One thing pet parents everywhere know is that each and every one of our dogs and cats is special. They are our four-legged kids. They enrich our lives in unimaginable ways, asking very little in return except an occasional hug and to be petted.
One way each of us can demonstrate both our love and appreciation for our kids is to provide them with a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet that will improve their well-being and enhance their longevity.
If you are a pet parent who thinks that all pet foods are created equal, you’d be wrong. Despite what pet food advertising might suggest, pet foods are often full of fillers and undergo significant processing. It is the same things that humans try to avoid in their own diets. But admittedly, it’s confusing.
So where can you go for answers? How about canine breeders and husband and wife team, Martin and Sandy Gabel, owners of Luv-A-Pet pet food store and pet grooming.
“There are a great many factors that go into breeding and showing championship dogs,” said Sandy. “But nutrition is a key factor, perhaps the most important factor, in breeding and showing champions.
“While most of our customers at Luv-A-Pet are not breeders, these dedicated pet parents are nonetheless in search of information on how to provide an affordable, yet nutritious diet for their pets. The information that’s typically unavailable at the big box stores or at chain pet food stores.”
“By combining our nearly two decades of dog breeding and show experience with many of the most respected manufacturers of pet food in the industry, we are able to answer most of your pet’s nutritional questions and concerns while providing you with the most nutritious, healthy and well-balanced pet foods available anywhere,” said Martin.
So if you agree that your dog or cat, who gives you their best and deserves your very best, why not provide them with the same healthy and nutritious diets that their championship cousins enjoy? After all, there’s a little bit of champion in each of our pets.
Luv-A-Pet also provides pet grooming for your four-legged kid. Grooming is provided by Phyllis Cleveland, Ishah Jones and Beebe Wright, each whom has many years of experience.
Luv-A-Pet
2355 Highway 411
Madisonville, TN 37354
Luv-A-Pet@att.net
(423) 442-7277
Tennessee-based Restonic Corporation, committed to providing American families with the highest quality mattresses since 1938, is proud to introduce the revolutionary gel-infused memory foam mattress which promises to provide all of the benefits of memory foam while delivering a cool and refreshing night’s sleep.
This revolutionary gel-infused memory foam helps to dissipate the heat often associated with more traditional memory foam mattresses, providing a cooler night’s sleep and maintenance of a more comfortable individual sleeping temperature. Gel reduces pressure and motion transfer while providing comfort and support, all while retaining less heat.
Restonic’s gel-infused memory foam cell technology also promotes greater air circulation than ordinary memory foam, which also helps to promote a cooler, more comfortable night’s sleep.
Available in a variety of sizes and comfort levels to meet your exact needs, Restonic promises to provide you with both the superior night’s comfort and sleep unavailable from other bedding manufacturers, and at a price you’re guaranteed to appreciate even more.
To discover the full line of gel-infused memory foam mattresses from Restonic, visit the area’s premier choice for affordable, quality bedding, Beds-To-Go. Conveniently located in nearby Madisonville, Beds-To-Go delivers the area’s widest selection of bedding from the nation’s top bedding manufacturers, not to mention true warehouse pricing.
For the best selection in quality bedding, unprecedented sleep comfort and pricing that will have you counting zzzzz’s, visit Beds-To-Go today.
Beds-To-Go
4024 Highway 411
Madisonville, TN 37354
(423) 420-6352
Discover East Tennessee’s Best-Kept Dining Secret
By Tom Irmen
If you’re in search of that perfect dining experience that combines a comfortable, casual atmosphere, great service, excellent food, and prices that will leave your budget intact, then look no further than Angelo’s Brick Oven in nearby Lenoir City.
Under new ownership, Angelo’s has become a labor of love for a family that wants to create the best hometown restaurant in Loudon County. The Dix family has undertaken a well thought-out plan for transforming Angelo’s, largely in response to the input of its customers. Husband and wife team Ron and Teri Dix, along with their sons Mark and Ryan, and Ryan’s wife, Sarah, have listened carefully to your suggestions, and the “proof is in the pudding” you might say.
While dining there recently, numerous changes were both apparent and much appreciated. Angelo’s now has a brighter, more open feel to it. Not blinding bright, but a softer, brighter lighting that makes reading the menu a breeze.
“We’ve carefully selected new colors and wall treatments to create a more casual, brighter atmosphere throughout the restaurant,” said Teri. The family theme has quietly been woven into the décor. “All the old photos of people on the walls are Ryan, Sarah and Mark’s grandparents and great grandparents. Some date back to about 1900.” The response from guests thus far has been very encouraging. “They seem to like the warm family atmosphere we’re trying to create.”
The menu additions have also been well received. While maintaining its classic Italian entrées, Angelo’s has expanded its menu to include a variety of “Southern” specialties designed to offer something for everyone in your dining party. According to Teri and Mark, “Many people have expressed their appreciation for our expanded menu that appeals to just about everyone. A new selection of steaks, classic popular appetizers, and new burgers we call Too Good To Be True Burgers have really been a hit.”
The wait staff is enthusiastic and most attentive. They enjoy sharing their menu favorites and are quite eager to answer all of your questions and make recommendations.
The Dix family’s commitment to hospitality is apparent from the moment you enter Angelo’s. The wait staff, which includes their daughter, Lindsay, has been made to feel as if they were extended members of the Dix family itself. They all demonstrate the same family hospitality. In fact, I was somewhat surprised to learn, but delighted nonetheless, that our waiter was not a family member.
Finally, I can assure you that you’ll find Angelo’s Brick Oven’s pricing every bit as pleasing as the ambiance, menu selection, food quality and great service. Entrees begin at as little as $5.95 for a classic pasta dinner, and Angelo’s also offers daily specials including a Senior Buffet Day on Wednesdays for only $6.99.
“What most customers find surprising is that despite our affordable pricing, we’ve made no compromise to quality or portions,” says Executive Chef Mark Dix.
While Ron and Ryan are more the behind-the-scenes force at Angelo’s, you’ll likely see Teri and Mark in the restaurant on a daily basis. In fact, Teri and Mark encourage you to introduce yourselves to them, as well as to offer your own thoughts and suggestions.
Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, the entire Dix family and its extended “team” family invite you to discover for yourself East Tennessee’s best-kept dining secret: Angelo’s Brick Oven.
Angelo’s Brick Oven
175 Kelsey Lane
Lenoir City, TN 37772
(865) 988-9288
www.angelosbrickoven.com
Automotive experts agree that winter can be the most challenging season for our automobiles. Low temperatures and seesawing temperatures can place significant stress on our car’s most critical operating system. And existing problems, left ignored and subjected to these winter stresses, can experience premature failure, leading to expensive repair bills.
Your vehicle’s transmission, brake and steering components are hydraulic systems that rely on highly specialized fluids to operate, lubricate and cool these critical components. Low fluid levels, dirty or spent fluids that must perform under the stresses of winter may not only not operate as designed, but may also result in the failure of the system itself. Low temperatures also reduce your battery’s ability to start your car, which could leave you out in the cold at night, but these same temperatures can reduce your motor oil’s ability to protect your engine from harmful wear and tear.
And did you know that cold temps reduce your tires’ air pressure? And that low pressure not only reduces your car’s fuel economy and safe handling characteristics, but also leads to premature tire wear?
Your automobile is no exception to the old “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
The Car Shop, conveniently located in Lenoir City, offers area car owners friendly local service to help reduce the negative effects of old man winter. From its certified technicians to the state-of-the-art repair and diagnostic equipment, The Car Shop is your one source for anything and everything automotive. And if providing a level of service that exceeds your expectations weren’t enough, The Car Shop will amaze you with their competitive pricing that is often far below what dealers charge.
And yes, just to be perfectly clear, all work performed by The Car Shop is in full compliance with your automobile’s manufacturer and will not void your warranty.
Prepare for winter! Take advantage of money saving offers, protect your investment with a free courtesy check, avoid costly repair bills and avoid being left out in the cold by visiting The Car Shop today. Your car and your wallet will thank you.
The Car Shop
720 Highway 321 N in Lenoir City
(865) 986-5002
www.carshoptn.com
By Alden Williams
Anyone contemplating buying or selling their home should gather as much information as possible. Some people say the market is improving; others say that prices are going up or that our market isn’t bad compared to other areas of this country.
Leading Village Realty in sales for the last four years, I’ve brought buyers to 60% of my listings last year, so I thought it would be helpful to provide some useful data that helps me to assist my clients.
So how is our market? In 2009, according to the MLS sales (not counting condos or townhomes), there were 83 home sales in Tellico Village. In 2010, there were 99. And in 2011, home sales started ahead of 2010, but slowed and only 75 homes were sold, a 24% decline. (Kahite, which had four home sales in 2011, isn’t included in the data.)
Each summer there are approximately 200 homes on the market. Currently there are over 150. So it is definitely a buyer’s market. There are usually at least 20 homes competing against each other in any price range, and the average sale price is 9% lower than the current listing price.
Sellers should avoid the temptation to overprice. You can always renegotiate a low offer, but you can’t renegotiate with a potential buyer who may be scared off by an unrealistic selling price. Keep in mind too that your home has to appraise as well.
Last year 50% of the home sales occurred at $275,000 and below. 75% of the home sales occurred at $350,000 and below. Also, there were 10 waterfront homes that went for under $700,000 and three sold from $950,000 to $1.2 million. NO homes sold between $700,000 to $950,000, but one is now pending. Tellico Village has few foreclosures, but does have estate and illness sales where owners are willing, in many cases, to drop their prices sharply to sell.
I believe a few things can be derived from the above information. Home prices will remain under pressure for the foreseeable future. Experts agree that curb appeal ranks second in importance, presentation inside the home third, but the single most important item was price. Many people tend to overprice their homes. Two-thirds of closings occur during the May through November timeframe, so most buyers are looking from late March through October. Too often sellers drop their prices too late, and many of the buyers coming to the Village took a loss on their home and are looking for an attractive price. They have researched the market and tend to be very knowledgeable. Also, most buyers aren’t willing to take on a lot of home projects, so I’d recommend repairing some of the areas you have control over like wallpaper or a fresh coat of neutral paint.
When you’re ready to sell your home or just want information, visit the website (no www.) public.kaarmls.com. Click on Loudon County and go to the bottom of the screen and then click “search.” On the next screen click on Tellico Village and then enter search criteria (pricing range, etc.) and it will show you every home on the market. It won’t give you days on the market or number of price reductions, but you will see photos and descriptions of homes in your price range. I also invite you to visit www.villagerealtytn.com and click on “links,” and then select advanced search or map or address search.
When you talk to a REALTOR® (hopefully me!) they can discuss what has sold in your price range and help you arrive at a price that will help sell your home in this challenging environment.
Alden Williams, Village Realty
(865) 604-3251
A Benefit for the Sweetwater Kiwanis Club
Produced & Directed by Salt & Light Studios
Friday, March 23, 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 24, 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 25, 2 p.m.
Cost is $20 pre-sale, $25 at door. Tickets include light refreshments provided by Dinner Bell.
The show is held at the new Broad Street Elementary Auditorium which seats 510 comfortably with upholstered seats, state-of-the-art lights and sound. The stage is very spacious equipped with projector and screen. The auditorium is located on Broad Street in Sweetwater.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with video of last year’s performance on screen to entertain guests during seating. So coming early won’t be a waste of time; enjoy family and friends during the pre-show.
This is the third annual production with past years being sellout shows. What a great evening of fun and entertainment. Audience members are still talking about what talent, entertainment and fun they’ve enjoyed the past two shows.
Masters of Ceremonies: Principal Darrin Nichols of Sweetwater Primary School and Superintendant Dr. Melanie Miller from Sweetwater City Schools will introduce each couple to the judges and interview the performers about all the rehearsals and hard work invested into this program.
Judges for the evening are Ivan Worrell – Legacy Performing Arts, Brandi Smith – Jr. High and Nancy Gatchel – Primary School. Each of these judges has experience in performance, singing, stage or dance. Locals are guaranteed to enjoy their comments and score for each couple. The judges have also been assisting each couple in floor craft and how to sell their piece to the audience. Audience members will have an opportunity to vote during intermission.
2012 Stars are Dr. Kenny Archer, Victor Upton, Scott Wilson, Jason Roy, Hau No, Richard Allen, Sam Moser, Houston Crabtree, Jessica Morgan, Jaclyn Cleveland, Katie Hatfield, Teresa Mashburn, Aliceson Bowman, Heather Shamblin, Heather Kirkland and Lauren Kirkland.
2012 Professionals & Choreographers are from Salt & Light Studios, Sweetwater. Hours of training and choreography have gone in the making of this show. Stars have sacrificed free time, work time and family time, not to mention the body aches and pains to entertain to maximum ability of each couple. Styles include Swing, Charleston, Tap, Salsa, Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, Freestyle, Rumba and Broadway. A variety of music is set to please the ear for the competition. Some music pieces are from Dean Martin, Pirates, Elvis, Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis and James Brown.
Last year’s stars are coming back for a group performance to entertain after the competition. Expect to see Rodney Bibee, Bill Howe, Greg Allen, Russell Hicks, Stuart Sadikoff, Jim Fairweather, Brent Watson, Dr. Sigrid Johnson, Dr. Melanie Miller, Kim Vineyard, Melanie Lowe, Sharron Ingram, Julia Stutts-King, Jeremiah King, Saunook Pedigo-Guy, Jessica Morgan, Jessie Hester, Lauren Kirkland and Heather Kirkland. Last year the previous stars performed “Thriller” as the never dying stars. Come and enjoy this year’s surprise number featuring last year’s stars. Expect a special twist that makes this number unique! Weeks of “secret rehearsals” and sworn secrecy will get an absolute standing ovation for superb entertainment.
The Infamous Valley Boys are returning once again to be a special part of the entertainment. The group for 2012 is Rusty Vineyard, Dominic Pitarro, Dennis Kirkland, Jason Roy, Rodney Bibee and Russell Hicks. Two years ago the Valley Boys entertained with “The Village People doing YMCA” and last year the boys did “The Evolution of Dance.” Come see what they have in store for you this year!
Tickets: Come enjoy the third annual “Sweetwater’s Dancing with the Stars.” Get tickets before another sellout! Tickets are available at Salt & Light Studios, Peoples Bank Sweetwater and The Lily Pad. The Studio’s number is (423) 337-4928. Tickets will be available at the door for non-sellout evenings.
Delight in the details
What truly separates the extraordinary from the ordinary in life is the meticulous attention to the finest of details. CityView at Riverwalk, Knoxville’s premier address for affordable and upscale downtown living, invites you to delight in the extraordinary details that define this superb waterfront community—features which separate CityView from its peers. From its finely manicured landscaping, rich stone accents, and illuminated courtyard with fireplaces and ornamental fountain, you’ll soon discover why CityView at Riverwalk is downtown Knoxville’s premier destination for an unparalleled lifestyle.
Savor an early morning cup of coffee from your private balcony or patio or perhaps a brisk morning walk along the riverwalk, all while enjoying spectacular views of Neyland Stadium and the University of Tennessee, the downtown Knoxville skyline, and, of course, the beautiful riverboats gliding past. Imagine waking up to these breathtaking views across the mist-shrouded Tennessee River. Later it’s time for an invigorating workout in CityView’s private fitness center or perhaps a soothing swim in the pool.
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon cruise along the Tennessee River in the comfort of your very own personal watercraft which is moored conveniently at CityView’s private marina. Afterwards, enjoy a Broadway Show in Knoxville’s historic theatre district, and later, dinner in one of downtown’s eclectic assortment of restaurants. Then return home to the quiet side of the Tennessee River to your private parking garage, protected by closed circuit security cameras and secure key entry system. Easy living at its best!
Well-designed one-, two-, and three-bedroom condominium homes include stellar details such as hardwood floors in the living areas, crown moulding, ceramic tile and granite finishes, stainless steel appliances, and walls of energy-efficient windows. CityView at Riverwalk offers you the very best in luxurious and carefree downtown living.
From its unparalleled resort-like atmosphere to its home-like comfort, this signature property offers the perfect combination to define and enhance your lifestyle. You can just relax… CityView at Riverwalk has “taken care of all the details” for you.
To discover all that CityView at Riverwalk has to offer, call Marie Parrish, Property Coordinator, at 865-577-6950 today for your tour of discovery.
CityView at Riverwalk
445 W. Blount Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 577-6950
www.CityViewTN.com
The sounds of guitars, banjos, fiddles, jugs, kazoos, and a human beatbox will echo off the Hiwassee knobs when the Carolina Chocolate Drops open the 2012 portion of The Monroe Area Council for the Arts’ performance season in Hiwassee College’s Butcher Auditorium on Tuesday, February 7 at 7:30 p.m.
The Carolina Chocolate Drops are winners of the 2011 Grammy for Best American Traditional Folk album. Formed in 2005 during jam sessions in the home of legendary old-time fiddler Joe Thompson, the Carolina Chocolate Drops have mined the past for both material and style, and yet have kept an open mind about music. “We play in an older tradition but we are modern musicians,” a spokesperson says. In addition to founding members Rhiannon Giddens and Dom Flemons, new members Hubby Jenkins and Adam Matta point to the broadening possibilities of the band’s music and performances, proving they are very much in the here and now.
The Carolina Chocolate Drops were the first black string band to play at the Grand Ole Opry. Tickets are $20 ($18/advance) for adults and $10 for students. Advance tickets are available at all Citizens National Banks in Monroe County, online at www.monroearts.com, or call (423) 442-3210.
By Mr. Douglas E. Warren, CPA CFF CFE FCPA
Whether you’re training for a marathon, landing the job of your dreams or closing a sale, you’re not going to succeed without being well prepared and fully informed. Well, the same holds true when managing and preparing your taxes.
Waiting until the return due date of April 17th for the 2012 filing season to put your financial house in order is a straight path to paying higher taxes. Here are some of the recent tax-law information, incentives, and planning strategies that will not only help you complete your tax return, but may also help you minimize your 2011 tax bill.
NEW FOR 2011
In 2011, there were not a lot of changes from 2010. However, there was one change that affects almost all working taxpayers: the Making Work Pay Credit. This was a refundable credit up to $400 for a single individual ($800 if married) based on a percentage of earned income. The credit was essentially replaced with the 2% reduction in the employee portion of Social Security tax. This incentive is worth up to $2,136 per person.
Every year the IRS adjusts the standard deduction to account for inflation. For 2011, the standard deduction is $5,800 if single or married filing separately and $11,600 if married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)s. It’s $8,500 if head of household.
Taxpayers age 65 and older or taxpayers who are blind receive an additional standard deduction of $1,450 (single or head of household) or $1,150 (married filing jointly, married filing separately or qualifying widow/er).
An alternative to claiming the standard deduction is itemizing your deductions. Itemized deductions include medical expenses, certain state and local taxes, mortgage interest, charitable contributions, casualty and theft losses, and other miscellaneous items such as tax-return preparation fees, investment advisory fees and unreimbursed employee business expenses.
CHARITABLE DEDUCTIONS
Making charitable contributions can instill a feeling of goodwill and tax laws have been created to recognize philanthropic efforts.
Donations you make by cash, check or credit card to qualified religious, charitable, educational institutions are deductible up to 50% of your AGI, if you itemize your deductions. Contributions that are not deductible include those made to political groups, fraternities and sororities, certain scholarships, for-profit hospitals, and blood banks.
Also, remember to obtain and keep a record to substantiate all donations, regardless of the amount, even cash donated to charitable organizations.
Donating appreciated assets that qualify for the long-term capital gains treatment can actually do more to cut your tax bill. When you give appreciated long-term securities to a nonprofit, you deduct the full market value of the asset at the time of the donation and you avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation.
A tax deduction for clothing and household items is generally allowed only if the items are in good condition.
LONG-TERM HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS
An increasing number of Americans require long-term care due to advanced age or chronic conditions. Unfortunately, nursing homes and their high costs, which can exceed $70,000 annually, are not covered by Medicare or supplemental Medicare insurance.
You can include your premiums for qualified long-term care services as medical expenses up to the following amounts:
• Age 40 or under - $340
• Age 41 to 50 – $640
• Age 51 to 60 - $1,270
• Age 61 to 70 - $3,390
• Age 71 or over – $4,240
JOB SEARCH EXPENSES
For many of us, we spend the majority of our day on the job and the hours we typically devote to our work seem to grow even greater during rocky economic times. However, in addition to a paycheck, experience and hopefully some degree of satisfaction, we receive a number of benefits that have important tax implications, one of which pertains to our job search efforts.
Many unreimbursed expenses incurred as a result of employment are deductible as miscellaneous itemized deductions, though they can only be claimed to the extent they are greater than 2% of adjusted gross income.
MORTGAGE INTEREST
In most cases, you can deduct all of the interest you pay on any loan secured by your home if you itemize your deductions. Interest is generally deductible on up to $1 million ($500,000 if married filing separately) of home-acquisition loans. These are loans used to buy, build or substantially improve your principal residence or second home, and are secured by that same residence.
Interest on a home-equity loan up to $100,000 ($50,000 if married filing separately) is also deductible. You can also use this deduction for one additional residence that you identify as your second home.
As long as the home-equity loan is secured by your home, it doesn’t matter how you spend the proceeds. Home improvements, college tuition, debt consolidation or an exotic vacation – it’s up to you. Just be sure you have a plan to pay it back.
HOME ENERGY CREDITS
In 2011, homeowners can again claim tax credits for making certain energy-saving improvements to their home. These credits include the (1) Non-business Energy Property Credit and (2) Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit. However, the credits are not as favorable as 2010.
Under the Non-business Energy Property Credit, homeowners can receive a credit of 10% of the costs of qualified energy-efficient improvements and 100% of the costs of certain energy property expenditures, although dollar limitations may apply to specific types of property, including a maximum lifetime credit of $500.
Energy efficient improvements include insulated walls or ceilings; energy-efficient exterior doors and windows, including skylights; specially treated metal or asphalt roofs; and a high-efficiency furnace, water heater or central air conditioning system, and energy property expenditures such as certain heat pumps, water pumps and circulating fans.
The 30% Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit applies to costs for qualified residential solar panels, a geothermal heat pump, solar water-heating equipment, qualified solar electric property costs, and small wind-energy property. This credit has no dollar limit or principal-residence requirement. A second 30% credit for qualified fuel-cell plants has principal-residence and kilowatt-capacity requirements, and cannot be greater than $500 for each 0.5 kilowatt of capacity.
RETIREMENT
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
The top annual contribution for traditional or Roth IRAs remains at $5,000 for 2011. If you’re age 50 or older by the end of 2011, you can make an additional $1,000 “catch-up” contribution.
You cannot contribute more than your qualifying income for the year, but if your spouse has little or no income, you can contribute to either a traditional IRA or Roth IRA for your spouse based on your earnings.
Traditional IRA contributions may be deductible depending on your modified AGI and whether you or your spouse (if filing jointly) is covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Also, you must begin to take minimum required distributions from the IRA once you reach age 70½, but this does not apply to Roth IRAs.
Roth IRA contributions are not deductible, but you can withdraw them at any time tax free. You can also withdraw earnings on contributions tax free after five years if you are age 59½ or older, disabled or paying qualifying first-time homebuyer expenses.
You have until the filing deadline of April 17, 2012 to open and contribute to an IRA for 2011. But why wait? The sooner you contribute, the longer your money grows tax deferred or tax free.
IN CONCLUSION
First, remember that your CPA can be a valuable partner in providing answers to your questions and helping to keep your tax bill to a minimum.
Second, don’t hesitate to ask a lot of questions to make sure you understand the advice you’re being given.
Third, don’t wait until tax time to seek professional tax assistance. Your CPA can help you plan for tax savings throughout the year.
The tax professionals at Warren & Tallent are available to assist you with your tax planning and tax preparation needs. Give us a call today.
This information was compiled by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and was current as of December 15, 2011.
Warren & Tallent
www.wandtcpa.com
Sweetwater location:
606C South Main Street
(423) 337-5003
Madisonville location:
409 College Street, N., #2
(423) 442-3890
By Jan Tucker-Vaughn
Most of us have experienced the occasional ups and downs of the real estate marketplace over the years. Many times sharp spikes and declines in sales have occurred locally when there have been significant changes that have occurred, say in the automobile industry, and occasionally regionally when natural disasters have struck.
Today’s real estate downturn is different in many ways from those in the past, however. It’s been the perfect storm in a sense as nearly every segment of our economy, as well as the global economy, has been impacted. The bad news is that locally we have felt the impact of the current financial downturn. The good news is that we have not experienced the severe volatility that has occurred in many other areas of the nation.
All this aside, navigating through today’s real estate marketplace is a much more daunting task than it had been just a few short years ago. The key to buying and selling in today’s marketplace will depend in large part in the selection of the real estate professional you choose to represent you.
For sellers, an experienced and knowledgeable Realtor® will guide you through the thorough evaluation of your property and help you to develop a pricing strategy and a comprehensive marketing plan.
For buyers, an experienced and knowledgeable Realtor® will conduct a detailed analysis of your specific and unique needs and help you to find the right home, at the right price, that will meet your needs. Your Realtor® will also help you to successfully navigate today’s mortgage market, which is much more challenging than any other time in recent memory.
If you are considering buying or selling a home soon, I would encourage you to contact me to discover the difference that my nearly two decades of experience can make for you and your future. I look forward to your call.
Jan Tucker-Vaughn
Lakeside Real Estate Group
(865) 458-9600 office
(865) 680-0589 direct
www.Jan-Tucker.com