Brian R Kelly

Category: Professionals

  • Hixson TN 37343 Homes are Selling So Commercial Will Follow

    Hixson TN 37343 Homes are Selling so Commercial Will Follow
    Reception Waiting Area

    New Homes are Selling in Hixson, TN 37343

    Hixson TN 37343 Homes are selling.  78 Homes sold with a price greater than $200,000 (so far in 2013). The same time period in 2012 had only 54 homes sales that were greater than $200,000. 44% increase is double the area Hamilton County average. The average home in this price range in Hixson sales for $97 a square foot.  The average year built is 1994.

    The challenge for Hixson is available land for new growth. New construction is always a great indicator of the economic strength of an area.  Since January 0f 2012, Hixson home shoppers bought over 2 new homes a month over $200,000. There are 11 newer homes for sale. (late August 2013).  There are only 5+ months of inventory of New Homes.  Popular new home neighborhoods are as follows:

    Amber Brook,
    Creeks Bend Village,
    Bent Creek,
    DreamCatcher,
    Eagles Landing.

    The only neighborhoods with any new homes for sale are Amber Brook and Dreamcatcher.

    Amber Brook is a town home community that features one level homes. The “Walden” floor plan features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a front loading 2 car garage with 2,063 square feet for $247,900. James Pratt is the home builder. Amber Brook is located near the intersection of Hixson Pike and Cassandra Smith Road.

    Dream Catcher is a more “traditional” single family neighborhood. GT Isaa is building a 2,650 square foot home with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms for $289,900. GT Issa’s home is represented by Remax and features a master suite on main level with 2 bedrooms, bonus and bathroom upstairs.

    Hixson, TN is located in the city limits of Chattanooga. It is located just North of Chattanooga. Commuters from downtown come into Hixson by Hixson Pike, Dupont Parkway and Access Road, Highway 127 and Highway 153. Retail anchors include Northgate Mall, Wal-Mart at Oak Park Town Center, Target on 153, Highland Plaza on Hixson Pike and Ashland Terrace.

     

    New Home Sales Drive Commercial and Retail Growth

    Office space for businesses is being created just off Hamill Road at Oasis Park, and behind Northgate Mall. Established office space is available in Hixson Commons. I am representing a seller in a professional office complex named Hixson Commons. The space for sale was a former Beltone hearing aid center and an Acupuncture clinic. It features 2 large exam rooms or offices, a third office in rear adjacent to a full bath and rear entrance. The space also features a kitchen area, soundproof test room and receptionist area with waiting room and another patient half bath. That space is listed at $149,000. Hixson Commons is located at 4513 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343. Other tenants in the this brick office complex include medical, law and financial services.

    CBL purchased Northgate Mall in the fall of 2011 for $11.5 Million Dollars. Northgate was built in 1972 and is just over 800,000 square feet. CBL owns Hamilton Place and it marks a sound investment as a company that has stewarded retail establishments across the country.

    Liberty Commercial Real Estate is representing a one acre parcel of level ground on Access Road. Currently the use is Ramsey’s Produce, a plant, fruit and vegetable market. The ground and building are for sale for $304,000. The former Smokin Ed’s BBQ building located at 3874 Hixson Pike. The building is priced to sell at $168,000.

    Hixson property is being sold and re-purposed as the needs of the home owners change. Hixson is between a growing Soddy Daisy in North Hamilton County and downtown Chattanooga. As builders find land and take the risk to build the homes sell. The area has solid retail hubs and is growing up more professional spaces for offices and medical use. Hixson Tennessee homes are selling so commercial will be right behind that growth.

  • New Homes at Brock Pointe and Windstone at Whisper Creek

    Windstone Whisper Creek Home - front elevation
    Windstone Whisper Creek Home – front elevation

    New homes at Brock Pointe and Windstone at Whisper Creek are selling. The neighborhoods are 7 miles and 15 minutes apart, but very similar in price. So what are you really buying at either place?

    The sales price range (in 2013, as of August 26) for the 6 Realtor assisted sales of new homes in Whisper Creek was $235,472 to $355,770. The price per square foot was $141.

    The sales price range for the 5 Brock Pointe Realtor sales (in 2013 as August 26) of new homes was $262,500 to $341,900. The price per square foot was $115.

    What about taxes? Brock Pointe is in the City limits of Chattanooga, so you will pay both Hamilton County as well as City of Chattanooga property taxes. Whisper Creek is in Hamilton County only.

    School comparison? Brock Pointe is in the Wolftever Elementary area, and Ooltewah Middle and Ooltewah High School zone. Whisper Creek is zoned for Apison Elementary, and East Hamilton Middle and High School.

    Amenities? Brock Pointe is a more traditional rolling hill neighborhood on a hill with sidewalks and some lots have views looking West back over Hickory Valley. There are various builders in Brock Pointe as lots are available. Brock Pointe started selling lots in 1991. Whisper Creek is the last phase of Windstone. Windstone is a gated golf course community. Windstone is a community both in Georgia and Tennessee that started in the mid 80s. The community now has over 600 homes. Ival Goldstein is the developer and builder of Whisper Creek homes. Whisper Creek is a planned community with clubhouse, pool, sidewalks, and packaged golf memberships available.

    Location? Brock Pointe is a subdivision that is perched on a hilltop near the corner of Jenkins Road and Standifer Gap. It is very convenient to I-75 and Jenkins Road between the Hamilton Place Shallowford Road exit and Bonny Oaks Drive exit. Whisper Creek is another 10-15 minutes drive toward the Georgia state line Standifer Gap Road to Ooltewah Ringgold Road.

    Summary: This is brief overview of two very different communities. Whisper Creek is a neo-traditonal cottage or craftsman style neighborhood. It has a very different feel with community features such as rear loading alleys. The irony is Brock Pointe is located in the city limits of Chattanooga, but feels more like a suburbia subdivision. It has standard sidewalks, but has front and side loading garages and larger homes. So if you need more elbow room (both inside and yard outside) and convenience for commute, then Brock Pointe may be the place for you. If you like security, amenities, and golf then check out the well designed community of Whisper Creek. It may well be worth a few extra minutes of drive time. (Plus what you save in having no city taxes you can give to your golf game!)

    There are still homes for sale in both communities, if you want information emailed to you about available homes please send a request for Brock Pointe and Whisper Creek New Homes to Brian@LibertyHomesChattanooga.com

  • 2013 Top Home Selling Neighborhoods on Signal Mountain TN 37377

    The 2013 top home selling neighborhoods on Signal Mountain TN 37377 so far in mid August are as follows:

    37377 TN
    Welcome to Signal Mountain, Tennessee 37377

    1.) Hidden Brook (13)
    2.) Birnam Woods (9)
    3.) Old Town (7)
    4.) Boulder Point (5)
    5. Fox Run (5)
    6.) Carriage Hill (3)
    7.) Holly Meadows (3)
    8.) Holly Springs (3)
    9.) Westfield (3)

    **Note: these are the ones with at least 3 sales.

    So far 165 homes have sold on Signal Mountain, TN. That is up from 135 same period in 2012. The low price so far this year is $38,699 on Oak Street. The high was $943,500 on East Brow Road. The average $/sqft overall is $108. The days on market is 122 for the ones that sold. Something that is fairly meaningless but interesting is the average age home was built in 1978 and is 2,800 sqft. That is interesting to me because I was built in 1963 and spent most of my childhood on Signal Mountain, and almost another decade in the 90s there. The dynamic of development on Signal Mountain has been interesting to observe.

    Signal Mountain is a wonderful community. Check out the basic facts at this wikipedia site. There are about 3,000 households and 7,600 people living there.

    I grew up at 1615 James Blvd. It was close enough to walk or bike to Thrasher Elementary school. I remember always wanting to get a head start before Mrs. Keith (second grade teacher) left the parking lot in her Dodge Charger. She was fairly small in stature and I could just she the top of her head behind the steering wheel.

    I grew up on the corner of James Blvd and Skyline Drive. We enjoyed a few great sled runs down two hills at Skyline Drive subdivision. Especially when conditions got icy on top of snow.

    When I was 6 years old we had a large snow on Christmas day. This is a video (on location) about the day.

    Signal Mountain, TN 37377 Home Sales
    37377 TN – Neighborhood Home Sales

  • Cummings Cove Fountain becomes Black Creek Mountain

    Former Cummings Cove fountain now Black Creek Mountain
    Former Cummings Cove fountain now Black Creek Mountain
    Cummings Cove fountain becomes Black Creek Mountain. Black Creek Mountain is the name chosen for the entire development that includes the former Cummings Cove neighborhood and Black Creek Golf Club. The new developers purchased a majority interest in the project which includes brow property on Mount Aetna overlooking Chattanooga, TN. Downtown Chattanooga is less than 10 minutes away around the Moccasin Bend of the Tennessee River. Cummings Cove is the original neighborhood marketed along side Black Creek Golf Club. Cummings Cove is not the only name change in the immediate area. Ask a local what the name of 37419 really is, you will get three answers 1.) Tiftonia, 2.) Wauhatchie, 3.) Lookout Valley. A decent history of the area name changes is at this website.

    The name change for Black Creek Mountain is very smart for marketing purposes. The only confusing part is explaining to someone I live in the valley of a neighborhood called Black Creek Mountain. The glorious part is that Mount Aetna stands tall and apparent waiting to be scaled. (That is another story or two that is still being written). Back to my story.

    In 1999, Sue Shaw and Greg Shaw introduced my parents to Cummings Cove. Jim Chapin, the developer, was looking for marketing and sales support. Support in the way of commitment. My parents, Ben and Karen Kelly, asked me to go to a meeting off Cummings Road to meet with Jim Chapin. Jim explained his vision and I saw the potential success of the project immediately because of the the age old axiom of real estate, Location, Location, Location. Development in Hamilton County, TN was primarily North towards Soddy Daisy, and East, towards East Brainerd and Ooltewah. Commute times to these corners of Hamilton County, TN were approaching 30-55 minutes in rush hour. This neighborhood was less than 10 minutes from downtown and had an interstate (I-24) and U.S. Highway 41 to get you there. The challenge was to educate folks about the driving time and that Lookout Valley was not only a fun place to play, but a wonderful place to call home.

    Jim Chapin, Cummings Cove developer, is a gifted man. He has a great vision for what a neighborhood space will become, a razor sharp numbers brain and he wisely listened to other developers who had pulled off other successful projects. I had cut my teeth on retail home sales, but had to quickly learn how to focus only on new construction. I traveled to Raleigh, NC, and Orlando, FL, with others to meet with New Home Marketing and Sales organizations. I joined the Builder Marketing Society and read the bible for new home sales “New Home Marketing” by Dave Stone. Building a team that could market and sell this golf course community was truly intense and fun.

    I truly think that one aspect of the neighborhood’s success was Jim Chapin’s core understanding of marketing. He grew up in the family that built and stewarded Rock City Gardens. Rock City is an icon of the community that had a history along side Judge Will Cummings and the building of Highway 41 (If you are a child of the 70s and know Rambling Man lyrics) or Cumming’s Highway (as locals know it). Judge Will Cummings was a colorful man that literally helped pave the way for traveller’s to visit Famous Rock City. I met Jim on the porch where (it is speculated that the concept of TVA was born on the same porch) Franklin Roosevelt visited with Will Cummings.

    This was the start of my journey selling Cummings Cove, “Chattanooga’s Premier Golf Course Community”. The first sales office was the old Will Cummings home place. My family got involved as Mary Dee, my wife, helped decorate the Cummings home place for Christmas, and cooked for the builder team.

    1999, the year of Y2K and the dawn of a new century. A dawn of a new neighborhood that did change Lookout Valley and provided a home for my family for the last 12 years.

    Cummings Cove fountain becomes Black Creek Mountain, and for the story to continue, I am glad it did. For a brief view of what the neighborhood is like, check out this short 2 minute video.

  • I am Surrendering To Balance In My Life

    Brian R Kelly
    Brian R Kelly
    I am surrendering to balance in my life. I fought it well. I argued about the lack of balance even from a Biblical perspective with my entrepreneur friends. To be fair let me help put this in perspective. I love work. I am passionate about business. I enjoy challenges. This blog run is a challenge from God to be diligent to write for 45 days straight. (Doing something daily that is this unnatural is unnerving for me) I have an addictive and caffeinated spirit. When your spirit is dry and starts to focus on self instead of finding life pleasing God and others, then you can be on a path for death.

    I was on that path 7 years ago. Pride and arrogance were wrapped in a thin t-shirt of false humility. In the fifth row of observers of life’s grandstand, Brian “looked” pretty good. Achievements in business seemed fairly easy. Circumstances around me changed in 2007 in the real estate market. I made stupid decisions mostly because my imbalance in life. What do I mean by that?

    Well,… what is “balance”? I am not talking about Karate Kid on one leg in a stork position balance. Zig Ziglar called it the wheel of life. I understand the metaphor, but I see my balance more like a gyroscope. The gyroscope is me. Outside forces from life can poke it and rock it. Regardless of the disruption, I can stay balanced because at the center axis is God. Inside the gyroscope outer ring of protection is my wife and children. My responsibility as a husband and father is to provide and protect. Outside the gyroscope lies my work and others.

    Frank Ramseur, (Pastor at Calvary Chapel Chattanooga) taught a good and Godly life is a filtered life. God comes through first, then Family, then Work, then Ministry. What does it mean to focus on God first? He gave the example of William Whiting Borden’s life. A remarkable man, Bill graduated Yale and Princeton Seminary. He died in Egypt at age 25 studying Arabic because he had a passion for Muslims. He gave up his Father’s fortune and work, lucrative job offers, etc. He wrote in his Bible, No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets. Read his story here.

    My filter a mere 7 years ago was broken. Work was my focus and first priority. Because of that and my pride, I did not listen to others around me. I was not doing well with any areas much less the area I loved, work. Football coaches call it “reading their own press clippings”. Regardless of what you call it, my pride lead me easily to make decisions that cost me my integrity with God, my family, work and my ability to give or minister.

    So, what is my response today? Work diligently to keep God my focus. Keeping fixed to a task is difficult for my personality, but I do respond to challenges. Pastor Frank challenged the congregation to read every day to keep the filter clean. That simple discipline helps. A teacher and mentor of mine encouraged me to keep a prayer journal. To make that unique, I bought a Go Dog Go spiral homemade notebook from a local craft store in Chattanooga. Reading, engaging, praying, listening with the Maker of the universe is an honor and privilege. Not to mention the only way to understand my direction.

    So again, 45 days of consecutive blog posts is what I believe God asked me to do. My filter in life dictates that I am immediately obedient to His call. As I follow His lead He empowers me to serve my wife, and adult children, others in my work and others in ministry. My Maker is balance, peace, and life. He gives me the energy to “spin” as I am surrendering to balance in my life.

    Yesterday, I wrote about the real estate market and Realtors enjoyed it. John Wilkinson, a real estate professional, asked me to write about the how interest rates are affecting investors as well as the apartment construction and rental rates. Are there topics that you are interested in me researching or sharing? If so, please respond and ask.

    Thanks for reading!

  • How is the Home Sales Market in Chattanooga TN for 2013?

    Home For SaleHow is the Home Sales Market in Chattanooga TN for 2013? How is the Chattanooga, TN housing market? Are homes selling? These are questions that a Realtor gets frequently. The answer is homes are selling in Hamilton County, TN. Especially homes selling for more than $200,000. The number of homes selling above $200,000 is up 24% over the 2012. The number of homes under $100,000 are selling less. This reflects a national trend. Another trend is that the re-finance market for home mortgages is slowing.

    It appears this is simply the wash of all the foreclosure activity of the last several years. The unwounded that have good credit have re-financed and/or making purchases. The wounded are renting and sitting on the sidelines.

    Let’s look at home sales above $200,000. The two areas that experienced the greatest increases (and that have decent numbers) are (Area 2 – Downtown, St. Elmo), and (Area 18 – Colledgedale). They combined brought 62 additional home sales (when comparing year to date January 1 – August 15, 2012 versus 2013). Popular neighborhoods in Area 2 include Missionary Ridge (8), Museum Bluffs (7), Jefferson Heights (6), and Waterhaven (7). The more popular spots in Colledgedale are a new subdivision Prairie Pass (14) and established Bentwood Cove (11).

    Soddy Daisy has been a popular area for years. Neighborhoods like Stonewall Farms have newer inventory and year to date has 21 sales in the neighborhood. Soddy Daisy is experiencing the overall market 22% increase. Other popular neighborhoods include Sedman Hills had 10 sales, Hidden Harbor had 7, The Canyons had 5.

    Ooltewah/Snow Hill area or MLS Area 17 reflected a stout 31% increase with the most popular subdivisions being McKenzie Farms (15 sales), Belleau Ridge (12), Meadow Stream (12), Seven Lakes (11), Hamilton on Hunter North (10), Hampton Cove (8), Hampton Creek (7).

    North Chattanooga and Mountain Creek (MLS area 6) continues to be strong but lags the average with 15% growth. The flagship of this area was One North Shore selling 22 homes above $200,000 so far this year. Other popular spots include Heritage Landing (10), The Enclave (9), Horse Creek Farms (9).

    Signal Mountain, North Chattanooga, Hixson, Catoosa County, Walker County, Bradley County, Brainerd, experienced decent growth in home sales above $200,000 in 2013. Lookout Valley, or (Tiftonia to many older locals) saw a dramatic percentage growth of 65% which reflects the marketing and new home construction of Black Creek Mountain. Black Creek Mountain, (plus former Cummings Cove) saw 20 home sales greater than $200,000.

    An area with large numbers of sales but no increase is East Brainerd County or MLS Area 16. There were 134 sales which is off pace from last year. The popular neighborhoods in this area include: Mountain Shadows (17 sales), Windstone Whisper Creek (10), Greenbriar Cove (9), Hidden Lakes (9), The Lakes At Standifer (7).

    The other variables such as time on the market varies from 127 days on Signal Mountain to 330 days Downtown. The average price per foot of the sales above $200,000 was $91 in Catoosa County, GA and $158 in North Chattanooga (Mostly condo sales).

    New construction seems to be selling from $100 to $155 per foot depending on amenities and price range.

    Overall, the home market above $200,000 in the region seems to favor three things. The 3 are younger age homes (rebirth of new construction), close to downtown Chattanooga, and close to job growth. The job growth is Volkswagen, and Amazon affecting Ooltewah and Colledgedale and Wacker in Bradley county.

    How is the Chattanooga, TN real estate market? Are homes selling? Yes, they are. Especially if you want to buy or sell a home valued above $200,000!

  • Who will bust the fat greedy real estate brokers 6% Commission

    Real Estate Agent Worth 6%?
    Real Estate Agent Worth 6%?
    Who will bust the fat greedy real estate brokers 6% commission? The commission is not set by law. All commission is negotiable. Individual real estate firms set their rate and establish the rate they will share with a co-operating brokerage. Real estate agents compete daily with DIY or For-Sale-By-Owners (FSBOs). So, it does amuse me to read articles from people outside the “industry” who see unfairness in the charges. Tech savvy authors like Frederic Lardinois, who wrote a thoughtful article pondering who will “disrupt” the real estate industry? He points to the travel industry, and taxi cabs as changed models. Cindy Zetts, wrote an article in 2008 titled: The 6% commission: Is it the best way to pay agents? Both articles make great points and ask good questions. Here are a few observations from a second generation middle America Realtor.

    1. Sellers who are successful at selling pay for the other half of sellers who abuse the “industry”. Roughly half of all listings ever sell. The sellers who never sell costs agents and brokers time and money. Cindy Zetts correctly identifies the seller as a greedy culprit. Of course the culprit could also be a mis-informed victim of a green and unknowledgeable agent. Bottom line: … The “industry” does not require an upfront contribution from a seller who is only “testing” the market.

    2. Current tax law allows real estate brokers to pay licensees via contract or 1099. Essentially, it costs brokers very little to “hire” real estate agents because they guarantee them no pay until closing. (cue: coffee is for closers , Glengarry Glen Ross movie scene). Companies like Redfin and Zip are challenging this model.

    3. Regardless of how you get paid, being successful in real estate is demanding because “time is of the essence”, and you are serving people evenings and weekends and then working during the day to get ready to work in the evenings and weekends. Even if the model is W2, this is called overtime or time and a half.

    4. Large cities, coastal areas with higher dollar housing do attract franchises (buying brokerage firms), and agents seeking greater commission dollars because of the percentage of sales price brings more dollars.

    5. Buyers and sellers will always be at a disadvantage because they have limited transaction experience. Agents simply “see” more homes, and negotiate many “deals” over time.

    6. Real estate is a personal referral, relationship business. We are in the business of trust. That is why eBay, and Airbnb are successful. They have established a model with “acceptable risks exposure” (Airbnb has insurance in case rock band goes ape on your home bedroom).

    7. Deferred maintenance, subjective cosmetic features, fixture updates (lighting, plumbing, trim), functional floor plan differences, landscaping…. the lists goes on and on of variables that affect value. Your latest guess of value from an app will never be able to monitor the “feeling” you get when you smell your mom’s apple pie in the kitchen of your dreams. Perhaps a mood ring app will be able to transfer feelings to an emotional response database. (hey,,,not a bad idea!)

    8. Making the real estate industry a more efficient lean machine is a wonderful challenge. Finding ways to serve people’s real estate problems has provided well for my family for the last 23 years.

    9. My observation is that landlords, and lenders have more power to “abuse” the consumer (buyer, seller, renter) than the broker in a real estate transaction. Banks own larger buildings, and have more attorneys. Real estate agents drive Lincoln Town Cars, bankers drive armored trucks!

  • What is Legal Shield?

    What is Legal Shield? Legal Shield is the old Pre-Paid Legal. Pre Paid Legal was started in the 70’s by Harland Stonecipher of Ada, OK. Legal Shield LogoHe was involved in a car accident. He had auto insurance but another party sued him even though he was not at fault. He had to pay thousands of dollars to defend a lawsuit. Most home owners and auto insurance policies do not cover legal fees. You certainly do not have to be at fault to pay thousands of dollars to defend yourself. So Pre-Paid Legal was begun.

    What started out as a type of “legal gap insurance” has grown into many services that protect you and your family.

    I originally purchased a Legal Shield policy because my son was headed to Connecticut to college over 4 years ago. Legal Shield covers you and your minor and college children. You have the ability to call an attorney for any legal matter as many times as you want for a small monthly fee. If you are involved in a car accident (or any violation of law) in any state in America you can call an 800 number and have legal representation 24 hours a day!

    The service includes will preparation at no additional fees, unlimited phone calls, letter writing, legal defense for lawsuits, and so much more. 55% of Americans will die without a will! I have been encouraged in my heart to not only update my will for my wife and kids, but also write a letter expressing my wishes and love for my family if I die. ((LOL,,, reading this afterwards, realized I wrote “if” I die… well, I am a believer in Jesus… so “if” the Rapture happens or I get an “Elijah” fiery chariot ride out…it needs to say “When” I die)) Your family deserves good communication. What better to leave knowing the ones you love do not have to worry about details after your death.

    Check out the wikipedia on Legal Shield here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LegalShield

    Legal Shield also has a popular Identity Theft product that is serviced by Kroll. Kroll is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kroll_Inc. the world’s largest security and consultancy company. With Kroll and Legal Shield they offer the most robust services to monitor your credit, and identity via the internet as well as restore your credit if ever stolen with the Legal Shield legal teams.

    Yes, Legal Shield is a multi-level marketing “type” company. and Yes, I signed up to sell or make money from selling the services. But I joined as an individual because my son was going out of town for college, and then I signed my real estate company up for the small business legal plan because you have incredible research and unlimited questions during business hours. So, I was a user of the services before I signed up to sell.

    Full disclaimer: this is an “insurance type” of product and they have a lot of small print in their policies. And they have frustrated me on several occasions by “not” covering claims. But, not because I make so much money from selling it, (I made $700 in 2012), I keep my personal family policy and my business policy (at $75 monthly) because they offer real value.

    The basic legal plan is $17.00 monthly in Tennessee. They provide so much for this small amount, that if you truly do use them a few times, the policy pays for itself many times over for a lifetime.

    If you are a landlord, small business owner, teacher, etc. Any job where you deal with the public and have a decent chance of being sued, then you truly need to consider the service. There are no contracts, it is a month to month service.

    I know many attorneys in town. Most of the lawyers I know specialize. One great benefit of Legal Shield is the ability to call about “any” legal matter and if the issue is not covered by the plan then Legal Shield will refer your matter to an attorney near you at a discount to their “normal” hourly rate. I was recently referred to an attorney in Chattanooga for a lawsuit that was not covered by our plan. The attorney did a fantastic job and the discounted costs were covered by my Errors and Omissions insurance company.

    So, to recap… a service that covers, A.) IRS audits, B.) moving violations, C.) Real estate law, D.) Estate planning, E.) Family law, Divorce F.) Online legal forms, G.) Contract reviews for cell phones, rental agreements, home purchases, etc., H.) Wills, I.) Bankruptcy, J.) Credit, lending and banking law, K.) 24/7 phone support to attorney (pulled over at 2am in a rental car out of state?, call your attorney!)

    Goto www.kellybr.legalshield.com for details about the service. Call me to talk about my real life experiences with Legal Shield and their strengths and weaknesses as a service. I have found them a valuable service for my family and small business. What is Legal Shield? It is a valuable service helping protect you and your family.

  • How to Do an Open House as a Realtor or Seller

    Open House SignHow do you hold an Open House? If you are the owner or if you are a Realtor, some similar steps apply.

    1. Marketing and advertising: Gone are the days of calling the newspaper and placing one ad. The newspaper directory of Open Houses is still a decent value in Chattanooga, TN. If you are an owner then use Craigslist, Zillow and Trulia to your list. Realtor’s add http://www.Realtor.com to your list. All the online venues are no charge and can be very effective.

    2. Directional signs and balloons: Get people off the main roads to your open house. You may think that home purchasing is not an impulse buy, but it is emotional and I have had folks trade homes over open house visits. Make sure you are not blocking the view of traffic getting out on main roads. You do not want to be the sign that causes people to curse while turning into traffic.

    3. Preparing the property: Don’t forget to spruce up the place and make the walk from the drive to the front door as welcoming as possible.

    4. Involve the senses: This is retail. So best you can, involve good smells (cinnamon sticks in water on stove), or take a sheet of cookies to bake in the oven. Music, appropriate to the space and target audience. Make sure all the lights and accent lamps are on.

    5. Register: Tell your guests that the owner prefers that visitors sign in. You want to follow up with these folks in an appropriate way. Paper registers work fine and there are some iPad apps (one is Open Home Pro $14.99) out for real estate agents that even engage shoppers after the fact. A key question should be “how did you find out about the Open House event?”

    6. Security: Real estate agents must be aware of risks both personally and for the seller. Owners of property, please know that some predators and thieves are looking for jewelry, and medications in bathroom cabinets. A ploy may have you distracted with one member of the party while another goes to another un-watched room. Real estate agents may want to partner up for safety, and remember your local mortgage originator may want to help for their business as well. Your cell phone can be your friend. Apps such as Real Alert and Moby offer 911, recording features, alarm, location notification, and creeper recording info to help you.

    7. Brochures: Buyers like to have something in hand to help them remember what they have seen. Having a page with pictures help them to remember the property as well as you.

    8. Attitude: Open house events are for the convenience of home shoppers, not yours. So I prepare to work and bring my laptop and notecards prepared to get things done between visitors. When a guest comes in, time to bring your smile and charm. Think about your favorite restaurants and hotels and the greeting you receive. Time to dish out copious measures of warmth to these folks that have taken time out of their busy lives to see this home.

    9. Time: Open houses are for the seller and convenience of home buyers. Many open house shoppers will buy a house within 6 months of their visit. Follow up is a key. Jim Weichert has built a large real estate company in the New England area on measured activity. One huge activity is 4 hour open houses on Saturday and Sunday. One and two hour open houses allow some marketing punch, but to me are more for the real estate agent or seller who is interested more in their own free time. Why not schedule open houses during the week or evening?

    Open houses are a great way to engage with people and help to create an environment promoting “fear of loss” and activity, and helps the seller keep a spirit of welcome hospitality. A genuine welcoming spirit doing the discussed above activities is how to do an open house as a Realtor or a seller/owner.

  • Sell your home with video

    Video Helps Sell Homes
    Video Helps Sell Homes
    Sell your home with video.  Video tells a story.  The story can take you on a journey.  The trip should engage your senses and curiosity to cause you to explore the question “Can I see myself living here?”

    The purpose of the video below is to help the viewer understand the neighborhood and then tell the story about the home itself.   My thought in this first effort was to focus on creating a desire to visit.

    The video is professionally shot and produced. This makes a huge difference!

    As I am writing this August 17, 2013 there are over 7,100 views in two months of the video. I am paying for Google adwords to get the video seen by people in the area or relevant viewers like regional golfers.

    The home as of the writing is still for sale but we did have three interested parties come take a look today at an Open House.

    There are several points to highlight regarding video:

    1. 7,200 views on limited budget (less than $300 in 2.5 months) to mostly local traffic is worthwhile viewership. Exposing local Realtors to video is also good because they have 80% chance of bringing our buyer.

    2. Seller is well served because we are getting more targeted exposure to property. (In this case, males make up 55% of viewers and ages 35-54 makes up over 50% of viewers)

    3. The cost of views for Facebook advertising is more expensive but far higher engagement! On my business page http://www.facebook.com/brianrhodeskelly I experienced a great number of comments and feedback on the video.

    4. Mobile devices like iPads, and smartphones are driving video consumption. Over 138 million in the US alone. I hope they are not watching the video while driving to work.

    5. Realtors get to project their personality to others and establish some rapport. This is a professional agent’s selfish perception, but if that agent has credibility to buyers and other agents then the seller is well served as well.

    6. Some agents are asking their sellers to get involved and tell the story of “why” they purchased the home and hidden aspects and features some folks never realize until they live there a while.

    Video to sell your home will be with us until hologram marketing comes out. Time to engage and do it!