- Real Estate Update
- Buyers & Seller's Corner
- Home Improvement
- New Movie Releases
- Recipe of the Month

August 2008

1 -- Respect for Parent's Day
3 -- Family Day
3 -- Friendship Day
4 -- Coast Guard Day
11 -- Romance Day
16 -- Full Moon Day
25 -- National Park Day

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BACK TO SCHOOL

It seems our sweet summer has passed us by and it is time for the big yellow buses to hit the roads again.  As summer does come to a close we want to once again thank you all for your continued support and referrals.  Our family business is thriving and we thank you.  Already this year we have both achieved the Knoxville Area Association of Realtors Award of Excellence for sales.  Of course, our clients are the real winners because we have achieved their real estate goals!  We are having successful transactions on a regular  basis and we already have five properties pending for August!  So...is this a tough market?  Yes, but there is a difference in Realtors.   We achieve goals for both buyers and sellers.  It takes a customized marketing plan and a lot of hard work.   We want to hear from you to discuss our new buyer services and our customized marketing and service plans for our sellers.  Take a look through our featured properties, click the yellow bus and cruise our website.  There are wonderful values, beautiful estates and we have a great new condo perfect for the young professional, collegiate or an investment property.  Have a great rest of your summer and we look forward to sharing a successful fall with you.  Sincerely, Tom and Debaran

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Lovely Waterfront Estate Home in Sequoyah Hills

This is everything you have always wanted!  Sequoyah Hills, water front, a dock, gourmet kitchen, luxury baths, a wine cellar, fabulous living spaces, a two story closet off of a master suite with breath taking views.  Every detail is fabulous, every fixture is exquisite.  This is the perfect combination of elegance, luxury and location.  5688 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 5 and one half baths.  You can have family and friends relax on the dock and watch the Vol Navy as they travel to the games.  You won't be in a hurry you are only moments away from Neyland Stadium.....for your private showing please contact Debaran Hughes (865)660-4411.  Offered at $1,950,000

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A Charming Cape Cod in the heart of Sequoyah Hills

This charming Cape Cod offers lovely hardwoods throughout, tons of crown moulding and large, sunny living space.  The master suite on the main level offers double closets and a huge bath complete with separate shower and sunken tub.  A huge family room is waiting to enjoy and the home is updated and ready for your family.  There is a covered carport, unfinished basement storage, a large level backyard and it is an easy stroll to the park, school or library.  Call Debaran to schedule your showing  (865)660-4411.  Offered at $339,000

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The Westfield town homes Deane Hill Drive

A fabulous location and a fabulous town home!  Beautifully decorated, young and fresh.  Completely renovated 3 years ago.  The best location with a private back patio and plenty of parking for guest.  There is extra storage and shelving in the floored attic and a wonderful pool, clubhouse and workout room.  All of this in the heart of West Knoxville.  This town home is perfect for the collegiate, young professional or the investor.  1074 Square feet, 2 bedrooms and 1.5 baths.  Offfered at $123,900.  The washer and dryer will remain!  Hurry and move in before school starts-contact Debaran Hughes (865)660-4411

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Old Westmoreland-Sherwood Drive

The property alone makes this home the ONE!  An oversized level lot is the setting of this extraodinary home located on prestigious Sherwood Drive.  This fabulous New England style home features 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths.  This home has been completely renovated and when you walk through the front door you will be absolutely amazed!  A beautiful kitchen, granite, stainless, large open rooms, 2 fireplaces, a luxury master suite, and downstairs game room/media room.  The storage is abundant and the features go on and on.  Come sit on the wonderful screened in porch and watch the Vols this season or maybe watch the game downstairs on the flat screen in front of the fireplace.  Whatever your choice....there is plenty of room for all of your friends. The perfect entertaining home-  Offered at $849,000.  Please contact Tom (865)806-1886

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Great Value in Sequoyah Hills

This very private home in Sequoyah Hills offers something for everyone.  A  masterfully appointed gourmet kitchen features an expansive granite island to accommodate cooking and entertaining.  The master suite features a large closet and a large oversized bath.  A second story bonus room provides excellent space for a playroom, game room or exercise room. There are 4 bedrooms and 4 full baths!   This home has all of the updates of a modern family home with the charm and convenience of fabulous Sequoyah Hills.  A motivated seller will even assist with closing costs.  To schedule your showing contact Tom (865)806-1886.  -3600 square feet offered at  $474,900!

Existing-Home Sales Down Slightly in June

According to a late-July report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing-home sales fell 2.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.86 million units in June from a pace of 4.99 million in May.

“A recent online survey of Realtors® shows nearly a quarter of potential home buyers are waiting on the sidelines,” said NAR President Richard F. Gaylord, adding there is something of a quandary in the current market. “However, timing the market can be very tricky, which is why home buyers should always have a long-term view to build wealth.”

Total housing inventory at the end of June rose 0.2 percent to 4.49 million existing homes available for sale, which represents an 11.1-month supply at the current sales pace, up from a 10.8-month supply in May.

“About four in 10 homes are purchased by first-time buyers, which frees existing owners to trade up,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, emphasizing the critical role first-time home buyers have on the health of the housing market. “With many potential first-time home buyers on the sidelines, a first-time buyer tax credit would have a significant positive impact on both housing and the economy. Combined with permanent increases to mortgage loan limits and enhancing the FHA loan program, the housing stimulus package working its way through Congress would go a long way toward helping consumers and boosting the overall economy.”

The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $215,100 in June, down 6.1 percent from a year ago when the median was $229,000, the report said.

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage rose to 6.32 percent in June from 6.04 percent in May; the rate was 6.66 percent in June 2007.

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Creditors have better memories than debtors.
-- Benjamin Franklin

Think Twice Before Co-signing a Loan

With home loans getting more difficult to obtain in many cases, you may be asked by a family member or friend to co-sign a loan. But, before you co-sign, keep these points in mind.

• Your liability for the loan may keep you from getting other credit (or loans) because creditors will consider the co-signed loan as one of your financial obligations.
• Make sure you can afford to re-pay the loan or make the payments. If you become responsible for the loan and can't make the payments, you will likely be sued and your credit will be damaged.
• Before you pledge property (real estate, RV, boat, auto) to secure the loan, make sure you understand the consequences. If the borrower defaults, you could lose the pledged property.
• Try negotiating the specific terms of your obligation. For example, you may want to limit your liability to only the principal, and not include late fees or administration costs. Get it in writing.
• Get the lender to agree to notify you immediately if the borrower misses any payments. This will give you time to deal with the situation before it becomes a major problem. Once again, get it in writing.
• Check your state law for additional co-signer rights and responsibilities.
• Get copies of all documents.

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It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense.
-- Robert G. Ingersoll

8 Steps to Painting/Staining Concrete

One way you can easily and economically improve the appearance of your home is to paint or stain any concrete walls, flooring, patios or other outdoor surfaces that are gray and boring. While the process is a bit more difficult than painting an interior wall, it's still fairly easy and the results can be fantastic. Here's how you do it:

1. Test the Area -- Before painting the concrete, perform a moisture test by taping a 24-inch square of plastic to the area and waiting 48 hours. If there is any discoloration or any visible signs of moisture trapped in the plastic, the cement should not be painted or stained.
2. Roughen the Surface -- Concrete should be as rough as 120 grit sandpaper; smooth concrete will not accept stains or coatings. You can roughen the surface with a wire brush and acid-based solution or use a cement etching solution found in most home improvement stores. You can also use a floor sander or shot blaster to roughen the surface.
3. Clean the Surface Thoroughly -- Use a degreaser or concrete cleaner to remove all paint, dirt, moisture, etc. The concrete must be clean and dry or the paint or stain will not work correctly. If you use a power washer, wait at least 48 hours before doing any repairs, painting or staining.
4. Repairs -- Fix any cracks or holes in the concrete with hydraulic cement.
5. Seal the Concrete -- Masonry coating works best. Let dry.
6. Primer -- Apply a coat of concrete-safe primer with a roller or sprayer. Let dry.
7. Paint/Stain -- Apply paint or stain with a roller or sprayer and let dry. Apply additional coats of paint as needed. Always dry thoroughly between coats.
8. Sealer -- Apply a coat of concrete-safe sealer.

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August Movie Releases

• August 1
  • The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
• August 6
  • The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
  • Pineapple Express
• August 8
  • Fly Me to the Moon
• August 13
  • Tropic Thunder
• August 15
  • Henry Poole Is Here
  • Mirrors
  • Star Wars: The Clone Wars
• August 20
  • The Rocker
• August 22
  • Death Race
  • The House Bunny
• August 29
  • Babylon A.D.
  • College
  • Disaster Movie

Barbeque Halibut Steaks

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 4 cloves garlic -- minced
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1-1/4 tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 tsp. ground black pepper
• 2 (1 pound) halibut steaks

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. Place butter, brown sugar, garlic, lemon juice, soy sauce, and pepper in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Lightly oil grill grate. Brush fish with brown sugar sauce and place on grill. Cook 5 minutes per side, or until fish can be easily flaked with a fork, basting with sauce. Discard remaining basting sauce.

• Sancerre Domaine des Caves du Prieuré 2007

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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. © 2008 eNewsletterSolutions.