Door sweeps (those long metal or rubber extensions that close the gap between the bottom of the door and the floor) should be inspected and replaced if worn.  If you still feel a draft, add stick-on weather stripping around the edges for a better fit. 3. Ready the windows. Make sure your windows are locked to ensure that the top and bottom panel  have formed a tight seal.  If you have older windows or patio doors that you don't open, apply clear weather stripping tape along the edges 4. Tend to the fireplace. After arranging for a good cleaning, be sure close the flue after each and every use (but make sure the fire is totally banked and cooled!).  Even with a closed flue, a fire place is still a heat loss point, so consider having a glass door installed with vents at the bottom.  5. Check heating systems. In addition to checking duct work in basements and attics, consider having your ducts cleaned professionally. In fact, this improvement is really best left to the professionals, who should give your heating system a good annual tune up.  Typically a tune up is only $75 - $100 and should ward off middle of the night emergencies.  Also consider installing an energy efficient programmable thermostat.  Energy experts say you'll recoup the cost of the thermostat in one year. 5.  Ready water systems.  This is an easy check and an easy improvement that can make a huge difference in your energy bills.  If your hot water tank is set at more than 120 degrees, turn it down!  This simple fix can save 6 - 10% on your water-heating costs.  Many people buy a blanket for their hot water heaters, but this really only makes sense if your heater is more than 15 years old.  Do check that pipes running from your hot water heater have a nice seal and wrap them with foam, if not.  If you have pipes that are prone to freezing, an investment in a freeze alarm is a great idea.  Happy home improving! Stay tuned for outdoor improvements in next week's post... LCT Host Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:32:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:103 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/102/The-Importance-of-Voting.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=59&ModuleID=396&ArticleID=102 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=102&PortalID=0&TabID=59 http://www.lisaculptaylor.com/LisasBlog/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/102/The-Importance-of-Voting.aspx   A few weeks ago, I posted a piece about some federal legislation that might affect the amount of mortgage interest you can deduct each year.  I started that post by remembering a good rule for life… that discussion of politics, money and religion is not for casual conversation. I still believe it and I’ll continue to honor that tenet, but as we approach Election Day on Tuesday, November 6th, I’ve been thinking about what it means to live the “American Dream.”   Home ownership has long been considered a major milestone for families who want to live that dream and Realtors are often privileged to watch those dreams come true for their clients.  Throughout our country’s history, there were many who realized that the right and ability to own property, to live in a free and democratic society could and would never be secured without the right to vote. So today, I digress from my usual blogs about Williamson County real estate statistics or ideas for improving the value of your home to remember the path we’ve traveled to ensure this very basic foundation of any democratic society: the right of our citizens to vote.  In 1870, the United States Congress ratified the fifteenth amendment which stated “the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”  Shortly after its passage, Thomas Mundy Peterson, the son of a freed slave, was the first African-American to vote in a local election in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. In 1920, after years of dedication by the Women’s Suffrage Movement, Congress amended the Constitution for the nineteenth time, guaranteeing that no state can deny the right of a citizen to vote based on their sex.  Let’s remember Susan B. Anthony and Carrie Chapman Catt, just two of the brave women who helped secure fair voting practices, when we enter the voting booth on Tuesday. Many suffrage scholars remember Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. and our 36th President, Lyndon B.Johnson as huge proponents of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  Although not a constitutional amendment, the Voting Rights Act echoed much of the sentiment of the 15th amendment and sought to eliminate discriminatory practices that had disenfranchised many African American voters.  It was renewed in 2006 and continues to be a landmark of Civil Rights legislation.   In 1971,the twenty-sixth amendment to the Constitution barred the states or federal government from setting a voting age higher than eighteen. Let’s honor the brave Americans who ensuredthat we all have the ability to exercise our democratic right to vote onTuesday, November 6th.  If you don’t know your polling site, check your voter registration card or click here . Remember, in Tennessee, you’ll need a photo ID to vote.  Any of the following ID’s may be used, even if expired: ·        TennesseeDriver’s License ·        US Passport ·        Photo ID issued by the TN Department of Safety ·        Photo ID issued by the federal or any state government ·        United States Military ID ·        State issued handgun carry permit with your photo Happy Voting! LCT Host Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:26:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:102