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Hosting a Summer Party

Hosting a Summer Party A List of Home Prep Tasks for Hosting Friends and Family this Summer Temperatures are rising and summer is about to be

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Cold weather curb appeal: Simple ways to make your house stand out all winter long

Green grass, a colorful front door and a clean facade all add to the curb appeal of this home. (Photo: Todd Henon Properties)

Many of us enjoy being outside during the fall, partaking of the moderate temperatures and lack of humidity after a long southern summer. And although spring is often considered a more popular season to do beautification projects to your home’s yard and exterior, fall is also an excellent time to add curb appeal that lasts all winter long.

After the leaves come down, winter and early spring can be the most aesthetically unpleasing times of year, but there are steps homeowners can take to combat the lack of natural beauty. They require a little bit of time, money and effort to execute, but they’re worth it if you like to have one of the prettiest homes in the neighborhood or if your home is on the market for sale.

Adding grass, flowers, more
Ryegrass will green up a yard in only 14 days and stay green all winter long. Adding a bag or two (depending on yard size) to your landscape will immediately set you up for a beautiful yard. All you have to do is spread your seed (overseed existing lawn) and give it a bit of water. Two weeks later, you will have a beautiful green yard … and some “immediate gratification” rarely associated with landscaping projects. After a drought-filled summer, your home’s natural grass is probably already brown and in need of some TLC, and ryegrass is a great solution.

Winter flowers are also an easy option. After a spring and summer of maintaining flowers and vegetables, most people probably want to take a season or two off—but winter flowers provide all the aesthetic benefits of spring and summer blooms at a time of year when color is needed most. Pansies and violas are two vibrant, weather-resilient options, along with a number of wintertime decorative grasses and greenery like variegated sweet flag, northern sea oats or pampas grass. All these work well in flowerbeds, outdoor pots and window boxes. And as you’re planting new flowers, remember to remove or prune the dead flowers from your beds. Not only are they unattractive, but doing it now will give you one less thing to do in the spring.

Winter curb appeal: Everyone wins

Communities where everyone maintains curb appeal have increased individual property values.

Also, don’t forget about your mulch in the winter. After a summer of being faded by the sun and blown around by the mower, some areas will inevitably need to be touched up.

Addressing cosmetic imperfections
You had enough on your plate to address during the summer—mowing, weed eating, watering, trimming and staking—but now that your yardwork has died down, winter is a good time to address some of the aesthetic issues on your house. During the summer, bushy trees, flowering shrubs and a lush lawn helped camouflage some of your home’s cosmetic flaws, but winter tends to reveal the parts of the “honey-do” list that went undone. We frequently remind our clients selling their homes that, in the wintertime, it’s easier to see your home’s flaws, and fixing them definitely adds to your curb appeal. So it’s time to repair that cracked window, broken shutter and split bannister railing.

Another cosmetic imperfection that happens to all of us is grime and dirt buildup. Spring is a better time to pressure wash your home, porch and/or driveway, but if you have skipped that process for a couple of years, or if you’re getting ready to put your home on the market, you should consider pressure washing now.

Decluttering
For spring and summer, you probably pulled out flowerpots, pillows for your porch swing, garden flags, etc. But put all this up for the winter—not only will the cold weather, rain, snow, etc., take a toll on these items, but it doesn’t look good to have nonseasonal or weathered items out during the cold winter months.

“Box up, clean up and put up” is a common mantra my real estate team shares with our sellers, but this is a great rule for all homeowners in general.

Likewise, clean up your fire pit, remind the kids to put their bikes and toys in the garage, carry the out-of-season flowerpots to the back porch, cover the sandbox and make all the other things you won’t use again until spring as “invisible” or aesthetically pleasing as possible.

Enhancing your neighborhood, protecting your investment
Why let your home get drab in winter? Even if you’re not putting your home on the real estate market anytime soon, curb appeal is a wonderful thing to add for your family, your home and your neighborhood. It can make you fall in love with your house all over again. Plus, communities where everyone maintains curb appeal are more desirable to future buyers, which helps you and all your neighbors maintain and increase your property value. Everyone wins. Happy winterizing!

Todd Henon Properties is a top Chattanooga-based real estate team serving Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama since 2000. Specializing in homes, land, farms and estates, Todd’s seasoned neighborhood and acreage specialists are known for their expertise in the sale and purchase of traditional and unique properties. Todd’s credentials as a general contractor and visionary land consultant give his clients a daily edge. A lifelong Chattanoogan and avid outdoorsman, no one knows the market better or loves the region more than Todd and his innovative team of respected agents. Headquartered at Keller Williams Realty–Greater Downtown Chattanooga (each office is independently owned and operated), the Todd Henon Properties’ team invites you to search for your next home or investment move at ToddHenon.com.

Acquiring acreage: Demystifying the dream of land ownership

Currently available: 140-acre farm in Chickamauga, Georgia, listed by Todd Henon. (Photo: Todd Henon Properties)

Owning a piece of land is a fundamental American ideal. Many of the country’s first settlers came here with that dream in mind. As the eastern United States started to become “crowded” in the latter part of the 1800s, pioneers headed west to appropriate a slice of land to call their own. Even today’s American dream, for most, includes at least a little parcel of acreage to cultivate.

For many folks in our tri-state region, that dream is bigger than “a little” piece of land—yet they don’t realize just how obtainable their dream is.

Friendly financing climate for land
Many people are surprised to learn that you can mortgage land just like you can a traditional home. Today’s current lending landscape is just right for people who want to own land and need to mortgage it. Interest rates are low (3.5–4.5 percent) and lenders are aggressive, which allows room to negotiate a favorable rate.

However, it’s important to factor into your planning that land loans typically require a down payment of about 25 percent, with a shorter financing period than with a traditional home.

Land can provide income and enjoyment now, as you plan for the future
Even younger people who dream of building their own places someday may want to look into buying land now rather than later because of the income streams land can provide in the interim. For example, buying a wooded parcel may provide you the opportunity to harvest timber that can be sold at market price. Another strategy is to invest in a piece of land larger than what you need, giving you the option to split it up and sell off a portion to help recoup some of the original price.

In the meantime, before you build, the land can be used for recreation, get-togethers, parties, even a tiny home or mobile home to live in or rent.

I’ve found in my close to 20 years in real estate that owning land is a box that a lot of folks want to check in their lifetimes. There’s something very primal about owning a piece of land. Many find value in the organic, fundamental joy of “working” the land, hunting on it or simply being a good caretaker of God’s unique creation on the Cumberland Plateau.

Remember that, just like with a residential home, there are ongoing costs associated with owning a piece of land, such as property taxes and maintenance. (Photo: Todd Henon Properties)

Location, location, location
Another common misconception is that a land purchase means moving far away from Chattanooga city limits, or even Hamilton County. That’s just not true. Although the lots are smaller and the prices higher inside the city limits, the options are still there.

There is currently a large supply of land on the market in Hamilton County within 30 minutes of downtown Chattanooga.

Thinking outside the box
Acreage, more often than not, returns its value. Purchased at the right price, land appreciates, and sometimes very quickly. “Purchased right” means that you are smart about the dollars, zoning, soil quality, conservation regulations and future development around your acreage. It’s also important to think through how to maximize the land, including best home sites, pond and pasture development, potential subdividing, and income generation. Enlisting the help of not just a Realtor, but a land specialistRealtor, can be critical in guiding your decisions.

Keep in mind that if you see something you like, you can even approach landowners about buying acreage that isn’t technically for sale. Again, working with a land specialist enables you to bring a level of knowledge and sophistication to the process, and helps protect your interests.

In the words of a philosopher
My team and I find that folks are amazed at the acreage opportunities and variety of price points within easy driving distance of Chattanooga. There’s more out there than you likely suspect that’s both attractive and affordable to people of all ages, in all seasons of life. As a land specialist and lifelong outdoorsman, I agree professionally—and personally—with the simple wisdom of Mark Twain, who said, “Buy land, they’re not making it anymore.”

Todd Henon Properties is a top Chattanooga-based real estate team serving Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama since 2000. Specializing in homes, land, farms and estates, Todd’s seasoned neighborhood and acreage specialists are known for their expertise in the sale and purchase of traditional and unique properties. Todd’s credentials as a general contractor and visionary land consultant give his clients a daily edge. A lifelong Chattanoogan and avid outdoorsman, no one knows the market better or loves the region more than Todd and his innovative team of respected agents. Headquartered at Keller Williams Realty–Greater Downtown Chattanooga (each office is independently owned and operated), the Todd Henon Properties’ team invites you to search for your next home or investment move at ToddHenon.com.

Unique Properties: A look at some gems in the Chattanooga real estate market (with photos)

Chattanooga is one-of-a-kind in many ways … from its outdoor opportunities so near its downtown cityscape, to its gorgeous mountain scenery, to its rich historical value. And the Scenic City’s real estate opportunities reflect the originality of this gorgeous city. Take a look at some of the most unique properties on the local market right now:

Vibrant city life

This Chestnut Street corner unit, located above Blue Plate, offers scenic views of the Tennessee Aquarium, the Riverfront and other downtown favorites. This home is filled with natural light, and the covered patio offers enviable access to Riverbend, Ironman, 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival and much more. It’s a little over 1,200 square feet, and has one bedroom and 1.5 baths.

Turning a passion into a lifestyle 

This Copperhill property is a true mountain escape on over 100 acres and is perfect for horse lovers. The custom home is surrounded by wooded trails, pasture, a barn with riding ring, bunkhouse for guests and more. This is a working equine estate that offers breathtaking views of three states to be enjoyed as a family getaway, or turned into a group retreat center or equine training facility. It’s 4,800 square feet with six bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Scenic acreage close to town

The river and mountain views on this 150-plus-acre property will literally take your breath away. The spacious home has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, but you won’t want to spend that much time inside when the Tennessee and Sequatchie rivers—and a beautiful swimming pool—beckon you outside. The property offers daily wildlife viewing, farming, ranching and more. It’s hard to believe that this much outdoor luxury is only 20 minutes from downtown Chattanooga.

Luxurious lodge

You’d feel like you’re perpetually on vacation—maybe in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, or Aspen, Colorado—on this North Georgia estate. It’s hard to imagine how a home can be both rustic and luxurious, but this one certainly is (can you say “media room” and “chef’s kitchen”?). This home/pool/barn “compound” sits on about 20 acres and is only 30 minutes from downtown Chattanooga. The inside offers over 5,500 square feet in four bedrooms and five bathrooms. The barn doubles as a guest house with a second-floor master suite. The backyard offers 360-degree mountain views, in-ground pool, stone fireplace, and generous porches and patios to enjoy the lifestyle unique to our gorgeous tri-state area.

Todd Henon Properties is a top Chattanooga-based real estate team serving Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama since 2000. Specializing in homes, land, farms and estates, Todd’s seasoned neighborhood and acreage specialists are known for their expertise in the sale and purchase of traditional and unique properties. Todd’s credentials as a general contractor and visionary land consultant give his clients a daily edge. A lifelong Chattanoogan and avid outdoorsman, no one knows the market better or loves the region more than Todd and his innovative team of respected agents. Headquartered at Keller Williams Realty–Greater Downtown Chattanooga (each office is independently owned and operated), the Todd Henon Properties’ team invites you to search for your next home or investment move at ToddHenon.com.

Is buying a home in Chattanooga a good investment for Millennials?

Is buying a home in Chattanooga a good investment for Millennials?

The past two years have been years of rapid maturity in Chattanooga in the real estate market. Take a drive through North Shore, across the Market Street Bridge, through downtown, into the Southside, down Main Street and into Highland Park and you will see some form of construction around most every turn. As our market is only going to continue booming, now is the time to get in on the action. Millennials: While taking on a year lease at the newest apartment complex makes sense for some; you might reconsider the benefits of making your first real estate purchase now instead of later. If you live here, you are already one step in the right direction. If you don’t live here, you probably should.

Walnut_Street_Bridge_viewed_from_Coolidge_Park_-_ChattanoogaWalnut Street Walking Bridge

Here are three reasons to get in on the fun:

  1. Chattanooga is nationally recognized again and again for being a well-rounded outdoor town and “The Best Town Ever” according to Outside Magazine, a great place for young professionals to engage, and heck- we even have the fastest Internet. People are attracted to this place, and when making decisions as to where they want to plug in, we end up with another new face that you might encounter the next time you walk into Bluegrass Grill or attend a CFC game. Chattanooga is active and growing.
  1. Our Local Real Estate Market is up. And ready to go up some more. According to the GCAR at the start of 2016, average sale price was up 8.4%, and closed sales had increased by 11.4%. We are up again with transactions thus far this year. Purchase in a market where you property is appreciating. Chattanooga is worth the buy.
  1. The city is big enough to always have something new to see or do, but small enough to see familiar faces each time you meander into the Camp House for a cup of coffee. There is always a great hike on Lookout or Signal Mountain, a bike to snag for a ride, diverse and delicious dining, art out the wazoo, niche venues for concerts and parties, and as our friends at The Lamp Post Group pointed out, you get all this for a low cost of living. Engage the art, dining, outdoors, and unique people who ultimately make this place what it is. Chattanooga is a special community.

 

Trying to find a home?

Todd Henon Properties transactions thus far this year have been made up 30% by Millennials. More than half of our team is made up of “under 30’s”. We would love to help you in the home buying or selling process. Here is a link to homes for sale divided up by “neighborhood”. Let us know if you have any questions at 423.413.4507.

Written by: Brandt McGregor

8 Ways to Boost Your Home’s Value

8 Ways to Boost Your Home’s Value

These 8 Ways to Boost Your Home’s Value are based on our Team’s last 24 months of sales and the latest data from Consumer Reports. Whether you’re thinking about selling or just want to keep your home looking great, this list is “spot on”.

1: The Kitchen Still Wins

A “modern/updated kitchen” is the list-topper when Buyers are looking for their dream home. For as little as $5,000, you can add a new suite of appliances, as well as a new countertop and flooring, resulting in a fresh, cohesive look.

Best of the Best:
Stainless steel. 
Yes, it’s been around for decades, but this appliance finish still shows contemporary design, so it will signal “updated” in the mind of the buyer.

Quartz countertops. Quartz has started to challenge granite and marble as the go-to material in higher-end kitchens, and it requires none of the upkeep of comparably priced natural stones.

2: Make Floor Plans Flow Naturally

Bigger isn’t necessarily better in today’s market. An “open floor plan with flexible living space” is high on most Buyer’s lists.

Many younger buyers will use the additional living spaces as a dedicated office, especially if they work from home. And at the other end of the spectrum, Boomers like space for the grandkids or hobbies.

Best of the Best:
Flex rooms.
 You’ll see flex rooms advertised as an additional living area that can serve a variety of purposes, from a guest bedroom to a play room to an exercise room to an office.

Mother-in-law apartment. They can house an additional family member or provide rental income—­allowing baby boomers to afford their house once they retire or helping millennials pay the mortgage. Rent is growing quickly, so this is a huge win for some.

Upstairs laundry rooms. Convenient to bedrooms and linen closets… need we say more?

3: Think About Energy

Lowering your home’s energy costs will save you money for as long as you live there and is expected to be a major selling point down the line. And don’t forget about water heating, which accounts for 16 percent of energy costs in the typical home.

Best of the Best:
High-efficiency windows.
 You probably won’t recoup the entire investment if you plan to sell right away, but it can be a bonus for you as long as you live there, and a selling feature for Buyers.

4: Make It Easy

Beyond a home’s cosmetic finishes, it’s important to keep the major mechanical systems in working order. Many first-time buyers will have used up most of their savings on the down payment, so having the heating system, plumbing, and electricity updated will give them peace of mind.

Best of the Best:
Updated systems.
 In addition to including the age of the system, it helps if you can also point to its reliability.

New roof. This will help assuage fears of water damage, ice dams, squirrel infestation, and other home disasters that can result from an old, bad roof.

Hardwood floors. Carpets are being replaced with long-wearing hardwoods with a durable factory finish. Engineered wood flooring, which uses a thin veneer of real wood or bamboo over structural plywood, tends not to wear as well as the solid wood.

5: Build a Home to Last

The existing housing stock isn’t equipped to safely accommodate that many older people—too many steep staircases and slippery step-in bathtubs. Forward-thinking homeowners are making necessary improvements to their home now—and those changes will benefit people of all ages.

Best of the Best:
Walk-in shower. 
Curbless showers eliminate the threshold between the shower and surrounding bathroom, making them wheelchair accessible, when the time comes.

Master on main. A floor plan in which the master bedroom is on the first floor reduces the need to climb stairs. It’s one of the most popular requests, not only from Boomers but from families who want some privacy.

6: Fresh Paint Is Still Important

Paint keeps your home looking great while also defending its surfaces from wear, tear, and the elements. Focus on high-traffic areas, including the kitchen and bathrooms. Do the job yourself for a few hundred dollars in material costs or pay a professional. Don’t forget the trim!

Best of the Best:
Neutral color scheme.
 Yes, we know it’s boring. You’d be surprised how many people still can’t envision your orange living room with their blue color scheme. Make it easy and repaint it beige.

7: Remember the Outdoors!

Your home’s property is another opportunity to expand its living space. Adding a deck or patio, with room for seating and a built-in or freestanding grill, is a way to create a defined space for outdoor living.

But remember the rule of low upkeep, especially if your future buyer is likely to be a millennial, who would rather see an outdoor fire pit surrounded by a simple seating arrangement. No need to go overboard with lush landscapes – Buyer’s see this as a chore and an expensive water bill.

Best of the Best:
Curb appeal.
 Trim overgrown shrubs, make minor repairs to the façade, including painting the front door makes a huge difference.

8: Ensure Your New Technology Is Smart

High-tech features offer notoriously bad returns on investment because technologies tend to evolve quickly. The days of home theaters have come and gone.

But certain devices add to home value and interest, including programmable thermostats like Nest. Also consider security systems or auto-locks.

Best of the Best:
Whole-house generator. 
Power failures are a reality for more homeowners. Stationary generators can usually power the entire property. Not a bad idea, especially if you live outside the city limits.

Top 5 Reasons Why Millennials Should Enter The Housing Market Now

Top 5 Reasons Why Millennials Should Enter The Housing Market Now

Tuesday, July 19, 2016 – by Chris Mabee, president of Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga

With the economy and housing market still recovering in Chattanooga and surrounding areas, some potential first-time home buyers may be hesitant to invest in a new home. Yet there are several reasons why now is a great time for Millennials and other first-time home buyers to start building their American Dream.

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1) Interest rates are low.

Today’s historically low interest rates are helping first-time home buyers find affordable housing options. Average weekly interest rates for a 30-year fixed mortgage have remained under 4.0% for most of 2016.

2) Large down payments are not necessary.

While lenders are looking more closely at borrowers today than in recent years, there are options for purchasing your first home without a 20% downpayment. For example, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers loans to first-time home buyers with downpayments as low as 3.5%. However, these loans require mortgage insurance.

3) New homes are built to fit your lifestyle.

Designed to accommodate today’s busy lifestyles, new homes – including urban condos and single-family homes – feature open floor plans, flexible spaces, low-maintenance materials and other amenities that appeal to younger buyers.

4) Technology makes house shopping fun and easy.

Today’s tech-savvy home buyers use mobile apps to quickly gather all of the key information on a property and to see extensive photos from their cell phones or tablets. If you’re just beginning your search, Realtor.com is a popular app because it generally contains the most accurate information gathered from more than 800 local MLSs (multiple listing services). There also are several free mortgage apps to help you determine how much you can afford and to compare real-time rates from multiple lenders. Popular mortgage calculator apps include Zillow and Trulia.

5) Owning a home can help young families build wealth and combat rising rents.

For most Americans, homeownership is a primary source of net worth and is an important step in accumulating personal financial assets over the long term. As the housing market continues to recover, property values have begun to grow again. In fact, home values up 6.3 percent nationally in the first quarter of 2016, compared to the first quarter of 2015.

Mabee, Chris. “Top 5 Reasons Why Millennials Should Enter The Housing Market Now.” – Chattanoogan.com. TheChattanoogan.com, 19 June 2016. Web. 20 July 2016.

Hosting a Summer Party

Hosting a Summer Party

A List of Home Prep Tasks for Hosting Friends and Family this Summer

Temperatures are rising and summer is about to be in full swing. While we all know that Chattanooga’s weather can be extremely variant and unpredictable, one thing that is guaranteed is a good amount of heat. While beach trips and other vacations are often a first pick for the summer season in the south, here are a few tips for utilizing your house for hosting.

  1. We all want our homes to be up to date, fresh and clean. If you are hosting a dinner party in your Chattanooga home, you will want the front of your home to have curb appeal. Consider adding new landscaping to your front yard. At the very least, a mow, weed eat, and blow will make a great difference.
  2. A fresh coat of paint can go a long way. Whether it is the front entryway to your home, dining room, or living area, something as easy and simple as a fresh coat of paint can make your home all the more welcoming.
  3. Backyard space is perfect for a cookout this summer. Utilize the property space that you have. A pressure wash to a walkway, addition of a flower bed, or whitewash to your fence might be the very thing needed to make your backyard stand out.

Whether you are in Chattanooga, a nearby town, or travelling the world this summer, remember these tips for having a bright, welcoming space for hosting friends and family.

  • 3 Decades Serving TN, GA, AL
  • Top 1% in Sales, Greater Chattanooga
  • Chatt’s 1st Accredited Land Consultant: investment, recreational, development, conservation, agriculture
  • 10 Years  Licensed TN General Contractor
  • Elite Client Services: Award-Winning Marketing Specialists, Contracts Managers, Research & Logistics Experts
  • Relocation Specialists for University of TN Chatt, Erlanger Hospital
  • Realtors Land Institute, TN Board Member
  • 4-Generation Chattanoogan,
    Todd Henon

Todd Henon Properties 423.413.4507 direct Info@ToddHenon.com Keller Williams Realty Greater Downtown Realty 1830 Washington Street Chattanooga, TN 37408 423.664.1900

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1830 Washington Street Chattanooga, TN 37408 423.664.1900