Kay Bennett's Talking Tennessee!

When you list your home for sale, It no longer remains your humble abode.  It becomes a marketable product.  To market you home effectively, there are some good techniques to use that will make your home stand above the competition.  Some of these notes may or may not apply to you, but believe me, I have ran out of a home chased by a big dog before.

• Less is More -This applies to all furnishings and whatnot in your home and yard. Remember to display items in lots of 3 or 7.  Make sure your kitchen counter tops are free of small appliances. The more counter top you see the bigger it looks. Rooms should be accented, not crowded with furniture and accessories. Clear high-traffic areas to make the home appear larger.
• Depersonalize- You would think this would only pertain to taking all of your family pictures off the wall and tables.  Not necessarily.  Take the excess of this away as mentioned above, but a family portrait here and there makes the home feel warm and inviting, especially if these are "professional" framed photos of "nice and groomed" well dressed people.  Not to downplay anyone, but think about it...as a rule of thumb, people who see neatly dressed and well groomed people have an impression of their home without even seeing it.
• Touch up - Replace all non-functioning light bulbs in your lamps, and fixtures.  Repair scratches, or rough spots on your walls with paint you might have kept.  Spot clean your carpets to ensure an even look.  Make sure your door hinges are not painted over (this looks messy and gives the eyes an illusion of age.) Bright and crisp door and cabinet hinges/pulls makes a uniform and new look.
• Make your home smell good -This does not mean it should be stifling with candle scents.  Careful to not over do it here.  A good fresh clean scent is perfect.  Don't you just love it when you have freshly moped your floors with a clean lemon or pine detergent.   I always get a good feeling when walking though a clean kitchen or other rooms.
• Clean your home- Yes, people will notice a clean ceiling fan and yes it does brighten a room. Dont forget the top of your fridge.  I am short, but some people are tall enough to inspect this area with a glance.  Even though lived in, you can do an overall cleaning once a month, and keep everything dusted and picked up on a daily basis.  This is where less is more comes into play.  The less you have on a table, the easier it is to swipe it with a dusting cloth.
• De-clutter your closets - color coordinate your clothes and line up those shoes to make your closets look crisp and neat and larger!
• Leave your exotic creatures at a friends house- Yes, most people get a NOT SO GOOD feeling walking by the Boa Constrictor Aquarium or even hearing the German Shepard in the Laundry Room going nuts. 
• First impressions at the Front Door- tidy up your stoop or porch by placing a new welcome mat, clearing leaves or debris from the walkway, and replacing that old porch light with a new one. And do keep your lawn mowed and trimmed.  Trim hedges too.
• Make sure your faucets are drip free - leaky faucets gives the feel of an unmaintained home.
• Display information on your home- your listing agent should provide an MLS sheet with property condition disclosure (where applicable), appraisal on the home, and a home inspection report will add to convenient information the prospective buyer will not have to guess about.  This makes the seller look organized and professional.

CONTACT KAY BENNETT TO LIST YOUR HOME IN COOKEVILLE TENNESSEE TODAY!

Attention Home Sellers:  Right now is a perfect time to assess your homes situation in today's market and step up the competition by doing a few things to make your home more marketable. 

1. Get a Good Listing Agent~ Interviewing a good agent comes with a few questions to include: Are you on an MLS system?  If so, what areas do that system cover?  how many agents does that system reach?  Are you on more than one MLS system?  My answer - Yes, I am on two that covers just East of Nashville Tennessee all the way through East Tennessee spanding over 5,000 agents. Do you have a marketing plan in writing that I can follow? My answer: Yes, you receive a written sellers package when I list your home.
2. Get a Pre-Appraisal ~ The agent can do wonders with this bit of information.  As we do a free market analysis for you, this is not an appraisal on your property and with an appraisal in today's market, it lets the buyer know you are serious about your price and selling your home.
3. Get it Updated ~ Repairing minor things around your home and "dressing" it for sale can upstage the competition down the street.
4. Get a Home Inspection - Benefits of a home inspection lets the buyer know you are not hiding anything and are serious and confident in your homes value.  Also, you the seller can make those needed repairs and be rested that this part of the selling process is already done.
5. Financing Information for the buyer~  Will your home go "Rural Development? or VA?"  Have your listing agent send the homes info to a loan officer who will prepare a flyer on your home for you to leave on the table with other information about your home for prospective buyers to see.
6. Offer a Home Warranty ~ Your home can be covered during the listing process as well and this will also give buyers a more positive feel that you are confident in your home.

Paying for these services on the front end will go far in a faster and smoother sale for you in the long run. 

Contact Kay Bennett to list your home for sale today.  931-510-8601 cell or email at kaybennett@charter.net

Moving from state to state can be a challenging experience.  There are some agents that expect to "sell" you a home and some won't even give advice when a customer asks about "Renting". 

As a native from Texas, I moved to Tennessee about 8 years ago.  I called every place I could to find a rental, not because I wanted to rent, but because I knew nothing of the area and did not want to buy until I figured out where I wanted to live.  As I only had a short time to get transitioned, I had no choice but to rent.  Well, much to my surprise, I didn't get much help from Real Estate Agents.  I decided, when I became an agent to extend my services. Even though I don't get paid for finding folks a rental, I can at least help with the transition if renting is the only alternative.

I showed a few homes and met a lady this week who is absolutely amazing!  I am so glad I met her as she is filled with this awesome light and knowledge.  She ask me if she should rent?  After hearing her story, I gave her the best answer I had...Yes.  For her, renting is going to make her transition much easier as her husband has not transferred yet and doesn't know where in the state he will be working.  She was so kind to say that she did not want to take up my time and that she would buy from me when her lease was up and she was more comfortable with the area.

My view is and what I told her was: First, I have been there and showing her around for an afternoon is my choice and I am happy to do it.  I didn't waste her time nor mine, but what was accomplished was she saw some of the area she really liked and got a better feel of where she might want to purchase.  Second, I got to meet a wonderful lady and her family.  I got to hear some of her stories, which was very enriching to me, and third, I feel I have made a friend and help set someone in the right direction to where they need to be.

As for me, I have no regrets even if she doesn't purchase from me, my experience in meeting with her was worth it.  She told me that I helped her greatly and thanked me for my time spent.  That to me was worth it as success starts from within.

Kay Bennett, Realtor(R)

931-510-8601

First Realty Company

Cookeville, TN

Contact Kay Bennett with First Realty for more information on home buying in the Cookeville area. 931-510-8601 cell or kaybennett@charter.net email

First Realty Company has served the Cookeville TN area for 30 years and provides you with top notch re-location services. Just a few reasons why we think you should join our community... Cookeville Tennessee has a wealth of opportunity and lush natrual landscapes that provide beautiful picturesque views right in your own backyard.  Whats especially great about Cookeville Tennessee is that it is only 1 hour from Nashville Tennessee and 1.5 hours from Knoxville and Chattanooga Tennessee.  A town of approx. 30 thousand makes country living with convenience at your fingertips. All this comes with low property taxes and no state income tax. 

For more information on re-locating or buying a home in Cookeville Tennessee, call Kay Bennett today!

931-510-8601 or email at kaybennett@charter.net

Want an affordable New Home with a luxurious look and feel?  46 Chase Lane has lots of upgrades to make your living experience the best!  Over 1600 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, laundry room and open split floor plan provides comfortable living in Crossville Tennessee.  This home features hardwood/tile flooring, two car garage (insulated), upgraded kitchen cabinets, covered back porch and huge side yard on corner lot.  Call or email Kay Bennett with First Realty Company for a showing today.  931-510-8601 or kaybennett@charter.net

Cumberland Cove is a one of a kind beauty and great place to live!  With peaceful serene landscapes filled with mountain feel, natural forest, bluff overlooks, private natural parks for residents and their guest complete with hiking trails and 18 hole golf course, Cumberland Cove gives you country living with over 15,000 acres of natural forest.

Cumberland Cove offers:

• Mild restricted subdivision from 1 to 10 acre lots.
• 18 hole golf course and tennis courts with welcome center
• security and park maintenance
• bluff overlooks
• mountain setting
• 15 minutes from Cookeville TN, and Crossville TN
• Beautiful homes for resale
• Buildable lots for sale
• Waterfalls
• Hiking Trails
• Peaceful country living

Located in Monterey, Tennessee, Cumberland Cove is a much sought after place to reside.  Come see what all the fuss is about, Call Kay Bennett for more information on homes for sale in Cumberland Cove Today! 931-510-8601

MY FEATURED LISTINGS IN CUMBERLAND COVE:

328 Flat Rock Place              429 E. Cove Road              13 Down Place                 1076 Belmont

BEAUTIFUL VIEWS FROM CUMBERLAND COVE:

CONTACT ~ KAY BENNETT, FIRST REALTY COMPANY

931-510-8601 OR kaybennett@charter.net

Looking for a home in Cookeville Tennessee, Monterey Tennessee, Sparta Tennessee, Livingston Tennessee or Crossville Tennessee?  Need that nice quiet retreat on Dale Hollow Lake located in Celina Tennessee? or maybe our beautiful Center Hill Lake that stretches from Cookeville to Smithville Tennessee? 

Whatever type of home or land you are looking for, Kay Bennett at First Realty has got you covered.  First Realty in Cookeville Tennessee has over 30 years of experience and is comprised of a 100+ agent family to help you find your next home, retreat, or land tract.  We have top of the line commercial property agents along with a vast selection of properties for sale in our Upper Cumberland area. 

Some things Tennessee has to offer:

• Low property taxes
• no state income tax
• beautiful mountain views
• rolling hills
• private retreats
• lake homes
• farms
• productive cities at your fingertips
• and the list goes on...

Whether you are looking at our great college, Tennessee Tech, or just re-locating for retirement, there is a lot to do for everyone in our great area!

Cookeville is located just 1 hour from Nasvhille Tennessee and 1.5 hours from Knoxville Tennessee via interstate 40.

Call   Kay Bennettfor more information on re-locating to the Cookeville Tennessee Area.

Need help in getting a home loan?  Explore your options by contact Kay today!

Kay Bennett

Call 931-510-8601 or email me at kaybennett@charter.net

Some Simple Steps To Improving Your Credit Report

In reading an article on this, I decided this was some useful information for home buyers:  Did you know that even if you think you have a wonderful credit report, you may have some errors involved. Just as you receive mail with your name and address misspelled, your credit report can have errors as well. Whether it's human error, out of date information or even mistaken identity, errors occur more easily than we'd all like to think.

Under the law, both the credit reporting agency and the organization that provided the information to the credit reporting agency have responsibilities for correcting inaccurate or incomplete information in your credit report.

So, if you find an error on your credit report, be sure to notify the credit bureau in writing immediately:

1. Tell the CRA what information you believe is inaccurate on your credit report. Include copies, never originals of documents that support your position.

2. In addition to providing your complete name and address, your letter should clearly identify each item in your credit report that you dispute. State the facts and why you are disputing the information. Enclosing a copy of your credit report with the items in question circled can be helpful.

3. Though you may think your reason for writing is obvious, be sure to request that the error be corrected.

4. Send your letter by certified mail, return receipt requested so you can document what the credit reporting agency received. Make sure your letter is dated, and don't forget to keep copies of everything you send.

Credit reporting agency must reinvestigate the item(s) in question, usually within 30 days unless they consider your dispute frivolous. They also must forward all relevant data you send them to the information provider (bank, credit card agency, etc.).

After the information provider receives notification of a dispute from the credit reporting agency, it must review and investigate all relevant information provided and report the results back to the credit reporting agency.

If the information provider finds the disputed information to be inaccurate, it must notify all nationwide credit reporting agency so that they can correct this information in your file.

Disputed information that cannot be verified must be deleted from your file.

Inaccurate information must be corrected by the CRA.

Incomplete information must be corrected by the CRA.

Any account that belong only to another person must be deleted by the CRA.

Your credit rating is a very important factor in receiving a home loan.  In todays market, its best to do all you can to improve your score for a fast and easy process in obtaining a home loan.

Ever just want to re-decorate your home and not know where to begin?  This post will be for my sister who lives in Texas.  She has always been a great decorator and even sells home interior which she does very well.  Her sales are great nearly every month and one reason is that she is also an interior decorator.  I told her she should expand her skills into home staging for her area, but she is a little hesitant to do that.  However, she has help many people decorate their homes. She does a great job with people who send her panormics of there home if they live to far for her to go see the home.  She easily visions the interior of the home and usually gives great decorating advice.   For more information on ordering Home Interior or decorating, give Carolyn Pennington a call today or go online to her website at: