- Real Estate Update
- Home & Family
- Buyers & Seller's Corner
- Home Improvement
- Wine 101
- Health & Fitness
- New Movie Releases
- Recipe of the Month

September 2009

7 -- Labor Day
11 -- Patriot Day
13 -- Grandparent's Day
17 -- Constitution Day
18 -- Air Force Birthday
26 -- Hunting & Fishing Day
26 -- R.E.A.D. in America Day
29 -- VFW Day

Fabulous Fall!!!

It is fall and it is busy, busy, busy here at The Hughes Properties!   School is starting, out of town buyers are coming to East Tennessee and making it their home, and Knoxville residents are taking advantage of wonderful opportunities to purchase the home of their dreams.  With EIGHT closings in August, several new listings and lots of buyers still looking to purchase Knoxville real estate,  we are thrilled to report that BUSINESS IS GREAT. Our clients are achieving their goals and that is very exciting.  We work hard to make sure that EVERY client, their goals, their dreams, and their needs are treated with the same care and level of enthusiasm.  Whether you are a first time buyer or the seller of a multimillion dollar property...you are important to us and we are thrilled to be your choice in real estate representation!  We also want to say thank you for your continued referrals.  These are invaluable to our family business and our appreciation is sincere.  Please take a look at our featured listings below.  There are new listings, exciting values and  some wonderful properties that we want you to see.   We know that at this time of year you too are busy, busy, busy...so thank you for reading this information and passing it along to anyone that might benefit from our services.  Happy Fall, we hope that you will enjoy all of the beauty and festivities Knoxville has to offer.

The BEST of Old Westmoreland

Timeless Rob Dew construction perfectly situated on Sherwood Dr, "the boulevard" of Old Westmoreland. This 5BR/5.5B home features over 7000 sq ft of pure grandeur. From the moment you cross the threshold, you will realize that this is the house to call home! Enormous master suite with cathedral ceilings, fireplace, a large Jacuzzi, walk-in shower, double sinks, and huge his/her closets- Cathedral ceilings throughout main level, a true, open gourmet kitchen with a fabulous great room and fireplace, formal dining room, a study, open living room with coffered ceiling, fireplace and moldings that must be seen, a covered porch overlooking a private fenced-in yard and  pebble tech pool. Upstairs offers 3 bedrooms, each with private full bath and a substantial bonus room. There is an additional bedroom suite on the lower level with complete privacy, as well as an additional office, media, exercise and storage room.  So much space with a fabulous feeling of comfort and elegance!   Westland Dr to Sherwood Dr, this home is located at corner of Stonemill and Sherwood.  No other words...just beautiful!  Offered at $1,399,900.  Please contact Tom 865-806-1886
 

WEXFORD-What a View...What a value!!!

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VIEW, LARGE WINDOWS AND 4144 SQUARE FEET MAKE THIS THE HOME YOU HAVE WAITED FOR. THERE ARE 5 BEDROOMS (4 WITH WALK IN CLOSETS) AND 4 FULL BATHS, HIGH CATHEDRAL CEILINGS IN A SUNKEN LIVING ROOM AND THE MASTER. THERE IS WONDERFUL SPACE FOR FAMILY AND ENTERTAINING. SO MANY IMPROVEMENTS NEW ENERGY EFFICIENT PELLA WINDOWS, NEW CARPET THROUGHOUT, FRESH PAINT AND SO MUCH MORE! LIGHT, OPEN, IMMACULATE, AND MOVE-IN READY. FABUOUS VEIWS AND FARRAGUT SCHOOLS.  OFFERED at $464,000.  Please contact  Debaran 865-660-4411

ROCKY HILL-The perfect home for the FIRST TIME BUYER CREDIT!!!!

Just perfect, traditional cottage located in the heart of Rocky Hill. This four bedroom, two bath home is updated and beautifully decorated. Charm, storage and location complete with a two car garage, a lovely screened in porch and a great back yard.   Light, open, warm and inviting!  Welcome HOME.  Offered at $244,000 please contact Debaran 865-660-4411.

SEQUOYAH HILLS- Charm and a FINISHED BASEMENT REC ROOM!!!

PLEASE ACCEPT THE INVITATION TO VIEW THE CHARM AND CHARACTER THAT THIS HOME HAS TO OFFER. ELEGANT ENTRY WAY FEATURING ARCHWAYS, HARDWOOD FLOORS AND LOVELY STAIRCASE. LARGE LIVING ROOM, QUAINT DINING ROOM AND COMPLETELY REMODELED EAT-IN KITCHEN ALL OVERLOOKING FENCED-IN BACKYARD AND RECEIVING TREMENDOUS NATURAL LIGHT. COZY DEN/OFFICE WITH WOOD BURNING FIRE PLACE ALSO ON MAIN LEVEL. UPSTAIRS FEATURES 2 BEDROOMS, FULL BATH AND ENORMOUS MASTER SUITE WITH UPDATED BATH. RECENTLY FINISHED BASEMENT WITH REC ROOM, FULL BATH AND WALK-OUT BEDROOM.  Offered at $498,000!  Please contact Tom at 865-806-1886

BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME IN SEQUOYAH HILLS

A RARE OPPORTUNITY - A PRIVATE LOT AT THE BACK OF A WONDERFUL CUL-DE-SAC ON KITAWAH TRAIL IN SEQUOYAH HILLS!
DIRECTIONS- KINGSTON PIKE TO CHEROKEE BLVD AT 1ST TURN AROUND IN THE BLVD. AND TURN BACK TOWARD KINGSTON PIKE. KITUWAH IS ON RT. LOT AT BACK OF CUL-DE-SAC OFFERED AT $87,000! CONTACT TOM 865-806-1886
 

Wonderful Opportunity West-Sentry Lane

Wow, updates, new kitchen, new bathroom fixtures, new landscaping and 1600+ square feet in West Knoxville! Three bedrooms, 2 and a half baths,  a fenced in yard, two car garage and a great location make this home priced well and ready to sell. Come see all that has been done~move in ready with nothing to do!  Offered at $169,000. Contact Debaran 865-660-4411

An opinion should be the result of thought, not a substitute for it.
~ Jef Mallett

Home Sales Continue Upward Trend

According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), existing-home sales have increased the past four months in a row, a trend not seen for the past five years.

Existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – rose 7.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.24 million units in July from a level of 4.89 million in June, and are 5.0 percent above the 4.99 million-unit pace in July 2008.  The last time sales rose for four consecutive months was in June 2004, and the last time sales were higher than a year earlier was November 2005.

“The housing market has decisively turned for the better," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "A combination of first-time buyers taking advantage of the housing stimulus tax credit and greatly improved affordability conditions are contributing to higher sales.”

The monthly sales gain was the largest on record for the total existing-home sales series dating back to 1999.

“Because price-to-income ratios have fallen below historical trends, there are more all-cash offers.  In some recovering markets like San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Orlando, the demand for foreclosed and lower priced homes has spiked, and a lack of inventory is becoming a common complaint,” Yun said.

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 5.22 percent in July from 5.42 percent in June; the rate was 6.43 percent in July 2008.

TOP

Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious.
~ Brendan Gill

Make an Effort to Know Your Neighbors

As the population continues to grow, and technology changes the way we interact, it seems that our neighbors are less "neighborly" than a few decades ago. Sure, times have changed. But, that doesn't mean we should isolate ourselves. Following are several things you can do to improve the relationships with your neighbors:

• Make an effort to welcome new neighbors when they move in. Whether it's a friendly note, a plate of cookies or a quick introduction, this gesture gets the relationship started.
• Keep your home and yard well maintained. Most people take pride in their home and you'll be a better neighbor if you keep yours looking good.
• Be courteous. If you're throwing a big party, inform your neighbors; better yet, invite them. If you're doing anything that makes a lot of noise, do it at a time least likely to disturb them.
• Be helpful. If you have a neighbor that needs help raking, taking out the trash, or carrying groceries into the house, offer to give them a hand.
• Repair anything your family breaks (pets included), or pay to have it fixed as soon as possible.
• Return anything you borrow the same day if possible.
• If you have neighbors that own or operate a business, frequent their establishment and become a customer.
• Take an active role in any issues affecting your community and chip in when it's time to help.
• Offer to watch your neighbors's pet, water their plants, or collect their mail when they go out of town.
• Control your pet. If your does anything to annoy a neighbor, put a stop to it.
• Address any problems as soon as possible. Don't let a little issue fester and become a roadblock to a good neighbor.
• Get to know your neighbors. Whether it's having an occasional cup of coffee or throwing a block party together, you'll find many of your neighbors are good friends too.
  

TOP

How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin.
~ Ronald Reagan

How Much Should You Invest to Prepare Your Home

Most home sellers realize how important it is to properly prepare their home before putting it on the market, but with all the TV shows emphasizing cleaning up, remodeling and home staging, it might leave you wondering how much you're going to need to spend.

The quick answer: Invest as little as possible to prepare your property for sale. Of course you should de-clutter, clean up and repair everything that needs fixing, but what about remodeling the bathroom? Or, putting new flooring in the dining room? Or landscaping? Yes, those upgrades will make your home stand out and help get it sold, but will they put more money in your pocket at close of escrow? Probably not.

The idea is to make your home as presentable as possible without spending any money that you won't get back. If you invest $50 to thoroughly clean a bathroom, put new fixtures on the cabinets, and paint it, you'll likely get that back plus some.

But, if you spend $15,000 on a bathroom remodel, only to get $12,000 back, that's a losing proposition. You not only lost money, but you wasted time and effort with the remodel. And, even worse, a potential buyer may not like the choices you made.

When the time comes to sell your home, keep in mind you don't have to spend a ton of money to make your home presentable. Just make each dollar count!

It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.
~ William Blake

4 Hardwood Floorings Tips

Hardwood flooring remains a popular choice for home owners because it's durable, easy to clean, and offers a classic beauty that's hard to match. Originally introduced in medieval times, hardwood flooring today has evolved into a superior choice due to improved installation techniques and innovative sealants and finishes. Even though there are literally thousands of choices, some basic guidelines to selecting hardwood flooring remains fairly simple.

1. Know the Room's Purpose -- In most cases you wouldn't want to install wood floors in a bathroom because of potential moisture problems, but other rooms may have mixed uses. A den may be a place to study one day, and a toddler's playroom the next. This is important to know before you select a hardwood.
2. Traffic -- A busy room is going to require a different hardwood and finish than a room that is seldom used. For example, hallways and kitchens get lots of traffic so you'll want a more durable wood with a tougher finish than a guest bedroom with little use. Note that wood flooring with very dark or light finishes don't wear well in a kitchen environment.
3. Installation Options -- Certainly you can install hardwood flooring yourself, but like most projects -- do your homework and strictly follow the manufacturer's installation instructions. If you contract a professional, get references. Common hardwood flooring installation problems include moisture, unprepared sub-floors, improper planning, bad racking and under-nailing.
4. Color and Style -- For most people, choosing the flooring is the best part. Just keep in mind that hardwood flooring is expensive, so unless you plan to live in the house the rest of your life, make sure you choose a flooring that won't go out of style too quickly.

Sometimes people carry to such perfection the mask they have assumed that in due course they actually become the person they seem.
~ W. Somerset Maugham

Understanding Wine Labels

There's more to the label on a bottle of wine than just a pretty picture, and it can be useful to understand the information it contains. If you've studied a wine label before, you know firsthand how overwhelming it can be, especially labels from other countries.

Most wine labels display similar characteristics, starting with information regarding the winery that produced it, the appellation or wine region where the grapes were grown, the variety or type of grape, indication of class or type of wine, net contents, and the vintage or year the grapes were harvested. In addition, the alcohol content is also printed on the wine label, and often information about sulfites or organic production.

Keep in mind label requirements vary from country to country. For example, wines produced in the United States are required to display the name and address of the wine bottler, along with various consumer warnings. French wine labels will have a designation telling you something about the quality of the winemaker.

And, of course, nearly all wine labels have some sort of artwork, ranging from incredibly dull to something truly inspiring. In fact, wine label collecting has become quite popular in recent years, giving wine lovers a unique way to remember a special event or a memorable wine.

TOP

Lots of folks confuse bad management with destiny.
~ Kin Hubbard

15 Tips to Getting More Z's

Health experts have been telling us for decades about the importance of getting a healthy night's sleep. Recent studies suggest adults getting between 6.5 and 7.5 hours of sleep per night is optimal. But, what if you have trouble falling asleep? Following are 15 tips to help you get more Z's.

• Avoid exercising at night; better yet, exercise in the morning.
• Don't drink coffee, tea or caffeinated sodas in the evening.
• Don't work, eat or watch TV in bed.
• Limit your alcohol intake before bedtime.
• Don't eat or drink too much before sleeping; if you need a snack, keep it light, for example, a glass of warm milk and half a turkey or peanut butter sandwich.
• If you're a napper, do it in the early afternoon and keep it short.
• If you're a smoker, make your after dinner smoke your last.
• Make sure your bed is big enough and that your mattress, pillows and bedding are comfortable.
• Don't pay bills or focus on stressful issues before bedtime.
• Drink a decaffeinated herbal tea, such as chamomile, an hour or so before going to bed.
• Relax and breath slowly and deeply.
• Keep your room dark and eliminate extraneous noise.
• Develop a relaxing bedtime routine, such as light reading, meditation or a simple hobby, like a crossword puzzle.
• Try going to bed around the same time every night, even on the weekends.
• If you can't fall asleep right away, try reading for 30 minutes.

Things ain't what they used to be and probably never was.
~ Will Rogers

September Movie Releases

• Sept. 4
  • All About Steve
  • Carriers
  • Gamer
• Sept. 9
  • 9
• Sept. 11
  • Sorority Row
  • Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself
  • Whiteout
• Sept. 18
  • Love Happens
  • Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
  • Jennifer's Body
  • Splice
  • The Informant
• Sept. 25
  • Fame
  • The Invention of Lying
  • Pandorum
  • Surrogates

*Wide releases only. Opening dates subject to change.

TOP

As a child my family's menu consisted of two choices: take it or leave it.
~ Buddy Hackett

Garlicy Lemony Shrimp

Ingredients - Serves 4-6

• 1 lb. uncooked jumbo shrimp -- peeled and deveined
• 2 tb. sp. butter or extra virgin olive oil
• 1-2 tsp. minced peeled garlic
• 1/2-1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• Several drops hot pepper sauce or several grains cayenne pepper -- to taste
• Old Bay Seafood Seasoning
• Salt and freshly ground pepper -- to taste
• 2 tb. sp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Minced parsley or chervil and/or grated lemon peel for garnish

Directions

1. Prepare shrimp for sauteing. In a large skillet, melt butter or heat olive oil over moderate heat. Add shrimp and garlic.
2. Sprinkle Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, and seafood seasoning evenly over shrimp. Stir-fry/saute shrimp, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, over moderate heat just until shrimp are opaque in color and cut easily with a fork.
3. Do not overcook or shrimp will become tough. Sprinkle lemon juice over shrimp just before serving. Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of minced parsley or chervil.

Wine Pairing

• Pievano Orvieto Classico 2007

Click here to unsubscribe

Tom & Debaran Hughes
1200 Forest Brook Road
Knoxville, TN 37919

This eNewsletter contains information, facts and opinions from various individuals and organizations. This eNewsletter is provided on an "as-is" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. I/We are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Consult with your doctor, fitness consultant, attorney, accountant, or other professional advisor when necessary. © 2009 eNewsletterSolutions.