Brian R Kelly

Tag: Brian Kelly

  • Top 5 Home Selling Neighborhoods Hamilton County TN 2013

    Top 5 Home Selling Neighborhoods in Hamilton County TN 2013
    Top 5 Home Selling Neighborhoods

    Top 5 Home Selling Neighborhoods Hamilton County TN 2013.  The time period of sales is first 8 months of 2013.  I am writing this September 4, 2013.   The top 5 in number of homes (no age or price involved) sold are as follows:

    1. Hamilton on Hunter  58  (25 of those are Hamilton on Hunter North)

    2. One North Shore  34  (this is a condominium complex)

    3. Black Creek  23

    4. Stonewall Farms  22

    5.  Windstone 20 (10 are Windstone at Whisper Creek)

     

    Bell Development has two of the Top 5 Home Selling Neighborhoods Hamilton County TN 2013

    The number one winner is Bell Development’s Hamilton on Hunter.  Hamilton on Hunter is located off Hunter Road in Ooltewah.  The neighborhood is 26 years old and covers roughly 640 acres.  The newer Hamilton on Hunter North is approximately 275 acres.  The 58 home sales in 2013 range from $75,000 – $241,500.  The price per square foot ranged from $44 – $120.  Hamilton on Hunter North is zoned for Wallace A. Smith Elementary School, Hunter Middle, and Central High School.  Hamilton on Hunter enjoys newer construction and proximity to jobs at Volkswagen and Amazon.

    The number two winner is a great story for Chattanooga.  It is a condominium complex.  There are 34 condo sales so far this year at One North Shore.  The 2013 sales saw a low of $149,500 and a high of $374,000.The average price per square foot is $217.  I shared a few insights in this former article about One North Shore.  I was really impressed with the level of services and amenities One North Shore offers its owners.  One North Shore enjoys location near downtown and it’s adjacent to parks, retail and grocery.

    The third place finisher is Black Creek Mountain.  Black Creek Mountain is a golf course community in Lookout Valley.  Lookout Valley is less than 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga.  New homes are under construction as a new developer makes their way up Aetna Mountain.  The neighborhood is 13 years old and is home to Black Creek Golf.  Club house expansion, varied price points and styles, combined with location near downtown are all continued draws to this community.  The 2013 price range is from $114,000 condo to $655,000 single family home.

    Fourth place goes to Stonewall Farms.  Stonewall Farms is another Bell Development.  It is located in Hixson.  Stonewall Farms is a more traditional neighborhood with home prices from $179,900 to $334,000 for 2013 sales.   Stonewall Farms is 10 years old.  Half of the home sales in 2013 were new home sales.  New homes in Stonewall Farms are selling on average at $119 per square foot.

    Fifth place goes to Windstone.  Windstone is a golf course community located in Ooltewah. (Important Note: Windstone is also in Catoosa County, GA or Ringgold , GA.  If we included all of Windstone there would be 30 sales year to date.  But this story is about Hamilton County only).  I wrote this article about homes at Whisper Creek in Windstone.   The 2013 sales ranged in price from $200,000 to $422,000.  Newer construction in Whisper Creek is averaging $140 per square foot.

    In summary, all of the Top 5 Home Selling Neighborhoods Hamilton County TN 2013 enjoy a decent amount of newer construction.  There are new homes being built in 4 of them.  One North Shore is only 5 years old and it is enjoying growth of downtown living with a strong dose of amenities and an excellent marketing campaign.  Top 5 Home Selling Neighborhoods Hamilton County TN 2013 list was compiled using the Multiple Listing System (MLS of Chattanooga Association of Realtors).  Only Realtor assisted sales were considered in the data.

     

  • 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!